Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Three‐dimensional multiplanar sonohysterography: comparison with conventional two‐dimensional sonohysterography and X‐ray hysterosalpingography.

The objective of this study was to assess the value of combining transvaginal sonohysterography with three‐dimensional multiplanar ultrasonography to optimize assessment of the uterus. To make this assessment, we compared findings on three‐dimensional sonohysterography with those on two‐dimensional sonohysterography and X‐ray hysterosalpingography. Of 20 women who underwent three‐dimensional sonohysterography for various indications, 13 also underwent two‐dimensional sonohysterography, and 12 had X‐ray hysterosalpingography. We reviewed the 3 types of examinations separately and compared the standard techniques with three‐dimensional sonohysterography to determine whether three‐dimensional sonohysterography provided additional information. In 9 (69%) of 13 comparisons between three‐dimensional sonohysterography and two‐dimensional sonohysterography and in 11 (92%) of 12 comparisons between three‐dimensional sonohysterography and X‐ray hysterosalpingography, three‐dimensional sonohysterography was advantageous. The coronal plane was most useful for displaying the relationship between lesions and the uterine cavity. Three‐dimensional sonohysterography provided additional information compared with standard accepted techniques in the vast majority of women.
Ovariectomy‐Induced Bone Loss Varies Among Inbred Strains of Mice

There is a subset of women who experience particularly rapid bone loss during and after the menopause. However, the factors that lead to this enhanced bone loss remain obscure. We show that patterns of bone loss after ovariectomy vary among inbred strains of mice, providing evidence that there may be genetic regulation of bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency.
Determination of optimal non‐invasive patient fixation methods for use in robotic hip replacement surgery—an in vitro study

A robotic system for the implantation of a total hip arthroplasty (THA) is currently under development. One of the goals of this system is non‐invasive patient fixation, aiding the robotic system by an infrared tracking system. To determine the extent of fixation that can be achieved by non‐invasive methods, an in vitro study was performed.
Phosphorous acid residues in apples after foliar fertilization: Results of field trials

The levels of phosphorous acid residues in apples after foliar fertilization with P fertilizers and after treatment with a phosphonate fungicide (Fosetyl-Al) were determined and compared. Two field trials and a glasshouse experiment, using different genotypes and plants of different age, were carried out and monitored over a three-year period. Phosphorous acid residues were found in apples after application of foliar P fertilizers. Concentrations of the residues ranged between 0.02 and 14 mg kg−1 depending on the phosphorous acid content in the fertilizer used and the plant size and yield. The treatments induced an accumulation of the residue in the course of the experiments, which in some cases reached a level exceeding the maximum limit set by EU legislation. Residues were also detected in other plant organs, i.e., roots and buds. Plants treated with Fosetyl-Al contained phosphorous acid residues in their fruits and buds two years after the suspension of the treatment, suggesting a long-term persistence of the substance in plant storage organs. A second experiment, involving treatment of trees with seven foliar fertilizers of different composition, also induced accumulation of phosphorous acid residues in fruits. It is concluded that a wide array of foliar products containing phosphorous acid, even as a minor component, could mimic the residue effect of phosphonate fungicide treatments.
Predictors of anticoagulation quality in 15 834 patients performing patient self‐management of oral anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists in real‐life practice: a survey of the International Self‐Monitoring Association of Orally Anticoagulated Patients

Although patient self‐management (PSM) of oral anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists is recommended for patients requiring long‐term anticoagulation, important aspects are still unclear. Using data from a large international survey (n = 15 834; median age 72 years; 30·1% female), we studied predictors of poor anticoagulation control (percentage of International Normalized Ratio values within therapeutic range below 75%) and developed a simple prediction model. The following variables were identified as risk factors for poor anticoagulation control and included in the final model: higher intensity of therapeutic range (odds ratio [OR] on every level 1·9; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1·8–2·0), long intervals between measurements (>14 d; 1·5; 95% CI 1·3–1·7), female sex (OR 1·3; 95% CI 1·2–1·4), and management other than PSM (OR 1·4; 95% CI 1·2–1·6). At a threshold of 0·2 (at least one variable present), the model predicted poor anticoagulation control with a sensitivity of 85·3% (95% CI: 84·0, 86·4) and a specificity of 28·5% (27·6, 29·5). The area under the receiver operated characteristic curve was 0·65. Using the proposed prediction model, physicians will be able to identify patients with a low chance of performing well, considering additional training, regular follow‐up, or adjustment of therapeutic ranges.
The Dual Function of the Polybasic Juxtamembrane Region of Syntaxin 1A in Clamping Spontaneous Release and Stimulating Ca2+-Triggered Release in Neuroendocrine Cells

The exact function of the polybasic juxtamembrane region (5RK) of the plasma membrane neuronal SNARE, syntaxin 1A (Syx), in vesicle exocytosis, although widely studied, is currently not clear. Here, we addressed the role of 5RK in Ca2+-triggered release, using our Syx-based intramolecular fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) probe, which previously allowed us to resolve a depolarization-induced Ca2+-dependent close-to-open transition (CDO) of Syx that occurs concomitant with evoked release, both in PC12 cells and hippocampal neurons and was abolished upon charge neutralization of 5RK. First, using dynamic FRET analysis in PC12 cells, we show that CDO occurs following assembly of SNARE complexes that include the vesicular SNARE, synaptobrevin 2, and that the participation of 5RK in CDO goes beyond its participation in the final zippering of the complex, because mutations of residues adjacent to 5RK, believed to be crucial for final zippering, do not abolish this transition. In addition, we show that CDO is contingent on membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), which is fundamental for maintaining regulated exocytosis, as depletion of membranal PIP2 abolishes CDO. Prompted by these results, which underscore a potentially significant role of 5RK in exocytosis, we next amperometrically analyzed catecholamine release from PC12 cells, revealing that charge neutralization of 5RK promotes spontaneous and inhibits Ca2+-triggered release events. Namely, 5RK acts as a fusion clamp, making release dependent on stimulation by Ca2+. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Syntaxin 1A (Syx) is a central protein component of the SNARE complex, which underlies neurotransmitter release. Although widely studied in relation to its participation in SNARE complex formation and its interaction with phosphoinositides, the function of Syx's polybasic juxtamembrane region (5RK) remains unclear. Previously, we showed that a conformational transition of Syx, related to calcium-triggered release, reported by a Syx-based FRET probe, is abolished upon charge neutralization of 5RK (5RK/A). Here we show that this conformational transition is dependent on phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) and is related to SNARE complex formation. Subsequently, we show that the 5RK/A mutation enhances spontaneous release and inhibits calcium-triggered release in neuroendocrine cells, indicating a previously unrecognized role of 5RK in neurotransmitter release.
DATE analysis: A general theory of biological change applied to microarray data

In contrast to conventional data mining, which searches for specific subsets of genes (extensive variables) to correlate with specific phenotypes, DATE analysis correlates intensive state variables calculated from the same datasets. At the heart of DATE analysis are two biological equations of state not dependent on genetic pathways. This result distinguishes DATE analysis from other bioinformatics approaches. The dimensionless state variable F quantifies the relative overall cellular activity of test cells compared to well‐chosen reference cells. The variable πi is the fold‐change in the expression of the ith gene of test cells relative to reference. It is the fraction ϕ of the genome undergoing differential expression—not the magnitude π—that controls biological change. The state variable ϕ is equivalent to the control strength of metabolic control analysis. For tractability, DATE analysis assumes a linear system of enzyme‐connected networks and exploits the small average contribution of each cellular component. This approach was validated by reproducible values of the state variables F, RNA index, and ϕ calculated from random subsets of transcript microarray data. Using published microarray data, F, RNA index, and ϕ were correlated with: (1) the blood‐feeding cycle of the malaria parasite, (2) embryonic development of the fruit fly, (3) temperature adaptation of Killifish, (4) exponential growth of cultured S. pneumoniae, and (5) human cancers. DATE analysis was applied to aCGH data from the great apes. A good example of the power of DATE analysis is its application to genomically unstable cancers, which have been refractory to data mining strategies. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 2009
Reproducibility and Accuracy of Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Techniques of Whole‐Brain Atrophy Measurement in Multiple Sclerosis

Background and Purpose. Whole‐brain atrophy is of growing interest as an outcome measure in multiple sclerosis (MS) clinical trials. The authors compared the reproducibility and accuracy of 3 quantitative techniques of measurement in patients with MS. Methods. Thirty‐four patients with relapsing‐remitting MS (median Expanded Disability Status Scale disability score = 1.5) were studied. Brain parenchymal fraction (BPF) was quantified on spin‐echo 2‐dimensional T1‐weighted axial 5‐mm slice thickness sequences by semiautomated (Buffalo, Trieste) or automated (SIENAX) algorithms. Results. Mean ± SD BPFs were 0.830 ± 0.04 with Buffalo, 0.824 ± 0.04 with Trieste, and 0.826 ± 0.04 with SIENAX methods (P= nonsignificant [NS]). Mean BPF scan‐rescan coefficient of variation (COV) was 0.41% for Buffalo, 0.44% for Trieste, and 0.32% for SIENAX (P=NS). The semiautomated methods showed higher accuracy than the auto‐mated method in brain extraction (masking; P= .001). The errors of skull stripping included scalp, skull bone marrow, inferior parts of temporal lobes anterior to the brain stem, face structures, sagittal sinuses, eyes, and optic nerves. Buffalo (r=−0.37, P= .034) and Trieste (r=−.36, P= .039) BPFs showed stronger cor relation with disability than SIENAX (r=−0.16, P= .219). These differences were statistically significant (P= .0031 for Buffalo and P= .0037 for Trieste BPF). Conclusions. This study showed a high reproducibility of both semiautomated and automated methods for brain atrophy measurement. The semiautomated methods showed higher accuracy than the automated SIENAX method did in the evaluation of brain extraction, especially in infratentorial and cortical regions, where operator interaction dur ing the masking processes was essential.
Increase in Cytoplasmic Casein Kinase II‐Type Activity Accompanies Neurite Outgrowth After DNA Synthesis Inhibition in NIA‐103 Neuroblastoma Cells

Abstract: Whereas cells from most clonal lines derived from the murine neuroblastoma C1300 tumor can be induced to differentiate by serum withdrawal from culture medium, the NIA‐103 clonal cell line has been considered unable to extend axon‐like processes (neurites). Neurite growth depends on microtubule protein assembly, and although NIA‐103 cells have essentially the same amounts of microtubule‐associated protein (MAP)‐1B and the neuronal‐specific class β3‐tubulin isoform as other neuroblastoma cell lines, these proteins are not phosphorylated in NIA‐103 cells on serum withdrawal. The lack of microtubule protein phosphorylation may be due to the different sorting between the nucleus and the cytoplasm of the casein kinase II‐related enzyme that is possibly involved in the modification of microtubule proteins. It is interesting that addition of DNA synthesis inhibitors to serum‐starved NIA‐103 cell cultures induces an increase in the level of cytosolic casein kinase II, an augmented in situ phosphorylation of MAP‐1B, and the extension of neurites. Thus, the level of cytoplasmic casein kinase II appears to be controlled by the growth status of neuroblastoma cells. The shift to an increased cytoplasmic concentration of casein kinase II in nonproliferating, differentiating neuroblastoma cells is consistent with its putative role in the regulation of the cytoskeletal rearrangements underlying neuronal morphogenesis and plasticity.
Disparities in primary care for vulnerable children: the influence of multiple risk factors.

OBJECTIVES To analyze vulnerability as a profile of multiple risk factors for poor pediatric care based on race/ethnicity, poverty status, parent education, insurance, and language. Profiles are used to examine disparities in child/adolescent health status and primary care experience. DATA SOURCES Cross-sectional data on 19,485 children/adolescents 0-19 years of age from the 2001 California Health Interview Survey. STUDY DESIGN Multiple logistic regression models are used to examine risk profiles in relation to health status and three aspects of primary care: access (physician and dental visit; access surety), continuity (regular source of care), and comprehensiveness (i.e., health promotion counseling). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS About 43 percent of (or 4.4 million) children in California have two or more risk factors (RF). Controlling for age and gender, more RFs is associated with poorer health status (i.e. percent reporting "excellent/very good" health: no RFs=81 percent, 1=71 percent, 2=57 percent, 3=45 percent, 4=35 percent, 5=28 percent, all p<.001). Controlling for health status, higher risk profiles is associated with poorer primary care access and continuity, but greater comprehensiveness of care. For example, higher risk profile children are less likely to have a regular source of care: one RF (prevalence ratio [PR]=0.92, confidence interval [CI]: 0.86-0.98), two (PR=0.77, CI: 0.69-0.84), three (PR=0.55, CI: 0.46-0.65), and four or more (PR=0.31, CI: 0.22-0.44), all p<. 001. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates a dose-response relationship of higher risk profiles with poorer child health status, access to, and continuity of primary care. Having gained access, however, adolescents with higher risk profiles are more likely to receive health promotion counseling. Higher profiles appear to be associated with greater barriers to accessing primary care for children in "fair or poor" health, suggesting that vulnerable children who have the greatest health care needs also have the greatest difficulty obtaining primary care.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of psychiatric deinstitutionalization.

BACKGROUND The cost-effectiveness of the eventual deinstitutionalization of patients with severe and persistent mental disorders who are currently hospitalized in long-term care remains a controversial matter. METHODS A retrospective cohort of 96 pairs of psychiatric hospital patients with 1 member deinstitutionalized between 1989 and 1998 was followed up for nearly 10 years. All use of medical and social services was documented. Patients were evaluated at the start and end of the study on various clinical and social dimensions, as well as on quality of life. RESULTS On several dimensions, deinstitutionalized patients scored more positively than did those patients still hospitalized. The lower daily cost of living accommodations for deinstitutionalized patients easily offsets the cost of services required for treatment in the community. CONCLUSION Deinstitutionalization, as implemented in the hospital studied, remains for many patients a less costly option than continued hospitalization and is likely to improve their mental state and well-being.
A quantitative analysis of anaesthetist–patient communication during the pre‐operative visit

Previous communication research in general medical practice has shown that effective communication enhances patient compliance, satisfaction and medical outcome. It is expected that communication is equally important in anaesthesia, since patients often suffer from anxiety and lack of knowledge about anaesthetic procedures. However, little is known about the nature of communication during routine anaesthetic visits. The present study of 57 authentic anaesthetic visits provides the first results on the structure and content of communication in the pre‐operative setting using the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS). Patient‐centred communication behaviours of anaesthetists and the extent of patient involvement were particularly investigated. From the 57 pre‐operative visits, 18 267 utterances were coded. The mean (SD) [range] duration of the visit was 16.1 (7.8) [3.7–42.7] min. Anaesthetists provided 169 (68) and patients 153 (82) utterances per visit (53.5% vs. 46.5%). Physician and patient gender had no impact on the distribution of utterances and the duration of the visit. Conversation mainly focussed on biomedical issues with little psychosocial discussion (< 0.1% of all anaesthetist utterances). However, anaesthetists quite frequently used emotional comments toward patients (7%) and involved them in the conversation. The use of facilitators, open questions and emotional statements by the anaesthetist correlated with high patient involvement. The amount of patient participation in anaesthetic decisions was assessed with the Observing Patient Involvement Scale (OPTION). Compared with general practitioners, anaesthetists offered more opportunities to discuss treatment options (mean (SD) OPTION score 26.8 (16.8) vs. 16.8 (7.7)).
A Simple Truth Serums for Massively Crowdsourced Evaluation Tasks

We consider the problem of eliciting truthful responses from agents in the absence of any known answers. This class of problems, pioneered by the peer-prediction method and the Bayesian truth serum, is now quite well studied in the literature. In this paper we propose new mechanisms that, unlike most works on this topic, require no extraneous elicitation from the agents, and furthermore allow the agents’ beliefs to be (almost) arbitrary. Moreover, these mechanisms have the structure of output agreement mechanisms, which are simple, intuitive and have been quite popular in practice. These mechanisms operate under scenarios where the number of questions is large, and are suitable for most tasks in crowdsourcing and peer-grading.
Activation of the Ras/Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway by Kinase-Defective Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors Results in Cell Survival but Not Proliferation

ABSTRACT Signalling by the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) has been studied intensively, but for most cell types the analysis is complicated by the fact that EGFR not only homodimerizes but can also form heterodimers with other EGFR family members. Heterodimerization is a particular problem in the study of EGFR mutants, where the true phenotype of the mutants is confounded by the contribution of the heterodimer partner to signal transduction. We have made use of the murine hemopoietic cell line BaF/3, which does not express EGFR family members, to express wild-type (WT) EGFR, three kinase-defective EGFR mutants (V741G, Y740F, and K721R), or a C-terminally truncated EGFR (CT957) and have measured their responses to EGF. We found that under the appropriate conditions EGF can stimulate cell proliferation of BaF/3 cells expressing WT or CT957 EGFRs but not that of cells expressing the kinase-defective mutants. However, EGF promotes the survival of BaF/3 cells expressing either of the kinase-defective receptors (V741G and Y740F), indicating that these receptors can still transmit a survival signal. Analysis of the early signalling events by the WT, V741G, and Y740F mutant EGF receptors indicated that EGF stimulates comparable levels of Shc phosphorylation, Shc–GRB-2 association, and activation of Ras, B-Raf, and Erk-1. Blocking the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway with the specific inhibitor PD98059 abrogates completely the EGF-dependent survival of cells expressing the kinase-defective EGFR mutants but has no effect on the EGF-dependent proliferation mediated by WT and CT957 EGFRs. Similarly, the Src family kinase inhibitor PP1 abrogates EGF-dependent survival without affecting proliferation. However blocking phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase or JAK-2 kinase with specific inhibitors does arrest growth factor-dependent cell proliferation. Thus, EGFR-mediated mitogenic signalling in BaF/3 cells requires an intact EGFR tyrosine kinase activity and appears to depend on the activation of both the JAK-2 and PI-3 kinase pathways. Activation of the Src family of kinases or of the Ras/MAPK pathway can, however, be initiated by a kinase-impaired EGFR and is linked to survival.
Psychosocial Outcomes for Children With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Over Time and Compared With Obese Controls

Objectives: Children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) experience compromised quality of life (QOL) akin to those with other chronic disease. Our objectives were to examine the association between NAFLD and QOL as well as other psychosocial outcomes, to compare psychosocial outcomes to obese children without known NAFLD, and to determine whether present standard care for NAFLD results in weight loss and improvement in psychosocial outcomes longitudinally. Methods: Children with NAFLD between 8 and 18 years and obese control children without known NAFLD were consented to complete a brief psychosocial battery examining depression (Children's Depression Inventory), QOL (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory; PedsQL), and effect of weight on self-esteem (Body-Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults) at baseline; and additionally for the NAFLD group after at least 6 months. Results: A total of 48 children with NAFLD and 40 obese control children were enrolled. The PedsQL scores were not significantly different but the CDI total score and subscales of negative mood, ineffectiveness, and negative self-esteem as well as all of the 3 subscales of BESAA, appearance, attribution, and weight were worse in the NAFLD group compared with obese controls. The PedsQL scores also did not change after standard care in the 33 patients with NAFLD who completed the follow-up evaluations, but the CDI score differed between those whose body mass index improved or not. Conclusions: Children with NAFLD have higher levels of depression than obese controls. Outcomes did not improve with standard care. Larger longitudinal studies and appropriate interventions are required in this area.