Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alignment deviation between bone resection and final implant positioning in computer-navigated total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND Computer-navigated total knee arthroplasty is aimed at improving accuracy in the positioning of prosthetic components and realigning the lower limb. The optimal position and orientation of the bone resection planes are targeted by the navigation system, but, after these are obtained, additional manual surgical actions, which may considerably affect final component alignment, are necessary for implantation. The aim of this study was to measure the alignment deviation caused by standard impaction of the tibial and femoral components following bone resections with use of navigation control. METHODS Ninety-one primary total knee arthroplasties were performed with an image-free knee navigation system. The alignment of the tibial and femoral bone resections was measured in three planes during surgery by the instrumented probe of the system. The alignment measure was repeated after final tibial and femoral component implantation with cement. The alignment deviations between the two measures were considered the positioning error associated with the final manual implantation of the components. RESULTS The alignment deviations between the bone resections and the subsequent implant placement were >1 degrees in the frontal plane of the femur and in the frontal and sagittal planes of the tibia in 20%, 11%, and 33% of the patients, respectively. The deviations were >2 degrees in 4%, 3%, and 9% of the patients, respectively. Deviations as large as 3 degrees were found at the tibia in the sagittal plane (the posterior slope). CONCLUSIONS Positioning of the femoral and tibial components in total knee arthroplasty, which mainly involves cementation and impaction of the final components, can introduce a considerable error in alignment, regardless of how accurately the resection planes are made. After computer-navigated total knee arthroplasty, it would be useful therefore to check the alignment of the prosthetic component carefully before the cement hardens.
Modulation of murine gastric antrum smooth muscle STOC activity and excitability by phospholamban

We investigated intracellular Ca2+ waves, spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs), and membrane potentials of gastric antrum smooth muscle cells from wild‐type and phospholamban‐knockout mice. The NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) increased intracellular Ca2+ wave activity in wild‐type antrum smooth muscle cells, but had no effect on the constitutively elevated intracellular Ca2+ wave activity of phospholamban‐knockout cells. STOC activity was also constitutively elevated in phospholamban‐knockout antrum smooth muscle cells relative to wild‐type cells. SNP or 8‐bromo‐cGMP increased the STOC activity of wild‐type antrum smooth muscle cells, but had no effect on STOC activity of phospholamban‐knockout cells. Iberiotoxin, but not apamin, inhibited STOC activity in wild‐type and phospholamban‐knockout antrum smooth muscle cells. In the presence of SNP, STOC activity in wild‐type and phospholamban‐knockout antrum smooth muscle cells was inhibited by ryanodine, but not 2‐APB. The cGMP‐dependent protein kinase inhibitor KT5823 reversed the increase in STOC activity evoked by SNP in wild‐type antrum smooth muscle cells, but had no effect on STOC activity in phospholamban‐knockout cells. The resting membrane potential of phospholamban‐knockout antrum smooth muscle cells was hyperpolarized by approximately −6 mV compared to wild‐type cells. SNP hyperpolarized the resting membrane potential of wild‐type antrum smooth muscle cells to a greater extent than phospholamban‐knockout antrum smooth muscles. Despite the hyperpolarized membrane potential, slow wave activity was significantly increased in phospholamban‐knockout antrum smooth muscles compared to wild‐type smooth muscles. These results suggest that phospholamban is an important component of the mechanisms regulating the electrical properties of gastric antrum smooth muscles.
Asthma therapy modulates priming-associated blood eosinophil responsiveness in allergic asthmatics.

Eosinophils play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Several pro-inflammatory responses of eosinophils are primed in vivo in this disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether regular antiasthma treatment could modulate priming-sensitive cytotoxic mechanisms of human eosinophils. In a randomized, two-centre, double-blind parallel group study, the effect of 8 weeks of treatment with salmeterol xinafoate 50 microg b.i. d. , beclomethasone dipropionate 400 microg b.i. d. or both on pulmonary function and the activation of priming-sensitive cytotoxic mechanisms of eosinophils, i.e. degranulation of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in serum, and activation of isolated eosinophils in the context of induction of the respiratory burst and release of platelet-activating factor (PAF) were tested. These effects were evaluated in 40 allergic asthmatics before and 24 h after allergen inhalation challenge. Whereas baseline forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) improved in all treatment groups, only treatment with a combination of salmeterol and beclomethasone significantly inhibited the allergen-induced increase in serum ECP, and (primed/unprimed) PAF-release, suggesting inhibition of eosinophil priming after allergen challenge. In contrast to the combination therapy, monotherapy with beclomethasone had no influence on allergen-induced PAF-release, suggesting an additional anti-inflammatory effect of salmeterol during combination therapy. Monotherapy with beclomethasone inhibited the prechallenge serum-treated zymosan (STZ) (0.1 mg mL(-1))-induced respiratory burst and the allergen-induced increase in serum ECP levels, reflecting pre- and postchallenge anti-inflammatory effects. During monotherapy with salmeterol, an allergen-induced increase in serum ECP concentration and STZ (0.1 mg x mL(-1))-induced respiratory burst was observed, suggesting that treatment with salmeterol alone had no effect on priming-sensitive eosinophil cytotoxic mechanisms. In conclusion, this study shows that standard asthma therapy leads to inhibition of eosinophil priming of cytotoxic mechanisms in vivo.
Neurologic disorders are prevalent in HIV-positive outpatients in the Asia-Pacific region

Background: A total of 8.3 million HIV-positive people live in the Asia-Pacific region. The burden of HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment and symptomatic sensory neuropathy in this region is unknown. Methods: Between July 2005 and March 2006, we undertook a cross-sectional study at 10 sentinel sites within eight Asia-Pacific countries to determine the prevalence of moderate to severe HIV-related neurocognitive impairment and symptomatic sensory neuropathy. We clinically assessed and administered sensitive neuropsychological and peripheral neuropathy screening tools to 658 patients infected with HIV. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were applied to the data. Results: The results showed that 76 patients (11.7%) (95% CI 9.3–14.2) were significantly neurocognitively impaired, 235 patients (36.4%) (95% CI 32.7–40.2) were depressed, and 126 patients (19.7%) (95% CI 16.6–22.8) had either definite or probable symptomatic sensory neuropathy; 63% of this last group had exposure to stavudine, didanosine, or zalcitabine. Several potential confounders including depression (OR 1.49, 95% CI 0.88–2.51, p = 0.11) and prior CNS AIDS illness (OR 1.28, 95% CI 0.50–2.89, p = 0.54) were not significantly associated with neurocognitive impairment. Conclusions: A total of 12% of patients had moderate to severe HIV-related neurocognitive impairment, 20% of patients had symptomatic sensory neuropathy, and 36% of patients had evidence of depression. This study provides a broad regional estimate of the burden of HIV-related neurologic disease and depression in the Asia-Pacific region.
Hepatitis B genotypes: relation to clinical outcome in patients with chronic hepatitis B in Saudi Arabia.

AIM To identify the most common hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype in Saudi Arabia, and correlate the prevailing genotypes with the clinical outcome of patients. METHODS Patients were consecutively recruited from the hepatology clinics of two tertiary care referral centers. Patients were categorized into 4 different groups: group 1, patients with hepatitis B and normal liver enzymes; group 2, patients with hepatitis B and abnormal liver enzymes but without cirrhosis; group 3, patients with hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis; group 4, patients with hepatitis B and hepatocellular carcinoma. All patients had a positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Genotyping of HBV was performed by nested PCR-mediated amplification of the target sequence and hybridization with sequence-specific oligonucleotides. RESULTS Seventy patients were enrolled in this study. They were predominantly male (72.9%) in their mid-forty's (mean age 47 years). Forty-nine (70%) patients were hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) negative. The majority of patients (64%) acquired HBV through unknown risk factors. Hepatitis B genotyping revealed that 57 patients (81.4%) were genotype D, 1 patient (1.4%) had genotype A, 1 patient (1.4%) had genotype C, and 4 patients (5.7%) had genotype E, while 7 patients (10%) had mixed genotype (4 patients ADG, 1 patient DE, 1 patient DF, and 1 patient ADFG). Based on univariate analysis of genotype D patients, significant predictors of advanced liver disease were age, gender, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, albumin, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase (all P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis decreased hemoglobin (r = -0.05; 95% CI: -0.08 to -0.03; P = 0.001) and albumin levels (r = -0.004; 95% CI: -0.007 to -0.001; P = 0.002) were highly significant predictors of advanced liver disease. In patients with HBV genotype D, HBeAg negativity was found to increase across advancing stages of liver disease (P = 0.024). CONCLUSION This study highlights that the vast majority of Saudi patients with chronic hepatitis B have genotype D. No correlation could be observed between the different genotypes and epidemiological or clinical factors. The relationship between genotype D and HBeAg status in terms of disease severity needs to be further elucidated in larger longitudinal studies.
Predictive value of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β concentrations on outcome of full term infants with hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy

AIM To determine the predictive value of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) concentrations on the outcome of hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) in full term infants. METHODS Thirty term infants with HIE were included in the study. HIE was classified according to the criteria of Sarnat and Sarnat. Blood and CSF were obtained within the first 24 hours of life and stored until assay. Five infants died soon after hypoxic insult. Neurological examinations and Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST) were performed at 12 months in the survivors. RESULTS At the age of 12 months neurological examination and DDST showed that 11 infants were normal; 14 had abnormal neurological findings and/or an abnormal DDST result. Eleven normal infants were classified as group 1 and 19 infants (14 with abnormal neurological findings and/or an abnormal DDST and five who died) as group 2. CSF IL-1β and TNF-α concentrations in group 2 were significantly higher than those in group 1. Plasma IL-1β and TNF-α concentrations were not significantly different between the two groups. IL-1β, but not TNF-α concentrations, in group 2 were even higher than those in group 1, although non-survivors were excluded from group 2. When the patients were evaluated according to the stages of Sarnat, the difference in the three groups was again significant. Patients whose CSF samples were taken within 6 hours of the hypoxic insult had higher IL-1β and TNF-α concentrations than the patients whose samples were taken after 6 hours. CONCLUSIONS Both cytokines probably contribute to the damage sustained by the central nervous system after hypoxic insult. IL-1β seems to be a better predictor of HIE than TNF-α.
Retrospective evaluation of pimobendan and sildenafil therapy for severe pulmonary hypertension due to lung disease and hypoxia in 28 dogs (2007–2013)

Abstract Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is the persistent abnormal increase in pulmonary artery (PA) pressure and in dogs is usually secondary to congenital disease causing pulmonary over circulation, chronic respiratory disease and elevated left atrial pressure. Sildenafil (SF) is a phosphodiesterase (PDE) V inhibitor that causes pulmonary artery (PA) vasodilation by increasing pulmonary vascular concentrations of cyclic guanosine monophosphate which subsequently increases the activity of endogenous nitric oxide. Pimobendan (PB) is a PDE III inhibitor with calcium sensitizing effects thereby exerting positive inotropy and vasodilation. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the long‐term survival of dogs with severe PH treated with SF and PB compared to SF alone. The use of PB in combination with SF did not result in a statistically significant increase in survival times in dogs with pulmonary hypertension secondary to chronic respiratory disease compared to SF alone.
Role of Advanced Glycation End Products and Its Receptors in the Pathogenesis of Cigarette Smoke-Induced Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract The interaction of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) with its cell-bound receptor RAGE increases gene expression and release of proinflammatory cytokines and increase generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Circulating receptors, soluble RAGE (sRAGE), and endosecretory RAGE (esRAGE) by binding with RAGE ligands have protective effects against AGE–RAGE interaction. Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for coronary artery disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. This article reviews; if the AGE–RAGE axis is involved in the cigarette smoke-induced cardiovascular diseases. There are various sources of AGEs in smokers including, gas/tar of cigarette, activation of macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, uncoupling of endothelial isoform of nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and xanthine oxidase. The levels of AGEs are elevated in smokers. Serum levels of sRAGE have been reported to be reduced, elevated, or unchanged in smokers. Mostly the levels are reduced. There is one article which shows an elevation of levels of sRAGE in smokers. Serum levels of esRAGE are unaltered in smokers. Mechanism of AGE–RAGE-induced atherosclerosis has been discussed. Atherosclerosis leads to the cardiovascular diseases. It has been suggested that ratio of AGE/sRAGE or AGE/esRAGE is useful in determining the deleterious effects of AGE–RAGE interaction in smokers. sRAGE alone is not a good marker for smoke-induced cardiovascular disease. In conclusion cigarette smoke induces formation of AGEs and reduces sRAGE resulting in the development of atherosclerosis and related coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. Ratio of AGEs/sRAGE is a better marker for cardiovascular disease than AGEs or sRAGE alone in smokers.
Effect of two kinds of Er:YAG laser systems on root surface in comparison to ultrasonic scaling: an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the capacity of Er:YAG laser application to eliminate calculus from periodontally affected root surfaces compared with ultrasonic scaling (US), as well as the possible root damage incurred from both types of instrumentation. BACKGROUND DATA The benefits of the use of the Er:YAG laser as a coadjuvant to conventional periodontal therapy have not yet been determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty human molars extracted due to advanced periodontal disease were used. A piezoelectric ultrasonic scaling (US) (Piezon Master EMS) at 28,500 Hz was performed in the right area of the root. Two kinds of Er:YAG lasers, KaVo Key II Laser at 120-140 mJ and KaVo Key III Plus Laser equipped with a fluorescence-controlled feedback system applied at 160 mJ with and without fluorescence feedback control, were used in the left area. The amount of residual calculus and the number and diameter of exposed dentinal tubules were calculated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS No differences were identified as to the amount of residual calculus between the four different laser treatments and US. The number of exposed dentinal tubules was higher as the output energies were increased for the laser treatments without feedback control, with a moderate increase in the mean diameter of the exposed dentinal tubules. Hardly any dentinal tubule exposure was observed as a result of treatment with feedback control. CONCLUSIONS The capacity of the Er:YAG laser to remove calculus is comparable to US. Laser prototypes with feedback control allow a selective removal of calculus without any modification of the root surface.
The Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Depressed Adolescents: A measure to predict the course of depression in depressed youth

Objective: Self-efficacy can be conceptualised as a person’s perception of their own ability to produce a desired outcome. Low self-efficacy has been reported to be a mediating variable in developing depression. The Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Depressed Adolescents (SEQ-DA) is a 12-item inventory, designed to measure self-perceived ability of the young person to cope with depressive symptoms. This paper presents further information on the psychometric properties of the SEQ-DA in a clinical sample of depressed adolescents. Method: The SEQ-DA was administered to a clinical sample of 130 adolescents with a depressive disorder at baseline, at the end of 3 months of therapy and 6 months following therapy. A diagnosis of depression was made using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Aged Children. The ability of the SEQ-DA to identify those adolescents who had a diagnosis of major depressive disorder at baseline, following treatment and at 6-month follow-up was evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of the SEQ-DA in this clinical sample of depressed adolescents was undertaken to establish cut-off scores of the SEQ-DA. Results: The SEQ-DA score at baseline of < 36 and following treatment of < 43 were predictive of a depressive disorder. Conclusions: The SEQ-DA is a very simple self-report measure that can be used to predict which adolescents treated for depression are likely to remain depressed, thus prompting more intensive treatment and follow-up.
Two is More Valid Than One: Examining the Factor Structure of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS)

The Self-Compassion Scale (SCS; Neff, 2003a) is the most widely used measure of self-compassion. Self-compassion, as measured by the SCS, is robustly linked to psychological health (Macbeth & Gumley, 2012; Zessin, Dickhaüser, & Garbade, 2015). The SCS is currently understood as exhibiting a higher-order structure comprised of 6 first-order factors and 1 second-order general self-compassion factor. Recently, some researchers have questioned the internal validity of this 1-factor conceptualization, and posit that the SCS may instead be comprised of 2 general factors—self-compassion and self-coldness. The current paper provides an in-depth examination of the internal structure of the SCS using oblique, higher-order, and bifactor structural models in a sample of 1,115 college students. The bifactor model comprised of 2 general factors—self-compassion and self-coldness—and 6 specific factors demonstrated the best fit to the data. Results also indicated the Self-Coldness factor accounted for unique variance in depression, anxiety, and stress, whereas the Self-Compassion factor only accounted for unique variance in its association with depression, providing further evidence for the presence of 2 distinct factors. Results did not provide support for the 1-factor composition of self-compassion currently used in research. Implications for using, scoring, and interpreting the SCS are discussed.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Biotinyl Hydrazone Derivatives of Muramyl Peptides

Muramyl peptides derived from bacterial peptidoglycan have long been known for their ability to trigger host innate immune responses, including inflammation and antimicrobial defense. Muramyl peptides have also been widely studied for their role as immune adjuvants. In mammals, the nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain (Nod) proteins Nod1 and Nod2 detect distinct muramyl peptide structures and mediate their biological activity. Because of the poor immunogenicity of these small peptidoglycan derivatives, research in this field is currently limited by the lack of reagents to track or immobilize specific muramyl peptides. We present here the generation and initial biological characterization of synthetic muramyl peptides covalently coupled to dansyl or biotinyl derivatives and demonstrate that biotinyl coupling on the muramyl moiety results in derivatives that can be tracked by immunofluorescence and maintain full biological activity, as observed by their capacity to trigger Nod signaling. Moreover, using digitonin‐mediated permeabilization techniques on live cells, we also demonstrate that biotinylated muramyl peptides efficiently reach the host cytosol, where they activate Nod signaling. Therefore, these derivatives represent useful probes to study the cell biology and the biochemistry of host responses to muramyl peptides.
Telephone-based mutual peer support for depression: a pilot study

Objectives: To evaluate the acceptability, feasibility and depression-related outcomes of a telephone-based mutual peer support intervention for individuals with continued depressive symptoms in specialty mental health treatment. Methods: Participants were depressed patients with continued symptoms or functional impairment treated at one of the three outpatient mental health clinics. Participants were partnered with another patient, provided with basic communication skills training, and asked to call their partner at least once a week using a telephone platform that recorded call initiation, frequency and duration. Depression symptoms, quality of life, disability, self-efficacy, overall mental and physical health and qualitative feedback were collected at enrolment, 6 weeks and 12 weeks. Results: Fifty-four participants enroled in the 12-week intervention and 32 participants (59.3%) completed the intervention. Participants completing the study averaged 10.3 calls, with a mean call length of 26.8 min. The mean change in BDI-II score from baseline to study completion was -4.2 (95% CI: -7.6, -0.8; p<0.02). Measures of disability, quality of life and psychological health also improved. Qualitative assessments indicated that participants found meaning and support through interactions with their partners. Discussion: Telephone-based mutual peer support is a feasible and acceptable adjunct to specialty depression care. Larger trials are needed to determine efficacy and effectiveness of this intervention.