Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Smart surgical tools and augmenting devices

In this survey paper, the authors analyze the general structure of robotic systems for computer-assisted surgery, present a classification of such systems based on the degree of "intelligence" of the tools, and discuss some examples of different classes of devices. Computer-assisted surgery accelerated progress is related, on the one hand, to the improvement of medical imaging techniques and, on the other hand, to the evolution of surgical instrumentation. The integration of these two factors has determined an extraordinary progress that is not just a "linear" temporal development, but it is a "discontinuity" as regards traditional surgical procedures. Specifically, the authors consider the following classes of robotic-derived surgical devices/systems: a) handheld tools augmenting the capabilities of the surgeon; b) teleoperated surgical tools; and c) autonomous surgical robots. The paper will focus essentially on the analysis of systems and components of robots and tools designed for minimally invasive surgery. Although different classification methods exist on the basis of the clinical needs and/or on the design approach, the devices which will be illustrated in this paper are classified on the basis of their scale, degrees of freedom, autonomy, embedded intelligence, and features of the interface between the surgeon and the patient.
Clinician Attitudes Toward Adoption of Pediatric Emergency Telemedicine in Rural Hospitals

Objective Although there is growing evidence regarding the utility of telemedicine in providing care for acutely ill children in underserved settings, adoption of pediatric emergency telemedicine remains limited, and little data exist to inform implementation efforts. Among clinician stakeholders, we examined attitudes regarding pediatric emergency telemedicine, including barriers to adoption in rural settings and potential strategies to overcome these barriers. Methods Using a sequential mixed-methods approach, we first performed semistructured interviews with clinician stakeholders using thematic content analysis to generate a conceptual model for pediatric emergency telemedicine adoption. Based on this model, we then developed and fielded a survey to further examine attitudes regarding barriers to adoption and strategies to improve adoption. Results Factors influencing adoption of pediatric emergency telemedicine were identified and categorized into 3 domains: contextual factors (such as regional geography, hospital culture, and individual experience), perceived usefulness of pediatric emergency telemedicine, and perceived ease of use of pediatric emergency telemedicine. Within the domains of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, belief in the relative advantage of telemedicine was the most pronounced difference between telemedicine proponents and nonproponents. Strategies identified to improve adoption of telemedicine included patient-specific education, clinical protocols for use, decreasing response times, and simplifying the technology. Conclusions More effective adoption of pediatric emergency telemedicine among clinicians will require addressing perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use in the context of local factors. Future studies should examine the impact of specific identified strategies on adoption of pediatric emergency telemedicine and patient outcomes in rural settings.
Clinical and Radiologic Features of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Disc Herniation With Neuropathic Bladder

Study Design. Clinical and radiologic findings of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and lumbar disc herniation presenting with neuropathic bladder were prospectively analyzed. Objectives. To study the relationship between the degree of cauda equina compression and prevalence of neuropathic bladder in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and lumbar disc herniation. Summary of Background Data. Bladder dysfunction has frequently been noted in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and lumbar disc herniation. However, there have been few studies that have demonstrated the correlation between bladder function and the degree of stenotic compression of the cauda equina seen on radiologic findings in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and lumbar disc herniation. Methods. Thirty-four patients admitted for treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis or lumbar disc herniation underwent urodynamic studies, and computed tomographic scans after myelography were obtained to determine the degree of cauda equina compression. The cross-sectional area and anteroposterior diameter of the dural sac were measured at their smallest transverse area. Results. Twenty (58.8%) of the 34 patients were diagnosed with positive neuropathic bladder. There was no significant difference in the cross-sectional area of dural sac between the patients with positive neuropathic bladder and with negative neuropathic bladder. However, the dural sac anteroposterior diameter in positive neuropathic bladder patients was significantly shorter than that in patients with negative neuropathic bladder. A critical size for the dural sac of patients with neuropathic bladder was revealed as 8 mm in this study. Conclusions. The prevalence of neuropathic bladder is more significantly associated with dural sac anteroposterior diameter than with the cross-sectional area of dural sac. Therefore, dural sac anteroposterior diameter might be an important factor predicting the existence of neuropathic bladder.
Human polyomavirus BK (BKV) and neuroblastoma: mechanisms of oncogenic action and possible strategy for novel treatment.

BACKGROUND We reported previously that nearly all human neuroblastomas analyzed contain and express genomic DNA sequences deriving from the human polyomavirus BK (BKV) [Flaegstad et al.: Cancer Res 59:1160-1163, 1999]. PROCEDURE Here we show that the BKV large T antigen is expressed and bound to p53 in neuroblastoma cells and that this interference compromises the tumor suppressor function of p53. RESULTS Treatment of neuroblastoma cells with large T antigen antisense constructs relocated active p53 to the nucleus. The relocation event was accompanied by enhanced p21(waf1/cip1) expression as well as induced apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS Continuous antisense oligonucleotide treatment of nude rats with human neuroblastoma xenografts resulted in a significant but incomplete reduction of tumor growth compared to rats treated with saline.
Experiments in Modular Design for the Creative Composition of Live Algorithms

Live algorithms for music (truncated to “live algorithms” or abbreviated as LAMs) were proposed as a conceptual framework by Blackwell and Young (2004, 2005) as a way of analyzing the broad range of live music performance systems that exhibit autonomy or agency in some form or another. They are intended for real-time performance, usually with instrumental musicians, but also on their own or with other live algorithms. The coining of the term “live algorithms” pulls focus away from the ideal of a virtual musician, towards an eclectic mix of dynamic and interactive behaviors, more generally categorized as open dynamical systems. Although designers of some of the most successful live algorithms were specifically concerned with the simulation of human musical behavior through virtual musicians, they were also involved, actively or inadvertently, in revealing novel ways in which a computer can act as an improvising partner (Rowe 1993, 2001; Biles 1994; Winkler 1998; Lewis 2000). Thus, although “virtual musician” has certain connotations and perhaps undesirable or presently unrealistic expectations, the term “live algorithms” leaves open a wide variety of behaviors, ranging from weakly to strongly musician-like, with modest implications of agency. (The algorithm is itself “live” rather than being “for live use” by a performer.) Blackwell and Young proposed that researchers and composers interested in live algorithms could collaborate easily by considering the most elementary conceptual breakdown of an entire live algorithm system into basic high-level components: analysis (P) and synthesis (Q) elements with a patterning process ( f ) in between. As a physically embodied agent, a live algorithm is a computational system connected to the world, minimally, via
MicroRNAs and metastases - the neuroblastoma link

Commentary to: Identification of miRNAs that are associated with tumor metastasis in Neuroblastoma Jigang Guo, Qian Dong, Zhixiang Fang, Xi Chen, Hongting Lu, Kehui Wang, Yuan Yin, Xing Cai, Nan Zhao, Jiangning Chen, Ke Zen, Junfeng Zhang and Chen-Yu Zhang
Individualizing Treatment With Verapamil for Cluster Headache Patients

Background. —Verapamil is currently the best available prophylactic drug for patients experiencing cluster headaches (CHs). Published papers usually state 240 to 480 mg taken in three divided doses give good results, ranging from 50% to 80%; others mention higher doses—720, even 1200 mg per day. In clinical practice we found we needed to adapt dosage to individual's time of attacks, in particular giving higher doses before going to bed to suppress severe nocturnal episodes. A few only required 120 mg daily. We therefore evolved a scheme for steady and progressive drug increase until satisfactory control had been achieved.
Age-related macular degeneration in Onitsha, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVES To determine the incidence, pattern and ocular morbidity associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) at the Guinness Eye Center Onitsha Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS The case files of all new patients aged 50 years and above seen between January 1997 and December 2004 were reviewed. The files of patients with AMD were further studied. Information on age, gender, occupation, duration of symptoms, type of maculopathy, visual acuity, ocular and systemic co-morbidities were abstracted into a standard proforma and analyzed using the chi-square test, student t-test and confidence interval estimation. RESULTS Two hundred and fifty-six of 7966 (3.2%) new patients had AMD; M:F = 2:3; 60 -79 year age group constitute 70% of the cases. Non-neovascular AMD occurred in 210 (82%) patients with 182 (71.1%) having early AMD and 28 (10.9%) geographic atrophy. Neovascular AMD occurred in 46 (18%) patients. AMD was bilateral in 221 (86.3%) patients. Most patients presented late. Systemic co-morbidities were hypertension and diabetes; the main ocular co-morbidities were cataract and glaucoma. Thirty-four (13.3%) patients were bilaterally blind and 130 (50.8%) had bilateral visual impairment. Of the blind patients 13(38.3%) had neovascular AMD and 6 (17.7%) had geographic atrophy. This makes AMD the cause of blindness in 7.4% of the patients. An affected eye was more likely to have low vision than an unaffected eye (95%CI: 0.07, 0.21; P<0.05); persons aged 70 years and above were more likely to be blind (χ2 - 7.26, df -1; P<0.05); females were also more likely to be blind than males (t - 2.857, df - 8; P<0.05) and neovascular AMD significantly causes more blindness than the non-neovascular type (95% CI: 0.11, 0.37; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS AMD was the main cause of blindness in 7.4% of the patients. Treatment facilities including low vision aids for AMD patients should be provided in eye hospitals in Nigeria. Health education of the public highlighting the risk factors for AMD should be mounted as part of Vision 2020 programme in Nigeria. A community based study is required to fully define the epidemiologic characteristics of AMD in Nigerians.
Biflavonoids and other phenolics from Caesalpinia pyramidalis (Fabaceae)

The chloroform extract of the leaves of Caesalpinia pyramidalis (Caesalpinioidea, Fabaceae) yielded the new biflavonoid named caesalflavone, as well as podocarpusflavone A, agathisflavone, apigenin and kaempferol. The chloroform extract of the trunk wood gave 4,4'-dihydroxy-2'-methoxychalcone, (-)-syringaresinol, and methyl gallate. Biflavonoids were not found in trunk wood. Until now, C. pyramidalis is the first species in the genus to present biflavonoids. The structural elucidation of the isolated compounds and their derivatives were based on MS, IR, UV, 1D and 2D NMR spectral analyses.
Estimating the prevalence of any impairing childhood mental disorder in the national health interview survey

This study investigates whether the six‐item Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire SDQ (five symptoms and one impact item) included in the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) can be used to construct models that accurately estimate the prevalence of any impairing mental disorder among children 4–17 years old as measured by a shortened Child/Adolescent or Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (CAPA or PAPA). A subsample of 217 NHIS respondents completed a follow‐up CAPA or PAPA interview. Logistic regression models were developed to model presence of any child mental disorder with impairment (MDI) or with severe impairment (MDSI). Models containing only the SDQ impact item exhibited highly biased prevalence estimates. The best‐performing model included information from both the five symptom SDQ items and the impact item, where absolute bias was reduced and sensitivity and concordance were increased. This study illustrates the importance of using all available information from the six‐item SDQ to accurately estimate the prevalence of any impairing childhood mental disorder from the NHIS. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Prospective Randomized Study of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background Debate exists regarding the optimal graft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Few studies have compared the differences in outcome after reconstruction using similar fixation methods. Hypothesis Similar outcomes will be seen after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with bone-patellar tendon-bone or quadruple-strand semitendinosus/gracilis tendons fixed with bioabsorbable interference screws. Study Design Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods Ninety-nine patients were prospectively randomized to bone-patellar tendon-bone (46 patients) or quadruple-strand semitendinosus/gracilis (53 patients) reconstruction groups. The bone-patellar tendon-bone group had slightly lower preinjury Tegner scores (6.7 vs 7.1, P = .03); otherwise, the groups were similar. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon using an endoscopic technique with bioabsorbable interference screw fixation. Patients were evaluated at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Results Forty-six bone-patellar tendon-bone and 50 quadruple-strand semitendinosus/gracilis patients were available at 24 months (97%). No differences in International Knee Documentation Committee grade, Lysholm score, Tegner activity level, range of motion, single-legged hop test, KT-1000 arthrometer manual maximum difference, Short Form-36, or patient knee rating were found. The bone-patellar tendon-bone group had better flexion strength in the operated leg than in the nonoperated leg (102% vs 90%, P = .0001), fewer patients complaining of difficulty jumping (3% vs 17%, P = .03), and a greater number of patients returning to preinjury Tegner level (51% vs 26%, P = .01). The quadruple-strand semitendinosus/gracilis group had better extension strength in the operated leg than in the nonoperated leg (92% vs 85%, P = .04), fewer patients with sensory deficits (14% vs 83%, P = .0001), and fewer patients with difficulty kneeling (6% vs 20%, P = .04). Both groups showed significant improvement in KT-1000 arthrometer manual maximum difference, Lysholm score, Tegner activity level, International Knee Documentation Committee grade, and patient knee rating score. Conclusions Good outcomes were seen in both the bone-patellar tendon-bone and quadruple-strand semitendinosus/gracilis groups. Subtle differences were noted between the groups, which may help guide optimal graft choice.
Hyperuricemia at 1 Year After Renal Transplantation, Its Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Graft Survival

Background The present study investigated the prevalence and predictors for the development of hyperuricemia within 1 year after transplantation and their associations with genetic polymorphisms and graft outcome in patients taking tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. Methods One hundred twenty-one renal allograft recipients transplanted between January 2001 and March 2009 were studied. Patients with serum uric acid concentrations above 7.0 mg/dL within 1 year after transplantation were defined as having hyperuricemia, and all were treated with allopurinol. Genetic polymorphisms of nitric oxide synthase, angiotensin-converting enzyme, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, and 3 uric acid transporters were examined. Results At 1 year after transplantation, 46 (38%) recipients developed hyperuricemia. Male gender, higher body mass index, long-term pretransplantation dialysis, and hypertension were associated with the development of hyperuricemia. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 1 year after transplantation was lower in the patients with hyperuricemia than in those without. There were no differences in graft survival between the two groups. The pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus and mycophenolic acid and 6 polymorphisms were not associated with hyperuricemia. In the multivariate analysis, male gender, long-term pretransplantation dialysis (>36 months), and eGFR (<60 mL/min) were independently associated with the development of hyperuricemia. Conclusion The incidence of hyperuricemia in our cohort was 38%. Male gender and long-term pretransplantation dialysis were predictors for the development of hyperuricemia. The eGFR was lower in patients with hyperuricemia, but graft survival did not differ between the patients with hyperuricemia treated with alloprinol and those without hyperuricemia. We could not define the significance of the pharmacokinetics of immunosuppressants and genetic risk factors for hyperuricemia.
Injecting Equipment Sharing Among Injecting Drug Users in Togliatti City, Russian Federation: Maximizing the Protective Effects of Syringe Distribution

ObjectiveTo compare risk factors for injecting equipment sharing among injecting drug users (IDUs) in Togliatti City, Russia. DesignUnlinked, anonymous, cross-sectional community-recruited survey with oral fluid sample collection. MethodsBetween September and October 2001, 426 IDUs completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire and oral fluid samples were tested for HIV. Univariate and multivariate analyses compared potential risk factors for injecting equipment sharing. ResultsMore than half (56% [234/418]) of the sample were positive for antibodies to HIV. A third (36%) had injected with used needles and syringes in the last 4 weeks. IDUs who reported syringe exchanges or outreach workers as their main sources of new needles and syringes in the last 4 weeks had 0.3 times the odds of sharing compared with those obtaining them from a pharmacy or shop, whereas those whose main source was buying them from the streets or obtaining them from friends, sexual partners, or other drug users had 12 times the odds of receptive needle and syringe sharing. IDUs who reported being last arrested or detained by the police for a drug-related offense had higher odds of sharing. ConclusionsFindings highlight the delicate balance in HIV prevention between potentially competing strategies of law enforcement and syringe distribution.
Event‐related fMRI study of response inhibition

Event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging (erfMRI) was employed to measure the hemodynamic response during a Go/No‐go task in 16 healthy subjects. The task was designed so that Go and No‐go events were equally probable, allowing an unbiased comparison of cerebral activity during these two types of trials. In accordance with prediction, anterior cingulate was active during both the Go and No‐go trials, dorsolateral and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex was more active during the No‐go trials, while primary motor cortex, supplementary motor area, pre‐motor cortex and cerebellum were more active during Go trials. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the anterior cingulate cortex is principally engaged in making and monitoring of decisions, while dorsolateral and ventral lateral prefrontal sites play a specific role in response inhibition. Hum. Brain Mapping 12:100–109, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Abl collaborates with Src family kinases to stimulate actin‐based motility of vaccinia virus

Local activation of Src at the plasma membrane by extracellular vaccinia virus results in a signalling cascade that acts to stimulate actin polymerization beneath the virus to enhance its cell‐to‐cell spread. Initiation of this signalling cascade involves Src‐mediated phosphorylation of tyrosine 112 and 132 of the viral membrane protein A36R. Here we show that recruitment of Src is dependent on its myristoylation and an interaction with A36R upstream of tyrosine 112 and 132. We further show that Src, Fyn and Yes have unique specificities towards these tyrosine residues. Using cell lines deficient in Src, Fyn and Yes, we demonstrate that multiple Src family members can stimulate vaccinia‐induced actin polymerization and also uncover a role for Abl family kinases. Additionally, Abl and Arg are able to phosphorylate A36R in vitro and are recruited to vaccinia‐induced actin tails. The ability of multiple families of tyrosine kinases to directly phosphorylate A36R ensures robust cell‐to‐cell spread of vaccinia virus will occur under a variety of cellular conditions.
A Review of Cell Adhesion Studies for Biomedical and Biological Applications

Cell adhesion is essential in cell communication and regulation, and is of fundamental importance in the development and maintenance of tissues. The mechanical interactions between a cell and its extracellular matrix (ECM) can influence and control cell behavior and function. The essential function of cell adhesion has created tremendous interests in developing methods for measuring and studying cell adhesion properties. The study of cell adhesion could be categorized into cell adhesion attachment and detachment events. The study of cell adhesion has been widely explored via both events for many important purposes in cellular biology, biomedical, and engineering fields. Cell adhesion attachment and detachment events could be further grouped into the cell population and single cell approach. Various techniques to measure cell adhesion have been applied to many fields of study in order to gain understanding of cell signaling pathways, biomaterial studies for implantable sensors, artificial bone and tooth replacement, the development of tissue-on-a-chip and organ-on-a-chip in tissue engineering, the effects of biochemical treatments and environmental stimuli to the cell adhesion, the potential of drug treatments, cancer metastasis study, and the determination of the adhesion properties of normal and cancerous cells. This review discussed the overview of the available methods to study cell adhesion through attachment and detachment events.