Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Marijuana smoking and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation].

INTRODUCTION Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in Israel, and unlike most of the other illegal drugs, it is common among segments of the population with higher demographic characteristics. CASE REPORT A healthy 20 year old male patient, with two previous admissions with atrial fibrillation, was admitted to the emergency room with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The patient presented evidence of cannabis abuse, and no other pathologic cause for atrial fibrillation. Sinus rhythm was restored and the patient was discharged. DISCUSSION Cannabis abuse is responsible for a wide range of pathologies, including cognitive impairment, a rise in the prevalence of lung, head and neck tumors, atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, and an increase in the risk of ischemic cardiovascular events. CONCLUSIONS Cannabis abuse can induce atrial fibrillation in predisposed patients. Good practice may consider the inclusion of cannabis abuse tests in young patients admitted due to atrial fibrillation, and definite medical advice to stop the drug abuse.
K+-Cl− co-transporter 2 (KCC2) – a membrane trafficking perspective

Abstract K+-Cl− co-transporter 2 (KCC2/SLC12A5) is a neuronal specific cation chloride co-transporter which is active under isotonic conditions, and thus a key regulator of intracellular Cl− levels. It also has an ion transporter-independent structural role in modulating the maturation and regulation of excitatory glutamatergic synapses. KCC2 levels are developmentally regulated, and a postnatal upregulation of KCC2 generates a low intracellular chloride concentration that allows the neurotransmitters γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine to exert inhibitory neurotransmission through its Cl− permeating channel. Functional expression of KCC2 at the neuronal cell surface is necessary for its activity, and impairment in KCC2 cell surface transport and/or internalization may underlie a range of neuropathological conditions. Although recent advances have shed light on a range of cellular mechanisms regulating KCC2 activity, little is known about its membrane trafficking itinerary and regulatory proteins. In this review, known membrane trafficking signals, pathways and mechanisms pertaining to KCC2’s functional surface expression are discussed.
CD4+ T cell-dependent reduction in hepatitis C virus-specific humoral immune responses after HIV infection.

BACKGROUND Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection adversely affects all stages of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, leading to increased rates of viral persistence, higher levels of HCV viremia, and accelerated progression of HCV-related liver disease. These disease interactions may result in part from impairment of B cell function, which is CD4(+) T cell dependent. METHODS To determine the effect of HIV infection on B cell function, we compared HCV antibody levels and specificities in 29 HCV-infected persons before and after they acquired HIV and assessed the temporal correlation of these changes with overall CD4(+) T lymphocyte counts. RESULTS The pre-HIV infection HCV antibody titer was a predictor of the subsequent titer for all antigens, and decreasing CD4(+) T cell numbers was strongly associated with a decrease in anti-HCV titers for several antigens. CD4(+) T cells counts of <500 cells/mm(3) were significantly associated with lower HCV antibody end-point titers. Higher HCV end-point titers were associated with fewer years from HIV infection and, for Core antigen, current drug use. CONCLUSIONS HCV-specific antibody production is impaired by HIV infection, and loss of antibody production depends on CD4(+) T cell depletion. However, the decrease in titers is less significant in those who continue to actively inject drugs.
Etiology of the 1927-28 Epidemic of Dengue in Greece

Summary The results of serological investigations on sera obtained from residents of Athens, Greece, indicate clearly that the epidemic of dengue which occurred in that country in 1927-28 was, in all probability, due to type 1 dengue virus. Antibodies were demonstrated in approximately 70% of sera obtained from persons living at the time of the epidemic. Sera from individuals born subsequent to the epidemic were negative.
Teaching Pediatrics Residents How to Obtain Informed Consent

Background Few physicians view informed consent as a critical component of the physician–patient relationship or as a way to improve individual and population health. We hypothesized that formal education about informed consent would affect first-year pediatrics residents’ knowledge and attitudes. Method Twenty-seven first-year pediatrics residents participated in a randomized controlled trial with a wait-list control group. The one-hour interactive intervention consisted of a lecture, video, and small-group discussion. Outcomes were measured after randomization at baseline and after the intervention group received the intervention. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis and between and within group t tests. Qualitative data were obtained after the wait-list control group’s exposure to the intervention. Results The quantitative analyses demonstrated that the intervention yielded statistically significant improvements in the measured outcomes. The qualitative analyses confirm the quantitative findings. Conclusion A formal session on informed consent in the pediatrics residency educational program positively affects residents’ knowledge and attitudes about informed consent.
Introduction to Meta Analysis

ion of data from individual study is critical for data analysis, and the process is now fairly standardised when specific summary of findings forms (SoF forms) are used. These forms have been developed by the GRADE Working Groups and provide detailed instructions as to how to use the data abstraction forms. These forms are also standard components of software such as RevMan Software used to conduct meta-analysis published by the Cochrane Collaboration. In general, the abstraction of information from primary studies include the first (or corresponding) author of the study, the year the study was reported, the population on which the study was conducted, the intervention or the exposure that was studied, and comparison groups, the outcomes, the effect estimates, and elements of information that indicate quality of the study. In general, the Cochrane Handbook recommends the following elements of data to be abstracted: 1. Title of the review and name of the coder 2. A key or identifier for every primary study included in the review 3. A field where you indicate that the study is eligible or not (this is somewhat redundant as you can sense that all studies included in the review are included here, but also there may be misses and this is where this extra field is helpful particularly if you have more than one coder for your project 4. Type of Trial or Study Design (RCT, others, before-after study, cross over) 5. Whether Allocation Concealment was done (Adequate, Unclear, inadequate, not done, not relevant) • Participant characteristics • Depend on the study or review itself, if it is reasonable to believe that participant characteristics might influence the outcome or research in some ways then that PeerJ PrePrints | http://dx.doi. org/10.7287/peerj.preprints. 665v1 | CC-BY 4.0 Open Access | rec: 4 Dec 2014, publ: 4 Dec 2014 P re P rin ts characteristic must be included. Example: in your study on the efficacy of mindfulness meditation for hypertension, you may want to include ethnicity of the participants on whom studies were done (unless you restricted) as an element of the data
Transforming valences through transitive inference: How are faces emotionally dissonant?

Information that is emotionally incongruous with self-concepts can produce feelings of unease. This implies that embedding incongruous information in newly formed relational structures would have little effect on their previous emotive properties. Alternatively, Relational Frame Theory highlights the importance of contextualized stimulus-stimulus relations, where the structure of a relational series is key in determining the function of its elements. To see whether series membership can mitigate ‘dissonance’ when a salient element is employed, the present investigation trained and tested a seven-term relational series (X>A>B>C>D>E>Y) using blurred faces as stimuli. Specifically, Stimuli X, A, B, D, E and Y were blurred unfamiliar faces and Stimulus C constituted of the participant's own blurred face, assumed to be more salient than the former. To assess how the valences of the related stimuli were transformed by relational series membership, self-report ratings and electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings were collected before and after training the X>A>B>C>D>E>Y series. These pre vs. post contrasts revealed that, for unfamiliar faces, stimulus valence transformed as a function of relational structure. Conversely, the lack of difference in pre vs. post contrasts of Stimulus C, which maintained a high valence, suggest that relational series membership may not suffice to mitigate emotionally dissonant information.
Immunological and Molecular Analysis of the Sentinel Lymph Node: A Potential Approach to Predict Outcome, Tailor Therapy, and Optimize Parameters for Tumor Vaccine Development

T concept of a sentinel lymph node (SLN) in cancer implies that lymphatic metastases are not a random event but a process that follows an orderly pattern along a predictable pathway. It presumes that a sequential progression of tumor cells within the lymphatic system exists and that the primary tumordraining lymph node possesses the capacity to act, at least temporarily, as a barrier against tumor cell dissemination. Biopsy of the SLN can determine whether a metastasis of the tumor has occurred at an early stage, having significant diagnostic and therapeutic implications for patients with cancer. Recently, several groups, including ours, have used tissue from sentinel node biopsies (SNB) to analyze either the immunological or molecular characteristics of the SLN. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss how the application of several molecular technologies and usage of the gene chip will further increase the sensitivity of assays to detect malignant cells and the ramifications this may have to tailor chemotherapeutic and biotherapeutic interventions in the future. In addition, we will provide an introduction to immunology and review how the immunological analysis of the SLN may lead to innovative new vaccines and biological treatments for cancer. It is hoped that this review will provide an introduction to the current research issues in the field and provide a basis for scientists and physicians from different disciplines to consider how their expertise might be applied to pose or answer questions about the SLN.
The NFAT-1 DNA binding complex in activated T cells contains Fra-1 and JunB

Activation of T cells induces transcription of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene. IL-2 expression is regulated through the binding of transcription factors to multiple sites within the IL-2 enhancer. One such cis-acting element within the IL-2 enhancer is the NFAT-1 (nuclear factor of activated T cells) binding site. NFAT-1 binding activity is absent in resting cells but is induced upon T-cell activation. The induction of NFAT-1 binding activity can be inhibited by cyclosporin A, potentially accounting for the ability of cyclosporin A to inhibit IL-2 production by T cells. We have previously reported that the NFAT-1 binding complex is composed of at least two proteins and that the 5' portion of the NFAT-1 sequence acts as a binding site for one or more proteins from the Ets family of transcription factors. We now report that the 3' portion of the NFAT-1 sequence contains a variant AP-1 binding site. NFAT-1 binding can be specifically inhibited by oligonucleotides containing a consensus AP-1 site. Moreover, mutation of the AP-1 site at the 3' end of the NFAT-1 sequence inhibits both NFAT-1 binding and the ability of the NFAT-1 binding site to activate expression from a reporter plasmid upon T-cell activation. Since AP-1 sites bind dimeric protein complexes composed of individual members of the Fos and Jun families of transcription factors, we used antibodies specific for individual Fos and Jun family members to determine whether they are present in the NFAT-1 binding complex. These experiments demonstrated that the NFAT-1 binding complex contains JunB and Fra-1 proteins. Northern (RNA) blot analyses demonstrate that both fra-1 and junB mRNAs are induced upon T-cell activation, although fra-1 mRNA is present even in quiescent T cells. Of interest, junB is not expressed in quiescent T cells, and it is induced with kinetics that are similar to those for the induction of IL-2 mRNA expression. Taken together, these results suggested that the JunB-Fra-1 heterodimer is the inducible nuclear component of the NFAT-1 binding activity and that JunB expression regulates the formation of the heterodimer. In addition, these data indicated that specific heterodimers of Fos and Jun family members may have selective roles in the induction of transcription during cellular activation.
Clinical significance of hilar thoracic index and width of right descending branch of pulmonary artery in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND Clinical recognition of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) is a major challenge in the management of COPD. Increased hilar-thoracic (HT) index and width of the descending branch of the right pulmonary artery (DRPA) measured on a plain PA chest radiograph have been shown to have a good correlation with pulmonary arterial pressures (PAP) measured by right-heart catheterization. Color Doppler echocardiography has evolved as a noninvasive method to estimate PAP. In the absence of information of the relationship between these radiological signs and PAP measured using this technique, we carried out the present study from an out patient unit of a tertiary care hospital. METHODS Spirometry, arterial blood gas analysis and color Doppler echocardiography to estimate systolic and mean PAP were carried out in fifty patients with COPD. HT index and width of the DRPA were measured on a plain PA chest radiograph. RESULTS The mean values and the proportions of patients with increased HT index (> 35%) and increased width of the DRPA (20 mm or more) increased with increasing severity of the disease. Both the indices had significant correlations with FEV1% predicted, arterial PO2, arterial PCO2 and the systolic pulmonary artery pressure, and, in the case of the HT index, also with the mean pulmonary arterial pressure. The two radiological indices were highly correlated with each other. Increased HT index and increased width of the DRPA had a 100% specificity and predictive value positive (PVP) in identifying patients with pulmonary hypertension. However, sensitivity and predictive value negative (PVN) were low. CONCLUSION It was concluded that the HT index and width of the DRPA are useful and clinically valid measurements in patients with COPD.
Rosiglitazone cools down inflammation in the metabolic syndrome.

To the Editor: We read with interest the article by Samaha et al1 demonstrating a favorable effect of short-term rosiglitazone treatment on the inflammatory milieu in nondiabetic subjects with low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the metabolic syndrome. Almost simultaneously, the same group reported similar effects of pioglitazone in subjects with the metabolic syndrome.2 The proinflammatory state that accompanies the metabolic syndrome is associated with both insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction, providing a connection between inflammation and metabolic processes which is highly deleterious for vascular functions.3 PPAR-γ agonists have displayed unique characteristics, in both animal and clinical studies, indicating that they have antiatherogenic properties.4 These compounds may have direct beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk independent of their hypoglycemic action.5 Two pilot studies with troglitazone6 and pioglitazone7 have shown reduced carotid intima-media thickness in patients with type 2 …
Impaired drinking capacity in patients with functional dyspepsia: relationship with proximal stomach function.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Impaired fundic accommodation to a meal and hypersensitivity to distention are increasingly recognized as important mechanisms underlying functional dyspepsia (FD). In the present study, we evaluated whether a drink test can predict such abnormalities and thus represent a noninvasive tool to study proximal stomach motor function. METHODS Healthy volunteers (HV), nonconsulters with mild dyspeptic symptoms (MS), and patients with FD filled out a disease-specific questionnaire and underwent a drink test with either water or with a high calorie fluid. The maximal ingested volume and the subsequent symptoms were meticulously recorded. In addition, all subjects underwent a gastric barostat study assessing meal-induced relaxation and sensation to distention. RESULTS Drinking capacity was not significantly related to any particular dyspeptic symptom. FD were able to consume less water (893 +/- 70 mL) and caloric liquid (767 +/- 50 mL) compared with HV (water, 1764 +/- 120 mL; caloric liquid, 1308 +/- 96 mL) or MS (water, 1645 +/- 120 mL; caloric liquid, 973 +/- 45 mL). Approximately half of the FD had an abnormal water or Nutridrink test compared with 9% of MS and 4% of HV. Furthermore, FD developed significantly more symptoms than MS or HV after both drink tests. The drinking capacity did not predict impaired fundic accommodation or visceral hypersensitivity. CONCLUSIONS FD, but not MS, have an impaired drinking capacity to both water and a nutrient liquid. The drinking capacity is not related to a specific dyspeptic symptom and does not predict proximal stomach motor function.
Analysing animal social structure

Abstract This paper presents a framework for analysing the social structure of populations in which interactions between some identified individuals can be observed. Statistics describing the nature, quality and temporal patterning of one or more interaction measures are used to define relationships between pairs of individuals or classes of individual. Multivariate techniques can then be used to display the social structure of the population. These displays indicate the social complexity of the population and can be used to classify relationships and examine patterns of relationship between classes of animal. They can also be used to define and delineate groups. This framework and these techniques should be particularly useful when analysing complex fission–fusion societies, as are found among the primates and cetaceans. 1997 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
Are Sheep Spines a Valid Biomechanical Model for Human Spines?

Study Design. Range of motion, neutral zone, and stiffness parameters of the complete cervical, thoracic, and lumbar sheep spine were determined in flexion and extension, axial left/right rotation, and right/left lateral bending. Objectives. To determine quantitative biomechanical properties of the sheep spine and compare them with those from the human spine. Summary of Background Data. Sheep spines often serve as a model for experimental in vivo and in vitro studies in spine research, but few quantitative biomechanical data from sheep spines for comparison with human specimens are available. Methods. Complete spines were sectioned into single‐joint segments and tested in a spine tester under pure moments in the three main anatomic planes. Results. The craniocaudal variation in range of motion in all load directions was qualitatively similar between sheep spines and values reported in the literature for human specimens. Conclusions. Based on the biomechanical similarities of sheep and human spines demonstrated in this study, it appears that the use of the sheep spine, which already includes evaluation of surgical techniques and bone healing processes, might be extended to spinal implants.
Predicting Hospital Safety: A Comparison of Four Models

Choosing the best hospitals or avoiding the worst hospitals is important to patients, physicians, and insurers. There is a wealth of publicly reported quality data to use in making those choices, but that data is presented in ways that may conceal important information. We develop three models of how individuals might use the available data in choosing a hospital and present a model that relies on a group-based alternative to the current reporting methods. We compare these four models on their ability to both predict hospital performance on quality and to identify the best and worst hospitals using three measures of patient safety calculated for California hospitals 1997-2006. We find that there are no clear winners in predicting the levels of quality, but we do find evidence that group-based models may be better at identifying the worst hospitals.
Prevalence of alpha-fodrin antibodies in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection and Sjögren syndrome

Objective. Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is associated with various extrahepatic manifestations. Antibodies against alpha-fodrin are associated with sicca symptoms and may valuable diagnostic markers in patients with primary Sjögren syndrome (SS) lacking Ro antibodies. The frequency and role of alpha-fodrin antibodies in patients with chronic HCV infection are unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of alpha-fodrin antibodies in HCV-infected patients with SS. Material and methods. Alpha-fodrin antibodies were detected more often in hepatitis C patients (25%; n=142) than in HBV-infected individuals (8%; n=49) and healthy controls (6%; n=174) (p<0.01). Based on these findings, we investigated the frequency of sicca symptoms in a second cohort and studied other antibodies associated with SS. Results. HCV-infected individuals showed sicca symptoms in 53% of cases as determined by the Saxon and Schirmer tests, which was more frequent than in healthy controls (1%, p<0.01) but not in patients with autoimmune liver disease (51%). Antibodies specific for Ro (SS-A) were significantly more common in patients with autoimmune liver disease than in HCV-infected patients and healthy controls (16% versus 1% and 0%, p<0.003). SS was found in 18% of patients with HCV, in 15% of patients with autoimmune liver disease and in 1% of healthy controls. However, we found no correlation between sicca symptoms and the presence of antibodies against alpha-fodrin, Ro and La. Conclusions. Patients with chronic HCV infection show a high prevalence of sicca symptoms and antibodies against alpha-fodrin. However, neither the frequency nor the severity of symptoms correlated with the presence of alpha-fodrin antibodies.
Molecular and Electrophysiological Bases of Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is an inherited arrhythmogenic disorder characterized by adrenergically mediated polymorphic ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Genetic investigations have identified two variants of the disease: an autosomal dominant form associated with mutations in the gene encoding the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) and a recessive form associated with homozygous mutations in the gene encoding the cardiac isoform of calsequestrin (CASQ2). Functional characterization of mutations identified in the RyR2 and CASQ2 genes has demonstrated that CPVT are caused by derangements of the control of intracellular calcium. Investigations in a knock‐in mouse model have shown that CPVT arrhythmias are initiated by delayed afterdepolarizations and triggered activity. In the present article, we review clinical and molecular understanding of CPVT and discuss the most recent approaches to develop novel therapeutic strategies for the disease.