Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Posterior and Transforaminal Approaches to Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Study Design. A study of the transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and the posterior lumbar interbody fusion techniques was performed. Objectives. To describe the transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion technique, and to compare operative data, including blood loss and operative time, with data from posterior lumbar interbody fusion technique. Summary of Background Data. The evolution of posterior lumbar fusion combined with anterior interbody fusion has resulted in increased fusion rates as well as improved reductions and stability. The transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion technique pioneered by Harms and Jeszensky offers potential advantages and provides a surgical alternative to more traditional methods. Methods. In 13 consecutive months, two spinal surgeons performed 40 transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions and 34 posterior lumbar interbody fusion procedures. Data regarding blood loss, operative times, and length of hospital stay were recorded. These data were analyzed using analysis of variance to show any significant differences between the two techniques. To determine whether differences in measured variables were dependent on patient gender or number of levels fused, ϵ&khgr;2 analysis was used. Results. No significant differences were found between transforaminal and posterior lumbar interbody fusions in terms of blood loss, operative time, or duration of hospital stay when a single-level fusion was performed. Significantly less blood loss occurred when a two-level fusion was performed using the transforaminal approach instead of the posterior approach (P < 0.01). Differences in measured variables for the two procedures were independent of patient age, gender, and the number of levels fused. There were no complications with the transforaminal approach, but the posterior approach resulted in multiple complications. Conclusions. In this comparison of patients receiving transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion versus posterior lumbar interbody fusion, no complications occurred with the transforaminal approach, whereas multiple complications were associated with the posterior approach. Similar operative times, blood loss, and duration of hospital stay were obtained in single-level fusions, but significantly less blood loss occurred with the transforaminal lumbar interbody approach in two-level fusions. The transforaminal procedure preserves the interspinous ligaments of the lumbar spine and preserves the contralateral laminar surface as an additional surface for bone graft. It may be performed at all lumbar levels because it avoids significant retraction of the dura and conus medullaris.
Polymorphisms of the human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A7 gene in colorectal cancer

Background: Genetic polymorphisms in the human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase-1A7 (UGT1A7) gene are detected and significantly correlated with sporadic colorectal carcinoma. UGT1A7, which has recently been demonstrated to glucuronidate environmental carcinogens, is now implicated as a cancer risk gene. A silent mutation at codon 11 and missense mutations at codons 129, 131, and 208 lead to the description of three polymorphic alleles designated UGT1A7*2, UGT1A7*3, and UGT1A7*4. Methods: UGT1A7 polymorphisms were analysed by polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing, as well as temperature gradient gel electrophoresis in 210 healthy blood donors and 78 subjects with colorectal cancer. Results: Homozygous wild-type UGT1A7 alleles were present in 20% of normal controls but were only detected in 9% of patients with colorectal carcinoma (odds ratio (OR) 0.39 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17–0.92); p=0.03). Analysis of individual polymorphic alleles identified a highly significant association between the presence of UGT1A7*3 alleles and colorectal cancer (OR 2.75 (95% CI 1.6 – 4.71); p<0.001). Recombinant expression of UGT1A7 polymorphic cDNA in eukaryotic cell culture showed reduced carcinogen glucuronidation activity in comparison with wild-type UGT1A7. UGT1A7 may therefore represent a modifier gene in colorectal carcinogenesis. Conclusion: We have identified a potential novel risk factor in sporadic colorectal cancer which may contribute to the identification of risk groups and to the elucidation of factors involved in colon carcinogenesis.
CHANGES IN THE SARCOPLASMIC RETICULUM AND TRANSVERSE TUBULAR SYSTEM OF FAST AND SLOW SKELETAL MUSCLES OF THE MOUSE DURING POSTNATAL DEVELOPMENT

The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and transverse tubular system (TTS) of a fast-twitch muscle (extensor digitorum longus-EDL) and a slow-twitch muscle (soleus-SOL) of the mouse were examined during postnatal development. Muscles of animals newborn to 60 days old were fixed in glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide and examined with an electron microscope. At birth the few T tubules were often oriented longitudinally, but at the age of 10 days most of them had a transverse orientation. In the EDL, the estimated volume of the TTS increased from 0.08% at birth to 0.4% in the adult; corresponding values for the SOL were 0.04% at birth and 0.22% in the adult. A similar relative change was observed in surface area of the TTS during development. Calculated on the basis of a 30 µm diameter fiber, the surface area of the TTS in the EDL increased from 0.60 cm2 TTS/cm2 fiber surface in the newborn to 3.1 cm2/cm2 in the adult, compared with 0.15 cm2/cm2 at birth to 1.80 cm2/cm2 in the adult for the SOL. The SR in the newborn muscles occurred as a loose network of tubules that developed rapidly within the subsequent 20 days, especially at the I band level. The volume of the SR increased in the EDL from 1.1% of fiber volume at birth to 5.5% in the adult. In the SOL the change was from 1.7% to 2.9%. The SOL approached the adult values more rapidly than the EDL, although the EDL had more SR and T tubules. Fibers of both EDL and SOL muscles showed variation in Z line thickness, mitochondrial content, and diameter, but over-all differences between the two muscles in amount of SR and TTS were significant. It is considered that the differing amounts of SR and TTS are closely related to the differing speeds of contraction that have been demonstrated for these two muscles.
Public Health Impacts of Excess NO[subscript x] Emissions from Volkswagen Diesel Passenger Vehicles in Germany

In September 2015, the Volkswagen Group (VW) admitted the use of ‘defeat devices’ designed to lower emissions measured during VW vehicle testing for regulatory purposes. Globally, 11 million cars sold between 2008 and 2015 are affected, including about 2.6 million in Germany. On-road emissions tests have yielded mean on-road NOx emissions for these cars of 0.85 g km , over four times the applicable European limit of 0.18 g km . This study estimates the human health impacts and costs associated with excess emissions from VW cars driven in Germany. A distribution of on-road emissions factors is derived from existing measurements and combined with sales data and a vehicle fleet model to estimate total excess NOx emissions. These emissions are distributed on a 25 by 28 km grid covering Europe, using the German Environmental Protection Agency’s (UBA) estimate of the spatial distribution of NOx emissions from passenger cars in Germany. We use the GEOS-Chem chemistry-transport model to predict the corresponding increase in population exposure to fine particulate matter and ozone in the European Union, Switzerland, and Norway, and a set of concentration-response functions to estimate mortality outcomes in terms of early deaths and of life-years lost. Integrated over the sales period (2008–2015), we estimate median mortality impacts from VW excess emissions in Germany to be 1 200 premature deaths in Europe, corresponding to 13 000 life-years lost and 1.9 billion EUR in costs associated with life-years lost. Approximately 60% of mortality costs occur outside Germany. For the current fleet, we estimate that if on-road emissions for all affected VW vehicles in Germany are reduced to the applicable European emission standard by the end of 2017, this would avert 29 000 life-years lost and 4.1 billion 2015 EUR in health costs (median estimates) relative to a counterfactual case with no recall.
VP08R from Infectious Spleen and Kidney Necrosis Virus Is a Novel Component of the Virus-Mock Basement Membrane

ABSTRACT Infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV), the type species of the genus Megalocytivirus, family Iridoviridae, brings great harm to fish farming. In infected tissues, ISKNV infection is characterized by a unique phenomenon, in that the infected cells are attached by lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), which are speculated to wall off the infected cells from host immune attack. A viral membrane protein, VP23R, binds and recruits the host nidogen-1 protein to construct a basement membrane (BM)-like structure, termed virus-mock basement membrane (VMBM), on the surface of infected cells to provide attaching sites for LECs. VMBMs do not contain collagen IV protein, which is essential for maintenance of BM integrity and functions. In this study, we identified the VP08R protein encoded by ISKNV. VP08R was predicted to be a secreted protein with a signal peptide but without a transmembrane domain. However, immunofluorescence assays demonstrated that VP08R is located on the plasma membrane of infected cells and shows an expression profile similar to that of VP23R. Coimmunoprecipitation showed that VP08R interacts with both VP23R and nidogen-1, indicating that VP08R is a component of VMBM and is present on the cell membrane by binding to VP23R. Through formation of intermolecular disulfide bonds, VP08R molecules self-organized into a multimer, which may play a role in the maintenance of VMBM integrity and stability. Moreover, the VP08R multimer was easily degraded when the ISKNV-infected cells were lysed, which may be a mechanism for VMBM disassembly when necessary to free LECs and release the mature virions. IMPORTANCE Infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV; genus Megalocytivirus, family Iridovirus) is most harmful to cultured fishes. In tissues, the ISKNV-infected cells are attached by lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), which are speculated to segregate the host immune system. A viral membrane protein, VP23R, binds and recruits the host nidogen-1 protein to construct virus-mock basement membranes (VMBMs) on the surface of infected cells to provide attaching sites for LECs. Although VMBMs lack the collagen IV network, which is an essential structural part of true BMs, VMBMs still show an intact structure. An ISKNV-encoded VP08R protein can self-assemble into a multimer and bind both VP23R and nidogen-1 to maintain the integrity and stability of VMBMs. On the basis of these facts, we redrew the putative schematic illustration of the VMBM structure. Our study suggests that the virus adopts a strategy to remodel the cellular matrix and may provide an important reference to elucidate BM functions and the mechanisms of lymphangiogenesis.
New perspectives on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: the role of glial cells at the neuromuscular junction

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease leading to the death of motor neurons (MNs). It is also recognized as a non‐cell autonomous disease where glial cells in the CNS are involved in its pathogenesis and progression. However, although denervation of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) represents an early and major event in ALS, the importance of glial cells at this synapse receives little attention. An interesting possibility is that altered relationships between glial cells and MNs in the spinal cord in ALS may also take place at the NMJ. Perisynaptic Schwann cells (PSCs), which are glial cells at the NMJ, show great morphological and functional adaptability to ensure NMJ stability, maintenance and repair. More specifically, PSCs change their properties according to the state of innervation. Hence, abnormal changes or lack of changes can have detrimental effects on NMJs in ALS. This review will provide an overview of known and hypothesized interactions between MN nerve terminals and PSCs at NMJs during development, aging and ALS‐induced denervation. These neuron–PSC interactions may be crucial to the understanding of how degenerative changes begin and progress at NMJs in ALS, and represent a novel therapeutic target.
Multiphase thermoelectrics : effect of second phase in ex-SITU Cu7Te4-Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3 and in-SITU SnTe-SnSe nanocomposites

xv CHAPTER 1 Introduction to Thermoelectric Materials . 1 1.1 Background . 1 1.2 Objectives and Scope . 4 1.3 Thesis Outline . 5 CHAPTER 2 Literature Review . 7 2.1 Thermoelectric Effects . 7 2.2 Thermoelectric Efficiency . 11 2.2.1 Figure of Merit (ZT) . 11 2.2.2 Conversion Efficiency of Thermoelectric Devices . 12 2.3 Parameters in the ZT equation . 14 2.3. 1 Seebeck Coefficient . 14 2.3. 2 Electrical Conductivity . 18 2.3. 3 Thermal Conductivity . 20 2.4 Thermoelectric Materials Research . 23 2.4. 1 Motivation for Thermoelectric Materials Research . 23 2.4. 2 Development of Materials . 25 2.4. 3 Approaches used to increase ZT . 28 2.5 Nanocomposites . 30
Red Meat Intake, NAT2, and Risk of Colorectal Cancer: A Pooled Analysis of 11 Studies

Background: Red meat intake has been associated with risk of colorectal cancer, potentially mediated through heterocyclic amines. The metabolic efficiency of N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) required for the metabolic activation of such amines is influenced by genetic variation. The interaction between red meat intake, NAT2 genotype, and colorectal cancer has been inconsistently reported. Methods: We used pooled individual-level data from the Colon Cancer Family Registry and the Genetics and Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer Consortium. Red meat intake was collected by each study. We inferred NAT2 phenotype based on polymorphism at rs1495741, highly predictive of enzyme activity. Interaction was assessed using multiplicative interaction terms in multivariate-adjusted models. Results: From 11 studies, 8,290 colorectal cancer cases and 9,115 controls were included. The highest quartile of red meat intake was associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer compared with the lowest quartile [OR, 1.41; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.29–1.55]. However, a significant association was observed only for studies with retrospective diet data, not for studies with diet prospectively assessed before cancer diagnosis. Combining all studies, high red meat intake was similarly associated with colorectal cancer in those with a rapid/intermediate NAT2 genotype (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.20–1.59) as with a slow genotype (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.28–1.61; P interaction = 0.9). Conclusion: We found that high red meat intake was associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer only from retrospective case–control studies and not modified by NAT2 enzyme activity. Impact: Our results suggest no interaction between NAT2 genotype and red meat intake in mediating risk of colorectal cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(1); 198–205. ©2014 AACR.
The relationship between pulp calcifications and salivary gland calcifications

Aim: Pulp stones are discrete calcified bodies found in the dental pulp. Sialolithasis is the most common salivary gland disease. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between the pulp stones and salivary gland stones. Material and Methods: 196 patients were randomly selected from the out patient department for the study. The periapical radiographs for all patients were evaluated for the presence or absence of the narrowing of dental pulp chambers and pulp canals. The intra oral occlusal radiographs were also evaluated to determine the presence or absence of salivary stones. The results were compared and analyzed using the Chi-square test (p<0.001). Results: Salivary gland calcifications were detected in 5 patients. 191 patients had pulp narrowing and 118 patients had pulp stones. There was no statistical correlation between pulp narrowing and salivary stones (p>0.001) and also between pulp stones and salivary gland stones (p>0.001). Conclusions: However, the incidental findings of salivary gland stones on intra oral occlusal radiographs can provide useful information in the early diagnosis of the condition, but in the present study no significant relationship was found between the presence of pulp stones and salivary gland stones. Key words:Pulp stone, salivary gland stone, periapical radiograph, occlusal radiograph.
Re-Arrest Among Juvenile Justice-Involved Youth: An Examination of the Static and Dynamic Risk Factors

The purpose of this study is to investigate the static and dynamic risk factors for re-arrest among detained youth by examining gender, race/ethnicity, age, special education, and mental health variables (i.e., anger/irritability, depression/anxiety, somatic complaints, suicide ideation, thought disturbances, and traumatic experiences). The demographic profiles of detained youth with one admit were also compared with those with multiple admits to the juvenile detention center. With regard to static risk factors, older, White, and special education were significantly at risk of re-arrest. Concerning dynamic risk factors, only anger/irritability predicted re-arrest. Practice implications are also discussed.
Genomic Analysis of Two Phylogenetically Distinct Nitrospira Species Reveals Their Genomic Plasticity and Functional Diversity

The genus Nitrospira represents a dominant group of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria in natural and engineered ecosystems. This genus is phylogenetically divided into six lineages, for which vast phylogenetic and functional diversity has been revealed by recent molecular ecophysiological analyses. However, the genetic basis underlying these phenotypic differences remains largely unknown because of the lack of genome sequences representing their diversity. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of Nitrospira, we performed genomic comparisons between two Nitrospira strains (ND1 and NJ1 belonging to lineages I and II, respectively) previously isolated from activated sludge. In addition, the genomes of these strains were systematically compared with previously reported six Nitrospira genomes to reveal their similarity and presence/absence of several functional genes/operons. Comparisons of Nitrospira genomes indicated that their genomic diversity reflects phenotypic differences and versatile nitrogen metabolisms. Although most genes involved in key metabolic pathways were conserved between strains ND1 and NJ1, assimilatory nitrite reduction pathways of the two Nitrospira strains were different. In addition, the genomes of both strains contain a phylogenetically different urease locus and we confirmed their ureolytic activity. During gene annotation of strain NJ1, we found a gene cluster encoding a quorum-sensing system. From the enriched supernatant of strain NJ1, we successfully identified seven types of acyl-homoserine lactones with a range of C10–C14. In addition, the genome of strain NJ1 lacks genes relevant to flagella and the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-Cas (CRISPR-associated genes) systems, whereas most nitrifying bacteria including strain ND1 possess these genomic elements. These findings enhance our understanding of genomic plasticity and functional diversity among members of the genus Nitrospira.
Diagnostic utility of the NAB List Learning test in Alzheimer’s disease and amnestic mild cognitive impairment

Abstract Measures of episodic memory are often used to identify Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB) List Learning test is a promising tool for the memory assessment of older adults due to its simplicity of administration, good psychometric properties, equivalent forms, and extensive normative data. This study examined the diagnostic utility of the NAB List Learning test for differentiating cognitively healthy, MCI, and AD groups. One hundred fifty-three participants (age: range, 57–94 years; M = 74 years; SD, 8 years; sex: 61% women) were diagnosed by a multidisciplinary consensus team as cognitively normal, amnestic MCI (aMCI; single and multiple domain), or AD, independent of NAB List Learning performance. In univariate analyses, receiver operating characteristics curve analyses were conducted for four demographically-corrected NAB List Learning variables. Additionally, multivariate ordinal logistic regression and fivefold cross-validation was used to create and validate a predictive model based on demographic variables and NAB List Learning test raw scores. At optimal cutoff scores, univariate sensitivity values ranged from . 58 to . 92 and univariate specificity values ranged from . 52 to . 97. Multivariate ordinal regression produced a model that classified individuals with 80% accuracy and good predictive power. (JINS, 2009, 15, 121–129.)
Bending motion of Chlamydomonas axonemes after extrusion of central- pair microtubules

Relatively little is known about the functions of central-pair microtubules (Tamm, S. L., and G. A. Horridge, 1970, Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond. B, 175: 219-233; Omoto, C. K., and C. Kung, 1979, Nature (Lond.). 279:532-534) and radial spokes (Warner, F. D., and P. Satir, 1974, J. Cell Biol., 63:35-63), although a sliding microtubule mechanism has been established for the flagellar movement (Summers, K. E., and I. R. Gibbons, 1971, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA., 68:3092-3096). In the present report, an attempt was made to determine the functions of central-pair microtubules in flagellar motility. Central-pair microtubules were found to extrude from the tips of elastase-digested axonemes of demembranated Chlamydomonas flagella after the addition of ATP. The length of the extruded central-pair microtubules was approximately 70-100% that of the axoneme. After extrusion, axonemes continued to swim slowly backwards in the reactivation medium, with a trailing central pair attached like a tail to the flagellar tip. During bending movement of the axonemes, partially extruded central pairs rotated counterclockwise about the axoneme axis, as viewed from the distal end (Kamiya, R., 1982, Cell Motil. [Suppl.]:169-173). Axonemes swam backwards with a symmetric waveform and a beat frequency of approximately 10 Hz in the reactivation medium containing 10(-9)-10(-4) M Ca ions. Even at a lower Ca++ concentration, no ciliary-type swimming was noted on the axonemes.
Finite-element analysis of thermal distortion of directly water-cooled silicon crystal monochromator

The directly water-cooled silicon crystal used on the multipole wiggler beam line BL16 at the Photon Factory has extended cooling fins below the crystal block. Such extended fins are useful to reduce bowing of the crystal due to thermal distortion induced by synchrotron radiation. Experimental and calculated Si(111) and Si(333) double crystal rocking curves are compared in the present paper. Thermal deformation is calculated using a finite element analysis program ANSYS. Fairly good agreement was obtained between experiment and calculation.
"An n! lower bound on formula size"

We introduce a new Ehrenfeucht-Fraisse game for proving lower bounds on the size of first-order formulas. Up until now such games have only been used to prove bounds on the operator depth of formulas, not their size. We use this game to prove that the CTL/sup +/ formula Occur/sub n//spl equiv/E[Fp/sub 1//spl and/Fp/sub 2//spl and//spl middot//spl middot//spl middot//spl and/F/sub n/] which says that there is a path along which the predicates p/sub 1/ through p/sub n/ occur in some order; requires size n! to express in CTL. Our lower bound is optimal. It follows that the succinctness of CTL+ with respect to CTL is exactly /spl Theta/(n). Wilke (1999) had shown that the succinctness was at least exponential. We also use our games to prove all optimal /spl Theta/(n) lower bound on the number of boolean variables needed for a weak reachability logic (/spl Rscr//spl Lscr//sup w/) to polynomially embed the language LTL. The number of booleans needed for full reachability logic RC and the transitive closure logic FO/sup 2/(TC) remain open (Immerman and Vardi, 1997; Alechina and Immerman, 2000).