Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anodal tDCS Combined With Radial Nerve Stimulation Promotes Hand Motor Recovery in the Acute Phase After Ischemic Stroke

Background and Objective. The question of the best therapeutic window in which noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) could potentiate the plastic changes for motor recovery after a stroke is still unresolved. Most of the previous NIBS studies included patients in the chronic phase of recovery and very few in the subacute or acute phase. We investigated the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with repetitive peripheral nerve stimulation (rPNS) on the time course of motor recovery in the acute phase after a stroke. Methods. Twenty patients enrolled within the first few days after a stroke were randomized in 2 parallel groups: one receiving 5 consecutive daily sessions of anodal tDCS over the ipsilesional motor cortex in association with rPNS and the other receiving the same rPNS combined with sham tDCS. Motor performance (primary endpoint: Jebsen and Taylor Hand Function Test [JHFT]) and transcranial magnetic stimulation cortical excitability measures were obtained at baseline (D1), at the end of the treatment (D5), and at 2 and 4 weeks’ follow-up (D15 and D30). Results. The time course of motor recovery of the 2 groups of patients was different and positively influenced by the intervention (Group × Time interaction P = .01). The amount of improvement on the JHFT was greater at D15 and D30 in the anodal tDCS group than in the sham group. Conclusion. These results show that early cortical neuromodulation with anodal tDCS combined with rPNS can promote motor hand recovery and that the benefit is still present 1 month after the stroke.
Further effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory compounds on blastocyst hatching in vitro and implantation rates in the mouse.

When tested in protein-free medium NCTC 109, mouse blastocyst hatching in vitro was inhibited by low doses (<50 MM) of indomethacin, meclofenamic acid, mefenamic acid, and naproxen. Ketoprofen was not inhibitory within the same concentration range. In medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum, meclofenamic acid inhibited hatching above 100 MM but in contrast naproxen had no effect at 500 MM. By ultrafiltration plus HPLC analysis, it was found that for meclofenamic acid over the range 100-200 MM, 92-83% was bound to 10% fetal calf serum. Cinemicrographic recording of supplemented cultures containing 100 to 150 �zM meclofenamic acid revealed that the principal reason for the inhibition of hatching was the prevention of adequate blastocyst expansion which is a normal prerequisite to hatching in vitro. Intrauterine administration of 160 MM meclofenainic acid to one horn of pregnant mice on Day 4 significantly reduced the rate of implantation.
A METHOD FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLLING CONTACT FATIGUE OF MODERN ENGINEERING MATERIALS IN LUBRICATED CONTACT

It is widely recognised that apart from scuffing, rolling contact fatigue (RCF) is one of the most predominant failure types in highly loaded non-conformal friction joints. The fatigue life of machine parts depends on many factors that can be divided into three groups: design, technology and operating conditions. The main factors influencing pitting are material properties, the geometry of the tribosystem, surface finish, dimensional precision, and working conditions as well as the physicochemical properties of the lubricant. The aim of this paper is to present the experimental method for determining fatigue life of modern engineering materials in lubricated rolling contact. The developed method allows an investigation into the effect of all these factors on rolling contact fatigue (pitting). The method is employed by using a modified four-ball testing machine denoted as T-03. The modification embraces the replacement of testing specimens. The upper ball is replaced with a cone that can be made of various materials. The method exhibits good resolution and is time and cost effective. It was successfully applied to the investigation into various types of surface coatings including single, multilayer and duplex coatings. This method can be employed by using a widespread four-ball apparatus.
Electrical stimulation of sciatic nerve after decompression. Does the time of intervention counts?

Electrical stimulation of the peripheral nervous fiber after decompression is utilized nowadays on a large scale basis in physiotherapy and in medical rehabilitation centers. In the recent years the literature accumulated significant information on electrical stimulation from the studies made on lab mouse although this information is contradictory in results. We did not identify any study in clinical settings except one on medial nerve. This study aims to clarify if electrical stimulation in clinical settings is time dependent in its effects on peripheral nerve regeneration. The protocol used was: TENS monophasic with a frequency at 20 Hz for the period 30 minutes during 5 days for 4 weeks. We evaluated pre- and post-treatment with: NCV test, Dynamometry and Oswestry Disability Index. Our data suggests that the patients who undergo a program of electrical stimulation in the first 6 months after the decompression surgery have more chances of recovery than those who start later.
Ageing and attentional control

The research examines the structural bottleneck account and the resource account of the substantial dual-task deficits among older adults. Procedures from two common dual-task methodologies—the psychological refractory period and the relative-priority manipulation—were used to encourage maximization of the joint performance. Performance and time-sharing strategies from subjects between the ages of 20 and 70 years were examined. Age-related declines in time-sharing efficiency and in the precision of the executive control process were observed. The age-related effect was larger when two manual responses were required than when one manual and one vocal response were required, but no evidence for obligatory sequential processing was found. Except for the most demanding conditions, comparable practice effects were observed between the younger and older subjects, suggesting considerable cognitive plasticity in the older subjects. Implications for the two attentional accounts were discussed.
Novel approaches for modeling of the A1 adenosine receptor and its agonist binding site

The present work describes the building of a human A1 adenosine receptor (hA1AR) model, based on the X‐ray crystal structure of bovine rhodopsin, and its use as a basis for the investigation of some important structural characteristics of the receptor. One of the issues investigated was the protonation position of two histidine residues known to influence ligand binding, with protonation of His251 (6.52) in epsilon position and His278 (7.43) in delta position showing the best agreement with experimental evidence. The model was also used to study the position and structural role of water molecules present in the helical bundle. Finally, the binding site location and the ligand docking were investigated using an objective strategy. A suitable site for the binding of the ribose moiety of adenosine was first postulated and further confirmed by means of a novel chemometric strategy based on GRIND descriptors. Using this position as an anchor point, the binding of adenosine was studied by docking and molecular dynamics simulations obtaining two putative binding positions in good agreement with experimental data. Proteins 2004;54:000–000. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Experiences of homosexual patients’ access to primary health care services in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal

Background Homosexual patients are affected by social factors in their environment, and as a result may not have easy access to existing health care services. Prejudice against homosexuality and homosexual patients remains a barrier to them seeking appropriate health care. The concern is that lesbians and gays might delay or avoid seeking health care when they need it because of past discrimination or perceived homophobia within the health care thereby putting their health at risk. Aim of the study The aim of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of homosexual patients utilising primary health care (PHC) services in Umlazi in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). Method A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive study was conducted which was contextual in nature. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 participants. The findings of this study were analysed using content analysis. Results Two major themes emerged from the data analysis, namely, prejudice against homosexual patients by health care providers and other patients at the primary health care facilities, and, homophobic behaviour from primary health care personnel. Conclusion Participants experienced prejudice and homophobic behaviour in the course of utilising PHC clinics in Umlazi, which created a barrier to their utilisation of health services located there. Nursing education institutions, in collaboration with the National Department of Health, should introduce homosexuality and anti-homophobia education programmes during the pre-service and in-service education period. Such programmes will help to familiarise health care providers with the health care needs of homosexual patients and may decrease homophobic attitudes.
The Induction of Autoreactive T Lymphocytes by Allogeneic Effect Factor (AEF): Relevance to Normal Pathways of Lymphocyte Differentiation

Soon after the discovery of the collaboration between thymus-derived (T) and bone marrow-derived (B) lymphocytes in the development of humoral immune responses (Claman et al. 1966, Davies et al. 1966, Mitchell & Miller 1968), it was found that a soluble mediator generated in a mixed lymphocyte culture {MLC) could have profund effects on in vitro antibody responses to T-dependent antigens (Dutton et al, 1971), In the subsequent 9-year period there have been numerous reports about the ability of antigen-nonspecific soluble mediators, derived mostly by alloantigen or mitogen stimulation of T cells, as well as antigen-specific factors, to replace the normal requirement for carrier-specific helper T cells in antibody responses (reviewed in Katz 1977),
Exenatide improves excessive daytime sleepiness and wakefulness in obese patients with type 2 diabetes without obstructive sleep apnoea

We investigate the effects of exenatide on excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), driving performance and depression score in patients with type 2 diabetes with EDS. Eight obese patients with diabetes but without obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) participated in a placebo‐controlled single‐blind study during which multiple wakefulness and sleep latency test, Epworth score, driving performance, depression score, fasting glucose and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were assessed at baseline, end of placebo and treatment phase at baseline and after 22 weeks of treatment. Mean (±standard error of the mean) age, body mass index (kg m2) and HbA1c [mmol mol−1 (%)] of patients at baseline were 50 ± 4.9 years, 37.6 ± 1.1 and 65 ± 19 (8.06 ± 0.41), respectively. When compared to placebo, exenatide treatment was associated with a decrease in both subjective and objective sleepiness, based on the Epworth score reduction and the sleep latency increase assessed by multiple objective sleepiness and sustained attention (OSLER) tests, respectively. Mean sleep latency time (adjusted for change in HbA1c and weight) were 32.1 ± 1.7, 29.1 ± 1.7 and 37.7 ± 1.7, respectively (P = 0.002). Modelling for covariates suggested that improvement in mean sleep latency time is predicted by changes in weight (P = 0.003), but not by changes in HbA1c (P = 0.054). Epworth sleepiness score was reduced significantly (values for placebo versus exenatide: 11.3 ± 1.2 versus 5.7 ± 1.3; P = 0.003). No significant change was noted in the depression score and driving performance. Exenatide is associated with a significant reduction in objective sleepiness in obese patients with type 2 diabetes without OSA, independent of HbA1c levels. These findings could form a basis for further studies to investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms of sleepiness in obese patients with type 2 diabetes.
Quantitation of Bacteria in Bone Marrow from Patients with Typhoid Fever: Relationship between Counts and Clinical Features

ABSTRACT Enteric fever is the only bacterial infection of humans for which bone marrow examination is routinely recommended. A prospective study of the concentrations of bacteria in the bone marrow and their relationship to clinical features was conducted with 120 Vietnamese patients with suspected enteric fever, of whom 89 had confirmed typhoid fever. Ninety-three percent of the Salmonella entericaserovar Typhi samples isolated were resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and co-trimoxazole. For 81 patients with uncomplicated typhoid and satisfactory bone marrow aspirates, the number of serovar Typhi CFU in bone marrow aspirates was a median value of 9 (interquartile range [IQR], 1 to 85; range, 0.1 to 1,580) compared to 0.3 (IQR, 0.1 to 10; range, 0.1 to 399) CFU/ml in simultaneously sampled blood. The ratio of individual blood counts to bone marrow counts was 10 (IQR, 2.3 to 97.5). The number of bacteria in blood but not bone marrow was correlated inversely with the duration of preceding fever. Thus, with increasing duration of illness the ratio of bone marrow-to-blood bacterial concentrations increased; the median ratio was 4.8 (IQR, 1 to 27.5) during the first week compared with 158 (IQR, 60 to 397) during the third week. After lysing the host cells, the median ratio of viable bone marrow to blood increased, reflecting the higher concentration of intracellular serovar Typhi in the bone marrow. Effective antibiotic pretreatment had a significantly greater effect in reducing blood counts compared to bone marrow counts (P < 0.001). Thus, bacteria in the bone marrow of typhoid patients are less affected by antibiotic treatment than bacteria in the blood. The numbers of bacteria in bone marrow correlated negatively with the white blood cell (R = −0.3, P = 0.006) and platelet counts (R = −0.32, P = 0.01) and positively with fever clearance time after treatment (R = 0.4,P < 0.001). The bacterial load in bone marrow therefore may reflect the clinical course of the infection, and high levels may suppress neutrophil proliferation.
Development of a Gene Expression Assay for the Diagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis Infection in African Lions (Panthera leo)

Mycobacterium bovis infection, the cause of bovine tuberculosis (BTB), is endemic in wildlife in the Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa. In lions, a high infection prevalence and BTB mortalities have been documented in the KNP; however, the ecological consequences of this disease are currently unknown. Sensitive assays for the detection of this infection in this species are therefore required. Blood from M. bovis-exposed, M. bovis-unexposed, M. tuberculosis-exposed and M. bovis-infected lions was incubated in QuantiFERON® -TB Gold (QFT) tubes containing either saline or ESAT-6/CFP-10 peptides. Using qPCR, selected reference genes were evaluated for expression stability in these samples and selected target genes were evaluated as markers of antigen-dependent immune activation. The abundance of monokine induced by gamma interferon (MIG/CXCL9) mRNA, measured in relation to that of YWHAZ, was used as a marker of ESAT-6/CFP-10 sensitization. The gene expression assay results were compared between lion groups, and lenient and stringent diagnostic cut-off values were calculated. This CXCL9 gene expression assay combines a highly specific stimulation platform with a sensitive diagnostic marker that allows for discrimination between M. bovis-infected and M. bovis-uninfected lions.
Testosterone and type 2 diabetes

Purpose of reviewTo describe the relationship between testosterone levels and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Recent findingsMultiple epidemiological studies have shown that low testosterone levels are associated with and predict the future development of T2D and the metabolic syndrome. Although this relationship is confounded by the association of total testosterone with sex hormone-binding globulin, free testosterone remains associated with measures of insulin resistance and T2D in some, but not all studies. Although the link between low testosterone levels and insulin resistance is not solely a consequence of adiposity, current studies suggest that a substantial component is mediated through its association with body fat, in particular abdominal visceral adipose tissue. This testosterone–fat relationship is bi-directional, as both weight loss and testosterone therapy increase testosterone levels, reduce fat mass, and decrease insulin resistance. SummaryLow testosterone levels are very commonly found in men with T2D and are associated with aging and obesity. Whether testosterone treatment in men with T2D decreases insulin resistance above that attributable to its fat-reducing effect is currently unknown. Future studies should compare testosterone treatment with lifestyle changes (exercise and weight loss measures), and other insulin-sensitizing agents. Until further evidence is available, testosterone therapy outside clinical trials should be reserved for diabetic men with unequivocal hypogonadism.
Biochemical Effects of Fermented Camel Milk on Diarrhea in Rats

Camel milk is different from other ruminant milk, having low cholesterol, low sugar, high minerals (sodium, potassium, iron, copper, zinc and magnesium), high vitamin C. Camel milk is remedy for viruses causing diarrhea as Rota Virus considering it could be important from public health point of view to anticipate the vital hazard in camel raw milk and its produces. In this study, we used rat model of rotavirus infection which causing diarrhea. This investigation was designed to prepare fermented Camel milk with low fat (1.5%) and using it in formulas for feeding diarrhea rats (25%, 50% and 75%) to perform the role of the macro elements (sodium, potassium, phosphorous and calcium) as well as micro elements (iron and zinc) of the three prepared formulas for diarrhea rats. Results indicated that the fermented camel milk had higher content in sodium and potassium than the row camel milk and there was stopping diarrhea on formula 3, this is due to the formula 3 can be considered a strong vital inhibitor to human Rota Virus which represents the main diarrhea-causing agent in infants. It can be concluded that fermented camel milk can be considered as a good food of high nutritive and therapeutic applications. Meanwhile, the high content of antimicrobial agents in camel milk may explain its potential as an antiviral activity especially against diarrhea-causing viruses. (New York Science Journal 2010;3(5):106-111). (ISSN 1554 - 0200).
Common Migraine and Vestibular Function

Even though “classic migraine” and “complicated migraine” may be diagnosed readily, “common migraine” may be easily confused with other types of vascular headaches. This differential diagnosis is of great importance for the appropriate choice of drug therapy. It is frequently stated that family history of migraine and history of motion sickness in childhood suggest that a periodic vascular headache is most likely of migrainous origin; although this statement applies to ophthalmoplegic and hemiplegic migraine, it is doubtful that it applies to common migraine. In fact, in a pilot study of patients with common migraine, we have observed that family history and history of motion sickness in childhood did not contribute to the diagnosis. Vestibular dysfunctions are frequently associated with migraine including the common type. Utilizing labyrinthine tests with the aid of electronystagmography, abnormalities of labyrinth function were demonstrated in 80% of patients with common migraine who had no history of vertigo or of other otological and neurological disorders.
The role of surface energy and water wettability in aminoalkyl/fluorocarbon/hydrocarbon-modified xerogel surfaces in the control of marine biofouling

Xerogel films with uniform surface topogrophy, as determined by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, were prepared from aminopropylsilyl-, fluorocarbonsilyl-, and hydrocarbonsilyl- containing precursors. Young's modulus was determined from AFM indentation measurements. The xerogel coatings gave reduced settlement of zoospores of the marine fouling alga Ulva compared to a poly(dimethylsiloxane) elastomer (PDMSE) standard. Increased settlement correlated with decreased water wettability as measured by the static water contact angle, θWs, or with decreased polar contribution (γP) to the surface free energy (γS) as measured by comprehensive contact angle analysis. The strength of attachment of 7-day sporelings (young plants) of Ulva on several of the xerogels was similar to that on PDMSE although no overall correlation was observed with either θWs or γS. For sporelings attached to the fluorocarbon/hydrocarbon-modified xerogels, the strength of attachment increased with increased water wettability. The aminopropyl-modified xerogels did not follow this trend.
Evidence for enhanced vascular superoxide anion production in nitrate tolerance. A novel mechanism underlying tolerance and cross-tolerance.

We sought to examine mechanisms underlying nitroglycerin (NTG) tolerance and "cross-tolerance" to other nitrovasodilators. Rabbits were treated for 3 d with NTG patches (0.4 mg/h) and their aortic segments studied in organ chambers. Relaxations were examined after preconstriction with phenylephrine. In NTG tolerant rabbit aorta, relaxations to cGMP-dependent vasodilators such as NTG (45 +/- 6%), SIN-1 (69 +/- 7%), and acetylcholine (ACh, 64 +/- 5%) were attenuated vs. controls, (90 +/- 2, 94 +/- 3, and 89 +/- 2% respectively, P < 0.05 for all), while responses to the cAMP-dependent vasodilator forskolin remained unchanged. In tolerant aorta, endothelial removal markedly enhanced relaxations to NTG and SIN-1 (82 +/- 4 and 95 +/- 3%, respectively). Other studies were performed to determine how the endothelium enhances tolerance. Vascular steady state . -O2 levels (assessed by lucigenin chemiluminescence) was increased twofold in tolerant vs. control vessels with endothelium (0.31 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.61 +/- 0.01 nmol/mg per minute). This difference was less in vessels after denudation of the endothelium. Diphenylene iodonium, an inhibitor of flavoprotein containing oxidases, and Tiron a direct . -O2 scavenger normalized . -O2 levels. In contrast, oxypurinol (1 mM) an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, rotenone (50 microM) an inhibitor of mitochondrial electron transport and NG-nitro-L-arginine (100 microM) an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase did not affect the chemiluminescence signals from NTG-tolerant aortas. Pretreatment of tolerant aorta with liposome-entrapped, pH sensitive superoxide dismutase (600 U/ml) significantly enhanced maximal relaxation in response to NTG, SIN-1, and ACh, and effectively reduced chemiluminescence signals. These studies show that continuous NTG treatment is associated with increased vascular . -O2-production and consequent inhibition of NO. mediated vasorelaxation produced by both exogenous and endogenous nitrovasodilators.