Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prosthetic Usage Among the Thai Lower Limb Amputees

Objective: To study the percentage of prosthetic usage and factors associated with prosthetic usage among lower limb amputees in Thailand. Methods: The postal survey with a questionnaire was sent to 1,300 amputees who received lower limb prostheses between 2001 and 2005. The participants were divided into two groups, namely, the prosthetic usage and prosthetic non-usage groups. A Chi-Square and an Independent Sample T test were used to compare the differences between the two groups. The multiple variables analysis by stepwise logistic regression was used to determine the associated factors. Results: Three hundred and nineteen questionnaires were completed among three hundred and twenty one returned questionnaires. The percentage of amputees who used a prosthesis over 5 hours per day was 82.1%. Demographically, the prosthetic usage group had less diabetes mellitus (p = 0.010), were younger at the time of amputation (p <0.001), and had a currently employed status (p <0.001) than the non-prosthetic usage group. (You have not stated what you are comparing this group to! ) In Amputation related factors the transtibial amputees were more likely to use prostheses (p <0.001). The factors associated with prosthetic usage were experiencing satisfactory to good wearing comfort (OR 12.83), a transtibial level of amputation (OR 9.65), having a currently employed status (OR 5.12), undergoing particular etiologies of amputation such as congenital problem or blast injury (OR 2.78) and being young at time of amputation (OR 0.95), respectively. Conclusion: The percentage of prosthetic usage among the Thai lower limb amputees was 82.1%. The factors associated with the prosthetic usage were wearing comfort, level of amputation, having a currently employed status and being of younger age at the time of amputation.
Bi-hemispheric effects on corticospinal excitability induced by repeated sessions of imagery versus observation of actions.

PURPOSE To investigate whether repeated sessions of motor imagery and action observation modulate corticospinal excitability (CE) over time, whether these processes are susceptible of any training effect and if such effect might be different for the dominant and non dominant hemisphere. METHODS 11 subjects underwent three sessions, spaced 5-7 days, of single-pulse Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) of right and left primary motor cortex. Subjects were asked to imagine or observe pinch-grip actions with either hand. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were recorded bilaterally from the First Dorsal Interosseus muscle (FDI), acting as main agonist during precision grip. RESULTS Motor imagery consistently enhanced CE with respect to action observation, regardless of hemispheric lateralization and of separate testing sessions. However, motor imagery increased CE only when measured over the non-dominant hemisphere, during the third session with respect to the first one. The increase of CE induced by action observation in the first session was not further modified throughout the remaining two sessions, in either hemisphere. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that motor imagery is sustained by a cortical network susceptible to training effects only for the non-dominant hemisphere. Such an effect was lacking for action observation, likely because of the innateness of these mechanisms. Results might have implications for rehabilitative purposes.
South African research in the context of Africa and globally

The quality and quantity of research publications are used as benchmarks to monitor the performance of South Africa's national system of innovation. The indicators are pertinent to the policies of the Department of Education, which distributes funds for research at institutions of higher education by measuring the volume of research outputs. In this article, we present a scientometric assessment of research in South Africa in the context of the rest of Africa and in comparison with Brazil and India - two countries with which South Africa aims to develop strong scientific ties. We find that South Africa has published a significant number of papers in all 22 disciplines represented in the ISI's Essential Science Indicators. The largest numbers of journal articles in a 10-year period (1996-2005) were published in the categories Clinical Medicine, and in Plant and Animal Sciences, with over 7000 papers each. Three groupings, namely, Chemistry, Geosciences, and Environmental / Ecology, form the second cluster of disciplines in terms of the highest number of publications (2966, 2488 and 2386, respectively). In all 22 subject categories, India and Brazil are rated higher than South Africa in terms of number of publications, but South Africa is ranked above these countries in relation to citations per paper in all disciplines. Egypt outranked South Africa in three disciplines in the period 1995-2004, namely, Chemistry, Engineering, and Materials Science, as did Nigeria in Agriculture in 1996-2005. In addition to the three disciplines in the earlier period, Egypt outranked South Africa in 1996-2005 in Physics, Agricultural Sciences, and Pharmacology / Toxicology. However, South Africa scored higher than both African countries in all disciplines in terms of citations per paper.
Continued risk taking behaviour and seroconversion in HIV antibody tested individuals

Abstract Abstract The aim of this study was to identify behavioural characteristics of individuals placing themselves at risk for HIV infection. Subjects were almost exclusively gay men attending an AIDS centre in Sydney between 1985 and 1988, who were HIV antibody negative on first testing. Individuals who seroconverted during this study were found to have significantly more partners and tended to engage in unprotected receptive anal intercourse, compared to seronegative controls. Seroconversion was not attributed to breakage of condoms or contact with known HIV antibody positive partners in this study.
Mycorrhizal dependency of some endemic and endangered Hawaiian plant species.

Four endemic species of Hawaiian plants were tested for their response to inoculation with a Hawaiian isolate of Glomus aggregatum (an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus [AMF]) when grown in a native soil with or without P added to achieve different soil-solution P levels. The endangered species (Sesbania tomentosa [Fabaceae] and Colubrina oppositifolia [Rhamnaceae]) and two nonendangered species (Bidens sandvicensis and B. asymmetrica × sandvicensis [Asteraceae]) were tested. When soil-solution P levels in greenhouse trials were similar to unfertilized field soils (e.g., 0.005-0.020 mg P/L), shoots of inoculated plants were 2.1 to 7.0 times larger than noninoculated plants. Leaf tissue P levels and root biomass in these species showed similar responses to inoculation. Mycorrhizal dependencies ranging from 44 to 88% were measured when plants were grown in low-P soils and were -4-42% in soil with P levels typical of highly productive agricultural soils. A survey of P levels in a variety of native (nonagricultural) Hawaiian soils indicated the widespread occurrence of P-limited sites (mean = 0.010 mg P/L, range = <0.001-0.030 mg P/L; N = 41). The terms "ecological mycorrhizal dependency" (EMD) and "agricultural mycorrhizal dependency" (AMD) are introduced to refine the concept of mycorrhizal dependency.
Reducing the barriers to accessing psychological therapies for Bengali, Urdu, Tamil and Somali communities in the UK: some implications for training, policy and practice

The aim of this research was to investigate the feasibility of achieving Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) for people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities living in the UK, with specific reference to Bengali, Urdu, Tamil and Somali speaking communities. Focus groups were carried out with each of the communities to investigate how they conceptualise and experience ‘mental health issues’ and what they do when faced with what they regard as these issues. A thematic analysis of the data suggested that participants did not fully understand common conceptualisations about mental health issues, nor did they know how to seek mental health support. Implications of cultural barriers and recommendations for IAPT outcomes for the four communities are discussed.
Improving Teaching Practices through Action Research

This study investigated teachers’ perceptions of the influences of action research on their thinking about instructional practices and the impact of this thinking on teaching practices. The four specific areas of investigation were teachers’ perceptions about (a) the overall teacher role, (b) teachers’ knowledge about teaching, (c) teaching practices, and (d) reflective practices. The data were collected from interviews with teacher researchers, informal classroom observations, and collection of teacher and student work and related artifacts. The data revealed that teachers perceived changes in the four areas of investigation. Engaging in the stages of action research provided teachers with a methodical structure for implementing and analyzing the teaching and learning process. This defined structure guided teachers through more systematic and conscious data collection, data analysis, and reflection.
Five new species of the obligate mycoparasite Syncephalis (Zoopagales, Zoopagomycotina) from soil

Abstract More than 520 soil samples were surveyed for species of the mycoparasitic zygomycete genus Syncephalis using a culture-based approach. These fungi are relatively common in soil using the optimal conditions for growing both the host and parasite. Five species obtained in dual culture are unknown to science and are described here: (i) S. digitata with sporangiophores short, merosporangia separate at the apices, simple, 3–5 spored; (ii) S. floridana, which forms galls in the host and has sporangiophores up to 170 µm long with unbranched merosporangia that contain 2–4 spores; (iii) S. pseudoplumigaleta, with an abrupt apical bend in the sporophore; (iv) S. pyriformis with fertile vesicles that are long-pyriform; and (v) S. unispora with unispored merosporangia. To facilitate future molecular comparisons between species of Syncephalis and to allow identification of these fungi from environmental sampling datasets, we used Syncephalis-specific PCR primers to generate internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences for all five new species.
Computing with Self-Excitatory Cliques: A Model and an Application to Hyperacuity-Scale Computation in Visual Cortex

We present a model of visual computation based on tightly inter-connected cliques of pyramidal cells. It leads to a formal theory of cell assemblies, a specific relationship between correlated firing patterns and abstract functionality, and a direct calculation relating estimates of cortical cell counts to orientation hyperacuity. Our network architecture is unique in that (1) it supports a mode of computation that is both reliable and efficent; (2) the current-spike relations are modeled as an analog dynamical system in which the requisite computations can take place on the time scale required for an early stage of visual processing; and (3) the dynamics are triggered by the spatiotemporal response of cortical cells. This final point could explain why moving stimuli improve vernier sensitivity.
A Single-Arm Phase II Trial of First-Line Paclitaxel in Combination with Lapatinib in HER2-Overexpressing Metastatic Breast Cancer

Introduction: Lapatinib, an orally active tyrosine kinase inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor ErbB1 (EGFR) and ErbB2 (HER2), has activity as monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy in HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Methods: This phase II single-arm trial assessed the safety and efficacy of first-line lapatinib in combination with paclitaxel in previously untreated patients with HER2-overexpressing MBC. The primary endpoint was the overall response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints were the duration of response (DoR), time to response, time to progression, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival, and the incidence and severity of adverse events. All endpoints were investigator- and independent review committee (IRC)-assessed. Results: The IRC-assessed ORR was 51% (29/57 patients with complete or partial response) while the investigator-assessed ORR was 77% (44/57). As per the IRC, the median DoR was 39.7 weeks, and the median PFS was 47.9 weeks. The most common toxicities were diarrhea (56%), neutropenia (44%), rash (40%), fatigue (25%), and peripheral sensory neuropathy (25%). Conclusions: First-line lapatinib plus paclitaxel for HER2-overexpressing MBC produced an encouraging ORR with manageable toxicities. This combination may be useful in first-line treatment for patients with HER2-overexpressing MBC and supports the ongoing evaluation of this combination as first-line therapy in HER2-overexpressing MBC.
Effects of Passion for Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games on Interpersonal Relationships

Game research suffers from using a variety of concepts to predict the (often negative) effects of playing games. These concepts often overlap (e.g., addiction or pathological gaming), include negative consequences in their definition, or are very game-specific (e.g., collective play). We argue that the field would benefit from using concepts that are well-established in other domains. Extending earlier work to the interpersonal domain, we examined the effects of obsessive and harmonious passion for massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) on the number and quality of online and offline friendships. Obsessive passion describes an irrepressible urge to engage in an activity, whereas harmonious passion describes the voluntary engagement in an activity. In an online survey of 406 MMORPG players, we found differential relationships between obsessive and harmonious passion and the number and quality of online and offline friendships. The results confirmed the usefulness of the dualistic model o.
Antiphospholipid Antibodies Do Not Seem to Be Associated With Deep Vein Thrombosis: A Case Control Study

Antiphospholipid antibodies (APAs) are associated with venous thromboembolism in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In patients without SLE, but with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) this association is established only for patients with lupus anticoagulant (LA). In a case-controlled study APAs were determined in 171 consecutive outpatients who underwent phlebography at the first episode of clinically suspected DVT of lower limbs. Phlebography confirmed the presence of DVT in 54 (32%) patients and excluded it in 117. Antiphospholipid antibodies (exluding LA) were detected in 5 (9.2%) of the 54 patients with DVT and in 7 (5.9%) of the 117 subjects without DVT, The prevalence of APAs tended to be higher in patients with DVT than in patients without DVT, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.3%). Antiphospholipid antibodies in the absence of LA are not associated with DVT in symptomatic patients. Therefore future studies should be performed before changing our clinical approach in APA-A positive but LA-negative patients. Key Words: Antiphospholipid antibodies-Deep vein thrombosis.
Organization of the mitochondrial genome of Odontobutis sinensis (Perciformes: Odontobutidae): rearrangement of tRNAs and additional non-coding regions

Abstract In this study, we cloned and sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of Odontobutis sinensis. The genome was found to be 17,441 bp in size with a mostly conserved structural organization when compared with that of other teleost fish. It contained 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and two ribosomal RNA genes) and two main non-coding regions (the control region and the origin of the light strand replication). Rearrangements of tRNAs (tRNA-Ser, tRNA-Leu, tRNA-His) and three additional longer non-coding regions (51 bp, 622 bp and 66 bp, respectively) were present between the ND4 and ND5 genes. Within the control region, one 322 bp long tandem repeat area (7*46 bp) and some typical conserved domains were identified. The molecular data here we presented could play a useful role to study the evolutionary relationships and population genetics of the Odontobutidae.
CUDC-907 in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, including patients with MYC-alterations: results from an expanded phase I trial

CUDC-907 is a first-in-class, oral small molecule inhibitor of both HDAC (class I and II) and PI3K (class Iα, β, and δ) enzymes, with demonstrated anti-tumor activity in multiple pre-clinical models, including MYC-driven ones. In this report, we present the safety and preliminary activity results of CUDC-907, with and without rituximab, in patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), with a particular focus on those with MYC-altered disease. Thirty-seven DLBCL patients were enrolled, 14 with confirmed MYC-altered disease. Twenty-five patients received monotherapy treatment, and 12 received the combination of CUDC-907 with rituximab. CUDC-907 monotherapy and combination demonstrated similar safety profiles consisting primarily of Grade 1/2 hematologic and gastrointestinal events. The most frequently reported Grade ≥3 treatment-related events were thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, diarrhea, fatigue, and anemia. Eleven responses (5 complete responses and 6 partial responses) were reported, for a response rate of 37% (11 out of 30) in evaluable patients [30% (11 out of 37) including all patients]. The objective response rate in evaluable MYC-altered DLBCL patients was 64% (7 out of 11; 4 complete responses and 3 partial responses), while it was 29% (2 out of 7) in MYC unaltered, and 17% (2 out of 12) in those with unknown MYC status. Median duration of response was 11.2 months overall; 13.6 months in MYC-altered patients, 6.0 months in MYC unaltered, and 7.8 months in those with MYC status unknown. The tolerable safety profile and encouraging evidence of durable anti-tumor activity, particularly in MYC-altered patients, support the continued development of CUDC-907 in these populations of high unmet need. (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: 01742988).
Four Novel NR5A1 Mutations in 46,XY Gonadal Dysgenesis Patients Including Frameshift Mutations with Altered Subcellular SF-1 Localization

46,XY gonadal dysgenesis (46,XY GD) is a disorder of sexual development caused by mutations in genes involved in early gonadal development (bipotential gonads) and testis differentiation. In 46,XY GD individuals, mutations of the SRY gene are detected most frequently, followed by mutations in the NR5A1 (SF-1) gene, but in a lot of cases, the underlying molecular mechanism remains elusive. In this study, we retrospectively performed sequence analyses of the NR5A1 (SF-1) gene in 84 patients with complete, partial, and syndromic forms of 46,XY GD. In total, 7 heterozygous mutations were found in 6 of 84 patients (7.1%). Among these, we identified 4 mutations that, to the best of our knowledge, have not been reported before (c.268G>T, c.369del, c.871-1G>C, and c.893T>C). Transfection of different mutations revealed altered subcellular localization of the mutant SF-1 protein in the case of the frameshift mutations, indicating an impaired protein function. In conclusion, we present 4 novel mutations of the NR5A1 gene associated with 46,XY GD together with in vitro data pointing towards a possible functional impairment of the mutant SF-1 proteins.
Observations of the experiences of people with dementia on general hospital wards

This paper is based on research that aimed to explore how people with dementia are cared for in general hospital wards in the United Kingdom (UK). The paper details findings from one phase of data collection, ward based observations. The observations elucidated the ways in which persons with dementia express and portray their ‘selves’, the interpretations made by nurses about the patients with dementia they cared for and the constructions of roles and care environments. The findings demonstrate how a variety of influences affect the way a person with dementia experiences a hospital admission. Nurses' positive or negative interpretations of a person with dementia can lead to the ‘constraint’ or ‘realisation’ of a person's portrayal of self. In an ageing global society, improving the care of older people is a priority. The findings illuminate the central importance of promoting two-way relationships in which the actions of people with dementia are recognised as portraying individuality and identity. The study highlights a need for practice development to enhance nursing care for medical and surgical patients with a coincidental diagnosis of dementia.
Determinantes diretos do parto prematuro eletivo e os resultados neonatais

OBJETIVO: caracterizar gestantes submetidas ao parto prematuro eletivo e relacionar diagnosticos clinicos e obstetricos com os resultados neonatais. METODO: foram coletados prospectivamente os dados de 100 gestantes internadas na enfermaria da Clinica Obstetrica e os seus recem-nascidos. Os criterios de inclusao foram: gestacao unica; idade gestacional confirmada por ultra-sonografia precoce; ausencia de trabalho de parto; presenca de condicao materna e/ou fetal que motivasse a indicacao do parto prematuro. Para relacionar a causa do parto prematuro eletivo com os resultados neonatais, classificamos as causas diretas do parto em grupos. Comparamos os grupos, considerando a idade gestacional. Para avaliar os resultados neonatais, considerou-se: acidose, Apgar no 1o e no 5o minuto (menor que 7), hemorragia intracraniana, mortalidade neonatal, sepse neonatal e sindrome do desconforto respiratorio. A analise estatistica utilizada para a correlacao entre as causas do parto e a idade gestacional aos resultados neonatais foi realizada por modelos log-lineares. RESULTADOS: uma das pacientes foi excluida do estudo por malformacao fetal. As causas diretas mais comuns do parto foram: sofrimento fetal anteparto (49,5%), sindromes hipertensivas (21,2%), restricao do crescimento fetal (13,1%) e outras causas (16,2%). Entre as complicacoes neonatais, destacaram-se: asfixia (33,3%), acidose (30,4%), sindrome do desconforto respiratorio (26,3%), sepse (22,2%), hemorragia intracraniana (21,2%) e morte neonatal (13,1%). A analise por modelos log-lineares evidenciou associacao entre as causas do parto e a incidencia de acidose e sindrome do desconforto respiratorio e a idade gestacional associou-se a sindrome do desconforto respiratorio, Apgar de 1o minuto <7, sepse, hemorragia intracraniana e morte neonatal. CONCLUSOES: a causa do parto influencia os resultados neonatais. Entretanto, as complicacoes mais graves dependeram diretamente da idade gestacional no parto. Desta maneira, o diagnostico anteparto deve ser criteriosamente avaliado pelo obstetra, para que a decisao de se interromper a gestacao possa ser feita em momento adequado, evitando-se assim as complicacoes neonatais.
Comparative Study of Antidepressants and Herbal Psychotropic Drugs in a Mouse Model of Chronic Fatigue

AbstractThis study examined the effects and comparative efficacy of various antidepressants and herbal psychotropic drugs in a mouse model of chronic fatigue. Animals were subjected daily to forced swimming (Porsolt's forced swimming test) and the duration of the immobility period was recorded in 6-minute sessions on each day for 7 days. Chronic forced swimming resulted in significant increases in immobility time on day 7 as compared to day 1 in control mice. Pretreatment with imipramine (10 mg/kg, i.p.), desipramine (10 mg/kg, i.p.), tranyl-cypromine (10 mg/kg, i.p.), alprazolam (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.), fhioxetine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and melatonin (10 mg/kg, i.p.) produced significant decreases in immobility time as compared to control on each day. Similar decreases in immobility periods were observed with herbal psychotropic preparations-Withania somniferaroot extract (100 mg/kg, p.o.), BR-16A(r) (200 mg/kg, p.o.), siotone(r) granules (200 mg/kg, p.o.) and evening primrose oil (0.2 ml/20 g, p.o.). However, trazo.