Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reliability of Physical Examination for Diagnosis of Myofascial Trigger Points: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Background Trigger points are promoted as an important cause of musculoskeletal pain. There is no accepted reference standard for the diagnosis of trigger points, and data on the reliability of physical examination for trigger points are conflicting. Objectives To systematically review the literature on the reliability of physical examination for the diagnosis of trigger points. Methods MEDLINE, EMBASE, and other sources were searched for articles reporting the reliability of physical examination for trigger points. Included studies were evaluated for their quality and applicability, and reliability estimates were extracted and reported. Results Nine studies were eligible for inclusion. None satisfied all quality and applicability criteria. No study specifically reported reliability for the identification of the location of active trigger points in the muscles of symptomatic participants. Reliability estimates varied widely for each diagnostic sign, for each muscle, and across each study. Reliability estimates were generally higher for subjective signs such as tenderness (κ range, 0.22-1.0) and pain reproduction (κ range, 0.57-1.00), and lower for objective signs such as the taut band (κ range, −0.08-0.75) and local twitch response (κ range, −0.05-0.57). Conclusions No study to date has reported the reliability of trigger point diagnosis according to the currently proposed criteria. On the basis of the limited number of studies available, and significant problems with their design, reporting, statistical integrity, and clinical applicability, physical examination cannot currently be recommended as a reliable test for the diagnosis of trigger points. The reliability of trigger point diagnosis needs to be further investigated with studies of high quality that use current diagnostic criteria in clinically relevant patients.
Development of a Rotavirus-Shedding Model in Rhesus Macaques, Using a Homologous Wild-Type Rotavirus of a New P Genotype

ABSTRACT Although there are several reports on rotavirus inoculation of nonhuman primates, no reliable model exists. Therefore, this study was designed to develop a rhesus macaque model for rotavirus studies. The goals were to obtain a wild-type macaque rotavirus and evaluate it as a challenge virus for model studies. Once rotavirus was shown to be endemic within the macaque colony at the Tulane National Primate Research Center, stool specimens were collected from juvenile animals (2.6 to 5.9 months of age) without evidence of previous rotavirus infection and examined for rotavirus antigen. Six of 10 animals shed rotavirus during the 10-week collection period, and the electropherotypes of all isolates were identical to each other but distinct from those of prototype simian rotaviruses. These viruses were characterized as serotype G3 and subgroup 1, properties typical of many animal rotaviruses, including simian strains. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the VP4 gene was performed with a culture-grown isolate from the stool of one animal, designated the TUCH strain. Based on both genotypic and phylogenetic comparisons between TUCH VP4 and cognate proteins of representatives of the reported 22 P genotypes, the TUCH virus belongs to a new genotype, P[23]. A pool of wild-type TUCH was prepared and intragastrically administered to eight cesarean section-derived, specific-pathogen-free macaques 14 to 42 days of age. All animals were kept in a biocontainment level 2 facility. Although no diarrhea was observed and the animals remained clinically normal, all animals shed large quantities of rotavirus antigen in their feces after inoculation, which resolved by the end of the 14-day observation period. Therefore, TUCH infection of macaques provides a useful nonhuman primate model for studies on rotavirus protection.
Population validity for educational data mining models: A case study in affect detection

Information and communication technology (ICT)-enhanced research methods such as educational data mining (EDM) have allowed researchers to effectively model a broad range of constructs pertaining to the student, moving from traditional assessments of knowledge to assessment of engagement, meta-cognition, strategy and affect. The automated detection of these constructs allows EDM researchers to develop intervention strategies that can be implemented either by the software or the teacher. It also allows for secondary analyses of the construct, where the detectors are applied to a data set that is much larger than one that could be analyzed by more traditional methods. However, in many cases, the data used to develop EDM models are collected from students who may not be representative of the broader populations who are likely to use ICT. In order to use EDM models (automated detectors) with new populations, their generalizability must be verified. In this study, we examine whether detectors of affect remain valid when applied to new populations. Models of four educationally relevant affective states were constructed based on data from urban, suburban and rural students using ASSISTments software for middle school mathematics in the Northeastern United States. We found that affect detectors trained on a population drawn primarily from one demographic grouping do not generalize to populations drawn primarily from the other demographic groupings, even though those populations might be considered part of the same national or regional culture. Models constructed using data from all three subpopulations are more applicable to students in those populations than those trained on a single group, but still do not achieve ideal population validity—the ability to generalize across all subgroups. In particular, models generalize better across urban and suburban students than rural students. These findings have important implications for data collection efforts, validation techniques, and the design of interventions that are intended to be applied at scale.
Diamond Blackfan anaemia in the UK: clinical and genetic heterogeneity

A detailed family study was undertaken of patients notified to the UK Diamond Blackfan Anaemia (DBA) Registry. RPS19 mutations were detected in 16 of 104 families, including two patients with deletions detected by intragenic loss of heterozygosity of tightly linked polymorphisms. In two further cases, polymorphisms were used to determine the parental allele of origin of RPS19 point mutations. A review of clinical details of patients with mutations and patients in the literature having identical or equivalent mutations revealed evidence for a genotype:phenotype correlation with respect to the prevalence of physical anomalies, and the occurrence of mild or variable haematological severity. Nine of 60 patients had a known family history of DBA. Haematological abnormalities, including raised red cell adenosine deaminase activity, were found in first‐degree relatives of 16 of 51 (31%) of patients not previously considered to have familial DBA. Results of both parents and any siblings were normal in only 35 of 60 (58%) of cases, who were therefore assumed to have sporadic de novo DBA. The classical inheritance pattern for DBA is autosomal dominant; however, 12 of 60 families (20%) had more than one affected child despite normal results in both parents. These results have important implications for genetic counselling, and for the selection of potential sibling bone marrow donors.
Effects of flaxseed supplementation on milk production, milk fatty acid composition and nutrient utilization by lactating dairy cows

Twelve multiparous Holstein cows at 72 ± 20 days in milk were used in a switch-back design with 14-d periods to determine the effect of replacing barley grain into a dairy total mixed ration with micronized or raw flaxseed on nutrient digestibility, milk yield, milk composition. Total mixed diets were (DM basis) 50% barley silage, 50% concentrate mix mainly rolled barley grain and canola meal. Diets were supplemented with 1 kg raw (RF) or micronized (MF) flaxseed to substitute 1 kg of rolled barley grain (C). Neutral detergent fibre, ADF and CP digestibility of the diets were not significantly affected by supplementation; however, calcium digestibility was reduced by 62% and 46% when raw and micronized flax were fed, respectively. Milk yield (38.3, 39.6, and 38.4 kg/d for diets C, RF and MF, respectively) was similar for all diets. Milk fat (3.50, 3.48, and 3.52%) and protein (3.31, 3.34, and 3.31%) for diets C, RF and MF, respectively, were not affected by treatment diets. Concentrations of c9, t11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA; 0.51, 0.72 and 0.76 g/100 g fatty acids) in milk fat increased (P < 0.05) similarly among the two flaxseed supplemented diets. The RF and MF diets significantly increased the C18:1, C18:1 trans-11, C18:2 cis-9, cis-12 and C18:3 in milk fat however, C12:0, C14:0 and C16:0 were significantly reduced compared with control. Replacing barley grain with flaxseed in the diet of lactating cows increased the beneficial fatty acids in milk without depressing nutrient digestibility. Micronization of flaxseed did not reveal any advantage over raw flaxseed.
Longevity, Esthetic Perception, and Psychosocial Impact of Teeth Bleaching by Low (6%) Hydrogen Peroxide Concentration for In-office Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE The aim was to evaluate the color longevity after nine months of in-office bleaching with gel (6% hydrogen peroxide), to compare this to a control concentration of 35% in a split-mouth study model, and to assess the dental confidence and psychosocial impact on patients. METHODS AND MATERIALS Twenty-seven patients were assessed at the nine-month recall. The bleaching procedure with 6% or 35% hydrogen peroxide gel was performed randomly in the upper hemi-arch of each patient. The color was measured at baseline and at one week, one month, and nine months after the procedure, using the Vita Easyshade spectrophotometer, the Vita classical shade guide organized by value, and Vita Bleach Guide 3DMaster. Moreover, two surveys, OHIP-Esthetics and PIDAQ, were used to assess the esthetic self-perception and psychosocial impact of the bleaching procedure. During the nine-month recall, the color was assessed before and after dental prophylaxis. RESULTS Twenty-seven patients participated in the nine-month recall. There was a significant difference in ΔE between the two groups at all times assessed (p<0.011). The ΔL, Δa, and Δb showed a difference between the two groups at all times assessed (p<0.038), except for ΔL from the baseline vs nine-month after prophylaxis value (p>0.20). There was no significant difference in ΔSGU at all times (p>0.05). There was a significant difference in OHIP-Esthetics and PIDAQ sums compared with baseline scores (p<0.03). CONCLUSION The two compounds remained effective at nine months, with a slight rebound of color, and maintained their objective color difference but not the subjective color difference. Patients were satisfied with the bleaching procedure, and this had a positive impact on esthetic perception and a positive psychosocial impact at the nine-month recall.
BRAF mutations in non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND BRAF is a proto-oncogene encoding a serine/threonine protein kinase which promotes cell proliferation and survival. BRAF mutations are commonly seen in melanoma and papillary thyroid carcinoma. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and clinicopathological features of BRAF mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases submitted for routine mutation testing at our institution. METHODS Mutation analysis for BRAF, EGFR and KRAS was performed using Sequenom MassARRAY platform with OncoCarta panel v1.0. Pathological features were reviewed and immunohistochemistry for BRAF V600E was also performed. RESULTS Seven out of 273 cases (2.6%) had BRAF mutations (three males and four females, median age 70 years, all smokers), with six adenocarcinomas and one NSCLC, not otherwise specified (NOS). All had wild-type EGFR and KRAS. The identified BRAF mutations were V600E (4/7, 58%), K601N, L597Q and G469V. BRAF V600E immunohistochemistry was positive in two cases with V600E and negative in one case with K601N (tissue available in three cases only). No significant difference in age or gender was found (BRAF mutant vs. wild-type). CONCLUSIONS BRAF mutations occur in a small proportion of NSCLC that lack other driver mutations. The clinicopathological profile differs from that of EGFR mutant tumours. The potential benefits of BRAF-inhibitors should be investigated.
Inhibition of Biofilm Formation by Candida albicans and Polymicrobial Microorganisms by Nepodin via Hyphal-Growth Suppression.

Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogenic yeast and is responsible for candidiasis. It readily colonizes host tissues and implant devices, and forms biofilms, which play an important role in pathogenesis and drug resistance. In this study, the antibiofilm, antihyphal, and antivirulence activities of nepodin, isolated from Rumex japonicus roots, were investigated against a fluconazole-resistant C. albicans strain and against polymicrobial-microorganism-biofilm formation. Nepodin effectively inhibited C. albicans biofilm formation without affecting its planktonic cell growth. Also, Rumex-root extract and nepodin both inhibited hyphal growth and cell aggregation of C. albicans. Interestingly, nepodin also showed antibiofilm activities against Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii strains and against dual biofilms of C. albicans and S. aureus or A. baumannii but not against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Transcriptomic analysis performed by RNA-seq and qRT-PCR showed nepodin repressed the expression of several hypha- and biofilm-related genes ( ECE1, HGT10, HWP1, and UME6) and increased the expression of several transport genes ( CDR4, CDR11, and TPO2), which supported phenotypic changes. Moreover, nepodin reduced C. albicans virulence in a nematode-infection model and exhibited minimal cytotoxicity against the nematode and an animal cell line. These results demonstrate that nepodin and Rumex-root extract might be useful for controlling C. albicans infections and multispecies biofilms.
Intrathecal Clonidine and Tizanidine in Conscious Dogs: Comparison of Analgesic and Hemodynamic Effects

Intrathecal delivery of alpha2-adrenergic agonists produces an analgesic effect. However, hemodynamic side effects limit their clinical usage. To more fully characterize the effects on heart rate and arterial blood pressure of alpha2-adrenergic agonists, clonidine and tizanidine were injected intrathecally in conscious dogs. Both compounds produced a potent inhibition of thermal foot-withdrawal latencies at 1000 micro gram, which was blocked by the alpha2-adrenergic antagonist yohimbine. Tizanidine (250-500 micro gram) did not change heart rate. Clonidine (500-2000 micro gram) and tizanidine (1000-2000 micro gram) decreased heart rate. The tizanidine effect was inhibited by yohimbine and the alpha2/imidazoline antagonist idazoxan, as well as the parasympathetic blocker glycopyrrolate. No drug completely inhibited the clonidine-induced bradycardia. Clonidine had a biphasic effect on arterial blood pressure, a decrease at 500 micro gram and an increase at 2000 micro gram. Tizanidine decreased arterial blood pressure at all doses. The results indicate that, while the analgesic effects of both drugs are similar, the hemodynamic responses differ. While the decrease in heart rate with tizanidine is consistent with alpha2-adrenergic binding and vagal action, the bradycardia induced by clonidine is more complex. In addition, the increased arterial blood pressure with high doses of clonidine, which is suggestive of a peripheral vasoconstrictive effect, does not occur with tizanidine. (Anesth Analg 1996;82:627-35)
Prognostic Factors in Myelofibrosis

Summary The prognostic significance of spleen size, hemoglobin level (Hb), platelet count and hemopoietic cellularity of the bone marrow was assessed in 33 patients with myelofibrosis. of these 4 parameters, only the Hb (P < 0.01) and bone marrow cellularity (P <0.001) were found to be useful indicators of prognosis. Patients with Hb greater than 10 g/dl had a median survival greater than 110 mth while those with Hb less than 10 g/dl had a median survival of 22.5 mth; patients with hemopoietic hypercellularity in the bone marrow had a median survival greater than 110 mth while those with a normo‐ or hypocellularity had a median survival of 20.5 mth. There was significant correlation (P<0.01) between the marrow cellularity and the Hb level; 71% of patients with a normo‐ or hypocellular marrow had Hb < 10 g/dl, while 79% of those with a hypercellular marrow had Hb >10 g/dl.
How do firms adjust production factors to the cycle?

Abstract This paper studies the adjustment of production factors to the cycle taking into account factor utilization in multiple dimensions (labor working time, capital operating time and capital capacity utilization) and examines the impact of obstacles to increasing capital operating time on this adjustment path. Factor utilization adjusts the most rapidly, first through capital capacity utilization and capital operating time and then labor working time. The adjustment is slow for the number of employees and even slower for the capital stock. Obstacles to increasing capital operating time lead to a slower adjustment of capital operating time, offset by a stronger adjustment of capacity utilization.
Near-Complementary Sequences With Low PMEPR for Peak Power Control in Multicarrier Communications

New families of near-complementary sequences are presented for peak power control in multicarrier communications. A framework for near-complementary sequences is given by an explicit Boolean expression and an equivalent matrix structure. The framework transforms seed pairs to near-complementary sequences by the aid of Golay complementary sequences. New families of near-complementary sequences of various lengths and PMEPR <; 4 are then presented, where the sequences are constructed by the framework employing the seeds of shortened and extended Golay complementary pairs. The families present in a constructive way a large number of sequences of PMEPR <; 4 for the lengths (<; 100) of 24, 28, 30, 34, 36, 48, 56, 60, 62, 66, 68, 72, and 96 where no Golay pairs have been reported. The sequence families can find potential applications for peak power control requiring codewords or sequences of various lengths as well as low peak-to-mean envelope power ratio (PMEPR).
Relationship between Schizotypal and Borderline Traits in College Students

The main objective of the present investigation was to analyze the relationship between self-reported schizotypal and borderline personality traits in a sample of 759 college students (M = 19.63 years; SD = 2.03). For this purpose, the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Brief (SPQB; Raine and Benishay, 1995) and Borderline Personality Questionnaire (BPQ; Poreh et al., 2006) were administered. The results showed that schizotypal and borderline features are partially related at subclinical level. The exploratory factor analysis conducted on the subscales revealed a three-factor solution comprised of the following factors: Identity/Interpersonal, Lack of Control and Schizotypal. The canonical correlation analysis showed that schizotypal features and borderline personality traits shared 34.8 % of the variance. The data highlight the overlap between schizotypal and borderline personality traits in nonclinical young adults. Future studies should continue to examine the relationship and the degree of overlap between these traits in community samples. El principal objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar el grado de asociación entre los rasgos de la personalidad esquizotípica y de la personalidad borderline en una muestra de 759 estudiantes universitarios (M = 19,63 años; DT = 2,03). Para este propósito el Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Brief (SPQ-B; Raine and Benishay, 1995) y el Borderline Personality Questionnaire (BPQ; Poreh et al., 2006) fueron administrados. Los resultados mostraron que los rasgos esquizotípicos y borderline de la personalidad se encontraban parcialmente asociados a nivel subclínico. El análisis factorial exploratorio llevado a cabo a partir de las subescalas de ambos autoinformes reveló una solución factorial tridimensional concretada en los factores: Identidad/Interpersonal, Falta de control y Esquizotípico. El análisis de correlación canónica mostró que los rasgos esquizotípicos y borderline de la personalidad compartían el 34,8% de la varianza total. Los datos destacan la superposición entre la personalidad esquizotípica y la personalidad borderline en jóvenes adultos. Futuros estudios deberían continuar examinando la relación y el grado de superposición entre este conjunto de rasgos de la personalidad en muestras comunitarias.
Depletion of B cells rejuvenates the peripheral B‐cell compartment but is insufficient to restore immune competence in aging

Aging is associated with increasing prevalence and severity of infections caused by a decline in bone marrow (BM) lymphopoiesis and reduced B‐cell repertoire diversity. The current study proposes a strategy to enhance immune responsiveness in aged mice and humans, through rejuvenation of the B lineage upon B‐cell depletion. We used hCD20Tg mice to deplete peripheral B cells in old and young mice, analyzing B‐cell subsets, repertoire and cellular functions in vitro, and immune responsiveness in vivo. Additionally, elderly patients, previously treated with rituximab healthy elderly and young individuals, were vaccinated against hepatitis B (HBV) after undergoing a detailed analysis for B‐cell compartments. B‐cell depletion in old mice resulted in rejuvenated B‐cell population that was derived from de novo synthesis in the bone marrow. The rejuvenated B cells exhibited a "young"‐like repertoire and cellular responsiveness to immune stimuli in vitro. Yet, mice treated with B‐cell depletion did not mount enhanced antibody responses to immunization in vivo, nor did they survive longer than control mice in "dirty" environment. Consistent with these results, peripheral B cells from elderly depleted patients showed a "young"‐like repertoire, population dynamics, and cellular responsiveness to stimulus. Nevertheless, the response rate to HBV vaccination was similar between elderly depleted and nondepleted subjects, although antibody titers were higher in depleted patients. This study proposes a proof of principle to rejuvenate the peripheral B‐cell compartment in aging, through B‐cell depletion. Further studies are warranted in order to apply this approach for enhancing humoral immune responsiveness among the elderly population.