Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Subluxation of the talocalcaneal joint in adults who have symptomatic flatfoot.

BACKGROUND When flatfoot is acquired during adulthood, the shape of the foot changes. In addition to a decreased arch, there may be valgus angulation of the hindfoot or abduction of the forefoot, or both. However, there is little objective information to provide a better understanding of the anatomical or morphological changes that occur in acquired adult flatfoot. We wondered if such an understanding of the three-dimensional anatomy might shed light on the pathway by which these changes occur. We designed this study to measure the three-dimensional position of the talocalcaneal joint in patients who have painful flatfoot. METHODS Computed tomography scans of the feet of eight patients who had symptomatic flatfoot were used to construct a model of the talocalcaneal articulation. The scans were performed on a custom loading frame developed to simulate weight-bearing with the foot in a neutral position while a seventy-five-newton axial compressive load was applied. The digital data from the scans were used to make three-dimensional computer models of the articular surfaces of the talus and calcaneus of each foot. These models then were used to calculate the percentage of the articular surface that was in contact and, conversely, the percentage that was subluxated. Two surfaces were modeled for each bone; the posterior facet formed one surface, and the anterior and middle facets were combined to form the second surface. The data were compared, with use of Mann-Whitney nonparametric U analysis, with those derived from scans of the feet of four patients without a deformity of the hindfoot who served as controls. RESULTS A mean (and standard deviation) of 68+/-9 percent of the posterior facet of the calcaneus was in contact with the talus in the patients who had flatfoot compared with 92+/-2 percent in the controls, and a mean of 51+/-23 percent of the anterior and middle facets of the calcaneus was in contact with the talus in the patients who had flatfoot compared with 95+/-6 percent in the controls. These differences were significant (p = 0.0066 for both). CONCLUSIONS Marked subluxation of the talocalcaneal joint occurs in some patients who have symptomatic planoabductovalgus deformity.
More on melanoma with transdifferentiation.

Children’s Hospital Boston Boston, MA 02115 orah.platt@childrens.harvard. edu Chaine B, Neonato MG, Girot R, Aractingi S. Cutaneous ad­ 1. verse reactions to hydroxyurea in patients with sickle cell disease. Arch Dermatol 2001;137:467­70. Kersgard C, Osswald MB. Hydroxyurea and sickle cell leg 2. ulcers. Am J Hematol 2001;68:215­6. Loukopoulos D, Voskaridou E, Kalotychou V, Schina M, Lou­ 3. tradi A, Theodoropoulos I. Reduction of the clinical severity of sickle cell/beta­thalassemia with hydroxyurea: the experience of a single center in Greece. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2000;26:453­66. de Montalembert M, Begue P, Bernaudin F, Thuret I, Bachir 4. D, Micheau M. Preliminary report of a toxicity study of hydroxy­ urea in sickle cell disease. Arch Dis Child 1999;81:437­9.
The small genome segment of Bunyamwera orthobunyavirus harbours a single transcription-termination signal

Transcription termination of the mRNA produced from the small (S) genome segment of Bunyamwera orthobunyavirus (BUNV) has previously been mapped to two cis-acting sequences located within the 5′ UTR using a virus-free replication assay. The ability of these sequences to terminate transcription was attributed to the shared pentanucleotide motif 3′-UGUCG-5′. Taking advantage of our plasmid-based rescue system to generate recombinant viruses, we re-evaluated the importance of both pentanucleotide motifs as well as that of two other conserved sequences in transcription termination in vivo. Analysis of the 3′ ends of positive-stranded viral RNAs derived from the S segment revealed that only the region around the upstream pentanucleotide motif mediated transcription termination in cells infected with wild-type BUNV, leading to mRNAs that were about 100 nt shorter than antigenome RNA. Furthermore, the downstream motif was not recognized in recombinant viruses in which the upstream signal has been disrupted. Our results suggest that in the context of virus infection transcription termination of the BUNV S genome segment mRNA is exclusively directed by the upstream-termination signal. Interestingly, within this region we identified a motif similar to a transcription-termination sequence used by Rift Valley fever phlebovirus.
Computer-Aided Tumor Detection Based on Multi-Scale Blob Detection Algorithm in Automated Breast Ultrasound Images

Automated whole breast ultrasound (ABUS) is an emerging screening tool for detecting breast abnormalities. In this study, a computer-aided detection (CADe) system based on multi-scale blob detection was developed for analyzing ABUS images. The performance of the proposed CADe system was tested using a database composed of 136 breast lesions (58 benign lesions and 78 malignant lesions) and 37 normal cases. After speckle noise reduction, Hessian analysis with multi-scale blob detection was applied for the detection of tumors. This method detected every tumor, but some nontumors were also detected. The tumor likelihoods for the remaining candidates were estimated using a logistic regression model based on blobness, internal echo, and morphology features. The tumor candidates with tumor likelihoods higher than a specific threshold (0.4) were considered tumors. By using the combination of blobness, internal echo, and morphology features with 10-fold cross-validation, the proposed CAD system showed sensitivities of 100%, 90%, and 70% with false positives per pass of 17.4, 8.8, and 2.7, respectively. Our results suggest that CADe systems based on multi-scale blob detection can be used to detect breast tumors in ABUS images.
DIVERGE: phylogeny-based analysis for functional-structural divergence of a protein family

SUMMARY DetectIng Variability in Evolutionary Rates among GEnes (DIVERGE) is a software system to study functional divergence of a protein family by detecting site-specific change in evolutionary rate using a multiple alignment of amino acid sequences for a given phylogenetic tree. The program first conducts a statistical test for site-specific rate shifts along the tree, and predicting candidate amino acid residues responsible for functional divergence based on posterior analysis. These results can then be mapped on the 3D protein structure if available. AVAILABILITY DIVERGE is available free of charge from http://xgu1.zool. iastate.edu/. Distribution packages for both Linux and Microsoft Windows operating systems are available, including manual and example files.
Identification of microRNAs as potential biomarkers for lung adenocarcinoma using integrating genomics analysis

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common histological subtype of non-small cell lung cancer, but novel biomarkers for early diagnosis are lacking. Extensive effort has been exerted to identify miRNA biomarkers in LUAD. Unfortunately, high inter-lab variability and small sample sizes have produced inconsistent conclusions in this field. To resolve the above-mentioned limitations, we performed a comprehensive analysis based on LUAD miRNome profiling studies using the robust rank aggregation (RRA) method. Moreover, miRNA-gene interaction network, pathway enrichment analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to investigate the clinical values and biological functions of the identified miRNAs. A total of six common differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were identified in LUAD. An independent cohort further confirmed that four miRNAs (miR-21-5p, miR-210-3p, miR-182-5p and miR-183-5p) were up-regulated and two miRNAs (miR-126-3p and miR-218-5p) were down-regulated in LUAD tissues. Pathway enrichment analysis also suggested that the above-listed six DEMs may affect LUAD progression via the estrogen signaling pathway. Survival analysis based on the TCGA dataset revealed the potential prognostic values of six DEMs in patients with LUAD (P-value<0.01). In conclusion, we identified a panel of six miRNAs from LUAD using miRNome profiling studies. Our results provide evidence for the use of these six DEMs as novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for LUAD patients.
On the Faint End of the High-Redshift Active Galactic Nucleus Luminosity Function

Using the results of recent optical surveys, we conclude that the nondetection of quasars down to faint magnitudes implies a significant flattening of the high-redshift (z ~ 6) optical active galactic nucleus (AGN) luminosity function for M1450 ≳ -24.7. We find that all the data are consistent with a faint-end slope for the optical AGN luminosity function of β = -2.2 and -2.8, at the 90% and 99% confidence level, respectively, which is flatter than the bright-end slope of β′ ~ -3.2. We also show that X-ray deep surveys have probed even fainter magnitudes than the optical ones, yielding more significant constraints on the shallow faint-end slope of the optical luminosity function. The inclusion of type II AGN candidates, detected in the Chandra Deep Fields, hints toward a higher normalization for the total AGN luminosity function, if these sources lie at 5 ≲ z ≲ 6.5. We then discuss simple theoretical models of AGN formation and evolution in the context of cold dark matter cosmology. The comparison with the total AGN luminosity function favors a redshift-dependent relation between black hole and dark matter halo masses of the type M• ∝ M, with 1.3 ≲ α ≲ 1.7, compatible with independent studies from statistical analysis and rotation curve measurements. Finally, we compute the quasar contribution to reionization to be ≲9% at z ~ 6, up to ~30% when integrated within 5.5 ≲ z ≲ 6.5, significantly smaller than that from galaxies.
Test-retest strength reliability: hand-held dynamometry in community-dwelling elderly fallers.

OBJECTIVE To determine the reliability of a standardized protocol by using a hand-held dynamometer (HHD) to measure lower-extremity strength in community-dwelling elderly fallers. DESIGN Within-session test-retest reliability of the HHD. SETTING Balance laboratory of a university. PARTICIPANTS A convenience sample of 41 community-dwelling elders (61-90y) who fell at least once in the previous year. INTERVENTION The strengths of 8 lower-extremity muscle groups bilaterally were tested twice, with an intervening rest period of 15 seconds. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Maximal isometric force. RESULTS Test-retest intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were high, generally ranging from.95 to.99 for 1 trial (ICC(2,1)) and from.97 to 1.00 for the mean of 2 trials (ICC(2,2)). There were no significant differences in strength values across trials (P>.05). Men had significantly greater strength than women across all muscle groups (P>.05). Right knee extensor strength demonstrated the largest trial-to-trial difference,. 54 kg using a single measurement and.39 kg using the mean of both measurements. Among the 3 lower-extremity muscle groups, the ankle showed higher a coefficient of variation (CV=5.1%-7.4%) than the knee (CV=4.6%-5.1%) or the hip (CV=4.2%-6.3%) when using 1 measure. CONCLUSION By using an HHD and a standardized measurement protocol, a novice tester can obtain reliable lower-extremity strength values in community-dwelling elderly fallers.
Distributional semantics from text and images

We present a distributional semantic model combining text- and image-based features. We evaluate this multimodal semantic model on simulating similarity judgments, concept clustering and the BLESS benchmark. When integrated with the same core text-based model, image-based features are at least as good as further text-based features, and they capture different qualitative aspects of the tasks, suggesting that the two sources of information are complementary.
No Evidence for Memory Decontextualization across One Night of Sleep

Sleep after learning strengthens memory consolidation. According to the active system consolidation hypothesis, sleep supports the integration of newly acquired memories into cortical knowledge networks, presumably accompanied by a process of decontextualization of the memory trace (i.e., a gradual loss of memory for the learning context). However, the availability of contextual information generally facilitates memory recall and studies on the interaction of sleep and context on memory retrieval have revealed inconsistent results. Here, we do not find any evidence for a role of sleep in the decontextualization of newly learned declarative memories. In two separate studies, 104 healthy young adults incidentally learned words associated with a context. After a 12 h retention interval filled with either sleep or wakefulness, recall (Experiment 1) or recognition (Experiment 2) was tested with the same or different context. Overall, memory retrieval was significantly improved when the learning context was reinstated, as compared to a different context. However, this context effect of memory was not modulated by sleep vs. wakefulness. These findings argue against a decontextualization of memories, at least across a single night of sleep.
University of Huddersfield Repository Enhanced chlorhexidine skin penetration with eucalyptus oil

Background: Chlorhexidine digluconate (CHG) is a widely used skin antiseptic, however it poorly penetrates the skin, limiting its efficacy against microorganisms residing beneath the surface layers of skin. The aim of the current study was to improve the delivery of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHG) when used as a skin antiseptic. Method: Chlorhexidine was applied to the surface of donor skin and its penetration and retention under different conditions was evaluated. Skin penetration studies were performed on full-thickness donor human skin using a Franz diffusion cell system. Skin was exposed to 2% (w/v) CHG in various concentrations of eucalyptus oil (EO) and 70% (v/v) isopropyl alcohol (IPA). The concentration of CHG ( μ g/mg of skin) was determined to a skin depth of 1500 μ m by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: The 2% (w/v) CHG penetration into the lower layers of skin was significantly enhanced in the presence of EO. Ten percent (v/v) EO in combination with 2% (w/v) CHG in 70% (v/v) IPA significantly increased the amount of CHG which penetrated into the skin within 2 min. Conclusion: The delivery of CHG into the epidermis and dermis can be enhanced by combination with EO, which in turn may improve biocide contact with additional microorganisms present in the skin, thereby enhancing antisepsis.
TAS2R38 (phenylthiocarbamide) haplotypes, coronary heart disease traits, and eating behavior in the British Women's Heart and Health Study.

BACKGROUND Variation in the perception of bitter tastes has been associated with eating behavior, body composition, and cardiovascular disease. Recent observations have implicated 2 common haplotypes of TAS2R38 in the determination of bitter compound-tasting ability. OBJECTIVE The objectives of the study were to examine, in the British Women's Heart and Health Study cohort, any association between TAS2R38 haplotypes, coronary heart disease (CHD), CHD risk factors, and eating behavior and to examine whether the associations allow for estimation of the effects of variation in diet on the etiology of common disease. DESIGN We conducted a cross-sectional study of relations between TAS2R38 haplotypes and CHD, CHD risk factors, and eating behavior in 3383 women from 23 British towns. RESULTS Genotyping at P49A and V262A in TAS2R38 (rs713598 and rs1726866) allowed construction of all 4 possible haplotypes. The 2 most common haplotypes corresponded with previously identified haplotypes related to bitter compound-tasting ability. No substantial evidence of association was found between these haplotypes and CHD (odds ratio for taste-defining haplotypes: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.78, 1.2), body mass index (difference between means of taste-defining haplotypes: -0.084; 95% CI: -0.45, 0.29), or a series of physiologic and dietary characteristics. A marginally lower risk of diabetes was observed among those with the nontaster haplotype than among those with the taster haplotype (odds ratio: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.48, 1.00). CONCLUSION TAS2R38 status was not an important determinant of CHD, related risk factors, or eating behavior in the British Women's Heart and Health Study sample.
Quality of Acute Care and Long-Term Quality of Life and Survival: The Australian Stroke Clinical Registry

Background and Purpose— Uncertainty exists over whether quality improvement strategies translate into better health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and survival after acute stroke. We aimed to determine the association of best practice recommended interventions and outcomes after stroke. Methods— Data are from the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry during 2010 to 2014. Multivariable regression was used to determine associations between 3 interventions: received acute stroke unit (ASU) care and in various combinations with prescribed antihypertensive medication at discharge, provision of a discharge care plan, and outcomes of survival and HRQoL (EuroQoL 5-dimensional questionnaire visual analogue scale) at 180 days, by stroke type. An assessment was also made of outcomes related to the number of processes patients received. Results— There were 17 585 stroke admissions (median age 77 years, 47% female; 81% managed in ASUs; 80% ischemic stroke) from 42 hospitals (77% metropolitan) assessed. Cumulative benefits on outcomes related to the number of care processes received by patients. ASU care was associated with a reduced likelihood of death (hazard ratio, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.43–0.56) and better HRQoL (coefficient, 21.34; 95% confidence interval, 15.50–27.18) within 180 days. For those discharged from hospital, receiving ASU+antihypertensive medication provided greater 180-day survival (hazard ratio, 0.45; 95% confidence interval, 0.38–0.52) compared with ASU care alone (hazard ratio, 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.54–0.76). HRQoL gains were greatest for patients with intracerebral hemorrhage who received care bundles involving discharge processes (range of increase, 11%–19%). Conclusions— Patients with stroke who receive best practice recommended hospital care have improved long-term survival and HRQoL.
Brain ouabain-like activity and the sympathoexcitatory and pressor effects of central sodium in rats.

Intracerebroventricularly infused hypertonic saline elicits sympathoexcitatory and pressor effects. To clarify the mechanisms mediating these effects, we evaluated blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) responses to intracerebroventricular administration of 0.3 M NaCl, ouabain, and rat hypothalamic and pituitary extracts containing ouabain-like activity (OLA) in conscious Wistar rats, before and after intracerebroventricular preinjection of digoxin-specific antibody Fab (DAF) fragments. To exclude modulatory effects of arginine vasopressin (AVP), treatment with DAF fragments was in all experiments preceded by intravenous injection of the AVP antagonist [beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionyl1,o- Me-Tyr2,Arg8]AVP. After AVP antagonist pretreatment, 0.3 M NaCl i.c. v. at 3.8 microliters/min for 10 minutes caused simultaneous increases in BP, RSNA, and HR. After AVP antagonist pretreatment, intracerebroventricular injections of 0.3 and 1.0 microgram/l microliter ouabain or the OLA equivalent to 1 microgram ouabain/2 microliters elicited similar significant increases in BP, HR, and RSNA. After pretreatment with AVP antagonist and DAF fragments (66 micrograms/4 microliters i.c.v.), BP, HR, and RSNA responses to 0.3 M NaCl, ouabain, and OLA were all significantly diminished. In contrast, combined AVP blockade and DAF fragments did not affect the BP response to intracerebroventricular angiotensin II, the BP, HR, and RSNA response to intracerebroventricular carbachol and to air stress, or the HR and RSNA responses to intravenous sodium nitroprusside. Intracerebroventricularly injected gamma-globulins (66 micrograms/4 microliters) did not affect the responses to 0.3 M NaCl, ouabain, or OLA. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Long-term hyperglycaemia impairs vascular smooth muscle cell function in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Observations of increased stiffness in the elastic aorta in women with diabetes, but not men, emphasise the need for further analysis regarding early abnormalities in arterial wall properties of women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). Ultrasound was used to study the wall properties of the distal brachial artery (BA) in 37 type 1 diabetic women (aged 22–45 years) without evident complications and in 53 controls (C). Blood samples were drawn for later analysis. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) was slightly lower in DM than C, 8.1±4.3% vs. 10.3±4.9% (p<0.05), and nitrate-mediated dilatation (NMD) was markedly lower, 21.7±6.6% vs. 31.4±5.7% (p<0.001). Lumen diameter, intima-media thickness and distensibility were similar in DM and C. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) was lower in DM than C, 231±65 vs. 349±68 ng/ml (p<0.001). Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9) were independent predictors of the reduced NMD in the DM. Brachial artery responsiveness to an exogenous donor of nitric oxide (NO) was markedly reduced in type 1 diabetic women despite only limited reduction in endothelium-dependent dilatation. The negative association between NMD and HbA1C suggests that long-term hyperglycaemia impairs vascular smooth muscle cell function in DM.
Multimodal CT-Assisted Thrombolysis in Patients With Acute Stroke: A Cohort Study

Background and Purpose— The value of multimodal CT to assist thrombolysis has received little attention in stroke. Methods— We assessed prospectively the impact derived from the routine application of CT perfusion and CTA in patients with acute stroke treated consecutively with alteplase. The safety and efficacy of thrombolytic therapy were compared in 106 patients assisted with CT/CTA/CT perfusion (multimodal CT group) and 262 patients assisted without full multimodal brain imaging (control group) during a 5-year period (2005–2009). Results— Good outcome (modified Rankin scale score ≤2) at 3 months was increased in the multimodal group compared with controls (adjusted OR, 2.88; 95% CI, 1.50–5.52). Multimodal-assisted thrombolysis yielded superior benefits in patients treated beyond 3 hours (adjusted OR, 4.48; 95% CI, 1.68–11.98) than treated within 3 hours (adjusted OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.80–2.16; interaction test P=0.043). Mortality (14% and 15%) and symptomatic hemorrhage (5% and 7%) were similar in both groups. Conclusions— Multimodal CT use in routine clinical practice may heighten the overall efficacy of thrombolytic therapy in acute ischemic stroke. The benefits seem greater in patients treated >3 hours after stroke onset, but further randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.