Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical Presentation, Surgical Treatment, and Outcome in Radial Polydactyly

Abstract Radial polydactyly or ‘thumb duplication’ is the most common congenital upper limb anomaly (‘CULA’) affecting the thumb. The clinical presentation is highly diverse, ranging from an extra thumb floating on a skin bridge to complicated thumb triplications with triphalangeal, deviating, and hypoplastic components. Radial polydactyly can be classified into one of 7 osseous presentations using the Wassel classification, with type IV (45%), type II (20%), and type VII (15%) occurring most frequently. When faced with a radial polydactyly case, hand surgeons specialised in congenital anomalies must weigh the preoperative functional potential and degree of hypoplasia of both thumbs in order to decide whether to resect one thumb and reconstruct the other (‘resection and reconstruction’), excise a central part of both thumbs and unite the lateral tissues into one thumb (‘the Bilhaut procedure’), transfer the better-developed distal tissues of one thumb onto the better-developed proximal tissues of the other (‘on-top plasty’), or discard both severely hypoplastic thumbs and pollicise the index finger. Mere excision of the hypoplastic thumb is rarely indicated since it often requires subsequent revision surgery. Even after being treated by experienced surgeons, about 15% of patients with polydactyly will need additional procedures to correct residual and/or new problems such as deviation from the longitudinal axis and joint instability. Nevertheless, radial polydactyly patients usually achieve unimpaired everyday hand function postoperatively.
Determination of certain bacterial groups in gut microbiota and endotoxin levels in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS In recent years, the role of the gut microbiota has emerged in several diseases. Herein we aimed to determine the fecal microbiota, endotoxin levels, and inflammation markers in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 46 NASH patients and 38 healthy controls were included. NASH patients were diagnosed according to the steatosis, activity, and fibrosis score/fatty liver inhibition of progression algorithm. 16S rRNA gene-targeted specific primers were used for quantification of certain bacterial groups, and a plasmid library was constructed and sequenced in order to determine dominant Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium members in patients and controls. RESULTS Significantly decreased Akkermansia muciniphila and increased Enterobacteriaceae levels were determined in patients compared to healthy controls even after adjusting for the body mass index (BMI) and age. Patients with ≥F2 fibrosis had significantly higher Enterobacteriaceae levels compared to F0-F1 fibrosis. Serum endotoxin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher in patients group. According to the sequencing results, L. reuteri, which was one of the dominant Lactobacillus species in the patient group, could not be detected in healthy controls. Bifidobacterium infantis was found in the patients' feces but not in the controls. CONCLUSION We demonstrated a BMI and age-independent association between the presence of NASH and levels of A. muciniphila and Enterobacteriaceae as well as increased endotoxin levels. L. reuteri was abundant in the patient group, suggesting that dominant Lactobacillus species should be considered before probiotic treatments.
Improved Frequency Notched Ultrawideband Slot Antenna Using Square Ring Resonator

An improved frequency notched ultrawideband (UWB) microstrip slot antenna with a square ring resonator embedded in the tuning stub is proposed. The antenna is investigated numerically and experimentally for its impedance matching property, frequency notched characteristic and radiation performance in detail. As will be reported, compared with conventional frequency notched slot antennas, after incorporating a square ring resonator with the slot antenna's tuning stub, high, sharp band-rejection characteristic of over 20 dB is achieved, which is improved significantly.
Experimental evaluation of a prototype cylindrical section ultrasound hyperthermia phased-array applicator

A prototype 64-element, 75 degrees cylindrical-section ultrasonic phased-array hyperthermia applicator has been designed and constructed. The ability of this applicator to focus ultrasonic energy at its geometric focus is verified in a water medium. The array is then driven by excitation vectors obtained using the pseudoinverse pattern synthesis method to generate shifted-focus and multiple-focus field patterns. Experimental results of single and multiple-focus patterns at 500 kHz are given and are in good agreement with theory. The results indicate that the main beam in single-focus patterns is generally insensitive to errors in the phases and amplitudes of the particle velocities of the array elements. The effect of such errors is largely exhibited in the sidelobes which, for all practical purposes, remain at levels acceptable for hyperthermia. This is true for both the geometric focus and shifted foci. <<ETX>>
Prevalence of atopy, eosinophilia, and IgE elevation in IgG4‐related disease

IgG4‐related disease (IgG4‐RD) is a fibroinflammatory disorder that can affect virtually every organ system. T‐helper type 2 responses have been presumed to be pathogenic in this disease, and a high proportion of patients with IgG4‐RD are reported to have longstanding allergies, peripheral blood eosinophilia, and serum IgE elevation. It has therefore been proposed that allergic mechanisms drive IgG4‐RD. However, no epidemiological assessment of atopy, peripheral blood eosinophilia, and serum IgE concentrations has ever been undertaken in patients with IgG4‐RD. In this study, we evaluated these parameters in a large cohort of patients with IgG4‐RD in whom a wide range of organs were affected by disease. Our results demonstrate that the majority of patients with IgG4‐RD are nonatopic. Nevertheless, a subset of nonatopic subjects exhibit peripheral blood eosinophilia and elevated IgE, suggesting that processes inherent to IgG4‐RD itself rather than atopy per se contribute to the eosinophilia and IgE elevation observed in the absence of atopy.
The Divine Council in the Hebrew Bible and the Book of Mormon

Page 1/18 1/10/2020 https://journal.interpreterfoundation. org/the-divine-council-in-the-hebrew-bible-and-the-book-of-mormon/ Abstract: The Book of Mormon purports to be a record that originates from the ancient Near East. The authors of the book claim an Israelite heritage, and throughout the pages of the text can be seen echoes of Israelite religious practice and ideology. An example of such can be seen in how the Book of Mormon depicts God’s divine council, a concept unmistakably found in the Hebrew Bible (the Christian Old Testament). Recognizing the divine council in both the Hebrew Bible and the Book of Mormon may help us appreciate a more nuanced understanding of such theological terms as “monotheism” as well as bolster confidence in the antiquity of the Nephite record.
Comparison of Root Surface Roughness Produced By Hand Instruments and Ultrasonic Scalers: An Invitro Study.

BACKGROUND Instrumentation on tooth surface for debridement of hard and soft debris forms the basis of periodontal therapy. This involves periodic removal of accumulated material using different methods of instrumentation. An ideal instrument should eliminate all the deposits from the root surfaces with no or minimal alteration of the natural morphology. AIM To compare the root surface roughness after root planing performed with gracey curette and by ultrasonic scalers (Satelec P-5 Booster) set at different power modes. MATERIALS AND METHODS The root surface roughness and its surface microtopography resulting from the use of Gracey curette, ultrasonic instrument at low, medium and high power setting on 35 healthy premolars extracted for orthodontic treatment purpose were examined using Optical Profilometer and the surface topography was assessed using Field Emission Microscope. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was used to observe the variance in a particular variable is partitioned into components attributable to different sources of variation. Duncan multiple range tests were used to determine whether three or more means differ significantly. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The mean roughness was found to be the highest in group where Scaling and Root Planing (SRP) was performed using ultrasonic scaler at low power mode (3.03±1.54 μm) whereas the lowest surface roughness was seen on the samples where SRP was performed using ultrasonic scaler at medium power mode. The surface roughness in group where SRP was performed with ultrasonic scaler at high power mode (2.22±0.74μm) was found to be similar to that of group in which root planing was carried out using curette (2.24±1.71μm).
Nonlinear Control Systems: Analysis and Design

Introduction. 1.1 Linear Time-Invariant Systems. 1.2 Nonlinear Systems. 1.3 Equilibrium Points. 1.4 First-Order Autonomous Nonlinear Systems. 1.5 Second-Order Systems: Phase-Plane Analysis. 1.6 Phase-Plane Analysis of Linear Time-Invariant Systems. 1.7 Phase-Plane Analysis of Nonlinear Systems. 1.8 Higher-Order Systems. 1.9 Examples of Nonlinear Systems. 1.10 Exercises. Mathematical Preliminaries. 2.1 Sets. 2.2 Metric Spaces. 2.3 Vector Spaces. 2.4 Matrices. 2.5 Basic Topology. 2.6 Sequences. 2.7 Functions. 2.8 Differentiability. 2.9 Lipschitz Continuity. 2.10 Contraction Mapping. 2.11 Solution of Differential Equations. 2.12 Exercises. Lyapunov Stability I: Autonomous Systems. 3.1 Definitions. 3.2 Positive Definite Functions. 3.3 Stability Theorems. 3.4 Examples. 3.5 Asymptotic Stability in the Large. 3.6 Positive Definite Functions Revisited. 3.7 Construction of Lyapunov Functions. 3.8 The Invariance Principle. 3.9 Region of Attraction. 3.10 Analysis of Linear Time-Invariant Systems. 3.11 Instability. 3.12 Exercises. Lyapunov Stability II: Nonautonomous Systems. 4.1 Definitions. 4.2 Positive Definite Functions. 4.3 Stability Theorems. 4.4 Proof of the Stability Theorems. 4.5 Analysis of Linear Time-Varying Systems. 4.6 Perturbation Analysis. 4.7 Converse Theorems. 4.8 Discrete-Time Systems. 4.9 Discretization. 4.10 Stability of Discrete-Time Systems. 4.11 Exercises. Feedback Systems. 5.1 Basic Feedback Stabilization. 5.2 Integrator Backstepping. 5.3 Backstepping: More General Cases. 5.4 Examples. 5.5 Exercises. Input-Output Stability. 6.1 Function Spaces. 6.2 Input-Output Stability. 6.3 Linear Time-Invariant Systems. 6.4 Lp Gains for LTI Systems. 6.5 Closed Loop Input-Output Stability. 6.6 The Small Gain Theorem. 6.7 Loop Transformations. 6.8 The Circle Criterion. 6.9 Exercises. Input-to-State Stability. 7.1 Motivation. 7.2 Definitions. 7.3 Input-to-State Stability (ISS) Theorems. 7.4 Input-to-State Stability Revisited. 7.5 Cascade Connected Systems. 7.6 Exercises. Passivity. 8.1 Power and Energy: Passive Systems. 8.2 Definitions. 8.3 Interconnections of Passivity Systems. 8.4 Stability of Feedback Interconnections. 8.5 Passivity of Linear Time-Invariant Systems. 8.6 Strictly Positive Real Rational Functions. Exercises. Dissipativity. 9.1 Dissipative Systems. 9.2 Differentiable Storage Functions. 9.3 QSR Dissipativity. 9.4 Examples. 9.5 Available Storage. 9.6 Algebraic Condition for Dissipativity. 9.7 Stability of Dissipative Systems. 9.8 Feedback Interconnections. 9.9 Nonlinear L2 Gain. 9.10 Some Remarks about Control Design. 9.11 Nonlinear L2-Gain Control. 9.12 Exercises. Feedback Linearization. 10.1 Mathematical Tools. 10.2 Input-State Linearization. 10.3 Examples. 10.4 Conditions for Input-State Linearization. 10.5 Input-Output Linearization. 10.6 The Zero Dynamics. 10.7 Conditions for Input-Output Linearization. 10.8 Exercises. Nonlinear Observers. 11.1 Observers for Linear Time-Invariant Systems. 11.2 Nonlinear Observability. 11.3 Observers with Linear Error Dynamics. 11.4 Lipschitz Systems. 11.5 Nonlinear Separation Principle. Proofs. Bibliography. List of Figures. Index.
Short article: Absence of serological rheumatoid arthritis biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease patients with arthropathies

Objective Biomarkers that are associated with future progression to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and joint destruction have been discovered previously in patients with arthralgia. The present study examined these RA biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients with arthropathies. Patients and methods Sera from 155 IBD patients with and 99 IBD patients without arthropathies were analyzed for immunoglobulin (Ig) M rheumatoid factor (RF), IgA-RF, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide 2, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide 3.1, and anti-carbamylated protein antibody positivity using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The prevalence of the autoantibodies in the IBD patients was compared with the prevalence in RA patients. Results No differences were found in biomarker positivity between IBD patients with and without arthropathies. Significantly more biomarker positivity (P<0.001) was observed in RA patients compared with IBD patients with arthropathies. Also, smoking turned out to be significantly associated with positivity for IgM-RF or IgA-RF. Conclusion Our findings suggest that there is no apparent clinical value in the detection of RA biomarkers in serum of IBD patients to help identify arthropathies.
Targeting Staphylococcus aureus Quorum Sensing with Nonpeptidic Small Molecule Inhibitors

A series of 3-oxo-C12-HSL, tetramic acid, and tetronic acid analogues were synthesized to gain insights into the structural requirements for quorum sensing inhibition in Staphylococcus aureus. Compounds active against agr were noncompetitive inhibitors of the autoinducing peptide (AIP) activated AgrC receptor, by altering the activation efficacy of the cognate AIP-1. They appeared to act as negative allosteric modulators and are exemplified by 3-tetradecanoyltetronic acid 17, which reduced nasal cell colonization and arthritis in a murine infection model.
Incidence of lung cancer in patients with systemic sclerosis treated with extracorporeal photopheresis

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) improves skin sclerosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. SSc is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. As ECP is supposed to exert immunomodulatory effects, a possible impact of ECP on the incidence of lung cancer in SSc patients was evaluated.
The Importance of O - Level Grades in Medical School Admission: The University of Ado-Ekiti Experience

This paper describes the procedures used in the admission of the first set of Medical Students into the newly established College of Medicine, University of Ado – Ekiti. Two groups of students were admitted, namely, those admitted on the basis of their JAMB scores alone (five students) and those admitted on the basis of a combination of JAMB scores and O’ level grades in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. In the latter group, the JAMB scores and O’ level grades were given equal weighting (50% of mark obtainable each) and all applicants were ranked on the basis of their combined scores. The 127 top scorers based on this ranking were given a written interview test and an oral interview. At the end of the exercise, 40 candidates were admitted. Eventually, 31 of this group and four out of the five candidates admitted with JAMB scores alone registered for 100 Level courses. A comparison of the academic performance of the two groups of students in science and General Studies courses at 100 Level showed that all students in the JAMB and O’ level group were far better than students in the JAMB alone group. Indeed, the former group had outstanding performance while 50% of the latter group could not cope. It was concluded that the use of O’ level grades is very important and effective in selecting academically sound students and should be used in admissions into Medical School. (Afr. J. Biomed. Res. 9: 15 – 21, January 2006) Keywords: JAMB, O’ level grades, Medical school, Admission, Interview, Academic achievement, Ado-Ekiti
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS

Objective: To explore the anti-inflammatory activity of calcium channel blockers. Material and Methods: The anti-inflammatory activity was determined by producing inflammation in rats of either sex. Acute inflammation was produced by injecting carrageenan, formalin and histamine in hindpaw of rats. For sub-acute inflammation the cotton pellets granuloma method was employed. Formaldehyde induced arthritis was used as a model of chronic inflammation. Result: The acute inflammation produced by carrageenan, histamine and formaldehyde was significantly reduced by pretreatment with Ca ++ channel blockers of di-hydropyridine group P<0.01 exception being Nimodipine which showed varied results. Similarly in sub-acute inflammation model of cotton pellet implantation the drugs showed significant inhibition of inflammation exception being Nimodipine which showed significant protection in high dose 40mg/kg oral P<0.01. In chronic arthritis induced by formaldehyde there was a dose dependent reduction in paw oedema varying from P<0.05 at 10mg/kg oral dose to P<0.01 at 40mg/kg dose. Conclusion: These findings suggest that CCBs exert significant dose dependent anti-inflammatory activity against acute, sub acute and chronic models of inflammations.
Predicting Neurologic Recovery in Cervical Spinal Cord Injury With Postoperative MR Imaging

Study Design. Prospective, nonrandomized, observational cohort study. Objectives. To determine whether the presence of spinal cord hemorrhage and length of hematoma on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is predictive of recovery in cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). Summary of Background Data. A clear picture of the location, extent, and severity of traumatic cervical cord injury can be obtained with MRI. Several prognostic studies looked for an association between the degree of SCI, as depicted by MRI, and neurologic outcome. Up to now, an association between the length of hemorrhage and the extent of SCI and motor recovery could not be demonstrated. Methods. Twenty-nine patients with acute traumatic cervical spinal cord injury underwent surgery within 2 to 9 hours. MRI was performed within 2 weeks of injury. Neurologic impairment was classified using the ASIA classification. The effects of hemorrhage and length of hematoma on changes in the neurologic impairment were assessed at time of MRI and at median follow-up in 35 months (range, 24–65 months). Results. Patients with hemorrhage were much more likely to have a complete injury at time of follow-up (odds ratio = 2.33, 95% confidence interval, 1.42–3.82). Patients admitted with complete SCI, ASIA A, showed a median length of hematoma of 10.5 mm and a median length of edema of 66.5 mm and no change at follow-up. Patients with incomplete SCI showed a median length of hematoma of 4 mm and small edema. Presence of hemorrhage less than 4 mm was associated with good prognosis. Conclusion. This study indicates that presence of hemorrhage of less than 4 mm was not associated with complete SCI and showed good prognosis.
Characterization of Ionic Currents in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Bone Marrow

This study characterized functional ion channels in cultured undifferentiated human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) from bone marrow with whole‐cell patch clamp and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) techniques. Three types of outward currents were found in hMSCs, including a noise‐like rapidly activating outward current inhibited by the large conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channel (IKCa) blocker iberiotoxin, a transient outward K+ current (Ito) suppressed by 4‐aminopyridine (4‐AP), and a delayed rectifier K+ current (IKDR)‐like ether‐à‐go‐go (eag) K+ channel. In addition, tetrodotoxin‐sensitive sodium current (INa.TTX) and nifedipine‐sensitive L‐type Ca2+ current (ICa.L) were also detected in 29% and 15% hMSCs, respectively. Moreover, RT‐PCR revealed the molecular evidence of high levels of mRNA for the functional ionic currents, including human MaxiK for IKCa, Kv4.2 and Kv1.4 for Ito, heag1 for IKDR, hNE‐Na for INa.TTX, and CACNAIC for ICa.L. These results demonstrate that multiple functional ion channel currents—that is, IKCa, Ito, heag1, INa.TTX, and ICa.L—are expressed in hMSCs from bone marrow.
Cultured glial cells express the SNAP‐25 analogue SNAP‐23

Astrocytes release glutamate and aspartate in response to elevated intracellular calcium levels, and it has been proposed that this occurs by a vesicular release mechanism, in which SNARE proteins are implicated. Although syntaxin, synaptobrevin, and cellubrevin have been shown to be expressed by cultured astrocytes, SNAP‐25 has not been detected. By using immunocytochemical, immunoblotting, and polymerase chain reaction techniques, the present study demonstrates that SNAP‐23, an analogue of SNAP‐25, is expressed by astrocytes both in culture and in rat cerebellum. These findings provide additional evidence that astrocytes release excitatory amino acids by a vesicular mechanism involving SNARE proteins. SNAP‐23 and also syntaxin 1 and cellubrevin were found to be expressed in glial precursor cells, oligodendrocytes, and microglia. These data suggest that the t‐SNAREs SNAP‐23 and syntaxin 1 and the v‐SNARE cellubrevin participate in general membrane insertion mechanisms involved in diverse glial cell functions such as secretion, phagocytosis, and myelinogenesis. GLIA 27:181–187, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hedge Markets for Executives and Corporate Agency

This paper analyzes the implications of executive hedge markets for firm value maximization in an optimal contracting framework. The main results are as follows: Without any hedging ability, the manager underinvests in risk at the firm level to diversify his own compensation risk. If the manager can trade a security correlated with firm specific risk, the underinvestment in risk is reduced, optimal managerial share ownership and equilibrium effort increase. If the manager can hedge by simulating the sale of his shares, however, he can completely undo any incentive scheme. The model predicts that a higher degree of financial market development implies higher managerial share ownership and more efficient risk taking at the firm level.
Long-term results of inferior oblique muscle recession in superior oblique palsy

To evaluate the long-term surgical outcomes of inferior oblique muscle recession (IO Rec) for the treatment of superior oblique palsy (SOP). We retrospectively studied 18 consecutive patients who had undergone IO Rec for the treatment of SOP. A follow-up of at least five years after the operation was required to be included in the study. In results the preoperative vertical deviation was 10.6 ± 5.3 degrees in the primary position and 10.2 ± 4.7 degrees in the field of maximum action movement of the inferior oblique muscle. The final postoperative vertical deviation improved to 2.1 ± 3.9 degrees and 1.1 ± 3.5 degrees, respectively. In addition, the improvement in the vertical deviations was stable during the follow-up period. In conclusion our study results suggested that the surgical outcomes of IO Rec for the treatment of SOP had been maintained during the long-term follow up period.