Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Ste‐Justine Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Cohort Study: Part III Back Pain

Objectives. This study determined health and well being of persons with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) more than 10 years after referral. This communication will present results related to back pain. Study Design. This study was designed as a comparative retrospective cohort study. Subjects referred for AIS between 1960 and 1979 to a large pediatric hospital in Montreal, Quebec, were entered into the cohort. A population-based control group was selected from the general population of Quebec using a telephone survey. Methods. Back pain was assessed by postal questionnaires administered, in 1990, to the AIS cohort and to the control group. Most outcomes were ordinal and, thus, odds ratios were estiomated using ordinal regression while adjusting for potential confounding factors. Results. Among the 1,476 AIS subjects responding, 73% experienced one or more episodes of back pain in the past year, significantly more than the 1,755 controls (56%); for current back pain, these proportions were also significantly different: 44% for AIS subjects and 24% for controls. In comparison to controls, AIS subjects reported pain that was more intense, continuous, generalized throughout the back, and radiating into the extremities, AIS subjects were also more restricted in many usual daily activities. Little variability was observed in the prevalence of current back pain and back pain in the past year according to treatment and degree of curvature. Difficulty with managing pain, lifting, walking, and socializing was, however, associated with severity. The results of this study suggest that back pain is responsible for a considerable amount of disability and handicap in later life. Health professionals involved with the management of persons with AIS need to consider this important outcome and need to put in place procedures for the identification, investigation, prevention, and treatment of back pain.
Probing the active site tryptophan of Staphylococcus aureus thioredoxin with an analog

Genetically encoded non-canonical amino acids are powerful tools of protein research and engineering; in particular they allow substitution of individual chemical groups or atoms in a protein of interest. One such amino acid is the tryptophan (Trp) analog 3-benzothienyl-l-alanine (Bta) with an imino-to-sulfur substitution in the five-membered ring. Unlike Trp, Bta is not capable of forming a hydrogen bond, but preserves other properties of a Trp residue. Here we present a pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase-derived, engineered enzyme BtaRS that enables efficient and site-specific Bta incorporation into proteins of interest in vivo. Furthermore, we report a 2.1 Å-resolution crystal structure of a BtaRS•Bta complex to show how BtaRS discriminates Bta from canonical amino acids, including Trp. To show utility in protein mutagenesis, we used BtaRS to introduce Bta to replace the Trp28 residue in the active site of Staphylococcus aureus thioredoxin. This experiment showed that not the hydrogen bond between residues Trp28 and Asp58, but the bulky aromatic side chain of Trp28 is important for active site maintenance. Collectively, our study provides a new and robust tool for checking the function of Trp in proteins.
Calibration for Randomized Response Estimators

In the present article, we consider the calibration procedure for the Warner's and Mangat–Singh's (:M–S) randomized response survey estimators using auxiliary information associated with the variable of interest. In the calibration procedure, we can use auxiliary information such as age, gender, and income for the respondents of RR questions from an external source, and then the classical RR estimators can be improved with respect to the problems of noncoverage or nonresponse. From the efficiency comparison study, we show that the calibration estimators are more efficient than those of Warner's and Mangat-Singh's when the known population cell and marginal counts of auxiliary information are used for the calibration procedure.
Behaviour and kinematics of continuous ram filtration in bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus)

Balaenid whales perform long breath-hold foraging dives despite a high drag from their ram filtration of zooplankton. To maximize the volume of prey acquired in a dive with limited oxygen supplies, balaenids must either filter feed only occasionally when prey density is particularly high, or they must swim at slow speeds while filtering to reduce drag and oxygen consumption. Using digital tags with three-axis accelerometers, we studied bowhead whales feeding off West Greenland and present here, to our knowledge, the first detailed data on the kinematics and swimming behaviour of a balaenid whale filter feeding at depth. Bowhead whales employ a continuous fluking gait throughout the bottom phase of foraging dives, moving at very slow speeds (less than 1 m s−1), allowing them to filter feed continuously at depth. Despite the slow speeds, the large mouth aperture provides a water filtration rate of approximately 3 m3 s−1, amounting to some 2000 tonnes of water and prey filtered per dive. We conclude that a food niche of dense, slow-moving zooplankton prey has led balaenids to evolve locomotor and filtering systems adapted to work against a high drag at swimming speeds of less than 0.07 body length s−1 using a continuous fluking gait very different from that of nekton-feeding, aquatic predators.
Non-invasive diagnosis of aortic arch anomalies in children – 15 years of own experience

Abstract Aim: To summarize our experience in echocardiographic diagnosis of aortic arch anomalies in pediatric patients. Materials and methods: A retrospective assessment of echocardiographic findings in Echo-Lab patients of the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Department, who were diagnosed with an anomalous aortic arch between 2003 and 2018. Results: The diagnosis of an abnormal course of the aortic arch and/or its branches was established in 115 children aged between 4 days and 17 years. The following types of anomalies were detected: left aortic arch with aberrant right subclavian artery in 42 patients; right aortic arch with left brachiocephalic trunk in 14 patients; right aortic arch, aberrant left subclavian artery in 36 patients; double aortic arch in 14 patients; and other, more complex types in 9 patients. The main elements of defects were correctly identified by echo in all cases. We decided to additionally perform computed tomography angiography in 32 patients to clarify all details necessary to qualify patients for surgery and establish the surgical plan. Conclusions: 1. Echocardiography strictly following the pre-determined protocol has 100% sensitivity in the detection of basic elements of aortic arch anomaly and is a perfect tool for diagnostic process initiation. 2. Since it is not possible to visualize all anatomic details, the qualification for surgery should by based on computed tomography angiography or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, which precisely visualize both abnormal vessels and compressed structures.
[Pharmaphylogenetic study on isopyroideae (Ranunculaceae)].

OBJECTIVE To study the pharmaphylogenetic of medicinal plants of Isopyroideae (Ranunculaceae). METHOD Comprehensively analyze the correlation between phylogeny, chemical constituents and pharmaceutical aspects of Isopyroideae plants, based on chemical, pharmaceutical (both ethnopharmacologic and pharmacological) information, linking with different plant systems of Ranunculaceae. RESULT Plants from Aquilegia mainly contain flavonoids constituents while the major chemical constituents of Isopyrum are bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids. Chemical characteristics also support that this taxon should be separated from Thalictrodeae, and constituted an independent subfamily, namely, Isopyroideae.
Homicide death in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 2005

Violence disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries. Deeper understanding is needed in areas where little research has occurred. The objectives of the study were to: (a) ascertain rate of homicide death; (b) describe the victims and circumstances surrounding their deaths in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in 2005. This study was developed by adapting the WHO/CDC Injury Surveillance Guidelines (Holder et al., 2001). Data on 12 variables were collected on all homicide deaths. Descriptive statistics and hypothesis tests were done when appropriate. Age standardised, age-specific and cause-specific mortality rates are presented. The overall homicide rate was 12.57 (males and females respectively: 22.26 and 2.64). Homicide deaths were 93.4% male, mostly unemployed, with a mean age of 28.2 years. Most deaths occurred in urban areas. Mob violence was the cause of 57% of deaths. The risk of homicide death for males was greater than the world average, but for females it was less. Most homicides were committed by community members policing against thieves.
Genome-wide analysis of the CCCH zinc finger family identifies tissue specific and stress responsive candidates in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The CCCH zinc finger is a group of proteins characterised by a typical motif consisting of three cysteine residues and one histidine residue. These proteins have been reported to play important roles in regulation of plant growth, developmental processes and environmental responses. In the present study, genome wide analysis of the CCCH zinc finger gene family was carried out in the available chickpea genome. Various bioinformatics tools were employed to predict 58 CCCH zinc finger genes in chickpea (designated CarC3H1-58), which were analysed for their physio-chemical properties. Phylogenetic analysis classified the proteins into 12 groups in which members of a particular group had similar structural organization. Further, the numbers as well as the types of CCCH motifs present in the CarC3H proteins were compared with those from Arabidopsis and Medicago truncatula. Synteny analysis revealed valuable information regarding the evolution of this gene family. Tandem and segmental duplication events were identified and their Ka/Ks values revealed that the CarC3H gene family in chickpea had undergone purifying selection. Digital, as well as real time qRT-PCR expression analysis was performed which helped in identification of several CarC3H members that expressed preferentially in specific chickpea tissues as well as during abiotic stresses (desiccation, cold, salinity). Moreover, molecular characterization of an important member CarC3H45 was carried out. This study provides comprehensive genomic information about the important CCCH zinc finger gene family in chickpea. The identified tissue specific and abiotic stress specific CCCH genes could be potential candidates for further characterization to delineate their functional roles in development and stress.
Facilitation of Implicit Motor Learning by Weak Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Primary Motor Cortex in the Human

Transcranially applied weak direct currents are capable of modulating motor cortical excitability in the human. Anodal stimulation enhances excitability, cathodal stimulation diminishes it. Cortical excitability changes accompany motor learning. Here we show that weak direct currents are capable of improving implicit motor learning in the human. During performance of a serial reaction time task, the primary motor cortex, premotor, or prefrontal cortices were stimulated contralaterally to the performing hand. Anodal stimulation of the primary motor cortex resulted in increased performance, whereas stimulation of the remaining cortices had no effect. We conclude that the primary motor cortex is involved in the acquisition and early consolidation phase of implicit motor learning.
Effects of fluticasone propionate on inflammatory cells in COPD: an ultrastructural examination of endobronchial biopsy tissue

Background: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) markedly reduce bronchial mucosal inflammation in asthma but whether they have an anti-inflammatory effect in airway tissue in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unknown. Methods: A study of endobronchial biopsy samples was conducted as part of a double blind, placebo controlled, randomised trial of parallel design. Patients had mild to moderately severe COPD (FEV1 25–80% of predicted) and were given 3 months treatment with ICS, fluticasone propionate (FP; 500 μg twice daily, n=14) or placebo (n=10). Biopsy tissue taken at baseline and after treatment was examined by transmission electron microscopy to count the numbers of all ultrastructurally distinct inflammatory cells. Results: Compared with their baseline values, FP resulted in a significant decrease (on average 65%) in the numbers of mucosal mast cells (median 7.8 (range 1–33) v 2.8 (1–14), p<0.05). The reductive effect of FP held true when the post-treatment values of the placebo and FP groups were compared: 8.8 (1–24) v 2.8 (1–14) (p<0.05). Unexpectedly, there were significantly more neutrophils in the FP than in the placebo group: 4.0 (0–23) v 1.7 (0–8), respectively (p<0.05). There were no alterations to other cell types including mononuclear cells. Symptoms markedly improved in the patients treated with FP for 3 months. Conclusion: Fluticasone propionate given for 3 months to patients with COPD has selective effects on the inflammatory cells in the bronchial mucosa: the reduction in mast cell numbers may account for the improvement in symptoms over this time.
Biomaterials and Nanotherapeutics for Enhancing Skin Wound Healing

Wound healing is an intricate process that requires complex coordination between many cell types and an appropriate extracellular microenvironment. Chronic wounds often suffer from high protease activity, persistent infection, excess inflammation, and hypoxia. While there has been intense investigation to find new methods to improve cutaneous wound care, the management of chronic wounds, burns, and skin wound infection remain challenging clinical problems. Ideally, advanced wound dressings can provide enhanced healing and bridge the gaps in the healing processes that prevent chronic wounds from healing. These technologies have great potential for improving outcomes in patients with poorly healing wounds but face significant barriers in addressing the heterogeneity and clinical complexity of chronic or severe wounds. Active wound dressings aim to enhance the natural healing process and work to counter many aspects that plague poorly healing wounds, including excessive inflammation, ischemia, scarring, and wound infection. This review paper discusses recent advances in the development of biomaterials and nanoparticle therapeutics to enhance wound healing. In particular, this review focuses on the novel cutaneous wound treatments that have undergone significant preclinical development or are currently used in clinical practice.
Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase Is a Metabolic Checkpoint for Polarization of Macrophages to the M1 Phenotype

Metabolic reprogramming during macrophage polarization supports the effector functions of these cells in health and disease. Here, we demonstrate that pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK), which inhibits the pyruvate dehydrogenase-mediated conversion of cytosolic pyruvate to mitochondrial acetyl-CoA, functions as a metabolic checkpoint in M1 macrophages. Polarization was not prevented by PDK2 or PDK4 deletion but was fully prevented by the combined deletion of PDK2 and PDK4; this lack of polarization was correlated with improved mitochondrial respiration and rewiring of metabolic breaks that are characterized by increased glycolytic intermediates and reduced metabolites in the TCA cycle. Genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of PDK2/4 prevents polarization of macrophages to the M1 phenotype in response to inflammatory stimuli (lipopolysaccharide plus IFN-γ). Transplantation of PDK2/4-deficient bone marrow into irradiated wild-type mice to produce mice with PDK2/4-deficient myeloid cells prevented M1 polarization, reduced obesity-associated insulin resistance, and ameliorated adipose tissue inflammation. A novel, pharmacological PDK inhibitor, KPLH1130, improved high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance; this was correlated with a reduction in the levels of pro-inflammatory markers and improved mitochondrial function. These studies identify PDK2/4 as a metabolic checkpoint for M1 phenotype polarization of macrophages, which could potentially be exploited as a novel therapeutic target for obesity-associated metabolic disorders and other inflammatory conditions.
Ventilation during cardiopulmonary bypass did not attenuate inflammatory response or affect postoperative outcomes

Introduction Cardiopulmonary bypass causes a series of inflammatory events that have adverse effects on the outcome. The release of cytokines, including interleukins, plays a key role in the pathophysiology of the process. Simultaneously, cessation of ventilation and pulmonary blood flow contribute to ischaemia–reperfusion injury in the lungs when reperfusion is maintained. Collapse of the lungs during cardiopulmonary bypass leads to postoperative atelectasis, which correlates with the amount of intrapulmonary shunt. Atelectasis also causes post-perfusion lung injury. In this study, we aimed to document the effects of continued low-frequency ventilation on the inflammatory response following cardiopulmonary bypass and on outcomes, particularly pulmonary function. Methods Fifty-nine patients subjected to elective coronary bypass surgery were prospectively randomised to two groups, continuous ventilation (5 ml/kg tidal volume, 5/min frequency, zero end-expiratory pressure) and no ventilation, during cardiopulmonary bypass. Serum interleukins 6, 8 and 10 (as inflammatory markers), and serum lactate (as a marker for pulmonary injury) levels were studied, and alveolar–arterial oxygen gradient measurements were made after the induction of anaesthesia, and immediately, one and six hours after the discontinuation of cardiopulmonary bypass. Results There were 29 patients in the non-ventilated and 30 in the continuously ventilated groups. The pre-operative demographics and intra-operative characteristics of the patients were comparable. The serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) increased with time, and levels were higher in the non-ventilated group only immediately after discontinuation of cardiopulmonary bypass. IL-8 levels significantly increased only in the non-ventilated group, but the levels did not differ between the groups. Serum levels of IL-10 and lactate also increased with time, and levels of both were higher in the non-ventilated group only immediately after the discontinuation of cardiopulmonary bypass. Alveolar–arterial oxygen gradient measurements were higher in the non-ventilated group, except for six hours after the discontinuation of cardiopulmonary bypass. The intubation time, length of stay in intensive care unit and hospital, postoperative adverse events and mortality rates were not different between the groups. Conclusion Despite higher cytokine and lactate levels and alveolar–arterial oxygen gradients in specific time periods, an attenuation in the inflammatory response following cardiopulmonary bypass due to low-frequency, low-tidal volume ventilation could not be documented. Clinical parameters concerning pulmonary and other major system functions and occurrence of postoperative adverse events were not affected by continuous ventilation.
Channel Capacity Estimation in VOIP channels Over Wireless Networks

The Voice over IP (VOIP) and the IP based internet services are revolutionizing the way wireless networks are developed. The VOIP services make use of the internet backbone rather than the traditional circuit based networks (PSTN and the wireless voice services). The advantage provided by the VOIP technology over the traditional circuit based networks is that both voice and data signals are transmitted over the packet based network. Packet loss issues are inherent in IP applications, which although are easily managed in data applications, can reduce the quality of voice calls below acceptable levels. This is because voice communication is real-time and dropped or delayed packets in the wireless network would result in inadequate voice quality. This project will involve the simulation of a wireless network with VOIP channels and also the measurement of the QOS parameters using NetIQ’s Chariot. The project will be helpful in estimating the current capacity of the wireless networks in terms of the number of VOIP channels which can be supported.
Sentiment Analysis of Movie Reviews using Machine Learning Classifiers

In today’s world, it has become customary to collect opinions and reviews from people through various surveys, polls, social media platform and analyse them in order to understand the preferences of customers. So, in order to understand the sentiments of customers and their view on the services offered by producers, there comes the need for an accurate and canonical mechanism for speculating and anticipating sentiments which possess the ability to fabricate a positive or negative impact in the market and thus making this kind of analysis important for the pair of producers and consumers. In this paper, the main focus is to anatomize the reviews conveyed by viewers on various movies and to use this analysis to understand the customers’ sentiments and market behaviour for better customer experience. This paper intends to analyse the reviews of customers on various movies by implementing three algorithms namely K Nearest Neighbours, Logistic Regression and Naive Bayes and provides conclusive remarks.
The mechanism of crystal deformation

Microscopy provides an atomistic view of how crystalline materials deform [Also see Report by Kuzmina et al.] Modern metals and alloys (pure metals containing additives that modify the metal structure and properties) are used in almost all aspects of modern engineering. One of the unique properties of metals and alloys not shared by other materials, such as ceramics, semiconductors, and some polymers, is that they are malleable. That is, they can be plastically deformed to obtain a necessary shape. Furthermore, their degree of ductility can actually be controlled so as to define the level of malleability according to the requirements of the manufacturing process, or what is required during use. The mechanism by which metals deform is via the motion of linear defects at the atomistic scale, called dislocations (see the figure). In metals, dislocations are usually mobile, and their motion provides for the irreversible shifting of atomic planes in a process called slip, resulting in plastic deformation. Without the mechanism of moving dislocations, metals would fail under mechanical loading by brittle fracture, behaving in a manner similar to brittle semiconductors or ceramics. As a result, dislocation theory has been a critical issue from both a fundamental and applied point of view. On page 1080 of this issue, Kuzmina et al. (1) address perhaps one of the most crucial questions regarding dislocations and their properties: What is the nature of the dislocation core, and can its structure and chemistry be modified to control the properties of dislocations?