Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Characterization of Sensory and Motor Neural Dysfunction in Patients Undergoing Hip Arthroscopic Surgery: Traction- and Portal Placement–Related Nerve Injuries

Background: There is a paucity of prospectively collected data as they relate to nerve injuries after hip arthroscopic surgery. Studies describing the relationship of neurological injuries to portal placement and the duration and magnitude of traction force with regular and standardized patient follow-up protocols are limited. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to characterize nerve deficits in a series of patients undergoing hip arthroscopic surgery as these deficits relate to axial traction and portal placement. It was hypothesized that in patients who presented without nerve deficits after surgery, the magnitudes of traction-related measurements would exceed previous recommendations based on expert opinion (<50 lb). Additionally, it was hypothesized that sensory disturbance would commonly be observed (≥16%) localized to the distal anterolateral thigh related to portal placement. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A total of 45 patients scheduled to undergo hip arthroscopic surgery between July 2012 and February 2014 were included in this study. Traction force was measured and recorded every 5 minutes during surgery, and patients were assessed by a physical examination for deficits in light touch sensitivity at all lower extremity dermatomes preoperatively and at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Patients were also tested for strength deficits and rated on the manual muscle testing grading scale. Patients reported modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living and –Sport subscales (HOS-ADL and HOS-Sport, respectively), Short Form–12 (SF-12) mental and physical component summaries, and international Hip Outcome Tool–12 (iHOT-12) scores preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively. Results: Thresholds for maximum traction force, mean traction force, duration of traction, and traction impulse were 120 lb, 82 lb, 61 minutes, and 7109 lb·min, respectively, below which no patients presented with sensory or motor dysfunction thought to be related to traction. A minority (17.8%) of patients presented with highly localized, distal anterolateral sensory deficits suggestive of injuries related to portal placement, and 2.2% of patients presented with perineal numbness localized to the distribution of the pudendal nerve. All nerve deficits had resolved by 1-year follow-up. Conclusion: This study suggests that it may be possible to apply more axial traction force for a longer duration than expert opinion has previously suggested, without significant and, in the majority of cases (82.2%), any traction-related short-term complications. Transient traction- and portal placement–related nerve injuries after hip arthroscopic surgery may be more frequent (31.1% in this study) than have been reported historically.
Crosstalk Suppression using Trench-assisted Technique in 9-core Homogeneous Multi Core Fiber

Design and analysis of homogeneous 9-Core Multi core fiber has been done, which is arranged in outer circular ring with eight cores and one core at center. Crosstalk impact has been studied on both outer cores as well as center core, considering 100 km long distance communication. The Crosstalk behaviors with fiber bending radius, wavelength and core-pitch have been investigated analytically. The simulation results illustrate that the crosstalk levels in the proposed 9-core MCF have been reduced remarkably much less than − 50 dB by creating trench around the fiber cores. The relative crosstalk reduction amount has been achieved up to 74 dB by using trench assisted technique.
Improving the Standing Balance of Paraplegics through the Use of a Wearable Exoskeleton

In this study, our goal was to improve the standing balance of people with a spinal cord injury by using a wearable exoskeleton that has ankle and knee actuation in the sagittal plane. Three test-pilots that have an incomplete spinal cord injury wore the exoskeleton and tried to maintain standing balance without stepping while receiving anteroposterior pushes. Two balance controllers were tested: one providing assistance based on the subject's body sway and one based on the whole body momentum. For both controllers, the balance performances of the test-pilots wearing the exoskeleton were assessed based on the center of mass kinematics and compared to the condition in which the device did not provide any assistance. One of the test-pilots was not able to maintain balance without assistance, but could withstand small pushes when any of the balance controllers was implemented. For this test-pilot the recovery time and sway amplitude hardly varied with the type of balance controller that was used. For the other two test-pilots the recovery time and the sway amplitude were smallest using the body sway controller. In conclusion, the wearable exoskeleton with balance controller was able to improve the balance performance of the test-pilots by reducing the recovery time after a perturbation and by enabling one of the test-pilots to maintain balance, who could not maintain balance by himself.
Induction of ATP Release, PPIX Transport, and Cholesterol Uptake by Human Red Blood Cells Using a New Family of TSPO Ligands

Two main isoforms of the Translocator Protein (TSPO) have been identified. TSPO1 is ubiquitous and is mainly present at the outer mitochondrial membrane of most eukaryotic cells, whereas, TSPO2 is specific to the erythroid lineage, located at the plasma membrane, the nucleus, and the endoplasmic reticulum. The design of specific tools is necessary to determine the molecular associations and functions of TSPO, which remain controversial nowadays. We recently demonstrated that TSPO2 is involved in a supramolecular complex of the erythrocyte membrane, where micromolar doses of the classical TSPO ligands induce ATP release and zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPPIX) transport. In this work, three newly-designed ligands (NCS1016, NCS1018, and NCS1026) were assessed for their ability to modulate the functions of various erythrocyte’s and compare them to the TSPO classical ligands. The three new ligands were effective in reducing intraerythrocytic Plasmodium growth, without compromising erythrocyte survival. While NCS1016 and NCS1018 were the most effective ligands in delaying sorbitol-induced hemolysis, NCS1016 induced the highest uptake of ZnPPIX and NCS1026 was the only ligand inhibiting the cholesterol uptake. Differential effects of ligands are probably due, not only, to ligand features, but also to the dynamic interaction of TSPO with various partners at the cell membrane. Further studies are necessary to fully understand the mechanisms of the TSPO’s complex activation.
Exosomes Derived from IDO1-Overexpressing Rat Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Immunotolerance of Cardiac Allografts

Background: The immunosuppressive activity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been exploited to induce tolerance after organ transplantation. The indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) may have beneficial effects in the immunoregulatory properties of MSCs. It was recently revealed that exosomes derived from MSCs play important roles in mediating the biological functions of MSCs. This study aimed to explore the roles of exosomes derived from MSCs in the induction of immune tolerance. Methods: Dendritic cells (DCs) and T-cells were cultured with exosomes derived from rat bone marrow MSCs (BMSCs) overexpressing IDO1 or controls. For the in-vivo study, rats received heart transplants and were treated with exosomes from IDO-BMSCs and heart function was evaluated. Flow cytometry was used to detect expression of cell surface markers. Cytokine levels were detected in culture supernatants or serum samples. Protein and microRNA expressions in exosomes were investigated by chips. Results: Exosomes from IDO-BMSCs cultured with DCs and T-cells (1) downregulated CD40, CD86, CD80, MHC-II, CD45RA, CD45RA+CD45RB, OX62, and upregulated CD274 expression, (2) increased the number of regulatory T-cells (Tregs) and decreased the number of CD8+ T-cells, and (3) decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, but increased the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines compared with the other groups. Transplanted rats, which were injected with exosomes from IDO-BMSCs, had reduced allograft-targeting immune responses and improved cardiac allograft function. Exosomes secreted by IDO-BMSCs exhibited significant upregulations of the immunoregulatory protein FHL-1, miR-540-3p, and a downregulation of miR-338-5p. Conclusion: Exosomes derived from IDO-BMSCs can be used to promote immunotolerance and prolong the survival of cardiac allografts.
Applying Persuasive Design Techniques to Influence Data-Entry Behaviors in Primary Care: Repeated Measures Evaluation Using Statistical Process Control

Background Persuasive design is an approach that seeks to change the behaviors of users. In primary care, clinician behaviors and attitudes are important precursors to structured data entry, and there is an impact on overall data quality. We hypothesized that persuasive design changes data-entry behaviors in clinicians and thus improves data quality. Objective The objective of this study was to use persuasive design principles to change clinician data-entry behaviors in a primary care environment and to increase data quality of data held in a family health team’s reporting system. Methods We used the persuasive systems design framework to describe the persuasion context. Afterward, we designed and implemented new features into a summary screen that leveraged several persuasive design principles. We tested the influence of the new features by measuring its impact on 3 data quality measures (same-day entry, record completeness, and data validity). We also measured the impacts of the new features with a paired pre-post t test and generated XmR charts to contextualize the results. Survey responses were also collected from users. Results A total of 53 users used the updated system that incorporated the new features over the course of 8 weeks. Based on a pre-post analysis, the new summary screen successfully encouraged users to enter more of their data on the same day as their encounter. On average, the percentage of same-day entries rose by 10.3% for each user (P<.001). During the first month of the postimplementation period, users compensated by sacrificing aspects of data completeness before returning to normal in the second month. Improvements to record validity were marginal over the study period (P=.05). Statistical process control techniques allowed us to study the XmR charts to contextualize our results and understand trends throughout the study period. Conclusions By conducting a detailed systems analysis and introducing new persuasive design elements into a data-entry system, we demonstrated that it was possible to change data-entry behavior and influence data quality in a reporting system. The results show that using persuasive design concepts may be effective in influencing data-entry behaviors in clinicians. There may be opportunities to continue improving this approach, and further work is required to perfect and test additional designs. Persuasive design is a viable approach to encourage clinician user change and could support better data capture in the field of medical informatics.
The dynamic RNA modification 5‐methylcytosine and its emerging role as an epitranscriptomic mark

It is a well‐known fact that RNA is the target of a plethora of modifications which currently amount to over a hundred. The vast majority of these modifications was observed in the two most abundant classes of RNA, rRNA and tRNA. With the recent advance in mapping technologies, modifications have been discovered also in mRNA and in less abundant non‐coding RNA species. These developments have sparked renewed interest in elucidating the nature and functions of those “epitransciptomic” modifications in RNA. N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) is the best understood and most frequent mark of mRNA with demonstrated functions ranging from pre‐mRNA processing, translation, miRNA biogenesis to mRNA decay. By contrast, much less research has been conducted on 5‐methylcytosine (m5C), which was detected in tRNAs and rRNAs and more recently in poly(A)RNAs. In this review, we discuss recent developments in the discovery of m5C RNA methylomes, the functions of m5C as well as the proteins installing, translating and manipulating this modification. Although our knowledge about m5C in RNA transcripts is just beginning to consolidate, it has become clear that cytosine methylation represents a powerful mechanistic strategy to regulate cellular processes on an epitranscriptomic level.
The effects of fluorescent labels on Aβ42 aggregation detected by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy

Fluorescence‐based methods are promising for measuring amyloid beta (Aβ) oligomers, given their capacity to analyse a sample at the single‐molecule level. As the attachment of fluorescent labels may influence the biochemical properties of the Aβ oligomers, the effects of fluorescent labels on Aβ oligomers must be evaluated. In this paper, we compared the impacts of five different fluorescent dyes on the aggregation of Aβ42 oligomers using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). We found that fluorescent labels of BODIPY® FL‐C5 (BP), N‐hydroxysuccinimide rhodamine B ester (RB) and rhodamine B isothiocyanate (RITC) increased the propensity of labelled Aβ42 oligomers to aggregate, whereas 6‐(fluorescein‐5‐carboxamido) hexanoic acid succinimidyl ester (5‐SFX) and fluorescein 5(6)‐isothiocyanate (5(6)‐FITC) decreased the propensity of labelled Aβ42 oligomers to aggregate. This difference originated from the different electric charges and hydrophobicity of the fluorescent dyes. These results provide valuable information for establishing different aggregation models for Aβ42 oligomers in vitro using FCS.
Curcumin Ameliorates Memory Deficits by Enhancing Lactate Content and MCT2 Expression in APP/PS1 Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Curcumin is a natural product with several anti‐Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuroprotective properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of curcumin on memory deficits, lactate content, and monocarboxylate transporter 2 (MCT2) in APP/PS1 mouse model of AD. APP/PS1 transgenic mice and wild‐type (WT) C57BL/6J mice were used in the present study. Spatial learning and memory of the mice was detected using Morris water‐maze test. Cerebral cortex and hippocampus lactate contents were detected using lactate assay. MCT2 expression in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus was examined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Results showed that spatial learning and memory deficits were improved in curcumin‐treated APP/PS1 mouse group compared with those in APP/PS1 mice group. Brain lactate content and MCT2 protein level were increased in curcumin‐treated APP/PS1 mice than in APP/PS1 mice. In summary, our findings indicate that curcumin could ameliorate memory impairments in APP/PS1 mouse model of AD. This phenomenon may be at least partially due to its improving effect on the lactate content and MCT2 protein expression in the brain. Anat Rec, 302:332–338, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimization of Acquisition and Analysis Methods for Clinical Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast MRI Using a Population-Based Digital Reference Object

The accuracy of DSC-MR imaging CBV maps in glioblastoma depends on acquisition and analysis protocols. The authors sought to compare the accuracy of routinely used protocols using a digital reference object that consisted of 10,000 simulated voxels recapitulating typical signal heterogeneity encountered in vivo. The influence of acquisition and postprocessing methods on CBV reliability was evaluated across 6912 parameter combinations, including contrast agent dosing schemes, pulse sequence parameters, field strengths, and postprocessing methods. Across all parameter space, the optimal protocol included full-dose contrast agent preload and bolus, intermediate (60°) flip angle, 30-ms TE, and postprocessing with a leakage-correction algorithm. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The accuracy of DSC-MR imaging CBV maps in glioblastoma depends on acquisition and analysis protocols. Multisite protocol heterogeneity has challenged standardization initiatives due to the difficulties of in vivo validation. This study sought to compare the accuracy of routinely used protocols using a digital reference object. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The digital reference object consisted of approximately 10,000 simulated voxels recapitulating typical signal heterogeneity encountered in vivo. The influence of acquisition and postprocessing methods on CBV reliability was evaluated across 6912 parameter combinations, including contrast agent dosing schemes, pulse sequence parameters, field strengths, and postprocessing methods. Accuracy and precision were assessed using the concordance correlation coefficient and coefficient of variation. RESULTS: Across all parameter space, the optimal protocol included full-dose contrast agent preload and bolus, intermediate (60°) flip angle, 30-ms TE, and postprocessing with a leakage-correction algorithm (concordance correlation coefficient = 0.97, coefficient of variation = 6.6%). Protocols with no preload or fractional dose preload and bolus using these acquisition parameters were generally less robust. However, a protocol with no preload, full-dose bolus, and low (30°) flip angle performed very well (concordance correlation coefficient = 0.93, coefficient of variation = 8.7% at 1.5T and concordance correlation coefficient = 0.92, coefficient of variation = 8.2% at 3T). CONCLUSIONS: Schemes with full-dose preload and bolus maximize CBV accuracy and reduce variability, which could enable smaller sample sizes and more reliable detection of CBV changes in clinical trials. When a lower total contrast agent dose is desired, use of a low flip angle, no preload, and full-dose bolus protocol may provide an attractive alternative.
Content Delivery in Cache-Enabled Wireless Evolving Social Networks

Cache-enabled wireless networks have gained increasing popularity in recent years for facilitating the delivery of content. Most existing works assumed that the network is static without the change of users and content, which is not the case in the real world. In this paper, we study the content delivery in cache-enabled wireless networks, where the network evolves in terms of users and content. We adopt the affiliation network model to reveal the network evolution process, where new users and content are added into the network randomly and connected with existing nodes via the preferential attachment. Users with strong social relations tend to request the same content objects, thus content popularity is sharply concentrated. Therefore, caching technique is more effective. To maximize the content delivery rate, we formulate the optimization problem of caching replication jointly with routing strategy. We show that network evolution can greatly improve the content delivery rate. In particular, when per-user cache capacity is in the order of $\Theta (1)$ , per-user delivery rate can achieve constant, i.e., the network can scale. Finally, theoretical results are validated based on a real-world data set from Facebook.
A comparison of the effectiveness of three LED phototherapy machines, single- and double-sided, for treating neonatal jaundice in a low resource setting

Introduction Neonatal jaundice is one of the most common reasons for hospital admission in low resource settings. Treatment is frequently inadequate as conventional phototherapy requires frequent bulb changes. LED phototherapy has comparable efficacy to conventional phototherapy, and the bulbs last over 40,000 hours. This observational study compares the effectiveness of three LED machines, two single-sided and one double-sided in routine use in Vietnam. Methods We included all infants weighting ≥1500g and with jaundice diagnosed visually or by Total Serum Bilirubin (TSB) measurement at The Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children (Da Nang, Vietnam). The primary endpoint was the average hourly change in TSB over the first six hours of treatment. The secondary endpoints were duration of treatment; average hourly change in TSB over treatment, and length of stay in the neonatal unit. Multivariable analysis and bootstrap methods was performed to compare outcomes, adjusting for potential confounders. Results All outcomes were comparable in the two single-sided machines. The double-sided machine showed 54% increase in the hourly speed of TSB reduction (1.3 μmol/L/hr, 95% CI 0.3–2.3), with a 45% increase in the speed of TSB reduction over the duration of treatment (0.9 μmol/L/hr, 95% CI 0.6–1.3). In addition, the double-sided machine was associated with 21% reduction in the duration of treatment (14 hours, 95% CI 5–22) and 16% reduction of length of stay (14 hours, 95% CI 3–25). Conclusion The results confirm and quantify the benefits of increasing surface-area exposure during phototherapy. Adjusted for multiple potential confounders, use of double-sided phototherapy can substantially increase the speed of TSB reduction, and substantially decrease the duration of treatment and length of stay in the NCU.
Personalized medicines – are pharmacists ready for the challenge?

The field of personalized medicine affords multiple opportunities to pharmacists, and pharmacists have specific knowledge, skills and abilities that make them uniquely suited to advance the use of personalized medicine as a clinical tool. The pharmacy profession as a whole, however, has been slow to embrace the concept of clinical pharmacogenetics and is now facing a critical juncture that can potentially redefine the professional identity of the pharmacist. Before practice transformation can occur, however, it is important for our profession to ask and fully explore the following question: Are pharmacists ready for the challenge of personalized medicine? When assessing the readiness of pharmacy for personalized medicine, one must consider factors that are specific to the individual pharmacist as well as systematic considerations that allow pharmacists to successfully integrate personalized medicine into their individual practice area. These include factors such as education and training, competency, an attitude of engagement and adequate support and guidance. Personnel, information technology and laboratory infrastructure are also critical elements that are required, and financially sustainable practice models must be developed. Successful advancement of clinical pharmacogenetics will also require the profession to clearly define their vision of what success looks like and where it wants to be at the end of the transformational journey. Without a clear destination, we will continue to move as individuals in different directions and fail to progress as a whole. While pharmacists might not be completely ready for the challenge of pharmacogenetics, they are most certainly up to facing the challenge. The time is right and the stage is set for pharmacy to embark on another transformative journey – a journey that will redefine the role of the pharmacist and will secure a place for pharmacy in the era of personalized medicine and beyond.