Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FOVEAL FUNCTION AND THICKNESS AFTER VERTEPORFIN PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY IN CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY WITH HYPERAUTOFLUORESCENT SUBRETINAL DEPOSITS

Purpose: To assess the prognostic effect of subretinal deposits in eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Methods: The study included 21 eyes with foveal detachment and subretinal deposits at presentation that underwent photodynamic therapy (PDT). No symptoms or signs of CSC were found in the fellow eyes. Microperimetry, autofluorescence imaging, and optical coherence tomography were performed in both eyes before and after PDT. Subgroup analyses included comparison of eyes with an initial episode versus a recurrent episode of CSC. Results: Four months after PDT, foveal sensitivity had improved significantly in both initial episode eyes and recurrent episode eyes, but sensitivity remained at 3.1 dB (SD = 3.06, P = 0.008) and 2.7 dB (SD = 3.55, P = 0.028), respectively, lower than in the fellow eyes. Four months after PDT, foveal thickness was 245 &mgr;m (SD = 24.2) in the initial episode eyes versus 285 &mgr;m (SD = 22.6) in the fellow eyes (P < 0.001) and 246 &mgr;m (SD = 33.7) in the recurrent episode eyes versus 291 &mgr;m (SD = 24.8) in the fellow eyes (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Eyes with foveal detachment and subretinal deposits that underwent PDT for CSC did not recover to the functional and structural level of the asymptomatic fellow eyes, irrespective of the number of episodes of CSC. The study indicates that subretinal deposits are associated with irreversible foveal damage in CSC.
Role of gamma-delta ( gd ) T cells in autoimmunity

gd T cells represent a small population of overall T lymphocytes (0.5–5%) and have variable tissue distribution in the body. gd T cells can perform complex functions, such as immune surveillance, immunoregulation, and effector function, without undergoing clonal expansion. Heterogeneous distribution and anatomic localization of gd T cells in the normal and inflamed tissues play an important role in alloimmunity, autoimmunity, or immunity. The cross-talk between gd T cells and other immune cells and phenotypic and functional plasticity of gd T cells have been given recent attention in the field of immunology. In this review, we discussed the cellular and molecular interaction of gd T cells with other immune cells and its mechanism in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases. J. Leukoc. Biol. 97: 259–271; 2015.
Assessing the Impact of Health Technology Assessment

Abstract Methodology for evaluation of impact of health technology assessments (HTAs) is outlined and its use illustrated by applying it to 21 HTAs produced by CETS. Impact on policies and technology diffusion was identified in documents, through interviews, questionnaires, and use of data banks. There was evidence that all but three reports influenced policy and that cost-minimization studies caused savings of between $16 million and $27 million annually. Precise estimates of impact will seldom be possible, but systematic documentation of effects is feasible.
Amygdala kindling‐induced seizures selectively impair spatial memory. 1. Behavioral characteristics and effects on hippocampal neuronal protein kinase C isoforms

Protein kinase C (PKC) comprises a family of kinases consisting of nine subspecies that are differentially distributed in the central nervous system. This implies distinct functions. Its involvement is suggested in cellular and molecular mechanisms by which the hippocampus exerts influence on information processing. In this study, it was questioned whether abnormal activity in the neuronal substrate, particularly the hippocampal formation, induced by amygdala kindling indeed impairs spatial memory performance and correlated α, βI/II, and γ PKC subspecies expression. Rats were trained in a spatial discrimination task (SDT) and simultaneously kindled in the amygdala to induce abnormal, epileptiform activity. Control rats were only trained in the holeboard, a “free choice” maze, in which working (WM) and reference memory (RM) were simultaneously examined. Halfway through and at the end of the experiments the influence of kindling and SDT training on the immunoreactivity for PKC subspecies α, βI/II, and γ was evaluated in the hippocampal formation. Kindling resulted in a gradual increase in afterdischarge duration and motor seizure (MS) severity. Repeated SDT training ultimately resulted in an asymptotic level of WM and RM performance. As soon as generalized MSs developed, kindled rats failed to improve RM, whereas WM was not influenced. Compared to untrained rats, in trained controls PKCγ but not PKCαβI/II immunoreactivity was elevated in CA1 pyramidal and dentate gyrus granular cells. Generalized but not partial MSs abolished these alterations in PKCγ immunoreactivity. The present data indicate that repeated training in a SDT affects the expression of PKC subspecies γ but not of α or β in the rat hippocampus. Generalized epileptiform activity impair both acquisition of new spatial RM information and PKCγ expression. It is argued that PKCγ plays a role in cellular mechanisms through which pathological brain activity impairs certain aspects of spatial memory.
Three-demensional structure of the rat small intestinal mucosa related to mucosal dynamics. I. Mucosal structure and dynamics in the rat after the administration of methotrexate.

In other communications (Loehry and Creamer, 1969; Loehry, Croft, Singh, and Creamer, 1969) we have established that the three-dimensional structure of the small intestinal mucosa is more complex than has been supposed, with a preponderance of crypts over villi, and with many small intervillous ridges which probably represent the migration lines of epithelial cells that are channelled round from crypts onto villi. We have demonstrated how the evolution of morphological variations in villous architecture in disease is due to the hypertrophy of these intervillous ridges as villi shorten, to form leaves, convolutions, and a flat mucosa. The question that remained is why there should occur this hypertrophy of the intervillous ridges in disease, and how these structural changes were related to the dynamic state of the mucosa. As a working hypothesis we considered that this hypertrophy of the intervillous ridges was due to an increased turnover state, when cells emerging from the crypts at a faster rate than normal caused hypertrophy of normal migration lines. This situation, together with an increase of cell loss causing shortening of the villi, could be responsible for the typical abnormal mucosal patterns in disease. In order to test this hypothesis we have related the three-dimensional mucosal structure to the dynamic state in various experimental conditions in rats. For practical purposes three basic processes were considered for altering the dynamic state of the mucosa: (1) Decreased cell production produced by the administration of methotrexate; (2) increased cell production studied in the lactating rat; (3) increased cell loss was produced by infesting rats with the nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis.
Linking the 474 THz HeNe/I2 standard to the 445 THz single Sr+ trapped ion standard: heterodyne frequency measurements using an OsO4 stabilized 29 THz laser system

A 29 THz CO/sub 2/ laser system operating on the 10 /spl mu/m R(0) line has been developed, which is frequency-stabilized by third harmonic locking to a saturated absorption resonance of OsO/sub 4/. By difference frequency mixing this radiation and 474 THz radiation referenced to a HeNe/I/sub 2/ laser standard, sufficient 445 THz power is obtained for an absolute heterodyne measurement of the 445 THz radiation probing a /sup 88/Sr/sup +/ single ion reference transition. A new series of measurements give a value of 444779044086 kHz/spl plusmn/12 kHz for the /sup 88/Sr/sup +/, 5s/sup 2/S/sub 1/2/-4d/sup 2/D/sub 5/2/ center frequency.
Unlocking the Black Box: Supporting Practices to Become Patient-centered Medical Homes

Background:Despite widespread interest in supporting primary care transformation, few evidence-based strategies for technical assistance exist. The Safety Net Medical Home Initiative (SNMHI) sought to develop a replicable and sustainable model for Patient-centered Medical Home practice transformation. Objectives:This paper describes the multimodal technical assistance approach used by the SNMHI and the participating practices’ assessment of its value and helpfulness in supporting their transformation. Results:Components of the technical assistance framework included: (1) individual site-level coaching provided by local medical home facilitators and supplemented by expert consultation; (2) regional and national learning communities of participating practices that included in-person meetings and field trips; (3) data monitoring and feedback including longitudinal feedback on medical home implementation as measured by the Patient-centered Medical Home-A; (4) written implementation guides, tools, and webinars relating to each of the 8 Change Concepts for Practice Transformation; and (5) small grant funds to support infrastructure and staff development. Overall, practices found the technical assistance helpful and most valued in-person, peer-to-peer-learning opportunities. Practices receiving technical assistance from membership organizations with which they belonged before the SNMHI scored higher on measures of medical home implementation than practices working with organizations with whom they had no prior relationship. Conclusions:There is an important role for both local and national organizations to provide nonduplicative, mutually reinforcing support for primary care transformation. How (in-person, between-peers) and by whom technical assistance is provided may be important to consider.
Laparoscopic Inguinal Herniorrhaphy Results of a Multicenter Trial

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine if laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy represents a viable alternative to the conventional repair and to assess whether a prospective randomized controlled trial comparing both procedures is warranted. MethodsThree types of laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphies (transabdominal preperitoneal [TAPP], intraperitoneal onlay mesh [IPOM], and totally extraperitoneal [EXTRA]) were studied in a phase II design. Twenty-one investigators from 19 institutions participated. Approval from the local human research committee was required at each institution before patients could be enrolled. ResultsThere were 686 patients with 869 hernias: 366 (42.1%) were direct, 414 (47.6%) were indirect, 22 (2.5%) were femoral, and 67 (7.7%) were combination hernias. The TAPP procedure was used for 562 hernias, the IPOM was used for 217 hernias, and the EXTRA was used for 87 hernias. Sixtyone patients had additional abdominal procedures performed at the time of laparoscopy without any adverse affects on their herniorhaphies. The overall recurrence rate was 4.5%, with a minimum follow-up of 15 months.Complications were divided into the following three groups: 1) those related to laparoscopy, 2) those related to the patient, and 3) those related to the herniorrhaphy. Complications related to the laparoscopy occurred in 5.4% of patients; bleeding or abdominal wall hematomas occurred 31 times, (two patients required transfusion); one patient had bowel perforation, which was sutured laparoscopically; a bladder injury required laparotomy for management. Patient complications occurred in 6.7%. The majority involved the urinary tract (5.8%). Two patients required secondary abdominal procedures for adhesions, one for pain in the right lower quadrant and the other for adhesive small bowel obstruction. Postoperative myocardial infarction on day 5 resulted in the only operative mortality, for a rate of 0.1%. Complications related to the herniorrhaphy itself occurred in 17.1%. Most of these were minor, consisting of transient groin pain (3.5%), seroma (3.5%), transient leg pain (3.3%), hematoma (1.5%), or transient cord or testicular problems (0.9%). The incidence of leg pain decreased dramatically as surgeons became more familiar with the anatomy of the nerve supply to the groin when viewed laparoscopically. Ninety-three percent of patients were discharged within 24 hours of their operations. ConclusionsLaparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy is an effective method to correct an inguinal hernia. It can be offered safely to patients undergoing other abdominal procedures. The TAPP, IPOM, and EXTRA
Relationship between decrease of erythrocyte count and progression of periodontal disease in a rural Japanese population.

BACKGROUND Limited research has been reported on the relationship between periodontal status and erythrocyte parameters. In the present study, longitudinal data from health checkups are used to clarify the relationship between periodontal disease progression and changes in parameters of erythrocytes. METHODS In this prospective study, a total of 120 subjects (35 men and 85 women; age range: 30 to 63 years) participated in a comprehensive health screening and dental checkup in 2006 and 2007. Medical examinations, including anthropometric and manometric measurements, blood-chemistry tests, and oral examinations, were performed. Subjects with periodontal disease progression (i.e., the progression group) were defined based on the presence of ≥1 tooth demonstrating a longitudinal loss of periodontal attachment ≥3 mm or tooth loss during the study period. The Wilcoxon signed-rank, χ(2), Fisher exact, and Mann-Whitney U tests and stepwise logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS The progression group comprised 30 subjects. A significant difference between the progression and non-progression groups was observed in changes of erythrocyte counts but not those of the body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, creatinine, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin, hematocrit, triglycerides, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, aspartate and alanine aminotransferase, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that the progression of periodontal disease was associated with a change (year 2007 minus year 2006) of erythrocyte counts (adjusted odds ratio = 0.970; P = 0.009) after adjusting for age at baseline. CONCLUSION Within the limitations of this study, the progression of periodontal disease is associated with a decrease in erythrocyte counts in a rural Japanese population.
Origins of Disease Phobia*

The literature on disease phobia is discussed and a controlled study of this variety of hypochondriasis is presented. There were 30 disease phobic and 30 control subjects, in-patients of a general hospital psychiatric unit in Sydney. Controls were defined as lacking the symptoms ‘disease phobia’, ‘disease conviction’, ‘somatic preoccupation’ and ‘psychogenic pain’. Matching was one-for-one and concerned sex, age and occupational prestige. In brief, the disease phobics were more anxious and self-pitying (current mental state). Before the illness they were more prone to inhibition of anger, bodily concern and low selfesteem (personality variables). As children they were more often weak, sickly and overprotected. Fifteen were youngest siblings versus only six of the controls. They gave a history of much family illness, substantiated by the findings of an excess of deaths among the mothers of disease phobics (life history characteristics). They reported an electrical current as a sensation at relatively low voltages and had low tolerance of pain (experimental measures). A logical insight into the origins of disease phobia is provided by inter-relating the data from these four aspects of the investigations (Fig. 1). This matrix is interpreted in terms of the augmentation-reduction theory of Petrie.
Optimized procedures for microarray analysis of histological specimens processed by laser capture microdissection

Analysis of cell‐specific gene expression patterns using microarrays can reveal genes that are differentially expressed in diseased and normal tissue, as well as identify genes associated with specialized cellular functions. However, the cellular heterogeneity of the tissues precludes the resolution of expression profiles of specific cell types. While laser capture microdissection (LCM) can be used to obtain purified cell populations, the limited quantity of RNA isolated makes it necessary to perform an RNA amplification step prior to microarray analysis. The linearity and reproducibility of two RNA amplification protocols—the Baugh protocol (Baugh et al., 2001, Nucleic Acids Res 29:E29) and an in‐house protocol have been assessed by conducting microarray analyses. Cy3‐labeled total RNA from the colorectal cell line Colo‐205 was compared to Cy5‐labeled Colo‐205 amplified RNA (aRNA) generated with each of the two protocols, using a human 10K cDNA array. The correlation of the gene intensities between amplified and total RNA measured in the two channels of each microarray was 0.72 and 0.61 for the Baugh protocol and the in‐house protocol, respectively. The two protocols were further evaluated using aRNA obtained from normal colonic crypt cross‐sections isolated via LCM. In both cases a microarray profile representative of colonic mucosa was obtained; statistically, the Baugh protocol was superior. Furthermore, a substantial overlap between highly expressed genes in the Colo‐205 cells and colonic crypts underscores the reliability of the microarray analysis of LCM‐derived material. Taken together, these results demonstrate that LCM‐derived tissue from histological specimens can generate abundant amounts of high‐quality aRNA for subsequent microarray analysis. J. Cell. Physiol. 201: 366–373, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pediatric bipolar disorders: from the perspective of Turkey.

INTRODUCTION In Turkey, there is much controversy and skepticism about the existence of mania in children and adolescents, and a paucity of rigorous data. Despite ongoing controversy, the view that pediatric Bipolar Disorder(BD) is rare or non-existent has been increasingly challenged not only by case reports but also by systematic research. METHODS Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria are usually employed in these research studies and case reports and it was strongly suggested that pediatric BD may not be rare but that it may be difficult to diagnose. RESULTS In concordance with the current literature, euphoric mood and episodic course is rare in Turkish children and adolescents and the affective phenomenology is often mixed and dysphoric, with affective storms and temper outbursts. Comorbidity (especially with ADHD) is a big issue in accurate diagnosis and treatment. CONCLUSION There are promising treatment studies, but we need more studies in both prepubertal children and adolescents about phenomenology, etiology, and treatment of this important condition.
Using the SIRDE model of social change to examine the vote of Scottish teenagers in the 2014 independence referendum

Five hundred and seventy-three Scottish high school students were surveyed in the 2 months following the 2014 referendum on Scotland's independence. We used the Social Identity, Relative Deprivation, collective Efficacy (SIRDE) model of social change to examine the social psychological factors that should have influenced the voting choices of these teenagers. Structural equation modelling indicated that the SIRDE model fit the data and largely supported four sets of hypotheses derived from the model. Specifically, (1) those with a stronger Scottish identity, (2) those who felt frustrated and angry that Scottish people are discriminated against in British society, and (3) those who believed that Scottish people are not able to improve their relatively poor social conditions within the United Kingdom (a lack of collective efficacy) were more likely to hold separatist beliefs. Further, the relationships between identity, relative deprivation, and collective efficacy, on the one hand, and voting for Scotland's independence, on the other, were fully mediated by separatist social change beliefs. Consistent with the specificity of the model, neither political engagement nor personal relative deprivation were associated with voting choice, whereas the latter was associated with lower life satisfaction. The implications and limitations of these findings are discussed.
Protective effect of the multitarget compound DPH‐4 on human SSAO/VAP‐1‐expressing hCMEC/D3 cells under oxygen–glucose deprivation conditions: an in vitro experimental model of cerebral ischaemia

Stroke and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are related pathologies in which the cerebrovascular system is involved. Plasma levels of semicarbazide‐sensitive amine oxidase/vascular adhesion protein 1 (SSAO/VAP‐1, also known as Primary Amine Oxidase ‐PrAO) are increased in both stroke and AD patients and contribute to the vascular damage. During inflammation, its enzymatic activity mediates leukocyte recruitment to the injured tissue, inducing damage in the blood‐brain barrier (BBB) and neuronal tissue. We hypothesized that by altering cerebrovascular function, SSAO/VAP‐1 might play a role in the stroke–AD transition. Therefore, we evaluated the protective effect of the novel multitarget‐directed ligand DPH‐4, initially designed for AD therapy, on the BBB.
RpgrORF15 connects to the usher protein network through direct interactions with multiple whirlin isoforms.

PURPOSE Mutations in the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene are a frequent cause of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa. The RPGR transcript undergoes complex alternative splicing to express both constitutive (Rpgr(ex1-19)) and Rpgr(ORF15) variants. Because functional studies of Rpgr suggest a role in intracellular protein trafficking through the connecting cilia, the goal of this study was to identify potential binding partners for Rpgr(ORF15) and to identify the domains on whirlin necessary for Rpgr binding. METHODS The C-terminus of mouse Rpgr(ORF15) was used as bait in a yeast two-hybrid system. Whirlin expression was analyzed using RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Protein-protein interactions were confirmed using in vitro binding assays and coimmunoprecipitation. Subcellular colocalization was analyzed using immunohistochemistry on retinal cryosections. RESULTS Yeast two-hybrid analysis identified whirlin, a PDZ-scaffold protein, as a putative binding partner for Rpgr(ORF15). The RPGR(ORF15)-whirlin interaction was confirmed using in vitro binding assays and coimmunoprecipitation from retinal tissue, and both proteins were shown to colocalize in the photoreceptor connecting cilia in vivo. Results from RT-PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunocytochemistry demonstrated that whirlin expressed multiple isoforms in photoreceptors with variable subcellular localization. CONCLUSIONS Whirlin expression has been reported in photoreceptors and cochlear hair cells, and mutations in whirlin cause Usher syndrome (USH2D) and nonsyndromic congenital deafness (DFNB31). Because mutations in the 5' end of whirlin are associated with the syndromic phenotype associated with USH2D, the identification of novel N-terminal isoforms in the retina and a novel RPGR(ORF15)-whirlin interaction provide a potential mechanism for the retinal phenotype observed in USH2D.