Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quality outcomes of reinterpretation of brain CT studies by subspecialty experts in stroke imaging.

OBJECTIVE The purposes of this study were to determine the clinical importance and relative value of reinterpretation of brain CT studies by subspecialty experts by assessing the accuracy of interpretation by general radiologists at primary stroke centers and to assess interpretive quality outcomes as a function of change in the treatment of patients with stroke diagnoses or acute presentations of suspected stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS Computerized medical records for the years 2009-2010 at four major community hospitals were queried for primary interpretation of brain CT studies of stroke patients with an acute presentation of either stroke or suspected stroke as diagnosed by board-certified general radiologists (nonneuroradiologists). A central database was queried that allowed one to query by clinical history or symptoms. Secondary interpretation of images of the identified patient sample was then performed by three experienced neuroradiologists. Each case was initially interpreted as an emergency or urgent study by a general radiologist. The reinterpretations performed by a neuroradiologist were scored as concordant or discordant. The discordant studies were categorized as a major discordance if there was a change in clinical management or as a minor discordance if there was no effect on or change in clinical management. The assessment was limited to brain CT studies without contrast administration. CT angiography and perfusion CT studies were not included in the analysis. Patients with hemorrhagic stroke, brain tumors, abscesses, and AIDS or HIV infection were excluded to limit the assessment to ischemic nonhemorrhagic disease. RESULTS Of the 560 studies reviewed, 14 studies (2.5%) were identified as discordant. Of those discordant studies, four (0.7% of the original 560) were categorized as major discrepancies necessitating a change in clinical management. Ten (1.78%) were categorized as minor discrepancies, for which there was no change in management. There were no permanent adverse outcomes with respect to morbidity and mortality as a result of a discrepant interpretation, as determined by chart review or communication with the attending or referring physician by the secondary reader. CONCLUSION Most of the interpreted head CT cases read by board-certified general radiologists for patients presenting with stroke or stroke symptoms did not result in discordant interpretations as verified by subspecialty experts. Discordant interpretations did not result in changes in clinical management in most cases. Double reading of head CT scans for these patients by subspecialty experts appears to be an inefficient method of substantially improving imaging health quality outcomes in stroke.
Classic Conditioning and Dysfunctional Cognitions in Patients With Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia Treated With an Implantable Cardioverter/Defibrillator

Objective A model for the development of anxiety disorders (panic disorder with or without agoraphobia) is needed. Patients with an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) are exposed to repeated electric shocks. If the theory of anxiety development by aversive classic conditioning processes is valid, these repeated shocks should lead to an increased risk of anxiety disorders. To study this hypothesis, we retrospectively studied 72 patients after implantation of an automatic ICD. Methods Patients were assessed with the semistructured Diagnostic Interview of Psychiatric Disease 1 to 6 years after implantation of an automatic ICD. Panic disorder and/or agoraphobia was diagnosed in patients who fulfilled all DSM-III-R criteria for those conditions. Results Anxiety disorder developed in 15.9% of patients after ICD implantation. This was significantly related to the frequency of repeated defibrillation (shocks) to stop malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Dysfunctional cognitions are an additional vulnerability factor. Conclusions The data support both the conditioning hypothesis and the cognitive model of anxiety development. These findings suggest that ICD patients are an appropriate risk population for a prospective study of the development of anxiety disorders.
Evaluation of immunotoxins containing single‐chain ribosome‐inactivating proteins and an anti‐CD22 monoclonal antibody (OM124): in vitro and in vivo studies

Immunotoxins were prepared with three ribosome‐inactivating proteins (RIP), momordin, pokeweed antiviral protein from seeds (PAP‐S) and saporin‐S6, linked to the anti‐CD22 monoclonal antibody OM124. These immunotoxins inhibited protein synthesis by CD22‐expressing cell lines Daudi, EHM, BJAB, Raji and BM21 with IC50 (concentration causing 50% inhibition) ranging from < 5 × 10−15 to 7.6 × 10−11 M as RIP, and IC90 (concentration causing 90% inhibition) ranging from 5 × 10−14 to 5 × 10−8 M, with no effect on a CD22‐negative HL60 cell line at the highest concentration tested (5 × 10−8 M). Apoptosis was induced in sensitive cells. The formation of bone marrow colonies was inhibited by no more than 40% by the immunotoxins at concentrations up to 10−9 M. Treatment with the immunotoxins, alone or in combination, significantly extended the survival time of mice bearing transplanted Daudi cells. A treatment with cyclophosphamide and OM124/saporin immunotoxin was particularly effective in SCID mice transplanted with a low number of cells (3 × 10−6), when 60% of the animals remained tumour‐free.
Toward a systematic sensitivity analysis of on-chip power grids using factor analysis

We present a systematic way of performing sensitivity analysis on on-chip power distribution grids. By using factor analysis we are able to uncover correlations between power grid design variables and power supply noise. From our analysis of 300 different grids in a 65-nm process, we can identify which power grid design variables have both high correlation to and high impact on noise; the most important one being supply rail width.
Choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity in the human vestibular end‐organs

Acetylcholine (ACh) is believed to play a major role in the efferent vestibular system in several animal models, however no information regarding the role of ACh in the human efferent vestibular system has been published. Post‐embedding immunohistochemistry in a hydrophilic resin was used to investigate the choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity (ChATi) and acetylcholinesterase (ACHE) histochemistry in human vestibular end‐organs. ChATi and AChE activity was found in numerous bouton‐type terminals at the basal area of the vestibular hair cells. These terminals were found to contact type II vestibular hair cells and the afferent chalices surrounding type I hair cells. This study provides the first evidence that the human efferent vestibular axons and terminals are cholinergic.
Complex karyotype, older age, and reduced first‐line dose intensity determine poor survival in core binding factor acute myeloid leukemia patients with long‐term follow‐up

Approximately 40% of patients affected by core binding factor (CBF) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) ultimately die from the disease. Few prognostic markers have been identified. We reviewed 192 patients with CBF AML, treated with curative intent (age, 15–79 years) in 11 Italian institutions. Overall, 10‐year overall survival (OS), disease‐free survival (DFS), and event‐free survival were 63.9%, 54.8%, and 49.9%, respectively; patients with the t(8;21) and inv(16) chromosomal rearrangements exhibited significant differences at diagnosis. Despite similar high complete remission (CR) rate, patients with inv(16) experienced superior DFS and a high chance of achieving a second CR, often leading to prolonged OS also after relapse. We found that a complex karyotype (i.e., ≥4 cytogenetic anomalies) affected survival, even if only in univariate analysis; the KIT D816 mutation predicted worse prognosis, but only in patients with the t(8;21) rearrangement, whereas FLT3 mutations had no prognostic impact. We then observed increasingly better survival with more intense first‐line therapy, in some high‐risk patients including autologous or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In multivariate analysis, age, severe thrombocytopenia, elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels, and failure to achieve CR after induction independently predicted longer OS, whereas complex karyotype predicted shorter OS only in univariate analysis. The achievement of minimal residual disease negativity predicted better OS and DFS. Long‐term survival was observed also in a minority of elderly patients who received intensive consolidation. All considered, we identified among CBF AML patients a subgroup with poorer prognosis who might benefit from more intense first‐line treatment. Am. J. Hematol. 90:515–523, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Increased glycine absorption rate associated with acute bacterial infections in man

1. Glycine absorption rate from a 300 mm jejunal segment was determined in vivo in four Zambian African subjects with acute, and four with chronic, respiratory infections. Glycine solutions (100, 150 and 250 mmol/l) were perfused, by means of a double-lumen tube technique. The results were compared with those for four relatively normal Zambian African subjects (‘reference’ group) previously studied. The group with acute-infections had a significantly higher mean absorption rate than the reference or chronic-infection group. 2. Glycine absorption results from a 100 mmol/l glycine solution in an additional twenty-four Zambian African subjects have also been analysed. When results for the thirty-six subjects were combined, those with acute bacterial infections had a significantly higher mean absorption rate than the normal subjects or those with chronic infections. For the twenty-one normal subjects there was a significant positive correlation between the individual absorption rates and serum total globulin and γ-globulin concentrations. 3. It seems likely that the rapid catabolism of protein associated with infection is counteracted by an increase in amino acid absorption rate. In subjects on a low-protein diet that mechanism would be limited. The deterioration in nutritional status during infections in developing countries could therefore be partly explained by the present observation.
Histopathological and Molecular Studies on Tramadol Mediated Hepato-Renal Toxicity in Rats

Tramadol, a broadly used opioid in recent years, is an effective analgesic agent for the treatment of moderately severe acute or chronic pain. The liver and kidneys are responsible for the metabolism and excretion of opioids, which may cause hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. The present study was designed to evaluate the toxic effects of tramadol on the liver and kidney of experimental rats. Twenty male albino rats, used in the present study, were divided into two groups; control and tramadol-treated (40 mg/kg b.w., orally) for 20 consecutive days. Livers and kidneys specimens were taken for histopathological, molecular and biochemical studies. Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were determined in these tissues. Histopathological changes in liver and kidney were evaluated by light microscopy. Finally, RT-PCR technique was used to analysis the expression level of apoptosis-related genes, Bcl-2 and Bax, in liver and kidney tissues. Tramadol caused a significant reduction in the activities of GSH, SOD, and CAT, whilst a significant increase in the level of MDA in compared to control groups in both liver and kidney. In accordance with the biochemical findings, our data showed that tramadol treatment induced histopathological alterations in both tissues. These alterations were manifested by severe hydropic degeneration, with congested central veins of the liver and degenerated renal tubules and atrophied glomerulus. Moreover, mRNA expression level of proapoptotic marker Bax showed a significant increase, whereas the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 expression decreased significantly indicating that tramadol is harmful at the cellular level and can induce apoptotic changes in these tissues. Therefore, the toxic effects of tramadol should keep in mind, even though, the important role it plays as powerful pain management.
Trophic transfer and biotransformation of polychlorinated biphenyls in zebra mussel, round goby, and smallmouth bass in Lake Erie, USA

Trophic transfer of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), round gobies (Neogobius melanstomus), and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) were assessed in four sites along the south shore of the west and central basin of Lake Erie (all sites were in OH, USA). Total PCB levels in smallmouth bass (1,091–1,520 ng/g wet weight) and round gobies (118–256 ng/g wet weight) were similar among sites despite a west‐to‐east decrease in total PCB concentrations in zebra mussels (29–97 ng/g wet weight). At all sites, PCB body burden increased three‐ to fivefold at each successive trophic level, suggesting biomagnification in this nonnative food chain. Whereas fish species were dominated by the hexachlorine homologue, zebra mussels were dominated by penta‐ and hexachlorine homologues; the average degree of chlorination of PCBs was 56.1% for zebra mussels, 60.4% for round goby, and 59.9% for smallmouth bass bodies. Predictive structure‐activity relationships based on chemical characteristics, such as the octanol‐water partition coefficient (log Kow), had little predictive power on bioaccumulation and biotransformation of PCB congeners because of nonlinearity, threshold relationships, and species‐specific differences. Calculated trophic transfer for the smallmouth bass‐round goby linkage was higher than for the round goby‐zebra mussel linkage. Only when PCB congeners were grouped by chemical structure first (vicinal [adjacent] H‐atom position in the phenyl ring) were linear relationships achieved. It appeared that the chemical group to which each congener belonged influenced biotransformation more than species‐specific (round gobies vs smallmouth bass) differences. Biotic changes at midtrophic levels, such as exotic species invasions, may have an increasingly important role in determining pollutant cycling and hence pollutant residues in top predators.
Autonomie alimentaire des élevages bovins laitiers

Les eleveurs cherchent a ameliorer l'autonomie alimentaire de leur elevage pour reduire les couts de production et ameliorer la qualite et la tracabilite de leurs produits. Cette etude a pour but de realiser un etat des lieux du degre d'autonomie actuel des elevages bovins laitiers francais. Elle s'appuie sur les donnees de l'annee 2000 des Reseaux d'Elevage bovins lait. L'autonomie est definie comme le complement de la dependance (achats / consommation). La consommation est estimee par les niveaux d'ingestion pour la MS totale et par les besoins pour les UFL et les MAT. L'autonomie globale est de 86,2 % pour la MS, 82,2 % pour l'energie et 71,4 % pour les matieres proteiques. L'autonomie en concentres est beaucoup plus faible: 32,1 % pour la MS, 33,9 % pour l'energie et seulement 20,3 % pour les MAT. Le systeme de production n'a pas d'effet sur l'autonomie en fourrages. [. ]
Chronic intermittent ethanol exposure in mice leads to an up-regulation of CRH/CRHR1 signaling.

BACKGROUND One of the most commonly used approaches to induce ethanol (EtOH) dependence in rodents is EtOH vapor inhalation. This procedure requires the co-administration of pyrazole-an inhibitor of the alcohol dehydrogenase-to obtain stable blood EtOH concentrations (BECs) during the entire induction course. However, pyrazole can produce unwanted side effects. Our goal was to obtain EtOH-dependent mice without pyrazole and to study their behavioral and molecular postdependent phenotype. In particular, we were interested in alterations in the corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) and receptor (CRHR1 and CRHR2) system as a prominent role of CRH in driving the postdependent state via actions in the central extended amygdala (CeA) has been demonstrated in rats but not in postdependent mice. METHODS We established an alternative model of chronic intermittent EtOH (CIE) inhalation without the use of pyrazole in C57BL/6N mice. Our CIE exposure protocol involved 8 cycles. One cycle consisted of 8 hours with EtOH inhalation and 8 hours without EtOH. We then examined withdrawal symptoms. After 2 weeks of abstinence, we studied relapse, reinstatement of EtOH-seeking, and stress-induced EtOH self-administration. We also did transcriptional analysis of components of the CRH system during CIE, protracted abstinence, and after stress-induced EtOH self-administration. RESULTS CIE exposure without pyrazole resulted in reproducible BECs during the induction procedure. Mice showed strong withdrawal scores during 4 to 12 hours after the last CIE cycle and enhanced stress-induced EtOH self-administration. This postdependent phenotype during abstinence was accompanied by enhanced Crh and Crhr1 transcripts but no change in Crhr2 transcripts in the CeA. Cue-induced EtOH-seeking behavior and relapse (alcohol deprivation effect) were not affected by the inhalation procedure. CONCLUSIONS We have established a CIE inhalation protocol without pyrazole in mice and showed excessive EtOH self-administration under mild stress and enhanced CRH/CRHR1 signaling in the CeA.
Multifunctionality of Agriculture:A Review of Definitions, Evidence and Instruments

In this contribution we try to look at the new role for agriculture in rural areas by reviewing the concept of multifunctional agriculture as well as the analytical frameworks used. Next, we review the existing evidence about the multifunctional role of farming. Although not overwhelming, the existing literature shows that agriculture contributes to the rural wealth not only through the production of commodities, but also by the delivery of non-tradable goods. This contribution can be both direct through increased values for properties or economic benefits in the tourism sector, but also indirect through conservation of rural heritage or agriecological systems. Next we focus on how this role of agriculture can be stimulated. It is argued that multifunctionality can be a unifying principle to bring the productive and non-productive functions into harmony. This requires the development of new institutional arrangements and a major change in policy incentives.
Dopa‐responsive dystonia is induced by a dominant‐negative mechanism

Dopa‐responsive dystonia (DRD) is induced by a deficiency of GTP cyclohydrolase I (GCH) and has a postulated autosomal dominant inheritance with a low penetrance. G201E is a dominant DRD mutation. Recombinant G201E mutant protein possessed very low enzyme activity. When G201E was expressed in eukaryotic cells, only a small amount of GCH protein could be detected. In baby hamster kidney cells, G201E protein was synthesized normally but was degraded rapidly in pulse‐chase experiments. More interestingly, G201E dramatically decreased the level of wild‐type protein and GCH activity in cotransfection studies. Therefore, G201E exerts a dominant‐negative effect on the wild‐type protein, probably going through an interaction between them. We also showed that L79P but not R249S (a recessive DRD mutation) had a dominant‐negative effect. Through the dominant‐negative mechanism, a single mutation could decrease GCH activity to less than 50% of normal. This study not only explains the inheritance of DRD but also increases the understanding of genetic diseases associated with multiple subunit proteins. Ann Neurol 2000;48:609–613
Cloning and Characterization of a Chromosomal Class C β-Lactamase and Its Regulatory Gene in Laribacter hongkongensis

ABSTRACT Laribacter hongkongensis, a newly discovered bacterium recently shown to be associated with community-acquired gastroenteritis, is generally resistant to most β-lactams except the carbapenems. We describe the cloning and characterization of a novel chromosomal class C β-lactamase and its regulatory gene in L. hongkongensis. Two genes, ampC and ampR, were cloned by inserting restriction fragments of genomic DNA from L. hongkongensis strain HLHK5 into pBK-CMV to give the recombinant plasmid pBK-LHK-5. The ampR and ampC genes and their promoters were divergently oriented, with the ampR gene immediately upstream of the ampC gene and an intercistronic Lys-R motif, typical of inducible ampC-ampR regulatory systems. The deduced amino acid sequence of the cloned AmpC β-lactamase (pI 8.1) contained consensus motifs characteristic of class C β-lactamases but had identities no greater than 46% to known class C β-lactamases. The kinetic properties of this AmpC were also compatible with those of a class C β-lactamase. PCR of 20 clinical isolates of L. hongkongensis, including HLHK5, showed the presence of both ampC and ampR genes in all isolates. Southern hybridization suggested that the ampC gene of HLHK5 was chromosomally encoded. Subcloning experiments showed that the expression of the ampC gene of HLHK5 was regulated by its ampR gene, which acts as a repressor. The β-lactamase characterized from strain HLHK5 was named LHK-5 (gene, blaLHK-5) and represents the first example of AmpC β-lactamase in the β subdivision of proteobacteria.
Comparison of pyrimidine nucleotide synthetic enzymes involved in 5‐fluorouracil metabolism between human adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas

The activities of orotate phosphoribosyltransferase (OPRT), cytidine triphosphate (CTP) synthetase, deoxycytidine monophosphate (dCMP) deaminase, thymidine monophosphate (dTMP) kinase, uridine (Urd) kinase, thymidine (dThd) kinase, Urd and dThd phosphorylases, and DNA polymerase were examined in the eight human lung squamous cell carcinomas and five lung adenocarcinomas, and five tumor‐adjacent normal lung tissues. All of these enzymes are involved in pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis. The metabolism of 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) was determined. The levels of these enzymes, except for OPRT, were high in tumor tissues and almost the same between lung squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas, with no statistical difference. The activities for phosphorylation and degradation of 5‐FU were similar in each tissue type of tumor. As 5‐FU is incorporated into tumor cells and is metabolized actively to 5‐FU nucleotides in squamous cell carcinoma tissues, at almost the same level seen in adenocarcinoma tissues, this drug should have a wide clinical application.
Is Circulating D-Dimer Level a Better Prognostic Indicator than Cea in Resectable Colorectal Cancer? Our Experience on 199 Cases

Purpose To evaluate the clinical impact of D-dimer (DD) as a tumor marker in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The prognostic value of preoperative DD measurement was assessed in relation to carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels. Methods DD and CEA levels were measured preoperatively in 199 patients who underwent resection for CRC and the results were analyzed statistically. Results The preoperative mean (±SD) levels of DD and CEA were 347.5 (±940.1) ng/mL and 106.4 (±1099.2) ng/mL. The DD level was significantly correlated with the nature of surgery (emergency vs. elective; p=0.002), presence of residual tumor (R1–2 vs R0; p=0.037), and tumor diameter (p<0.001). Conversely, DD was not correlated with tumor grade, pT, pN and M stages, and stage according to the Dukes classification. The 5-year survival rates were 80% and 64% for patients with negative and positive DD values, respectively (p=0.156). CEA was significantly related to all major prognostic factors (resection category, pT, pN and M stages as well as Dukes stage). A significantly worse prognosis was observed for patients with positive CEA levels. Multivariate analysis confirmed CEA as an independent prognostic factor (p=0.005), whilst DD was not (p=0.796). Conclusions The possible clinical usefulness of preoperative assessment of DD suggested by previous studies has not been confirmed by our data. CEA was confirmed to be the most reliable and valid indicator of prognosis.