Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Use of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells for Tendon Graft-to-Bone Healing

Background Despite increasing attention on the issue of tendon-to-bone integration, there has been no animal study on the use of cell therapy for promoting the insertion healing of tendon to bone. Purpose To determine the efficacy of using a large number of bone marrow stromal cells (bMSCs) to enhance tendon-to-bone healing. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods The hallucis longus tendons were translated into 2.5-mm diameter calcaneal bone tunnels in a New Zealand white rabbit model. The bone tunnels were treated with or without bMSCs. Three specimens from each group were harvested at 2, 4, and 6 weeks postoperatively and evaluated by conventional histological and immunohistochemical methods. Results At 4 weeks, the specimens with bMSCs exhibited more perpendicular collagen fiber formation and increased proliferation of cartilage-like cells, which was indicated by positive collagen type-II immuno-staining of the tendon-bone interface. In contrast, the specimens without bMSCs demonstrated progressive maturation and reorganization of fibrous tissue aligned along the load axis. Conclusion Introduction of a large number of bone marrow stromal cells to the bone tunnel have shown to improve the insertion healing of tendon to bone in a rabbit model through formation of fibrocartilagenous attachment at early time points.
Isolation of Bacteriophages from Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii and the Characterization of Pap31 Gene Sequences from Bacterial and Phage DNA

Bacteriophages enhance bacterial survival, facilitate bacterial adaptation to new environmental conditions, assist in the adaptation to a new host species, and enhance bacterial evasion or inactivation of host defense mechanisms. We describe the detection and purification of a novel tailed bacteriophage from Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii, which was previously described as a bacteriophage-negative species. We also compare B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffi Pap31 bacteriophage gene sequences to B. henselae (Houston I), and B. quintana (Fuller) bacteriophage Pap31 sequences. Negative staining electron microscopy of log phase culturesof B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii identifiedbacteriophages, possessing a 50-nm icosahedric head diameter and a 60- to 80-nm contractile tail. Sequence analysis of the bacteriophage Pap31 gene from B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii showed three consensus sequences and a 12-bp insertion when compared with Pap31 gene sequences from B. henselae (Houston I) and B. quintana (Fuller) bacteriophages. Isolation of B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii bacteriophages containing a Pap31 gene suggests that this heme-binding protein gene might play an important role in bacterial virulence through the genetic exchange of DNA within this subspecies. Defining phage-associated genes may also contribute to the enhanced understanding of the evolutionary relationships among members of the genus Bartonella.
Psychiatric disorders in adult patients with early-treated phenylketonuria.

OBJECTIVE To determine psychiatric disorders in patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) and to test whether biochemical control, intellectual functioning, white matter abnormalities visible on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and/or style of parenting influence psychopathology. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS This cross-sectional study consisted of 35 PKU patients 17 to 33 years of age (mean: 22.2). From a total of 67 patients, 3 patients were selected because of other causes of possible brain damage. Then 35 patients were randomly drawn with comparison with a control sample (n = 181) from an epidemiologic study. METHODS We used a standardized, highly structured, face-to-face interview; intelligence quotient (IQ) test; cranial MRI (n = 26); and monitoring of plasma phenylalanine. RESULTS The overall rate of psychiatric disorders was 25.7% in PKU patients and 16.1% in controls. This difference was not statistically significant. The pattern of psychiatric disturbances was different for PKU patients and controls (Fisher's exact test): in PKU patients, externalizing disorders were reduced (PKU: not present, controls: 7.8%), whereas internalizing disorders (PKU: 25.7%, controls: 8.3%) were increased. International Classification of Diseases, version 10, diagnoses were predominantly those of the depressive category and more frequent in women (8 of 18 females and 1 of 17 males). A correlation between IQ and both biochemical control up to 12 years of age and school education of parents was confirmed. No correlation was found between the severity or pattern of psychiatric disturbances and school education of parents, biochemical control, IQ, or the extension of MRI-visible, white matter abnormalities. It was found that a restrictive controlling style of parenting is a risk factor for the development of psychiatric symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Our results support a psychological perspective for the development of psychiatric symptoms in PKU. Thus, optimizing medical treatment necessary to prevent brain damage should be accompanied by psychiatric monitoring and psychological support for the families.
Ultrastructural organization of avian stratum corneum lipids as the basis for facultative cutaneous waterproofing

The ultrastructure of naked neck epidermis from the ostrich (Struthio camelus) and ventral apterium from watered, and water‐deprived, Zebra finches (Taeniopygia [Poephila] guttata castanotis) is presented. The form and distribution of the fully differentiated products of the lipid‐enriched multigranular bodies are compared in biopsies post‐fixed with osmium tetroxide or ruthenium tetroxide. The fine structure of ostrich epidermis suggests it is a relatively poor barrier to cutaneous water loss (CWL). The fine structure from watered, and 16‐hr water‐deprived Zebra finches, considered in conjunction with measurements of CWL, confirms previous reports of “facultative waterproofing,” and emphasizes the rapidity of tissue response to dehydration. The seemingly counterintuitive facts that one xerophilic avian species, the ostrich, lacks a “good barrier” to CWL, whereas another, the Zebra finch, is capable of forming a good barrier, but does not always express this capability, are discussed. An explanation of these data in comparison to mammals centers on the dual roles of the integument of homeotherms in thermoregulation and conserving body water. It is concluded that birds, whose homeothermic control depends so much on CWL, cannot possess a permanent “good barrier,” as such would compromise the heat loss mechanism. Facultative waterproofing (also documented in lizards) protects the organism against sudden reductions in water availability. In birds, and probably in snakes and lizards, facultative waterproofing involves qualititative changes in epidermal cell differentiation. Possible control mechanisms are discussed. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Experimental Demonstration and Numerical Simulation of 107-Gb/s High Spectral Efficiency Coherent Optical OFDM

Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) is a multicarrier modulation format in which the data are transmitted with a set of orthogonal subcarriers. Recently, this modulation format has been actively explored in the field of optical communications to take advantages of its high spectral efficiency and resilience to chromatic and polarization dispersion. However, to realize the optical OFDM at 100 Gb/s and beyond requires extremely high electronic bandwidth for the electronic signal processing elements. In this paper, we investigate orthogonal-band-multiplexed OFDM (OBM-OFDM) as a suitable modulation and multiplexing scheme for achieving bandwidth scalable and spectral efficient long-haul transmission systems. The OBM-OFDM signal can be implemented in either RF domain, or optical domain, or a combination of both domains. Using the scheme of OBM-OFDM, we show the successful transmission of 107 Gb/s data rate over 1000-km standard single-mode fiber (SSMF) without optical dispersion compensation and without Raman amplification. The demonstrated OBM-OFDM system is realized in optical domain which employs 2times2 MIMO-OFDM signal processing and achieves high optical spectral efficiency of 3.3 bit/s/Hz using 4-QAM encoding. Additionally, we perform numerical simulation of 107-Gb/s CO-OFDM transmission for both single-channel and wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) systems. We find that the Q -factor of OBM-OFDM measured using uniform filling of OFDM subbands is in fact more conservative, in particular, is 1.2 dB and 0.4 dB lower than using random filling for single-channel and WDM systems, respectively.
Automatic creation of a word aligned Sinhala-Tamil parallel corpus

A parallel corpus aligned at both sentence and word level is an important prerequisite in statistical machine translation. However, manual creation of such a parallel corpus is time consuming, and requires experts fluent in both languages. This paper presents the first ever empirical evaluation carried out to identify the best unsupervised word alignment technique for Sinhala and Tamil. It also presents a novel approach that combines the output of individual aligners, which outperforms the solitary use of these aligners. Sentence aligned parallel text from annual reports and letters of Sri Lankan Government institutions, and order papers from the Parliament of Sri Lanka were used in the evaluation.
'Getting somewhere', feeling cared for: patients' perspectives on complementary therapies in the NHS.

OBJECTIVE To examine satisfaction with complementary therapy among patients receiving treatment funded within the National Health Service (NHS). DESIGN Semi-structured interviews using a critical incident approach (n =49). SETTING 8 sites across England providing complementary therapy services within primary care. RESULTS Complementary therapies are experienced as ameliorating and curing conditions, including chronic problems. Patients also perceive complementary practitioners as being caring and value the development of a therapeutic relationship within which they are encouraged to take an active part in looking after their health. Positive experiences of complementary therapy use were contrasted with either a failure of orthodox medicine or a dislike of the orthodox treatments available to them. Very few negative aspects were reported. CONCLUSIONS Patient satisfaction was consistent across settings and type of therapy received. The findings reinforce messages from studies of users in the private sector, but also suggest that for NHS users commitment to treatment develops largely as a result of positive experience rather than prior beliefs. Implications of the findings for research and policy are considered.
Nitrite accumulation performance of aerobic MBBR treating Lurgi coal gasification waste water by adjusting pollutant load and DO concentration

An aerobic moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) was adopted to treat Lurgi coal gasification waste water (LCGW) in about 10 months. The pollutant load and dissolve oxygen (DO) concentration were adjusted by trying to maximize the accumulation of in the MBBR for LCGW treatment. The highest accumulation proportion was 73.9%, but was not stable with influent chemical oxygen demand (COD) and DO concentrations of around 1000 and 1.5 mg/L, respectively. Around 1500 mg/L of influent COD concentration and 1.5 mg/L of DO concentration were proper operation conditions for the aerobic MBBR to achieve relatively stable accumulation, with ratio at 53% and ratio at just 4.3% in the effluent. More specifically, free ammonia concentration and DO concentration affected accumulation much more obvious than phenols concentration. The activity and quantity of nitrifying bacteria growth in suspended sludge and biofilm of the MBBR were monitored simultaneously to explain the variations of accumulation performance under different operation conditions.
Metabolic effects of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) insufflation during laparoscopic surgery: changes in pH, arterial partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide (PaCo2) and End Tidal Carbon Dioxide (EtCO2).

Background Acid base alterations occur during laparoscopy with carbon dioxide insufflation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of low tidal volume ventilation on acid base status during pneumoperitonium. Materials and Methods 30 patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery under General Anaesthesia were ventilated with tidal volume of 6 ml/kg and respiratory rate of 12 breaths/minute. Arterial blood gas analysis was done before, during and after C02 pneumoperitoneum. Arterial haemoglobin oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry (SPO2) and EtC02 were monitored continuously throughout the laparoscopy. Respiratory adjustments were done for EtCO2 levels above 60mmHg or SPO2 below 92% or adverse haemodynamic changes. Results low tidal volume ventilation during pneumoperitoneum resulted in a significant elevation in PaCO2 (p<0.001) and a fall of pH (p <0.001), ion bicarbonate (HCO3-) (p = 0.011), and base excess (ABE) (p <0.001). A correlation was found between the EtCO2 and PaCO2 during pneumoperitoneum. Oxygenation was well maintained during pneumoperitoneum. No ventilatory adjustments were instituted on any of the patients as they maintained EtCO2 below 60mmHg throughout pneumoperitoneum. Conclusion Ventilation with low tidal volume during pneumoperitoneum causes a mixed respiratory and metabolic acidosis. EtCO2 is still a good non-invasive monitor for estimation of PaCO2 during low tidal volume ventilation during pneumoperitoneum.
Wedding biodiversity inventory of a large and complex Lepidoptera fauna with DNA barcoding

By facilitating bioliteracy, DNA barcoding has the potential to improve the way the world relates to wild biodiversity. Here we describe the early stages of the use of cox1 barcoding to supplement and strengthen the taxonomic platform underpinning the inventory of thousands of sympatric species of caterpillars in tropical dry forest, cloud forest and rain forest in northwestern Costa Rica. The results show that barcoding a biologically complex biota unambiguously distinguishes among 97% of more than 1000 species of reared Lepidoptera. Those few species whose barcodes overlap are closely related and not confused with other species. Barcoding also has revealed a substantial number of cryptic species among morphologically defined species, associated sexes, and reinforced identification of species that are difficult to distinguish morphologically. For barcoding to achieve its full potential, (i) ability to rapidly and cheaply barcode older museum specimens is urgent, (ii) museums need to address the opportunity and responsibility for housing large numbers of barcode voucher specimens, (iii) substantial resources need be mustered to support the taxonomic side of the partnership with barcoding, and (iv) hand-held field-friendly barcorder must emerge as a mutualism with the taxasphere and the barcoding initiative, in a manner such that its use generates a resource base for the taxonomic process as well as a tool for the user.
IRF3 and IRF7 Phosphorylation in Virus-infected Cells Does Not Require Double-stranded RNA-dependent Protein Kinase R or IκB Kinase but Is Blocked by Vaccinia Virus E3L Protein*

Induction of interferon-α (IFNα) gene expression in virus-infected cells requires phosphorylation-induced activation of the transcription factors IRF3 and IRF7. However, the kinase(s) that targets these proteins has not been identified. Using a combined pharmacological and genetic approach, we found that none of the kinases tested was responsible for IRF phosphorylation in cells infected with Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Although the broad-spectrum kinase inhibitor staurosporine potently blocked IRF3 and -7 phosphorylation, inhibitors for protein kinase C, protein kinase A, MEK, SAPK, IKK, and protein kinase R (PKR) were without effect. Both IκB kinase and PKR have been implicated in IFN induction, but cells genetically deficient in IκB kinase, PKR, or thePKR-related genes PERK, IRE1, orGCN2 retained the ability to phosphorylate IRF7 and induce IFNα. Interestingly, PKR mutant cells were defective for response to double-stranded (ds) RNA but not to virus infection, suggesting that dsRNA is not the only activating viral component. Consistent with this notion, protein synthesis was required for IRF7 phosphorylation in virus-infected cells, and the kinetics of phosphorylation and viral protein production were similar. Despite evidence for a lack of involvement of dsRNA and PKR, vaccinia virus E3L protein, a dsRNA-binding protein capable of inhibiting PKR, was an effective IRF3 and -7 phosphorylation inhibitor. These results suggest that a novel cellular protein that is activated by viral products in addition to dsRNA and is sensitive to E3L inhibition is responsible for IRF activation and reveal a novel mechanism for the anti-IFN effect of E3L distinct from its inhibition of PKR.
Temporal activity of biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) on cattle near Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

The activity of nine species of biting midges aspirated from cattle was recorded in the late afternoon, evening and early morning at a site near Darwin, Northern Territory, between March and June in 1999 and 2001. There were no significant differences between the temporal activity patterns for nulliparous and parous females of any species. Nulliparous females dominated collections of all species except Culicoides marksi. C. actoni and Forcipomyia (Lasiohelea) sp. , were mostly active during daylight hours while C. peregrinus, C. bundyensis and C. brevipalpis, were nocturnal. Differences in the peak activity of C. brevitarsis were noted between years and occurred slightly earlier than that observed at other sites. C. fulvus, C. marksi and C. oxystoma were generally crepuscular but differed in the length and peak period of activity. C. actoni was four times more active in the evening than in the morning while C. marksi and C. peregrinus, were respectively 2.6 and 3.4 times more active in the morning than in the evening. Numbers of the other six species were not significantly different in the evening and morning. All nine species were collected at least once from cattle shortly after dawn.
Adenovirus-vectored novel African Swine Fever Virus antigens elicit robust immune responses in swine

African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) is a high-consequence transboundary animal pathogen that often causes hemorrhagic disease in swine with a case fatality rate close to 100%. Lack of treatment or vaccine for the disease makes it imperative that safe and efficacious vaccines are developed to safeguard the swine industry. In this study, we evaluated the immunogenicity of seven adenovirus-vectored novel ASFV antigens, namely A151R, B119L, B602L, EP402RΔPRR, B438L, K205R and A104R. Immunization of commercial swine with a cocktail of the recombinant adenoviruses formulated in adjuvant primed strong ASFV antigen-specific IgG responses that underwent rapid recall upon boost. Notably, most vaccinees mounted robust IgG responses against all the antigens in the cocktail. Most importantly and relevant to vaccine development, the induced antibodies recognized viral proteins from Georgia 2007/1 ASFV-infected cells by IFA and by western blot analysis. The recombinant adenovirus cocktail also induced ASFV-specific IFN-γ-secreting cells that were recalled upon boosting. Evaluation of local and systemic effects of the recombinant adenovirus cocktail post-priming and post-boosting in the immunized animals showed that the immunogen was well tolerated and no serious negative effects were observed. Taken together, these outcomes showed that the adenovirus-vectored novel ASFV antigen cocktail was capable of safely inducing strong antibody and IFN-γ+ cell responses in commercial swine. The data will be used for selection of antigens for inclusion in a multi-antigen prototype vaccine to be evaluated for protective efficacy.
The International Alcohol Control (IAC) study-evaluating the impact of alcohol policies.

BACKGROUND This paper describes a new multicountry collaborative project to assess the impact of alcohol control policy. Longitudinal surveys of drinkers in a number of participating countries and analysis of the policy context allow for the assessment of change over time within countries and comparison between countries. The design of the study is modeled on the International Tobacco Control study and aims to assess the impact of alcohol policies in different cultural contexts on policy-related behaviors and alcohol consumption. A survey instrument and protocol for policy analysis have been developed by the initial participating countries: England, Scotland, Thailand, South Korea, and New Zealand. The first round of data collection is scheduled for 2011-2012. MEASUREMENTS The survey instrument (International Alcohol Control [IAC] survey) measures key policy relevant behaviors: place and time of purchase, amounts purchased and price paid; ease of access to alcohol purchase; alcohol marketing measures; social supply; perceptions of alcohol affordability and availability and salience of price; perceptions of enforcement; people's experiences with specific alcohol restrictions; support for policy and consumption (typical quantity, frequency using beverage and location-specific measures). The Policy Analysis Protocol (PoLAP) assesses relevant aspects of the policy environment including regulation and implementation. RESULTS It has proved feasible to design instruments to collect detailed data on behaviors relevant to alcohol policy change and to assess the policy environment in different cultural settings. CONCLUSIONS In a policy arena in which the interest groups and stakeholders have different perceptions of appropriate policy responses to alcohol-related harm, a robust methodology to assess the impact of policy will contribute to the debate.
[Tape erosion--local process or general reaction of the organism. The erosion rate and localization of implanted polypropylene tape in female pelvis].

OBJECTIVES Our study was aimed to reveal whether the tape rejection is associated with increase in serum C-reactive protein level and to assess if localization of implanted polypropylene tape predisposes to its rejection. MATERIAL AND METHODS Between January 2002 and June 2005, 780 women with SUI or pelvic organ prolapse underwent retropubic sling procedure--IVS 02 (n = 379) or transobturator suburethral tape--IVS 04 (n = 283) or posterior IVS operation (n = 118). IVS multifilament tape (Tyco Healthcare) was used in all surgeries. The same antibiotic prophylaxis and disinfected procedure were applied in all cases. Follow-up visits were performed 4-6 weeks after the operation and next were scheduled every 3 months during first year after surgery and every 6 months in the years to follow. Blood to CRP level analysis (ELISA method) was collected form all patients with mesh erosion without any concomitant inflammatory or immunologic diseases. RESULTS Until January 2006 we have observed 28 cases of tape rejection: 5 after posterior IVS operation, 14 after IVS 02 and 9 after IVS 04. The chi-square test revealed no statistically significant differences between these groups. Ten women with mesh rejection were completely asymptomatic, two had fever and abscessi. Also, four women had pyogenic discharge from the skin or the vagina. Ten women complained of dyspareunia, vaginal bleeding and irritating voiding. We have found CRP values normal in all cases beside woman with fever and abscesi two. CONCLUSIONS The process of mesh erosion in most cases is limited to local cellular response. The tape rejection rate is not associated with the localization of the implant in female pelvis.