Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensional Subclassification of Lenke Type 1 Scoliotic Curves

Study Design Prospective study of the 3-D shape variability of spinal curve in Lenke type 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Objectives To determine the statistical 3-D variability of Lenke type 1 curves and to evaluate clinical parameters that can be integrated to refine the Lenke et al original proposal, and to pave the road for a comprehensive 3-D subclassification of AIS. Summary of Background Data Several classification systems based on the identification of key features from frontal and sagittal x-rays have been proposed in AIS, but these remain an oversimplification of the complex 3-D deformity because it is only based on 2-D imaging. Clinical 3-D parameter variability has been investigated in previous studies, but has never been considered in the context of the Lenke classification. Methods Radiographs of 68 AIS patients with Lenke type 1 curves were reconstructed in 3-dimension using a stereo-radiographic technique and were submitted to a computer algorithm to compute a set of 3-D parameters that can be used to characterize the 3-D curve. Cluster analysis was performed to determine the statistical distribution of 3-D parameters among Lenke 1 curve types. Results Statistical analysis shows specific 3-D deformation patterns within Lenke type 1 curves, mostly using the best-fit plane or BFP (SD±22.9, ±49.8) and geometric torsion parameters. No significant variability was found using the plane of maximum curvature or PMC. Conclusions Recent advances in computer vision facilitate the introduction of 3-D reconstruction in a standard clinical setting and can provide more information toward the spine behavior in 3-D space. A direct consequence of commonly used 3-D reconstruction would be to be able to evaluate 3-D indices and to devise a real 3-D classification system from the Lenke et al proposal.
Competitive strategy and performance of family businesses: moderating effect of managerial and innovative capabilities

The study examines how managerial and innovative capabilities moderate the relationship between competitive strategies and performance using data from 265 micro and small family firms in a developing economy – Ghana. We argue that in spite of challenges associated with small and micro family firms; they can build on available organizational capabilities to draw out superior gains from their strategic operations. The strategic behavior of the sampled family firms was examined using Porter's generic typologies. The results of the study were mixed and interesting. The findings indicate that a small and micro family firm looking to pursue either low-cost position or differentiation should focus on building strong internal managerial capabilities. Meanwhile, highly innovative family firms looking to build on competitive strategies should consider focusing on differentiation strategy than on cost leadership strategy.
Thermostabilization of Ovotransferrin by Anions for Pasteurization of Liquid Egg White

The effects of anions on the thermostability of ovotransferrin (oTf) were investigated. The temperature, Tm, causing aggregation of oTf was measured in the presence or absence of anions, and the denaturation temperature, TmDSC, was also determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in the presence of the citrate anion. We found that some anions (phosphate, sulfate and citrate) raised temperature Tm of oTf by about 5–7 °C. However, neither sodium chloride nor sodium bicarbonate raised Tm by that much. Temperature Tm was increased by increasing the concentration of the citrate anion, and was in good agreement with denaturation temperature TmDSC, suggesting that denaturation of the oTf molecules resulted in aggregation of oTf. We also demonstrated that the anions, especially sulfate, repressed the heat-aggregation of liquid egg white. The Van’t Hoff plot from the Tm and ΔHd values revealed that two anion-binding sites were concerned with heat stabilization. These binding sites may have been concerned with sulfate binding (not bicarbonate binding) that is found in the crystal structure of apo-form of oTf, since the bicarbonate anion did not raise Tm.
Reference values for serum leptin in healthy non-obese children and adolescents

Abstract Background: Adipokines are biologically active, low-molecular weight peptides, which play a major role in metabolic homeostasis in humans. Leptin has gained increasing attention in pediatrics as a biomarker for various metabolic pathologies. Yet, its usefulness is hampered by the relative lack of reference values from pediatric settings. Accordingly, this study aims to evaluate serum concentrations of leptin, soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R), and free leptin index (FLI) in healthy Danish schoolchildren aged 6–18 years and subsequently to establish reference intervals across sex and age groups. Methods: A total of 1193 healthy, non-obese Danish schoolchildren (730 girls, 463 boys) aged 6–18 years (median 11.9) were examined by trained medical staff. Serum leptin and sOB-R concentrations in venous fasting blood samples were quantitated by immunoassay. Percentile curves of leptin, sOB-R, and free leptin index were calculated using the General Additive Model for Location Scale and Shape (GAMLSS). Results: Significant age and sex-dependent differences in circulating leptin levels were found. In boys, the median leptin concentration for all ages combined was 3.35 μg/L (95%-interval: 0.71–22.47) and in girls, it was 9.89 ng/L (95%-interval: 2.06–41.49). For SOB-R, no sex-specific difference was found, and the median sOB-R concentration was 8.24 μg/L (IQR: 3.58–23.74; range: < 1.56–744.15). Conclusion: We demonstrated an age-dependent correlation with both serum leptin concentration and free leptin index with a gradual and significant increase in girls throughout childhood and adolescence and a significantly higher leptin concentration and free leptin index bell-shaped peak in early adolescence in boys.
Limits of Resistance Testing

Interpretation of antiretroviral testing is complicated by many factors, including those related to HIV biology and genetics, as well as the intricacies of drug selection pressure in vivo. These complex factors can limit the usefulness of resistance testing. However, knowledge about these issues can help to avoid misinterpreting resistance test results and thereby help clinicians to use resistance testing to individualize antiretroviral drug choices.
Power analysis on the time effect for the longitudinal Rasch model.

Statistics literature in the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences typically stress the importance of power analysis. Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO) such as quality of life and other perceived health measures (pain, fatigue, stress,.) are increasingly used as important health outcomes in clinical trials or in epidemiological studies. They cannot be directly observed nor measured as other clinical or biological data and they are often collected through questionnaires with binary or polytomous items. The Rasch model is the well known model in the item response theory (IRT) for binary data. The article proposes an approach to evaluate the statistical power of the time effect for the longitudinal Rasch model with two time points. The performance of this method is compared to the one obtained by simulation study. Finally, the proposed approach is illustrated on one subscale of the SF-36 questionnaire.
Emulating Short-Term and Long-Term Plasticity of Bio-Synapse Based on Cu/a-Si/Pt Memristor

Short-term plasticity and long-term plasticity of bio-synapse are thought to underpin critical physiological functions in neural circuits. In this letter, we vividly emulated the short-term and long-term synaptic functions in a single Cu/a-Si/Pt memristor. By controlling the injection quantity of Cu cations into the a-Si layer, the device showed volatile and non-volatile resistive switching behaviors. Owing to the unique characteristics of Cu/a-Si/Pt device, the short-term synaptic functions, i.e., short-term potentiation, pair-pulse facilitation, and long-term functions, i.e., long-term potentiation/depression, spike-timing-dependent plasticity, were mimicked in the memristor successfully. Furthermore, the transition from short-term memory to long-term memory of the device was also observed under repeated stimuli. The experimental results confirm that the Cu/a-Si/Pt memristor with various synaptic behaviors has a potential application in the brain-inspired computing systems.
Tissue‐specific expression is conferred by a sequence from the 5′ end of the rat albumin gene.

We have constructed a transient expression vector containing 400 bp of rat albumin gene immediate 5′‐flanking sequences inserted 5′ to the bacterial enzyme chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT). We have transfected various clones of rat hepatoma cells representing different states of expression of the liver phenotype with this vector (pALB‐cat) and also with two control vectors containing viral promoters (pSVE‐cat and pRSV‐cat), and measured activity of the bacterial enzyme CAT in cellular extracts 48 h later. The albumin flanking sequences are able to direct highly efficient CAT expression, compared with the control vectors, only in cells which express their own albumin gene: the albumin‐negative hepatoma cells are at least 100 times less efficient in expressing CAT after transfection with the pALB‐cat plasmid than are the albumin‐positive ones. An unexpected result of our study is the total inability of the rat albumin flanking sequences to direct expression in albumin‐producing mouse hepatoma cells.
Apoptotic cell death influences the signaling activity of the amyloid precursor protein through ShcA and Grb2 adaptor proteins in neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells

The amyloid precursor protein (APP) is an ubiquitous receptor‐like molecule involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). APP and some of its C‐terminal proteolytic fragments (CTFs) have been shown to be phosphorylated and to interact with cytosolic phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain containing proteins involved in cell signaling and vesicular transport. Among others, the interaction between tyrosine‐phosphorylated CTFs and ShcA‐Grb2 adaptors is highly enhanced in AD brain. Here we have identified in SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells an interaction between APP holoprotein and the adaptor Grb2. Upon activation of apoptotic cell death this interaction is rapidly degraded, APP is partially cleaved and the complex APP/Grb2 is replaced by a new complex between CTFs and ShcA that still involves Grb2. The formation of these complexes is regulated by beta‐site APP‐cleaving enzyme 1 and influences the phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase p44/42 extracellular signal‐regulated kinase as well as the level of apoptotic death of the cells. These data suggest a dual role in cell signaling for APP and its CTFs in neuroblastoma cells, in a manner similar to that previously reported for other tyrosine kinase receptor, through a tightly regulated coupling with alternative intracellular adaptors to control the signaling of the cell.
Regional collaborative quality improvement for trauma reduces complications and costs

BACKGROUND Although evidence suggests that quality improvement to reduce complications for trauma patients should decrease costs, studies have not addressed this question directly. In Michigan, trauma centers and a private payer have created a regional collaborative quality initiative (CQI). This CQI program began as a pilot in 2008 and expanded to a formal statewide program in 2010. We examined the relationship between outcomes and expenditures for trauma patients treated in collaborative participant and nonparticipant hospitals. METHODS Payer claims and collaborative registry data were analyzed for 30-day episode payments and serious complications in patients admitted with trauma diagnoses. Patients were categorized as treated in hospitals that had different CQI status: (1) never participated (Never-CQI); (2) collaborative participant, but patient treated before CQI initiation (Pre-CQI); or (3) active collaborative participant (Post-CQI). DRG International Classification of Diseases—9th Rev. codes were crosswalked to Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) 2005 codes. Episode payment data were risk adjusted (age, sex, comorbidities, type/severity of injury, and year of treatment), and price was standardized. Outcome data were risk adjusted. A serious complication consisted of one or more of the following occurrences: acute lung injury/adult respiratory distress syndrome, acute kidney injury, cardiac arrest with cardiopulmonary resuscitation, decubitus ulcer, deep vein thrombosis, enterocutaneous fistula, extremity compartment syndrome, mortality, myocardial infarction, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, severe sepsis, stroke/cerebral vascular accident, unplanned intubation, or unplanned return to operating room. RESULTS The risk-adjusted rate of serious complications declined from 14.9% to 9.1% (p < 0.001) in participating hospitals (Post-CQI, n = 26). Average episode payments decreased by $2,720 (from $36,043 to $33,323, p = 0.08) among patients treated in Post-CQI centers, whereas patients treated at Never-CQI institutions had a significant year-to-year increase in payments (from $23,547 to $28,446, p < 0.001). A savings of $6.5 million in total episode payments from 2010 to 2011 was achieved for payer-covered Post-CQI treated patients. CONCLUSION This study confirms our hypothesis that participation in a regional CQI program improves outcomes and reduces costs for trauma patients. Support of a regional CQI for trauma represents an effective investment to achieve health care value. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Economic/value-based evaluation, level III.
A new approach on MEMS sensor batch testing using an analogue parallel test methodology for massive reduction of test time

With a tremendous shipment increase of MEMS microphones during the last few years, enhanced testing methods have become a key issue for industrial batch manufacturing, focusing on the mechanical sensitivity of the sound transducing diaphragm. Instead of semi-parallel techniques, in which test channels and measurement equipment are duplicated (with a multiplication of invest) for the purpose of further reduction of test time, this paper shows a novel approach for a massive parallel test of MEMS sensors. With several DUTs connected in parallel, the resulting measurements hence reveal several overlain device characteristics, each accounting for the sensitivity of one single DUT. For the specific correlation of those characteristics to each DUT, a reconstruction method known from tomography imaging techniques is adapted. The measurement results on wafer level shown in this paper exhibit the basic suitability of a single test of several DUTs in parallel and prove the concept of this novel method.
Social Media Use for Open Innovation Initiatives: Proposing the Semantic Learning-Based Innovation Framework (SLBIF)

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) typically face resource and capability constraints that inhibit their innovation activities. One way SMEs can overcome these constraints is by complementing internal resources and capabilities with external knowledge, referred to as open innovation. With the proliferation of the Internet, SMEs have added social media to their traditional marketing activities. However, they rarely embrace the analytical capabilities of social media for innovation. Hence, we propose the semantic learning-based innovation framework (SLBIF) to guide SMEs in using the analytical capabilities of social media to innovate their products or services. Our framework includes three consecutive stages innovators should follow — idea selection, idea refinement, and idea diffusion — and which explain how to analyze customer preferences through semantic analysis of customer posts and identify lead users and opinion leaders using user-directed social network analysis.
Immunodepression in Taenia crassiceps infection: restoration of the in vitro response to sheep erythrocytes by activated peritoneal cells

The in vitro response to sheep erythrocytes of mesenteric lymph node cells from mice infected with the larval cestode Taenia crassiceps is significantly depressed and can be restored to control levels by addition of activated peritoneal cells depleted of functional T or B lymphocytes. Adherent mesenteric lymph node cells from infected mice are unable to reconstitute the in vitro response to sheep erythrocytes of normal nonadherent cells. The responses of mesenteric lymph node cells from infected mice to the T-lymphocyte mitogens concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin and the B-lymphocyte mitogen lipopolysaccharide are normal. Mesenteric lymph node cells from infected mice do not suppress the in vitro response to sheep erythrocytes of normal mesenteric lymph node cells. These results suggest that the immunodepression in T. crassiceps-infected mice is primarily the result of alterations in functional accessory cells.
Simulated Antibiotic Exposures in an In Vitro Hollow-Fiber Infection Model Influence Toxin Gene Expression and Production in Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strain MW2

ABSTRACT Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) strain MW2 harbors a plethora of toxins to mediate its virulence. However, toxin expression and regulation with simulated clinical antimicrobial exposures are unclear. This study evaluated these relationships using an in vitro pharmacodynamic hollow-fiber infection model. Clinical doses of clindamycin, linezolid, minocycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT), and vancomycin were simulated over 72 h against MW2 in the hollow fiber model. Expression levels of lukSF-PV and enterotoxin genes sec4, sek, seq, and sel2 were quantified by real-time PCR. Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and cytotoxicity was determined on polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). Vancomycin produced the maximum MW2 killing (2.53 log10 CFU/ml) after the first dose, but the greatest sustained killing over 72 h occurred with linezolid and clindamycin. Vancomycin and minocycline induced gene upregulation from 0 to 8 h, followed by downregulation for the remaining simulation period. Clindamycin decreased gene expression in the first 24 h, followed by moderate increases (2.5-fold) thereafter. Linezolid increased gene expression 11.4- to 200.4-fold but inhibited PVL production (0.6 ± 0.3 versus 5.9 ± 0.2 μg/ml, linezolid versus control at 72 h; P < 0.05). Similar effects on PVL production occurred with clindamycin and minocycline. SXT increased PVL production at 48 h (2.8-fold) and 72 h (4.9-fold) of treatment (P < 0.05), resulting in increased PVL cytotoxicity on PMNs. Linezolid, clindamycin, and minocycline were the most effective agents on decreasing the virulence potential in CA-MRSA, notably after 8 h of treatment. SXT had minimal effects on toxin gene regulation, but it increased production and cytotoxicity of PVL toxin in the model and may enhance virulence when it is used to treat severe infections.
Square: 3×3 Keypad Mapped to Geometric Elements of a Square

We introduce Square, a text entry device in the form of a small square button. Conceptually, it is equivalent to a 3times3 keypad since the nine geometric elements of the square - four vertices, four edges, and a face - play the part of the nine keys of a 3times3 keypad. Being small and simple, on the other hand, Square can allow more freedom to the design of a mobile device. In addition, it is suitable for blind typing due to the distinct tactile properties of the different elements of the square button.
Prevention Strategy of Urogenital Infections by Using Lactobacilli with Probiotic Properties

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) constitute a group of Gram-positive nonsporing nonrespiring bacteria, cocci or rods, that produce lactic acid as the major end product during the fermentation of carbohydrates. The term LAB is associated with bacteria involved in food fermentation and bacteria normally associated with the mucosal surfaces of human and animals. The classification of lactic acid bacteria into different genera is based on morphology, mode of glucose fermentation, growth at different temperatures, configuration of the lactic acid produced, ability to grow at high salt concentrations, and acid or alkaline tolerance (Pascual, 2004). Bacteria belonging to the genus Lactobacillus are considered to be the main LAB and the predominant microorganisms in the gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts of humans as well as homeotermic animals. They are also used for elaborating different fermented foods categorized as GRAS (generally considered as safe). Although there are data on simultaneous colonization of the human vagina by two different species of Lactobacillus, which can be homofermentative, heterofermentative or a combination of both (Kaewsrichan et al., 2006; Pascual et al, 2006), only one species has been isolated from the vaginal tract. Also, there are evidences of their effectivity in the prevention of urogenital infections (Pascual, 2004; Axelsson, 2004). The urogenital microbiota of a healthy woman comprises approximately 50 species of organisms, witch differ in composition according to reproductive stages and exposure to several factors, including antibiotics and spermicides (Pascual, 2004). In the complex vaginal environment, bacteria of the lactobacilli group (107–108 CFU g-1 of vaginal fluid) are the dominant microorganisms in healthy pre-menopausal women, and play an important protective role by limiting growth of pathogenic microorganisms. When lactobacilli are reduced, eliminated, or replaced by pathogenic species, the host has an increased susceptibility to urinary tract infections (UTIs), genital tract infections (GTIs), bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), and infection by Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Trichomonas vaginalis. Worldwide studies of UTIs or GTIs have revealed increasing antibiotic resistance among pathogenic microorganisms. Our research group has isolated human vaginal lactobacilli, selecting those with beneficial or probiotic properties (Czaja et al., 2007).
Cell Cycle-dependent and DNA Damage-inducible Nuclear Localization of FEN-1 Nuclease Is Consistent with Its Dual Functions in DNA Replication and Repair*

Flap endonuclease-1 (FEN-1), a 43-kDa protein, is a structure-specific and multifunctional nuclease. It plays important roles in RNA primer removal of Okazaki fragments during DNA replication, DNA base excision repair, and maintenance of genome stability. Three functional motifs of the enzyme were proposed to be responsible for its nuclease activities, interaction with proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and nuclear localization. In this study, we demonstrate in HeLa cells that a signal located at the C terminus (the nuclear localization signal (NLS) motif) facilitates nuclear localization of the enzyme during S phase of the cell cycle and in response to DNA damage. Truncation of the NLS motif prevents migration of the protein from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, while having no effect on the nuclease activities and its proliferating cell nuclear antigen interaction capability. Site-directed mutagenesis further revealed that a mutation of the KRK cluster to three alanine residues completely blocked the localization of FEN-1 into the nucleus, whereas mutagenesis of the KKK cluster led to a partial defect of nuclear localization in HeLa cells without observable phenotype in yeast. Therefore, the KRKXXXXXXXXKKK motif may be a bipartite NLS driving the protein into nuclei. Yeast RAD27Δ cells transformed with human mutant Mkrk survived poorly upon methyl methanesulfonate treatment or when they were incubated at an elevated temperature.