Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Telemedical wound care using a new generation of mobile telephones: a feasibility study.

BACKGROUND Leg ulcers are an important cost factor in health care systems. It has been shown that a telemedical wound care consultation can improve quality of care and help reduce costs. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of telemedical wound care using a new generation of mobile telephones with integrated cameras. OBSERVATIONS Three physicians separately evaluated 61 leg ulcers for the following 9 variables: epithelialization, fibrin, necrosis, and granulation tissue at the center and normal border, erythema, cyanosis, eczema, and hyperpigmentation at the periphery. One physician performed the face-to-face consultation (gold standard), and 2 others performed the remote evaluation. The image was obtained with the mobile telephone and immediately sent via e-mail. To measure the agreement of the evaluation among the 3 physicians, we used Cohen kappa statistics. Overall, the agreement between the remote and face-to-face evaluations was very good, with kappa values of up to 0.94 The image quality was judged to be good in 36 cases (59%) and very good in 12 (20%). The participants felt comfortable making a diagnosis based on the pictures in 50 cases (82%). CONCLUSION Although this study was performed with the first generation of these devices, we were able to demonstrate the feasibility of such a telemedical wound care consultation.
Pathology of CAG repeat diseases

Neuronal intranuclear inclusions have become the neuropathological signature of the CAG repeat diseases, although their cytotoxicity is a matter of controversy. It has been demonstrated that the inclusions in dentatorubral–pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) and Machado–Joseph disease (MJD) were immunopositive for several transcription factors such as TATA‐binding protein (TBP), TBP‐associated factor (TAFII130), Sp1, cAMP‐responsive element‐binding protein (CREB) and CREB‐binding protein, suggesting that neuronal degeneration in polyglutamine diseases may result from nuclear depletion of transcription factors containing the glutamine‐rich domain. It was also revealed that, in the DRPLA brain, expanded polyglutamine stretches were diffusely accumulated in neuronal nucleoplasm. This nuclear pathology involved many neurons in various nervous system regions, such as the cerebral cortex, thalamus, substantia nigra, pontine nuclei, reticular formation and inferior olive, in addition to the previously recognized affected regions. The diffuse nuclear labeling was also detected in MJD, Huntington's disease, and spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, suggesting that this nuclear pathology may be a characteristic feature and may exert certain influence on certain nuclear functions of many neurons in the CAG repeat diseases.
Statistical methods for relating strength properties of dimensional lumber

We present a novel approach for predicting one lumber strength property from another, each being measured destructively. The objective is to reduce the cost of lumber monitoring programs, by measuring one of the properties and predicting the other. To reach the objective, we review single proof load design (SPLD) proposed to assess dependence between two jointly normally distributed random variables X and Y that cannot be observed simultaneously. The SPLD tests specimens in one mode X up to a determined load (proof loading), and the survivors are tested to failure in a second mode Y . To resolve the near non– identifiability of parameters in the SPLD approach, we construct a penalty function based on a Bayesian power prior to regularize the parameters. Simulation studies of the penalized approach suggest redesigning the SPLD for improving the estimation performance. The new design, a rediscovery, assigns specimens to one of the two groups: SPLD and shoulder. The shoulder group tests specimens to failure in the Y mode. The SPLD with a shoulder approach results in a more accurate and precise estimate. To quantify damage caused by proof loading lumber specimens, we use the maximum likelihood method to estimate theoretical quantiles of the strength distribution using a sample from a SPLD with a shoulder experiment with a low proof load level. The comparison between those estimated theoretical quantiles and empirical quantiles of the proof load survivors reveals the damage at higher proof load levels. Using our experimental data on manufactured lumber, we find low and high proof load levels leave survivors undamaged, but intermediate load levels do damage weaker survivors. We generalize the SPLD with a shoulder approach to incorporate proof load damage, and thus finally provide a method for estimating the X − Y
Modification of resonance poles of a conducting target by a dielectric coating

In resonance domain, the radar scattering response of any object can be modelled by natural poles of resonance with the formalism of the Singularity Expansion Method. The mapping of these poles in the complex plane, gives useful information for the discrimination of radar targets, as the general shape, the characteristic dimension and the constitution of the target. In this paper, we propose to study the effect on the resonance poles of a dielectric coating on a conducting target. For that, we present results of mapping of poles as a function of the thickness and the permittivity of the coating.
Development of a micro-manipulation system having a two-fingered micro-hand

A dexterous micro-manipulation system has been developed for applications in assembling micro-machines, manipulating biological cells, and performing micro-surgery. We have proposed a micro-hand having two fingers, a prototype of which has been designed and built using parallel mechanisms. We discuss the structure of our micro-hand and its operation system. The structure of the two-fingered micro-hand is strongly related to its effective workspace. The design of the micro-hand has been influenced by consideration of the usage of chopsticks. A calibration method based on least-square error is proposed for three degrees of freedom (DOF) translational motion in task coordinates fixed under a microscope. Development of a useful operational device to control the micro-hand is important for achieving dexterous micro-manipulation. A force feedback system would be ideal for such manipulation. In the case of micro-manipulation, though, a sensor with high resolution and multiple sensing axes is needed. There is no sensor meeting this demand currently. In order to achieve micro-manipulation without the force feedback system, an operational system which can be controlled with natural operational feeling like manipulation of actual human hand, is important. We have developed an operational device which is controlled by one hand. The forefinger and thumb are used to manipulate microscopic objects in tele-operation. However, due to kinematic dissimilarity between the master and the micro-hand, the motion of the fingers cannot be directly used as operational signals to move the micro-hand. We have therefore developed an operational strategy which compensates for this dissimilarity, thus providing for easy manipulation.
Care of older people with dementia in an acute hospital setting.

AIM To investigate the experiences of patients and nursing staff in relation to the care delivered to, and received by, older people with dementia in an acute hospital setting. METHOD An ethnographic approach was used. Data were collected thorough observation and interviews involving patients and nursing staff. FINDINGS Care for older people with dementia in acute hospital settings is not always satisfactory. Generally, people with dementia find the delivery of care and the experience of being in hospital distressing. Nurses strive to provide optimum care, but this is not always achievable. Sub-optimal care can be explained by considering the effect of empathy and Bourdieu's theory of practice. CONCLUSION There is a need to improve current practice when caring for older people with dementia. Approaches to education and practice development need to engage nurses in both cognitive and affective domains, so that nurses gain knowledge and an understanding of patients' feelings and experiences.
Health Policy Perception and Health Behaviours: A Multilevel Analysis and Implications for Public Health Psychology

Associations of health policy perception with health behaviours are analysed. Policy perception is differentiated in information about programmes and appraisal of health policy’s contribution to policy goals, and conceptualized on the level of: (1) individuals; and (2) populations (as a social climate indicator). Survey data from the Biomed2-Project MAREPS gathered in Belgium, Finland, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland (N= 3343) show that at the individual level, only policy information is associated with utilizing mammography, quitting smoking, physical activity and political participation in creating healthy environments. In contrast, multilevel regression analyses show that policy appraisal is related to physical activity and political participation as a social climate factor. Implications for integrating health psychology and public health within public health psychology are discussed.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Moderate COPD (GOLD 2) –Does it Have an Effect?

Background: Although pulmonary rehabilitation is an integrated part of standard care in patients with severe COPD, it is uncertain whether those with less severe COPD benefit from such treatment. The aim of the present survey was to evaluate the effect of rehabilitation in patients with moderate COPD and to determine their willingness to participate in rehabilitation. Material and methods: In a single-centre, randomized, placebo-controlled, unblinded clinical trial, participants comprised 61 of 133 referred subjects with moderate COPD. Of the 61 participants, 35 were randomized to receive rehabilitation and 26 subjects to receive standard COPD care from their GP. After randomization 19 subjects dropped out. Results: Effects of physical training were seen during the period of intervention. Compared with those receiving standard GP care, those receiving rehabilitation showed improvements in walking distance and leg strength as well as improvements in quality of life; however, the effect was temporary, and at 18 months’ follow-up there was no significant difference between the groups. Only 61 subjects of the referred group of 133 with moderate COPD accepted the offer of rehabilitation. Conclusion: Although an effect was found of pulmonary rehabilitation in subjects with moderate COPD, it disappeared over 18 months. Only a minority of patients with moderate COPD referred for rehabilitation accepted and completed the treatment offer.
STABILITY OF SOLUTIONS FOR SOME INVERSE PROBLEMS

In this article we establish three stability results for some inverse problems. More precisely we consider the following boundary value problem: ∆u + λu + μ = 0 in Ω, u = 0 on ∂Ω, where λ and μ are real constants and Ω ⊂ R2 is a smooth bounded simply-connected open set. The inverse problem consists in the identification of λ and μ from knowledge of the normal flux ∂u/∂ν on ∂Ω corresponding to some nontrivial solution.
Delay discounting in current and never-before cigarette smokers: similarities and differences across commodity, sign, and magnitude.

Research has found that nicotine-dependent individuals delay discount monetary gains at a higher rate than matched controls. Delay discount rates, however, have also been found to vary across within-subject variables such as the magnitude of the outcome (e.g., 10 dollars or 1,000 dollars), whether the outcome constitutes a gain or a loss, and the commodity being evaluated (e.g., money or health). The present study comprehensively investigated the differences in delay discounting between current and never-before cigarette smokers and across these within-subject variables. Both groups exhibited a magnitude, sign, and commodity effect. Current smokers' delay discount rates for monetary outcomes, however, were higher than never-before smokers across all magnitudes and both signs. This trend was also found for delayed health outcomes, but failed to reach significance.
Ascorbic Acid Enhances Ferritin mRNA Translation by an IRP/Aconitase Switch (*)

Replenishment of ascorbate in cultured cells, which are almost uniformly vitamin-deficient, increases ferritin mRNA translation in response to iron by 20-fold (Toth, I., Rogers, J. T., McPhee, J. A., Elliott, S. M., Abramson, S. L., and Bridges, K. R.(1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 2846-2852). We now demonstrate that ascorbate increases cytosolic aconitase activity. The iron-responsive element-binding protein (IRP-1) exists in three states: bound to mRNA without aconitase activity, free in the cytosol without aconitase activity, and free in the cytosol with aconitase activity. Ascorbate converts free IRP-1 to the enzymatically active form. Enhanced ferritin synthesis with subsequent iron stimulation is due to the altered equilibrium of the free IRP-1. The cellular biology of iron is closely intertwined with that of ascorbate.
Contrasting effects of midazolam on induction of heat shock protein 27 by vasopressin and heat in aortic smooth muscle cells

We previously showed that vasopressin stimulates the induction of heat shock protein (HSP) 27, a low molecular‐weight HSP, through protein kinase C activation in aortic smooth muscle A10 cells. In the present study, we examined the effects of midazolam, an intravenous anesthetic, on the HSP27 induction stimulated by vasopressin, heat, or sodium arsenite (arsenite) in A10 cells. Midazolam inhibited the accumulation of HSP27 induced by vasopressin or 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol 13‐acetate (TPA), a direct activator of protein kinase C. Midazolam also reduced the vasopressin‐induced level of the mRNA for HSP27. In contrast, midazolam enhanced the HSP27‐accumulation induced by heat or arsenite. Midazolam also enhanced the heat‐increased level of the mRNA for HSP27. However, midazolam had no effect on the dissociation of the aggregated form of HSP27 following stimulation by vasopressin, heat, or arsenite. These results suggest that midazolam suppresses vasopressin‐stimulated HSP27 induction in vascular smooth muscle cells, and that this inhibitory effect is exerted at a point downstream from protein kinase C. In contrast, midazolam enhanced heat‐ or arsenite‐stimulated HSP27 induction. Thus, midazolam has dual effects on the HSP27 induction stimulated by various stresses in vascular smooth muscle cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 84: 39–46, 2002. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Circle of Willis at CT angiography: dose reduction and image quality--reducing tube voltage and increasing tube current settings.

PURPOSE To prospectively assess the effects of lower tube voltage and various effective tube currents on image quality for computed tomographic (CT) angiography of the circle of Willis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Institutional review board approval was obtained. Patients or family provided written informed consent. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) were determined in a head phantom for various effective tube currents with tube voltages of 90, 120, and 140 kVp. Patients were referred for CT angiography because of acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (n = 20) or family history of cerebral aneurysms (n = 20). In each group, 10 patients were scanned with 120 kVp and 200 mAs(eff) and 10 were scanned with 90 kVp and 330 mAs(eff) (CT dose index volumes, 27.2 mGy and 20.6 mGy, respectively). CT numbers were measured in the internal carotid artery at the T junction and compared with a t test. Two radiologists used a five-point scale to subjectively score arterial enhancement, depiction of small arterial detail, image noise, venous contamination, and interference of subarachnoid blood. Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS In the phantom, SNR(2) was proportional to effective tube current and CT dose index volume. With an identical effective tube current, SNR(2) was lower at 90 kVp than at 120 or 140 kVp. With identical CT dose index volume, tube voltage of 90 kVp resulted in a 45%-52% increase of SNR(2) compared with SNR(2) at 120 kVp. In patients, mean attenuation in the internal carotid artery T junction was higher with 90 kVp (340 HU) than with 120 kVp (252 HU, P < .001). Although dose at 90 kVp was 30% lower than dose at 120 kVp, scores for arterial enhancement and depiction of small arterial detail were higher at 90 kVp than at 120 kVp (4.0 vs 3.2 and 3.6 vs 3.1, respectively; P < .005). CONCLUSION In head phantoms, lower tube voltage improved SNR at equal radiation doses. For CT angiography of the circle of Willis, this translated into superior image quality at 90 kVp.
Health profile of young adults born preterm: negative effects of rapid weight gain in early life.

INTRODUCTION Early postnatal weight gain is associated with determinants of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) in adults born term. We aimed to investigate the association of weight gain during different periods, and weight trajectories in early life after preterm birth, with determinants of CVD and DM2 in early adulthood. METHODS Associations of first-year growth and tempo of weight gain with determinants of CVD and DM2 in 162 young adults (18-24 yr) born preterm (gestational age <36 wk) were determined and compared with data of young adults born term (n = 217). RESULTS Gain in weight for length in the period from preterm birth up to term age, and in the first 3 months after term age, was positively associated with body fat percentage and waist circumference at 21 yr. Gain in weight for length in the first 3 months after term age was also positively associated with total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in early adulthood. Subjects with the highest gain in weight from birth to term age (highest quartile) had significantly higher body fat percentage, waist circumference, acute insulin response, and disposition index in early adulthood than the subgroups with moderate and low gain in weight. Rapid catch-up in weight during the first 3 months after term age resulted in a higher fat percentage, waist circumference, and serum triglycerides level than slower catch-up in weight. CONCLUSION Accelerated neonatal gain in weight relative to length after preterm birth (immediately after birth and during the first 3 months after term age) is associated with determinants of CVD in early adulthood and should therefore be avoided.
Clinical analysis of primary duodenal adenocarcinoma: An 11‐year experience

Background and Aim: The impact of obstructive jaundice (OJ) complicated by primary duodenal adenocarcinoma (PDA) on survival, and its treatment options, has rarely been mentioned in literature. The aim of the present study was to review the clinical features of PDA patients in an attempt to determine the prognostic factors and the influence of OJ on survival.
WRKY Transcription Factors Phosphorylated by MAPK Regulate a Plant Immune NADPH Oxidase in Nicotiana benthamiana[OPEN]

Phosphorylation of WRKYs by MAPK regulates an NADPH oxidase, demonstrating that the MAPK-WRKY pathway is required for the ROS burst in effector-triggered immunity via upregulation of RBOHB. Pathogen attack sequentially confers pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity (ETI) after sensing of pathogen patterns and effectors by plant immune receptors, respectively. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play pivotal roles in PTI and ETI as signaling molecules. Nicotiana benthamiana RBOHB, an NADPH oxidase, is responsible for both the transient PTI ROS burst and the robust ETI ROS burst. Here, we show that RBOHB transactivation mediated by MAPK contributes to R3a/AVR3a-triggered ETI (AVR3a-ETI) ROS burst. RBOHB is markedly induced during the ETI and INF1-triggered PTI (INF1-PTI), but not flg22-tiggered PTI (flg22-PTI). We found that the RBOHB promoter contains a functional W-box in the R3a/AVR3a and INF1 signal-responsive cis-element. Ectopic expression of four phospho-mimicking mutants of WRKY transcription factors, which are MAPK substrates, induced RBOHB, and yeast one-hybrid analysis indicated that these mutants bind to the cis-element. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays indicated direct binding of the WRKY to the cis-element in plants. Silencing of multiple WRKY genes compromised the upregulation of RBOHB, resulting in impairment of AVR3a-ETI and INF1-PTI ROS bursts, but not the flg22-PTI ROS burst. These results suggest that the MAPK-WRKY pathway is required for AVR3a-ETI and INF1-PTI ROS bursts by activation of RBOHB.
Tuberculosis in swine co-infected with Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis and Mycobacterium bovis in a cluster from Argentina

SUMMARY In Argentina little is known about the epidemiology of tuberculosis (TB) infection in swine. We characterized the epidemiological dynamics of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection in a swine population of Argentina using molecular tools and spatial analysis techniques. Isolates (n = 196) obtained from TB-like lesions (n = 200) were characterized by polymerase chain reaction. The isolates were positive to either M. bovis (IS6110) (n = 160) or M. avium (IS1245) (n = 16) while the remaining 20 (10·2%) isolates were positive to both M. bovis and M. avium. The detection of both bacteria together suggests co-infection at the animal level. In addition, MAC-positive isolates (n = 36) were classified as M. avium subsp. avium (MAA) (n = 30) and M. avium subsp. hominissuis (MAH) (n = 6), which resulted in five genotypes when they were typed using mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit, variable number of tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTR). One significant (P = 0·017) spatial clustering of genotypes was detected, in which the proportion of MAH isolates was larger than expected under the null hypothesis of even distribution of genotypes. These results show that in Argentina the proportion of TB cases in pigs caused by M. avium is larger than that reported in earlier studies. The proportion of M. bovis–MAC co-infections was also higher than in previous reports. These results provide valuable information on the epidemiology of MAC infection in swine in Argentina.
Effects of Traumeel (Tr14) on Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage Response in Healthy Subjects: A Double-Blind RCT

The present double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial intended to test whether ingestion of a natural combination medicine (Tr14 tablets) affects serum muscle damage and inflammatory immune response after downhill running. 96 male subjects received Tr14 tablets, which consist of 14 diluted biological and mineral components, or a placebo for 72 h after the exercise test, respectively. Changes in postexercise levels of various serum muscle damage and immunological markers were investigated. The area under the curve with respect to the increase (AUCi) of perceived pain score and creatine kinase (CK) were defined as primary outcome measures. While for CK the p value of the difference between the two groups is borderline, the pain score and muscle strength were not statistically significant. However, a trend towards lower levels of muscle damage (CK, p = 0.05; LDH, p = 0.06) in the Tr14 group was shown. Less pronounced lymphopenia (p = 0.02), a trend towards a lower expression of CD69 count (p = 0.07), and antigen-stimulated ICAM-1 (p = 0.01) were found in the verum group. The Tr14 group showed a tendentially lower increase of neutrophils (p = 0.10), BDNF (p = 0.03), stem cell factor (p = 0.09), and GM-CSF (p = 0.09) to higher levels. The results of the current study indicate that Tr14 seems to limit exercise-induced muscle damage most likely via attenuation of both innate and adaptive immune responses. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01912469).