Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robotic spine surgery: a preliminary report.

AIM Robotic spine surgery techniques provide reduced pedicle screw malposition and radiation exposure during surgery. The aim of this study is to review clinical and radiological results of robotic spine surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS The preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data for 27 patients were reviewed. To reveal the effect of a learning curve, the cases were divided into two groups: Group A and Group B The clinical data and radiological data were compared with the values obtained from preoperative planning. RESULTS The patients consisted of 23 females and 4 males. A total of 136 screws were placed in the 27 cases. The accuracy rate of the screw positions was 98.5%. The overall mean procedure duration was 73.2 minutes for Group A and 46.1 minutes for Group B. The overall mean x-ray exposure time per screw was 1.3 seconds, 1.8 seconds for Group A and 0.9 seconds for Group B. Postoperative imaging revealed that 126 screws were perfect, screw malposition of < 2mm was observed for 8 screws, and malposition of > 2mm was observed for 2 screws. CONCLUSION Robotic spine surgery provides a high degree of accuracy for pedicle screw placement and allows for reduced radiation exposure.
FOXP3+ regulatory T cells: Current controversies and future perspectives

Regulatory T cells (Treg) provide protection from autoimmune disease, graft‐versus‐host disease, transplant rejection and overwhelming tissue destruction during infections. Conversely, high Treg numbers enable cancer cells to evade the host immune response. Thus, Treg are seen as an important tool to manipulate the immune response. However, as the immunological community is trying to move this knowledge from mice to humans, contradictory results regarding the number and function of Treg in various diseases are appearing. This problem arises because we cannot clearly define Treg populations on the basis of expression of CD25 and other cell surface markers in humans. This review addresses the utility of the FOXP3 forkhead transcription factor for the identification of Treg populations and summarizes recent data on the expression of FOXP3 in lymphomas. It is crucial to really understand Treg biology before attempting therapies, including (i) the injection of expanded Treg to cure autoimmune disease or prevent graft‐versus‐host disease or (ii) the depletion or inhibition of Treg in cancer therapy. For instance, new data arising from the study of haematological malignancies highlight the additional complexity of systems where malignant cell populations may also be direct Treg targets.
Interobserver Reproducibility of Immunohistochemical Her-2/Neu Assessment in Human Breast Cancer: An Update from INQAT round III

The clinical interest in HER-2/neu is related to trastuzumab, a drug used to treat patients with invasive breast carcinoma overexpressing the HER-2/neu protein. It is very important to correctly identify those patients who may benefit from trastuzumab by accurate assessment of the HER-2/neu status. Of the various methods available, the Dako Herceptest for immunohistochemical assay is considered the most reliable to reach this goal. The aim of this study was to investigate within a group of Italian laboratories the reproducibility of the results of HER-2/neu assessment by means of the Dako scoring system on slides stained with the Herceptest kit. This study was also conceived as the continuation of one of our previous studies, which was similar in its aims but different in the classification criteria adopted. Our results show that, whereas the intra-observer reproducibility was generally satisfactory, the interobserver reproducibility was not. Moreover, our findings confirm that the two extreme classes (0 and 3+) are more easy to identify than the other two and that the Herceptest does not allow to discriminate optimally between scoring classes 2+ and 3+. These findings are relevant in clinical practice where the treatment choice is based on categories defined by this assay, suggesting the need of adopting educational programs and/or new reference materials to improve the assay performance.
Melatonin stimulates growth hormone secretion through pathways other than the growth hormone‐releasing hormone

OBJECTIVE There is evidence that melatonin plays a role in the regulation of GH secretion. The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroendocrine mechanisms by which melatonin modulates GH secretion. Thus we assessed the effect of oral melatonin on the GH responses to GHRH administration and compared the effects of melatonin with those of pyridostigmine, a cholinergic agonist drug which is likely to suppress hypothalamic somatostatin release.
Comparison of refraction and ocular biometry in European Caucasian children living in Northern Ireland and Sydney, Australia.

PURPOSE To compare refraction and ocular biometry in European Caucasian children aged 6 to 7 years and 12 to 13 years, living in Sydney, Australia, and Northern Ireland. METHODS All children had a comprehensive eye examination, including cycloplegic (cyclopentolate 1%) autorefraction and ocular biometry. Hyperopia was defined as a right spherical equivalent refraction (SER) of ≥+2.00 diopters (D), myopia as ≤-0.50 D, and astigmatism as a cylindrical error of ≥1.00 D. RESULTS The mean SER was similar at age 6 to 7 years (P = 0.9); however, at 12 to 13 years, children in Northern Ireland had a significantly less hyperopic mean SER (+0.66 D) than children in Sydney (+0.83 D, P = 0.008). The prevalence of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism was significantly greater in Northern Ireland than Sydney at both ages (all P < 0.03). The distribution of refraction was highly leptokurtic in both samples, but less so in Northern Ireland (kurtosis: 6-7 years of age, 7.2; 12-13 years of age, 5.9) than Sydney (kurtosis: 6-7 years of age, 15.0; 12-13 years of age, 19.5). CONCLUSIONS European Caucasian children in Northern Ireland have a greater prevalence of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism when compared to children living in Sydney. Risk factors for myopia such as parental myopia, parental education, and educational standards do not appear to explain the differences. Further work on levels of near work and time spent outdoors is required.
An Important Site in PBP 2 x of Penicillin-Resistant Clinical Isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae : Mutational Analysis of Thr 338

Penicillin-binding protein 2x (PBP2x) of Streptococcus pneumoniae represents a primary resistance determinant for beta-lactams, and low-affinity PBP2x variants can easily be selected with cefotaxime. Penicillinresistant clinical isolates of S. pneumoniae frequently contain in their mosaic PBP2x the mutation T338A adjacent to the active site S337, and T338P as well as T338G substitutions are also known. Site-directed mutagenesis has now documented that a single point mutation at position T338 confers selectable levels of beta-lactam resistance preferentially to oxacillin. Despite the moderate impact on beta-lactam susceptibility, the function of the PBP2x mutants appears to be impaired, as can be documented in the absence of a functional CiaRH regulatory system, resulting in growth defects and morphological changes. The combination of lowaffinity PBP2x and PBP1a encoded by mosaic genes is known to result in high cefotaxime resistance. In contrast, introduction of a mosaic pbp1a into the PBP2xT338G mutant did not lead to increased resistance. However, the mosaic PBP1a gene apparently complemented the PBP2xT338G defect, since Cia mutant derivatives grew normally. The data support the view that PBP2x and PBP1a interact with each other on some level and that alterations of both PBPs in resistant clinical isolates have evolved to ensure cooperation between both proteins.
Copresence and Its Social-Relational Antecedents in Computer-Mediated Communication: The Case of Instant Messenger

Computer-mediated communication (CMC) technologies like instant messenger have been increasingly used as a tool for interpersonal relationship development and maintenance. To better understand such use of CMC, we investigate copresence—defined as a communicator's perception of being with other communication partners through CMC—and its role in affecting the intention to continue using the medium. We explore three social-relational antecedents of copresence: prior use of the medium, perceived critical mass, and user commitment to maintain the relationship with others. Hypotheses are tested with survey data on the use of instant messenger. In general, the results support the research hypotheses. We suggest that the concept of copresence can be a novel and helpful theoretical perspective for understanding the use of CMC for social-relational purposes.
Effects of dietary addition of zinc and(or) monensin on performance, rumen fermentation and digesta kinetics in beef cattle

Two experiments (Exp1 and Exp2) were conducted to investigate the effect of dietary inclusion of Zn and(or) monensin on performance and rumen fermentation in beef cattle fed a barley grain, alfalfa hay and sunflower meal. In Exp1, 20 calves were assigned to one of the following treatments: CON = control; Z = 430 mg Zn kg -1 of DM; M = 35 mg monensin kg -1 of DM; and ZM = both Zn and monensin. Dry matter intake (DMI), DM digestibility (DMD), average daily gain (ADG), and feed to gain (F/G) ratio were determined. Blood analyses included hematocrit, glucose, urea, total protein, alkaline phosphatase and creatinine. In Exp2, the rumen fluid of four cannulated steers, in identical treatments, was studied for Zn concentration, pH, NH3-N, VFA. Rumen dilution rate, turnover time, and volume; in situ DM disappearance of barley and alfalfa were also determined. In Exp1, no treatment response was observed for DMI, ADG or DMD (P > 0.10). Differences in F/G were not significant, despite a numeric F/G decrease in M (6.6 kg kg -1 ). No differences were detected in blood variables. In Exp2, an interaction of treatment × time (P = 0.0174) for Zn concentration was detected, where ZM, followed by Z, had highest mean values at all time intervals. Ruminal parameters, kinetics or DM degradability were not modified by treatments; pH reached the lowest value (6.1; P < 0.05) 12 h after supplement feeding. Overall, supplying more than 20 times the Zn requirement has not substantially affected performance or digestion. Additional key words: additives, blood parameters, intake, rumen kinetics, ruminants, weight gain.
Green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles conjugated Clausena dentata plant leaf extract and their insecticidal potential against mosquito vectors

Abstract Mosquitoes are major vectors for the transmission of many diseases like chikungunya, malaria, dengue, zika, etc. worldwide. In the present study, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were synthesized from Clausena dentata and were tested for their larvicidal efficacy against the fourth-instar larvae of Anopheles stephensi, Aedes Aegypti, and Culex quinquefasciatus. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Radiation (FTIR) spectroscopy, EDaX, and SEM. The results recorded from UV-Vis spectroscopy show the peak absorption spectrum at 420 nm. In FTIR, the maximum peak value is 2922.25 cm−1 assigned to N-H group (amide group). In EDaX analysis shows peak around 72.64 which confirm the binding intensity of selenium. In SEM analysis, the synthesized SeNPs sizes were ranging from 46.32 nm to 78.88 nm. The synthesized SeNPs produced high mortality with very low concentration (LC50) were 240.714 mg/L; 104.13 mg/L, and 99.602 mg/L for A. stephensi, A. Aegypti, and C. quinquefasciatus, respectively. These results suggest that the C. dentata leaf extract-mediated biosynthesis of SeNPs has the potential to be used as an ideal ecofriendly approach toward the control of mosquito vectors at early stages.
Promoter analysis of the Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris gum operon directing biosynthesis of the xanthan polysaccharide

The Xanthomonas campestris gum gene cluster is composed of 12 genes designated gumB, -C, -D, -E, -F, -G, -H, -I, -J, -K, -L, and -M. The transcriptional organization of this gene cluster was analyzed by the construction of gum-lacZ transcriptional fusions in association with plasmid integration mutagenesis. This analysis, coupled with primer extension assays, indicated that the gum region was mainly expressed as an operon from a promoter located upstream of the first gene, gumB.
Description of Missouri children who suffer burn injuries

Objective—This study uses Missouri's inpatient and outpatient E code data system to describe the demographic characteristics of Missouri children who suffered burn injuries during 1994 and 1995. Methods—Retrospective review of Missouri E code data. Results—Altogether 8404 children aged 0–14 years were treated for burn injuries in Missouri hospitals during 1994 and 1995. The rate of burn injury in Missouri children was 339 per 100 000/year. African-American boys 0–4 years living in urban counties were at increased risk. In addition, African-American girls ages 0–4 years living in counties with a high poverty rate had raised burn injury rates. Burns from hot objects and scalds from hot liquids caused more than half of the burns. Conclusions—Hospital based E coding has proven an invaluable tool for the study of burns and will, no doubt, prove equally useful for other injuries.
Peripheral muscle force and exercise capacity in lung transplant candidates

Lung transplantation (LgTX) is considered in the case of severe life-threatening pulmonary disease like endstage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a1-antitrypsin deficiency, cystic fibrosis (CF), pulmonary fibrosis or PPH. Normally, pulmonary function improves considerably after LgTX. However, despite the more or less normalized pulmonary function, exercise capacity remains severely impaired. It has been suggested that peripheral muscle weakness may contribute to exercise limitation after LgTX (Evans et al., 1997; Tirdel et al., 1998; Pantoja et al., 1999; Wang et al., 1999). The presence of peripheral muscle weakness was confirmed in lung transplant (n1⁄49) (Pantoja et al., 1999) and in heart lung transplant recipients (n1⁄411) (Ambrosino et al., 1996). However, no information was given in these studies about the association between muscle force and exercise capacity. Lands et al. (1999) described this association in a small group of lung transplant recipients (n1⁄419). These authors found a significant association between exercise capacity and isokinetic muscle power. Peripheral muscle force in lung transplant recipients may deteriorate due to post-transplantation factors, such as high doses of immune-suppression. However, in the pre-transplantation period peripheral muscle weakness may develop, caused by reduced activity (Williams et al., 1992), treatment with corticosteroids (Decramer and Stas, 1992; Decramer et al., 1994) and a poor nutritional status (Hanning et al., 1993; Lands et al., 1993). In moderate severe non-lung-transplant COPD patients (Gosselink et al., 1996; Maltais et al., 1996; Breukink et al., 1998; Gosselink and Decramer, 1998) and CF patients (de-Meer et al., 1999) it appears that muscle force is an important determinant of the exercise capacity. No information is available concerning muscle force and exercise capacity in LgTX candidates. The purpose of this study was to describe peripheral muscle force and the relationship with exercise capacity and nutritional status in different groups of LgTX candidates.
Feeding of large-scale fish farms: Motion characterization of a pneumatic rotor feed spreader

This study presents a wireless attitude heading and reference system (AHRS) adapted for use in marine environments where it was used to characterize the motion of a pneumatic rotary feed spreader representative of designs commonly utilized in large-scale salmon aquaculture. The attitude of the spreader affects the distribution of feed pellets over the cage surface and may have significant influence on the feeding efficiency of fish. Measurement and analysis of the motion were performed over a range of different airspeeds. The results suggested that an angular momentum originating from the connection between the spreader and the feed supply pipe may cause a substantial roll offset. At low airspeeds the yaw angle of the outlet pipe appeared to be most influential on the roll and pitch of the spreader. At higher airspeeds the rotational velocity became increasingly influential. The roll and pitch of the spreader may explain the non-uniform surface pellet distribution observed in a separate study.
Sequential patterns of five subconcepts of human and animal death in children.

Abstract This report analyzes the findings of two independent studies that investigated children's perceptions of five subconcepts of death in humans and animals. One hundred ninety-seven children from the first, third, and fifth grades participated. They were administered a measure of intelligence, a questionnaire of human death, and one of animal death. Each of the questionnaires consisted of five subconcepts: causality, finality, old age, irreversibility, and universality. The data were analyzed by means of the Guttman scale for reproducibility and scalability in order to find out the sequential patterns of the five subconcepts in human and animal death. Two basic patterns were found: one for human death, ranging from causality as the most difficult subconcept through finality, universality, irreversibility, and old age. In animal death, the sequence was as follows: causality, old age, finality, universality, and irreversibility. These patterns were consistent in the two studies, three age groups, and two levels of intelligence, with only minor deviations. The findings are discussed from the perspective of observable versus hypothetical aspects of death as an explanation of the patterns discovered.
Considerations on partial discharge of nanocomposite enameled magnet wires for inverter fed random wound motors

Nanocomposite enameled wires have been developed for inverter-fed random wound motor windings, however, partial discharge (PD) characteristics is still underlying physics. In this study, effects of environmental conditions on PD characteristics in twisted pairs with conventional and nanocomposite enameled magnet wires were investigated. Measurements of the PD inception voltage (PDIV) and an amount of the PD charge were performed by applying an ac sinusoidal waveform voltage of 60 Hz to the twisted pair. The observed PDIV in this study can be classified into the following three behaviors. First, the PDIV in both wires decreases with increasing relative humidity (RH) at low temperature. Secondly, the PDIV in both wires slightly increases when increasing the RH at high temperature. Thirdly, the PDIV in the conventional enameled wire significantly decreases at 95%RH, while the decrease rate of that in the nanocomposite enameled wire is relatively small. The observed PD phenomena are discussed in terms of material characterization of the enameled wires such as changes in permittivity due to moisture absorption and wettability under voltage application.
Evaluation of the novel, single‐use, flexible aScope® for tracheal intubation in the simulated difficult airway and first clinical experiences

Flexible fibreoptic intubation is widely accepted as an important modality for the management of patients with difficult airways. We compared the aScope®, a novel, single‐use, flexible video‐endoscope designed to aid tracheal intubation, with a standard flexible intubating fibrescope, by examining the performance of 21 anaesthetists during an easy and difficult intubation simulation in a manikin. Intubation success, time for intubation, and rating of the devices (using a scale from 1, excellent to 6, fail) were documented. Intubation times were similar for both flexible 'scopes in the scenarios (p = 0.59). Successful intubation rates were higher for the standard intubating fibrescope (17/21, 81%) than the aScope (14/21, 67%; p = 0.02) in the difficult intubation scenario. The median (IQR[range]) ratings for the standard fibrescope vs the aScope were respectively: overall, 2 (1.75–2 [1–2.5]) vs 3 (2–3.25 [1–5]) (p < 0.0001); picture quality 2 (1.5–2 [1–3]) vs 3 (2–4 [1–5]) (p < 0.0001). The aScope was also successfully used to facilitate tracheal intubation in five patients with anticipated or unanticipated difficult airways. Picture quality was sufficient to identify the anatomical landmarks. Although the performance of the aScope is acceptable, it does not meet the current quality of standard flexible intubation fibrescopes.
Association between serum osteocalcin, adiposity and metabolic risk in obese children and adolescents.

INTRODUCTION Childhood obesity has been associated with the development of insulin resistance, potentially leading to several metabolic disorders. Osteocalcin has been reported to contribute to the regulation of glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between serum osteocalcin and metabolic risk factors in obese children and adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS Age, gender, pubertal stage, adiposity markers (standard deviation score of body mass index: BMI-SDS, percentage of body fat, waist circumference), blood pressure, serum osteocalcin (OC), fasting plasma glucose and insulin, glycated haemoglobin level (HbA1c), insulin resistance estimated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR), lipid profile, C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen (FB), white blood cell count (WBC) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) were evaluated in 142 obese children and adolescents. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between serum osteocalcin and metabolic risk parameters. RESULTS Mean serum osteocalcin level was 72.0 ± 20.5 μg/L (range: 16.8-181.5 µg/L). After adjustment for multiple potential confounders, serum osteocalcin concentration was inversely associated with adiposity markers as well as HOMA-IR, HbA1c, triglycerides, CRP, FB and positively with 25-OH-D and HDL-cholesterol. In stepwise multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for age, gender and pubertal stage, osteocalcin was significantly negatively related to HOMA-IR, triglycerides and waist circumference. CONCLUSIONS Serum osteocalcin concentration is associated with blood markers of dysmetabolic phenotype and measures of adiposity, suggesting that osteocalcin is important not only for bones but also for glucose and fat metabolism as early as during childhood.