Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Three-Dimensional Movements of the Sacroiliac Joint: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Assessment of Clinical Utility

Abstract The high frequency of static and dynamic palpation methods used during evaluation of SIJ problems in clinical practice demands an understanding of the factual quantity of movement at the SIJ. The objective of this systematic literature review was to synthesize three-dimensional (3-D) motion of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) during various functional static postures and movements and to determine the clinical utility of movement during examination. A computer-based search was performed by means of OVID, which included Medline (February 1966 to April 2007) and CINAHL (February 1982 to April 2007) using the keywords Pelvis, Kinematics, Imaging, Three-dimensional, and Stereophotogrammetric. Articles included in-vivo or in-vitro studies that investigated human SIJs with 3-D analysis. Three-dimensional analyses conducted using mathematical modeling, computerized modeling, and/or skin markers were not included because of concerns of transferability and validity. Studies that failed to report standard error of measurement (SEM) or defined tabulated values for translations or rotations using the Cartesian coordinate system were not considered for this study. Studies included for review were analyzed by the SBC biomechanical checklist to measure the quality of procedural design. Seven manuscripts were eligible for inclusion in this study. Rotation ranged between −1.1 to 2.2 degrees along the X-axis, −0.8 to 4.0 degrees along the Y-axis, and −0.5 to 8.0 degrees along the Z-axis. Translation ranged between −0.3 to 8.0 millimeters (mm) along the X-axis, −0.2 to 7.0 mm along the Y-axis, −0.3 to 6.0 mm along the Z-axis. Motion of the SIJ is limited to minute amounts of rotation and of translation suggesting that clinical methods utilizing palpation for diagnosing SIJ pathology may have limited clinical utility.
Small Molecule–Mediated Activation of the Integrin CD11b/CD18 Reduces Inflammatory Disease

Drugs that activate integrins inhibit leukocyte recruitment to sites of inflammation. Stimulated to Stop The recruitment of leukocytes from the blood to sites of injury in tissues is mediated by interactions between integrins on the surface of leukocytes and ligands on endothelial cells that line the blood vessels. In animals, treatment with integrin antagonists reduces the recruitment of leukocytes from the circulation to tissue sites, but this strategy is not effective in humans. Maiguel et al. took the alternative approach of stimulating integrin activation with small-molecule agonists, which increased the extent of leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium and reduced the number of cells that reached sites of tissue damage in a number of animal models, thus reducing inflammation. Together, these data suggest that stimulating, rather than blocking, integrin activation may be an effective therapy to reduce inflammation. The integrin CD11b/CD18 (also known as Mac-1), which is a heterodimer of the αM (CD11b) and β2 (CD18) subunits, is critical for leukocyte adhesion and migration and for immune functions. Blocking integrin-mediated leukocyte adhesion, although beneficial in experimental models, has had limited success in treating inflammatory diseases in humans. Here, we used an alternative strategy of inhibiting leukocyte recruitment by activating CD11b/CD18 with small-molecule agonists, which we term leukadherins. These compounds increased the extent of CD11b/CD18-dependent cell adhesion of transfected cells and of primary human and mouse neutrophils, which resulted in decreased chemotaxis and transendothelial migration. Leukadherins also decreased leukocyte recruitment and reduced arterial narrowing after injury in rats. Moreover, compared to a known integrin antagonist, leukadherins better preserved kidney function in a mouse model of experimental nephritis. Leukadherins inhibited leukocyte recruitment by increasing leukocyte adhesion to the inflamed endothelium, which was reversed with a blocking antibody. Thus, we propose that pharmacological activation of CD11b/CD18 offers an alternative therapeutic approach for inflammatory diseases.
An in vitro study of the Sealing Ability of Materials Used for Furcation Perforation Treatment

SUMMARY The aim of the study was to determine the sealing ability in vitro of the materials used for furcation perforation (FP) treatment, using Methylen blue dye. Thirty extracted human molar multi-rooted teeth and a synthetic bone substance (Bioplant HTH), amalgam, and MTA (mineral trioxide aggregate) were used in this study. The access openings to all teeth canals were made, and 1.5 mm diameter FPs were drilled. A sponge and wax were used to surround FP , and the teeth were plastered. The teeth were randomly divided into three groups: A (filled with amalgam), B (amalgam and HTR as internal matrix), C (filled with MTA). The whole surface of the teeth was covered in nail varnish, except for the site of the perforation. The teeth were immersed in Methylen blue dye for 4 days, in temperature +37°C. Vertical incisions were made and excess of the amalgam were measured in Groups A and B, dye penetration(mm) in all groups. The dye leakage was observed in all teeth groups, however, in Group C (filled with MTA) it was significantly less(p<0,001). Synthetic bone substance, using it as an internal matrix, reduced the penetration of filling material into the periodontium to the minimum.
Therapeutic Roles of Tendon Stem/Progenitor Cells in Tendinopathy

Tendinopathy is a tendon disorder characterized by activity-related pain, local edema, focal tenderness to palpation, and decreased strength in the affected area. Tendinopathy is prevalent in both athletes and the general population, highlighting the need to elucidate the pathogenesis of this disorder. Current treatments of tendinopathy are both conservative and symptomatic. The discovery of tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs) and erroneous differentiation of TSPCs have provided new insights into the pathogenesis of tendinopathy. In this review, we firstly present the histopathological characteristics of tendinopathy and explore the cellular and molecular cues in the pathogenesis of tendinopathy. Current evidence of the depletion of the stem cell pool and altered TSPCs fate in the pathogenesis of tendinopathy has been presented. The potential regulatory factors for either tenogenic or nontenogenic differentiation of TSPCs are also summarized. The regulation of endogenous TSPCs or supplementation with exogenous TSPCs as therapeutic targets for the treatment of tendinopathy is proposed. Therefore, inhibiting the erroneous differentiation of TSPCs and regulating the differentiation of TSPCs into tendon cells might be important areas of future research and could provide new clinical treatments for tendinopathy. The current evidence suggests that TSPCs are promising therapeutic targets for the management of tendinopathy.
Joint Computational/Experimental Aerodynamic Study of a Simplified Tractor/Trailer Geometry

Steady-state Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations are presented for the three-dimensional flow over a generic tractor trailer placed in the Auburn University 3 ×4 ft 2 suction wind tunnel. The width of the truck geometry is 10 in. , and the height and length of the trailer are 1.392 and 3.4 times the width, respectively. The computational model of the wind tunnel is validated by comparing the numerical results with the data from the empty wind tunnel experiments. The comparisons include the boundary layer properties at three different locations on the floor of the test section and the flow angularity at the beginning of the test section. Three grid levels are used for the simulation of the truck geometry placed in the test section of the wind tunnel. The coarse mesh consists of 3.4 X10 6 cells, the medium mesh consists of 11.2 X10 6 cells and the fine mesh consists of 25.8 × 10 6 cells. The turbulence models used for both the empty tunnel simulations and the truck geometry placed in the wind tunnel are the standard Wilcox 1998 k-ω model, the SST k-ω model, the standard k-e model, and the Spalart Allmaras model. The surface pressure distributions on the truck geometry and the overall drag are predicted from the simulations and compared with the experimental data. The computational predictions compared well with the experimental data. This study contributes a new validation data set and computations for high Reynolds number bluff-body flows. The validation data set can be used for initial assessment in evaluating RANS models, which will be used for studying the drag or drag trends predicted by the baseline truck geometries.
Changes in fibrinogen and fibrin induced by a peptide analog of fibrinogen γ365–380

Summary. Background: The effects of synthetic peptides with sequences derived from the γ‐chain of fibrinogen on the functional properties of fibrinogen and fibrin were investigated. Methods: Methods included thrombelastography, clot turbidity measurement, clot elasticity measurement, platelet aggregation, and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Results: Peptide γ369–380 (NH2–WATWKTRWYSMK–COOH) showed the greatest impact on fibrin structure, compared with the 76 other overlapping dodecapeptides. Addition of this peptide, or peptide γ365–380 (NH2–NGIIWATKTREWYSMK–COOH) to a mixture of fibrinogen and thrombin resulted a shorter clotting time, higher clot turbidity, lower clot elastic modulus, a higher degree of D‐trimer and D‐tetramer formation, and impaired plasmin proteolysis of the clot. In STEM, fibrin formed in the presence of peptide γ369–380 consisted of a more extensive array of linear fibrils typically consisting of 20 or more molecules. Fibrils were better organized than those from non‐peptide containing mixtures. Conclusions: Replacement of the tryptophan residue γ376 massively reduced the effect of the peptide on fibrin structure. Binding of the peptide to fibrinogen induces conformational changes, which result in accelerated clotting and increased lateral association of fibrin protofibrils. The results imply a relevant functional role of sites interacting with peptide γ369–380 region in the fibrinogen molecule.
Time series of visceral leishmaniasis in Aracaju, state of Sergipe, Brazil (1999 to 2008): human and canine aspects.

INTRODUCTION Considered as a neglected disease by the WHO, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has expanded and urbanized. Its transmission and expansion have been linked to several factors. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the epidemiological aspects of VL in the city of Aracaju/SE, through retrospective studies of the historical series of human and canine VL in the 1999-2008 period. METHODS Secondary data from SINAN (Information System for Reportable Diseases) for human cases were used. Data from canine surveys and from the Zoonosis Control Center's (ZCC) passive demand were used for canine cases. RESULTS 192 autochthonous cases of human VL were reported, and 63.5% were male. Children aged 1-4 years were the most affected (29.2%), followed by adults aged 20-29 years (15.6%) and children aged 5-9 years (15.1%). General mortality was 8.9%, and it was higher for the 60-69 year age group (60%); 32.3% of autochthonous cases performed serology for HIV, with a 6.9% positivity. Laboratory results were confirmed mostly by indirect isolated immunofluorescence (71.1%). 58,161 dogs were serologically tested for VL, with a positivity rate of 5.4%, while 87.0% of the surveys conducted annually by the ZCC, have a 4.4%positivity rate for VL. Of the 7,501 dogs that were brought to the ZCC for multiple complaints, the serological test was positive in 12.0%. CONCLUSION Data show the endemicity of VL in the city, revealing the need for actions to reduce the risk of the population, mostly for the group with higher incidence and mortality, such as improvement in the diagnosis of VL and its HIV-associated infection, along with monitoring of the dog population, among others.
Penalized Splines For Longitudinal Data With An Application In AIDS Studies

A penalized spline approximation is proposed in considering nonparametric regression for longitudinal data. Standard linear mixed-effects modeling can be applied for the estimation. It is relatively simple, efficiently computed, and robust to the smooth parameters selection, which are often encountered when local polynomial and smoothing spline techniques are used to analyze longitudinal data set. The method is extended to time-varying coefficient mixed-effects models. The proposed methods are applied to data from an AIDS clinical study. Biological interpretations and clinical implications are discussed. Simulation studies are done to illustrate the proposed methods.
Impairment of T-cell activation in head and neck cancer in situ and in vitro: strategies for an immune restoration.

BACKGROUND The rationale for the study was based on the hypothesis that decreased or absent expression on tumor cells of adhesion molecules, the class I or class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, or costimulatory molecules might be responsible, in part, for the poor ability of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) to induce generation of antitumor effector cells in vitro and in vivo. OBJECTIVE To investigate expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and lymphocyte function associated antigen-3 (LFA-3) and distribution of the costimulatory molecules, B7.1, B7.2, and CD40, and of class I and class II MHC molecules on SCCHN cells in situ and on SCCHN cell lines. SETTING University medical centers. DESIGN Expression of ICAM-1, LFA-3, MHC molecules, B7.1, B7.2, and CD40 was evaluated in human SCCHN biopsy specimens by immunohistochemistry and on SCCHN cell lines by flow cytometry. To confirm our hypothesis that impaired T-cell activation observed in patients with SCCHN is caused by the absence of costimulatory B7 molecules, a B7-negative SCCHN cell line was transduced with the B7.1 gene, using a retroviral vector, and tested in mixed lymphocyte tumor cocultures. RESULTS In contrast to abundant expression of ICAM-1, LFA-3, class I MHC molecules, and CD40, the absence of B7.1, B7.2, and class II MHC molecules on tumor cells was observed in situ and in vitro. Lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells in inflammatory infiltrates surrounding tumor cell clusters expressed both costimulatory and adhesion molecules. The SCCHN lines negative for B7.1 and class II MHC antigens failed to induce proliferation of T cells in mixed lymphocyte tumor cocultures. However, when these cell lines were transduced with the B7.1 gene, their ability to induce T-cell proliferation in mixed lymphocyte tumor cocultures was restored. CONCLUSIONS The absence of B7 protein or class II MHC antigen expression on human SCCHN cells is responsible for the failure of these tumors to induce proliferation of T cells in vitro. Transduction of the B7.1 gene into SCCHN restores the ability of the tumor to induce T-cell proliferation in vitro.
Intratumoral delivery of inactivated modified vaccinia virus Ankara (iMVA) induces systemic antitumor immunity via STING and Batf3-dependent dendritic cells

Inactivated vaccinia virus induces antitumor immunity that can overcome resistance to checkpoint inhibitors. A viral STING operation for tumors The immune response to viruses can be harnessed to attack tumors. Here, Dai et al. demonstrate that inactivated modified vaccinia virus Ankara (iMVA) can induce antitumor responses in two different models of cancer in mice. This effect relied on both Batf3-dependent dendritic cells and the cGAS-STING cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway. Moreover, intratumor injection of iMVA overcame tumor resistance to checkpoint inhibitors. Viral-induced innate immune responses may therefore tip the scale to successful cancer immunotherapy. Advanced cancers remain a therapeutic challenge despite recent progress in targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Novel approaches are needed to alter the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment and to facilitate the recognition of tumor antigens that leads to antitumor immunity. Poxviruses, such as modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA), have potential as immunotherapeutic agents. We show that infection of conventional dendritic cells (DCs) with heat- or ultraviolet-inactivated MVA leads to higher levels of interferon induction than MVA alone through the cGAS (cyclic guanosine monophosphate–adenosine monophosphate synthase)–STING cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway. Intratumoral injection of inactivated MVA (iMVA) was effective and generated adaptive antitumor immunity in murine melanoma and colon cancer models. iMVA-induced antitumor therapy was less effective in STING- or Batf3-deficient mice than in wild-type mice, indicating that both cytosolic DNA sensing and Batf3-dependent CD103+/CD8α+ DCs are essential for iMVA immunotherapy. The combination of intratumoral delivery of iMVA and systemic delivery of immune checkpoint blockade generated synergistic antitumor effects in bilateral tumor implantation models as well as in a unilateral large established tumor model. Our results suggest that inactivated vaccinia virus could be used as an immunotherapeutic agent for human cancers.
Pneumocystis Pneumonia in Patients Treated With Long-Term Steroid Therapy for Symptom Palliation

We report 3 cases of pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in patients with advanced cancer who received palliative care. All patients received long-term steroid therapy for symptom management. A diagnosis of PCP was based on clinical symptoms and a positive Pneumocystis jiroveci polymerase chain reaction test from induced sputum specimens. Despite appropriate treatment, only 1 patient recovered from PCP. Long-term steroid, often prescribed in palliative care settings, is the most common risk factor for PCP in non-HIV patients. Pneumocystis pneumonia may cause distressing symptoms such as severe dyspnea, and the mortality rate is high. Therefore, it is important to consider PCP prophylaxis for high-risk patients and to diagnose PCP early and provide appropriate treatment to alleviate PCP-related symptoms and avert unnecessary shortening of a patient’s life expectancy.
Convergent SDP-Relaxations in Polynomial Optimization with Sparsity

We consider a polynomial programming problem $\P$ on a compact basic semialgebraic set $\K\subset\R^n$, described by $m$ polynomial inequalities $g_j(X)\geq0$, and with criterion $f\in\R[X]$. We propose a hierarchy of semidefinite relaxations in the spirit of those of Waki e [SIAM J. Optim. , 17 (2006), pp. 218-242]. In particular, the SDP-relaxation of order $r$ has the following two features: (a) The number of variables is $O(\kappa^{2r})$, where $\kappa=\max[\kappa_1,\kappa_2]$ with $\kappa_1$ (resp., $\kappa_2$) being the maximum number of variables appearing in the monomials of $f$ (resp., appearing in a single constraint $g_j(X)\geq0$). (b) The largest size of the linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) is $O(\kappa^r)$. This is to compare with the respective number of variables $O(n^{2r})$ and LMI size $O(n^r)$ in the original SDP-relaxations defined in [J. B. Lasserre, SIAM J. Optim. , 11 (2001), pp. 796-817]. Therefore, great computational savings are expected in case of sparsity in the data $\{g_j,f\}$, i.e., when k is small, a frequent case in practical applications of interest. The novelty with respect to [H. Waki, S. Kim, M. Kojima, and M. Maramatsu, SIAM J. Optim. , 17 (2006), pp. 218-242] is that we prove convergence to the global optimum of $\P$ when the sparsity pattern satisfies a condition often encountered in large size problems of practical applications, and known as the running intersection property in graph theory. In such cases, and as a by-product, we also obtain a new representation result for polynomials positive on a compact basic semialgebraic set, a sparse version of Putinar’s Positivstellensatz [M. Putinar, Indiana Univ. Math. J., 42 (1993), pp. 969-984].
Patients’ Refusal of Surgery Strongly Impairs Breast Cancer Survival

Objective:To compare patient and tumor characteristics and survival between women who refused and women who accepted surgery for breast cancer. Summary Background Data:Surgery represents the central component of curative breast cancer treatment, but some women decide not to undergo surgery. Recent studies on the prognosis of non operated breast cancer are nonexistent. Patients and Methods:This study included all 5339 patients aged < 80 years with nonmetastatic breast cancer recorded at the Geneva Cancer Registry between 1975 and 2000. We consulted the clinical files of all nonoperated women to identify those who refused surgery. Patients who refused surgery were compared with those accepting surgery using logistic regression. The effect of refusal of surgery on breast cancer mortality was evaluated by Cox proportional hazards analysis. Results:Seventy patients (1.3%) refused surgery. These women were older, more frequently single, and had larger tumors. Overall, 37 (53%) women had no treatment, 25 (36%) hormone-therapy alone, and 8 (11%) other adjuvant treatments alone or in combination. Five-year specific breast cancer survival of women who refused surgery was lower than that of those who accepted (72%, 95% confidence interval, 60%–84% versus 87%, 95% confidence interval, 86%–88%, respectively). After accounting for other prognostic factors including tumor characteristics and stage, women who refused surgery had a 2.1-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.5–3.1) increased risk to die of breast cancer compared with operated women. Conclusions:Women who refuse surgery for breast cancer have a strongly impaired survival. This information might help patients who are hesitant toward surgery make a better informed decision.
Gain in the caregiving experience: where are we? What next?

This critical review of 29 studies published through 1996 on the gain experienced among informal caregivers of older adults, identifies 13 conceptual (i.e., definitions and theoretical frameworks) and methodological (i.e., sampling, design, measurement, analysis) observations. Key limitations of prior research are highlighted and recommendations necessary for the advancement of research in this area of inquiry are made. Drawing upon relevant theoretical frameworks and the observations noted in this review, a conceptual framework is proposed to bring some consistency to the ways in which future research on positive aspects of caregiving proceeds.
CONTINUING EDUCATION IN HONOR OF NORMAN TRIEGER , DMD , MD Adverse Drug Reactions in Dental Practice

Adverse reactions may occur with any of the medications prescribed or administered in dental practice. Most of these reactions are somewhat predictable based on the pharmacodynamic properties of the drug. Others, such as allergic and pseudoallergic reactions, are less common and unrelated to normal drug action. This article will review the most common adverse reactions that are unrelated to drug allergy.
Investigation of the possible spread of foot-and-mouth disease virus by the burning of animal carcases on open pyres

An atmospheric dispersion model was used to predict the airborne spread and concentrations of foot-and-mouth disease virus within the plumes generated by 11 pyres built to burn infected carcases during the epidemic of 2001 in the UK. On the basis of assumptions about the quantity of virus emitted during the three hours after the pyres were built, and the threshold concentration of virus required to cause an infection in cattle, it was concluded that none of the disease breakdowns which occurred under the plumes was due to the spread of virus from the pyres.