Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Size-specific dose estimates for adult patients at CT of the torso.

PURPOSE To determine relationships among patient size, scanner radiation output, and size-specific dose estimates (SSDEs) for adults who underwent computed tomography (CT) of the torso. MATERIALS AND METHODS Informed consent was waived for this institutional review board-approved study of existing data from 545 adult patients (322 men, 223 women) who underwent clinically indicated CT of the torso between April 1, 2007, and May 13, 2007. Automatic exposure control was used to adjust scanner output for each patient according to the measured CT attenuation. The volume CT dose index (CTDI(vol)) was used with measurements of patient size (anterioposterior plus lateral dimensions) and the conversion factors from the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Report 204 to determine SSDE. Linear regression models were used to assess the dependence of CTDI(vol) and SSDE on patient size. RESULTS Patient sizes ranged from 42 to 84 cm. In this range,CTDI(vol) was significantly correlated with size (slope = 0.34 mGy/cm; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.31, 0.37 mGy/cm; R(2) = 0.48; P < . 001), but SSDE was independent of size (slope = 0.02 mGy/cm; 95% CI: -0.02, 0.07 mGy/cm; R(2) = 0.003; P = . 3). These R(2) values indicated that patient size explained 48% of the observed variability in CTDI(vol) but less than 1% of the observed variability in SSDE. The regression of CTDI(vol) versus patient size demonstrated that, in the 42-84-cm range, CTDI(vol) varied from 12 to 26 mGy. However, use of the evaluated automatic exposure control system to adjust scanner output for patient size resulted in SSDE values that were independent of size. CONCLUSION For the evaluated automatic exposure control system,CTDI(vol) (scanner output) increased linearly with patient size; however, patient dose (as indicated by SSDE) was independent of size.
Clinical Studies in Oral Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy: Differences among Allergens

Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is a significant focus of treatment of food allergy. OIT appears to be effective in inducing desensitization, however, patients receiving OIT frequently developmild/moderate symptoms during the therapy. It has not been clearly established whether the clinical tolerance induced by OIT resembles natural tolerance. According to our data, the efficacy of OIT is different among food antigens, and it is comparatively difficult to achieve the clinical tolerance in milk OIT. Moreover, the definitive evidence of efficacy and safety with long-term therapy is limited. Further studies need to be offered to patients in clinical practice. Recently, novel treatments for food allergy, sublingual and epicutaneous immunotherapy, and combination treatment with an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody (omalizumab), have been examined in some studies. OIT combined with omalizumab increased the threshold doses of food without adverse reactions and may be of benefit in food allergy treatment. More studies are needed to demonstrate long-term safety and treatment benefits in a larger patient cohort.
Ownership, technological intensities, and economic performance in South Africa

This paper examines statistical differences and determinants of labour productivity, and export, skill and technological intensities between foreign and local auto parts, electronics, food, pharmaceutical and garment firms in South Africa. Foreign firms enjoyed higher labour productivity, and export, overall technology, process and R&D intensities than local firms in pharmaceuticals, and export, process technology and R&D intensities than local firms in garments. Local firms enjoyed higher export, skills and process technology intensities, and invested more in training than foreign firms in auto parts. Local firms enjoyed higher skills-intensity levels than foreign firms in electronics. The links between productivity, and skills and technology variables were stronger in local firms than in foreign firms. Technological intensity was highly correlated with labour productivity but it did not have a statistically significant link with export intensity.
Cerebellar granule cells are predominantly generated by terminal symmetric divisions of granule cell precursors

Background: Neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) are generated by symmetric and asymmetric cell division of neural stem cells and their derivative progenitor cells. Cerebellar granule cells are the most abundant neurons in the CNS, and are generated by intensive cell division of granule cell precursors (GCPs) during postnatal development. Dysregulation of GCP cell cycle is causal for some subtypes of medulloblastoma. However, the details and mechanisms underlying neurogenesis from GCPs are not well understood. Results: Using long‐term live‐cell imaging of proliferating GCPs transfected with a fluorescent newborn‐granule cell marker, we found that GCPs underwent predominantly symmetric divisions, generating two GCPs or two neurons, while asymmetric divisions generating a GCP and a neuron were only occasionally observed, in both dissociated culture and within tissues of isolated cerebellar lobules. We found no significant difference in cell cycle length between proliferative and neurogenic divisions, or any consistent changes in cell cycle length during repeated proliferative division. Conclusions: Unlike neural stem cells in the cerebral cortex and spinal cord, which generate many neurons by repeated asymmetric division, cerebellar GCPs produce neurons predominantly by terminal symmetric division. These results indicate diverse mechanisms of neurogenesis in the mammalian brain. Developmental Dynamics 244:748–758, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation of a West Nile Virus Immunoglobulin A Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

ABSTRACT An in-house-developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detected West Nile virus (WNV) immunoglobulin A (IgA) in 65 of 68 sera from WNV-infected patients; 40 of 63 WNV IgM-positive, IgG-negative serum or plasma specimens; 65 of 67 WNV IgM-positive, IgG-positive specimens; 0 of 70 WNV IgM-negative, IgG-negative specimens; and 0 of 64 archived blood donation sera. WNV IgA is thus highly prevalent among WNV-infected patients and typically appears after WNV IgM but before WNV IgG.
Preradiation intracarotid cisplatin treatment of newly diagnosed anaplastic gliomas. The CNS Cancer Consortium.

PURPOSE This phase II study was performed to assess the response of patients with newly diagnosed, untreated malignant gliomas (anaplastic astrocytoma [AA] and glioblastoma multiforme [GBM]) to intracarotid (IC) cisplatin. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eligibility criteria included surgical intervention limited to biopsy only, measurable contrast-enhancing tumor, and unilateral tumor location within the vascular territory of one internal carotid artery. Patients were scheduled to receive four infusions of IC cisplatin (75 mg/m2 every 4 weeks) before beginning standard radiotherapy. Twenty-six patients were treated, and 22 were assessable for response. RESULTS Ten patients (45%) showed a greater than 25% decrease in the enhancing tumor area before radiotherapy with stabilization or improvement of neurologic deficits, and three patients (14%) had a greater than 70% decrease in tumor area. The likelihood of response to IC cisplatin was not clearly linked to patient age, tumor histology, or pretreatment tumor size. Myelosuppression, nephrotoxicity, and ototoxicity were mild. Optic neuropathy occurred in one patient, seizures in two, and fatal postinfusion cerebral edema in one. CONCLUSION This study design, which permits assessment of the drug sensitivity of the untreated glioma, has shown definite antitumor activity of IC cisplatin in newly diagnosed malignant glioma patients.
Antihyperglycaemic effect of Diamed, a herbal formulation, in experimental diabetes in rats

Diamed is a herbal formulation composed of the aqueous extracts of three medicinal plants (Azardirachta indica, Cassia auriculata and Momordica charantia). We have investigated Diamed for its possible antihyperglycaemic action in rats with alloxan‐induced experimental diabetes. Oral administration of Diamed (1.39 (0.25 g), 1.67 (0.30 g) or 1.94 (0.35 g) mL kg−1) for 30 days resulted in a significant reduction in blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, and an increase in plasma insulin and total haemoglobin. The effect was highly significant after administration of the 1.94 mL (0.35 g) g−1 body weight dose. Diamed also prevented a decrease in body weight. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed in experimental diabetic rats in which there was a significant improvement in glucose tolerance in the animals treated with Diamed. The effect was compared with 600 μg kg−1 glibenclamide. The results showed that Diamed had antihyperglycaemic action in experimental diabetes in rats.
The effect of low‐yield cigarette smoking on lung cancer risk

The effect of low‐yield (filter) cigarette (LYC) smoking on lung cancer risk, by two broad histologic groupings (Kreyberg I [KI] and II [KII]), was examined in a large case‐control study. Among males, there were 1278 KI patients and 2408 patient controls matched on age, race, hospital, and year of interview and 807 KII patients and 1543 matched patient controls. Among females, there were 513 KI patients and 960 matched patient controls and 499 KII patients and 932 matched patient controls. For the purposes of estimating the reduction in risk due to smoking filter rather than nonfilter cigarettes, odds ratios (OR) for smokers of filter cigarettes only, short‐term switchers (i.e., switchers from non‐filter to filter cigarettes who had smoked the latter for 1 to 9 years), and long‐term switchers (i.e., switchers to filter cigarettes who had smoked filter cigarettes for 10+ years) were calculated relative to smokers of nonfilter cigarettes only (OR = 1.00). Logistic regression was used to obtain estimates adjusted for cigarettes per day (CPD), inhalation, age, and years of schooling. Filter‐only smokers of both sexes appeared to have a reduced risk of KI lung cancer (OR = 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37 to 1.27 in males; OR = 0.64,0.30 to 1.35 in females). Male long‐term switchers had a significantly reduced risk (OR = 0.66, 0.49 to 0.90), and female long‐term switchers had a nonsignificant reduced risk of KI lung cancer (OR = 0.74, 0.40 to 1.36). The risks of short‐term switchers were closer to 1.00 (OR = 0.83,0.59 to 1.17 in males; OR = 0.99,0.49 to 2.03 in females). Evidence of a reduction in risk of KII was weaker in males and undetectable in females.
Categorization of action slips.

A slip is the error that occurs when a person does an action that is not intended. In this article I examine several collections of slips, primarily of actions, with the aim of devising a theoretical explication. A theory of action is outlined in which an action sequence is represented by a parent schema and numerous child schemas, in which several action schemas can be active at any one time, and in which each schema has a set of triggering conditions and an activation value. The path from intention to action consists of the activation of the parent schema that corresponds to the intention, the activation of child schemas for the component parts of the action sequence, and then the appropriate triggering of schemas when the conditions match those required for their operations. This action system allows slips to be organized into three major categories and a number of subcategories. The three major categories of slips are: (a) errors in the formation of the intention (which includes the subcategories of mode and description errors); (b) faulty activation of schemas (which includes the subcategories of capture errors, data-driven and associative activations, loss of intention, and misordering of action components); and (c) faulty triggering (which includes the subcategories of spoonerisms, blends, intrusions of thoughts, and premature triggering).
Relationship between hip strength and trunk, hip, and knee kinematics during a jump-landing task in individuals with patellofemoral pain.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Decreased strength of the hip musculature and altered mechanics of the lower extremity have been identified in individuals with patellofemoral pain (PFP). The aim of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between hip muscle strength and transverse and frontal plane motion at the hip and knee, and ipsilateral trunk flexion during a jump-landing task in individuals with PFP. METHODS Fifteen individuals (10 females, 5 males) with PFP participated in this investigation. A three-dimensional motion analysis system was utilized to assess trunk, hip, and knee kinematics during a jump-landing task. An isokinetic dynamometer was utilized to assess concentric and eccentric strength of the hip musculature. Simple correlation analyses were performed to determine the relationships between hip muscle strength and peak frontal and transverse plane hip and knee kinematics and ipsilateral trunk flexion. RESULTS Decreased eccentric strength of the hip external rotators and abductors was significantly correlated to increased frontal plane motion at the hip and trunk, respectively (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Based on these findings, eccentric strengthening exercises for the hip musculature may be an important component for clinicians to include when rehabilitating individuals with PFP who display increased frontal plane motion at the hip and trunk. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2b.
Cisplatin in combination with either gemcitabine or irinotecan in carcinomas of unknown primary site: results of a randomized phase II study--trial for the French Study Group on Carcinomas of Unknown Primary (GEFCAPI 01).

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of novel chemotherapy combinations including cisplatin with gemcitabine (GC) or irinotecan (IC) for patients with carcinomas of an unknown primary site. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eighty patients were randomly assigned to receive GC or IC. In the GC arm, chemotherapy consisted of cycles combining gemcitabine 1,250 mg/m2 intravenously (IV) on days 1 and 8, and cisplatin 100 mg/m2 IV on day 1 at 3-week intervals. Patients in the IC arm originally received 3-week cycles of irinotecan 200 mg/m2 IV on day 1 and cisplatin 80 mg/m2 IV on day 1. After the inclusion of 15 patients in that arm, the toxicity profile required the irinotecan doses to be reduced to 150 mg/m2 per cycle. Independent histologic and radiologic reviews were done. RESULTS A total of 78 patients were assessable for efficacy and toxicity. The median number of cycles was four in each arm. Objective responses were observed in 21 patients (55%) in the GC arm (95% CI, 34% to 66%) and in 15 patients (38%) in the IC arm (95% CI, 23% to 54%). Treatment had to be stopped because of toxicity in seven patients in the GC arm and in eight patients in the IC arm. With a median follow-up of 22 months, the median survivals were 8 and 6 months in the GC and IC arms, respectively. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the activity of both the GC and IC regimens. There was toxicity associated with both regimens. Additional studies of combination chemotherapy regimens are required.
Impact of Smoking on Serum Immunoglobulin G Levels in Patients with Periodontitis

Tobacco smoking has been found to be a major environmental factor associated with generalized forms of severe periodontitis. Altered serum and gingival crevicular fluid inflammatory cytokine profiles, immune cell function, and altered proteolytic regulations are noticed in smokers. These observations are not consistent, and to date, there has been no clear mechanism to explain how smoking may affect periodontal disease. Hence, the present study was undertaken to assess the impact of smoking on serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels in smokers with periodontitis and its potential role as a risk indicator of the disease process. 40 subjects (15 smokers and 15 non-smokers with chronic periodontitis, 10 healthy controls) were included in the study. Smoking history was assessed according to a standardized interview and a questionnaire, Fagerstom Test for Nicotine Dependence. Serum immunoglobulin IgG was estimated with immunoturbidimetric assay. IgG levels were significantly decreased with longer duration of smoking. In addition levels of serum IgG were significantly lower in smokers compared to non-smokers with chronic periodontitis and healthy controls (P < 0.001). Current observations indicate that cigarette smoking may be associated with the suppression of B-cell function and immunoglobulin production. The alteration of antibody levels further explains the potential mechanism by which smoking exacerbates periodontal disease. Further studies at the molecular level may highlight the specific mechanism by which tobacco can interact with cells of the immune system and its impact on periodontal disease process. Additional controlled, longitudinal studies may expound the significance of serum antibodies as potential markers for periodontal disease.
Practice doesn't make perfect

In order for feedback from a colleague to be meaningful, your co-worker has to know what kind of feedback you want. Are you asking for feedback on your content, your delivery, your visuals or your engagement with your audience? The mistake many presenters make is to ask for feedback after their presentation. Ahead of your presentation define the kind of feedback you want. That way, the person can take notes as you speak. The more specific you are, the more meaningful your feedback will be. If you simply say, “Tell me how I did,” your observer is likely to default to saying, “Good job. ” If you say, “Please count the number of ums and ahs you hear because I want to see if I have made progress in that area,” your colleague will be able to offer you good insights.
Gold-nanobeacons for gene therapy: evaluation of genotoxicity, cell toxicity and proteome profiling analysis

Abstract Antisense therapy is a powerful tool for post-transcriptional gene silencing suitable for down-regulating target genes associated to disease. Gold nanoparticles have been described as effective intracellular delivery vehicles for antisense oligonucleotides providing increased protection against nucleases and targeting capability via simple surface modification. We constructed an antisense gold-nanobeacon consisting of a stem-looped oligonucleotide double-labelled with 3′-Cy3 and 5′-Thiol-C6 and tested for the effective blocking of gene expression in colorectal cancer cells. Due to the beacon conformation, gene silencing was directly detected as fluorescence increases with hybridisation to target, which can be used to assess the level of silencing. Moreover, this system was extensively evaluated for the genotoxic, cytotoxic and proteomic effects of gold-nanobeacon exposure to cancer cells. The exposure was evaluated by two-dimensional protein electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry to perform a proteomic profile and 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-Yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay, glutathione-S-transferase assay, micronucleus test and comet assay to assess the genotoxicity. This integrated toxicology evaluation showed that the proposed nanotheranostics strategy does not exhibit significant toxicity, which is extremely relevant when translating into in vivo systems.
Intestinal calcium absorption in the aged rat: evidence of intestinal resistance to 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D.

We investigated the role of circulating 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH)2D) and intestinal resistance to 1,25(OH)2D in the diminished intestinal calcium absorption capacity of the senescent rat. We measured plasma 1,25(OH)2D, total and unoccupied duodenal vitamin D receptor, duodenal calbindin D9k protein (calbindin D), and net dietary calcium absorption in rats at several ages. As expected, circulating 1,25(OH)2D, calbindin D, and net calcium absorption decreased with age. However, no age-related changes were evident in intestinal vitamin D receptor levels. We then measured duodenal calcium absorption from in situ intestinal loops after continuous s.c. infusion of 1,25(OH)2D for up to 6 days and found that despite a marked elevation of plasma 1,25(OH)2D duodenal calcium absorption was significantly lower in old compared with young rats. To assess calcium absorption over a wide physiological range of plasma 1,25(OH)2D, in a dose-response study we altered plasma 1,25(OH)2D by continuous infusion of 1,25(OH)2D (at 0, 4, or 14 ng/100 g BW/day) for 9 days. We found that the slope of the linear regression between plasma 1,25(OH)2D and duodenal Ca transport in old rats was only 46% of that observed in young rats, suggesting an age-related resistance of the duodenal calcium transport process to the hormonal action of 1,25(OH)2D. Collectively, our observations suggest a dual defect in vitamin D metabolism in old animals: one defect related to the low circulating levels of 1,25(OH)2D and a second defect related to a relative intestinal resistance to the action of 1,25(OH)2D, which is apparently not due to a reduction in intestinal vitamin D receptor levels.
POLYCYTHAEMIA ASSOCIATED WITH LEIOMYOMA OF THE UTERUS

THE following report of torsion of a pregnant Fallopian tube is presented because we have not found any report in the literature of the last twenty years of such a case which was proved histologically. Blair (1962) reported a case associated with tubal pregnancy but without histological proof. A married housewife, aged 41, who had 2 children, was admitted on 6th June, 1966, complaining of abdominal pain of six days duration. Two hours prior to admission she experienced a severe crampy pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. The patient had nausea but did not vomit. She had had right lower abdomen pain for several weeks, but there was no other significant history of illness. Her menses occurred every 28 days and lasted 4 days and the last regular period started on 5th March, 1966. Irregular bleeding began on 1st June and lasted until admission. The temperature was then 37.4" C. , pulse 120 per minute, blood pressure 120/80 mm. Hg. A white blood count was normal. The chest, heart and lungs were normal. The abdomen was diffusely tender in the right lower quadrant and showed signs of peritonea1 irritation. On vaginal examination the uterus was found to be normal in size and position, and to the right side there was a tender tumour measuring 8 x 6 x 6 cm. A diagnosis of either tubal pregnancy or a torsion of an ovarian cyst was made and the abdomen was opened under general anaesthesia. The right salpinx was twisted upon itself, from the right to the left and was of greyish-black colour. It was enlarged and filled with haemorrhagic fluid. The right ovary was normal and contained a corpus luteum. Right salpingectomy was performed. Recovery was uneventful.