Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
30-Day Recurrence, Readmission Rate and Clinical Outcome After Emergency Lumbar Discectomy.

STUDY DESIGN A retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE To investigate the 30-day recurrence rate after emergency lumbar discectomy. Secondary aims were to investigate the factors affecting the 30-day recurrence and readmission rates and clinical outcome. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Excluding cauda equine syndrome (CES) due to massive intervertebral disc herniation, emergency surgery for lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is rarely required. The operation may, however, be performed for other reasons such as persistent or progressive motor paresis associated with radiculopathy or uncontrolled pain. Literature on these topics is scarce. METHODS All patients admitted for inpatient care after a visit to the emergency department (ED) due to acute low back pain and who had subsequently undergone an emergency lumbar discectomy during the 4-year study period were included in the study. Patients attending the ED who subsequently had a delayed discectomy formed the control group. Recurrence and readmission rates were analyzed and clinical outcome at 30 days post-surgery was assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the visual analog pain scale (VAS). RESULTS One hundred thirty patients were admitted to the hospital after visiting the ED and underwent an emergency discectomy after a median of 1.0 days from admittance. Six patients in the study group [4.6% (95% CI: 2.1-9.7)] had recurrent LDH and nine patients in total [6.9% (95% CI: 3.9-12.6)] were readmitted within 30 days. None of the baseline variables clearly predicted recurrence. Mean ODI difference between the study group and controls was 8.1 (95% CI: -6.7-23.2). BMI and surgery by a non-spine surgeon were associated with higher ODI values. CONCLUSION An emergency discectomy is associated with a higher rate than expected of both recurrent LDHs and 30-day readmissions. Surgeon experience and patient-related factors had minor effects on the 30-day clinical outcome. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Augmentation to Microfracture Provides a Limited Benefit for the Treatment of Cartilage Lesions: A Meta-analysis

Background: Microfracture is the most common first-line option for the treatment of small chondral lesions, although increasing evidence shows that the clinical benefit of microfracture decreases over time. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been suggested as an effective biological augmentation to improve clinical outcomes after microfracture. Purpose: To evaluate the clinical evidence regarding the application of PRP, documenting safety and efficacy of this augmentation technique to improve microfracture for the treatment of cartilage lesions. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A systematic review was performed in PubMed, EBSCOhost database, and the Cochrane Library to identify comparative studies evaluating the clinical efficacy of PRP augmentation to microfracture. A meta-analysis was performed on articles that reported results for visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores. Risk of bias was documented through use of the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias 2.0 and Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions assessment tools. The quality assessment was performed according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation guidelines. Results: A total of 7 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis: 4 randomized controlled trials, 2 prospective comparative studies, and 1 retrospective comparative study, for a total of 234 patients. Of the 7 studies included, 4 studies evaluated the effects of PRP treatment in the knee, and 3 studies evaluated effects in the ankle. The analysis of all scores showed a difference favoring PRP treatment in knees (VAS, P = .002 and P < .001 at 12 and 24 months, respectively; IKDC, P < .001 at both follow-up points) and ankles (both VAS and AOFAS, P < .001 at 12 months). The improvement offered by PRP did not reach the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Conclusion: PRP provided an improvement to microfracture in knees and ankles at short-term follow-up. However, this improvement did not reach the MCID, and thus it was not clinically perceivable by the patients. Moreover, the overall low evidence and the paucity of high-level studies indicate further research is needed to confirm the potential of PRP augmentation to microfracture for the treatment of cartilage lesions.
Thermo-TRPs and gut microbiota are involved in thermogenesis and energy metabolism during low temperature exposure of obese mice

ABSTRACT Ambient temperature and food composition can affect energy metabolism of the host. Thermal transient receptor potential ion channels (thermo-TRPs) can detect temperature signals and are involved in the regulation of thermogenesis and energy homeostasis. Further, the gut microbiota have also been implicated in thermogenesis and obesity. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that thermo-TRPs and gut microbiota are involved in reducing diet-induced obesity (DIO) during low temperature exposure. C57BL/6J mice in obese (body mass gain >45%), lean (body mass gain <15%) and control (body mass gain <1%) groups were exposed to high (23±1°C) or low (4±1°C) ambient temperature for 28 days. Our data showed that low temperature exposure attenuated DIO, but enhanced brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis. Low temperature exposure also resulted in increased noradrenaline (NA) concentrations in the hypothalamus, decreased TRP melastatin 8 (TRPM8) expression in the small intestine, and altered composition and diversity of gut microbiota. In DIO mice, there was a decrease in overall energy intake along with a reduction in TRP ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) expression and an increase in NA concentration in the small intestine. DIO mice also showed increases in Oscillospira, [Ruminococcus], Lactococcus and Christensenella and decreases in Prevotella, Odoribacter and Lactobacillus at the genus level in fecal samples. Together, our data suggest that thermos-TRPs and gut microbiota are involved in thermogenesis and energy metabolism during low temperature exposure in DIO mice. Summary: Thermo-TRPs and gut microbiota are involved in attenuating diet-induced obesity during low temperature exposure in C57BL/6J mice.
Anisogamy selects for male‐biased care in self‐consistent games with synchronous matings

We reexamine the influential parental investment hypothesis proposed by Trivers for the causal relationship between anisogamy and widespread female‐biased parental care. We build self‐consistent versions of Maynard Smith's simple evolutionary game between males and females over parental care, and incorporate consequences of anisogamy for gamete production and its trade‐off with parental care, and for patterns of mate limitation. As male mating opportunities are limited by females, frequency‐dependent selection acts on male strategies. Assuming synchrony of matings in the population, our analytical models find either symmetric sex roles or male‐biased care as an evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS), in contrast to Trivers' hypothesis. We simulate evolution in asynchronously mating populations and find that diverse parental roles, including female care, can be ESS depending on the parameters. When caring males can also remate, or when females can increase the clutch size by deserting, there is stronger selection for male‐biased care. Hence, we argue that the mating‐caring trade‐off for males is neither a necessary consequence of anisogamy nor sufficient to select for female‐biased care. Instead, the factors excluded from our models—costly competitive traits, sexual selection, and partial parentage—may be necessary for the parental investment hypothesis to work.
Combined Black Rice Germ, Bran Supplement and Exercise Intervention Modulate Aging Biomarkers and Improve Physical Performance and Lower-Body Muscle Strength Parameters in Aging Population

Aging is a time-dependent functional decline in muscle mass and strength, which is reflected in poor physical performances, hormonal imbalance, and development of chronic low-grade inflammation. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of black rice germ, bran supplement, and exercise program either alone or in combination for 24 weeks on the aging biomarkers (C-reactive protein, Interleukin-6, Insulin-like growth factor-1, and CD4:CD8 T cell ratio) physical performance, muscle strength parameters (walking speed, sit-to-stand time, grip strength) among Thai aging population. A total of 120 healthy volunteers aged 65–74 years were assigned to the exercise group (EX), black rice germ, and bran supplement (BR) group or the combination of BR and EX group (BR + EX). Over the course of the 24-week intervention, compared with baseline data (T0), the combined BR + EX intervention significantly decreased the inflammatory biomarkers (C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels, both p < 0.05 vs. T0) and significantly increased the insulin-like growth factor-1 levels (p < 0.001 vs. T0). Significant improvement in physical performance and muscle strength were also observed in the combined BR + EX group (decrease in sit-to-stand time and gait speed over the 24-week intervention, both p < 0.05 vs. T0, and trend toward grip strength improvement at p = 0.088 vs. T0). Overall, our results indicated a synergistic effect towards the combined intervention with the sustainable improvement in physical performances, lower-body muscle strength, and the modulation of both inflammatory and endocrine biomarkers. This study could encourage older adults to change their lifestyles to improve healthy aging and longevity.
Homecare Robotic Systems for Healthcare 4.0: Visions and Enabling Technologies

Powered by the technologies that have originated from manufacturing, the fourth revolution of healthcare technologies is happening (Healthcare 4.0). As an example of such revolution, new generation homecare robotic systems (HRS) based on the cyber-physical systems (CPS) with higher speed and more intelligent execution are emerging. In this article, the new visions and features of the CPS-based HRS are proposed. The latest progress in related enabling technologies is reviewed, including artificial intelligence, sensing fundamentals, materials and machines, cloud computing and communication, as well as motion capture and mapping. Finally, the future perspectives of the CPS-based HRS and the technical challenges faced in each technical area are discussed.
FIBER AND YARN QUALITY AS AFFECTED BY LOCATIONS, CULTIVARS AND THEIR INTERACTION IN SOME EGYPTIAN COTTON CULTIVARS

Five different locations (Damanhor, Tanta, Kafr el Sheikh, Beni-Sweef and El Maragha) were allocated for planting four cultivars, viz. Giza 88, Giza 86, Giza 80 and Giza 90, during 2008 season. Two grades were taken (Good to Fully Good and Good). Randomized complete block design was used. Simple correlation and stepwise analysis were done. The traits studied were micronaire reading, fiber length, uniformity %, fiber strength and short fiber % in raw cotton. Also skein strength, neps count and yarn C.V. % in yarn. The results showed that the effects of locations, cultivars and their interactions were significant with all fiber and yarn traits. The highest skein strength, the lowest neps, and yarn (C.V. %) for all cultivars under GFG grade, were at Damanhor. Giza 88 was the best cultivar in yarn properties. Simple correlation coefficients within each location, cultivar and grade, with fiber properties and skein strength were positive and significant except short fiber, which showed negative correlation. On the contrary, the situation was completely adversed, when yarn C.V. % was considered. The stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that, the most contributors to skein strength were fiber strength and short fiber. For yarn C.V. %, length uniformity and short fiber were the most ones, at the four cultivars. While at the five locations, the best contributors to skein strength and yarn irregularity C.V. %, respectively, fiber strength, fiber length, length uniformity and short fiber.
Heart–brain interactions shape somatosensory perception and evoked potentials

Significance Our brain continuously receives signals from the body and the environment. Although we are mostly unaware of internal bodily processes, such as our heartbeats, they can affect our perception. Here, we show two distinct ways in which the heartbeat modulates conscious perception. First, increased heartbeat-evoked neural activity before stimulation is followed by decreased somatosensory detection. This effect can be explained by subjects adopting a more conservative decision criterion, which is accompanied by changes in early and late somatosensory-evoked responses. Second, stimulus timing during the cardiac cycle affects sensitivity but not criterion for somatosensory stimuli, which is reflected only in late somatosensory-evoked responses. We propose that these heartbeat-related modulations are connected to fluctuations of interoceptive attention and (unconscious) predictive coding mechanisms. Even though humans are mostly not aware of their heartbeats, several heartbeat-related effects have been reported to influence conscious perception. It is not clear whether these effects are distinct or related phenomena, or whether they are early sensory effects or late decisional processes. Combining electroencephalography and electrocardiography, along with signal detection theory analyses, we identify two distinct heartbeat-related influences on conscious perception differentially related to early vs. late somatosensory processing. First, an effect on early sensory processing was found for the heartbeat-evoked potential (HEP), a marker of cardiac interoception. The amplitude of the prestimulus HEP negatively correlated with localization and detection of somatosensory stimuli, reflecting a more conservative detection bias (criterion). Importantly, higher HEP amplitudes were followed by decreases in early (P50) as well as late (N140, P300) somatosensory-evoked potential (SEP) amplitudes. Second, stimulus timing along the cardiac cycle also affected perception. During systole, stimuli were detected and correctly localized less frequently, relating to a shift in perceptual sensitivity. This perceptual attenuation was accompanied by the suppression of only late SEP components (P300) and was stronger for individuals with a more stable heart rate. Both heart-related effects were independent of alpha oscillations’ influence on somatosensory processing. We explain cardiac cycle timing effects in a predictive coding account and suggest that HEP-related effects might reflect spontaneous shifts between interoception and exteroception or modulations of general attentional resources. Thus, our results provide a general conceptual framework to explain how internal signals can be integrated into our conscious perception of the world.
Diachronous development of Great Unconformities before Neoproterozoic Snowball Earth

Significance Erosion below the Great Unconformity has been interpreted as a global phenomenon associated with Snowball Earth. Geological relationships and thermochronologic data provide evidence that the bulk of erosion below the Great Unconformity in Colorado occurred prior to Cryogenian glaciation. We suggest that there are multiple, regionally diachronous Great Unconformities that are tectonic in origin. The Great Unconformity marks a major gap in the continental geological record, separating Precambrian basement from Phanerozoic sedimentary rocks. However, the timing, magnitude, spatial heterogeneity, and causes of the erosional event(s) and/or depositional hiatus that lead to its development are unknown. We present field relationships from the 1.07-Ga Pikes Peak batholith in Colorado that constrain the position of Cryogenian and Cambrian paleosurfaces below the Great Unconformity. Tavakaiv sandstone injectites with an age of ≥676 ± 26 Ma cut Pikes Peak granite. Injection of quartzose sediment in bulbous bodies indicates near-surface conditions during emplacement. Fractured, weathered wall rock around Tavakaiv bodies and intensely altered basement fragments within unweathered injectites imply still earlier regolith development. These observations provide evidence that the granite was exhumed and resided at the surface prior to sand injection, likely before the 717-Ma Sturtian glaciation for the climate appropriate for regolith formation over an extensive region of the paleolandscape. The 510-Ma Sawatch sandstone directly overlies Tavakaiv-injected Pikes granite and drapes over core stones in Pikes regolith, consistent with limited erosion between 717 and 510 Ma. Zircon (U-Th)/He dates for basement below the Great Unconformity are 975 to 46 Ma and are consistent with exhumation by 717 Ma. Our results provide evidence that most erosion below the Great Unconformity in Colorado occurred before the first Neoproterozoic Snowball Earth and therefore cannot be a product of glacial erosion. We propose that multiple Great Unconformities developed diachronously and represent regional tectonic features rather than a synchronous global phenomenon.
Impact of Syrian refugees on congenital TORCH infections screening in Turkey

To demonstrate the effect of the Syrian refugee population on the prevalence of congenital TORCH (Toxoplasmosis, Other [syphilis, varicella‐zoster, parvovirus B19], Rubella, Cytomegalovirus [CMV] and Herpes) infections and to evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of population‐based TORCH screening during pregnancy in Turkey.
Revision of Hista Oiticica (Lepidoptera: Castniidae) and discussion on the validity of its subspecies

Diurnal Lepidoptera tend to have colorful and conspicuous wing patterns, which is the reason the first classifications of day-flying moths and butterflies were based mainly on wing color and pattern characters. This is the case with the Neotropical Castniidae, which are usually large and colorful day-flying moths. One classification listed 134 species in 32 genera while an alternate classification recognized 81 species. In this paper we examine the taxonomic structure of the genus Hista Oiticica. It is the purpose of this paper to evaluate taxonomically useful characters besides wing pattern with the goal of classifying the taxa of Hista rather than classifying the variation of its wing pattern. In so doing, the results resolve the differences between the two proposed classifications of Hista. In addition, a lectotype is designated for Castnia boisduvalii Walker, 1854 (new synonym of Castnia fabricii Swainson, 1823) to ensure the stability of the name. Other new synonyms are proposed for C. fabricii (C. papagaya Westwood, 1877) and Castnia hegemon Kollar, 1839 (C. menetriesi Boisduval, [1875] and C. hegemon variegata Rothschild, 1919).
Sodium sensitive sites in the gastrointestinal tract stimulate natriuresis

In 1975 Lennane and colleagues studied the effects of oral sodium loading on renal function by gavage in rabbits and oral ingestion in humans. (Lennane et al, 197 Sa; Lennane et al, 197 5b) The renal response to orally administered sodium was notably more significant than the natriuresis following intravenous infusion of the same sodium load, suggesting to the authors that the response was initiated by a gastric sodium sensor. There is no evidence to support the sodium sensor described by Lennane and colleagues is located in the stomach, however a sensor may be located somewhere along the gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal tract is an ideal location for a sodium sensor to alert the body to impending changes in plasma sodium concentration. A gastrointestinal sodium sensor capable of monitoring ingested sodium loads and controlling urinary sodium excretion would be a favourable contributor to body fluid balance and body sodium homeostasis. Male Long-Evans rats with permanent bladder and gastrointestinal cannulas were used to determine an approximate location for the gastrointestinal site causing the greatest increase in urinary sodium excretion following infusion of various solutions. Animals remained unrestrained for the 200 minute period of the experiment while urine samples were collected every 20 minutes. Following a 60 minute baseline period, one milliliter of 0.15M (isotonic) sodium chloride, 0.5M (hypertonic) sodium chloride or a 0.5M (hypertonic) mannitol solution was infused into the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, or colon over a twenty minute infusion period through a silicon cannula. Urine samples were analyzed for sodium content to determine if a sensor in the intestines initiated a natriuretic reflex.
Genetic modifiers of respiratory function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Respiratory insufficiency is a major complication of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Its progression shows considerable interindividual variability, which has been less thoroughly characterized and understood than in skeletal muscle. We collected pulmonary function testing (PFT) data from a large retrospective cohort followed at Centers collaborating in the Italian DMD Network. Furthermore, we analyzed PFT associations with different DMD mutation types, and with genetic variants in SPP1, LTBP4, CD40, and ACTN3, known to modify skeletal muscle weakness in DMD. Genetic association findings were independently validated in the Cooperative International Neuromuscular Research Group Duchenne Natural History Study (CINRG‐DNHS).
Reachable Workspace and Proximal Function Measures for Quantifying Upper Limb Motion

There are a lack of quantitative measures for clinically assessing upper limb function. Conventional biomechanical performance measures are restricted to specialist labs due to hardware cost and complexity, while the resulting measurements require specialists for analysis. Depth cameras are low cost and portable systems that can track surrogate joint positions. However, these motions may not be biologically consistent, which can result in noisy, inaccurate movements. This paper introduces a rigid body modelling method to enforce biological feasibility of the recovered motions. This method is evaluated on an existing depth camera assessment: the reachable workspace (RW) measure for assessing gross shoulder function. As a rigid body model is used, position estimates of new proximal targets can be added, resulting in a proximal function (PF) measure for assessing a subject's ability to touch specific body landmarks. The accuracy, and repeatability of these measures is assessed on ten asymptomatic subjects, with and without rigid body constraints. This analysis is performed both on a low-cost depth camera system and a gold-standard active motion capture system. The addition of rigid body constraints was found to improve accuracy and concordance of the depth camera system, particularly in lateral reaching movements. Both RW and PF measures were found to be feasible candidates for clinical assessment, with future analysis needed to determine their ability to detect changes within specific patient populations.