Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using Cartilage MRI T2-Mapping to Analyze Early Cartilage Degeneration in the Knee Joint of Young Professional Soccer Players

Objective To evaluate and characterize the appearance of articular cartilage in the tibiofemoral joint of young professional soccer players using T2-relaxation time evaluation on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Design In this study, we included 57 male adolescents from the youth academy of a professional soccer team. The MRI scans were acquired of the knee joint of the supporting leg. An “early unloading” (minute 0) and “late unloading” (minute 28) T2-sequence was included in the set of images. Quantitative T2-analysis was performed in the femorotibial joint cartilage in 4 slices with each 10 regions of interest (ROIs). Statistical evaluation, using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, was primarily performed to compare the T2 values of the “early unloading” and “late unloading. ” Results When comparing “early unloading” with “late unloading,” our findings showed a significant increase of T2-relaxation times in the weightbearing femoral cartilage of the medial (P < 0.001) and lateral (P < 0.001) compartment of the knee and in the tibial cartilage of the medial compartment (P < 0.001). Conclusion In this study, alterations of the cartilage were found with a maximum in the medial condyle where the biomechanical load of the knee joint is highest, as well as where most of the chronic cartilage lesions occur. To avoid chronic damage, special focus should be laid on this region.
Comparison of the Premier Toxin A and B Assay and the TOX A/B II Assay for Diagnosis of Clostridium difficile Infection

ABSTRACT Clostridium difficile causes nosocomial diarrhea and is responsible for complications such as pseudomembranous colitis, megacolon, and perforation. Using 442 stool specimens, we compared the sensitivities and specificities of the Premier toxin A and B (Meridian Bioscience, Inc.) and C. difficile TOX A/B II (TechLab, Inc., Blacksburg, VA) immunoassays in the Virology Department of the Kaiser Permanente Regional Reference Laboratories. The Premier toxin A and B assay demonstrated a higher sensitivity (97.44%) and a higher positive predictive value (79.17%) than the C. difficile TOX A/B II assay (87.18% and 75.56%, respectively), while assay specificities and negative predictive values were similar. We also performed experiments using serially diluted, purified toxin A and B antigens to understand the basis for assay differences. The two assays’ toxin A antibodies detected toxin A at comparable levels. Preliminary results indicated that the toxin B antibody in the Premier toxin A and B assay could detect toxin B at a concentration of 125 pg/100 μl, while the toxin B antibody in the C. difficile TOX A/B II assay could not detect toxin B below a concentration of 250 pg/100 μl. Therefore, the Premier toxin A and B assay provides greater sensitivity than the C. difficile TOX A/B II assay, perhaps due to a superior detection ability of its toxin B antibody.
The reaction-limited kinetics of membrane-to-surface adhesion and detachment

Biological adhesion is frequently mediated by specific membrane proteins (adhesion molecules). Starting with the notion of adhesion molecules, we present a simple model of the physics of membrane-to-surface attachment and detachment. This model consists of coupling the equations for deformation of an elastic membrane with equations for the chemical kinetics of the adhesion molecules. We propose a set of constitutive laws relating bond stress to bond strain and also relating the chemical rate constants of the adhesion molecules to bond strain. We derive an exact formula for the critical tension. We also describe a fast and accurate finite difference algorithm for generating numerical solutions of our model. Using this algorithm, we are able to compute the transient behaviour during the initial phases of adhesion and detachment as well as the steady-state geometry of adhesion and the velocity of the contact. An unexpected consequence of our model is the predicted occurrence of states in which adhesion cannot be reversed by application of tension. Such states occur only if the adhesion molecules have certain constitutive properties (catch-bonds). We discuss the rational for such catch-bonds and their possible biological significance. Finally, by analysis of numerical solutions, we derive an accurate and general expression for the steady-state velocity of attachment and detachment. As applications of the theory, we discuss data on the rolling velocity of granulocytes in post-capillary venules and data on lectin-mediated adhesion of red cells.
Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 and Tissue Inhibitors of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 in Plasma of Patients Co-Infected with HCV and HIV

Abstract Background: Accelerated progression of hepatic fibrosis has been shown in patients co-infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV. Liver fibrosis is a dynamic process in which the altered balance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their specific inhibitors (TIMPs) may play a major role. Method: The involvement of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in HCV liver disease progression in patients co-infected with HIV was evaluated. Plasma concentrations of human MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were assessed in 76 HIV-infected patients; 27 were co-infected with HCV and 49 were HCV negative. 18 healthy donors were included as controls. Results: Patients with HIV infection exhibited a striking increase in TIMP-1 levels; this is more evident in patients with advanced CD4 depletion. There was no elevation in the plasma concentrations of the MMP-9. The highest levels of TIMP-1 were found in the HIV/HCV co-infected patients. The values of TIMP-1 in HIV-infected patients with chronic HCV hepatitis were significantly higher than in HIV-positive individuals without HCV infection, even including those with low CD4 count. No significant differences were seen in the MMP-9 levels. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the altered balance between circulating MMP-9 and TIMP-1 during HIV infection may play an important role in exacerbating liver fibrosis progression in patients co-infected with HCV.
Mantle cell lymphoma: a retrospective study on 27 patients. Clinical features and natural history.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a separate histological and clinical entity recently recognized in the new revised European-American Lymphoma Classification. Little information exists regarding its therapy. We report the results of a retrospective study of 27 patients affected by MCL evaluating the clinical characteristics and the results of different therapeutical options used during the period of observation. DESIGN AND METHODS From 1983 to 1993, we observed 27 patients affected by MCL according to the criteria proposed by European Lymphoma Task Force in a revision of 55 cases classified as NHL E according to Working Formulation (WF) criteria. We analyzed the clinical characteristics, the prognostic factors and the O.S. of these patients. RESULTS The clinical characteristics of our patients (pts) are similar to those observed in other series: male prevalence, median age 62 years, B symptoms in 9 cases, P.S. > 2 in 11 cases, 3 pts were in stage I and II, 4 in stage III, 20 in stage IV; 18 pts had a bone marrow involvement, 13 pts had spleen enlargement and 14 had extranodal localization; 8 pts had bulky tumor and 5 had LDH above normal. The CR rate was 51.8%, the median O.S. was 43 months, and DFS was 18 months; the pts without bulky disease and with localized disease had a better CR rate. The inclusion of an anthracycline in the regimen did not affect the results. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS Our results were not divergent from those present in literature. The mantle cell lymphoma is an incurable and highly aggressive disease. Autologous bone marrow transplantation as support of high dose chemotherapy or allogenic bone marrow transplantation may be a chance for some patients, but not for the majority of patients, which are older than 65 years. Studies of a larger series and different therapeutical approaches, i.e. using biological modifiers in association or as maintenance after chemotherapy are essential.
Performance de la prise en charge de l'accident vasculaire cérébral à la phase aigue

L'acces aux therapeutiques de reperfusion (thrombolyse/thrombectomie) dans les delais recommandes constitue l'enjeu principal de la prise en charge de l'accident vasculaire cerebral (AVC) a la phase aigue. Actuellement, seuls 20% des patients eligibles en beneficient, en raison de difficultes a identifier l'AVC et de delais de prise en charge prolonges. La filiere de soins optimale pour l'AVC a la phase aigue comprend l'appel au 15 des la survenue des symptomes et un transfert direct du patient en unite neurovasculaire (UNV). Cependant, une 1ere etude menee dans le Rhone en 2006-2007 (AVC 69) avait objective que la filiere de soins passait par les urgences dans 80% des cas et que seuls 10% des patients eligibles etaient thrombolyses. Les principaux retards identifies dans la prise en charge concernaient au niveau prehospitalier, l'identification de l'AVC et l'appel au 15 par le patient ou les temoins, et au niveau intrahospitalier, le parcours de soins dans les services d'urgences, l'obtention de l'imagerie cerebrale et le transfert en UNV. Pour repondre a ces problematiques, nous avons mis en place un programme visant a ameliorer la prise en charge de l'AVC en region Rhone-Alpes. Notre travail de these rapporte 3 projets menes au sein de ce programme : Le premier projet ciblait la phase prehospitaliere. Il a permis d'evaluer la perception de l'AVC au sein de la population generale, afin de proposer une campagne d'information pertinente. Nous avons etudie l'impact de cette campagne dans le Rhone sur l'appel au 15 et les connaissances de la population sur l'AVC. Le second projet a evalue une intervention multifacettes de formation des professionnels des services d'urgences dont l'objectif etait de diminuer les delais de prise en charge intrahospitaliers et ameliorer l'acces a la thrombolyse. Le troisieme projet a porte sur l'etude de la validite des bases de donnees medico-administratives hospitalieres pour identifier les AVC, en vue de l'utilisation de ces bases a des fins epidemiologiques ou pour la construction d'indicateurs de suivi de la performance. Les interventions deployees au sein du programme ont permis d'ameliorer le recours a l'appel au 15 et le taux de thrombolyse, neanmoins l'ampleur des effets observes reste limitee et aucun effet sur les delais n'a pu etre mis en evidence. Un approfondissement des mecanismes d'action des interventions est necessaire pour pouvoir proposer des interventions plus efficaces
DC-DC converter for high granularity, sub-string MPPT in photovoltaic applications using a virtual-parallel connection

This paper focuses on fine-grained, sub-string MPPT in photovoltaic applications. An accurate energy forecasting analysis using 3D modeling of an urban PV installation site is used to show that performing MPPT at the sub-string level inside the panel can result in a substantial increase in the yearly energy yield. The virtual-parallel concept is used to exploit the robustness of parallel-connected PV modules to irradiance mismatches, while maintaining the wiring advantages of the physical series configuration. A power-efficient 300 kHz dc-dc converter prototype with three asymmetrical phases is implemented to demonstrate the benefits of DMPPT with substring voltage equalization within the panel. A variable interleaving scheme is used to reduce the output voltage ripple during shading conditions, which increases the output capacitor lifetime and improves the system reliability. The prototype is measured with a single PV panel under a variety of shading test cases to confirm the power benefit of the two auxiliary phases, which reaches up to 30%.
Cellular reservoirs of HIV‐1 in the central nervous system of infected individuals: identification by the combination of in situ polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry

Objectives The majority of HIV-1-infected individuals manifest a plethora of central nervous system (CNS) diseases unrelated to opportunistic infections, including AIDS dementia complex, encephalitis, and various other disorders of the CNS. The present study sought to evaluate the cellular reservoirs and expression patterns of HIV-1 in brain tissue to gain further understanding of HIV-1 neuropathogenesis. Design CNS tissue, obtained post-mortem from 22 patients with AIDS and four HIV-1-seronegative controls, was analyzed. Methods CNS samples were evaluated using a combination of in situ DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR), reverse transcriptase (RT)-initiated in situ PCR, and immunohistochemistry. By utilizing this triple-staining methodology, HIV-1 proviral DNA and HIV-1-specific mRNA can be identified at the single cell level. Results HIV-1 was detected in all 22 AIDS brain specimens and in none of the four brains from HIV-1-seronegative individuals. The most commonly infected cells in AIDS brains were microglia cells and macrophages, but variable levels of HIV-1 infection were demonstrated in many of the major histological cell types within the CNS, including neurons, microvascular endothelial cells (MVEC) and astrocytes. The presence of HIV-1-infected cells was not uniform with infected cells unevenly distributed throughout the brain parenchyma. The degree of HIV-1 mRNA expression varied from 39–65% of the cells in the CNS harboring HIV-1 provirus. Choroid plexus and MVEC exhibited relatively high levels of productive infection. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that several cell types in the CNS, in addition to microglia or macrophages, may become infected with HIV-1 in vivo with variable levels of HIV-1 mRNA expression. The diverse cellular reservoirs for HIV-1 in the CNS may be critically linked to the molecular mechanisms involved in HIV-1 neuropathogenesis. In addition, in vivo infection of MVEC, and possibly cells in the choroid plexus, may directly contribute to penetration of the blood-brain barrier by HIV-1.
Persistent impairment of hippocampal neurogenesis in young adult rats following early postnatal alcohol exposure.

BACKGROUND Prenatal alcohol exposure can cause damage to the developing fetus with outcomes including growth deficiency, facial dysmorphology, brain damage, and cognitive and behavioral deficits. Smaller brains in children with FASD have been linked both with reduced cell proliferation in the developing CNS and with apoptotic cell loss of postmitotic neurons. Prenatal alcohol exposure in rodents during the period of brain development comparable to that of the first and second trimesters of human pregnancy persistently alters adult neurogenesis. Long-term effects of alcohol exposure during the third trimester equivalent, which occurs postnatally in the rat, on adult neurogenesis have not been previously reported. The goal of this study was to examine the effect of postnatal binge-like alcohol exposure on cell proliferation and neurogenesis in hippocampal dentate gyrus during adolescence and young adulthood. METHODS Male Long-Evans rat pups were assigned to 3 groups: alcohol-exposed (AE), sham-intubated (SI) or suckle control (SC). AE pups received ethanol in a milk formula in a binge manner (2 feedings, 2 hours apart, total dose 5.25 g/kg/day) on postnatal days (PD) 4-9. BrdU was injected every other day on PD30-50. Animals were perfused either on PD50 to examine cytogenesis and neurogenesis in hippocampal dentate gyrus at the end of BrdU injections or on PD80 to evaluate new cell survival. Dorsal hippocampal sections were immunostained for BrdU, a marker for proliferating cells, Ki67, endogenous marker of proliferation, and NeuN, a marker for mature neurons. RESULTS Binge-like alcohol exposure on PD4-9 significantly reduced the number of mature neurons in adult hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) both on PD50 and PD80, without altering cumulative cytogenesis on PD50. In addition, the number of new neurons, that were generated between PD30 and 50, was further reduced after 30 days of survival in all 3 groups (SC, SI, and AE). CONCLUSIONS These observations suggest that early postnatal binge alcohol exposure results in long-term deficits of adult hippocampal neurogenesis, providing a potential basis for the deficits of hippocampus-dependent behaviors reported for this model.
Relationship between Inflation and Monetary Indicators of Mongolia

Including quarterly data from 1994-2004, and based on the classical theory of money policy and several empirical research, we have modelled the econometric model that indicate the relationship between money supply, exchange rate and inflation via CPI in the case of Mongolia. A series of tests have been done regarding to the true model. A positive finding is that the money supply and exchange rate have highly effects on inflation. This result may be developed in further study for the inflation targeting policy in Mongolia.
Efficient expansion of regulatory T cells in vitro and in vivo with a CD28 superagonist

CD4+CD25+ T cells play a central role in the suppression of autoimmunity and inflammation, making their in vivo expansion a highly attractive therapeutic target. By phenotyping with a novel rat CTL antigen‐4 (CTLA‐4)‐specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) and functional in vitro assays, we here first establish that rat CD4+CD25+ T cells correspond to the regulatory T cells (Treg cells) described in mice and humans: they constitutively express CTLA‐4, produce IL‐10 but not IL‐2, and are able to suppress the proliferation of costimulated CD25‐negative indicator cells. Furthermore, we show that rat Treg cells respond less well than CD25– T cells to conventional costimulation, but are readily expanded in vitro with "superagonistic" CD28‐specific mAb which are potent mitogens for all T cells without the need for TCR engagement. In vivo, functional Treg cells are preferentially expanded by CD28 stimulation over other T cell subsets, leading to a 20‐fold increase within 3 days in response to a single antibody dose. These data suggest that CD28‐driven activation of Treg cells may be highly effective in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Treatment practices in adults with chronic immune thrombocytopenia – a European perspective

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is characterised by platelet destruction and impaired production leading to isolated thrombocytopenia. The aim of this study, comprising a retrospective longitudinal cohort study complemented by a Delphi panel of 35 physicians, was to describe standard treatment practices and treating physician’s perception and preferences for available treatment options in chronic ITP. The medical records of 610 patients were reviewed over 12 months. Mean age at the start of the observational period was 54.6 yr, median platelet count 77 × 109/L with 41% of patients having symptoms of ITP. Treated patients (61%) received an average of 2.7 medications either for ITP or ITP treatment‐related side effects. An array of products was used, but the most frequent were corticosteroids. Delphi panel physicians (45%) indicated the main goals for treatment were to increase platelet levels to at least 30 × 109/L to prevent bleeding or haemorrhage. The majority (89%) indicated that personal experience influenced treatment choice. Most (>80%) rated splenectomy and high‐dose corticosteroids as the most effective but were concerned about side effects, and many (75%) would like access to interventions with improved efficacy and safety. The study highlights the need for updated evidence‐based treatment guidelines to assist physicians in patient treatment decisions and to realise improvements in patient outcomes. It also identified perceived shortcomings of existing therapies and the need to establish an evidence base for newer interventions that could potentially make lasting response to treatment with fewer adverse effects an achievable goal.
Protection of Thrombin Receptor Expression under Hypoxia*

Thrombin receptor (ThR) plays a significant role in myocyte contractility and hypertrophy. Heart myocyte ischemic damage, caused by insufficient blood supply, is the leading cause of heart infarction. Here we demonstrate that when primary myocyte cultures are subjected to hypoxic stress, ThR mRNA levels are reduced markedly. This takes place also in vivo in a model of ischemic pig heart, exhibiting reduced levels of ThR compared with normal heart sections. Prior activation of ThR however, by either thrombin receptor-activating peptide (TRAP) or by α-thrombin resulted in full protection of ThR mRNA levels under hypoxia. The effect appeared specific to ThR because the addition of TRAP did not affect the hypoxic damage as shown by the levels of lactic dehydrogenase release and up-regulated GLUT-1, a glucose transporter gene. This protection effect took place not only in primary myocytes but also in NIH3T3 fibroblasts. ThR protection occurs via specific cell signaling events because activation of the receptor by TRAP, following interruption of the signaling cascade by calphostin C, a protein kinase C inhibitor, resulted in loss of ThR mRNA protection. Because Ras and Src are part of the ThR signaling cascade, the introduction of either dominant ras or src oncogenes to NIH3T3 murine fibroblasts gave rise to similar protection of ThR mRNA levels under hypoxic conditions without the exogenous addition of TRAP. Likewise, ThR mRNA protection was obtained after transfection with proto-oncogene vav. The 95-kDa protein Vav undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation after ThR activation, serving thus as part of the receptor machinery cascade. We therefore conclude that the initiation of the signaling cascades either exogenously by TRAP or within the cell via src or ras, as well as viavav oncogene interconnecting G-binding protein to the tyrosine kinase pathway, ultimately results in ThR protection under hypoxia. We present hereby, a novel concept of activated receptors, which under minimal oxygen tension protect their otherwise decaying mRNA. Maintaining the level of ThR that plays an active role in normal myocyte function may provide a significant repair mechanism in ischemic tissue, assisting in the regaining of normal myocyte functions.
Processing of temporally patterned sounds in the auditory cortex of Seba's short‐tailed bat,Carollia perspicillata

This article presents a characterization of cortical responses to artificial and natural temporally patterned sounds in the bat species Carollia perspicillata, a species that produces vocalizations at rates above 50 Hz. Multi‐unit activity was recorded in three different experiments. In the first experiment, amplitude‐modulated (AM) pure tones were used as stimuli to drive auditory cortex (AC) units. AC units of both ketamine‐anesthetized and awake bats could lock their spikes to every cycle of the stimulus modulation envelope, but only if the modulation frequency was below 22 Hz. In the second experiment, two identical communication syllables were presented at variable intervals. Suppressed responses to the lagging syllable were observed, unless the second syllable followed the first one with a delay of at least 80 ms (i.e., 12.5 Hz repetition rate). In the third experiment, natural distress vocalization sequences were used as stimuli to drive AC units. Distress sequences produced by C. perspicillata contain bouts of syllables repeated at intervals of ~60 ms (16 Hz). Within each bout, syllables are repeated at intervals as short as 14 ms (~71 Hz). Cortical units could follow the slow temporal modulation flow produced by the occurrence of multisyllabic bouts, but not the fast acoustic flow created by rapid syllable repetition within the bouts. Taken together, our results indicate that even in fast vocalizing animals, such as bats, cortical neurons can only track the temporal structure of acoustic streams modulated at frequencies lower than 22 Hz.