Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Closed Ankle Fractures in the Diabetic Patient

Systemic and local manifestations of diabetes mellitus may complicate the treatment of ankle fractures in the diabetic population. We studied 98 patients (73 non-diabetics and 25 diabetics) who were treated for closed ankle fractures by either surgical or non-surgical methods. We found that overall, the risk of infection in the diabetic population (32%) was 4 times higher than in the non-diabetic population (8%). The infection rate in the diabetic group treated surgically more than doubled that in the non-diabetic group. Four out of six diabetic patients treated with cast became infected compared to no infections in the five non-diabetics treated with a cast. Even though the diabetic foot and ankle are well studied, the medical literature is not conclusive regarding the management of ankle fractures in the diabetic patient. Diabetic patients treated conservatively had a tendency to become infected over those treated surgically. Peripherovascular disease, peripheral neuropathy and swelling and/or echymosis increased the risk of infection in the diabetic population. Diabetic patients with poor compliance had a tendency to become infected more than those who were compliant. We concluded that the diabetic patient who is poorly compliant with evidence of neuropathic disease, peripherovascular disease and severe swelling and echymosis presents the most difficult group to manage. Although these patients are poor surgical candidates, they are also the most difficult to manage and also most prone to infection and complications if treated conservatively. When faced with this difficult scenario a multidisciplinary team approach would probably yield the best possible results by early identification and intervention in these patients.
The dimensions of keratinized mucosa around implants affect clinical and immunological parameters.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the association between keratinized mucosa (KM) width and mucosal thickness (MTh) with clinical and immunological parameters around dental implants. METHODS Sixty-three functioning dental implants (3I osseotite) were examined. Clinical examinations included plaque index (PI), probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), KM width, MTh and buccal mucosal recession (MR). Peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF) samples were collected for PgE2 assay. RESULTS KM width ranged from 0 to 7 mm (mean 2.5+/-2), MTh ranged from 0.38 to 2.46 mm (mean 1.11+/-0.4) and the mean MR was 0.62 mm, ranging from 0 to 3 mm. A negative correlation was found between MTh and MR (r=-0.32, P=0.01); Likewise, KM width showed a negative correlation with MR, periodontal attachment level (PAL) and PgE2 levels (r=-0.41, P<0.001; r=-0.26, P=0.04; r=-0.26, P=0.04, respectively). In contrast, a positive correlation was found between KM width and PD (r=0.27, P=0.03). When data were dichotomized by KM width, a wider mucosal band (>1 mm) was associated with less MR compared with narrow (<or=1 mm) band (0.27 and 0.9 mm, respectively, P=0.001). A wider KM band was also associated with a greater PD (3.13 mm) compared with a narrow band (2.66 mm, P=0.04). Similarly, a thick mucosa (>or=1 mm) was associated with lesser recession compared with a thin (<1 mm) mucosa (0.45 and 0.9 mm, respectively, P=0.04). CONCLUSION The KM around dental implants affects both the clinical and the immunological parameters at these sites. These findings are of special importance in the esthetic zone, where thin and narrow KM may lead to a greater MR.
Clinical and laboratory findings in referrals for mitochondrial DNA analysis

BACKGROUND Increasingly, mutations of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) are being considered when investigating the aetiology of neurological diseases in childhood. However, they are often difficult to predict clinically. METHOD Mitochondrial DNA analysis was carried out on 190 children from 1992 to 1996. Most patients were screened for large scale rearrangements and point mutations at nucleotide positions 3243, 3271, 8344, and 8993. RESULTS Mutations were found in only 15 patients (7.9%) and were either large scale rearrangements (seven patients) or point mutations at nucleotide position 3243 (eight patients). Other point mutations were screened for depending on the clinical picture. The age of symptom onset was significantly older in children with an mtDNA mutation (mean 7.0 years) compared with children without a mutation (mean 2.8 years). Neither Leigh’s syndrome (28 cases) nor severe infantile lactic acidosis (12 cases) was associated with mtDNA mutation. Only three clinical features were significantly associated with an mtDNA mutation: progressive external ophthalmoplegia, myopathy, and pigmentary retinopathy. Family history was valuable: the point mutation at nucleotide 3243 (but not the large scale rearrangements) was associated with maternal inheritance; and consanguinity was not associated with mtDNA mutations. The only investigation that provided specific evidence of an underlying mtDNA mutation was histochemical staining of muscle biopsy specimens. The large scale mutations associated with Kearns-Sayre syndrome and progressive external ophthalmoplegia were found in DNA from muscle only, not leucocyte DNA; whereas point mutations were found in leucocyte DNA. CONCLUSIONS Even among children seen at a neurogenetic referral centre, mtDNA mutations were very uncommon. Muscle biopsy was the only investigation to provide evidence of mtDNA abnormality.
Modeling Contextual Determinants of HIV/AIDS Prevalence in South Africa to Inform Policy

There is a voluminous literature on HIV/AIDS and South Africa. However, no study focuses on the modeling of contextual factors concerning HIV/AIDS prevalence in South Africa. In this paper, two models of contextual behavioral risk factors of HIV/AIDS prevalence were developed so that policy makers can be alerted to the key variables in order to help curb the spread of the disease. It was found that fearlessness/low-perception, poverty and hopelessness risks are determinants of an active risk factor. While the latter and passive risk factor (i.e. gender dependency) are the determinants of HIV/AIDS prevalence. As a result, it was argued to go beyond the KABP determinant studies to focus on contextual behavioral risk factors and pointed out that further research is needed on the limit of contextuality of risk factors. In conclusion, policies were suggested to help curb the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Cloning and Expression Analysis of the Cytosolic NADP+-Dependent Isocitrate Dehydrogenase from Potato (Implications for Nitrogen Metabolism)

A full-length cDNA (icdh-1) encoding a cytosolic NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH-1) from potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) has been isolated. Analysis of the deduced protein sequence revealed considerable homologies with the corresponding proteins from other eukaryotes such as tobacco, alfalfa, soybean, cattle, pig, and yeast. The gene was transcribed in all tissues tested, with the highest amount of icdh-1 transcript being found in green tissues, in flowers, and in roots. In leaves, enzyme activities were dependent on the age, with fully mature leaves showing the highest level of RNA expression and enzyme activity. This observation may indicate that NADP+-dependent ICDH is not only involved in amino acid biosynthesis via the glutamine synthetase/glutamine oxoglutarate aminotransferase cycle but also in cycling, redistribution, and export of amino acids. The latter assumption has been strengthened by our finding of a preferential expression of NADP+-dependent ICDH in leaf veins. Under in vivo conditions, the expression pattern paralleled the enzyme activity, indicating coarse control on the RNA level. Experiments carried out with detached leaves revealed an influence of light, nitrate, and sucrose on icdh-1 transcript levels and in some cases also on NADP+-dependent ICDH activity. In darkness, nitrate or sucrose induced icdh-1 mRNA expression. Leaves kept under starvation conditions exhibited a decrease of their protein content, whereas icdh-1 expression and ICDH activity increased significantly.
Severely Blurred Object Tracking by Learning Deep Image Representations

An implicit assumption in many generic object trackers is that the videos are blur free. However, motion blur is very common in real videos. The performance of a generic object tracker may drop significantly when it is applied to videos with severe motion blur. In this paper, we propose a new Tracking-Learning-Data approach to transfer a generic object tracker to a blur-invariant object tracker without deblurring image sequences. Before object tracking, a large set of unlabeled images is used to learn objects' visual prior knowledge, which is then transferred to the appearance model of a specific target. During object tracking, online training samples are collected from the tracking results and the context information. Different blur kernels are involved with the training samples to increase the robustness of the appearance model to severe blur, and the motion parameters of the object are estimated in the particle filter framework. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can robustly track objects not only in severely blurred videos but also in other challenging scenes.
The effect of 24 months of combination statin and extended-release niacin on carotid intima‐media thickness: ARBITER 3*

ABSTRACT Objective: The ARBITER 2 trial showed that extended-release niacin (ERN) when added to statin monotherapy slowed the progression of carotid atherosclerosis over 12 months. Whether longer treatment with ERN would have a greater effect on carotid intima.media thickness (CIMT) is unknown. Research design and methods: We examined the long-term effects of ERN on high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) cholesterol and CIMT during 12.24 months treatment with ERN in ARBITER 2 participants who were either continued or were crossed over (from placebo) to ERN 1000 mg daily. Main outcome measures: Among 149 subjects completing ARBITER 2, 130 (88%) enrolled in ARBITER 3. The prespecified primary endpoints were the within-group change in CIMT and HDL.C in patients receiving placebo for 12 months (n = 71), ERN for 12 months (comprised of subjects from ERN treatment during ARBITER 2 (n = 78) and those crossed over to ERN from placebo after ARBITER 2 (n = 47)), and ERN for 24 months spanning ARBITER 2 and 3 (n = 57). Five subjects discontinued the study due to flushing side effects. The study was completed by 104 subjects (47 crossed over from placebo; 57 with ERN continued from ARBITER 2). Results: HDL.C increased in the ERN group from 39.5 ± 6.7 to 48.6 ± 13.3 mg/dl (p < 0.001) along with modest reductions in LDL.C and TG. Among 125 participants treated with ERN for 12 months, there was a net regression of CIMT of. 0.027 ± 0.011 mm (p < 0.001 vs. placebo). Among 57 participants treated with ERN for 24 months, there was additional significant regression of CIMT of. 0.041 ± 0.021 mm (p = 0.001 vs. placebo). Controlling for changes in LDL and triglycerides, only changes in HDL.C were independently associated with regression of CIMT (b =. 0.25; p = 0.001). Conclusion: When added to statin therapy, ERN significantly increases HDL.C and induces atherosclerosis regression measured by CIMT over 24 months. Limitations to this study include its open-label design and the inability to relate CIMT effects to clinical outcomes.
Augmentation of Effector CD8+ T Cell Generation with Enhanced Granzyme B Expression by IL-27 1

IL-27 is a novel IL-12 family member that plays a role in the early regulation of Th1 initiation. We have recently demonstrated that IL-27 has a potent antitumor activity, which is mainly mediated through CD8+ T cells, and also has an adjuvant activity to induce epitope-specific CTL in vivo. In this study, we further investigated the in vitro effect of IL-27 on CD8+ T cells of mouse spleen cells. In a manner similar to CD4+ T cells, IL-27 activated STAT1, -2, -3, -4, and -5, and augmented the expression of T-bet, IL-12Rβ2, and granzyme B, and slightly that of perforin in naive CD8+ T cells stimulated with anti-CD3. IL-27 induced synergistic IFN-γ production with IL-12 and proliferation of naive CD8+ T cells. Moreover, IL-27 enhanced proliferation of CD4+ T cell-depleted spleen cells stimulated by allogeneic spleen cells and augmented the generation of CTL. In STAT1-deficient naive CD8+ T cells, IL-27-induced proliferation was not reduced, but synergistic IFN-γ production with IL-12 was diminished with decreased expression of T-bet, IL-12Rβ2, granzyme B, and perforin. In T-bet-deficient naive CD8+ T cells, IL-27-induced proliferation was hardly reduced, but synergistic IFN-γ production with IL-12 was diminished with decreased expression of IL-12Rβ2, granzyme B, and perforin. However, IL-27 still augmented the generation of CTL from T-bet-deficient CD4+ T cell-depleted spleen cells stimulated by allogeneic spleen cells with increased granzyme B expression. These results suggest that IL-27 directly acts on naive CD8+ T cells in T-bet-dependent and -independent manners and augments generation of CTL with enhanced granzyme B expression.
Elevated γ‐aminobutyric acid level in striatal but not extrastriatal brain regions in Parkinson's disease: Correlation with striatal dopamine loss

We measured the concentration of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamic acid, and o‐phosphoethanolamine in autopsied brain of 9 patients who died with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and 10 control subjects. In the control striatum GABA showed an uneven rostrocaudal distribution pattern with rostral subdivisions containing about 40 to 50% higher levels. When compared with controls, GABA concentrations in Parkinson's disease striatum were generally elevated. The GABA elevation was most pronounced in the caudal subdivision of the putamen; this striatal subdivision also showed the most severe dopamine loss. We observed in the caudal putamen a significant negative correlation between the (elevated) GABA and (reduced) dopamine levels (the latter expressed as the sum of dopamine plus 3‐methoxytyramine). Milder nonsignificant elevations of GABA levels were observed in intermediate and rostral putamen followed by the caudate head subdivisions. GABA levels were normal in all extrastriatal brain areas examined. Striatal glutamic acid levels were markedly elevated in 3 of the 9 patients with Parkinson's disease. We suggest that the altered GABA metabolism in the striatum, especially the putamen, is consequent to the nigrostriatal deficiency in this disorder. This secondary change in striatal GABA function is likely to contribute to the basal ganglia dysfunction produced by the striatal dopamine loss and thus may be related to certain aspects of parkinsonian symptomatology.
What Is the Frequency of Intraoperative Alerts During Pediatric Spinal Deformity Surgery Using Current Neuromonitoring Methodology? A Retrospective Study of 218 Surgical Procedures

Abstract Introduction: There is variability in intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM), anesthetic and surgical techniques for the treatment of pediatric spinal deformity. This study evaluates a series of patients treated at multiple centers utilizing transcranial motor and somatosensory evoked potentials (TcMEP and SSEP) and electromyography (EMG). The frequency of alerts and the intraoperative follow-up is reported. Methods: Standard patient demographics and IONM data were collected from a two-month cohort of pediatric spine deformity cases. Results: Data from 218 scoliosis patients were included from 46 facilities and 72 surgeons. Baseline upper and lower extremity TcMEP data were present in 96.7% and 93.9% patients respectively. Baseline upper and lower SSEPs were present in 99.5% and 95.4% respectively. Surgical TCMEP alerts occurred in 19 (8.7%) patients during deformity correction (n = 11), placement of instrumentation (n = 5), decompression (n = 2), and closing (n = 1) with concurrent SSEP alerts occurring in five patients. Nine had TCMEP recovery, eight showed partial recovery and two did not recover. Additional alerts occurred due to: positioning (n = 16), inhalational agent change (n = 4), global physiological change (n = 4) and technical reasons (n = 2). A total of 2164 pedicle screws were tested. Of 197 (9.1%) screws that tested from 6–9 mA, 171 (65.4%) were left unchanged, 10 (5.1%) removed, eight (4.1%) repositioned with improved threshold, and eight (4.1%) without improvement. Of 26 screws that tested ≤5 milliamperes (mA), 17 (65.4%) were left unchanged, five (19.2%) removed, two (7.7%) repositioned with improved threshold, and two (7.7%) without improvement. Conclusions: IONM provides data that causes re-evaluation in about 10% of pediatric spinal deformity cases.
Functional Glycosylation Sites of the Rat Luteinizing Hormone Receptor Required for Ligand Binding (*)

The contribution of N-linked glycosylation to the ligand binding activity of the rat luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) was studied in wild-type and mutant LHR expressed in mammalian (COS1) cells and overexpressed in insect (Sf9) cells. The binding affinities of the holoreceptor and its truncated splice variant (form B) lacking the transmembrane domain were equivalent in both cell lines. Tunicamycin-treated transfected Sf9 cells expressed a carbohydrate-free LH receptor that lacked hormone binding activity. Functional carbohydrate chains essential for binding activity were localized to glycosylation sites at Asn-173 and Asn-152. Glycosidase treatment of the double mutant N173Q/N152Q revealed the presence of at least one additional carbohydrate chain at Asn-269, Asn-277, or Asn-291 that does not contribute to hormone binding. Asn-77 was not glycosylated, but its mutation to Gln reduced hormone binding. LHR expressed in insect cells contained only high mannose carbohydrate chains, and those located at Asn-173 and Asn-152 were sufficient for high-affinity hormone binding. Enzymatic cleavage of glycosyl chains indicated that only the proximal N-acetylglucosamine residue, which is common to high mannose and complex carbohydrate forms, is necessary for acquisition of the high affinity conformation of the receptor. The carbohydrate chains of the LHR appear to be involved in intramolecular folding of the nascent receptor rather than in its interaction with the hormone.
Trust, Connectivity, and Thriving: Implications for Innovative Behaviors at Work

This study examines how trust, connectivity and thriving drive employees’ innovative behaviors in the workplace. Using a sample of one hundred and seventy two employees across a variety of jobs and industries, we investigated the relationship between trust, connectivity (both measured at Time 1), thriving and innovative work behaviors (both measured at Time 2). Trust and connectivity were hypothesized to create a nurturing environment that enables people to thrive and be innovative in their work. The results of structural equation modeling (SEM) indicate a sequential mediation model in which connectivity mediates the relationship between trust and thriving, and thriving mediates the relationship between connectivity and innovative behaviors. The theoretical and practical implications for employee thriving and innovative behaviors at work are discussed.
Reversible suppression of an essential gene in adult mice using transgenic RNA interference

RNAi has revolutionized loss-of-function genetics by enabling sequence-specific suppression of virtually any gene. Furthermore, tetracycline response elements (TRE) can drive expression of short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) for inducible and reversible target gene suppression. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of transgenic inducible RNAi for suppression of essential genes. We set out to directly target cell proliferation by screening an RNAi library against DNA replication factors and identified multiple shRNAs against Replication Protein A, subunit 3 (RPA3). We generated transgenic mice with TRE-driven Rpa3 shRNAs whose expression enforced a reversible cell cycle arrest. In adult mice, the block in cell proliferation caused rapid atrophy of the intestinal epithelium which led to weight loss and lethality within 8–11 d of shRNA induction. Upon shRNA withdrawal, villus atrophy and weight loss were fully reversible. Thus, shRpa3 transgenic mice provide an interesting tool to study tissue maintenance and regeneration. Overall, we have established a robust system that serves the purpose of temperature-sensitive alleles in other model organisms, enabling inducible and reversible suppression of essential genes in a mammalian system.
[Triple-Endobutton technique for the treatment of Tossy type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical outcomes and complications of Triple-Endobutton plates in treating Tossy type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation. METHODS From January 2011 to January 2013,45 patients with Tossy type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation were treated with Triple-Endobutton plates. There were 35 males and 10 females with an average age of 30.5 (ranged from 19 to 60) years old. At the final follow-up, VAS, DASH, Constant-Murley criterion were used to evaluate shoulder function. RESULTS All patients were followed up from 15 to 36 months. No neurovascular injury, wound infection and stress fractures were found,but 3 patients had a re-dislocation. At the final follow-up,the mean VAS score was decreased from (5.7±1.6) preoperatively to postoperative (0.2±0.1); DASH score was significantly decreased from (19.6±4.3) preoperatively to (0.3±0.1) postoperatively; Constant-Murley score was improved from (34.4±4.3) before operation to (94.8± 3.5) after operation. CONCLUSION Clinical outcomes of treating Tossy type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation with Triple-Endobutton plates is satisfactory. However, re-dislocation is still the most common complication. Careful perioperative management is an important factor in preventing re-dislocation.
Identification of a 94‐kilodalton antigen on Leishmania promastigote forms and its specific recognition in human and canine visceral leishmaniasis

We have analysed by immunoblotting sera from humans and dogs with visceral leishmaniasis, from the Old World as well as the New. When lysates of promastigotes are used as antigens, antibodies against a 94 kDa Leishmania component are detected, regardless of the age and geographical origin of the patient, the serum antibody titre as measured by indirect immunofluorescence, and the number of arcs in counterimmunoelectrophoresis. Low dilutions of sera from patients with Old and New World cutaneous leishmaniasis did not react with the 94‐kDa antigen, whatever the species of Leishmania used as antigens. Sera from patients with other infections than leishmaniases, or without infection, are negative, even at low dilution. Anti‐94 kDa antibodies were detected in the sera of Leishmania‐infected dogs from both the Old and the New World. When lysates of Leishmania mexicana axenic amastigotes are used as antigens, the 94‐kDa antigen was little or none identified by sera from humans and dogs with visceral leishmaniasis, and never recognized by control sera. Thus, the specific recognition of the 94‐kDa promastigote antigen in human and canine visceral leishmaniasis suggests that this antigen could be a potential candidate in the differential immunodiagnosis of the disease.