Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of 2 Zero-Profile Implants in the Treatment of Single-Level Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: A Preliminary Clinical Study of Cervical Disc Arthroplasty versus Fusion

Objectives Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) with Discover prosthesis or anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with Zero-P cage has been widely used in the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). However, little is known about the comparison of the 2 zero-profile implants in the treatment of single-level CSM. The aim was to compare the clinical outcomes and radiographic parameters of CDA with Discover prosthesis and ACDF with Zero-P cage for the treatment of single-level CSM. Methods A total of 128 consecutive patients who underwent 1-level CDA with Discover prosthesis or ACDF with Zero-P cage for single-level CSM between September 2009 and December 2012 were included in this study. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and Neck Disability Index (NDI). For radiographic assessment, the overall sagittal alignment (OSA), functional spinal unit (FSU) angle, and range of motion (ROM) at the index and adjacent levels were measured before and after surgery. Additionally, the complications were also recorded. Results Both treatments significantly improved all clinical parameters (P < 0.05), without statistically relevant differences between the 2 groups. The OSA and FSU angle increased significantly in both groups (P <0.05). Compared with Zero-P group, ROMs at the index levels were well maintained in the Discover group (P < 0.05). However, there were no statistical differences in the ROMs of adjacent levels between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). Besides, no significant differences existed in dysphagia, subsidence, or adjacent disc degeneration between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). However, significant differences occurred in prosthesis migration in CDA group. Conclusions The results of this study showed that clinical outcomes and radiographic parameters were satisfactory and comparable with the 2 techniques. However, more attention to prosthesis migration of artificial cervical disc should be paid in the postoperative early-term follow-up.
Global Fit Analysis of Myosin-5b Motility Reveals Thermodynamics of Mg2+-Sensitive Acto-Myosin-ADP States

Kinetic and thermodynamic studies of the mechanochemical cycle of myosin motors are essential for understanding the mechanism of energy conversion. Here, we report our investigation of temperature and free Mg2+-ion dependencies of sliding velocities of a high duty ratio class-5 myosin motor, myosin-5b from D. discoideum using in vitro motility assays. Previous studies have shown that the sliding velocity of class-5 myosins obeys modulation by free Mg2+-ions. Free Mg2+-ions affect ADP release kinetics and the dwell time of actin-attached states. The latter determines the maximal velocity of actin translocation in the sliding filament assay. We measured the temperature dependence of sliding velocity in the range from 5 to 55°C at two limiting free Mg2+-ion concentrations. Arrhenius plots demonstrated non-linear behavior. Based on this observation we propose a kinetic model, which explains both sensitivity towards free Mg2+-ions and non-linearity of the temperature dependence of sliding velocity. According to this model, velocity is represented as a simple analytical function of temperature and free Mg2+-ion concentrations. This function has been applied to global non-linear fit analysis of three data sets including temperature and magnesium (at 20°C) dependence of sliding velocity. As a result we obtain thermodynamic parameters (ΔHMg and ΔSMg) of a fast equilibrium between magnesium free (AM·D) and magnesium bound acto-myosin-ADP (AM· Mg2+D) states and the corresponding enthalpic barriers associated with ADP release (ΔH1 ‡ and ΔH2 ‡). The herein presented integrative approach of data analysis based on global fitting can be applied to the remaining steps of the acto-myosin ATPase cycle facilitating the determination of energetic parameters and thermodynamics of acto-myosin interactions.
Stellar Feedback in Dwarf Galaxy Formation

Dwarf galaxies pose substantial challenges for cosmological models. In particular, current models predict a dark-matter density that is divergent at the center, which is in sharp contrast with observations that indicate a core of roughly constant density. Energy feedback, from supernova explosions and stellar winds, has been proposed as a major factor shaping the evolution of dwarf galaxies. We present detailed cosmological simulations with sufficient resolution both to model the relevant physical processes and to directly assess the impact of stellar feedback on observable properties of dwarf galaxies. We show that feedback drives large-scale, bulk motions of the interstellar gas, resulting in substantial gravitational potential fluctuations and a consequent reduction in the central matter density, bringing the theoretical predictions in agreement with observations.
Cytokine-induced killer cells efficiently kill stem-like cancer cells of nasopharyngeal carcinoma via the NKG2D-ligands recognition

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered to be the root cause for cancer treatment failure. Thus, there remains an urgent need for more potent and safer therapies against CSCs for curing cancer. In this study, the antitumor activity of cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells against putative CSCs of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) was fully evaluated in vitro and in vivo. To visualize putative CSCs in vitro by fluorescence imaging, and image and quantify putative CSCs in tumor xenograft-bearing mice by in vivo bioluminescence imaging, NPC cells were engineered with CSC detector vector encoding GFP and luciferase (Luc) under control of Nanog promoter. Our study reported in vitro intense tumor-killing activity of CIK cells against putative CSCs of NPC, as revealed by percentage analysis of side population cells, tumorsphere formation assay and Nanog-promoter-GFP-Luc reporter gene strategy plus time-lapse recording. Additionally, time-lapse imaging firstly illustrated that GFP-labeled or PKH26-labeled putative CSCs or tumorspheres were usually attacked simultaneously by many CIK cells and finally killed by CIK cells, suggesting the necessity of achieving sufficient effector-to-target ratios. We firstly confirmed that NKG2D blockade by anti-NKG2D antibody significantly but partially abrogated CIK cell-mediated cytolysis against putative CSCs. More importantly, intravenous infusion of CIK cells significantly delayed tumor growth in NOD/SCID mice, accompanied by a remarkable reduction in putative CSC number monitored by whole-body bioluminescence imaging. Taken together, our findings suggest that CIK cells demonstrate the intense tumor-killing activity against putative CSCs of NPC, at least in part, by NKG2D-ligands recognition. These results indicate that CIK cell-based therapeutic strategy against CSCs presents a promising and safe approach for cancer treatment.
Novel NCF-FBG Interferometer for Simultaneous Measurement of Refractive Index and Temperature

A simple and compact interferometer structure based on no-core fiber (NCF) and fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is proposed for simultaneous measurement of surrounding refractive index (SRI) and temperature. Two methods of measurement may be used here: 1) the sensing information can be analyzed by the wavelengths shift of the NCF-based interferometer and one arbitrarily FBG-reflected modes, or 2) they can be solely extracted through both wavelength and power of each FBG reflected mode. Moreover, experimental results indicate that the SRI sensitivity of the FBG reflected core mode is up to 160.23 dB/RIU at a range from 1.3330 to 1.3780, which is the highest value to our knowledge.
Primary drug resistance to anti‐tuberculosis drugs in major towns of Amhara region, Ethiopia

Yimer SA, Agonafir M, Derese Y, Sani Y, Bjune GA, Holm‐Hansen C. Primary drug resistance to anti‐tuberculosis drugs in major towns of Amhara Region, Ethiopia. APMIS 2012; 120: 503–9.
Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Responses to High-Carbohydrate and High-Fat Meals in Healthy Humans

The postprandial state is hypothesised to be proinflammatory and prooxidative, but the relative contributions of fat versus carbohydrate are unclear. Therefore, we examined inflammation and oxidative stress responses in serum and skeletal muscle before and after 1000 kcal meals, which were high in either fat or carbohydrate in 15 healthy individuals. Serum and muscle expression of IL6 was elevated 3 hours after each meal, independently of macronutrient composition (P < 0.01). Serum IL18 was decreased after high-fat meal only (P < 0.01). Plasma total antioxidative status and muscle Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase were decreased after high-carbohydrate meal only (P < 0.05). We conclude that a high-carbohydrate meal may evoke a greater postprandial oxidative stress response, whereas both fat and carbohydrate increased IL6. We speculate that the observed increases in postprandial IL6, without increases in any other markers of inflammation, may indicate a normal IL6 response to enhance glucose uptake, similar to its role postexercise.
Changes in cardiorespiratory fitness among children and adolescents in Australia: 1997 and 2004

Abstract In this paper, we describe changes in cardiorespiratory fitness among children and adolescents in New South Wales, Australia from 1997 to 2004. Altogether, 4363 children and adolescents were surveyed in 1997 and 3720 were surveyed in 2004. Participants were randomly selected from Grades 4 and 6 in primary school and Grades 8 and 10 in high schools. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed on both occasions using the 20-m shuttle run test. There was a very small, but statistically significant, increase in the median number of laps completed for primary (P = 0.02) and high school girls (P = 0.02) and high school boys (P = 0.01); however, the prevalence of adequate cardiorespiratory fitness did not change significantly from 1997 to 2004 for primary or high school boys or girls. Cardiorespiratory fitness was higher among the most socially advantaged boys and girls and this tertile also recorded the greatest increases in all but one group. Over the period 1997 to 2004, the prevalence of adequate cardiorespiratory fitness among students rose slightly in general. It is concerning that the gap between low and high socio-economic tertiles appears to have widened.
Predictors of Postoperative Cognitive Decline in Very Old Patients With Hip Fracture

Background: To investigate incidence and predictors of the various postoperative cognitive declines in old patients with hip fracture. Methods: This retrospective chart study evaluated 411 patients (age ≥80 years, follow-up 5 years). After exclusion of 82 patients (preexisting dementia or delirium), 70 patients showing either diagnosed postoperative delirium (POD; group 1; N = 18, 5.5%) or an unspecified cognitive dysfunction and behavior (group 2; N = 52, 15.8%) were analyzed and compared with those without any acute postoperative cerebral impairment (control group; N = 259, 78.7%). Medical history, anesthesiological, orthopedic, and rehabilitation data were assessed using the medical database of the hospital information system. Relative ratio was calculated with Fisher exact test: P value Bonferroni corrected ≤. 003. Results: Acute cognitive complications were observed in 70 (21.3%) patients. Our data in group 1 showed that patients with a medical history of stroke (relative risk [RR] = 16.2, P = .0001) or nicotine abuse (RR = 14.4, P = .001) and perioperative surgical bleeding (RR = 6.54, P = .002) are more likely to develop POD. Unspecified cognitive dysfunction and behavior (group 2) was significantly associated with a medical history of stroke (RR = 12.5, P = .0001) and postoperatively with depression (RR = 3.32, P = .001). In the follow-up, significantly more patients in group 1 (55.6%, RR = 21.8, P = .0001) and group 2 (13.5%, RR = 3.88, P = .001) developed dementia as compared to controls (1.9%). Mortality did not differ significantly between the groups (group 1: RR = 1.75, P = .5 and group 2: RR = 0.66, P = 1.0). Conclusion: These data show that various predictors can identify a greater likelihood of developing postoperative cognitive decline in very old patients with hip fracture. Not identifying or labeling of POD limits the opportunity for evaluation, treatment, and planning. Thus, routine cognitive assessments need to be performed in the scope of multidisciplinary orthogeriatric comanagement.
EARLY: a pilot study on early diagnosis of atrial fibrillation in a primary healthcare centre.

AIM Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis is likely to improve therapy and prognosis. The study objective was to evaluate the usefulness of a programme for early diagnosis of AF in patients from an urban primary care centre. METHODS AND RESULTS Participants were recruited from a randomized sample of patients not diagnosed with AF but having relevant risk factors: age ≥ 65 years, ischaemic and/or valvular heart disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, and/or diabetes. Patients were randomly assigned to the intervention group (IG) or control group (CG). The intervention included (i) initial visit with clinical history, electrocardiogram, and instruction about pulse palpation and warning signs and (ii) electrocardiogram every 6 months during a 2-year follow-up. The main endpoint of the study was the proportion of new cases diagnosed at 6 months. Secondary endpoints were number of new AF diagnoses and complications associated with the arrhythmia in both groups. A total of 928 patients were included (463 IG and 465 CG). At 6 months, AF was diagnosed in 8 IG patients and 1 CG patient (1.7 vs. 0.2%, respectively, P = 0.018). After 2 years of follow-up, 11 IG patients and 6 CG patients had newly diagnosed AF (2.5 vs. 1.3%, respectively, P = 0.132). Time to first diagnosis of AF was shorter in IG patients [median (inter-quartile range): 7 (192) days vs. 227 (188.5) days in CG, P = 0.029]. CONCLUSION The simple screening proposed could be useful for the early detection of AF in primary care.
Treatment of Class III malocclusion in a young adult with reverse pull face mask

Class III malocclusions are usually growth-related discrepancies, which often become more severe until growth is complete. This case report describes the treatment of a young girl aged 11 years 3 months who had a skeletal Class III malocclusion with a flattening of mid facial region. She also had constricted maxillary arch and high labially placed canine. The treatment plan included a slow palatal expansion, reverse pull facemask appliance, and fixed edgewise appliances. The treatment resulted in skeletal Class I and dental Class I molar and canine occlusion, an ideal overjet, overbite, incisor angulation and facial esthetics was greatly improved after 21 months of treatment. Stability of the treatment result was excellent in 1 year 5 months follow-up at the age of 14 years and 7 months.
Effect of Short Fiber Reinforcement on Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Phenolic Composites

Fiber plays an important role in determining the hardness, strength, and dynamic mechanical properties of composite material. In the present work, enhancement of viscoelastic behaviour of hybrid phenolic composites has been synergistically investigated. Five different phenolic composites, namely, C1, C2, C3, C4, and C5, were fabricated by varying the weight percentage of basalt and aramid fiber, namely, 25, 20, 15, 10, and 5% by compensating with barium sulphate (BaSO4) to keep the combined reinforcement concentration at 25 wt%. Hardness was measured to examine the resistance of composites to indentation. The hardness of phenolic composites increased from 72.2 to 85.2 with increase in basalt fiber loading. Composite C1 (25 wt% fiber) is 1.2 times harder than composite C5. Compression test was conducted to find out compressive strength of phenolic composites and compressive strength increased with increase in fiber content. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was carried out to assess the temperature dependence mechanical properties in terms of storage modulus ( ), loss modulus ( ), and damping factor (tan δ). The results indicate great improvement of values and decrease in damping behaviour of composite upon fiber addition. Further X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis were employed to characterize the friction composites.
Platelet lysate supports the in vitro expansion of human periodontal ligament stem cells for cytotherapeutic use

Human platelet lysate (PL) produced under optimal conditions of standardization and safety has been increasingly suggested as the future ‘gold standard’ supplement to replace fetal bovine serum (FBS) for the ex vivo propagation of mesenchymal stem cells for translational medicine and cell therapy applications. However, the multifaceted effects of PL on tissue‐specific stem cells remain largely unexplored. In the present study, we investigated the stem cell behaviours of human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) in media with or without PL. Our data indicate that human PL, either as an adjuvant for culture media or as a substitute for FBS, supports the proliferation and expansion of human PDLSCs derived from either ‘young’ or ‘old’ donors to the same extent as FBS, without interfering with their immunomodulatory capacities. Although PL appears to inhibit the in vitro differentiation of ‘young’ or ‘old’ PDLSCs, their decreased osteogenic potential may be restored to similar or higher levels compared with FBS‐expanded cells. PL‐ and FBS‐expanded PDLSCs exhibited a similar potential to form mineralized nodules and expressed similar levels of osteogenic genes. Our data indicate that large clinically relevant quantities of PDLSCs may be yielded by the use of human PL; however, further analysis of its precise composition and function will pave the way for determining optimized, defined culture conditions. In addition to the potential increase in patient safety, our findings highlight the need for further research to develop the potential of PL‐expanded PDLSCs for clinical use. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quinolone resistance-determining region in the DNA gyrase gyrA gene of Escherichia coli

Nucleotide sequence analysis of the gyrA genes of 10 spontaneous quinolone-resistant gyrA mutants of Escherichia coli KL16, including four mutants examined previously, disclosed that quinolone resistance was caused by a point mutation within the region between amino acids 67 and 106, especially in the vicinity of amino acid 83, of the GyrA protein.
The Effect of Notch Sharpness on the Fracture Toughness Determined From SENT Specimens

Fracture toughness test standards require specimens to be fatigue precracked to generate conservative values of fracture toughness. Nonetheless, it is believed that for ductile steels on the upper-shelf, whether or not the electro-discharge machined (EDM) notch is subsequently fatigue precracked does not affect the value of fracture toughness obtained. Avoiding fatigue precracking during single edge notched tension (SENT) specimen preparation would reduce the testing time, and improve notch placement accuracy and straightness. However, there are circumstances when using EDM notches causes the fracture toughness to be overestimated. It is important to know when fatigue precracking affects the fracture toughness and when it does not. In the work presented here, SENT testing was performed on EDM notched specimens, and on specimens which were subsequently fatigue precracked. Tests were conducted at +20°C, −20°C and −80°C to compare ductile and brittle behaviour. The full tearing resistance curves (R-curves) were reasonably independent of the fatigue precracking, but the initiation value of δ0. 2 was higher when EDM notches were used. At lower test temperatures, the difference in fracture behaviour between both notch types was more significant. EDM notches can therefore be most justified for the assessment of fracture toughness determined from the maximum load in the load-displacement curve, i.e. upper shelf behaviour. The upper shelf can be determined from standard fracture toughness testing or estimated using Charpy data, without performing additional fracture toughness tests. Several Charpy-based criteria for determining the temperature of the upper shelf were also evaluated in this work.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Non-supersymmetric black rings as thermally excited supertubes

We construct a seven-parameter family of supergravity solutions that describe non-supersymmetric black rings and black tubes with three charges, three dipoles and two angular momenta. The black rings have regular horizons and non-zero temperature. They are naturally interpreted as the supergravity descriptions of thermally excited configurations of supertubes, specifically of supertubes with two charges and one dipole, and of supertubes with three charges and two dipoles. In order to fully describe thermal excitations near supersymmetry of the black supertubes with three charges and three dipoles a more general family of black ring solutions is required.
The Sexual and Mating System of the Shrimp Odontonia katoi (Palaemonidae, Pontoniinae), a Symbiotic Guest of the Ascidian Polycarpa aurata in the Coral Triangle

Theory predicts that monogamy is adaptive in symbiotic crustaceans inhabiting relatively small and morphologically simple hosts in tropical environments where predation risk away from hosts is high. We tested this prediction in the shrimp Odontonia katoi, which inhabits the atrial chamber of the ascidian Polycarpa aurata in the Coral Triangle. Preliminary observations in O. katoi indicated that males were smaller than females, which is suggestive of sex change (protandry) in some symbiotic organisms. Thus, we first investigated the sexual system of O. katoi to determine if this shrimp was sequentially hermaphroditic. Morphological identification and size frequency distributions indicated that the population comprised males that, on average, were smaller than females. Gonad dissections demonstrated the absence of transitional individuals. Thus, O. katoi is a gonochoric species with reverse sexual dimorphism. The population distribution of O. katoi in its ascidian host did not differ significantly from a random distribution and shrimps inhabiting the same host individual as pairs were found with a frequency similar to that expected by chance alone. This is in contrast to that reported for other socially monogamous crustaceans in which pairs of heterosexual conspecifics are found in host individuals more frequently than expected by chance alone. Thus, the available information argues against monogamy in O. katoi. Furthermore, that a high frequency of solitary females were found brooding embryos and that the sex ratio was skewed toward females suggests that males might be roaming among hosts in search of receptive females in O. katoi. Symbiotic crustaceans can be used as a model system to understand the adaptive value of sexual and mating systems in marine invertebrates.