Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Digital templating in surgical treatment of trochanteric fractures

Surgical interventions in orthopaedic and trauma need careful preoperative planning. The classical method is based on transparent sheets on which the implant is drawn. In the last years, digital radiography has become the standard method of imaging in most modern medical centers, thus leading to the necessity of digital planning. We performed a retrospective analysis on 154 patients with trochanteric fractures treated by internal fixation with DHS (Dynamic Hip Screw). On 91 cases that were investigated by classic radiography, we performed preoperative planning with transparent templates and on 63 cases, digital X-rays were used and planning was performed with TraumaCad™. Estimated results were compared with postoperative results regarding dimension and placement of the implant. Results show a better accuracy of TraumaCad™ to predict the length of the hip screw and the entry point of the implant; this program is an attractive option useful in preoperative planning in fractures.
Jak/Stat3 Signaling Promotes Somatic Cell Reprogramming by Epigenetic Regulation

Although leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) maintains the ground state pluripotency of mouse embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by activating the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Jak/Stat3) pathway, the mechanism remained unclear. Stat3 has only been shown to promote complete reprogramming of epiblast and neural stem cells and partially reprogrammed cells (pre‐iPSCs). We investigated if and how Jak/Stat3 activation promotes reprogramming of terminally differentiated mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). We demonstrated that activated Stat3 not only promotes but also is essential for the pluripotency establishment of MEFs during reprogramming. We further demonstrated that during this process, inhibiting Jak/Stat3 activity blocks demethylation of Oct4 and Nanog regulatory elements in induced cells, which are marked by suppressed endogenous pluripotent gene expression. These are correlated with the significant upregulation of DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt) 1 and histone deacetylases (HDACs) expression as well as the increased expression of lysine‐specific histone demethylase 2 and methyl CpG binding protein 2. Inhibiting Jak/Stat3 also blocks the expression of Dnmt3L, which is correlated with the failure of retroviral transgene silencing. Furthermore, Dnmt or HDAC inhibitor but not overexpression of Nanog significantly rescues the reprogramming arrested by Jak/Stat3 inhibition or LIF deprivation. Finally, we demonstrated that LIF/Stat3 signal also represents the prerequisite for complete reprogramming of pre‐iPSCs. We conclude that Jak/Stat3 activity plays a fundamental role to promote pluripotency establishment at the epigenetic level, by facilitating DNA demethylation/de novo methylation, and open‐chromatin formation during late‐stage reprogramming. STEM CELLS 2012;30:2645–2656
Evaluation of a worksite programme for the modification of cardiovascular risk factors

This article reports on the long‐term results of a randomized controlled trial of non‐pharmacological intervention for mildly‐elevated levels of cardiovascular risk factors. The intervention consisted of individual counselling by occupational health professionals. From a population of 4607 volunteers who were working for Australian government organizations, a sample of 2489 subjects met the eligibility criteria for the trial, and 1937 subjects were available for follow‐up examination three years later. Changes in the levels of risk factors favoured the interventional group marginally and appeared to vary with the sex, age and occupation of the subjects. A significant effect of intervention was noted for systolic blood pressure levels; however, although this interventional effect was more pronounced in men of 40 years of age or over and in administrative workers, clinically it was small. The results suggest that individual counselling, as undertaken in this study, generally is not effective in the long‐term modification of mildly‐elevated cardiovascular risk factors. (Med J Aust 1989; 150: 574‐581)
Students' Use and Perceptions of the Relevance and Quality of Open Textbooks Compared to Traditional Textbooks in Online and Traditional Classroom Environments

The bulk of previous research on students' perceptions of open educational resources have lacked a control group of students rating traditional textbooks. Moreover, few studies have examined differences in the perceptions of online students and those taking classes in the classroom. A 2 × 2 cross-sectional design was used in which 925 students, assigned either a traditional textbook or an open textbook in either an online or classroom environment, were recruited to complete an online survey. Students assigned open textbooks were almost twice as likely to report using their textbooks, they used them more frequently, and for more time per week overall. Students assigned open textbooks also perceived a greater degree of overlap between the textbook, lecture, and quiz material than did students assigned traditional textbooks. Finally, ratings of the open textbooks were significantly higher than ratings of the traditional textbooks overall and on 11 of 15 different dimensions. Few differences in the online and classroom students were detected, suggesting both groups experienced similar benefits of the open textbooks. These findings demonstrate that replacing traditional textbooks with open textbooks may help to offset some of the financial hardships students face while improving students' engagement and satisfaction with their assigned textbook.
A 20-month, double-blind, maintenance trial of lithium versus divalproex in rapid-cycling bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVE The authors tested the hypothesis that divalproex would be more effective than lithium in the long-term management of patients with recently stabilized rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. METHOD A 20-month, double-blind, parallel-group comparison was carried out in recently hypomanic/manic patients who had experienced a persistent bimodal response to combined treatment with lithium and divalproex. Sixty patients were randomly assigned to lithium or divalproex monotherapy in a balanced design after stratification for illness type (bipolar I versus bipolar II disorder). RESULTS Of the 254 patients enrolled in the open-label acute stabilization phase, 76% discontinued the study prematurely (poor adherence: 28%; nonresponse: 26% [of whom 74% remained depressed and 26% remained in a hypomanic/manic/mixed episode], intolerable side effects: 19%). Of the 60 patients (24%) randomly assigned to double-blind maintenance monotherapy, 53% relapsed (59% into depression and 41% into a hypomanic/manic/mixed episode), 22% completed the study, 10% had intolerable side effects, and 10% were poorly adherent. The rates of relapse into any mood episode for those given lithium versus divalproex were 56% and 50%, respectively; the rates were 34% and 29% for a depressive relapse and 19% and 22% for a hypomania/mania relapse. There were no significant differences in time to relapse. The proportion discontinuing prematurely because of side effects was 16% for lithium and 4% for divalproex. CONCLUSIONS The hypothesis that divalproex is more effective than lithium in the long-term management of rapid-cycling bipolar disorder is not supported by these data. Preliminary data suggest highly recurrent refractory depression may be the hallmark of rapid-cycling bipolar disorder.
Blood Transfusion after Total Knee Arthroplasty; Comparison of Drainage versus Non-Drainage

Introduction: There is no established evidence to support the use of drains after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The aim of our study was to compare the requirement for blood transfusion after primary total knee arthroplasty with and without the use of closed suction drains and cost analysis of performing routine blood group and save. Material and methods: In this retrospective study, we reviewed the data over 3 and a half years duration including consecutive primary total knee arthroplasties. Patients were divided into drainage and non-drainage groups. Eleven surgeons used drains and two did not use drains. Results: 2497 primary total knee arthroplasties were performed during our study period by 13 surgeons. Postoperatively 7.5% patients (n=189) received blood transfusion. In the drainage group (n=2271), 7.3% patients (n=167) received transfusion with mean preoperative Hb of 12.1 g/dl (9.1 to 15.8 g/dl) and mean postoperative Hb of 7.9 g/dl (5.1 to 8.8 g/dl). In the non-drainage group (n=226), 9.7% patients (n=22) received transfusion with mean preoperative Hb of 12.1 g/dl (8.9 to 14.4 g/dl) and mean postoperative Hb of 7.7 g/dl (6.0 to 8.5 g/dl). Blood samples for 92.5% patients remained unused and eventually wasted. Annual cost of performing routine group and save for TKA patients at the time of our study in our department was nearly £20,000 and the annual cost of using drains for these patients was £51,000. Conclusion: We did not find any significant difference in blood transfusion requirement in the two groups. Selective group and save in these patients may prove to be cost-effective.
Function of interfacial prolines at the transmitter-binding sites of the neuromuscular acetylcholine receptor.

Background: Mutation of a proline at the AChR transmitter-binding site causes a congenital myasthenic syndrome. Results: This proline interacts with a glycine across subunits but only when ACh is present. Conclusion: Proline mutations impair the establishment of a high affinity for ACh, which requires a concerted inter-subunit backbone strain. Significance: It is possible to engineer receptors having one functional binding site. The neuromuscular acetylcholine (ACh) receptor has two conserved prolines in loop D of the complementary subunit at each of its two transmitter-binding sites (α-ϵ and α-δ). We used single-channel electrophysiology to estimate the energy changes caused by mutations of these prolines with regard to unliganded gating (ΔG0) and the affinity change for ACh that increases the open channel probability (ΔGB). The effects of mutations of ProD2 (ϵPro-121/δPro-123) were greater than those of its neighbor (ϵPro-120/δPro-122) and were greater at α-ϵ versus α-δ. The main consequence of the congenital myasthenic syndrome mutation ϵProD2-L was to impair the establishment of a high affinity for ACh and thus make ΔGB less favorable. At both binding sites, most ProD2 mutations decreased constitutive activity (increased ΔG0). LRYHQG and RL substitutions reduced substantially the net binding energy (made ΔGBACh less favorable) by ≥2 kcal/mol at α-ϵ and α-δ, respectively. Mutant cycle analyses were used to estimate energy coupling between the two ProD2 residues and between each ProD2 and glycine residues (αGly-147 and αGly-153) on the primary (α subunit) side of each binding pocket. The distant binding site prolines interact weakly. ProD2 interacts strongly with αGly-147 but only at α-ϵ and only when ACh is present. The results suggest that in the low to-high affinity change there is a concerted inter-subunit strain in the backbones at ϵProD2 and αGly-147. It is possible to engineer receptors having a single functional binding site by using a α-ϵ or α-δ ProD2-R knock-out mutation. In adult-type ACh receptors, the energy from the affinity change for ACh is approximately the same at the two binding sites (approximately −5 kcal/mol).
RISING POWERS

Abstract Asia's rising powers are developing indigenous space programmes at a startling pace. Though some hedging behaviour is apparent, most are designed to bolster technological autonomy and augment national prestige. Nevertheless, China and India are both pursuing anti-satellite capabilities. Not yet a full-blown race, both competition and cooperation is possible between Asia's giants.
Extension and Regeneration of Corticospinal Axons after Early Spinal Injury and the Maintenance of Corticospinal Topography

It has been established that neonatal corticospinal (CS) axons are able to grow around lesions of the spinal cord early in neonacy (Bernstein and Stelzner, J. Comp. Neurol. 221:382-400; Firkins, Bates, and Stelzner, Exp. Neurol., 120:1-15). To determine if these corticospinal axons include regenerating as well as late developing axons a double-labeling paradigm is used in which CS neurons are retrogradely labeled from the cervical spinal cord by injections of fast blue (FB) on Postnatal Day (PND) 2, 4, or 10. Two days later, the FB is aspirated along with the left dorsal funiculus and the right hemicord (CHR). As adults, the animals receive an injection of diamidino yellow (DY) or rhodamine into the spinal cord caudal to the lesion site. Thus, FB neurons are those that originally projected to the spinal cord before the lesion and which survived axotomy, DY neurons are those whose axons reached the spinal cord after the lesion, and double-labeled neurons (FB/DY) are cells which projected to the spinal cord prior to the lesion and regenerated a spinal axon postlesion. Animals FB injected on PND 2 have a widespread distribution of FB-labeled neurons in cortex, including areas outside of sensorimotor cortex. These animals also had both DY- and FB/DY-labeled cells within sensorimotor cortex, indicating that the population of axons growing caudal to neonatal spinal lesions consists of both late growing and regenerating axons. In animals FB injected on PND 10, the FB neurons were all located in sensorimotor cortex. Very few DY and no FB/DY neurons were present. We have also looked at the topography of the CS neurons which project caudal to early spinal lesions. Rat pups received a CHR on PND 0, 3, 6, or 12. As adults, horseradish peroxidase was injected into the cervical or lumbar enlargement of the spinal cord and the distribution of labeled cells in the cerebral cortex was plotted and compared to normal and lesioned adult controls. In all experimental animals, the distribution of retrogradely labeled cells was restricted to the area containing CS projection neurons in the normal animal. This is despite the fact that the number of CS projection neurons is greatly reduced from normal and the normal pathway for CS axonal outgrowth has been completely disrupted by the neonatal lesion.
A Novel Topology Model of the Human Na+/H+ Exchanger Isoform 1*

The membrane topology of the human Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) was assessed by substituted cysteine accessibility analysis. Eighty-three cysteine residues were individually introduced into a functional cysteineless NHE1, and these mutants were expressed in the exchanger-deficient PS120 cells. The topological disposition of introduced cysteines was determined by labeling with a biotinylated maleimide in the presence or absence of preincubation with the membrane-impermeable sulfhydryl reagent, 2-trimethylammoniumethyl-methanethiosulfonate in streptolysin O-permeabilized or nonpermeabilized cells. We proposed a new model for the topology of NHE1 that is significantly different from the model derived from hydropathy analysis. In this model, NHE1 is composed of 12 transmembrane segments (TMs) with the N and C termini located in the cytosol. The large, last extracellular loop in the membrane domain of the original model was suggested to comprise an intracellular loop, a new transmembrane segment (TM11), and an extracellular loop in the new model. Interestingly, cysteines at 183 and 184 and at 324 and 325 mapped to intracellular loops connecting TMs 4 and 5 (IL2) and TMs 8 and 9 (IL4), respectively, were accessible to sulfhydryl reagents from the outside. Furthermore, exchange activities of two mutants, R180C and Q181C, within IL2 were markedly inhibited by external MTSET. These data suggest that part of IL2 or IL4 may be located in a pore-lining region that is accessible from either side of the membrane and involved in ion transport.
Long-term caffeine consumption exacerbates renal failure in obese, diabetic, ZSF1 (fa-fa(cp)) rats.

BACKGROUND Our preliminary studies indicate that chronic caffeine consumption has adverse renal effects in nephropathy associated with high blood pressure and insulin resistance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of early (beginning at 8 weeks of age) and long-term (30 weeks) caffeine treatment (0.1% solution) on renal function and structure in obese, diabetic ZSF1 rats. METHODS Metabolic and renal function measurements were performed at six-week intervals and in a subset of animals (N = 6 per group) heart rate (HR) and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) were monitored by a radiotelemetric technique. At the end of the study acute, measurements of renal hemodynamics and excretory function were conducted in anesthetized animals. RESULTS Caffeine produced a very mild increase (4 to 5%) of MABP and HR, but greatly augmented proteinuria (P < 0.001), reduced creatinine clearance (P < 0.05) and had a mixed effect on metabolic status in obese ZSF1 rats. Caffeine significantly reduced body weight, glycosuria, fasting glucose and insulin levels and improved glucose tolerance, had no effect on elevated plasma triglycerides levels and significantly increased plasma cholesterol level (P < 0.001). Acute measurements of renal function revealed increased renal vascular resistance (95.1 +/- 11 vs. 50.7 +/- 2.4 mm Hg/mL/min/g kidney, P < 0.01) and decreased inulin clearance (0.37 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.97 +/- 0.13 mL/min/g kidney, P < 0.002) in caffeine-treated versus control animals, respectively. Caffeine potentiated the development of more severe tubulointerstitial changes (P < 0.05) and increased focal glomerulosclerosis (14.7 +/- 1.7 vs. 6.5 +/- 0.9%, caffeine vs. control, P < 0.002). CONCLUSION The present study provides the first evidence that caffeine (despite improving insulin sensitivity) exacerbates renal failure in obese, diabetic ZSF1 rats. Further mechanistic studies of adverse renal effects of caffeine in chronic renal failure associated with metabolic syndrome are warranted.
Differences in the anti‐inflammatory effects of theophylline and pentoxifylline: important for the development of asthma therapy?

Antiasthma drugs are now being re‐evaluated for their anti‐inflammatory effects. Theophylline is an immunomodulator; however, weak effects and the narrow therapeutic window make it a controversial drug. We compared the immunomodulatory potencies of theophylline with those of the xanthines pentoxifylline (POF) and A802715. Using a whole‐blood, cell‐culture system, we studied the effects on the release of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐a), interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ), and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in six healthy subjects, and, in granulocyte suspensions, the effects on the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We also studied the influence of a 14‐day treatment with theophylline or POF on the release of the cytokines named above in 14 asthmatics. We found that equimolar concentrations of A802715 most effectively inhibit ROS generation, followed by POF; the effects of theophylline were weakest. A802715‐inhibited release of TNF‐a was four times as potent as that of theophylline, and POF two times as potent. Inhibition of IFN‐γ by A802715 was three times as potent, and by POF two times. Neither drug influenced IL‐6 release. After a 14‐day treatment of asthmatics, POF proved to inhibit TNF‐a release more effectively (by 44.3%) than theophylline (7.5%). It is concluded that study of xanthine derivatives in asthmatics might help the development of asthma therapy POF seems to be an especially promising candidate.
Cognitive factors influencing statistical performance of Diploma Science students: A structural equation model approach

Students normally perceive statistics as a difficult subject, more so those who have weak mathematical foundation and low quantitative reasoning ability. This research attempts to determine the influence of prior mathematical knowledge and statistical reasoning on the outcome of the statistical performance of Diploma Science students in UiTM Campus Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan. Paper-and-pencil assessment instruments that measure the prior mathematical knowledge, statistical knowledge and statistical reasoning ability were administered to 145 Diploma students. Data obtained were quantitatively analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach. The results showed prior mathematical knowledge has a significantly moderate influence on their performance while statistical reasoning has negligible effect. Overall, the exogenous latent variables explained 37.2% of the total variation in the model. Furthermore, the study showed that there was a moderate relationship between prior mathematical knowledge and statistical reasoning but surprisingly no correlation between performance and statistical reasoning raising pertinent questions that are examined further in this paper.
Sequence dependence of base-pair opening in a DNA dodecamer containing the CACA/GTGT sequence motif.

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is used to characterize the kinetics and energetics of base-pair opening in two self-complementary DNA dodecamer duplexes: [d(CGCACATGTGCG)]2 and [d(CGCAGATCTGCG)]2. The first dodecamer contains two symmetrical CACA/GTGT motifs; in the second dodecamer, each motif is interrupted by a change of the central C.G base pair to a G.C base pair. The opening rates and the equilibrium constants for formation of the open state of each base pair are obtained from the dependence of the imino proton exchange rates on the concentration of ammonia catalyst. The results indicate that the opening rates of the central three base pairs in the CACA/GTGT motif are 3-8-fold larger than the corresponding ones in the CAGA/GTCT sequence. The activation enthalpies and entropies, and the standard enthalpy and entropy changes for formation of the open state, are obtained from the temperature dependence of the opening rates and equilibrium constants, respectively. The results reveal that enthalpy/entropy compensation exists, for all base pairs in both dodecamers, in activation as well as in the equilibria between closed and open states. As a result, the opening rates and equilibrium constants for opening are maintained, in both dodecamers, within a relatively narrow range of values. Nevertheless, large sequence-induced variations are observed for the activation enthalpies and the standard enthalpy changes for opening. The A.T base pair located between the C.G base pairs in the CACA/GTGT motif has a negative enthalpy change for formation of the activated state during opening. This is the first case in which a negative activation enthalpy is observed for opening of a Watson-Crick base pair in DNA. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)