Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantification of Walking Ability in Participants with Neurogenic Claudication from Lumbar Spinal Stenosis – A Comparative Study

Background Context: Walking limitations caused by neurogenic claudication (NC) are typically assessed with self-reported measures, though objective evaluation of walking utilizing motorized treadmill test (MTT) or self-paced walking tests (SPWT) have periodically appeared in the lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) literature. Purpose: This study compared the validity and responsiveness of MTT and SPWT for assessing walking ability before and after common treatments for NC. Study Design: Prospective, observational cohort study Patient Sample: 50 adults were recruited from an urban spine center if they had LSS, substantial walking limitations from NC, and were scheduled to undergo surgery (20%) or conservative treatment (80%). Outcome Measures: Walking times, distances and speeds along with characteristics of NC symptoms were recorded for MTT and SPWT. Self-reported measures included back and leg pain intensity assessed with 0 – 10 numeric pain scale, disability assessed with Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), walking ability assessed with estimated walking times and distances, and subscales from the Spinal Stenosis Questionnaires (SSQ). Methods: MTT used a level track, and SPWT were conducted in a rectangular hallway. Walking speeds were self-selected and test endpoints were: a) NC, b) fatigue, or c) completed the 30-minute test protocol. Results from MTT and SPWT were compared with each other and with self-reported measures. Internal responsiveness was assessed by comparing changes in initial to post-treatments results, and external responsiveness by comparing walking test results between those that improved with those that did not improve by self-report criteria. Results: Mean age was 68 years. 58% were male. NC included leg pain (88%), and buttock(s) pain (12%). 5 participants could not safely perform MTT. Walking speeds were faster and distances were greater with SPWT, although results from both tests correlated with each other and with self-reported measures. 72% of participants reported improvement following treatment which was confirmed by significant mean differences in self-reported measures. MTT results did not demonstrate internal responsiveness to change in clinical status following treatment, but SPWT did with increased mean walking times (6 min) and distances (387 m). When responsiveness was assessed against external criterion, both SPWT and MTT demonstrated substantial divergence with self-reported changes in clinical status and alternative outcome measures. Conclusions: Both MTT and SPWT can quantify walking abilities in NC. As outcome tools, SPWT demonstrated better internal responsive than MTT, but neither test demonstrated external responsiveness. Neither test should be considered as a meaningful substitution for disease specific measures of function.
Fowl adenovirus Group I as a causal agent of inclusion body hepatitis/hydropericardium syndrome (IBH/HPS) outbreak in brazilian broiler flocks

Lotes comerciais de frangos de uma granja localizada no Estado de Sao Paulo, Brasil, apresentavam diarreia, depressao, aumento de mortalidade e baixo ganho de peso. Apos o exame post-mortem, sinais classicos da sindrome de hepatite por corpusculo de inclusao/hidropericardio (IBH/HPS) foram observados incluindo hepatomegalia com aspecto amarelado palido e liquido de coloracao amarelo palha no saco pericardio. Alem disso, as alteracoes macroscopicas foram tambem observadas nos rins, pâncreas, timo, intestinos e vesicula biliar. Amostras destes orgaos foram analisadas pela tecnica de PCR para detectar o adenovirus aviario do grupo I atraves do gene Hexon. Os resultados foram positivos para ambos os lotes (A e B) utilizando-se a tecnica de PCR. As lesoes macroscopicas associadas a deteccao do adenovirus aviario do grupo I pela tecnica de PCR em varios destes orgaos acometidos permitiu a identificacao da sindrome de hepatite/hidropericardio em frangos no Brasil. Ao nosso conhecimento, este e a primeira descricao da sindrome de hepatite/hidropericardio causado por adenovirus aviario do grupo I, no Brasil. Estes achados podem contribuir com a epidemiologia mundial do adenovirus mediando a sindrome de hepatite/hidropericardio.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Convertase (ADAM17) Mediates Regulated Ectodomain Shedding of the Severe-acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) Receptor, Angiotensin-converting Enzyme-2 (ACE2)

Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) is a critical regulator of heart function and a cellular receptor for the causative agent of severe-acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), SARS-CoV (coronavirus). ACE2 is a type I transmembrane protein, with an extracellular N-terminal domain containing the active site and a short intracellular C-terminal tail. A soluble form of ACE2, lacking its cytosolic and transmembrane domains, has been shown to block binding of the SARS-CoV spike protein to its receptor. In this study, we examined the ability of ACE2 to undergo proteolytic shedding and investigated the mechanisms responsible for this shedding event. We demonstrated that ACE2, heterologously expressed in HEK293 cells and endogenously expressed in Huh7 cells, undergoes metalloproteinase-mediated, phorbol ester-inducible ectodomain shedding. By using inhibitors with differing potency toward different members of the ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase) family of proteases, we identified ADAM17 as a candidate mediator of stimulated ACE2 shedding. Furthermore, ablation of ADAM17 expression using specific small interfering RNA duplexes reduced regulated ACE2 shedding, whereas overexpression of ADAM17 significantly increased shedding. Taken together, these data provided direct evidence for the involvement of ADAM17 in the regulated ectodomain shedding of ACE2. The identification of ADAM17 as the protease responsible for ACE2 shedding may provide new insight into the physiological roles of ACE2.
Association of Crossword Puzzle Participation with Memory Decline in Persons Who Develop Dementia

Abstract Participation in cognitively stimulating leisure activities such as crossword puzzles may delay onset of the memory decline in the preclinical stages of dementia, possibly via its effect on improving cognitive reserve. We followed 488 initially cognitively intact community residing individuals with clinical and cognitive assessments every 12–18 months in the Bronx Aging Study. We assessed the influence of crossword puzzle participation on the onset of accelerated memory decline as measured by the Buschke Selective Reminding Test in 101 individuals who developed incident dementia using a change point model. Crossword puzzle participation at baseline delayed onset of accelerated memory decline by 2.54 years. Inclusion of education or participation in other cognitively stimulating activities did not significantly add to the fit of the model beyond the effect of puzzles. Our findings show that late life crossword puzzle participation, independent of education, was associated with delayed onset of memory decline in persons who developed dementia. Given the wide availability and accessibility of crossword puzzles, their role in preventing cognitive decline should be validated in future clinical trials. (JINS, 2011, 17, 1006–1013)
Rural-urban migration in China: An analytical framework of migrants' contributions to rural development

In contemporary China, rural-urban migration takes place at a considerable scale. Due to its scale, as well as the particular context in which migration happens, studying the case of China can reveal important lessons on how policies can be designed to enhance positive impacts of migration on source communities. Relying on a review of literature from the fields of sociology, geography and economics, an analytical framework of positive contributions of China's internal migrants on the development of source communities, of the migration process itself and of the institutional, administrative and social contexts of migration is constructed. Interactions between these contexts on the one hand and the migration process and the associated contributions of migrants on the other hand are highlighted. The framework provides a guideline for approaching similar problems elsewhere and offers support in the identification and assessment of possible policy interventions.
Optimal biological parameters for rearing Ooencyrtus pityocampae on the new laboratory host Philosamia ricini

Biological control programmes involving Ooencyrtus pityocampae Mercet (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) have proved effective at reducing the damage caused by the pine processionary Thaumetopoea pityocampa Denis & Schiffermüller (Lepidoptera: Thaumatopoeidae). In this study, the biological variables that influence the parasitism of O. pityocampae on the new laboratory host Philosamia ricini Danovan (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) have been investigated. Laboratory experiments were conducted under the conditions of 25 ± 1°C, 65 ± 5% R.H (relative humidity) and a photoperiod of 16 : 8 h (L : D = light : dark). The host egg age and parasitoid age are often regarded as being key factors influencing the emergence rate of O. pityocampae. The optimal age of host eggs for parasitization was 1–2 days, and the emergence rate was highest with 5‐day‐old female parasitoids. Thus, our results define the optimal conditions for the effective and economic rearing of parasitoids as follows: one 5‐day‐old female parasitoid per 50 (1–2)‐day‐old host eggs. The development time of O. pityocampae ranged between 19.5 and 22.6 days. Parasitoids that were exposed to bio‐honey survived 10.5 times longer than those that did not receive supplemental food. O. pityocampae was reared for more than nine generations on the eggs of P. ricini. Consequently, P. ricini has been found as a suitable new laboratory host for the mass rearing of O. pityocampae for the use of biological control programmes against T. pityocampa in future.
In Vivo Anatomic Study of Cutaneous Perforators in Free Flaps Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Adequate knowledge of perforator location preoperatively will enable the surgeon to achieve optimal flap design and flap survival. Most previous attempts have relied on the use of Doppler ultrasound and earlier anatomic knowledge. With ultrasound, there may at times be signals from overlapping blood vessels. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is sensitive to flowing blood and, on an MRI scan, dark-flow void characterization is used to identify perforators. This study was undertaken to evaluate the anatomic location and the number of perforators in the flap zone, based on inherent blood flow, and to determine information about the dominant perforators for free-flap design, using MRI. The CSMEMP technique allowed the characterization of flow void signals, which appeared in the image as dark spots. This technique also enabled differentiation of the surrounding tissue, with a high degree of accuracy. The relationship of the perforators aided in an "ideal" flap design. No necrosis was noted in any of these cases. It appears from this study that MRI can be a useful imaging modality, to assess the location and number of perforators in musculocutaneous flaps.
Cardiographic Observations on a Fin‐Back Whale

The beaching of a 40-ton fia-back whale on a Provincetown shore provided a fortuitous opportunity for taking the first cardiograms of the largest mammal. A representative 15-lead cardiogram is shown. This does not differ materially from other large mammals, except that the time scale of events is extremely prolonged. Abnormal foci of ventricular beats and compensatory pauses are illustrated.
Rate and effects of spontaneous mutations that affect fitness in mutator Escherichia coli

Knowledge of the mutational parameters that affect the evolution of organisms is of key importance in understanding the evolution of several characteristics of many natural populations, including recombination and mutation rates. In this study, we estimated the rate and mean effect of spontaneous mutations that affect fitness in a mutator strain of Escherichia coli and review some of the estimation methods associated with mutation accumulation (MA) experiments. We performed an MA experiment where we followed the evolution of 50 independent mutator lines that were subjected to repeated bottlenecks of a single individual for approximately 1150 generations. From the decline in mean fitness and the increase in variance between lines, we estimated a minimum mutation rate to deleterious mutations of 0.005 (±0.001 with 95% confidence) and a maximum mean fitness effect per deleterious mutation of 0.03 (±0.01 with 95% confidence). We also show that any beneficial mutations that occur during the MA experiment have a small effect on the estimate of the rate and effect of deleterious mutations, unless their rate is extremely large. Extrapolating our results to the wild-type mutation rate, we find that our estimate of the mutational effects is slightly larger and the inferred deleterious mutation rate slightly lower than previous estimates obtained for non-mutator E. coli.
Etching colloidal gold nanocrystals with hyperbranched and multivalent polymers: a new route to fluorescent and water-soluble atomic clusters.

We report a novel ligand-induced etching process in which hyperbranched and multivalent coordinating polymers such as polyethylenimine (PEI) react with preformed gold nanocrystals to form atomic gold clusters that are soluble in water and are highly fluorescent upon UV light excitation. These “as-prepared” fluorescent clusters appear to be in an oxidized electronic state, with their excitation and emission maxima located at 421 and 505 nm, respectively. Upon treatment by strong reducing agents such as NaBH4, the cluster's excitation and emission peaks are shifted to 353 and 445 nm. Electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry data indicate that the light-emitting species are small atomic nanoclusters consisting of only 8 gold atoms (Au8). There is also evidence to suggest that a ligand-to-metal electronic transition in the ultraviolet is superimposed on the cluster absorption spectra, but it is not directly related to the intrinsic fluorescent properties of these atomic clusters. These surprising resul.
The effect of 1 week of continuous positive airway pressure treatment in obstructive sleep apnea patients with concomitant gastroesophageal reflux.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have a very high incidence of gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Previous studies have shown that the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) reduces the frequency of reflux events, but these studies only assessed the effect of a single night of treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of 1 week of CPAP treatment on reflux in patients with OSA and GER. DESIGN Sixteen patients with OSA and GER were recruited. Polysomnography followed by 24-h, continuous esophageal pH monitoring were performed at baseline. Patients with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) > 20/h and 24-h acid contact time (ACT) of at least 6% were included. As part of the polysomnography-qualifying evaluation, all patients underwent CPAP titration to reduce the AHI to < 10/h. Patients were then sent home receiving nasal CPAP for 1 week; after 1 week, esophageal pH monitoring was repeated while receiving CPAP. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS The AHI fell from 63.3 +/- 38.5 to 3.2 +/- 2.2/h (mean +/- SD) [p < 0.001]. Total ACT fell from 13.9 +/- 11.6 to 5.6 +/- 2.7% (p < 0.001). The upright ACT was reduced from 12.4 +/- 6.8 to 6.8 +/- 3.8% (p = 0.01), and the supine (during the sleeping interval) ACT was reduced from 16.3 +/- 18.8 to 3.8 +/- 7.6% (p < 0.01). Eighty-one percent of the patients had a reduction in supine ACT to within the normal range (< 4%). CONCLUSIONS In OSA patients with significant heartburn complaints, CPAP would appear to be an efficacious approach to the treatment of both disorders.
Preradiation chemotherapy with methotrexate, cisplatin, 5‐fluorouracil, and leucovorin for pediatric nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is rare in children, accounting for < 1% of all cases. Treatment most commonly includes radiotherapy but long‐term side effects of such treatment can produce devastating cosmetic and functional sequelae in children. Chemotherapy may help to decrease the radiotherapy dose and limit the side effects of local therapies. However, little is known regarding the chemosensitivity of NPC tumors in pediatric patients.
Strategies and challenges for eliciting immunity against avian influenza virus in birds

Summary: Vaccines and vaccination have emerged during the past two decades as essential tools in avian influenza (AI) control for poultry, because they increase resistance to infection, prevent illness and death, reduce virus replication and shed from respiratory and alimentary tracts, and reduce virus transmission to birds and mammals, including humans. Such protection in birds is primarily mediated by homosubtypic humoral immunity against the hemagglutinin protein, but cell‐mediated and innate immunity contribute to protection in some bird species. The immune response to the neuraminidase protein can contribute to protection, but immunity to the viral internal proteins is generally not protective. Although, some preliminary studies with M2e protein in chickens suggest partial protection may be achievable. Historically, the H5 subtype AI vaccines have demonstrated broad homosubtypic protection, primarily against H5 high‐pathogenicity (HP) AI viruses isolated in the early stages of outbreaks. However, as H5 viruses have become endemic and outbreaks prolonged, some drift variants with resistance to earlier H5 AI vaccines have emerged in Central America, China, Egypt, and Indonesia. How widespread such drift variants are will remain unknown until more detailed genetic and antigenic analyses are conducted on field isolates. Future vaccines will utilize biotechnology to produce new AI vaccine seed strains using HA genes more closely matching circulating field viruses. In addition, newer technologies for AI vaccines will improve vaccine coverage by using mass application technologies for example by drinking water, by spray, or via injection in ovo or at the hatchery.
Directed Growth of C 60 Nanowhiskers for Millimetre-Wave Detectors

The formation of C60 nanowhiskers via the liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation technique presents a low-cost means of fabricating nanostructured fibres for use as active or passive elements in a number of possible applications. Recent measurements [9] have reported encouraging electrical characteristics that indicate the possibility of using C60 nanowhiskers to realise electronic devices with switching or sensing capabilities. In this work, we focus on one application in particular – millimetre-wave power detectors. Traditional detectors based on Schottky junctions have difficulty impedance matching over very wide video bandwidths, in addition to insensitivity to very low power signals and high susceptibility to thermal and shot noise. C60 nanowhiskers offer the possibility of realising low-cost, robust, sensitive millimetre-wave detectors with significantly reduced shunt capacitance and improved noise performance. Before this can be achieved, however, techniques are needed to control growth parameters and eliminate assembly through in-situ growth. Here, results are presented showing the influence of DC electric fields on C60 molecules and nanowhiskers. Early indications suggest that alignment parallel to DC electric fields is possible.
La incidencia diferencial de los factores psicosociales en distintos tipos de voluntariado

El objetivo fundamental de este trabajo era comprobar si existian diferencias significativas entre voluntarios socioasistenciales y voluntarios ecologistas en una serie de variables psicosociales, y de ser asi, como afectaba esto a algunos de los modelos predictivos de la permanencia de los voluntarios. Un total de 233 voluntarios que desarrollaban actividades de tipo socioasistencial y de 186 voluntarios que desarrollaban actividades de tipo ecologista completaron un cuestionario que incluia medidas sobre diversas variables que la bibliografia sobre el tema habia mostrado como significativas en la explicacion del inicio y/o permanencia en la actividad voluntaria. Ademas, se llevaron a cabo dos seguimientos telefonicos, uno a los seis y otro a los doce meses, para estudiar la permanencia de los voluntarios en las organizaciones. Los analisis de datos realizados mostraron, por un lado, que los voluntarios presentaban diferencias significativas en diversas variables en funcion del tipo de actividad que desarrollaban (motivaciones, apoyo social recibido, caracteristicas de la actividad desempenada, relacion con los companeros y profesionales, apoyo organizacional recibido, conflicto organizacional percibido, costes economicos derivados del desarrollo de la actividad, supervision, formacion e incentivos recibidos, satisfaccion e implicacion con la actividad, y permanencia en las organizaciones). Por otro lado, los resultados hallados mostraron que el ajuste empirico de los modelos predictivos de la permanencia estudiados diferia en funcion del tipo de actividad que desarrollaban los voluntarios y ciertas variables parecian ejercer una influencia distinta en funcion de dicha actividad.
Rapid Local Anesthesia in Humans Using Minimally Invasive Microneedles

ObjectiveThis study tested the hypothesis that minimally invasive microneedles cause less pain during injection of lidocaine, but induce local anesthesia in humans with the same rapid onset and efficacy as intradermal lidocaine injection using hypodermic needles. MethodsThis study was a randomized, single-blinded, within participants, controlled design. Hollow, 500-&mgr;m long microneedles were used to inject lidocaine to the forearm of 15 human participants. The associated pain was recorded using a visual analog (VAS) scale. The area and depth of numbness were determined at 0, 7.5, and 15 minutes after injection. Lidocaine was also injected to the dorsum of the hand near a vein, followed by placement of an intravenous catheter and measurement of associated pain. A 26-gauge intradermal bevel hypodermic needle similarly administered lidocaine on the opposite forearm/hand to serve as the positive control. ResultsVAS pain scores revealed that injection using microneedles was significantly less painful than hypodermic needles for both the forearm and dorsum of the hand injections. However, there was no significant difference in the area or depth of the resulting numbness between the 2 treatment methods at any time point (0, 7.5, and 15 min) indicating that microneedles had immediate onset and were as effective as hypodermic needles in inducing dermal anesthesia. Moreover, insertion of an intravenous catheter immediately after lidocaine injection on the dorsum of the hand led to comparable pain scores for the microneedle and hypodermic needle treated sites, further confirming efficacy of microneedles in inducing rapid local anesthesia. Lastly, 77% of the participants preferred microneedles and 80% indicated that they did not consider microneedles to be painful. DiscussionThis study demonstrates for the first time that microneedle-based lidocaine injection is as rapid and as effective as hypodermic injection in inducing local anesthesia while resulting in significantly less pain during injection.
Vaginal Cerclage: Preoperative, Intraoperative, and Postoperative Management

The role of the cerclage procedure has expanded from its initial application as treatment or prevention of cervical insufficiency to prevention of recurrent spontaneous preterm birth. Although recent prospective studies have clarified the indications for cerclage, additional prospective studies are needed to help define optimal perioperative management. Herein, we review the current data to provide the clinician with the most evidence-based approach to managing patients who require cerclage.