Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Examination of spatiotemporal gait parameters during the 6-min walk in individuals with multiple sclerosis

This investigation examined spatiotemporal parameters of gait during the 6-min walk (6MW) in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and in healthy controls. Eighteen individuals with MS [divided into those who were independently ambulatory (n=10) and those who were ambulatory with assistance (n=8)] and 10 healthy controls performed a 6MW while recording spatiotemporal gait parameters using a pressure-sensitive walkway. Parameters recorded were walking velocity, cadence, step length and width, step time, percent of the gait cycle in double support, and variability of step length and width, step time, and double support. The ambulatory with assistance MS group had a significantly greater reduction in walking velocity (P=0.000) over the course of the 6MW, which coincided with a significantly greater increase in step time and double support (P=0.029) than in the other groups. Only the ambulatory with assistance MS group showed an increase in step-time variability and double-support variability during the 6MW (P’s<0.05). The novel results indicate that the reduction in velocity over prolonged walking occurs through a greater change in the temporal parameters of gait in persons with MS who require assistance while walking. In addition, the increase in gait variability in the individuals with MS who require assistance while walking indicates that the control over walking further deteriorates over the course of the 6MW.
Noninvasive topical loading for manganese-enhanced MRI of the mouse visual system.

PURPOSE To evaluate topical loading as an alternative to intravitreal injection for Mn(2+)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) of the visual system. METHODS Topical administration of 0.5 to 1.5 M MnCl(2) and intravitreal injections with 0.5 μL 100 mM and 2 μL 1 M MnCl(2) for mouse MEMRI were conducted, followed by immunohistochemistry. In another mouse group, two topical administrations of 1 M Mn(2+) were applied to the same animals 7 days apart, to evaluate the use of MEMRI in a time course study. Dynamic imaging was also conducted to reveal how Mn(2+) travels to the retina. MEMRI with topically loaded MnCl(2) was also conducted in eyes with retinal ischemia, to evaluate whether the enhancements required healthy neurons. RESULTS After 1 day, topical administration of 1 M and 1.5 M MnCl(2) rendered significant signal enhancement (up to 20%) in the superior colliculus (P < 0.05) that was equivalent to that of the 2-μL 1 M injection. Repeated exposure to Mn(2+) showed reproduced enhancement. Dynamic imaging showed significant enhancement in the iris, retina, and lens boundary, but not in the vitreous space. In retinal ischemic eyes, no enhancement of MEMRI was detected in the optic nerves. The immunohistochemistry of the optic nerve (1.5 mm anterior to the chiasm) and retina showed no injury 1 week after Mn(2+) topical administrations to each mouse. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrated the feasibility of using topical administration of Mn(2+) for MEMRI. Topically loaded Mn(2+) did not diffuse into the vitreous space, but was it may have been absorbed into the iris to diffuse or travel via the capillary circulation to reach the retina.
Recent progress in macular function self‐assessment

Background: Patients that are deemed to be at risk for the development of choroidal neovascularization are frequently instructed to self‐monitor their vision for symptoms that may signal the presence of choroidal neovascularization. Traditionally, the Amsler grid has been used for this purpose, but recent technological innovations have resulted in a number of potential alternatives that offer important advantages, including greater sensitivity, the ability to differentiate exudative from non‐exudative disease, and quantitative analysis of test results.
Correlations between signal spectrum of ultrasonic backscatter and cancellous bone microstructure

Ultrasonic backscatter offers the advantage of directly analyzing some common fracture sites other than the calcaneus. Spectral centroid shift (SCS), an indicator of ultrasonic attenuation in the bone, is a potential parameter obtained from ultrasonic backscattered signals to represent the bone status. In this paper, twenty-six bovine tibia bones in vitro were scanned by a 10MHz transducer and the ultrasonic backscattered signals were processed to obtain SCS at corresponding scan spots. Correlations were studied between mean /standard deviation (SD) of SCS values within a ROI of bones and bone structural parameters obtained from a μ-CT. Results demonstrated that SCS has mediate and significant correlations with all the parameters obtained from μ-CT (Tb.Th, r=−0.699, p≪0.01; Tb.Sp, r=0.477, p≪0.05; BV/TV, r=−0.675, p≪0.01; BS/BV, r=0.663, p≪0.01; BD, r=0.663, p≪0.01). The SD of SCS was also significantly (p≪0.01) correlation with bone structural parameters. The high relationships between the ultrasonic parameter SCS and bone structural parameters hold promise for later implementing SCS to assess bone quality.
Ertapenem administered as outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy for urinary tract infections caused by extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase-producing Gram-negative organisms.

OBJECTIVES Infections with extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase-producing organisms are an increasing public health concern. We reviewed the use of an outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) programme to facilitate the early discharge from hospital of patients with ESBL-associated urinary tract infections. METHODS A retrospective review of patients treated for urinary tract infections caused by ESBL-producing organisms through the OPAT programme at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK over a 4 year period to January 2010 was conducted. Data on patient demographics, clinical presentation and laboratory results were collected. RESULTS Twenty-four OPAT episodes involving 11 patients were identified. Six patients (54.5%) had an underlying urological abnormality on presentation to OPAT. All patients were treated with parenteral ertapenem. Two patients had multiple infections treated by OPAT. The mean duration of the OPAT episodes was 9.9 days (range 3-42). A total of 238 inpatient bed days were avoided, with resultant cost savings. CONCLUSIONS Ertapenem administration through OPAT may help to decrease the costs associated with ESBL infections by reducing the number of inpatient bed days required for their successful treatment.
Familial aggregation of schizophrenia: The moderating effect of age at onset, parental immigration, paternal age and season of birth

Aims: An abundance of evidence has firmly established the familial aggregation of schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to examine how age at onset, parental characteristics and season of birth modify the familiality in schizophrenia. Methods: A population-based cohort was created by linking the Swedish Multi-Generation and Hospital Discharge Registers. Among 5,075,998 full siblings born between 1932 through to 1990, 16,346 cases of schizophrenia were identified. Familial aggregation was measured by the sibling recurrence-risk ratio, defined as the risk of schizophrenia among full siblings of schizophrenia patients compared with the risk among siblings of unaffected people. Results: We found a statistically significantly lower recurrence-risk ratio in siblings of later onset cases (7.2; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 6.7–7.9) than of early onset cases (10.8; 95% CI 9.4–12.2). A lower recurrence-risk ratio was observed among offspring to fathers above 40 years (6.3; 95% CI 5.3–7.3) as compared with offspring of younger fathers (8.6; 95% CI 8.0–9.3). Further, among offspring to parents born outside Sweden the recurrence-risk ratio was statistically significantly lower (maternal immigrants 4.8; 95% CI 4.0–5.7, paternal immigrants 5.7; 95% CI 4.6–6.9) than among offspring to parents born in Sweden. Conclusions: The familial aggregation of schizophrenia was reduced by higher age at onset, advancing paternal age and immigrant status of parents.
Nicotine Potentiation of Excitatory Inputs to Ventral Tegmental Area Dopamine Neurons

Drug-induced changes in synaptic strength are hypothesized to contribute to appetitive behavior and addiction. Nicotine, the major addictive substance in tobacco, activates nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) to initiate a series of adaptive changes at the cellular and circuit levels in brain, particularly the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Our laboratory previously reported that nicotine facilitates induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) in VTA dopamine (DA) neurons by increasing glutamate release via activation of α7 nAChRs on the glutamate terminals, suggesting a critical presynaptic contribution of nicotine in LTP induction. In the present study, we used an in vitro exposure paradigm to study the effect of nicotine on excitatory synaptic strength. Brief exposure of nicotine to brain slices from drug-naive adult rats followed by a period of recovery resulted in an NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-dependent increase of AMPA receptor/NMDAR ratio in VTA DA neurons, which is consistent with the induction of LTP. These effects are similar to that induced by a single in vivo nicotine injection intraperitoneally. The induction of synaptic potentiation required excitation of DA neurons mediated by somatodendritic α4β2 nAChRs, as well as enhancement of NMDAR function via D5 dopamine receptors, also on DA neurons. Nicotine-induced increase of presynaptic glutamate release also contributed to the induction of synaptic plasticity, likely through increased activation of NMDAR. These results identified important receptor systems involved in nicotine-induced long-term changes in excitatory synaptic input to VTA DA neurons. The data also revealed remarkable similarity in the mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity induced by nicotine and cocaine in the VTA.
The cognitive-behavioral model of bulimia nervosa: a direct evaluation.

OBJECTIVE This study represented the first attempt to directly evaluate Fairburn et al's (1986) cognitive-behavioral model of bulimia nervosa--the model on which the most widely used treatment for bulimia nervosa is based. METHOD The major predictions of the model were tested using structural equation modeling. Data were collected from the responses of 526 subjects to a number of self-report measures. RESULTS The factors of self-esteem, overconcern with weight and shape, and dietary restraint accounted for a large proportion of the variance in binge eating and purging. The key pathway in the model was the link between overconcern with weight and shape and the adoption of purgative behaviors, which then fed into a vicious cycle of binge eating and purging. Contrary to Fairburn's hypothesis, high levels of dietary restraint did not predict increased binge eating. DISCUSSION The results suggest that the components of Fairburn's model may operate to maintain the bulimic cycle in a slightly different way to that originally proposed.
Iron Concentration in Teeth of Tetra-odontiform Fishes and its Phylogenetic Significance

It is known that iron is deposited in the enameloid of some teleost fishes, although its biological significance has not been clarified. In the present investigation, a quantitative analysis of iron in the enameloid of fishes of a primitive suborder, the Balistoidei, and an advanced suborder, the Tetra-odontoidei, of the Tetra-odontiformes of marine teleosts was performed by means of the electron microprobe. The results indicated that the enameloid of Balistoidei contained from 0.4-13.5% iron at its surface layer, whereas that of Tetra-odontoidei was very low in iron, which could not be discriminated from the background value of the emission intensity. The enameloid of three perciform species belonging to the Acanthuridae-from which the Tetra-odontiformes are considered to have been derived-also contained high iron (2. 7 - 3.9%) throughout its entire layer. The iron concentration in the enameloid seemed to be related to the phylogeny of fishes rather than to their environmental water and feeding habits, and it is believed that the mechanisms of iron concentration into the developing enameloid have been lost during evolution from the Achanthuridae to the Tetra-odontoidei. Since a similar phenomenon has been previously observed with respect to the fluoride concentration in the enameloid of the same fishes (Suga et al., 1981a), it is speculated that the concentrations of iron and fluoride, which have originally no chemical correlation, have some special biological significance, although the timing and distribution pattern of their deposition are completely different.
Epidemiology of viral respiratory infections in a tertiary care centre in the era of molecular diagnosis, Geneva, Switzerland, 2011–2012

Abstract Few studies have examined the epidemiology of respiratory viral infections in large tertiary centres over more than one season in the era of molecular diagnosis. Respiratory clinical specimens received between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2012 were analysed. Respiratory virus testing was performed using a large panel of real-time PCR or RT-PCR. Results were analysed according to sample type (upper versus lower respiratory tract) and age group. In all, 2996 (2469 (82.4%) upper; 527 (17.6%) lower) specimens were analysed. Overall positivity rate was 47.4% and 23.7% for upper and lower respiratory samples, respectively. The highest positivity rate was observed in patients under 18 years old (p <0.001); picornaviruses were the most frequent viruses detected over the year. Influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus and coronaviruses showed a seasonal peak during the winter season, while picornaviruses and adenoviruses were less frequently detected in these periods. Multiple viral infections were identified in 12% of positive cases and were significantly more frequent in children (p <0.001). In conclusion, we observed significant differences in viral infection rates and virus types among age groups, clinical sample types and seasons. Follow-up of viral detection over several seasons allows a better understanding of respiratory viral epidemiology.
[Changes of the concentration of serum ischemia modified albumin and high sensitivity C-reactive protein in type 2 diabetic patients with retinopathy].

OBJECTIVE To explore the changes of the concentration of serum ischemia modified albumin (IMA) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in type 2 diabetic patients with retinopathy (DR). METHODS The concentration of serum IMA and hs-CRP in DR patients were determined by ELISA and rate nephelometry and compared with those in 83 no-DR (NDR) patients and 72 controls. The concentration of serum IMA and hs-CRP in 40 proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) patients were compared with those in 39 no-PDR (NPDR) patients. Data was evaluated using analysis of PPMS version 1.5. Results are expressed as means + or - standard deviation of the mean. Statistical comparisons were performed by student's t-test or one-way analysis of variance followed by Dunnett's multiple comparison test and the means compared each other using q test. RESULTS The serum IMA and hs-CRP concentration in DR patients were (46.51 + or - 13.29) microg/L, (4.27 + or - 2.24) mg/L. The serum IMA and hs-CRP concentration in NDR patients were (25.47 + or - 9.33) microg/L, (2.96 + or - 1.84) mg/L. The serum IMA and hs-CRP concentration in controls were (15.36 + or - 4.27) microg/L, (1.86 + or - 0.97) mg/L. The serum IMA and hs-CRP concentration in PDR patients were (54.72 + or - 15.61) microg/L, (6.34 + or - 3.53) mg/L. The serum IMA and hs-CRP concentration in NPDR patients were (38.35 + or - 11.27) microg/L, (3.28 + or - 1.77) mg/L. The serum IMA and hs-CRP concentration were significantly higher in DR patients than those in controls and NDR patients, the serum IMA and hs-CRP concentration in NDR patients were significantly higher than those in controls (F = 197.124, 34.561;q = 5.41-27.34; P < 0.01); the serum IMA and hs-CRP concentration were significantly higher in PDR patients than those in NPDR patients (t = 5.46, 4.89; P < 0.01); there was significant positive correlation between serum IMA concentration and hs-CRP concentration in DR patients (r = 0.617, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION The serum IMA and hs-CRP concentration were significantly high in DR patients, and were positively associated with the seriousness of DR, which may contribute to the development of DR.
Efficacy of Daptomycin in Implant-Associated Infection Due to Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Importance of Combination with Rifampin

ABSTRACT Limited treatment options are available for implant-associated infections caused by methicillin (meticillin)-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). We compared the activity of daptomycin (alone and with rifampin [rifampicin]) with the activities of other antimicrobial regimens against MRSA ATCC 43300 in the guinea pig foreign-body infection model. The daptomycin MIC and the minimum bactericidal concentration in logarithmic phase and stationary growth phase of MRSA were 0.625, 0.625, and 20 μg/ml, respectively. In time-kill studies, daptomycin showed rapid and concentration-dependent killing of MRSA in stationary growth phase. At concentrations above 20 μg/ml, daptomycin reduced the counts by >3 log10 CFU/ml in 2 to 4 h. In sterile cage fluid, daptomycin peak concentrations of 23.1, 46.3, and 53.7 μg/ml were reached 4 to 6 h after the administration of single intraperitoneal doses of 20, 30, and 40 mg/kg of body weight, respectively. In treatment studies, daptomycin alone reduced the planktonic MRSA counts by 0.3 log10 CFU/ml, whereas in combination with rifampin, a reduction in the counts of >6 log10 CFU/ml was observed. Vancomycin and daptomycin (at both doses) were unable to cure any cage-associated infection when they were given as monotherapy, whereas rifampin alone cured the infections in 33% of the cages. In combination with rifampin, daptomycin showed cure rates of 25% (at 20 mg/kg) and 67% (at 30 mg/kg), vancomycin showed a cure rate of 8%, linezolid showed a cure rate of 0%, and levofloxacin showed a cure rate of 58%. In addition, daptomycin at a high dose (30 mg/kg) completely prevented the emergence of rifampin resistance in planktonic and adherent MRSA cells. Daptomycin at a high dose, corresponding to 6 mg/kg in humans, in combination with rifampin showed the highest activity against planktonic and adherent MRSA. Daptomycin plus rifampin is a promising treatment option for implant-associated MRSA infections.
A robotic system for researching social integration in honeybees

In this paper, we present a novel robotic system developed for researching collective social mechanisms in a biohybrid society of robots and honeybees. The potential for distributed coordination, as observed in nature in many different animal species, has caused an increased interest in collective behaviour research in recent years because of its applicability to a broad spectrum of technical systems requiring robust multi-agent control. One of the main problems is understanding the mechanisms driving the emergence of collective behaviour of social animals. With the aim of deepening the knowledge in this field, we have designed a multi-robot system capable of interacting with honeybees within an experimental arena. The final product, stationary autonomous robot units, designed by specificaly considering the physical, sensorimotor and behavioral characteristics of the honeybees (lat. Apis mallifera), are equipped with sensing, actuating, computation, and communication capabilities that enable the measurement of relevant environmental states, such as honeybee presence, and adequate response to the measurements by generating heat, vibration and airflow. The coordination among robots in the developed system is established using distributed controllers. The cooperation between the two different types of collective systems is realized by means of a consensus algorithm, enabling the honeybees and the robots to achieve a common objective. Presented results, obtained within ASSISIbf project, show successful cooperation indicating its potential for future applications.
Prostate gland biopsies and prostatectomies: an Ontario community hospital experience.

OBJECTIVE Transrectal ultrasound-guided core biopsies of the prostate gland and prostatectomies have become common procedures at many community hospitals in Canada, especially in the era of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer. The Gleason grading of prostate cancer in biopsies and prostatectomies is a major determinant used for treatment planning. There is evidence in the literature that suggests important discordance between community hospital pathologists and urological pathologists with respect to the Gleason grading of prostate cancer. Our objective was to determine the diagnostic rates and Gleason scoring patterns for prostate gland biopsies and prostatectomies at our institution compared with the literature. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of all prostate gland biopsies and prostatectomies performed at the Grey Bruce Health Services from January 2005 to September 2005. We collected data from 194 biopsies and 44 prostatectomies. We obtained prebiopsy serum PSA levels and digital rectal exam results for all patients from urologists' office records. RESULTS The average age for men having biopsies was 65.8 (standard deviation [SD] 8.6) years, and the average prebiopsy serum PSA level was 8.7 (median 7.1, SD 6.2) mug/L. The rates of diagnosis from prostate gland biopsies of benign (17.6%), high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (11.0%), atypical small acinar proliferation suspicious for invasive malignancy (13.2%) and invasive prostatic adenocarcinoma (58.2%) at our institution were significantly different than those reported in the literature (p < 0.001). We observed a significant variation in the rates of these diagnoses among the community hospital pathologists in our study (p = 0.004). There was a strong correlation between the increasing number of positive core biopsy sites and increasing Gleason scores in biopsies (p < 0.001). There was also a strong correlation between increasing pre-biopsy serum PSA levels and increasing Gleason scores in biopsies (p < 0.001). A substantial proportion (21.9%) of the biopsies given the Gleason score of 6 had a Gleason score of 7 in the prostatectomy specimen. CONCLUSION Our results showed a significant difference in prostate gland biopsy categorical diagnoses compared with the literature. There were also significant differences in categorical diagnoses of prostate gland biopsies among the community hospital pathologists in our study. The data identify a strong positive correlation between the increasing number of positive core biopsy sites and increasing Gleason scores in biopsies, as well as a strong positive correlation between increasing prebiopsy serum PSA levels and increasing Gleason scores in biopsies that revealed cancer. We would encourage other community hospital pathologists, in collaboration with their urologists, to review periodically their prostate gland pathology practices in an attempt to improve the uniformity of diagnoses.