Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vision Therapy for Post-Concussion Vision Disorders.

PURPOSE To determine the frequency and types of vision disorders associated with concussion, and to determine the success rate of vision therapy for these conditions in two private practice settings. METHODS All records over an 18-month period of patients referred for post-concussion vision problems were reviewed from two private practices. Diagnoses of vergence, accommodative, or eye movement disorders were based on pre-established, clinical criteria. Vision therapy was recommended based on clinical findings and symptoms. RESULTS Two hundred eighteen patient records were found with a diagnosis of concussion. Fifty-six percent of the concussions were related to sports, 20% to automobile accidents, and 24% to school, work, or home-related incidents. The mean age was 20.5 years and 58% were female. Eighty-two percent of the patients had a diagnosis of an oculomotor problem [binocular problems (62%), accommodative problems (54%), eye movement problems (21%)]. The most prevalent diagnoses were convergence insufficiency (CI, 47%) and accommodative insufficiency (AI, 42%). Vision therapy was recommended for 80% of the patients. Forty-six per cent (80/175) either did not pursue treatment or did not complete treatment. Of the 54% (95/175) who completed therapy, 85% of patients with CI were successful and 15% were improved, and with AI, 33% were successful and 67% improved. Clinically and statistically significant changes were measured in symptoms, near point of convergence, positive fusional vergence, and accommodative amplitude. CONCLUSIONS In this case series, post-concussion vision problems were prevalent and CI and AI were the most common diagnoses. Vision therapy had a successful or improved outcome in the vast majority of cases that completed treatment. Evaluation of patients with a history of concussion should include testing of vergence, accommodative, and eye movement function. Prospective clinical trials are necessary to assess the natural history of concussion-related vision disorders and treatment effectiveness.
[Preliminary pharmaphylogenetic study on Ranunculaceae].

OBJECTIVE To deal with the correlation between phylogeny, chemical constituents and pharmaceutical aspects of Ranunculaceae, namely a pharmaphylogenic study of this taxon. METHOD Based on chemical, pharmaceutical (both ethnopharmacologic and pharmacological) information, linking with different plant systems of Ranunculaceae. RESULT Chemical constituents of this taxon included several natural groups: benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, ranunculin, triterpenoid glycoside and diterpene alkaloid etc. Ranunculin and magoflorine were found to present simultaneously in some plants of this taxon. CONCLUSION Combining with therapeutic information, pharmaphylogenic research were in accordance with the phylogenetic system presented by Tamura that Ranunculaceae was proposed to be divided into six sub-families: Helleboroideae, Ranunculoideae, Cimicfugoideae, Isopyroideae, Thalictroideae and Coptidoideae. Results also supported the establishment of Cimicifugoideae.
Discrete Cross-linking Products Identified during Membrane Protein Biosynthesis*

We have investigated the molecular details of the membrane insertion of the multiple-spanning membrane protein opsin. Using heterobifunctional cross-linking reagents the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteins adjacent to a series of defined translocation intermediates were determined. Once the nascent opsin chain reaches a critical minimum length Sec61α is the major ER component adjacent to the polypeptide. Using a homobifunctional reagent, the cross-linking partners from a single cysteine residue in the nascent chain were analyzed. This approach identified chain length-dependent cross-linking products between nascent opsin and a 21-kDa ribosomal protein, followed by Sec61β and finally with Sec61α. Our data support a model where the sequential transmembrane domains of a multiple-spanning membrane protein are integrated at an ER insertion site similar to that mediating the insertion of single-spanning membrane proteins.
Evaluation of Reach and Grasp Robot-Assisted Therapy Suggests Similar Functional Recovery Patterns on Proximal and Distal Arm Segments in Sub-Acute Hemiplegia

This paper provides some additional evidence in support of the hypothesis that robot therapies are clinically beneficial in neurorehabilitation. Although only four subjects were included in the study, the design of the intervention and the measures were done so as to minimize bias. The results are presented as single case studies, and can only be interpreted as such due to the study size. The intensity of intervention was 16 h and the therapy philosophy (based on Carr and Shepherd) was that coordinated movements are preferable to joint based therapies, and that coordinating distal movements (in this case grasps) helps not only to recover function in these areas, but has greater value since the results are immediately transferable to daily skills such as reach and grasp movements.
Influence of naloxone on muscle sympathetic nerve activity, systemic and calf haemodynamics and ambulatory blood pressure after exercise in mild essential hypertension

Objective To determine the effects of prior exercise and naloxone on haemodynamics, muscle sympathetic nerve activity, pituitary hormones and ambulatory blood pressure. Methods We studied 14 mild hypertensive and 14 normotensive subjects on two days. After baseline measurements, subjects were randomly allocated to vehicle or naloxone (0.4mg/kg) 30min before 45min treadmill exercise. Results In both groups blood pressure, stroke volume, and calf and total peripheral resistances were lower 1 h after exercise, whereas sympathetic activity was unchanged. In normotensive subjects naloxone abolished this calf vasodilation without altering muscle sympathetic nerve activity, and attenuated these haemo-dynamic aftereffects of exercise, implying a peripheral opioidergic mechanism. Naloxone had no haemodynamic effect in hypertensive subjects. In normotensives there was an inverse relationship between changes in blood pressure and sympathetic activity after vehicle and exercise. This was transformed by naloxone into a positive relationship (r = 0.69, P<0.02) similar to that observed in hypertensives after vehicle and exercise. Naloxone did not alter the latter positive relationship. Naloxone altered exercise-induced changes in prolactin and luteinizing hormone, but only in normotensive males. In both groups ambulatory blood pressures and heart rates over 2 h after subjects left the laboratory were higher than the values recorded at baseline or 1 h after exercise, and were unaffected by naloxone. Conclusions The depressor effect of exercise is due to peripheral vasodilation, occurs in the absence of sympathetic withdrawal and is short-lived. Endogenous opioids, activated by running, participate in the haemodynamic, sympathoneural and pituitary hormone aftereffects of exercise in normotensive subjects, whereas in hypertensives these aftereffects of exercise are achieved through non-opioidergic mechanisms. These observations are consistent with the concept that activation of endogenous opioid systems by exercise is impaired in mild hypertension.
Constricted microfluidic devices to study the effects of transient high shear exposure on platelets.

Due to the critical roles that platelets play in thrombosis during many biological and pathological events, altered platelet function may be a key contributor to altered hemostasis, leading to both thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications. Platelet adhesion at arterial shear rates occurs through binding to von Willebrand Factor via the glycoprotein (GP) GPIb receptor. GPIb binding can induce platelet activation distinguishable by P-selectin (CD62P) surface expression and αIIbβ3 activation, resulting in platelet aggregation and formation of the primary hemostatic plug to stop bleeding. Previous studies have used cone and plate viscometers to examine pathologic blood flow conditions, applied shear rates that are relatively low, and examined exposure times that are orders of magnitude longer compared to conditions present in ventricular assist devices, mechanical heart valves, or pathologic states such as stenotic arteries. Here, we evaluate the effect of short exposure to high shear on granule release and receptor shedding utilizing a constricted microfluidic device in conjunction with flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In this study, platelets were first perfused through microfluidic channels capable of producing shear rates of 80 000-100 000 s-1 for exposure times of 0-73 ms. We investigated platelet activation by measuring the expression level of CD62P (soluble and surface expressed), platelet factor 4 (PF4), and beta-thromboglobulin (βTG). In addition, we measured potential platelet receptor shedding of GPVI and GPIb using flow cytometry. The results showed that a single pass to high shear with short exposure times (milliseconds) had no effect on the levels of CD62P, GPVI and GPIb, or on the release of alpha granule content (PF4, βTG, and sP-selectin).
Porcine endothelium activated by anti-&agr;-GAL antibody binding mediates increased human neutrophil adhesion under flow

Background. Neutrophils participate in acute vascular rejection (AVR) of organ xenografts. Induced antibodies (Abs), including anti-Gal&agr;1,3Gal (&agr;-Gal) Abs, have been suggested to cause AVR. We investigated the adhesion of naive human neutrophils to porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAECs) stimulated with anti-&agr;-Gal Abs under conditions of flow. In addition, the ability of human neutrophils to adhere to human and porcine endothelium under static and flow conditions was evaluated. Methods and Results. In a flow-adhesion assay, a significant increase in adhesion of human neutrophils to PAECs, but not to human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs), was detected 6 hours after anti-&agr;-Gal Ab-binding. After Ab stimulation, PAECs expressed CD62E and increased levels of CD106, indicating an activated endothelial cell (EC) phenotype. In a migration assay, supernatants from Ab-stimulated PAECs induced migration of human neutrophils, which was partially blocked by anti-porcine (p) interleukin (IL)-8 Abs and an antagonist to platelet-activating factor (PAF). In static and flow-adhesion assays, no difference in adhesion of human neutrophils to unstimulated or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-&agr;-stimulated HAECs and PAECs could be detected. Conclusions. Our data suggest that anti-&agr;-Gal Abs play an important role in the initiation of AVR by mediating adhesion and recruitment of neutrophils within an organ xenograft. In contrast with previous investigations, our data argues against a differential recognition of PAECs and HAECs by human neutrophils. Thus, to prevent AVR and accomplish long-term xenograft survival, it will be important to remove anti-&agr;-Gal Abs before and after pig-to-human transplantation.
Weight change, psychological well-being, and vitality in adults participating in a cognitive-behavioral weight loss program.

OBJECTIVE Excess weight has been associated with numerous psychological problems, including depression and anxiety. This study examined the impact of intentional weight loss on the psychological well-being of adults participating in three clinical weight loss interventions. METHODS This population consisted of 588 overweight or obese individuals randomized into one of three weight loss interventions of incremental intensity for 12 months. Psychological well-being was measured at baseline and 6, and 12 months using the Psychological Well-Being Index. RESULTS Mean weight loss was 5.0 pounds at 12 months. Weight change at 12 months was associated with higher overall psychological well-being (r = -.20, p < .001), lower levels of anxiety (r = -.16, p = .001) and depression (r = -.13, p = .004), and higher positive well-being (r = -.19, p < .001), self-control (r = -.13, p = .004), and vitality (r = -.22, p < .001). Vitality was found to be the best predictor of weight change at 12 months (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Weight loss was associated with positive changes in psychological well-being. Increased vitality contributed the largest percentage of variance to this change.
A New Measurement Technique for Tracking Voltage Phasors, Local System Frequency, and Rate of Change of Frequency

With the advent of Substation Computer Systems dedicated to protection, control and data logging functions in a Substation, it becomes possible to develop new applications which can utilize the processing power available within the substation. The microcomputer based Symmetrical Component Distance Relay (SCDR) described in the references cited at the end of this paper possesses certain characteristics which facilitate real-time monitoring of positive sequence voltage phasor at the local power system bus. With a regression analysis the frequency and rate-of-change of frequency at the bus can also be determined from the positive sequence voltage phase angle. This paper describes the theoretical basis of these computations and describes results of experiments performed in the AEP power system simulation laboratory. Plans for future field tests on the AEP system are also outlined.
Tumor-targeted gene therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The unique feature of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is its almost universal association with the EBV, which is expressed in a latent form exclusively in cancer cells, and not in the surrounding tissues. We have exploited this differential by constructing a novel replication-deficient adenovirus vector (ad5.oriP) in which transgene expression is under the transcriptional regulation of the family of repeats domain of the origin of replication (oriP) of EBV. When EBNA1, one of the latent gene products of EBV, binds to the family of repeats sequence, this activates transcription of downstream genes. Vector constructs were made using the beta-galactosidase and luciferase reporter genes (ad5oriP.betagal and ad5oriP.luc) or the p53 tumor suppressor gene (ad5oriP.p53). 5-Bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside staining demonstrated extensive expression only in EBV-positive NPC cells, specifically in response to the presence of EBNA1. The relative difference in expression between EBV-positive and -negative cell lines is approximately 1000-fold. This selective expression was corroborated in EBV-positive and -negative tumor models, along with an absence of transgene expression in the host liver. Significant cytotoxicity was achieved using the adv.oriP. p53 therapeutic gene only in EBV-positive NPC cells, which was enhanced with the addition of ionizing radiation. Cytotoxicity was mediated primarily by induction of apoptosis. These results demonstrate that the oriP sequence can achieve high levels of gene expression targeted specifically to EBV-positive NPC cells in the context of the adv vector. This has now provided the tumor-specific expression system from which additional interventions can be evaluated in future treatment strategies for patients with nasopharyngeal cancers.
Low concentrations of inhaled nitric oxide do not improve oxygenation in patients with very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airway narrowing that is most frequently inhomogeneously distributed. Ventilation/perfusion (V̇/Q̇) mismatch may explain much of the hypoxemia in patients with advanced disease. A potential treatment strategy would be to redistribute blood flow to well‐ventilated lung regions in order to decrease V̇/Q̇ mismatch. It has been suggested that inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) in physiologic concentrations (∼ 100 p.p.b.) could act as a local vasodilating agent in well‐ventilated lung regions. To test this, we included 10 volunteer patients with very severe COPD in this study.
A framework for linked data fusion and quality assessment

The growth of semantic web technologies underpins the ever-increasing development of linked data and their applications. In recent years, the number of linked data sources has been raised from 12 to more than 2973 sets. The datasets are managed as decentralized sources, and their quality is a serious concern. The assessment of the quality of linked data is a key to adopting them in different fields because each data set has been developed by a different group, using various methods and tools. Moreover, crowd sourcing contributes as one of the main strategies in data collection. This contribution is seen in the tourism industry or E-commerce fields and deserves attention. The qualitative and quantitative diversity of such data is higher than those generated by official organizations and firms. In this paper, we first overview and evaluate the dimensions and measures for the quality assessment of data. Then, we present a novel framework as a solution for improving linked data quality evaluation and data fusion. Finally, we adopt several tools to assess the quality of data of some reputable data sources using the proposed framework.
Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms Impact Clinical Competence in Alzheimer’s Disease

Decision-making is considered a fundamental aspect of personal autonomy and can be affected in psychiatric and neurologic diseases. It has been shown that cognitive deficits in dementia impact negatively on decision-making. Moreover, studies highlighted impaired clinical competence in neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In this context, the current study explored the relationship between behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and clinical competence, especially the capacity to consent to treatment, in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Seventy-one patients with mild to moderate AD participated, completing assessments for capacity to consent to treatment, general cognition and neuropsychiatric disturbances. For each neuropsychiatric symptom, patients with and without the particular disturbance were compared on the different subscales of the MacArthur Competence Tool for Treatment (MacCAT-T; Understanding, Appreciation, Reasoning and Expression). The results showed that patients presenting delusions, as well as apathetic patients, had a lower ability to express a clear treatment choice compared to patients without these symptoms. By contrast, patients with dysphoria/depression had higher scores on this variable. Additionally, AD patients with euphoria had more difficulties discussing consequences of treatment alternatives compared to patients without this disturbance. None of the differences were confounded by global cognition. There were no between-group differences in clinical decision-making for patients with hallucinations, agitation/aggression, anxiety, irritability, disinhibition and aberrant motor behavior. These findings highlight the importance of taking BPSD into account when assessing decision-making capacity, especially clinical competence, in AD. Furthermore, reducing BPSD may lead to better clinical competence in patients with AD, as well as to improvements in patients and caregivers’ quality of life.
Robust Adaptive Frequency Estimation of Three-Phase Power Systems

An algorithm based on the concept of an adaptive notch filter is proposed for the frequency estimation of three-phase power signals. The algorithm permits direct estimation of frequency and its rate of change for power system signals. The proposed method uses the information of all three-phase signals together. The structure, mathematical formulation, and theoretical stability analysis of the proposed technique are presented, and its performance is studied in a variety of scenarios where three-phase power signal attributes such as frequency and amplitude undergo variations over time. This study confirms the desirable transient and steady-state performances of the proposed algorithm. In contrast to the conventional three-phase PLL-based frequency estimator, the proposed method is less sensitive to distortions such as harmonics and interharmonics and is not sensitive to unbalanced system conditions.
ITN utilization among pregnant women attending ANC in Etsako West Lga, Edo State, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE To determine the factors affecting utilization of ITN by pregnant women in Etsako West LGA, Edo State. METHODOLOGY A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed. Using a systematic sampling method, a total of 385 respondents were selected from all ANC facilities in the LGA following a verbally obtained consent. Tool for data collection was a semi-structured, researcher administered questionnaire. RESULT The respondents' knowledge of cause of malaria was good, as 269 (69%) had good knowledge but only 9 (2.3%) knew its effects on the foetus. Meanwhile, ownership of ITN and its use were very low, 36 (9.3%) and 31 (8.0) respectively. The main factor affecting the use of the commodity in the LGA was unavailability of ITNs. Other factors included belief of the women on the effectiveness of the commodity, level of education, marital status and family sizes ofrespondents. CONCLUSION Use of Insecticide treated bed net has been hampered by unavailability of the commodity. It is therefore recommended that efforts should be made to make the commodity available to reduce morbidity and mortality among this vulnerable group.
Deceased-donor kidney perfusate and urine biomarkers for kidney allograft outcomes: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND Accurate and reliable assessment of kidney quality before transplantation is needed to predict recipient outcomes and to optimize management and allocation of the allograft. The aim of this study was to systematically review the published literature on biomarkers in two mediums (the perfusate from deceased-donor kidneys receiving machine perfusion and deceased-donor urine) that were evaluated for their possible association with outcomes after kidney transplantation. METHODS We searched the Ovid Medline and Scopus databases using broad keywords related to deceased-donor biomarkers in kidney transplantation (limited to humans and the English language). Studies were included if they involved deceased-donor kidneys, measured perfusate or urine biomarkers and studied a possible relationship between biomarker concentrations and kidney allograft outcomes. Each included article was assessed for methodological quality. RESULTS Of 1430 abstracts screened, 29 studies met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 23 were studies of perfusate (16 biomarkers examined) and 6 were studies of urine (18 biomarkers examined). Only 3 studies (two perfusate) met the criteria of 'good' quality and only 12 were published since 2000. Perfusate lactate dehydrogenase, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and aspartate transaminase were all found to be significantly associated with delayed graft function in a majority of their respective studies (6/9, 4/6 and 2/2 studies, respectively). Urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, GST, Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity and kidney injury molecule-1 were found to be significantly associated with allograft outcomes in single studies that examined diverse end points. CONCLUSION Higher quality studies are needed to investigate modern kidney injury biomarkers, to validate novel biomarkers in larger donor populations and to determine the incremental predictive value of biomarkers over traditional clinical variables.