Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The importance of aerodynamics for prosthetic limb design used by competitive cyclists with an amputation: An introduction

Background/Objectives: This study introduces the importance of the aerodynamics to prosthetic limb design for athletes with either a lower-limb or upper-limb amputation. Study design: The study comprises two elements: 1) An initial experiment investigating the stability of outdoor velodrome-based field tests, and 2) An experiment evaluating the application of outdoor velodrome aerodynamic field tests to detect small-scale changes in aerodynamic drag respective of prosthetic limb componentry changes. Methods: An outdoor field-testing method is used to detect small and repeatable changes in the aerodynamic drag of an able-bodied cyclist. These changes were made at levels typical of alterations in prosthetic componentry. The field-based test method of assessment is used at a smaller level of resolution than previously reported. Results: With a carefully applied protocol, the field test method proved to be statistically stable. The results of the field test experiments demonstrate a noticeable change in overall athlete performance. Aerodynamic refinement of artificial limbs is worthwhile for athletes looking to maximise their competitive performance. Conclusion: A field-testing method illustrates the importance of the aerodynamic optimisation of prosthetic limb components. The field-testing protocol undertaken in this study gives an accessible and affordable means of doing so by prosthetists and sports engineers. Clinical relevance Using simple and accessible field-testing methods, this exploratory experiment demonstrates how small changes to riders’ equipment, consummate of the scale of a small change in prosthetics componentry, can affect the performance of an athlete. Prosthetists should consider such opportunities for performance enhancement when possible.
Effect of Anti‐androgen (TZP‐4238) on Steroid‐induced Canine Prostatic Hyperplasia

The effect of a synthetic steroidal anti‐androgen, TZP‐4238, on steroid‐induced canine prostatic hyperplasia was studied by light and electron microscopy. Male beagle dogs (1–2 years old) were divided into four experimental groups. Group 1 consisted of intact controls. The other animals were castrated. The castrated animals were treated for 25 weeks with 1) 5α‐androstane‐3α, 17β‐diol (A‐diol) plus 17β‐estradiol (E2)(Group2), 2) A‐diol plus E2+ TZP 4238 0.5mg/kg (Group 3) and 3) A‐diol plus E2+ chlormadinone acetate (CMA) 2.5 mg/kg (Group 4). TZP‐4238 and CMA were administered orally for 21 weeks after 4 weeks treatment with A‐diol plus E. , In group 2, glandular hyperplasia of the prostate was clearly noted. In contrast, combined treatment with TZP‐4238 (Group 3) or CMA (Group 4) produced marked atrophy of the glandular epithelium. Loss of secretory and metabolic activities was confirmed by ultrastructural investigations. Our data indicate that TZP‐4238 is a potent anti‐androgen for the prevention of canine prostatic hyperplasia in the steroid‐induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) model. Acta Pathol Jpn 40: 871–879, 1990.
Enterobacter Mediastinitis Following Cardiac Surgery

Abstract Eight cases of sternal/mediastinal infection due to Enterobacter species were seen in postoperative cardiac patients during 1980 to 1981. The attack rate was 14.5% (8/55), compared to 3.7% (2/54) for an identical period in 1979 to 1980 (p<0.05). Cases varied in severity from fulminant, acute bacteremic infections (one death) to less severe wound infection. Late complications or recurrences were not seen. There was a hospital-wide increase, relative to all other gram-negative bacillary isolates, in Enterobacter laboratory isolations, but no increased rate of infection in any other specific surgical condition. No personnel, materials, or techniques were associated with the outbreak, and all but two environmental cultures were negative. Case-control analysis suggested that surgical complications and prophylactic cephalosporins were associated with infection. Prospectively, an additional 85 cardiac surgery patients had increased Enterobacter skin/wound colonization following perioperative prophylaxis with cephalosporin antibiotics. After introduction of barrier isolation and restriction of contacts no further mediastinitis occurred in 100 subsequent cardiac surgery patients. This study indicates that Enterobacter may be major pathogens causing post-cardiac-surgery infection not prevented by cephalosporin prophylaxis.
Caspofungin Increases Fungal Chitin and Eosinophil and γδ T Cell–Dependent Pathology in Invasive Aspergillosis

The polysaccharide-rich fungal cell wall provides pathogen-specific targets for antifungal therapy and distinct molecular patterns that stimulate protective or detrimental host immunity. The echinocandin antifungal caspofungin inhibits synthesis of cell wall β-1,3-glucan and is used for prophylactic therapy in immune-suppressed individuals. However, breakthrough infections with fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus are associated with caspofungin prophylaxis. In this study, we report in vitro and in vivo increases in fungal surface chitin in A. fumigatus induced by caspofungin that was associated with airway eosinophil recruitment in neutropenic mice with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IA). More importantly, caspofungin treatment of mice with IA resulted in a pattern of increased fungal burden and severity of disease that was reversed in eosinophil-deficient mice. Additionally, the eosinophil granule proteins major basic protein and eosinophil peroxidase were more frequently detected in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of lung transplant patients diagnosed with IA that received caspofungin therapy when compared with azole-treated patients. Eosinophil recruitment and inhibition of fungal clearance in caspofungin-treated mice with IA required RAG1 expression and γδ T cells. These results identify an eosinophil-mediated mechanism for paradoxical caspofungin activity and support the future investigation of the potential of eosinophil or fungal chitin-targeted inhibition in the treatment of IA.
Quadriceps Muscles O2 Extraction and EMG Breakpoints during a Ramp Incremental Test

Muscle deoxygenated breakpoint ([HHb]BP) has been found to be associated with other indices of exercise tolerance in the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle but not in the vastus medialis (VM) and rectus femoris (RF). Purpose: To investigate whether the [HHb]BP occurs also in the VM and RF muscles and whether or not it is associated with other physiological indices of exercise tolerance, such as the EMG threshold (EMGt) and the respiratory compensation point (RCP). Methods: Twelve young endurance trained participants performed maximal ramp incremental (RI) cycling tests (25–30 W·min−1 increments). Muscle oxygen extraction and activity as well as ventilatory and gas exchange parameters were measured. After accounting for the mean response time, the oxygen uptake (V·O2) corresponding to the RCP, [HHb]BP, and the EMGt was determined. Results: Peak power output (POpeak) was 359 ± 48 W. Maximal oxygen consumption (V·O2max) was 3.87 ± 0.46 L·min−1. The V·O2 at the RCP was 3.39 ± 0.41 L·min−1. The V·O2 (L·min−1) corresponding to the [HHb]BP and EMGt were: 3.49 ± 0.46 and 3.40 ± 0.44; 3.44 ± 0.61 and 3.43 ± 0.49; 3.59 ± 0.52, and 3.48 ± 0.46 for VL, VM, and RF, respectively. Pearson's correlation between these thresholds ranged from 0.90 to 0.97 (P < 0.05). No difference was found for the absolute V·O2 and the normalized PO (%) at which the thresholds occurred in all three muscles investigated (P > 0.05). Although in eight out of 12 participants, the [HHb]BP in the RF led to a steeper increase instead of leading to a plateau-like response as observed in the VL and VM, the V·O2 at the breakpoints still coincided with that at the RCP. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that local indices of exercise tolerance derived from different portions of the quadriceps are not different to the systemic index of the RCP.
Risk factors associated with Johne's disease test status in dairy herds in Ireland

JOHNE'S disease is a chronic, granulomatous enteritis of ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). The ‘gold standard’ for diagnosis is individual faecal culture (IFC) of MAP. Johne's disease has been a scheduled and notifiable disease in the Republic of Ireland since 1955. The introduction of the single European market in 1992 facilitated the free movement of animals and goods within the European Union. Between 1992 and 2004, approximately 85,000 cattle (predominantly breeding stock) were imported into Ireland (Barrett and others 2006). Between 1932 and 1992, only 92 cases of Johne's disease were reported to the Irish Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (DAFF) veterinary laboratory services, while between 1995 and 2002, 232 infected animals were reported (Barrett and others 2006). These observations indicate that the prevalence of Johne's disease in Ireland has increased since the introduction of the single European market. Hence, the recent epidemiology of Johne's disease in Ireland may be different from that in other countries where the disease has been endemic at a higher prevalence for longer. Although the recent prevalence (Good and others 2009) and economic impact of clinical (Barrett and others 2006) and subclinical (Hoogendam and others 2009) Johne's disease in Irish dairy herds have been reported, there are no published studies examining the risk factors for detection of MAP by IFC in Irish dairy herds. This short communication describes a case-control study aiming to identify the risk factors associated with detection of MAP by IFC in Irish dairy herds. Case herds (n=86) were defined as herds with one or more IFC-MAP-positive results in the DAFF laboratory database from samples voluntarily submitted by private veterinary practitioners between 1995 and 2007. Control herds (n=125) were defined as herds with no IFC-MAP-positive results in DAFF's laboratory database in the same period and with no ELISA-positive …
Development and analysis of an International Speech Test Signal (ISTS)

Abstract For analysing the processing of speech by a hearing instrument, a standard test signal is necessary which allows for reproducible measurement conditions, and which features as many of the most relevant properties of natural speech as possible, e.g. the average speech spectrum, the modulation spectrum, the variation of the fundamental frequency together with its appropriate harmonics, and the comodulation in different frequency bands. Existing artificial signals do not adequately fulfill these requirements. Moreover, recordings from natural speakers represent only one language and are therefore not internationally acceptable. For this reason, an International Speech Test Signal (ISTS) was developed. It is based on natural recordings but is largely non-intelligible because of segmentation and remixing. When using the signal for hearing aid measurements, the gain of a device can be described at different percentiles of the speech level distribution. The primary intention is to include this test signal with a new measurement method for a new hearing aid standard (IEC 60118-15). Sumario Para analizar el procesamiento del lenguaje por medio de un instrumento auditivo, se requiere de una señal estándar de prueba que permita obtener condiciones reproducibles de medición, y que contenga la mayor cantidad de las propiedades más relevantes del lenguaje natural como sea posible, p.e. , el espectro promedio del lenguaje, el espectro de modulación, las variaciones en la frecuencia fundamental junto con sus armónicos apropiados, y la co-modulación en diferentes bandas de frecuencia. Las señales artificiales existentes no llenan adecuadamente estos requisitos. Más aún, los registros de un hablante natural representan solo un idioma y por lo tanto, no son aceptables internacionalmente. Por esta razón, se desarrolló una señal internacional de prueba para lenguaje (ISTS). Se basa en registros naturales pero es esencialmente ininteligible debido a la segmentación y el re-mezclado. Cuando se usa la señal para mediciones de un auxiliar auditivo, la ganancia del dispositivo puede ser descrita a diferentes percentiles de la distribución de nivel de intensidad del lenguaje. La intención primaria es incluir esta señal de prueba con un nuevo método de medición para un nuevo estándar para auxiliares auditivos. (IEC 60118-15).
Contribution Development of Predictive Models for Airflow Obstruction in Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency

Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency is a genetic condition associated with severe, early-onset chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, there is significant variability in lung function impairment among persons with the protease inhibitor ZZ genotype. Early identification of persons at highest risk of developing lung disease could be beneficial in guiding monitoring and treatment decisions. Using a multicenter, family-based study sample (2002–2005) of 372 persons with the protease inhibitor ZZ genotype, the authors developed prediction models for forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and the presence of severe COPD using demographic, clinical, and genetic variables. Half of the data sample was used for model development, and the other half was used for model validation. In the training sample, variables found to be predictive of both FEV1 and severe COPD were age, sex, pack-years of smoking, bronchodilator responsiveness, chronic bronchitis symptoms, and index case status. In the validation sample, the predictive model for FEV1 explained 50% of the variance in FEV1, and the model for severe COPD exhibited excellent discrimination (c statistic 1⁄4 0.88).
The expression of propionicin PLG-1 gene (plg-1) by lactic starters1

Propionicin PLG-1 is a bacteriocin produced by Propionibacterium thoenii P127. Such bacteriocin inhibits wide range of food-borne pathogens such as pathogenic Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Yersinia enterocolitica and a strain of Corynebacterium sp. In the present study, plg-1 gene expressing propionicin PLG-1 was isolated, sequenced for the first time and the resulting sequence was analysed using several web-based bioinformatics programs. The PCR product containing plg-1 gene was transferred to different lactic acid bacterial (LAB) strains using pLEB590 as a cloning vector to give the modified vector pLEBPLG-1. LAB transformants showed an antimicrobial activity against Esch. coli DH5α (most affected strain), Listeria monocytogenes 18116, and Salmonella enterica 25566 as model pathogenic strains. Such LAB transformants can be used in dairy industry to control the food-borne pathogens that are largely distributed worldwide and to feed schoolchildren in the poor countries where dangerous epidemic diseases and diarrhoea prevail.
Attitude Tracking Control of Rigid Spacecraft With Actuator Misalignment and Fault

A control scheme is developed to address the attitude tracking problem of a rigid spacecraft. A sufficient condition to accommodate actuator misalignment is presented. The controller asymptotically stabilizes the closed-loop attitude tracking system. The desired attitude trajectories can be tracked in finite time, even in the presence of uncertain inertia tensor, external disturbances, actuator fault, and actuator misalignment. The attitude tracking performance of the controller is evaluated through an illustrative example.
Role of carotid chemoreceptors in the initiation of effective breathing of the lamb at term.

Respiratory patterns after deliberate cord occlusion of four fetal lambs with bilaterally divided carotid sinus nerves were compared with those of four control lambs subjected to similar surgery without actual division of the nerves. The animals with divided carotid sinus nerves did not develop sustained rhythmic respiration and showed fall in Po2, which persisted, and progressive fall in pH and rise in Pco2 during the 10-minute period of observation after cord occlusion. The mock-operated animals developed sustained rhythmic respirations and showed rise in Po2, fall in Pco2 and less fall in pH than the animals with divided carotid sinus nerves. This striking inability of the lambs deprived of carotid chemoreceptor function to initiate effective respiration indicates that this mechanism has an important role in the initiation of breathing under these conditions.
On‐Ice Performance Characteristics of Elite and Non‐elite Women's Ice Hockey Players

The purpose of this study was to compare skating performance and on-ice fitness of elite and non-elite women's ice hockey players. Twenty-three players who were participants in an organized women's hockey training program were tested. Seven of the elite players were members of the 1996/1997 Canadian National Team and 1 was from the Finnish National Team. Skating tests included (a) agility cornering S turn (AGL), (b) 6.10-m acceleration (ACC), (c) 47.85-m speed (SPD), (d) 15.20-m full speed (FSPD), and (e) Reed repeat sprint skate test (RRS). Elite players were older (25 ± 5.34 vs. 19 ± 2.65 years) and had better performance in the following variables: FSPD (1.88 ± 0.11 vs. 1.96 ± 0.86 seconds); RRS, drop-off percent (23.25 ± 5.85% vs. 34.98 ± 8.45%), drop-off time (3.43 ± 0.78 vs. 5.35 ± 1.23 seconds); σ of 6 repeats (101.96 ± 2.74 vs. 112.78 ± 4.61 seconds); and anaerobic capacity (AnCap; 5.35 ± 0.14 W·kg−1 vs. 4.87 ± 0.19 W·kg−1) as calculated by the formulas of Watson and Sargeant (23). These results suggest that elite women's ice hockey players are older, faster skaters; have a better drop-off percent, drop-off time, and σ of 6 repeats in a repeat skate test; and have greater on-ice anaerobic capacity than non-elite players.
Evaluation of a treatment protocol in distal radius fractures

Background and purpose Distal radius fractures are most often treated nonoperatively, but sometimes they are treated surgically when deemed unstable. Based on the literature, a consensus protocol for treatment has been developed in southern Sweden to aid clinicians in their decision making. We evaluated the results of this protocol prospectively using a validated outcome instrument (DASH) in a large consecutive and population based series of unselected patients. Methods 581 patients were treated according the protocol. Age, sex, fracture side, and type of treatment were registered. The subjective outcome was measured by DASH. 133 patients were operated. Results 75% of the patients returned the questionnaire. The median DASH score at 3 months was 18.3 and at 12 months it was 7.5. All treatment groups had low DASH scores at the final follow‐up. Reduced, nonoper ated fractures had a worse score (11.6) than undisplaced (4.2) or operated fractures (6.0). Age was the only other predictor, with older patients having a worse score. A correlation was found between the short‐version 11-item QuickDASH questionnaire and the full 30-item DASH, both at 3 months (r = 0.98) and at 1 year (r = 0.97) (p< 0.001 for both). Interpretation Most patients have residual symptoms at 3 months after the fracture but are normalized at 1 year. Good final subjective result was achieved with the proposed protocol regardless of initial severity and treatment of the fracture, as indicated by a low median DASH score in all groups. There was correlation between QuickDASH and the full DASH, and the former could be used in future studies.
Altered responses of regenerating hepatocytes to norepinephrine and transforming growth factor type β

Norepinephrine (NE), acting through the α1‐adrenergic receptor, modulates the response of rat hepatocytes in primary culture to transforming growth factor type β1 (TGFβ) by increasing the amount of TGFβ required for a given degree of inhibition of epidermal growth factor (EGF)‐induced DNA synthesis (Houck et al., J. Cell. Physiol. 135:551–555, 1988). This effect was also found in hepatocytes isolated from regenerating livers but was greatly magnified in cells isolated between 12 and 18 hr after two‐thirds partial hepatectomy (PHX). During this period of enhanced sensitivity, NE was equally potent in terms of dose but more efficacious in the regenerating hepatocytes. As it did in control hepatocytes (Cruise et al., Science 227:749–751, 1985), the α1‐adrenergic receptor mediated the activity of NE in regenerating hepatocytes. Vasopressin (VP) and angiotensin‐II (AG) also antagonized the effect of TGFβ and showed increased activity in regenerating hepatocytes but at only 50% or less of the maximal effect reached by NE. Regenerating hepatocytes isolated 24–72 hr after PHX exhibited decreased sensitivity to inhibition by TGFβ, with a nadir in 48‐hr‐regenerating cells. These findings suggest that NE may be involved in triggering the early phase of DNA synthesis during liver regeneration, with the subsequent acquisition of innate resistance to TGFβ responsible for continued proliferation at a time when TGFβ mRNA is known to be increasing in the liver (Braun et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:1539–1543, 1988). EGF induced increased DNA and protein synthesis in cultures of control hepatocytes; TGFβ inhibited the EGF‐induced DNA synthesis but had no effect on protein synthesis. This may be relevant to the latter stages of liver regeneration, when high levels of TGFβ mRNA are detected in liver and cellular hypertrophy predominates over hyperplasia.
Risk factors between intracranial–extracranial atherosclerosis and anterior–posterior circulation stroke in ischaemic stroke

Abstract Objectives: Atherosclerosis is an important cause of stroke and remains a challenge for stroke prevention. Risk factors involved in atherosclerotic stroke and anterior and posterior circulation strokes (ACS and PCS, respectively) are different. The purpose of this study is to investigate differences in risk factors between intracranial and extracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS and ECAS), ACS and PCS, and ICAS/ECAS with ACS/PCS in a Chinese acute ischaemic stroke population. Methods: We analysed 551 ischaemic stroke patients who had been enrolled between August 2005 and July 2008. First, risk factors were compared between non-atherosclerosis, ICAS, ECAS, and combined ICAS and ECAS groups. ICAS and ECAS were assessed with transcranial Doppler and carotid colour Doppler ultrasound, respectively. Second, risk factors were compared between ACS and PCS groups. Stroke lesion was assessed with magnetic resonance imaging. Third, risk factors were compared in ICAS/ECAS associated with ACS/PCS. Results: The risk factor for ICAS was high diastolic blood pressure (OR, 1.075; 95% CI, 1.016–1.138; p = 0.013), and the risk factors for ECAS were age (OR, 1.113; 95% CI, 1.046–1.183; p = 0.001) and low density lipoprotein (OR, 1.450; 95% CI, 1.087–1.935; p = 0.012). Hypertension (OR, 1.090; 95% CI, 1.001–1.109; p = 0.027) was associated with PCS. Age (OR, 1.026; 95% CI, 1.011–1.128; p = 0.003), male gender (OR, 2.278; 95% CI, 1.481–3.258; p = 0.003) and age (OR, 1.067; 95% CI, 1.013–1.123; p = 0.014), scores of NIHSS (OR, 1.069; 95% CI, 1.012–1.130; p = 0.018) were risk factors for ICAS and ECAS with ACS, respectively. Conclusion: Risk factors are different between ICAS and ECAS, ACS and PCS, and ICAS/ECAS with ACS/PCS. Thus, targeted strategies are needed to consider these differences to prevent, treat and manage these diseases.