Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cognitive slowing in Parkinson disease is accompanied by hypofunctioning of the striatum

Objective: To investigate whether cognitive slowing in Parkinson disease (PD) reflects disruption of the basal ganglia or dysfunction of the frontal lobe by excluding an influence of abnormal brain activity due to motor deficits. Methods: We measured neuronal activity during a verbal mental-operation task with H215O PET. This task enabled us to evaluate brain activity change associated with an increase in the cognitive speed without an influence on motor deficits. Results: As the speed of the verbal mental-operation task increased, healthy controls exhibited proportional increase in activities in the anterior striatum and medial premotor cortex, suggesting the involvement of the corticobasal ganglia circuit in normal performance of the task. By contrast, patients with PD lacked an increase in the striatal activity, whereas the medial premotor cortex showed a proportional increase. Conclusions: Although the present study chose a liberal threshold and needs subsequent confirmation, the findings suggest that striatal disruption resulting in abnormal processing in the corticobasal ganglia circuit may contribute to cognitive slowing in Parkinson disease, as is the case in motor slowing.
Effects of a CRF2R agonist and exercise on mdx and wildtype skeletal muscle

Corticotrophin‐releasing factor 2 receptor (CRF2R) agonists prevent muscle atrophy due to immobilization, denervation, and corticosteroid‐induced muscle atrophy in wildtype mice. We hypothesized that a CRF2R agonist will increase skeletal muscle mass in mdx mice. Mdx (C57BL/10ScSn‐Dmdmdx) and wildtype (C57BL/6) mice were divided into four groups: sedentary placebo, sedentary CRF2R agonist, exercised placebo, and exercised CRF2R agonist. Mice exercised on a treadmill twice weekly for 30 min (8–12 m/min, 8 weeks). Muscle and heart weights, serum creatine kinase, and γ‐glutamyltransferase activities were measured. The CRF2R agonist increased extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscle weights (P < 0.05) in wildtype and mdx mice. Sedentary mdx CRF2R and exercised mdx placebo mice had lower serum creatine kinase activity than sedentary mdx placebo mice. CRF2R‐treated mice had decreased heart weights compared to placebo‐treated mice. We conclude that CRF2R agonists should be further evaluated as a potential therapy for dystrophinopathies. Muscle Nerve, 2007
Generalized Derivations on Power Values of Lie Ideals in Prime and Semiprime Rings

Let be a 2-torsion free ring and let be a noncentral Lie ideal of , and let and be two generalized derivations of . We will analyse the structure of in the following cases: (a) is prime and for all and fixed positive integers ; (b) is prime and for all and fixed integers ; (c) is semiprime and for all and fixed integer ; and (d) is semiprime and for all and fixed integer .
Análise da Influência Antrópica na Qualidade da Água do Trecho Urbano do Rio das Antas na Cidade de Irati, Paraná

Este trabalho teve como objetivo relacionar o uso e ocupacao da terra e a qualidade da agua do trecho urbano do Rio das Antas (Irati-PR), por meio da interpretacao e classificacao de imagens orbitais de altissima resolucao dentro dos limites da area de preservacao permanente (APP) e analises da qualidade da agua em diferentes locais ao longo do curso hidrico. Foram analisados os parâmetros cor aparente, turbidez, solidos totais, pH, fosforo total, oxigenio dissolvido (OD), demanda bioquimica de oxigenio (DBO), coliformes totais (CT) e coliformes fecais (E.Coli). A partir da classificacao do uso e ocupacao da terra, concluiu-se que 29,59% da area de APP urbana e composta por regioes antropizadas. Os resultados das analises de E.coli apontam para a ocorrencia de lancamento de efluentes domesticos em todo o trecho do rio. Os valores do parâmetro CT, excederam ao padrao estabelecido pelo CONAMA (Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente) 357/05 em todos os pontos amostrados.
Down-regulation of Krüppel-like Factor-4 (KLF4) by MicroRNA-143/145 Is Critical for Modulation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype by Transforming Growth Factor-β and Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4*

In the postnatal vasculature, fully differentiated and quiescent vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in a “contractile” phenotype are required for the normal regulation of vascular tone. The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily of growth factors (TGF-βs and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs)) are potent inducers of contractile phenotype and mediate (i) induction of contractile genes, and (ii) inhibition of VSMC growth and migration. Transcription of contractile genes is positively regulated by a regulatory DNA element called a CArG box. The CArG box is activated by the binding of serum response factor and its coactivators, myocardin (Myocd) or Myocd-related transcription factors (MRTFs). Krüppel-like factor-4 (KLF4) is known to inhibit activation of the CArG box. However, the potential role of KLF4 in the contractile activities of TGF-β or BMP has not been explored. Here, we demonstrate that TGF-β and BMP4 rapidly down-regulate KLF4 through induction of microRNA-143 (miR-143) and miR-145, which leads to a reduction of KLF4 transcripts and decreased KLF4 protein expression. Inhibition of miR-145 prevents down-regulation of KLF4 and activation of contractile genes by TGF-β or BMP4, suggesting that modulation of KLF4 is a prerequisite for induction of contractile genes by TGF-β and BMP4. Interestingly, both TGF-β and BMP4 activate transcription of the miR-143/145 gene cluster through the CArG box, however, TGF-β mediates this effect through induction of Myocd expression, whereas BMP4 utilizes nuclear translocation of MRTF-A. Thus, this study sheds light on both the similarities and the differences of TGF-β and BMP4 signaling in the regulation of KLF4 and contractile genes.
Effect of Calcaneal Lengthening on Relationships among the Hindfoot, Midfoot, and Forefoot*

To better understand the bony component of pes planus and the means by which the Evans calcaneal lengthening corrects them, we studied the standing radiographs of seven adult patients who had undergone calcaneal lengthening to treat symptomatic pes planus. Weightbearing AP and lateral views done preoperatively and postoperatively were used for the study. For each set of films, the following parameters were measured: on the lateral view; overall length of the calcaneus, lateral talometatarsal angle, lateral talocalcaneal angle, and the calcaneal pitch angle; and on the dorsoplanar view, the talometatarsal and talocalcaneal angle. In addition, the relative coverage of the talus by the navicular was described by an angular measurement based on the relationship of the center of the talus to the center of the navicular. The average improvements in lateral talocalcaneal angle (a reflection of hind-foot valgus) was 6.4° when the long axis of the calcaneus was used and 6.8° when the inferior surface of the calcaneus was used for the measurement. The lateral talometatarsal angle improved an average 11.3° (from an average of 19.7° to 8.4°). The dorsoplantar talometatarsal angle (a measure of forefoot adduction/abduction) improved 15.8° (preoperative average 26.8°, postoperative average 11°). The calcaneal pitch angle improved an average 10.8° (preoperative average 3.2°, postoperative average 14°). The relationship between the talus and navicular was defined by an angular measurement based on the center of each articular surface before and after correction using this measurement. An average improvement of 26° occurred in the alignment of these two articular surfaces. This study confirms Evans' belief that significant correction can be obtained by lateral column lengthening, that the relationship between navicular and talus can be restored without fusion, and that the forefoot position corrects without operative intervention to the medial side of the foot. This study also provides numerical guidelines for the surgeon planning surgical correction of symptomatic pes planus, and since bony relationships can be observed before and after correction, some insight may be gained into tarsal morphology of pes planus.
Preventing Dr. Jekyll from becoming Mr. Hyde: Is manganese superoxide dismutase the key to prevent radiation-induced neoplastic transformation?

Commentary to: Mitochondrial ROS and radiation induced transformation in mouse embryonic fibroblasts Changbin Du, Zhen Gao, Venkatasubbaiah A. Venkatesha, Amanda L. Kalen, Leena Chaudhuri, Douglas R. Spitz, Joseph J. Cullen, Larry W. Oberley, Prabhat C Goswami
Risk Factors for Suicide in Adults aged 30-49 : a Psychological Autopsy Study in Hong Kong

The suicide rate in Hong Kong has been increasing since 1997, and the suicide rate among the 30-49-year-olds has increased from 294 in 1996, to 484 in 2003, surging about 65% since 1996. Despite the fact that an increasing trend had been observed, the characteristics of suicides among this age group were not known because no empirical research had been conducted among this age group in Hong Kong. The present study is the first psychological autopsy study conducted on the 30-49 age group in a Chinese society. The aims of this study were to identify and examine the magnitude of the risk factors of middle-aged suicide among the Hong Kong citizens, to determine the similarities and applicability of Western findings into local situation, and to recommend culturally specific evidence-based preventive and intervention strategies. Using a case-control psychological autopsy methodology, 85 individuals who committed suicide and 85 age-and-gender matched control subjects were compared. Based on the information from spouses/live-in partners and death records, psychiatric, psychological, sociological, family history and life events variables were studied. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified the following risk factors that were common in middle-aged suicides in Hong Kong: presence of at least one psychiatric disorder (OR=37.5, 95% CI 11.5-121.9), indebtedness (OR= 9.4, 95% CI 2.2-40.8), lived alone (OR=3.9, 95% CI 1.2-13.4), unemployment (OR=4.8, 95% CI 1.3-17.5), and never married (OR=4.2, 95% CI 1.1-16.3). These findings suggest that there are more commonalities than differences in risk factors for suicide found in other psychological autopsy studies; however, the magnitude of some of these identified risk factors were inconsistent with suicide research conducted in other countries. Given the multi-faceted and distinctive nature of middle-age suicide in Hong Kong, a public health approach of suicide prevention strategy, which targets both individuals and the population, is considered to be appropriate than the clinical approach in order to reduce larger population developing greater suicidal risk. Psychological Autopsy Study of Suicide in Hong Kong iv
Prescribing Practices of Topical Corticosteroids in the Outpatient Dermatology Department of a Rural Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

Background: Inappropriate or excessive use of topical corticosteroids can lead to cutaneous and systemic adverse effects which occur more commonly with the use of very potent steroids. Monitoring and analysis of the prescription practices of topical steroids can help to achieve rational prescription of these drugs. Aim: The present study was carried out to study and analyze the pattern of prescribing topical corticosteroids among outpatients attending the dermatology clinic in a rural tertiary care and teaching hospital, Ambajogai, Maharashtra. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted for a duration of two months from August 2011 to September 2011, and 500 prescriptions were randomly collected from the dermatology pharmacy and analyzed. Results: About 66% of the prescriptions contained four to five drugs per prescription. Topical steroids were given in 28.4% of all the prescriptions. In almost all the prescriptions, strength, quantity of the steroid to be used, frequency, site, and duration of application was not mentioned. The chief complaints and diagnoses were not mentioned in about 85% of the prescriptions for topical corticosteroids. About 94.36% of the prescriptions contained very potent steroids. Conclusion: Inadequate prescribing information is a clear characteristic of the dermatological prescriptions containing topical corticosteroids. Doctors should be educated about the importance of giving patients sufficient information regarding the use of steroids. There is a need to revise hospital formulary where low-potency steroids can also be included along with potent ones so that the latter can be avoided in conditions where they are unnecessary.
Measurement of dielectric constant and loss tangent of epoxy resins using a waveguide approach

A waveguide based technique to measure the dielectric constant and the loss tangent of epoxy resins and viscous liquids at 2.45 GHz is presented. The method is based on the measurement of reflection and transmission coefficient data of the liquid sample by placing them in a glass tube, which is then inserted inside the WR-340 waveguide. The measured setup is simulated with the help of a numerical method, and the error between the simulated and the measured scattering data is minimized using an optimization algorithm in order to reconstruct the dielectric properties of test samples
Absorption, distribution and excretion of the anti‐tuberculosis drug delamanid in rats: Extensive tissue distribution suggests potential therapeutic value for extrapulmonary tuberculosis

Delamanid (OPC‐67683, Deltyba™, nitro‐dihydro‐imidazooxazoles derivative) is approved for the treatment of adult pulmonary multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis. The absorption, distribution and excretion of delamanid‐derived radioactivity were investigated after a single oral administration of 14C–delamanid at 3 mg/kg to rats. In both male and female rats, radioactivity in blood and all tissues reached peak levels by 8 or 24 h post‐dose, and thereafter decreased slowly. Radioactivity levels were 3‐ to 5‐fold higher in lung tissue at time to maximum concentration compared with plasma. In addition, radioactivity was broadly distributed in various tissues, including the central nervous system, eyeball, placenta and fetus, indicating that 14C–delamanid permeated the brain, retinal and placental blood barriers. By 168 h post‐dose, radioactivity in almost all the tissues was higher than that in the plasma. Radioactivity was also transferred into the milk of lactating rats. Approximately 6% and 92% of radioactivity was excreted in the urine and feces, respectively, indicating that the absorbed radioactivity was primarily excreted via the biliary route. No significant differences in the absorption, distribution and excretion of 14C–delamanid were observed between male and female rats. The pharmacokinetic results suggested that delamanid was broadly distributed to the lungs and various tissues for a prolonged duration of time at concentrations expected to effectively target tuberculosis bacteria. These data indicate that delamanid, in addition to its previously demonstrated efficacy in pulmonary tuberculosis, might be an effective therapeutic approach to treating extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Severity of Childhood Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Hypertension Improved after Adenotonsillectomy

Objective To report improvements in childhood obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and hypertension after adenotonsillectomy. Study Design Case series with planned data collection. Setting Tertiary referral center. Subjects and Methods Fifty consecutive patients (36 boys and 14 girls; median age, 7.0 years) who underwent plasma knife–assisted total tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for OSA between January 2010 and March 2013 were assessed with the body mass index z score, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), systolic blood pressure (BP), and diastolic BP at baseline and at ≥6 months postoperatively. Changes in these parameters were statistically analyzed using nonparametric tests with the bootstrap approach. Results The median follow-up period was 9.6 months. Postoperatively, the median AHI significantly reduced from 9.8 to 1.6 (P < .001). Although the median systolic BP and diastolic BP insignificantly changed in the overall group, both were significantly reduced in children with preoperative hypertension (systolic: from 119.0 to 113.0 [P = .038]; diastolic: from 79.0 to 68.0 [P = .005]). Accordingly, the hypertension rate significantly reduced from 34% to 14% (P = .006). However, the change in OSA severity was not well correlated with the change in hypertension severity. In multiple logistic regression analysis with forward selection, a combination of preoperative hypertension and severe OSA was a significant predictor of postoperative hypertension (relative risk, 15.4; 95% confidence interval, 3.7-64.3; P < .001). Conclusion The decreased hypertension rate indicates that a reduction of the AHI is not all that matters after adenotonsillectomy in childhood OSA. However, patients with preoperative severe OSA and hypertension need careful management of their elevated BP despite surgical treatment.
A Human-centred Framework for Combinatorial Test Design

This paper presents AHR, a formal framework for combinatorial test design that is Agile, Human-centred and Refinement-oriented. The framework (i) allows us to reuse test plans developed for an abstract level at more concrete levels; (ii) has human-centric interface providing queries and alerts whenever the specified test plan is incomplete or invalid; (iii) involves analysis of the testing constraints within combinatorial testing.
Utilization of traditional bone-setters in the treatment of bone fracture in Ibadan North Local Government

The World Health Organization had recommended the integration of traditional and modern medicine. However traditional medicine as well as traditional bone-setting had received poor recognition in Nigeria. This notwithstanding traditional bone-setters still enjoys patronage from the populace in Ibadan and the practitioners abound in almost every part of the country. This study focused on the causes of fracture and utilization of traditional bone setters in Ibadan under the explanation of the functionalism and modernization theories. The study adopted the quantitative and qualitative method, with the survey of eighty-eight (88) patients and In-depth interview administered to eight (8) traditional bone setters and (4) patients. Majority (69.5 percent) of the respondents fall within the age range of 18-47 years. Findings revealed that there were more (55.7%) male patients than female (44.3%). A huge majority (85.7 percent) reported by that the major causes of fractures of the respondents was road traffic accidents, especially through the motor-cycle, while friends had major influence in the selection of traditional bone setting as a form of treatment among the patients. All the patients responded that they are willing to recommend the traditional bone-setter who treated them to others. Traditional bonesetters are well patronized and found to be relevant in the treatment of fractures in especially in Ibadan and in other communities in Nigeria. The study recommends maximum support and funding from governments in the training and establishment of traditional bone-setters in Nigeria. Integration of traditional medicines as well as traditional bone-setting with modern medicine should be encouraged in Nigeria
Contributions of Impulsivity and Callousness in the Assessment of Adjudicated Male Adolescents: A Prospective Study

This study examined whether delinquent adolescents with low scores on personality scales related to callousness and impulsivity would show less antisocial behavior and better psychosocial functioning compared to those elevated on 1 or both scales. A group of 162 White and African American male adolescents, recently adjudicated in a southern youth court system, were assessed at baseline and at 18-month follow-up. Dependent variables included measures of antisocial and prosocial behaviors, days detained in juvenile detention, and symptoms of psychopathology. As hypothesized, adolescents low on both callousness and impulsivity spent fewer days detained and reported less antisocial behavior and fewer symptoms of psychopathology compared to those high on 1 or both scales. Finally, African American participants were detained for more days, but did not report significantly more antisocial behaviors or symptoms of psychopathology compared to the White adolescents. The results suggest that being low on callousness and impulsivity may serve a protective role for future delinquent behavior for both African American and White adolescents.
Intraoperative monitoring of cerebral blood flow by laser speckle contrast analysis.

OBJECT Currently, reliable low-cost and noninvasive techniques to assess cerebral perfusion in the operating room are not available. The authors report on their first clinical experience with laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) as a complementary imaging tool for the noninvasive and dynamic assessment of cerebral blood flow (CBF) during neurovascular surgery. The purpose of this preliminary study was to address the general feasibility of LASCA in terms of handling and image quality and to provide an example of its clinical implications. METHODS Laser speckle contrast analysis was performed in patients undergoing cerebral revascularization procedures for the treatment of hemodynamic compromise and complex aneurysms. The portable LASCA device was centered over the surgical field, and continuous 5-minute recordings of relative CBF were obtained. In the case of flow augmentation for hemodynamic compromise, CBF monitoring was performed before and after completion of the anastomosis. In the case of flow replacement for parent artery sacrifice, CBF monitoring was performed during consecutive 30-second test occlusions of the radial artery graft after proximal internal carotid artery sacrifice and the subsequent initiation of blood flow through the bypass. RESULTS In all cases, the authors achieved good visualization of relative CBF in addition to flow imaging in both the bypass graft and the cortical vasculature. During a sudden CBF decrease after test occlusion of the radial artery graft and subsequent flow initiation through the bypass, LASCA allowed immediate visualization and measurement of relative CBF in excellent spatiotemporal resolution. CONCLUSIONS In this study LASCA offered noninvasive and rapid intraoperative assessment of relative CBF, which can be used for optimizing neurovascular procedures.
Mental nerve function after inferior alveolar nerve transposition for placement of dental implants.

BACKGROUND One option for successful placement of dental implants in an atrophic posterior mandible without injury to the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) is to transpose or lateralize the nerve. This procedure carries the risk of numbness along the distribution of the nerve, the complication that the procedure is undertaken to avoid in the first place. The purpose of the present study was to assess mental nerve function after transposition of the IAN. METHOD We determined the outcomes of 20 IAN transposition procedures in 12 consecutive patients at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The study included objective testing of sensory nerve function as well as subjective assessment by the participants. RESULTS All subjects reported initial transient sensory disturbance. Objective testing after a minimum of 6 months revealed that, for each patient, affected sites had the same level of sensation as unoperated areas. Eighty percent of the patients said that the lower lip and chin felt normal. The others said that these structures did not feel exactly normal but that the difference was of no consequence. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE It is concluded that IAN transposition can be safely and predictably performed with low risk to the mental nerve sensibility.