Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modulation of the gait pattern during split-belt locomotion after lateral spinal cord hemisection in adult cats.

Most previous studies investigated the recovery of locomotion in animals and people with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) during relatively simple tasks (e.g. walking in a straight line on a horizontal surface or on a treadmill). We know less about the recovery of locomotion after incomplete SCI in left-right asymmetric conditions, such as turning or stepping along circular trajectories. To investigate this, we collected kinematic and electromyography data during split-belt locomotion at different left-right speed differences before and after a right thoracic lateral spinal cord hemisection in nine adult cats. After hemisection, although cats still performed split-belt locomotion, we observed several changes in the gait pattern compared to the intact state at early (1-2 weeks) and late (7-8 weeks) time points. Cats with larger lesions showed new coordination patterns between the fore- and hindlimbs, with the forelimbs taking more steps. Despite this change in fore-hind coordination, cats maintained consistent phasing between the fore- and hindlimbs. Adjustments in cycle and phase (stance, swing) durations between the slow and fast sides allowed animals to maintain 1:1 left-right coordination. Periods of triple support involving the right (ipsilesional) hindlimb decreased in favor of quad support and triple support involving the other limbs. Step and stride lengths decreased with concurrent changes in the right fore- and hindlimbs, possibly to avoid interference. The above adjustments in the gait pattern allowed cats to retain the ability to locomote in asymmetric conditions after incomplete SCI. We discuss potential plastic neuromechanical mechanisms involved in locomotor recovery in these conditions.
Linear external skeletal fixation applied in minimally invasive fashion for stabilization of nonarticular tibial fractures in dogs and cats

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of linear external skeletal fixation (ESF) applied using minimally invasive techniques in dogs and cats. Study design Retrospective study. Animals Forty‐nine dogs and 6 cats. Methods Medical records of cases with nonarticular tibial fractures, repaired using linear ESF at a single academic institution between July 2010 and 2020, were reviewed. All records of cases that had nonarticular tibial fractures repaired using linear ESF were included. Information was collected regarding signalment, surgical procedures performed, perioperative care, radiographic evaluation, and postoperative complications. Results Intraoperative imaging was used in 40/55 (72%) of cases. Tibal plateau angle (TPA), tibial mechanical medial proximal and distal tibial angles (mMPTA and mMDTA, respectively) were not affected by intraoperative imaging (P = .344, P = .687, P = .418). A total of 22 (40%) complications occurred. Of these, 18 were considered minor and 4 were considered major. Open fractures had more major complications than closed fractures (P = .019). All fractures reached radiographic union of the fracture. The mean ± SD time to external fixator removal was 71 ± 48 days. Conclusion Linear ESF applied using minimally invasive techniques with or without intraoperative imaging was an effective treatment for nonarticular tibial fractures. Clinical significance Closed application of linear ESF should be considered as a minimally invasive option for stabilizing nonarticular tibial fractures.
V407 Vul: a direct impact accretor

V407 Vul (= RX J1914.4+2457) shows pulsations in X-ray flux on a period of 9.5 min, which have been ascribed to accretion on to a magnetic white dwarf, with the X-ray pulses seen as the accreting pole moves into and out of view. The X-ray flux drops to zero between pulses, and no other periods are seen, suggesting that V407 Vul is a type of system known as a ‘polar’ in which the white dwarf has a strong enough field to lock to the orbit of its companion. If so, then V407 Vul has the shortest orbital period known for any binary star. However, unlike other polars, V407 Vul shows neither polarization nor line emission. In this paper we propose that V407 Vul is the first example of a new type of X-ray emitting binary in which the mass transfer stream directly hits a non-magnetic white dwarf as a result of the very compact orbit. Our model naturally explains the X-ray and optical pulsations, as well as the absence of polarization and line emission. We show that direct impact will occur for plausible masses of the accreting star and its companion, e.g. M1≈0.5, M2≈0.1 M⊙. In our model V407 Vul retains its status as the binary star with the shortest known orbital period, and is therefore a strong source of low-frequency gravitational waves. V407 Vul is representative of an early phase of the evolution of the AM CVn class of binary stars and will evolve into the normal disc-accretion phase on a time-scale of 106 to 107 yr. The existence of V407 Vul supports the double-degenerate route for the formation of AM CVn stars.
Efficacy and safety of non‐ergot dopamine‐receptor agonists as an adjunct to levodopa in advanced Parkinson's disease: A network meta‐analysis

Non‐ergot dopamine agonists (NEDAs) have been used as an adjunct therapy to levodopa in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) for many years. However, there is no strong evidence that a given NEDA is more potent than another. To compare and rank the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of six commonly used NEDAs as an adjunct to levodopa in advanced PD, which includes long‐acting and standard formulations, a network meta‐analysis was performed.
Surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism

ABSTRACT Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a hypercalcemic disorder that occurs when one or more parathyroid glands produces excessive parathyroid hormone (PTH). PHPT is typically treated with surgery, and it remains the only definitive therapy, whose techniques have evolved over previous decades. Advances in preoperative localization exams and the intraoperative PTH monitoring have become the cornerstones of recent parathyroidectomy techniques, as minimally invasive techniques are appropriate for most patients. Nevertheless, these techniques, are not suitable for PHPT patients who are at risk for multiglandular disease, especially in those who present with familial forms of PHPT that require bilateral neck exploration. This manuscript also explores other conditions that warrant special consideration during surgical treatment for PHPT: normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism, pregnancy, reoperation for persistent or recurrent PHPT, parathyroid carcinoma, and familial and genetic forms of hyperparathyroidism.
The dynamic changes of genes revealed that persistently overexpressed genes drive the evolution of cyflumetofen resistance in Tetranychus cinnabarinus

Changes in gene expression are associated with the evolution of pesticide resistance in arthropods. In this study, transcriptome sequencing was performed in 3 different resistance levels (low, L; medium, M; and high, H) of cyflumetofen‐resistant strain (YN‐CyR). A total of 1 685 genes, including 97 detoxification enzyme genes, were upregulated in all 3 stages, of which 192 genes, including 11 detoxification enzyme genes, showed a continuous increase in expression level with resistance development (L to H). RNA interference experiments showed that overexpression of 7 genes (CYP392A1, TcGSTd05, CCE06, CYP389A1, TcGSTz01, CCE59, and CYP389C2) is involved in the development of cyflumetofen resistance in Tetranychus cinnabarinus. The recombinant CYP392A1 can effectively metabolize cyflumetofen, while CCE06 can bind and sequester cyflumetofen in vitro. We compared 2 methods for rapid screening of resistance molecular markers, including short‐term induction and 1‐time high‐dose selection. Two detoxification enzyme genes were upregulated in the field susceptible strain (YN‐S) by induction with 20% lethal concentration (LC20) of cyflumetofen. However, 16 detoxification enzyme genes were upregulated by 1‐time selection with LC80 of cyflumetofen. Interestingly, the 16 genes were overexpressed in all 3 resistance stages. These results indicated that 1 685 genes that were upregulated at the L stage constituted the basis of cyflumetofen resistance, of which 192 genes in which upregulation continued to increase were the main driving force for the development of resistance. Moreover, the 1‐time high‐dose selection is an efficient way to rapidly obtain the resistance‐related genes that can aid in the development of resistance markers and resistance management in mites.
hnRNP A1 dysfunction in oligodendrocytes contributes to the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis

Oligodendrocyte (OL) damage and death are prominent features of multiple sclerosis (MS) pathology, yet mechanisms contributing to OL loss are incompletely understood. Dysfunctional RNA binding proteins (RBPs), hallmarked by nucleocytoplasmic mislocalization and altered expression, have been shown to result in cell loss in neurologic diseases, including in MS. Since we previously observed that the RBP heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1) was dysfunctional in neurons in MS, we hypothesized that it might also contribute to OL pathology in MS and relevant models. We discovered that hnRNP A1 dysfunction is characteristic of OLs in MS brains. These findings were recapitulated in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of MS, where hnRNP A1 dysfunction was characteristic of OLs, including oligodendrocyte precursor cells and mature OLs in which hnRNP A1 dysfunction correlated with demyelination. We also found that hnRNP A1 dysfunction was induced by IFNγ, indicating that inflammation influences hnRNP A1 function. To fully understand the effects of hnRNP A1 dysfunction on OLs, we performed siRNA knockdown of hnRNP A1, followed by RNA sequencing. RNA sequencing detected over 4000 differentially expressed transcripts revealing alterations to RNA metabolism, cell morphology, and programmed cell death pathways. We confirmed that hnRNP A1 knockdown was detrimental to OLs and induced apoptosis and necroptosis. Together, these data demonstrate a critical role for hnRNP A1 in proper OL functioning and survival and suggest a potential mechanism of OL damage and death in MS that involves hnRNP A1 dysfunction.
A narrative review on vaccination rate and factors associated with the willingness to receive pneumococcal vaccine in Chinese adult population

ABSTRACT The 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV-23) is the only approved vaccine for pneumococcal diseases in elderly Chinese population. Though regional studies explored the PPSV-23 vaccination coverage rates and influencing factors in China, a large-scale, nation-wide epidemiological surveillance studies to understand the different factors impeding pneumococcal vaccination rate are required. Hence, this review summarized PPSV-23 coverage rate, analyzed and identified vaccination influencing factors among elderly population across China by exploring articles published in CNKI, Wanfang and PubMed databases. Pneumococcal vaccination coverage rate was found to be low at around 1.23%~42.10% in China. Co-morbidities, knowledge, attitude, perception toward pneumonia and PPSV-23, education level, socio-economic disparities, health education and local policies were some of the factors associated with vaccination willingness among elderly Chinese population. Interventions or policies like government funding, subsidies, inclusion of PPSV-23 in medical insurance, or systematic encouragement from HCPs as key strategies should be implemented to encourage vaccination.
The role of intra-articular injection of autologous platelet-rich plasma versus corticosteroids in the treatment of synovitis in lumbar facet joint disease

Objectives: To compare the efficacy between platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and corticosteroids (CS) in improving magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-detected synovitis in correlation with clinical complaints among patients with lumbar facet joint (FJ) disease. Methods: This study was carried out at Eldemerdash Hospital, Cairo, Egypt between September 2019 and January 2021. A prospective, randomized, comparative, single blinded study included 30 patients with lumbar FJ disease, divided into 2 equal groups, received PRP and CS injections. Patients were comparatively assessed before and after the intervention according to number of tender lumbar FJs, maximum active lumbar extension range of motion, LBP visual analogue score, LBP functional disability questionnaires and MRI lumbar FJ detected synovitis and their grading. Results: Both groups showed a significant improvement in all mentioned parameters at follow-up after 3 months. However, PRP injections promoted better performance in terms of MRI synovitis grade in all lumbar FJ levels compared to CS injections. Conclusion: Both PRP and CS injections were effective in improving MRI-detected FJ synovitis while concurrently improving all examined parameters at follow-up after 3 months. However, PRP promoted better improvement in MRI-detected synovitis grade, suggesting that it may be a better treatment option for longer duration efficacy. TRN: NCT04860531- 1/3/2021
Acute Intermittent Porphyria as a Rare Challenging Neuro-Metabolic Disease; a Case Report

Porphyria is a challenging metabolic disease due to its heterogeneous presentation symptoms and its difficult diagnosis. Many affected individuals can complain of recurrent neuro-visceral attacks per year, some of which may be persistent and life-threatening, which is confusing if there is no established diagnosis. Although the motor manifestations, autonomic changes and seizure are highly suggestive, the diagnosis is often overlooked and needs confirmatory genetic testing. To the best of our knowledge, the acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) reported in this case, involving severe electrolyte disturbances and rapid severe weakness is a challenging neuro-metabolic case and is extremely rare worldwide. Here, we reported a case of AIP in a young girl who presented to the emergency department of Al-Araby international Hospital, Monufia, Egypt with severe abdominal pain, constipation, and headache which had started 10 days ago. It seems that the diagnosis of porphyria should be considered particularly in those patients with abdominal complaints associated with electrolyte disturbances, seizures, and severe progressive neuropathy.
SARS-CoV-2 Infection Incidence and Outcome Before and After Full Vaccination in Patients With Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance

pidemiological studies have previously reported that patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) may have an increased risk of developing viral infections. 1,2 Regarding specific anti-viral immunological response, no significant differences between MGUS and normal controls have been detected about herpes-viruses HSV1, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Epstein-Barr virus, while the median titer of antivaricella-zoster virus IgG was found significantly lower in MGUS patients. 3 It has been also speculated that the intrinsic immune dysregulation exhibited by MGUS subjects may contribute to determine a suboptimal serological response to vaccines, including those anti-SARS-CoV-2. 4 In this setting, the capacity to produce neutralizing antibodies after anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (2 doses of BNT162b2 or 1 dose of AZD1222) in patients with different types of plasma-cell dyscrasia was reported to be not significantly different between MGUS subjects and healthy controls (HCs). 5 These data were further confirmed by another study, 6 carried out on fully vaccinated patients (2 doses of BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 or 1 dose of Ad26.COV2.S) with asymptomatic precursor stages of multiple myeloma.
The fragmentation process of an infinite recursive tree and Ornstein-Uhlenbeck type processes

We consider a natural destruction process of an infinite recursive tree by removing each edge after an independent exponential time. The destruction up to time t is encoded by a partition $\Pi$(t) of N into blocks of connected vertices. Despite the lack of exchangeability, just like for an exchangeable fragmentation process, the process $\Pi$ is Markovian with transitions determined by a splitting rates measure r. However, somewhat surprisingly, r fails to fulfill the usual integrability condition for the dislocation measure of exchangeable fragmentations. We further observe that a time-dependent normalization enables us to define the weights of the blocks of $\Pi$(t). We study the process of these weights and point at connections with Ornstein-Uhlenbeck type processes.
IRF1 Is Required for MDA5 (IFIH1) Induction by IFN-α, LPS, and poly(I:C) in Murine Macrophages

Melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5) induces type I interferons (IFNs) after the recognition of viral RNA. In addition, gain-of-function mutations in the interferon induced with helicase C domain 1 (IFIH1) gene, which encodes MDA5, lead to type I interferonopathies. Here, we show that Mda5 is highly expressed in murine macrophages and is regulated by pro-inflammatory stimuli such as the cytokines IFN-α and IFN-γ, the TLR ligand LPS, and a mimic of dsRNA, poly(I:C). Mda5 induction is mediated through the production of reactive oxygen species. The induction by IFN-α or LPS occurs at the transcriptional level since the Mda5 mRNA half-life before and after induction is very stable. Interestingly, STAT1 is required for Mda5 induction by IFN-α, LPS, or poly(I:C). The time course of induction of at least 3 h and the need for protein synthesis indicate that Mda5 requires an intermediate protein for transcription. In transient transfection experiments, we found that a 105-bp fragment of this gene, between −1153 and −1258 bp relative to the transcription start site, is required for transcription. In this specific region, we observed a sequence containing an IRF-binding motif, which, when mutated, abolishes the induction of Mda5. This sequence is strongly conserved in the IFIH1 promoters of eutherian mammals and in other distant species. Kinetic experiments, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, and gene-silencing experiments revealed that IRF1 is required for induction of Mda5 expression.
Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Receptor Gamma as Potential Therapeutic Target for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients

The worldwide CML incidence expects 100,000 patients every year thus representing a substantial health burden. A year 2000 is notable year, where Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) had been introduced to the CML treatment plan. However, despite the dramatically reduce in mortality rate of CML patients due to TKIs, still over 25% of CML patients need to switch TKIs at least once during treatment timeline for many reasons. On the other hand, PTPRG behave as a tumor suppressor gene in different neoplasms and is strongly down-regulated in CML patients. We discussed briefly in series of articles the possible reasons of it is down regulation. Here, we discuss its role as potential therapeutic target in treatment plan.
Type Ia Supernova Spectral Line Ratios as Luminosity Indicators

Type Ia supernovae have played a crucial role in the discovery of the dark energy, via the measurement of their light curves and the determination of the peak brightness via fitting templates to the observed light-curve shape. Two spectroscopic indicators are also known to be well correlated with peak luminosity. Since the spectroscopic luminosity indicators are obtained directly from observed spectra, they will have different systematic errors than do measurements using photometry. In addition, these spectroscopic indicators may be useful for studies of effects of evolution or age of the SNe Ia progenitor population. We present several new variants of such spectroscopic indicators that are easy to automate and that minimize the effects of noise. We show that these spectroscopic indicators can be measured by proposed JDEM missions such as SNAP and JEDI.
Assessing the interaction between L‐dopa and γ‐transcranial alternating current stimulation effects on primary motor cortex plasticity in Parkinson's disease

L‐dopa variably influences transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) parameters of motor cortex (M1) excitability and plasticity in Parkinson's disease (PD). In patients OFF dopaminergic medication, impaired M1 plasticity and defective GABA‐A‐ergic inhibition can be restored by boosting gamma (γ) oscillations via transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) during intermittent theta‐burst stimulation (iTBS). However, it is unknown whether L‐dopa modifies the beneficial effects of iTBS‐γ‐tACS on M1 in PD. In this study, a PD patients group underwent combined iTBS‐γ‐tACS and iTBS‐sham‐tACS, each performed both OFF and ON dopaminergic therapy (four sessions in total). Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited by single TMS pulses and short‐interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) were assessed before and after iTBS‐tACS. We also evaluated possible SICI changes during γ‐tACS delivered alone in OFF and ON conditions. The amplitude of MEP elicited by single TMS pulses and the degree of SICI inhibition significantly increased after iTBS‐γ‐tACS. The amount of change produced by iTBS‐γ‐tACS was similar in patients OFF and ON therapy. Finally, γ‐tACS (delivered alone) modulated SICI during stimulation and this effect did not depend on the dopaminergic condition of patients. In conclusion, boosting cortical γ oscillatory activity via tACS during iTBS improved M1 plasticity and enhanced GABA‐A‐ergic transmission in PD patients to the same extent regardless of dopaminergic state. These results suggest a lack of interaction between L‐dopa and γ‐tACS effects at the M1 level. The possible neural substrate underlying iTBS‐γ tACS effects, that is, γ‐resonant GABA‐A‐ergic interneurons activity, may explain our findings.
Influence of Sense of Competence, Empathy and Relationship Quality on Burden in Dementia Caregivers: A 15 Months Longitudinal Study

Objectives: The aim is to explore the trajectory of caregiver burden and how this relates to caregiver and contextual factors in community-dwelling dyads. Methods: At baseline, 201 family caregivers were included. The multidimensional construct of family caregiver burden and the effects of sense of competence, empathy, and quality of the relationship on this burden were assessed over 15 months using semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. Results: We found an increase of burden linked to disruptions in the caregiver’s own usual activities (p = 0.002) and physical health complaints (p = 0.001). Caregivers with a high sense of competence experienced lower caregiver burden during the entire caregiving process (p < 0.001). Discussion: Healthcare professionals should alert family caregivers to the importance of taking care of themselves as early as possible in their new caregiver role. Caregiving is demanding and could negatively influence their own activities and physical health.
Young measures supported on invertible matrices

Motivated by variational problems in non-linear elasticity, we explicitly characterize the set of Young measures generated by gradients of a uniformly bounded sequence in where the inverted gradients are also bounded in . This extends the original results due to the studies Kinderlehrer and Pedregal. Besides, we completely describe Young measures generated by a sequence of matrix-valued mappings , such that is bounded, too, and the generating sequence satisfies the constraint .