Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vitamin E-doped total hip arthroplasty liners show similar head penetration to highly cross-linked polyethylene at five years: a multi-arm randomized controlled trial

Aims The most frequent indication for revision surgery in total hip arthroplasty (THA) is aseptic loosening. Aseptic loosening is associated with polyethylene liner wear, and wear may be reduced by using vitamin E-doped liners. The primary objective of this study was to compare proximal femoral head penetration into the liner between a) two cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) liners (vitamin E-doped (vE-PE)) versus standard XLPE liners, and b) two modular femoral head diameters (32 mm and 36 mm). Methods Patients scheduled for a THA were randomized to receive a vE-PE or XLPE liner with a 32 mm or 36 mm metal head (four intervention groups in a 2 × 2 factorial design). Head penetration and acetabular component migration were measured using radiostereometric analysis at baseline, three, 12, 24, and 60 months postoperatively. The Harris Hip Score, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Activity Score, EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D), and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36) were assessed at baseline, three, 12, 36, and 60 months. Results Of 220 screened patients, 127 were included in this study. In all, 116 received the allocated intervention, and 94 had their results analyzed at five years. Head penetration was similar between liner materials and head sizes at five years, vE-PE versus XLPE was -0.084 mm (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.173 to 0.005; p = 0.064), and 32 mm versus 36 mm was -0.020 mm (95% CI -0.110 to 0.071; p = 0.671), respectively. No differences were found in acetabular component migration or in the patient-reported outcome measures. Conclusion No significant difference in head penetration was found at five years between vE-PE and XLPE liners, nor between 32 mm and 36 mm heads. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(10):1303–1310.
Virulence of Starved Aeromonas hydrophila to Cyprinid Fish

The survival of Aeromonas hydrophila was studied in a variety of waters containing different concentrations of salts. The survival of A. hydrophila for a period of 120 h was found to be optimal at 0.85 and 0.35% NaCl, 1% KC1, 0.2% CaCl2 · 2H2O or 0.4% MgCl2·6H2O, respectively. Among the formulated salt water solutions examined, the best survival was found in that containing 0.60% NaCl, 0.50% KCl, 0.10% CaCl2· 2H2O and 0.20% MgCl2· 6H2O in distilled water (FW2). Virulence of the bacterium starved for 24 h in FW2 and 0.85% NaCl was compared to that of the bacterium cultured in nutrient broth to carp and goldfish by intraperitoneal injection. The median lethal dose obtained by the infection verified that the bacterium starved in both salt solutions had obviously higher virulence than the cultured bacterium.
Multi-donor multi-course faecal microbiota transplantation relieves the symptoms of chronic hemorrhagic radiation proctitis

Abstract Rationale: There are many treatments for chronic hemorrhagic radiation colorectal inflammation, but only a few treatments are supported by high-quality research evidence. Studies have shown that the occurrence and development of radiation proctitis are closely associated with the intestinal flora. Animal studies have indicated that faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can improve radiation enteropathy in a mouse model. Patient concerns: A 45-year-old female patient suffered from recurrent hematochezia and diarrhea for half a year after radiotherapy and underwent recurrent transfusion treatments. Colonoscopy showed obvious congestion of the sigmoid colon and rectal mucosa, a smooth surface, and bleeding that was easily induced by touch, which are consistent with radiation proctitis. The pathological findings revealed chronic mucosal inflammation. The magnetic resonance imaging examination of the pelvic cavity with a plain scan and enhancement showed changes after radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and no obvious tumor recurrence or metastasis was found. The laboratory examinations excluded pathogen infection. Diagnoses: Based on the history and examinations, the final diagnosis of this patient was chronic hemorrhagic radiation proctitis. Interventions: The patient was treated with a total of 4 individual courses of FMT. Outcomes: After the six-month follow-up, her hematochezia, abdominal pain and diarrhea were relieved. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing of the feces showed that the intestinal bacterial composition of the patient obviously changed after FMT and became similar to that of the donors. Lessons: This case report shows that FMT can relieve the symptoms of hematochezia and diarrhea by changing the bacterial community structure in patients with chronic hemorrhagic radiation proctitis.
Cultural Adaptation of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) for Portuguese People with Dementia

ABSTRACT Objectives Portugal is one of the most aged countries in the world and dementia is increasing among the Portuguese population. It is estimated to affect around 200,000 people in Portugal. There is a clear need for non-pharmacological interventions to ameliorate the symptoms of dementia and improve the quality of life. Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST), a worldwide well-known program developed in the United Kingdom (UK), is recognized as a cost-effective intervention, with benefits both in cognitive function and quality of life of people with mild to moderate dementia. We tested the feasibility and cultural appropriateness and adapted CST to Portuguese people with dementia. Methods The Formative Method for Adapting Psychotherapy (FMAP) model for cultural adaptation was used. A focus group discussion with health professionals and caregivers provided the basis for cultural adaptation, as well as feedback from participants, caregivers, and facilitators after a pilot study. Results Some modifications were required, especially related to linguistic issues, in 11 of the 14 CST sessions. The adapted program was found to be acceptable and enjoyable in a small sample of people with dementia in a rehabilitation context. Conclusions CST seems feasible and culturally appropriate in Portugal. A systematically developed and culturally adapted manual is ready to be used in a large-scale implementation and validation of CST in Portugal. Clinical implications CST is a valid program for the Portuguese culture, contributes to the availability of a structured and effective clinical intervention for PwD in Portugal and to the possibility of comparing programs across countries.
A Genotype-Phenotype Study of High-Resolution FMR1 Nucleic Acid and Protein Analyses in Fragile X Patients with Neurobehavioral Assessments

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is caused by silencing of the FMR1 gene, which encodes a protein with a critical role in synaptic plasticity. The molecular abnormality underlying FMR1 silencing, CGG repeat expansion, is well characterized; however, delineation of the pathway from DNA to RNA to protein using biosamples from well characterized patients with FXS is limited. Since FXS is a common and prototypical genetic disorder associated with intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a comprehensive assessment of the FMR1 DNA-RNA-protein pathway and its correlations with the neurobehavioral phenotype is a priority. We applied nine sensitive and quantitative assays evaluating FMR1 DNA, RNA, and FMRP parameters to a reference set of cell lines representing the range of FMR1 expansions. We then used the most informative of these assays on blood and buccal specimens from cohorts of patients with different FMR1 expansions, with emphasis on those with FXS (N = 42 total, N = 31 with FMRP measurements). The group with FMRP data was also evaluated comprehensively in terms of its neurobehavioral profile, which allowed molecular–neurobehavioral correlations. FMR1 CGG repeat expansions, methylation levels, and FMRP levels, in both cell lines and blood samples, were consistent with findings of previous FMR1 genomic and protein studies. They also demonstrated a high level of agreement between blood and buccal specimens. These assays further corroborated previous reports of the relatively high prevalence of methylation mosaicism (slightly over 50% of the samples). Molecular-neurobehavioral correlations confirmed the inverse relationship between overall severity of the FXS phenotype and decrease in FMRP levels (N = 26 males, mean 4.2 ± 3.3 pg FMRP/ng genomic DNA). Other intriguing findings included a significant relationship between the diagnosis of FXS with ASD and two-fold lower levels of FMRP (mean 2.8 ± 1.3 pg FMRP/ng genomic DNA, p = 0.04), in particular observed in younger age- and IQ-adjusted males (mean age 6.9 ± 0.9 years with mean 3.2 ± 1.2 pg FMRP/ng genomic DNA, 57% with severe ASD), compared to FXS without ASD. Those with severe ID had even lower FMRP levels independent of ASD status in the male-only subset. The results underscore the link between FMR1 expansion, gene methylation, and FMRP deficit. The association between FMRP deficiency and overall severity of the neurobehavioral phenotype invites follow up studies in larger patient cohorts. They would be valuable to confirm and potentially extend our initial findings of the relationship between ASD and other neurobehavioral features and the magnitude of FMRP deficit. Molecular profiling of individuals with FXS may have important implications in research and clinical practice.
Comparison of Mediterranean Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) in Cattle and Rabbit Dung

The communities of coprophagous beetles feeding on large herbivorous dung and on rabbit dung heaps were studied in a Mediterranean area of the south eastern Iberian Peninsula. The results of this study show highly significant differences in composition (number of species, individuals, and biomass), structure (distribution of abundance fitted to Motomura's model), and diversity (Shannon H' and Equitability E indices) between these communities. The dung beetle assemblages from large herbivorous dung showed the highest diversity and species richness without dominant species, whereas rabbit dung heaps present a low diversity and some dominant species. Our results suggest the occurrence of a Mediterranean community of dung beetles specially linked to rabbit dung heaps.
Soluble Carbohydrates, Concurrent Photosynthesis and Efficiency in Regrowth Following Defoliation: a Field Study with Agropyron Species

(1) The contribution of stored carbon to plant regrowth following defoliation is commonly thought to be large. This study quantitatively compared the amount of carbon supplied to regrowth from storage with photosynthesis of regrowth in the field. (2) Two bunchgrass species were selected for comparison because of markedly different abilities to regrow following defoliation despite very similar photosynthetic, morphologic and phonologic characteristics. (3) The more grazing-tolerant Agropyron desertorum (Fisch. ex Link) Schult. consistently produced more regrowth in the absence of photosynthesis than A. spicatum (Pursch) Scribn. & Smith, but a severe preclipping treatment (which has been shown to reduce carbohydrate reserves by more than 40%) did not significantly reduce etiolated regrowth in either species. (4) Differences in regrowth between and within species were not correlated with crown non-structural carbohydrate concentrations, total pools, or amounts utilized during regrowth. (5) The daily contribution of carbon from reserves exceeded measured daily photosynthetically-fixed carbon for only 2.5 days following defoliation when regrowth rate was maximal. However, when apical meristems were removed and regrowth was much slower, photosynthesis during regrowth immediately outweighed stored reserves as a source of carbon. The latter is the usual case when these grasses are subjected to managed grazing. (6) In both species, apical meristem removal was followed by sharply reduced regrowth efficiency due to a delay in and reduced rate of regrowth production. There was, however, no increase in respiration rate. (7) Meristematic limitations appear to be the dominant control on the amount of etiolated regrowth produced. These limitations also appear to be of prime importance in determining regrowth in the light and for grazing tolerance of plants.
Association of Cigarette Smoking With Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers of Neurodegeneration, Neuroinflammation, and Oxidation

Key Points Question Is cigarette smoking associated with changes in specific neurodegenerative biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid? Findings In this case-control study of 191 adult men in China, active smoking was associated with at-risk biomarkers for Alzheimer disease, as indicated by higher β-amyloid 42 levels. Meaning The results of this study broaden our understanding of the association of cigarette smoking with neurodegenerative disorders.
“Parasite turnover zone” at secondary contact: A new pattern in host–parasite population genetics

We describe here a new pattern of population genetic structure in a host–parasite system that can arise after secondary contact of previously isolated populations. Due to different generation times, and therefore different tempos of molecular evolution, the host and parasite populations reach different degrees of genetic differentiation during their separation (e.g., in refugia). Consequently, upon secondary contact, the host populations are able to re‐establish a single panmictic population across the area of contact, while the parasite populations stop their dispersal at the secondary contact zone and create a narrow hybrid zone. From the host's perspective, the parasite's hybrid zone functions on a microevolutionary scale as a “parasite turnover zone”: while the hosts are passing from area A to area B, their parasites turn genetically from the area A genotypes to the area B genotypes. We demonstrate this novel pattern with a model composed of Apodemus mice and Polyplax lice by comparing maternally inherited markers (complete mitochondrial genomes, and complete genomes of the vertically transmitted symbiont Legionella polyplacis) with single nucleotide polymorphisms derived from louse genomic data. We discuss the circumstances that may lead to this pattern and possible reasons why it has been overlooked in studies of host–parasite population genetics.
Survival rates of a tropical island endemic following conservation introduction on a rehabilitated island: the case of the endangered Seychelles White-eye

Survival rates of the endemic Seychelles White-eye Zosterops modestus were investigated in a small transferred population on Fregate Island, Seychelles. The population has been studied since the first conservation introduction of 37 Seychelles White-eyes in 2001-2003, in an attempt to secure the long term future of this critically endangered species. Re-sighting data of 206 birds from direct systematic surveys were analysed with Cormack-Jolly-Seber (CJS) models using the software MAR K 5.1. Here we present the first robust estimates of adult annual survival published for this species. We also attempted to provide a preliminary survival rate of first-year birds. Adult survival probability (φ) was found to be 76 % in our best-supported model, and survival was constant over time. Annual adult survival rate did not differ significantly between the transferred white-eyes (φ = 72, n = 31) and the Fregatois (those born on Fregate) (φ = 78, n = 175), nor did it between males (φ = 77, n = 117) and females (φ = 74, n = 86). Juvenile survival rate could not be modelled due to insufficient data on chicks marked at the nest or shortly after fledgling. However, 24 out of 27 (89 %) white-eyes marked as chicks/fledglings on Fregate between 2002 and 2008
Nutritional Intervention Reduces Dyslipidemia, Fasting Glucose and Blood Pressure in People Living with HIV/AIDS in Antiretroviral Therapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Two Nutritional Interventions

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) increases the risk of cardiometabolic diseases in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). However, there is a lack of evidence regarding the effectiveness of a nutritional intervention on several cardiometabolic parameters in this population. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of two nutritional interventions on several cardiometabolic parameters in PLWHA treated with ART. A parallel randomized clinical trial was performed with PLWHA treated with ART. The participants (n = 88) were divided into two intervention groups: (1) nutritional counseling (n = 44) and (2) individualized dietary prescription (n = 44). The follow-up period was 30 weeks. A reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was the primary outcome. Secondary outcome variables were reductions in total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP, respectively), waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), and increases in high-density lipoproteins (HDL). A multiple linear regression was used to analyze the effectiveness of the interventions, adjusted for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical characteristics. Sixty-two PLWHA completed the trial (nutritional counseling, n = 32; individualized dietary prescription, n = 30). At follow-up, we observed in the nutritional counseling group significant reductions in SBP (p = 0.036) and DBP (p = 0.001). Significant reductions in FPG (p = 0.008) and DBP (p = 0.023) were found in the individualized dietary prescription group. In the fully adjusted models, significant reductions in LDL, SBP, DBP, and BMI were found in the individualized dietary prescription group. In conclusion, the two investigated nutritional interventions were effective in reducing some cardiometabolic risk factors in PLWHA. However, after adjustments for covariates, the individualized dietary prescription showed significant reductions in the primary outcome and, also, in more cardiometabolic risk factors than the nutritional counseling.
The Effects of Moderate and Severe Salinity on Composition and Physiology in the Biomass Crop Miscanthus × giganteus

Saline land represents a growing resource that could be utilised for growing biomass crops, such as Miscanthus × giganteus (Greef et Deu.), for eliminating competition with staple food crops. However, the response mechanisms to different salinity regimes, in relation to the impact on quality of the harvested biomass and the combustion properties are largely unknown. Herein, the focus was on the salt-induced compositional changes of ion flux and compartmentalization in the rhizome, stems, and leaves in relation to their impact on salinity tolerance and the combustion quality through investigating the photophysiological, morphophysiological, and biochemical responses of M. × giganteus to moderate and a severe salinity. Severe salinity induced an immediate and sustained adverse response with a reduction in biomass yield, photoinhibition, and metabolic limitations in photosynthesis. Moderate salinity resulted in a slower cumulative response with low biomass losses. Biomass composition, variations in ion compartmentalisation and induction of proline were dependent on the severity and duration of salinity. Ash behaviour indices, including the base percentage and base-to-acid ratio, indicated lower corrosion potential and lower risk of slagging under salinity. Understanding the impact of salinity on the potential for growth on saline land may identify new targets for breeding salinity-tolerant bioenergy crops.
Mean Shearing Stroke Frequency of Orthodontic Brackets under Cycling Loading: An In Vitro Study

Based on the development of many adhesive systems and bonding techniques, bonding strength of orthodontic brackets has become even more important in modern clinical orthodontics. The aim of this study was to determine mean shearing stroke frequency of different orthodontic bracket types and bonding agents under cycling loading. Therefore, 10 different types of orthodontic bracket from 4 different brands were divided into 2 groups. Two different adhesives, namely Transbond™ XT etch-and-rinse for Group 1 and Transbond™ Plus self-etching-primer adhesive for Group 2 were considered. The brackets were tested under cycling loading force of 10-N and a crosshead speed of 300 mm/min and 40 cycle/min. The frequency of strokes that the brackets failed were determined and these data were analyzed by statistical analysis using an independent sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Generally, differences between the frequency of shearing strokes of the bracket failures were found to be statistically significant depending on the type of adhesives and brackets (p < 0.05). The bonding technique for Group 1 was found to have a significantly higher shear bonding strength than Group 2. It is also seen that different types of bracket belonging to the same or different brands had different shear bonding strength. It may be concluded that: (i) all bracket types used in this study can be applied with both bonding techniques, (ii) in order to minimize the risk of hard tissue damage, ceramic brackets should be carefully bonded using the self-etching primary adhesive technique.
Population Pharmacodynamic Modeling of Epoetin Alfa in End‐Stage Renal Disease Patients Receiving Maintenance Treatment Using Bayesian Approach

The ability to control dosage regimens of erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents (ESAs) to maintain a desired hemoglobin (HGB) target is still elusive. We utilized a Bayesian approach and informative priors to characterize HGB profiles, using simulated drug concentrations, in patients with end‐stage renal disease receiving maintenance doses of epoetin alfa. We also demonstrated an adaptive Bayesian method, applied to individual patients, to improve the accuracy of HGB predictions over time. The results showed that sparse HGB data from daily clinical practice were characterized successfully. The adaptive Bayesian method effectively improved the accuracy of HGB predictions by updating the individual model with new data accounting for within‐subject changes over time. The Bayesian approach presented leverages existing knowledge of the model parameters and has a potential utility in clinical practice to individualize dosage regimens of epoetin alfa and ESAs to achieve target HGB. Further studies are warranted to develop an application for practical use.