Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of human-animal relationship and management on udder health in Swiss dairy herds.

In a cross-sectional study, we investigated the effects of human-animal interactions and management factors on udder health in 46 Swiss dairy herds living in loose-housing systems on farms that participated in the Swiss dairy farm network "pro-Q. " The human-animal relationship was measured by observing milkers' behavior, cows' behavior during milking, and cows' avoidance distance in the barn. Management factors were assessed by questionnaire-guided interviews and observations. Udder health was evaluated using indicators that were calculated from milk recording data over a period of 1 yr before assessment: (1) average somatic cell scores (SCS) per herd and (2) incidence of new infections per herd (NEWINF); and indicators that were calculated from quarter milk samples of all lactating cows at the time of assessment: (3) prevalence of quarters with elevated somatic cell counts (>100,000 cells/mL; %Q>100) and (4) prevalence of mastitis quarters (>100,000 cells/mL and culturally positive; %Qmast). After univariate preselection of associated factors, multivariable linear regression models were calculated at the herd level and a multilevel regression model was calculated at the herd and cow levels for SCS. Among all of the human-animal relationship factors, the most dominant predictor for SCS, %Q>100, and %Qmast was the percentage of positive interactions of milkers with the cows in relation to all of their interactions during milking. Furthermore, a higher prevalence of fearful cows in the herd (with an avoidance distance >1 m) was associated with a higher %Q>100. In herds with a higher NEWINF, incidents of cows kicking during milking occurred more frequently. Concerning management as well as farm and herd characteristics, the following mastitis risk factors were found: (1) breed, especially Holstein with regard to SCS, NEWINF, and %Qmast; (2) high age in terms of lactation number with regard to SCS and %Qmast; (3) high amount of new infections of a cow over 1 yr with regard to SCS; (4) air-adsorption during application of teat-cups with regard to NEWINF; (5) lack of separation of diseased cows with regard to NEWINF; and (6) ample dimensions of lying places with regard to %Qmast. The results suggest that the human-animal relationship is relevant for udder health, especially for cows' reactions to infections expressed as somatic cell count levels. Risk of infection itself appears to be mainly influenced by management factors. Hence, the human-animal relationship may be considered in extension concerning preventive mastitis control.
Factors influencing the degree of enhancement of prostate cancer on contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasonography: correlation with biopsy and radical prostatectomy specimens.

OBJECTIVES This study was designed to identify factors that influenced the degree of enhancement of prostate cancer on contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasonography (CETRUS). METHODS 139 patients suspected of prostate cancer were evaluated with CETRUS followed by systematic and targeted transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsies. The degree of enhancement of the lesions was objectively measured using peak intensity with time-intensity curve analysis software. Ultrasound findings were correlated with clinical characteristics as well as biopsy and radical prostatectomy findings. RESULTS Prostate cancers were detected in 230 biopsy sites from 91 patients. The mean peak intensity value of prostate cancer was significantly higher than that of the benign lesions (9.82 ± 3.73 vs 7.51 ± 2.97; p<0.001), and the peak intensity value of the cancer foci varied across the prostate. The mixed model analysis revealed that the location and Gleason score of tumour foci were the influencing factors of the peak intensity value, and the former had a stronger influence upon peak intensity than the latter (p=0.000 and 0.040, respectively). However, age, prostate volume or serum prostate-specific antigen of the patient had no significant influence on the peak intensity value (p>0.05). Furthermore, the peak intensity value of tumours larger than 5 mm diameter was significantly higher than tumours of 5 mm or smaller diameter (9.28 ± 2.46 vs 6.69 ± 2.65; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The prostate cancer lesions with a higher Gleason score and larger tumour size which were located in the lateral peripheral zone (PZ) were more likely to show a marked enhancement. Lesions with lower peak intensity that are located in the medial PZ should also be treated as suspicious.
Evaluation of the Dermal Bioavailability of Aqueous Xylene in F344 Rats and Human Volunteers

Xylene is a clear, colorless liquid used as a solvent in the printing, rubber, and leather industries and is commonly found in paint thinners, paints, varnishes, and adhesives. Although humans are most likely to be exposed to xylene via inhalation, xylene is also found in well and surface water. Therefore, an assessment of the dermal contribution to total xylene uptake is useful for understanding human exposures. To evaluate the significance of these exposures, the dermal absorption of o-xylene was assessed in F344 male rats and human volunteers using a combination of real-time exhaled breath analysis and physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling. Animals were exposed to o-xylene dermally. Immediately following the initiation of exposure, individual animals were placed in a glass off-gassing chamber and exhaled breath was monitored. Human volunteers participating in the study placed both legs into a stainless steel hydrotherapy tub containing an initial concentration of approximately 500 w g/L o-xylene. Exhaled breath was continually analyzed from each volunteer before, during, and after exposure to track absorption and subsequent elimination of the compound in real time. In both animal and human studies, a PBPK model was used to estimate the dermal permeability coefficient (K p ) to describe each set of exhaled breath data. Rat skin was found to be approximately 12 times more permeable to aqueous o-xylene than human skin. The estimated human and rat aqueous o-xylene K p values were 0.005 - 0.001 cm/h and 0.058 - 0.009 cm/h, respectively.
Serial measurement of vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta1 in serum of patients with acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) are expressed in higher than normal concentrations in the penumbra of patients after ischemic stroke. Because both cytokines are central to the processes of angiogenesis, tissue inflammation, and fibrosis, we performed serial measurements of these cytokines in patients with cerebral infarction and determined their relationship to stroke etiology and volume. METHODS We serially (at days 0, 1, 3, 7, and 14) measured the serum levels of VEGF and active TGF-beta1 in 29 patients with acute ischemic stroke. Age-matched healthy subjects (n=26) were used as controls. RESULTS Expression of VEGF was significantly increased in the majority of patients after acute stroke at each of the time points compared with normal controls. Highest expression occurred at day 7 (588+/-121 pg/mL; P=0.005), and it remained significantly elevated at 14 days after stroke. Expression of VEGF correlated with infarct volume, clinical disability (Scandinavian Stroke Scale), and peripheral leukocytosis and was significantly higher in patients with atherothrombotic large-vessel disease and ischemic heart disease (P<0.05 in all cases). In contrast, expression of active TGF-beta1 was not significantly different from control patients at any of the measured time points. When the mean concentration of TGF-beta1 from each patient (pooled time points) was compared with the control mean, a significant increase was found in only 2 patients, whereas levels decreased in 12 patients (P<0.05). There was no correlation between circulating active TGF-beta1 and VEGF expression, leukocytosis, stroke subtype, or patient disability as assessed by Scandinavian Stroke Scale score. CONCLUSIONS VEGF but not TGF-beta1 showed a dramatic increase in serum of stroke patients. Correlation between stroke severity and VEGF concentration suggests it could be involved in the subsequent repair processes resulting in partial recovery after stroke. Correlation between VEGF expression and peripheral leukocytosis suggests that these changes may also reflect the immunologic status of the patient. VEGF may play an important role in the pathophysiology of acute ischemic stroke and could be of value in future treatment strategies.
Correction of undesirable pseudophakic refractive error with the Sulcoflex intraocular lens.

PURPOSE To evaluate the visual outcomes, efficacy, predictability, and short-term safety of implanting the Sulcoflex (Rayner Intraocular Lenses Ltd) intraocular lens (IOL) to correct residual pseudophakic errors. METHODS Retrospective study of patients undergoing implantation of the Sulcoflex IOL. Uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuity and refractive outcomes were evaluated. Postoperative follow-up was at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS Fifteen eyes (13 patients) were evaluated. Mean follow-up was 20 months (range: 14 to 30 months). The Sulcoflex aspheric (653L) and toric (653T) IOLs were implanted in 3 and 12 eyes, respectively. Preoperatively, mean logMAR (Snellen) UDVA and CDVA were 0.44 (20/55) and 0.05 (20/22), respectively. At 3 months, all eyes achieved logMAR UDVA of 0.20 (20/32) or better, with 10 (67%) eyes achieving UDVA of 0 (20/20) or better. Preoperative mean spherical and astigmatic errors were 1.07±0.83 diopters (D) and -1.45±0.98 D, respectively. Preoperative mean spherical equivalent refraction was -0.54±1.11 (D). Postoperative mean sphere and astigmatism at 3 months were -0.25±0.38 D and -0.50±0.57 D, respectively. Postoperative mean spherical equivalent refraction at 3 months was -0.15±0.28 D. All patients were within 1.00 D of attempted correction, with 93% within 0.50 D. Linear regression analysis showed good correlation (R²=0.72) between attempted versus achieved spherical equivalent refractions. No significant intra- or postoperative complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS Implantation of the Sulcoflex IOL was found to be an effective and predictable option for enhancing postoperative refractive results and reducing spectacle dependence for distance after surgery. The IOL was well tolerated in all eyes.
Dendritic cells in synovial fluid of chronic inflammatory arthritis lack CD80 surface expression

Dendritic cells (DC) act as potent primary antigen‐presenting cells in many immune responses and therefore may have a role in the initiation and perpetuation of the synovial inflammation in chronic inflammatory arthritis. To examine their function, it is important to isolate fresh DC from arthritic joints without aberrant activation. We have developed a technique using minimal cell manipulation to isolate DC from the synovial fluid of chronic arthritic patients. Using this method, DC were shown to be potent allostimulatory cells, with 63–90% of cells lacking lineage‐specific markers (lin‐), but positive for MHC class II molecules. Two morphologically distinct populations of these cells were identified in 10 out of 13 DC preparations. Both populations expressed CD40, intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), ICAM‐2, ICAM‐3 and leucocyte function associated antigen‐3 (LFA‐3), but the predominant population, which was larger and more typical of cultured blood DC, had a higher density of these antigens compared with the minor population, which were smaller and morphologically similar to lymphocytes. Two new MoAbs which label activated human blood DC, HB15 (CD83) and CMRF‐44, were tested. CD83 labelled very weakly or not at all, whereas CMRF‐44 was positive on the larger cells only. Likewise, the costimulator molecule, B7/BB1 (CD80), was not detected on the surface of either synovial lin‐ cell population, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) showed little or no CD80 mRNA, and no binding of the CTLA‐4Ig fusion protein was found. These results suggest that synovial DC are not, despite the inflammatory environment, in a fully activated state.
Intracellular Distribution of Manganese by the Trans-Golgi Network Transporter NRAMP2 Is Critical for Photosynthesis and Cellular Redox Homeostasis

The metal transporter NRAMP2 controls photosynthesis and antioxidant defenses by releasing manganese from the trans-Golgi network, thus building up a cytosolic pool that feeds downstream organelles. Plants require trace levels of manganese (Mn) for survival, as it is an essential cofactor in oxygen metabolism, especially O2 production via photosynthesis and the disposal of superoxide radicals. These processes occur in specialized organelles, requiring membrane-bound intracellular transporters to partition Mn between cell compartments. We identified an Arabidopsis thaliana member of the NRAMP family of divalent metal transporters, NRAMP2, which functions in the intracellular distribution of Mn. Two knockdown alleles of NRAMP2 showed decreased activity of photosystem II and increased oxidative stress under Mn-deficient conditions, yet total Mn content remained unchanged. At the subcellular level, these phenotypes were associated with a loss of Mn content in vacuoles and chloroplasts. NRAMP2 was able to rescue the mitochondrial yeast mutant mtm1∆. In plants, NRAMP2 is a resident protein of the trans-Golgi network. NRAMP2 may act indirectly on downstream organelles by building up a cytosolic pool that is used to feed target compartments. Moreover, not only does the nramp2 mutant accumulate superoxide ions, but NRAMP2 can functionally replace cytosolic superoxide dismutase in yeast, indicating that the pool of Mn displaced by NRAMP2 is required for the detoxification of reactive oxygen species.
Impact of skull base development on endonasal endoscopic surgical corridors.

OBJECT Scarce morphometric data exist on the developing skull base as a corridor for endonasal endoscopic approaches (EEAs). Furthermore, the impact of skull base lesions on its development has not been assessed. The authors describe a novel set of anatomical parameters characterizing the developmental process as well as the utility of these parameters in preoperative planning and a feasibility assessment of EEAs for neurosurgical treatment of skull base lesions in children. METHODS Based on specific MRI sequences in 107 pediatric patients (2-16 years of age) without skull base lesions (referred to here as the normal population), 3 sets of anatomical parameters were analyzed according to age group and sex: drilling distance, restriction sites, and working distance parameters. A separate set of patients undergoing EEAs was analyzed in similar fashion to address the impact of skull base lesions on the developmental process. RESULTS The volume of the sphenoid sinus significantly increases with age, reaching 6866.4 mm(3) in the 14-16 years age group, and directly correlates with the pneumatization type (r = 0.533, p = 0.0001). The pneumatization process progresses slowly in a temporal-posterior direction, as demonstrated by the growth trend of the sellar width (r = 0.428, p = 0.0001). Nasal restriction sites do not change significantly with age, with little impact on EEAs. The intercarotid distance is significantly different only in the extreme age groups (3.9 mm, p = 0.038), and has an important impact on the transsphenoidal angle and the intracranial dissection limits (r = 0.443, p < 0.0001). The 14.9° transsphenoidal angle at 2-4 years has a 37.6% significant increase in the 11-13 years age group (p = 0.001) and is highly dependent on pneumatization type. Age-dependent differences between working parameters are mostly noted for the extreme age groups, such as the 8.6-mm increase in nare-vomer distance (p = 0.025). The nare-sellar distance is the only parameter with significant differences based on sex. Skull base lesions induce a high degree of variance in skull base measurements, delaying development and decreasing parameter values. Skull base parameters are interdependent. Nare-sellar distance can be used to assess global skull base development because it highly correlates with the intercarotid distance in both the normal population and in patients harboring skull base lesions. CONCLUSIONS Skull base development is a slow, gradual, age-dependent, sex-independent process significantly altering endonasal endoscopic corridors. Preoperative MRI measurements of the pediatric skull base are thus a useful adjunct in choosing the appropriate corridor and in assessing working angles and limits during dissection or reparative surgery. Skull base lesions can significantly impact normal skull base development and age-dependent growth patterns.
A Treatment Algorithm for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Cocaine-Dependent Adults: A One-Year Private Practice Study with Long-Acting Stimulants, Fluoxetine, and Bupropion

A subgroup of adults in private treatment for cocaine dependence in remission reported a therapeutic effect from cocaine during the initial phases of cocaine addiction and, also, met DSM-IV criteria for ADHD. We report evidence that study subjects probably medicated their ADHD symptoms with cocaine and describe a 1-year treatment algorithm featuring long-acting stimulants that was effective in the management of their ADHD and cocaine dependence. Nineteen stable patients in full remission from all substance dependence were entered into an open label, prospective, treatment trial for ADHD. The treatment schedule consisted of the progressive introduction—and discontinuation of ineffective medication—of each of several medications in the following order: fluoxetine, bupropion, pemoline, sustained-release methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine spansules, and methamphetamine gradumets. Treatment of ADHD was successful. Several treatment regimens, especially those including long-acting stimulants, alone or in combination with other agents, were highly effective. All but 1 of the 19 subjects had a fully effective response for at least 1 full year. Mean UTAH scale scores were 7.4 before any medications were administered and 1.6 at the end of the study. Treatment proved successful in suppressing ADHD symptoms, with minimal cocaine slips or side effects.
Referring patients for deep brain stimulation: an improving practice.

BACKGROUND Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a recent treatment modality. Few studies have examined referral practices for DBS. OBJECTIVE To review referral patterns to a large movement disorders center to investigate the current level of knowledge surrounding DBS candidacy. DESIGN Retrospective analysis. SETTING Tertiary care medical center. PATIENTS Reviewed were 197 medical records of patients referred for DBS between December 1, 2005, and November 30, 2009. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Standardized criteria for DBS patient selection were used to categorize referred DBS candidates as the following: good candidates, possible future candidates, poor candidates because of neurological contraindications, or poor candidates because of medical contraindications. Yearly percentages were computed. Referral sources were categorized as movement disorder specialists vs non-movement disorder physicians and self-referred. RESULTS In total, 165 referrals (83.8%) had ailments for which DBS was indicated, and 100 referrals (50.8%) were good candidates (62 with idiopathic Parkinson disease, 35 with dystonia, and 3 with essential tremor). Referrals by movement disorder specialists vs other sources differed significantly in their percentages of good candidates (66.7% vs 40.4%, P = .002) and possible future candidates (14.7% vs 32.7%, P = .02) but not poor candidates (18.7% vs 25.0%, P = .60). Over the observed period of referrals, the yearly percentages significantly decreased for good candidates and increased for possible future candidates and poor candidates. CONCLUSIONS Compared with findings in prior studies, the quality of DBS referrals has improved. The increase in referral of possible future candidates and poor candidates may reflect greater confidence in the procedure.
Activities of 16-membered ring macrolides and telithromycin against different genotypes of erythromycin-susceptible and erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

OBJECTIVES To test four 16-membered macrolides (josamycin, spiramycin, midecamycin and rokitamycin) along with other compounds in the same class (erythromycin, clarithromycin, roxithromycin and azithromycin) plus clindamycin and telithromycin, against Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates with well-characterized resistance genotypes. METHODS Four hundred and eighty-six isolates of S. pyogenes and 375 isolates of S. pneumoniae were assayed for their macrolide susceptibilities and investigated by PCR to detect their different erythromycin resistance genes. All strains had been isolated over the period 2002-2003 from specimens of different human origin obtained in 14 different Italian centres. RESULTS All 16-membered macrolides showed very low MICs (MIC(50)s and MIC(90)s, < or =0.06-0.5 mg/L) for the erythromycin-susceptible isolates and for those with the M phenotype, but the telithromycin MICs for the M-type isolates were at least four times higher (MIC(90)s, 0.5 mg/L). In S. pyogenes, the MIC(50)s of 16-membered macrolides for the cMLS(B) isolates were > or = 256 mg/L, whereas that for telithromycin was 4 mg/L; the MIC(50)s of 16-membered macrolides and telithromycin ranged from < or = 0.06 to 0.5 mg/L for the iMLS(B) isolates with erm(A) and from 0.12 to > or = 256 mg/L for those with erm(B). In S. pneumoniae, the MIC(50)s of the 16-membered macrolides for the cMLS(B) isolates ranged from 0.5 to 128 mg/L, whereas for the iMLS(B) isolates their values ranged from < or = 0.06 to 4 mg/L; the MIC(50)s and MIC(90)s of telithromycin for both the cMLS(B) and the iMLS(B) isolates ranged from < or = 0.06 to 0.12 mg/L. CONCLUSIONS MICs ranged for all the drugs, except telithromycin, from < or = 0.06 to > or = 256 mg/L, with 15% to 30% resistant S. pyogenes for all drugs tested except clindamycin (8%) and telithromycin (5.4%) and 10% to 40% resistant S. pneumoniae for all drugs tested except telithromycin (0.3%). In both S. pyogenes and S. pneumoniae, erythromycin resistance related to a mef gene meant that telithromycin MICs were definitely higher than in erythromycin-susceptible isolates, although telithromycin susceptibility was preserved in all cases. In S. pyogenes, the activity of both 16-membered macrolides and telithromycin against the iMLS(B) strains proved to be dependent on the erm gene involved, being greater against isolates with erm(A).
A Pilot Phase II Study of Capecitabine plus Cisplatin in the Treatment of Recurrent Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix

Background: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of combination therapy with capecitabine and cisplatin in patients with recurrent carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Methods: Sixteen patients were treated with oral capecitabine (1,000 mg/m2 twice daily, days 1–14) and intravenous cisplatin (50 mg/m2 on day 1 every 3 weeks) for a maximum of six cycles. Results: Their median age was 50 years (31–74 years). Ten patients (63%) had recurrent disease outside the radiation field. The overall response rate was 50% (95% confidence interval 26–75%); 4 patients had complete response (25%). The overall response rate was 33% in patients with recurrent disease within the previous irradiated field and 60% in patients with tumor outside the irradiated field. The median time to progression was 9 months, with a median overall survival of 23 months. The majority of adverse events were mild and there were no grade 4 adverse events. Hematological toxicity was the most frequent adverse event with grade 3 neutropenia in 19% of patients. Grade 2 and 3 hand-foot syndrome occurred in 38 and 6% of the patients, respectively. There were no chemotherapy-related deaths. Conclusion: The combination of capecitabine plus cisplatin is a clinically active regimen with acceptable tolerability for patients with recurrent carcinoma of the uterine cervix.