Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Knee articular cartilage damage in osteoarthritis: analysis of MR image biomarker reproducibility in ACRIN-PA 4001 multicenter trial.

PURPOSE To prospectively determine the reproducibility of quantitative magnetic resonance (MR) imaging biomarkers of the morphology and composition (spin lattice relaxation time in rotating frame [T1-ρ], T2) of knee cartilage in a multicenter multivendor trial involving patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and asymptomatic control subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was HIPAA compliant and approved by the institutional review committees of the participating sites, with written informed consent obtained from all participants. Fifty subjects from five sites who were deemed to have normal knee joints (n = 18), mild OA (n = 16), or moderate OA (n = 16) on the basis of Kellgren-Lawrence scores were enrolled. Each participant underwent four sequential 3-T knee MR imaging examinations with use of the same imager and with 2-63 days (median, 18 days) separating the first and last examinations. Water-excited three-dimensional T1-weighted gradient-echo imaging, T1-ρ imaging, and T2 mapping of cartilage in the axial and coronal planes were performed. Biomarker reproducibility was determined by using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and root-mean-square coefficients of variation (RMS CVs, expressed as percentages). RESULTS Morphometric biomarkers had high reproducibility, with ICCs of 0.989 or greater and RMS CVs lower than 4%. The largest differences between the healthy subjects and the patients with radiographically detected knee OA were those in T1-ρ values, but precision errors were relatively large. Reproducibility of T1-ρ values was higher in the thicker patellar cartilage (ICC range, 0.86-0.93; RMS CV range, 14%-18%) than in the femorotibial joints (ICC range, 0.20-0.84; RMS CV range, 7%-19%). Good to high reproducibility of T2 was observed, with ICCs ranging from 0.61 to 0.98 and RMS CVs ranging from 4% to 14%. CONCLUSION MR imaging measurements of cartilage morphology, T2, and patellar T1-ρ demonstrated moderate to excellent reproducibility in a clinical trial network.
Defining a stem cell hierarchy in the intestine: markers, caveats and controversies

The past decade has appreciated rapid advance in identifying the once elusive intestinal stem cell (ISC) populations that fuel the continual renewal of the epithelial layer. This advance was largely driven by identification of novel stem cell marker genes, revealing the existence of quiescent, slowly‐ and active‐cycling ISC populations. However, a critical barrier for translating this knowledge to human health and disease remains elucidating the functional interplay between diverse stem cell populations. Currently, the precise hierarchical and regulatory relationships between these ISC populations are under intense scrutiny. The classical theory of a linear hierarchy, where quiescent and slowly‐cycling stem cells self‐renew but replenish an active‐cycling population, is well established in other rapidly renewing tissues such as the haematopoietic system. Efforts to definitively establish a similar stem cell hierarchy within the intestinal epithelium have yielded conflicting results, been difficult to interpret, and suggest non‐conventional alternatives to a linear hierarchy. While these new and potentially paradigm‐shifting discoveries are intriguing, the field will require development of a number of critical tools, including highly specific stem cell marker genes along with more rigorous experimental methodologies, to delineate the complex cellular relationships within this dynamic organ system.
Time Between Membrane Rupture and Delivery and Septicemia in Term Neonates

OBJECTIVE: To investigate how the interval between membrane rupture and delivery affects the risk of neonatal sepsis and whether duration of labor influences the risk. METHODS: A registry study included 113,568 singleton infants born at term after a trial of labor (elective cesarean deliveries excluded). The incidence of a diagnosis of sepsis during the neonatal period was correlated to the interval between membrane rupture and delivery. Multiple logistic regression analysis was done with adjustments for maternal age, parity, infant gender, gestational age, birth weight, and duration of labor. Receiver operating characteristics curves were created to estimate the optimal cutoff of membrane rupture time associated with an increased risk of neonatal septicemia. RESULTS: The rate of neonatal sepsis was 0.3% at a membrane rupture to delivery interval below 6 hours, 0.5% at 6–18 hours, 0.8% at 18–24 hours, and 1.1% after 24 hours. The risk of neonatal sepsis increased independently and nearly linearly with duration of membrane rupture up to 36 hours, with an odds ratio of 1.29 for each 6-hour increase in membrane rupture duration. The risk also increased with birth weight, gestational age, primiparity, and male infant gender. Duration of labor was not an independent risk factor for neonatal sepsis. Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis revealed an area under the curve of 0.66, but a superior cutoff time limit for the risk of sepsis was not found. CONCLUSION: The risk of neonatal sepsis increases with duration of membrane rupture in a linear fashion during the first 36 hours, independently of labor duration. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II
Quantitative phosphoproteomic analysis reveals vasopressin V2-receptor–dependent signaling pathways in renal collecting duct cells

Vasopressin’s action in renal cells to regulate water transport depends on protein phosphorylation. Here we used mass spectrometry–based quantitative phosphoproteomics to identify signaling pathways involved in the short-term V2-receptor–mediated response in cultured collecting duct cells (mpkCCD) from mouse. Using Stable Isotope Labeling by Amino acids in Cell culture (SILAC) with two treatment groups (0.1 nM dDAVP or vehicle for 30 min), we carried out quantification of 2884 phosphopeptides. The majority (82%) of quantified phosphopeptides did not change in abundance in response to dDAVP. Analysis of the 273 phosphopeptides increased by dDAVP showed a predominance of so-called “basophilic” motifs consistent with activation of kinases of the AGC family. Increases in phosphorylation of several known protein kinase A targets were found. In addition, increased phosphorylation of targets of the calmodulin-dependent kinase family was seen, including autophosphorylation of calmodulin-dependent kinase 2 at T286. Analysis of the 254 phosphopeptides decreased in abundance by dDAVP showed a predominance of so-called “proline-directed” motifs, consistent with down-regulation of mitogen-activated or cyclin-dependent kinases. dDAVP decreased phosphorylation of both JNK1/2 (T183/Y185) and ERK1/2 (T183/Y185; T203/Y205), consistent with a decrease in activation of these proline-directed kinases in response to dDAVP. Both ERK and JNK were able to phosphorylate residue S261of aquaporin-2 in vitro, a site showing a decrease in phosphorylation in response to dDAVP in vivo. The data support roles for multiple vasopressin V2-receptor–dependent signaling pathways in the vasopressin signaling network of collecting duct cells, involving several kinases not generally accepted to regulate collecting duct function.
Malignant mesothelioma associated with low pulmonary tissue asbestos burdens: a light and scanning electron microscopic analysis of 18 cases.

Most malignant mesothelioma cases are associated with pulmonary asbestos body (AB) counts significantly greater than those of the general population. However, the question remains whether malignant mesothelioma cases associated with "normal" AB counts (i.e., indistinguishable from the general population) represent background incidence levels or are, actually, asbestos related. We performed AB counts (by light microscopy) and mineral fiber analysis (by scanning electron microscopy) in 18 mesothelioma cases with AB counts within our normal range (0 to 20 AB/G wet lung) and in 19 "control" cases. Our study demonstrated that approximately one-third (6 of 18) of the mesothelioma cases have asbestos fiber burdens greater than 95% of the control levels. These results suggest that these six mesothelioma cases may be asbestos related despite AB counts similar to those of the general population. An asbestos etiology was suggested in three additional cases, but too few amphibole fibers were identified in these cases to be certain of a value above background. The remaining nine cases showed no evidence of an asbestos etiology. Electron microscopic analysis of pulmonary mineral fibers may be required to differentiate asbestos-related mesotheliomas from non-asbestos-related cases when AB counts are within the range of background values.
Direct appraisal of latex agglutination testing, a convenient alternative to enzyme immunoassay for the detection of rotavirus in childhood gastroenteritis, by comparison of two enzyme immunoassays and two latex tests

During February and March 1984, 207 fecal samples from infants and children with gastroenteritis were tested for rotavirus with four techniques: two enzyme immunoassays (Rotazyme; Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, Ill., and Enzygnost-Rotavirus; Calbiochem-Behring, La Jolla, Calif.) and two latex agglutination tests (Rotalex; Orion Research, Inc., Cambridge, Mass., and Slidex Rota-Kit; Biomérieux). All stool samples were also tested for yeasts and bacterial pathogens. Electron microscopy was used to investigate discrepant results. We found 47% positive samples with Enzygnost-Rotavirus, 38% with Rotazyme, 37% with Slidex Rota-Kit, and 34% with Rotalex. No specimen was found positive by Rotazyme only or Slidex Rota-Kit only. On the contrary, 12 samples which were positive with Enzygnost-Rotavirus only and 3 which were positive with Rotalex only were not confirmed as positive by electron microscopy. Both enzyme immunoassays gave 6% equivocal results; Slidex Rota-Kit gave significantly fewer equivocal results than did Rotalex: 2.9% versus 9.7% (P less than 0.01). The sensitivity and specificity of latex tests compared favorably with that of enzyme immunoassays. Latex agglutination tests can be performed by unskilled personnel and are rapid and relatively cheap. They appear to be very suitable for routine laboratory work and may prove useful for large-scale screening in developing countries.
Institutional holdings changes and corporate voluntary disclosure

The paper studies how institutional shareholders respond to management earnings forecasts. Following the Bushee (1998) classification of three types of institutional investors, dedicated (DED), quasi-indexer (QIX), and transient (TRA) in the 13-F filings between 1994-2000 retrieved from Thompson Reuter’s US institutional holdings, the authors find that transient institutional investors unload their shares before management issues negative earnings surprises. The authors also document that quasi-indexers and dedicated institutional investors are likely to increase their holdings for firms with positive surprise management annual earnings forecasts. The article finds that markets react more favorably to firm’s actual earnings announcement during the following quarter of management earnings forecasts if dedicated investors previously increased their holdings during the quarter of management earnings forecasts. The authors do not find any evidence that the passage of Regulation Fair Disclosure results in different trading behaviors for these different groups of institutional investors. There is some evidence that firm-level guidance attract different types of institutional investors, and each type of institutional investors trade differently during the earnings guidance event.
Digital games : motivation, engagement and informal learning

This thesis investigates the relationships between motivation, engagement and informal learning, with respect to digital games and adult players. Following the reconceptualisation of motivation and engagement (as forms of micro and macro level involvement respectively) three linked studies were conducted. In the first study, 30 players were interviewed via email about their gaming experiences. The resulting set of learning categories and themes drew attention to learning on a game, skill and personal level, which arose from micro-level gameplay and macro-level interaction with wider communities and resources. The second investigation consisted of eight case studies that examined how involvement and learning come together in practice. Participants were observed in the lab during two gameplay sessions and kept gaming diaries over a three week period. A method for categorising game-play breakdowns and breakthroughs (relating to action, understanding and involvement) was developed in order to analyse several hours of gameplay footage. The previous categories and themes were also applied to the data. The findings suggested a relationship between macro-involvement and player identity, which was further investigated by a third survey study (with 232 respondents). The survey helped to establish a link between identity, involvement, and learning; the more strongly someone identifies as a gamer, the more likely they are to learn from their involvement in gaming practice. Four main contributions are presented: (1) an empirical account of how informal learning occurs as a result of micro and macro-involvement within a gaming context, (2) an in-depth understanding of how breakdowns and breakthroughs relate to each other during play, (3) a set of categories that represent the range of learning experienced by players, and (4) a consideration of the role player identity serves with respect to learning and involvement.
Social Capital and the Successful Transition to Adulthood among "At Risk" Young Women.

Sugland, Barbara W. ; And Others Social Capital and the Successful Transition to Adulthood among "At Risk" Young Women. Child Trends, Inc., Washington, DC. Ford Foundation, New York, N.Y. ; Grant (W.T.) Foundation, New York, N.Y. Nov 93 91-1391-91; 910-0522 115p. Child Trends Inc., 4301 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. , Sdite 100, Washington, DC 20008 ($0.10 per page; $6.50 per document). Reports Evaluative/Feasibility (142)
Employment in the patient with chronic kidney disease related to renal replacement therapy.

BACKGROUND Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a limiting condition, but they are shown the benefits the work activity occurs in these patients. The modality of renal replacement therapy (RRT) can influence the activity of work. OBJECTIVES Analyze the employment of people with CKD related to of RRT in which they are: hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis manual (CAPD), automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) or transplantation (Tx). METHODS Descriptive analysis of the employment about 243 kidney patients of both sexes between 16 and 64 years, conducting RRT with HD, CAPD, APD or Tx from 8 Spanish hospitals. RESULTS Only 33.3% of patients with RRT in the working age were employed. Statistically significant differences are observed in the percentage of employed men (40.1%) and females (22.9%), between the average age of the employed (43.5 years) and unoccupied (49.6 years), and in the mean time to treatment of employees (4.8 years) and unoccupied (7.9 years). Finally there are also differences in the percentage of employed persons in the various forms of TSR considered, being much higher in APD patients (47.8%) than in patients on HD (21.7%) having the lowest percent. CONCLUSIONS Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and RRT are a major source of disability. Active patients opt for treatment largely APD, so that almost half of the patients in this modality are working, while in HD only one of every five patients is working.
Pressure ulcer management in paraplegic patients with a novel negative pressure device: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE A randomised controlled trial to compare negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) using our innovative negative pressure device (NPD) and the standard pressure ulcer (PU) wound dressing of in traumatic paraplegia patients. METHOD This study was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India. Traumatic paraplegia patients with sacral pressure ulcers of stage 3 and 4 were randomised into two groups, receiving either standard wound dressings or NPWT with NPD. The outcomes monitored were length, width (surface area), depth of PU, exudates, discharge, tissue type (necrotic, slough and red granulating tissue), and cost-effectiveness during 0 to 9 weeks follow-up. RESULTS Length and width were significantly (p<0.01) decreased in NPWT group as compared with standard care group at week 9. At weeks 1, 2 and 3, depth was significantly (p<0.05) higher in NPWT group, whereas at week 9 a significant reduction (p=0.01) was observed. Exudates were significantly (p=0.001) lower in NPWT group at weeks 4 and 9. Conversion of slough into red granulation tissue was significantly higher in NPWT group (p=0.001). Discharge became significantly (p=0.001) lower in NPWT at week 2 and no discharge was observed after week 6. In all parameters, decrease was larger in NPWT group compared with standard care, which was significant for exudates type (p=0.03) and tissue type (p=0.004). CONCLUSION Our NPD is better than standard wound care procedures and cost-effective for management of PU.
Expression of interleukin‐1β, cyclooxygenase‐2, and prostaglandin E2 in a rotator cuff tear in rabbits

We investigated the specific factors related to shoulder pain due to a rotator cuff tear using a model in rabbits. A rotator cuff tear was surgically created, and the expression of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) was analyzed. In the supernatant of the tissue culture of the torn tendon, IL‐1β production was detected. The amount of IL‐1β was highest 1 day after injury, and then decreased gradually to 21 days. PGE2, the mediator of pain and the product of COX‐2, was also detected in the supernatant of the tissue culture. The production of PGE2 significantly increased to 7 days after injury, and then decreased to 21 days. RT‐PCR analysis confirmed the mRNA expression of IL‐1β and COX‐2 in the torn tendon. Immunohistochemical study demonstrated that cells in the tendon stump were immunopositive for IL‐1β and COX‐2. Furthermore, in the affected joint, articular chondrocytes in the remote area from the tear expressed COX‐2 strongly. When the rotator cuff is torn, IL‐1β is produced in the torn tendon, and stimulates the expression of COX‐2 in not only the torn tendon but also in articular chondrocytes. The COX‐2 then produces PGE2, which would mediate shoulder pain. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 25:92–97, 2007
Effects of W‐CDMA 1950 MHz EMF emitted by mobile phones on regional cerebral blood flow in humans

Use of the third generation mobile phone system is increasing worldwide. This is the first study to investigate the effects of the third generation system on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in humans. We compared effects of the electromagnetic field (EMF) emitted from the Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W‐CDMA) cellular system versus sham control exposure on rCBF in humans. Nine healthy male volunteers participated in this study. Positron emission tomography (PET) scans were obtained before, during, and after unilateral 30 min EMF exposure. The subtraction analysis revealed no significant rCBF changes caused by the EMF conditions compared with the sham exposure, suggesting that EMF emitted by a third generation mobile phone does not affect rCBF in humans. Bioelectromagnetics 30:536–544, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Geological history and oceanography of the Indo‐Malay Archipelago shape the genetic population structure in the false clown anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris)

Like many fishes on coral reefs, the false clown anemonefish, Amphiprion ocellaris, has a life history with two different phases: adults are strongly site attached, whereas larvae are planktonic. Therefore, the larvae have the potential to disperse, but the degree of dispersal potential depends primarily on the period of the larval stage, which is only 8–12 days in A. ocellaris. In this study, we investigated the genetic population structure and gene flow in A. ocellaris across the Indo‐Malay Archipelago by analysing a fragment of the mitochondrial control region. Population genetic analysis, using amova, revealed a significant and high overall ΦST‐value of 0.241 (P < 0.001), clearly showing limited gene flow. Haplotype network analysis detected eight distinct clades corresponding mainly to different geographical areas, which were most probably separated during sea level low stands in the Pleistocene. The distribution of the clades among the different populations indicated slow partial re‐mixing mainly in the central region of the archipelago. Major surface currents seem to facilitate larval dispersal, indicated by higher connectivity along major surface currents in the region (e.g. Indonesian Throughflow). Four main groups were found by the hierarchical amova within the archipelago. These different genetic lineages should be managed and protected as separate ornamental fishery stocks and resource contributing to the genetic diversity of the area. Regarding the high diversity and the differentiation among areas within the Indo‐Malay Archipelago of A. ocellaris populations, the centre‐of‐origin theory is supported to be the main mechanism by which the high biodiversity evolved in this area.
Stem cells of the adult lung: their development and role in homeostasis, regeneration, and disease

The lung has vital functions in gas exchange and immune defense. To fulfill these functions the cellular composition and complex three‐dimensional organization of the organ must be maintained for a lifetime. Cell turnover in the adult lung is normally low. However, in response to cellular injury by agents such as infection, toxic compounds, and irradiation there is rapid proliferation and differentiation of endogenous stem and progenitor cells to repair and regenerate the damaged tissue. In the mouse, different populations of epithelial progenitor cells have been identified in different regions of the respiratory system: basal cells in the proximal tracheobronchial region and submucosal glands, and secretory cells in the conducting airways and bronchioalveolar duct junction. The identification of the long‐term stem cells in the alveolar region is still under debate, and little is known about resident stem and progenitor cells for the many mesodermal populations. Within this framework information is provided about the origin of lung progenitor cells during development, the microenvironment in which they reside, the experimental injury and repair systems used to promote their regenerative response, and some of the mechanisms regulating their behavior. WIREs Dev Biol 2013, 2:131–148. doi: 10.1002/wdev.58