Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Value of Preoperative Exercise and Education for Patients Undergoing Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Existing evidence regarding the value of preoperative education and/or exercise (prehabilitation) for patients undergoing total joint replacement is conflicting. The purpose of this study was to conduct an updated, comprehensive systematic review with meta-analyses to determine the longitudinal effects and efficacy of prehabilitation on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods: We searched 11 electronic databases (MEDLINE, AMED, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, ProQuest, PEDro, SportDiscus, PsycINFO, and Cochrane) from their inception to May 2016 for randomized controlled trials that compared changes in pain, function, strength, anxiety, and hospital length of stay following THA or TKA. Two reviewers independently determined study eligibility, rated study quality, and extracted data. There were no restrictions on study dates, patient characteristics, or the follow-up time point at which postoperative outcomes were measured. We excluded trials comparing 2 interventions. Methodological quality assessments were performed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. We calculated pooled estimates, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), of standardized mean differences (SMDs). Results: Thirty-five studies with 2,956 patients were included. After a preoperative program, patients undergoing THA, but not TKA, had significantly less postoperative pain than controls (SMD = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.03 to 0.27, p = 0.017). Postoperative function was also significantly improved compared with controls, with similar improvement after THA (SMD = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.15 to 0.50, p < 0.001) and TKA (SMD = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.06 to 0.57, p = 0.015). Significantly greater quadriceps strength was observed after TKA (SMD = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.16 to 0.68, p = 0.002). No significant differences in hamstring strength were observed between groups after TKA (p = 0.132). Small-to-moderate but nonsignificant improvements in anxiety (SMD = 0.17, 95% CI = −0.05 to 0.39; p = 0.128) were observed after THA, and length of stay was significantly shorter after TKA (SMD = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.24 to 0.84, p < 0.001) and THA (p = 0.027). Conclusions: Overall effect sizes for prehabilitation were small to moderate. In patients undergoing TKA, significant improvements were observed in function, quadriceps strength, and length of stay. In patients undergoing THA, significant improvements were observed in pain, function, and length of stay. Included studies were inconsistent with regard to the types of outcome measures reported, and the quality of the interventions varied. A more standardized approach to reporting of clinical trial interventions and patient compliance is needed to thoroughly evaluate the effects of prehabilitation on postoperative outcomes. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Effect of Curcumin on Hepatic Antioxidant Enzymes Activities and Gene Expressions in Rats Intoxicated with Aflatoxin B1

Twenty‐eight rats were examined in a 5‐week experiment to investigate the effect of curcumin on gene expression and activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes in rats intoxicated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The rats were divided into four groups. Rats in 1–4 groups served as control, oral curcumin treated (15 mg/kg body weight), single i.p. dose of AFB1 (3 mg/kg body weight) and combination of single i.p. dose of AFB1 with oral curcumin treated, respectively. AFB1 Liver damage and oxidative stress were evident in untreated AFB1‐intoxicated rats as indicated by a significant elevation in hepatic transaminases, elevation in lipid peroxide biomarkers (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; TBARS), reduction of reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration, reduction in the activities of antioxidant enzymes namely catalase (CAT), total superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) and down‐regulation of gene expression of these antioxidant enzymes compared to control. Liver sections of rats intoxicated with AFB1 showed a disrupted lobular architecture, scattered necrotic cells and biliary proliferation. Administration of curcumin with AFB1 resulted in amelioration of AFB1‐induced effects compared to untreated AFB1‐intoxicated rats via an up‐regulation of antioxidant enzyme gene expression, activation of the expressed genes and increase in the availability of GSH. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trapping Hemoglobin in Rigid Matrices: Fine Tuning of Oxygen Binding Properties by Modulation of Encapsulation Protocols

Encapsulation of hemoglobin in a biocompatible matrix is a potential strategy for obtaining blood substitutes. Such a system would retain most of the immunogenic and functional properties of the physiologically relevant oxygen carrier but would prevent protein extravasation and dimer/dimer dissociation. We applied this approach by entrapping hemoglobin in wet nanoporous silica gel, in the presence and absence of allosteric effectors. Silica gels, although not suitable for intravenous perfusion, are inert and optically transparent, thus allowing a full characterization of the functional and structural properties of encapsulated hemoglobin by spectroscopic techniques. Results indicate that hemoglobin molecules, entrapped using different protocols, exhibit an oxygen affinity that can be modulated between 12 and 140 torr. This tunability could be exploited to meet distinct clinical needs.
Combined Large Radial Retinotomy and Circumferential Retinectomy in the Management of Advanced Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy

Combined Large Radial Retinotomy and Circumferential Retinectomy in the Management of Advanced Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy Several studies have shown satisfactory attachment rates using relaxing retinotomy/retinectomy in the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with advanced proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). These studies generally described the use of circumferential retinectomy/retinotomy. A circumferential retinectomy relieves antero-posterior retinal shortening effectively. However, it is ineffective in relieving circumferential shortening commonly found in advanced PVR. The addition of a large radial retinotomy effectively relieves the circumferential shortening. At the same time, it avoids large area of retinectomy and hence prevent large visual field defects, ocular hypotony, and PVR. This is a pilot study of a series of RRDs with advanced PVR Grade C treated with combined large radial retinotomy and circumferential retinectomy.
Differential effects of medroxyprogesterone acetate on thrombosis and atherosclerosis in mice

Background and purpose: The risk for cardiovascular events including venous and arterial disease and stroke is elevated after treatment with estrogen and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in postmenopausal women. Here, we have investigated the effect of MPA on arterial thrombosis and atherosclerosis in a murine model of atherosclerosis.
VOC emission of various Serratia species and isolates and genome analysis of Serratia plymuthica 4Rx13.

Bacteria emit a wealth of volatile organic compounds. Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry analysis of five Serratia strains revealed ketones, dimethyl di- and trisulfide and 2-phenylethanol commonly released in this genus. The polymethylated bicyclic hydrocarbon sodorifen was uniquely released by the rhizobacterium Serratia plymuthica 4Rx13. Of 10 Serratia strains, only S. plymuthica isolates originating from plants grown on fields near Rostock (Germany) released this new and unusual compound. Since the biosynthetic pathway of sodorifen was unknown, the genome sequence of S. plymuthica 4Rx13 was determined and annotated. Genome comparison of S. plymuthica 4Rx13 with sodorifen non-producing Serratia species highlighted 246 unique candidate open reading frames.
Fine structure of the apical rim-mesenchyme complex during limb morphogenesis in man.

Ultrastructure of the apical rim–basal lamina–mesenchyme complex in man during Horizons 15–18 is correlated with the development of limbs. 1. Apical epithelium is a complicated tissue exhibiting surface microvilli, junctional complexes, free ribosomes, elaborate Golgi centers, glycogen and scanty granular endoplasmic reticulum. 2. The apical rim thickens during stages 15 and 16, remaining multilayered at digital tips and thinning adjacent to zones of necrosis by stages 17 and 18. Epithelial thinning may be a response to lack of ‘maintenance factor’. 3. A continuous basal lamina is present during these stages. Collagen-like fibrils are numerous in interdigital zones of necrosis and sparse at tips of digital blastemata. 4. The presence of oriented microfilaments in interdigital epithelium suggests active invagination during morphogenesis of fingers in man.
PLACENTAL ISOFERRITIN IN PREGNANCIES WITH SMALL‐FOR‐GESTATIONAL‐AGE FETUSES

The secretion of placental isoferritin (PLF) during pregnancy could be responsible for the diminished immunoreaction of maternal lymphocytes against the embryo. In this study, serum levels of PLF in 335 pregnant women were correlated with birth weight, percentile of birth weight, gestational age, and pulsatility index of the uterine artery, as well as with diastolic notching. Women with small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) infants (birth weight below or equal to the tenth percentile) showed significantly lower PLF levels (11·7 U/ml) compared with women whose newborns were of normal weight (19·4 U/ml) (P<0·05). In line with this finding, a strong correlation was observed between PLF levels and the percentile of birth weight, pulsatility index of the uterine artery, and the presence of diastolic notching. The strong correlation of low PLF values and SGA newborns suggests that determination of PLF could serve as a marker to identify women at risk of having such babies.
A novel polymorphism in the Fcgamma receptor IIB (CD32B) transmembrane region alters receptor signaling.

OBJECTIVE The low-affinity receptor Fcgamma receptor IIb (FcgammaRIIb), with an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM) in the cytoplasmic domain, down-regulates humoral immune responses and modulates the risk of autoimmunity in animal models. The transmembrane domain of FcgammaRIIb may also contribute to receptor signaling. Therefore, we investigated the biologic significance of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) throughout the coding region. METHODS Discovery of SNPs in FCGR2B was performed by direct cycle sequencing of complementary DNA samples derived by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. To assess the biologic significance of the nonsynonymous transmembrane SNP, we studied 3 functions influenced by the FcgammaRIIb transmembrane domain: tyrosine dephosphorylation of CD19, inhibition of B cell receptor (BCR)-induced calcium response, and modulation of BCR- or anti-Fas-induced apoptosis. RESULTS The nonsynonymous C-to-T transition in the first cytoplasmic exon, originally reported in the Raji cell line, was not found in either the African-American or the Caucasian population, but a nonsynonymous T-to-C transition at nucleotide 775 in exon 4 of FCGR2B, which changes isoleucine to threonine at residue 187 in the transmembrane domain, was significantly more common in African Americans. Using the FcgammaRIIb-negative mouse B cell line IIA1.6, we expressed both allelic forms as both full-length and truncated cytoplasmic domain constructs. The FCGR2B-187T allele mediated a higher level of CD19 dephosphorylation (P = 0.029) and a greater degree of inhibition of the calcium response (P = 0.003) when co-engaged with BCR than did FCGR2B-187I, independent of the presence of the ITIM. In contrast, FcgammaRIIb modulation of BCR-induced and anti-Fas antibody-induced cell death rates were similar in IIA1.6 cells expressing either the 187I or the 187T allelic form. CONCLUSION The differential activity of FCGR2B alleles suggests a novel mechanism of FcgammaRIIb regulation that may influence the risk of autoimmune disease.
Further characterization of HIV-1 isolates from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

In Vietnam the first case of HIV-1 infection was identified in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) in 1990. By December 1997 7737 HIV-1 infections had been recorded with 3153 cases in HCMC. Since first describing the subtypes of 50 HIV-1 isolates from IV drug users (IVDUs) and prostitutes in South Vietnam the authors investigated 66 additional patients from HCMC; 38 IVDUs and 28 subjects recruited in a STD clinic and thought to have been infected with HIV in the course of heterosexual sexual relations. Prevalent HIV-1 subtypes were identified through polymerase chain reaction and heteroduplex mobility assay applied to viral genomic DNA. Of the IVDUs 36 were infected with HIV-1 subtype E and 2 with subtype B. Of the STD patients 25 were infected with HIV-1 subtype E 2 with subtype B and 1 with subtype C. The authors then investigated the in vitro sensitivity of 6 HIV-1 subtype E field isolates to zidovudine dideoxycytidine stavudine lamivudine a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor manufactured in Belgium and ritonavir. The isolates sensitivity to the antiretroviral drugs is very similar to that of HIV-1 subtype B reference strains suggesting that the guidelines used to enroll patients in double and/or triple therapy in Western countries are also valid for patients in Vietnam.
Switched-Inductor Quasi-Z-Source Inverter

This paper deals with a new family of high boost voltage inverters called switched-inductor quasi-Z-source inverters (SL-qZSIs). The proposed SL-qZSI is based on the well-known qZSI topology and adds only one inductor and three diodes. In comparison to the SL-ZSI, for the same input and output voltages, the proposed SL-qZSI provides continuous input current, a common ground with the dc source, reduced the passive component count, reduced voltage stress on capacitors, lower shoot-through current, and lower current stress on inductors and diodes. In addition, the proposed SL-qZSI can suppress inrush current at startup, which might destroy the devices. This paper presents the operating principles, analysis, and simulation results, and compares them with those of the SL-ZSI. To verify the performance of the proposed converter, a laboratory prototype was constructed with 48 Vdc input and an ac output line-to-line voltage of 120 Vrms. The simulation and experimental results verified that the converter has high step-up inversion ability.
Quorum sensing in Acinetobacter: an emerging pathogen

Acinetobacter is emerging as one of the major nosocomial infectious pathogens, facilitated by tolerance to desiccation and multidrug resistance. Quorum sensing (autoinducer-receptor mechanism) plays role in biofilm formation in Acinetobacter, though its role in regulation of other virulence factors is yet to be established. Phylogenetic studies indicate that Acinetobacter baumannii is closely related to Burkholderia ambifaria but its quorum sensing genes (abaI and abaR) were acquired horizontally from Halothiobacillus neapolitanus. The prospects of quorum quenching to control the infections caused by Acinetobacter have also been discussed.
Immunogenicity Studies of Cosmetically Administered Nonanimal‐Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid Particles

BACKGROUND Hypersensitivity resulting from humoral or cellular immunologic mechanisms is the least well-documented of adverse events associated with dermal fillers. OBJECTIVE Humoral and cellular immunogenicity of nonanimal-stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) was studied in prospective clinical trials involving nasolabial fold augmentation. METHODS In two randomized clinical studies, 150 (10 centers) and 283 (17 centers) subjects received NASHA as Restylane and/or Perlane (both QMed, Uppsala, Sweden; mean, 69 mg) for dermal augumentation. Serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E and IgG anti-NASHA were measured by immunoassay at 0, 6, and 24 weeks and IgE anti-NASHA by intradermal skin testing (ID-ST) at 0 and 24 weeks. The 24-week ID-ST site was biopsied 3 days later for histopathologic evidence of cell-mediated immunity. RESULTS Of 433 subjects, 42 systemic adverse experiences were reported by 37 participants; all but 1 were judged by investigators to be unrelated to NASHA administration. All ID-STs and IgE anti-NASHA results were negative, indicating no IgE sensitization. Serologically, 91.8% of 425 subjects were negative for IgG anti-NASHA (<1.5 μg/mL) at all time points, whereas 7.8% had positive enrollment IgG anti-NASHA (range, 1.5–18.5 μg/mL) that remained essentially unchanged over the study period. The 24-week ID-ST biopsies showed no histological evidence for NASHA-induced cell mediated lymphocytic inflammatory reactions (Type IV hypersensitivity) or superficial dermal edema (Type 1 hypersensitivity). CONCLUSION NASHA administration does not elicit clinical/laboratory evidence for cellular or humoral immune responses in 98% of individuals, supporting the conclusion that Restylane and/or Perlane are not commonly immunogenic or allergenic.
Evaluation of different techniques used in non surgical endodontic retreatment for teeth with different obturation techniques (An in-vitro study)

Background: Retreatment procedures in endodontic practice require complete removal of the original root filling materials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy & time required for rotary Nickel titanium NiTi instruments (Pro-Taper) with and without solvent in the removal of obturation materials during root canal retreatment in comparison with hand instruments using Hedstrom files with solvent in relation to different obturation techniques. Materials and method: Ninety extracted human roots were instrumented by ProTaper rotary files to (F3) ISO # 30 and the samples were randomly divided into three groups of 30 roots for each group A: obturated by cold lateral condensation technique, group B: obturated by Injectable thermoplasticized technique, group C: obturated by carrier based gutta-percha technique (Soft Core) obturator. Each main group of roots was randomly subdivided into three subgroups, 10 roots each. Removal of gutta-percha was performed the following techniques; (1) Pro-Taper without solvent, (2) Pro-Taper with solvent and (3) Hedstrom files with solvent. The roots were split longitudinally. The area of remaining filling was evaluated by using stereomicroscope at three levels in the canal and time of retreatment was determined in each group. Results: One-way ANOVA test indicated that the rotary NiTi instruments Pro-Taper with and without solvent left significantly less remaining filling materials (P < 0.001) compared to Hedstrom files with solvent while there was no significant difference at (p<0.05), between Pro-Taper with solvent and without solvent. In groups obturated by cold lateral condensation and injectable thermoplasticized techniques left significantly less remaining filling materials at (p<0.05), than group obturated by soft core obturators. The retreatment time was significantly less at (P < 0.001) when the rotary NiTi Pro-Taper instrument was used compared to hand. Conclusion: ProTaper rotary instrument with and without solvent was found to be effective and faster than hand instruments and Cold lateral condensation technique and inject able thermo plasticized technique better removed in retreatment than Soft Core obturator technique.
'A no means no'--measuring depression using a single-item question versus Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D).

BACKGROUND Depression often develops undetected; to make treatment possible, a single-item screening question may be useful. PATIENTS AND METHODS We attempted to compare the accuracy of the single-item question 'Are you depressed? ' with the seven-item Depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D) among 1192 Swedish testicular cancer survivors. RESULTS We obtained information from 974 men (82%). Fifty-nine men (6%) answered 'Yes' to the question 'Are you depressed? ' while 118 (12%) answered 'I don't know' and 794 (82%) answered 'No'. Among the 794 men who answered 'No' to the question 'Are you depressed? ', 790 (99.5%) were not considered as depressed according to HADS-D 11+. Of those answering 'Yes', 34% (20/59) were identified as depressed according to the same cut-off. Sensitivity of 'Yes' compared with HADS-D > or =11 was 61%, rising to 88% when 'Yes' and 'I don't know' were combined. CONCLUSION In a population of men with a prevalence of depression similar to that of the normal population, almost none of those responding 'No' to the written question 'Are you depressed? ' were depressed according to HADS-D > or =11. Adding the category 'I don't know' increases sensitivity in detecting depression.
Identification of different emitting species in the red fluorescent protein DsRed by means of ensemble and single-molecule spectroscopy

The photophysics and photochemistry taking place in the DsRed protein, a recently cloned red fluorescent protein from a coral of the Discosoma genus, are investigated here by means of ensemble and single-molecule time-resolved detection and spectroscopic measurements. Ensemble time-resolved data reveal that 25% of the immature green chromophores are present in tetramers containing only this immature form. They are responsible for the weak fluorescence emitted at 500 nm. The remaining 75% of the immature green chromophores are involved in a fluorescence resonance energy transfer process to the red species. The combination of time-resolved detection with spectroscopy at the single-molecule level reveals, on 543-nm excitation of individual DsRed tetramers, the existence of a photoconversion of the red chromophore emitting at 583 nm and decaying with a 3.2-ns time constant into a super red one emitting at 595 nm and for which the decay time constant ranges between 2.7 and 1.5 ns. The phenomenon is further corroborated at the ensemble level by the observation of the creation of a super red form and a blue absorbing species on irradiation with 532-nm pulsed light at high excitation power. Furthermore, single-molecule experiments suggest that a similar photoconversion process might occur in the immature green species on 488-nm excitation.
Renal function in children with sickle cell anemia.

BACKGROUND Patients with sickle cell anemia have various forms of renal dysfunction. SUBJECTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the abnormalities of HbSS patients' renal function in childhood. Renal function studies were performed in 55 patients with homozygote sickle cell anemia and compared with 13 healthy children. The blood and timed urine samples were obtained for hematological and biochemical determinations. RESULTS Mean serum creatinine, sodium, phosphorus and calcium levels were not statistically different between patients and controls. Mean serum potassium and uric acid levels were significantly higher in patients than in controls. Mean tubular phosphate reabsorption (p < 0.001) and fractional excretion of potassium (p < 0.05) were lower in patients than in the control. There were no significant differences in fractional excretion of sodium and uric acid between patients and controls. Patients had significantly higher urine pH and significantly lower specific gravity and osmolality than controls. Also, there were no significant differences in urinary protein/ creatinine, urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase/creatinine and urinary malondialdehyde/creatinine between patients and controls. CONCLUSION Thus, significant proximal tubular dysfunction is not a common feature but distal tubular abnormality is the most consistent renal functional derangement of patients with SCA in childhood.