Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Rocker Shoe on the Ground Reaction Force Parameters in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objectives: Foot and ankle problems are common complications in rheumatoid arthritis disease. Gait pattern such as normal foot and ankle rocker is impaired in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rocker sole as an external shoe modification is commonly prescribed in this pathology. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of rocker shoe on vertical ground reaction force parameters during walking in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Sixteen female participants with rheumatoid arthritis were recruited in this study. All patients were prepared with a pair of high-top, heel-to-toe rocker shoe and were asked to wear the shoes for one month. Ground reaction force parameters including peak forces and peak force times were evaluated in the first session, and after seven days and thirty days follow up were carried on. Results: First maximal vertical force was significantly increased with rocker shoe compared to barefoot after 7 days follow up. Walking with rocker shoe reduced the minimal vertical force after 7 days. The second maximal vertical force showed to be statistically lower with rocker shoe than barefoot after 7 and 30 days. Furthermore, stance time decreased with rocker shoe after one month. Discussion: Results of this study revealed that vertical ground reaction force parameters changed in rheumatoid arthritis patients with heel-to-toe rocker shoe, both immediately and after one month follow up. This might suggest the effectiveness of rocker shoes in improving gait in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Optimal basket liquidation with finite time horizon for CARA investors

We consider the finite-time optimal basket liquidation problem for a von Neumann-Morgenstern investor with constant absolute risk aversion (CARA). As underlying continuous-time liquidity model, we use a multi-asset extension of the nonlinear price impact model of Almgren (2003). We show that the expected utility of sales revenues, taken over a large class of adapted strategies, is maximized by a unique deterministic strategy, which can be characterized by a Hamilton equation. Mathematicaly, the problem is equivalent to a control problem with finitefuel constraint, which we solve by observing that the corresponding value function solves a degenerate Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation with singular initial condition.
APOE e4-Genotype and Lifestyle Interaction on Cognitive Performance: Results of the LIFE-Adult-Study

Objective: Previous studies have shown that the e4-allele of the APOE gene is associated with a higher risk of developing dementia. Our study investigated whether well-known associations between lifestyle factors and cognitive functioning may be stronger in individuals who carry the dementia risk variant of the APOE gene and whether this association is amplified with older age. Method: Data analysis comprised 7,526 participants (aged 40- to 79-years-old) from the population-based LIFE-Adult-study. The effect of the APOE e4-allele on the association between lifestyle factors (smoking, physical activity, being overweight, occupational attainment) and cognitive performance (trail making test [TMT] B, verbal fluency test [VFT]) was analyzed via multivariate generalized linear modeling adjusted for APOE e2-allele, age, gender, education, stroke, and heart attack. Results: Smoking, less physical activity, and lower occupational attainment was associated with a poorer performance in the TMT B and VFT. Neither the APOE e4-allele nor interactions with the APOE e4-allele were significantly associated with cognitive performance. The association between physical activity and occupational attainment on performance in the TMT B were stronger in older age, but the APOE gene did not modify those associations. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the dementia risk variant of the APOE gene does not alter the association between lifestyle factors and cognitive performance in the general population aged 40- to 79-years-old. However, as lifestyle factors impact cognitive aging, research efforts should focus on establishing effective interventions promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors to counteract adverse cognitive aging processes.
Clinical investigations on attenuated strains of poliomyelitis virus; use as a method of immunization of children with living virus.

• Alimentary infection without acute disease and without neurological manifestations was induced in two series of human subjects. In one series, SM type 1 poliomyelitis virus was given in capsules; in the other, TN type 2 virus was given in milk suspension. Altogether, 225 nonimmune subjects have received one or the other of these two viruses for immunization purposes; all have developed antibodies, and none have suffered any ill-effects that could be ascribed to the ingestion of the living poliomyelitis virus. Within the isolation unit, observations on transmissibility of the virus were made by setting up conditions that permitted contact. Transmission occurred in 5 of 15 contacts. The nurses who cared for these patients showed no evidence of alimentary infection. When the viruses were administered simultaneously, the type 1 virus alone produced antibodies unless type 2 was given first or in larger amounts. Mercurous chloride and other drugs intended to suppress fecal excretion of the virus had little effect. Administration of gamma globulin at the time the virus was ingested had no effect on the antibody response.
Relationships among body image, eating behaviour, and psychological health of University of Ghana students

The study examines the relationship among body image, eating behavior, and psychological health among undergraduate students of University of Ghana. A total of 140 students comprising males (n=70) and females (n=70) from collectivistic cultures (n=117) and individualistic cultures (n=23) were conveniently sampled as respondents for the study. Questionnaires containing Body Image Scale (BIS), Eating Attitudes Test-16 (EAT-16), and the General Wellbeing Schedule (GWB) were administered to the respondents. The analyses of data revealed a significant positive relationship between body image and eating behavior, but a negative relationship between body image and psychological health. There was no significant relationship between age and body image and no significant sex differences in body image, eating behavior and psychological health. Culture had a significant influence on body image and psychological health. Students from individualistic cultures had a more positive body image, but a poorer psychological health than those from collectivistic cultures. These findings are discussed with references to the literature.
América Latina y el Caribe: estimación de las series en paridades de poder adquisitivo (PPA): un ejercicio preliminar para el período 2000-2011

El proposito de este trabajo es generar series de paridades de poder adquisitivo (PPA)1 que permitan realizar simultaneamente comparaciones intertemporales e interespaciales de los principales agregados macroeconomicos para los paises de America Latina y el Caribe (ALC), poniendo a disposicion de los usuarios elementos metodologicos que posibiliten su interpretacion y utilizacion descriptiva y analitica. El ejercicio que se reporta en las siguientes paginas esta basado fundamentalmente en los resultados globales obtenidos en la Ronda 2005 del Programa de Comparacion Internacional (PCI) asi como en las versiones mas recientes de las cuentas nacionales difundidas por los paises de la region para el periodo 2000-2011; tiene la ventaja de incorporar las innovaciones que posiblemente otras series aun no han podido procesarlas y preparar la discusion tecnica y el analisis de los resultados que arrojara la Ronda 2011 del Programa de Comparacion Internacional, y con los cuales podria replicarse y ampliarse los tratamientos y aspectos metodologicos propuestos en esta nota. En ese escenario el desafio sera obviamente mayor, pues al disponer de dos puntos (aunque no para todos los paises de la region) o anos de benchmark (2005 y 2011) existira la posibilidad de realizar un ejercicio de interpolacion y evaluar esos los resultados frente a aquellos que pueden ser obtenidos mediante una retropolacion basada unicamente en las PPA del ano 2011. Tanto los resultados como la metodologia utilizada estan abiertos al analisis y consideracion de los usuarios y, por tanto, los autores solicitan la formulacion de sugerencias y observaciones criticas que posibiliten mejorar el tratamiento estadistico de estas series.
Colorectal surgery in octogenarian patients: is it safe?

Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency and safety of resection for colorectal malignancy in elderly patients, by comparing the data from octogenarian (80+ years) patients with other patients of different ages undergoing this procedure. Methods. Data from 80 patients who underwent elective surgery for colorectal malignancy,by a single surgeon in the same center between the dates of May 2013 and May 2015, were evaluated retrospectively. For comparison purposes, patients were classified into three age groups: 65 years and under; between the ages of 66 and 79; and 80+ years old. Demographic features; the presence of comorbidity; colon tumor location; permeation features during colonoscopy; resection type and method; morbidity and mortality; lymph node metastasis and stage of the disease; follow-up period; recurrence during follow-up; and survival data of the patients were recorded and evaluated. Results. Statistically, no significant difference was detected between the three age groups in terms of demographic features; presence of comorbidity; colon tumor location; permeation features in colonoscopy; resection type and method; morbidity and mortality; lymph node metastasis and stage of the disease; follow-up period; recurrence during follow-up; or survival data. Conclusion. Curative resections for colorectal cancer can be safely carried out in octogenarian patients.
An Analysis of Risk Domains Associated with Drug Transitions of Active Latino Gang Members

Abstract Alcohol and illicit drug abuse is a serious problem among male Latino gang members. Research indicates that gang members increase their drug use while they are members, and use more drugs after they leave the gangs. This manuscript reports on data reflecting the influences of individual, familial, peer, and community factors on the number of drug use transitions that Latino gang members undergo during their drug using careers. Data from this study were collected from interviews conducted with seventy-six active Latino gang members. The study's results indicate that age at the time of interview and lower age of drug onset were associated with a greater number of drug use transitions. Positive family attitudes toward deviance, friend drug use, school truancy, conflict with parents, and living in neighborhoods with a high level of crime were also found to be associated with increased drug use transitions.
Developmentally Regulated Expression of HDNF/NT‐3 mRNA in Rat Spinal Cord Motoneurons and Expression of BDNF mRNA in Embryonic Dorsal Root Ganglion

Northern blot analysis was used to demonstrate high levels of hippocampus‐derived neurotrophic factor/ neurotrophin‐3 (HDNF/NT‐3) mRNA in the embryonic day (E) 13–14 and 15–16 spinal cord. The level decreased at E18–19 and remained the same until postnatal day (P) 1, after which it decreased further to a level below the detection limit in the adult. In situ hybridization revealed that the NT‐3 mRNA detected in the developing spinal cord was derived from motoneurons and the decrease seen at E18–19 was caused by a reduction in the number of motoneurons expressing NT‐3 mRNA. The distribution of NT‐3 mRNA‐expressing cells in the E15 spinal cord was very similar to the distribution of cells expressing choline acetyltransferase or nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) mRNA. Moreover, a striking similarity between the developmentally regulated expression of NT‐3 and NGFR mRNA was noted in spinal cord motoneurons. A subpopulation of all neurons in the dorsal root ganglia expressed brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA from E13, the earliest time examined, to adulthood. These results are consistent with a trophic role of NT‐3 for proprioceptive sensory neurons innervating the ventral horn, and imply a local action of BDNF for developing sensory neurons within the dorsal root ganglia.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Too much of a good thing?

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has revolutionized the treatment of gallstone disease. Since its introduction in the late 1980s, it has virtually replaced open cholecystectomy in uncomplicated cases. Its rapid adoption by surgeons in community practice, stimulated by demand from patients aware of the procedure's apparent virtues in comparison with conventional surgery, preceded any formal evaluation of its benefits and risks by academic centers. Nevertheless, a National Institutes of Health Consensus Conference in September 1992 concluded that laparoscopic cholecystectomy provides a safe and effective treatment for most patients with symptomatic gallstones and that it offers distinct advantages over open cholecystectomy by decreasing postoperative pain and disability. 1 See also p 1429. Hence, it may not be surprising that Legorreta et al 2 have documented a sharp rise in the rate of cholecystectomy procedures in a large private practice—based health maintenance organization. Using claims data, they found that total cholecystectomy rates increased almost 60%
Enhancement of mechanical performance by stretch during tetanic contractions of vertebrate skeletal muscle fibres.

1. Single fibres from the semitendinosus muscle of Rana temporaria were stretched during fused tetanic contractions and tension and sarcomere length (laser diffraction) responses were recorded. 2. Stretch of the fibres caused proportional increases in length of the sarcomeres. The force increased to a plateau value which was maintained during stretch or increased to a plateau value which was maintained during stretch or increased slightly. 3. The plateau value of force during stretch was dependent upon the velocity of stretch, was independent of the amplitude of stretch and was not proportional to overlap of thick and thin filaments. 4. There was enhancement of force after stretch compared with that produced at the same sarcomere length during isometric tetani. This force enhancement was independent of the velocity at which the stretch had been applied. 5. At sarcomere lengths between 1.9 and 2.3 micrometer, the force enhancement after stretch declayed rapidly, was independent of amplitude of stretch above approximately 25 nm per sarcomere not associated with a shift of the force‐‐velocity curve. At sarcomere lengths above 2.3 micrometer the force enhancement after stretch decayed very slowly and was still present after 4 sec in long tetani. 6. At sarcomere lengths above 2.3 micrometer, force enhancement after stretch increased with amplitude of stretch and increased for any given stretch amplitude with sarcomere length. The force recorded after stretch was thus not proportional to overlap of thick and thin filaments. 7. At sarcomere lengths above 2.3 micrometer, the force enhancement after stretch was associated with a shift towards higher force value of the force‐‐velocity curve. The velocity of shortening and zero load (V max) derived by hyperbolic extrapolation of the force‐‐velocity curve was not affected. 8. Tension enhancement during and after stretch has a stabilizing effect in preventing dispersion of sarcomere length, particularly on the descending limb of the length‐‐tension curve.
Tuberculosis infection in drug users: interferon-gamma release assay performance.

SETTING An inner city neighborhood in Houston, Texas, known for a high rate of drug use. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) using the QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT-G) test, the TSPOT.TB test and the tuberculin skin test (TST) in drug users and to evaluate the performance of the QFT-G and TSPOT.TB tests vs. the TST. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine risks associated with each test outcome. RESULTS The prevalence of LTBI in 119 drug users studied was 28% by TST and 34% by QFT-G and T-SPOT.TB. Kappa statistics indicated fair to moderate concordance between QFT-G and TSPOT.TB vs. TST. About one-fifth of the population that tested negative with TST was positive with either QFT-G or T-SPOT.TB. On multivariate analysis, the likelihood of testing QFT-positive or T-SPOT.TB-positive increased by 8% and 6%, respectively, for every year of age; TST positivity was associated with smoking crack at home; being Caucasian or having a history of alcohol use was positively associated with a positive T-SPOT.TB test. CONCLUSION Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) are superior to the TST in drug users with a higher prevalence of LTBI. Future studies need to assess the predictive value of IGRAs on the progression from LTBI to active TB in high-risk populations.
FK633: A Potent and Selective Platelet GPIIb/IIIa Antagonist

Platelet activation and aggregation have been shown to play a central role in thromboembolic disorders (20,35,37). Platelets are activated by a variety of agonists. They adhere to the injured blood vessel walls and, subsequently, aggregate. These processes lead to the formation of occlusive thrombi in the lumen of the injured vessel (16,23,53). The efficacy of such common antiplatelet agents as aspirin and ticlopidine is limited because they inhibit only some of the many pathways in platelet activation (2,33,39). Antagonism of the platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor represents an attractive antiplatelet strategy, because it inhibits the final common step in platelet aggregation irrespective of the inducing agonist (3,12,13). The inhibition of platelet function with some GPIIb/IIIa antagonists has led to significant clinical benefits in reducing acute coronary ischemic syndrome (47–49). FK633 is a potent and selective GPIIb/IIIa antagonist that inhibits human platelet aggregation induced by a wide variety of agonists (3). In vivo experiments suggest that it is effective in the prevention of arterial thrombus formation and in the suppression of reocclusion and restenosis in the injured vessel after thrombolysis (3,4,28). In this review, we present the pharmacological profile, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and some clinical data on FK633, and discuss the future direction for GPIIb/IIIa antagonists.
Pharmacist Led, Primary Care-Based Disease Management Improves Hemoglobin Aic in High-Risk Patients With Diabetes

We developed and evaluated a comprehensive pharmacist-led, primary care-based diabetes disease management program for patients with Type 2 diabetes and poor glucose control at our academic general internal medicine practice. The primary goal of this program was to improve glucose control, as measured by hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Clinic-based pharmacists offered support to patients with diabetes through direct teaching about diabetes, frequent phone follow-up, medication algorithms, and use of a database that tracked patient outcomes and actively identified opportunities to improve care. From September 1999, to May 2000, 159 subjects were enrolled, and complete follow-up data were available for 138 (87%) patients. Baseline HbA1c averaged 10.8%, and after an average of 6 months of intervention, the mean reduction in HbA1c was 1.9 percentage points (95% confidence interval, 1.5-2.3). In predictive regression modeling, baseline HbA1c and new onset diabetes were associated with significant improvements in HbA1c. Age, race, gender, educational level, and provider status were not significant predictors of improvement. In conclusion, a pharmacist-based diabetes care program integrated into primary care practice significantly reduced HbA1c among patients with diabetes and poor glucose control.
Surgical treatment after chemonucleolysis failure.

T h e use of t h e drug chymopapain in t h e treatment of a herniated lumbar disc, h a s been pract iced in Canada for several years and h a s been used successfully by the senior author for t h e las t th ree years. The results have been sat isfactory a n d have correlated with previously published r e s ~ l t s . ~ ~ * ’ . ~ T h i s s tudy , however, reports on pat ients who failed to achieve a sat isfactory result a f te r chemonucleolysis, with par t icular interest directed at the surgical results and reasons for chemonucleolysis failure.
Eff ects of Topping Height , Maturity and Cultivar on the Yield and Chemical Characteristics of Flue-cured Tobacco

Eff ects of topping height, maturity and cultivar on the yield and chemical characteristics of fl ue-cured tobacco were studied in 2004-2005 and 2007. Investigations were carried out in the main tobacco growing region of Croatia according to the split-split plot method. Th e trial involved the following treatments: (1) topping height (17 and 20 harvesting leaves), (2) leaf maturity at harvesting (unripe, ripe and overripe) and (3) cultivar (HVT 1, VJ 1, DH 17). Eff ects of topping height were obtained in this study only in interaction with maturity and cultivar. Topping height in interaction with leaf maturity aff ected the yield and nicotine content in dry years, and in interaction with cultivar in the year with suffi cient precipitation the content of reducing sugars. Leaf maturity at harvesting aff ected the content of total nitrogen, proteins and reducing sugars in interaction with cultivar in 2007, marked by a forty-day water stress and retrovegetation from the second decade of August. Leaf maturity at harvesting in 2004 and 2005 had no impact on yields. Th e highest yield was achieved by harvesting ripe tobacco topped to 20 leaves in 2007. Delayed harvesting increased the nitrogen content. In 2004, total nitrogen in overripe tobacco was signifi cantly higher compared to ripe tobacco. Protein content increased until optimum maturity in 2005 and then decreased. In 2005, higher topping of cultivar VJ 1 resulted in a higher content of reducing sugars. Intensity of the decrease in the content of proteins and reducing sugars, as well as changes in total nitrogen caused by delayed harvesting in 2007 depended on cultivar characteristics. A weak positive correlation was established between yield and total nitrogen.
Improving the Dielectric Properties of High Density Polyethylene by Incorporating Clay-Nano Filler

Polymer Nano composites have been used for various important industrial applications. The preparation of high density polyethylene composed with Na-montmorillonite Nano filler using melt compounding method for different concentrations of clay-Nano filler of 0%, 2%, 6%, 10%, and 15% has been successfully done. The morphology of the obtained samples was optimized and characterized by scanning electron microscope showing the formation of the polymer Nano composites. The thermal stability and dielectric properties were measured for the prepared samples. Thermal gravimetric analysis results show that thermal stability in polymer Nano composites is more than that in the base polymer. It has been shown that the polymer Nano composites exhibit some very different dielectric characteristics when compared to the base polymer. The dielectric breakdown strength is enhanced by the addition of clay-Nano filler. The dielectric constant and dissipation factor have been studied in the frequency range 200 Hz to 2 MHz at room temperature indicating that enhancements have been occurred in dielectric constant and dissipation factor by the addition of clay-Nano filler in the polymer material when compared with the pure material.