Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Educational attainment and cognitive decline in old age

Background: Level of education is a well-established risk factor for Alzheimer disease but its relation to cognitive decline, the principal clinical manifestation of the disease, is uncertain. Methods: More than 6,000 older residents of a community on the south side of Chicago were interviewed at approximately 3-year intervals for up to 14 years. The interview included administration of four brief tests of cognitive function from which a previously established composite measure of global cognition was derived. We estimated the associations of education with baseline level of cognition and rate of cognitive change in a series of mixed-effects models. Results: In an initial analysis, higher level of education was related to higher level of cognition at baseline, but there was no linear association between education and rate of change in cognitive function. In a subsequent analysis with terms to allow for nonlinearity in education and its relation to cognitive decline, rate of cognitive decline at average or high levels of education was slightly increased during earlier years of follow-up but slightly decreased in later years in comparison to low levels of education. Findings were similar among black and white participants. Cognitive performance improved with repeated test administration, but there was no evidence that retest effects were related to education or attenuated education’s association with cognitive change. Conclusions: The results suggest that education is robustly associated with level of cognitive function but not with rate of cognitive decline and that the former association primarily accounts for education’s correlation with risk of dementia in old age.
Phosphorus Metabolites in Different Muscles of the Rat Leg by 31P Image‐Selected In Vivo Spectroscopy

The difference in concentration of phosphorylated metabolites in muscles with different fiber composition was studied in vivo by localized 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the rat hindlimb. 120–160 μl volumes were selected in regions containing the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles. Concentrations of phosphocreatine (PCr), adenosine triphosphate and inorganic phosphate (Pi) were determined and intracellular pH was calculated in the respective muscle groups. The highest level of PCr was found in the gastrocnemius muscle, containing 30.7 mmoles/dm3 tissue compared to 22.3 mmoles/dm3 in the soleus muscle. Pi was significantly lower in gastrocnemius (1.9 mmoles/dm3) than in soleus (3.2 mmoles/dm3). The ATP concentration was 6.7 and 6.4 mmoles/dm3 and pH was determined to 7.11 and 7.09 in the gastrocnemius and soleus muscle, respectively. Our NMR data show that it is possible to measure high‐energy phosphates with precision in small localized volumes with the ISIS method using a Helmholtz coil. Earlier biochemical data are confirmed by these in vivo NMR results. Localized in vivo 31P NMR spectroscopy can contribute to the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of several metabolic events in different regions of the tissue. The method can be used for future studies of varying ischemia tolerance, varying degrees of adaptation to exercise with regard to oxidative capacity, and pH compartmentation in muscles with different fiber composition
The role of nesiritide in heart failure

Background: Heart failure afflicts > 5 million patients in the US, with about 550,000 new diagnoses a year. Side effects and increased mortality limit heart failure treatment. Nesiritide is the newest addition to therapeutic options for treatment of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). It has been used as single in-patient infusions, multiple out-patient infusions, and perioperatively to improve hemodynamics and promote diuresis. Initially well-received, meta-analyses suggesting increased mortality and renal dysfunction after nesiritide use were published 4 – 5 years after its introduction in the US. These reports prompted new recommendations on nesiritide use by an expert panel. Objective: Critical review of the studies leading to approval of nesiritide and the current recommendations for its use. Methods: Medline search and Pubmed search using nesiritide or natrecor for text word searches. Conclusion: Nesiritide represents the first drug in a new class designed for treatment of ADHF. In patients with ADHF, nesiritide improves hemodynamic parameters and reduces dyspnea. Questions remain about possible increased mortality and side effects. A continuing study expected to enroll 7000 patients by 2010 has been designed to clarify whether nesiritide reduces mortality, hospital length-of-stay and renal parameters in patients with ADHF.
Olfactory identification and Stroop interference converge in schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE To test the discriminant validity of a model predicting a dissociation between measures of right and left frontal lobe function in people with schizophrenia. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-one clinically stable outpatients with schizophrenia. INTERVENTIONS Patients were administered the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT), the Stroop Color-Word Test (Stroop), and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). OUTCOME MEASURES Scores on these tests and relation among scores. RESULTS There was a convergence of UPSII and Stroop interference scores consistent with a common cerebral basis for limitations in olfactory identification and inhibition of distraction. There was also a divergence of UPSIT and Stroop reading scores suggesting that the olfactory identification limitation is distinct from a general limitation of attention or a dysfunction of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Most notable was the 81% classification convergence between the UPSIT and Stroop incongruous colour naming scores compared with the near-random 57% classification convergence of the UPSIT and Stroop reading scores. CONCLUSIONS These data are consistent with a right orbitofrontal dysfunction in a subgroup of patients with schizophrenia, although the involvement of mesial temporal structures in both tasks must be ruled out with further study. A multifactorial model depicting contributions from diverse cerebral structures is required to describe the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Valid behavioural methods for classifying suspected subgroups of patients with particular cerebral dysfunction would be of value in the construction of this model.
Effects of feeding roasted safflower seeds (variety IL-111) and fish oil on dry matter intake, performance and milk fatty acid profiles in dairy cattle.

UNLABELLED Safflower seed has the highest concentration of linoleic acid among 80 oilseeds but little information exists on the effective use of SS for lactation cows. It was hypothesised that a diet supplemented with an Iranian SS variety (IL-111) in combination with fish oil (FO) would result in higher concentrations of trans-18:1 (including vaccenic acid) and conjugated linoleic acids in milk fat than feeding an unsupplemented control diet. Our objective was to determine the effects of feeding diets containing: (i) CONTROL (C); (ii) 25 g of roasted SS IL-111 (RSS); (iii) 20 g FO and (iv) 25 g RSS + 10 g FO (RSS + FO) per kilogram of dietary DM on feed intake, ruminal fermentation, milk production and fatty acid profile. Eight multiparous Holstein cows were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design study. The experiment had four periods of 21 days. Milk Fat percentage was lower (p < 0.01) with FO supplementation and averaged 19.0 and 21.5 g/kg milk with FO and RSS + FO compared with 30.3 and 32.5 g/kg with C and RSS. Feed intake also was lower (p < 0.01) with FO vs. C (23.1 vs. 24.5 kg/day) but feeding RSS resulted in greater feed intake compared with other treatments (26 kg/day). Despite lower feed intake with FO, milk production did not change from controls but feeding RSS + FO resulted in greater milk yield than controls (42.6 vs. 39.3 kg/day). Ruminal pH was greater (p < 0.01) in cows fed FO than other treatments. Supplemental FO alone or in combination with RSS resulted in dramatic increases (p < 0.01) in c9,t11-18:2 in milk fat (12.7 and 13.2 g/day vs. 5.8 and 7.02 with C and RSS). It was surprising to note that 25 g/kg RSS can improve feed intake.
Evaluation of metastases and reactive lymph nodes in Doppler sonography using an ultrasound contrast enhancer.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES The authors conducted a prospective study in D-galactose signal-enhanced Doppler sonography of lymph nodes to investigate new aspects in differentiating malignant from reactive lymph nodes of patients with suspected malignancy of the neck. METHODS Twenty-one patients with suspected squamous epithelial cell carcinoma metastases of the neck were examined by Doppler sonography before and after administration of an ultrasound signal-enhancing agent, consisting of D-galactose microbubbles. Qualitative sonomorphology, peak flow rates, and pulsatility and resistive indices were assessed. RESULTS Compared with conventional Doppler, enhanced Doppler sonography gave detailed additional information about vascularization of metastases or reactive lymph nodes. Signal-enhanced Doppler of metastases showed a relatively characteristic pattern of vascularity, therefore facilitating differential diagnoses and allowing better discrimination from surrounding tissue, demonstrated by the infiltration of neighboring vessels in the neck. Concerning reactive lymph nodes, vascularization could be stated and measured in many cases only after signal enhancement. Evaluating peak velocities and pulsatility and resistive indices could not differentiate significantly malignant from reactive lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS Administration of a D-galactose-based signal-enhancer helps to differentiate malignant from reactive lymph nodes of the neck. It is superior to conventional Doppler by improving evaluation of the vascularity and could be of use for staging procedures.
The role of valvular regurgitation in catheter ablation outcomes of patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation.

AIMS The role of valvular regurgitation (VR) in outcomes of patients obtaining current ablation endpoints with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LS-AF) was evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS In all, 216 consecutive patients obtaining current ablation endpoints with LS-AF were studied. A standard two-dimensional and Doppler transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed in every patient before the procedure. The presentation and the grade of mitral regurgitation (MR), tricuspid regurgitation, and aortic regurgitation were evaluated. The clinical characteristics, TTE, and procedural characteristics were compared between the sinus rhythm group and the recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmia (ATa) group. After a follow-up of 18.9 ± 2.7 months, there were 48 patients in the ATa group. The patients in the ATa group had greater MR, longer AF duration, and larger left atrium (LA). In multivariate analyses, MR, LA size, and AF duration were independent predictors of recurrent ATa. The grades of MR severity were correlated with the rate of recurrent ATa, and more severe grade of MR indicated more recurrent ATa. Compared with the patients with organic MR, the patients with functional MR had a lower rate of recurrent ATa and lesser degrees of MR. CONCLUSION In the three types of VR, MR was associated with recurrent ATa after AF ablation. Patients with ATa recurrence had more severe MR and greater organic MR.
The effect of Hepatitis C Virus infection on cardiovascular complications in end stage kidney disease patients on regular hemodialysis

Introduction Cardiovascular complications are the most important cause of mortality in patients with ESKD, such as coronary artery disease, left ventricular hypertrophy, heart failure and arrhythmia. Other well-known risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia are prevalent in ESKD, yet they are not sufficient enough to explain the high prevalence of cardiovascular mortality, hence searching for other hidden risk factors to explain this high prevalence is of an utmost importance. The aim of this study was to identify the exact mechanisms connecting HCV infection, chronic liver disease, and atherogenesis. Methods This case control study was done on 80 patients with chronic renal failure undergoing haemodialysis at Sheikh Zayed Specialized Hospital in Giza, Egypt in 2016. The participants were divided into four groups: a control group with HCV negative by PCR (20 patients), and three HCV Positive groups according to viral load by PCR: low, moderate and high viremia. Inclusion criteria were normal serum calcium (8.5–10.5 mg/dL), phosphorus ≤5mg/dL, PTH≤250 pg/ml, Hb 10–12 g/dL, and duration of dialysis less than two years. Data were analyzed using Chi square, t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, ANOVA, and Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Results The study showed significant increase in LVM index in hemodialysis patients with high and moderate viremia compared to low viremia (p<0.001) and to control group (p<0.001). Also, significant increase in end diastolic diameter in high and moderate viremia (p<0.001), significant difference in end systolic diameter in the high viremia group (p<0.001), significant increase in the interventricular septal thickness (p<0.002) and posterior wall thickness (p<0.002) among moderate viremia were determined. Conclusion HCV has a significant effect on the development of cardiovascular diseases in the general population, and in renal disease patients on the structural level.
Sensory distinction between H-2b and H-2bm1 mutant mice.

Genetic polymorphism in the H-2:Qa:Tla region of chromosome 17 is associated with constitutive variation of bodily odor phenotypes which permit individual olfactory recognition among mice. To determine whether known genes in the H-2:Qa:Tla complex are concerned in the constitution of odor phenotypes, mice were tested for their ability to sense a difference between the B6/By (H-2b) and congeneic B6.C-H-2bm1 strains, which differ genetically by mutation of the H-2K gene. As in previous studies of the sensory discrimination of H-2:Qa:Tla phenotypes, mice were trained by reward in a Y maze to distinguish the odors of urine samples, and the successful distinctions of B6/By from B6.C-H-2bm1 were confirmed by transfer of training, without reward, to coded samples of urine from genetically equivalent urine donor mice which the trained mice had not previously encountered. Cosegregation of odor phenotype with H-2b and H-2bm1 was demonstrated by transfer of training to typed H-2b and H-2bm1 homozygous segregants of F2 generations of appropriate crosses. Although it is not excluded that the differences in odor phenotype which distinguish H-2b and H-2bm1 mice are directly related to the structure of the H-2b and H-2bm1 products, it is equally possible that H-2-related odor phenotypes arise from effects of H-2 genetic variation on metabolic pathways either directly, or indirectly through developmental polymorphism.
Early circulating levels of endothelial cell activation markers in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage: associations with cerebral ischaemic events and outcome

Objective: To investigate the relation of endothelial cell activation with delayed cerebral ischaemia (DCI) and outcome after subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Methods: Concentrations of soluble (s) intercellular adhesion molecule-1, sE-selectin, sP-selectin, ED1-fibronectin, von Willebrand Factor (vWf), and vWf propeptide were measured within three days of SAH onset. The associations with poor outcome were investigated at three months in 106 patients. In 90 patients in whom the occurrence of cerebral ischaemia could be dated accurately, two analyses were undertaken: one for all ischaemic events (n = 32), including those related to treatment, and another for spontaneous DCI (n = 11). Concentrations of markers were dichotomised at their medians. The associations of endothelial cell activation markers with outcome were expressed as odds ratios (OR) from logistic regression and those with ischaemic events as hazard ratios (HR) derived from Cox regression. Results: Early vWf concentrations were associated with poor outcome (crude OR = 4.6 (95% CI, 2.0 to 10.9; adjusted OR = 3.3 (1.1 to 9.8). Early levels of vWf were also positively related to occurrence of all ischaemic events (crude HR = 2.3 (1.1 to 4.9); adjusted HR = 1.8 (0.8 to 3.9) and with occurrence of spontaneous DCI (crude HR = 3.5 (0.9 to 13.1); adjusted HR = 2.2 (0.5 to 9.8). None of the other markers showed any associations. Conclusions: Concentrations of sICAM-1, sP-selectin, sE-selectin, and ED1-fibronectin do not predict the occurrence of DCI or outcome. The positive associations of raised early vWf concentrations with ischaemic events and poor outcome after SAH may reflect a predisposition to further ischaemic injury through formation of microthrombi in the cerebral circulation.
Glomerular Morphology by Light Microscopy in Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus: Lack of Glomerular Hypertrophy

We quantitated glomerular structure by light microscopy in 19 subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and studied the possible connection between morphology and urinary albumin concentration. Autopsy material was collected retrospectively from diabetic subjects in whom urinary albumin concentration had been measured within 1.5 yr. Nineteen consecutive sex- and age-matched nondiabetic subjects were controls. A quantitative study of a random sample of glomeruli was performed blindly on periodic acid–Schiff (PAS)-stained sections. The main parameters obtained were 1) mean volume of open glomeruli, 2) frequency of glomerular occlusion, and 3) volume fraction of red-stained material (PAS-positive substance) in open glomeruli [Vv(R/G)]. There was no increase in glomerular volume in these NIDDM subjects, contrary to the glomerular hypertrophy found early as well as late in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. An increase in Vv(R/G) was found in diabetic subjects, demonstrating the presence of glomerulopathy as it is diagnosed by light microscopy. The frequency of glomerular occlusion was not significantly different between the groups. A high urinary albumin concentration did not necessarily reflect more advanced glomerulopathy.
Safety and efficacy of NeuroBloc (botulinum toxin type B) in type A-resistant cervical dystonia.

OBJECTIVE To determine the safety and efficacy of botulinum toxin type B (BoNT/B) in patients with type A-resistant cervical dystonia (CD). BACKGROUND Local intramuscular injections of BoNT are an effective therapy for CD. After repeated use, some patients become resistant to therapy. BoNT/B, effective in type A toxin-responsive patients, is proposed as an alternative therapy for type A-resistant patients. METHODS The authors performed a 16-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of BoNT/B in type A-resistant patients with CD. After resistance to therapy was confirmed with the frontalis-type A test, placebo or 10,000 U BoNT/B was administered in a single session into two to four clinically involved muscles. The Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS) was the primary efficacy measurement. TWSTRS-Total, three visual analog scales (Patient Global Assessment of Change, Principal Investigator Global Assessment of Change, Patient Analog Pain Assessment), and adverse events were assessed at baseline and weeks 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16. RESULTS A total of 77 patients participated (38 placebo, 39 active). Improvements in severity, disability, and pain were documented in the BoNT/B-treated group. TWSTRS-Total scores were improved in the BoNT/B-treated group at weeks 4 (p = 0.0001), 8 (p = 0.0002), and 12 (p = 0.0129). All three visual analog scales demonstrated improvements at week 4 (p < 0.0001, 0.0001, and 0.001). A Kaplan-Meier analysis supported a duration of effect of 12 to 16 weeks in the active group. Dry mouth and dysphagia were self-limited adverse effects, reported more commonly in the BoNT/B group. CONCLUSIONS Botulinum toxin type B (BoNT/B) (NeuroBloc) is safe and efficacious for the management of patients with type A-resistant cervical dystonia with an estimated duration of treatment effect of 12 to 16 weeks.
[Comparison of acute cellular rejection between living donor liver transplantation and cadaveric liver transplantation].

OBJECTIVE To compare the incidence and severity of acute cwellular rejection (ACR) between living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and cadaveric liver transplantation (CLT). METHODS 51 patients underwent LDLT among which 30 received the liver of blood-related donors, and 65 patients underwent CLT. Clinical data, such as the cold ischemic time of liver graft, use of immunosuppressive agents, ACR rate, response to steroid therapy, HLA matching between donor and recipient, and survival rates of liver graft and patients were collected and analyzed. RESULTS The graft survival rate, patient survival rate, ACR rate, ACR multiple incidence rate, and no response rate to steroid therapy in CLT and LDLT groups were 72% vs 78%, 77% vs. 78%, 48% vs. 41%, 20% vs. 10%, and 11% vs. 4% (P > 0.05). The difference of ACR rates between CLT and living blood-related donor liver transplantation was statistically insignificant. There was no significant difference in number of HLA allele mismatching between patients with ACR and those without ACR. The combined immunosuppression therapy rely mainly on FK506 use reduced the occurrence of ACR (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION There is no marked difference in incidence of ACR between LDLT and CLT. ACR in liver transplantation is correlated to neither HLA matching between donors and recipients nor to cold ischemic time of the liver graft. FK506 avoids ACR better than cyclosporin2 A.
Preparing Computer Science Students for Global Software Development

This paper describes an innovative study undertaken in an undergraduate capstone software engineering course to give students exposure to the realities of global software development. In this study, students from Pace University in New York worked as part of an extended team with students from the Institute of Technology of Cambodia, developing software for Cambodian customers. This paper explains the goals of the study, describes the teams and their projects, and emphasizes the required logistics for a study of this nature. The findings are discussed, and some lessons for computer science education and global software development are provided. The paper finishes with a brief account of our continuing work in the area