Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Refining a clinical practice framework to engage clients with brain injury in goal setting.

BACKGROUND/AIM Client-centred goal setting is fundamental to occupational therapy practice and has been increasingly embraced by all rehabilitation practioners. Goal setting in clinical practice is a highly individualised process and may be more challenging with people with acquired brain injury. However, research examining practice is limited. We developed the Client-Centred Goal Setting Practice Framework to explain how client-centred goals are developed in brain injury rehabilitation. This framework was based on interview data and may reflect practitioner's theoretical knowledge rather than goal setting processes used in routine practice. The aims of this study were to explore the application of the framework to every-day practice, examine the extent to which goal setting was client-centred and refine the framework. METHODS A mixed methods approach was employed. Participants were community dwelling clients with ABI and their practitioners, drawn from a hospital outpatient service and community private practices. The communication exchange between practitioners and clients during routine goal setting was audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using framework analysis. Quantitative measures evaluated the client-centredness of goals. RESULTS A total of 65 goal setting sessions with 36 clients and 17 practitioners (n = 8 occupational therapists) were analysed. The three goal setting phases of the framework and associated processes and strategies were represented. The 'establishing trust' process was interwoven throughout all phases and an additional strategy, 'social connection' was identified. CONCLUSION The framework provides preliminary evidence about the core processes and strategies which uses establishing trust to engage clients with ABI in goal setting, and may be a useful tool to guide client-centred goal setting practice in similar services.
Cytocompatibility, bioactive potential and antimicrobial activity of an experimental calcium silicate-based endodontic sealer.

AIM To evaluate the cytocompatibility, bioactive potential, antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of an experimental calcium silicate-based endodontic sealer, in comparison with TotalFill BC Sealer and AH Plus. METHODOLOGY Cytocompatibility was assessed by methyltetrazolium (MTT) and neutral red (NR) assays, after exposure of the Saos-2 cells to the sealer extracts (1 : 2, 1 : 4, 1 : 8, 1 : 16 and 1 : 32 dilutions) for 24 h. The sealers were manipulated and placed in 12-well culture plates and exposed to ultraviolet light; then, 5 mL of DMEM without serum was added. Cell bioactivity was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and Alizarin red staining (ARS). Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities were evaluated by direct contact test (DCT) on planktonic cells (DCTPC) and modified DCT on biofilm formed in bovine dentine blocks (MDCT). MTT, NR and ALP data were analysed by two-way anova and Bonferroni tests; ARS data by anova and Tukey's tests; and the microbiological data by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests (α = 0.05). RESULTS The experimental sealer, TotalFill BC and AH Plus were not cytotoxic to Saos-2, in comparison with the negative control (P > 0.05). Greater ALP was observed after 7 days of exposure of Saos-2 to AH Plus and the experimental sealer (P < 0.05) when compared to the control. Significantly greater mineralized nodule production was observed for TotalFill BC and the experimental sealer (P < 0.05). In DCTPC, the experimental sealer and TotalFill BC were associated with a significantly greater reduction of E. faecalis (P < 0.05) and eliminated C. albicans. In MDCT, the experimental sealer and TotalFill BC had significantly greater antibiofilm efficacy (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The experimental calcium silicate-based sealer was cytocompatible, bioactive, antimicrobial against E. faecalis and C. albicans and effective against E. faecalis biofilms, with potential for use in root canal treatment.
The role of systems biology approaches in determining molecular signatures for the development of more effective vaccines

ABSTRACT Introduction: Emerging infectious diseases are a major threat to public health, and while vaccines have proven to be one of the most effective preventive measures for infectious diseases, we still do not have safe and effective vaccines against many human pathogens, and emerging diseases continually pose new threats. The purpose of this review is to discuss how the creation of vaccines for these new threats has been hindered by limitations in the current approach to vaccine development. Recent advances in high-throughput technologies have enabled scientists to apply systems biology approaches to collect and integrate increasingly large datasets that capture comprehensive biological changes induced by vaccines, and then decipher the complex immune response to those vaccines. Areas covered: This review covers advances in these technologies and recent publications that describe systems biology approaches to understanding vaccine immune responses and to understanding the rational design of new vaccine candidates. Expert opinion: Systems biology approaches to vaccine development provide novel information regarding both the immune response and the underlying mechanisms and can inform vaccine development.
Acoustic field simulation method for arbitrarily shaped transducer with dynamically refined sub-elements.

Background Simulation of the emitted acoustic field is crucial to the design of ultrasound transducers. The method based on the spatial impulse response (SIR) and aperture discretization provides a powerful tool to study the acoustic field emitted by a transducer with complex aperture geometry and sophisticated apodization/excitation pattern. Methods In this work, a new method based on the dynamically refined sub-elements (SE) is employed to discrete the aperture and generate the SIR. Then, these SIRs are convoluted with the excitation pulse to get the acoustic pressure (AP) signal. When calculating the SIR with this method, the slowly changed time flight from a SE to a field point (FP) is approximated with a step function, and the fast changed length of intersection between a SE and a spherical wave centered at a FP is accurately estimated with the areas of the sub-parts (SP) which are given by the dynamically refined SE. Results Simulations of the acoustic field created by a focusing transducer array and a hollow structured point focusing transducer indicate that the proposed new method can give similar data accuracy with a sampling frequency 16 times lower than the conventional time tracing SE (TTSE) based method. The computational cost is also reduced by nearly one order of magnitude. Conclusions A new method is proposed to simulate the acoustic field emitted by transducers with complex geometrical structure and sophisticated apodization/excitation patterns. The required sampling frequency with the new algorithm is greatly reduced compared to that of the conventional TTSE-based method; thus, the efficiency of the acoustic field calculation is improved significantly.
Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy Via Full-Endoscopic Versus Microendoscopic Approach for Radiculopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Recently posterior cervical foraminotomy (PCF) performed using a minimally-invasive surgery (MIS) approach for cervical radiculopathy due to lateral disc herniation or osseous foraminal stenosis has gained popularity. As 2 dominating MIS techniques, whether FE-PCF or MI-PCF provides superior clinical outcomes remains controversial. OBJECTIVES To compare clinical success rate, overall incidence of complications and reoperation rate between full-endoscopic posterior cervical foraminotomy (FE-PCF) and microendoscopic posterior cervical foraminotomy (MI-PCF) for cervical radiculopathy. STUDY DESIGN A systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS A literature search of Pubmed, Embase and Web of Science was conducted to identify comparative or single-arm studies concerning FE-PCF or MI-PCF. The pooled results were performed by calculating the effect size based on the logit event rate and reported with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS A total of 26 articles with 2003 patients (FE-PCF, 377; MI-PCF, 1626) were included. The pooled clinical success rate was 93.6% (CI: 90.0%-95.9%) for the FE group and 89.9% (CI: 86.6%-92.5%) for the MI group, which was not statistically significant (P = 0.908). Overall complication rates were 6.1% (CI: 3.2%-11.3%) and 3.5% (CI: 2.7%-4.6%) for the FE group and the MI group, respectively, with no significant difference (P = 0.128). Nevertheless, the specific constituents showed apparent disparity, with transient nerve root palsy in the FE group (12/16, 75.0%) and dural tear in the MI group (20/47, 42.6%) being the most commonly reported. the pooled reoperation rate, the FE group (4.8%, CI: 2.9%-7.8%) and the MI group (5.3%, CI: 3.4%-8.2%), also demonstrated no statistical difference (P = 0.741). LIMITATIONS The indirect comparison eroded the reliability of results inevitably due to the paucity of randomized clinical trials or high quality prospective cohort studies. CONCLUSIONS Both FE-PCF and MI-PCF can offer an effective and relatively secure treatment for cervical radiculopathy. There was no significant difference in the pooled outcomes of clinical success rate, complication rate and reoperation rate between the 2 approaches. KEY WORDS Cervical radiculopathy, full-endoscopic, microendoscopic, posterior cervical foraminotomy, clinical outcome, complication, reoperation, meta-analysis.
Microstructural Integrity of White Matter Moderates an Association Between Childhood Adversity and Adult Trait Anger

Amongst a number of negative life sequelae associated with childhood adversity is the later expression of a higher dispositional tendency to experience anger and frustration to a wide range of situations (i.e., trait anger). We recently reported that an association between childhood adversity and trait anger is moderated by individual differences in both threat-related amygdala activity and executive control-related dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) activity, wherein individuals with relatively low amygdala and high dlPFC activity do not express higher trait anger even when having experienced childhood adversity. Here, we examine possible structural correlates of this functional dynamic using diffusion magnetic resonance imaging data from 647 young adult men and women volunteers. Specifically, we tested whether the degree of white matter microstructural integrity as indexed by fractional anisotropy modulated the association between childhood adversity and trait anger. Our analyses revealed that higher microstructural integrity of multiple pathways was associated with an attenuated link between childhood adversity and adult trait anger. Amongst these pathways was the uncinate fasciculus, which not only provides a major anatomical link between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex but also is associated with individual differences in regulating negative emotion through top-down cognitive reappraisal. These findings suggest that higher microstructural integrity of distributed white matter pathways including but not limited to the uncinate fasciculus may represent an anatomical foundation serving to buffer against the expression of childhood adversity as later trait anger, which is itself associated with multiple negative health outcomes.
The level of NT-proBNP in ambulatory patients with chronic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction of the left ventricle.

AIM The prevalence of chronic heart failure (CHF) remains high. Echocardiography is a reliable method of diagnosing heart failure. Determination of brain natriuretic peptide allows to identify patients with the most probable diagnosis of heart failure, which requires further instrumental examination of patients. To study the level of the brain natriuretic peptide in patients with diastolic chronic heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 96 outpatients with diastolic chronic heart failure I-III functional class with a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction at the age of 65.06 ± 1.15 years and 50 practically healthy people aged 39.90 ± 1.64 years as a control group who underwent a preventive examination. The level of the N-terminal fragment of the medullary natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in serum was determined using a test system (Vector-Best, Russia). RESULTS The concentration of NT-proBNP in patients with diastolic heart failure with a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction was 108.18 ± 21.64 in the range from 0.0 to 1212.3 pg/ml compared to the control of 7.6 ± 1.38 pg/ml, p<0.05. A positive correlation was found between the concentration of NT-proBNP and the area of the left atrium (r=0.35), left ventricular E/e '(r=0.6), and left ventricular end-systolic volume (r=0.48). The level of NT-proBNP had no correlation with the functional class of CHF (r=0,23), as well as with the stage of CHF (r=0,23). CONCLUSION Thus, patients with diastolic CHF with a preserved ejection fraction in 67% of cases had a level of NT-proBNP in the blood less than the diagnostic threshold. The concentration of NT-proBNP in the serum positively correlates with increased pressure in the cavity of the left ventricle, the end-systolic volume in it and the area of the left atrium.
Negative linear compressibility in uranyl squarate monohydrate

The mechanical properties of the uranyl squarate monohydrate material, , were studied using theoretical solid-state methods based in density functional theory employing plane waves and pseudopotentials. Very demanding calculation parameters were utilized in order to obtain a realistic description of the mechanical behavior of this material. Since the determination of the positions of the hydrogen atoms in the unit cell of uranyl squarate monohydrate was not possible from x-ray diffraction data by structure refinement, they were fully optimized theoretically. The computed lattice parameters, bond distances, angles, and x-ray powder diffraction patterns of this material were in very good agreement with the experimental data. This material was found to be mechanically and dynamically stable since the corresponding stability conditions were satisfied. The values of the bulk modulus and its pressure derivatives, shear and Young moduli, Poisson ratio, ductility, hardness, and mechanical anisotropy indices of this material were reported. Furthermore, this study showed that this material exhibits the important negative Poisson ratio (NPR) and negative linear compressibility (NLC) phenomena. Uranyl squarate monohydrate is a very anisotropic brittle material characterized by a bulk modulus of ~33 GPa, which shows a minimum value of the NPR of the order of −0.5. Besides, this material displays NLC values for a limited range of positive pressures, from 0.025 GPa to 0.094 GPa, applied along the direction of minimum negative Poisson ratio. The analysis of the crystal structure as a function of pressure demonstrates that the mechanism of NLC of this material is associated to the change in shape of the uranyl pentagonal bipyramids and unrelated to the wine-rack structural mechanism commonly used to rationalize this phenomenon.
Small-Molecule Permeation across Membrane Channels: Chemical Modification to Quantify Transport across OmpF.

Biological channels facilitate the exchange of molecules across membranes, but general tools to quantify transport are missing. Electrophysiology is the method of choice to study the functional properties of channels. However, analyzing the current fluctuation of channels typically does not identify successful transport, that is, distinguishing translocation from binding. To distinguish both processes, we added an additional barrier at the channel exit acting as a molecular counter. To identify permeation, we compare the molecule residence time in the native channel with one that is chemically modified at the exit. We use the well-studied outer membrane channel from E. coli, OmpF. Position 181, which is below the constriction region, was subsequently mutated into cysteine (E181C) in an otherwise cysteine-free system, then functionalized by covalent binding with one of the two blockers MTSES or GLT. We measured the passage of model peptides, mono-, tri-, hepta-arginine and of norfloxacin, as an example for antibiotic permeation.
Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU): new preanalytic aspects

Abstract Background 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is frequently used for the treatment of gastrointestinal tumors. The pharmacological effect of 5-FU is influenced by genetic polymorphisms as well as differently dosed regimens. Currently, 5-FU is generally administered as a continuous infusion via an implanted port system using a body surface area (BSA)-based dose calculation. In order to optimize treatment, the area under the curve (AUC) can be estimated to allow for individual dose adjustment. A 5-FU AUC range between 20 and 30 [mg×h×L] is recommended. The aim of the current study was to assess if blood for AUC analysis could also be drawn at the side where the port system had been placed. Methods We collected EDTA blood samples of patients receiving infusional 5-FU simultaneously from different sampling points (right/left cubital vein). 5-FU concentrations were measured in a steady-state equilibrium based on nanoparticle immunoassay (My5-FU; Saladax). Results A total of 39 patients took part in this study. About half of the patients did not reach the target 5-FU concentration window (37% were under- and 16% of the patients were overdosed). Calculated median AUC was 23.3 for the right arm (range 5.8–59.4) and a median of 23.4 for the left arm (range 5.3–61.0). AUC values showed no difference between right compared to left arms (p=0.99). Conclusions In all, these results confirm that a high percentage of patients are not treated with 5-FU doses reaching suggested AUC levels of 20–30. The location of venepuncture, however, had no impact on the results of plasma 5-FU concentration.
Mitochondrial DNA Integrity: Role in Health and Disease

As the primary cellular location for respiration and energy production, mitochondria serve in a critical capacity to the cell. Yet, by virtue of this very function of respiration, mitochondria are subject to constant oxidative stress that can damage one of the unique features of this organelle, its distinct genome. Damage to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and loss of mitochondrial genome integrity is increasingly understood to play a role in the development of both severe early-onset maladies and chronic age-related diseases. In this article, we review the processes by which mtDNA integrity is maintained, with an emphasis on the repair of oxidative DNA lesions, and the cellular consequences of diminished mitochondrial genome stability.
Purine Homeostasis Is Necessary for Developmental Timing, Germline Maintenance and Muscle Integrity in Caenorhabditis elegans

Purine homeostasis is ensured through a metabolic network widely conserved from prokaryotes to humans. Purines can either be synthesized de novo, reused, or produced by interconversion of extant metabolites using the so-called recycling pathway. Although thoroughly characterized in microorganisms, such as yeast or bacteria, little is known about regulation of the purine biosynthesis network in metazoans. In humans, several diseases are linked to purine metabolism through as yet poorly understood etiologies. Particularly, the deficiency in adenylosuccinate lyase (ADSL)—an enzyme involved both in the purine de novo and recycling pathways—causes severe muscular and neuronal symptoms. In order to address the mechanisms underlying this deficiency, we established Caenorhabditis elegans as a metazoan model organism to study purine metabolism, while focusing on ADSL. We show that the purine biosynthesis network is functionally conserved in C. elegans. Moreover, adsl-1 (the gene encoding ADSL in C. elegans) is required for developmental timing, germline stem cell maintenance and muscle integrity. Importantly, these traits are not affected when solely the de novo pathway is abolished, and we present evidence that germline maintenance is linked specifically to ADSL activity in the recycling pathway. Hence, our results allow developmental and tissue specific phenotypes to be ascribed to separable steps of the purine metabolic network in an animal model.
The Stock Performance of American Companies Investing in a Culture of Health

Purpose: We investigated the relationship between companies’ efforts to build internal (COH-INT) and external cultures of health (COH-EXT) and their stock performance. Design: We administered 2 surveys, which measure companies’ programs, policies, and supports for improving the health of their employees and communities. We then compared the companies’ stock performance to the Standard and Poor’s (S&P) 500 Index from January 2013 through August 2017. Setting: United States. Participants: Representatives from 17 publicly traded companies who completed the COH-INT survey, of whom 14 also completed the COH-EXT. Measures: Culture of health scores were dichotomized into high versus low for both surveys. Stock price data for all companies were gathered from public sources. Analysis: We constructed 5 stock portfolios: all 17 companies, high COH-INT, low COH-INT, high COH-EXT, and low COH-EXT companies. We examined total returns for each portfolio compared to the S&P 500. Results: High COH-INT companies’ stock price appreciated by 115% compared to the S&P benchmark (+69%), while low COH-INT companies appreciated only 43%. In contrast, high COH-EXT companies underperformed (+44%) when compared to the S&P 500 (+69%) and low COH-EXT companies (+89%). Conclusion: This study supports the view that employers’ efforts to build an internal culture of health is a sound business strategy. More research is needed, however, to establish whether a link exists between supporting healthy community initiatives and company stock performance.
Expanding the phenotype of phospholipid remodelling disease due to MBOAT7 gene defect

MBOAT7 gene codes O‐acyltransferase domain containing seven proteins which is one of four enzymes involved in remodeling of phosphoinositol phosphate (PIP) in LANDs cycle. We present clinical, neuroimaging, and genetic findings of 12 patients from 7 families with MBOAT7 gene defect, a recently defined novel phospholipid remodelling disease. To the best of our knowledge, our case series is the second report on patients with MBOAT7 gene defect. The patients present with global developmental delay particularly in speech and language skills, intellectual disability, stereotypical behavior, ataxic gait, early onset epilepsy with well response to medical treatment, strabismus and similar facial features. Common neuroimaging findings of the patients were folium dysgenesis of the cerebellum with a particular appearance, mild‐to‐moderate cerebellar atrophy, T2 hyperintensity of bilateral globus pallidius and dentate nuclei, enlarged perivascular areas, and mild thinning of the corpus callosum. Genome‐wide genotyping and exome sequencing identified five different types of homozygous mutations in the MBOAT7 gene in all seven families which are p.Arg87*, p.Leu227ProfsX65, p.Gln376Lys, p.Trp426*, and chr19:54.666. 173‐54.677. 766/11594 bp del. We conclude that clinical and neuroimaging findings of MBOAT7 gene defect may suggest the diagnosis and guide genetic tests.