Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of primary percutaneous coronary intervention on blood perfusion in nonculprit artery in patients with anterior ST elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND Recent studies have demonstrated that epicardial flow in nonculprit arteries, which has been assumed to be normal, was slowed in the setting of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the impact of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on blood perfusion in nonculprit arteries in patients with STEMI has not been clarified. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of primary PCI on blood perfusion in nonculprit arteries in patients with STEMI and correlated clinical factors. METHODS A total of 117 patients with anterior wall STEMI, the culprit artery being the left anterior descending artery (LAD), undergoing primary PCI (the study group) and 100 patients with normal coronary angiography (the control group) were enrolled. To observe the differences of corrected TIMI frame count (cTFC) and myocardial blush grade (MBG) before and after primary PCI in both culprit and nonculprit arteries, the left circumflex coronary artery (LCX), cTFC and MBG in the LAD and LCX were measured in the study group and control group. The study group was divided into three groups; reflow in the culprit artery group (the R group), no reflow in culprit artery group (the NR group), and no reflow in both the culprit artery and nonculprit artery group (the NRB group) according to MBG grade. The level of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), catecholamine, and fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) were assayed. The clinical and angiographic characteristics were also analyzed. RESULTS cTFC (28.1 ± 24.3 vs. 20.3 ± 19.3, P < 0.05) and MBG in the LCX were different in the study group compared to the control group before primary PCI. cTFC (25.2 ± 22.3 vs. 28.1 ± 24.3, P < 0.05) and the MBG level in the LCX were improved after successful primary PCI, but were not recovered to the normal level. Patients with no reflow in the culprit artery had a higher incidence of no-reflow in the nonculprit artery (78% vs. 19%, P < 0.0001), and the levels of CRP ((3.29 ± 1.31) mg/dl vs. (2.51 ± 1.14) mg/dl vs. (2.93 ± 1.07) mg/dl, P < 0.05, respectively), catecholamine ((epinephrine (693.48 ± 89.78) pg/ml vs. (398.12 ± 93.28) pg/ml vs. (562.54 ± 96.22) pg/ml, P < 0.0001, respectively), and norepinephrine ((7012.43 ± 932.47) pg/ml vs. (4012.34 ± 814.16) pg/ml vs. (5549.03 ± 912.65) pg/ml, P < 0.0001, respectively)) in the NRB group were higher than those in the R group and NR group. The level of FGF21 ((0.299 ± 0.093) ng/ml vs. (0.612 ± 0.071) ng/ml vs. (0.428 ± 0.074) ng/ml, P < 0.0001 respectively) in the NRB group was lower than that in the R group and NR group. CONCLUSIONS The blood perfusion in the nonculprit artery may be impaired in patients with STEMI. Although nonculprit artery perfusion may be improved after successful primary PCI, it is still lower than that in the control group, and may be involved in inflammation and spasms.
Limited Prognostic Value of a Staging System for Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome

Objective: Severe twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is usually classified according to a staging system (I–V) based on ultrasonographic findings of polyhydramnios in the recipient, oligohydramnios in the donor, the presence or absence of the donor’s bladder, Doppler waveform changes and (impending) hydrops. Stage correlates with the severity of disease, and it is assumed that, without intervention, severe TTTS will evolve in succession from stage I to stage V (fetal demise). However, this progression has not been validated in longitudinal studies. Herein, we report on the natural progression of severe TTTS in a cohort of patients from a regional Fetal Treatment Program. Methods: Eighteen patients with severe TTTS, diagnosed between 15 and 25 weeks of gestation, were managed over a 28-month period. Data were collected until delivery, endoscopic surgical intervention or dual fetal demise. Patients were evaluated at least once a week. Stage, estimated fetal weight, percent recipient/donor body weight discordance and survival were recorded. Results: The present study represents a total follow-up of 108 patient-weeks. Of 90 week-to-week evaluations, 65 showed no change in stage; 11 showed downstaging (by more than 1 stage in 3, or 27%), and 13 showed upstaging (by more than 1 stage in 8, or 62%). Nine patients (all stage II or above) underwent endoscopic laser ablation. Overall survival was 67%, and survival of at least 1 twin occurred in 78% of pregnancies. Weight discordance between the donor and recipient did not predict outcome. Conclusion: The current staging system for severe TTTS may not be helpful in predicting the direction, degree or speed of progression of the condition. Indications for intervention should remain stage-related, and not based on projected progression.
Apoptosis‐promoting gene (bax) transfer potentiates sensitivity of squamous cell carcinoma to cisplatin In vitro and In vivo

Modulation of apoptosis may potentiate the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapeutic agents, thus improving the clinical outcome of cancer treatment. Bax, an apoptosis‐promoting member of the bcl‐2 family, may be a key factor influencing the chemosensitivity of tumor cells, however, its involvement in cellular sensitivity to anti‐cancer drugs remains uncertain in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). To investigate the role of bax gene expression in modulating cisplatin (CDDP)‐induced apoptosis in vitro, an established CDDP‐resistant human head and neck SCC (IMC‐3 cell line) was transfected with bax gene‐bearing mammalian expression vector. Overexpression of the bax gene in CDDP‐resistant IMC‐3 cells elevated the CDDP susceptibility of tumor cells to a level similar to that of the parental IMC‐3 cells. In an in vivo study, percutaneous transfer of apoptosis‐promoting bax gene by particle‐mediated (gene gun) delivery caused overexpression of Bax in SCC, which was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining, and inhibited the growth of mouse CDDP‐resistant SCC. Furthermore, combination therapy with bax gene transfer and subcutaneous administration of CDDP at 3‐day intervals markedly inhibited the growth of mouse SCC. Thus, overexpression of bax in SCC by a gene gun system appears to be a rational approach to improving the efficacy of chemotherapy and treatment outcome. We suggest that exogenous bax expression may have therapeutic applications for enhancing chemotherapy in SCC. Int. J. Cancer 82:860–867, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Private Participation in India's Water Sector: Impact on Water Access and Service Quality Indicators

Water service delivery is an integral part of India’s development agenda specifically in urban areas. Private sector participation through public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements is a key component of this agenda. However, it is essential that private sector participation is designed to deliver water service that is affordable, accessible, adequate and meets minimum drinking water quality standards. Existing literature suggests that the impact of water PPPs on water access and service varies widely indicating that project-specific features also determine their overall impact. This paper focuses on the Indian experience with private participation in water supply. Specifically, I attempt to isolate the effect of water PPPs on indicators of water access and service quality in Indian states and districts using difference-in-difference estimation methods. The results of my empirical analysis are inconsistent and ambiguous, reinforcing the importance of project specific features. For instance, household access to main drinking water source is positively correlated with water PPPs at the state level, however, this association is reversed at the district level. In cases where the effect is consistent across the state and district level analysis, the results do not support my hypothesis that private participation positively impacts water access and service quality. For instance, household access to piped drinking water is negatively correlated with water PPPs at the state and the district level. Notably, water PPPs are negatively correlated with adequacy of drinking water supply during all times of the year and the average daily duration of water supply. As such no causal claims are possible.
Peripheral T‐cell lymphoma gene expression profiling and potential therapeutic exploitations

Peripheral T‐cell lymphomas constitute a heterogeneous group with regard to diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Efforts have been made to combine novel techniques with cytology and immunochemistry in order to more precisely define these entities. Molecular profiling has contributed to novel insights in the biology of T‐cell lymphoma. Regarding anaplastic large cell lymphoma, low expression T‐cell receptor signalling and high STAT3 target signatures have been associated with the ALK‐positive subgroup. Gene expression profiling differentiates angioblastic T‐cell lymphoma from other T‐cell malignancies, suggests that the normal counterpart of lymphoma cells are follicular helper T cells, and supports the involvement of vascular endothelial growth factor deregulation in its physiopathology. In peripheral T‐cell lymphoma unspecified, gene profiling suggests the normal counterpart of tumour cells are activated CD4+ or CD8+ T‐lymphocytes, delineates prognostic groups depending on the proliferative signature, and suggests therapeutic options aimed at regulating nuclear factor‐κB and platelet‐derived growth factor receptor‐α phosphorylation. Gene expression profiling of primary cutaneous T cell lymphomas highlighted the importance of abnormal methylation patterns, suggested a pivotal role for JUNB/AP‐1, and defined a predictive model for response to interferon‐α. In conclusion, gene expression profiling is beginning to change the pathological classification, the prognosis profiles and the therapeutic approach in T‐cell lymphomas.
Oligomerization of Human Gadd45a Protein*

Gadd45a is an 18-kDa acidic protein that is induced by genotoxic and certain other cellular stresses. The exact function of this protein is not known. However, there is evidence for its involvement in growth control, maintenance of genomic stability, DNA repair, cell cycle control, and apoptosis. Consistently, Gadd45a has previously been shown to interact in vitro and/orin vivo with a number of proteins playing central roles in these cellular processes: proliferating cell nuclear antigen, p21Cip1/Waf1, Cdc2-CyclinB complex, MTK1, and histones. Adding to this complexity, we have found that Gadd45a self-associates in solution, both in vitro and when expressed in the cell. Moreover, Gadd45a can complex with the two other members of the Gadd45 family of stress-induced proteins, human Gadd45b (MyD118) and Gadd45g (CR6). Gel-exclusion chromatography, native gel electrophoretic analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and chemical cross-linking showed that recombinant Gadd45a forms dimeric, trimeric, and tetrameric species in vitro, the dimers being the predominant form. Deletion mutant and peptide scanning analyses suggest that Gadd45a has two self-association sites: within N-terminal amino acids 33–61 and within 40 C-terminal amino acids. Despite the low abundance of Gadd45a in the cell, oligomer-forming concentrations can probably be achieved in the foci-like nuclear structures formed by the protein upon overexpression. Evidence for a potential role of Gadd45a self-association in altering DNA accessibility on damaged nucleosomes is presented.
Risk factors for suicide and other deaths following hospital treated self-poisoning in Australia.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the risk factors for suicide, premature death and all-cause death in a representative population of hospital-treated deliberate self-poisoning patients. METHOD A prospective cohort study using data-linkage between the Hunter Area Toxicology Service Database and the National Death Index of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, from January 1991 to December 2000. RESULTS There were 4105 subjects, of whom 228 (5.6%) died, 122 (2.9%) by premature death and 58 (1.4%) by suicide. The probability of suicide after 10 years follow-up was 2%. The adjusted hazard ratios (95% CI) for suicide were: 'disorders usually diagnosed in infancy, childhood and adolescence', 5.28 (95% CI = 2.04-13.65): male gender, 4.25 (95% CI = 2.21-8.14); discharge to involuntary psychiatric hospital admission, 3.20 (95% CI = 1.78-5.76); and increasing age, 1.02 (95% CI = 1.01-1.04). Men and women showed different patterns of multivariate risks, although increased risk with increasing age and discharge to an involuntary psychiatric admission was true for both. The standardized all-cause mortality ratio (95% CI) was: for men, 6.42 (95% CI = 5.44-7.57), and for women 4.39 (95% CI = 3.56-5.41). The standardized suicide mortality ratio (95% CI) was: for men, 20.55 (95% CI = 15.24-27.73), and for women 22.95 (95% CI = 13.82-38.11). CONCLUSIONS Men and women have different risk factors for subsequent suicide after self-poisoning. Hospital-treated self-poisoning patients have increased risk of subsequent suicide, premature and all-cause death. Psychiatric assessment, leading to discharge decisions, is worthwhile in identifying patients at long-term risk of suicide, premature and all-cause death.
Membrane Interaction of the Portal Protein gp20 of Bacteriophage T4

ABSTRACT Assembly of the bacteriophage T4 head structure occurs at the cytoplasmic face of the inner membrane of Escherichia coli with the formation of proheads. The proheads contain an internal scaffolding core that determines the size and the structure of the capsid. In a mutant where the major shell protein gp23 was compromised, core structures without a shell had been detected. Such core structures were also found in the mutant T4am20am23. Since the mutation in gene 20 is at the N terminus of gp20, it was assumed that these core structures assemble in the absence of gp20. However, sequencing showed that the mutation introduces a new ribosome binding site that leads to a restart at codon 15. Although the mutant protein gp20s lacks the very N-terminal sequence, we found that it still binds to the membrane of the host cell and can initiate prohead assembly. This explains its activity to allow the assembly of core structures and proheads at the membrane surface. With a cross-linking approach, we show here that gp20 and gp20s are escorted by the chaperones DnaK, trigger factor, and GroEL and dock on the membrane at the membrane protein YidC.
Effects of Immunosuppressants on Induction of Regulatory Cells After Intratracheal Delivery of Alloantigen

Background. We previously reported that intratracheal delivery (ITD) of alloantigen generated regulatory cells in mice. Here, we examined the effect of various doses of conventional immunosuppressants (FK506, cyclosporine A, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, and rapamycin) on inducing regulatory cells in our model. Methods. CBA mice (primary recipients) were given C57BL/6 splenocytes by ITD and either no additional treatment or various doses of an immunosuppressant. Seven days later, splenocytes from these mice were adoptively transferred into naive secondary CBA recipients that underwent C57BL/6 cardiac grafting the same day. Results. Adoptive transfer from primary recipients given ITD of splenocytes alone induced prolonged allograft survival in secondary recipients (median survival time [MST], 50 days), suggesting that regulatory cells were generated. When ITD of alloantigen was combined with daily administration of 0.1 mg/kg FK506 or 0.2 mg/kg rapamycin, graft survival was similarly prolonged (MST 55 and 50 days, respectively). When combined with 20 or 40 mg/kg MMF or 0.4 mg/kg rapamycin, the majority of recipients demonstrated indefinite survival (MST, >100 days in all groups). When ITD of alloantigen was combined with 0.3, 0.5, or 1.0 mg/kg FK506; 5, 10, or 25 mg/kg cyclosporine A; or 1.0 or 2.0 mg/kg azathioprine, allografts were rejected acutely (MST 7–13 days). Conclusion. Generation of regulatory cells by ITD of alloantigen was facilitated by mycophenolate mofetil and high doses of rapamycin but abrogated by cyclosporine A, azathioprine, and high doses of FK506. Low doses of rapamycin and of FK506 did not interfere with generation of regulatory cells.
Differences in health and cultural beliefs by stage of mammography screening adoption in African American women

Behavioral studies show that women's stage of readiness to adopt mammography screening affects their screening rates and that beliefs about breast cancer and screening affect stages of screening. The purposes of this study were to determine, first, the relationship between particular health and cultural beliefs and stage of mammography screening adoption in urban African American women, and second, whether demographic and experiential characteristics differed by stage. Data were analyzed from 344 low‐income African American women nonadherent to mammography screening who participated in a 21‐month trial to increase screening. At baseline, these women were randomized into 1 of 3 groups: tailored interactive computer instruction, targeted video, or usual care. Participants were categorized by stage of mammography screening adoption at 6 months as precontemplators (not planning to have a mammogram), contemplators (planning to have a mammogram), or actors (had received a mammogram). Although demographic and experiential variables did not differentiate stages of screening adoption at 6 months postintervention, some health and cultural beliefs were significantly different among groups. Actors were more preventive‐health–oriented than precontemplators and had fewer barriers to screening than did contemplators. Precontemplators had more barriers, less self‐efficacy, and greater discomfort with the mammography screening environment than did contemplators or actors. These results will be useful, not to change cultural beliefs, but to guide the design of health education messages appropriate to an individual's culture and health belief system. Cancer 2007. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
The use of topical PUVA for palmoplantar dermatoses

Palmoplantar dermatoses have a tendency to be chronic and are frequently recalcitrant to treatment. We summarize our experience with paint PUVA in the treatment of 125 patients with palmoplantar dermatoses between the years 1996 and 2000. The dominant clinical picture of the lesions was hyperkeratosis in 84, pustulosis in 11 and exudative dermatitis in the remaining 30 patients. The treatment was applied thrice weekly on alternate days. The affected skin was painted with methoxsalen 0.1% solution, and exposed 30 minutes later to UVA radiation, starting at 0.25 J/cm2, with increments of 0.25–0.50 J/cm2 every third treatment. Complete response was considered if all signs disappeared, and partial response if improvement occurred in more than 75% of each of the clinical findings of scaling erythema, fissuring, pustule formation and infiltration. Sixty‐nine percent of the patients had a good response (i.e. a complete or partial response), which was achieved in 78.5% of the exudative dermatitis lesions, but in only 46.7% of the pustular lesions. The average time to achieve good response was 13 weeks (range 1–42), with an average total dose of 50 J/cm2 (range 0.50–366). Maintenance therapy every 1–4 weeks was recommended for all responding patients, but only 58 consented and were treated for an average period of 10 additional weeks. Side effects were minor and transient, mainly mild first‐degree superficial skin burns in 10 patients, and patchy hyperpigmentation in three patients, which resolved after a few weeks.
Ibandronate and Calcitriol Reduces Fracture Risk, Reverses Bone Loss, and Normalizes Bone Turnover After lTX

Background. Osteoporosis is a common complication in long-term survivors after liver transplantation (LTX). This study investigates the influence of a combination therapy of low dose parenteral ibandronate (IBN) and calcitriol on top of calcium and vitamin D supplementation in such patients. Methods. For 3 years, 30 osteoporotic patients after LTX (28±6 months) were treated with quarterly 2 mg IBN intravenously and daily calcitriol (0.25–1.0 &mgr;g) on top of 1000 mg calcium and 800 IU vitamin D. Recipients with normal bone density (n=24) were enrolled as controls. Laboratory analysis and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry were performed at baseline and every 12 months. Primary endpoints were changes in bone mineral density and fracture incidence. Results. IBN patients showed a significant increase of bone mineral density at the femoral neck and the trochanteric region (13% and 15%, respectively, both P=0.001) as compared with baseline whereas the control group revealed a small but significant loss of −5.0% in the trochanteric and −4.9% in the neck region (P<0.05) over the same time period. Fracture incidence was low among IBN patients (7%); however, 23% of the control patients sustained at least one vertebral fracture. The relative fracture risk was 3.21 for IBN patients (95% confidence interval, 0.6–20.9, P=0.03) resulting in an absolute risk reduction for a new vertebral fracture of 14%. Conclusion. In LTX recipients with osteoporosis combination therapy with low dose IBN and calcitriol on top of calcium and vitamin D supplementation is an effective treatment option.
Holotranscobalamin is not influenced by decreased renal function in elderly men: the MrOS Sweden study

Background Subclinical cobalamin deficiency is common in the elderly, but the sensitivity and specificity of serum total cobalamin for this diagnosis is poor. Serum holotranscobalamin (holoTC), a measure of biologically available cobalamin, is considered a better marker for early cobalamin depletion than total cobalamin. However, in elderly populations, health-related reference intervals for holoTC and correlations to renal function are not entirely clear. Methods HoloTC was determined with an automated microparticle enzyme immunoassay (AxSYM®) in 790 elderly non-vitamin-supplemented Swedish men, median age 75.3 years. Renal function was assessed with creatinine, cystatin C and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR calculated from creatinine). Results Median holoTC was 51.8 pmol/L, the health-related reference interval 19.6–132.3 pmol/L. There was no significant difference in mean holoTC in probands with normal compared to high creatinine (P = 0.80) and cystatin C (P = 0.82). No significant differences between the quartiles of creatinine or cystatin C in mean of log holoTC were seen. HoloTC correlated strongly with total cobalamin (r = 0.69, P < 0.001), weaker with eGFRcreatinine (r = −0.09, P < 0.05) and creatinine (r = 0.09, P < 0.05), the latter correlation was only seen in subjects with creatinine <100 µmol/L. HoloTC correlated negatively with plasma total homocysteine (r = −0.24, P < 0.001), but not with cystatin C and age. Conclusions Serum holoTC in healthy elderly men shows the same distribution as earlier described for a younger reference population. In this group of elderly subjects, holoTC did not correlate to reduced renal function. Thus, holoTC appears to be a promising tool for evaluating cobalamin status also in elderly populations.