Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Putative diffusion tensor neuroimaging endophenotypes in schizophrenia: a review of the early evidence

Although schizophrenia has a high heritability, the genetic effects conferring diathesis to schizophrenia are thought to be complex and underlain by multifactorial polygenic inheritance. ‘Endophenotypes’, or ‘intermediate phenotypes’, are narrowed constructs of genetic risk that are assumed to be more proximal to the gene effects in the disease pathway than clinical phenotypes. A current aim in schizophrenia research is to identify promising putative endophenotypes for use in molecular genetics studies. Recently, much of the focus has been on neurocognitive, conventional T1-weighted structural MRI, functional MRI and electrophysiological endophenotypes. Diffusion tensor imaging has emerged as another important structural neuroimaging modality in the aim to identify abnormalities in brain connectivity and diffusivity in schizophrenia, and abnormalities detected via this method may be promising candidate endophenotypes. In this article, we present the first comprehensive review of the early evidence that qu.
Modeling Major Adverse Outcomes of Pediatric and Adult Patients With Congenital Heart Disease Undergoing Cardiac Catheterization: Observations From the NCDR IMPACT Registry (National Cardiovascular Data Registry Improving Pediatric and Adult Congenital Treatment)

Background: Risk standardization for adverse events after congenital cardiac catheterization is needed to equitably compare patient outcomes among different hospitals as a foundation for quality improvement. The goal of this project was to develop a risk-standardization methodology to adjust for patient characteristics when comparing major adverse outcomes in the NCDR’s (National Cardiovascular Data Registry) IMPACT Registry (Improving Pediatric and Adult Congenital Treatment). Methods: Between January 2011 and March 2014, 39 725 consecutive patients within IMPACT undergoing cardiac catheterization were identified. Given the heterogeneity of interventional procedures for congenital heart disease, new procedure-type risk categories were derived with empirical data and expert opinion, as were markers of hemodynamic vulnerability. A multivariable hierarchical logistic regression model to identify patient and procedural characteristics predictive of a major adverse event or death after cardiac catheterization was derived in 70% of the cohort and validated in the remaining 30%. Results: The rate of major adverse event or death was 7.1% and 7.2% in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. Six procedure-type risk categories and 6 independent indicators of hemodynamic vulnerability were identified. The final risk adjustment model included procedure-type risk category, number of hemodynamic vulnerability indicators, renal insufficiency, single-ventricle physiology, and coagulation disorder. The model had good discrimination, with a C-statistic of 0.76 and 0.75 in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. Model calibration in the validation cohort was excellent, with a slope of 0.97 (standard error, 0.04; P value [for difference from 1] =0.53) and an intercept of 0.007 (standard error, 0.12; P value [for difference from 0] =0.95). Conclusions: The creation of a validated risk-standardization model for adverse outcomes after congenital cardiac catheterization can support reporting of risk-adjusted outcomes in the IMPACT Registry as a foundation for quality improvement.
Implementing a Community Model of Mental Health Care in Chile: Impact on Psychiatric Emergency Visits.

OBJECTIVE The community model of mental health care (CMMHC) is recommended as the best way to organize mental health care, but evidence of its successful implementation and effectiveness is scarce, particularly in resource-poor settings. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of CMMHC on the rate of psychiatric emergency visits in Santiago, Chile. METHODS The rate of psychiatric emergency visits from 2006 to 2011 was compared between two health care administrative districts: district 1 (D1), in which CMMHC was being systematically implemented, and D2, where CMMHC implementation was very limited and inconsistent. In addition, rates of psychiatric emergency visits in ten D1 municipalities were compared by the degree to which they had implemented CMMHC. RESULTS Compared with D2, D1 had higher rates of psychiatric emergency visits during the observation period. In D1, the rate of visits per 100,000 inhabitants declined from 541 in 2006 to 414 in 2011. In D2, the rate increased from 104 in 2006 to 130 in 2011. In D1 municipalities, the reduction in the rate of psychiatric emergency visits was greater in those with well-implemented CMMHC compared with those with partially implemented CMMHC. When distance to the emergency room was taken into account, the 2011 rate of emergency visits in the ten D1 municipalities was 21% (p<.01) lower in those with well-implemented CMMHC than in those with partially implemented CMMHC. CONCLUSIONS CMMHC implementation leads to reduction in psychiatric emergency visits, which are burdensome to both users and providers. Results support CMMHC implementation in resource-poor settings.
Spontaneous Fading of Reticular Pigmentation in Naegeli-Franceschetti-Jadassohn Syndrome

enamel defects of the second teeth with resulting early caries, and moderate hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles. Diffuse palmoplantar keratoderma may coexist with punctate keratoses that are sometimes accentuated in the creases or exhibit a linear pattern [2] . Reticulate hyperpigmentation starts around the age of 2 years without a preceding inflammatory stage. The pigmentation is brown and gray-brown and is localized on the trunk, proximal extremities, axillae, groins and flexures as well as in the periocular and perioral regions. The pigmentation shows a gradual increase during the first 10 years of life, and fading starts around the age of 15 years. Patients with NFJ syndrome who are older than 70 years only have minimal or no pigmentation left [3] . Although patient history gave this information on fading, no photographic documentation of this natural course has previously been presented in the literature. We describe the natural course of hyperpigmentation in a patient of the original family with NFJ syndrome. Our female patient was born in 1944 with NFJ syndrome. Her mutation in keratin 14 had been confirmed previously [1] . The patient had always had difficulties in hot temperatures because of her limited ability to sweat. A pilocarpine test in this patient had been performed by Franceschetti and Jadassohn and was only weakly positive [4] . She had impressive enamel defects and total prostheses were necessary at the age of 30 years. The patient had moderate diffuse palmoplantar keratoderma but her nails were unaffected.
Expresión de las óxido nítrico sintasas constitutiva endotelial e inducible en pacientes venezolanas con preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a disease that onsets in the second half of pregnancy. This condition is characterized by hypertension, proteinuria and, frequently, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Nitric oxide (NO) regulates blood flow in the human placenta, it induces vasodilatation, inhibition of platelet aggregation and prevents adhesion of platelets to endothelial cells. In this work, nitrite levels were evaluated in the sera of peripheral blood of normal pregnant women (n = 46) and women with PE (n = 50); additionally, the expression of endothelial constitutive nitric oxide and inducible synthases (eNOS and iNOS, respectively) of placental tissues, were determined. An increased concentration of serum nitrites from patients with PE, in relation to normal pregnant women (150.64 +/- 8.94 vs 40.62 +/- 1.65 microM, p < 0.00001) was observed. An increased expression of nitric oxide synthases (eNOS and iNOS), in the placental tissues of (PE) patients, as compared to that of normal pregnant women (iNOS 4.29 +/- 1.51 vs 0.59 +/- 0.13; eNOS 1.78 +/- 0.74 vs 0.46 +/- 0.22, p < 0.005) was also observed. Our results show that there exists a relationship between serum nitrites concentration and the expression of eNOS and iNOS, as analyzed in protein extracts of placental tissues.
Leadership and characteristics of nonprofit mental health peer-run organizations nationwide.

OBJECTIVE Mental health peer-run organizations are nonprofits providing venues for support and advocacy among people diagnosed as having mental disorders. It has been proposed that consumer involvement is essential to their operations. This study reported organizational characteristics of peer-run organizations nationwide and how these organizations differ by degree of consumer control. METHODS Data were from the 2012 National Survey of Peer-Run Organizations. The analyses described the characteristics of the organizations (N=380) on five domains of nonprofit research, comparing results for organizations grouped by degree of involvement by consumers in the board of directors. RESULTS Peer-run organizations provided a range of supports and educational and advocacy activities and varied in their capacity and resources. Some variation was explained by the degree of consumer control. CONCLUSIONS These organizations seemed to be operating consistently with evidence on peer-run models. The reach of peer-run organizations, and the need for in-depth research, continues to grow.
Protein S testing in patients with protein S deficiency, factor V Leiden, and rivaroxaban by North American Specialized Coagulation Laboratories

Summary In 2010–2012, the North American Specialized Coagulation Laboratory Association (NASCOLA) distributed 12 proficiency testing challenges to evaluate laboratory testing for protein S (PS). Results were analysed to assess the performance of PS activity, PS free antigen, and PS total antigen testing. Statistical analysis was performed on the numeric results and qualitative classification submitted for each method. There were 2,106 total results: 716 results from PS activity assays, 833 results from PS free antigen assays, and 557 results from PS total antigen assays. The three assay types performed well in the classification of five normal samples and nine abnormal samples, although certain PS activity methods were more likely to classify normal samples as abnormal and one PS total antigen assay was more likely to classify abnormal samples as normal. PS activity methods were affected by interfering substances such as heterozygous or homozygous factor V Leiden mutation (underestimation) and the anticoagulant drug rivaroxaban (overestimation). In conclusion, NASCOLA laboratories using a variety of PS assays performed well in the classification of clearly normal and abnormal samples. Laboratories performing PS activity assays should be aware of potential interferences in samples positive for FV Leiden or containing certain anticoagulant medications.
Neutrophilia induced by histamine challenge in guinea pig: The role of IL-5, IL-10 and IL-17A, but not CXCL8

Background: Histamine is widely used as a pharmacological tool for the evaluation of airway responsiveness. Nevertheless, undesirable and contradictory effects have been described after histamine provocation tests. In previous evaluations of airway responsiveness in a guinea pig asthma model, the control groups consistently showed high neutrophil counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) immediately after the histamine challenge. The changes in cytokine and chemokine levels in guinea pig lung associated with histamine induced-neutrophilia are described in this paper. Methods: Immediately and 24 h after histamine challenge, airway wall and BALF eosinophil and neutrophil counts as well as lung cytokines (IL-5, IL-10, IL-17A, TNF-a and TGF-b) and chemokines (CCL11 and CXCL8) levels were evaluated. Results: Histamine inhalation generated an all-or-none bronchial response, and the dose inducing airway obstruction was similar in all guinea pigs. Immediate increases in neutrophil counts in airway wall and BALF and in IL-5, IL-10 and IL-17A levels in the lung homogenate were observed after histamine challenge. Signifi cant correlations were found between neutrophil counts from airway wall and IL-5, IL-10 and IL-17A levels in the lung homogenate.
Pharmacological impact on right ventricular remodelling in pulmonary arterial hypertension

The pathophysiologic mechanisms of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are initiated by the progressive obstructive changes of the pulmonary resistance vessels which lead to the increase of the afterload of the right ventricle (RV) that responds with functional and structural adaptations. The RV remodelling compensates for a variable period of time but ultimately may fail leading to heart failure and death. The depression of myocardial contractility seems to be one of the primary events in the progression of heart failure in a chronically overloaded RV. However, afterload mismatch remains the leading determinant of heart failure in patients with both PAH and chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary hypertension. Different therapies induce a variable degree of reverse remodelling on the heart changes typical of PAH. The extent of this effect is strictly related to the reduction of RV afterload. The best results are observed in patients who underwent lung transplantation, pulmonary endoarterectomy and in vasoreactive subjects responders to chronic treatment with calcium channel blocking agents. The RV reverse remodelling effects of the new targeted therapies in non-vasoreactive PAH patients appear to be only mild to moderate.
An experimental study on effect of antioxidant vitamin E in stress and alcohol induced changes in male fertility in albino rats

Introduction: Physical and Psychological stresses are believed to reduce sexual functions, resulting from neurotransmission changes in various erectile response pathways and reduced blood flow in genital organs. Intake of alcohol depends on numerous genetic and environmental factors. Stress has long been thought to influence the alcohol drinking in humans. Forced swimming in laboratory animals has been widely used as a model of stress to study the physiological changes and the capacity of the organism in response to stress. Aim: 1. To assess the effect of forced swimming stress on seminal fluid profile, Serum testosterone level, Testicular lipid peroxidation levels. 2. To assess the effect of Vitamin E on stress induced changes. Method: Adult male albino rats weighing 200 – 220 g, aged 12-15 weeks were used in this study. The animals were randomly divided into four groups of 6 animals each. Group1 (control) received distilled water, Group 2 (Forced Swimming Stress) received distilled water Group 3: subjected to Forced Swimming stress with 20% alcohol intake p.o. Group 4: Swimming stress with 20% alcohol treated with Vitamin E (200mg/kg/day orally). The following parameters were studied in all groups 1. Body weight. 2. Sperm count Motility and Life /death Ratio (SLDR). 3. Serum Testosterone 4. Testicular Malondialdehyde level (MDA). Results: Forced swimming stress caused loss in body wt, reduction in sperm count, motility and SLDR in sperm analysis, reduction in serum testosterone and increase testicular MDA levels compared to control. All the changes were statistically significant. When alcohol was added along with forced swimming it caused further loss in body wt, sperm count, motility and SLDR, serum testosterone level and slightly further increase in MDA levels. These observations were also statistically significant. In case of group IV in which Vitamin E was administered long with stress with alcohol it showed a trend of reversal phenomenon of stress and alcohol induced change (Group III) exhibited by gain in body wt, increase sperm count, motility and SLDR, serum testosterone and decrease in MDA level. All the results were statically significant except serum testosterone. Conclusion: Force swimming indicates that swimming is an effective model for producing stress in albino rats. The stress induced changes were further accentuated by addition of ethyl alcohol. However Vit E treatment reverses the effect of stress and alcohol.
The influence of a joint displacement on torque, angle and angular velocity during isokinetic knee extension/flexion. An experimental investigation

In this article we investigated the influence of a displacement of the knee joint in relation to the axis of the isokinetic device on the measured torque, angle and angular velocity during isokinetic knee extension/flexion. We analysed the motion of the knee joint of four young men with the CCD-camera system KINEMETRIX (ORTHODATA GmbH, Liidenscheid, Germany) at different isokinetic speed (60° /s and 180° Is), using a device with a stationary (CYBEX 6000, LUMEX Inc., Ronkonkoma, NY) and a device with an instationary (LIDO ACTIVE, LOREDAN Biomedical Inc., Davies, California) tibial pad. The results show that the displacement of the knee joint in relation to the axis of the device using the instationary (sliding) input cuff is greater than using the stationary cuff. The torque errors range from 0% to -15% using the stationary pad and from +10% to -20% using the instationary cuff. While it is impossible to correct the torque values using the stationary pad (the displacement cannot be measured), the sliding cuff allows a mathematical correction of the torque values after the exercise. The max. torque error can be reduced below 2%. The largest deviations in angle occur at the higher speed (180° Is). At the moment the knee is in full extension, the max. error amounts approximately 20°. At lower speed (60° Is) the max. error amounts around 10°. The device with the stationary input cuff produces more accurate results. The measurement errors are below 10°. Using the instationary cuff, the selected isokinetic speed of 60° /s and 180° /s had been kept well. Considering the angular velocity of the knee joint during a test session, no real isokinetic state could be found. The device with the stationary input cuff has no real isokinetic state of the knee joint during the ROM too. In addition, the speed control during the motion is insufficient. Analysing the different factors which can influence the test results, it must be said that a comparison of test results, receiving from different isokinetic devices, is not possible resp. very questionable at today's state of the art.
Etanercept in Psoriatic Arthritis

In this update on etanercept (ETN) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) we analyze this drug’s mechanism of action, clinical efficacy/effectiveness, optimal dosage, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) association, radiological progression, safety, switching aspects, and pharmacoeconomy. The efficacy/effectiveness of ETN in PsA has been demonstrated in randomized placebo-controlled trials as well as in observational studies representing routine clinical practice. At 1 and 2 years, ETN inhibited radiographic disease progression, assessed by the modified total Sharp score. ETN (generally at a dosage of 50 mg/weekly) can be used either in monotherapy or in combination with DMARD such as methotrexate. A systematic search of randomized, placebo-controlled trials of ETN to treat adults with plaque psoriasis or PsA suggests that the short-term risk/benefit ratio is favorable. Longterm studies, such as observational studies, confirmed this safety profile of ETN. A variable percentage of patients withdrew anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitor treatment owing to inefficacy or poor tolerability. Observational studies showed that in the case of treatment failure with 1 agent, switching to the other agent may also be useful in patients with PsA because of the different molecular structures and targets of available TNF-α blockers. The clinical effect of ETN is associated with favorable pharmacoeconomic considerations.
Treatment of dry eyes in Sjögren's syndrome: the role of autologous blood serum

Introduction: Due to the lack of effective and etiologic treatment for patients with dry eyes in the setting of Sjögren's syndrome (SS), alternative therapeutic modalities are eagerly needed. Hence, the use of autologous serum in the form of eye drops is emerging as a promising treatment. Areas covered: The authors summarize the current evidence on the principle, clinical results, limitations, side effects and future directions of the application of autologous serum, as an alternative therapeutic modality in the management of keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) giving particular emphasis on SS-related KCS. Expert opinion: Following administration of autologous serum eye drops, improvement of both subjective and objective parameters has been consistently demonstrated in SS-related KCS, with no particular safety signals being emerged. Future larger studies addressing the effectiveness and safety of autologous blood serum eye drops are eagerly expected to fully define the determinants for success of autologous blood serum in SS-related KCS, optimize the protocol in terms of maximum healing and minimum cost and maximize the benefit from therapeutic combinations.
Management of acute coronary syndromes in patients with renal insufficiency

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is highly prevalent in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and is associated with poor outcomes. The clinical management of patients with CKD who develop ACS is problematic because of the lack of well-designed randomized trials assessing therapeutic strategies in such patients. The almost uniform exclusion of patients with CKD from randomized studies evaluating new targeted therapies for ACS, and concern about further deterioration of renal function and therapy-related toxic effects, may explain the less frequent use of proven medical therapies in this subgroup of high-risk patients. This could contribute to their excessive mortality. The objective of this review is to discuss the unresolved issues and uncertainties regarding recommended medical therapies and interventional strategies in CKD patients who develop an ACS.
Further Evolution of the ACC/AHA Clinical Practice Guideline Recommendation Classification System: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.

For 3 decades, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) have jointly developed clinical practice guidelines in an effort to align patient care with scientific evidence.l The “2015 ACC/AHA/HRS Guideline on the Management of Patients With Supraventricular Tachycardia”2 introduces the latest recommendation classification system Table 1, which has continued to evolve. The present brief commentary summarizes and explains the changes incorporated in the current scheme. More detailed reviews of the evolution of ACC/AHA guideline methodology have been published.1,3-5 View this table: Table 1. ACC/AHA Recommendation System: Applying Class of Recommendation and Level of Evidence to Clinical Strategies, Interventions, Treatments, or Diagnostic Testing in Patient Care* (Updated August 2015) Guideline recommendations are categorized by the Class of Recommendation (COR) and Level of Evidence (LOE). The COR reflects the magnitude of benefit over risk and corresponds to the strength of the recommendation. Class I recommendations are strong and indicate that the treatment, procedure, or intervention is useful and effective and should be performed or administered for most patients under most circumstances. Class II recommendations are weaker, denoting a lower degree of benefit in proportion to risk. Benefit is generally greater for Class Ila (moderate) recommendations and smaller for Class lib (weak) recommendations, for which benefit only marginally exceeds risk. A …