Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Twin–twin confusion syndrome: Blood chimerism in opposite sex dizygotic twins

accreta, increta and percreta) in women with prior endometrial ablation (Patni et al. 2008). The British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy guidelines for endometrial ablation recommends the avoidance of pregnancy and suggests sterilisation (Lewis 1994). Pregnancy after EA is not due to failure of technique but to women ignoring advice to use contraception, or poor counselling (Annan and Guleria 2005). Counselling about contraception at the time of endometrial ablation is important. Contraception must be implemented after EA, even in women who develop amenorrhoea postoperatively, and should be continued until proven menopause. Clinicians must rule out pregnancy after EA even in amenorrhoeic patients (Lo and Pickersgill 2006).
Association of noninvasive quantitative decline in liver fat content on MRI with histologic response in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging-estimated proton-density-fat-fraction (MRI-PDFF) has been shown to be a noninvasive, accurate and reproducible imaging-based biomarker for assessing steatosis and treatment response in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) clinical trials. However, there are no data on the magnitude of MRI-PDFF reduction corresponding to histologic response in the setting of a NASH clinical trial. The aim of this study was to quantitatively compare the magnitude of MRI-PDFF reduction between histologic responders versus histologic nonresponders in NASH patients. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of the MOZART trial, which included 50 patients with biopsy-proven NASH randomized to ezetimibe 10 mg/day orally or placebo for 24 weeks. The primary aim was to perform a head-to-head comparative analysis of histologic responders [defined as a ⩾2-point reduction in the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) Activity Score (NAS) without worsening fibrosis] versus nonresponders, and the corresponding quantitative change in liver fat content measured via MRI-PDFF. Results: Of the 35 patients who underwent paired liver biopsy and MRI-PDFF assessment at the beginning and end of treatment, 10 demonstrated a histologic response. Compared with histologic nonresponders, histologic responders had a statistically significant reduction in MRI-PDFF of −4.1% ± 4.9 versus −0.6 ± 4.1 (p < 0.04) with a mean relative percent change of −29.3% ± 33.0 versus +2.0% ± 24.0 (p < 0.004), respectively. Conclusions: Utilizing paired MRI-PDFF and liver histology data, we demonstrate that a relative reduction of 29% in liver fat on MRI-PDFF is associated with a histologic response in NASH. After external validation by independent research groups, these results can be incorporated into designing future NASH clinical trials, especially those utilizing change in hepatic fat quantified by MRI-PDFF, as a treatment endpoint.
Enhancement of slow‐wave sleep by tumor necrosis factor‐α is mediated by cyclooxygenase‐2 in rats

TUMOR necrosis factor-α(TNFα) was infused into the subarachnoid space of the rat rostral basal forebrain, which was previously defined as a prostaglandin (PG) D2-sensitive, sleep-promoting zone. TNFα increased the amount of slow-wave sleep (SWS), decreased that of paradoxical sleep (PS), and caused fever and anorexia. The TNFα-induced SWS enhancement, fever and anorexia were all blocked by co-infusion of diclofenac, a non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, and by pretreatment with NS-398, a COX-2-specific inhibitor. In striking contrast, the TNFα-induced suppression of PS was not affected by the inhibitors. These results indicate that COX-2-mediated hyperproduction of PGs is critically involved in the enhancement of SWS, fever, and anorexia but not in the suppression of PS, caused by TNFα infused into the PGD2-sensitive zone.
Microwave ablation therapy for colorectal liver metastases

Background: The gold standard treatment for colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) is surgical resection. Unfortunately, the majority of patients with colorectal hepatic metastases are not candidates for resection. In recent years, several alternatives have emerged for patients whom are not resection candidates including modern systemic chemotherapy, targeted biologic treatments, regional therapies and local tumor ablation options. Microwave ablation (MWA) therapy is one such treatment alternative, based on thermal tissue ablation. This modality in concert with the most recent published literature on its use for patients with CRCLM will be reviewed in this paper. Literature review findings: A structured review of the literature on ablative technologies was performed. In recent years, there has been an evolution from radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to microwave ablation therapy for the treatment of CRCLM. RFA has several limitations to its use and MWA theoretically avoids such limitations making it the currently preferable treatment option. There are limited publications comparing the use of RFA to MWA and limited publications on the use of microwave ablation for CRCLM. This paper will focus on the most recent data on MWA for CRCLM. This data can then be compared to the already published data on RFA. Proposed Methods: Given the relative novel status for MWA as a treatment option for CRCLM, a potential disadvantage for its use is the perceived lack of knowledge across
Revision of posturography based on force plate for balance evaluation.

BACKGROUND The maintenance of balance and body orientation in humans is guaranteed by the adequate functioning of the postural control system. The investigation of this control has awakened the interest of professionals from several fields such as Physical Therapy, Physical Education, Engineering, Physics, Medicine, Psychology, and others. OBJECTIVES The purposes of this study are to revise the methods of data analysis used to investigate the postural control in human beings and to demonstrate the computational algorithms of the main measures used in the postural control evaluation. CONCLUSION The experimental procedures and measures used in postural control evaluation presented in this review can help in the standardization of postural control investigation.
Spiral artery blood volume in normal pregnancies and those compromised by pre‐eclampsia

The aim of this work was to use intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) to provide a non‐invasive in vivo assessment of the function of the maternal spiral arteries that feed the placenta in normal pregnancy and in pre‐eclampsia. Eleven normal pregnant women were scanned at 16, 22, 29 and 35 weeks gestation in a longitudinal study. Nine normal pregnant women and six women with pre‐eclampsia were scanned in a cross‐sectional study, within 10 days of delivery. The MRI IVIM technique was used to measure the moving blood fraction (f%) at the basal plate. There was no evidence that f% changed with gestational age (P = 0.84), but considering the cross‐sectional groups, f% in women with pre‐eclampsia was reduced compared with normal pregnancy (mean ± SD: 36 ± 5% and 27 ± 5%; P < 0.005). In conclusion, pregnancies complicated by pre‐eclampsia exhibit a reduced fraction of moving blood within the region of the spiral arteries. IVIM performed in the mid‐trimester may provide an early means of predicting those pregnancies with an increased likelihood of being complicated by pre‐eclampsia. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hybrid PLL system for spin torque oscillators utilizing custom ICs in 0.18 μm BiCMOS

This work presents a hybrid and highly adaptive phase locked loop (PLL) system for spin torque oscillators (STO) which are candidates for the next technological implementation of microwave applications. PLL operation is successfully demonstrated in the lower ultra high frequency (UHF) band using a vortex based STO revealing an in-band phase noise of less than −80 dBc/Hz and PLL bandwidth of 2.5 MHz. The system is highly reconfigurable e.g. in terms of the frequency divider ratio N, RF gain and loop gain which makes it robust against device to device variations as well as compatible with a large range of STOs. To the best knowledge of the authors this PLL system utilizing a STO is the first implementation by the use of custom integrated circuits combined with commercial circuits on a board and exhibits the smallest system size and power consumption among the reported STO-PLLs.
Gene Polymorphism of Thymidine Kinase and Dna Polymerase in Clinical Strains of Herpes Simplex Virus

Background The thymidine kinase (TK) and DNA polymerase (pol) genes of herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) and type-2 (HSV-2) are important targets for genotypic determination of HSV resistance to antiviral drugs. The knowledge of gene polymorphism is an absolute requirement for the correct interpretation of genotypic findings. Methods In this study, the natural polymorphism of TK and DNA pol genes was examined by DNA sequencing in 56 HSV-1 and 12 HSV-2 strains sensitive to acyclovir. Results In 56 HSV-1 strains, 26 different non- synonymous polymorphism-associated mutations were detected in the TK gene. To our knowledge, 8 of them have never been reported in the literature. In the TK gene of 12 HSV-2 strains, 6 polymorphism-related non-synonymous mutations were observed, whereas there was 1 novel mutation in 1 strain. The DNA pol gene of 53 HSV-1 isolates contained 47 distinct polymorphism-associated amino acid substitutions and 11 substitutions were found in the DNA pol gene of 12 HSV-2 strains. Altogether, 31 novel substitutions could be identified in the DNA pol gene of HSV-1 and 3 in HSV-2 strains. In these strains, any resistance to foscarnet was excluded. Conclusions The 43 novel non-synonymous mutations enrich the knowledge about the natural genetic polymorphism of TK and DNA pol in clinical HSV strains. The findings have to be considered for genotypic analysis of HSV in case of clinical resistance.
Role of Endoscopic Ultrasound and Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration in Diagnosing Metastasis to the Pancreas: A Tertiary Center Experience

Background: Metastasis to the pancreas (MP) is a rare entity that is difficult to identify by imaging alone. Few reports have described endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) findings. Herein, we try to describe the EUS and EUS-FNA characteristics of MP. Methods: This retrospective study compared 28 patients with MP (13 males; mean age: 60.1 ± 12.6 years) and 60 control patients (30 males; 62.7 ± 11.5 years) with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). All lesions were characterized by EUS, and MP was diagnosed by EUS-FNA (n = 16), surgery (n = 6) or both (n = 6). Results: Multivariate logistic regres- sion revealed that the presence of regular borders (p = 0.004; OR: 8.81, 95% CI: 1.97–39.4), the absence of retention cysts (p = 0.045; OR: 12.5, 95% CI: 1.06–147.0), and the absence of main pancreatic duct (MPD) dilation (p = 0.003; OR: 8.18, 95% CI: 2.04–32.8) were predictors of MP rather than PDAC. The EUS-FNA sampling adequacy was 95.4% (21/22), and the correct diagnosis was obtained in 95.2% (20/21) of cases when K-ras mutation analysis and/or immunostaining were added. Conclusion: The presence of regular borders, the absence of retention cysts and the presence of nondilated MPD on EUS indicate MP rather than PDAC. This diagnosis can be accurately confirmed by EUS-FNA with immunostaining and/or K-ras analysis.
Simulation of Wide Band Multipath Fast Fading Based on Finite Difference Method

In this paper we propose to use finite difference propagation methods to evaluate the wide band properties of the fast fading. For this purpose we adapted the MR-FDPF propagation model to simulate large bandwidth by combining numerous narrow band simulations. The results are compared with a channel sounder measurement campaign covering a bandwidth of up to 70 MHz. It is verified that fading characteristics in wireless channels varies with frequency and the MR-FDPF method is capable for simulating this variation of fadings for wide band systems.
Mechanisms of HDL reduction after probucol. Changes in HDL subfractions and increased reverse cholesteryl ester transfer.

Treatment with probucol, a widely used lipid-lowering agent, is associated with a significant reduction of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, but with an apparently improved removal of cholesteryl esters from tissues (e.g., from tendon xanthomas). The effects of probucol (500 mg twice daily) on HDL subfraction distribution and cholesteryl ester transfer activity were tested in 12 patients with stable type II hyperlipidemia [low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol greater than 180 mg/dl] after a placebo-controlled cross-over trial. Probucol significantly lowered total cholesterol (-13.8%), LDL cholesterol (-9.1%), and HDL cholesterol (-30%). By rate zonal ultracentrifugation, a marked reduction of HDL2 cholesterol (-68%) was shown, whereas changes in HDL3 were less significant (-21%). These findings were confirmed by polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis, typically showing a reduction or disappearance of HDL2b particles and the prevalence of particles in the HDL3a range. Cholesteryl ester transfer from HDL to lower density lipoproteins was significantly increased (30%) in all patients. These findings suggest that, in addition to the well-documented in vitro changes (prevention of LDL peroxidation and macrophage uptake), probucol characteristically modifies HDL particle distribution in vivo, and is associated with a significant increase of cholesteryl ester transfer activity.
ERP Evaluation of Auditory Sensory Memory Systems in Adults with Intellectual Disability

Auditory sensory memory stage can be functionally divided into two subsystems; transient-detector system and permanent feature-detector system (). We assessed these systems in persons with intellectual disability by measuring event-related potentials (ERPs) N1 and mismatch negativity (MMN), which reflect the two auditory subsystems, respectively. Added to these, P3a (an ERP reflecting stage after sensory memory) was evaluated. Either synthesized vowels or simple tones were delivered during a passive oddball paradigm to adults with and without intellectual disability. ERPs were recorded from midline scalp sites (Fz, Cz, and Pz). Relative to control group, participants with the disability exhibited greater N1 latency and less MMN amplitude. The results for N1 amplitude and MMN latency were basically comparable between both groups. IQ scores in participants with the disability revealed no significant relation with N1 and MMN measures, whereas the IQ scores tended to increase significantly as P3a latency reduced. These outcomes suggest that persons with intellectual disability might own discrete malfunctions for the two detector systems in auditory sensory-memory stage. Moreover, the processes following sensory memory might be partly related to a determinant of mental development.
Surface Fractal Analysis for Estimating the Fracture Energy Absorption of Nanoparticle Reinforced Composites

In this study, the fractal dimensions of failure surfaces of vinyl ester based nanocomposites are estimated using two classical methods, Vertical Section Method (VSM) and Slit Island Method (SIM), based on the processing of 3D digital microscopic images. Self-affine fractal geometry has been observed in the experimentally obtained failure surfaces of graphite platelet reinforced nanocomposites subjected to quasi-static uniaxial tensile and low velocity punch-shear loading. Fracture energy and fracture toughness are estimated analytically from the surface fractal dimensionality. Sensitivity studies show an exponential dependency of fracture energy and fracture toughness on the fractal dimensionality. Contribution of fracture energy to the total energy absorption of these nanoparticle reinforced composites is demonstrated. For the graphite platelet reinforced nanocomposites investigated, surface fractal analysis has depicted the probable ductile or brittle fracture propagation mechanism, depending upon the rate of loading.
Concerted binding and bending of DNA by Escherichia coli integration host factor.

Integration host factor (IHF) is a heterodimeric Escherichia coli protein that plays essential roles in a variety of cellular processes including site-specific recombination, transcription, and DNA replication. The IHF-DNA interface extends over three helical turns and includes sequential minor groove contacts that present strong, sequence specific protection patterns against hydroxyl radical cleavage. Synchrotron X-ray footprinting has been used to follow the kinetics of formation of DNA-protein contacts in the IHF-DNA complex with single base-pair spatial, and millisecond time, resolution. The three sites of IHF protection on the DNA develop with similar time-dependence, indicating that sequence specific binding and bending occur concertedly. Two distinct phases are observed in the association process. The first "burst" phase is characterized by a rate that is greater than diffusion limited (>10(10) s(-1) M(-1)) and the second phase is on the order of diffusion controlled (approximately 10(8) M(-1) s(-1)). The overall kinetics of association become faster with increasing IHF concentration showing that complex formation is second-order with protein. The rate of association is maximal between 100 and 200 mM KCl decreasing at higher and lower concentrations. The rate of IHF dissociation from site-specifically bound DNA increases monotonically as KCl concentration is increased. The dissociation progress curves are biphasic with the amplitude of the first phase dependent upon competitor DNA concentration. These results are the first analysis by synchrotron footprinting of the fast kinetics of a protein-DNA interaction and suggest that IHF binds its specific site through a multiple-step mechanism in which the first step is facilitated diffusion along the length of the duplex followed by subsequent binding and bending of the DNA in a concerted manner.
L'examen clinique de l'intelligence de l'enfant

Les echelles de Wechsler sont aujourd’hui les tests d’intelligence les plus largement utilises par les psychologues francais, en particulier dans leur version pour enfants et adolescents. L’auteur a ete le premier a proposer en francais un ouvrage de base consacre a cette version du test, rapidement devenu une reference utilisee par les formateurs et les praticiens. Apres le WISC-R en 1992, le WISC-III en 2000, l’auteur a presente en 2006 le WISC-IV et propose une methode scientifiquement solide d’interpretation des resultats a ce test. Cette methode est aujourd’hui enseignee dans de nombreuses universites francaises. Trois ans plus tard, une mise a jour s’imposait : cette 2e edition revue et completee des « Fondements et pratiques du WISC-IV » presente les informations nouvelles qui permettent de mieux tirer profit d’un instrument dont la richesse clinique se revele au fil de son utilisation.
Six-Month Dietary Changes in Ethnically Diverse, Obese Adolescents Participating in a Multidisciplinary Weight Management Program

This study’s objective was to examine dietary and metabolic changes in obese adolescents who completed 6 months of participation in an outpatient multidisciplinary weight management program (N = 67). Participants (75% African American, 66% female, mean age = 13.7 years) completed 24-hour dietary recalls and underwent measurement of anthropometrics and fasting blood lipid parameters at baseline and after 6 months of participation. General linear models suggested that participants significantly reduced total energy, total fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate, sodium, and sugar intakes, and increased fiber and fruit and vegetable intake (P < .05). Gender-stratified models showed differences in fruit/vegetable intake, percentage calories from fat, sodium, and dietary cholesterol intakes by gender. Significant improvements in body mass index percentile and lipid profiles were also found, lending objective support to the dietary changes participants made. Findings suggest that participation in this multidisciplinary treatment helped participants make behaviorally based dietary changes, which were associated with improved dietary intakes and health status.
Regulation of baseline cholinergic tone in guinea‐pig airway smooth muscle

1 We quantified baseline cholinergic tone in the trachealis of mechanically ventilated guinea‐pigs and determined the influence of vagal afferent nerve activity on this parasympathetic tone. 2 There was a substantial amount of baseline cholinergic tone in the guinea‐pig trachea, eliciting contractions of the trachealis that averaged 24.6 ± 3.5 % (mean ± s.e.m.) of the maximum attainable contraction. This tone was essentially abolished by vagotomy or ganglionic blockade, suggesting that it was dependent upon on‐going pre‐ganglionic input arising from the central nervous system. 3 Cholinergic tone in the trachealis could be markedly and rapidly altered (either increased or decreased) by changes in ventilation (e.g. cessation of ventilation; hyperpnoea; slow, deep breathing) and by lung distention (via positive end‐expiratory pressure). These effects were not accompanied by marked alterations in blood gases and were abolished by vagotomy or atropine. By contrast, tachykinin receptor antagonists, which abolished capsaicin‐induced bronchospasm, were without effect on baseline cholinergic tone. This and other evidence suggests that capsaicin‐sensitive nerves have little if any influence on baseline parasympathetic tone. Likewise, while activation of afferent nerves innervating the larynx can alter airway parasympathetic nerve activity, transection of the superior laryngeal nerves was without effect on baseline cholinergic tone. 4 Cutting the vagus nerves caudal to the recurrent laryngeal nerves, thus leaving the preganglionic parasympathetic innervation of the trachealis intact but disrupting all afferent nerves innervating the lungs and intrapulmonary airways, abolished baseline cholinergic tone in the trachea. Sham vagotomy or cutting the vagi caudal to the lungs did not reduce baseline cholinergic tone. 5 The results indicate that baseline airway cholinergic nerve activity is necessarily dependent upon afferent nerve activity arising from the intrapulmonary airways and lungs. More specifically, the data are consistent with the hypothesis that on‐going activity arising from the nerve terminals of intrapulmonary rapidly adapting receptors determines the level of baseline airway cholinergic tone.
Studies of anaesthesia in relation to hypertension. I. Cardiovascular responses of treated and untreated patients.

The cardiovascular responses to the induction, maintenance, and recovery from anaesthesia with thiopentone, nitrous oxide and halothane, have been studied in seven elderly normotensive patients, seven untreated hypertensive patients, and fifteen patients under treatment with a variety of anti-hypertensive drugs. In five untreated and three treated hypertensive patients, all of whom had high arterial pressures before anaesthesia, severe reduction of arterial pressure occurred during anaesthesia and was associated with electrocardiographic evidence of myocardial ischaemia. Other treated hypertensive patients, whose arterial pressures were well controlled, behaved in a similar manner to the normotensive patients, and gave no ground for concern during anaesthesia. Cardiac output fell to the same extent (30 per cent) in all three groups, and where a great reduction of arterial pressure occurred it was largely due to reduction of initially high systemic vascular resistance. Baroreflex control of heart rate was significantly depressed in hypertensive patients both before and during anaesthesia. It is concluded that untreated high arterial pressure constitutes a serious risk to patients undergoing anaesthesia and surgery, and therefore anti-hypertensive therapy should not be withdrawn prior to anaesthesia without a compelling reason.