Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shall We Inject Superficial or Deep to the Plantar Fascia? An Ultrasound Study of the Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis

ABSTRACT We compared the effectiveness of ultrasound (US)‐guided corticosteroid, injected superficial or deep to the fascia, in patients with plantar fasciitis. Thirty patients (24 females [75%] and 6 males [25%]) with unilateral chronic plantar fasciitis were divided into 2 groups according to the corticosteroid injection site: superficial (n = 15) or deep (n = 15) to the plantar fascia. Patient heel pain was measured using a Likert pain scale and the Foot Ankle Outcome Scale (FAOS) for foot disability, evaluated at baseline and repeated in the first and sixth weeks. The plantar fascia and heel pad thicknesses were assessed on US scans at baseline and the sixth week. The groups were similar in age, gender, and body mass index (p > .05 for all). Compared with the baseline values, the Likert pain scale (p < .001 for all) and FAOS subscale (p < .01 for all) scores had improved at the first and sixth week follow‐up visits in both groups. Although the plantar fascia thickness had decreased significantly in both groups at the sixth week (p < .001 for both), the heel pad thickness remained unchanged (p > .05 for both). The difference in the FAOS subscales (pain, p = .002; activities of daily living, p = .003; sports/recreational activities, p = .008; quality of life, p = .009) and plantar fascia thickness (p = .049) showed better improvement in the deep than in the superficial injection group. US‐guided corticosteroid injections are safe and effective in the short‐term therapeutic outcome of chronic plantar fasciitis. Additionally, injection of corticosteroid deep to the fascia might result in greater reduction in plantar fascia thickness, pain, and disability and improved foot‐related quality of life. &NA; Level of Clinical Evidence: 2
Association of parathyroid hormone with 20-year cognitive decline

Objective: We hypothesized that elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels will be independently associated with 20-year cognitive decline in a large population-based cohort. Methods: We studied 12,964 middle-aged white and black ARIC participants without a history of prior stroke who, in 1990–1992 (baseline), had serum PTH levels measured and cognitive function testing, with repeat cognitive testing performed at up to 2 follow-up visits. Cognitive testing included the Delayed Word Recall, the Digit Symbol Substitution, and the Word Fluency tests, which were summed as a global Z score. Using mixed-effects models, we compared the relative decline in individual and global cognitive scores between each of the top 3 quartiles of PTH levels to the reference bottom quartile. We adjusted for demographic variables, education, vascular risk factors, and levels of calcium, phosphate, and vitamin D. We imputed missing covariate and follow-up cognitive data to account for attrition. Results: The mean (SD) age of our cohort was 57 (6) years, 57% were women, and 24% were black. There was no cross-sectional association of elevated PTH with cognitive global Z score at baseline (p > 0.05). Over a median of 20.7 years, participants in each PTH quartile showed a decline in cognitive function. However, there was no significant difference in cognitive decline between each of the top 3 quartiles and the lowest reference quartile (p > 0.05). In a subset, there was also no association of higher mid-life PTH levels with late-life prevalent adjudicated dementia (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our work does not support an independent influence of PTH on cognitive decline in this population-based cohort study.
The effect of cognitive stimulation on nursing home elders: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE This paper describes the effectiveness of cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) on cognition and depressive symptoms in older adults in nursing homes (NHs). DESIGN A randomized controlled trial, carried out from 2012 to 2013, included 56 residents from four NHs, 36 women and 20 men (randomized into experimental and control groups). Eight participants dropped out. METHODS Participants of the experimental group underwent 14 CST sessions (7 weeks) in groups of six to eight older adults, and participants of the control group received usual care. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment, the Geriatric Depression Scale-15, and the Barthel Index of activities of daily living (ADLs) were administered at baseline and postintervention. FINDINGS Repeated measures revealed that CST increased cognition (F = 8.581; p = .005; partial η squared = 0.157; power = 0.82). There were no statistically significant differences in depressive symptoms (F = 1.090; p = .302). Baseline level of ADLs did not affect the outcomes. CONCLUSIONS CST had significantly improved cognition, explaining the 15.7% variability, but there was no statistical evidence of its effectiveness on depressive symptoms. This improvement was not affected by the baseline level of dependence-independence in ADLs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE CST offers a range of activities, providing general stimulation for thinking, concentration, and memory, usually in a social setting. These results will support implementation of CST in NHs. In addition to the impact on elderly independence and autonomy, CST may also have an economic impact by reducing the direct costs of the impact of elders' cognitive frailty.
Clinical impact of c-MET expression and mutational status in patients with colorectal cancer lung metastases.

OBJECTIVES The c-MET tyrosine kinase is known to play a key role in tumour promotion in a variety of cancers. The prognostic significance of c-MET pathway alterations has previously been described in primary colorectal cancer (CRC). However, data on the expression and genetic mutational status of c-MET in CRC pulmonary metastases (PM) are lacking. We aimed to assess the clinical implications of alterations in the c-MET pathway in patients undergoing pulmonary metastasectomy. METHODS From April 2009 to November 2013, all patients with complete CRC lung metastasectomy were included in this study and prospectively followed up. Tissue samples of 51 PM and 33 paired primary CRCs were stained immunohistochemically for c-MET and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3). Genetic alterations of MET were detected using an exome panel on a next generation sequencing (NGS) platform. Serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) levels were measured in a patient subset (n = 10) before and after metastasectomy. RESULTS c-MET expression was significantly higher at the invasive front of metastases compared with central tumour areas (P = 0.020) and was associated with nuclear pSTAT3 expression (P = 0.042). pSTAT3 but not c-MET overexpression in PM was associated with time to tumour recurrence after metastasectomy (P = 0.036). Expression levels of neither c-MET nor pSTAT3 had an impact on time to lung-specific recurrence. However, patients with c-MET or pSTAT3 overexpression in PM had a significantly worse overall survival after metastasectomy (P = 0.023 and 0.008, respectively). Mutations in the MET gene were identified in 20 patients of our cohort by NGS, which failed to be of prognostic relevance. Serum HGF did not significantly differ between patients with PM and healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, this is the first structured evaluation of the c-MET axis in the context of pulmonary metastasectomy for CRC. Our results suggest that overexpression of c-MET/pSTAT3 is associated with an impaired prognosis following complete resection. Moreover, this work suggests that the value of c-MET tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of patients with CRC lung metastases should be assessed in clinical trials.
3D knee modeling and biomechanical simulation

Knee osteotomy is a kind of orthopedic surgery to realign the lower limb by opening or cutting a bone wedge from the leg. It is a better alternative than other types of knee-replacement surgeries, especially for young people. However, knee osteotomy requires understanding the imbalance of stresses at the knee joint, analyzing an abnormal gait cycle, and cutting the bone wedge precisely. Therefore, it is difficult and can cause further damage even though it is simply a bone cut. While some computer based surgical simulation systems have been developed to help surgeons perform knee surgeries, the knee models used either are not patient-specific or lack kinematic and kinetic information. We discuss how we use computer graphics, physics based modeling, and interactive visualization to assist knee-surgery study and osteotomies. Our patient-specific 3D knee surface model helps us calculate the contact stresses at the knee joint, perform virtual surgery, and record data from surgery simulation.
Nanophotonic Devices Based on Indium Phosphide Nanopillars Grown Directly on Silicon

Author(s): Bhattacharya, Indrasen | Advisor(s): Chang-Hasnain, Connie | Abstract: III-V optoelectronic device integration in a CMOS post-process compatible manner is important for the intimate integration of silicon-based electronic and photonic integrated circuits. The low temperature, self-catalyzed growth of high crystalline quality Wurtzite-phase InP nanopillars directly on silicon presents a viable approach to integrate high performance nano-optoelectronic devices.For the optical transmitter side of the photonic link, InGaAs quantum wells have been grown in a core-shell manner within InP nanopillars. Position-controlled growth with varying pitch is used to systematically control emission wavelength across the same growth substrate. These nanopillars have been fabricated into electrically-injected quantum well in nanopillar LEDs operating within the silicon transparent 1400-1550 nm spectral window and efficiently emitting micro-watts of power. A high quality factor (Q ~ 1000) undercut cavity quantum well nanolaser is demonstrated, operating in the silicon-transparent wavelength range up to room temperature under optical excitation.We also demonstrate an InP nanopillar phototransistor as a sensitive, low-capacitance photoreceiver for the energy-efficient operation of a complete optical link. Efficient absorption in a compact single nanopillar InP photo-BJT leads to a simultaneously high responsivity of 9.5 A/W and high 3dB-bandwidth of 7 GHz.For photovoltaic energy harvesting, a sparsely packed InP nanopillar array can absorb ~90% of the incident light because of the large absorption cross section of these near-wavelength nanopillars. Experimental data based on wavelength and angle resolved integrating sphere measurements will be presented to discuss the nearly omnidirectional absorption properties of these nanopillar arrays.
Longitude Position in a Time Zone and Cancer Risk in the United States

Background: Circadian disruption is a probable human carcinogen. From the eastern to western border of a time zone, social time is equal, whereas solar time is progressively delayed, producing increased discrepancies between individuals' social and biological circadian time. Accordingly, western time zone residents experience greater circadian disruption and may be at an increased risk of cancer. Methods: We examined associations between the position in a time zone and age-standardized county-level incidence rates for total cancers combined and 23 specific cancers by gender using the data of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (2000–2012), including four million cancer diagnoses in white residents of 607 counties in 11 U.S. states. Log-linear regression was conducted, adjusting for latitude, poverty, cigarette smoking, and state. Bonferroni-corrected P values were used as the significance criteria. Results: Risk increased from east to west within a time zone for total and for many specific cancers, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (both genders) and cancers of the stomach, liver, prostate, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in men and cancers of the esophagus, colorectum, lung, breast, and corpus uteri in women. Conclusions: Risk increased from the east to the west in a time zone for total and many specific cancers, in accord with the circadian disruption hypothesis. Replications in analytic epidemiologic studies are warranted. Impact: Our findings suggest that circadian disruption may not be a rare phenomenon affecting only shift workers, but is widespread in the general population with broader implications for public health than generally appreciated. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(8); 1306–11. ©2017 AACR.
Navigating actions through the rodent parietal cortex

The posterior parietal cortex (PPC) participates in a manifold of cognitive functions, including visual attention, working memory, spatial processing, and movement planning. Given the vast interconnectivity of PPC with sensory and motor areas, it is not surprising that neuronal recordings show that PPC often encodes mixtures of spatial information as well as the movements required to reach a goal. Recent work sought to discern the relative strength of spatial vs. motor signaling in PPC by recording single unit activity in PPC of freely behaving rats during selective changes in either the spatial layout of the local environment or in the pattern of locomotor behaviors executed during navigational tasks. The results revealed unequivocally a predominant sensitivity of PPC neurons to locomotor action structure, with subsets of cells even encoding upcoming movements more than 1 s in advance. In light of these and other recent findings in the field, I propose that one of the key contributions of PPC to navigation is the synthesis of goal-directed behavioral sequences, and that the rodent PPC may serve as an apt system to investigate cellular mechanisms for spatial motor planning as traditionally studied in humans and monkeys.
Results of HemiCAP® Implantation as a Salvage Procedure for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

ABSTRACT Osteochondral defects (OCDs) of the talus remain a surgical challenge, especially after failed primary treatment. The aim of the present study was to examine the clinical outcomes after HemiCAP® implantation for OCDs of the medial talar dome after failed previous surgery. Our retrospective study included 11 patients, who had undergone surgery from June 2009 to September 2012 for an OCD of the medial talar dome and received a HemiCAP® on the talus after failed previous surgery for OCD. The data were acquired using patients’ medical records and standardized questionnaires, including the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score, EQ‐5D, numerical rating scale (NRS), and Short‐Form 36‐item Health Survey (SF‐36). Using these scores, the possibility of returning to work and sports was determined. Any complications and the need for revision surgery were recorded. One patient refused to participate in the study, leaving 10 patients for evaluation. The mean age was 47.64 ± 10.97 years. The mean follow‐up period was 43.5 ± 35.51 months. The FAOS and SF‐36 subscale scores and the EQ‐5D and UCLA activity scores did not improve significantly (p < .05). The mean postoperative pain score on the NRS improved significantly from 6.6 ± 1.77 preoperatively to 5.1 ± 2.02 postoperatively (p < .05). A greater body mass index led to worse postoperative outcomes with higher scores on the pain‐NRS and less satisfaction (p < .05). Ten revisions for ongoing pain were performed in 7 patients (70.0%) within a mean of 28.4 ± 13.35 months of the initial procedure, and 6 patients (60%) indicated they would undergo surgery again. The results of the present study have shown that implantation of the HemiCAP® as a salvage procedure for OCDs of the talus is challenging and does not consistently lead to good clinical results. Also, overweight patients appear to have an increased risk of postoperative dissatisfaction and persistent ankle pain. &NA; Level of Clinical Evidence: 4
High Rate of Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigenemia Among People Living with HIV/AIDS in Kakuri, Kaduna State, North West Nigeria.

Globally, increased incidence of liver disease caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) is responsible for high morbidity and mortality among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. This is because both viruses share common routes of transmission. We determined prevalence of HBV-HIV coinfection and the influence of some risk factors on concomitant infection among people living with HIV in a treatment center in Kakuri, Kaduna State. Two hundred consenting individuals with HIV infection participated in the study. Fifty-seven males and 143 females were screened using commercial hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) rapid membrane-based immunoassay kit (Fastep™ HBV). Seventeen patients tested positive to HBsAg (8.5%). There were more males (14.0%) than females (6.3%). Patients within 40-49 years of age had more coinfection (20.6%) compared to those older than 50 years who had the least prevalence (2.7%). Age of HBV/HIV coinfection was statistically significant (p = 0.02). Risk factors include no knowledge of HBV infection, sharing sharp objects, history of sexually transmitted diseases, history of surgeries, and no HBV immunization. High infection rate observed in this study underscores the need for public awareness, to educate people on modes of transmission. Routine screening is advocated for early HBV identification, as this will facilitate reduction of comorbidity and mortality resulting from opportunistic infection. Findings from this study support introduction of HBV vaccination as part of the Expanded Programme on Immunization in Nigeria.
Development of the human Achilles tendon enthesis organ

The attachment of the Achilles tendon is part of an ‘enthesis organ’ that reduces stress concentration at the hard–soft tissue interface. The organ also includes opposing sesamoid and periosteal fibrocartilages, a bursa and Kager's fat pad. In addition, the deep crural and plantar fasciae contribute to Achilles stress dissipation and could also be regarded as components. Here we describe the sequence in which these various tissues differentiate. Serial sections of feet from spontaneously aborted foetuses (crown rump lengths 22–322 mm) were examined. All slides formed part of an existing collection of histologically sectioned embryological material, obtained under Spanish law and housed in the Universidad Complutense, Madrid. From the earliest stages, it was evident that the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia had a mutual attachment to the calcaneal perichondrium. The first components of the enthesis organ to appear (in the 45‐mm foetus) were the retrocalcaneal bursa and the crural fascia. The former developed by cavitation within the mesenchyme that later gave rise to Kager's fat pad. The tip of the putative fat pad protruded into the developing bursa in the 110‐mm foetus and fully differentiated adipocytes were apparent in the 17‐mm foetus. All three fibrocartilages were first recognisable in the 332‐mm foetus – at which time adipogenesis had commenced in the heel fat pad. The sequence in which the various elements became apparent suggests that bursal formation and the appearance of the crural fascia may be necessary to facilitate the foot movements that subsequently lead to fibrocartilage differentiation. The later commencement of adipogenesis in the heel than in Kager's pad probably reflects the non‐weight environment in utero. The direct continuity between plantar fascia and Achilles tendon that is characteristic of the adult reflects the initial attachment of both structures to the calcaneal perichondrium rather than to the skeletal anlagen itself.
Solving the Uncapacitated Network Design Problem by a Lagrangean Heuristic and Branch-and-Bound

The network design problem is a multicommodity minimal cost network flow problem with fixed costs on the arcs, i.e., a structured linear mixed-integer programming problem. It has various applications, such as construction of new links in transportation networks, topological design of computer communication networks, and planning of empty freight car transportation on railways. We present a Lagrangean heuristic within a branch-and-bound framework as a method for finding the exact optimal solution of the uncapacitated network design problem with single origins and destinations for each commodity (the simplest problem in this class, but still NP-hard). The Lagrangean heuristic uses a Lagrangean relaxation as subproblem, solving the Lagrange dual with subgradient optimization, combined with a primal heuristic (the Benders subproblem) yielding primal feasible solutions. Computational tests on problems of various sizes (up to 1000 arcs, 70 nodes and 138 commodities or 40 nodes and 600 commodities) and of several different structures lead to the conclusion that the method is quite powerful, outperforming for example a state-of-the-art mixed-integer code, both with respect to problem size and solution time.
The k−1 scaling of air temperature spectra in atmospheric surface layer flows

A number of atmospheric surface layer (ASL) experiments reported a k−1 scaling in air temperature spectra ETT(k) at low wavenumber k but other experiments did not. Occurrence of this scaling law in ETT(k) in an idealized ASL flow across a wide range of atmospheric stability regimes is investigated theoretically and experimentally using measurements collected above a lake and a grass surface. Experiments reveal a k−1 scaling persisted across different atmospheric stability parameter values (ζ ) ranging from mildly unstable to mildly stable conditions (−0.1<ζ <0.2). As instability increases, the k−1 scaling vanishes. Based on simplified spectral and co-spectral budgets and using a Heisenberg eddy viscosity as a closure to the spectral flux transfer term, conditions promoting a k−1 scaling in ETT(k) are identified. Existence of a k−1 scaling is shown to be primarily linked to an imbalance between the production and dissipation rates of half the temperature variance. When −0.1<ζ <0.2, such imbalance exhibits weak dependence on ζ and hence z, which is shown to be the main cause for a −1 scaling at low k. As the atmosphere becomes more unstable, the imbalance determined from experiments here are not significantly affected by ζ , thereby negating conditions promoting a −1 scaling in ETT(k). The role of the imbalance between the production and dissipation rates of half the temperature variance in controlling the existence of a −1 scaling suggests that the −1 scaling in ETT(k) does not necessarily concur with the −1 scaling in the spectra of longitudinal velocity Euu(k). This finding explains why some ASL experiments reported k−1 in Euu(k) but not in ETT(k).