Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of left atrial appendage function during sinus rhythm in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with thromboembolic events. Compromised left atrial appendage (LAA) function due to left ventricular (LV) performance abnormality, often present in patients with OSA, may play an important role. The purpose of this study is to evaluate LV and LAA mechanical functions during sinus rhythm (SR) in patients with OSA. Methods: LV and LAA functions were assessed in 43 OSA patients and compared with that of 20 control patients in SR. Tissue Doppler velocities of the LAA apex and emptying velocities (EV) of LAA were obtained on parasternal short-axis view. Results: The baseline clinical characteristics were similar except for AHI (apnea-hypopnea index), minimal SaO2, mean SaO2, hypertension, and body-surface area. Most of the LV echocardiographic parameters significantly deteriorated in OSA patients in comparison with those in the control group. LAA EV, LAA systolic relaxation velocity (SM), LAA early-diastolic velocity (EM), LAA contraction velocity (AM), left atrial (LA) minimum volume index, LA ejection fraction, LA conduit volume index, and LA reservoir volume index were lower in OSA patients compared with those in the control group (p<0.05). LAA AM was negatively correlated with AHI and the ratio of peak early diastolic flow velocity (E) to early-diastolic (E’) and positively correlated with LA conduit volume (p<0.05). Multiple predictors for LAA AM were AHI, presence of diastolic dysfunction, and E/E’ values (p<0.05). Conclusion: LAA mechanical function is significantly depressed in patients with OSA and SR. LAA dysfunction may predispose these patients to thromboembolic events. The evaluation of LAA mechanical function by tissue Doppler study using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) may become an alternative for routine work-up in OSA patients.
Cytokine-Mediated Disruption of Lymphocyte Trafficking, Hemopoiesis, and Induction of Lymphopenia, Anemia, and Thrombocytopenia in Anti-CD137-Treated Mice1

CD137-mediated signals costimulate T cells and protect them from activation-induced apoptosis; they induce curative antitumor immunity and enhance antiviral immune responses in mice. In contrast, anti-CD137 agonistic mAbs can suppress T-dependent humoral immunity and reverse the course of established autoimmune disease. These results have provided a rationale for assessing the therapeutic potential of CD137 ligands in human clinical trials. In this study, we report that a single 200-μg injection of anti-CD137 given to otherwise naive BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice led to the development of a series of immunological anomalies. These included splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, multifocal hepatitis, anemia, altered trafficking of B cells and CD8 T cells, loss of NK cells, and a 10-fold increase in bone marrow (BM) cells bearing the phenotype of hemopoietic stem cells. These events were dependent on CD8 T cells, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and type I IFNs. BM cells up-regulated Fas, and there was a significant increase in the number of CD8+ T cells that correlated with a loss of CD19+ and Ab-secreting cells in the BM. TCR Vαβ usage was random and polyclonal among liver-infiltrating CD8 T cells, and multifocal CD8+ T cell infiltrates were resolved upon termination of anti-CD137 treatment. Anti-CD137-treated mice developed lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia, and had lowered levels of hemoglobin and increased numbers of reticulocytes.
[(18)F]FDOPA and [(18)F]CFT are both sensitive PET markers to detect presynaptic dopaminergic hypofunction in early Parkinson's disease.

The aim of this study was to compare two PET ligands, 6-[(18)F]fluoro-L-dopa ([(18)F]FDOPA) and (18)F-labeled CFT, 2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-[(18)F]-fluorophenyl)tropane ([(18)F]CFT), in detecting presynaptic dopaminergic hypofunction in early Parkinson's disease (PD). These ligands reflect different aspects of presynaptic dopaminergic function, since [(18)F]FDOPA mainly reflects 6-[(18)F]fluorodopamine (fluorodopamine) synthesis and storage whereas [(18)F]CFT uptake is related to dopamine transporter function. Eight de novo patients with PD who had never been on antiparkinsonian medication were investigated with [(18)F]FDOPA and [(18)F]CFT PET. Five healthy volunteers were studied as controls. In PD patients, both [(18)F]FDOPA and [(18)F]CFT uptakes were significantly reduced both in the contralateral and ipsilateral anterior and posterior putamen. The reduction was greatest in the contralateral posterior putamen (to 28% of control mean for [(18)F]FDOPA, P < 0.0001 and to 16% for [(18)F]CFT, P < 0.0001). Individually, all patients' [(18)F]FDOPA and [(18)F]CFT uptake values in the contralateral anterior and posterior putamen were below 3 SD of the control mean. In the caudate nucleus, the mean uptake of both tracers was significantly reduced both ipsilaterally and contralaterally, but less severely than in the putamen (to 69% of the control mean for [(18)F]FDOPA, P = 0.003 and to 60% for [(18)F]CFT, P = 0.001 contralaterally). Our results show that both [(18)F]FDOPA as well as [(18)F]CFT sensitively detect presynaptic dopaminergic hypofunction in early PD. They demonstrate a considerable reduction of tracer uptake that is greatest in the posterior putamen, followed by the anterior putamen and the caudate nucleus.
Pharmacological Study of Cefazolin During Intermittent and Continuous Infusion: a Crossover Investigation in Humans

Levels of cefazolin were determined in plasma, urine, bile, and cerebrospinal fluid in humans after a bolus intravenous injection and during a controlled, continuous intravenous infusion. All the patients were studied in a steady-state and crossover fashion. In plasma, the mean peak level after bolus injection (1.5 g) studied in 12 patients was 206.5 μg/ml; during continuous infusion (6 g daily), the mean level remained stable at 52.6 μg/ml. With bolus injection and continuous infusion, respectively, 89.7 and 86.3% of the administered dose of cefazolin were excreted in the urine of nine patients over the 6-h period considered. The levels of cefazolin in common bile duct bile were studied in six cholecystectomized patients. In bile collected during the two 3-h periods of the experiment, the mean concentration of the drug in the bile after bolus injection was 66.9 and 22.0 μg/ml, respectively; during continuous infusion, the corresponding biliary levels were 50.7 and 51.3 μg/ml, respectively. In four neurosurgical patients with an intraventricular catheter, neither bolus injection nor continuous infusion resulted in a demonstrable concentration of cefazolin in the cerebrospinal fluid. The continuous intravenous administration of cefazolin might have some advantage over the intravenous bolus intermittent injections. In plasma, the area under the curve is greater with continuous infusion than with bolus injection. In bile, the levels of cefazolin are more sustained with continuous infusion than with bolus injection. This approach to intravenous administration of cefazolin deserves more pharmacological and clinical trials.
Evaluation of influenza-specific humoral response by microbead array analysis.

RATIONALE Quantitation and determination of antigen specificity of systemic and mucosal immune responses to influenza vaccination is beneficial for future vaccine development. Previous methods to acquire this information were costly, time consuming and sample exhaustive. The benefits of suspension microbead array (MBA) analysis are numerous. The multiplex capabilities of the system conserve time, money and sample, while generating statistically powerful data. OBJECTIVE To demonstrate the use of the assay by comparing the humoral influenza-specific responses of two cohorts from two countries that differed in circulating influenza strains and rates of influenza vaccination. METHODS Influenza hemagglutinin (HA) from different strains were coated on microbeads and incubated with serum samples to capture immunoglobulin (Ig) A(1) and IgG(1) host antibodies. RESULTS Statistically significant differences in IgA(1) and IgG(1) exist between the serum samples from Winnipeg (Manitoba) donors and those from Kenyan (Africa) donors. Data were compared using Mann-Whitney nonparametric tests. The Winnipeg donors had higher mean fluorescence intensity values, with significant P values for anti-HA IgA(1) to A/Wyoming/3/2003 (P=0.044), A/Vietnam/1203/2004 (P=0.0179), A/New Caledonia/20/99 (P<0.0001) and B/Tokyo/53/99 (P=0.0002). No differences were seen between the groups in their response to B/Jilin/20/2003. The Winnipeg donors had higher mean fluorescence intensity values, with significant P values for anti-HA IgG(1) to A/Wyoming/3/2003 (P=0.0135), B/Tokyo/53/99 (P=0.006) and B/Jilin20/2003 (P=0.026). CONCLUSION Influenza-specific IgA(1) and IgG(1) antibodies were successfully detected using MBA technology. A significant difference in antibody response was observed between Winnipeg and Kenyan donor serums. MBA analysis is a relatively quick and cost-effective method for serum antibody analysis. The potential to simultaneously assay small sample volumes for a multitude of antigens makes this method invaluable for future vaccine response monitoring.
Flexible CPU Provisioning in Clouds: A New Source of Performance Unpredictability

Flexibility is an important characteristic of cloud computing: users can dynamically lease resources only when needed. While this feature brings along various benefits, there are several drawbacks and among them performance unpredictability is a major issue. In this paper we investigate the effects of a new source of variability introduced by the flexible CPUs allocation policy supported by several IaaS providers. According to this policy, CPUs with different computing power may be allocated to the same VM type. We will show through experiments on Amazon EC2 platform that the range of CPUs, allocated transparently to the users, may lead to very different performance experienced by an application executed with the same VM type. To perform our studies we developed a benchmark application that can either run with a predetermined workload, or scale the service demand according to the computational power of the allocated CPU. We also executed some benchmarks of the well known DaCapo suite, that is composed by real world open source applications. The collected measurements illustrate that the fluctuations of performance due to the flexible allocation policy may be very high and unpredictable.
Perceived control moderated the self-efficacy-enhancing effects of a chronic illness self-management intervention

Objective: Identifying moderators of the effects of self-efficacy-enhancing interventions could improve their efficiency. We examined the effects of a home-based variant of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program on self-efficacy, and explored the moderating effects of perceived control over self-management (PCSM). Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, patients (N= 415) aged>40 years with various chronic conditions plus basic activity impairment and/or significant depressive symptoms were randomized to one of three groups: intervention provided in homes or by telephone, v. usual care control. We used mixed effects linear models for repeated measures to examine effects on self-management self-efficacy at 6-month follow-up and explore moderation by PCSM. Results: Only the home intervention had a significant self-efficacy-enhancing effect (Wald test, χ 2 = 13.8, p = 0.008; effect size = 0.3). The effect was moderated by PCSM, considered as a continuous [effective in subjects with lower PCSM (Wald test, χ2 = 13.4, p = 0.009)] or categorical (effective only for subjects in the lowest tercile) variable. Conclusions: People with lower PCSM appear more likely to experience enhanced self-efficacy from chronic illness self-management training than those with higher PCSM. These findings, although preliminary, suggest that office-based measurement of PCSM might identify those chronically ill patients likely to benefit most from self-management training.
Remifentanil Provides Hemodynamic Stability and Faster Awakening Time in Transsphenoidal Surgery

In this prospective study, we evaluated the effects of remifentanil in ASA I–II patients undergoing transsphenoidal surgery. After the induction of anesthesia, patients were randomly allocated to the Isoflurane (n = 22, 60% nitrous oxide, isoflurane up to 2% end-tidal) or Remifentanil group (n = 21, 60% nitrous oxide, 0.5% end-tidal isoflurane, remifentanil up to 2 &mgr;g · kg−1 · min−1). If mean arterial pressure (MAP) increased >80 mm Hg during maximal dosage of isoflurane or remifentanil, labetalol was administered. At the end of anesthesia, extubation and awakening times, respiratory rate, Spo2, MAP, heart rate, and adverse effects were recorded. Hemodynamics and bleeding (minimal, mild, moderate, severe) were not different between groups. Bleeding grade increased with MAP >80 mm Hg (P < 0.001). Labetalol was administered to 20 patients in the Isoflurane group, and 10 patients in the Remifentanil group (P < 0.01). The dose of labetalol was larger in the Isoflurane group (1.0 ± 0.6 versus 0.5 ± 0.7 mg/kg, P < 0.05). Time to extubation did not differ, whereas time to follow commands was shorter in Remifentanil patients (16 ± 8 versus 10 ± 2 min, P < 0.01). No adverse effects occurred in the early postoperative period.
Preventive effects of Resveratrol against azoxymethane‐induced testis injury in rats

To evaluate the protective effects of Resveratrol (RES) on azoxymethane (AOM)‐induced testicular damage using histopathology and biochemical analyses, 28 male rats were randomly divided into four groups. Groups were control, RES, AOM and ARES. At the end of the 7 weeks, following routine tissue processing procedure, testis sections were stained with haematoxylin–eosin and Masson's trichrome. The blood samples were taken for biochemical analysis of testosterone, total oxidative stress, total antioxidant status and oxidative stress index. Degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules such as atrophy, loss in the number of germ cells and arrested spermatogenic cell, and increase in the connective tissue of the tunica albuginea in the groups with AOM treatment were found. RES treatment (ARES) reduced the number of affected seminiferous tubules significantly (p < .05) compared to AOM alone. The testosterone levels in AOM group were significantly lower than in the control group (p < .05). The total oxidative stress levels were significantly higher in AOM group compared to control group (p < .05). The total antioxidant status levels in ARES group were significantly higher than in the AOM group (p < .05). This study results suggest that an antioxidant like Resveratrol may be useful for decreasing the harmful effects of azoxymethane.
Neuron-Specific (Pro)renin Receptor Knockout Prevents the Development of Salt-Sensitive Hypertension

The (pro)renin receptor (PRR), which binds both renin and prorenin, is a newly discovered component of the renin–angiotensin system that is highly expressed in the central nervous system. The significance of brain PRRs in mediating local angiotensin II formation and regulating blood pressure remains unclear. The current study was performed to test the hypothesis that PRR-mediated, nonproteolytic activation of prorenin is the main source of angiotensin II in the brain. Thus, PRR knockout in the brain is expected to prevent angiotensin II formation and development of deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt–induced hypertension. A neuron-specific PRR (ATP6AP2) knockout mouse model was generated using the Cre-LoxP system. Physiological parameters were recorded by telemetry. PRR expression, detected by immunostaining and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, was significantly decreased in the brains of knockout mice compared with wild-type mice. Intracerebroventricular infusion of mouse prorenin increased blood pressure and angiotensin II formation in wild-type mice. This hypertensive response was abolished in PRR-knockout mice in association with a reduction in angiotensin II levels. Deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt increased PRR expression and angiotensin II formation in the brains of wild-type mice, an effect that was attenuated in PRR-knockout mice. PRR knockout in neurons prevented the development of deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt–induced hypertension as well as activation of cardiac and vasomotor sympathetic tone. In conclusion, nonproteolytic activation of prorenin through binding to the PRR mediates angiotensin II formation in the brain. Neuron-specific PRR knockout prevents the development of deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt–induced hypertension, possibly through diminished angiotensin II formation.
Comparison of core needle breast biopsy techniques: freehand versus three-dimensional US guidance.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES No single method is generally accepted for evaluating the accuracy of breast biopsy techniques before their clinical implementation. The purpose of this study was to test a new process for evaluating biopsy techniques by using it in the evaluation of a prototype three-dimensional ultrasound (US)-guided biopsy device. MATERIALS AND METHODS The biopsy accuracy of a new three-dimensional US-guided breast biopsy device was compared to that of the accepted clinical practice of biopsy by expert radiologists with two-dimensional freehand US guidance. Biopsies were performed in chicken tissue phantoms containing 3.2-mm lesions made of poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogel. The criterion for a successful biopsy was the presence of lesion in the sample. The equivalence limit difference tested was 10% by using a power of 90% and a two-sided test significance level, a, of 10%. RESULTS The biopsy success rate of the three-dimensional US-guided system (96%) was equivalent to that of expert radiologists using two-dimensional freehand US guidance (94.5%) in tissue phantoms containing poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogel lesions. CONCLUSION This evaluation procedure is a valuable precursor to clinical trials in the assessment of biopsy techniques. The three-dimensional US-guided breast biopsy system provides a suitable alternative to two-dimensional freehand US guidance for biopsy of breast cancer.
Specific Reaction Patterns to Distinct Positive Emotional Cues Related to Incentive Motivation in Dependence of the Taq1A-Polymorphism: Molecular Genetic Associations of Early and Late Event-Related Potentials

Background/Aims: Early and late event-related potential (ERP) responses, representing early subconscious and late motivational processes, were recorded for positive emotional words related to ‘wanting' and ‘liking', in dependence of the dopamine-related Taq1A genotype (ANKK1/DRD2). Research suggests that ‘wanting' as opposed to ‘liking' is related to dopaminergic processes. Therefore, it was hypothesized that risk allele carriers of the Taq1A polymorphism exhibit late ERP changes in reaction to words representing incentive motivation, i.e. ‘wanting' (word categories ‘lust' and ‘anticipation'), but not to words representing ‘liking' (‘closeness'). Methods: Seventy-two male participants performed an emotional-word Stroop task during EEG recording and were genotyped according to the Taq1A polymorphism of ANKK1/DRD2. Results: Positive emotional words related to anticipation and lust revealed blunted responses in the late positive potential (LPP) in carriers of the A1 allele, an effect absent in response to ‘liking'-related words. These differences were not evident in the earlier posterior negativity (EPN). Conclusion: As no differences in dependence of the Taq1A genotype were observed in reaction to ‘wanting'- and ‘liking'-related words in the EPN, but merely in the LPP, it can be assumed that incentive-motivational stimuli only modify motivation-related ERP responses in carriers of the A1 allele of the Taq1A polymorphism, indicating the role of dopamine in late ERP components.
Visceral and vascular complications resulting from anterior lumbar interbody fusion.

OBJECT The literature on abdominal and general surgery-related complications following anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is scant. In this retrospective review of 60 patients in whom ALIF was performed at their institutions between 1996 and 1998, the authors detail the associated complications and their correlation with perioperative factors. The causes, strategies for their avoidance, and the clinical course of these complications are also discussed. METHODS The study group was composed of 31 men and 29 women whose mean age was 42 years (range 29-71 years). The preoperative diagnosis was discogenic back pain in 33 patients (55%); failed back syndrome in 11 (18.3%); pseudarthrosis in five (8.3%); postlaminectomy syndrome in four (6.6%); spondylolisthesis in three (5%); burst fracture in two (3.3%); and malignancy in two (3.3%). A retroperitoneal approach to the spine was used in 57 of the 60 patients. One interspace was exposed in 28 patients (46.6%), two in 28 (46.6%), and three in four (6.6%). Discectomy and interbody fusion in which the authors placed titanium cages or bone dowels was performed in 56 patients and corpectomy with instrumentation in four. Seven (11.6%) of 60 patients had undergone previous abdominal surgery and 29 (48.3%) had undergone previous spinal surgery. The follow-up period averaged 12+/-4 months (mean+/-standard deviation). Twenty-four general surgery-related complications occurred in 23 patients (38.3%), including sympathetic dysfunction in six; vascular injury in four; somatic neural injury in three; sexual dysfunction in three; prolonged ileus in three; wound incompetence in two; and deep venous thrombosis, acute pancreatitis, and bowel injury in one patient each. There were no deaths. The incidence of complications was not associated with underlying diagnosis (p>0.1), age (p>0.5), previous abdominal or spinal surgery (p>0.1), or the number of levels exposed (p>0.1). CONCLUSIONS This report provides a detailed analysis of the general surgery-related complications following ALIF. Although many of these complications have been recognized in the literature, the significance of sympathetic dysfunction appears to have been underestimated. The high incidence of complications in this series likely reflects the strict criteria. Many of these complications were minor and resolved over time without long-term sequelae.
Persönlichkeitsbesonderheiten und Werthaltungen von Kinderärzten

Zusammenfassung Die beruflichen Anforderungsmerkmale von Kinderärzten unterscheiden sich deutlich von Ärzten aus operativen Fächern. Ihre Arbeit ist geprägt von vielfältigen Interaktionsanforderungen. Sie müssen die Bedürfnisse und Nöte des Kindes verstehen und diese mit den Bedürfnissen der Eltern abgleichen und die Einflüsse anderer sozialer sowie entwicklungspsychologischer Faktoren berücksichtigen. Deshalb ist davon auszugehen, dass sich bei Kinderärzten Persönlichkeitsbesonderheiten und Werthaltungen ausbilden, die von durchschnittlichen Persönlichkeitsprofilen der Allgemeinbevölkerung und anderer Facharztgruppen abweichen. In der vorliegenden Untersuchung wurde diese Annahme mithilfe des NEO-Fünf-FaktorenInventars (NEO-FFI) nach Borkenau und Ostendorf (4), des Portraits Values Questionnaire (PVQ) nach Schwartz (48) und des Tests zur Allgemeinen Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung (SWE) nach Jerusalem und Schwarzer (30) überprüft. Erstmalig wurden Kinderärzte auch dazu befragt, welches Arzt-Patienten-Modell sie bevorzugen. Nach den Ergebnissen dieser Befragung von 98 Kinderärzten im mitteldeutschen Raum können Kinderärzte im Wesentlichen als offener für neue Erfahrungen, kreativer, verträglicher, wissbegieriger, weniger ängstlich und weniger nervös als die Allgemeinbevölkerung beschrieben werden. Außerdem streben sie weniger nach Macht, Sicherheit und Konformität, aber nach mehr Selbstbestimmung als die Allgemeinbevölkerung. Es ist deshalb vorläufig davon auszugehen, dass es bei Kinderärzten ebenso wie bei Chirurgen eine anforderungsspezifische Persönlichkeitsakzentuierung gibt.