Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sensory Nerve Conduction in Branches of Common Interdigital Nerves: A New Technique for Normal Controls and Patients With Morton's Neuroma

In this article, a new electrodiagnostic approach is described for patients with Morton's neuroma. The new method is based on the anatomic fact that the two branches of the common plantar interdigital nerves innervate the lateral side of one toe and the medial side the next one. This study included 20 normal subjects (aged 28–58 years, 10 men and 10 women) and 4 patients with Morton's neuroma (aged 44–52 years, 4 women). The branches of adjacent common plantar interdigital nerves that innerve one toe were stimulated superficially and separately with half of one toe covered with a piece of medical tape. The recordings were obtained on the posterior tibial nerve at the medial malleolus with needle electrodes. Thus, the difference in latencies of obtained sensory nerve action potentials on the posterior tibial nerve with needle electrode was measured. From normal subjects' data, it was determined that a latency difference value of above 0.17 milliseconds (mean ± 2.5 SD) in one toe was abnormal. All of the patients with Morton's neuroma showed abnormal interlatency difference values. This new method, which we have developed, is more sensitive, simple to use, does not require extra equipment, and does not cause excessive pain. We suggest that interlatency difference between branches of the common plantar interdigital nerves is a useful and sensitive method for the diagnosis of Morton's neuroma.
Self‐synthesized extracellular matrix contributes to mature adipose tissue regeneration in a tissue engineering chamber

The development of an engineered adipose tissue substitute capable of supporting reliable, predictable, and complete fat tissue regeneration would be of value in plastic and reconstructive surgery. For adipogenesis, a tissue engineering chamber provides an optimized microenvironment that is both efficacious and reproducible; however, for reasons that remain unclear, tissues regenerated in a tissue engineering chamber consist mostly of connective rather than adipose tissue. Here, we describe a chamber‐based system for improving the yield of mature adipose tissue and discuss the potential mechanism of adipogenesis in tissue‐chamber models. Adipose tissue flaps with independent vascular pedicles placed in chambers were implanted into rabbits. Adipose volume increased significantly during the observation period (week 1, 2, 3, 4, 16). Histomorphometry revealed mature adipose tissue with signs of adipose tissue remolding. The induced engineered constructs showed high‐level expression of adipogenic (peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ), chemotactic (stromal cell‐derived factor 1a), and inflammatory (interleukin 1 and 6) genes. In our system, the extracellular matrix may have served as a scaffold for cell migration and proliferation, allowing mature adipose tissue to be obtained in a chamber microenvironment without the need for an exogenous scaffold. Our results provide new insights into key elements involved in the early development of adipose tissue regeneration.
Adhesion of human and mouse platelets to collagen under shear: a unifying model

There is presently confusion as to the roles of α2β1 and GPVI in supporting platelet adhesion and aggregate formation on collagen at intermediate/high shear. Recent studies have reported essential, partial, or dispensable roles for either receptor in supporting these events, and the possibility that there may be fundamental differences between their roles in human and mouse platelets has been proposed. Further, the recent recognition that Src family tyrosine kinases contribute to signaling by α2β1 and other adhesive receptors, in addition to GPVI, has added to this debate. The present study compares the roles of α2β1, GPVI, and Src‐dependent kinases in supporting adhesion and aggregation in human and mouse platelets in whole blood using blocking antibodies, mutant mice, and a novel inhibitor of Src kinases, PD0173952, which is effective in plasma. The results demonstrate that the fundamental processes of adhesion and aggregate formation are conserved in mice and human platelets and that two mechanisms of stable adhesion and activation on collagen exist. These can be distinguished by the contributions of GPVI and α2β1, with GPVI‐mediated platelet activation either preceding or following integrin‐mediated adhesion. The relative contribution of each pathway depends on environmental conditions and may also reflect platelet heterogeneity. These observations form the basis of a unifying two‐state model of platelet adhesion and aggregate formation on collagen that is conserved between human and mouse platelets.
Consequences of psychological benefits of using eco-friendly services in the context of drone food delivery services

ABSTRACT This study examined the importance of psychological benefits of using eco-friendly services in the context of drone food delivery services. Based on the theoretical relationships between the conceptual constructs, a research model was developed and then assessed using data collected from 397 samples in Korea. The data analysis results showed that the three sub-dimensions of psychological benefits (i.e. warm glow, self-expressive benefits, and nature experiences) play an important role in the formation of positive and negative anticipated emotions. Furthermore, the positive and negative anticipated emotions had a significant influence on desire, which in turn positively affects intentions to use.
Comparison of long term results after Ho:YAG and diode laser treatment of hyperplastic inferior nasal turbinates

Various laser systems have been used to reduce the volume of hyperplastic inferior nasal turbinates during the last 25 years. Although there are many studies reporting the clinical results immediately after laser treatment, there are only a few describing long‐term results. Therefore, a clinical study was performed to assess and to compare the long‐term outcome of both endonasal Ho:YAG and endonasal diode laser‐assisted turbinate surgery.
Obsessive compulsive disorder with psychotic features.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to systematically identify and characterize the demographic and clinical features of patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and psychotic symptoms. METHODS From a total of 475 patients with DSM-III-R OCD evaluated and/or treated in an outpatient OCD clinic, 67 patients (14%) were identified as having psychotic symptoms in addition to OCD. Psychotic symptoms were defined as hallucinations, delusions, and/or thought disorder. Clinical and demographic data on these probands were collected from semistructured interviews and compared with data collected on the nonpsychotic OCD probands. RESULTS We identified 27 (6%) of 475 probands with DSM-III-R OCD whose only psychotic symptom was lack of insight and high conviction about the reasonableness of the obsessions ("OCD without insight"). The remainder of the patients with psychotic symptoms and OCD met criteria for distinct DSM-III-R psychotic disorders as well as OCD: 18 probands (4%) had OCD and schizophrenia, 8 probands (2%) had OCD and delusional disorder. Fourteen patients (3%) met criteria for both OCD and schizotypal personality disorder. Compared with the OCD patients without psychosis, probands with OCD and psychotic features were more likely to be male, be single, have a deteriorative course, and have had their first professional contact at a younger age. The data suggest that these differences were largely due to those patients with OCD and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and not those probands whose only psychotic symptom was complete conviction and lack of insight about their obsessions. CONCLUSION There appears to be considerable heterogeneity in the clinical features of OCD patients who also have psychotic symptoms. The implications of these findings for understanding delusional states and for diagnostic classification are discussed.
Correlation of maternal abuse during pregnancy with infant temperament and development

Objective To investigate the effects of domestic violence (DV) against pregnant women on their infant's development in China. Design 247 mothers were interviewed using the Chinese version of the Abuse Assessment Screen, and all participants underwent postnatal assessment with the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EDPS). Plasma glutamate (Glu), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and cortisol levels of the neonates were measured. After a 10-month follow-up, the infants were assessed using the Revised Infant Temperament Questionnaire (RITQ) and Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID). Results 86 infants of abused mothers (DV group) and 137 infants of non-abused mothers (non-DV group) completed the 10-month follow-up. Neonate levels of plasma Glu, GABA and cortisol were significantly higher in the DV group than in the non-DV group. Scores for the temperament factors, rhythmicity, approach/withdrawal, mood, distractibility and persistence, of the RITQ were rated significantly higher, and results for the Psychomotor Development Index (PDI) of the BSID were significantly lower in the DV group than in the non-DV group at 10 months. After adjustment for the EPDS as a covariate, only distractibility of the RITQ showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups. In correlation analysis, infant mood correlated significantly with levels of plasma Glu (β=0.2345) and GABA (β=0.2554), whether or not the EPDS scores were adjusted. Infant persistence and threshold of stimuli scores did not correlate significantly with DV during pregnancy after adjustment for the EPDS. Conclusions DV against pregnant women may be associated with impaired temperament and development in their infants.
Prevalence and aetiology of congenitally deafblind people in Denmark

Abstract A study of prevalence and aetiology was performed on 63 children and 127 adults in Denmark with congenital deafblindness. Using a Scandinavian definition of deafblindness, the prevalence of congenital deafblindness was found to be 1:29 000. Thirty-five different aetiological causes of deafblindness were found. Causes of congenital deafblindness were different among adults compared to causes among children. Rubella syndrome (28%, n = 36) and Down syndrome (8%. n = 10) were the largest groups among people above 18 years of age. Among children CHARGE syndrome (16%, n = 13) was the largest group. Ethnicity was also evaluated. Among children 72% were Danish, but among the adults 98% were Danish. Implications of difference in aetiology and ethnicity are discussed in relation to the Scandinavian traditions of clinical practice and identification of congenital deafblindness. Sumario Se llevó a cabo un estudio de prevalencia y etiología en 63 niños y 127 adultos con sordoceguera congénita en Dinamarca. Utilizando la definición escandinava de sordo-ceguera, se encontró que la prevalencia de sordo-ceguera congénita es de 1:29,000. Se encontraron 135 causas de sordo-ceguera. Las causas de sordo-ceguera congénita fueron diferentes entre los adultos comparadas con las de los niños. El síndrome de Rubeola (28% n=36) y el síndrome de Down (8% n=10) fueron los grupos más numerosos entre las personas mayores de 18 años. Entre los niños el síndrome CHARGE (16% n=13) fue el grupo más numeroso. También se evaluó la etnicidad. Del grupo de niños el 72% era daneses, mientras que el 92% de los adultos eran daneses. Se discuten las implicaciones sobre las diferencias etiológicas y étnicas en relación con las tradiciones escandinavas en la práctica clínica y la identificación de la sordo-ceguera congénita.
Treatment Decision-Making Among Older Women with Breast Cancer

ABSTRACT This study examined breast cancer treatment decision-making among older adults, including professional and lay involvement. Thirty respondents were interviewed for this study; cancer survivors (70%) and newly diagnosed (30%) women with breast cancer. Respondents reported making treatment decisions in consultation with their oncologists. However, women differed on the extent to which they perceived their participation in the treatment process. Respondents' oncologists appear to be the primary factor associated with older women's breast cancer surveillance decision-making and adherence. The influence of women's support systems on their treatment decisions and surveillance activities appears to be minimal. Informal support systems, however, likely enhance women's ability to be active participants in their care. The growing need for interventions which target older women has been indicated. Interventions, however, cannot be adequately developed without first identifying the physical and psychosocial phenomena which affect decision-making.
Outcomes of internal hemipelvectomy for pelvic tumors: a developing country’s prospective

Introduction: Previously, external hemipelvectomy was the mainstay of treatment for pelvic tumors. However, with technological advancements, limb salvage procedures such as internal hemipelvectomy have emerged as a viable alternative. However, there is limited literature available on long-term outcomes and complications of internal hemipelvectomy, especially from developing countries. Therefore, the objective of this study was to share our experience of internal hemipelvectomy at a tertiary care center in a developing country. Materials and methods: A retrospective review was conducted in which all 24 patients undergoing internal hemipelvectomy from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2015 at our institution were included. Medical record files were reviewed for intraoperative and early and late postoperative complications, and functional outcomes were assessed by contacting each patient on telephone. Results: Ewing sarcoma was found to be the most common diagnosis, followed by osteosarcoma as the second most common. The mean follow-up period was 18.7±13.9 months. Intraoperatively there were 4 cases of iatrogenic neurovascular injury and 2 cases each of urinary tract injury and dural tear. Four patients developed early wound infections, 7 developed late wound infections, and 2 developed flap necrosis. Three patients developed recurrence, whereas 7 patients developed metastasis postoperatively. The mean survival was calculated to be 28 months and the mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 19.3±5.2. Conclusions: Outcomes and prevalence of complications shown in this study are comparable to those in the international literature, which suggests that hemipelvectomy is a viable option in developing countries also. However, more such studies are warranted to validate the findings and to identify the challenges and morbidities associated with hemipelvectomy in Asian and developing countries.
Characterization of the Human Cytochrome P4502D6 Promoter

The functional mapping of the human cytochrome P4502D6 (CYP2D6) promoter in HepG2 cells revealed the presence of both positive and negative regulatory elements. One of these regulatory elements overlapped a sequence that is highly conserved in most members of the CYP2 family. This element, which consists of a degenerate AGGTCA direct repeat spaced by 1 base pair (DR1) and is known to be a target for members of the steroid receptor superfamily, was found to bind in vitro translated hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (HNF4) in gel retardation analysis. Using HepG2 nuclear extracts, three protein-DNA complexes were formed on the DR1 element, one of which was confirmed to be dependent on the binding of HNF4. The other DR1 complexes were shown to be due to the interaction of the orphan receptor chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor I (COUP-TFI). Experiments in COS-7 cells showed that HNF4 could activate the CYP2D6 promoter 30-fold. Surprisingly, mutation of the DR1 element produced a relatively minor 23% decrease in activity in HepG2 cells. Additionally, COUP-TFI was shown to inhibit HNF4 stimulation of the CYP2D6 promoter in COS-7 cells, suggesting that COUP-TFI could attenuate the effect of HNF4 in HepG2 cells. However, when HNF4 levels were increased in HepG2 cells by co-transfection, it resulted in the enhancement of CYP2D6 promoter activity, indicating that HNF4 could overcome the repressive effect of COUP-TFI. Therefore, the contribution of the DR1 element in controlling the transcription of the CYP2D6 gene depends on the balance between positively and negatively acting transcription factors.
Expression of phosphoinositide‐specific phospholipase C isoenzymes in cultured astrocytes

Signal transduction from plasma membrane to cell nucleus is a complex process depending on various components including lipid signaling molecules, in particular phosphoinositides and their related enzymes, which act at cell periphery and/or plasma membrane as well as at nuclear level. As far as the nervous system may concern the inositol lipid cycle has been hypothesized to be involved in numerous neural as well as glial functions. In this context, however, a precise panel of glial PLC isoforms has not been determined yet. In the present experiments we investigated astrocytic PLC isoforms in astrocytes obtained from foetal primary cultures of rat brain and from an established cultured (C6) rat astrocytoma cell line, two well known cell models for experimental studies on glia. Identification of PLC isoforms was achieved by using a combination of RT‐PCR and immunocytochemistry experiments. While in both cell models the most represented PI‐PLC isoforms were β4, γ1, δ4, and ε, isoforms PI‐PLC β2 and δ3 were not detected. Moreover, in primary astrocyte cultures PI‐PLC δ3 resulted well expressed in C6 cells but was absent in astrocytes. Immunocytochemistry performed with antibodies against specific PLC isoforms substantially confirmed this pattern of expression both in astrocytes and C6 glioma cells. In particular while some isoenzymes (namely isoforms β3 and β4) resulted mainly nuclear, others (isoforms δ4 and ε) were preferentially localized at cytoplasmic and plasma membrane level. J. Cell. Biochem. 100: 952–959, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
European Union non-tariff barriers to imports of African biofuels

ABSTRACT The introduction of EU mandates for biofuel use in the transport sector initially led to high expectations that African countries would benefit from biofuel exports to the EU. This market opportunity has not been realised, however, due to regulatory requirements for the production of biofuels that act as non-tariff barriers to the acceptance of African biofuels in the EU. This benefits producers of biofuel crops and processors in the EU by providing economic protection. In particular, the EU import regime fails to acknowledge the challenges faced by African (or other) developing countries in satisfying the requirements. Using a computable general equilibrium model for Malawi, we quantify the foregone potential benefits from biofuel production for exports to the EU arising from non-tariff barriers (NTBs) embedded in the sustainability criteria. Our results show that sugarcane-ethanol production under smallholder outgrower regimes would lead to both economic growth outcomes and rural development, whereas jatropha-biodiesel fails to increase rural incomes due to low profitability. While there is widespread agreement on the latter today, our study is the first to explore the failure of jatropha in Malawi in an economy-wide framework. The ethanol results, however, also hold if land clearing is forbidden, thereby preserving biodiversity as stipulated under the sustainability criteria in the EU Renewable Energy Directive. The EU NTBs embedded in the Renewable Energy Directive thus play a much larger role for countries in Sub-Sahara Africa than simply inhibiting investment opportunities and should be refashioned to lower the entry costs for developing countries.
Ultrasound Features of Mammographic Developing Asymmetries and Correlation With Histopathologic Findings.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to review the ultrasound (US) features of developing asymmetries and correlate them with histopathologic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS We searched the mammography database of an academic medical center, affiliated cancer center, and two ambulatory imaging facilities from 2009 to 2012 and identified 201 patients with developing asymmetries, 187 of whom had US at the time of, or within 1 month of, diagnostic mammography evaluation. Seventy-five (40.1%) of these 187 patients had a US correlate, and three additional patients had a positive second-look US after MRI (US results were initially negative), and one patient had a US correlate for a newly palpable developing asymmetry 1 month after receiving a BI-RADS category 3 mammography-only assessment. These 78 developing asymmetries with US correlates comprised the study cases. US features were obtained by consensus image review; patient demographic characteristics and outcomes were obtained from the electronic medical record. RESULTS Thirty-six of 78 US correlates (46.2%) were masses, the echotexture of which was as follows: 26 (72.2%) were hypoechoic, four (11.1%) were hyperechoic, three (8.3%) were mixed hyperechoic and hypoechoic, and three (8.3%) were anechoic. Forty-two of 78 US correlates (53.8%) were nonmass findings, the echotexture of which was as follows: 24 (57.1%) were mixed hyperechoic and hypoechoic, 13 (31.0%) were hypoechoic, and five (11.9%) were hyperechoic. Twenty-one of 78 lesions (26.9%) were malignant; of these, eight were invasive ductal carcinoma, seven were invasive lobular carcinoma, three were mixed invasive ductal and lobular carcinoma, and three were ductal carcinoma in situ. Malignant findings on US included 17 masses (81.0%) (13 hypoechoic and four mixed hyperechoic and hypoechoic), and four nonmass findings (19.0%) (three mixed hyperechoic and hypoechoic and one hypoechoic). CONCLUSION When present, US correlates for developing asymmetries are often nonmass findings with mixed echotexture. Most malignant developing asymmetries with US correlates present as a hypoechoic mass, but 19% present as a nonmass finding with either mixed hyperechoic and hypoechoic echotexture or hypoechoic echotexture.
Michaelis-Menten constant of beta-galactosidase in chloramphenicol-sensitive and chloramphenicol-resistant Escherichia coli as determined with intact cells and cell-free extract.

As reported by Lederberg (1950), there is a sizable discrepancy in, ƒÀ-galactosidase activity between intact cells of adapted organisms and their cell-free extract. This discrepancy in part depends on the cellular permeability of intact cells as described by Lederberg (1950) and by Bonner (1955). As reported separately, the 13-galactosidase, synthesized by chloramphenicol sensitive strain (CMS)* and by chloramphenicol resistant strain (CMR) in the presence of CM, had the same properties in the zone-electrophoretical mobility (Okamoto et al., 1959). It suggested that, in the case of CMR, CM did not reach the real mechanism of CM inhibition. In this communication we report the comparison of cell permeability of ONPG, a substrate of ƒÀ-galactosidase, into the cells of CMS and of CMR after the formation of the enzyme. Michaelis-Menten constants of ƒÀ-galactosidase of CMR and CMS were compared with each other using the intact cells and the cell extract. Strains used were E. coli BO54 (CMS) and its CM-resistant (CMR) as previously described by Okamoto (1959). The medium used contained per liter 5.0 g casamino acids, 5.0 g glycerol and mineral 56 (Monod et al., 1951) without (NH4)2SO4, that is 13.6g KH2PO4, 0.2 g MgSO4.7H2O, 0.01 g CaCl2 and 0.5 mg FeSO4.7H2O brought to pH 7.4 with KOH. The culture incubated at 37•Ž for 15 hours was washed twice with physiological saline and resuspended in the medium supplemented with melibiose (10-3 M final concentration). It was incubated at 37•Ž with aeration by shaking. After 1 hour, cells were harvested and washed twice with 0.02 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.5) and resuspended in the buffer. This was used as intact cell. Cell-free extract was obtained from the intact cells by ultrasonic oscillation for 10 minutes followed by centrifugation (10,000 •~