Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gait analysis after total knee replacement for degenerative arthritis.

Using quantitative gait analysis and clinical evaluation, the functional results of 18 total knee replacement (TKR) in 13 patients who had osteoarthritis were evaluated. Nine knees each were replaced by Insall-Burnstein (I/B) posterior stabilized design or Miller-Galante (M/G) prosthesis. The former was fixed by cement and needed to sacrifice posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), while the latter was inserted without cement, and PCL could be reserved. The follow-up period ranged from 21 to 77 months. At the final follow-up, the overall functional knee score was 94.1 points (I/B 95.0 versus M/G 92.2). The average active knee flexion was 109.7 degrees (I/B 116.4 degrees versus M/G 102.9). For gait analysis, three cameras synchronized with 2 AMTI force plates were connected to the VICON system to provide kinetic and kinematic data during level walking. The data were compared with the non-operated side; and with younger subjects as normal control. They were supposed to possess normal knee functions. In patients after knee prosthesis, they tended to have slower velocity, shorter step length and less cadence. They also showed shorter swing and longer stance phases. In the M/G knee ground, the duration for double-limb support was longer, but shorter for single-limb support. The angles of knee flexion-extension of both prosthetic groups became narrower. Their ground reaction forces in both vertical and medio-lateral directions were larger than in the control groups, probably due to quadriceps dysfunction and subtle imbalance of the soft tissue-prosthesis complex around the joint. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Conversion of the allosteric transition of GroEL from concerted to sequential by the single mutation Asp-155 → Ala

The reaction cycle of the double-ring chaperonin GroEL is driven by ATP binding that takes place with positive cooperativity within each seven-membered ring and negative cooperativity between rings. The positive cooperativity within rings is due to ATP binding-induced conformational changes that are fully concerted. Herein, it is shown that the mutation Asp-155 → Ala leads to an ATP-induced break in intra-ring and inter-ring symmetry. Electron microscopy analysis of single-ring GroEL particles containing the Asp-155 → Ala mutation shows that the break in intra-ring symmetry is due to stabilization of allosteric intermediates such as one in which three subunits have switched their conformation while the other four have not. Our results show that eliminating an intra-subunit interaction between Asp-155 and Arg-395 results in conversion of the allosteric switch of GroEL from concerted to sequential, thus demonstrating that its allosteric behavior arises from coupled tertiary conformational changes.
Performance Margins of Passive Pico-Cell Systems with an Electroabsorption Modulator Using Radio-Over-Fiber Techniques

We investigate the performance limits of a passive pico-cell system with an electroabsorption modulator (EAM) using the radio-over-fiber technique in a 2.4 GHz wireless local area network (WLAN) environment. WLAN signals from a wireless router can not be detected properly at the WLAN card even in a service range of 1 m for the zero bias voltage to the EAM. To overcome and understand the performance limits, we apply bias voltage to the EAM and vary the optical modulation index (OMI) of the transmitter. Power margins in the links are found to estimate a possible service range, and packet loss rates in the pico-cell system are measured to evaluate the transmission performance. The service range can be extended up to 3 m by applying bias voltage to the EAM or adjusting the OMI of the transmitter.
Abnormal sensory evoked potentials in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

We have reviewed sensory evoked potential (EP) findings in 17 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Somatosensory EPs were abnormal in 7 of 16 patients after lower-extremity stimulation and in 2 of 16 patients after upper-extremity stimulation. Brainstem auditory EP abnormalities were found in 2 of 12 patients. No abnormalities were noted on pattern reversal visual EPs in 12 patients. Overall, 47% of all ALS patients studied had at least one EP abnormality. EP evidence of CNS sensory dysfunction in ALS is more frequent than that noted clinically or pathologically and offers further support to previous observations of sensory system involvement in ALS.
Smallholder Farmers’ Perceptions and Adaptation to Climate Variability and Climate Change in Doba District, West Hararghe, Ethiopia

This study assessed farmers’ perceptions and adaptation to climate variability and change in Doba District, West Hararghe, Ethiopia. The study also investigated determinant factors influencing adaptation strategies to climate variability and change. The study followed a multistage stratified random sampling procedure. Data collected from 160 sample households was used in this study. Descriptive statistics were employed to assess perceptions among gender and social groups while the multinomial logit model (MNL) was used to identify factors influencing adaptation strategies used by sample households to climate variability and change. The study finds that there are nearly unified perceptions of climate variability and change among gender and social groups. The adaptation strategies used in MNL model were crop diversification and the use of soil and water conservation practices, integrated crop and livestock diversification, engaging in off-farm income activities and rainwater harvesting. It is understood that agro-ecological locations, sex, family size, plot size, off-farm income, livestock holding (TLU), frequency of extension contact and training are the determinant factors influencing adaptation strategies.
Evaluation of the Etest GRD for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus with reduced susceptibility to glycopeptides.

OBJECTIVES Continued glycopeptide-selective pressure has led to non-susceptible strains of Staphylococcus aureus including heterogeneously vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (hVISA). The gold standard for identification of hVISA is the population analysis profile area under the curve ratio (PAP-AUC), though this method is time-consuming and labour-intensive. The objective of this study was to compare a new method for detection of hVISA, the Etest GRD, to PAP-AUC and to macro Etest. METHODS One hundred clinical hVISA and 50 clinical fully vancomycin-susceptible S. aureus (VSSA), confirmed by PAP-AUC, were evaluated. Microtitre and Etest MICs were determined by standard testing procedures on all isolates. Macro Etest was performed according to referenced procedures. The Etest GRD was tested using a 0.5 McFarland standard on Mueller-Hinton agar + 5% blood and read at 24 and 48 h. If either the vancomycin or the teicoplanin end of the GRD strip was >or=8 and the vancomycin Etest was <or=4, the isolate was considered hVISA. RESULTS Vancomycin MIC(50)/MIC(90) for hVISA and VSSA was 1.5/2 mg/L and 1/1.5 mg/L, respectively, by Etest and vancomycin MIC(50)/MIC(90) for hVISA and VSSA was 1/2 mg/L for both by microtitre; MIC values for hVISA being significantly higher (P <or= 0.023). At 24 h, the Etest GRD was 77% sensitive and 98% specific, and at 48 h, it was 93% sensitive and 82% specific compared with PAP-AUC. Macro Etest was 83% sensitive and 94% specific at 48 h. CONCLUSIONS Etest GRD was simple to perform and may be feasible for clinical microbiology laboratories. This test may be useful for clinical detection of hVISA.
Fatty acid composition of the subcutaneous adipose tissue and risk of proliferative benign breast disease and breast cancer.

BACKGROUND Studies in animals and geographic correlations across populations suggest that fatty acid intake may have a positive relationship with breast cancer risk, but analytic epidemiologic studies of fat intake have been less supportive. Adipose tissue analysis provides a more objective assessment of intakes of fatty acids that are not endogenously synthesized than do the questionnaire survey methods used in many epidemiologic studies. PURPOSE This case-control study of postmenopausal women was designed to examine the relationship between fatty acid composition of subcutaneous adipose tissue and risk of breast cancer and proliferative benign breast disease. In addition, we examined specific hypotheses that breast cancer risk is negatively associated with long-chain N-3 fatty acid intake, positively associated with trans fatty acid intake, and positively associated with increased intake of polyunsaturated fat together with low intake of antioxidants. METHODS Aspirates of subcutaneous fat from the buttocks were obtained from 380 women with newly diagnosed stage I or II breast cancer and 176 with proliferative benign breast disease. A total of 397 women who were evaluated for breast abnormalities at the same institutions but did not require breast biopsy or whose biopsy revealed nonproliferative benign breast disease served as the control group. We examined associations between saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, trans, or long-chain N-3 fatty acids and breast cancer, atypical hyperplasia, or proliferative benign breast disease without atypia. RESULTS We observed no consistent patterns of association between breast cancer risk and any of the categories of fatty acids or the individual constituent fatty acids in the adipose tissue. Saturated fatty acids were inversely associated with risk of proliferative benign breast disease without atypia but not with atypical hyperplasia or breast cancer. This association was not observed, however, when total fat intake was taken into account. Women with high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids in adipose tissue and low serum or dietary levels of antioxidants were not observed to be at higher risk of breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS Using an objective measure of intake, we observed no major associations between polyunsaturated fatty acids, including long-chain N-3 fatty acids and trans fatty acids, and risk of breast cancer or proliferative benign breast disease. IMPLICATIONS These data do not support the hypothesis that intake of specific fatty acids, particularly polyunsaturated and trans fatty acids, is an important risk factor for malignant or benign breast disease.
Indication of Fusion for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis in Elderly Patients and Its Significance

Study Design Selection of surgical therapy for lumbar canal stenosis in elderly patients is discussed. Decompression alone and decompression with fusion were evaluated. Objectives To determine the indication of decompression with fusion for lumbar spinal stenosis in elderly patients. Summary of Background Data Although there is no objection to posterior decompression, which is regarded as the first choice of surgical therapy for lumbar spinal stenosis in the elderly, it is debatable whether or not fusion should be used with decompression. Methods The presence or absence of instability was defined by Posner's method from preoperative plain radiographic lateral findings. Thirty-four elderly patients with lumbar canal stenosis were studied. Seventeen of the 34 patients were found to have instability. Ten of the 17 patients with spinal instability underwent decompression and instrumented fusion. The seven remaining patients with spinal instability underwent decompression alone. The 17 patients without spinal instability were treated by decompression alone. Preoperative symptoms, postoperative results, and changes in radiographic findings were compared among the three groups. Results The group treated by decompression and fusion showed the best results. The group treated by decompression in the presence of instability showed the worst results by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association back scores. Good results can be obtained by decompression alone only if the patients do not have instability as defined by Posner. Conclusions The definition of instability by Posner's method proved useful for selecting elderly patients with instability for fusion treatment. Fusion with instrumentation should be performed on elderly patients with instability after decompression.
Expression profile of genes coding for melanoma differentiation antigens and cancer/testis antigens in metastatic lesions of human cutaneous melanoma

Vaccination-based therapy of melanoma has so far mainly focused on monovalent approaches using either melanoma differentiation antigens or cancer/testis antigens. To study the complementarity of expression from these two families of antigens recognized by T-cells, we screened 47 metastatic lesions of cutaneous melanoma for the expression of three melanoma differentiation antigens and eight cancer/testis antigens using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The melanoma differentiation antigens were expressed in a somewhat higher percentage of lesions (94% positive for at least one marker) than the cancer/testis antigens (91% positive for at least one marker). Nearly all the melanoma metastases (98%) expressed at least one of the markers tested. One melanoma metastasis was negative for all the markers. Two out of 47 lesions did not express any of the three differentiation markers but expressed one or more of the cancer/testis antigens, indicating some additional potential for these antigens compared with the melanoma differentiation antigens. Therefore, we conclude that polyvalent immunotherapy using multiple epitopes from both families of antigens might increase the eligibility of melanoma patients and the efficacy of the treatment.
Results of Treatment of Displaced Midshaft Clavicle Fractures in Adults by Open Reduction And Internal Fixation - A Case Series

Introduction: Open reduction and internal fixation is a standard modality of treatment in widely displaced midshaft fractures of clavicle in adults. We report the result of a prospective study of thirty two patients, who were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. Methodology: In a prospective study, 32 cases of displaced fractures in adults were treated with open reduction and internal fixation. The age group of the patients were above 16 years. Cases were followed up for an average of eight months post operatively. Results: Assessed as per CONSTANT score for functional results at the end of 6-8 months of follow up. Excellent result was seen in around 86.03 % patients and good results seen in 13.97 % patients. Conclusion: Open reduction and internal fixation is a standard method for the management of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures in adults. It not only obviates many of the complications of non-operative treatment but also gives better functional results.
Osmoregulation in Agrobacterium tumefaciens: accumulation of a novel disaccharide is controlled by osmotic strength and glycine betaine

We have investigated the mechanism of osmotic stress adaptation (osmoregulation) in Agrobacterium tumefaciens biotype I (salt-tolerant) and biotype II (salt-sensitive) strains. Using natural-abundance 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we identified all organic solutes that accumulated to significant levels in osmotically stressed cultures. When stressed, biotype I strains (C58, NT1, and A348) accumulated glutamate and a novel disaccharide, beta-fructofuranosyl-alpha-mannopyranoside, commonly known as mannosucrose. In the salt-sensitive biotype II strain K84, glutamate was observed but mannosucrose was not. We speculate that mannosucrose confers the extra osmotic tolerance observed in the biotype I strains. In addition to identifying the osmoregulated solutes that this species synthesizes, we investigated the ability of A. tumefaciens to utilize the powerful osmotic stress protectant glycine betaine when it is supplied in the medium. Results from growth experiments, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and a 14C labeling experiment demonstrated that in the absence of osmotic stress, glycine betaine was metabolized, while in stressed cultures, glycine betaine accumulated intracellularly and conferred enhanced osmotic stress tolerance. Furthermore, when glycine betaine was taken up in stressed cells, its accumulation caused the intracellular concentration of mannosucrose to drop significantly. The possible role of osmoregulation of A. tumefaciens in the transformation of plants is discussed.
Capgras' Syndrome and Prosopagnosia

Psychiatric patients, by and large, are more sensitive to invasion of privacy than is the average person. Psychotherapy and, one would hope, other forms of psychiatric treatment pay tribute to the individuality of the person, and to the privileged position of communication between patient and doctor and within the therapeutic group. If those meetings, where less involved members of the Staff also attend, are considered necessary for teaching purposes, this ought to be discussed with patients beforehand, and their consent obtained.
Developing a tool to measure 'magnetism' in Australian nursing environments

The magnet hospital concept, developed in the United States of America (USA) in the early eighties, identified characteristics successful in attracting and retaining nursing staff. The nursing profession in Australia is currently focused on issues of recruitment and retention; therefore it is relevant and timely to consider the significance of the magnet concept to Australian health facilities. The project was undertaken in two stages: one using focus groups to revise the tool for use in Australia; and a second, using a questionnaire to test the reliability, validity and usability, of this revised tool, in a sample of Australian hospitals. The focus groups identified three main issues requiring modification to the existing tool namely: language; contextual meaning; and, presentation. The data from the questionnaire shows that the analysis of the Australian version of the magnet measurement tool retained acceptable levels of internal consistency. The results of the pilot indicate that respondents were clearly positive in their responses related to the three subscales of: ‘quality of care’; ‘management, leader and support’; and ‘nurse‐physician relationships’; while ‘nurse participation’ and ‘staff and resources’ subscales were rated less positively by the respondents. This means the tool is appropriate to use in an Australian context and is able to produce specific and reliable data on magnet features in Australian health facilities. The significance of this research is that it informs the promotion of organisational change that has been shown to facilitate nursing staff retention and positive health outcomes in Australia.
Evaluation of perfusion modes on vital organ recovery and thyroid hormone homeostasis in pediatric patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.

The objectives of this study were: (i) to evaluate the effects of perfusion modes (pulsatile vs. nonpulsatile) on vital organs recovery and (ii) to investigate the influences of two different perfusion modes on the homeostasis of thyroid hormones in pediatric patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) procedures. Two hundred and eighty-nine consecutive pediatric patients undergoing open heart surgery for repair of congenital heart disease were prospectively entered into the study and were randomly assigned to two groups: the pulsatile perfusion group (Group P, n = 208) and the nonpulsatile perfusion group (Group NP, n = 81). All patients received identical surgical, perfusional, and postoperative care. Study parameters included total drainage, mean urine output in the intensive care unit (ICU), intubation time, duration of ICU and hospital stay, the need for inotropic support, pre- and postoperative enzyme levels (ALT [alanine aminotransaminase] and AST [aspartate aminotransaminase]), c-reactive protein, lactate, albumin, blood count (leukocytes, hematocrit, platelets), creatinine levels, and thyroid hormones (thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH], FT(3) [free triiodothyronine], FT(4) [free thyroxine]). All patients survived the perioperative and postoperative periods. There were no statistically significant differences in either preoperative or operative parameters between the two groups. Group P, compared to Group NP, required significantly less inotropic support, had a shorter intubation period, higher urine output in ICU, and shorter duration of ICU and hospital stay. Lower lactate levels and higher albumin levels were observed in Group P and there were no significant differences in creatinine, enzyme levels, blood counts, or drainage amounts between two groups. TSH, Total T(3) , Total T(4) , and FT(3) , FT(4) levels were markedly reduced versus their preoperative values in both groups. FT(3) and FT(4) levels were reduced significantly further in the nonpulsatile group both during CPB and at 72 h postoperation. The results of this study confirm our opinion that pulsatile perfusion leads to better vital organ recovery and clinical outcomes in the early postoperative period as compared to nonpulsatile perfusion in pediatric patients undergoing CPB cardiac surgery. The plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones are dramatically reduced during and after CPB, but pulsatile perfusion seems to have a protective effect of thyroid hormone homeostasis compared to nonpulsatile perfusion.
Schooling Impacts of Conditional Cash Transfers on Young Children: Evidence from Mexico

This article evaluates impacts of Oportunidades, a Mexican conditional cash transfer program, on educational outcomes 5.5 years after program initiation for a group of children who were ages 0–8 years preprogram. The oldest children within this age range received educational scholarships. The youngest children did not receive the scholarships because they had not yet started the third grade (the initial grade for scholarships) but were beneficiaries of the program’s health components, which included nutritional supplements for children 24 months of age or younger. All of these children also may have benefited more generally from increased household income resulting from the program. This article investigates how the program differentially affected younger and older children within this age range and examines whether the early nutritional intervention led to improvements in subsequent educational performance. The program impact estimates are derived from a randomly assigned treatment and control group, which participated for different lengths of time in the program, and from a matched comparison group that had not participated prior to the collection of data in 2003. The empirical findings show positive program impacts on reducing ages at entering school for the younger children as well as on accumulated grades of schooling after 5.5 years of benefits for older children, with estimates implying a 1% reduction in the age of entry to primary and an increase in grades of schooling completed to date of about 8%–9%.