Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Quantitative electroencephalography features and cognitive impairment in alcoholic patients].

AIM To determine the exact relation between the characteristics of quantitative electroencephalogram analyses and the estimators of the cognitive status in alcoholic patients undergoing withdrawal. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The study examined 49 patients diagnosed with alcoholism (DSM-IV) after 10 days of withdrawal, as well as the correlation between the bandwidth measures from the quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) analysis and the characteristics of the visual and auditory cognitive evoked potentials (P300) and from the findings of the attention and memory tests. RESULTS The patients were divided into two groups: group one, which displayed an overall increase in the delta and theta absolute powers with frontal predominance, and group two, with reduced delta and theta absolute powers. Latency of the P300 wave was delayed in patients, particularly in those in group one, but regional absence of the P300 wave was more frequent in group two. Results of attention and memory tests were abnormal in patients, especially those in group one. CONCLUSIONS The findings in the two groups appear to reflect different stages in the progression of alcoholism: the first only involved cortical dysfunction due to metabolic causes and the second possibly had added cortical atrophy. They might also represent two types of biological response by their nervous systems to the same pathogenic agent. These findings suggest that it is advisable to conduct follow-up studies involving qEEG, cognitive tests and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in this kind of patient.
Thrombopoietin levels of thrombocytopenic term and preterm newborns with infection.

We measured Thrombopoietin (Tpo) levels in thrombocytopenic term and preterm babies with infection to investigate the relationship between thrombopietin levels and platelet counts. Sixteen preterm (27-34 weeks' gestational age) and 5 term neonates (38-41 weeks' gestational age) with the diagnosis of neonatal infection and thrombocytopenia (platelets <150 x 10(9)/L) but, without the evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation, were prospectively enrolled in the study. Fifteen preterm (27-34 weeks' gestational age) and 9 term (38-40 weeks' gestational age) age-matched healthy neonates were enrolled in the study as control. Blood samples were obtained from each subject at the time when infection and thrombocytopenia were detected and stored until assay. Bacterial infection was confirmed by blood cultures in five patients and by tracheal cultures in five. Median Tpo levels of term controls were lower than those of preterm controls (62 pg/mL vs. 87 pg/mL) (p <0.05). Median Tpo levels of thrombocyopenic preterm patients were higher than the levels of healthy preterms (258 pg/mL vs. 87 pg/mL) (p <0.05). Similarly, median Tpo levels of sick terms were significantly higher than those of healthy term controls (209 pg/mL vs. 62 pg/mL) (p <0.001). There was not significant difference between the median Tpo levels of term and preterm babies with infection (258 pg/mL vs. 209 pg/mL) (p >0.05). There was no correlation between platelet counts and Tpo levels in both term and preterm groups. The results of our study show that healthy term and preterm babies have detectable levels of Tpo and preterm babies have higher Tpo levels than term infants. Although thrombocytopenic babies with infection have increased levels of Tpo, these levels are still lower than the levels of thrombocytopenic children/adult patients and there seems to be no correlation between platelet counts and thrombopoietin levels. So our observation of increased Tpo levels may still be inadequate for normal platelet production in this period. and this group of babies may also be candidates for the administration of recombinant human Tpo.
Combined Liver Transplantation and Gastric Sleeve Resection for Patients With Medically Complicated Obesity and End‐Stage Liver Disease

Obesity is increasingly common before and after liver transplantation (LT), yet optimal management remains unclear. Our aim was to analyze the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary protocol for obese patients requiring LT, including a noninvasive pretransplant weight loss program, and a combined LT plus sleeve gastrectomy (SG) for obese patients who failed to lose weight prior to LT. Since 2006, all patients referred LT with a BMI > 35 were enrolled. There were 37 patients who achieved weight loss and underwent LT alone, and 7 who underwent LT combined with SG. In those who received LT alone, weight gain to BMI > 35 was seen in 21/34, post‐LT diabetes (DM) in 12/34, steatosis in 7/34, with 3 deaths plus 3 grafts losses. In patients undergoing the combined procedure, there were no deaths or graft losses. One patient developed a leak from the gastric staple line, and one had excess weight loss. No patients developed post‐LT DM or steatosis, and all had substantial weight loss (mean BMI = 29). Noninvasive pretransplant weight loss was achieved by a majority, though weight gain post‐LT was common. Combined LT plus SG resulted in effective weight loss and was associated with fewer post‐LT metabolic complications. Long‐term follow‐up is needed.
The developmental course of illicit substance use from age 12 to 22: links with depressive, anxiety, and behavior disorders at age 18.

BACKGROUND Previous theory and research suggest links between substance use and externalizing behavior problems, but links between substance use and internalizing problems are less clear. The present study sought to understand concurrent links among diagnoses of substance use disorders, internalizing disorders, and behavior disorders at age 18 as well as developmental trajectories of illicit substance use prior to and after this point. METHODS Using data from 585 participants in the Child Development Project, this study examined comorbidity among substance use, behavior, and internalizing disorders at age 18 and trajectories of growth in illicit substance use from age 12 to age 22. RESULTS In this community sample, meeting diagnostic criteria for comorbid internalizing disorders, a behavioral disorder (conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder) alone, or both internalizing and behavioral disorders predicted higher concurrent substance use disorders (abuse, dependence, or withdrawal). Meeting diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder alone or depression alone did not predict higher concurrent substance use diagnoses. Over time, youths with behavioral disorders at age 18 showed a pattern of increasing substance use across early adolescence and higher levels of substance use than those with no diagnosis at age 18. Substance use declines from late adolescence to early adulthood were observed for all groups. CONCLUSIONS Substance use disorders were more highly comorbid with behavior disorders than with internalizing disorders at age 18, and behavior disorder and comorbid behavior-internalizing disorders at age 18 were related to trajectories characterized by steep increases in illicit substance use during adolescence and high rates of illicit substance use over time.
Vascular Invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Prevalence, Determinants and Prognostic Impact

Goals/Background: Macrovascular invasion (MaVI) is often detected by radiologic imaging in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and may affect their long-term survival. We aimed to investigate the prevalence, determinants, and prognostic impact of MaVI in patients with HCC receiving curative and noncurative therapies. Study: A total of 2654 HCC patients in a single center were identified. The risk factors and prognostic determinants of MaVI were determined. Results: A total of 928 (35%) patients had MaVI. Old age, lower serum &agr;-fetoprotein level, higher serum sodium level, good performance status, smaller total tumor volume, and better liver functional reserve were significantly associated with a lower risk for VI. In the Cox proportional hazards model, patients with lower serum albumin level, higher serum bilirubin and &agr;-fetoprotein level, worse performance status, the presence of ascites, and MaVI independently predicted a decreased long-term survival in patients undergoing both curative and noncurative treatments. In addition, lower sodium level and larger tumor size were independently associated with a poor outcome in the noncurative treatment group. Of the patients with MaVI, the 1-year survival rates for patients receiving surgical treatment, local ablation, transarterial chemoembolization, and supportive care were 83%, 75%, 57%, and 24%, respectively (P<0.001). Conclusions: MaVI represents a distinct tumor phenotype of HCC and is associated with younger age, aggressive tumor behavior, poor liver functional reserve, and poor performance status. It adversely affects the survival of HCC patients independent of treatment strategy. Intensive anticancer therapy should be proposed to achieve a better long-term survival for the at-risk patients.
Heavy metals, organic solvents, and multiple sclerosis: An exploratory look at gene-environment interactions

ABSTRACT Exposure to heavy metals and organic solvents are potential etiologic factors for multiple sclerosis (MS), but their interaction with MS-associated genes is under-studied. The authors explored the relationship between environmental exposure to lead, mercury, and solvents and 58 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MS-associated genes. Data from a population-based case-control study of 217 prevalent MS cases and 496 age-, race-, gender-, and geographically matched controls were used to fit conditional logistic regression models of the association between the chemical, gene, and MS, adjusting for education and ancestry. MS cases were more likely than controls to report lead (odds ratio [OR] = 2.03; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07, 3.86) and mercury exposure (OR = 2.06; 95% CI: 1.08, 3.91). Findings of potential gene-environment interactions between SNPs in TNF-α, TNF-β, TCA-β, VDR, MBP, and APOE, and lead, mercury, or solvents should be considered cautiously due to limited sample size.
A prospective study on the effect of recipient nutritional status on outcome in liver transplantation

Abstract In a prospective study, we have examined the effect of nutritional status, using anthropometric measurement, on outcome in 102 consecutive adult patients undergoing elective orthotopic liver transplantation. Mid-arm muscle circumference was calculated from these two measurements. Patient outcome variables were time spent in the intensive therapy unit, total time in hospital, infective complications and mortality within 6 months. Graft outcome variables were early graft function, peak aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin and prothrombin time. Group A patients were below and group B patients above the 25th percentile for mid-arm circumference and triceps skin fold thickness. Eighty-four patients (79 %) were at or below the 25th percentile of anthropometric measurements and 30 patients (28 %) were below the 5th percentile. The median mid-arm muscle circumference in group A was 22.3 (range 16.4–28.9) cm and 25.7 (range 21.7–31.8) cm in group B. The medial albumin level was similar in the two groups. There were significantly more bacterial infections in group A (27/84, 32 %) than in group B (2/22, 8 %; χ2 = 5.4, P = 0.02). There was a difference in mortality up to 6 months post-operatively that failed to reach statistical significance (Wilcoxon-Gehan statistic –199, P = 0.09). There were 11/84 (13 %) deaths in group A and no deaths in group B (χ2 = 2.8, P = 0.09). Post transplantation, there were significant differences (Kruskal-Wallis Anova) between groups A and B for peak alkaline phosphatase (683 vs 334 IU/I, P = 0.05) and peak prothrombin time [16 (range 13–25) vs 19.5 (range 12–65), P = 0.03]. These data suggest that a significant proportion of patients undergoing liver transplantation are nutritionally compromised and that this has effects on patient infection, susceptibility, graft function and mortality, which may possibly be improved by nutritional intervention.
Mechanisms of β
1 integrin‐dependent adherence of granulocytic HL60 to fibronectin

We investigated the mechanism of β 1 integrin‐mediated adherence of stimulated granulocytic HL60 cells to fibronectin using a monoclonal antibody (15/7) that recognizes β 1 integrins only when the recep tors are active for ligand binding. Phorbol myristate ace tate (PMA) stimulated expression of the 15/7 epitope on granulocytic HL60 by nearly fivefold but had an in significant effect on the expression of the epitope on undifferentiated HL60 cells. These results paralleled the effect of PMA on HL60 and granulocytic HL60 adhesion to fibronectin, indicating that activation of β 1 integrins is important for β 1‐mediated adherence of granulocytic HL60 cells to fibronectin. Agonists that stimulate α 5 β 1‐dependent human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) adhesion to fibronectin (C5a and PMA) also up‐regulated the 15/7 epitope on purified human PMNs. Although PMA rapidly induces increased levels of filamentous actin (F‐actin) in granulocytic HL60 cells and a decrease in F‐actin levels in undifferentiated HL60 cells, depolymerization of the actin cytoskeleton with cytochalasin B did not affect increased expression of the 15/7 epitope on granulocytic HL60 cells. Cytochalasin B did, however, inhibit granulocytic HL60 adherence to fibronectin by 50%, demonstrating that actin polymeri zation is important for optimal β 1‐dependent granulo cytic adherence. J. Leukoc. Biol. 57: 592–599; 1995.
Behavioral pharmacogenetic analysis on the role of the α4 GABA(A) receptor subunit in the ethanol-mediated impairment of hippocampus-dependent contextual learning.

BACKGROUND A major effect of low-dose ethanol is impairment of hippocampus-dependent cognitive function. α4/δ -containing GABA(A) Rs are highly expressed within the dentate gyrus region of the hippocampus where they mediate a tonic inhibitory current that is sensitive to the enhancement by low ethanol concentrations. These receptors are also powerful modulators of learning and memory, suggesting that they could play an important role in ethanol's cognitive impairing effects. The goal of this study was to develop a high-throughput cognitive ethanol assay, amenable to use in genetically modified mice that could be used to test this hypothesis. METHODS We developed a procedure where preexposure to a conditioning chamber is used to rescue the "immediate shock deficit. " Using this task, ethanol can be specifically targeted at the hippocampus-dependent process of contextual learning without interfering with pain sensitivity or behavioral performance. RESULTS Validation of this task in C57BL/6 mice indicated that 1.0 g/kg ethanol and 10 mg/kg allopregnanolone disrupt contextual learning. Ro15-4513 reversed the effects of ethanol but not allopregnanolone, whereas it produced an impairment when given alone. The high-throughput nature of this task allowed for its application in a large cohort of α4 GABA(A) R KO mice. Loss of the α4 GABA(A) R subunit produced an enhanced sensitivity to the cognitive impairing effects of ethanol. This is consistent with the enhanced ethanol sensitivity of synaptic GABA(A) Rs that has been previously observed in the dentate gyrus in these mice, but inconsistent with the reduced ethanol sensitivity of extrasynaptic GABA(A) Rs observed in the same cells. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these findings are consistent with our hypothesis that ethanol acts directly at GABA(A) receptors to impair hippocampus-dependent cognitive function. Furthermore, validation of this high-throughput assay will allow for future studies to use anatomically and temporally restricted genetic manipulations to probe more deeply into the neural mechanisms of ethanol action on learning and memory circuits.
Tuberculosis screening in Portuguese healthcare workers using the tuberculin skin test and the interferon-γ release assay

The prevalence of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI) and the incidence of active tuberculosis in healthcare workers (HCWs) in a Portuguese hospital were examined. This cross-sectional study comprises 4,735 hospital workers screened between May 2005 and September 2008. Tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) were used simultaneously in 1,219 HCWs (25.7%). Radiographs were taken in symptomatic HCWs or in test-positive HCWs. The tests were repeated annually or bi-annually depending on risk assessment. IGRA was positive in 32.6% and TST in 74.2% of the HCWs. Years spent in healthcare were a risk factor for a positive IGRA, but not for a positive TST. Repeated bacillus Calmette–Guérin vaccination increased the probability of TST+/IGRA- discordance (35.4% versus 54.4%, respectively). In those tested three times with TST during the study period (n = 59), the mean diameter of TST increased from 5 to 7 to 10 mm. Within 3 yrs, 31 HCWs were diagnosed with active TB (annual incidence rate 191 out of 100,000 people). In eight HCWs with active TB, TST and IGRA were performed at the time of diagnosis and each test was positive. TB burden in HCWs in Portugal is high. With IGRA, the number of radiographs needed to exclude active TB could have been reduced by about half without missing a case of active TB. Therefore IGRA should be introduced into TB screening programmes.
Phase II study of receptor-enhanced chemosensitivity using recombinant humanized anti-p185HER2/neu monoclonal antibody plus cisplatin in patients with HER2/neu-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer refractory to chemotherapy treatment.

PURPOSE To determine the toxicity, pharmacokinetics, response rate, and response duration of intravenous (i.v.) administration of recombinant, humanized anti-p185HER2 monoclonal antibody (rhuMAb HER2) plus cisplatin (CDDP) in a phase II, open-label, multicenter clinical trial for patients with HER2/neu-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study population consisted of extensively pretreated advanced breast cancer patients with HER2/neu overexpression and disease progression during standard chemotherapy. Patients received a loading dose of rhuMAb HER2 (250 mg i.v.) on day 0, followed by weekly doses of 100 mg i.v. for 9 weeks. Patients received CDDP (75 mg/m2) on days 1, 29, and 57. RESULTS Of 37 patients assessable for response, nine (24.3%) achieved a PR, nine (24.3%) had a minor response or stable disease, and disease progression occurred in 19 (51.3%). The median response duration was 5.3 months (range, 1.6-18). Grade III or IV toxicity was observed in 22 of 39 patients (56%). The toxicity profile reflected that expected from CDDP alone with the most common toxicities being cytopenias (n = 10), nausea/vomiting (n = 9), and asthenia (n = 5). Mean pharmacokinetic parameters of rhuMAb HER2 were unaltered by coadministration of CDDP. CONCLUSION The use of rhuMAb HER2 in combination with CDDP in patients with HER2/neu-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer results in objective clinical response rates higher than those reported previously for CDDP alone, or rhuMAb HER2 alone. In addition, the combination results in no apparent increase in toxicity. Finally, the pharmacology of rhuMAb HER2 was unaffected by coadministration with CDDP.
Cryptic, Sympatric Diversity in Tegu Lizards of the Tupinambis teguixin Group (Squamata, Sauria, Teiidae) and the Description of Three New Species

Tegus of the genera Tupinambis and Salvator are the largest Neotropical lizards and the most exploited clade of Neotropical reptiles. For three decades more than 34 million tegu skins were in trade, about 1.02 million per year. The genus Tupinambis is distributed in South America east of the Andes, and currently contains four recognized species, three of which are found only in Brazil. However, the type species of the genus, T. teguixin, is known from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela (including the Isla de Margarita). Here we present molecular and morphological evidence that this species is genetically divergent across its range and identify four distinct clades some of which are sympatric. The occurrence of cryptic sympatric species undoubtedly exacerbated the nomenclatural problems of the past. We discuss the species supported by molecular and morphological evidence and increase the number of species in the genus Tupinambis to seven. The four members of the T. teguixin group continue to be confused with Salvator merianae, despite having a distinctly different morphology and reproductive mode. All members of the genus Tupinambis are CITES Appendix II. Yet, they continue to be heavily exploited, under studied, and confused in the minds of the public, conservationists, and scientists.
Projecting individualized absolute invasive breast cancer risk in African American women.

BACKGROUND The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is widely used for counseling and determining eligibility for breast cancer prevention trials, although its validity for projecting risk in African American women is uncertain. We developed a model for projecting absolute risk of invasive breast cancer in African American women and compared its projections with those from the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool. METHODS Data from 1607 African American women with invasive breast cancer and 1647 African American control subjects in the Women's Contraceptive and Reproductive Experiences (CARE) Study were used to compute relative and attributable risks that were based on age at menarche, number of affected mother or sisters, and number of previous benign biopsy examinations. Absolute risks were obtained by combining this information with data on invasive breast cancer incidence in African American women from the NCI's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program and with national mortality data. Eligibility screening data from the Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR) trial were used to determine how the new model would affect eligibility, and independent data from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) were used to assess how well numbers of invasive breast cancers predicted by the new model agreed with observed cancers. RESULTS Tables and graphs for estimating relative risks and projecting absolute invasive breast cancer risk with confidence intervals were developed for African American women. Relative risks for family history and number of biopsies and attributable risks estimated from the CARE population were lower than those from the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool, as was the discriminatory accuracy (i.e., concordance). Using eligibility screening data from the STAR trial, we estimated that 30.3% of African American women would have had 5-year invasive breast cancer risks of at least 1.66% by use of the CARE model, compared with only 14.5% by use of the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool. The numbers of cancers predicted by the CARE model agreed well with observed numbers of cancers (i.e., it was well calibrated) in data from the WHI, except that it underestimated risk in African American women with breast biopsy examinations. CONCLUSIONS The CARE model usually gave higher risk estimates for African American women than the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool and is recommended for counseling African American women regarding their risk of breast cancer.