Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Intrarenal Oxygenation in Iodinated Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury–Susceptible Rats by Blood Oxygen Level–Dependent Magnetic Resonance Imaging

ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to evaluate differences in intrarenal oxygenation as assessed by blood oxygen level–dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging in contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI)–susceptible rats when using 4 contrast media with different physicochemical properties and to demonstrate the feasibility of acquiring urinary neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels as a marker of CIAKI in this model. Materials and MethodsOur institutional animal care and use committee approved the study. Sixty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into CIAKI-susceptible groups (received nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester [10 mg/kg] and cycloxygenase inhibitor indomethacin [10mg/kg]) and control groups (received saline instead). One of the 4 iodinated contrast agents (iothalamate, iohexol, ioxaglate, or iodixanol) was then administered (1600-mg organic iodine per kilogram of body weight). Multiple blood oxygen level–dependent magnetic resonance images were acquired on a Siemens 3.0-T scanner using a multiple gradient recalled echo sequence at baseline, after N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (or saline), indomethacin (or saline), and iodinated contrast agent (or placebo). R2* (R2* = 1/T2*) maps were generated inline on the scanner. A mixed-effects growth curve model with first-order autoregressive variance-covariance was used to analyze the temporal data. Urinary NGAL, a marker of kidney injury (unlike serum creatinine), was measured 4 hours after contrast injection in the 2 subgroups. ResultsDifferences in blood oxygen level–dependent magnetic resonance imaging results between the contrast media were observed in all 4 renal regions. However, the inner stripe of the outer medulla (ISOM) showed the most pronounced changes in the CIAKI-susceptible group and R2* increased significantly (P < 0.01) over time with all 4 contrast media. In the control groups, only iodixanol showed an increase in R2* (P < 0.05) over time. There was an agreement between increases in NGAL and R2* values in ISOM. ConclusionsIn rats susceptible to CIAKI, those receiving contrast media had significant increases in R2* in renal ISOM compared with those receiving placebo. The agreement between NGAL and R2* values in the ISOM suggests that the observed immediate increase in R2* after contrast injection may be the earliest biomarker of renal injury. Further studies are necessary to establish threshold values of R2* associated with acute kidney injury and address the specificity of R2* to renal oxygenation status.
HORMONAL CONTROL DURING DEHYDRATION AND REHYDRATION IN THE BEDOUIN GOAT

Regulation of body fluid homeostasis within narrow limits depends mainly on the maintenance of a balanced water economy. The capability of maintaining body fluids under a wide range of environmental conditions is known to be controlled primarily by the level of plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP), which regulates renal water absorption, and also by the thirst mechanism (Adolph, 1967; Fitzsimon, 1979). The conservation of solutes, particularly sodium, is as vital to the animal as the conservation of water. Sodium content is controlled primarily by the renin and aldosterone systems and by sodium appetite (Denton, 1982). This paper examines the above factors in dehydrated Bedouin goats undergoing a state of rapid rehydration.
Cluster Analysis of Elderly Cardiac Patients' Prehospital Symptomatology

Background: Chest pain routinely brings patients into the healthcare system, and elderly patients may present with more complex symptoms presaging ischemic heart changes than do younger patients. Objective: To examine, using cluster analysis, how elderly patients experiencing an ischemic coronary heart disease cluster based on presenting symptoms in the week before hospitalization and how they vary in terms of their general physical and mental health, mood states, and quality of life. Methods: Elderly (age ≥65 years), unpartnered patients (N = 247) admitted with ischemic coronary heart disease to one of five university medical centers were inducted into a clinical trial; only baseline data are reported. Interviews assessed cardiac symptoms, medical history, general physical and mental health, mood states, and quality of life. Patients were clustered (grouped) using squared Euclidean distances and weighted average linkage. Characteristics of patients were examined using analysis of variance and chi-squared analyses. Results: Three clusters (groups) were identified: (a) Classic Acute Coronary Syndrome (severe ischemic pain; 22%), (b) Weary (severe fatigue, sleep disturbance, and shortness of breath; 29%), and (c) Diffuse Symptoms (mild symptomatology; 49%). Post hoc tests revealed that the Weary group was more likely to have a history of heart failure; they also exhibited significantly more psychological distress and lower quality of life than the other subgroups. Conclusion: Cluster analysis proved useful in grouping patients based on their symptom experience, but further research is needed to clarify the relationships among identified symptoms, psychological distress, and health outcomes; develop interventions for Weary patients; and extend the findings of this study.
Evaluation of patients' response to pulsed radiofrequency treatment applied to the suprascapular nerve in patients with chronic shoulder pain.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate patient satisfaction, efficacy and safety of the pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) technique applied to the suprascapular nerve for the treatment of refractory shoulder pain. METHODS After obtaining Institutional Research Board approval and patients' written informed consent, patients with chronic shoulder pain resistant to medical treatment were included in prospective study and PRF technique was applied to the suprascapular nerve for 480 seconds. Verbal Numerical Rating Scale (VNRS) at 0, 3, and 6 months post procedure and Modified MacNab score before and 6 months after procedure are performed. Fifty percent or more decrease in VNRS and Modified MacNab score as Excellent and Good are accepted as a significant pain relief, 20 to 49% decrease is accepted as partial. Any complication related to procedure was also recorded. RESULTS Fifty-seven patients were included in the study. PRF treatment significantly relieved at the pain in 73.7% patients [42 patients out of 57]. Ten patients [17.5%] showed partial improvement and there were no changes at the pain scores in 5 patients [8.7%]. Forty-five patients [78.9%] showed improvement in VNRS scores as well as in Modified MacNab scores at 6 months after treatment. No side effects were reported. Pain scores were given as mean ± SD. Also, The Kaplan-Meier analysis was done for patients' shoulder pain after treatment with pulsed radiofrequency. CONCLUSION Pulsed radiofrequency technique application to the suprascapular nerve for 480 seconds shows remarkable improvement at patients' chronic shoulder pain.
Allogeneic bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stromal cells for hepatitis B virus–related acute‐on‐chronic liver failure: A randomized controlled trial

Mortality from hepatitis B virus (HBV)–related acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF) is high due to limited treatment options. Preclinical and clinical investigations have proved that treatment with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) is beneficial for recovery from liver injury. We hypothesized that the outcome of HBV‐related ACLF would be improved by MSC treatment. From 2010 to 2013, 110 patients with HBV‐related ACLF were enrolled in this open‐label, nonblinded randomized controlled study. The control group (n = 54) was treated with standard medical therapy (SMT) only. The experimental group (n = 56) was infused weekly for 4 weeks with 1.0 to 10 × 105 cells/kg allogeneic bone marrow–derived MSCs and then followed for 24 weeks. The cumulated survival rate of the MSC group was 73.2% (95% confidence interval 61.6%‐84.8%) versus 55.6% (95% confidence interval 42.3%‐68.9%) for the SMT group (P = 0.03). There were no infusion‐related side effects, but fever was more frequent in MSC compared to SMT patients during weeks 5‐24 of follow‐up. No carcinoma occurred in any trial patient in either group. Compared with the control group, allogeneic bone marrow–derived MSC treatment markedly improved clinical laboratory measurements, including serum total bilirubin and Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease scores. The incidence of severe infection in the MSC group was much lower than that in the SMT group (16.1% versus 33.3%, P = 0.04). Mortality from multiple organ failure and severe infection was higher in the SMT group than in the MSC group (37.0% versus 17.9%, P = 0.02). Conclusion: Peripheral infusion of allogeneic bone marrow–derived MSCs is safe and convenient for patients with HBV‐related ACLF and significantly increases the 24‐week survival rate by improving liver function and decreasing the incidence of severe infections. (Hepatology 2017;66:209–219).
Regional Water Footprint Assessment: A Case Study of Leshan City

This paper presents an assessment of urban water footprint in the period of 2001 to 2012 by taking Leshan City, China as a typical case study. The water footprint is calculated by the sum of the water footprints of various sectors, i.e., crop production, animal products, industrial processes, domestic waster, eco-environment, and virtual water trade. Results show that the water footprints of the various sectors rose by degrees varying from 19% to 55%, which gave rise to an increase of the total water footprint of 43.13% from 2001 to 2012. Crop production and animal products are identified as the major water intensive sectors, accounting for about 68.97% of the total water footprint. The water footprint in the Northeastern area of Leshan City is greater than that of the Southwestern area in the period 1992–2012, resulted in an expansion of water footprint in the Sha Wan and Wu Tongqiao Districts due to the development of urbanization. The application of water footprint assessment is expected to provide insight into the improvement of urban water efficiency, and thus aid in better water resources management.
A prospective study of 133 patients with anorexia nervosa

One hundred and thirty‐three patients with anorexia nervosa have been treated in a prospective study from 1958 to 1976. The doctor and the patient alone formed the therapeutic team, the doctor playing the role as an instructor in the pathophysiology of hunger without discussing social or psychological problems. At follow‐up 58 % of the patients were grouped as ‘good’, and 28 % as ‘intermediate’, figures which are in accordance with those obtained from other authors. Fourteen per cent of the patients were grouped as ‘poor’. None of the patients died. That therapists with different attitudes to treatment may obtain fairly similar results strengthens our view of a strong tendency to spontaneous recovery in anorexia nervosa. The outlook for patients with a short history of anorexia nervosa seems good.
The 5‐HT3B subunit affects high‐potency inhibition of 5‐HT3 receptors by morphine

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Morphine is an antagonist at 5‐HT3A receptors. 5‐HT3 and opioid receptors are expressed in many of the same neuronal pathways where they modulate gut motility, pain and reinforcement. There is increasing interest in the 5‐HT3B subunit, which confers altered pharmacology to 5‐HT3 receptors. We investigated the mechanisms of inhibition by morphine of 5‐HT3 receptors and the influence of the 5‐HT3B subunit.
Low Fat vs. Low Carbohydrate Diet Strategies for Weight Reduction: A Meta-

Background: Overweight and obesity are a global crisis. Lifestyle interventions, including weight loss diets, are the first line treatment for this problem. In addition to energy restriction, some diets emphasize manipulation of macronutrient composition to promote weight loss. Such diets may be broadly classified into low fat and low carbohydrate diets.
Opine-Based Agrobacterium Competitiveness: Dual Expression Control of the Agrocinopine Catabolism (acc) Operon by Agrocinopines and Phosphate Levels

ABSTRACT Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain C58 can transform plant cells to produce and secrete the sugar-phosphate conjugate opines agrocinopines A and B. The bacterium then moves in response to the opines and utilizes them as exclusive sources of carbon, energy, and phosphate via the functions encoded by the acc operon. These privileged opine-involved activities contribute to the formation of agrobacterial niches in the environment. We found that the expression of the acc operon is induced by agrocinopines and also by limitation of phosphate. The main promoter is present in front of the first gene, accR, which codes for a repressor. This operon structure enables efficient repression when opine levels are low. The promoter contains two putative operators, one overlapping the −10 sequence and the other in the further upstream from it; two partly overlapped putative pho boxes between the two operators; and two consecutive transcription start sites. DNA fragments containing either of the operators bound purified repressor AccR in the absence of agrocinopines but not in the presence of the opines, demonstrating the on-off switch of the promoter. Induction of the acc operon can occur under low-phosphate conditions in the absence of agrocinopines and further increases when the opines also are present. Such opine-phosphate dual regulatory system of the operon may ensure maximum utilization of agrocinopines when available and thereby increase the chances of agrobacterial survival in the highly competitive environment with limited general food sources.
The Incremental Cost of Delivering PrEP as a Bridge to ART for HIV Serodiscordant Couples in Public HIV Care Clinics in Kenya

Background In 2016, the Kenyan Ministry of Health (MOH) released guidelines that recommend preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for persons with substantial ongoing HIV risk, including those in HIV serodiscordant partnerships. Estimates of the costs of delivering PrEP within Kenyan public health facilities are needed for planning for PrEP scale up. Methods We estimated the incremental annual costs of providing PrEP to HIV uninfected partners as a time-limited “bridge” until the infected partner is virally suppressed on ART within HIV serodiscordant couples as part of routine clinic care in Thika, Kenya. Costs were collected from the Partners Demonstration Project, a prospective evaluation of integrated delivery of preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) to high-risk HIV serodiscordant couples. We conducted time and motion studies to distinguish between activities related to research, routine clinical care, and PrEP delivery. Costs (2015 US dollars) were collected from the MOH perspective and divided into staff, transportation, equipment, supplies, buildings and overhead, and start-up. Results PrEP related activities conducted during the screening, enrollment, and follow-up visits took an average of 13 minutes, 51 minutes, and 12 minutes, respectively. Assuming a staff structure of 3 counselors, 1 nurse, and 2 clinicians, we estimate that 3,178 couples can be screened, 1,444 couples offered PrEP and ART, and 6,138 couples followed up annually in an average HIV care clinic. Using costs incurred by the MOH for personnel, drug, and laboratory tests, we estimate that the incremental cost of offering PrEP to HIV uninfected partners within existing ART programs is $86.79 per couple per year. Personnel and PrEP medication made up the largest portion of the costs. We estimate that the total cost to Ministry of Health of delivering integrated PrEP and ART program in public health facilities is $250.19 per HIV serodiscordant couple per year. Conclusions Time-limited provision of PrEP to the HIV uninfected partner within HIV serodiscordant couples can be an affordable delivery model implemented in HIV care programs in Kenya and similar settings. These costs can be used for budgetary planning and cost effectiveness analyses.
Dialect Variation Influences the Phonological and Lexical-Semantic Word Processing in Sentences. Electrophysiological Evidence from a Cross-Dialectal Comprehension Study

This event-related potential (ERP) study examines the influence of dialectal competence differences (merged vs. unmerged dialect group) on cross-dialectal comprehension between Southern German dialects. It focuses on the question as to whether certain dialect phonemes (/oa⌢/, /oƱ⌢/), which are attributed to different lexemes in two dialect areas (Central Bavarian, Bavarian-Alemannic transition zone) evoke increased neural costs during sentence processing. In this context, the phonological and semantic processing of lexemes is compared in three types of potentially problematic communication settings (misunderstanding, incomprehension, allophonic variation = potential comprehension). For this purpose, an oddball design including whole sentences was combined with a semantic rating task. Listeners from the unmerged Central Bavarian dialect area heard sentences including either native or non-native lexemes from the merged neighboring dialect. These had to be evaluated with regard to their context acceptability. The main difference between the lexemes can be attributed to the fact that they have different meanings in the respective dialect areas or are non-existent in the linguistic competence of the Central Bavarians. The results provide evidence for the fact that non-native lexemes containing the /oa⌢/-diphthong lead to enhanced neural costs during sentence processing. The ERP results show a biphasic pattern (N2b/N400, LPC) for non-existent lexemes (incomprehension) as well as for semantically incongruous lexemes (misunderstanding), reflecting an early error detection mechanism and enhanced costs for semantic integration and evaluation. In contrast, allophonic /oƱ⌢/ deviations show reduced negativities and no LPC, indexing an unproblematic categorization and evaluation process. In the light of these results, an observed change of /oa⌢/ to /oƱ⌢/ in the Bavarian-Alemannic transition zone can be interpreted as a facilitation strategy of cross-dialectal comprehension to reduce both misunderstandings as well as neural costs in processing, which might be interpreted as the initial trigger for this particular phoneme change.
Some effects on gestation length of traditional horse breeds in Hungary.

The national database of the use of stallions, supplied by the Department of Animal Registration and Breeding Organization of the Hungarian National Food Safety Authority was analyzed for the purpose of this research. 680 foaling data of 7 horse breeds was processed during the work. The factors effecting gestation length were examined by univariate analysis of variance (GLM). Breed, month of mating, method of fertilization, age of the mare, and sex of the foal were considered as fixed effects, and the sire was used as random effect in the study. The population genetic parameters of gestation length and the breeding value of sires were also estimated. The overall mean value of gestation length was 334.1±2.62 days. The longest gestation length (336.2 days) was detected in the Kisberi breed while the Shagya had the shortest (333.3 days). Differences between the breeds were not significant. The effect of month of mating and effect of sex of foal on the gestation length were statistically proven (P<0.01). The mares fertilized in March and April had the longest gestation lengths 342.4 days, 341.4 days, respectively. In the cases of mares fertilized in later months of the year the gestation length was about 10 days shorter. Fillies had longer gestation length (335.6 days), than colts (333.5 days). Method of fertilization and age of the mare had no significant effect on the gestation length. The effects of sire on the gestation length were significant (P<0.05). The heritability (h2) of gestation length was 0.18. Based on the analysis it can be presumed, that if the mares are kept in a suitable environment (professional nutrition, good health and breeding practices), well-balanced gestation parameters can be expected in the case of any genotypes.
A deep learning based framework for accurate segmentation of cervical cytoplasm and nuclei

In this paper, a superpixel and convolution neural network (CNN) based segmentation method is proposed for cervical cancer cell segmentation. Since the background and cytoplasm contrast is not relatively obvious, cytoplasm segmentation is first performed. Deep learning based on CNN is explored for region of interest detection. A coarse-to-fine nucleus segmentation for cervical cancer cell segmentation and further refinement is also developed. Experimental results show that an accuracy of 94.50% is achieved for nucleus region detection and a precision of 0.9143±0.0202 and a recall of 0.8726±0.0008 are achieved for nucleus cell segmentation. Furthermore, our comparative analysis also shows that the proposed method outperforms the related methods.
[Quality and Safety].

Pediatric Critical Care Medicine www.pccmjournal. org 653 Objectives: Children must often be transported to dedicated pediatric centers to receive specialized medical and surgical care, which places them at risk for significant deterioration and life-threatening events. Studies designed to identify and mitigate these events have been limited by variability in the selection and definition of significant events. The objective of this study was to identify and evaluate indicators that represent significant events during the transport of pediatric patients and are relevant to future research initiatives in transport medicine. Design: We conducted a modified Delphi study consisting of four iterations. Setting: The expert panel included Canadian, interdisciplinary healthcare providers with transport experience. Interventions: In the first Delphi iteration, experts suggested indicators for consideration and evaluated proposed indicators from the literature and introduced by the study steering committee. In subsequent iterations, respondents reevaluated all indicators that had not yet achieved a priori-defined consensus; group comments and aggregate scores for each indicator from previous iterations were provided. Measurements and Main Results: The expert panel consisted of 16 physicians and 17 nonphysician healthcare providers from 10 Canadian institutions. In total, the panel evaluated 57 indicators, including 26 not previously presented in the literature. The expert panel determined 52 were significant and relevant to future studies in pediatric transport. The final indicator list includes trigger tools (interventions, physiological markers, and laboratory values) and team member safety and process issues. Conclusions: Using a systematic, modified Delphi approach, we developed an inclusive list of indicators for application to pediatric transport-related quality improvement and clinical research projects. (Pediatr Crit Care Med 2014; 15:653–659)