Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Implementing change in physiotherapy: professions, contexts and interventions.

PURPOSE The purpose of this paper is to report findings from qualitative interviews with physiotherapists to demonstrate why even minor changes to clinical work resulting from the introduction of new interventions, are often difficult to implement. The paper seeks to illustrate how some of the obstacles to implementing change were managed by physiotherapists. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH A total of 32 qualitative interviews with participating physiotherapists were conducted, 12 interviews prior to the introduction of the new system, and 20 afterwards. The interviews were coded and analysed thematically. FINDINGS The findings reveal a number of perceived limitations of current management of low back pain and identify key themes around convergence with the new approach, such as willingness by physiotherapists to adopt the new approach, the perception of benefits to adopting the new approach, as well as some difficulty in adjusting to it. The authors refer to the positive and negative elements as "soft" and "hard" disruption. The adoption of the new approach is explored with reference to the "situated" dimensions of physiotherapy practice and normalisation process theory. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS The study raises the need to conduct future observational research to support the interview findings. ORIGINALITY/VALUE The study describes the "situated" components of physiotherapy work, which have received limited research attention. The value of the study lies less in its ability to explain specifically why physiotherapists adopted or rejected the new system, but in describing the conditions and consequences of change that might be translated to other professions, contexts and interventions.
Comparison of Multilocus Sequence Typing, Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis, and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Typing for Characterization of Salmonella enterica Serotype Newport Isolates

ABSTRACT In the United States, multidrug-resistant phenotypes of Salmonella enterica serotype Newport (commonly referred to as MDR-AmpC) have emerged in animals and humans and have become a major public health problem. Although pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) is the current “gold standard” typing method for Salmonella, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) may be more relevant to investigations exploring evolutionary and population biology relationships. In this study, 81 Salmonella enterica serotype Newport isolates from humans, food animals, and retail foods were examined for antimicrobial susceptibility and characterized using PFGE and MLST of seven genes, aroC, dnaN, hemD, hisD, purE, sucA, and thrA. Forty-nine percent of the isolates were resistant to nine or more of the tested antimicrobials. Salmonella isolates displayed resistance most often to sulfamethoxazole (57%), streptomycin (56%), tetracycline (56%), ampicillin (52%), and ceftiofur (49%) and, to a lesser extent, to kanamycin (19%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (17%), and gentamicin (11%). A total of 43 PFGE patterns were generated using XbaI, indicating a genetically diverse population. The largest PFGE cluster contained isolates from clinically ill swine, cattle, and humans. MLST resulted in 12 sequence types (STs), with one type encompassing 62% of the strains. Ten new sequence types and one novel allele type were identified. Furthermore, MLST typing showed that strains closely related by PFGE clustered in major STs, whereas more distantly related strains were separated into two clusters by PFGE. The results of this study demonstrated that the MLST scheme employed here clustered S. enterica serovar Newport isolates in distinct molecular populations, and strain discrimination was enhanced by combining PFGE, antimicrobial susceptibility, and MLST results.
Incidental Atherosclerotic Renal Artery Stenosis Diagnosed at Cardiac Catheterization: No Difference in Kidney Function with or without Stenting

BACKGROUND The long-term kidney function of patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) diagnosed incidentally at the time of cardiac catheterization is not well described despite the increasingly common practice of assessing these vessels at the time of cardiac investigation. METHODS This is a retrospective analysis of a cohort identified prospectively at the time of non-emergent coronary angiography. Those with >or=50% ARAS were managed medically and underwent stenting if recommended by their nephrologist and/or cardiologist. Longitudinal regression analysis was used to compare the annualized change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in stented and unstented patients. Cox regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of a decline in GFR by >or=25%. RESULTS Of 140 patients, 67 (48%) were stented, mostly for preservation of kidney function (70.1%) and/or resistant hypertension (53.7%). Median follow-up time was 943 days. Stented patients were younger, had higher systolic blood pressure and more severe ARAS. The adjusted rate of change in GFR was -1.49 (95% CI -2.33 to -0.65) ml/min/1.73 m(2)/year in the unstented group, and -1.48 (95% CI -2.34 to -0.62) ml/min/1.73 m(2)/year in the stented group (p = 0.99). A decline of GFR >or=25% occurred in 42 (30%) patients; no patient required dialysis. Only the presence of cereberovascular disease was associated with this outcome (hazard ratio 2.52, 95% CI 1.56-5.41). CONCLUSION We were unable to demonstrate a benefit or harm of renal artery stenting for ARAS, thus further increasing the uncertainty of the significance of these lesions and how they are best managed.
Chronic maintenance hemodialysis: Making sense of the terminology

During the early decades, the hemodialysis (HD) terminology for modality, technique and function altered little as the widely accepted regime of thrice‐weekly, 4‐hourly dialysis varied little. In the last decade, however, a wide range of new options have emerged in all facets of HD therapy. This has led to a sudden expansion in terminology, some duplicating, some contradictory, some superfluous. The definitions used in 1 geographical region may mean something entirely different elsewhere, increasing cross‐continental misunderstanding and misinterpretation and raising the often‐asked question: “What exactly did the authors mean by that? ” Although clearly the definitions used in this paper are also only the authors' opinion, we have sought to explore the use and sometimes confusing application of many commonly used terms, and we propose a number of possible deletions. Finally, we offer a descriptive data set that we believe should be used for all HD‐related papers. Our conclusions will not always be welcomed—particularly by those who use terms we have rejected. Despite this, we believe it pertinent to fully review the dialysis terminology we use. Primarily, we hope to stimulate debate about which terms should be globally adopted and what those terms should mean when used. Although not all will agree with our conclusions, we hope this paper may provide a framework for a more streamlined, efficient, and globally acceptable nomenclature.
Postoperative sella: evaluation with fast spin echo T2-weighted high-resolution imaging.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the magnetic resonance features of the postoperative sella with fast spin echo (FSE) T2-weighted high-resolution imaging and to evaluate the benefits of the sequence using a follow-up magnetic resonance imaging protocol after transsphenoidal surgery. METHODS Coronal spin echo (SE) T1-weighted and FSE T2-weighted images were prospectively obtained in 24 patients after surgery for pituitary adenomas. We observed the signals and the contour of normal structures, fluid collection, implanted materials, and mass lesions, including granulation tissue and adenoma. RESULTS The pituitary gland was delineated in 51 of 59 FSE T2-weighted images, 90.2% of which presented clear boundaries. Whereas the gland was detected in 49 of 58 SE T1-weighted images, only 20.4% showed the boundaries. A mass lesion was identified in each of 12 patients with good resolution on FSE T2-weighted images. SE T1-weighted images detected mass lesions in 7 of 12 patients without distinctive boundaries. Contrast enhancement had little advantage in clarifying the boundaries between normal and abnormal structures. For the detection of mass lesions in the sella, the kappa values for interobserver agreement were 0.8 for FSE T2-weighted images and 0.25 for SE T1-weighted images. CONCLUSION FSE T2-weighted imaging is a reliable method with which to assess the sella with sufficient resolution after transsphenoidal surgery. The combination of unenhanced SE T1-weighted and FSE T2-weighted images may reduce the use of contrast material after pituitary surgery.
Solving bird image overlapping for automatic population counts of birds using image processing

The counting bird population for assessment of the abundance of ecosystem is very important. The problem is overlapped bird in images. This research is purposed to solve bird image overlapping for counting population of birds using image processing. There are 4 techniques of image processing. Firstly, noisy dot and background are removed in bird image using multilevel thresholding. Secondly, the Region growing finds size of the bird by finding area value for segment of the image. Thirdly, the distance transform finds distance between images for segment of object. Finally, the erosion technique is used for object reduction which relationship of pixels in 4 directions. The experimental results have high precision as 0.96 and accuracy as 0.89 as recall 0.92 with different 6 images. The benefit of this research increases the performance of counting bird population which is one of the factors to discover an abundance of ecosystem.
ERK1/2-dependent Activation of Transcription Factors Required for Acute and Chronic Effects of Glucose on the Insulin Gene Promoter*

The insulin promoter is both positively and negatively regulated in response to conditions to which pancreatic β-cells are exposed. Exposure of intact rat islets and INS-1 pancreatic β-cells to 11 mm glucose for minutes to hours results in an enhancement in the rate of insulin gene transcription assessed with a reporter linked to the insulin gene promoter. In contrast, chronic exposure of rat islets or β-cells to 11 mm glucose results in loss of the glucose responsiveness of the insulin gene promoter. By 48 h, glucose inhibits insulin gene promoter activity. Here we show that not only the acute effect of elevated glucose to stimulate the insulin gene promoter but also the chronic effect of elevated glucose to inhibit the insulin gene promoter depend on ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase activity. In examining the underlying mechanism, we found that acute exposure to 11 mm glucose resulted in the binding of the transcription factors NFAT and Maf to the glucose-responsive A2C1 element of the insulin gene promoter. An NFAT and C/EBP-β complex was observed in cells chronically exposed to 11 mm glucose. Formation of NFAT-Maf and NFAT-C/EBP-β complexes was sensitive to inhibitors of ERK1/2 and calcineurin, consistent with our previous finding that activation of ERK1/2 by glucose required calcineurin activity and the well documented regulation of NFAT by calcineurin. These results indicate that the ERK1/2 pathway modulates partners of NFAT, which may either stimulate or repress insulin gene transcription during stimulatory and chronic exposure to elevated glucose.
Variation in Treatment Preferences and Care Goals Among Older Patients With Diabetes and Their Physicians

Background:Older persons with diabetes are heterogeneous with respect to life expectancy and frailty, and new guidelines recommend individualizing care. Objectives:(1) To describe variation in the preferences of older patients with diabetes regarding aggressiveness of glycemic control and avoiding diabetic complications. (2) To determine correlates of patient preferences and physician treatment goals. (3) To assess whether physicians’ goals were consistent with their patients’ preferences. Research Design:Cross-sectional surveys and chart reviews in urban academic clinics. Subjects:Four hundred seventy-three patients with diabetes age 65 or older and 64 physicians. Measures:Patient preferences (utilities on a scale from 0 to 1, 0 = death, 1 = perfect health) for diabetic complications and intensity of treatment, and physician target treatment goals and ratings of aggressiveness of approach. Results:Eighty percent of the patients were African American, 63% were women, average age was 73.7 ± 5.9 years and 26% expected to live 5 years or less. Patient preferences/utilities showed significant variation: blindness 0.39 (SD, 0.32), lower leg amputation 0.45 (0.34), conventional treatment 0.76 (0.27), and intensive insulin treatment 0.64 (0.32). Physicians’ hemoglobin A1c goal was ≤7% in 69% of patients. Greater estimated patient life expectancy was consistently associated with higher patient utilities and was associated with physicians’ willingness to use aggressive treatments. Physicians’ treatment goals and approaches were associated with patients’ utilities for treatment. Conclusions:Older patients vary greatly in their preferences regarding diabetic complications and treatments. Acknowledging patient preferences, along with life goals and prognostic data, may improve quality of treatment decisions.
Objective and subjective effects of remoxipride, alone and in combination with ethanol or diazepam, on performance in healthy subjects

Effects on human performance of remoxipride (RX), an antipsychotic drug of substituted benzamide structure, were studied in a randomized double-blind crossover trial where 12 young healthy volunteers took at 1 week intervals single oral doses of placebo or remoxipiride 100 mg both alone and in combination with 15 mg diazepam (DZ) or 0.8 g/kg ethanol (EtOH). Objective (digit symbols, tracking, choice reaction, flicker fusion, Maddox wing, body balance, memory) and subjective (visual analogue scales, questionnaire) tests were administered at baseline and 1.5, 3, 4.5 and 6 h post-treatment.
Preparation and comparative study of polyaniline/copper and polyaniline/silver composites by electrical explosion of wire

Polyaniline-copper (PANI-Cu) and polyaniline-silver (PANI-Ag) composites were prepared by electrical explosion of wire (EEW) in presence and the absence of polyacrylic acid (PAA) surfactant. Structure characteristics of the composites were studied by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-vis spectroscopy and electrical measurement. The conductivity of polyaniline-metal increased several magnitude compared to pure PANI. The characteristics of composites changed significantly when PAA was used. The stability of composite colloids increased; the surface of composite was smoother and the conductivity decreased. PANI-Ag composite have higher conductivity than PANI-Cu.
Red blood cell n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in first trimester of pregnancy are inversely associated with placental weight

Objective. To investigate pregnancy outcome in relation to red blood cell (RBC) level of long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the first trimester of pregnancy and the influence of lifestyle factors on the RBC level of long‐chain n‐3 PUFA. Design and setting. Observational study in a community with traditional fish and cod liver oil consumption. Population. Seventy‐seven healthy pregnant women. Methods. The PUFA composition of RBC was measured in the 11th to 15th week of pregnancy. The women answered food frequency and lifestyle questionnaires. Information on pregnancy outcome was collected from birth records. Main outcome measures. Placental weight, long‐chain n‐3 PUFA in diet and RBC, smoking. Results. Of all the pregnancy outcome variables tested, placental weight was the only one associated with long‐chain n‐3 PUFA in RBC. Inverse association was found between the proportion of long‐chain n‐3 PUFA in RBC and placental weight, adjusted for birthweight (p = 0.035). The proportion of long‐chain n‐3 PUFA in RBC was positively related to long‐chain n‐3 PUFA intake (p<0.001) and negatively related to smoking (p = 0.011). Conclusion. The human fetus relies on maternal supply and placental delivery of long‐chain n‐3 PUFA for optimal development and function, particularly of the central nervous system. Given the importance of dietary n‐3 PUFA during pregnancy, further studies are warranted to investigate the relationship between placental weight, maternal long‐chain n‐3 PUFA status and smoking.
Improving the performance of the force comparator in a watt balance based on pressure balances

A watt balance based on pressure balances has been proposed for a measurement of the Planck constant and for a non-artefact realisation of the kilogram. This watt balance uses twin gas-operated pressure balances as the force comparator to compare the gravitational force on a test mass with the electromagnetic force on a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field. In this paper the results of initial trials with a twin pressure balance as a mass/force comparator are presented and ways of improving this performance are investigated. The focus is on reducing the damping in the force comparator.
123I-interleukin-2 scintigraphy for in vivo assessment of intestinal mononuclear cell infiltration in Crohn's disease.

UNLABELLED Activated mononuclear cells expressing interleukin-2 (IL2) receptors (IL2-Rs) heavily infiltrate the Crohn's disease (CD) gut wall. A new technique for the in vivo detection of tissue infiltrating IL2-R positive (IL2R+ve) cells was developed based on 123I-IL2 scintigraphy. The aim of this study was to investigate whether 123I-IL2 accumulates in the CD gut wall in different phases of the disease and to evaluate the specificity of 123I-IL2 binding to activated IL2R+ve cells infiltrating the gut wall. METHODS Fifteen patients with ileal CD (10 active and 5 inactive) and 10 healthy volunteers were studied by 123I-IL2 scintigraphy. Six patients with active CD were studied before and after 12 wk of steroid treatment. After scintigraphy, patients were followed up for 29-54 mo. Ex vivo autoradiography was performed to determine specificity of 125I-IL2 binding to IL2R+ve cells. For bowel scintigraphy, 123I-IL2 (75 MBq) was injected intravenously and gamma camera images were acquired after 1 h. Bowel radioactivity was quantified in 64 regions of interest (ROIs). RESULTS Autoradiography showed specific binding of 125I-IL2 to IL2R+ve mononuclear cells infiltrating the CD gut wall. Intestinal 123I-IL2 uptake assessed by the number of positive ROIs was higher in patients with active or inactive CD than in healthy volunteers (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.03, respectively) and positively correlated with the CD activity index (P = 0.01). 123I-IL2 intestinal uptake significantly decreased in patients with CD in steroid-induced remission (P = 0.03). A significant correlation was observed between the number of positive ROIs and time to disease relapse. CONCLUSION 123I-IL2 accumulates in the diseased CD gut wall by specific binding to IL2R+ve cells, infiltrating the involved tissues. 123I-IL2 scintigraphy may be an objective tool for the in vivo assessment of intestinal activated mononuclear cell infiltration.
Plasma membrane phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and 4,5-bisphosphate determine the distribution and function of K-Ras4B but not H-Ras proteins

Plasma membrane (PM) localization of Ras proteins is crucial for transmitting signals upon mitogen stimulation. Post-translational lipid modification of Ras proteins plays an important role in their recruitment to the PM. Electrostatic interactions between negatively charged PM phospholipids and basic amino acids found in K-Ras4B (K-Ras) but not in H-Ras are important for permanent K-Ras localization to the PM. Here, we investigated how acute depletion of negatively charged PM polyphosphoinositides (PPIns) from the PM alters the intracellular distribution and activity of K- and H-Ras proteins. PPIns depletion from the PM was achieved either by agonist-induced activation of phospholipase C β or with a rapamycin-inducible system in which various phosphatidylinositol phosphatases were recruited to the PM. Redistribution of the two Ras proteins was monitored with confocal microscopy or with a recently developed bioluminescence resonance energy transfer-based approach involving fusion of the Ras C-terminal targeting sequences or the entire Ras proteins to Venus fluorescent protein. We found that PM PPIns depletion caused rapid translocation of K-Ras but not H-Ras from the PM to the Golgi. PM depletion of either phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PtdIns4P) or PtdIns(4,5)P2 but not PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 was sufficient to evoke K-Ras translocation. This effect was diminished by deltarasin, an inhibitor of the Ras–phosphodiesterase interaction, or by simultaneous depletion of the Golgi PtdIns4P. The PPIns depletion decreased incorporation of [3H]leucine in K-Ras–expressing cells, suggesting that Golgi-localized K-Ras is not as signaling-competent as its PM-bound form. We conclude that PPIns in the PM are important regulators of K-Ras–mediated signals.
Quantitative proteomics of parotid saliva in primary Sjögren's syndrome

The diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is difficult due to the lack of specific laboratory and clinical tests. As an initial step for the global discovery of changes in the abundance of parotid salivary proteins in pSS, a pooled sample was compared to that from healthy control subjects by multidimensional protein identification technology (MudPIT). A total of 1246 proteins were identified by MudPIT. The abundance of 477 of these proteins did not change, 529 were only detected in either the pSS or HC sample, while 206 of these proteins were significantly upregulated ≥ twofold and 34 were downregulated ≤ 0.5. Ingenuity Pathway Analyses of differentially expressed proteins identified by MudPIT resulted in the identification of 100 significant pathways. The same samples were quantified in parallel using RP MS. Fifty‐eight of 71 proteins identified by RP overlapped with MudPIT results. Five proteins were further analyzed by targeted label‐free quantification to confirm the similar relative differential expression observed by RP and MudPIT approaches. The present study supports the use of MS for global discovery and validation of marker proteins for improved and early diagnosis of pSS.