Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of nerve stimulator-guided obturator nerve block on the short-term outcomes and complications of transurethral resection of bladder tumour: A prospective randomized controlled study.

INTRODUCTION In this prospective randomized controlled study, we investigated the efficacy of obturator nerve block (ONB) on adductor muscle spasm and related short-term outcomes and complications in patients who underwent transurethral resection of lateral wall-located bladder tumours (TURBT). METHODS Between July 2014 and February 2015, 70 patients scheduled to undergo TUR of lateral bladder wall tumours were enrolled in the study. All patients were preoperatively evaluated by cystoscopy and imaging tools and selected according to localized tumours on the lateral bladder wall. Patients were randomly allocated to Group SA (35 patients who underwent only spinal anesthesia) and Group ONB (35 patients who underwent spinal anesthesia combined with ONB by the nerve stimulator). An independent observer, blinded to the approach, evaluated the obturator signs, including adductor muscle contraction, bladder perforation, and completeness of the resection during the TURBT procedure. RESULTS The differences between groups regarding mean operation time, tumour size, and number were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Adductor muscle contraction was detected in 40% of patients in Group SA and 11.4% in Group ONB. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.021). Complete bladder perforation was detected in 2 patients in Group SA, whereas no perforation was observed in Group ONB. There was no case of severe bleeding in both groups. CONCLUSIONS We found that ONB performed after spinal anesthesia was effective in preventing intraoperative complications due to adductor muscle spasm while performing TURBT. Our study limitations include its small sample size, since we only enrolled patients with primary lateral wall-localized bladder tumour. Also, we excluded patients who underwent bipolar TURBT.
Eye gaze and arousal: Skin conductance responses to live and picture stimuli of another person's direct and averted gaze

A direct gaze acts as a precursor to social interaction and has the power to elicit both behavioral approach and avoidance tendencies. It is also associated with changes in physiological arousal. Previous research has attained in part inconsistent results of the arousing effect of direct versus averted gaze. One factor contributing to these discrepancies has been the varying use of live and picture stimuli while investigating the effects of gaze direction on physiological arousal. The present study sought to address this by comparing physiological reactions to another person’s direct and averted gaze presented live or as pictures on a computer screen. Skin conductance responses from healthy adults were measured. The use of a liquid crystal (LC) shutter enabled the presentation of live stimuli in a highly controlled and accurate manner. In addition, subjective evaluations of the arousal and emotional valence experienced during different stimulus conditions were collected at the end of the experiment. The results indicated greater skin conductance responses and, thus, higher arousal resulting from seeing a straight gaze as compared to seeing an averted gaze in a live condition. In addition, straight gaze in a live condition was associated with significantly lower self-reported pleasantness scores and significantly higher self-reported arousal scores as compared to those obtained for averted gaze. None of these effects were obtained using the picture stimuli presented on a computer screen. The results are consistent with previous findings of eye contact eliciting greater arousal than unreciprocated gaze with the use of live stimuli, as well as with studies that found no gaze effects with computerized stimuli. The possibility of the results deriving from a lack of a social context in the picture condition is discussed.
Hamstring injury occurrence in elite soccer players after preseason strength training with eccentric overload

The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a preseason strength training programme for the hamstring muscle group – emphasising eccentric overloading – could affect the occurrence and severity of hamstring injuries during the subsequent competition season in elite male soccer players. Thirty players from two of the best premier‐league division teams in Sweden were divided into two groups; one group received additional specific hamstring training, whereas the other did not. The extra training was performed 1–2 times a week for 10 weeks by using a special device aiming at specific eccentric overloading of the hamstrings. Isokinetic hamstring strength and maximal running speed were measured in both groups before and after the training period and all hamstring injuries were registered during the total observational period of 10 months. The results showed that the occurrence of hamstring strain injuries was clearly lower in the training group (3/15) than in the control group (10/15). In addition, there were significant increases in strength and speed in the training group. However, there were no obvious coupling between performance parameters and injury occurrence. These results indicate that addition of specific preseason strength training for the hamstrings – including eccentric overloading – would be beneficial for elite soccer players, both from an injury prevention and from performance enhancement point of view.
Microwave-assisted extraction and pharmacological evaluation of polysaccharides from Posidonia oceanica

Microwave-assisted extraction was employed for the isolation of polysaccharides from Posidonia oceanica (PPO). The extracting parameters were optimized adopting response surface methodology. The highest polysaccharide yield (2.55 ± 0.09%), which is in concordance with the predicted value (2.76%), was obtained under the following conditions: extraction time 60 s, liquid–solid ratio of 50:1 (mL/g) and power of 800 W. This polysaccharide, with molecular weight of 524 KDa, characterized by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry showed that PPO was mainly composed of galactose, glucose, and arabinose with molar percentages 25.38, 24.37, and 21.64%, respectively. The pharmacological evaluation of PPO using animal models at the dose of 100 mg/kg indicated a significant anti-inflammatory activity with a percentage of inhibition of edema of 54.65% and a significant antinociceptive activity with 78.91% inhibition of writhing for peripheral analgesic activity and an increase in the hot plate reaction time for central analgesic activity. Microwave-assisted extraction and pharmacological activities of polysaccharides from Posidonia oceanica
The effect of gymnastic training on muscle strength and co-activation during isometric elbow and glenohumeral flexion/extension.

BACKGROUND The purpose of the study was to demonstrate the differences between non-athletes and gymnasts at the pre- and post-pubertal age in the development of peak torque and ensuing flexion/extension ratios at the elbow and the glenohumeral joints, as well as to assess the relevance of the above activities for the co-activation of selected muscles. METHODS The study involved 20 gymnasts and 20 non-athletes aged 8-9 years, in addition to 12 gymnasts and 16 non-athletes aged 18-25 years. Measurements of the isometric peak torque (PKTQ) were taken for flexion and extension at the elbow and the glenohumeral joints. The method of surface electromyography (EMG) was applied in order to determine the neurophysiological characteristics of the strength and capabilities of these joints. RESULTS In the group of older gymnasts the PKTQ ratio of the glenohumeral flexors to extensors was the lowest (0.72) and was significantly different from the other groups. This result was consisted with the 30% higher PKTQ values (P<0.01) of the glenohumeral extensors and a 41% reduction in their EMG in flexion in comparison to non-athletes. CONCLUSIONS Apart from demonstrating the effects of long-term gymnastic training, the results give information about the imbalance between the agonists and the antagonists of the arm, which can predispose to more frequent injuries. A disproportionately greater development of strength capabilities of extensor muscles in relation to arm flexors among experienced gymnasts can provide valuable information for physiotherapists and coaches on individuation of athletes' special preparation - essential in teaching many complex gymnastic exercises.
Exploring Communication Activities in Online Communities: A Longitudinal Analysis in the Financial Services Industry

Online communities (OCs) are seen as important stimulus to electronic business. However, surprisingly little is known about how the communication activity of their participants develops and changes over time. A longitudinal study bears the potential to better elaborate the enabling and inhibiting factors of the participant's communication activity in OCs. To explore these phenomena, we aimed to develop a conceptual framework that serves as a foundation to guide an explorative data analysis of real OCs. We use the notions of common ground, information overload, interactivity, and social loafing to explain the communication activity of the participants in OCs. The empirically explored framework will help organizations to support the development of OCs and utilize them in an economically successful way. Based on a literature review, we developed a first conceptual framework. Then, we apply it to describe the development of the communication activity and its determinants in an OC hosted by a German financial service provider. In this study, we examined over 33,000 participants and 1.03 million messages over a period of 3 years. We found a strong effect of external factors on the size of this OC. The size of the OC showed no direct influence on the communication activity of the participants. However, in reaction to the increasing information load, communication strategies changed and herewith influenced the communication activity. The heterogeneity of the participant's activity was growing over time, and a small minority of participants wrote more and more of the postings.
Impact of sodium butyrate on the network of adhesion/growth-regulatory galectins in human colon cancer in vitro.

BACKGROUND/AIM The physiological compound sodium butyrate can induce differentiation in colon cancer cells in vitro. Due to the role of galectins in growth control we explored its effect on this network beyond galectins-1 and -3, with deliberate consideration of the status of microsatellite stability, for nine cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS Microscopical monitoring and measurement of alkaline phosphatase activity ascertained butyrate's impact on cells. Monitoring by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting with galectin-type-specific probes characterized galectin expression. RESULTS Controlled by expectable strong up-regulation of galectin-1 and comparatively small effects on galectin-3 regulation for galectins-4, -7, -8 and -9 were reported with no obvious association to microsatellite stability status. Neoexpression of the GAL-12 gene was observed in eight out of nine tested lines. CONCLUSION Butyrate affects the galectin network beyond galectins-1 and -3, warranting further cell biological and histochemical studies.
Effects of different task factors on speed and preferences in Chinese handwriting

This study was conducted to determine the speed of Chinese handwriting and explore the effects of the task factors, tool type, paper texture, writing plane angle, and line spacing on writing speed and subjective preferences. The results showed that the average duration of writing a 9-stroke character was 1487 ms. Paper texture and line spacing had a significant effect on production speed. Uncoated paper and 3 mm-line spacing enhanced writing speed. Subjects had clear preferences for writing with a pen, on uncoated paper, in a horizontal plane, and with relatively wide line spacing (5 mm/7 mm/lineless). There was a conflict between writing speed and personal preference on the line spacing factor. Although narrow line spacing (3 mm) increased writing speed, it was not preferred by the subjects over wider spacing on the evaluation attributes of comfort, ease, fatigue, and overall preference. To take a balance between writing speed and personal preference, a line spacing of at least 5 mm is recommended.
Manual handling activities and risk of low back pain in nurses.

OBJECTIVE--To investigate the risk factors for low back pain in hospital nurses, with particular emphasis on the role of specific nursing activities. METHODS--A cross sectional survey of 2405 nurses employed by a group of teaching hospitals was carried out. Self administered questionnaires were used to collect information about occupational activities, non-occupational risk factors for back symptoms, and history of low back pain. RESULTS--The overall response rate was 69%. Among 1616 women, the lifetime prevalence of back pain was 60% and the one year period prevalence 45%. 10% had been absent from work because of back pain for a cumulative period exceeding four weeks. Rates in men were generally similar to those in women. In women back pain during the previous 12 months was weakly associated with height, and was significantly more common in those who reported frequent non-musculoskeletal symptoms such as headache and low mood. After adjustment for height and non-musculoskeletal symptoms, significant associations were found with frequency of manually moving patients around on the bed, manually transferring patients between bed and chair, and manually lifting patients from the floor. In contrast, no clear increase in risk was found in relation to transfer of patients with canvas and poles, manually lifting patients in and out of the bath, or lifting patients with mechanical aids. Confirmation of these findings is now being sought in a prospective study of the same population. CONCLUSIONS--This study confirms that low back pain is highly prevalent among nurses and is associated with a high level of sickness absence. People who often report non-musculoskeletal symptoms were significantly more likely to report low back pain. Specific manual handling tasks were associated with an increased risk of back pain; however, no such association was found with mechanised patient transfers.
[The white coat in pediatrics: link between medical history and preference for informally dressed physicians].

OBJECTIVE To find out if children show a preference for a doctor in a white coat or an informally dressed doctor, and what factors influence this preference. Further to determine if children show a preference for a physician of their own or of the other sex. METHOD A series of 20 pairs of photographs showing varying combinations of a male and a female doctor in a white coat or in informal dress was presented to test subjects: 37 children without a medical history, 28 children with a minor and 16 with an extensive medical history, aged between 6 and 12 years. Out of each pair of photographs, the test subjects were invited to choose the doctor they would prefer. RESULTS On average, the test subjects opted for a doctor in a white coat more often than for an informally dressed doctor (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in dress preference between children with a less and with a more extensive medical history (p = 0.001): children with no medical history more often chose a doctor in a white coat. Children with an extensive medical history more frequently showed preference for informal dress. The children opted more frequently for a doctor of their own sex (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The preference of children for a doctor in a white coat or for an informally dressed doctor depended on their medical history. The more extensive the medical history, the more the preference shifted to an informally dressed doctor. Also, the children preferred a doctor of their own sex.
Assessment of feature selection and classification methods for recognizing motor imagery tasks from electroencephalographic signals

Recognition of motor imagery tasks (MI) from electroencephalographic (EEG) signals is crucial for developing rehabilitation andmotor assisted devices based on brain-computer interfaces (BCI). Here we consider the challenge of learning a classifier, basedon relevant patterns of the EEG signals; this learning step typically involves both feature selection, as well as a base learningalgorithm. However, in many cases it is not clear what combination of these methods will yield the best classifier. This papercontributes a detailed assessment of feature selection techniques, viz. , squared Pearson’s correlation (R 2 ), principal componentanalysis (PCA), kernel principal component analysis (kPCA) and fast correlation-based filter (FCBF); and the learning algorithms:linear discriminant analysis (LDA), support vector machines (SVM), and Feed Forward Neural Network (NN). A systematicevaluation of the combinations of these methods was performed in three two-class classification scenarios: rest vs. movement,upper vs. lower limb movement and right vs. left hand movement. FCBF in combination with SVM achieved the best results witha classification accuracy of 81.45%, 77.23% and 68.71% in the three scenarios, respectively. Importantly, FCBF determines, basedon the feature set, whether a classifier can be learned, and if so, automatically identifies the subset of relevant and non-correlatedfeatures. This suggests that FCBF is a powerful method for BCI systems based on MI. Knowledge gained here about proceduralcombinations has the potential to produce useful BCI tool, that can provide effective motor control for the users.
A unified circuit model for bipolar transistors including quasi-saturation effects

This paper describes a compact model for bipolar transistors which includes quasi-saturation effects. The assumptions used in the formulation of this model are clearly stated and justified, and a step by step derivation of the model equations is presented. These equations model both de and charge storage effects. Parameter extraction techniques are qualitatively described and the compact model is evaluated using detailed physical simulations of a high voltage bipolar transistor. In addition, simulations employing this model are compared with measurements and are found to be in excellent agreement.
Streptokinase Entrapment in Interdigitation-Fusion Liposomes Improves Thrombolysis in an Experimental Rabbit Model

Summary The successful design of new thrombolytic agents depends on providing these agents with increased clot selectivity. As recently demonstrated (10), entrapment of tissue plasminogen activator into liposomes apparently provided the selective targeting needed to improve the efficacy of this fibrinolytic agent. To test whether liposomal entrapment would benefit streptokinase, a fibrinolytic agent with a different mode of action and inactivation, we compared liposomal streptokinase with free streptokinase in an experimental rabbit model of thrombolysis. First we adapted a new method to produce liposomes of high entrapment efficiency, termed interdigitation-fusion (IF) liposomes, for the encapsulation of streptokinase. This system was then tested in an in vivo rabbit model of thrombolysis where animals with established clots were infused with either free streptokinase (40,000 U/kg), liposomally entrapped streptokinase, free streptokinase + empty liposomes, or the corresponding amount of empty liposomes or saline. Significant differences (p <0.05) in the percent clot lysis were observed between saline control (22.4 ± 3.3%; mean ± S.E.), free streptokinase (36.3 ± 3.4%), and liposomal streptokinase (47.4 ± 1.4%). Importantly, animals treated with empty liposomes experienced a level of thrombolysis (32.4 ± 2.8%) not different to that produced by free streptokinase or empty liposomes plus free streptokinase (38.0 ± 2.0%). We believe the effect of liposomes alone is due to a transient redistribution or margination of circulating platelets. When tested in rabbits immunized against streptokinase, liposomal (33.8 ± 1.5%) but not free streptokinase (29.3 ± 2.1%) showed significant thrombolytic activity compared to saline (22.4 ± 3.3%) (p <0.05). The thrombolytic activity was comparable to free streptokinase in nonimmunized rabbits. This suggests liposomal streptokinase would have better thrombolytic activity than streptokinase alone and still provide to those patients possessing high levels of anti-streptokinase antibodies (5% of the population) the equivalent degree of therapy expected from free streptokinase.
Occipital hypoperfusion on SPECT in dementia with Lewy bodies but not AD

Objective: To compare regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) changes using 99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (99mTc-HMPAO) SPECT in subjects with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and AD and in normal age-matched control subjects; to examine the utility of SPECT changes in the differential diagnosis of AD and DLB. Method: Whole-brain SPECT scans were acquired using a single-headed rotating gamma camera (IGE CamStar XR/T) in elderly subjects with consensus criteria DLB (n = 23; mean age = 79.4 years), National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke–Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association AD (n = 50; 81.9 years), and normal control subjects (n = 20; 78.1 years) after injection with 500 MBq of 99mTc-HMPAO. Region-of-interest analysis was performed using a SPECT template registered in Talairach space, with rCBF normalized to cerebellum. Results: Both DLB and AD subjects had significantly reduced rCBF in parietal and temporal regions compared with the control subjects. The AD group also showed a significant reduction in rCBF in the frontal and medial temporal regions and the DLB in the occipital areas compared with control subjects. AD and DLB groups differed only in occipital perfusion (p < 0.01). SPECT measures (occipital and medial temporal) correctly classified 69% of all subjects, with a 65% sensitivity and 87% specificity for DLB against AD and control subjects. Conclusion: Temporoparietal hypoperfusion on SPECT is common to both AD and DLB. Occipital hypoperfusion is more frequently seen in DLB. Although not diagnostically specific in individual cases, occipital hypoperfusion on SPECT should raise suspicion that DLB may be the cause of dementia, prompting careful search for other features of the disorder.
Structure of GATE-16, Membrane Transport Modulator and Mammalian Ortholog of Autophagocytosis Factor Aut7p*

The GATE-16 protein participates in intra-Golgi transport and can associate with theN-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein and with Golgi SNAREs. The yeast ortholog of GATE-16 is the autophagocytosis factor Aut7p. GATE-16 is also closely related to the GABA receptor-associated protein (GABARAP), which has been proposed to cluster neurotransmitter receptors by mediating interaction with the cytoskeleton, and to the light chain-3 subunit of the neuronal microtubule-associated protein complex. Here, we present the crystal structure of GATE-16 refined to 1.8 Å resolution. GATE-16 contains a ubiquitin fold decorated by two additional N-terminal helices. Proteins with strong structural similarity but no detectable sequence homology to GATE-16 include Ras effectors that mediate diverse downstream functions, but each interacts with Ras by forming pseudo-continuous β-sheets. The GATE-16 surface suggests that it binds its targets in a similar manner. Moreover, a second potential protein-protein interaction site on GATE-16 may explain the adapter activity observed for members of the GATE-16 family.