Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Follow-up of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients Who Had Harrington Instrumentation and Fusion to the Lower Lumbar Vertebrae: Is Low Back Pain a Problem?

Study Design. Retrospective functional and radiographic analysis. Objective. To analyze the back pain and disability in patients who had instrumentation and fusion to L2, L3, L4, or L5, at least 10 years previously, and to compare them with a control group of the same age, sex, weight, and height. Summary of Background Data. Considerable confusion exists as to the incidence and severity of low back problems in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis fused to the lower lumbar spine. Materials and Methods. A total of 171 patients met the inclusion criteria of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, Harrington instrumentation, and fusion to L2, L3, L4, or L5, a minimum follow-up of 10 years following surgery, and a detailed questionnaire at follow-up. These were compared to a control group of 209 persons of equal sex, age, weight, and height. Eighty-eight patients were personally evaluated, including radiographs at follow-up. The mean follow-up was 19 years. Results. Back pain, no matter how trivial or infrequent, was noted in 75% of the patients and 65% of the controls, statistically different at P = 0.039. Pain intensity was equal to controls in fusions to L2 or L3, but increased in those fused to L4. Comparing all fused patients to the controls, there was no difference in narcotic use, use of back supports, visits to physicians, or hospitalizations for back problems. There was no difference in the short form-36 in the patients according to whether fused to L2, L3, or L4. Conclusion. When compared to a control group of equal sex, age, weight, and height, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients had a slightly higher incidence of back pain. When compared to the control group using short form-36 evaluation, the patients had statistically equal scores in all 8 domains. Most patients were able to perform most activities of daily living.
The transcription factors CREB and c‐Fos play key roles in NCAM‐mediated neuritogenesis in PC12‐E2 cells

The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) stimulates axonal outgrowth by activation of the Ras‐mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and by generation of arachidonic acid. We investigated whether the transcription factors, cyclic‐AMP response‐element binding protein (CREB) and c‐Fos play roles in this process by estimating NCAM‐dependent neurite outgrowth from PC12‐E2 cells grown in co‐culture with NCAM‐negative or NCAM‐positive fibroblasts. PC12‐E2 cells were transiently transfected with expression plasmids encoding wild‐type or dominant negative forms of CREB and c‐Fos or an activated form of the MAPK kinase, MEK2. Alternatively, PC12‐E2 cells were treated with arachidonic acid, the cAMP analogue dBcAMP, or protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitors. The negative forms of CREB and c‐Fos inhibited neurite outgrowth mediated by NCAM, arachidonic acid, dBcAMP, or MEK2. Neither CREB nor c‐Fos could compensate for the inactivation of the other, indicating that both factors are important in NCAM‐mediated neuritogenesis. Treatment of primary hippocampal neurons with a synthetic NCAM peptide ligand known to stimulate neurite outgrowth induced phosphorylation of CREB and expression of c‐fos. We thus present evidence that NCAM‐mediated neurite outgrowth involves a series of signal transduction pathways, including the cAMP/PKA pathway, targeting c‐Fos and CREB.
Apocryphal and Canonical Gospels

The problem addressed in this paper is implied in the title. The terms “apocryphal” and “canonical” reflect a traditional usage which implies deep-seated prejudices and has had far-reaching consequences. Any standard dictionary, like Merriam-Webster, will explain the term “apocryphal” as “not canonical; unauthentic; spurious. ” The synonyms are listed under “fictitious,” i.e., “invented or imagined rather than true and genuine,” and the term “apocryphal” is explained here as follows: “implies a mysterious or extremely dubious source of origin. ”
Blood substitutes: refocusing an elusive goal

Few would argue that an oxygen-carrying product that is universally compatible, safe, capable of prolonged storage under adverse conditions, simple to use and inexpensive could be an important adjunct to medical practice. Yet, such a product is not available, despite enormous efforts and expenditures by private and public institutions. Recently, one of the world's healthcare giants announced that their efforts to commercialize one product (diaspirin cross-linked haemoglobin; DCLHb), based on cell-free haemoglobin, had failed, despite the investment of over 15 years of development (Saxena et al, 1999; Sloan et al, 1999). The slow progress towards a red cell substitute is disappointing, but extensive research now underway has pointed out that accomplishing the goal is more difficult than was initially believed. All higher organisms have circulatory systems that feature cellular components for the delivery of oxygen (red cells). Mixtures of cells and plasma have unique properties of flow and gas transport in the microvasculature that are very different from the more homogeneous systems on which current red cell substitutes are based. Critical features of the cell/plasma system include very low solubility of gases in the plasma phase, diffusion barriers resulting from heterogeneous mixing and streaming of red cells in various degrees, depending on vessel diameter. In the normal circulation, microvascular haematocrit is significantly lower than large-vessel haematocrit, which establishes heterogeneity not only of oxygen content, but also of viscosity and shear forces on the endothelium. With the availability of new oxygen-carrying solutions, many of these properties have been studied in detail, leading to new formulations that overcome the key limitations of the preceding solutions. It is now possible to design oxygencarrying solutions that more realistically function in biological systems that have evolved around the cell/plasma system. The purpose of this review is to briefly describe the various products that have been studied over the past 15± 20 years and to summarize their key properties. Some of the relevant discoveries of the way cell-free oxygen carriers function and how these new discoveries may be applied to the design of more successful solutions to the blood substitute problem will be considered.
Theory of single-atom imaging in the scanning tunneling microscope.

We discuss first the current flow in the scanning tunnelling microscope. /1/ The vacuum tunnelling current between two planar metallic electrodes with a small bias voltage between them was studied in the instance in which there is an adsorbed atom on each electrode, with one electrode corresponding to the tip, and the other to the sample (a surface with a chemisorbed atom). /2/ The tip and the sample are thus treated on an equal footing.
Interplay of the E box, the cyclic AMP response element, and HTF4/HEB in transcriptional regulation of the neurospecific, neurotrophin-inducible vgf gene

vgf is a neurotrophin response-specific, developmentally regulated gene that codes for a neurosecretory polypeptide. Its transcription in neuronal cells is selectively activated by the neurotrophins nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin 3, which induce survival and differentiation, and not by epidermal growth factor. We studied a short region of the rat vgf promoter which is essential for its regulated expression. A cyclic AMP response element (CRE) within this region is necessary for NGF induction of vgf transcription. Two sites upstream of CRE, an E box and a CCAAT sequence, bind nuclear protein complexes and are involved in transcriptional control. The E box has a dual role. It acts as an inhibitor in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, together with a second E box located downstream, and as a stimulator in the NGF-responsive cell line PC12. By expression screening, we have isolated the cDNA for a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, a homolog of the HTF4/HEB E protein, that specifically binds the vgf promoter E box. The E protein was present in various cell lines, including PC12 cells, and was a component of a multiprotein nuclear complex that binds the promoter in vitro. The E box and CRE cooperate in binding to this complex, which may be an important determinant for neural cell-specific expression.
Constrained H∞ control for discrete-time LPV systems using interpolation

The paper proposes an interpolation based control method as a possible solution to the constrained H∞ control of discrete-time, linear parameter varying (LPV) systems. The control policy is constructed by interpolating among a priori designed, unconstrained state feedback controllers. The predefined H∞ performance level remains guaranteed under hard state and input constrains. By applying invariant set theory it is also shown that the domain of applicability of the proposed control method is significantly larger than that can be achieved by any, single state feedback.
The Effect of Depressive Symptoms on Survival in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Objective There is little information on the relationship between depressive symptoms and survival in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. We examined whether a single measurement of depressive symptoms using a simple self-administered tool predicts survival. Design Screening test of depressive symptoms as a predictor of outcome. Setting Three dialysis centers in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Participants 66 adult PD subjects were screened in 1997–1998 for depression using the Zung scale. Main Outcome Measures Baseline data collection included assessments of comorbidity, residual renal function, total Kt/V, nPNA, previous renal transplant, and serum albumin. Outcomes were collected prospectively after completion of the depression survey to 12/01. Cox regression analysis of patient survival was performed using all cofactors with p < 0.05 on univariate analysis. Results One third of patients had depressive symptoms. Compared to nondepressed patients, depressive symptom patients were older (62.5 vs 52.5 years, p = 0.012), had borderline lower serum albumin levels (3.47 vs 3.70 g/dL, p = 0.058), and were more disabled (Karnofsky score 70 vs 90, p < 0.001), but had similar Kt/V, residual renal function, and previous time on PD at the point of the testing. Using multivariate analysis and controlling for comorbidity (using a measurement that includes diabetes mellitus and age) and serum albumin, the survival of patients with depressive symptoms was significantly reduced compared to nondepressed patients. Conclusion A single measurement of depressive symptoms using a simple self-administered test was an independent predictor of death in a cohort of PD patients, which extends observations in hemodialysis patients. Screening for depressive symptoms should be routine for dialysis patients, and those depressed should have thorough assessment and treatment. Whether treating depression will have an impact on survival is unclear and needs to be studied.
Physicochemical characterization of some multifloral honeys from honeybees Apis mellifera collected in the Algerian northeast

The characterization of some Algerian northeast honey was carried out on the basis of their physico-chemical properties: moisture, hydroxymethylfurfural, diastase activity, pH, free, total and lactonic acidity, electrical conductivity, mineral and proline content. Studied samples are found to be low in moisture and therefore safe from fermentation, low in HMF level and high in diastase activity. Additionally, the diastase activity and the HMF content are widely recognized parameters indicating the freshness of honey. The quality of honey samples differs on account of various factors such as season, packaging and processing conditions, floral source, geographical origin and storage period. It is important that precautions should be taken to ensure standardization and rationalization of beekeeping techniques, manufacturing procedures and storing processes to improve honey quality. Key words: Honey, physico-chemical characterisation, HMF, diastase activity.
The effect of a power-law mantle viscosity on trench retreat rate

The subduction of lithospheric plates is partitioned between subducting plate motion and lateral slab migration (i.e. trench retreat and advance). We use 3-D, dynamic models of subduction to address the role of a power-law mantle viscosity on subduction dynamics and, in particular, rates of trench retreat. For all numerical models tested, we ﬁnd that a power-law rheology results in reduced rates of trench retreat, and elevated slab dip angles, relative to the equivalent isoviscous mantle model. We analyse the asthenospheric pressure distribution and the style of mantle ﬂow, which exhibits only limited variability as a function of mantle rheology, in order to compute estimates of the mantle forces associated with subduction. The inclusion of a power-law rheology reduces the mantle shear force (which resists subducting plate motion) to a greater degree than it reduces the dynamic pressure gradient across the slab (which resists trench retreat). Therefore, the inclusion of a power-law mantle rheology favours a shift towards a subduction mode with a reduced trench retreat component, typically a relative reduction of order 25 per cent in our 3-D models. We suggest that this mechanism may be of importance for reducing the high trench retreat rates observed in many previous models to levels more in line with the average subduction partitioning observed on Earth at present (i.e. trench velocity ≤ plate velocity), for most absolute plate motion reference frames.
Cycle kinetics, steady state thermodynamics and motors—a paradigm for living matter physics

An integration of the stochastic mathematical models for motor proteins with Hill’s steady state thermodynamics yields a rather comprehensive theory for molecular motors as open systems in the nonequilibrium steady state. This theory, a natural extension of Gibbs’ approach to isothermal molecular systems in equilibrium, is compared with other existing theories with dissipative structures and dynamics. The theory of molecular motors might be considered as an archetype for studying more complex open biological systems such as biochemical reaction networks inside living cells.
Low-dimensional dynamics of populations of pulse-coupled oscillators

We thank Juan M. Lopez for a critical reading of the manuscript, Arkady Pikovsky for interesting discussions, and John Rinzel for pointing us to Ref. [7]. D. P. acknowl-edges support from Cantabria International Campus and the Ramon y Cajal program of MINECO (Spain). We acknowl-edge support from the Spanish research Projects No. FIS2009-12964-C05-05 and No. SAF2010-16085.
Dynamic Fracture Behavior of Steel Fiber Reinforced Self-Compacting Concretes (SFRSCCs)

Three-point bending tests on notched beams of three types of steel fiber-reinforced self-compacting concrete (SFRSCC) have been performed by using both a servo-hydraulic machine and a drop-weight impact instrument. The lo ading rates had a range of six orders of magnitude from 2.20 × 10−3 mm/s (quasi-static) to 2.66 × 103 mm/s. These SFRSCCs had the same matrix, but various types of steel fiber (straight and hooked-end) and contents (volume ratios), 0.51%, 0.77% and 1.23%, respectively. The results demonstrate that the fracture energy and the flexural strength increase as the loading rate increases. Moreover, such tendency is relatively moderate at low rates. However, at high rates it is accentuated. For the 0.51% fiber content, the dynamic increase factors of the flexural strength and the fracture energy are approximately 6 and 3, while for the 1.23% fiber content, they are around 4 and 2, respectively. Thus, the higher the fiber content the less rate sensitivity there is.
Naming Is Associated with Left Temporal Pole Metabolite Levels in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Aim: To investigate the relationship between performance in language tests and levels of brain metabolites in two selected left temporal lobe regions. Methods: Ninety-five subjects were included: 26 controls, 30 amnestic mild cognitive impairment subjects, 27 Alzheimer’s disease and 12 frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) patients. Language was assessed by a naming test: Boston Naming Test (BNT) and by a semantic verbal fluency test. Other cognitive functions: verbal and visual memory, visual perception, attention and executive function, and praxis were also assessed. Single voxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy was obtained in the left temporal pole (L-TPOLE), and in the left posterior temporoparietal region (L-TPAR). Results: BNT scores were significantly associated with N-acetylaspartate/creatine ratios (r = 0.45; p < 0.001) and choline/creatine ratios (r = 0.33; p < 0.005) in the L-TPOLE. No significant associations were found between BNT and metabolite levels in the L-TPAR. No significant associations were found between the semantic verbal fluency test and other cognitive tests and metabolite levels either in the L-TPOLE or in the L-TPAR. Conclusion: Naming performance is related to metabolite levels in the anterior L-TPOLE.
Interactions on Government Facebook Pages: An Empirical Analysis

There is a growing body of research on government use of Facebook (FB) and citizen engagement; however there is a paucity of empirical research that identify the extent of agency and audience engagement on government FB pages. Little is known if different types of agencies engage differently in FB. Based on a large-scale world-first empirical analysis of over 145 federal government FB pages, this article presents insights on online participation in terms of government posts and citizen interactions observed over three years (2013-2016) across different types of agencies (i.e. operational, policy, regulatory and specialist). Preliminary findings show convincing agency and audience engagement on FB pages as a platform for sharing and communicating. However there are differences among the agencies in terms of audience and agency engagement relative to post activity and interactions. The findings have implications for federal government agencies, both from benchmarking and capability building perspectives.
Variability in Ribosomal DNA Genic and Spacer Regions in Verticillium dahliae Isolates from Different Hosts

A variabilidade genetica de isolados de Verticillium dahliae oriundos de oliveira (Olea europaea) e de outros hospedeiros na Argentina e Brasil foi estimada atraves de PCR, usando primers especificos para a amplificacao da regiao espacadora intergenica do DNA ribossomal (IGS) e de uma porcao do gene codificante para a subunidade menor do RNA ribossomal do DNA mitocondrial (mtDNA SSU rRNA). Os fenogramas gerados usando UPGMA, baseados em perfis de restricao da regiao IGS do rDNA revelaram diferencas geneticas, correlacionadas ao hospedeiro de origem, com isolados originados de oliveira geneticamente distintos daqueles que infetam cacau (Theobroma cacao) e girassol (Helianthus annuus). A digestao dos produtos de PCR do SSU rRNA do DNA mitocondrial revelou menor variabilidade, distinguindo somente um isolado de girassol dos demais. Padroes de restricao da regiao ITS do rDNA nuclear apresentaram-se identicos para todos os isolados de V. dahliae, independente de hospedeiro de origem. Estes resultados preliminares podem ter relevância para o desenvolvimento de estrategias de controle das murchas causadas por V. dahliae, possivelmente refletindo uma origem evolucionaria diferente, ou isolamento reprodutivo do patogeno causador da murcha em oliveira, que se apresentou distinto de populacoes originarias de outros hospedeiros.
Sexual Dimorphism in Mesiodistal and Bucolingual Tooth Dimensions in Chilean People

Se investiga la presencia de dimorfismo sexual en las dimensiones de las piezas dentarias permanentes, en individuos chilenos. Se midieron los diametros mesiodistales y buco linguales de las piezas dentarias de 150 pacientes, de entre 18 y 24 anos de edad, 67 hombres y 83 mujeres, se excluyeron los terceros molares y las piezas con caries y obturaciones extensas. Las mayores dimensiones se encontraron en hombres, diferencias significativas en los diametros bucolinguales con p<0.05 resultaron en las piezas 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.6, 1.7, 2.6, 3.3, 4.1,4.2 y 4.5 y con p<0.01 para las piezas 4.4 y 4.7. Con respecto a las dimensiones mesiodistales, la unica diferencia significativa con p<0.05 se encontro en la pieza 1.2. Estos resultados muestran que es posible encontrar dimorfismo sexual en todos los grupos dentarios.
Long-term results of a randomized, controlled, double-blind study of low-level laser therapy before exercises in knee osteoarthritis: laser and exercises in knee osteoarthritis

Objectives: To assess the long-term effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT), in combination with strengthening exercises in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Design: Follow-up results at three and six months in a previously published randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Setting: Specialist Rehabilitation Services. Subjects: Forty participants of both genders, aged 50–75 years with knee osteoarthritis grade 2–4 on Kellgren–Lawrence scale. Intervention: The LLLT group received 10 LLLT treatments with invisible infrared laser (904 nm, 3 Joules/point) over three weeks followed by an eight-week supervised strengthening exercise program. The placebo LLLT group received identical treatment, but the infrared laser output was disabled. Main measures: Pain on a visual analogue scale, paracetamol consumption, and osteoarthritis severity measured by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Lequesne Index. Results: The new data obtained during the follow-up period showed that all outcomes remained stable and there were no significant differences between the groups at three and six months. However, daily consumption of rescue analgesics (paracetamol) was significantly lower in the LLLT group throughout the follow-up period, ending at a group difference of 0.45 vs. 3.40 units (P < 0.001) at six months follow-up. We conclude that within the limitations of this small study, the previously reported improvement after LLLT plus exercise was maintained for a period of six months. Conclusion: We find that the immediate post-intervention improvements from LLLT plus strengthening exercises were maintained for six months.
Foreign Bodies Causing Asphyxiation in Children: The Experience of the Buenos Aires Paediatric ORL Clinic

Inhalation or aspiration of a foreign body (FB) occurs relatively frequently in young children. The size, shape, type and site of arrest of the FB lead to variability in the clinical picture. The present study included data from 65 cases of FB inhalation presenting over 1 year at the Children's Hospital Gutierrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina, compared with information from four well-known published case series chosen as representative of other cultural and geographical backgrounds: the USA, Europe, North Africa (Egypt) and Asia (India). The mean age of children studied was 4.03 years. Injuries happened mainly at home (53 cases [81.54%]) and under adult supervision (59 cases [90.77%]). The most frequently inhaled FB was nuts, however, in contrast to previous reports, the majority of incidents involved inhalation of an inorganic, rather than an organic (food) FB. Complications included pneumonia (three cases), atelectasis (two cases) and pneumonitis (one case). No deaths were recorded. These data suggest that children play with objects inappropriate for their age, such as pins and nails, that adults may not be aware of the choking risks, and that more effort is required in educating caregivers about these risks.