Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resurfacing Capitate Pyrocarbon Implant versus Proximal Row Carpectomy Alone: A Comparative Study to Evaluate the Role of Capitate Prosthetic Resurfacing in Advanced Carpal Collapse

Background: The Resurfacing Capitate Pyrocarbon Implant associated with proximal row carpectomy has been used to treat symptomatic advanced carpal collapse, widening the indications of proximal row carpectomy to patients with capitate head arthritis. The authors retrospectively compared their case series of implant versus carpectomy alone, analyzing whether prosthetic implant outcomes could be similar to those of proximal row carpectomy even with a higher stage of osteoarthritis. Methods: Fifty-seven patients who underwent surgery for wrist osteoarthritis (minimum follow-up, 2 years) were selected retrospectively. Twenty-five patients (scapholunate advanced collapse/scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse stage III to IV and Kienböck disease stage IV) underwent proximal row carpectomy plus Resurfacing Capitate Pyrocarbon Implant (group A); 32 patients (scapholunate advanced collapse/scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse stage I to II and Kienböck disease stage III) underwent carpectomy alone (group B). Mean follow-up was 33 months. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically. Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire scores were assessed. Results: Group A showed consistent pain relief (visual analogue scale score of 2), while preserving wrist mobility (flexion, 27 degrees; extension, 33 degrees) and grip strength (54 percent compared with the contralateral side). Average Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire score was 20, and average Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation score was 28. No statistically significant difference was observed between groups for all outcomes, except for better extension (p < 0.05) in group B. Conclusions: Even starting from a higher grade of osteoarthritis, Resurfacing Capitate Pyrocarbon Implant plus proximal row carpectomy showed satisfying results, compared with those obtained with just carpectomy. Data show that indications for proximal row carpectomy can be widened by using the implant, without worsening outcomes. The implant could be a useful alternative to more aggressive salvage procedures in case of capitate head and lunate fossa osteoarthritis involvement. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.
RNAIII suppresses the expression of LtaS via acting as an antisense RNA in Staphylococcus aureus

RNAIII is known as the key effector of staphylococcal accessory gene regulator (agr) quorum‐sensing system, which plays a central role in the pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus. As a regulatory RNA, RNAIII regulates multiple targets, including exoproteins and cell‐wall‐associated proteins. Lipoteichoic acid synthase (LtaS) is involved in the synthesis of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) that is one of the major components of cell wall. The chemical compound targeting to LtaS decreases S. aureus growth via blocking LTA production. Until now, the regulatory mechanism of LtaS expression is still not clear. The level of ltaS mRNA in S. aureus is analyzed by semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR analysis and qRT‐PCR. The protein level of LtaS is determined by Western blotting. The putative interaction sites between RNAIII and LtaS mRNA are predicted. And LtaS‐5′UTR‐lacZ and LtaS‐5′UTR‐mutant‐lacZ reporter vectors are constructed according to the putative interaction sites. Our data show that the expression of ltaS is regulated by RNAIII in S. aureus. The level of LtaS is significantly higher in the RNAIII deficient strain compared to its parent strain. In the further investigation, 5′UTR of ltaS was predicted to be the putative interaction site of RNAIII. The results of detection of β‐galactosidase activities suggest that RNAIII can inhibit the expression level of LtaS through acting on the 5′UTR region of LtaS mRNA. Our finding presents that LtaS is another target of RNAIII and RNAIII suppresses the expression of LtaS via acting as an antisense RNA in S. aureus.
Delay-efficient rate control for Wyner-Ziv Video Coding in Wireless Video Sensor Networks using network coding

Wyner-Ziv Video Coding (WZVC) is considered as one promising video coding scheme for Wireless Video Sensor Networks (WVSNs) due to its high compression efficiency and error resilience functionalities, as well as the low encoding complexity. However, for achieving a good R-D performance, the current WZVC paradigms usually adopt a decoder rate control scheme in which the decoder repeatedly requests the additional data to the encoder for decoding a Wyner-Ziv frame. Therefore, the transmission delay of the additional decoding data is especially long in a multi-hop WVSN. In this paper, based on network coding, we propose a novel rate control method for WZVC. In this rate control scheme, the partial channel codes puncturing task is transferred from the encoder to the relay nodes by using network coding. Then, the decoder can request the additional decoding data from the relays instead of the encoder, and the total waiting time for the decoding data is reduced sequentially. Simulation results validates the proposed rate control scheme.
Cake Compressibility Analysis of BPOME from a Hybrid Adsorption‐Microfiltration Process

This study investigates the utility of a hybrid adsorption‐membrane process for cake compressibility evaluation of biotreated palm oil mill effluent (BPOME). A low‐cost empty fruit bunch (EFB) based powdered activated carbon (PAC) was employed for the upstream adsorption process with operation conditions of 60 g/L PAC dose, 68 min mixing time, and 200 rpm mixing speed to reduce the feed‐water strength and alleviate probable fouling of the membranes. Two polyethersulfone microfiltration (MF) membranes of 0.1 and 0.2 μm pore sizes were investigated under constant transmembrane pressures (TMP) of 40, 80, and 120 kPa. The compressibility factors (z), which was obtained from the slopes of power plots (function of specific cake resistance (α) and pressure gradient) were evaluated. The z values of 0.32 and 0.52, respectively obtained, for the 0.1 and 0.2 μm MF membranes provided compressible and stable z values as observed from their power plots. Besides, these membranes were found suitable for the measurement of z since the results are in consonance with the established principle of cake compressibility. Moreover, the upstream adsorption mitigated the clogging of the membranes which ultimately led to moderate resistances and cake compressibility. These are indications that with the secondary cake filtration, a sustainable flux can be achieved during BPOME filtration. The membranes exhibited close to 100% restoration after cleaning.
Sensitivity of near-infrared spectroscopy and diffuse correlation spectroscopy to brain hemodynamics: simulations and experimental findings during hypercapnia

Abstract. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) are two diffuse optical technologies for brain imaging that are sensitive to changes in hemoglobin concentrations and blood flow, respectively. Measurements for both modalities are acquired on the scalp, and therefore hemodynamic processes in the extracerebral vasculature confound the interpretation of cortical hemodynamic signals. The sensitivity of NIRS to the brain versus the extracerebral tissue and the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of NIRS to cerebral hemodynamic responses have been well characterized, but the same has not been evaluated for DCS. This is important to assess in order to understand their relative capabilities in measuring cerebral physiological changes. We present Monte Carlo simulations on a head model that demonstrate that the relative brain-to-scalp sensitivity is about three times higher for DCS (0.3 at 3 cm) than for NIRS (0.1 at 3 cm). However, because DCS has higher levels of noise due to photon-counting detection, the CNR is similar for both modalities in response to a physiologically realistic simulation of brain activation. Even so, we also observed higher CNR of the hemodynamic response during graded hypercapnia in adult subjects with DCS than with NIRS.
Relations of attention and meditation level with learning in engineering education

Neurons use electricity in order to communicate to each other. Due to numerous signals sent by neurons, there are oodles of electrical activity in the brain. Sensitive equipment like electroencephalogram (EEG) biosensor perceives the brainwaves emanated from neurons. Beta waves are responsible for problem solving or decision making and associated with attention. Alpha waves are associated with now and meditation. Neurosky EEG biosensor perceives the brainwaves and transforms these brainwaves into attention and meditation values. In this study, Neurosky EEG biosensor is used for measuring the attention and meditation levels of students. A program is developed in C# medium. The developed program records raw brainwave data, attention and meditation average while the students are studying. As the attention and meditation levels are high, the students learn the subjects in the course. If predetermined meditation and attention level are not caught, the developed program does not give permission to pass to another subject. Because of that the students have less meditation and attention average than the predetermined value; they get fewer grades in the exam.
Automated alignment and pattern recognition of single‐molecule force spectroscopy data

Recently, direct measurements of forces stabilizing single proteins or individual receptor–ligand bonds became possible with ultra‐sensitive force probe methods like the atomic force microscope (AFM). In force spectroscopy experiments using AFM, a single molecule or receptor–ligand pair is tethered between the tip of a micromachined cantilever and a supporting surface. While the molecule is stretched, forces are measured by the deflection of the cantilever and plotted against extension, yielding a force spectrum characteristic for each biomolecular system. In order to obtain statistically relevant results, several hundred to thousand single‐molecule experiments have to be performed, each resulting in a unique force spectrum. We developed software and algorithms to analyse large numbers of force spectra. Our algorithms include the fitting polymer extension models to force peaks as well as the automatic alignment of spectra. The aligned spectra allowed recognition of patterns of peaks across different spectra. We demonstrate the capabilities of our software by analysing force spectra that were recorded by unfolding single transmembrane proteins such as bacteriorhodopsin and NhaA. Different unfolding pathways were detected by classifying peak patterns. Deviant spectra, e.g. those with no attachment or erratic peaks, can be easily identified. The software is based on the programming language C++, the GNU Scientific Library (GSL), the software WaveMetrics IGOR Pro and available open‐source at http://bioinformatics.org/fskit/.
Plasticity in the electrophysiological properties of oxytocin neurons

In mammals, the neurohypophysial hormone oxytocin (OT) is released into the bloodstream during labor and lactation to promote uterine contraction and milk ejection, respectively. Electrophysiological studies have established that OT neurons fire in brief, synchronized bursts during this release. During pregnancy and lactation, the intrinsic membrane and synaptic properties of OT, and to a lesser extent vasopressin (VP) neurons, are altered as a part of the adaptation to these specialized states. During lactation OT neurons specifically exhibit an enhanced rebound depolarization which could assist in instigating bursts and an increased gating of firing frequency which is correlated with an enhanced Ca2+‐dependent after hyperpolarization. Spike broadening occurs in both VP and OT neurons, but in OT neurons this and other changes are present during late pregnancy, suggesting involvement of steroidal hormones in programming neuronal adaptations. Excitatory and inhibitory synaptic activity also are altered by reproductive state. There is a doubling of glutamatergic activity specific to OT neurons which is consistent with an increase in terminal numbers, but this is accompanied by an increase in paired‐pulse facilitation, suggesting an increase in the probability of glutamate release during lactation as well. Together with profound changes in both pre‐ and postsynaptic GABAergic synaptic activity, these data suggest that neurosecretory, and particularly OT neuronal, properties are state‐dependent. These modifications may adjust the responsiveness of these neurons to afferent stimulation during periods of increased hormone demand and thereby enhance stimulus‐secretion coupling. Microsc. Res. Tech. 56:73–80, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Complementary frame reconstruction: a low-biased dynamic PET technique for low count density data in projection space

A new data handling method is presented for improving the image noise distribution and reducing bias when reconstructing very short frames from low count dynamic PET acquisition. The new method termed ‘Complementary Frame Reconstruction’ (CFR) involves the indirect formation of a count-limited emission image in a short frame through subtraction of two frames with longer acquisition time, where the short time frame data is excluded from the second long frame data before the reconstruction. This approach can be regarded as an alternative to the AML algorithm recently proposed by Nuyts et al, as a method to reduce the bias for the maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM) reconstruction of count limited data. CFR uses long scan emission data to stabilize the reconstruction and avoids modification of algorithms such as MLEM. The subtraction between two long frame images, naturally allows negative voxel values and significantly reduces bias introduced in the final image. Simulations based on phantom and clinical data were used to evaluate the accuracy of the reconstructed images to represent the true activity distribution. Applicability to determine the arterial input function in human and small animal studies is also explored. In situations with limited count rate, e.g. pediatric applications, gated abdominal, cardiac studies, etc., or when using limited doses of short-lived isotopes such as 15O-water, the proposed method will likely be preferred over independent frame reconstruction to address bias and noise issues.
Expression of CD30 (Ber‐H2) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, undifferentiated type and lymphoepithelioma‐like carcinoma. A comparison study with anaplastic large cell lymphoma

Aims : Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal non‐keratinizing carcinoma (UNPC), formerly known as lymphoepithelioma, frequently metastasizes at an early stage to regional lymph nodes and, thus, may be difficult to distinguish from Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) or anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). CD30 expression is a useful diagnostic stain in both HL and ALCL, but its expression in UNPC deserves clarification. The aim of this study was to evaluate CD30 expression in UNPC and lymphoepithelioma‐like carcinoma (LELC) from other anatomic locations and compare it with ALCL and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
Spinal cord injury triggers systemic autoimmunity: evidence for chronic B lymphocyte activation and lupus‐like autoantibody synthesis

Clinical and experimental data indicate that spinal cord injury (SCI) elicits pathological T‐cell responses. Implicit in these data, but poorly understood, is that B lymphocytes (B cells) also contribute to the delayed pathophysiology of spinal trauma. Here, for the first time, we show that experimental spinal contusion injury elicits chronic systemic and intraspinal B cell activation with the emergence of a B cell‐dependent organ‐specific and systemic autoimmune response. Specifically, using sera from spinal cord injured mice, immunoblots reveal oligoclonal IgG reactivity against multiple CNS proteins. We also show SCI‐induced synthesis of autoantibodies that bind nuclear antigens including DNA and RNA. Elevated levels of anti‐DNA antibodies are a distinguishing feature of systemic lupus erythematosus and, via their ability to cross‐react with neuronal antigens, can cause neuropathology. We show a similar pathologic potential for the autoantibodies produced after SCI. Thus, mammalian SCI produces marked dysregulation of B cell function (i.e. autoimmunity) with pathological potential.
Laser and cisplatinum for treatment of human squamous cell carcinoma

Objective: Interstitial laser therapy (ILT) with the neodynuumiyttrium‐aluminum‐garnet (Nd:YAG) (1064 nm) laser via fiberoptics is becoming a more precise, minimally invasive alternative for thermoablation of unresectable or recurrent head and neck neoplasms, but recurrence is often seen at the margin. Combining intratumor chemotherapy with interstitial laser should be most effective using drugs activated by thermal energy. The objective of the current study was to test intratumor cisplatinum (cis‐diaminedichloroplatinum [CDDP]) injections given in conjunction with laser therapy as an experimental approach for improved treatment of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Methods: Human SCC tumors were grown as subcutaneous transplants in nude mice and injected with CDDP (0.4 to 1.2 mg/g) in water or in collagen‐based gel carrier with epinephrine (epi‐gel) followed by ILT via 0.6‐mm fiberoptics coupled to an Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm/180 J). Results: Tumors injected with CDDP epi‐gel exhibited a partial response with two‐ to fourfold tumor delay compared with aqueous drug or untreated SCC transplants during 10 weeks' follow‐up. Combined drug and laser therapy significantly (P < .01) decreased tumor volume, with recurrence in only 25% of animals tested compared with 78% tumor regrowth after ILT alone. Conclusion: These initial results suggest that laser chemotherapy may become an effective treatment for advanced head and neck cancer.
False positive rates in a genomic screen for complex quantitative traits

We conducted a genomic screen for genes associated with Q1, Q2, and Q3 in 239 nuclear pedigrees from replicate 115, Problem Set 2A. We compared false positive (FP) and true positive (TP) rates for three significance levels and two map densities. Using the 2 cM genetic map and α = 0.05 produced the most FP but detected the greatest number of major genes. Following up only 31 plateaus (two or more adjacent markers with significant results) from the 2 cM screen eliminated some FP, but failed to detect MG3 for Q3. Multipoint analysis reduced the number of priority regions from 31 to seven; only two of these regions were TP. Replication of the two‐point analysis of plateau markers in replicate 80 detected all of the genes associated with Q1 and Q2, but not Q3. Multipoint analysis in replicate 80 failed to replicate any genes associated with Q1, Q2, or Q3, but “replicated” two FP regions. While FP may be reduced by decreasing map density, considering only plateaus for follow up and decreasing significance levels, such adjustments may also fail to detect weak TP. Multipoint analysis and replication in independent data sets may not be reliable methods of distinguishing FP from TP. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Validation of a melanoma prognostic model.

BACKGROUND A "clinically accessible," 4-variable (patient age, patient sex, tumor location, and tumour thickness) prognostic model has been published previously. This model evaluated variables that were commonly available to the clinician. Because models are heuristic, validity of a prognostic model should be evaluated in a population different from the original population. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the external validity of this 4-variable melanoma prognostic model. DESIGN To estimate the external validity of this model, we used a population-based cohort of individuals with melanoma. We also evaluated a 1-variable model (tumor thickness). Estimates of the external validity of these logistic regression models were made using the c statistic and the Brier score. SETTINGS AND PATIENTS A total of 1261 patients with melanoma evaluated in a multispecialty, university-based practice and 650 patients with melanoma from throughout Connecticut. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Death from melanoma within 5 years of diagnosis. RESULTS The c statistics for the 4-variable model were 0.86 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83-0.89) for the university-based practice data set and 0.81 (95% CI, 0.75-0.86) for the Connecticut data set. For thickness alone, the c statistics were 0.83 (95% CI, 0.80-0.86) and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.74-0.85), respectively. Brier scores for the 4-variable model were 0.09 (95% CI, 0.08-0.10) and 0.08 (95% CI, 0.06-0.09) and for the 1-variable model were 0.09 (95% CI, 0.08-0.10) and 0.08 (95% CI, 0.07-0.10), respectively. No significant differences exist between the data sets for the 4- and 1-variable models. CONCLUSIONS The 4- and 1-variable models are generalizable. The simpler 1-variable model--tumor thickness--can be used with a relatively small loss in accuracy.
[Short-term triple therapy with pantoprazole, clarithromycin and metronidazole in eradication of Helicobacter pylori].

In a prospective study, thirty consecutive patients presenting with either H.pylori positive (histology and/or culture) ulcer disease (n = 17; acute ulcer: n = 11) or functional dyspepsia (n = 13) were treated over one week with pantoprazole 40 mg bd, clarithromycin 250 mg bd and metronidazole 400 mg bd. Four weeks after discontinuation of the study medication H.pylori eradication was assessed by means of an urease test, culture and histology. One patient had to be withdrawn from the study after one day because of a concomitant infectious disease requiring long-term antibiotic treatment. Another patient refused the final follow-up endoscopy. 28 patients completed the study without contravening the protocol. H.pylori infection was eradicated in 24 out of 28 patients (eradication rate: 86%; 95%-confidence interval: 57%-96%). Cure of bacterial infection was more frequently obtained in ulcer patients as compared to patients suffering from functional dyspepsia (94% vs 75%; p = 0.28). In 2 patients, treatment failure was associated with pretherapeutic resistance of H. pylori to either clarithromycin or metronidazole. Without antiulcer treatment beyond eradication therapy, ulcer healing was endoscopically confirmed after 5 weeks in 9 out of 10 patients available for follow-up (healing rate: 90%; 95%-confidence interval: 56%-100%). Seven patients reported mild adverse events that did not lead to discontinuation of the study medication (rate: 23%; 95%-confidence interval: 10%-42%). After cure of the infection, histology demonstrated a statistically highly significant improvement (p < 0.001) of both grade and activity of antrum and body gastritis. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)