Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic Value of 111In-Granulocyte Scintigraphy in Patients with Fever of Unknown Origin

UNLABELLED 111In-granulocyte scintigraphy is often used as a diagnostic tool in patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO). However, its diagnostic performance has been studied in only a limited number of investigations, with most having been published more than 10 y ago; in addition, a broad range of sensitivities and specificities has been reported. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of granulocyte scintigraphy in patients fulfilling the criteria of FUO. Also studied was whether increased peripheral leukocyte count or C-reactive protein (CRP) level could be used to select patients for scintigraphy to raise the diagnostic value. METHODS For 31 patients with true FUO who underwent granulocyte scintigraphy at a third-line referral hospital between 1995 and 2000, the files and scintigraphy findings were reviewed retrospectively to test the ability of scintigraphy to identify infection or chronic inflammatory bowel disease as the cause of FUO. In addition, leukocyte counts and CRP values were recorded. RESULTS Scintigrams were true-positive in 6 cases, false-positive in 4 cases, true-negative in 19 cases, and false-negative in 2 cases. Sensitivity was 75%, specificity was 83%, the predictive value of a scintigram showing positive findings was 60%, and the predictive value of a scintigram showing negative findings was 90%. Leukocyte counts did not differ between patients with true-positive and true-negative scintigrams. In contrast, CRP was elevated in all patients with true-positive scintigrams but in only half the patients with true-negative scintigrams. However, if only patients with elevated CRP were used for calculation of test performance, the test performance was not improved. CONCLUSION (111)In-granulocyte scintigraphy seems to have a reasonable sensitivity and specificity in cases of FUO, when one takes into account that (111)In-granulocyte scintigraphy is not a first-line test. The high predictive value of a scintigram showing negative findings may be especially valuable for ruling out an infectious cause of FUO. Neither peripheral leukocyte count nor CRP levels seem useful for selection of patients on whom scintigraphy should be performed.
Incidência de aterosclerose em artérias radiais de cadáveres

Objective: To verify the incidence of atherosclerotic obstructions and microscopic atherosclerotic lesions in radial arteries dissected from cadavers of over 34-year-olds. Methods: Twenty-nine cadavers had both radial arteries dissected as if they were going to be utilized as coronary artery bypass grafts. An angiogram was performed to determine atherosclerotic obstructions of the radial arteries. Subsequently, 3 fragments of each artery (proximal, medial, distal) were prepared on microscope slides using hematoxylin-eosin in order to identify microscopic atherosclerotic lesions. Results were compared with risk factors found in the patient’s records: age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, history of smoking, myocardial infarction, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, obesity, family history. Results: No obstructive lesions were found in the angiograms. Four cadavers presented with microscopic atherosclerotic and pre-atherosclerotic lesions. Among the risk factors considered, only age was correlated with microscopic lesions. The arteries measured, on average, 19.22 cm in males and 17.45 cm in females. Their diameters were 1.87 mm for men and 1.72 mm for women. Conclusions: No atherosclerotic obstructions were found in the radial arteries of these cadavers. Age is a risk factor for microscopic atherosclerotic lesions.
Electrical Reconnection After Pulmonary Vein Isolation Is Contingent on Contact Force During Initial Treatment: Results From the EFFICAS I Study

Background—Pulmonary vein isolation is the most prevalent approach for catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Long-term success of the procedure is diminished by arrhythmia recurrences occurring predominantly because of reconnections in previously isolated pulmonary veins. The aim of the EFFICAS I multicenter study was to demonstrate the correlation between contact force (CF) parameters during initial procedure and the incidence of isolation gaps (gap) at 3-month follow-up. Method and Results—A radiofrequency ablation catheter with integrated CF sensor (TactiCath, Endosense, Geneva, Switzerland) was used to perform pulmonary vein isolation in 46 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. During the ablation procedure, the operator was blinded to CF information. At follow-up, an interventional diagnostic procedure was performed to assess gap location as correlated to index procedure ablation parameters. At follow-up, 65% (26/40) of patients showed ≥1 gaps. Ablations with minimum Force–Time Integral (FTI) <400 gs showed increased likelihood for reconnection (P<0.001). Reconnection correlated strongly with minimum CF (P<0.0001) and minimum FTI (P=0.0007) at the site of gap. Gap occurrence showed a strong trend with lower average CF and average FTI. CF and FTI are generally higher on the right side, although the left anterior segment presents a unique challenge to achieve stable position with good CF. Conclusions—Minimum CF and minimum FTI values are strong predictors of gap formation. Optimal CF parameter recommendations are a target CF of 20 g and a minimum FTI of 400 gs for each new lesion.
Intra-individual variation in stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes in mandibles of modern caribou of Qamanirjuaq (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) and Banks Island (Rangifer tarandus pearyi): Implications for tracing seasonal and temporal changes in diet

Intra-individual variations in carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope measurements of dentine collagen in ungulate teeth can be related to diet and environmental changes at different periods during the life of the animal. A protocol of serial sampling of first, second and third molar roots was applied to modern caribou (17–27 months old) of the Qamanirjuaq herd (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus), Canada. Based on a previous study, we predicted that M2 would reflect winter, M3 summer and M1 a complete year in terms of the isotopic record. Relatively high δ15N values (ca. 6 to 8‰), previously attributed to winter stress, were found in different molars of different specimens, reflecting a period of growth between April 1966 to April 1967. Previous results on other teeth from the same population confirmed that a high δ15Ncoll value signal corresponded to the winter of 1966/67. This temporary increase in δ15N value was probably linked to diet and/or environmental change. Collagen from M1 reflects the first winter whereas M2 and M3 reflect the second winter of life of young caribou. A longer time record including summer is represented by the bone collagen of the mandible. Results obtained on molar roots and mandible bone of the modern caribou of Banks Island herd (Rangifer tarandus pearyi) confirmed this seasonal record. Such collagen isotopic analysis on M1, M2 and M3 roots and jawbone can be applied to reindeer found in archaeological sites. Mandibles retaining deciduous premolars are preferable to avoid the possible loss of the winter tooth signal observed in animals older than 2 years. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Type 2 diabetes patients: profiles, treatment and daily practice

Abdominal obesity and insulin resistance are very rarely found in isolation: most of the time they are associated with a cluster of other parameters or metabolic factors. These include dyslipidaemia, raised blood pressure, glucose and other factors which may be measured only in the research setting (such as interleukin-6 [IL-6]); each of these components per se is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Since several of them cluster in type 2 diabetes, it is no surprise that type 2 diabetes patients are at considerably higher risk for cardiovascular disease compared to people without diabetes. Diabetes Vasc Dis Res 2007;4(suppl 2):S12‐S16 doi:10.3132/dvdr.2007. 020 Some of these risk factors belong to the list of variables evaluated in the INTERHEART study, which reviewed data from 52 countries worldwide and multiple ethnic groups. 1 Table 1 reveals that apolipoprotein B (apoB), smoking, diabetes, abdominal obesity and hypertension form part of the list that accounts for 90% of the risk of developing heart disease. Thus, the traditional risk factors still account for the majority of heart disease throughout the world across different ethnic groups. Two thirds of patients with type 2 diabetes die from coronary heart disease, other forms of heart disease such as heart failure or cerebrovascular disease. Diabetes increases 2‐4fold the risk of cardiovascular disease and doubles the risk of stroke. 2
Reliability, Agreement and Minimal Detectable Change of the Timed Up & Go and the 10-Meter Walk Tests in Older Patients with COPD

Abstract This study aimed to determine the interrater and intrarater reliability and agreement and the minimal detectable change (MDC) of the Timed Up & Go (TUG) test and the 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) in older patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Patients (≥ 60 years old) living in the community were asked to attend 2 sessions with 48–72-hour interval. In session 1, participants completed the TUG and 10MWT twice (2 trials) and were assessed by 2 raters. In session 2, they repeated the tests twice and were assessed by 1 rater. Interrater and intrarater reliability were calculated for the exact scores (using data from trial 1) and mean scores (mean of 2 trials) using Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC2,1 and ICC2,2, respectively). Interrater and intrarater agreement were explored with the Bland & Altman method. The MDC95 was calculated from the standard error of measurement. Sixty participants (72.43 ± 6.90 years old) completed session 1 and 41 participants session 2. Excellent ICC values were found for the TUG test (interrater: ICC2,1 = 0.997 ICC2,2 = 0.999; intrarater: ICC2,1 = 0.921 ICC2,2 = 0.964) and 10MWT (interrater: ICC2,1 = 0.992 ICC2,2 = 0.997; intrarater: ICC2,1 = 0.903 ICC2,2 = 0.946). Good interrater and intrarater agreement was also found for both tests. The MDC95 was 2.68 s and 1.84 s for the TUG and 0.40 m/s and 0.30 m/s for the 10MWT considering the exact and mean scores, respectively. Findings suggest that the TUG test and the 10MWT are reliable and have acceptable measurement error. Therefore, these measures may be used to assess functional balance (TUG) and gait (10MWT) deficits in older patients with COPD.
The benefits and risks of antidepressant drugs

Antidepressant drugs have unequivocally altered the short‐term outcome of depressive illness and reduced considerably the risk of morbidity. Their influence upon the chronic course of depression or upon the excess mortality associated with depressive illness is less easy to quantify. Nevertheless, the benefits of effectively treating depression far outweigh the considerable risks of leaving depressed patients inadequately, inappropriately or untreated. Most antidepressants currently available have broadly equal efficacy, although some drugs may be more appropriate in certain types of patient, when particular symptoms are prominent or when a particular side‐effect is undesirable.
Cardiovascular end-organ damage in response to increased blood pressure variability : impact of oxidative stress

Baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) is often reduced in elderly populations and patients with chronic cardiovascular diseases leading to a concomitant rise in blood pressure variability (BPV) that is associated with increased cardiovascular related morbidity and mortality. Thus, there is a need to better understand the mechanisms by which BPV causes cardiovascular end-organ damage. Animal studies using sinoaortic denervation (SAD) to increase BPV have demonstrated pathologic changes in the structure of the heart and blood vessels; however, there is a paucity of data investigating changes in functional measures of the heart and smaller, resistance type arteries. Furthermore, the pathogenic mechanisms involved in BPV-induced cardiovascular end-organ damage remain unknown. Baroreceptor denervation results in multiple cardiac stressors, many of which are associated with production of reactive oxygen species. Oxidative stress is known to promote cardiovascular end-organ damage but it is unclear if it plays a role in models of increased BPV. Thus, this study was designed to investigate the functional responses of smaller resistance type arteries and the heart to chronic exposure to enhanced BPV. In addition, the role of oxidative stress on these functional responses in a normotensive rat model of increased BPV was also investigated. Rats were subjected to either SAD surgery or a sham procedure and were observed for six weeks. To determine the role of oxidative stress, SAD rats were either treated with the superoxide dismutase mimetic tempol or left untreated. During the observation period, mean blood pressure remained normotensive, whereas baroreflex sensitivity was reduced and BPV increased two to three fold. Weekly in vivo assessment of vascular function of the long posterior ciliary artery (LPCA) demonstrated a significant reduction in endothelial-dependent dilation starting three weeks after SAD surgery compared to the sham group. Endothelial-
Feline cancer prevalence in South Africa (1998-2005): contrasts with the rest of the world.

A paucity of information exists on the relative proportions, incidences or outcomes of diagnosis and treatment of feline cancer in South Africa. Standard texts of veterinary oncology quote data from the Northern hemisphere, and geographic differences are apparent. In this retrospective analysis, the electronic medical database of the Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital was analysed for feline cancer felines admissions for the period 1998 â€“ 2005 ( n = 100 out of N = 12,893 feline admissions, or 0.78% of total feline admissions). The average and median age of feline cancer felines was 7 and 9.5 years respectively. In contrast to published reports of US, Australian and European data where lymphosarcoma is the most common cancer affecting cats, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) forms the predominant neoplasm (48% of all tumours). White or part-white cats were overrepresented in this group, which is consistent with greater ultraviolet light exposure. Lymphoma was the second most common diagnosis, followed by various carcinomas and adenocarcinomas. A large proportion (54%) of felines received some form of treatment.
Chronic ankle instability alters eccentric eversion/inversion and dorsiflexion/plantarflexion ratio.

OBJECTIVE To determine if the eccentric evertor/invertor and dorsiflexor/plantar-flexor ratio are altered in subjects with chronic ankle instability. METHODS Twenty chronic ankle instability (CAI) subjects as an experimental group, and twenty healthy subjects as a control group, were matched in age, gender, and activity level. CAI subjects have a history of at least one ankle sprain and repeated episodes of giving way were included in CAI group. Subjects with no prior history of ankle injury were included in the control group. Ankle evertor/invertor and dorsiflexor/plantar-flexor muscles eccentric torque ratios were measured using the eccentric muscle contraction at angular velocities 60 and 120°/s. RESULTS Analysis of variance revealed that the eccentric contraction eversion/inversion ratio of CAI group was significantly lower than normal group ratio at angular velocities 60 and 120°/s (p=0.041 and 0.012) respectively. The eccentric contraction dorsiflexion/plantarflexion ratio of CAI group was significantly higher than normal group ratio at both angular velocities (p=0.036 and 0.013) respectively. Moreover, at angular velocities of 60°/s and 120°/s a deficit in inversion and eversion eccentric torques were identified in CAI group (p=0.000), plantarflexion torque deficit of CAI group (p=0.034 and 0.028), respectively, and no deficit was identified for dorsiflexion torque of CAI group (p=0.595 and 0.696) respectively. CONCLUSION Chronic ankle instability increases the dorsiflexion/plantarflexion muscles torque ratio and decreases the eversion/inversion ratio at angular velocities 60 and 120°/s. Therefore, the restoration of a normal eccentric inversion, eversion, and plantarflexion strength may prevent recurrent lateral ankle ligament sprain.
Does Pronated Foot Predispose the Females to Risk of Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury

Introduction: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common in sports. Most ACL injuries are noncontact in nature and frequently occur in certain athletic tasks and female athletes have higher risk for ACL injuries than their male counterparts. There is little convincing evidence, theoretical or experimental to the association between static factors and the risk of noncontact ACL injuries. Materials and Methods: 27 healthy female students from department of physical education and sport sciences of Kharazmi University with the mean and standard deviation of age (22 ± 1.73 years), weight (69.34 ± 7.24 kg) and height (169.08 ± 5.34 cm) participated in this study. Participants divided into 3 groups (normal, pronated and supinated foot) based on navicular drop test. Afterward Participants asked to land on the center of force plate from a box with the height of 30 cm that placed at the 15 cm from the edge of force plate. Ground reaction forces data collected through Force Platform. Posterior ground reaction forces data normalized through divided by their weight and then filtered. Maximum tibia proximal anterior shear force assumed equivalent with maximum posterior ground reaction force (PGRF). Results: ANOVA test results showed significant difference between pronated and normal group in regard maximum PGRF (p≤0.05). Result explained significant difference between male and female in regard maximum PGRF (p≤0.05). Discussion and Conclusion: Pronated foot group than other groups had more maximum PGRF. Regarding the finding this study, subjects with pronated foot than others place probability more to expose anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Infection and Allergy Incidence in Ambulatory Surgery Patients Using White Petrolatum vs Bacitracin Ointment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective. —To assess the effect of white petrolatum vs bacitracin ointment on wound infection incidence, allergic contact dermatitis incidence, and healing characteristics. Design. —Randomized,double-blind, prospective trial comparing white petrolatum with bacitracin ointment in postprocedure wound care. Setting. —A general outpatient dermatology clinic and a tertiary referral advanced surgical procedure clinic at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC. Patients. —A total of 922 patients who had dermatologic surgery with a total of 1249 wounds. Main Outcome Measures. —The incidence of infection and allergic contact dermatitis during a follow-up period of 4 weeks. Healing characteristics were secondary outcomes. Results. —Of the 922 patients enrolled, 440 in the white petrolatum group and 444 in the bacitracin group were evaluable for clinical response. The 2 treatment groups had comparable baseline characteristics. Thirteen patients developed postprocedure infection (1.5%), 9 (2.0%) in the white petrolatum group vs 4 (0.9%) in the bacitracin group (95%) confidence interval for difference, -0.4% to 2.7%;P=. 37). Eight infections (1.8%) in the white petrolatum group were due toStaphylococcus aureusvs none in the bacitracin group (P=.004). No patient in the group using white petrolatum developed allergic contact dermatitis vs 4 patients (0.9%) in the group using bacitracin (P=.12). Additionally, there were no clinically significant differences in healing between the treatment groups on day 1 (P=.98), day 7 (P=.86), or day 28 (P=.28) after the procedure. Conclusions. —White petrolatum is a safe, effective wound care ointment for ambulatory surgery. In comparison with bacitracin, white petrolatum possesses an equally low infection rate and minimal risk for induction of allergy.
Integrated Systems and Technologies Integration of Genotypic and Phenotypic Screening Reveals Molecular Mediators of Melanoma – Stromal Interaction

Tumor–endothelium interactions are critical for tumor survival and metastasis. Melanomas can rapidly metastasize early in tumor progression, but the dependence of this aggressive behavior on tumor–stromal interaction is poorly understood. To probe the mechanisms involved, we developed a heterotypic coculture methodology, allowing simultaneous tracking of genomic and phenotypic changes in interacting tumor and endothelial cells in vitro. We found a dramatic rearrangement of endothelial cell networks into patterns reminiscent of vascular beds, even on plastic and glass. Multiple genes were upregulated in the process, many coding for cell surface and secreted proteins, including Neuropilin-2 (NRP2). A critical role of NRP2 in coordinated cell patterning and growth was confirmed using the coculture system. We conclude that NRP2 represents an important mediator of melanoma–endothelial interactions. Furthermore, the described methodology represents a powerful yet simple system to elucidate heterotypic intercellular interactions mediating diverse physiological and pathological processes. Cancer Res; 71(7); 2433–44. 2011 AACR.
Reversal of Multidrug Resistance by Synthetic and Natural Compounds in Drug-Resistant MCF-7 Cell Lines

Background: Ineffectiveness of anticancer drugs is frequently observed in cancer chemotherapy. The resistance of tumor cells to various cytotoxic drugs is defined as multidrug resistance (MDR). The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential reversal effect of some synthetic and natural chemicals on drug-resistant MCF-7 cell lines. The effects of potential MDR modulators combined with some anticancer drugs were also studied. Methods: Flow cytometry, MTT cytotoxicity assays and checkerboard combination assays were performed to study the reversal of drug resistance and to investigate the antiproliferative effects of the combination of anticancer drugs and the potential modulators. The results indicated that verapamil, capsanthin, zeaxanthin and promethazine inhibited P-gp effectively, but chrysin was not effective at reversing the resistance in MCF-7 sublines. Four selective anticancer drugs (paclitaxel, docetaxel, doxorubicin and vincristine) and 4 effective MDR modulators (verapamil, capsanthin, zeaxanthin and promethazine) were applied to the sublines in combination. Results and Conclusion: Fractional inhibitory indices show that verapamil and zeaxanthin seem to be the most effective MDR reversal agents that may be used together with paclitaxel, docetaxel, vincristine and doxorubicin in drug-resistant mammary carcinoma sublines. In conclusion, this report represents the importance to find out active and efficient drug resistance modulators for improving the efficacy of chemotherapy.
DOPPLER ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY IN THE NORMAL DOG: PART I VELOCITY FINDINGS AND FLOW PATTERNS

This study examined the blood flow velocities and flow patterns in the normal dog using pulsed wave spectral Doppler echocardiography in eight areas of the heart. Two breeds of dogs, aged between 8 and 112 weeks and of both sexes, were used. The dogs were fully conscious and no drugs were used. The areas examined were the mitral valve, left atrium, tricuspid valve, right atrium, aorta, left ventricular outflow tract, pulmonary valve and the right ventricular outflow tract. The peak and mean velocities, direction of flow and whether flow was systolic or diastolic was determined for each of these flow areas. Additionally each of these waveforms were described. Aortic flow was also measured from the thoracic inlet by continuous wave Doppler.