Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in knee adduction moment, pain, and functionality with a variable‐stiffness walking shoe after 6 months

This study tested the effects of variable‐stiffness shoes on knee adduction moment, pain, and function in subjects with symptoms of medial compartment knee osteoarthritis over 6 months. Patients were randomly and blindly assigned to a variable‐stiffness intervention or constant‐stiffness control shoe. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) score served as the primary outcome measure. Joint loading, the secondary outcome measure, was assessed using the external knee adduction moment. Peak external knee adduction moment, total WOMAC, and WOMAC pain scores were assessed at baseline and after 6 months. The total WOMAC and WOMAC pain scores for the intervention group were reduced from baseline to 6 months (p = 0.017 and p = 0.002, respectively), with no significant reductions for the control group. There was no difference between groups in magnitude of the reduction in total WOMAC (p = 0.50) or WOMAC pain scores (p = 0.31). The proportion of patients achieving a clinically important improvement in pain was greater in the intervention group than in the control group (p = 0.012). The variable‐stiffness shoes reduced the peak knee adduction moment (−6.6% vs. control, p < 0.001) in the 34 intervention subjects at 6 months. The adduction moment reduction significantly improved (p = 0.03) from the baseline reduction. The constant‐stiffness control shoe increased the peak knee adduction moment (+6.3% vs. personal, p = 0.004) in the 26 control subjects at 6 months. The results of this study showed that wearing the variable‐stiffness shoe lowered the adduction moment, reduced pain, and improved functionality after 6 months of wear. The lower adduction moment associated with wearing this shoe may slow the rate of progression of osteoarthritis after long‐term use. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 28:873–879, 2010
Genetic algorithm-based design of the active damping for an LCL-filter three-phase active rectifier

Active rectifiers/inverters are becoming used more and more often in regenerative systems and distributed power systems. Typically, the interface between the grid and rectifier is either an inductor or an LCL-filter. The use of an LCL-filter mitigates the switching ripple injected in the grid by a three-phase active rectifier. However, stability problems can arise in the current control loop. In order to overcome them, a damping resistor can be inserted, at the price of a reduction of efficiency. The use of active damping by means of control may seem attractive but it is often limited by the use of more sensors compared to the standard control and also by a complex tuning procedure of the controllers. This paper introduces a new active damping method that does not require the use of more sensors. It consists of adding a filter on the reference voltage for the modulator. The tuning process of this filter is easily done, for a wide range of sampling frequencies, with the use of genetic algorithms. This method is used only for the optimum choice of the parameters in the filter and an on-line implementation is not needed. Thus the resulting active damping solution does not need new sensors or complex calculations. Moreover, in the paper particular attention is devoted to the susceptibility of the system in a high polluting environment.
Impact of Internal Mammary Sentinel Node Imaging in Breast Cancer

A 28-year-old woman underwent mammary lymphoscintigraphy for evaluation of the sentinel node status of a small infiltrating ductal carcinoma in the central, lower, and outer quadrant of the left breast confirmed by biopsy. The patient was scheduled for lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy. Lymphoscintigraphy showed increased uptake at two sites of the peritumorally injected tracer (60 MBq; 1.6 mCi rhenium sulfur nanocolloid) in internal mammary nodes, two of which were located most proximal to the tumor and related to the tumor by two distinct lymphatic ducts. An axillary lymph node was also detected. At surgery, the gamma probe confirmed the location of all the hot spots, and four nodes were harvested: one axillary, two first internal mammary nodes in the third intercostal space, and one internal mammary node in the second intercostal space. Histologic analysis revealed that the axillary sentinel node was free of disease, but the two first intramuscular sentinel nodes were metastatic. The second-echelon internal mammary node above the sentinel nodes (second intercostal space) was free of disease. This case shows the benefit of imaging all the drainage pathways of a breast tumor and retrieving nonaxillary lymph nodes, which may be the only positive nodes. As a result of the findings, the patient’s prognosis may be altered and the subsequent therapeutic approach may be modified. Although exclusive involvement of the internal mammary chain is well established and relatively rare (occurring in approximately 5% of cases), it is important to remember that the axillary status of a breast tumor is not the only major prognostic factor.
Colostral whey concentrate supplement increases complement activity in the sera of neonatal calves

We evaluated the effect of a commercial bovine colostral whey on the complement-mediated immune responses of calves. Two groups of neonatal calves were fed, in addition to whole milk (WM) and pooled colostrum (PC), different amounts of a commercial immunoglobulin concentrate made from pooled colostral whey (Ig-C) for the first two feedings post natum. The control group was fed WM and PC only. Serum samples were obtained at the ages of 2, 7, 14 and 30 d. Bacteriolytic activity against complement-sensitive Escherichia coli JM103 and opsonic activity against complement-lysis-resistant E. coli IH3080 strains were studied, as well as the levels of C3 complement component and E. coli JM103 specific antibodies in the sera. Groups fed Ig-C had 2–3 times higher bacteriolytic activity than the control group of both the classic (P < 0·005) and alternative pathways (P < 0·0001) at days 2 and 7 post natum. This effect is obviously not caused solely by the antibodies ingested but also involves other unknown colostral factors, possibly lectins. The opsonisation capacities of the sera correlated well with the amounts of immunoglobulins ingested (P < 0·05) at days 2–14. The levels of C3 component in sera did not differ between the groups. In the group fed the largest amount of immunoglobulins levels of E. coli JM103-specific antibodies were highest (P < 0·0001). It can thus be concluded that the antibody independent complement activities of serum can be increased substantially by feeding colostral whey concentrate to calves during their first days of life.
Utilization of excimer laser debulking for critical lesions unsuitable for standard renal angioplasty

The energy emitted by ultraviolet laser is avidly absorbed in atherosclerotic plaques. Conceptually, it could be applied for debulking of selected atherosclerotic renal artery stenoses. We describe early experience with revascularization of critical renal artery lesions deemed unsuitable for standard renal angioplasty. Institutional Review Board permission to conduct the data analysis was obtained.
Solvent-Augmented Mineralization of Pyrene by a Mycobacterium sp

The biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants is constrained, in part, by their solid physical state and very low water solubility. Searching for ways to overcome these limitations, we isolated from soil a bacterium capable of growing on pyrene as a sole source of carbon and energy. Acid-fast stain, morphology, and fatty acid profile identified it as a Mycobacterium sp. In a mineral salts solution, the isolate mineralized 50% of a 250-(mu)g/ml concentration of [(sup14)C]pyrene in 2 to 3 days. Detergent below the critical micelle concentration increased the pyrene mineralization rate to 154%, but above the critical micelle concentration, the detergent severely inhibited pyrene mineralization. The water-miscible solvent polyethylene glycol was inhibitory. The hydrophobic solvents heptamethylnonane, decalin, phenyldecane, and diphenylmethane were also inhibitory at several concentrations tested, but the addition of paraffin oil, squalene, squalane, tridecylcyclohexane, and cis-9-tricosene at 0.8% (vol/vol) doubled pyrene mineralization rates by the Mycobacterium sp. without being utilized themselves. The Mycobacterium sp. was found to have high cell surface hydrophobicity and adhered to the emulsified solvent droplets that also contained the dissolved pyrene, facilitating its mass transfer to the degrading bacteria. Cells physically adhering to solvent droplets metabolized pyrene 8.5 times as fast as cells suspended in the aqueous medium. An enhanced mass transfer of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds to microorganisms by suitable hydrophobic solvents might allow the development of solvent-augmented biodegradation techniques for use in aqueous or slurry-type bioreactors.
Identification and cloning of a type III polyketide synthase required for diffusible pigment biosynthesis in Saccharopolyspora erythraea ‡

The soluble, diffusible red‐brown pigment produced by a Saccharopolyspora erythraea‘red variant’ has been shown to contain glycosylated and polymerized derivatives of 2,5,7‐trihydroxy‐1,4‐naphthoquinone (flaviolin). Flaviolin is a spontaneous oxidation product of 1,3,6,8‐tetrahydroxynaphthalene (THN), which is biosynthesized in bacteria by a chalcone synthase‐like (CS‐like) type III polyketide synthase (PKS). A fragment of the gene responsible for THN biosynthesis in S. erythraea E_8‐7 was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using degenerate primers based on conserved regions of known plant CS and bacterial CS‐like genes. From the isolated fragment, a suicide vector was prepared, which was subsequently used to disrupt the red‐brown pigment‐producing (rpp) locus in S. erythraea, generating a mutant that displayed an albino phenotype. Chromosomal DNA from the albino mutant was subsequently used in a vector‐recapture protocol to isolate a plasmid that contained an insert spanning the entire rpp locus. Sequencing of the insert revealed that the disrupted open reading frame (ORF) encodes a CS‐like protein displaying 69% sequence identity to the rppA gene of Streptomyces griseus. The S. griseus rppA gene encodes RppA, the first characterized bacterial CS‐like protein, which is sufficient in vitro for the synthesis of THN from malonyl‐CoA. The rppA disruption mutant and rppA sequence provided a means by which to address the mechanism of diffusible pigment biosynthesis, as well as to investigate any link between this and the modulation of erythromycin A titre, which has been observed for S. erythraea variants.
Insight into the structural requirements of aminopyrimidine derivatives for good potency against both purified enzyme and whole cells of M. tuberculosis: combination of HQSAR, CoMSIA, and MD simulation studies

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein kinase B (PknB) is critical for growth and survival of M. tuberculosis within the host. The series of aminopyrimidine derivatives show impressive activity against PknB (IC50 < .5 μM). However, most of them show weak or no cellular activity against M. tuberculosis (MIC > 63 μM). Consequently, the key structural features related to activity against of both PknB and M. tuberculosis need to be investigated. Here, two- and three-dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship (2D and 3D QSAR) analyses combined with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed with the aim to evaluate these key structural features of aminopyrimidine derivatives. Hologram quantitative structure–activity relationship (HQSAR) and CoMSIA models constructed from IC50 and MIC values of aminopyrimidine compounds could establish the structural requirements for better activity against of both PknB and M. tuberculosis. The NH linker and the R1 substituent of the template compound are not only crucial for the biological activity against PknB but also for the biological activity against M. tuberculosis. Moreover, the results obtained from MD simulations show that these moieties are the key fragments for binding of aminopyrimidine compounds in PknB. The combination of QSAR analysis and MD simulations helps us to provide a structural concept that could guide future design of PknB inhibitors with improved potency against both the purified enzyme and whole M. tuberculosis cells.
Significant correlation between uric acid levels and flow-mediated dilatation in patients with masked hypertension

Abstract Background: Serum uric acid (UA) level is associated with prognosis in cardiovascular disorders such as sustained hypertension, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney diseases. Increased UA levels in sustained hypertension may reflect early renal vascular alterations. However, it remains unclear if serum UA is associated with endothelial dysfunction in masked hypertensive patients. Methods: A total of 100 individuals (57% men and 43% women; mean 45 ± 8 years) with masked hypertension were included in the present study. The clinical and laboratory data were collected. Endothelial function was estimated by flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery and expressed as percentage change relative to baseline diameter. Results: Univariate regression analysis showed that the FMD was significantly negative correlated with uric acid (r = −0.300, p = 0.002), ambulatory 24-h systolic blood pressure (SBP) (r = −0.275, p = 0.008), hs-CRP (r = −0.222, p = 0.033) and diastolic aortic diameter (r = −0.243, p = 0.019). In multivariate linear regression analysis, only uric acid levels and ambulatory 24-h SBP were significantly associated with FMD. Conclusion: There was an independent correlation between UA and FMD, and a higher UA level was related to worse endothelial function which may contribute to hypertension and cardiovascular morbidity.
Pirimicarb-based formulation-induced genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in the freshwater fish Cnesterodon decemmaculatus (Jenyns, 1842) (Pisces, Poeciliidae)

We analyzed the aspects of lethality, genotoxicity, and cytotoxicity in the ten spotted live-bearer exposed under laboratory conditions to the pirimicarb-based formulation Patton Flow® (50% active ingredient (a.i.)). Acute effects were evaluated using different end points for lethality, genotoxicity, and cytotoxicity. Median lethal concentration (LC50) estimation was employed as a bioassay for lethality, whereas micronucleus (MN) induction and alterations in erythrocyte/erythroblast frequency were used as end points for genotoxicity and cytotoxicity, respectively. Results demonstrated an LC5096h value of 88 mg/L. Patton Flow® increased the MN frequency in fish erythrocytes after 48 h of exposure at a concentration of 66 mg/L, whereas a concentration range of 22–66 mg/L was able to exert the same genotoxic effect at 96 h of treatment. Furthermore, cytotoxicity was also observed by alterations in erythrocyte/erythroblast frequencies within the concentration range of 22–66 mg/L, regardless of the exposure time. Our current observations provide evidence that Patton Flow® (50% a.i.) should be considered a clear lethal, cytotoxic, and genotoxic agent on Cnesterodon decemmaculatus. Thus, repeated applications of this carbamic insecticide can enter the aquatic environment and exert deleterious effects on aquatic organisms other than the evaluated species C. decemmaculatus.
Downregulation of Cap43 gene by von Hippel‐Lindau tumor suppressor protein in human renal cancer cells

We previously identified 9 genes (i.e., thymosin β4, secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine, Cap43, ceruloplasmin, serum amyloid A, heat shock protein 90, LOT1, osteopontin and casein kinase Iγ) that are more highly expressed in cancerous regions than in noncancerous regions in human renal cancers. In our study, we considered the possibility that the von Hippel‐Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene might be able to affect the expression of these 9 genes in renal cancer cells. We first established 2 VHL‐positive cell lines, 786/VHL‐1 and 786/VHL‐2, after the introduction of wild‐type VHL into VHL‐negative renal cancer 786‐O cells. Of these 9 genes, expression of the Cap43 gene was specifically downregulated by VHL. Expression of Cap43 was also much lower in 4 other VHL‐positive renal cancer cell lines than in VHL‐negative 786‐O cells. Cap43 promoter assays with several deletion or mutation constructs demonstrated that the Sp1 site in the element from –286 base pairs (bp) to –62 bp was partly responsible for VHL‐induced suppression of the Cap43 gene. Immunostaining analysis with human specimens of renal cancers demonstrated that the Cap43 protein was expressed in most cancer cells and macrophages. We also observed a marked and specific increase of Cap43 mRNA levels in response to hypoxia or nickel in all VHL‐positive cell lines. Cellular expression of Cap43 mRNA in response to hypoxia or nickel thus is closely associated with VHL gene expression in renal cancer cells. Although the function of the Cap43 protein remains unclear, the expression of Cap43 protein could be a molecular marker closely associated with VHL in renal cancer. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hybrid Z-Source Boost DC–DC Converters

This paper presents a new family of hybrid Z-source boost dc-dc converters intended for photovoltaic applications, where the high step-up dc-dc converters are demanded to boost the low-source voltages to a predefined grid voltage. Because the boost capabilities of the traditional Z-source networks are limited, the proposed converters are composed of combine traditional Z-source networks in different ways to enhance the boost abilities of the traditional Z-source networks. The new version of the proposed Z-source converters is termed as hybrid Z-source boost dc-dc converters to satisfy the traditional benefits of Z-source networks with stronger voltage boost abilities which can also be applied to dc-ac, ac-ac, and ac-dc power conversions. The performances of the proposed converters are compared with other Z-source networks behaviors. The simulation and experimental results of the proposed converters are validated at different operating conditions.
Costing Depression and Its Management: An Australian Study

Objective: To examine the cost impact of referral to a Mood Disorders Unit (MDU), by comparing pre-service and post-service costs, and MDU and control samples. Method: We studied tertiary referral MDU patients and a control group of consultants' depressed patients, with the principal comparison intervals being: (i) 12 months prior to and (ii) 6 months following baseline assessment, with costs annualised to allow the impact of assessment and treatment recommendation to be determined. In addition, we assessed any ‘personal cost’ of depression. Results: Following baseline assessment, MDU referrals showed a reduction in costs, while controls' costs increased, largely driven by contrasting directions in hospitalisation and social welfare costs. We identify variables associated with high and increased costs, including features of the earlier stages of the disorder, whether social welfare was received, diagnostic subtype and personality dysfunction, with multivariate analyses refining the variable sets. Self-report data indicated that patients judged the ‘personal cost’ of depression to exceed more formal cost parameters, so that to experience depression is itself depressogenic. Conclusions: This first Australian attempt to cost depression and its management in the clinical setting more provides a methodology for wider application in service evaluation studies rather than delivers an unequivocal answer to whether a specialist Mood Disorders Unit is cost efficient or not.
Hierarchical cultural values predict success and mortality in high-stakes teams

Significance Functional accounts of hierarchy propose that hierarchy increases group coordination whereas dysfunctional accounts claim that hierarchy impairs performance by preventing low-ranking team members from voicing their perspectives. This research presents evidence for both accounts within the same dataset. Analysis of archival data from 30,625 Himalayan mountain climbers from 56 countries on 5,104 expeditions demonstrate that expeditions from countries with hierarchical cultural values had more climbers reach the summit, but also more climbers die along the way. Importantly, we established the role of group processes (i.e., coordination, psychological safety, information sharing) by showing that these effects occurred only for group, but not solo, expeditions. These results establish that endorsing cultural values related to hierarchy can simultaneously improve and undermine group performance. Functional accounts of hierarchy propose that hierarchy increases group coordination and reduces conflict. In contrast, dysfunctional accounts claim that hierarchy impairs performance by preventing low-ranking team members from voicing their potentially valuable perspectives and insights. The current research presents evidence for both the functional and dysfunctional accounts of hierarchy within the same dataset. Specifically, we offer empirical evidence that hierarchical cultural values affect the outcomes of teams in high-stakes environments through group processes. Experimental data from a sample of expert mountain climbers from 27 countries confirmed that climbers expect that a hierarchical culture leads to improved team coordination among climbing teams, but impaired psychological safety and information sharing compared with an egalitarian culture. An archival analysis of 30,625 Himalayan mountain climbers from 56 countries on 5,104 expeditions found that hierarchy both elevated and killed in the Himalayas: Expeditions from more hierarchical countries had more climbers reach the summit, but also more climbers die along the way. Importantly, we established the role of group processes by showing that these effects occurred only for group, but not solo, expeditions. These findings were robust to controlling for environmental factors, risk preferences, expedition-level characteristics, country-level characteristics, and other cultural values. Overall, this research demonstrates that endorsing cultural values related to hierarchy can simultaneously improve and undermine group performance.
Help-seeking behaviours in childbearing women in Ghana, West Africa.

AIM The purpose of this ethnographic study was to examine the health-seeking behaviours of Ghanaian childbearing women. BACKGROUND The Ashanti consider pregnancy to be a vulnerable time when risk increases that women may be affected by witchcraft and develop sunsumyare. Preparation for positive birth outcomes include biomedical, ethnomedical and faith-based interventions. DESIGN A sample of 42 childbearing Ghanaian women participated in audiotaped interviews. Transcribed interviews were coded and categorized into themes. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION The overriding theme was health seeking to ensure positive pregnancy outcomes. Subthemes included accessing multiple sources of care simultaneously, feeling vulnerable to spiritual illness, seeking spiritual protection and disclosing multiple sources of care. CONCLUSION Childbearing is an essential part of the gender identity of Ashanti women. Witchcraft mentality provides a way for a woman to manage her life challenges. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Cultural beliefs and practices have profound effects on health-seeking behaviours. It is becoming increasingly important that healthcare providers perform cultural and spiritual assessments and inquire about complementary sources of health care.