Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is greater lumbar vertebral BMD associated with more disk degeneration? A study using µCT and discography

It is well documented that osteoarthritis is associated with greater BMD in peripheral extremities. Yet the relationship between vertebral BMD and disk degeneration (DD) remains controversial in the lumbar spine, which may be due largely to the inadequacies of BMD and DD measures. Aiming to clarify the association between vertebral BMD and adjacent DD, we studied 137 cadaveric lumbar vertebrae and 209 corresponding intervertebral disks from the spines of 48 white men aged 21 to 64 years. DD was evaluated using discography. The vertebrae were scanned using a micro–computed tomography (µCT) system to obtain volumetric BMD for the whole vertebra, the vertebral body, the vertebral body excluding osteophytes, and the vertebral body excluding osteophytes and endplates. A random effects model was used to examine the association between the different definitions of vertebral BMD and adjacent DD. No significant association was found between the BMD of the whole vertebra and adjacent DD. However, when the posterior elements were excluded, there was a significant association between greater vertebral body BMD and more severe degeneration in the disk cranial to the vertebra. This association remained after further excluding osteophytes and endplates from the vertebral body BMD measurements. Also, a trend of greater BMD of the vertebral body associated with more adjacent DD was evident. These results clarify the association between vertebral BMD and DD and specifically indicate that it is higher BMD of the vertebral body, not the entire vertebra, that is associated with more severe adjacent DD. This association may be obscured by the posterior elements and is not confounded by osteophytes and endplate sclerosis. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Comparison between the Standardized Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M38-A2 Method and a 2,3-Bis(2-Methoxy-4-Nitro-5-[(Sulphenylamino)Carbonyl]-2H-Tetrazolium Hydroxide- Based Method for Testing Antifungal Susceptibility of Dermatophytes

ABSTRACT In this study, we determined the utility of a 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-[(sulfenylamino)carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide (XTT)-based assay for determining antifungal susceptibilities of dermatophytes to terbinafine, ciclopirox, and voriconazole in comparison to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M38-A2 method. Forty-eight dermatophyte isolates, including Trichophyton rubrum (n = 15), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (n = 7), Trichophyton tonsurans (n = 11), and Epidermophyton floccosum (n = 13), and two quality control strains, were tested. In the XTT-based method, MICs were determined spectrophotometrically at 490 nm after addition of XTT and menadione. For the CLSI method, the MICs were determined visually. With T. rubrum, the XTT assay revealed MIC ranges of 0.004 to >64 μg/ml, 0.125 to 0.25 μg/ml, and 0.008 to 0.025 μg/ml for terbinafine, ciclopirox, and voriconazole, respectively. Similar MIC ranges were obtained against T. rubrum by using the CLSI method. Additionally, when tested with T. mentagrophytes, T. tonsurans, and E. floccosum isolates, the XTT and CLSI methods resulted in comparable MIC ranges. Both methods revealed similar lowest drug concentrations that inhibited 90% of the isolates for the majority of tested drug-dermatophyte combinations. The levels of agreement within 1 dilution between both methods were as follows: 100% with terbinafine, 97.8% with ciclopirox, and 89.1% with voriconazole. However, the agreement within 2 dilutions between these two methods was 100% for all tested drugs. Our results revealed that the XTT assay can be a useful tool for antifungal susceptibility testing of dermatophytes.
Repeated Groin Hernia Recurrences

Objective:To describe the characteristics of patients undergoing multiple groin hernia repairs and to identify strategies that prevent further recurrence. Summary Background Data:Although relatively infrequent, recurrent groin hernias where several repairs have previously been undertaken constitutes a major problem in hernia surgery. Low numbers and heterogeneity have made it difficult to perform large prospective studies on this group. Methods:The study was designed as an observational population-based register study. All repairs for recurrent hernia recorded in the Swedish Hernia Register (SHR) 1992–2006 were identified. Risk for reoperation by number of previous repairs, with adjustment for gender and age, and risk for reoperation by unit responsible for previous repair were determined using Cox proportional hazard analysis. Results:There were 12,104 cases of hernia repaired once, 2 repairs in 4199 cases, 3 repairs in 310 cases, 4 repairs in 32 cases, and 5 repairs in 3 cases. The risk for further reoperation increased with the number of previous repairs (P < 0.001). The hazard ratios for reoperation following open preperitoneal mesh repair and laparoscopic repair decreased; whereas, the hazard ratio for sutured repair increased with the number of previous repairs. The difference between Lichtenstein repair and laparoscopic repair was significant for the first 2 repairs (P < 0.05). Conclusion:Laparoscopic preperitoneal repair provides the best surgical outcome in repeated groin hernia recurrence.
Cloning, sequencing and expression of porcine CD40 ligand in Escherichia coli and human and porcine cells.

The CD40L ligand (CD40L) plays an important role in the interaction between antigen-specific T lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells. The porcine CD40L encoding gene was isolated from porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) using RT-PCR. Sequence analysis of the cloned CD40L gene showed an open reading frame of 786 base pairs encoding a 262 amino acid protein with a predicted molecular mass of 29 kD. The deduced amino acid sequence of the porcine CD40L shared 82%, 88% and 93% similarity with the CD40L protein of mouse, human and cattle. The isolated CD40L sequence was expressed as a hexahistidine fusion protein in Escherichia coli and purified by affinity chromatography. The analysis of the CD40L-expression in human 293 and porcine MAX cells by immunofluorescence showed its location on the cell surface.
Simulation numérique d'une hydrolienne à axe vertical de type Darrieus

Ce document est une contribution a la modelisation numerique RANS instanonnaire dans des turbines a flux transverse de type Darrieus. Le travail s'est deroule autour de deux axes. Dans une premiere etape, une analyse des phenomenes physiques qui influencent le rendement, l'auto-demarrage et l'uniformisation du couple moteur a ete faite. Des solutions ont ete proposees pour limiter ces inconvenients. L'utilisation de winglets, de conge de raccordement bras / aile ou de pales helicoidales a ete proposee. Dans une deuxieme etape, des modelisations RANS 2D et 3D ont ete faites. Le modele numerique fournit des resultats globaux comparables aux resultats experimentaux. Il a ete montre que les trainees de bout d'aile et d'interference reduisent chacune d'environ 20% la puissance recuperee. Les pales helicoidales ne procurent pas le lissage espere du couple moteur. Les travaux doivent se poursuivre pour valider de facon certaine cette approche numerique.
Prevalence, severity, and secular trends of dental caries among various saudi populations: A literature review

The prevalence of dental caries is increasing across different nations around the globe. A review of the literature shows that dental caries is adversely affecting the oral health of children, adolescents, adults and elderly populations in Saudi Arabia. The objective of this review is to report the prevalence, severity, and progression of dental caries in different age groups of Saudi communities. Digital databases such as PubMed, Medline, Google scholar, and the Saudi Dental and Medical Journals were searched to retrieve the published articles and reports on dental caries in Saudi Arabia. Search strategy included key words such as dental caries, dental decay, decayed missing filled teeth (dmft/DMFT), and oral health. Cross-sectional, retrospective and cohort studies (from 1982 to 2012) reporting the prevalence, incidence and severity of caries among children, adults and older individuals were included in the review. In children with primary dentition ages 3-7 years, the highest caries prevalence was almost 95% and maximum estimate of dmft was 7.34 during the last decade. Approximately, 91% was the highest caries prevalence and greatest DMFT value was 7.35 among the children/adolescents ages 12-19 years. The adults with a mean age between 30 and 45 years had maximum caries prevalence of 98% and DMFT of 14.53 while older individuals had greatest DMFT score of 24.3. Children, adults, and elderly populations demonstrate a higher prevalence and greater severity of caries, and secular trends also show a striking increase in dmft/DMFT and caries prevalence rates over the past few decades in Saudi Arabia.
Usefulness of impedance cardiography in optimisation of antihypertensive treatment in patients with metabolic syndrome: a randomised prospective clinical trial.

BACKGROUND The effective antihypertensive therapy is one of the main goals of treatment in metabolic syndrome (MS) because hypertensive patients with MS are of high cardiovascular risk. The impedance cardiography (ICG), as a modern technique of non-invasive haemodynamic monitoring, enables the evaluation of cardiac index (CI), thoracic fluid content (TFC) and systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) and seems to be useful in clinical individual assessment of patients with MS. AIM To estimate the effectiveness of the antihypertensive therapy based on ICG. METHODS The study involved 82 hypertensive patients with MS (57 men, age 45.5 ± 10.0 years), without any major chronic diseases. After the preliminary assessment including office blood pressure measurement (OBPM), ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and ICG, the subjects were randomised into two groups: empirical (GE) and treated with the use of haemodynamic evaluation by ICG (HD). The effect of the therapy was estimated at 3 months follow-up. RESULTS After 12 weeks the HD group was characterised by lower mean BP values in OBPM and ABPM, with statistical significance for night-time SBP (120.6 ± 9.1 vs 115.6 ± 8.2 mm Hg, p = 0.036). The use of ICG significantly increased the reduction of BP in OBPM - SBP (GE vs HD: change 10.7 vs 18.1 mm Hg, p = 0.012), DBP (8.9 vs 12.2 mm Hg, p = 0.037), and ABPM: in the 24-h period SBP (10.5 vs 16.7 mm Hg; p = 0.013) and day-time SBP (10.5 vs 17.2 mm Hg, p = 0.009). More patients in the HD group reached recommended BP control in OBPM (23.5 vs 36.6%, p = 0.222) and ABPM (23.5 vs 43.9%, p = 0.117). CONCLUSIONS The antihypertensive therapy guided by ICG increased the reduction of BP in patients with MS. The assessment of haemodynamic profile by ICG guarantees better choice of antihypertensive drugs and subsequently increases the chance of recommended BP control in patients with MS.
The Flow Approach to Labor Markets: New Data Sources, Micro-Macro Links and the Recent Downturn

New data sources and products developed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Bureau of the Census highlight the dynamic character of U.S. labor markets. Private-sector job creation and destruction rates average nearly 8% of employment per quarter. Worker flows in the form of hires and separations are more than twice as large. The data also underscore the lumpy nature of micro-level employment adjustments. More than two-thirds of job destruction occurs at establishments that shrink by more than 10% within the quarter, and more than one-fifth occurs at those that go to zero employment. Our study also uncovers highly nonlinear relationships of worker flows to employment growth and job flows at the micro level. These micro relations interact with movements over time in the cross-sectional density of establishment growth rates to produce recurring cyclical patterns in aggregate labor market flows. Cyclical movements in the layoffs-separation ratio, for example, and the propensity of separated workers to become unemployed reflect distinct micro relations for quits and layoffs. A dominant role for the job-finding rate in accounting for unemployment movements in mild downturns and a bigger role for the job-loss rate in severe downturns reflect distinct micro relations for hires and layoffs.
Use of bortezomib as induction therapy prior to stem cell transplantation in frontline treatment of multiple myeloma: Impact on stem cell harvesting and engraftment

High-dose melphalan therapy with peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation is a standard treatment for younger patients with untreated multiple myeloma that results in high overall and complete response (CR) rates, and improved event-free and overall survival compared with standard chemotherapy alone. Induction therapy serves to reduce tumor burden prior to stem cell mobilization and thus must not adversely impact stem cell mobilization and harvesting, or engraftment following high dose therapy plus autologous stem cell transplantation. Bortezomib, an approved agent for the treatment of multiple myeloma patients who have received at least one prior therapy, is also being investigated in the frontline setting. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that bortezomib has no toxic effects on stem cells, megakaryocytes or neutrophil precursors, and causes only transient and reversible thrombocytopenia and neutropenia. Clinical studies with bortezomib-based induction regimens have demonstrated no adverse impact on PBSC harvest numbers nor on their quality as defined by engraftment times. These regimens appear to be well tolerated and highly active as induction therapy, with high response rates and consistently high CR rates. Randomized phase 3 studies comparing bortezomib-based regimens with current standard induction therapies are ongoing.
Idiopathic Scoliosis in Singapore Schoolchildren: A Prevalence Study 15 Years Into the Screening Program

Study Design. A point prevalence survey of 72,699 schoolchildren in four age groups was performed. Objectives. To determine the prevalence rates of idiopathic scoliosis and to compare with a previous prevalence study done 15 years earlier. Summary of Background Data. Prevalence rates for idiopathic scoliosis of 5° or more in schoolchildren were established in a study performed in 1982. There have been no previous data on prevalence rate changes over time. Methods. A total of 35,558 boys and 37,141 girls from randomly selected schools were screened for scoliosis. Those with scoliometer readings of more than 5° underwent radiographic evaluation. Prevalence rates were calculated for scoliosis at a predefined Cobb angle of 10° and 5°, the latter for comparison with the previous prevalence study. Curve type and distribution, pubertal status, and symptoms were correlated with the prevalence data. Results. Prevalence rates were 0.05% for girls and 0.02% for boys at 6 to 7 years of age, 0.24% for girls and 0.15% for boys at 9 to 10 years of age, 1.37% for girls and 0.21% for boys at 11 to 12 years of age, and 2.22% and 0.66%, respectively, for girls and boys at 13 to 14 years of age. The ratio of girls to boys increased from 1.6 at 9 to 10 years of age to 6.4 at 11 to 12 years of age. Thoracolumbar curves were the most common (40.1%), followed by thoracic curves (33.3%), double/triple curves (18.7%), and lumbar curves (7.9%). Older children had greater proportions of larger curves. Compared with the previous prevalence study in 1982, there was a significant increase in the prevalence rate in girls 11 to 12 years of age. Screening of 11- to 12- and 13- to 14-year-old girls detected curves in the range suitable for bracing, with nearly 96% and 32% of the age groups, respectively, still amenarche or within a year of menarche, and 57% and 34% of the age groups, respectively, having low Risser grades of 0, 1, and 2. Conclusions. The overall prevalence rate of idiopathic scoliosis in our school population in 1997 was 0.93% in girls and 0.25% in boys. The prevalence rates were low at 6 to 7 and 9 to 10 years of age but increased rapidly to 1.37% and 2.22% for girls at 11 to 12 and 13 to 14 years ofage, respectively. The prevalence rate increased significantly in 11- to 12-year-old girls over a 15-year period from 1982 to 1997. Screening of 11- to 12- and 13- to 14-year-old girls identified a significant number who could benefit from brace treatment.
A MAGNETIC CALIBRATION OF PHOTOSPHERIC DOPPLER VELOCITIES

The zero point of measured photospheric Doppler shifts is uncertain for at least two reasons: instrumental variations (from, e.g., thermal drifts); and the convective blueshift, a known correlation between intensity and upflows. Accurate knowledge of the zero point is, however, useful for (1) improving estimates of the Poynting flux of magnetic energy across the photosphere, and (2) constraining processes underlying flux cancellation, the mutual apparent loss of magnetic flux in closely spaced, opposite-polarity magnetogram features. We present a method to absolutely calibrate line-of-sight (LOS) velocities in solar active regions (ARs) near disk center using three successive vector magnetograms and one Dopplergram coincident with the central magnetogram. It exploits the fact that Doppler shifts measured along polarity inversion lines (PILs) of the LOS magnetic field determine one component of the velocity perpendicular to the magnetic field, and optimizes consistency between changes in LOS flux near PILs and the transport of transverse magnetic flux by LOS velocities, assuming that ideal electric fields govern the magnetic evolution. Previous calibrations fitted the center-to-limb variation of Doppler velocities, but this approach cannot, by itself, account for residual convective shifts at the limb. We apply our method to vector magnetograms of AR 11158, observed by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager aboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory, and find clear evidence of offsets in the Doppler zero point in the range of 50–550 m s−1. In addition, we note that a simpler calibration can be determined from an LOS magnetogram and Dopplergram pair from the median Doppler velocity among all near-disk-center PIL pixels. We briefly discuss shortcomings in our initial implementation, and suggest ways to address these. In addition, as a step in our data reduction, we discuss the use of temporal continuity in the transverse magnetic field direction to correct apparently spurious fluctuations in resolution of the 180° ambiguity.
Synergistic Actions of Formamidine Insecticides on the Activity of Pyrethroids and Neonicotinoids Against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

ABSTRACT Formamidines are unique insecticides and acaricides that elicit multiple effects in controlling insects. Here, we tested two formamidines, amitraz, and chlordimeform, for their synergistic actions on type II pyrethroids and neonicotinoids to increase their larvicidal actions on the fourth instars of Aedes aegypti L. An organophosphate insecticide was used as a negative control. After 24 h, the synergism of formamidines was highest on imidacloprid, followed by two type II pyrethroids, deltamethrin and fenvalerate. After 48 h, the synergism of formamidines on imidacloprid decreased, remained unchanged on type II pyrethroids, and increased noticeably on two of the newer type neonicotinoids, dinotefuran and thiamethoxam. By 72 h, synergism of formamidines on dinotefuran reached the maximum, while that on imidacloprid was at a minimum. Both formamidines did not show synergistic effects on permethrin or fenitrothion. In all cases, the synergistic effects of amitraz on the two major classes of larvicides were greater than for chlordimeform. These results indicate that amitraz is a promising synergist that shows the potential to increase the efficacy of certain members of type II pyrethroids as well as neonicotinoids to control Ae. aegypti larvae.
Online Media in Favour of the Digital Inclusion - A Case Study with Elderly People in Brazil

The popularization of Internet access in home context has been making elderly people and others with no computer literacy to become more motivated to learn and to use those services. This paper presents a case study elaborated to get information on how Brazilian elderly are becoming computer literate, what are their difficulties and challenges to adapt themselves to the use of popular technologies nowadays. The goals of this research are to identify educational difficulties still faced by elderly in the learning process of home computer technologies, as well as to identify which main topics in the technology design are working as limiting factors for that process. We discuss the results, and describe a futuristic scenario to illustrate new paradigms of interaction built over the same previous concepts. We believe that keeping elderly motivated to learn could possibly contribute to increase the digital inclusion.
Trends in Suicide Rate for England and Wales 1975–80

Summary The suicide rate in England and Wales has increased annually in the period 1975 to 1980. The increase has occurred in both sexes, but has been greater for males. There has been a decrease in suicide by poisoning with solid or liquid substances (including overdoses) and a marked increase in poisoning by vehicle exhaust gas. The rate of hanging, strangulation and suffocation has also increased substantially: taken together (ICD E953) these now form the most common method of suicide in males. Statistics for ‘undetermined’ and ‘accidental’ death have been examined, and indicate that the increase in the official suicide rate represents a real increase in suicides during this period.
White blood cell global methylation and IL-6 promoter methylation in association with diet and lifestyle risk factors in a cancer-free population

Altered levels of global DNA methylation and gene silencing through methylation of promoter regions can impact cancer risk, but little is known about their environmental determinants. We examined the association between lifestyle factors and levels of global genomic methylation and IL-6 promoter methylation in white blood cell DNA of 165 cancer-free subjects, 18–78 years old, enrolled in the COMIR (Commuting Mode and Inflammatory Response) study, New York, 2009–2010. Besides self-administrated questionnaires on diet and physical activity, we measured weight and height, white blood cell (WBC) counts, plasma levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and genomic (LINE-1) and gene-specific methylation (IL-6) by pyrosequencing in peripheral blood WBC. Mean levels of LINE-1 and IL-6 promoter methylation were 78.2% and 57.1%, respectively. In multivariate linear regression models adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, body mass index, diet, physical activity, WBC counts and CRP, only dietary folate intake from fortified foods was positively associated with LINE-1 methylation. Levels of IL-6 promoter methylation were not significantly correlated with age, gender, race/ethnicity, body mass index, physical activity or diet, including overall dietary patterns and individual food groups and nutrients. There were no apparent associations between levels of methylation and inflammation markers such as WBC counts and hs-CRP. Overall, among several lifestyle factors examined in association with DNA methylation, only dietary folate intake from fortification was associated with LINE-1 methylation. The long-term consequence of folate fortification on DNA methylation needs to be further evaluated in longitudinal settings.