Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
No Influence of Age, Gender, Weight, Height, and Impact Profile in Achilles Tendinopathy in Masters Track and Field Athletes

Background Achilles tendinopathy is commonly reported by athletes involved in activities that include running and jumping. Despite the prevalence of the problem, causative factors in Achilles tendinopathy remain poorly understood. Hypothesis In Masters track and field athletes, there is no influence of age, gender, weight, height, and impact profile in developing Achilles tendinopathy. Study Design Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods During the European Veterans Athletics Championships in Poznań, Poland, in July 2006, 178 athletes (110 men and 68 women; mean age, 54.1 years; range, 35-94 years) were evaluated with the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment—Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire. A fully trained orthopaedic surgeon made a diagnosis of Achilles tendinopathy according to clinical criteria. Results There was no effect of gender on the presence of Achilles tendinopathy (P = .14). No significant track and field specialty effect upon the frequency of Achilles tendinopathy was found on the VISA-A questionnaire scores (P = .32). Equally, there was no effect of track and field specialty on the VISA-A score (P = .31). No correlation was found between age and VISA-A score (P = .36). There was no statistically significant difference in either prevalence of Achilles tendinopathy or VISA-A score between high-impact and low-impact athletes (P = .19 and P = .31, respectively). Conclusion In competing Masters track and field athletes, we did not find any influence of age, gender, weight, height, or impact profile on the development of Achilles tendinopathy. Additional research is required to improve our understanding of the causative factors in Achilles tendinopathy.
An immunological approach to detect phosphate stress in populations and single cells of photosynthetic picoplankton

In the marine cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. strain WH7803, PstS is a 32-kDa cell wall-associated phosphate-binding protein specifically synthesized under conditions of restricted inorganic phosphate (P1) availability (D. J. Scanlan, N. H. Mann, and N. G. Carr, Mol. Microbiol. 10:181-191, 1993). We have assessed its use as a potential diagnostic marker for the P status of photosynthetic picoplankton. Expression of PstS in Synechococcus sp. strain WH7803 was observed when the P1 concentration fell below 50 nM, demonstrating that the protein is induced at concentrations of P1 typical of oligotrophic conditions. PstS expression could be specifically detected by use of standard Western blotting (immunoblotting) techniques in natural mesocosm samples under conditions in which the N/P ratio was artificially manipulated to force P depletion. In addition, we have developed an immunofluorescence assay that can detect PstS expression in single Synechococcus cells both in laboratory cultures and natural samples. We show that antibodies raised against PstS cross-react with P-depleted Prochlorococcus cells, extending the use of these antibodies to both major groups of prokaryotic photosynthetic picoplankton. Furthermore, DNA sequencing of a Prochlorococcus pstS homolog demonstrated high amino acid sequence identity (77%) with the marine Synechococcus sp. strain WH7803 protein, including those residues in Escherichia coli PstS known to be directly involved in phosphate binding.
Candidiasis (vulvovaginal).

INTRODUCTION Vulvovaginal candidiasis is estimated to be the second most common cause of vaginitis after bacterial vaginosis. Candida albicans accounts for 85-90% of cases. METHODS AND OUTCOMES We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical questions: What are the effects of drug treatments, alternative or complementary treatments for acute vulvovaginal candidiasis in non-pregnant symptomatic women? What are the effects of treating a male sexual partner to resolve symptoms and prevent recurrence in non-pregnant women with symptomatic acute vulvovaginal candidiasis? What are the effects of drug treatments, alternative or complementary treatments for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis in non-pregnant symptomatic women? What are the effects of treating a male sexual partner in non-pregnant women with symptomatic recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis? What are the effects of treating asymptomatic non-pregnant women with a positive swab for candidiasis? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library and other important databases up to October 2006 (Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically, please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). RESULTS We found 58 systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions. CONCLUSIONS In this systematic review we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: alternative or complementary treatments, douching, drug treatments, garlic, intravaginal preparations (boric acid, nystatin, imidazoles, tea tree oil), oral fluconazole, oral itraconazole, treating a male sexual partner, and yoghurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus (oral or vaginal).
Newly found stone cairns in Mudug region, Puntland: a preliminary report

ABSTRACT A pilot archaeological survey has revealed evidence for forty monumental stone cairns preserved in good conditions in the Mudug region, Puntland, in the Horn of Africa. These monuments were digitally recorded and are presented here as part of a first assessment of the archaeological potential of the region. While such monuments are not uncommon in eastern Africa, this particular discovery starts to shed light on an area that has not previously been explored archaeologically. Our paper reveals the rich potential of the Mudug region and paves the way for further research and development action in a key geopolitical area.
Effects of oral hygiene products containing lactoperoxidase, lysozyme, and lactoferrin on the composition of whole saliva and on subjective oral symptoms in patients with xerostomia.

This study evaluates the effects of two oral hygiene products containing nonimmunoglobulin antimicrobial agents on whole saliva and on subjective oral symptoms in patients with xerostomia. Twenty patients used a lactoperoxidase-system-containing toothpaste (Biotene) combined with the use of a mouthrinse (Biotene), comprising also lysozyme and lactoferrin, for 4 weeks. Saliva samples were collected at base line, after 4 weeks' use of the products, and at the end of a 4-week washout period. Samples were analyzed for selected biochemical and microbiologic factors. The effects on subjective oral symptoms were also recorded. A 4-week daily use of toothpaste and mouthrinse relieved the symptoms of oral dryness in 16 patients. The levels of salivary hypothiocyanite, lysozyme, lactoferrin, or myeloperoxidase activity did not change, but there was a significant decrease in salivary pH (P < 0.05), total peroxidase activity (P < 0.05), and total protein content (P = 0.01). In patients with the lowest salivary flow rates (n = 5) a significant (P > or = 0.04) increase was detected in salivary hypothiocyanite concentrations. No major changes occurred in salivary microflora. The products relieved subjective oral symptoms in most xerostomic patients, but this was not necessarily related to the presence of antimicrobial agents.
A case report on the use of sustained release platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of chronic pressure ulcers

Abstract Background/objectives: Chronic pressure ulcers affect patient health, emotional state, and quality of life, causing considerable morbidity and mortality in addition to contributing to significant health care costs from lengthy hospitalizations to advanced home care and surgical care costs. The conventional treatment of these wounds can be slow due to their chronic inflammatory state and the senescence of local reparative cells. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has been growing as a viable treatment alternative for a number of clinical applications and has potential benefit for use in chronic wounds. The sustained release of large quantities of autologous growth factors, cytokines, and other mediators found in PRP plus the favorable mononuclear cell profile of PRP may help us to stimulate wound healing and resolve chronic inflammation. Methods: Three veterans with spinal cord injury (SCI), presenting with chronic stage IV pressure ulcers, were treated with a sustained release PRP therapy to stimulate wound healing. Results: PRP treatment consistently resulted in the formation of granulation tissue and improved vascularity for each of the three patients treated, while reducing the overall ulcer area and volume. Conclusion: The controlled release of growth factors from PRP demonstrated a positive stimulatory effect on the healing rate of chronic pressure ulcers in individuals with SCI.
A retrospective study of the outcome of cesarean section for women with severe pre-eclampsia in a third world setting

Objective: To compare the outcome of subarachnoid block (spinal anesthesia) and general anesthesia in Cesarean delivery for women with severe pre-eclampsia. Methods: A retrospective study of women with severe pre-eclampsia requiring Cesarean section from January 2005 to June 2009 was carried out. Maternal age, parity, gestational age at delivery, booking status, Apgar scores, maternal and perinatal mortality of the sub-arachnoid block group were compared with those of general anesthesia group using χ2, Student t-test and Fischer exact test. Results: There were no significant difference between the two groups in overall maternal mortality (5.4% vs. 11.9%, P=0.5) and perinatal mortality (2.7% vs. 11.9%, P=0.15). The general anesthesia group had significantly more birth asphyxia than the spinal group (55.9% vs. 27.0%, P=0.0006). Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the maternal and perinatal mortality outcome of cesarean delivery between women with severe pre-eclampsia who had regional anesthesia and those that had general anesthesia. There was significantly higher proportion of birth asphyxia in babies of women who received general anesthesia.
A New Dual-Channel Optical Signal Probe for Cu2+ Detection Based on Morin and Boric Acid

In this work we utilized the common analytical reagent morin to develop a new a dual-channel, cost-effective, and sensitive method for determination of Cu2+. It is found that morin is only weakly fluorescent by itself, but forms highly fluorescent complexes with boric acid. Moreover, the fluorescence of complexes of morin with boric acid is quenched linearly by Cu2+ in a certain concentration range. Under optimum conditions, the fluorescence quenching efficiency was linearly proportional to the concentration of cupric ions in the range of 0.5-25 μM with high sensitivity, and the detection limit for Cu2+ was 0.38 μM. The linear range was 1-25 μM determined by spectrophotometry, and the detection limit for cupric ions was 0.8 μM. Furthermore, the mechanism of sensitive fluorescence quenching response of morin to Cu2+ is discussed.
MACULAR THICKNESS MEASUREMENTS IN CENTRAL RETINAL ARTERY OCCLUSION BY OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY

Purpose: To evaluate the structural features of central retinal artery occlusion by means of optical coherence tomography. Methods: Eleven consecutive patients with acute central retinal artery occlusion and at least 3-month follow-up were enrolled prospectively in this study. The main outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity, foveal thickness (FT), and total macular volume by optical coherence tomography. Results: Five male and six female patients with central retinal artery occlusion were examined. The mean age was 71.2 ± 8.7 years (range, 59-83 years). Mean FT and total macular volume were 195 ± 26 μm and 6.41 ± 0.33 mm3, respectively, in normal fellow eyes, increased to 299 ± 76 μm and 7.90 ± 0.93 mm3, respectively, at initial examination and declined to 167 ± 30 μm and 4.85 ± 0.68 mm3, respectively, at 3-month follow-up. Mean reduction in FT was 181 ± 61 μm (range, 120-270 μm) in eyes with poor visual outcome and 43 ± 25 μm (range, 15-74 μm) in eyes with fair visual outcome. Statistical analysis revealed that the relationships among visual prognosis and initial FT and initial total macular volume were not significant. Conclusion: Optical coherence tomography provides special information about central retinal artery occlusion. There were marked and variable changes in FT and total macular volume. Limited reduction in macular thickness might indicate a fair visual outcome.
Examining the Direct and Indirect Effects of Fear and Anger on Criminal Decision Making Among Known Offenders

Deterrence represents the central theoretical core of the American criminal justice system, yet relatively little attention has been paid to how emotions like fear and anger may relate to deterrence. Psychological research has debated whether negative emotions each have similar impacts on decision making (valence approaches) or if distinct emotions have unique impacts (appraisal tendency approaches). This study explores the direct and indirect influences of fear and anger on hypothetical drunk driving likelihood, including their impact on cost perceptions. Surveys were administered to 1,013 male and female incarcerated felony offenders in the Southwestern United States. Using a multivariate path model and controlling for a number of other individual factors, current fear related to increased cost perceptions and anger to decreased costs. Anger also maintained a direct influence on drunk driving, whereas fear did not. Despite their shared negative valence, fear and anger appear to have dissimilar influences on cost perceptions and criminal decision making. A better understanding of these processes may lead to improved crime prevention approaches.
Cross‐modal pattern of brain activations associated with the processing of self‐ and significant other's name

Previous neuroimaging studies have shown that the patterns of brain activity during the processing of personally relevant names (e.g., own name, friend's name, partner's name, etc.) and the names of famous people (e.g., celebrities) are different. However, it is not known how the activity in this network is influenced by the modality of the presented stimuli. In this fMRI study, we investigated the pattern of brain activations during the recognition of aurally and visually presented full names of the subject, a significant other, a famous person and unknown individuals. In both modalities, we found that the processing of self‐name and the significant other's name was associated with increased activation in the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC). Acoustic presentations of these names also activated bilateral inferior frontal gyri (IFG). This pattern of results supports the role of MPFC in the processing of personally relevant information, irrespective of their modality. Hum Brain Mapp 34:2069–2077, 2013. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cranio-Caudal Movements of the Liver, Pancreas and Kidneys in Respiration

The range of movement of the liver, pancreas and kidneys in maximum and normal respiration, and the ability to suspend respiration repeatedly leaving the organs in exactly the same position with the aid of given instructions or a combination of instructions and a simple tool were investigated. The range of movement of the most mobile organ (liver) was 5.5 cm during maximum, 2.5 cm during normal, 0.9 cm during suspended respiration, and 0.2 cm during suspended respiration with a bar placed above the abdomen.
In vitro factor XIII supplementation increases clot firmness in Rotation Thromboelastometry (ROTEM®)

Summary Factor XIII (F XIII) is an essential parameter for final clot stability. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the addition of factor (F)XIII on clot stability as assessed by Rotation Thromboelastometry (ROTEM®). In 90 intensive care patients ROTEM® measurements were performed after in vitro addition of F XIII 0.32 IU, 0.63 IU, 1.25 IU and compared to diluent controls (DC; aqua injectabile) resulting in approximate F XIII concentrations of 150, 300 and 600%. Baseline measurements without any additions were also performed. The following ROTEM® parameters were measured in FIBTEM and EXTEM tests: clotting time (CT), clot formation time (CFT), maximum clot firmness (MCF), maximum lysis (ML), maximum clot elasticity (MCE) and α-angle (αA). Additionally, laboratory values for FXIII, fibrinogen (FBG), platelets and haematocrit were contemporaneously determined. In the perioperative patient population mean FBG concentration was elevated at 5.2 g/l and mean FXIII concentration was low at 62%. The addition of FXIII led to a FBG concentration-dependent increase in MCF both in FIBTEM and EXTEM. Mean increases in MCF (FXIII vs. DC) of approximately 7 mm and 6 mm were observed in FIBTEM and EXTEM, respectively. F XIII addition also led to decreased CFT, increased αA, and reduced ML in FIBTEM and EXTEM. In vitro supplementation of FXIII to supraphysiologic levels increases maximum clot firmness, accelerates clot formation and increases clot stability in EXTEM and FIBTEM as assayed by ROTEM® in perioperative patients with high fibrinogen and low FXIII levels.
Comparative study of Pax2 expression in glial cells in the retina and optic nerve of birds and mammals

Little is known about the expression of Pax2 in mature retina or optic nerve. Here we probed for the expression of Pax2 in late stages of embryonic development and in mature chick retina. We find two distinct Pax2 isoforms expressed by cells within the retina and optic nerve. Surprisingly, Müller glia in central regions of the retina express Pax2, and levels of expression are decreased with increasing distance from the nerve head. In Müller glia, the expression levels of Pax2 are increased by acute retinal damage or treatment with growth factors. At the optic nerve, Pax2 is expressed by peripapillary glia, at the junction of the neural retina and optic nerve head and by glia within the optic nerve. In addition, we assayed for Pax2 expression in glial cells in mammalian retinas. In mammalian retinas, unlike the case in chick retina, the Müller glia do not express Pax2. Pax2‐expressing cells are found in the optic nerve and astrocytes within the mouse retina. By comparison, Pax2‐positive cells are not found within the guinea pig retina; Pax2‐expressing glia are confined to the optic nerve. In dog and monkey (Macaca fascicularis), Pax2 is expressed by astrocytes that are scattered across inner retinal layers and by numerous glia within the optic nerve. Interestingly, Pax2‐positive glial cells are found at the peripheral edge of the dog retina, but only in older animals. We conclude that the expression of Pax2 in the vertebrate eye is restricted to retinal astrocytes, peripapillary glia, and glia within the optic nerve. J. Comp. Neurol. 518:2316–2333, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Skull-base foramina of the middle cranial fossa: reassessment of normal variation with high-resolution CT.

PURPOSE To evaluate by means of high-resolution CT the anatomic variations of the middle cranial fossa foramen. METHODS We examined 123 CT studies of the temporal bone in patients with no evidence of disease that might alter foraminal anatomy. A checklist of known variants and suspected structures was used as each case was systematically examined for the presence or absence of these foramina; variations in size, shape, and location; and relationship of structures to each other. Inclusion criteria were established to eliminate error. RESULTS The foramen rotundum had a constant appearance. We identified the inferior rotundal canal in 16% of patients and the lateral rotundal canal in 8%. The foramen of Vesalius was present, at least unilaterally, in 80% of our cases. Asymmetry of the foramen of Vesalius did not indicate disease in our patient group. We did not find an inverse relationship between the size of the foramen of Vesalius and that of the ipsilateral foramen ovale. We found variations in the size and shape of the foramen ovale and its confluence with the foramen spinosum (n = 2) and the foramen of Vesalius (n = 8). We did not find an inverse relationship between the size of the foramen ovale and that of the foramen spinosum. The canaliculus innominatus for the lesser superficial petrosal nerve was identified in 16.3% of our patients. Variations of the foramen spinosum that we found include a medial bony defect (26.8%) and absence (3.2%). CONCLUSION Although it is unlikely that well-formed foramen will be misinterpreted as diseased, it is nonetheless important to recognize foraminal variants and associated neurovascular anatomy.
Systems for the management of respiratory disease in primary care--an international series: South Africa.

INTRODUCTION Progress to democracy in South Africa in 1994 was followed by the adoption of a primary health care approach with free access for all. State health facilities serve 80% of the population, and a private sector comprising general practitioners, specialists and private hospitals, serves the remainder. NATIONAL POLICIES AND MODELS: There are national prescribing guidelines for common diseases, and these specify the medicines on the Essential Drugs List that are available at primary care facilities for respiratory diseases including asthma, COPD, pneumonia and tuberculosis. EPIDEMIOLOGY Asthma prevalence is average among children (13%) but morbidity is high. COPD rates are high owing to concurrent risk factors of smoking (in both men and women), occupational exposures, biomass fuel use and previous lung infections including tuberculosis. Tuberculosis and HIV are rampant, and together with pneumococcal co-infection account for considerable mortality. ACCESS TO CARE Primary care facilities are within reach of most communities, but major barriers to care include loss of income, waiting times in clinics, cost of transportation, and inconvenient hours. FACILITIES AVAILABLE The country is divided into districts each served by a hospital, several community health centres and many fixed or mobile clinics. The latter provide predominantly nurse-led care by nurse practitioners with additional qualifications. Some clinics and most community health centres are served by doctors. Referrals are made to secondary and tertiary hospitals served by specialists. FUTURE Innovations to address staff shortages include the creation of the specialty of family medicine for physicians and development of the clinical associate who is trained to perform a limited clinical role, as well as in-service on-site training of nurses through programmes of integrated care for infectious and chronic diseases. There is an urgent need to address low staff morale and medical migration resulting from a decade of poor leadership and AIDS denialism. CONCLUSIONS The structures and policies for primary care in South Africa provide some grounds for optimism that services may begin to match the promise of quality care for all, but the burden of disease and resource constraints - particularly in terms of qualified personnel - mitigate against an early delivery of this promise.