Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuromuscular and sensory disturbances in patients with well treated coeliac disease

Objectives: A body of evidence shows that coeliac disease is associated with protean manifestations outside the intestine, and neurological disorders are well recognised. However, it remains obscure whether there are signs of clinical or subclinical nervous system involvement even in patients adopting an adequate gluten free diet. The aim of this study was to assess in a controlled study whether patients with treated coeliac disease carry an increased risk for neuropathy and characterise the type of possible neuropathy. Methods: Electroneuromyographic findings and vibration, thermal, and tactile thresholds of 26 patients with coeliac disease and 23 patients with reflux disease were analysed. Results: Six (23.1 %) coeliac disease patients and one (4.3 %) reflux disease patient showed findings of chronic axonal neuropathy in quantitative needle EMG. In addition, two coeliac disease patients showed findings suggestive for myopathy. There were no significant differences in warm, cold, or vibration thresholds between the groups but means of heat pain thresholds and tactile thresholds were significantly higher in coeliac patients than in controls. Conclusion: An increased occurrence of axonal neuropathy was observed in well treated coeliac disease. This further indicates that neurological manifestations occur even in patients without overt malaborption.
Functional segmentation of the brain cortex using high model order group-PICA.

Baseline activity of resting state brain networks (RSN) in a resting subject has become one of the fastest growing research topics in neuroimaging. It has been shown that up to 12 RSNs can be differentiated using an independent component analysis (ICA) of the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) resting state data. In this study, we investigate how many RSN signal sources can be separated from the entire brain cortex using high dimension ICA analysis from a group dataset. Group data from 55 subjects was analyzed using temporal concatenation and a probabilistic independent component analysis algorithm. ICA repeatability testing verified that 60 of the 70 computed components were robustly detectable. Forty‐two independent signal sources were identifiable as RSN, and 28 were related to artifacts or other noninterest sources (non‐RSN). The depicted RSNs bore a closer match to functional neuroanatomy than the previously reported RSN components. The non‐RSN sources have significantly lower temporal intersource connectivity than the RSN (P < 0.0003). We conclude that the high model order ICA of the group BOLD data enables functional segmentation of the brain cortex. The method enables new approaches to causality and connectivity analysis with more specific anatomical details. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of lyophilized Azadirachta indica leaf powder on biochemical parameters of testis and epididymis in albino rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of lyophilized A. indica leaf extract (125, 250 and 375 mg in suspension of 1 mL Propylene Glycol, respectively / kg body weight) on androgen-dependent biochemical parameters such as cholesterol and glycogen in the testis, total protein, total free sugar, enzymes like acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the testis and epididymis of both control and treated groups. Results indicated no significant difference in their body weight. However, testis and epididymis showed a significant decrease in their weights. The biochemical analysis showed a general decrease in the total protein content and the activity of ACP and, an increase in the total free sugar, glycogen, cholesterol contents and the activities of ALP and LDH in the dose-dependent treated rats. Since it is known that the accumulation of cholesterol and glycogen in the testis and epididymis are indicators of androgen deprivation. In this study such effects may have resulted from the deficiency in the level of circulating androgen, probably due to androgen deficiency resulting to the anti-androgenic property of the carbohydrate-rich nature of lyophilized A. indica leaf extract. © 2010 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved. Keywords: Lyophilized A. indica leaf extract, Testis, Epididymis, Biochemical parameters, Albino rats.
Natalizumab Therapy for Moderate to Severe Crohn Disease in Adolescents

Objectives:This study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of natalizumab, a humanized monoclonal immunoglobulin-G4 antibody to α4 integrin, in adolescent patients with moderately to severely active Crohn disease (CD). Patients and Methods:In a single-arm study, 38 adolescent patients (ages 12–17 y) with active CD (Pediatric Crohn Disease Activity Index [PCDAI] >30) received 3 intravenous infusions of natalizumab (3 mg/kg) at 0, 4 and 8 weeks. The primary analysis was safety, assessed by adverse events, laboratory results, and vital signs. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic measurements and formation of anti-natalizumab antibodies also were analyzed. Efficacy outcomes were assessed by changes in PCDAI, quality of life (IMPACT III), and levels of C-reactive protein and serum albumin. Results:Thirty-one patients (82%) received 3 natalizumab infusions. The most common adverse events were headache (26%), pyrexia (21%) and CD exacerbation (24%). Clinical response (≥15-point decrease from baseline PCDAI) and remission (PCDAI ≤10) rates were greatest at week 10 (55% and 29%, respectively). Three patients (8%) tested positive for anti-natalizumab antibodies. The peak level (61.0 and 66.3 μg/mL) and half-life (92.3 and 96.3 h) of natalizumab were comparable after the first and third infusions. Mean α4 integrin receptor saturation was 93% at 2 hours and <40% at 4 weeks after the first and third infusions. Increase from baseline in circulating lymphocytes ranged from 106% to 122% at 2 weeks and 45% to 65% at 4 weeks after each infusion. Conclusion:Natalizumab (3 mg/kg) was well tolerated in these adolescent patients with active CD, with a safety and efficacy profile similar to that of adult natalizumab-treated CD patients. Future studies should evaluate long-term safety and efficacy.
Thermal injury induces thymocyte apoptosis in the rat.

BACKGROUND The thymus plays important roles in host defense, which may be impaired after burn injury. The effects of thermal injury on thymocytes were investigated in male Wistar rats. METHODS Changes in thymus weight and content of glutathione and corticosterone were determined after burn injury. Apoptosis of thymocytes was detected by electrophoresis of DNA, and lymphocyte subsets were characterized by flow cytometry. The effects of adrenalectomy and the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU486 in burned animals were also studied. RESULTS The weight of the thymus decreased progressively after burn injury, and this effect was accompanied by increases in the corticosterone concentration in plasma and the thymus and apoptosis of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes. Administration of RU486 or adrenalectomy inhibited burn-induced thymocyte apoptosis. CONCLUSION Thermal injury increases the corticosterone concentration in plasma and the thymus and triggers thymocyte apoptosis.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx: Single-institution outcome analysis of a large cohort of patients treated with primary non-surgical approaches

Introduction. Hypopharyngeal cancers have extensive submucosal spread, high risk of nodal involvement and relatively high propensity of distant metastases. Contemporary paradigms for hypopharyngeal cancers aim to maximize loco-regional control while attempting to preserve laryngo-pharyngeal form and function. Aims. To retrospectively review outcome of large cohort of patients with hypopharyngeal cancers treated with curative intent radiotherapy with or without systemic chemotherapy in an academic tertiary referral centre. Material and methods. Medical records of patients with hypopharyneal cancers treated with primary non-surgical approaches over a 15-year period were reviewed retrospectively. Loco-regional control (LRC) and disease-free survival (DFS) were considered as outcome measures. Results. Electronic search of database identified 501 patients with hypopharyngeal cancers treated with definitive radiotherapy. The median age was 55 years (range 20–87 years) and median radiotherapy dose 70 Gy (range 5.4–72 Gy). With a mean follow-up period of 22 months (median 12 months), the 3-year LRC and DFS was 47.1% and 40.9% respectively. Stage (T-stage, N-stage, overall stage grouping), and age influenced outcome significantly. The 3-year LRC for T1-T2 disease was 49.7% versus 43.1% for T3-T4 stage (p = 0.056). The 3-year DFS was 49.4% and 36.9% respectively (p = 0.014). The 3-year LRC and DFS for N0; N1; and N2-3 disease was 57.3% & 54.3%; 40.5% & 35.3%; and 33% & 27% respectively with highly significant p-values. Conclusion. This is an outcome analysis of the largest cohort of patients with hypopharyngeal cancers managed with primary non-surgical approaches. Stage and age remain the most important determinants of outcome.
Impact of melt ponds on Arctic sea ice simulations from 1990 to 2007

[1] The extent and thickness of the Arctic sea ice cover has decreased dramatically in the past few decades with minima in sea ice extent in September 2007 and 2011 and climate models did not predict this decline. One of the processes poorly represented in sea ice models is the formation and evolution of melt ponds. Melt ponds form on Arctic sea ice during the melting season and their presence affects the heat and mass balances of the ice cover, mainly by decreasing the value of the surface albedo by up to 20%. We have developed a melt pond model suitable for forecasting the presence of melt ponds based on sea ice conditions. This model has been incorporated into the Los Alamos CICE sea ice model, the sea ice component of several IPCC climate models. Simulations for the period 1990 to 2007 are in good agreement with observed ice concentration. In comparison to simulations without ponds, the September ice volume is nearly 40% lower. Sensitivity studies within the range of uncertainty reveal that, of the parameters pertinent to the present melt pond parameterization and for our prescribed atmospheric and oceanic forcing, variations of optical properties and the amount of snowfall have the strongest impact on sea ice extent and volume. We conclude that melt ponds will play an increasingly important role in the melting of the Arctic ice cover and their incorporation in the sea ice component of Global Circulation Models is essential for accurate future sea ice forecasts.
Adolescents’ Daily Perception of Internalizing Emotional States by Means of Smartphone-based Ecological Momentary Assessment

Abstract This study uses ecological momentary assessment (EMA) with smartphone devices to examine community adolescents’ perceptions regarding both the intensity of and variability in their daily sadness/depression, anxiety, and somatic problems over the period of one week. Participants were 90 high-school students (M age = 14.61, SD = 1.64; range 12–18). The sample was divided according to gender (61.1% girls), migratory status (68.5% Spanish nationals and 31.5% Latin American immigrants), and level of psychological symptoms (17% risk group). Sadness/depression, anxiety, and somatic problems were examined using a smartphone app, five times per day, semi-randomly, for seven days (35 possible moments). A high proportion of adolescents did not report feelings of sadness (80.0%) or worry (79.3%) or physical symptoms on a daily basis (84.9%). Girls and the risk group reported greater intensity levels for the three analyzed problems than did boys and the normal group, respectively (p < .001 in all cases). Migratory status was not associated with any significant differences in the analyzed problems over the one-week period (p > .05 in all cases). Day-to-day fluctuations in mood during the week were statistically significant but not meaningful (b = 0.0004, 95% CI [0.0001, 0.0008], p = .001).
Evaluation of Heating and Shearing on the Viscoelastic Properties of Calcium Hydroxyapatite Used in Injection Laryngoplasty

Objective To compare the viscoelastic properties of calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) to carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) injectables used for injection laryngoplasty and determine if they are affected by heating and shearing. Study Design Experimental. Setting University laboratory. Subjects and Methods Vocal fold injection laryngoplasty with CaHA is oftentimes challenging due to the amount of pressure necessary to push the injectate through a needle. Anecdotal techniques, such as heating the product, have been suggested to facilitate injection. The viscoelastic properties of CaHA and CMC were measured with a rheometer. The effects of heating and shearing on sample viscoelasticity were recorded. Results CaHA was 9.5 times more viscous than CMC (43,100 vs 4540 Pa·s). Heating temporarily decreased the viscosity of CaHA by 32%. However, it also caused the viscosity to subsequently increase after time. Shearing of CaHA reduced its viscosity by 26%. Heating and shearing together temporarily reduced the viscosity of CaHA by 52%. Conclusion A combination of heating and shearing had a more profound effect than heating or shearing alone on the viscosity of CaHA, potentially making it easier to inject temporarily. Long-term and in vivo studies are required to further analyze the effect of heating and shearing on CaHA injectables.
The Level of Carcinoembryonic Antigen and the Presence of Mucin as Predictors of Cystic Pancreatic Mucinous Neoplasia

Objectives: Characterization of pancreatic cysts using endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration includes cytological interpretation and chemical analysis. We prospectively analyzed the contribution of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytological identification of extracellular mucin as predictors of mucinous neoplasia and malignancy. Methods: From January 2003 to October 2005, all patients referred to the University of Virginia with cystic lesions of the pancreas underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration with cytological evaluation and CEA level analysis. Data were collected prospectively and confirmed by resection or tissue biopsy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed on the following variables with regard to their ability to predict mucinous neoplasia: age (<55 or >55 years), sex, CEA level (<300 or >300 ng/mL), and cytological appreciation of extracellular mucin (positive or negative). P values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: A total of 43 patients were included in this study. There were 19 men and 24 women with a mean age of 63 ± 14 years. The only complication was pancreatitis secondary to cyst leak in one patient. Multivariate analysis confirmed CEA level greater than 300 ng/mL (P= 0.007) and the identification of mucin (P < 0.001) as significant predictors. Conclusions: With pancreatic cyst fluid analysis, the strongest predictor of mucinous neoplasia is the presence of identifiable mucin, followed by a CEA level greater than 300 ng/mL. The workup of cystic lesions of the pancreas should include chemical analysis for the CEA level and cytological examination with particular attention to extracellular mucin.
RyR1-mediated Ca2+ Leak and Ca2+ Entry Determine Resting Intracellular Ca2+ in Skeletal Myotubes*

The control of resting free Ca2+ in skeletal muscle is thought to be a balance of channels, pumps, and exchangers in both the sarcolemma and sarcoplasmic reticulum. We explored these mechanisms using pharmacologic and molecular perturbations of genetically engineered (dyspedic) muscle cells that constitutively lack expression of the skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release channels, RyR1 and RyR3. We demonstrate here that expression of RyR1 is responsible for more than half of total resting Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]rest) measured in wild type cells. The elevated [Ca2+]rest in RyR1-expressing cells is not a result of active gating of the RyR1 channel but instead is accounted for by the RyR1 ryanodine-insensitive Ca2+ leak conformation. In addition, we demonstrate that basal sarcolemmal Ca2+ influx is also governed by RyR1 expression and contributes in the regulation of [Ca2+]rest in skeletal myotubes.
Assessment of capacity for myoelectric control: a new Rasch-built measure of prosthetic hand control.

OBJECTIVE To report the results from a Rasch rating scale analysis of the Assessment of Capacity for Myoelectric Control (ACMC) implemented to evaluate internal scale validity, person response validity, separation reliability, targeting and responsiveness of the measures over time. DESIGN Longitudinal data (18 months) from a prospective study of development of capacity for myoelectric control in children and adults were used for the analysis. PATIENTS A consecutive sample of 75 subjects (43 males, 32 females) with upper limb reduction deficiency or amputation and myoelectric prosthetic hands referred for occupational therapy from September 2000 to March 2002. Participants' ages ranged from 2 to 57 years. METHODS Outcome measure was the ACMC. Occupational therapists completed 210 assessments at an arm prosthesis centre in Sweden. A two-faceted rating scale analysis of the data was performed. RESULTS All 30 ACMC items and 96.2% of participants demonstrated goodness-of-fit to the rating scale model for the ACMC. Separation and SE values suggested adequate reliability of the item and person estimates. CONCLUSION The items demonstrated internal scale validity and the participants demonstrated person response validity. The ACMC was well targeted and sensitive enough to detect expected change in ability.
HLA‐DPB1 DNA POLYMORPHISM IN THE SWISS POPULATION: LINKAGE DISEQUILIBRIUM WITH OTHER HLA LOCI AND POPULATION GENETIC AFFINITIES

Allelic diversity at the HLA‐DPB1 locus was determined by PCR‐oligotyping in a sample of 125 healthy Swiss individuals. A total of 17 alleles were detected among which four main alleles (DPB 1*0401, *0201, *0301, *0402) reached a cumulative frequency of 74.8%. HLA‐A and ‐B (by serology) and HLA‐DRB1 (by oligotyping) allelic polymorphisms were analysed also. HLA‐B and HLA‐DRB1 loci were highly polymorphic with 25 and 28 alleles respectively and similar heterozygosity levels of 0.93 and 0.92. These two loci were found to be more polymorphic than expected under neutrality, while lower heterozygosity levels were found for HLA‐A (0.87) and DPB1 (0.81) loci. This paper presents also a global comparison of DPB1 allelic frequencies among 15 populations from four continents. As opposed to the DRB1 locus, overall DPB1 is shown to have a lower level of polymorphism and may be considered as neutral in all tested populations. DPB 1 genetic diversity is correlated significantly with geography also, as found previously for DRB1. Two‐ and four‐locus haplotype frequencies were determined and the significance of their linkage disequilibrium tested by an original non‐parametric method. A significant positive linkage disequilibrium was found for 11 A‐B, 16 B‐DRB1, 7 DRB1‐DPB1 and 3 A‐B‐DRB1‐DPB1 haplotypes. The overall linkage disequilibrium between DRB1 and DPB1 was much lower than expected from the physical distance and lower than for A‐B and B‐DRB1 pairs. The implications of these results for bone marrow transplantation and for the evolution of HLA loci are discussed.
Beneficial pharmacological effects of selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist in external eye diseases.

PURPOSE Glucocorticoids exert their actions via the glucocorticoid receptor through at least 2 intracellular mechanisms, known as transrepression and transactivation. It has been hypothesized that transrepression is the basis of their anti-inflammatory effects, whereas transactivation has been assumed to cause their side effects. ZK209614, a recently identified, novel selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist, exerts strong transrepression and weak transactivation. The objective of this study was to determine whether its pharmacological effects can be dissociated from its side effects. For this, we employed in vitro assays and topical in vivo models. METHODS ZK209614 and dexamethasone were used in in vitro transrepression and transactivation assays. To evaluate anti-inflammatory and antiallergic activities in vivo, ZK209614 and betamethasone phosphate were tested in the carrageenan-induced conjunctivitis model and allergic conjunctivitis model in rats. To evaluate side effects in vivo, treatments with ZK209614 and betamethasone phosphate were tested for the ocular hypertensive effects in a feline model, each drug being administered topically. RESULTS ZK209614 showed strong transrepression and weak transactivation in the in vitro assays. When given as eyedrops, ZK209614 and betamethasone phosphate each had an inhibitory effect on edema weight in the rat carrageenan-induced conjunctivitis model. In the rat allergic conjunctivitis model, ZK209614 reduced the elevated vascular permeability at a concentration of 0.1%. In the feline intraocular pressure (IOP)-elevation experiment, topically administered betamethasone phosphate elevated IOP, but ZK209614 had no effect on IOP. CONCLUSION The present investigations suggest that ZK209614 eyedrops have both anti-inflammatory and antiallergic effects, but no unwanted IOP-elevating effect. On that basis, ZK209614 might be a promising candidate as an ophthalmic drug with a better therapeutic index than classic glucocorticoids.
Changes in need satisfaction and motivation orientation as predictors of psychological and behavioural outcomes in exercise referral

Employing Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985) as a theoretical framework, this study examined psychological need satisfaction and motivational regulations as predictors of psychological and behavioural outcomes in exercise referral (ER). ER patients (N = 293; mean age 54.49) completed the measures of motivational regulations, psychological need satisfaction, health-related quality of life, life satisfaction, anxiety, depression and physical activity at entry, exit and 6 months following the end of a supervised exercise programme. Change in (Δ) intrinsic motivation during the scheme significantly predicted adherence and Δ habitual physical activity. Δ psychological need satisfaction from entry to exit significantly predicted Δ habitual physical activity from exit to 6-month follow-up. Δ psychological need satisfaction significantly predicted Δ motivational regulation and Δ psychological outcomes. Contrary to expectations, Δ self-determined regulation did not significantly predict Δ psychological outcomes during the structured part of the scheme, however, it did significantly predict Δ in psychological outcomes from exit to 6-month follow-up. These findings expand on cross-sectional research to demonstrate that psychological need satisfaction during supervised ER longitudinally predicts motivational regulation and psychological outcomes up to 6 months after a structured programme.
Chloramphenicol, food safety and precautionary thinking in Europe

The authors evaluate the precautionary zero-tolerance levelapproach to toxins in food from different perspectives, contendingthat as part of insuring food safety the precautionary principle ishighly paradoxical and counterproductive. The chloramphenicolcase is here examined: availability biases, probability and systemneglect in the application of the principle together with theregulatory ‘moral free rider’ dilemma are discussed. The authorsconclude that the precautionary principle needs to be discardedfrom food safety regulations as it dramatically compounds the issueof risk and could moreover result in unlawful food safety regulations.