Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Penetrating Keratoplasty with Vitreoretinal Surgery Using the Eckardt Temporary Keratoprosthesis: Modified Technique Allowing Use of Larger Corneal Grafts

We report our experience with the Eckardt temporary keratoprosthesis including a technique modification allowing use of larger corneal grafts. We combined penetrating keratoplasty with vitreoretinal surgery using the Eckardt keratoprosthesis in 24 eyes of 24 patients in two patient groups: trauma (n = 11) and nontrauma (n = 13). Our technique modification involved centering a larger partial trephination for the donor cornea around the smaller trephination used for the keratoprosthesis. After the keratoprosthesis was removed, we excised host cornea along the larger trephination, and placed a larger corneal graft. With the exception of visual acuity (VA), the outcomes were similar for both trauma and nontrauma groups, and combined results were as follows. Corneal grafts remained clear in 71% of patients at a mean follow-up period of 16 ± 3 (SE) months. For the trauma and nontrauma groups, VA improved in 82 and 23%, and decreased in 18% and 38.5%, respectively. Postoperative loss of VA was due primarily to retinal scarring (47%) and phthisis bulbi (37%). Only one case of graft rejection occurred. Postoperatively, the larger corneal grafts (8.0 and 8.5 mm) were less steep, and residual astigmatism was more easily managed than with the “recommended” (7.2 mm) size. Conclusions: Larger corneal grafts allow less astigmatism and a more normal corneal curvature. Theoretical advantages also include faster rehabilitation of vision, better predictability for intraocular lens implant power calculations, and transplantation of more endothelial cells. The Eckardt will continue to be a useful tool and our technique modification allowing use of larger corneal grafts should enhance its utility.
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Recent advances in functional imaging and neuronal recording techniques demonstrate that the spatial spread and amplitude of whisker functional representation in the somatosensory cortex of the adult rodent is extensive, but subject to modulations. One of the strongest modulators is naturalistic whisker use. In the cortices of rodents that have been transferred from their home cage to live for an extensive period in a naturalistic habitat, there is suppression of evoked neuronal responses accompanied by contraction and sharpening of receptive fields, and contraction and weakening of whisker functional representations. These unexpected characteristics also describe modulations of whisker functional representations in the cortex of a freely exploring rodent during short whisker-based explorations. These and related findings suggest that cortical modulations and plasticity could follow a 'less is more' strategy and, therefore, highlight how different cortical strategies could be utilized for different behavioral demands. Introduction The cortical target of this review is the posteromedial barrel subfield (PMBSF) — a subfield of the rodent's primary somatosensory cortex (SI) that represents with exquisite order 5 rows of large whiskers. The focus of this review is the whisker functional representation (WFR), a population measure defined as the cortical area activated by single whisker stimulation (also known as the cortical point-spread function). The concept of a WFR is fundamental to questions about cortical processing at the systems level. For example, small, minimally overlapping WFRs represent a cortical strategy of independent processing areas for each whisker, whereas large and overlapping WFRs represent a cortical strategy in which a given area simultaneously processes inputs from many whiskers. Because different cortical strategies could be recruited for different behavioral demands, determining under what circumstances a particular strategy is used is essential to the understanding of cortical function. In this review, discussion is limited to the systems level of the living cortex; see Feldman and Brecht, and Fox and Wong [1,2] for recent reviews on potential underlying mechanisms of functional organization and plasticity in the PMBSF. Mapping a WFR in the PMBSF has traditionally been achieved using single electrode recording and, more recently, using electrode-array recordings. Using electrode recordings, one could stimulate an individual whisker and directly measure the spread and amplitude of evoked neuronal activity over progressively larger distances from the activated barrel (the layer IV area where input from the whisker first reaches the cortex). Alternatively , and more crudely, one could try to indirectly infer the WFR characteristics …
Morphological changes of glutamatergic synapses in animal models of Parkinson’s disease

The striatum and the subthalamic nucleus (STN) are the main entry doors for extrinsic inputs to reach the basal ganglia (BG) circuitry. The cerebral cortex, thalamus and brainstem are the key sources of glutamatergic inputs to these nuclei. There is anatomical, functional and neurochemical evidence that glutamatergic neurotransmission is altered in the striatum and STN of animal models of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and that these changes may contribute to aberrant network neuronal activity in the BG-thalamocortical circuitry. Postmortem studies of animal models and PD patients have revealed significant pathology of glutamatergic synapses, dendritic spines and microcircuits in the striatum of parkinsonians. More recent findings have also demonstrated a significant breakdown of the glutamatergic corticosubthalamic system in parkinsonian monkeys. In this review, we will discuss evidence for synaptic glutamatergic dysfunction and pathology of cortical and thalamic inputs to the striatum and STN in models of PD. The potential functional implication of these alterations on synaptic integration, processing and transmission of extrinsic information through the BG circuits will be considered. Finally, the significance of these pathological changes in the pathophysiology of motor and non-motor symptoms in PD will be examined.
Extranuclear protection of chromosomal DNA from oxidative stress

Eukaryotic organisms evolved under aerobic conditions subjecting nuclear DNA to damage provoked by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although ROS are thought to be a major cause of DNA damage, little is known about the molecular mechanisms protecting nuclear DNA from oxidative stress. Here we show that protection of nuclear DNA in plants requires a coordinated function of ROS-scavenging pathways residing in the cytosol and peroxisomes, demonstrating that nuclear ROS scavengers such as peroxiredoxin and glutathione are insufficient to safeguard DNA integrity. Both catalase (CAT2) and cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase (APX1) play a key role in protecting the plant genome against photorespiratory-dependent H2O2-induced DNA damage. In apx1/cat2 double-mutant plants, a DNA damage response is activated, suppressing growth via a WEE1 kinase-dependent cell-cycle checkpoint. This response is correlated with enhanced tolerance to oxidative stress, DNA stress-causing agents, and inhibited programmed cell death.
Implication of anchor placement on performance of UWB real-time locating system

Recently, real-time locating system (RTLS) with centimeter accuracy using radio frequency signal is available for commercial deployment with the use of ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. One of the commercial UWB real time locating systems in the market now is DecaWave's DW1000 IC which utilizes two-way-ranging (TWR) mechanism to measure accurate distance between an anchor and a tag. Then, a trilateration algorithm with distances from three or more anchors is used to calculate the tag's location. It is recommended that, to improve the accuracy of the system, a clear view between all anchors must be provided. This work presents a performance study of commercial UWB RTLS evaluation kits in two different anchor placement scenarios. In the first scenario, each anchor was provided a clear communication path between each other while in the latter some direct communication paths between the anchors were obstructed by concrete pillars. The evaluation kits were configured to allow maximum range and data rate. Intuitively, the first scenario should perform much better than the latter. However, the experiments showed the contrary in some situations. Moreover, the overall performance, in terms of error distances and R95 values, of the first scenario did not outperform significantly as expected.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis produces pili during human infection

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is responsible for nearly 3 million human deaths worldwide every year. Understanding the mechanisms and bacterial factors responsible for the ability of M. tuberculosis to cause disease in humans is critical for the development of improved treatment strategies. Many bacterial pathogens use pili as adherence factors to colonize the host. We discovered that M. tuberculosis produces fine (2- to 3-nm-wide), aggregative, flexible pili that are recognized by IgG antibodies contained in sera obtained from patients with active tuberculosis, indicating that the bacilli produce pili or pili-associated antigen during human infection. Purified M. tuberculosis pili (MTP) are composed of low-molecular-weight protein subunits encoded by the predicted M. tuberculosis H37Rv ORF, designated Rv3312A. MTP bind to the extracellular matrix protein laminin in vitro, suggesting that MTP possess adhesive properties. Isogenic mtp mutants lost the ability to produce Mtp in vitro and demonstrated decreased laminin-binding capabilities. MTP shares morphological, biochemical, and functional properties attributed to bacterial pili, especially with curli amyloid fibers. Thus, we propose that MTP are previously unidentified host-colonization factors of M. tuberculosis.
The Proteasome-Associated Deubiquitinating Enzyme Usp14 Is Essential for the Maintenance of Synaptic Ubiquitin Levels and the Development of Neuromuscular Junctions

Dysfunction of the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's, spinocerebellar ataxia, and several motor neuron diseases. Recent research indicates that changes in synaptic transmission may play a critical role in the progression of neurological disease; however, the mechanisms by which the UPS regulates synaptic structure and function have not been well characterized. In this report, we show that Usp14 is indispensable for synaptic development and function at neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Usp14-deficient axJ mice display a resting tremor, a reduction in muscle mass, and notable hindlimb rigidity without any detectable loss of motor neurons. Instead, loss of Usp14 causes developmental defects at motor neuron endplates. Presynaptic defects include phosphorylated neurofilament accumulations, nerve terminal sprouting, and poor arborization of the motor nerve terminals, whereas postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors display immature plaque-like morphology. These structural changes in the NMJ correlated with ubiquitin loss in the spinal cord and sciatic nerve. Further studies demonstrated that the greatest loss of ubiquitin was found in synaptosomal fractions, suggesting that the endplate swellings may be caused by decreased protein turnover at the synapse. Transgenic restoration of Usp14 in the nervous system corrected the levels of monomeric ubiquitin in the motor neuron circuit and the defects that were observed in the motor endplates and muscles of the axJ mice. These data define a critical role for Usp14 at mammalian synapses and suggest a requirement for local ubiquitin recycling by the proteasome to control the development and function of NMJs.
Changes in Cytokine Levels and NK Cell Activation Associated with Influenza

Several studies have highlighted the important role played by murine natural killer (NK) cells in the control of influenza infection. However, human NK cell responses in acute influenza infection, including infection with the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus, are poorly documented. Here, we examined changes in NK cell phenotype and function and plasma cytokine levels associated with influenza infection and vaccination. We show that absolute numbers of peripheral blood NK cells, and particularly those of CD56bright NK cells, decreased upon acute influenza infection while this NK cell subset expanded following intramuscular influenza vaccination. NK cells exposed to influenza antigens were activated, with higher proportions of NK cells expressing CD69 in study subjects infected with seasonal influenza strains. Vaccination led to increased levels of CD25+ NK cells, and notably CD56bright CD25+ NK cells, whereas decreased amounts of this subset were present in the peripheral blood of influenza infected individuals, and predominantly in study subjects infected with the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus. Finally, acute influenza infection was associated with low plasma concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, including IFN-γ, MIP-1β, IL-2 and IL-15, and high levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-1ra. Altogether, these data suggest a role for the CD56bright NK cell subset in the response to influenza, potentially involving their recruitment to infected tissues and a local production and/or uptake of inflammatory cytokines.
Low‐molecular‐weight heparin or warfarin for anticoagulation in pregnant women with mechanical heart valves: what are the risks? A retrospective observational study

Please cite this paper as: Basude S, Hein C, Curtis S, Clark A, Trinder J. Low‐molecular‐weight heparin or warfarin for anticoagulation in pregnant women with mechanical heart valves: what are the risks? A retrospective observational study. BJOG 2012;119:1008–1013.
Low dose spinal morphine and intravenous diclofenac for postoperative analgesia after total hip and knee arthroplasty

Background and Aims: Intrathecal (IT) morphine added to a spinal anaesthesia provides effective postoperative analgesia after hip and knee arthroplasty reducing the need for systemic opioids. To reduce the risk of side effects like pruritus, nausea/vomiting, and a more serious effect of respiratory depression, low dose IT morphine (0, 1–0, 3 mg) has been used. The aim of this prospective, randomized, double-blind study was to assess the analgesic efficacy of 0, 2 mg IT morphine combined with postoperative i.v. diclofenac in the first 24 hours after hip and knee arthroplasty, the primary outcome measure being the number of patients without any additional opioid request. Side effects and possible complications of therapy and patient satisfaction with pain management were also recorded. Patients and Methods: 40 patients were randomized to receive spinal anaesthesia with levobupivacaine and 0, 2 mL normal saline (control group) or 0, 2 mg IT morphine. All patients received diclofenac 75 mg i.v. one and 10 hours postoperatively. Pain was assessed by numeric rating scale at 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively and morphine 2 mg i.v. was given for inadequate analgesia. The third dose of diclofenac could be given 10–12 hours after the second dose for a pain score 3–4. Results: IT morphine group had significantly lower postoperative pain scores at all measured time intervals and used significantly less i.v. morphine. 76, 2% of patients in the IT morphine group did not require any additional i.v. morphine compared to 11, 1% of the control group. This resulted in significantly higher patient satisfaction despite common occurence of mild pruritus. Postoperative nausea/vomiting were frequent in both groups with no cases of respiratory depression. Conclusions: Low dose IT morphine added to regular postoperative i.v. diclofenac provides excellent analgesia after hip and knee arthroplasty and allows for a protocol without additional systemic opioids.
Protection of Macaca nemestrina from Disease following Pathogenic Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) Challenge: Utilization of SIV Nucleocapsid Mutant DNA Vaccines with and without an SIV Protein Boost

ABSTRACT Molecular clones were constructed that express nucleocapsid (NC) deletion mutant simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs) that are replication defective but capable of completing virtually all of the steps of a single viral infection cycle. These steps include production of particles that are viral RNA deficient yet contain a full complement of processed viral proteins. The mutant particles are ultrastructurally indistinguishable from wild-type virus. Similar to a live attenuated vaccine, this approach should allow immunological presentation of a full range of viral epitopes, without the safety risks of replicating virus. A total of 11 Macaca nemestrina macaques were inoculated with NC mutant SIV expressing DNA, intramuscularly (i.m.) in one study and i.m. and subcutaneously in another study. Six control animals received vector DNA lacking SIV sequences. Only modest and inconsistent humoral responses and no cellular immune responses were observed prior to challenge. Following intravenous challenge with 20 animal infectious doses of the pathogenic SIV(Mne) in a long-term study, all control animals became infected and three of four animals developed progressive SIV disease leading to death. All 11 NC mutant SIV DNA-immunized animals became infected following challenge but typically showed decreased initial peak plasma SIV RNA levels compared to those of control animals (P = 0.0007). In the long-term study, most of the immunized animals had low or undetectable postacute levels of plasma SIV RNA, and no CD4+ T-cell depletion or clinical evidence of progressive disease, over more than 2 years of observation. Although a subset of immunized and control animals were boosted with SIV(Mne) proteins, no apparent protective benefit was observed. Immunization of macaques with DNA that codes for replication-defective but structurally complete virions appears to protect from or at least delay the onset of AIDS after infection with a pathogenic immunodeficiency virus. With further optimization, this may be a promising approach for vaccine development.
Discerning nonrigid 3D shapes from motion cues

Many organisms and objects deform nonrigidly when moving, requiring perceivers to separate shape changes from object motions. Surprisingly, the abilities of observers to correctly infer nonrigid volumetric shapes from motion cues have not been measured, and structure from motion models predominantly use variants of rigidity assumptions. We show that observers are equally sensitive at discriminating cross-sections of flexing and rigid cylinders based on motion cues, when the cylinders are rotated simultaneously around the vertical and depth axes. A computational model based on motion perspective (i.e., assuming perceived depth is inversely proportional to local velocity) predicted the psychometric curves better than shape from motion factorization models using shape or trajectory basis functions. Asymmetric percepts of symmetric cylinders, arising because of asymmetric velocity profiles, provided additional evidence for the dominant role of relative velocity in shape perception. Finally, we show that inexperienced observers are generally incapable of using motion cues to detect inflation/deflation of rigid and flexing cylinders, but this handicap can be overcome with practice for both nonrigid and rigid shapes. The empirical and computational results of this study argue against the use of rigidity assumptions in extracting 3D shape from motion and for the primacy of motion deformations computed from motion shears.
From the Southern Association for Vascular Surgery Meta-analysis of endovascular vs open repair for traumatic descending thoracic aortic rupture

Objectives: Traumatic thoracic aortic injuries are associated with high mortality and morbidity. These patients often have multiple injuries, and delayed aortic repair is frequently used. Endoluminal grafts offer an alternative to open surgical repair. We performed a meta-analysis of comparative studies evaluating endovascular vs open repair of these injuries. Methods: A systematic search of studies reporting treatment of traumatic aortic injury was performed using the following databases: Medline/PubMed, CINAHL, Proquest, Up to Date, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), ClinicalTrials.gov, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Search terms were thoracic aortic trauma, traumatic thoracic aortic injury, traumatic aortic rupture, stent graft repair, and endovascular repair. Outcomes analyzed were procedure-related mortality, overall 30-day mortality, and paraplegia/paraparesis rate using odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Publication bias was investigated using funnel plots. Assessment of homogeneity was performed using the Q test; statistical heterogeneity was considered present at P < . 05. Weighted averages of age, interval to repair, and injury severity score were compared with the Welch t test; P < . 05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Seventeen retrospective cohort studies from 2003 to 2007 were included. All were nonrandomized; no prospective randomized trials were found. These studies reported on 589 patients; 369 were treated with open repair, and 220 underwent thoracic stent graft placement. There was no significant difference in age (mean 38.8 years for both) or interval to repair (mean 1.5 days for endoluminal repair; 1 day for open repair). Injury severity score was higher for patients undergoing endoluminal repair (mean, 42.4 vs 37.4 for open repair, P < .001). Procedure-related mortality was significantly lower with endoluminal repair (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.15-0.66; P .002). Overall 30-day mortality was also lower after endoluminal repair (OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.25-0.78; P .005). Sixteen studies reported data for postoperative paraplegia; 215 patients were treated with endograft placement and 333 with open repair. The risk of postoperative paraplegia was significantly less with endoluminal repair (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.1-0.93; P .037). The Q test did not indicate significant heterogeneity for the outcomes of interest; publication bias was limited. Conclusions: Meta-analysis of retrospective cohort studies indicates that endovascular treatment of descending thoracic aortic trauma is an alternative to open repair and is associated with lower postoperative mortality and ischemic spinal cord complication rates. ( J Vasc Surg 2008;48:1343-51.)