Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of flow rate and scaffold pore size on cell behavior during mechanical stimulation in a flow perfusion bioreactor

Mechanically stimulating cell‐seeded scaffolds by flow‐perfusion is one approach utilized for developing clinically applicable bone graft substitutes. A key challenge is determining the magnitude of stimuli to apply that enhances cell differentiation but minimizes cell detachment from the scaffold. In this study, we employed a combined computational modeling and experimental approach to examine how the scaffold mean pore size influences cell attachment morphology and subsequently impacts upon cell deformation and detachment when subjected to fluid‐flow. Cell detachment from osteoblast‐seeded collagen–GAG scaffolds was evaluated experimentally across a range of scaffold pore sizes subjected to different flow rates and exposure times in a perfusion bioreactor. Cell detachment was found to be proportional to flow rate and inversely proportional to pore size. Using this data, a theoretical model was derived that accurately predicted cell detachment as a function of mean shear stress, mean pore size, and time. Computational modeling of cell deformation in response to fluid flow showed the percentage of cells exceeding a critical threshold of deformation correlated with cell detachment experimentally and the majority of these cells were of a bridging morphology (cells stretched across pores). These findings will help researchers optimize the mean pore size of scaffolds and perfusion bioreactor operating conditions to manage cell detachment when mechanically simulating cells via flow perfusion. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109:1583–1594. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Obsessive–compulsive disorder, which genes? Which functions? Which pathways? An integrated holistic view regarding OCD and its complex genetic etiology

Abstract Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by recurrent obtrusive and repetitive acts typically occurred following anxiety. In the last two decades, studies done on the gene sequences, large-scale and point mutations and gene–gene, gene–environment and gene–drug interactions have led to the discovery of hundreds of genes associated with OCD. Although each gene in turn is a part of the etiology of this disorder; however, OCD, like other mental disorders is complex and a comprehensive and integrated view is necessary to understand its genetic basis. In this study, through an extensive review of existing published studies, all genes associated with OCD were found. Then, in order to integrate the results, all the interactions between these genes were explored and the achievement was represented as an interactive genetic network. Furthermore, the reconstructed network was analyzed. It was found that GRIN2A, GRIN2B and GRIA2 are the most central nodes in the network. Functional and pathway enrichment analysis showed that glutamate-related pathways are the main deficient systems in patients with OCD. By studying genes shared between OCD and other diseases, it was cleared that OCD, epilepsy and some types of cancer have the most number of shared genes. The results of this study, in addition to reviewing the available results as a comprehensive and integrated manner, provide new hypotheses for future studies.
Successful Conservative Treatment for Neglected Rotatory Atlantoaxial Dislocation

Background: Rotatory atlantoaxial subluxation (RAS) is a rare condition that is often misdiagnosed and therefore incorrectly managed. We describe our experience and propose an algorithm for treating neglected RAS nonoperatively. Methods: All consecutive children with neglected (>6 wk) RAS were treated in our department between 2005 and 2010 by cervical traction using a Gleason traction device and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants. When reduction was not achieved, the Gleason device was replaced by a halo device without manipulative reduction, and weight was added as necessary until reduction was successful. Fixation of reduction was either by a sternooccipital mandibular immobilizer or a halo vest for 3 to 4 months. Results: All 5 children (4 boys and 1 girl, aged 4 to 11 y) were successfully treated for neglected RAS. The mean duration from symptom onset (eg, limited neck range of motion, discomfort) to treatment initiation was 11.6 weeks (range, 6 to 16 wk). Closed reduction was achieved by a Gleason or a noninvasive halo device within 1 to 2 weeks in 4 cases. The fifth case was reduced after 5 weeks of traction using a halo with a 5 kg weight. All children had symmetrical full range of motion, normal neurological examination, and were fully engaged in educational and sports activities without recurrent dislocations at final follow-up (mean, 30 mo; range, 18 to 49 mo). Conclusions: Conservative treatment by gradual and prolonged traction without manipulative reduction in neglected RAS might be a successful method. Reduction can often be achieved within 2 weeks of treatment onset. Level of Evidence: Level IV (retrospective case series).
Generation and characterization of new alleles of quiver (qvr) that encodes an extracellular modulator of the Shaker potassium channel

Abstract Our earlier genetic screen uncovered a paraquat-sensitive leg-shaking mutant quiver1 (qvr1), whose gene product interacts with the Shaker (Sh) K+ channel. We also mapped the qvr locus to EY04063 and noticed altered day–night activity patterns in these mutants. Such circadian behavioral defects were independently reported by another group, who employed the qvr1 allele we supplied them, and attributed the extreme restless phenotype of EY04063 to the qvr gene. However, their report adopted a new noncanonical gene name sleepless (sss) for qvr. In addition to qvr1 and qvrEY, our continuous effort since the early 2000s generated a number of novel recessive qvr alleles, including ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-induced mutations qvr2 and qvr3, and P-element excision lines qvrip6 (imprecise jumpout), qvrrv7, and qvrrv9 (revertants) derived from qvrEY. Distinct from the original intron-located qvr1 allele that generates abnormal-sized mRNAs, qvr2, and qvr3 had their lesion sites in exons 6 and 7, respectively, producing nearly normal-sized mRNA products. A set of RNA-editing sites are nearby the lesion sites of qvr3 and qvrEY on exon 7. Except for the revertants, all qvr alleles display a clear ether-induced leg-shaking phenotype just like Sh, and weakened climbing abilities to varying degrees. Unlike Sh, all shaking qvr alleles (except for qvrf01257) displayed a unique activity-dependent enhancement in excitatory junction potentials (EJPs) at larval neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) at very low stimulus frequencies, with qvrEY displaying the largest EJP and more significant NMJ overgrowth than other alleles. Our detailed characterization of a collection of qvr alleles helps to establish links between novel molecular lesions and different behavioral and physiological consequences, revealing how modifications of the qvr gene lead to a wide spectrum of phenotypes, including neuromuscular hyperexcitability, defective motor ability and activity-rest cycles.
Physiological responses of the Drosophila labellum to amino acids

Abstract We have systematically studied the physiological responses elicited by amino acids from the principal taste organ of the Drosophila head. Although the detection and coding of sugars and bitter compounds have been examined extensively in this organism, little attention has been paid to the physiology of amino acid taste. We find that one class of sensilla, the S sensilla, yield the strongest responses to amino acids, although these responses were much weaker than the most robust responses to sugar or bitter compounds. S sensilla are heterogeneous in their amino acid responses and amino acids differ in the responses they elicit from individual sensilla. Tryptophan elicited relatively strong responses from S sensilla and these responses were eliminated when bitter-sensing neurons were ablated. Although tryptophan yielded little if any response in a behavioral paradigm, phenylalanine elicited a relatively strong response in the same paradigm and had a different physiological profile, supporting the notion that different amino acids are differentially encoded by the repertoire of taste neurons.
Leukocyte counting from a small amount of whole blood using a size‐controlled microcavity array

Absolute counting of total leukocytes or specific subsets within small amounts of whole blood is difficult due to a lack of techniques that enable separation of all leukocytes from limited amounts of whole blood. In this study, a microfluidic device equipped with a size‐controlled microcavity array for highly efficient separation of leukocytes from submicroliters of whole blood was developed. The microcavity array can separate leukocytes from whole blood based on differences in the size and deformability between leukocytes and other blood cells. Leukocytes recovered on aligned microcavities were continuously processed for image‐based immunophenotypic analysis. Our device successfully recovered over 90% of leukocytes in 1 µL of whole blood without pretreatment such as density gradient centrifugation or erythrocyte lysis. In addition, the proposed system successfully performed absolute enumeration of human CD4+ and CD8+ leukocytes from 1 µL of whole blood, and the obtained data showed good correlation with conventional flow cytometric analysis. Our microfluidic device has great potential as a tool for a point‐of‐care leukocyte analysis system. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109:2017–2024. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Radiographical Predictors for Postoperative Sagittal Imbalance in Patients With Thoracolumbar Kyphosis Secondary to Ankylosing Spondylitis After Lumbar Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy

Study Design. A retrospective radiographical study. Objective. To identify the radiographical predictors for sagittal imbalance in patients with thoracolumbar kyphosis secondary to ankylosing spondylitis (AS) after 1-level lumbar pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO). Summary of Background Data. Few studies had correlated the preoperative sagittal parameters with postoperative sagittal alignments to determine the radiographical predictors for postoperative sagittal imbalance in patients with AS after 1-level lumbar PSO. Methods. Thirty-six patients with thoracolumbar kyphosis secondary to AS who underwent 1-level lumbar PSO were recruited with a minimal follow-up of 24 months (mean = 27.4 mo; range, 24–53 mo). Correlation analysis and subsequent stepwise multiple regression analysis were used to evaluate the correlations between preoperative parameters, including global kyphosis, local kyphosis, thoracic kyphosis, thoracolumbar Cobb angle, lumbar lordosis, pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt, sacral slope, and sagittal vertical axis (SVA), as well as SVA at the last follow-up. All these patients were further divided into 2 groups according to the PI value (group A: PI >50°; group B: PI ⩽50°). The correction outcomes were compared between these 2 groups. Results. The preoperative SVA was not significantly different between group A and group B (157.6 mm vs. 124.5 mm; P> 0.05), and both groups had similar magnitudes of kyphosis corrections at the last follow-up (global kyphosis: 42.9°vs. 46.1°; local kyphosis: 42.7°vs. 40.5°; lumbar lordosis: 35.7°vs. 43.0°). However, group A patients had significantly larger SVA at the last follow-up (73.2 mm vs. 28.7 mm; P< 0.05) and a higher incidence of postoperative sagittal imbalance (77.8% vs. 25.9%; P< 0.05) than those in group B. The stepwise multiple regression analysis demonstrated that both preoperative SVA and PI were significant independent predictors of postoperative sagittal alignments, which explained 52.0% and 9.7% of the variability of SVA at the last follow-up, respectively. Conclusion. Patients with AS with either larger preoperative SVA or larger PI are more likely to experience failed sagittal realignments after 1-level lumbar PSO. For these patients, additional osteotomies may be recommended for satisfactory correction outcomes. Level of Evidence: 4
Endolymphatic Sac Tumor: A Rare Differential Diagnosis in Cerebellopontine Angle Lesions

Endolymphatic sac tumors (ELSTs) extending to the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) are extremely rare and generally misdiagnosed as meningioma or neurinoma. Recognition of such a tumor is of paramount importance, because preoperative strategies may help the surgeon to excise the tumor completely. A case of a CPA tumor that was diagnosed radiologically as meningioma or neurinoma before surgery is reported here. Histopathologically, however, the lesion proved to be an ELST. Any lesion with an unusual appearance on magnetic resonance imaging in the CPA may be an ELST, and the diagnosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
Comparison of CO2 and bicarbonate as inorganic carbon sources for triacylglycerol and starch accumulation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Microalgae are capable of accumulating high levels of lipids and starch as carbon storage compounds. Investigation into the metabolic activities involved in the synthesis of these compounds has escalated since these compounds can be used as precursors for food and fuel. Here, we detail the results of a comprehensive analysis of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii using high or low inorganic carbon concentrations and speciation between carbon dioxide and bicarbonate, and the effects these have on inducing lipid and starch accumulation during nitrogen depletion. High concentrations of CO2 (5%; v/v) produced the highest amount of biofuel precursors, transesterified to fatty acid methyl esters, but exhibited rapid accumulation and degradation characteristics. Low CO2 (0.04%; v/v) caused carbon limitation and minimized triacylglycerol (TAG) and starch accumulation. High bicarbonate caused a cessation of cell cycling and accumulation of both TAG and starch that was more stable than the other experimental conditions. Starch accumulated prior to TAG and then degraded as maximum TAG was reached. This suggests carbon reallocation from starch‐based to TAG‐based carbon storage. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 87–96. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Injury Prevention and Public Health: Practical Knowledge, Skills, and Strategies.

Christoffel and Gallagher have written this new book for a very specific audience—practitioners of injury prevention, particularly those working in public health agencies at the state and local levels. The content and style draw on the enormous experience of the two authors as practitioners and scholars in the field of injury. The work updates and advances the approach taken by the National Committee on Injury Prevention and Control in its “blue book,” Injury Prevention: Meeting the Challenge (1989). The volume would be highly effective as an introductory text for teaching public health students in the classroom and for orienting new public health agency …
Identifying and Addressing the Issues of Elder Abuse: A Rural Perspective

ABSTRACT This article presents the findings of a survey of 10 community nurses and home care workers providing home-based care for people 65 years and older living in rural north west New South Wales (NSW). The findings suggest that the type and prevalence of elder abuse in non-metropolitan areas is very similar to that in metropolitan areas. This elder abuse research, the first in a non-metropolitan area in NSW, was carried out in 1995. Of 598 clients receiving home-based care during the study, 33 cases (5.5%) of elder abuse were identified. The study documented age of clients, living arrangements, type of abuse, number and type of health problems, interventions offered, services accessed, and services required but not available.
An improvement of a SLAM RGB-D method with movement prediction derived from a study of visual features

This paper presents a method for the fast calculation of a robot’s egomotion using visual features. The method is part of a complete system for automatic map building and Simultaneous Location and Mapping (SLAM). The method uses optical flow to determine whether the robot has undergone a movement. If so, some visual features that do not satisfy several criteria are deleted, and then egomotion is calculated. Thus, the proposed method improves the efficiency of the whole process because not all the data is processed. We use a state-of-the-art algorithm (TORO) to rectify the map and solve the SLAM problem. Additionally, a study of different visual detectors and descriptors has been conducted to identify which of them are more suitable for the SLAM problem. Finally, a navigation method is described using the map obtained from the SLAM solution. Graphical Abstract
Application of the IV Medication Harm Index to Assess the Nature of Harm Averted by "Smart" Infusion Safety Systems

Objectives: To apply the new IV Medication Harm Index to continuous quality improvement data to assess the nature of harm averted by infusion-safety systems. Methods: The IV Medication Harm Index (score range, 3.5 to 14; higher scores indicate greater harm/risk) was applied to analyze data on averted intravenous medication errors gathered from 426 "smart pumps" (computerized infusion devices with dose-error reduction software) during a 9-month period at 2 tertiary-care hospitals. Results: Of 166 averted overdoses, 100 (60.2%) involved high-risk medications, and 105 (63.3%) were medications unlikely to be detected in the event of overdose. IV Medication Harm Index scores ranged from 3.5 to 13 (mean, 8.2; range, 3.5 to 14), and 33 (19.9%) averted overdoses scored 11 or higher. Sorted by frequency only, propofol, heparin, and dopamine accounted for more than half of all averted overdoses; however, IV Medication Harm Index analysis showed that heparin and propofol accounted for almost three-quarters of the highest-risk averted overdoses. More than three-quarters of the pumps were used with adult critical care patient types; more than half of the highest-risk averted overdoses occurred with non-intensive care unit (ICU) patient types. Results led to several practice improvements for the highest-risk-for-harm drugs. Conclusions: Findings suggest that the IV safety systems averted significant harm and that the IV Medication Harm Index provides the ability to filter large pools of data to reveal events with the greatest potential for causing harm, so these can be studied and acted on first, which is likely to have the greatest impact in improving medication safety.
Co‐culture with mesenchymal stem cells enhances metabolic functions of liver cells in bioartificial liver system

Bioartificial liver provides a combination of three‐dimensional support, matrix interactions, and extracellular cues to create a bio‐mimic microenvironment for maintaining hepatic‐specific functions of liver cells in vitro. However, its transformal and metabolic functions are not yet satisfactory for clinic application. In this study, hepatoma‐derived C3A cells were co‐cultured with human placental mesenchymal stem cells (hPMSC) in microspheres placed in a fluidized bioreactor. The secretion of albumin and urea, the expression of metabolizing enzymes at both transcriptional and translational levels and the drug metabolism functions of co‐cultured C3A cells were determined. With the three‐dimensional culture system, when C3A cells were co‐cultured with hPMSCs in separate microspheres, the secretion of albumin and activity of CYP1A2 were significantly improved although the enhancement of urea synthesis and CYP3A4 activity was less prominent. Combining co‐culture system with fluidization significantly increased the secretion of urea and the activities of CYP1A2, CYP3A4 but not the albumin synthesis. Interestingly, the levels of phospho‐PKA (Thr 197), phospho‐PKC, phospho‐ERK1/2 (Thr 202/Tyr 204) and CaMKII were all found to decrease in co‐cultured C3A cells, implicating suppressed signaling pathways in those cells. Taken together, our results suggest that co‐culturing of liver cells with hPMSC cells in three‐dimensional fluidized bioreactor significantly improved the preservation of liver cells' metabolic functions which may greatly enhance the efficacy of bioartificial liver treatment. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 958–968. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Patients With Proximal Junctional Kyphosis Requiring Revision Surgery Have Higher Postoperative Lumbar Lordosis and Larger Sagittal Balance Corrections

Study Design. Case control study. Objective. To evaluate risk factors in patients in 3 groups: those without proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) (N), with PJK but not requiring revision (P), and then those with PJK requiring revision surgery (S). Summary of Background Data. It is becoming clear that some patients maintain stable PJK angles, whereas others progress and develop severe PJK necessitating revision surgery. Methods. A total of 206 patients at a single institution from 2002 to 2007 with adult scoliosis with 2-year minimum follow-up (average 3.5 yr) were analyzed. Inclusion criteria were age more than 18 years and primary fusions greater than 5 levels from any thoracic upper instrumented vertebra to any lower instrumented vertebrae. Revisions were excluded. Radiographical assessment included Cobb measurements in the coronal/sagittal plane and measurements of the PJK angle at postoperative time points: 1 to 2 months, 2 years, and final follow-up. PJK was defined as an angle greater than 10°. Results. The prevalence of PJK was 34%. The average age in N was 49.9 vs. 51.3 years in P and 60.1 years in S. Sex, body mass index, and smoking status were not significantly different between groups. Fusions extending to the pelvis were 74%, 85%, and 91% of the cases in groups N, P, and S. Instrumentation type was significantly different between groups N and S, with a higher number of upper instrumented vertebra hooks in group N. Radiographical parameters demonstrated a higher postoperative lumbar lordosis and a larger sagittal balance change, with surgery in those with PJK requiring revision surgery. Scoliosis Research Society postoperative pain scores were inferior in group N vs. P and S, and Oswestry Disability Index scores were similar between all groups. Conclusion. Patients with PJK requiring revision were older, had higher postoperative lumbar lordosis, and larger sagittal balance corrections than patients without PJK. Based on these data, it seems as though older patients with large corrections in their lumbar lordosis and sagittal balance were at risk for developing PJK, requiring revision surgery. Level of Evidence: 3
Increasing the Impact Force of the Rear Hand Punch

ONE OF THE MOST RENOWNED STRIKES WITHIN COMBAT SPORTS IS THE REAR HAND PUNCH. ITS IMPACT FORCE IS SUBJECT TO 5 TRAINABLE VARIABLES: (A) INCREASE REAR LEG DRIVE, (B) FOLLOWING THE STEP FORWARD, LAND WITH A RIGID LEG TO INCREASE BREAKING AND TRANSMISSION OF FORCES, (C) INCREASE THE STRETCH-SHORTENING CYCLE ACTION OF THE TRUNK MUSCULATURE, (D) INCREASE THE VELOCITY OF THE PUNCH, AND (E) INCREASE THE EFFECTIVE MASS. IT IS POSSIBLE, THROUGH APPROPRIATE STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING PROGRAMMING, TO TARGET THE DEVELOPMENT OF EACH.