Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Charcot spinal disease after spinal cord injury.

OBJECT The authors investigated the background, risk factors, and treatment strategies for Charcot spinal disease (CSD) after spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS The authors retrospectively examined the clinical and radiological findings in 9 patients with a total of 10 Charcot spine lesions that occurred after SCI. The mean age of the 9 patients was 54 years, and all patients presented with complete SCIs. In all but 1 patient, symptoms did not develop until 10 years postinjury. All 10 Charcot spine lesions were located below the thoracolumbar junction. Surgical treatment was performed in 7 patients (7 lesions), and the mean duration of postoperative follow-up was 84 months. RESULTS All patients reported audible noises when changing posture, 5 of 9 patients reported low-back pain, and 7 patients displayed increasing instability while sitting. In 8 patients, spasticity disappeared and limbs became flaccid several years after SCI. Two patients had associated bacterial infections in the Charcot spine lesions, and 1 patient complained of autonomic dysreflexic symptoms associated with trunk movements. Although postoperative complications occurred in 3 patients, all patients who underwent surgical treatment made a good recovery and were able to return to daily life in a wheelchair. On lateral radiography, the mean range of motion at the lesion site was 43 degrees , and fluid collections between the involved vertebrae were observed in 8 patients on MR images; ankylosing spinal hyperostosis was observed in 7 patients. Charcot spine lesions tended to occur at the junction between or at the end of an ankylosing spinal hyperostotic lesion. Postoperatively, solid arthrodesis was obtained within 6 months in all surgically treated lesions. CONCLUSIONS Disappearance of spasticity in the lower extremities is thought to be an important physical sign suggestive of CSD after SCI. Sitting imbalance and the fluid volume of the Charcot spinal lesions are related to range of motion at the lesion site. In addition to a combined approach, a single posterior approach with acquisition of anterior support is an option for surgical treatment even in cases of infected CSD.
Protein Secondary Structure Prediction Using Two-Level Case-Based Reasoning

We have developed a two-level case-based reasoning architecture for predicting protein secondary structure. The central idea is to break the problem into two levels: (i) reasoning at the object (protein) level and using the global information from this level to focus on a more restricted problem space; (ii) decomposing objects into pieces (segments) and reasoning at the level of internal structures. As a last step to the procedure, inferences from the parts of the internal structure are synthesized into predictions about global structure. The architecture has been developed and tested on a commonly used data set with 69.5% predictive accuracy. It was then tested on a new data set with 68.2% accuracy. With additional tuning, over 70% accuracy was achieved. In addition, a series of experiments were conducted to test various aspects of the method and the results are informative.
Neuronal and network activity in networks of cultured spinal motor neurons

This is the first report of multielectrode recordings from networks of cultured motor neurons. Neurons isolated from the ventral horns of spinal cords of E15 rats were cultured on MED64 probes. The majority of the neurons in the cultures are positive for neurofilament, choline acetyltransferase, and Hb9, characteristics of motor neurons. The activity of the motor neuron network is characterized by spiking of individual cells as well as spontaneous, synchronized bursts involving all active electrodes. Both spiking and network bursts are stimulated by GABA antagonists and acetylcholine, and are inhibited by GABA itself and glutamate antagonists. Networks of cultured embryonic motor neurons make a good model system for studying motor neuron development and physiology as well as the pathophysiology of motor neuron disease.
Transcatheter treatment of tricuspid regurgitation by caval valve implantation—experimental evaluation of decellularized tissue valves in central venous position

BACKGROUND: Caval valve implantation has been suggested for transcatheter treatment of severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Combining the interventional technique with the promising surgical experience with decellularized valves, we sought to evaluate the functional and structural outcome of decellularized pericardial tissue valves (dTVs) in the low‐pressure venous circulation in a chronic model of TR. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixteen pericardial tissue valves were heterotopically implanted in the inferior and superior vena cava in a sheep model (54–98 kg; median 74.5 kg, n = 8) of severe TR. The devices were assembled using self‐expanding nitinol stents and bovine pericardia decellularized by a detergent‐based protocol (group dTV; n = 8). Glutaraldehyde‐fixed pericardial tissue valves served as control (GaTV, n = 8). After 6 months, device function and structural maturation were analyzed using echocardiographic, histologic, immunohistologic, and electron microscopic approaches. After implantation, cardiac output increased significantly from 3.7 ± 1.1 l/min to 4.8 ± 1.1 l/min (P < 0.05) and competent valve function was verified by angiography. At 6 months, angiographic and echocardiographic evaluation revealed moderate to severe regurgitation in all GaTV. In contrast, five of the eight dTVs functioned well with only minor regurgitation. In these animals, autopsy revealed preserved valve structure with tender leaflets without signs of thrombosis or calcification. Conversely, GaTV showed severe degeneration with large calcification areas. Microscopic and histologic analysis confirmed endothelial repopulation in both valve types. However, additional interstitial reseeding was observed in decellularized valves. CONCLUSIONS: In the venous circulation in severe TR, decellularized valves show superior functional performance compared to Ga‐fixed tissue valves. Macroscopic and microscopic analyses suggest preserved structural integrity and advanced endothelial and interstitial repopulation with evidence of less degradation in dTV. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A pilot study of the effects of internet-based cognitive stimulation on neuropsychological function in HIV disease

Purpose: Mild cognitive deficits associated with HIV disease can affect activities of daily living, so interventions that reduce them may have a long-term effect on quality of life. We evaluated the feasibility of a cognitive stimulation program (CSP) to improve neuropsychological test performance in HIV disease. Methods: Sixty volunteers (30 HIV-infected) participated. The primary outcome was the change in neuropsychological test performance as indexed by the Global Impairment Rating; secondary outcomes included mood (Brief Symptom Inventory subscales) and quality of life rating (Medical Outcomes Survey-HIV) scales. Results: Fifty-two participants completed all 24 weeks of the study, and 54% of the participants in the CSP group successfully used the system via internet access from their home or other location. There was a significant interaction between usage and study visit such that the participants who used the program most frequently showed significantly greater improvements in cognitive functioning (F(3, 46.4 = 3.26, p = 0.030); none of the secondary outcomes were affected by the dose of CSP. Conclusions: We found it possible to complete an internet-based CSP in HIV-infected individuals; ease of internet access was a key component for success. Participants who used the program most showed improvements in cognitive function over the 24-week period, suggesting that a larger clinical trial of CSP may be warranted. Implications for Rehabilitation HIV disease is now a chronic condition in areas with good access to medical care. HIV-infected patients may have mild, but clinically critical deficits in cognitive functions. It may be possible to improve cognitive functions using cognitive stimulation programs over the Internet. Such cognitive stimulation may improve cognitive functions, and thus affect future disability, disability severity and rehabilitation potential.
A memory-based approach to fault detection and diagnosis

Fault detection and diagnosis are functions with enormous importance to advanced intelligent supervisory control systems. In the quest for improved quality and safer operations, we adopt a different approach to fault diagnosis based on the memory-based learning paradigm. The properties of memory-based methods that make them especially appropriate for autonomous systems functioning in environments that are not known in advance and in which the designers will not be able to tune the learning parameters during operation are thoroughly discussed. Some aspects of practical implementations are considered. Finally, we explore a sound approach to dealing with practical fault detection scenarios when the available database is huge.
Sexual differences in the hypothalamic regulation of prolactin secretion.

Estrogen treatment of female rats ovariectomized when adult or of adult neonatally castrated males resulted, on the afternoon and evening of the 3rd day after initiation of treatment, in surges of prolactin secretion which reached 100 ng/ml. Males castrated when adult or androgen sterilized females ovariectomized when adult did not produce surges in response to estrogen treatment, prolactin levels remaining in the range of 10–20 ng/ml. In contrast to these sexual differences, baseline prolactin levels in untreated gonadectomized males or androgen sterilized females were significantly higher than in untreated gonadectomized females or neonatally castrated males. The surge of prolactin secretion in estrogen-treated female rats ovariectomized when adult was inhibited by a retrochiasmatic cut separating the anterior from the medial part of the hypothalamus. These results demonstrate fundamental sexual differences in the regulation of prolactin secretion. These differences may result from androgens inhibiting,.
Deep sparse auto-encoder for computer aided pulmonary nodules CT diagnosis

In this paper, we develop a computer aided diagnosis algorithm to detect and classify the abnormalities in lung CT examination. We focus on analyzing the pulmonary nodules CT data and help the medical experts improve the accuracy of medical diagnosis with our analysis tool. To achieve this, we take into account the advantage of sparse representation in medical signal and design a novel deep sparse auto-encoder (DSAE) model based on deep learning. Unlike the other traditional feature selection models, this DSAE model can extract the underlying features of pulmonary nodules automatically and these features may a better presentation of original medical CT data. For the experiments, we use a pulmonary CT dataset and conducted experiments and comparisons with other algorithms to justify the effectiveness and efficiency of our algorithm.
Virus-Specific Cofactor Requirement and Chimeric Hepatitis C Virus/GB Virus B Nonstructural Protein 3

ABSTRACT GB virus B (GBV-B) is closely related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) and causes acute hepatitis in tamarins (Saguinus species), making it an attractive surrogate virus for in vivo testing of anti-HCV inhibitors in a small monkey model. It has been reported that the nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) serine protease of GBV-B shares similar substrate specificity with its counterpart in HCV. Authentic proteolytic processing of the HCV polyprotein junctions (NS4A/4B, NS4B/5A, and NS5A/5B) can be accomplished by the GBV-B NS3 protease in an HCV NS4A cofactor-independent fashion. We further characterized the protease activity of a full-length GBV-B NS3 protein and its cofactor requirement using in vitro-translated GBV-B substrates. Cleavages at the NS4A/4B and NS5A/5B junctions were readily detectable only in the presence of a cofactor peptide derived from the central region of GBV-B NS4A. Interestingly, the GBV-B substrates could also be cleaved by the HCV NS3 protease in an HCV NS4A cofactor-dependent manner, supporting the notion that HCV and GBV-B share similar NS3 protease specificity while retaining a virus-specific cofactor requirement. This finding of a strict virus-specific cofactor requirement is consistent with the lack of sequence homology in the NS4A cofactor regions of HCV and GBV-B. The minimum cofactor region that supported GBV-B protease activity was mapped to a central region of GBV-B NS4A (between amino acids Phe22 and Val36) which overlapped with the cofactor region of HCV. Alanine substitution analysis demonstrated that two amino acids, Val27 and Trp31, were essential for the cofactor activity, a finding reminiscent of the two critical residues in the HCV NS4A cofactor, Ile25 and Ile29. A model for the GBV-B NS3 protease domain and NS4A cofactor complex revealed that GBV-B might have developed a similar structural strategy in the activation and regulation of its NS3 protease activity. Finally, a chimeric HCV/GBV-B bifunctional NS3, consisting of an N-terminal HCV protease domain and a C-terminal GBV-B RNA helicase domain, was engineered. Both enzymatic activities were retained by the chimeric protein, which could lead to the development of a chimeric GBV-B virus that depends on HCV protease function.
A systematic review of randomized controlled trials on sterilization methods of extracted human teeth

Aim of this Study: The aim was to evaluate the efficiency of different sterilization methods on extracted human teeth (EHT) by a systematic review of in vitro randomized controlled trials. Methodology : An extensive electronic database literature search concerning the sterilization of EHT was conducted. The search terms used were “human teeth, sterilization, disinfection, randomized controlled trials, and infection control. ” Randomized controlled trials which aim at comparing the efficiency of different methods of sterilization of EHT were all included in this systematic review. Results : Out of 1618 articles obtained, eight articles were selected for this systematic review. The sterilization methods reviewed were autoclaving, 10% formalin, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, 3% hydrogen peroxide, 2% glutaraldehyde, 0.1% thymol, and boiling to 100°C. Data were extracted from the selected individual studies and their findings were summarized. Conclusion: Autoclaving and 10% formalin can be considered as 100% efficient and reliable methods. While the use of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, 3% hydrogen peroxide, 2% glutaraldehyde, 0.1% thymol, and boiling to 100°C was inefficient and unreliable methods of sterilization of EHT.
How long does it take to find a cause? An online investigation of implicit causality in sentence production

Some interpersonal verbs show an implicit causality bias in favour of their subject or their object. Such a bias is generally seen in offline continuation tasks where participants are required to finish a fragment containing the verb (e.g., Peter annoyed Jane because …). The implicit causality bias has been ascribed to the subject's focusing on the initiator of the event denoted by the verb. According to this “focusing theory” the implicit cause has a higher level of activation, at least after the connective “because” has been read. Recently, the focusing theory has been criticized by researchers who used a probe recognition or reading-time methodology. However no clear alternative has been proposed to explain the offline continuation data. In this paper, we report three experiments using an online continuation task, which showed that subjects took more time to imagine an ending when the fragment to be completed contained an anaphor that was incongruent with the verbal bias (e.g., Peter annoyed Jane because she …). This result suggests that the offline continuation data could reflect the cognitive effort associated with finding a predicate with an agent incongruent with the implicit causality bias of a verb. In the discussion, we suggest that this effort could be related to the number of constraints that an incongruent clause must satisfy to be consistent with the causal structure of the discourse.
Development of a scale for assessment of agitation following traumatic brain injury.

Development and initial validation of a scale for assessment of agitation in traumatic brain-injured individuals is described. Items were selected from an initial 39-item pool based on their testability, differentiation of agitation, frequency of occurrence, and representation of the full domain of the construct. The resulting 14-item instrument, called the Agitated Behavior Scale (ABS), was subsequently tested on an independent sample of 35 head-injured subjects. Reliability was examined via measures of internal consistency and qualitative evaluation of principal components factor analysis. Cronbach's alpha exceeded . 80 for all rates. Comparable values of theta were found and qualitative criteria of internal consistency were met. The ABS score accounted for between 36% and 62% of the variance in 15 of 16 correlations with simultaneous, independent observations of agitation. Results of initial validation are discussed in light of classic test theory and research necessary for determination of construct validity.
A model for the design and implementation of a participant recruitment registry for clinical studies of older adults

Background The identification and enlistment of suitable participants into clinical studies is often challenging, requiring a large commitment of time and staff resources. The recruitment and retention of populations typically underrepresented in research present additional challenges to enrollment of sufficient numbers of participants in clinical studies. Inadequate participation may undermine the pace and direction of new treatment discoveries. Purpose Registries of potential research participants are powerful tools to support research by providing a framework to streamline screening and recruitment and to maintain a communication history with potential research participants. The authors present a model for the development and implementation of a web-based database system to support recruitment, enrollment, and retention of potential study participants in close alignment with the goals of the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC). Methods The required data elements and major information domains for the registry were identified using a structured problem-solving and system design approach and the collaboration of a multidisciplinary team of stakeholders. The system performance, utility, and usability were assessed through multiple iterations with the users. Results The process-oriented approach culminated in a multifaceted tool that combined contact management and potential research participant registration to assist with the challenges of recruitment and retention in clinical research. A unique feature of the registry design model was its contact management capabilities for efficient tracking of all contacts with registrants. Limitations We have focused on the development and implementation of a system for the recruitment of older adults with specific cognitive and medical characteristics. However, our procedures for identifying data needs and database system utility and functionality can be transferred easily to other populations and settings. As with any multipurpose registry database system, careful management and training are essential to optimize efficiency. Conclusion Adding a contact management element to the registry design significantly improved the efficiency of communication between clinical study coordinators and potential research participants, as well as the communication among coordinators.
Theory of protostellar accretion

This paper reviews current theoretical work on the various stages of accretion in protostars, and the relationship of these ideal stages to the spectral classes of observed protostellar systems. I discuss scaling relationships that have been obtained for models of pre-stellar cores as they evolve by ambipolar diffusion toward a central singularity, and expectations for the dynamical evolution as the cores collapse radially to form a rotating disk. I summarize work that suggests accretion in T Tauri systems may be limited by ionization to disk surface layers, and implications for the variation of ṀD with radius. Finally, I describe models for the asymptotic structure of free magnetocentrifugal winds, and show that the constant-density surfaces in these winds may be strongly collimated even when the streamlines are not.
[Effect of yizhi jiannao granules on the expression of Pin1 and HMGB1 mRNA in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of yizhi jiannao granule concentration fluid (YCF) on the expression of peptidyl-prolyl-cis-trans isomerase A (Pin1) and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) mRNA in the hippocampus of senescence accelerated mice Senile-Prone8(SAMP8). METHODS Six-month old SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into a YCF group and a model group. Six-month old SAMP8 mice were served as a normal control group. The YCF group was ravaged, while the model group and the normal control group were gavaged with double-distilled water for 8 weeks. The hippocampus was taken out for examination. The expression of Pin1 and HMGB1 mRNA was measured by RT-PCR. RESULTS In the YCF group, the level of Pin1 mRNA increased, and the level of HMGB1 mRNA decreased compared with that of the model group. CONCLUSION Yizhi jiannao granules can prevent Alzheimer's disease by increasing the Pin1 level and decreasing the HMGB1 level.
Logo Matching for Document Image Retrieval Using SIFT Descriptors

In current trends the logos are playing a vital role in industrial and all commercial applications. Fundamentally the logo is defined as it’s a graphic entity which contains colors textures, shapes and text etc., which is organized in some special visible format. But unfortunately it is very difficult thing to save their brand logos from duplicates. In practical world there are several systems available for logo reorganization and detection with different kinds of requirements. Two dimensional global descriptors are used for logo matching and reorganization. The concept of Shape descriptors based on Shape context and the global descriptors are based on the logo contours. There is an algorithm which is implemented for logo detection is based on partial spatial context and spatial spectral saliency (SSS). The SSS is able to keep away from the confusion effect of background and also speed up the process of logo detection. All such methods are useful only when the logo is visible completely without noise and not subjected to change. We contribute, through this paper, to the design of a novel variation framework able to match and recognize multiple instances of multiple reference logos in image archives. Reference logos and test images are seen as constellations of local features (interest points, regions, etc.) and matched by minimizing an energy function mixing: 1) a fidelity term that measures the quality of feature matching, 2) a neighborhood criterion that captures feature co-occurrence geometry, and 3) a regularization term that controls the smoothness of the matching solution. We also introduce a detection/recognition procedure and study its theoretical consistency.