Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fat-suppressed three-dimensional spoiled gradient-echo MR imaging of hyaline cartilage defects in the knee: comparison with standard MR imaging and arthroscopy.

OBJECTIVE The sensitivity of fat-suppressed three-dimensional spoiled gradient-echo (SPGR) images was compared with that of standard MR images for detecting hyaline cartilage defects of the knee, using arthroscopy as the standard of reference. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We assessed 114 consecutive patients for hyaline cartilage defects of the knee with both standard MR imaging sequences and a sagittal fat-suppressed three-dimensional SPGR sequence. Of these patients, 48 with meniscal or ligament injury, or persistent symptoms, underwent subsequent arthroscopy. The standard MR images and SPGR images of these 48 patients were then retrospectively analyzed for articular defects in a blinded fashion by two independent observers. Sensitivity, specificity, and intraobserver and interobserver agreement were determined for the different imaging techniques. RESULTS One fourth of the patients who went on to arthroscopy were shown to have isolated hyaline cartilage lesions that were clinically confused with meniscal tears and that were missed on the standard MR images. When looking at all surfaces combined for each reader, the SPGR imaging sequence had a significantly higher sensitivity than the standard MR imaging sequences for detecting hyaline cartilage defects (75-85% versus 29-38%, p < .001 for each comparison). When looking at individual surfaces for each reader, significant differences in sensitivity were shown for each surface except the trochlear and lateral tibial surfaces. We found no difference in specificity (97% versus 97%, p > .99). We also found that combined evaluation of standard MR and SPGR images gave no added diagnostic advantage (sensitivity, 86%; specificity, 97%; p > .42). Except for the lateral tibial surface, the study achieved excellent reproducibility among readings and between readers. CONCLUSION Fat-suppressed three-dimensional SPGR imaging is more sensitive than standard MR imaging for the detection of hyaline cartilage defects of the knee.
Killing of Chlamydia trachomatis by Novel Antimicrobial Lipids Adapted from Compounds in Human Breast Milk

ABSTRACT The development of new methods for prevention of sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis infection is a top public health priority. Topical self-administered vaginal microbicides represent one such approach in which the organism is eradicated at the time of initial exposure. To this end, we examined the activity of five synthetic lipids adapted from naturally occurring compounds found in human breast milk. C. trachomatis serovar D or F elementary bodies were added to serial dilutions of the lipids and incubated for various times. Aliquots were then cultured in monolayers of McCoy cells, and inclusions were counted. A 7.5 mM concentration of 2-O-octyl-sn-glycerol completely prevented growth of C. trachomatis after 120 min of contact with the organism. The remaining lipids, 1-O-octyl-, 1-O-heptyl-, 2-O-hexyl-, and 1-O-hexyl-sn-glycerol, showed less activity. On electron microscopic examination, the lipids were shown to have disrupted the chlamydial inner membrane, allowing leakage of the cytoplasmic contents from the cell. Lipid activity was unaffected by the presence of 10% human blood or alterations in pH from 4.0 to 8.0, conditions reflecting those sometimes found in the vagina. Our results suggest that these lipids, especially 2-O-octyl-sn-glycerol, may be effective as topical microbicides in preventing the transmission of C. trachomatis. Further efficacy and toxicity studies with these lipids and assessment of their activity against other sexually transmitted disease pathogens are in progress.
Risk factors for pouch failure in patients with different phenotypes of Crohn's disease of the pouch

Background: Crohn's disease (CD) of the pouch is one of the leading causes of pouch failure in patients with restorative proctocolectomy. Risk factors for pouch failure in these patients are yet to be identified. The aim of the study was to assess risk factors associated with pouch failure in patients with CD of the pouch. Methods: All patients with a confirmed diagnosis of CD of the pouch in the Pouchitis Clinic between 2002 and 2007 were evaluated. Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis, normal pouches, pouchitis, cuffitis, surgical complications, and other diseased pouch conditions were excluded. Pouch failure was defined as the requirement for a permanent diversion or pouch resection. Demographic and clinical factors were studied with univariable and multivariable analyses. Results: A total of 137 patients with CD of the pouch were included. Twenty‐two patients (16%) developed pouch failure a median of 6 years after ileostomy takedown. Four of 50 patients (8.0%) with inflammatory CD, 4 of 30 (13.3%) with fibrostenotic CD, and 14 of 57 (24.6%) with fistulizing CD had pouch failure. A Kaplan‐Meier plot for time to pouch failure by CD phenotype showed a trend toward association (P = 0.054) in patients with fistulizing CD. Adjusting for age, smoking status, and the use of immunomodulators or biologics, fistulizing CD was not found to be significantly associated with a higher hazard for pouch failure. Younger age, being an ex‐smoker, and the use of immunomodulators or biologics were found to increase the hazard of pouch failure. Conclusions: Younger age, being an ex‐smoker, and the requirement for immunomodulators or biologics were associated with pouch failure. The identification of these risk factors may help delineate the natural history of CD of the pouch and shed light on proper clinical management and prognosis.
Proximal Row Carpectomy With or Without Postoperative Immobilisation

Previously published reports have shown good results after proximal row carpectomy in all cases that had a postoperative immobilisation period from 1 to 4 weeks. Immobilisation is thought to be necessary because of the risk of postoperative subluxation of the carpus and for pain relief. There is, however, no evidence of its value. The results in 13 patients who underwent proximal row carpectomy without postoperative immobilisation were compared with those in 25 patients who underwent proximal row carpectomy with postoperative immobilisation for 4 weeks. After a mean follow-up period of 27 months, no significant differences were found for pain, range of motion or return to work between the two groups. We conclude that postoperative immobilisation is not necessary after proximal row carpectomy.
Pareto-improving social optimal pricing schemes based on bottleneck permits for managing congestion at a merging section

ABSTRACT Akamatsu, Sato, and Nguyen (2006) proposed a first-best pricing scheme based on the concept of bottleneck permits. The scheme allows permit holders to pass a bottleneck at specified times and is shown to be able to minimize social cost. However, the scheme is not always Pareto-improving in that it may harm some drivers. The objective of this study is to design Pareto-improving pricing scheme with bottleneck permits for a V-shaped two-to-one merge bottleneck. First, the paper formulates the morning commute model in the network and describes the arrival time choice equilibrium in the network with merging bottleneck. Secondly, we show that the first-best pricing scheme with bottleneck permits for this V-shaped network does not always achieve a Pareto improvement, with the cost of one group of drivers is increased by the permit pricing, a phenomena akin to the bottleneck paradox of Arnott, de Palma, and Lindsey (1993). We propose three implementations of bottleneck permits for Pareto-improving: (1) merging priority rule is included in the bottleneck permits scheme by creating different market for each origin; (2) the permit revenues are refunded as monetary compensation to drivers whose cost is increased; and (3) the permit revenues are used to expand bottleneck capacity. For each implementation, we derive their equilibrium solutions and demonstrate that the Pareto improvement is achieved and social cost is decreased by using the permit revenues for expanding the bottleneck capacity.
Effect of enalapril on mortality and the development of heart failure in asymptomatic patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fractions.

BACKGROUND It is not known whether the treatment of patients with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction reduces mortality and morbidity. We studied the effect of an angiotensin-converting--enzyme inhibitor, enalapril, on total mortality and mortality from cardiovascular causes, the development of heart failure, and hospitalization for heart failure among patients with ejection fractions of 0.35 or less who were not receiving drug treatment for heart failure. METHODS Patients were randomly assigned to receive either placebo (n = 2117) or enalapril (n = 2111) at doses of 2.5 to 20 mg per day in a double-blind trial. Follow-up averaged 37.4 months. RESULTS There were 334 deaths in the placebo group, as compared with 313 in the enalapril group (reduction in risk, 8 percent by the log-rank test; 95 percent confidence interval, -8 percent [an increase of 8 percent] to 21 percent; P = 0.30). The reduction in mortality from cardiovascular causes was larger but was not statistically significant (298 deaths in the placebo group vs. 265 in the enalapril group; risk reduction, 12 percent; 95 percent confidence interval, -3 to 26 percent; P = 0.12). When we combined patients in whom heart failure developed and those who died, the total number of deaths and cases of heart failure was lower in the enalapril group than in the placebo group (630 vs. 818; risk reduction, 29 percent; 95 percent confidence interval, 21 to 36 percent; P less than 0.001). In addition, fewer patients given enalapril died or were hospitalized for heart failure (434 in the enalapril group; vs. 518 in the placebo group; risk reduction, 20 percent; 95 percent confidence interval, 9 to 30 percent; P less than 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The angiotensin-converting--enzyme inhibitor enalapril significantly reduced the incidence of heart failure and the rate of related hospitalizations, as compared with the rates in the group given placebo, among patients with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction. There was also a trend toward fewer deaths due to cardiovascular causes among the patients who received enalapril.
An investigation of the effect of body dissatisfaction on selective attention toward negative shape and weight-related information.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of inducing body dissatisfaction on selective attention toward negative shape and weight-related information. METHOD A total of 54 female undergraduate university students were randomly allocated to one of three induction conditions: body dissatisfaction, negative mood, and neutral. Subsequently, participants' attentional bias toward negative shape/weight words was measured using a dot probe task. RESULTS Contrary to the hypotheses, participants in the body dissatisfaction condition did not demonstrate an increase in attention toward negative shape/weight words compared with the negative mood and neutral conditions. Indeed, it was the negative mood induction that resulted in significantly increased attention toward negative shape/weight words relative to the body dissatisfaction condition. DISCUSSION The finding that the negative mood (rather than the body dissatisfaction) induction triggered an attentional bias toward shape- and weight-related information is discussed in terms of the anxiety literature given the nature of the mood induction utilized. This finding might help to account for the high comorbidity between eating disorders and anxiety disorders and suggests the possible relevance of attentional training interventions designed for anxiety disorders in the treatment of eating disorders.
ResiCon: a method for the identification of dynamic domains, hinges and interfacial regions in proteins

MOTIVATION Structure of most proteins is flexible. Identification and analysis of intramolecular motions is a complex problem. Breaking a structure into relatively rigid parts, the so-called dynamic domains, may help comprehend the complexity of protein's mobility. We propose a new approach called ResiCon (Residue Contacts analysis), which performs this task by applying a data-mining analysis of an ensemble of protein configurations and recognizes dynamic domains, hinges and interfacial regions, by considering contacts between residues. RESULTS Dynamic domains found by ResiCon are more compact than those identified by two other popular methods: PiSQRD and GeoStaS. The current analysis was carried out using a known reference set of 30 NMR protein structures, as well as molecular dynamics simulation data of flap opening events in HIV-1 protease. The more detailed analysis of HIV-1 protease dataset shows that ResiCon identified dynamic domains involved in structural changes of functional importance. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION The ResiCon server is available at URL: http://dworkowa.imdik. pan.pl/EP/ResiCon. CONTACT pawel@bioexploratorium.pl SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Tibolone for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms and genital atrophy in postmenopausal women: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Objective: To demonstrate the safety and efficacy of tibolone (1.25 and 2.5 mg) in the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms and symptoms associated with vaginal atrophy. Design: A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, multicenter study was conducted on 396 healthy postmenopausal women experiencing a minimum of 7 moderate to severe hot flashes per day (60 per week). Participants were randomized to receive tibolone 1.25 or 2.5 mg or placebo once daily for 12 weeks. Assessments were done at weeks 4, 8, and 12. The severity and frequency of hot flashes were recorded in patient diaries on a daily basis. Results: Tibolone 2.5 mg significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the average number of hot flashes compared with placebo at week 4 (−7.82 vs −5.27), week 8 (−9.71 vs −5.86), and week 12 (−10.14 vs −5.85). The difference between tibolone 1.25 mg and placebo was significant (P < 0.001) at week 8 (−7.96) and week 12 (−8.32). Findings for the average daily severity of hot flashes were similar, with significantly greater reductions at week 4 (P < 0.05) and weeks 8 and 12 (P < 0.001) for tibolone 2.5 mg versus placebo and at weeks 8 and 12 for tibolone 1.25 mg versus placebo (P < 0.001). A menopausal atrophic symptom questionnaire revealed that tibolone 2.5 mg significantly (P < 0.05) reduced nocturia compared with placebo at weeks 4, 8, and 12 and urinary urgency at week 4. Compared with placebo, both doses of tibolone also significantly (P < 0.001) increased the vaginal maturation value from baseline. The overall incidence of adverse events was similar in all treatment groups. Conclusions: Tibolone is effective and well tolerated for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms and the effects of vaginal atrophy associated with menopause.
Endometriosis and infertility: The debate continues

A causal relationship between minor endometriosis and infertility or subfertility has not yet been demonstrated, although a significant association is shown by prevalence studies. This article critically reviews the evidence for pituitary-ovarian dysfunction as a cause for subfertility in women with minor endometriosis. The lack of fertile controls with endometriosis presents a methodological problem. Group comparison in studies using tubal infertility cases as controls has demonstrated impaired follicular growth, reduced circulating oestradiol concentrations during the preovulatory phase and oestradiol and progesterone during the early luteal phase, and disturbed luteinizing hormone (LH) surge patterns. LH concentration in preovulatory follicular fluid is also reduced, and granulosa cells collected at the same time have impaired steroidogenic capacity in vitro. However, these findings are not consistent in published studies. Significantly lower oocyte fertilization rates (49%) are found compared with controls (69%), even after maximum stimulation with exogenous follicle-stimulating hormone and human chorionic gonadotrophin (52% versus 69%). The implantation rate is also lower (11% versus 13%). An inherent disorder of follicular function seems likely, and LH surge impairment is probably a secondary effect. Impairment of oocyte fertilization would thus contribute substantially to the natural subfertility associated with endometriosis, but in vitro fertilization is still successful as excess numbers of oocytes are available.
No confirmation for a causal role of volume-regulated chloride channels in ischemic preconditioning in rabbits.

Volume-regulated chloride channels have recently been proposed to be end-effectors in ischemic preconditioning. The present study attempted to confirm this hypothesis by looking both at cardioprotection and channel activity. In isolated rabbit cardiomyocytes, hypo-osmotic stress (167 mosm/l) induced a current with a magnitude of 2-5 pA/pF at 60 mV. That current could be blocked by the selective chloride channel blockers 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid (NPPB) or indanyloxyacetic acid 94 (IAA-94), but only at 100 microM and 1 m M respectively. Lower concentrations were not effective. Because the channel-blocking concentrations were toxic in isolated perfused rabbit hearts, as evidenced by cessation of cardiac contraction and massive infarction, neither agent could be tested against preconditioning's anti-infarct effect. NPPB and IAA-94 at 1 microM and 10 microM, respectively (the doses used in a previous report), did not affect coronary flow, heart rate and developed pressure, and also did not prevent the infarct size reduction of ischemic preconditioning with 5 min global ischemia/10 min reperfusion preceding 30 min of regional ischemia and 120 min of reperfusion [11. 4(+/-3.6) and (11.1(+/-3.7)% infarction of risk area, respectively]. The volume-regulated chloride and organic osmolyte channel blocker 4, 4;-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2;-disulfonic acid (DIDS) at 100 microM blocked the hypo-osmotically induced current in myocytes, but again could not be used, since it induced total cessation of cardiac contraction and reduced infarct size in non-preconditioned hearts. Our data do not confirm a prior study on a causal role for volume-regulated chloride channels in the protection of ischemic preconditioning. This hypothesis remains to be adequately tested.
Rituximab Followed by Cladribine in the Treatment of Heavily Pretreated Patients with Indolent Lymphoid Malignancies

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and toxicity of combined therapy consisting of rituximab (RIT), an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, and cladribine (2-chlorodeoxyadenosine, 2-CdA) (RC regimen) in patients with refractory or relapsed indolent lymphoproliferative disorders. Twenty six CD20 antigen positive patients, 15 with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) and 11 with low grade non-Hodgin's lymphoma (LG-NHL) were enrolled to the study. Fourteen patients (53.8%) had refractory disease, the other 12 (46.2%) were recurrent after prior chemotherapy. RC regimen consisted of RIT at a dose of 375 mg/m2 in 6 h infusion on day 1 and 2-CdA at a dose of 0.12 mg/kg, in 2 h infusion, given on days 2-6. The RC courses were repeated at 4 week intervals or longer if severe myelosuppression occurred. Seventy eight cycles of RC with median of 3 cycles per patient were administered (range 1-5 cycles). Four patients (15.4%) (95% CI 1.5-29.3%), 1 with B-CLL and 3 with LG-NHL, achieved a complete response (CR). Fourteen patients (53,8%) (95%CI 34.6-72.9%), including 10 with B-CLL and 4 with LG-NHL, had a partial response (PR). Overall response rate (OR) was 69.2% (95%CI 51.4-86.9%) in the whole group, from 63.6% (95% CI 35.2 92.0%) in LG-NHL to 73.3% (95%CI 50.1-95.7%) in B-CLL patients. Twelve of 18 patients with CR/PR are still in remission, with the median follow up 10 (7-28 months). The median failure-free survival (FFS) of responders was 6.5 months. Hypersensitivity to RIT was the major toxicity of RC regimen, and occurred in 9 patients (34.6%), mostly only during the first infusion of RIT. Severe neutropenia (grade III) was seen in 3 patients (11.5%). Anemia and thrombocytopenia associated with RC treatment were observed in 5 (19.2%) and 2 patients (7.7%), respectively. Four episodes (15.4%) of grade III-IV infections were observed. There was no treatment related mortality. During the follow-up six patients (23.1%) died from the disease progression. In conclusion, the combination of RIT and 2-CdA is an effective and well tolerated treatment, even for heavily pre-treated patients, and the results seem to be better than in patients previously treated in our institution with 2-CdA alone. This regimen can be considered as an alternative treatment of CD-20 positive indolent lymphoproliferative disorders.
The development of segmental phonological production in a bilingual child

ABSTRACT A longitudinal diary-and-videotape study of the production of phonological segments by a Spanish–English bilingual child, age 1;1–3;9, revealed four stages in consonantal acquisition: presystematic variation, formation of a single system, separation into two systems corresponding to the two languages, and achievement of adult target values with later interference of one language in the other. Vocalic acquisition proceeded with widespread variation, followed by stabilization at target adult values, without any apparent intermediate unitary-system stage. Relevance of the data adduced here to the issue of whether bilingual children first function with a single system before acquiring two discrete languages is discussed. The issue of what it may mean to have one or two systems of phonology is addressed.
Differentiating Clinical Groups Using the Serial Color-Word Test (S–Cwt)

The present study attempted to differentiate 11 diagnostic groups by means of the Serial Color-Word Test (S–CWT), using multivariate discriminant analysis. Two alternative scoring systems of the S–CWT were outlined. A sample of 514 individuals who had clinical diagnoses of various types and 397 controls who had no diagnostic findings comprised the sample. The first discriminant analysis failed to differentiate the groups adequately. The groups were consequently reduced to four (schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, temporo-mandibular joint pain dysfunction syndrome, and eating disturbances), which gave better reclassification findings for a clinical application of the test. This classification gave over 55% correct assignments. The final four groups had a statistically significant discrimination on the test, which remained stable also in a bootstrap procedure. Implications for treatment indications and outcomes as well as strategies for further studies using the S–CWT are discussed.