Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Iodinated Contrast Agents Perturb Iodide Uptake by the Thyroid Independently of Free Iodide

Perturbation of thyroid iodide uptake is a well-documented side effect of the use of iodinated contrast media (ICM) administered intravenously. This side effect is thought to be mediated by free iodide in ICM formulations, but this hypothesis has never been formally proven. The aim of the present study was to assess the validity of this hypothesis. Methods: We used mass spectrometry analysis to quantify free-iodide contamination in ICM. Established cell lines expressing the Na/I symporter (NIS) were used to quantify the effect of ICM on iodide uptake. SPECT/CT was used to measure the in vivo uptake of 99mTc-pertechnetate and 123I in 2 NIS-expressing mouse tissues, thyroid and salivary glands. Scintiscans of ICM-naïve and ICM-administered patients were compared. Immunohistologic and Western blot analyses were performed to evaluate NIS protein expression in these organs. Results: Although free iodide was present in ICM formulations, in vitro uptake of iodide by NIS-expressing cells was not significantly affected by ICM. In mice, intravenous or sublingual administration of ICM led to a reduction in radiotracer uptake by the thyroid, accompanied by a dramatic reduction in NIS protein expression in this tissue. In the salivary glands, neither radiotracer uptake nor NIS protein expression was affected by ICM. The thyroid-selective effect of ICM was also observed in humans. Administration of potassium iodide as a source of free iodide led to a diminution of 99mTc-pertechnetate uptake in both mouse thyroid and mouse salivary glands. Altogether, these data rule out a direct intervention of free iodide in the perturbation of thyroid uptake and suggest a direct and selective effect of ICM on the thyroid. Conclusion: We demonstrated that ICM reduce thyroid uptake of iodide independently of free iodide. This effect is due to a specific and dramatic decrease in NIS expression in thyrocytes. These data cast serious doubt on the relevance of measuring urinary iodide concentration to evaluate the delay between ICM administration and radioiodine therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Finally, the ability of ICM to perturb iodide uptake in the thyroid may be used in radioprotection.
Concurrent criterion-related validity and reliability of a clinical test to measure femoral anteversion.

STUDY DESIGN Clinical measurement, criterion standard. OBJECTIVES To determine if the clinical measure of femoral anteversion is comparable to measures obtained from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An additional purpose of this study was to assess the intertester and intratester reliability of the clinical test. BACKGROUND Femoral anteversion is commonly assessed as part of the physical examination; however, limited and inconsistent data exist on the validity and reliability of the clinical test. METHODS Eighteen healthy adults (9 males, 9 females; mean +/- SD age, 25.4 +/- 3.3 years; body mass index, 22.9 +/- 3.4 kg/m2) participated. Each underwent 3 data collection sessions: (1) MRI to measure femoral anteversion, (2) clinical testing of femoral anteversion, measured independently by 2 physical therapists, and (3) repeated clinical testing. Validity and reliability were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,3) and standard error of measurement (SEM). RESULTS Moderate agreement was found between the clinical test and MRI measures of femoral anteversion (ICCs of 0.69 and 0.67 for examiners 1 and 2, respectively). The SEM was similar for both examiners (5.8 degrees and 6.0 degrees ). Both intra tester (ICCs of 0.88 and 0.90 for examiners 1 and 2, respectively) and intertester (ICC = 0.83) reliability was found to be substantial. CONCLUSIONS In persons with a low body mass index, the clinical test to assess femoral anteversion was shown to exhibit substantial reliability, but only moderate agreement with MRI measurements. When performing the clinical test, one can be 95% confident that the true value of femoral anteversion will fall within 11.8 degrees of the clinically measured value. This relatively wide confidence interval calls into question the clinical utility of the clinical test for assessing femoral anteversion.
Antioxidants for preventing pre-eclampsia.

BACKGROUND Oxidative stress has been proposed as a key factor involved in the development of pre-eclampsia. Supplementing women with antioxidants during pregnancy may help to counteract oxidative stress and thereby prevent or delay the onset of pre-eclampsia. OBJECTIVES To determine the effectiveness and safety of any antioxidant supplementation during pregnancy and the risk of developing pre-eclampsia and its related complications. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group Trials Register (June 2004) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2004). SELECTION CRITERIA All randomised and quasi-randomised trials comparing one or more antioxidants with either placebo or no antioxidants during pregnancy for the prevention of pre-eclampsia, and trials comparing one or more antioxidants with another, or with other interventions. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion, data extraction and trial quality. Data were double-entered into the Review Manager software. MAIN RESULTS Seven trials involving 6082 women are included in this review. The largest trial (5021 women) was quasi-random and only three of the seven included trials were rated high quality. Supplementing women with any antioxidants during pregnancy compared with control or placebo was associated with a 39% reduction in the risk of pre-eclampsia (relative risk (RR) 0.61, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.50 to 0.75, seven trials, 6082 women). Women receiving antioxidants compared with control or placebo also had a reduced risk of having a small-for-gestational-age infant (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.87, three trials, 634 women), their infants had a greater mean birthweight (weighted mean difference 91.83 g, 95% CI 11.55 to 172.11, three trials, 451 women), but they were more likely to give birth preterm (RR 1.38, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.82, three trials, 583 women). There were insufficient data for reliable conclusions about possible effects on any other outcomes. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS These results should be interpreted with caution, as most of the data come from poor quality studies. Nevertheless, antioxidant supplementation seems to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia. There also appears to be a reduction in the risk of having a small-for-gestational-age baby associated with antioxidants, although there is an increase in the risk of preterm birth. Several large trials are ongoing, and the results of these are needed before antioxidants can be recommended for clinical practice.
Adipokines in gestational diabetes

Introduction: Gestational diabetes (GDM) is any hyperglycemic condition that has appeared for the first time in previously healthy pregnant women. The incidence varies from 1% to 20% and is constantly increasing. GDM results in numerous complications for both the fetus and the mother. Adipokines are a group of protein hormones and cytokines that are secreted by adipose tissue. They affect glucose and lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity, appetite, and immune response. Due to their involvement in these processes, there are more and more reports that adipokines influence the pathomechanism of gestational diabetes. Material and methods, aim: The literature in the PubMed scientific database published in 2015-2022 was searched using the keywords: gestational diabetes, adipokines. The aim of this review is to present the role of adipokines in the pathomechanism of gestational diabetes as well as their potential role in the detection and treatment of this condition. Results: The pathophysiology of gestational diabetes is not fully understood. It has been noted that mothers with GDM have elevated levels of leptin. In turn, the level of adiponectin is lower in women with gestational diabetes compared to healthy women. Adipokines such as visphatin, resistin or chimerin are also suspected of a possible role in the pathomechanism of the disease. These reports could lead to the discovery of a biomarker for the rapid detection of GDM. Conclusions: Gestational diabetes is a common disease in pregnancy, the incidence of which is constantly increasing. Its complications are dangerous for both the mother and her baby. That is why research is important that will allow us to learn about its pathomechanism, to detect it faster, and to prevent it. Studies using adipokines show promising results, hence the urgent need for more randomized, multicentre studies to better understand their role in gestational diabetes.
Ultralarge Gain Step-Up Coupled-Inductor DC–DC Converter With an Asymmetric Voltage Multiplier Network for a Sustainable Energy System

In this paper, a novel ultralarge gain step-up coupled-inductor dc/dc converter with an asymmetric voltage multiplier network is presented for a sustainable energy system. The proposed converter contains one boost converter, one voltage multiplier network, and one passive lossless clamped circuit. In order to achieve an ultralarge voltage gain, one of the two capacitors is charged by the primary side and secondary side of the coupled inductor, then it together with the secondary side of coupled inductor provides its energy for the other capacitor in voltage multiplier network. Besides, the passive lossless clamped circuit not only recycles leakage energy but also effectively reduces the voltage stress on the main switch. By this way, the efficiency of the conversion can be improved. Moreover, the reverse-recovery problem of the diodes in the leakage inductor is alleviated. The operating principles and steady-state analyses are illustrated in detail. Then, the performance of the proposed converter is compared with existing converters. Finally, a prototype circuit at 50-kHz switching frequency with 20-V input voltage, 200-V output voltage, $N = 2$, and 200-W output power is established in the laboratory to verify the performance of the proposed converter.
Consumer Insolvency Law in Estonia and Norway: Comparative Aspects

The authors examine and compare the rules on consumer insolvency in Estonia and Norway. Under Estonian law, consumers may obtain debt adjustments under the 2003 Bankruptcy Act (in the form of a debt release) or under the 2010 Debt Restructuring and Debt Protection Act (in the form of debt restructuring). These two acts apply to both entrepreneurs and consumers. In Norway, a Debt Settlement Act was introduced in 1992, allowing for debt settlements for consumers. Debt adjustment under general insolvency legislation is not regarded as a viable option for consumers in Norway, it being a rather costly and cumbersome procedure. In Norway, each municipality is obliged to offer debt counselling services to consumers, while in Estonia, debt counselling services are available through non-governmental organization (NGOs) and through some municipalities on a voluntary basis. The number of instituted proceedings for debt settlements (Norway) and for debt restructuring (Estonia) are relatively low: in 2014, the numbers stood at 57 per 100 000 inhabitants in Norway and 2 per 100 000 inhabitants in Estonia. The difference between the two countries may to some extent be explained by differences in legislation and in organization of debt counselling, but the authors conclude that the explanation must probably be found also in cultural, sociological and political factors.
Meaning in Life as an Important Component of Functioning in Old Age

The purpose was to locate different measures of meaning in life in a multidimensional space of functioning in old age. Fifty-five persons born in 1910 and 1914 participated in laboratory tests, a medical examination, and interviews over a three-year period from 1994 to 1997. Measures of meaning in life included a sense of meaning in life, a sense of coherence, and four indices derived from a life-line drawing (linearity, trend, mean level in the past, and mean level in the future). The other measures of functioning were the number of chronic diseases, functional disability, walking speed, self-rated health, cognitive capacity, provision of social relationships, loneliness, depressive mood, number of activities, life satisfaction, and wisdom. Using a multidimensional scaling method, a two-dimensional model of functioning was arrived at. In the first dimension, “subjective vs. objective,” all the measures of meaning in life were located in the subjective half. The location of the measures along the second dimension, “psychosocial vs. physical,” varied considerably. Some of the measures of meaning in life (a sense of coherence, life-line trend, and linearity) were located in the physical half, while others (sense of meaning in life, life-line mean level in the past) were in the psychosocial half. The life-line mean level in the future was located in the center of the dimension. The space of functioning provided a novel and illustrative approach to functioning as a multifaceted behavioral competence with meaning in life as an integral part of it.
“A New Business in the World”: The Telegraph, Privacy, and the U.S. Constitution in the Nineteenth Century

ABSTRACT:Disclosures about electronic surveillance by the U.S. National Security Agency have revived interest in issues of communications privacy and Fourth Amendment rights. In the early days of the telegraph, there was no legal protection afforded to the privacy of telegraphic communication, and seizures of telegraphic dispatches figured in major events of the nineteenth century in the United States. Attempts to protect the content of telegrams by defining a customer/operator “privilege” under common law were rejected by the courts, as were attempts to protect the confidentiality of telegraphic communications through an analogy with the postal service. Each attempt by the government and the courts to obtain access to private telegraphic communication revived a debate about the constitutionality of such actions, which ultimately led to a new interpretation of constitutional law, including a legal right to privacy.
Cirrhosis serum induces a nitric oxide-associated vascular hyporeactivity of aortic segments from healthy rats in vitro

Objective Arterial vasodilation with concomitant hyperdynamic circulation are common findings in liver cirrhosis. Nitric oxide acting at a local level has been suggested to be pathophysiologically relevant in this context. Several systemic factors in conjunction with nitric oxide might interfere with the observed phenomena. Design The study has been designed to demonstrate the influence of cirrhotic serum on the nitric oxide system and vascular contractility. Methods The contractile response of aortic segments from healthy rats was studied in vitro after incubation with serum of healthy and cirrhosis-induced rats (1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 4 weeks after bile duct ligation). A cumulative dose response curve to phenylephrine (10−–10−4 mol) was established before and after incubation with nitric oxide synthesis blocker Nω-nitro-L-arginine, the more selective aminoguanidine (nitric oxide synthase [NOS]-2 inhibitor) and W7 (NOS-3 inhibitor). NOS-2 expression in incubated aortic rings was evaluated by Western blot analysis. Results A 4-hour incubation with serum of cirrhosis-induced rats reduced the maximum contractile response to phenylephrine to 66.8 ± 9.1% after 1 week, 50.4 ± 7.8% after 2 weeks, 43.2 ± 2.8% after 3 weeks and 35 ± 5.2% after 4 weeks of bile duct ligation. This reduction in the contractility response to phenylephrine was completely reversed by blocking nitric oxide synthesis with Nω-nitro-L-arginine and aminoguanidine, but not after W7. Incubation with cirrhotic serum induced NOS-2 expression in aortic rings. In Western blot analysis, the most intensive signal for NOS-2 protein was obtained in rings incubated with serum from rats 3 weeks and 4 weeks after induction of cirrhosis. Conclusions Cirrhotic serum decreases the contractile response to phenylephrine even in an early stage of secondary cirrhosis. Reversibility of this effect after nitric oxide synthesis blockade suggests an induction of nitric oxide synthesis by systemic factors as a major point in vascular hyporeactivity to vasoconstrictors in cirrhosis.
The PPARβ/δ Agonist GW0742 Induces Early Neuronal Maturation of Cortical Post‐Mitotic Neurons: Role of PPARβ/δ in Neuronal Maturation

Increasing evidences support that signaling lipids participate in synaptic plasticity and cell survival, and that the lipid signaling is closely associated with neuronal differentiation, learning, and memory and with pathologic events, such as epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease. The Peroxisome Proliferator‐Activated Receptors (PPAR) are strongly involved in the fatty acid cell signaling, as many of the natural lypophylic compounds are PPAR ligands. We have previously shown that PPARβ/δ is the main isotype present in cortical neuron primary cultures and that during neuronal maturation, PPARβ/δ is gradually increased and activated. To get more insight into the molecular mechanism by which PPARβ/δ may be involved in neuronal maturation processes, in this work a specific PPARβ/δ agonist, GW0742 was used administered alone or in association with a specific PPARβ/δ antagonist, the GSK0660, and the parameters involved in neuronal differentiation and maturation were assayed. The data obtained demonstrated the strong involvement of PPARβ/δ in neuronal maturation, triggering the agonist an anticipation of neuronal differentiation, and the antagonist abolishing the observed effects. These effects appear to be mediated by the activation of BDNF pathway. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 597–606, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Finger Length Pattern as a Biomarker for Osteoarthritis and Chronic Joint Pain: A Population‐Based Study and Meta‐Analysis After Systematic Review

Type 3 finger length pattern (longer fourth digit than second digit) is influenced by prenatal androgens and has been studied previously as a biomarker for sexually dimorphic traits. Because osteoarthritis (OA) and chronic pain are known to be sexually dimorphic traits, we evaluated the association between finger length pattern and OA and chronic joint pain.
Computer-Aided Detection of Centroblasts for Follicular Lymphoma Grading Using Adaptive Likelihood-Based Cell Segmentation

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is one of the most common lymphoid malignancies in the western world. FL has a variable clinical course, and important clinical treatment decisions for FL patients are based on histological grading, which is done by manually counting the large malignant cells called centroblasts (CB) in ten standard microscopic high-power fields from H&E-stained tissue sections. This method is tedious and subjective; as a result, suffers from considerable inter and intrareader variability even when used by expert pathologists. In this paper, we present a computer-aided detection system for automated identification of CB cells from H&E-stained FL tissue samples. The proposed system uses a unitone conversion to obtain a single-channel image that has the highest contrast. From the resulting image, which has a bimodal distribution due to the H&E stain, a cell-likelihood image is generated. Finally, a two-step CB detection procedure is applied. In the first step, we identify evident nonCB cells based on size and shape. In the second step, the CB detection is further refined by learning and utilizing the texture distribution of nonCB cells. We evaluated the proposed approach on 100 region-of-interest images extracted from ten distinct tissue samples and obtained a promising 80.7% detection accuracy.
Role of Src Kinases in the ADAM-mediated Release of L1 Adhesion Molecule from Human Tumor Cells*

The ectodomain of certain transmembrane molecules can be released by proteolysis, and the solubilized antigens often exert important biological functions. We demonstrated before that the L1 adhesion molecule is shed from the cell surface. Here we show that L1 release in AR breast carcinoma cells is mediated by a member of the disintegrin metalloproteinase (ADAM) family of proteinases. Up-regulation of L1 shedding by phorbol ester or pervanadate involved distinct mechanisms. Pervanadate induced shedding and rounding-up of cells from the substrate, which was blocked by the Src kinase inhibitor PP2. Tyr phosphorylation of the L1 cytoplasmic tail and the Src kinase Fyn was observed following pervanadate treatment. Up-regulation of L1 release and activation of Fyn occurred also when cells were detached by EDTA suggesting that the regulation of L1 shedding by this pathway was linked to cell morphology and adhesion. The phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced shedding was inhibited by the protein kinase C inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide I and by PD98059, a specific inhibitor of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Soluble L1 binds to the proteoglycan neurocan and in bound form could support integrin-mediated cell adhesion and migration. We propose that the release of cell-associated adhesion molecules such as L1 may be relevant to promote cell migration.
Evolution of Novel Reassortant A/H3N2 Influenza Viruses in North American Swine and Humans, 2009–2011

ABSTRACT Novel H3N2 influenza viruses (H3N2v) containing seven genome segments from swine lineage triple-reassortant H3N2 viruses and a 2009 pandemic H1N1 (H1N1pdm09) matrix protein segment (pM) were isolated from 12 humans in the United States between August and December 2011. To understand the evolution of these novel H3N2 viruses in swine and humans, we undertook a phylogenetic analysis of 674 M sequences and 388 HA and NA sequences from influenza viruses isolated from North American swine during 2009–2011, as well as HA, NA, and M sequences from eight H3N2v viruses isolated from humans. We identified 34 swine influenza viruses (termed rH3N2p) with the same combination of H3, N2, and pM segments as the H3N2v viruses isolated from humans. Notably, these rH3N2p viruses were generated in swine via reassortment events between H3N2 viruses and the pM segment approximately 4 to 10 times since 2009. The pM segment has also reassorted with multiple distinct lineages of H1 virus, especially H1δ viruses. Importantly, the N2 segment of all H3N2v viruses isolated from humans is derived from a genetically distinct N2 lineage that has circulated in swine since being acquired by reassortment with seasonal human H3N2 viruses in 2001–2002, rather than from the N2 that is associated with the 1998 H3N2 swine lineage. The identification of this N2 variant may have implications for influenza vaccine design and the potential pandemic threat of H3N2v to human age groups with differing levels of prior exposure and immunity.