Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unilateral Hip Rotation Range of Motion Asymmetry in Patients With Sacroiliac Joint Regional Pain

Study Design. A cross‐sectional study was used to determine whether limited range of motion in the hip was present in 100 patients‐one group with unspecified low back pain and another group with signs suggesting sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Objectives. To determine whether a characteristic pattern of range of motion in the hip is related to low back pain in patients and to determine whether such a pattern is associated with and without signs of sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Summary of Background Data. The sacroiliac joint is often considered a potential site of low back pain. Problems with the sacroiliac joint, as well as with the low back, have often been related to reduced or asymmetric range of motion in the hip. The correlation between sacroiliac joint dysfunction and hip range of motion, however, has not been thoroughly evaluated with reliable tests in a population of patients with low back pain. Methods. Passive hip internal and external rotation goniometric measurements were taken by a blinded examiner, while a separate examiner evaluated the patient for signs of sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Patients with sacroiliac joint dysfunction were further classified as having a left or a right posteriorly tilted innominate. Results. The patients with low back pain but without evidence of sacroiliac joint dysfunction had significantly greater external hip rotation than internal rotation bilaterally, whereas those with evidence of sacroiliac joint dysfunction had significantly more external hip rotation than internal rotation unilaterally, specifically on the side of the posterior innominate. Conclusions. Clinicians should consider evaluating for unilateral asymmetry in range of motion in the hip in patients with low back pain. The presence of such asymmetry in patients with low back pain may help identify those with sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
A Study of the Regime Switching in the Relationship between the Tunisian Exchange Rates and the Fundamental Economic Variables: A Further Investigation Using the Threshold Cointegration Theory

This paper introduces the regime switching models considered when determining the long run relationships between the Tunisian effective exchange rate and economic fundamentals over a period of 30 years. We employ the threshold cointegration approach in order to investigate the long run non-linear dynamics of the effective exchange rate. We introduce the threshold error correction model (TECM) to illustrate the discontinuity of the convergence process towards the long run equilibrium situation. The obtained results confirm the discontinuous or asymmetrical character of the trajectory of the Tunisian dinar towards its fundamental situation depending on whether Tunisia exchange rate is under - or overvaluation regimes. In addition, structural shifts from selected economic variables, may characterize this discontinuity in the convergence process.
Transplacental drug transfer and frequency of Tk and Hprt lymphocyte mutants and peripheral blood micronuclei in mice treated transplacentally with zidovudine and lamivudine

In previous studies, we have shown that zidovudine (3′‐azido‐3′‐deoxythymidine; AZT), but not lamivudine [(‐)2′,3′‐dideoxy‐3′‐thiacytidine; 3TC], is genotoxic when administered to neonatal mice, and that 3TC when coadministered with AZT does not alter the responses observed with AZT alone (Von Tungeln et al. [ 2002 ] Carcinogenesis 23:1427–1432). We now have investigated the transplacental transfer of these drugs and the induction of mutants and micronuclei in the neonatal offspring. From gestational day 12 until parturition, female C57BL/6N and C57BL/6N/Tk+/− mice, which had been mated to male C3H/HeNMTV mice, were treated daily by gavage with AZT, 3TC, or a combination of AZT and 3TC. In both dams and fetuses, AZT was found at much higher levels than its metabolites, AZT 5′‐glucuronide and 3′‐azido‐3′‐deoxythymidine. In the neonates, AZT and the mixture of AZT and 3TC caused a decrease in the percentage of reticulocytes (RETs) and an increase in the percentage of micronucleated RETs and micronucleated normochromatic erythrocytes. When assessed 3 weeks after birth, AZT and the combination of AZT and 3TC increased the thymidine kinase (Tk) mutant frequency in male mice; at 5 weeks, 3TC increased the Tk mutant frequency in female mice. The increase in Tk mutants in mice treated with AZT and the mixture of AZT and 3TC was associated with loss of the wild‐type (Tk+) allele (loss of heterozygosity; LOH) and a pattern of discontinuous LOH. These data indicate that AZT, 3TC, and the combination of AZT and 3TC are transplacental mutagens and that the increase in mutants resulting from AZT is due mainly to large‐scale genetic alterations. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 47:, 2006. Published 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lack of interferon consensus sequence binding protein (ICSBP) transcripts in human myeloid leukemias.

Interferon consensus sequence binding protein (ICSBP) was first identified as a transcription factor of the interferon (IFN) regulatory factor family (IRF) which regulates expression of IFN-dependent genes by binding to DNA at specific sites, IFN-stimulated responsive elements. Analysis of ICSBP-deficient mice showed hematologic alterations similar to chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in humans and suggested a novel role for ICSBP in regulating proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Here we show that ICSBP-mRNA expression is impaired in human myeloid leukemias: 27 of 34 CML patients (79%) and 21 of 32 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (66%) showed very low or absent transcript numbers of ICSBP. In contrast, only 2 of 33 normal volunteers (6%) showed low transcription of ICSBP (P < . 0001 both for CML and AML values). The lack of expression was not associated with lack of lymphatic cells, which normally have been shown to express ICSBP at the highest level. More detailed analysis showed an absence of ICSBP-mRNA also in sorted B cells derived from CML patients. To analyze whether ICSBP may be induced in leukemic cells, ex vivo experiments using a known inducer of ICSBP, IFN-gamma, were performed. Ex vivo treatment of primary CML cells using IFN-gamma resulted in induction of ICSBP transcripts. Furthermore, samples of CML patients during IFN-alpha treatment were analyzed. In 11 of 12 CML patients ICSBP-mRNA was inducible upon in vivo treatment with IFN-alpha, but decreased with progression of CML. Stable transfection of K-562 cell line with ICSBP led to no difference in bcr-abl expression in vitro, although two patients showed an inverse correlation between bcr-abl and ICSBP in vivo. These data suggest that lack of ICSBP may have an important role also in human myeloid leukemogenesis.
A qualitative study of the implementation of Healthy Relationship and Marriage Education by child welfare professionals in Georgia

The purpose of this study was to understand the extent to which child welfare professionals (CWP’s) who completed the Healthy Relationship and Marriage Education Training (HRMET) delivered by Georgia Cooperative Extension, during July and August of 2012, implemented the HRMET skills/tools with their clients. Using qualitative methods, three focus groups were conducted with four CWP’s in each group. Objectives included: to identify HRMET skills/tools that were or were not implemented by CWP’s; to identify perceived benefits and barriers to implementation; and to identify recommendations from CWP’s for implementing HRMET skills/tools. Twenty-three domains emerged including nine skills/tools which were implemented, the influence of the training experience, professional and personal benefits, beliefs and barriers which negatively impacted implementation, and three areas of recommendation. Knowles’ andragogy and Social Exchange Theory provided a basis for interpreting the findings. INDEX WORDS: Relationship and marriage education, Child welfare, Cooperative Extension, Social Exchange Theory, Knowles’ andragogy A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP AND MARRIAGE EDUCATION BY CHILD WELFARE PROFESSIONALS IN GEORGIA by
Transcriptional Effects of Chronic Akt Activation in the Heart*

Akt activation reduces cardiomyocyte death and induces cardiac hypertrophy. To help identify effector mechanisms, gene expression profiles in hearts from transgenic mice with cardiac-specific expression of activated Akt (myr-Akt) were compared with littermate controls. 40 genes were identified as differentially expressed. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR confirmed qualitative results of transcript profiling for 9 of 10 genes examined, however, there were notable quantitative discrepancies between the quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and microarray data sets. Interestingly Akt induced significant up-regulation of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5), which could contribute to its anti-apoptotic effects in the heart. In addition, Akt-mediated down-regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ coactivator-1 (PGC-1) and PPAR-α may shift myocytes toward glycolytic metabolism shown to preserve cardiomyocyte function and survival during transient ischemia. IGFBP-5 transcripts also increased after adenoviral gene transfer of myr-Akt to cultured cardiomyocytes, suggesting that this represents a direct effect of Akt activation. In contrast, substantial induction of growth differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8), a highly conserved inhibitor of skeletal muscle growth, was observed in transgenic hearts but not after acute Akt activationin vitro, suggesting that GDF-8 induction may represent a secondary effect perhaps related to the cardiac hypertrophy seen in these mice. Thus, microarray analysis reveals previously unappreciated Akt regulation of genes that could contribute to the effects of Akt on cardiomyocyte survival, metabolism, and growth.
Optical imaging of the breast: clinical research using an experimental Diffuse Optical Tomography system

Optical imaging for breast cancer can be performed either by relying on intrinsic breast tissue contrast alone (mapping hemoglobin, water, and lipid content) or with the use of exogenous imaging agents that accumulate at the tumor site, either by targeting cancer-specific molecules or by extravasation due to leaky tumor vasculature. The light used in optical imaging is commonly monochromic and in the near-infrared (NIR) range, permitting imaging up to several centimeters deep in soft tissue. Different tissue
Molecular mechanism of the “feedback loop” model of carcinogenesis

It is commonly accepted that cancer is a genetic disease. The current prevailing theory of carcinogenesis is the somatic mutation theory of carcinogenesis and metastasis (SMT). This theory postulates that mutations in epithelial cells lead to uncontrolled proliferation of tumor cells in a cell-autonomous fashion. This cell-autonomy is increasingly criticized. Current data suggest that the tumor microenvironment is also strongly involved in carcinogenesis. Recently, we published a hypothesis that considers the important contribution of the tumor microenvironment in carcinogenesis and complements the classical clonal evolution model. Essentially, this “feedback loop model” (FBM) postulates that the physiological communication between cancer cells and stromal cells in inflammatory or proliferative conditions is altered by anomalous signal processing within the parenchymal cells. The inability of parenchymal cells to correctly finalize the intercellular communication might result in a perpetuation of the activated state of cells and the tumor micromilieu. The FBM is unique among the tissue-based models because in this model tumor and stromal cells interact together in a reciprocal manner to form the cancer phenotype. Contrary to the SMT, the FBM postulates that mutated genes act in a cell-heteronomous fashion, not in a cell-autonomously fashion.
Conditional Disruption of miR17∼92 in Osteoclasts Led to Activation of Osteoclasts and Loss of Trabecular Bone in Part Through Suppression of the miR17‐Mediated Downregulation of Protein‐Tyrosine Phosphatase‐oc in Mice

This study sought to understand the regulation of an osteoclastic protein‐tyrosine phosphatase (PTP‐oc), a positive regulator of osteoclast activity. Our past studies suggested that PTP‐oc is regulated posttranscriptionally. The 3′‐untranslated region (UTR) of PTP‐oc mRNA contains a target site for miR17. During osteoclastic differentiation, there was an inverse relationship between the cellular levels of miR17 (expressed as one of the six cluster genes of miR17∼92) and PTP‐oc mRNA. Overexpression of pre‐miR17∼92 in mouse osteoclast precursors reduced PTP‐oc mRNA level and the size of the derived osteoclasts, whereas deletion of miR17∼92 or inhibition of miR17 resulted in the formation of larger osteoclasts containing more nuclei that expressed higher PTP‐oc mRNA levels and created larger resorption pits. Thus, PTP‐oc–mediated osteoclast activation is modulated in part by miR17∼92, particularly miR17. The miR17∼92 osteoclast conditional knockout (cKO) mutants, generated by breeding miR17∼92loxp/loxp mice with Ctsk‐Cre mice, had lower trabecular bone volume/total volume (Tb.BV/TV), trabecular bone mineral density (Tb.BMD), trabecular connectivity density (Tb.Conn‐Dens), trabecular number (Tb.N), and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), but larger trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), and greater bone resorption without a change in bone formation compared to littermate controls. The cKO marrow‐derived osteoclasts were twice as large, contained twice as many nuclei, and produced twice as large resorption pits as osteoclasts of littermate controls. The expression of genes associated with osteoclast activation was increased in cKO osteoclasts, suggesting that deletion of miR17∼92 in osteoclasts promotes osteoclast activation. The cKO osteoblasts did not show differences in cellular miR17 level, alkaline phosphatase activity, and bone nodule formation ability. In conclusion, miR17‐92 negatively regulates the osteoclast activity, in part via the miR17‐mediated suppression of PTP‐oc in osteoclasts. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Reasons for eating 'unhealthy' snacks in overweight and obese males and females.

BACKGROUND Snack foods are often high in fat and sugar. Thus, reducing snack consumption may be a useful weight management strategy. However, individuals may snack for a variety of reasons with different implications for intervention. The present study examined the perceived reasons for eating main meals, 'unhealthy' snacks (i.e. snacks high in fat or sugar) and 'healthy' snacks in overweight and obese participants. METHODS Over a period of 5 days, 28 males and 27 females completed a food diary every time they ate. As well as providing details about the type of eating episode and food eaten, they also rated their agreement with 13 different reasons for eating (identified from relevant literature and a pilot study). RESULTS Across a total of 1084 eating episodes, 358 were coded as snacks, 79% of which were high in either fat or sugar. The results showed that hunger and temptation (external eating) were reported as a reason for eating unhealthy snacks in 49% and 55% of all episodes, respectively. Eating because the individual was feeling fed up, bored or stressed (emotional eating) was given as a reason in 26% of episodes. CONCLUSIONS These findings point to the potential utility of intervention strategies that target cravings, enhance self-control or promote stimulus control.
Does asymmetric basal ganglia or thalamic activation aid in seizure foci lateralization on ictal SPECT studies?

UNLABELLED Basal ganglia or thalamic activation has been reported in ictal SPECT studies of patients with intractable epilepsy. We hypothesized that lateralization of activation of these subcortical structures may aid in the lateralization of seizure foci in patients in whom the cortical focus is subtle or equivocal. METHODS This was a retrospective analysis of 72 ictal (99m)Tc-ethylcysteinate dimer SPECT studies in 43 patients with intractable epilepsy in whom seizure laterality could be eventually determined. All patients underwent video-electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring, MRI, and one or more ictal SPECT scans as well as an interictal SPECT scan. Intracranial electrode EEG monitoring and surgery were performed as clinically indicated. Ictal and interictal studies were coregistered with patients' MRI scans using automated software, and ictal minus interictal subtraction images were obtained. The presence of asymmetric basal ganglia or thalamic activation was determined by 2 experienced observers who were unaware of clinical information. The final seizure focus was determined by surgical cure in 37 patients. In patients in whom surgery was not indicated or initial surgery was performed at another institution (n = 6), a consistent focus detected by intracranial electrode monitoring or repeated stereotypical seizures all originating from the same site on video-surface EEG monitoring was considered to indicate the final seizure focus. RESULTS Thirty-five patients had neocortical seizures and 8 had mesial temporal lobe seizures. Asymmetric basal ganglia activation was seen in 22 (30.6%) studies. This activation was ipsilateral to the final determined seizure focus in 17 of 22 of these studies (77.3%) and contralateral in 5 of 22 (21.7%). Asymmetric thalamic activation was seen in 15 studies (20.8%), of which 12 of 15 (80%) were ipsilateral to the final seizure focus, whereas 3 of 15 (20%) were contralateral. In 3 of 5 studies with contralateral basal ganglia activation and 1 of 3 studies with contralateral thalamic activation, the SPECT study as a whole was found to be falsely localizing. In another 2 cases of contralateral subcortical activation, the SPECT study as a whole was considered nonlocalizing. Worse outcome was not observed in patients with false ictal SPECT subcortical lateralization; however, the presence of asymmetric subcortical uptake, regardless of relationship to seizure focus, was associated with decreased incidence of seizures at 1 y after surgery. CONCLUSION Although asymmetric basal ganglia or thalamic activation is common, it is rarely the sole indicator of seizure localization. However, it may be a useful confirmatory sign in subtle cases of cortical localization. In cases of false ictal SPECT subcortical lateralization, the basal ganglia appear to follow cortical activation pattern. Furthermore, there appears to be a correlation between lateralizing uptake in subcortical structures on ictal SPECT and postsurgical outcome in intractable epilepsy patients.
Clinical and Microbiological Differences between Mycobacterium abscessus and Mycobacterium massiliense Lung Diseases

ABSTRACT In recent years, many novel nontuberculous mycobacterial species have been discovered through genetic analysis. Mycobacterium massiliense and M. bolletii have recently been identified as species separate from M. abscessus. However, little is known regarding their clinical and microbiological differences in Japan. We performed a molecular identification of stored M. abscessus clinical isolates for further identification. We compared clinical characteristics, radiological findings, microbiological findings, and treatment outcomes among patients with M. abscessus and M. massiliense lung diseases. An analysis of 102 previous isolates of M. abscessus identified 72 (71%) M. abscessus, 27 (26%) M. massiliense, and 3 (3%) M. bolletii isolates. Clinical and radiological findings were indistinguishable between the M. abscessus and M. massiliense groups. Forty-two (58%) patients with M. abscessus and 20 (74%) patients with M. massiliense infections received antimicrobial treatment. Both the M. abscessus and M. massiliense groups showed a high level of resistance to all antimicrobials, except for clarithromycin, kanamycin, and amikacin. However, resistance to clarithromycin was more frequently observed in the M. abscessus than in the M. massiliense group (16% and 4%, respectively; P = 0.145). Moreover, the level of resistance to imipenem was significantly lower in M. abscessus isolates than in M. massiliense isolates (19% and 48%, respectively; P = 0.007). The proportions of radiological improvement, sputum smear conversion to negativity, and negative culture conversion during the follow-up period were higher in patients with M. massiliense infections than in those with M. abscessus infections. Patients with M. massiliense infections responded more favorably to antimicrobial therapy than those with M. abscessus infections.
Objective comparison of lesion detectability in low and medium-energy collimator iodine-123 mIBG images using a channelized Hotelling observer

Iodine-123 mIBG imaging is widely regarded as a gold standard for diagnostic studies of neuroblastoma and adult neuroendocrine cancer although the optimal collimator for tumour imaging remains undetermined. Low-energy (LE) high-resolution (HR) collimators provide superior spatial resolution. However due to septal penetration of high-energy photons these provide poorer contrast than medium-energy (ME) general-purpose (GP) collimators. LEGP collimators improve count sensitivity. The aim of this study was to objectively compare the lesion detection efficiency of each collimator to determine the optimal collimator for diagnostic imaging. The septal penetration and sensitivity of each collimator was assessed. Planar images of the patient abdomen were simulated with static scans of a Liqui-Phil™ anthropomorphic phantom with lesion-shaped inserts, acquired with LE and ME collimators on 3 different manufacturers’ gamma camera systems (Skylight (Philips), Intevo (Siemens) and Discovery (GE)). Two-hundred normal and 200 single-lesion abnormal images were created for each collimator. A channelized Hotelling observer (CHO) was developed and validated to score the images for the likelihood of an abnormality. The areas under receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curves, Az, created from the scores were used to quantify lesion detectability. The CHO ROC curves for the LEHR collimators were inferior to the GP curves for all cameras. The LEHR collimators resulted in statistically significantly smaller Azs (p < 0.05), of on average 0.891 ± 0.004, than for the MEGP collimators, 0.933 ± 0.004. In conclusion, the reduced background provided by MEGP collimators improved 123I mIBG image lesion detectability over LEHR collimators that provided better spatial resolution.
Hearing loss in Waardenburg syndrome: a systematic review

Waardenburg syndrome (WS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by hearing loss (HL) and pigment disturbances of hair, skin and iris. Classifications exist based on phenotype and genotype. The auditory phenotype is inconsistently reported among the different Waardenburg types and causal genes, urging the need for an up‐to‐date literature overview on this particular topic. We performed a systematic review in search for articles describing auditory features in WS patients along with the associated genotype. Prevalences of HL were calculated and correlated with the different types and genes of WS. Seventy‐three articles were included, describing 417 individual patients. HL was found in 71.0% and was predominantly bilateral and sensorineural. Prevalence of HL among the different clinical types significantly differed (WS1: 52.3%, WS2: 91.6%, WS3: 57.1%, WS4: 83.5%). Mutations in SOX10 (96.5%), MITF (89.6%) and SNAI2 (100%) are more frequently associated with hearing impairment than other mutations. Of interest, the distinct disease‐causing genes are able to better predict the auditory phenotype compared with different clinical types of WS. Consequently, it is important to confirm the clinical diagnosis of WS with molecular analysis in order to optimally inform patients about the risk of HL.