Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mobility, satisfaction with functional capacity and perceived quality of life (PQOL) in older persons with self-reported visual impairment: the pathway between ability to get around and PQOL

Abstract Background: Research shows that ability to get around (AGA) is significantly associated with perceived quality of life (PQOL) among older persons with self-reported visual impairment. Much of this impact, however, is through satisfaction with one’s functional capacity. Satisfaction with functional capacity is a construct composed of five items: satisfaction with (1) activities of daily living, (2) capacity to work, (3) self, (4) health and (5) sleep. At present, it is not known how AGA interacts individually with these items to influence PQOL. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent to which AGA interacts with each of these five items to affect PQOL. Methods: Structural equation modelling was employed in a secondary-analysis of data from 356 persons (aged 56–72) with self-reported visual impairment to identify the pathways by which AGA affects PQOL. Results: Satisfaction with self and health were the only items found to be both directly related to QOL and to provide a significant pathway between AGA and PQOL. Conclusion: AGA significantly affects PQOL both directly and indirectly through its impact on people’s satisfaction with self and health. Lessons may be learnt from this to better focus mobility interventions to enhance PQOL in this population. Implications for Rehabilitation The findings of this study indicate that ability to get around (AGA) has a significant impact on perceived quality of life (PQOL): the stated goal of many rehabilitation programs for older persons who are visually impaired. The study also found that the primary pathway by which AGA influenced PQOL was indirect through its association with both satisfaction with one’s self and health rather than direct. Attempts to enhance PQOL by increasing AGA may be most effective if the focus of intervention was on restoring one’s sense of self and health as opposed to focusing on meeting practical needs.
Nephrotoxicity of Combined Treatment with Cisplatin and Gentamicin in the Guinea Pig: Glomerular Injury Findings

The drugs cisplatin and gentamicin are given consecutively to various cancer patients suffering from infections. Little information exists about the ultrastructural alterations of kidney glomeruli caused by treatment with these drugs. Renal glomeruli of guinea pigs treated with cisplatin alone and in combination with gentamicin were studied by transmission electron microscopy. The findings revealed foci of damage induced by cisplatin and especially by cisplatin/gentamicin in all glomerular components: glomerular capillaries, including their endothelial cells; basement membrane, epithelial podocytes, mesangial cells, and parietal cells of Bowman's capsule. The damage was expressed by endothelial cytoplasmic extrusions into the vascular lumen, thickening and lamination of capillary basement membrane, focal foot process fusion of podocytes, vacuolization in cytoplasm of endothelial cells of epithelial podocytes and of parietal cells, and the presence of lipid bodies and myeloid bodies in all glomerular cell types. Additionally, injurious effects to cytoplasmic organelles such as mitochondria, nuclei, and endoplasmic reticulum were observed. The results indicate that cisplatin alone and in combination with gentamicin is toxic to renal glomerular tissue. Since these drugs were previously found toxic for strial capillaries in the inner ear and since the main glomerular component is the glomerular capillaries, potential vascular damage and vascular complications in different body systems have to be taken into consideration when these drugs are needed in clinical use.
Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal from Wastewater by Biomass with Different Phosphorus Contents, Part II: Anaerobic Adenosine Triphosphate Utilization and Acetate Uptake Rates

Data from laboratory‐scale sequencing batch reactors operated in an anaerobic–aerobic cycle showed that a low influent phosphorus/chemical oxygen demand (COD) ratio feed favored a glycogen‐accumulating metabolism (GAM)‐dominated culture and that a high influent phosphorus/COD ratio feed favored a polyphosphate‐accumulating metabolism (PAM)‐dominated culture. The PAM‐dominated culture anaerobically took up acetate approximately 7 times faster than the GAM‐dominated culture. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) balances were performed assuming eight different metabolic scenarios that included the Entner–Doudoroff or the Embden–Myerhof glycolytic pathway, acetyl‐coenzyme A (CoA) synthase or the acetate kinase–phospho‐transacetylase (AK–PTA) system for acetyl‐CoA synthesis, and ATP synthesis or no ATP synthesis during fumarate reduction. The ATP available for transport of acetate into the cell (α) was calculated using these balances. The assumed quantity of ATP produced during fumarate reduction had a relatively small effect on α, particularly when PAM was dominant. When GAM was dominant, little or no ATP was available for acetate transport depending on the assumed scenario, and the Embden–Myerhof pathway was more feasible. The value of α increased with increasing PAM dominance for all eight metabolic pathways. The maximum calculated α value of 0.5 mol ATP/C‐mol acetate uptake occurred at maximum PAM dominance and when the Embden–Myerhof pathway was active, when ATP was produced during fumarate reduction, and when the AK–PTA system was active. This value of α was higher than previously calculated values with the same metabolic assumptions. An acetate uptake mechanism was suggested that included acetyl‐CoA synthetase and direct regeneration of the proton motive force by a proton‐translocating pyrophosphatase. Polyphosphate‐accumulating metabolism may have a competitive advantage over GAM through a higher anaerobic acetate uptake rate made possible by a greater use of energy for acetate uptake, by use of a different acetate uptake mechanism, or both.
Relation of Stavudine Discontinuation to Anthropometric Changes Among HIV-Infected Women

Objective:To characterize changes in regional anthropometry associated with stavudine exposure and discontinuation. Design:Seven hundred thirty-four HIV-infected participants who reported using stavudine (574 of whom later discontinued stavudine) and 698 HIV-uninfected participants from the Women's Interagency HIV Study provided anthropometrics at 8706 semiannual visits between July 1999 and March 2005. Methods:Changes in weight, waist, chest, upper arm, hip, and midthigh circumferences were evaluated using linear regression with generalized estimating equations. Results:HIV-uninfected women demonstrated increases in regional anthropometry at every body site, whereas HIV-infected women demonstrated decreases in weight and circumferences of the waist, chest, hip, and thigh. A smaller annual decrease in hip circumference was seen after discontinuing stavudine for >2.25 years compared with the decrease observed while on stavudine (P = 0.01). Discontinuing stavudine for >2.25 years was associated with smaller (P < 0.05) decreases in hip (−0.06 cm/y) and thigh (−0.005 cm/y) circumference compared with the decreases observed between 1 and 2.25 years (hip: −0.46 cm/y, thigh: −0.24 cm/y) or ≤1 year (hip: −0.64 cm/y, thigh: −0.27 cm/y) after stavudine discontinuation. Conclusions:Regardless of continuing or discontinuing stavudine, HIV-infected women demonstrate decreases in weight and body circumference measurements over time. The lower limb seems to be most affected by stavudine exposure, with stabilization observed more than 2 years after discontinuation.
Contribution à l’étude du rôle et du mode d’action de Fsh et de Lh dans le testicule de truite

Chez les vertebres, le processus de la spermatogenese est directement controle par deux hormones gonadotropes hypophysaires, Fsh et Lh. Chez les salmonides, les profils de secretion des 2 hormones different et presentent des variations significatives au cours du cycle de developpement spermatogenetique, suggerant que Fsh et Lh interviennent a des etapes differentes du processus. A la difference des mammiferes, chez les poissons les 2 gonadotropines exercent une forte activite steroidogene, et par ailleurs il a ete rapporte par plusieurs auteurs que leurs recepteurs seraient moins selectifs vis-a-vis des 2 ligands. Ainsi, le perimetre des actions respectives de Fsh et de Lh n'est pas defini chez les poissons. D'autre part, les mecanismes de l'action de Fsh qui ne seraient pas relayes par les steroides sont tres mal connus. Chez la truite, nous avons determine que chaque gonadotropine agit essentiellement par l'intermediaire de son recepteur respectif. L'analyse des variations du transcriptome testiculaire apres un traitement in vitro par les hormones de la reproduction (Fsh, Lh, androgenes) a permis 1- de reveler des actions distinctes de Fsh et de Lh sur l'expression des genes, 2- de mettre en evidence deux mecanismes d'action de la Fsh, l'un dependant et l'autre independant de la production de steroides et 3- d'identifier plusieurs acteurs d'interaction cellulaire regules par Fsh, et probablement impliques dans les etapes precoces de proliferation ou de differenciation des cellules germinales, tels que l'hormone antimullerienne, la midkine, l'insulin-like growth factor1b, la follistatine-like 3 et l'activine, 4-de proposer une implication de Fsh dans les evenements tardifs de maturation et d'excretion du sperme. Au-dela des acquis concernant les regulations endocriniennes et moleculaires chez la truite, ces travaux constituent un apport de connaissances qui peut etre etendu a d'autres teleosteens pour decrypter l'action propre a Fsh dans le declenchement de la maturation pubertaire. Enfin, nous montrons qu'une vaccination contre les recepteurs des gonadotropines constitue une voie potentielle de controle des maturations precoces en elevage.
Morphological changes and expression of MMPs and TIMPs in rabbit degenerated lateral meniscus after PCL-transection.

INTRODUCTION Whether the expression level of MMP-1, MMP-13 and TIMP-1 has association with the degeneration of lateral meniscus after posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) fracture is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of PCL fracture on lateral meniscus, including morphological changes, histological changes and roles of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) expression level in the secondary injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty male rabbits were used as PCL transection models and randomized into the PCL-transection side, which underwent PCL transection surgery, and the control side, which underwent PCL exposure without transection. On 4, 8, 12, 16 and 24 weeks after PCL-transection, 12 rabbits were randomly killed for H&E staining to determine the histological changes of lateral meniscus. Immunohistochemical staining was undertaken to evaluate the expression level of MMP-1, MMP-13 and TIMP-1 in lateral meniscus. The results were statistically analyzed using SPSS 15.0. RESULTS The lateral meniscus of PCL-transection side presented abnormal morphology. Histological evaluation score of meniscal degeneration in PCL-transection group was higher than that in the control group with statistical difference (P < 0.05). The expression levels of MMP-1, MMP-13 and TIMP-1 were significantly elevated in meniscus of the PCL-transection group with statistical difference (P < 0.05). MMP-1 expression displayed an increasing trend firstly then kept stable after PCL transection; MMP-13 and TIMP-1 expression displayed high level firstly then decreased in advanced stage after PCL transection. CONCLUSIONS PCL transaction may induce a coordinated response of degeneration of lateral meniscus in a time-dependent manner. The high expression level of MMP-1, MMP-13 and TIMP-1 would contribute to the degeneration of lateral meniscus after PCL transection.
Quantitative Morphometric Outcomes Following the Melbourne Method of Total Vault Remodeling for Scaphocephaly

The Melbourne method of total vault remodeling was developed at The Royal Children's Hospital (Melbourne) to address all phenotypic aspects of scaphocephaly. To quantitatively evaluate this technique, a retrospective analysis was performed on 33 consecutive patients who underwent the Melbourne procedure between October 2004 and June 2007. To monitor outcomes, three-dimensional digital surface photography was used, obtaining 4 anthropometric measurements (cranial length, cranial width, head circumference, auricular head height) preoperatively and postoperatively. To assess the effect on continuing cranial vault development, cranial volume was calculated with computed tomography. Anthropometric measurements were obtained in 27 patients (81.8%), with a mean postoperative follow-up of 8.9 months. Cranial index (width/length) demonstrated an 11.1% improvement. The mean head circumference in the scaphocephaly group preoperatively remained larger than the normative population postoperatively, although the magnitude of difference was decreased, whereas the mean auricular head height demonstrated a 10.5% increase postoperatively, remaining higher than the normative population. Cranial volume was calculated in 30 patients (91%), with a mean postoperative follow-up of 7.9 months. This demonstrated that the mean intracranial volume was significantly higher in the scaphocephaly group preoperatively, and this difference was maintained postoperatively. These results support our belief that the Melbourne procedure is a technique that may be used to correct all phenotypic aspects of scaphocephaly, with no apparent evidence for a detrimental effect on cranial growth.
Resistance to Conventional and New Insecticides in House Flies (Diptera: Muscidae) From Poultry Facilities in Punjab, Pakistan

ABSTRACT House flies, Musca domestica L. , are pests of poultry facilities and have the ability to develop resistance against different insecticides. This study was conducted to assess the resistance status of house flies to pyrethroid, organophosphate, and novel chemistry insecticides from poultry facilities in Punjab, Pakistan. Five adult house fly populations were studied for their resistance status to selected conventional and novel chemistry insecticides. For four pyrethroids, the range of resistance ratios was 14–55-fold for Cypermethrin, 11–45-fold for bifenthrin, 0.84–4.06-fold for deltamethrin, and 4.42–24-fold for lambda-cyhalothrin when compared with a susceptible population. Very low levels of resistance were found to deltamethrin compared with the other pyrethroids. For the three organophosphate insecticides, the range of resistance ratios was 1.70–16-fold for profenofos, 7.50–60-fold for chlorpyrifos, and 4.37–53-fold for triazophos. Very low levels of resistance were found to profenofos compared with the other insecticides. For five novel chemistry insecticides, the range of resistance ratios was 1.20–16.00-fold for fipronil, 3.73–7.16-fold for spinosad, 3.06–23-fold for indoxacarb, 0.96–5.88-fold for abamectin, and 0.56–3.07-fold for emamectin benzoate. Rotation of insecticides with different modes of action showing no or very low resistance may prevent insecticide resistance in house flies. Regular insecticide resistance monitoring and integrated management plans on poultry farms are required to prevent resistance development, field control failures, and environmental pollution.
Exposure In Vivo to Silica or Lipopolysaccharide Produces Transient or Sustained Upregulation, Respectively, of PYPAF7 and MEFV Genes in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Cells in Rats

A family of proteins containing PAAD [for PYRIN, AIM (absent in melanoma), apoptosis-associated protein speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain, and death domain] domain was found to be involved in modulating inflammatory responses, by its ability to regulate nuclear factor (NF)-κB and procaspase-1 activation. In this study, intratracheal instillation of silica in rats was found to produce transient upregulation of mRNA levels of the PAAD family of proteins, PYPAF7 (PYRIN containing Apaf1-like protein; Apaf stands for apoptosis activating factor) and MEFV (for Mediterranean fever), in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells. The levels were markedly elevated at 4 h, returning to basal levels by 24 h. In contrast, intratracheal instillation of LPS produced a sustained upregulation of the two genes in BAL cells. In vitro exposure of BAL cells to silica or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) produced no changes in the expression of these genes, indicating that silica or LPS exposure in vivo induces some factors that are responsible for the upregulation of PYPAF7 and MEFV. The mRNA levels of these two genes in peripheral blood monocytes and PMN following LPS exposure did not change, indicating that AM and peripheral blood cells show similar response to LPS exposure in vitro. This study provides the basis for a physiological model to study the effects of these two genes in modulating the inflammatory response after particle exposure.
Anal and dry sex in commercial sex work, and relation to risk for sexually transmitted infections and HIV in Meru, Kenya

Objective: To examine the practices of anal intercourse and dry sex within a cohort of female sex workers (FSWs) in Kenya, focusing on the prevalence and perceived risk of the practices, demographic and behavioural correlates, and association with sexually transmitted infections (STI). Methods: A survey was conducted among FSWs in Meru, Kenya, with 147 participants randomly sampled from an existing cohort of self identified FSWs. Results: 40.8% of participants reported ever practising anal intercourse and 36.1% reported ever practising dry sex. Although the majority of women surveyed believed anal intercourse and dry sex to be high risk practices for HIV infection compared with vaginal sex, about one third of women reported never or rarely using condoms during anal intercourse, and about 20% never or rarely using condoms during dry sex. Reported consistent condom use was lower with both of these practices than with penile-vaginal intercourse. Anal intercourse was associated with experience of recent forced sexual intercourse, while dry sex was not. Anal intercourse was almost always initiated by clients, whereas dry sex was likely to be initiated by the women themselves. Sex workers reported charging higher fees for both practices than for vaginal intercourse. Both practices were associated with reported symptoms and diagnoses of STI. Conclusions: Both anal intercourse and dry sex were common in this sample, and although perceived as high risk practices, were not adequately protected with condom use. Education and other interventions regarding these high risk sexual behaviours need to be translated into safer practices, particularly consistent condom use, even in the face of financial vulnerability.
Boeing Disc Resonator Gyroscope

As microelectromechanical system (MEMS) gyros were being developed for automotive safety and military tactical applications, in 1994 Boeing selected a conventionally-machined hemispherical resonator gyroscope (HRG) for high performance, continuous space pointing applications. In that same year research was begun into high performance MEMS gyros for compact, low-cost space pointing applications. Collaboration with several national MEMS research labs and operational experience with the HRG led to an understanding of the benefits of high Q, symmetrical resonator designs in MEMS. Early post resonator designs led to closed loop, tuned, low-noise electronics design and operation with capacitive sensing but required undesirable 3D assembly of the post onto the micro-machined flexures. High dynamic loading and imprecision of the bonded joints led to gyro bias that was not stable over the long run. This led to the conception of the Disc Resonator Gyroscope (DRG) which yielded a compact planar micro-machined design with central support and carrying no critical loads. Successive optimization of the layout, scale, material selection and fabrication design as well as the operational electronics has led to progressively more stable performance. A recent fixed orientation laboratory run demonstrated a stable rate within 0.01o/h over a week of continual measurement, believed to be a record for a MEMS gyroscope. This research background behind the DRG and its principle of operation will be presented along with the latest test results which promise high performance, as well as compact, low-cost MEMS gyroscopes for space applications.
Injuries in World Cup telemark skiing: a 5-year cohort study

Background There are limited data on injuries in World Cup (WC) telemark skiing. Objective To describe the injury incidence and injury pattern seen among WC telemark skiers during the competitive season. Methods We interviewed all WC athletes (or their coach, if the athlete was not present) at the end of five winter seasons from 2008 until 2013. All acute injuries occurring in the competitive season that required the attention of medical personnel were registered. Exposure was calculated based on the official International Ski Federation (FIS) results database. Results 149 acute injuries were registered during 565 WC skier seasons. The absolute injury incidence was 26.4 injuries per 100 athletes per season (95% CI 22.1 to 30.6), higher for females than males (risk ratio (RR) 1.49, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.08). During the FIS WC competitions, 69 injuries were registered, corresponding to a relative incidence of 8.2 injuries per 1000 runs (95% CI 6.3 to 10.1). The most frequently injured body part was the knee (21%) followed by the hand-finger-thumb (20%), ankle (13%) and shoulder/clavicle (13%). The absolute risk of knee and shoulder/clavicle injuries was higher for females versus males (RR for knee injuries 2.72, 95% CI 1.35 to 5.51; RR for shoulder/clavicle injuries 2.55, 95% CI 1.06 to 6.14). No differences were detected in the injury incidence between disciplines. Conclusions Female telemark skiers are at 1.5 times greater risk of injury than male skiers. The most commonly injured body part was the knee. The risk of knee and shoulder/clavicle injuries was higher for female athletes than for male athletes.
Characterization of Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7

A total of 174 strains of Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 representing human isolates obtained from outbreaks and sporadic cases of hemorrhagic colitis, hemolytic-uremic syndrome, and nonbloody diarrheal illnesses as well as from asymptomatic carriers across Canada and the United States were examined. E. coli serotype O157:H7 possessed distinct biochemical markers, a 100% negative reaction for beta-glucuronidase and sorbitol, and a 100% positive reaction for raffinose and dulcitol; all strains otherwise were biochemically typical of E. coli. The vast majority (97%) of the strains were susceptible to commonly used antimicrobial agents. All strains produced readily detectable levels of Verotoxin; however, with polymyxin extraction, nearly 50% of the strains showed up to a 10-fold increase in the toxin level. None were found to mediate hemagglutination of human group A erythrocytes with or without D-mannose. The majority (approximately 70%) of the strains showed localized and diffuse adherence to HEp-2 cells and Henle 407 cells, and the adherence patterns were not very different from those observed among other E. coli strains. Twenty phage types were recognized, with phage types 1 and 2 accounting for 65% of the test strains. Plasmid analysis indicated three basic plasmid profiles: profile I was characterized by 68.7- and 4.2-megadalton (MDa) plasmids (62% of strains), profile II was characterized by 66.2- and 1.8-MDa plasmids (20% of strains), and profile III was characterized by a 62.5-MDa plasmid (18% of strains). A small number (19%) of the strains carried at least one additional plasmid over the basic complements, and these could be considered to constitute a miscellaneous category. None of the above-described characteristics of E. coli serotype O157:H7 could be directly correlated with one another, with the nature of infection, or with the geographical distribution of strains.