Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the adjunctive treatment of traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND Traumatic brain injury is common and presents a health problem with significant effect on quality of life. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been suggested to improve oxygen supply to the injured brain and, therefore, to reduce the volume of brain that will ultimately perish. It is postulated that the addition of HBOT to the standard intensive care regimen may result in a reduction in patient death and disability as a result of these additional brain-preserving effects. OBJECTIVES To assess the benefits and harms of adjunctive HBOT for treating traumatic brain injury. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library Issue 4, 2003), MEDLINE (1966 - 2003), EMBASE (1974 - 2003), CINAHL (1982 - 2003), DORCTHIM (1996 - 2003), and reference lists of articles. Relevant journals were handsearched and researchers in the field were contacted. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised studies comparing the effect on traumatic brain injury of therapeutic regimens which include HBOT with those that exclude HBOT (with or without sham therapy). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Three reviewers independently evaluated the quality of the relevant trials using the validated Oxford-Scale (Jadad 1996) and extracted the data from the included trials. MAIN RESULTS Four trials contributed to this review (382 patients, 199 receiving HBOT and 183 control). There was a trend towards, but no significant increase in, the chance of a favourable outcome when defined as full recovery, Glasgow outcome score 1 or 2, or return to normal activities of daily living (relative risk [RR] for good outcome with HBOT 1.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.92 to 4.08, P=0.08). Pooled data from the three trials with 327 patients that reported mortality, showed a significant reduction in the risk of dying when HBOT was added to the treatment regimen (RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.88, P=0.003). Heterogeneity between studies was low (I(2) =0%), and sensitivity analysis for the allocation of dropouts did not affect that result. This analysis suggests we would have to treat seven patients to avoid one extra death (number needed to treat [NNT] 7, 95% CI 4 to 22). One trial suggested intracranial pressure was favourably lower in those patients receiving HBOT in whom myringotomies had been performed (WMD with myringotomy -8.2 mmHg, 95% CI -14.7 mmHg to -1.7 mmHg, P=0.01), while in two trials there was a reported incidence of 13% for significant pulmonary impairment in the group receiving HBOT versus 0% in the non-HBOT group (P=0.007). REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS In people with traumatic brain injury, the addition of HBOT significantly reduced the risk of death but not of favourable clinical outcome. The routine application of HBOT to these patients cannot be justified from this review. In view of the modest number of patients, methodological shortcomings and poor reporting, this result should be interpreted cautiously, and an appropriately powered trial of high methodological rigour is justified to define those patients (if any) who can be expected to derive most benefit from HBOT.
Clinical accuracy outcomes of splinted and nonsplinted implant impression methods in dental residency settings.

OBJECTIVE The splint technique of implant-supported restorations is a popular impression method; however, in-vivo studies showing the advantage of this method are scarce. The objective was to compare radiographic fit of the metal frameworks fabricated according to splinted or nonsplinted impression techniques. The null hypothesis was that splinting techniques would result in more accurate impressions. METHOD AND MATERIALS A retrospective analysis was performed on 71 patients who had undergone multi-implant-supported rehabilitation in the years of 2012 to 2013. The treatment was carried out by three senior dentists or by residents in the department of Oral Rehabilitation at the Hebrew University Hadassah Medical Center. Each senior and the residents under his guidance treated patients consistently by only one different impression method: (1) no splint; (2) splinted transfers with pattern resin over dental floss scaffold; (3) splinting of transfers to impression tray with pattern resin. Orthoradial radiographs were used to determine if the metal framework fit the implant abutments. RESULTS In total, 81 impressions and 285 implants were included in the study; 56 impressions were done by seniors and 25 by residents. There was no difference in success between the three methods when done by seniors (P = .76). The fixation to tray method was found to be significantly unsuccessful in the hands of residents (P = .01). CONCLUSION Because the splint methods were not found to be more accurate, splinting the transfers might be an unnecessary step. Splinting of transfers to the impression tray is not recommended for inexperienced dentists.
Development of a fast, lean and agile direct pelletization process using experimental design techniques

Abstract A novel hot melt direct pelletization method was developed, characterized and optimized, using statistical thinking and experimental design tools. Mixtures of carnauba wax (CW) and HPMC K100M were spheronized using melted gelucire 50–13 as a binding material (BM). Experimentation was performed sequentially; a fractional factorial design was set up initially to screen the factors affecting the process, namely spray rate, quantity of BM, rotor speed, type of rotor disk, lubricant–glidant presence, additional spheronization time, powder feeding rate and quantity. From the eight factors assessed, three were further studied during process optimization (spray rate, quantity of BM and powder feeding rate), at different ratios of the solid mixture of CW and HPMC K100M. The study demonstrated that the novel hot melt process is fast, efficient, reproducible and predictable. Therefore, it can be adopted in a lean and agile manufacturing setting for the production of flexible pellet dosage forms with various release rates easily customized between immediate and modified delivery.
Physiotherapy in Afghanistan: an analysis of current challenges

Introduction. Afghanistan has high levels of disability due to prolonged conflict. An important part of the reconstruction process in Afghanistan is strengthening health service capacity and, within this, rehabilitation services. Aims: To identify training needs of, and key issues affecting, Afghan physiotherapists. Methods. 20 interviews and clinical accompaniment of 15 physiotherapists/physiotherapy assistants (APA) carried out in the second quarter of 2003. Analysis was using a grounded theory approach. Results. Five themes emerged: (1) Low professional profile of physiotherapy; (2) Difficult working conditions; (3) Difficulty identifying personal training needs; (4) Difficulty with clinical reasoning at undergraduate level; (5) Variable levels of clinical competence. Discussion. Many of the challenges facing Afghan physiotherapists are not unique to Afghanistan but are exacerbated by a lack of government recognition of the profession. War has isolated Afghan physiotherapists from completed professional links and consequently the undergraduate curriculum had not matched developments in other comparable countries. This has contributed to the difficulties therapists' experience with current clinical reasoning and accessing new practice developments. Culture also influences attitudes towards training and has restricted female travel and access to education. Conclusions. Core training needs include disability sensitization, reflective practice and clinical reasoning. The physiotherapy curriculum needs updating and links with ongoing research need to be established to keep abreast of new developments.
Airway Hyperresponsiveness: From Molecules to Bedside Invited Review: The first three minutes: smooth muscle contraction, cytoskeletal events, and soft glasses

Gunst, Susan J., and Jeffrey J. Fredberg. Invited Review: The first three minutes: smooth muscle contraction, cytoskeletal events, and soft glasses. J Appl Physiol 95: 413–425, 2003; 10.1152/japplphysiol. 00277.2003. —Smooth muscle exhibits biophysical characteristics and physiological behaviors that are not readily explained by present paradigms of cytoskeletal and cross-bridge mechanics. There is increasing evidence that contractile activation of the smooth muscle cell involves an array of cytoskeletal processes that extend beyond cross-bridge cycling and the sliding of thick and thin filaments. We review here the evidence suggesting that the biophysical and mechanical properties of the smooth muscle cell reflect the integrated interactions of an array of highly dynamic cytoskeletal processes that both react to and transform the dynamics of cross-bridge interactions over the course of the contraction cycle. The activation of the smooth muscle cell is proposed to trigger dynamic remodeling of the actin filament lattice within cellular microdomains in response to local mechanical and pharmacological events, enabling the cell to adapt to its external environment. As the contraction progresses, the cytoskeletal lattice stabilizes, solidifies, and forms a rigid structure well suited for transmission of tension generated by the interaction of myosin and actin. The integrated molecular transitions that occur within the contractile cycle are interpreted in the context of microscale agitation mechanisms and resulting remodeling events within the intracellular microenvironment. Such an interpretation suggests that the cytoskeleton may behave as a glassy substance whose mechanical function is governed by an effective temperature.
Hybrid Brain Computer Interface to Control Modular Robots

The role of this project was to check whether an EEG based system– the Emotiv EPOC neuroheadset–would be a viable and intuitive user interface to control modular robots in the scope of the Roombots project. After a first set of tests, another modality was added to widen the range of possible actions, limited to only two with the EEG device only; speech recognition was chosen as the second modality. An evaluative user study was designed to test this system composed of two modalities to move a structure composed of passive elements and modular robots, but the EPOC did not prove to be robust enough toward this application. Finally, an internal user study with four members of the lab was conducted to test more deeply the device. The conclusion is that the EPOC device does not match the minimum requirements for robots control with its EEG signal.
Transcriptional Regulation of the Murine Urokinase-type Plasminogen Activator Gene in Skeletal Myoblasts

Summary We have previously shown that urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) is highly expressed in murine C2C12 myoblasts and that antibodies against uPA are able to block both myoblast fusion and differentiation. Here we show the characterization of cis-acting elements in the mouse uPA promoter in vitro which are involved in uPA gene expression in C2C12 myoblast cells. DNase I hypersensitive (HS) site analysis revealed the presence of three HS sites in myoblasts. Deletion analysis of stably transfected uPA-promoter constructs revealed that at least two of the three HS sites accounted for the high transcriptional expression in C2C12 cells. One was located at -2.4 kb and corresponded to a known PEA3/AP1A element and the other one was located at -4.9 kb and contained a CArG box and a CRE element. So far, no regulatory function had been assigned to this CRE/CArG element. Both HS sites alone were able to activate transcription of a heterologous promoter and showed a cooperative effect when placed together. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assays using myoblast nuclear extracts and specific antibodies demonstrated that cJun, JunD and ATF2 bound to the PEA3/AP1A element, whereas the CRE/CArG element bound SRF. Altogether, these results suggest that high uPA expression in myoblasts is dependent on the cooperation of two regulatory sites in the uPA promoter.
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli Infection Induces Interleukin-8 Production via Activation of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases and the Transcription Factors NF-κB and AP-1 in T84 Cells

ABSTRACT Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) infections are associated with hemorrhagic colitis and the hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). In vivo, elevated plasma levels of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) in EHEC-infected children are correlated with a high risk of developing HUS. As IL-8 gene transcription is regulated by the transcription factors NF-κB and AP-1, we analyzed the role of these factors in the regulation of IL-8 production after infection of the epithelial intestinal T84 cell line by EHEC. By 6 h of infection, EHEC had induced significant secretion of IL-8 (35.84 ± 6.76 ng/ml versus 0.44 ± 0.04 ng/ml in control cells). EHEC induced AP-1 and NF-κB activation by 3 h of infection. Moreover, the three mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) (ERK1/2, p38, and JNK) were phosphorylated in EHEC-infected T84 cells concomitant with induction of AP-1 DNA binding activity, and IκB-α was phosphorylated and then degraded concomitant with induction of NF-κB DNA binding activity. Pretreatment of cells with the highly specific MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126, the p38 inhibitor SB203580, and/or the proteasome inhibitor ALLN led to inhibition of the IL-8 secretion induced in EHEC-infected T84 cells. These findings demonstrate that (i) EHEC can induce in vitro a potent proinflammatory response by secretion of IL-8 and (ii) the secretion of IL-8 is due to the involvement of MAPK, AP-1, and NF-κB signaling pathways.
Susceptibility profile, resistance mechanisms & efficacy ratios of fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin & colistin for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae causing urinary tract infections

Background & objectives: The escalation in carbapenem resistance among Enterobacteriaceae has resulted in a lack of effective therapeutic alternatives. Older antimicrobials, fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin and colistin for urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) may be effective treatment options. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the utility of fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin and colistin in treating UTI caused by CRE and molecular characterization of the plasmid-mediated carbapenem resistance mechanisms. Methods: Consecutive, non-duplicate isolates of CR Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. from urine cultures were included (n=150). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined by E-test (fosfomycin and nitrofurantoin) and broth microdilution (colistin). Efficacy ratios were derived by dividing susceptibility breakpoints by observed MIC values of the drugs for the isolates. Isolates were screened for genes coding for carbapenemases using multiplex PCR. Fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin and colistin-resistant isolates were screened for plasmid-borne resistance genes fos A3, oqx AB and mcr-1, respectively using PCR. Results: Among E. coli, 98.9, 56 and 95 per cent isolates were susceptible to fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin and colistin, respectively, while 94 and 85 per cent of Klebsiella spp. were susceptible to fosfomycin and colistin, respectively. The efficacy ratios indicated fosfomycin as the drug of choice for UTI caused by CR E. coli and Klebsiella spp. , followed by colistin. The blaNDM gene was most common, followed by blaOXA48-like. Plasmid-borne genes encoding resistance to fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin and colistin were absent. Interpretation & conclusions: With increasing resistance against the current treatment options, older drugs may emerge as effective options. Molecular screening of resistant isolates is essential to prevent the spread of plasmid-borne resistance against these drugs.
A controllable off-grid hybrid power system

The global warming, air pollution and climate change are danger signals that all is not too well with environment. The main causes of these adverse effects are conventional energy generation. Renewable energy has great capacity to usher in universal energy access. Today, about 400 million people in India have no access to commercial electricity. Energy generations from renewable sources are the best solution for this type of problem. PV and wind energy has received overwhelming attention worldwide. This paper purposes an operation and control strategy for a renewable hybrid power system for an off grid operation We are analysing the data of wind and solar system and estimate the average energy by using hybrid power system with small storage system. In future we will be installing large solar and wind plant which are cheaper as compared to small plants. The Modelling and simulation of PV-wind hybrid system is done by MATLAB/SIMULINK.
Improvement of drug loading onto ion exchange resin by cyclodextrin inclusion complex

Context: Ion exchange resins have ability to exchange their counter ions for ionized drug in the surrounding medium, yielding “drug resin complex. ” Cyclodextrin can be applied for enhancement of drug solubility and stability. Objective: Cyclodextrin inclusion complex of poorly water-soluble NSAIDs, i.e. meloxicam and piroxicam, was characterized and its novel application for improving drug loading onto an anionic exchange resin, i.e. Dowex® 1×2, was investigated. Methods: β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) were used for the preparation of inclusion complex with drugs in solution state at various pH. The inclusion complex was characterized by phase solubility, continuous variation, spectroscopic and electrochemistry methods. Then, the drug with and without cyclodextrin were equilibrated with resin at 1:1 and 1:2 weight ratio of drug and resin. Results and discussion: Solubility of the drugs was found to increase with increasing cyclodextrin concentration and pH. The increased solubility was explained predominantly due to the formation of inclusion complex at low pH and the increased ionization of drug at high pH. According to characterization studies, the inclusion complex was successfully formed with a 1:1 stoichiometry. The presence of cyclodextrin in the loading solution resulted in the improvement of drug loading onto resin. Conclusions: Enhancing drug loading onto ion-exchange resin via the formation of cyclodextrin inclusion complex is usable in the development of ion-exchange based drug delivery systems, which will beneficially reduce the use of harmful acidic or basic and organic chemicals.
The neoliberal turn in the SADC: Regional integration and disintegration

The SADC vision is one of a common future, within a regional community that will ensure economic well-being, improvement of the standards of living and quality of life, freedom and social justice, peace and security for the peoples of Southern Africa. This shared vision is anchored on the common values and principles and the historical and cultural affinities that exist amongst the peoples of Southern Africa. (SADC, 2010, p. 1)
Multiple-Source Multiple-Sink Maximum Flow in Directed Planar Graphs in Near-Linear Time

We give an O(n log3 n) algorithm that, given an n-node directed planar graph with arc capacities, a set of source nodes, and a set of sink nodes, finds a maximum flow from the sources to the sinks. Previously, the fastest algorithms known for this problem were those for general graphs.
The problem of deception in embryonic stem cell research

Abstract. The field of embryonic stem cell research has been plagued by exaggeration and misrepresentation, as three major journals have had to retract significant claims about progress in this field. This problem is exacerbated by the politicized climate in which the research is conducted and defended; it may also lie deeper, in a utilitarian ethic that in principle could justify unethical actions for admittedly worthwhile long‐term goals. Such an ethic risks undermining the credibility of science, which must show a commitment to the facts that is independent of social and political goals.
Consumer adoption in digital multimedia broadcasting: examining socio-cultural and economic determinants

This study aims to develop the persuasive theory model in explaining the adoption of digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB). DMB services were unveiled in Korea on December 1, 2005, marking the beginning of a full-fledged mobile TV era for the country. I established hypothesis under the objectives of study such as which factors can explain customers' adoption most properly and how it can be structured based on expanded technology acceptance model (ETAM). The results are threefold. First, the applicability of technology acceptance model (TAM) based on research of Davis (1989), was revealed to be supported. Second, two factors, socio-cultural influence (SCI) and network externalities, were derived as the external factors that can expand TAM in explaining adoption of DMB. Finally, results support use of the extended TAM as an explainer in the context of DMB adoption as information technology (IT).
Smooth muscle raft-like membranes Published, JLR Papers in Press, October 16, 2003. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M300402-JLR200

We developed a method for extracting raft-like, liquid-ordered membranes from the particulate fraction prepared from porcine trachealis smooth muscle. This fraction, which contains most of the plasma membrane in this tissue, was homogenized in the presence of cold 0.5% Triton X-100. After centrifugation, membranes containing high contents of sphingomyelin (SM) and cholesterol and low phosphatidylcholine (PC) contents remained in the pellet. Thirty-five millimolar octyl glucoside (OG) extracted 75% of these membranes from the Triton X-100-resistant pellet. These membranes had low buoyant densities and accounted for 28% of the particulate fraction lipid. Their lipid composition, 22% SM, 60% cholesterol, 11% phosphatidylethanolamine, 8% PC, <1% phosphatidylinositol, and coisolation with 5′-nucleotidase and caveolin-1 suggest that they are liquid-ordered membranes. We compared characteristics of OG and Triton X-100 extractions of the particulate fraction. In contrast to Triton X-100 extractions, membranes released from the particulate fraction by OG were mainly collected in low buoyant fractions at densities ranging from 1.05 to 1.11 g/ml and had phospholipid and cholesterol contents consistent with a mixture of liquid-ordered and liquid-disordered membranes. Thus, OG extraction of apparent liquid-ordered membranes from Triton X-100-resistant pellets was not due to selective extraction of these membranes. Low buoyant density appears not to be unique for liquid-ordered membranes.