Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimizing AVF creation prior to dialysis start: the role of predialysis renal replacement therapy choices.

BACKGROUND In British Columbia, multidisciplinary predialysis clinics encourage patients to consider independent modalities of renal replacement therapy (RRT) such as peritoneal dialysis (PD) 'first'. Despite up to 50% of patients choosing PD, PD incidence rates are ~30%. We explored the relationship between predialysis RRT choice and arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation prior to hemodialysis (HD) start with particular focus on the group of patients who despite PD choice actually commence HD, and thus may contribute to 'suboptimal' HD starts without AVF creation. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all patients starting dialysis between 31 December, 2006 and 31 December 2008 in the province of British Columbia. Inclusion criteria were >3 months predialysis nephrology follow-up, at least one predialysis RRT education session and maintenance on dialysis for a minimum of 3 months (to ensure chronic dialysis). Patients with any prior history of RRT were excluded. RESULTS There were 508 patients included in the study: 127 (25%) patients chose HD, 114 (22%) PD, 13 (3%) pre-emptive transplant, 5 (1%) conservative management and 249 (49%) had no documented modality decision. Of those who chose HD, 94% commenced HD. For those who chose PD, 64% commenced PD and 36% HD. In the undecided group, 68% started HD and 32% PD. For those patients who chose PD predialysis, the presence of cardiovascular disease [odds ratio (OR) 2.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-5.43] and lower serum albumin levels (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.86-0.98) were associated with failure to commence PD. Predialysis AVF creation rates were 79% of those who chose and started HD, 39% of those who chose PD but started HD and 50% of those in the undecided group who commenced HD. CONCLUSIONS AVF creation rates prior to HD start were lower in those patients with no documented dialysis modality choice and in those who failed to commence PD. Cardiovascular disease and lower serum albumin levels were associated with failure to start PD. Further work to ensure the efficacy of RRT modality choice pathway and to better predict those patients who will fail to commence PD is necessary, so that dialysis start can be 'optimized' with AVF creation in high-risk groups.
Analysis of spontaneous activity of auditory neurones in the spiral ganglion of the guinea‐pig cochlea.

1. Spontaneous activity of single afferent neurones in the cochlea of the guinea‐pig was studied by measurement of mean rates and computation of interspike interval histograms. 2. The shapes of interval histograms agreed with those found in cat cochlear nerve fibres. Modes of the histograms were less than 7 msec for all cells with mean rates ranging from 20 to 150 spikes/sec. 3. The distribution of mean rates showed higher maximum rates than those found in cat. Cells from animals with abnormally high thresholds showed lower mean rates than those from sensitive animals. 4. No correlation was found between mean spontaneous rate and sensitivity to acoustic stimulation. No discrete populations of cells could be discerned on any of the criteria used. 5. The simultaneous effects of hypoxia on cell thresholds, mean spontaneous rate and scala media potentials are reported. These and other results are discussed in relation to possible sites of generation of spontaneous activity in primary auditory afferents.
LIZARD ERYTHROCYTIC VIRUS IN EAST AFRICAN CHAMELEONS

Giemsa-stained peripheral blood films from 9 of 50 flap-necked chameleons, Chamaeleo dilepis, and 1 of 18 Fischer’s chameleons, Bradypodion fischeri, collected in Tanzania had intraerythrocytic inclusions. In C. dilepis, acidophilic inclusions were associated with the albuminoid vacuoles reported in typical pirhemocytonosis of saurians. Under transmission electron microscopy, the acidophilic inclusions were aggregations of partially or completely formed viral particles consistent with those of the family Iridoviridae. Enveloped viral particles were 140 to 180 nm in diameter, with a mean of 159 nm (SD, 12). Albuminoid vacuoles were not seen in the B. fischeri infection, in which erythrocytes contained multiple acidophilic inclusions of variable shape. Viral particles in B. fischeri were 156.3 to 200.0 nm in diameter; the mean was 180 nm (SD, 18). This represents the first confirmation of the viral identity of pirhemocyton in a lizard. We recommend that the epithet pirhemocyton no longer be used as a generic name under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, and that future reports of the etiologic agent refer to it as Lizard Erythrocytic Virus.
Ultrastructural immunocytochemical localization of neurotensin and the dopamine D2 receptor in the rat nucleus accumbens

The neuroleptic‐like effects of neurotensin (NT) are thought to be due to interactions with dopamine (DA) acting primarily at D2 receptors within the nucleus accumbens septi (Acb). Using electron microscopic dual labeling immunocytochemistry, we sought to demonstrate cellular substrates for functional interactions involving NT and DA D2 receptors in the adult rat Acb. Peroxidase reaction product representing D2 receptor‐like immunoreactivity (D2‐LI) was seen along membranes of Golgi lamellae and multivesicular bodies of perikarya containing immunogold labeling representing NT‐LI. Dually labeled somata usually contained highly indented nuclei, a characteristic of aspiny neurons. Dendrites also occasionally colocalized the two immunomarkers. Other somata, dendrites, and all axon terminals were singly labeled with either NT‐LI or D2‐LI. In distinct sets of terminals, NT‐LI was commonly associated with large, dense‐cored vesicles, whereas D2‐LI was found along the plasmalemma and over nearby small clear vesicles. Each type of terminal comprised ∼ 20% of synaptic input to NT‐immunoreactive dendrites. Similar proportions of terminals containing NT‐LI or D2‐LI contacted unlabeled (∼ 55%) or NT‐labeled (∼ 35%) dendrites and, occasionally, were observed converging onto common dendrites. Terminals containing NT‐LI or D2‐LI also were often closely apposed. These findings provide the first ultrastructural evidence that: (1) NT and D2 receptors are colocalized in aspiny neurons and dendrites, (2) NT may produce a direct postsynaptic effect on neurons receiving input from terminals which are presynaptically modulated by DA via D2 receptors, and (3) NT and DA acting at D2 receptors may interact through presynaptic modulation of common axon terminals. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Roles of Motivation and Ability in Controlling the Consequences of Stereotype Suppression

Two experiments investigated the conditions under which previously suppressed stereotypes are applied in impression formation. In Experiment 1, the extent to which a previously suppressed racial stereotype influenced subsequent impressions depended on the race of the target who was subsequently encountered. Whereas impressions of race-unspecified targets were assimilated to the stereotype following its suppression, no such effects were observed when the target belonged to the racial group whose stereotype had been initially suppressed. These results demonstrate that when perceivers are motivated to avoid stereotyping individuals, the influence of a stereotype that has been previously activated through suppression is minimized. Experiment 2 demonstrated that these processing goals effectively reduce the impact of suppression-activated stereotypes only when perceivers have sufficient capacity to enact the goals. These results suggest that both sufficient motivation and capacity are necessary to prevent heightened stereotyping following stereotype suppression.
Comparison of Chemicon SimulFluor Direct Fluorescent Antibody Staining with Cell Culture and Shell Vial Direct Immunoperoxidase Staining for Detection of Herpes Simplex Virus and with Cytospin Direct Immunofluorescence Staining for Detection of Varicella-Zoster Virus

ABSTRACT A new rapid direct immunofluorescence assay, the SimulFluor direct fluorescent-antibody (DFA) assay, which can simultaneously detect herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and -2) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV), was evaluated in comparison with our current standard procedures of (i) shell vial direct immunoperoxidase (shell vial IP) staining and cell culture for detection of HSV and (ii) cytospin DFA staining for VZV detection. A total of 517 vesicular, oral, genital, and skin lesion specimens were tested by all three procedures. For HSV detection, the SimulFluor DFA assay had an overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 80.0, 98.3, 92.3, and 95.1%, respectively, when compared to culture. Shell vial IP staining had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 87.6, 100, 100, and 96.9%, respectively, when compared with cell culture. The SimulFluor DFA assay, however, offers same-day, 1.5-hours results versus a 1- to 2-day wait for shell vial IP staining results and a 1- to 6-day wait for culture results for HSV. For VZV detection SimulFluor DFA staining detected 27 positive specimens as compared to 31 by our standard cytospin DFA technique—a correlation of 87.1%. A positive SimulFluor reaction for VZV is indicated by yellow-gold fluorescence compared to the bright apple-green fluorescence observed by cytospin DFA staining. There is no difference in turnaround time between the two assays. The SimulFluor DFA assay is a rapid immunofluorescence assay that can detect 80% of the HSV-positive specimens and 87% of the VZV-positive specimens with a 1.5-h turnaround time.
Elicitation of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes in Mucosal Compartments of Rhesus Monkeys by Systemic Vaccination

ABSTRACT Since most human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are initiated following mucosal exposure to the virus, the anatomic containment or abortion of an HIV infection is likely to require vaccine-elicited cellular immune responses in those mucosal sites. Studying vaccine-elicited mucosal immune responses has been problematic because of the difficulties associated with sampling T lymphocytes from those anatomic compartments. In the present study, we demonstrate that mucosal cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) specific for simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and simian HIV can be reproducibly sampled from intestinal mucosal tissue of rhesus monkeys obtained under endoscopic guidance. These lymphocytes recognize peptide-major histocompatibility complex class I complexes and express gamma interferon on exposure to peptide antigen. Interestingly, systemic immunization of monkeys with plasmid DNA immunogens followed by live recombinant attenuated poxviruses or adenoviruses with genes deleted elicits high-frequency SIV-specific CTL responses in these mucosal tissues. These studies therefore suggest that systemic delivery of potent HIV immunogens may suffice to elicit substantial mucosal CTL responses.
Gradient-based online safe trajectory generation for quadrotor flight in complex environments

In this paper, we propose a trajectory generation framework for quadrotor autonomous navigation in unknown 3-D complex environments using gradient information. We decouple the trajectory generation problem as front-end path searching and back-end trajectory refinement. Based on the map that is incrementally built onboard, we adopt a sampling-based informed path searching method to find a safe path passing through obstacles. We convert the path consists of line segments to an initial safe trajectory. An optimization-based method which minimizes the penalty of collision cost, smoothness and dynamical feasibility is used to refine the trajectory. Our method shows the ability to online generate smooth and dynamical feasible trajectories with safety guarantee. We integrate the state estimation, dense mapping and motion planning module into a customized light-weight quadrotor platform. We validate our proposed method by presenting fully autonomous navigation in unknown cluttered indoor and outdoor environments.
Detection of hepatic lesions in candidates for surgery: comparison of ferumoxides-enhanced MR imaging and dual-phase helical CT.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare the use of phased array MR imaging of the liver at 1.5 T with and without ferumoxides with dual-phase helical CT for the detection of hepatic lesions in candidates for hepatic surgery. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Patients with known or suspected hepatic lesions who were eligible for surgery underwent dual-phase helical CT at 20 and 70 sec after the start of contrast material injection and phased array MR imaging using fast spin-echo T2-weighted imaging and gradient-echo T1-weighted imaging before and after ferumoxides infusion of 0.56 mg of iron per kilogram of body weight. Three observers who were unaware of the surgical findings separately reviewed the CT scans and unenhanced and enhanced MR images of 24 patients who completed the protocol. The observers' findings were compared with results obtained at surgery using intraoperative sonography and having histopathologic confirmation. Statistical analysis was performed using a segment-by-segment analysis. RESULTS Eighty-two lesions were found at surgery. The sensitivity of CT, unenhanced MR imaging, and enhanced MR imaging for blinded observers was 60.4%, 62.0%, and 68.2%, respectively. The specificity was 89.2%, 81.9%, and 81.6%, respectively. Five lesions in three patients were not detected preoperatively using any of the techniques. MR imaging found additional lesions not detected on CT in four patients; CT detected one additional lesion not seen on MR imaging. CONCLUSION Ferumoxides-enhanced MR imaging of the liver shows a trend toward increased sensitivity compared with dual-phase helical CT. Specificity of helical CT was superior to that of enhanced MR imaging for most observers.
Flexions of the popliteal artery: dynamic angiography.

BACKGROUND Stenting of popliteal artery (PA) with self-expandable stents is a therapeutic option in selected patients with arterial disease. Fractures of these stents may occur, and they are thought to be related to development of hinge points (HPs) secondary to knee flexion. However, it remains obscure how movements of the knee affect the morphology of the PA and where HPs occur. OBJECTIVE To describe the morphologic changes of the PA during knee flexion and their relationship with bone structures using dynamic angiography (DA). PATIENTS AND METHODS All DA procedures performed in our institution between February 2000 and July 2003 were reviewed. Dynamic angiography consisted of a static phase (during which the knee was bent at 100 degrees) and a dynamic phase (during which the leg was passively extended to total extension following opacification of the PA). RESULTS Sixty-three PAs in 57 patients with arterial disease were evaluated. In 62 PAs (98.2%), presence of an HP was identified and the pre-HP and post-HP segments also were defined. HPs were never observed at the level of the knee joint line. We developed a geometric model to establish a relationship of proximity between a bone structure and the HP. The HP was the main and most acute angled curve observed during knee flexion. Accessory flexions (AFs) were observed when the knee was bent in 46 PAs (73%). Presence of AFs was associated with high blood pressure (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION We identified HPs of the PA as the main curve observed during knee flexion as well as a large number of AFs. DA appears to be a useful diagnostic tool for obtaining the most accurate morphologic information about the PA during knee flexion.
Disruption of behavior and brain metabolism in artificially reared rats

Early adverse life stress has been associated to behavioral disorders that can manifest as inappropriate or aggressive responses to social challenges. In this study, we analyzed the effects of artificial rearing on the open field and burial behavioral tests and on GFAP, c‐Fos immunoreactivity, and glucose metabolism measured in anxiety‐related brain areas. Artificial rearing of male rats was performed by supplying artificial milk through a cheek cannula and tactile stimulation, mimicking the mother's licking to rat pups from the fourth postnatal day until weaning. Tactile stimulation was applied twice a day, at morning and at night, by means of a camel brush on the rat anogenital area. As compared to mother reared rats, greater aggressiveness, and boldness, stereotyped behavior (burial conduct) was observed in artificially reared rats which occurred in parallel to a reduction of GFAP immunoreactivity in somatosensory cortex, c‐Fos immunoreactivity at the amygdala and primary somatosensory cortex, and lower metabolism in amygdala (as measured by 2‐deoxi‐2‐[18fluoro]‐d‐glucose uptake, assessed by microPET imaging). These results could suggest that tactile and/or chemical stimuli from the mother and littermates carry relevant information for the proper development of the central nervous system, particularly in brain areas involved with emotions and social relationships of the rat. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 1413–1429, 2017
Mapping and measuring disparities in welfare for cats across neighborhoods in a large US city.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether disparities in health and welfare among cats are present within neighborhoods and across census tracts in a large US city, and to compare results with area-level human data. SAMPLE POPULATION 17,587 cat intake records from 2 animal sheltering organizations serving Boston, and summary data from city animal control authorities for a 5-year period (2004 through 2008). PROCEDURES Geocoded addresses (n = 15,285) were spatially joined to neighborhood and census tract polygons. Cat intakes and deaths were calculated per capita and compared with human demographic and death data. Poisson mixed-effects models were used to smooth mortality rates and calculate relative risks. RESULTS Data from geocoded records indicated that annual rates of cat intakes and deaths ranged widely (0.85 to 10.3 cats/1,000 persons and 0.27 to 3.9 cats/1,000 persons, respectively) within 16 neighborhoods of Boston. The disparity across 156 census tracts that comprised these neighborhoods was even greater (0.10 to 22.1 cats/1,000 persons and 0.15 to 6.47 cats/1,000 persons for intakes and deaths, respectively). Cat deaths were significantly correlated with human premature deaths at the neighborhood level (R2 = 0.77). Overall, annual per capita city-wide shelter-associated mortality rate for cats (estimated at approx 2.6 cats/1,000 persons) was similar to rates in other progressive communities. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE By use of geospatial techniques, 14- to 40-fold gradients in cat deaths were detected across Boston neighborhoods and census tracts. Cat deaths were associated with human premature deaths and socioeconomic indicators reflecting deprivation. Targeted interventions may be effective in resolving these disparities.
Clinical validation of genetic markers for improved risk estimation

Primary prevention is the most effective strategy for reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease; however, predicting cardiovascular risk in the asymptomatic population lacks precision. Traditional methods of estimating risk are based on the presence of certain risk factors, some of which (e.g. hypertension, dyslipidaemia) are modifiable. Cardiovascular risk is also determined by a plethora of genetic risk factors, and this is partially reflected by a positive family history of cardiovascular disease; however, family history may not always be an accurate indication of genetic cardiovascular risk. Genome-wide association studies have identified numerous genetic variants associated with increased cardiovascular risk and cardiovascular risk factors. The addition of genetic information to conventional risk scores has the potential to increase the discriminative power of the score. Genetic markers may be particularly helpful for predicting life-time risk of cardiovascular disease in younger subjects, which is often underestimated by traditional risk scores. Advances in our understanding of the genetics of cardiovascular risk provide opportunities for improving both the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
The quantitative estimation of non-heme iron in human marrow aspirates.

A clinically feasible method for the estimation of non-heme iron in human marrow is described. Marrow aspirates, taken from patients with various disorders, were assayed for non-heme iron, and simultaneous evaluation of the marrow squashes for depot iron was done. The concentration of marrow iron was found to be 2.7 ± 1.9 μ g. per mg. marrow protein. Despite broad agreement between the two methods, correlation is not good. The quantitative chemical assay may be of value in the diagnosis and investigations of the hypo- and hyperferremic states.
[New WHO classification of malignant lymphoma].

悪 性 リンパ腫 の分 類 に関 して,我 が国 に おい て は 形 態 を基 本 とし,そ れ に免疫 機能 を付 加 しての分類 し得 るLSG分 類1)が1978年 に提 唱 され,今 日 まで 多 くの施 設 で 用 い られ て い る. 一 方 国 際 的 に は, 1982年Working Formulation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma for clinical use2)が それ まで の色 々 な分 類 を纏 めた 分類 基準 と して提 唱 され普 遍 的 な分 類 と なっ ていた. た だ この基 準 は組織 形態 に基 づ くもの で,個 々 の疾 患 単位 を示 す もの でな い ばか りか,そ れ ぞれ の カテ ゴ リーに一 つ の疾患 が属 す るわ けで な く,今 日一 つ とされ る疾 患が い くつ かの カテ ゴ リー に分 か れて いた り,い くつか の疾 患が 一 つの カ テゴ リー に含 まれて いた りす るた め に,そ の後 の免 疫学 的 な進 歩 に適 応 出来 な くな って い た. そ こで ヨー ロ ッパ で は,免 疫 機 能 を基 に したKiel分 類 がupdated Kiel分 類(1988)3)と して 進 展 し,広 く使 用 され て きた. こ れ は リンパ 腫 をはっ き り と細 胞 系列 か らBとTに 区別 す る と と もに,そ れ ぞ れ を低 悪 性度 と高 悪 性 度 に分 け,ま たTリ ンパ 腫 を多 くの 亜型 に区分 す る と共 に,新 し く免疫 芽 球型 や未 分化 大細胞 型 を区別 した,こ の分類 に対 して は あ ま りに も亜 型 を作 って い るので再 現性 に乏 し く,ま た臨床 との関連 性 に乏 しい とされ てい る. その後,主 にア メ リカ とヨー ロ ッパ の病 理学 者 の グ ル ー プ(International Lymphoma Study Group)に よ りRevised European-American Classfication of Lymphoid Neoplasms (the REAL classification)(1994)4)が 提 唱 され た. こ れ はそ れ まで に形態,臨 床所 見,免 疫 な らび に遺 伝子 の面 か ら明 らか に され てい る主 な リ ンパ 腫 の型 を列 挙,整 理 し,リ ンパ腫 を生 物学 的視 点 か らの疾 患単位 とし て扱 うよ うに した もの で,そ れ まで の形 態学 に基 づ く分類 と異 な り,リ ンパ 腫分 類 に新 しい視 点 を与 え た もの と言 える. そ の為 に一 つ の疾 患単位 とされ て い る リンパ腫 の型 が,多 彩 な病 像 を呈 しう る こ と と 認識 させ,こ の こ とか ら,そ こに見 られ る特異 な異 常 に対 しての新 しい治療 戦略 を立 て うる ことが挙 げ られ る. 一方,WHOで の分 類 の 試 み は1974年 第 一 回 が5) Mathe et alに よって な されて い る. し か し,こ の 分類 は腫 瘍細 胞 の起 源,形 態 とはか け離 れた観 念 的 な分 類 で あっ たた め に殆 ど使 用 され る こ とな く今 日 に至 って い る. そ こで新 た な分類 が計 画 され る こ と にな り,今 日,悪 性 リンパ腫 分類 診断 の基 礎 的 な も の とな りつ つ あ るREAL分 類 を発 展 的 に整理 し よ う とい う こ とに なった. 確 か にREAL分 類 に は暫 定 的 な疾 患 単位 が多 く挙 げ られ てお り,今 後 の検討 が 必 要 と され て い た. こ の為 にWHO分 類 が欧 米 の血 液病 理 学者 を中心 に,当 初 は1998年,目 下 少 し 遅 れて,blue bookの1999年 の発 行 を 目指 して進行 してい る ところで あ る. こ こに このWHO分 類 につ い て,REAL分 類 と は異 なった 点 を中心 と して述 べ る. 悪 性 リンパ 腫 をそ の構 成 細 胞 起 源 に よ りB,T/ NKと 分 け て扱 う こ とはREAL分 類 と同様 で,分 類 の基 本 はREAL分 類 に基 づ い て い る. も ち ろん