Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Cement Placement on Augmentation of the Osteoporotic Proximal Femur

Femoroplasty, the augmentation of the proximal femur, has been shown in biomechanical studies to increase the energy required to produce a fracture and therefore may reduce the risk of such injuries. The purpose of our study was to test the hypotheses that: (1) 15 mL of cement was sufficient to mechanically augment the proximal femur, (2) there was no difference in augmentation effect between cement placement in the intertrochanteric region and in the femoral neck, and (3) cement placement in the femoral neck would predispose the proximal femur to an intertrochanteric fracture, whereas trochanteric placement would result in subtrochanteric fractures. In each of 18 pairs of osteoporotic human cadaveric femora, 15 mL of polymethylmethacrylate bone cement was injected into the trochanteric or femoral neck region of 1 femur, and the noninjected femur was used as the control. The augmentation effect of femoroplasty was evaluated under simulated fall conditions using a materials testing machine. Multiple linear regressions incorporating random effects were used to check for associations between covariates (bone mineral density, cement location, and treatment) and the parameters of interest (stiffness, yield energy, yield load, ultimate load, and ultimate energy). Significance was set at P < . 05. It was found that femoroplasty with 15 mL of cement did not significantly increase stiffness, yield energy, yield load, ultimate load, or ultimate energy relative to paired controls. There were no significant differences in parameters of interest or fracture patterns in specimens augmented in the femoral neck versus the trochanter. It was concluded that 15 mL of cement was not sufficient to augment the proximal femur and that there was no biomechanical advantage to the placement of cement within the femoral neck versus the trochanter.
Comparing physicians' reporting propensity with active and passive surveillance systems in South Korea

Passive surveillance (PS) is a traditional approach to communicable disease surveillance. To complement the approach, several countries have adopted active surveillance (AS) systems that involve the voluntary participation of physicians. This study compares AS versus PS systems in Korea based on the systems’ reporting propensity of chickenpox. A mail questionnaire survey was conducted with a random sample of physicians involved in the PS system (N=1,955) and all sentinel physicians of the AS system (N=193). Multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with reporting propensity. The reporting propensity of physicians in the AS system was significantly higher than that in the PS surveillance system, 2.7 versus 1.9 on a 5-point Likert scale (p<0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that, in addition to the type of the surveillance system, physician knowledge of chickenpox as a notifiable disease and the type of institution with which a physician was affiliated were significant factors for a physician’s reporting propensity. For both systems, the common barriers for reporting were ‘lack of confidence in diagnosis,’ ‘burden from interference by the public health department following reporting,’ and ‘complexity of the reporting system. ’ In conclusion, AS of communicable diseases appeared to have a significantly better performance compared to PS in Korea in the case of chickenpox reporting. These findings would be useful for countries concerned with developing more effective strategies for improving the reporting rate of notifiable diseases.
TIMMDC1/C3orf1 Functions as a Membrane-Embedded Mitochondrial Complex I Assembly Factor through Association with the MCIA Complex

ABSTRACT Complex I (CI) of the electron transport chain, a large membrane-embedded NADH dehydrogenase, couples electron transfer to the release of protons into the mitochondrial inner membrane space to promote ATP production through ATP synthase. In addition to being a central conduit for ATP production, CI activity has been linked to neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease. CI is built in a stepwise fashion through the actions of several assembly factors. We employed interaction proteomics to interrogate the molecular associations of 15 core subunits and assembly factors previously linked to human CI deficiency, resulting in a network of 101 proteins and 335 interactions (edges). TIMMDC1, a predicted 4-pass membrane protein, reciprocally associated with multiple members of the MCIA CI assembly factor complex and core CI subunits and was localized in the mitochondrial inner membrane, and its depletion resulted in reduced CI activity and cellular respiration. Quantitative proteomics demonstrated a role for TIMMDC1 in assembly of membrane-embedded and soluble arms of the complex. This study defines a new membrane-embedded CI assembly factor and provides a resource for further analysis of CI biology.
Preoperative Factors and Early Complications Associated With Hemiarthroplasty and Total Hip Arthroplasty for Displaced Femoral Neck Fractures

Displaced femoral neck fractures are common injuries in the elderly individuals. There is controversy about the best treatment with regard to total hip arthroplasty (THA) versus hemiarthroplasty. This study uses the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database to evaluate the preoperative risk factors associated with the decision to perform THA over hemiarthroplasty. We also evaluate the risk factors associated with postoperative complications after each procedure. Patients older than 50 years undergoing hemiarthroplasty or THA after fracture in the NSQIP database from 2007 to 2010 were compared to each other in terms of preoperative medical conditions, postoperative complications, and length of stay. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to adjust for preoperative risk factors for undergoing a THA versus a hemiarthroplasty and for complications after each procedure. In all, 783 patients underwent hemiarthroplasty and 419 underwent THA for fracture. Hemiarthroplasty patients had longer hospital stays. On multivariate logistic regression, the only significant predictor for having a THA after fracture over hemiarthroplasty was being aged 50 to 64 years. The patient characteristics/comorbidities that favored having a hemiarthroplasty were age >80 years, hemiplegia, being underweight, having a dependent functional status, being on dialysis, and having an early surgery. High body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, gender, and other comorbidities were not predictors of having one procedure over another. Disseminated cancer and diabetes were predictive of complications after THA while being overweight, obese I, or a smoker were protective. High ASA class and do-not-resuscitate status were significant predictors of complications after a hemiarthroplasty. This study identified clinical factors influencing surgeons toward performing either THA or hemiarthroplasty for elderly patients after femoral neck fractures. Younger, healthier patients were more likely to receive THA. Patients particularly at higher risks of complications after hemiarthroplasty should be monitored closely.
Are there intergenerational differences in the diets of young children born to first- and second-generation Pakistani Muslims in Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK?

Summary Introduction: In previous reports, the diets of second- compared with first-generation adults have shown greater signs of acculturation. This study aimed to assess whether this was also true amongst 3-year-old UK-born children of first- (1G) (n=117) and second-generation (2G) (n=109) Pakistani mothers in Bradford. Materials and methods: A random sample of mothers was selected (n=320), with generation groups matched for month of birth, sex of child and district of residence. Home-based interviews were undertaken by multilingual female interviewers. Mother's social characteristics and infant feeding practices were examined and a 24-h dietary recall for the child was collected. Child's position in the family was not considered in this analysis. Results: Interviews were completed for 226 mothers (117, 1G and 109, 2G). The groups varied according to educational background, linguistic ability and employment status, but analysis of dietary recall indicated more similarities between the groups than differences. For example, traditional foods were limited to midday or evening meals, snacks usually consisted of crisps and biscuits, and sweetened milk or tea was consumed at breakfast. Some differences did exist: water was more likely to be consumed by children of 1G mothers at the midday and evening meals; fish and chips were a more frequent food item among those of 2G mothers. Conclusion: Evidence of dietary transition between groups was minimal using this methodology. This may be due to the cohesive nature of the Pakistani community resulting in it evolving in unison, or because all young children may be subject to similar dietary and cultural expectations and pressures.
Insulin Inhibits Lipolysis in Adipocytes via the Evolutionarily Conserved mTORC1-Egr1-ATGL-Mediated Pathway

ABSTRACT One of the basic functions of insulin in the body is to inhibit lipolysis in adipocytes. Recently, we have found that insulin inhibits lipolysis and promotes triglyceride storage by decreasing transcription of adipose triglyceride lipase via the mTORC1-mediated pathway (P. Chakrabarti et al., Diabetes 59:775–781, 2010), although the mechanism of this effect remained unknown. Here, we used a genetic screen in Saccharomyces cerevisiae in order to identify a transcription factor that mediates the effect of Tor1 on the expression of the ATGL ortholog in yeast. This factor, Msn4p, has homologues in mammalian cells that form a family of early growth response transcription factors. One member of the family, Egr1, is induced by insulin and nutrients and directly inhibits activity of the ATGL promoter in vitro and expression of ATGL in cultured adipocytes. Feeding animals a high-fat diet increases the activity of mTORC1 and the expression of Egr1 while decreasing ATGL levels in epididymal fat. We suggest that the evolutionarily conserved mTORC1-Egr1-ATGL regulatory pathway represents an important component of the antilipolytic effect of insulin in the mammalian organism.
Composition and consumption of gathered wild fruits in the V‐Baoulé, Côte d'Ivoire

Studies in various parts of Africa have stressed the importance of wild fruits in the diet of rural people. Eleven such fruits (Aframomum alboviolaceum, Annona senegalensis, Dialium guineense, Landolphia hirsuta, Landolphia owariensis, Lantana camara, Napoleonaea vogelii, Pseudospondias microcarpa, Salacia owabiensis, Sarcocephalus latifolius, Vitex doniana) consumed in Cote d'Ivoire have been analysed (general composition, vitamin, carotene and mineral content) and their nutritional importance has been examined by means of a nutritional survey (24 hour recall). It was concluded that, although the diet is based essentially on agricultural crops, wild fruits make an important contribution by providing rare nutrients and are an important source of variation and of complementation especially with vitamins and minerals. However, as a result of the changes sweeping through African societies, wild plants are in danger of disappearing. This may have harmful consequences to the nutritional status of the rural pop.
Orthogeriatric Combined Management of Elderly Patients With Proximal Femoral Fracture: Results of a 1-Year Follow-Up

Introduction: According to the expected demographical changes, the number of elderly trauma patients will increase exponentially over the next decades. Different models of an interdisciplinary orthogeriatric care have been developed. But there is only limited evaluation of their benefit without clear and evidence-based results. In 2011, we monitored the results of our orthogeriatric combined management by conducting a 1-year follow-up. Methods: We treated 231 patients presenting a proximal femoral fracture on our orthogeriatric ward. We obtained the epidemiological data and the geriatric assessments from all these patients. One year after discharge, we sent them a written questionnaire. Primary end points were the mortality and the functional outcome, measured by Barthel score, the requirement of care, and the residential status. Results: One hundred sixty-seven (72%) of the 231 patients completed the follow-up. The average age at admission was 81.5 years (70-99 years). The mortality rate was 2.4% during hospital stay and 31.4% after 1 year. The average Barthel score was 44 points at the time of admission, 55 points at discharge, and 72 points after 1 year. Forty-five percent of the patients were in requirement of care at the time of their admission. At the 1-year follow-up, 63% of the patients had some form of care, thus showing an increase of 18%. At the moment of the fracture, 77% of the patients were living in their own home and 23% in a nursing home. After 1 year, the surviving patients show nearly unchanged conditions (75% own home vs 25% nursing home). Eighty-six percent of the patients coming from their own home were able to continue living there independently. Conclusion: The orthogeriatric care is successful in reducing the short-time mortality without showing any effect on 1-year mortality. But the surviving patients seem to benefit from an improved functional outcome.
Total Blood Loss After Transfemoral Amputations Is Twice the Intraoperative Loss: An Observational Cohort Study of 81 Nontraumatic Amputations

Introduction: Underestimation of the actual blood loss in patients undergoing nontraumatic transfemoral amputation (TFA) can impact negatively on outcome in these often frail patients, with very limited physiological reserves. The primary aim of this study is to estimate the total blood loss (TBL) after TFA, and second, to evaluate the impact of blood loss on 30-day mortality and medical complications. Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort study conducted from 2013 to 2015. The TBL was calculated on the fourth postoperative day. It was based on the hemoglobin levels, transfusions, and the estimated blood volume. Results: Eighty-one patients undergoing TFA were included for final analysis. The median TBL was 964 mL (interquartile range [IQR]: 443-1558). The intraoperative blood loss (OBL) was 400 mL (IQR: 200-500). The median difference between TBL and OBL was 688 mL (IQR: 124-1075). The patient received red blood cell (RBC) transfusion of a median amount of 2 units. Higher number of transfusions (>2) did not impact the outcome. From multivariable analysis, it was evident that the TBL increased significantly in patients with renal disease prior to surgery, (P = .034). The TBL itself was not independently associated with increased 30-day mortality or medical complications. Conclusion: The TBL after TFAs is significantly greater than the volume estimated intraoperatively and increases significantly in the presence of renal disease prior to surgery. An increased TBL and requirement for RBC transfusion is not directly associated with 30-day mortality or medical complications. A high vigilance for anemia seems advisable when planning for TFA surgery. Research on optimum blood conservation and transfusion strategies during TFA is warranted.
Increase of the Ejaculatory Potency by the Systemic Administration of Aqueous Crude Extracts of Cihuapatli (Montanoa Genus) Plants in Spinal Male Rats

In the present study, evidence on the aphrodisiac activity of Montanoa frutescens and Montanoa grandiflora and a comparison with the aphrodisiac activity of Montanoa tomentosa is presented. By using the fictive ejaculation model in spinal male rats, electromyographic recordings of the genital motor pattern of ejaculation were obtained in the bulbospongiosus muscles and analyzed after the intravenous injection of aqueous crude extracts of Montanoa tomentosa, Montanoa frutescens, and Montanoa grandiflora. Results showed that the systemic administration of the aqueous crude extracts of Montanoa plants elicits a significant increase in the ejaculatory capacity of spinal male rats with very robust ejaculatory motor patterns that included the expression of tonic penile erections and penile movements and the potent expulsion of urethral contents. In conclusion, Montanoa frutescens and Montanoa grandiflora increase the ejaculatory potency with aphrodisiac activity similar to Montanoa tomentosa.
Sensations Experienced and Patients’ Perceptions of Osteopathy in the Cranial Field Treatment

Osteopathy in the cranial field is an approach used by manual and physical therapists. However, there is minimal information in the literature about patient experiences of this treatment. The present study was undertaken to explore patients’ experiences of osteopathy in the cranial field. Patients completed the Patient Perception Measure–Osteopathy in the Cranial Field and identified sensations they experienced during treatment. Additional measures of anxiety, depression, Satisfaction With Life, and Meaningfulness of Daily Activity were completed. The Patient Perception Measure–Osteopathy in the Cranial Field was internally consistent (Cronbach’s α = .85). The most frequently experienced sensations of osteopathy in the cranial field patients were “relaxed,” “releasing,” and “unwinding. ” Satisfaction With Life and Meaningfulness of Daily Activity were positively associated with Patient Perception Measure–Osteopathy in the Cranial Field scores. Negative associations were observed between the Patient Perception Measure–Osteopathy in the Cranial Field and depression. Psychometric properties of the Patient Perception Measure–Osteopathy in the Cranial Field require further testing. The observed associations of Satisfaction With Life and depression with patients’ perceptions of osteopathy in the cranial field treatment needs to be tested in larger clinical manual therapy cohorts.
Patient Activation Measures in a Government Homeopathic Hospital in India

The American Patient Activation Measure–22 questionnaire (PAM-22) quantifies the knowledge, skills, and confidence essential to manage own health and health care. It is a central concept in chronic illness care models, but studied sparsely in homeopathic hospitals. PAM-22 was translated into Bengali and a cross-sectional study was undertaken in chronically ill 417 patients visiting the outpatient clinic of Mahesh Bhattacharyya Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, India. Response rate was 90.41%. Data were analyzed using Rasch rating scale model with Winsteps. Activation score was 54.7 ± 8.04 or 62.13% of maximum score. PAM scores differed significantly by age, education, income, and health status (P < .05). The items had good data quality fit statistics and good range of difficulty. The construct unidimensionality was confirmed by good model fits for Rasch model and principal component analysis of residuals found no meaning structure. The questionnaire showed acceptable psychometrics. Patient activation was moderate and needs to be improved.
53BP1, BRCA1, and the Choice between Recombination and End Joining at DNA Double-Strand Breaks

ABSTRACT When DNA double-strand breaks occur, the cell cycle stage has a major influence on the choice of the repair pathway employed. Specifically, nonhomologous end joining is the predominant mechanism used in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, while homologous recombination becomes fully activated in S phase. Studies over the past 2 decades have revealed that the aberrant joining of replication-associated breaks leads to catastrophic genome rearrangements, revealing an important role of DNA break repair pathway choice in the preservation of genome integrity. 53BP1, first identified as a DNA damage checkpoint protein, and BRCA1, a well-known breast cancer tumor suppressor, are at the center of this choice. Research on how these proteins function at the DNA break site has advanced rapidly in the recent past. Here, we review what is known regarding how the repair pathway choice is made, including the mechanisms that govern the recruitment of each critical factor, and how the cell transitions from end joining in G1 to homologous recombination in S/G2.
Wss1 Is a SUMO-Dependent Isopeptidase That Interacts Genetically with the Slx5-Slx8 SUMO-Targeted Ubiquitin Ligase

ABSTRACT Protein sumoylation plays an important but poorly understood role in controlling genome integrity. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the Slx5-Slx8 SUMO-targeted Ub ligase appears to be needed to ubiquitinate sumoylated proteins that arise in the absence of the Sgs1 DNA helicase. WSS1, a high-copy-number suppressor of a mutant SUMO, was implicated in this pathway because it shares phenotypes with SLX5-SLX8 mutants, including a wss1Δ sgs1Δ synthetic-fitness defect. Here we show that Wss1, a putative metalloprotease, physically binds SUMO and displays in vitro isopeptidase activity on poly-SUMO chains. Like that of SLX5, overexpression of WSS1 suppresses sgs1Δ slx5Δ lethality and the ulp1ts growth defect. Interestingly, although Wss1 is relatively inactive on ubiquitinated substrates and poly-Ub chains, it efficiently deubiquitinates a Ub-SUMO isopeptide conjugate and a Ub-SUMO fusion protein. Wss1 was further implicated in Ub metabolism on the basis of its physical association with proteasomal subunits. The results suggest that Wss1 is a SUMO-dependent isopeptidase that acts on sumoylated substrates as they undergo proteasomal degradation.
Epidermal Growth Factor-Dependent Phosphorylation and Ubiquitinylation of MAGE-11 Regulates Its Interaction with the Androgen Receptor

ABSTRACT The androgen receptor (AR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that interacts with coregulatory proteins during androgen-dependent gene regulation. Melanoma antigen gene protein 11 (MAGE-11) is an AR coregulator that specifically binds the AR NH2-terminal FXXLF motif and modulates the AR NH2- and carboxyl-terminal N/C interaction to increase AR transcriptional activity. Here we demonstrate that epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling increases androgen-dependent AR transcriptional activity through the posttranslational modification of MAGE-11. EGF in the presence of dihydrotestosterone stabilizes the AR-MAGE complex through the site-specific phosphorylation of MAGE-11 at Thr-360 and ubiquitinylation at Lys-240 and Lys-245. The time-dependent EGF-induced increase in AR transcriptional activity by MAGE-11 is mediated through AR activation functions 1 and 2 in association with the increased turnover of AR and MAGE-11. The results reveal a dynamic mechanism whereby growth factor signaling increases AR transcriptional activity through the covalent modification of an AR-specific coregulatory protein. Sequence conservation of the MAGE-11 phosphorylation and ubiquitinylation sites throughout the MAGE gene family suggests common regulatory mechanisms for this group of cancer-testis antigens.
Dominant Role for Signal Transduction in the Transcriptional Memory of Yeast GAL Genes

ABSTRACT Several recent studies have shown that the transcriptional induction of yeast GAL genes occurs with faster kinetics if the gene has been previously expressed. Depending on the experimental regimen, this transcriptional “memory” phenomenon can persist for 1 to 2 cell divisions in the absence of an inducer (short-term memory) or for >6 cell divisions (long-term memory). Long-term memory requires the GAL1 gene, suggesting that memory involves the cytoplasmic inheritance of high levels of Gal1 that are expressed in the initial round of expression. In contrast, short-term memory requires the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling enzyme, and thus, it may involve the inheritance of distinct chromatin states. Here we have reevaluated the roles of SWI/SNF, the histone variant H2A.Z, and components of the nuclear pore in both the short-term and long-term memory of GAL genes. Our results suggest that the propagation of novel chromatin structures does not contribute to the transcriptional memory of GAL genes, but rather, memory of the previous transcription state is controlled primarily by the inheritance of the Gal3p and Gal1p signaling factors.