Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Out-patient Physiotherapy and a Home Exercise Program in the Management of Gait Asymmetry in Residual Stroke

This article investigates the relative effectiveness in the ways in which physiotherapy exercises are administered to patients with residual stroke. The exercises were designed to improve walking by increasing the ability of the affected limb to bear weight during the single support phase of the gait cycle and, therefore, to increase the duration of this phase, thereby making the gait pattern more symmetrical. Twenty patients were divided into four equal groups, one of which acted as a control, receiving no treatment. The other three groups received exercises for two 1-h sessions per week supervised by a physiotherapist in an outpatient facility (group A), by a spouse or companion at home (group B), or by a combination of these (group C). Treatment was given for 6 months with assessments at monthly intervals during and for 3 months posttreatment. Results from this study indicate that on any given visit there were no differences between any of the four groups with respect to increasing the duration of single support on the affected side nor gait symmetry nor walking speed. When each group was compared to pretest data, only walking speed was found to increase significantly, but even this improvement, seen only in the treatment groups, was inconsistent and not maintained. The possible reasons for these results and their implications for rehabilitation are discussed.
From 4 To 4 - a Supplement To From 3 To 3

The psycholinguistic investigation of the ability of patients with Broca's and Wernicke's aphasia to transcode quantities from the ideographic digital coding system to alphabetical numerals parallels our previous study on the reverse transcoding task. The results support the generality of differential impairment of syntactic/nonsyntactic skills in Broca's and Wernicke's aphasia.
Underserved adolescent orphans' knowledge regarding sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS and sexual behaviour in a setting with a high prevalence of HIV

The sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge level and sexual behaviour regarding HIV/AIDS among adolescent orphans were examined. Orphans aged 15-18 years old in Nigeria were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the associations between sociodemographic characteristics and experience of sexual intercourse. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the associations between sociodemographic characteristics and their knowledge regarding sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV/AIDS. A total of 370 respondents were assessed. Sixty (16.2%) orphans reported having experience of sexual intercourse, and 19 (31.6%) orphans used a condom the last time they had sexual intercourse. The interviewees who were currently attending school had reduced likelihood of having experience of sexual intercourse [odds ratio (OR)=0.315 ; 95% confidence interval (CI) : 0.175, 0.568] . Among male orphans, those with higher scores of knowledge regarding STI and HIV/AIDS were Christian, complete orphans and reported good attitudes of people within the community toward orphans ; among females, those with greater age and completion of primary school showed higher scores. Orphans' health literacy-related avoidance of health risks, such as STI and HIV/AIDS, was dependent not only on age and educational level, but also on level of community support and satisfaction with their life.
Mystacial Whisker Layout and Musculature in the Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus): A Social, Diurnal Mammal

All mammals (apart from apes and humans) have whiskers that make use of a similar muscle arrangement. Whisker specialists, such as rats and mice, tend to be nocturnal and arboreal, relying on their whisker sense of touch to guide exploration around tree canopies at night. As such, nocturnal arboreal rodents have many whiskers that are organised into a grid‐like pattern, and moved using a complex array of muscles. Indeed, most arboreal, nocturnal mammals tend to have specialised whiskers that are longer and arranged in a dense, regular grid, compared with terrestrial, diurnal mammals. The guinea pig diverged early from murid rodents (around 75 million years ago), and are ground‐dwelling, diurnal animals. It would be predicted that, as a terrestrial mammal, they may have less whiskers and a reduced muscle architecture compared to arboreal, nocturnal rodents. We examined the mystacial whisker layout, musculature and movement capacity of Guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) whiskers and found that they did indeed have a disorganized whisker layout, with a fortification around the eye area. In addition, there was a reduction in musculature, especially in the intrinsic muscles. Despite guinea pigs not cyclically moving their whiskers, the mystacial musculature was still very similar to that of murid rodents. We suggest that the conserved presence of whisker layout and musculature, even in visual mammals such as primates and guinea pigs, may indicate that whiskers still play an important role in these animals, including protecting the eyes and being involved in tactile social behaviors. Anat Rec, 300:527–536, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Numerical Algorithm For Solving Troesch'S Problem

A numerical method based on Laplace transform and a modified decomposition technique is introduced for the approximate solution of Troesch's problem. The underlying idea of the scheme is to assume an infinite series solution and operate with Laplace transform integral operator to both sides of the differential equation. The nonlinear term is then decomposed, and an iterative algorithm is constructed for the determination of the terms of the infinite series solution. Two special cases of the problem are illustrated and the results show that the method is very accurate and converges rapidly.
Dimorphism in the Size and Shape of the Birth Canal Across Anthropoid Primates

It has long been noted that the human female birth canal is well adapted to giving birth to large‐brained neonates. However, several species of nonhuman primates give birth to large‐headed neonates compared to the maternal birth canal. The presence of such large cephalopelvic proportions in nonhuman primates presents the question of whether dimorphism in the birth canals of these other species is related to obstetric demand, as such dimorphism is presumed to be in humans. In this study, the hypothesis that either the presence or magnitude of dimorphism in the birth canal is related to large cephalopelvic proportions among anthropoid primates is directly tested. This study shows that birth canal dimorphism is common among anthropoids regardless of cephalopelvic proportions, but taxa with large cephalopelvic proportions have a higher magnitude of dimorphism than those that give birth to relatively small‐headed neonates. Furthermore, humans have exceptionally high levels of dimorphism that cannot be explained based on our large cephalopelvic proportions alone. Anat Rec, 300:870–889, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bony Pits in the Ostrich (Struthio camelus) and Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) Bill Tip

A specialized region of the bill tip characterized by a complex arrangement of mechanoreceptors and referred to as a bill tip organ, has been identified in numerous avians. A bill tip organ was initially inferred in kiwi species by the presence of numerous, bony pits in the rostrum of the bill, and later confirmed histologically. This study enumerates and compares the number and distribution of pits present in the bill tip in the ostrich and emu. The heads from 10 ostrich and 5 emu were prepared for osteological examination. The pattern and total number of pits was similar between the two species. However, the ostrich had significantly more pits in the regions underlying the Culmen and Gonys, whereas the emu displayed significantly more pits in the dorsal part of the mandibular rostrum. The relatively even distribution of pits in the inner and outer surfaces of both the mandibular and maxillary rostra suggest that the bill tip of the ostrich and emu are equally sensitive externally and intra‐orally, as opposed to probing birds, where the major concentration of pits is located on the outer surfaces of the bill tips. The presence of pits in the bill tips of extant paleaognaths may be of relevance in interpreting the pits in the rostra of extinct therapod dinosaurs. The presence of bony pits in a region which is also well supplied with sensory nerves is highly suggestive of a bill tip organ in the ostrich and emu and which needs to be confirmed histologically. Anat Rec, 300:1705–1715, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Classic Galactosemia: Study on the Late Prenatal Development of GALT Specific Activity in a Sheep Model

Classic galactosemia results from deficient activity of galactose‐1‐phosphate uridylyltransferase (GALT), a key enzyme of galactose metabolism. Despite early diagnosis and early postnatal therapeutic intervention, patients still develop neurologic and fertility impairments. Prenatal developmental toxicity has been hypothesized as a determinant factor of disease. In order to shed light on the importance of prenatal GALT activity, several studies have examined GALT activity throughout development. GALT was shown to increase with gestational age in 7‐28 weeks human fetuses; later stages were not investigated. Prenatal studies in animals focused exclusively on brain and hepatic GALT activity. In this study, we aim to examine GALT specific activity in late prenatal and adult stages, using a sheep model. Galactosemia acute target‐organs—liver, small intestine and kidney—had the highest late prenatal activity, whereas the chronic target‐organs—brain and ovary—did not exhibit a noticeable pre‐ or postnatal different activity compared with nontarget organs. This is the first study on GALT specific activity in the late prenatal stage for a wide variety of organs. Our findings suggest that GALT activity cannot be the sole pathogenic factor accounting for galactosemia long‐term complications, and that some organs/cells might have a greater susceptibility to galactose toxicity. Anat Rec, 300:1570–1575, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
HIV/AIDS e Treinamento Concorrente: a Revisão Sistemática

The highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) increased life expectancy in individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Alternative strategies have been used in order to improve their quality of life and minimize the HAART effect; among these we can name physical exercise. Concurrent training, the combination of aerobic and strength training in the same exercise session, is used to improve aerobic and strength capacities with shorter time of training and stands out within the used methods. It is crucial to understand this syndrome's characteristics for the best application of physical exercise in the HIV infected patients. Therefore, the aim of this study is to review the main HIV infection characteristics and the evidence available on concurrent training with single and multiple sets in immunological, virological, cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular parameters in subjects living with HIV/AIDS. A systematic review of papers published from 2000-2007 in the Scielo and Pubmed database, as well as theses and dissertations on Physical Education, Sports and Health fields from the digital library totalizing 8 studies, was performed. Evidence from these 8 investigated studies showed that concurrent training, both with single and multiple sets, improves cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular parameters. However, the results in the immunological and virological parameters are not completely understood, especially on protocols with single sets.
Skull Size and Biomechanics are Good Estimators of In Vivo Bite Force in Murid Rodents

Rodentia is a species‐rich group with diversified modes of life and diets. Although rodent skull morphology has been the focus of a voluminous literature, the functional significance of its variations has yet to be explored in live animals. Myomorphous rodents, including murids, have been suggested to represent “high‐performance generalists. ” We measured in vivo bite force in 14 species of wild and lab‐reared murid rodents of various sizes and diets to investigate potential morphofunctional differences between them. We dissected their skulls and computed a biomechanical model to estimate bite force. We first tested if our model allowed good estimation of in vivo data. Then, using morphological, in vivo and estimated bite force data in a phylogenetic context, we aimed to find the drivers of bite force differences among species. Estimated and in vivo bite forces were strongly correlated, which indicates that (a) biomechanical models allow a good estimation of real performance, and that (b) size and muscular changes (increased mass, fiber length, and PCSA) are the main drivers of bite performance differences. Myomorphous rodents, therefore, may have evolved high bite force through a combination of changes in size and musculature, which gave them a great versatility in their ability to process food. We found mixed results at the intraspecific level, with only some species displaying a good fit between estimated and in vivo measurements. We suggest that limited variation in size and muscular organization, and increased behavioral variation might decrease the precision of bite force estimates within species. Anat Rec, 301:256–266, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis in Iranian individuals is not affected by compound KIR/HLA genotype.

Natural killer (NK) cells have distinctive functional capacities that are likely to contribute both to innate and adaptive immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) and their ligands, i.e. human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules contribute partly in regulation of NK cell activity. In this study, the impact of compound KIR/HLA genotype on susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) has been evaluated in Iranian individuals. A total of 107 TB patients and 100 matched healthy controls were genotyped for 17 KIR genes and their three major HLA class I ligand groups (-C1, -C2 and -Bw4: -B Bw4(Ile80) , -B Bw4(Thr80) and -A Bw4) by a polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primers assay. Various analyses including distribution of KIR and HLA ligand genes and genotypes, frequency of inhibitory and activating KIR+HLA combinations and compound genotype status regarding balance of inhibitory and activating components showed no significant difference between patient and control groups. These findings may suggest that compound KIR/HLA genotype has no major impact on limiting Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.
Is postoperative epidural analgesia better than patient-controlled analgesia for radical cystectomy?

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate postoperative epidural analgesia (EPA) and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) in terms of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. Methods: A retrospective study on patients undergoing radical cystectomy for clinical Tis-4N0M0 urothelial carcinoma of the bladder was performed. Patients were separated into two groups: primary EPA or PCA for postoperative analgesia. The surgical complication severity was determined according to the Clavien system. Mann-Whitney U tests, χ2 with Yates’ correction, or Fisher’s exact test were used. Predictive risk factors were explored using univariable and multivariable Cox regression models. Results: Of the 274 patients studied, 209 (76%) received EPA and 65 (24%) had PCA. Baseline balance was observed. Similar complication rates were observed between the EPA (36%) and PCA (34%) (p=0.382). Patients greater than 70 years of age had more complications (35% vs 21%, p=0.002). PCA patients had higher rates of high-grade complications compared with EPA patients [40% vs 20% (p=0.0007)]. Only age at time of surgery (p=0.032) was associated with complications. Patients with pulmonary disease had a higher risk of complications (p=0.001). EPA or PCA were not predictors for overall survival. Conclusions: There does not appear to be a significant difference in terms of morbidity or mortality between EPA and PCA following radical cystectomy (RC). Rare, catastrophic complications specific to EPA may occur. Standardized reporting of surgical complications is essential to compare studies and appropriately counsel patients.
Aneurysms of the Ophthalmic (C6) Segment of the Internal Carotid Artery: Clinical Experience, Treatment Options, and Strategies (Part 2)

Treatment of ophthalmic (C6) segment aneurysms continues to be challenging and technically demanding for neurosurgeons, resulting in high rates of morbidity and mortality. In part 2, we provide a contemporary review of recent clinical series and assess the advantages and limitations of surgical and endovascular treatments relative to published series as well as our own. In part 1, we detailed the key embryologic, anatomical, and radiologic points that now provide the foundation for our critical discussion of such management strategies. We report the results of our 78 patients with 88 C6 segment aneurysms, including 43 with unruptured aneurysms and 35 with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), 9 of which were giant and 25 of which were large. Management strategies included surgical clipping alone in 53 patients, clipping and hemicraniectomy in 2, coiling in 17, extracranial-to-intracranial bypass in 2, and coil occlusion of the internal carotid artery in 2. Of 2 patients who underwent no treatment, 1 had a myocardial infarction after diagnostic angiography and 1 declined treatment. Overall mortality was 6.4% (5 patients with SAH). At discharge, Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores were good (GOS score of 1 or 2) in 63 (80.8%) patients and poor (GOS score of 3 or 4) in 10 (12.8%) patients. In this review, we describe how the synergistic use of surgical and endovascular procedures seems to offer the best approach to these aneurysms to minimize morbidity associated with treatment and to achieve outstanding outcomes, highlighting the treatment strategies used by the senior surgeon.
On the local and global errors of splitting approximations of reaction–diffusion equations with high spatial gradients

In this paper we study the approximation by splitting techniques of the ordinary differential equation U˙+A U+B U=0, U(0)=U 0 with A and B two matrices. We assume that we have a stiff problem in the sense that A is ill-conditionned and U 0 is a vector which is the discretization of a function with a very high derivative. This situation may appear for example when we study the discretization of a partial differential equation. We prove some error estimates for two general matrices and in the stiff case, where the estimates are independent of U 0 and the commutator between A and B. This paper is dedicated to Michel Crouzeix.
Chronic ingestion of Porphyromonas gingivalis induces systemic nitric oxide response in mice.

INTRODUCTION Porphyromonas gingivalis induces nitric oxide (NO) production in various cells, systemic NO elevation being expected in chronic oral challenge. METHODS Groups of BALB/c mice were inoculated orally with either live P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 or sterile broth on days 0, 2 and 4, with or without later administration of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor 1400W. Plasma and tissues were harvested on day 42 for assays of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), nitrite and nitrate (NOx) and tissue NO, or histology and iNOS immunohistochemistry. RESULTS No signs of gingivitis were observed, but plasma NOx was significantly elevated (P = 0.028) as was TNF-alpha (P = 0.079) in P. gingivalis-inoculated animals compared with controls, NOx being reduced when 1400W was used. NO production in organs showed a similar trend, with significant elevation in liver (P = 0.017) and kidneys (P = 0.027), whereas concomitant treatment of inoculated animals with 1400W caused significant reductions in NO in aorta (P = 0.008) and kidneys (P = 0.046). Sham-inoculated 1400W-treated animals had significantly increased plasma NOx (P = 0.004) and liver NO (P = 0.04). NOx in plasma correlated significantly with NO production in lungs (0.35, P = 0.032) and kidneys (0.47, P = 0.003). Immunohistochemistry demonstrated iNOS activity in many tissues in all groups. CONCLUSION Repeated oral administration of P. gingivalis induced systemic NO and NOx production in mice, probably by activating iNOS as suggested by the response to 1400W.
The role of deconditioning and therapeutic exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)

Background: Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) complain of tiredness or exhaustion, which is made worse by physical exertion. This results in their avoidance of exercise, which may lead to physical deconditioning. We do not know whether this deconditioning maintains the illness or is a consequence. Graded exercise therapy aims to reverse this cycle of inactivity and deconditioning, and to subsequently reduce the fatigue and disability associated with CFS. Aims: To review the literature relating to the role of deconditioning in perpetuating CFS and the literature relating to the role of graded exercise therapy as a treatment of CFS. Method: Non-systematic review of published papers concerning deconditioning and therapeutic exercise in patients with CFS. Findings: Patients with CFS are at least as deconditioned as sedentary but healthy controls. Supervised graded exercise therapy reduces fatigue and disability in ambulant patients with CFS; efficacy may be independent of reversing deconditioning. Conclusions: Graded exercise has an important role to play in the treatment of patients with CFS. Further work is necessary to elucidate the risks, benefits, and mechanisms of such treatment, especially in children and the severely disabled. Patient education is necessary to inform patients of the positive benefit/risk ratio in order to improve acceptance and adherence.
Periodontitis lesions are the main source of salivary cytomegalovirus.

BACKGROUND Herpesviruses play causal or cooperative roles in childhood infections, tumorigenesis, ulcerogenesis, and periodontitis. Saliva is a common vehicle of herpesvirus horizontal transmission, but the source of salivary herpesviruses remains obscure. To evaluate the significance of periodontal disease in shedding of oral herpesviruses, this study determined the genome-copy counts of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in whole saliva of subjects with periodontitis, gingivitis, or no natural teeth. METHODS Whole saliva was collected from 14 periodontitis patients, 15 gingivitis patients and 13 complete denture wearers. The study subjects were systemically healthy and had not received periodontal treatment in the past 3 months. Real-time TaqMan polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the salivary load of HCMV and EBV. RESULTS Salivary HCMV was detected in seven (50%) periodontitis patients, but not in any gingivitis or edentulous subjects (P < 0.001). Salivary EBV was detected in 11 (79%) periodontitis patients, in five (33%) gingivitis patients, and in seven (54%) edentulous subjects (P = 0.076). Salivary samples showed copy counts of HCMV in the range of 3.3 x 10(3)-4.2 x 10(4)/ml and of EBV in the range of 3.6 x 10(2)-1.6 x 10(9)/ml. CONCLUSIONS HCMV and EBV are commonly present in the saliva of periodontitis patients. Periodontitis lesions of systemically healthy subjects seem to constitute the main origin of salivary HCMV, but do not comprise the sole source of salivary EBV.