Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes of NK Cells in Preeclampsia

The regulation of uterine and circulating peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cells has been associated with reproductive immunology such as recurrent pregnancy losses, implantation failures, or preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy characterized by increased blood pressure accompanied by proteinuria and is a major cause of maternal and fetal mortality. Natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) are unique markers, which regulate NK cell cytotoxicity and cytokine production. The relation of NCRs to reproduction is not fully characterized yet. The different profile of NCRs expression may suggest presence of abnormal regulation of NK cell in women with reproductive failures. Pregnant women with preeclampsia carry immunological abnormalities of NCRs on peripheral blood NK cells during pregnancy. The lower expression of NKp46+ NK cells in women with preeclampsia may account for the higher production of NK1 cytokine that is known as NK1 shift in pregnant women with preeclampsia. Evaluation of NKp46 on peripheral blood NK cells may be applicable to find the onset of preeclampsia. In this review, various expressions of NK cell surface markers including NCRs on NK cells, NK cell cytotoxicity, and production of cytokines and angiogenic factors by NK cells were reviewed in relation to preeclampsia.
Diagnostic work-up for the detection of malnutrition in hospitalized cancer patients.

BACKGROUND Malnutrition is a common complication in patients suffering from cancer. It is associated with a poor prognosis, reduced quality of life, increased chemotherapy-induced toxicity, and a decreased response to therapy. OBJECTIVE To evaluate and compare the use of various diagnostic tests for the detection of malnutrition in patients hospitalized for cancer treatment. METHODS In this single-center, non-interventional reliability study, the nutritional status of 50 patients with cancer was assessed using the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS-2002), a bioimpedance analysis (BIA), and the measurement of laboratory parameters that reflect the serum visceral protein level. For statistical analysis, the comparison of means and the agreement of the methods were calculated. RESULTS NRS-2002, BIA, and lab parameters differed widely among patients classified as well-nourished or malnourished (10%- 80%, depending on the method). Significant results in the comparison of means were observed for body mass index, serum protein, and some BIA parameters. The analysis of agreement identified a compelling agreement for pre-albumin and retinol-binding protein (RBP) (kappa = 0.81). LIMITATIONS Small sample size, heterogeneous group of patients, non-interventional reliability study. CONCLUSION The tested diagnostic methods for detecting malnutrition did not have an evident agreement among each other with a limited exchangeability. In routine hospital practice several methods should be applied in order to identify cancer patients at risk of malnutrition.
Predictive value of some hematological parameters for non-invasive and invasive mole pregnancies

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to discriminate mole pregnancies and invasive forms among cases with first trimester vaginal bleeding by the utilization of some complete blood count parameters conjunct to sonographic findings and beta human chorionic gonadotropin concentration. Materials and methods: Consecutive 257 cases with histopathologically confirmed mole pregnancies and 199 women without mole pregnancy presented with first trimester vaginal bleeding who admitted to Zeynep Kamil Women and Children’s Health Training Hospital between January 2012 and January 2016 were included in this cross-sectional study. The serum beta HCG level at presentation, and beta hCG levels at 1st, 2nd and 3rd weeks of postevacuation with some parameters of complete blood count were utilized to discriminate cases with molar pregnancy and cases with invasive mole among first trimester pregnants presented with vaginal bleeding and abnormal sonographic findings. Results: Levels of beta hCG at baseline (AUC = 0.700, p < 0.05) and 1st (AUC = 0.704, p < 0.05), 2nd (AUC = 0.870, p < 0.001) and 3rd (AUC = 0.916, p < 0.001) weeks of postevacuation period were significant predictors for the cases with persistent disease. While area under curve for mean platelet volume is 0.715, it means that mean platelet volume has 21.5% additional diagnostic value for predicting persistency in molar patients. For 8.55 cut-off point for mean platelet volume, sensitivity is 84.6% and specificity is 51.6%. Area under curve for platelet/lymphocyte ratio is 0.683 means that platelet/lymphocyte ratio has additional 18.3% diagnostic value. For 102.25 cut-off point sensitivity is 86.6% and specificity is 46.2. Conclusions: Simple, widely available complete blood count parameters may be used as an adjunct to other risk factors to diagnose molar pregnancies and predict postevacuation trophoblastic disease.
Influence of preoperative transarterial lipiodol chemoembolization on resection and transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of preoperative transarterial lipiodol chemoembolization (TACE) in the management of patients undergoing liver resection or liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS TACE was performed before surgery in 49 of 76 patients undergoing resection and in 54 of 111 patients undergoing liver transplantation. Results were retrospectively analyzed with regard to the response to treatment, the type of procedure performed, the incidence of complications, the incidence and pattern of recurrence, and survival. RESULTS In liver resection, downstaging of the tumor by TACE (21 of 49 patients [42%]) and total necrosis (24 of 49 patients [50%]) were associated with a better disease-free survival than either no response to TACE or no TACE (downstaging, 29% vs. 10% and 11 % at 5 years, p = 0.08 and 0.10; necrosis, 22% vs. 13% and 11% at 5 years, p = 0.1 and 0.3). Five patients (10%) with previously unresectable tumors could be resected after downstaging. In liver transplantation, downstaging of tumors >3 cm (19 of 35 patients [54%]) and total necrosis (15 of 54 patients [28%]) were associated with better disease-free survival than either incomplete response to TACE or no TACE (downstaging, 71 % vs. 29% and 49% at 5 years, p = 0.01 and 0.09; necrosis, 87% vs. 47% and 60% at 5 years, p = 0.03 and 0.14). Multivariate analysis of the factors associated with response to TACE showed that downstaging occurred more frequently for tumors >5 cm. CONCLUSIONS Downstaging or total necrosis of the tumor induced by TACE occurred in 62% of the cases and was associated with improved disease-free survival both after liver resection and transplantation. In liver resection, TACE was also useful to improve the resectability of primarily unresectable tumors. In liver transplantation, downstaging in patients with tumors >3 cm was associated with survival similar to that in patients with less extensive disease.
Hippocampal (subfield) volume and shape in relation to cognitive performance across the adult lifespan

Newer approaches to characterizing hippocampal morphology can provide novel insights regarding cognitive function across the lifespan. We comprehensively assessed the relationships among age, hippocampal morphology, and hippocampal‐dependent cognitive function in 137 healthy individuals across the adult lifespan (18–86 years of age). They underwent MRI, cognitive assessments and genotyping for Apolipoprotein E status. We measured hippocampal subfield volumes using a new multiatlas segmentation tool (MAGeT‐Brain) and assessed vertex‐wise (inward and outward displacements) and global surface‐based descriptions of hippocampus morphology. We examined the effects of age on hippocampal morphology, as well as the relationship among age, hippocampal morphology, and episodic and working memory performance. Age and volume were modestly correlated across hippocampal subfields. Significant patterns of inward and outward displacement in hippocampal head and tail were associated with age. The first principal shape component of the left hippocampus, characterized by a lengthening of the antero‐posterior axis was prominently associated with working memory performance across the adult lifespan. In contrast, no significant relationships were found among subfield volumes and cognitive performance. Our findings demonstrate that hippocampal shape plays a unique and important role in hippocampal‐dependent cognitive aging across the adult lifespan, meriting consideration as a biomarker in strategies targeting the delay of cognitive aging. Hum Brain Mapp 36:3020–3037, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Troponin Levels after Cardiac Electrophysiology Procedures: Review of the Literature

Cardiac‐specific Troponins (cTn) I and T have become markers of choice for myocardial injury. We reviewed the literature in order to understand the expected postprocedure cTn rise after electrophysiology procedures. A total of 34 studies and 1,608 patients were included. After external monophasic cardioversion, seven of 442 patients (1.6%) had minimal increase in cTnI (0.1–0.9 ng/mL), and only one of 368 (0.3%) had increase in cTnT (0.11 ng/mL). After internal cardioversion, 17 of 105 (16%) had increase in cTnI (0.7–2.4 ng/mL) but only three (2.9%) were above the cutoff for myocardial infarction (MI) (1.5 ng/mL). During implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) installation with a mean of 2–7 ICD shocks, 12 of 74 (16%) patients had cTnI ≥1.5 ng/mL (range 1.7–5.5 ng/mL) and 20 of 64 (32%) had cTnT ≥0.1 ng/mL (range 0.26–6.46 ng/mL) considered in the range of clinical MI. Radio frequency ablation (RFA) (n = 496) resulted in significant cTn elevation in 25–100% of patients with ventricular > atrial and linear > focal lesions. Average postprocedure peak cTnI ranged from 0.13 to 6 ng/mL (median: 2.36 ng/mL, max: 15 ng/mL) and cTnT 0.2 to 2.41 ng/mL (median: 0.44 ng/mL, max: 9 ng/mL). Early cTn peak at 2–8 hours was noted after RFA. External cardioversion should not cause a significant increase in cTn; RFA and ICD implantation with shocks often result in an increase in cTn. Interpretation of these markers can be difficult if acute coronary syndrome is suspected in the postprocedure period.
Nitric Oxide Dependency of Arterial Pressure–Induced Changes in Renal Interstitial Hydrostatic Pressure in Dogs

Abstract— A direct relationship between renal arterial pressure (RAP) and renal interstitial hydrostatic pressure (RIHP) has been shown under conditions of efficient renal blood flow autoregulation. Experiments were performed in six anesthetized dogs to evaluate whether these RIHP responses to changes in RAP were modified during nitric oxide (NO) inhibition with nitro-l-arginine (NLA) or after administration of NO donor agents. A microtip catheter transducer was placed underneath the renal capsule to measure RIHP. Stepwise reductions in RAP (140 to 80 mm Hg) during control conditions resulted in decreases in RIHP from its basal value of 4.7±1.1 mm Hg with a slope of 0.04±0.026 mm Hg · mm Hg−1 along with decreases in urinary nitrate/nitrite excretion rate (UNOxV). Renal cortical and medullary blood flows, measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry, exhibited high autoregulatory efficiency over this RAP range. The changes in RIHP during alterations in RAP were positively correlated (r =0.743;P <0.001) with the changes in UNOxV but not with cortical or medullary blood flow. NLA infusion decreased RIHP to 1.9±0.5 mm Hg and also reduced UNOxV from 1.8±0.2 to 0.9±0.01 nmol · min−1 · g−1. Infusion of NO donors restored RIHP (4.3±0.9 mm Hg) and UNOxV (1.5±0.2 nmol · min−1 · g−1). During NLA infusion, the RIHP responses to reductions in RAP were markedly attenuated and were not restored even during constant-rate infusion of NO donors. The results suggest that changes in RIHP in response to alterations in RAP are associated with changes in intrarenal NO, suggesting a direct effect of NO to regulate RIHP.
Soluble and Colloidal Iron in the Oligotrophic North Atlantic and North Pacific

In the oligotrophic North Atlantic and North Pacific, ultrafiltration studies show that concentrations of soluble iron and soluble iron-binding organic ligands are much lower than previously presumed “dissolved” concentrations, which were operationally defined as that passing through a 0.4-micrometer pore filter. Our studies indicate that substantial portions of the previously presumed “dissolved” iron (and probably also iron-binding ligands) are present in colloidal size range. The soluble iron and iron-binding organic ligands are depleted at the surface and enriched at depth, similar to distributions of major nutrients. By contrast, colloidal iron shows a maximum at the surface and a minimum in the upper nutricline. Our results suggest that “dissolved” iron may be less bioavailable to phytoplankton than previously thought and that iron removal through colloid aggregation and settling should be considered in models of the oceanic iron cycle.
Food-related health perceptions and food habits among older women.

AIM The aim of the present study was to explore food-related health perceptions and food habits among older women. BACKGROUND Food-related health promotion has its main focus on disease prevention. With a holistic perspective on health, social and psychological aspects also need to be considered for total wellbeing. METHODS Qualitative interviews, representing an ethnographic approach, were carried out with 18 women, aged 65-88, living alone or cohabiting, who independently managed shopping and cooking. Interviews were conducted at the women's homes, and analysed for coherent themes. The women also gave data on three days' eating and drinking in a food diary. FINDINGS; Two themes were found: 'A healthy slimming meal or the usual' and 'Meals -- a pleasure or an obligation'. The first theme summarized the women's health perceptions related to food, where the dominating view was fear of fat. Some also had a bad conscience about not eating according to recommendations. Use of low-fat products was not a predominant habit among these women. In the second theme, meals in fellowship were perceived as a pleasure, while women living alone tended to simplify cooking and eating. This was also reflected in their food habits, with fewer cooked meals, as well as events with coffee with cakes, compared with cohabiting women. CONCLUSIONS Food-related health promotion must pay more attention to women living alone. Women who have lost their partners, may be at risk for poor nutritional intake as they often simplified the entire meal situation, while cohabiting women perceived food and cooking as a central task in their lives. One responsibility for nurses working in the community is to recognize and assess older women's deficient eating habits, assess them and plan eating together with the woman to prevent poor nutritional intake. Relatives and community staff could also be involved in this work.
Propagation Loss Improvement in Ge-on-SOI Mid-Infrared Waveguides Using Rapid Thermal Annealing

We report on the improvement of propagation loss in Ge-on-SOI waveguides developed for mid-infrared wavelengths. Strip waveguides of varying widths have been developed in 0.85 μm thick Ge core and an improvement of up to ~3.5 dB/cm has been achieved by annealing the samples at 700 °C for 120 s. The improvement is consistent for both TE and TM polarized light at 3.682 μm. The method is proven feasible for repairing material growth defects and achieving loss performance commensurate with that required for integrated photonics for sensing applications. The minimum propagation loss achieved is ~10 dB/cm after annealing.
A twin study of human obesity.

Height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were assessed in a sample of 1974 monozygotic and 2097 dizygotic male twin pairs. Concordance rates for different degrees of overweight were twice as high for monozygotic twins as for dizygotic twins. Classic twin methods estimated a high heritability for height, weight, and BMI, both at age 20 years (.80, .78, and .77, respectively) and at a 25-year follow-up (.80, .81, and .84, respectively). Height, weight, and BMI were highly correlated across time, and a path analysis suggested that the major part of that covariation was genetic. These results are similar to those of other twin studies of these measures and suggest that human fatness is under substantial genetic control.
N-chlorotaurine, a novel endogenous antimicrobial agent: tolerability testing in a mouse model.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the tolerability of N-chlorotaurine, a new antimicrobial agent, by application to the middle ear in a mouse model. METHODS Five BALB/c mice were each injected through the tympanic membrane with 5 microL of 0.1%, 1.0%, and 10% N-chlorotaurine and compared with animals in which 0.9% isotonic sodium chloride solution, 0.2% gentamicin sulfate, and 0.25% trimethyltin chloride were instilled. Auditory brainstem responses to clicks were evaluated repeatedly between 4 and 75 days after injection, and histologic investigations of the inner ear were performed subsequently. Three additional groups of mice were injected with isotonic sodium chloride solution, 1.0% N-chlorotaurine, and 0.25% trimethyltin, and brainstem responses to tone bursts of 8, 16, and 32 kHz were tested. In addition, the middle ear was examined histologically. RESULTS Mice treated with isotonic sodium chloride solution, 0.1% N-chlorotaurine, and 0.2% gentamicin sulfate did not show changes in response threshold. Treatment with 1.0% and 10% N-chlorotaurine caused a reversible increase in auditory brainstem response threshold by 20 dB 4 days after application because of local irritation around the perforation of the tympanic membrane. In contrast, 0.25% trimethyltin showed a permanent elevation of auditory brainstem response threshold of 10 to 15 dB and a scattered loss of outer hair cells predominantly in the apical turn. No alterations of the inner ear were observed in the other treatment groups. The mucous membrane of the middle ear remained unaffected in all test groups. CONCLUSION Application of N-chlorotaurine to the middle ear is well tolerated without adverse effects and may be a useful new endogenous antimicrobial agent for local treatment of otologic infections.
Salivary Lymphocyte Responses Following Acute Anaerobic Exercise in a Cool Environment

Abstract Carlson, LA, Lawrence, MA, LeCavalier, K, and Koch, AJ. Salivary lymphocyte responses following acute anaerobic exercise in a cool environment. J Strength Cond Res 31(5): 1236–1240, 2017—The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of anaerobic training on salivary lymphocytes (s-LYMPH), and further determine whether these responses differ between cool vs. thermoneutral environments. Nine lightly clothed (∼0.3 clo) volunteers (7/2 women/men: age, 21 ± 1 years; height, 168.7 ± 7.3 cm; weight, 66.4 ± 8.4 kg; body fat, 20.6 ± 7.6%) completed speed, agility, and quickness (SAQ) sessions in both warm (18.9° C; Biddeford) and cool (10.4° C; Thorsmörk) temperatures. The SAQ sessions consisted of 3 trials of 20-m sprints, 40-m sprints, t-tests, and box drills, and two 300-yd shuttle runs in both conditions. Saliva samples via passive drool were collected at baseline, immediately postexercise, and after 2 hours of recovery. The s-LYMPH increased (p < 0.001) immediately postexercise, followed by a decrease (p < 0.001) below baseline values after 2 hours of recovery in both environments. The s-LYMPH counts were lower (p < 0.001) for the cool environment than for the thermoneutral environment. The s-LYMPH counts increased postexercise, followed by a decrease after 2 hours of recovery regardless of environment. Acute anaerobic exercise induced transient changes in s-LYMPH counts similar to that observed in peripheral blood. Compared with baseline measures, changes in s-LYMPH were of a smaller magnitude after exercise in the cool environment compared with thermoneutral environment. In summary, there is no indication that exercise in the cool environment presented a greater challenge to the subjects' immunity. Rather, these data indicate exercise in a cool environment produces smaller fluctuations in salivary immune cells compared with resting levels.
Flexible Non-Constrained RF Wrist Pulse Detection Sensor Based on Array Resonators

This paper presents the development of a non-contact, nonintrusive wrist pulse sensor based on the near-field variation of an array resonator. A compact resonator and its array were designed and fabricated on flexible substrate. The reflection coefficient of the resonator can vary as a function of the distance between the resonator and the walls of the major arteries, and the corresponding variation is utilized to obtain heart rate information at the wrist. To detect very weak pulse signals from the main arteries, a sensitivity enhancement technique was devised using a radio frequency (RF) array resonator. The sensor system was implemented with an RF switch to combine or select appropriate signals from the resonator element and was tested using the 2.4 GHz ISM band. The results demonstrated the sensor system's excellent performance in both sequential and simultaneous detection schemes. The measurement results showed that a heartbeat pulse can be detected from both radial and ulnar arteries via the array resonators. Considering the high sensitivity and characteristics, the proposed detection system can be utilized as a wearable, long-term health monitoring device.
The Effect of Winter Sports Participation on High School Football Players: Strength, Power, Agility, and Body Composition

In this study, football players (N = 57) in grades 9–11 from 3 high schools chose to participate in 1 of 2 groups. Group WC (N = 39) participated in off-season strength training only. Group SP (N = 18) participated in both a winter sport (either wrestling or basketball) and an identical strength training program. All participants were tested at the close of football season (Pre) and at the end of the winter sports season (Post), a period of 4 months. Body composition (weight [W] and body fat percentage [BF]), strength (calculated 1RM [1 repetition maximum] max for barbell bench press [BP] and squat [SQ]), power (vertical jump [VJ] and seated shot put [UP]), and agility (18.3-m agility run [AG]) were measured. Both groups WC and SP increased significantly in W and BF and improved significantly in BP and VJ (p < 0.05). Only the WC group improved significantly in SQ and AG (p < 0.05). Only the SP group increased significantly in UP (p < 0.05). Only the difference in SQ was statistically greater in the WC than in the SP group (p < 0.05). Regardless of winter activity, football players gain significant amounts of BF resulting in overall W increases. Football players participating in winter sports improved significantly in measurements of strength and power. There appears to be no clear advantage to devoting time solely to strength training.