Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Osteocalcin gene polymorphisms influence concentration of serum osteocalcin and enhance fracture identification

Osteoporosis is a major health problem affecting more than 75 million people throughout Europe, the United States, and Japan. Epidemiologic studies have determined that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. We have investigated the association between polymorphisms at the osteocalcin locus and variables linked to bone health. Osteocalcin provides a link between bone and energy metabolism, hence its potential importance as an osteoporosis candidate gene. In this study, we included a total of 996 women (all aged 75 years) from the Osteoporosis Prospective Risk Assessment (OPRA) cohort. We sequenced the osteocalcin gene along with flanking regions to search for novel coding polymorphisms. We also analyzed four polymorphisms selected from within and flanking regions of the osteocalcin gene to study their association with serum total osteocalcin levels (S‐TotalOC), total‐body (TB) bone mineral density (BMD), fracture, TB fat mass, and body mass index (BMI). The promoter polymorphism rs1800247 was significantly associated with S‐TotalOC (p = .012) after controlling for BMI and TB BMD. The polymorphism rs1543297 was significantly associated with prospectively occurring fractures (p = .008). In a model taking into account rs1543297 and rs1800247, along with TB BMD, BMI, smoking, and S‐TotalOC, the polymorphisms together were able to identify an additional 6% of women who sustained a fracture (p = .02). We found no association between the polymorphisms and TB BMD, BMI, or TB fat mass. In conclusion, polymorphisms in and around the osteocalcin locus are significantly associated with S‐TotalOC and fracture. Genotyping at the osteocalcin locus could add valuable information in the identification of women at risk of osteoporosis. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Phytotoxins produced by plant pathogenic Streptomyces species

Streptomyces is a large genus consisting of soil‐dwelling, filamentous bacteria that are best known for their capability of producing a vast array of medically and agriculturally useful secondary metabolites. In addition, a small number of Streptomyces spp. are capable of colonizing and infecting the underground portions of living plants and causing economically important crop diseases such as potato common scab (CS). Research into the mechanisms of Streptomyces plant pathogenicity has led to the identification and characterization of several phytotoxic secondary metabolites that are known or suspected of contributing to diseases in various plants. The best characterized are the thaxtomin phytotoxins, which play a critical role in the development of CS, acid scab and soil rot of sweet potato. In addition, the best‐characterized CS‐causing pathogen, Streptomyces scabies, produces a molecule that is predicted to resemble the Pseudomonas syringae coronatine phytotoxin and which contributes to seedling disease symptom development. Other Streptomyces phytotoxic secondary metabolites that have been identified include concanamycins, FD‐891 and borrelidin. Furthermore, there is evidence that additional, unknown metabolites may participate in Streptomyces plant pathogenicity. Such revelations have implications for the rational development of better management procedures for controlling CS and other Streptomyces plant diseases.
MULTI-DRUG RESISTANT ACINETOBACTER-DERIVED CEPHALOSPORINASE AND OXASETC GENES IN CLINICAL SPECIMENS OF ACINETOBACTER SPP. ISOLATED FROM TEACHING HOSPITAL

Background: Hospital-acquired infections caused by multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter spp. are often extremely difficult to treatand this has proved to be a serious problem worldwide. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence rates and distribution patterns of multi-drug resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter spp. strains and the occurrence of Acinetobacter-derived cephalosporinase (ADC-7) and OXA-type carbapenemases (OXAsetC genes) in clinical specimens in the Beheshti Teaching Hospital in Kashan, Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on sixty isolates of Acinetobacter spp. and clinical samples collected from patients. The level of antibiotic resistance was determined by the disc diffusion method and the results were interpreted according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) procedure. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the genetic determinants of resistance was also determined. Results: The resistance rates were; amikacin (80%), tobramycin (68.3%), ceftazidime (60%), ciprofloxacin (55%), piperacillin/tazobactam (51.7%), doxycycline (50%), SXT/TMP (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim)(48.3%), levofloxacin (43.3%), gentamicin (40%), imipenem (25%), and sulbactam/ampicillin (20%). The frequency of MDR Acinetobacter spp. strains isolated was found to be 56.7%. These isolates were most sensitive to imipenem followed by ampicillin/sulbactam and gentamicin. The prevalence of genes for ADC-7 and OXAsetC in the Acinetobacter spp. was; 34 (56.7%) and 32 (53.3%), respectively. The positive percentages of MDR isolates for ADC-7 were 82.4% and for OXAsetC they were 73.5%. Conclusions: Our phenotypic analysis demonstrated that Acinetobacter spp. isolates were resistant to most clinically significant antibiotic classes. This is the first report concerning Acinetobacter-derived cephalosporinase, blaADC, enzymes in Acinetobacter spp. isolates from Iran.
Osteoblast‐targeted overexpression of PPARγ inhibited bone mass gain in male mice and accelerated ovariectomy‐induced bone loss in female mice

PPARγ has critical role in the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into adipocytes while suppressing osteoblastic differentiation. We generated transgenic mice that overexpress PPARγ specifically in osteoblasts under the control of a 2.3‐kb procollagen type 1 promoter (Col.1‐PPARγ). Bone mineral density (BMD) of 6‐ to 14‐week‐old Col.1 − PPARγ male mice was 8% to 10% lower than that of their wild‐type littermates, whereas no difference was noticed in Col.1‐PPARγ female mice. Col.1‐PPARγ male mice exhibited decreased bone volume (45%), trabecular thickness (23%), and trabecular number (27%), with a reciprocal increase in trabecular spacing (51%). Dynamic histomorphometric analysis also revealed that bone‐formation rate (42%) and mineral apposition rate (32%) were suppressed significantly in Col.1‐PPARγ male mice compared with their wild‐type littermates. Interestingly, osteoclast number and surface also were decreased by 40% and 58%, respectively, in Col.1‐PPARγ male mice. In vitro whole‐marrow culture for osteoclastogenesis also showed a significant decrease in osteoclast formation (approximately 35%) with the cells from Col.1‐PPARγ male mice, and OPG/RANKL ratio was reduced in stromal cells from Col.1‐PPARγ male mice. Although there was no significant difference in BMD in Col.1‐PPARγ female mice up to 30 weeks, bone loss was accelerated after ovariectomy compared with wild‐type female mice (−3.9% versus −6.8% at 12 weeks after ovariectomy, p < .01), indicating that the effects of PPARγ overexpression becomes more evident in an estrogen‐deprived state in female mice. In conclusion, in vivo osteoblast‐specific overexpression of PPARγ negatively regulates bone mass in male mice and accelerates estrogen‐deficiency‐related bone loss in female mice. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Reducing the stigma associated with dementia: approaches and goals

Stigma is a state of social disgrace, which marks an individual as discreditable or inferior in some way. The diagnosis of dementia, like other mental illnesses, carries significant stigma, partly due to cultural beliefs about etiology but also due to the unsocial behaviors that can result from cognitive impairment. Stigma not only affects self-esteem and causes distress, but affects social inclusion and can delay diagnosis of dementia. In order to optimize the uptake of early intervention healthcare initiatives and improve outcomes, we need to explore the effectiveness of antistigma interventions. Reducing stigma may be achieved through education, protest against current inequalities and contact with people who have dementia. Successful interventions are likely to involve a multifaceted approach that tackles self-stigma as well as public perceptions. Future research should explore the creation of culturally sensitive antistigma interventions and examine which aspects of these programs are most effective .
Femoral Component Exposure and Removal Technique

Summary Revision total hip arthroplasty procedures can be very difficult. Efficient femoral component exposure and removal with minimal bone destruction is a very important part of the procedure. Enlightened preoperative planning allows the surgeon to attack the problem in the best possible way. There are many tools that can facilitate the procedure, and many are illustrated. Cemented stems offer different challenges than cementless stems; a joint surgeon must be familiar with ways of dealing with both situations. Many techniques are discussed that will allow a surgeon to expose and remove the femoral component, allowing the surgeon to then progress to reconstruction.
Dynamic gamma knife radiosurgery

Gamma knife has been the treatment of choice for various brain tumors and functional disorders. Current gamma knife radiosurgery is planned in a ‘ball-packing’ approach and delivered in a ‘step-and-shoot’ manner, i.e. it aims to ‘pack’ the different sized spherical high-dose volumes (called ‘shots’) into a tumor volume. We have developed a dynamic scheme for gamma knife radiosurgery based on the concept of ‘dose-painting’ to take advantage of the new robotic patient positioning system on the latest Gamma Knife C™ and Perfexion™ units. In our scheme, the spherical high dose volume created by the gamma knife unit will be viewed as a 3D spherical ‘paintbrush’, and treatment planning reduces to finding the best route of this ‘paintbrush’ to ‘paint’ a 3D tumor volume. Under our dose-painting concept, gamma knife radiosurgery becomes dynamic, where the patient moves continuously under the robotic positioning system. We have implemented a fully automatic dynamic gamma knife radiosurgery treatment planning system, where the inverse planning problem is solved as a traveling salesman problem combined with constrained least-square optimizations. We have also carried out experimental studies of dynamic gamma knife radiosurgery and showed the following. (1) Dynamic gamma knife radiosurgery is ideally suited for fully automatic inverse planning, where high quality radiosurgery plans can be obtained in minutes of computation. (2) Dynamic radiosurgery plans are more conformal than step-and-shoot plans and can maintain a steep dose gradient (around 13% per mm) between the target tumor volume and the surrounding critical structures. (3) It is possible to prescribe multiple isodose lines with dynamic gamma knife radiosurgery, so that the treatment can cover the periphery of the target volume while escalating the dose for high tumor burden regions. (4) With dynamic gamma knife radiosurgery, one can obtain a family of plans representing a tradeoff between the delivery time and the dose distributions, thus giving the clinician one more dimension of flexibility of choosing a plan based on the clinical situations.
Frequency of Asymptomatic Shedding of Herpes Simplex Virus in Women With Genital Herpes

Twenty-seven women with recurrent genital herpes simplex virus infection underwent daily home culturing to detect asymptomatic genital herpes simplex virus shedding. Asymptomatic herpes simplex virus shedding was documented on 1% of the days on which cultures were obtained. Asymptomatic shedding from the vulva was as frequent as asymptomatic cervicovaginal shedding, and 45% of asymptomatic episodes were identified only by positive results from vulvar cultures. All women who obtained samples on more than 100 days and 80% of women who obtained samples on more than 50 days had documented asymptomatic viral shedding, compared with only 6% of those who obtained samples for fewer than 25 days. Asymptomatic shedding was not related to contraceptive use or menstrual cycle. These data suggest that all women with recurrent genital herpes simplex virus infection should be instructed about the possible risk, albeit infrequent, of asymptomatically shedding virus from the genital tract. ( JAMA . 1990;263:418-420)
Uncertainty calculations for the measurement of in vivo bone lead by x-ray fluorescence

In order to quantify the bone lead concentration from an in vivo x-ray fluorescence measurement, typically two estimates of the lead concentration are determined by comparing the normalized x-ray peak amplitudes from the Kα1 and Kβ1 features to those of the calibration phantoms. In each case, the normalization consists of taking the ratio of the x-ray peak amplitude to the amplitude of the coherently scattered photon peak in the spectrum. These two Pb concentration estimates are then used to determine the weighted mean lead concentration of that sample. In calculating the uncertainties of these measurements, it is important to include any covariance terms where appropriate. When determining the uncertainty of the lead concentrations from each x-ray peak, the standard approach does not include covariance between the x-ray peaks and the coherently scattered feature. These spectral features originate from two distinct physical processes, and therefore no covariance between these features can exist. Through experimental and simulated data, we confirm that there is no observed covariance between the detected Pb x-ray peaks and the coherently scattered photon signal, as expected. This is in direct contrast to recent work published by Brito (2006 Phys. Med. Biol. 51 6125–39). There is, however, covariance introduced in the calculation of the weighted mean lead concentration due to the common coherent normalization. This must be accounted for in calculating the uncertainty of the weighted mean lead concentration, as is currently the case. We propose here an alternative approach to calculating the weighted mean lead concentration in such a way as to eliminate the covariance introduced by the common coherent normalization. It should be emphasized that this alternative approach will only apply in situations in which the calibration line intercept is not included in the calculation of the Pb concentration from the spectral data: when the source of the intercept is well characterized and known to come from trace contamination by Pb in the plaster of Paris calibration standards. In our approach, the coherent normalization is only applied to one parameter and we no longer take a weighted mean of correlated quantities. Our proposed alternative calculation has essentially no effect on the calculated error of the mean lead concentration, indicating that the existing method of accounting for this covariance is sufficient.
Unicompartmental Knee Replacement With New Oxford Instruments

The Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty was developed for the treatment of anteromedial osteoarthritis of the knee. Following strict adherence to the clinical indications, this mobile-bearing device has shown >90% survivorship at 20 years and good to excellent clinical results after 10 years. The addition of small incision surgery to the Oxford technique along with rapid recovery protocols has resulted in quicker functional recovery with less morbidity and mortality, thus making the procedure truly minimally invasive compared with total knee replacement. The most recent evolutionary change to the Oxford technique has been the addition of new instrumentation (Oxford Microplasty) that allows for more reproducible execution of the operation, which might improve the long-term success of the surgery. This article outlines the Oxford surgical technique using the Oxford Microplasty instruments.
A small animal holding fixture system with positional reproducibility for longitudinal multimodal imaging

This study presents a combined small animal holding fixture system, termed a ‘bridge capsule’, which provides for small animal re-fixation with positional reproducibility. This system comprises separate holding fixtures for the head and lower body and a connecting part to a gas anesthesia system. A mouse is fixed in place by the combination of a head fixture with a movable part made from polyacetal resin, a lower body fixture made from vinyl-silicone and a holder for the legs and tail. For re-fixation, a similar posture could be maintained by the same holding fixtures and a constant distance between the head and lower body fixtures is maintained. Artifacts caused by the bridge capsule system were not observed on magnetic resonance (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) images. The average position differences of the spinal column and the iliac body before and after re-fixation for the same modality were approximately 1.1 mm. The difference between the MRI and PET images was approximately 1.8 mm for the lower body fixture after image registration using fiducial markers. This system would be useful for longitudinal, repeated and multimodal imaging experiments requiring similar animal postures.
Gram‐positive organisms in endodontic infections

Culture-based studies in endodontics have more or less overlooked the significance of Gram-positive facultative bacteria in recent decades. By contrast, Gram-negative anaerobes have been extensively studied because of their frequent recovery in primary root canal infections and their association with acute manifestations of apical periodontitis. More recent years have seen a renewed interest in Gram-positive facultatives as these organisms are common in samples from root-filled teeth affected by apical periodontitis. Structural components of the robust bacterial cell wall of Gram positives protect them from noxious environmental factors. Additionally, the majority of these organisms express fast-adaptive properties when exposed to extreme conditions, thus making them potentially interesting as causal elements in post-treatment endodontic disease. This review relates to different aspects of Gram-positive bacteria and their adaptive responses when being exposed to stressful conditions such as endodontic treatment procedures.
Fetal Liver Bisphenol A Concentrations and Biotransformation Gene Expression Reveal Variable Exposure and Altered Capacity for Metabolism in Humans

Widespread exposure to the endocrine active compound, bisphenol A (BPA), is well documented in humans. A growing body of literature suggests adverse health outcomes associated with varying ranges of exposure to BPA. In the current study, we measured the internal dose of free BPA and conjugated BPA and evaluated gene expression of biotransformation enzymes specific for BPA metabolism in 50 first‐ and second‐trimester human fetal liver samples. Both free BPA and conjugated BPA concentrations varied widely, with free BPA exhibiting three times higher concentrations than conjugated BPA concentrations. As compared to gender‐matched adult liver controls, UDP‐glucuronyltransferase, sulfotransferase, and steroid sulfatase genes exhibited reduced expression whereas β‐glucuronidase mRNA expression remained unchanged in the fetal tissues. This study provides evidence that there is considerable exposure to BPA during human pregnancy and that the capacity for BPA metabolism is altered in the human fetal liver. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J BiochemMol Toxicol 27:116‐123, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.21459
Optimizing the production of the biosurfactant lichenysin and its application in biofilm control

Apply response surface methodology (RSM) to develop and optimize an economical medium for lichenysin production, which is a surfactant produced by Bacillus licheniformis and evaluate the application of lichenysin in the prevention and disruption of pathogenic micro‐organism biofilm that creates health problems in the food industry and hospitals.
Has Occupational Science Taken Away the Occupational Therapy Evidence Base? A Debate

Health policy requires occupational therapy to demonstrate evidence-based clinical outcomes and efficiency in order to survive. This has significant implications for occupational therapy researchers and managers and suggests a re-evaluation of the profession's priorities for research. This opinion piece aims to stimulate debate regarding the impact of occupational science on occupational therapy and the need for research that evaluates the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions. This is achieved by reflecting on a personal experience of evaluating research evidence for clinical guidelines and by exploring current and future challenges.
Vascular Malformations of the Central Nervous System

This article reviews vascular malformations of the central nervous system. These may be arteriovenous, venous, capillary, or cavernous. Arteriovenous malformations form in utero or shortly thereafter and carry an annual risk of hemorrhage of 2% to 4%. They are associated with Wyburn-Mason and Rendu-Osler-Weber syndromes, but the vast majority are sporadic. Treatment may be surgical, endovascular, and/or radiosurgical. Cavernous malformations may be sporadic or familial and associated with abnormalities of chromosome 7q, 7p, or 3q. They may be associated with mutations in the gene for KRIT1. The natural history is believed to be hemorrhage at a rate of 1% to 4% per year. Treatment, if indicated, is surgical excision. Venous malformations are congenital variations in venous anatomy that generally do not hemorrhage and do not require treatment. Capillary telangiectasias are for the most part incidental autopsy findings. Spinal vascular malformations also are reviewed.
A systematic review of interactive computer-assisted technology in diabetes care. Interactive information technology in diabetes care.

BACKGROUND Excellent diabetes care and self-management depends heavily on the flow of timely, accurate information to patients and providers. Recent developments in information technology (IT) may, therefore, hold great promise. OBJECTIVE To determine, in a systematic review, how emerging interactive IT has been used to enhance care for adults with type 2 diabetes. METHOD Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies (both before-after designs and post-intervention assessments) focused on computer-assisted interactive IT that included > or =10 adults with diabetes (> or =50% type 2) and reported in English. We searched 4 electronic databases (up to 2003) using terms for diabetes and technology, reviewed bibliographies, and handsearched Diabetes Care (January 1990 to February 2004). Two reviewers independently selected articles and worked serially on data extraction with adjudication of discrepancies by consensus. RESULTS There were 26 studies (27 reports): internet (n=6; 3 RCTs), telephone (n=7; 4 RCTs), and computer-assisted integration of clinical information (n=13, 7 RCTs). The median (range) sample size was 165 (28 to 6,469 participants) for patients and 37 (15 to 67) for providers; the median duration was 6 (1 to 29) months. Ethnic minorities or underserved populations were described in only 8 studies. Six of 14 interventions demonstrated moderate to large significant declines in hemoglobin A1c levels compared with controls. Most studies reported overall positive results and found that IT-based interventions improved health care utilization, behaviors, attitudes, knowledge, and skills. CONCLUSIONS There is growing evidence that emerging IT may improve diabetes care. Future research should characterize benefits in the long term (>1 year), establish methods to evaluate clinical outcomes, and determine the cost-effectiveness of using IT.