Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Accuracy of Common Hand Injections With and Without Ultrasound: An Anatomical Study

Background: The aim of the study is to determine the accuracy of hand injections with and without the aid of ultrasound (U/S) into the carpal tunnel, thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint, first dorsal compartment (DC) and the radiocarpal (RC) joint. Methods: Four participants of various level of experience injected the carpal tunnel, thumb CMC, first DC, and RC joint into 40 fresh frozen cadaver specimens with blue dye and radiographic contrast. Participants 1 and 2 were injected without U/S guidance, and participants 3 and 4 were injected with U/S guidance. A successful injection was determined by both fluoroscopy and dissection/direct observation. Additional information was recorded for each injection such as median nerve infiltration and evidence of thumb CMC arthrosis. Results: The overall accuracy for carpal tunnel, thumb CMC, first DC, and RC injections were 95%, 63%, 90%, and 90%, respectively. Success was compared with and without U/S guidance. Success rates were similar for each injection site, except the thumb CMC joint, where U/S participants had 25% higher accuracy. In the setting of thumb CMC arthrosis, the incidence of success was 38% for participants with no U/S aid and 72% for participants with U/S aid. There was a significant difference between participants who used U/S with the participant with more U/S experience being more successful. Conclusion: Carpal tunnel, first DC, and RC injections had an accuracy of greater than 90%. Thumb CMC injections have a lower accuracy (63%) and one can improve accuracy with U/S. The accuracy of U/S-guided injections is dependent on the user and their experience.
HlyU Is a Positive Regulator of Hemolysin Expression in Vibrio anguillarum

ABSTRACT The two hemolysin gene clusters previously identified in Vibrio anguillarum, the vah1 cluster and the rtxACHBDE cluster, are responsible for the hemolytic and cytotoxic activities of V. anguillarum in fish. In this study, we used degenerate PCR to identify a positive hemolysin regulatory gene, hlyU, from the unsequenced V. anguillarum genome. The hlyU gene of V. anguillarum encodes a 92-amino-acid protein and is highly homologous to other bacterial HlyU proteins. An hlyU mutant was constructed, which exhibited an ∼5-fold decrease in hemolytic activity on sheep blood agar with no statistically significant decrease in cytotoxicity of the wild-type strain. Complementation of the hlyU mutation restored both hemolytic activity and cytotoxic activity. Both semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to examine expression of the hemolysin genes under exponential and stationary-phase conditions in wild-type, hlyU mutant, and hlyU complemented strains. Compared to the wild-type strain, expression of rtx genes decreased in the hlyU mutant, while expression of vah1 and plp was not affected in the hlyU mutant. Complementation of the hlyU mutation restored expression of the rtx genes and increased vah1 and plp expression to levels higher than those in the wild type. The transcriptional start sites in both the vah1-plp and rtxH-rtxB genes' intergenic regions were determined using 5′ random amplification of cDNA ends (5′-RACE), and the binding sites for purified HlyU were discovered using DNA gel mobility shift experiments and DNase protection assays.
Efeitos agudos do treinamento concorrente sobre os níveis séricos de leptina e cortisol em adultos jovens sobrepesados

OBJETIVO: Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar os efeitos imediatos do treinamento concorrente sobre a leptina e os niveis de cortisol em adultos jovens com sobrepeso. METODOS: Este estudo utilizou uma metodologia quase-experimental. Foram 20 individuos voluntarios de ambos os sexos, divididos em um grupo sobrepesado treinamento (GST n = 10) e um grupo sobrepesado controle (n = 10). A coleta de sangue foi realizada com os individuos em repouso apos jejum de 12 horas. Os niveis de leptina e cortisol foram analisados por radioimunoensaio e ensaio por quimioluminescencia chimiluminescence antes e imediatamente apos o treinamento. ANOVA two way foi utilizada para analise estatistica com nivel de significância de p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Na analise da leptina serica, observou-se diferenca significativa intergrupos (GST x GSC) nos momentos pre-intervencao (p = 0,02) e pos-intervencao (p = 0,01). Na analise intragrupos, nao foram observadas alteracoes significativas. E na analise do cortisol serico intergrupos (GST x GSC), foi observada uma diferenca significativa nos momentos pre-intervencao (p = 0,01) e pos-intervencao (p = 0,01), porem, na analise intragrupos, nao houve alteracoes significativas. CONCLUSAO: Uma unica sessao de treinamento concorrente nao e suficiente para promover alteracoes agudas nos niveis de leptina e cortisol dos jovens adultos sobrepesados voluntarios deste estudo.
Extended Periarterial Sympathectomy: Evaluation of Long-term Outcomes

Background: Periarterial sympathectomy is a proposed surgical treatment for patients with refractory Raynaud syndrome; however, there is debate regarding the indications and extent of dissection. Due to the segmental arterial sympathetic innervation, we favor an extended sympathectomy in concert with vein graft reconstruction of occluded vessels when necessary. The purpose of this study is to examine outcomes of extended periarterial sympathectomy in our patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on 46 patients who underwent 58 periarterial sympathectomies (12 bilateral) since 1981. The data collected include demographics, comorbidities, previous therapy, operative details, and surgical outcomes. In addition, we contacted available patients for a phone survey. Results: Of 58 cases, 68.9% were female, 29.3% were current smokers, and 58.6% had known connective tissue disease. Thirty-three vein graft reconstructions were performed with a long-term patency of 77.4%. Sustained improvement of ischemic pain was reported in 94.8% of cases, and 78% of patients with ulcers completely healed. For the most symptomatic fingertip, mean Semmes-Weinstein monofilament measurements improved from 4.15 preoperatively to 3.29 postoperatively (P ≤ .05). Mean follow-up was 3.97 years. Of 10 patients contacted by telephone, all reported a decrease in frequency and severity of Raynaud attacks, while 9 reported a long-term decrease in pain an average of 11.6 years after surgery. Conclusions: Extended periarterial sympathectomy is an effective and safe procedure for patients with refractory Raynaud syndrome. Our data demonstrate long-term improvement in ischemic pain and sensibility, along with a high rate of ulcer healing and patient satisfaction.
Depression among Puerto Rican Women: Culture, Etiology and Diagnosis

As in most of the societies that have been studied, more than twice the number of Puerto Rican women compared to men suffer from diagnosed depression. The aim of this article is to examine depression in women in Puerto Rico from epidemiological, etiological, and especially, experiential perspectives. This study includes a comparison of women’s complaints around negative mood states in cases within the public mental health system and equivalent cases encountered within a traditional healing system, Espiritismo. Several general questions are raised concerning the effect on the etiology of depression of cultural constructions regarding female roles and statuses, reproductive events, and negative life events in general, as well as the value of closely examining the experience of depressed women relative to standard diagnostic assessments in mental health care.
Anatomy of splenogastric vessels in patients with schistosomal portal hypertension

The literature describes the short gastric vessels as branches of the splenic pedicle. However, in our surgical practice, we verified the maintenance of splenic vitality and function even after dividing the splenic artery and vein. In order to understand this phenomenon, we studied the architecture of the splenogastric vessels during subtotal or total splenectomies performed to treat esophageal and gastric variceal bleedings due to portal hypertension. We observed that these vessels were independent of the splenic pedicle and their number ranged between zero and 13. These findings are important in different surgical procedures and should be better investigated in order to understand the splenic vessels. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genome Sequence of Microbacterium yannicii, a Bacterium Isolated from a Cystic Fibrosis Patient

ABSTRACT Microbacterium yannicii is a Gram-positive, aerobic, yellow-pigmented, rod-shaped, nonmotile, oxidase-negative, and catalase-positive bacterium isolated on Columbia colistin-nalidixic acid (CNA) agar with 5% sheep blood from the sputum of a cystic fibrosis patient. The present study reports the draft genome of a Microbacterium yannicii strain.
Comparative Phylogenomics and Evolution of the Brucellae Reveal a Path to Virulence

ABSTRACT Brucella species include important zoonotic pathogens that have a substantial impact on both agriculture and human health throughout the world. Brucellae are thought of as “stealth pathogens” that escape recognition by the host innate immune response, modulate the acquired immune response, and evade intracellular destruction. We analyzed the genome sequences of members of the family Brucellaceae to assess its evolutionary history from likely free-living soil-based progenitors into highly successful intracellular pathogens. Phylogenetic analysis split the genus into two groups: recently identified and early-dividing “atypical” strains and a highly conserved “classical” core clade containing the major pathogenic species. Lateral gene transfer events brought unique genomic regions into Brucella that differentiated them from Ochrobactrum and allowed the stepwise acquisition of virulence factors that include a type IV secretion system, a perosamine-based O antigen, and systems for sequestering metal ions that are absent in progenitors. Subsequent radiation within the core Brucella resulted in lineages that appear to have evolved within their preferred mammalian hosts, restricting their virulence to become stealth pathogens capable of causing long-term chronic infections.
Calcium Causes Multimerization of the Large Adhesin LapF and Modulates Biofilm Formation by Pseudomonas putida

ABSTRACT LapF is a large secreted protein involved in microcolony formation and biofilm maturation in Pseudomonas putida. Its C-terminal domain shows the characteristics of proteins secreted through a type I secretion system and includes a predicted calcium binding motif. We provide experimental evidence of specific binding of Ca2+ to the purified C-terminal domain of LapF (CLapF). Calcium promotes the formation of large aggregates, which disappear in the presence of the calcium chelator EGTA. Immunolocalization of LapF also shows the tendency of this protein to accumulate in vivo in certain extracellular regions. These findings, along with results showing that calcium influences biofilm formation, lead us to propose a model in which P. putida cells interact with each other via LapF in a calcium-dependent manner during the development of biofilms.
Regulation of Cell Growth during Serum Starvation and Bacterial Survival in Macrophages by the Bifunctional Enzyme SpoT in Helicobacter pylori

ABSTRACT In Helicobacter pylori the stringent response is mediated solely by spoT. The spoT gene is known to encode (p)ppGpp synthetase activity and is required for H. pylori survival in the stationary phase. However, neither the hydrolase activity of the H. pylori SpoT protein nor the role of SpoT in the regulation of growth during serum starvation and intracellular survival of H. pylori in macrophages has been determined. In this study, we examined the effects of SpoT on these factors. Our results showed that the H. pylori spoT gene encodes a bifunctional enzyme with both a hydrolase activity and the previously described (p)ppGpp synthetase activity, as determined by introducing the gene into Escherichia coli relA and spoT defective strains. Also, we found that SpoT mediates a serum starvation response, which not only restricts the growth but also maintains the helical morphology of H. pylori. Strikingly, a spoT null mutant was able to grow to a higher density in serum-free medium than the wild-type strain, mimicking the “relaxed” growth phenotype of an E. coli relA mutant during amino acid starvation. Finally, SpoT was found to be important for intracellular survival in macrophages during phagocytosis. The unique role of (p)ppGpp in cell growth during serum starvation, in the stress response, and in the persistence of H. pylori is discussed.
A Review of Multiple Health Behavior Change Interventions for Primary Prevention

Most individuals engage in multiple unhealthy lifestyle behaviors with the potential for negative health consequences. Yet most health promotion research has addressed risk factors as categorically separate entities, and little is known about how to effectively promote multiple health behavior change (MHBC). This review summarizes the recent literature (January 2004 to December 2009) on randomized clinical trials evaluating MHBC interventions for primary prevention. Combining all the studies across all the reviews, fewer than 150 studies were identified. This is a fraction of the number of trials conducted on changing individual behavioral risks. Three primary behavioral clusters dominated: (1) the energy balance behaviors of physical activity and diet; (2) addictive behaviors like smoking and other drugs; and (3) disease-related behaviors, specifically cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer related. Findings were largely disappointing for studies of diet and physical activity, particularly with youth. Treating 2 addictions, including smoking, resulted in greater long-term sobriety from alcohol and illicit drugs. MHBC intervention effects were stronger and more consistent for cancer prevention than CVD prevention. MHBC interventions offer a new paradigm for broader, more comprehensive health promotion; however, the potential value in maximizing intervention impact is largely unmet.
Attitudes and knowledge of long term care nurses toward psychotropic medication for the elderly

The perceptions and knowledge of 314 long term care nurses regarding psychopharmacological and behavioral intervention as well as the adequacy of their clinical training were surveyed. Only 54% of the nurses perceived themselves to be involved in the decision-making process regarding the psychopharmacological treatment of their patients although 89% suggested that they should have a greater involvement. Nursing notes were seen as the most important source of information for making clinical decisions, followed by behavioral assessment and non-nursing notes. The nurses believed that most of the behavioral problems of the elderly could be treated with behavioral methods, and they indicated a desire to learn more about behavioral methods. Pharmacological treatment was seen as a treatment of choice for self-injury, aggression and clinical depression. Most nurses were able to differentiate between real and bogus side effects of psychotropic drugs, although up to a quarter of them had some problems. Most nurses .
Complete Genome Sequence of Cronobacter turicensis LMG 23827, a Food-Borne Pathogen Causing Deaths in Neonates

ABSTRACT Here, we report the complete and annotated genome sequence of Cronobacter turicensis, an opportunistic food-borne pathogen, which is known as a rare but important cause of life-threatening neonatal infections. Among all proteins of C. turicensis, 223 have been annotated as virulence- and disease-related proteins.
Avaliação da cobertura dos registros de óbitos dos estados brasileiros em 2000

OBJETIVO: Calcular e avaliar a cobertura dos registros de obitos da populacao adulta das Unidades da Federacao brasileira. METODOS: Foram estudadas as estatisticas de obitos, captadas da Fundacao Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica e do Ministerio da Saude, de 1999 a 2000,comparadas por sexo. A cobertura dos obitos dos Estados foi estimada por meio de tres tecnicas de mensuracao do sub-registro de obitos. A estimativa final seguiu criterios pre-determinados que resultaram na classificacao dos Estados em quatro categorias de avaliacao. RESULTADOS: Pela primeira vez, a Fundacao Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica captou menos obitos do que o Ministerio da Saude. A cobertura dos obitos foi classificada no minimo como "satisfatoria" para todos os Estados do Sul, Sudeste, Centro-Oeste e parte do Nordeste. Os demais Estados, a partir do Piaui em direcao ao Norte, foram classificados como "regular", exceto para Roraima. A cobertura dos obitos manteve-se mais completa para os homens. CONCLUSOES: Houve aumento da cobertura dos obitos para todas as regioes do Pais, particularmente para o Norte e o Nordeste. Mantendo-se esta tendencia, e provavel que todos os Estados terao superado a marca dos 80% de cobertura ate o ano 2010.
The AlgZR Two-Component System Recalibrates the RsmAYZ Posttranscriptional Regulatory System To Inhibit Expression of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Type III Secretion System

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes chronic airway infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. A classic feature of CF airway isolates is the mucoid phenotype. Mucoidy arises through mutation of the mucA anti-sigma factor and subsequent activation of the AlgU regulon. Inactivation of mucA also results in reduced expression of the Vfr transcription factor. Vfr regulates several important virulence factors, including a type III secretion system (T3SS). In the present study, we report that ExsA expression, the master regulator of T3SS gene expression, is further reduced in mucA mutants through a Vfr-independent mechanism involving the RsmAYZ regulatory system. RsmA is an RNA binding protein required for T3SS gene expression. Genetic experiments suggest that the AlgZR two-component system, part of the AlgU regulon, inhibits ExsA expression by increasing the expression of RsmY and RsmZ, two small noncoding RNAs that sequester RsmA from target mRNAs. Epistasis analyses revealed that increasing the concentration of free RsmA, through either rsmYZ deletion or increased RsmA expression, partially restored T3SS gene expression in the mucA mutant. Furthermore, increasing RsmA availability in combination with Vfr complementation fully restored T3SS expression. Recalibration of the RsmAYZ system by AlgZR, however, did not alter the expression of other selected RsmA-dependent targets. We account for this observation by showing that ExsA expression is more sensitive to changes in free RsmA than other members of the RsmA regulon. Together, these data indicate that recalibration of the RsmAYZ system partially accounts for reduced T3SS gene expression in mucA mutants.
Cholesterol Is Not an Essential Source of Nutrition for Mycobacterium tuberculosis during Infection

ABSTRACT Rv1106c (hsd; 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) is required by Mycobacterium tuberculosis for growth on cholesterol as a sole carbon source, whereas Rv3409c is not. Mutation of Rv1106c does not reduce Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth in infected macrophages or guinea pigs. We conclude that cholesterol is not required as a nutritional source during infection.
Cardiovascular risk associated with antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients

Cardiovascular risk factors, including the fat redistribution syndrome, dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus, have been increasingly described in association with new potent protease inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapies in patients with HIV infection. The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in clinical practice has altered the natural history of HIV remarkably, leading to a notable extension of life expectancy, and prolonged lipid and glucose metabolism abnormalities are expected to lead to significant effects on the long-term prognosis and outcome of HIV-infected patients. Prediction modelling, surrogate markers and hard cardiovascular end points suggest an increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases in HIV-infected subjects receiving HAART, even though the absolute risk of cardiovascular complications remains low, and must be balanced against the evident virological, immunological and clinical benefits descending from combination antiretroviral therapy. Nevertheless, the assessment of cardiovascular risk should be performed on a regular basis in HIV-positive individuals, especially after initiation or change of antiretroviral treatment. Appropriate lifestyle measures (including smoking cessation, dietary changes and aerobic physical activity) are critical points, and switching HAART may be considered, although maintaining viremic control should be the main goal of therapy. Pharmacological treatment of dyslipidaemia (usually with statins and fibrates) and hyperglycaemia (with insulin-sensitising agents and thiazolidinediones) becomes suitable when lifestyle modifications and switching therapy are ineffective or not applicable.
Region competition: unifying snakes, region growing, energy/Bayes/MDL for multi-band image segmentation

We present a novel statistical and variational approach to image segmentation based on a new algorithm named region competition. This algorithm is derived by minimizing a generalized Bayes/MDL (Minimum Description Length) criterion using the variational principle. We show that existing techniques in early vision such as, snake/balloon models, region growing, and Bayes/MDL are addressing different aspects of the same problem and they can be unified within a common statistical framework which combines their advantages. We analyze how to optimize the precision of the resulting boundary location by studying the statistical properties of the region competition algorithm and discuss what are good initial conditions for the algorithm. Our method is generalized to color and texture segmentation and is demonstrated on grey level images, color images and texture images. <<ETX>>
Role of Maltose Enzymes in Glycogen Synthesis by Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT Mutants with deletion mutations in the glg and mal gene clusters of Escherichia coli MC4100 were used to gain insight into glycogen and maltodextrin metabolism. Glycogen content, molecular mass, and branch chain distribution were analyzed in the wild type and in ΔmalP (encoding maltodextrin phosphorylase), ΔmalQ (encoding amylomaltase), ΔglgA (encoding glycogen synthase), and ΔglgA ΔmalP derivatives. The wild type showed increasing amounts of glycogen when grown on glucose, maltose, or maltodextrin. When strains were grown on maltose, the glycogen content was 20 times higher in the ΔmalP strain (0.97 mg/mg protein) than in the wild type (0.05 mg/mg protein). When strains were grown on glucose, the ΔmalP strain and the wild type had similar glycogen contents (0.04 mg/mg and 0.03 mg/mg protein, respectively). The ΔmalQ mutant did not grow on maltose but showed wild-type amounts of glycogen when grown on glucose, demonstrating the exclusive function of GlgA for glycogen synthesis in the absence of maltose metabolism. No glycogen was found in the ΔglgA and ΔglgA ΔmalP strains grown on glucose, but substantial amounts (0.18 and 1.0 mg/mg protein, respectively) were found when they were grown on maltodextrin. This demonstrates that the action of MalQ on maltose or maltodextrin can lead to the formation of glycogen and that MalP controls (inhibits) this pathway. In vitro, MalQ in the presence of GlgB (a branching enzyme) was able to form glycogen from maltose or linear maltodextrins. We propose a model of maltodextrin utilization for the formation of glycogen in the absence of glycogen synthase.