Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developing a Short Form of the Postural Assessment Scale for People With Stroke

Objective: To develop a Short Form of Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke patients (SFPASS) with sound psychometric properties (including reliability, validity, and responsiveness). Methods. This study consisted of 2 parts: developing the SFPASS and cross-validation. In the 1st part, 287 people with stroke were evaluated with the PASS at 14- and 30-day post-stroke intervals. The authors reduced the number of test items that constitute the PASS by more than half (i.e., making 5-, 6-, and 7-item sets) and simplified the scoring system (i.e., collapsing the 4-level scale in the original PASS into a 3-level scale [PASS-3L]), making both 4-L and 3-L versions available. Thus, a total of 6 SFPASSs were generated. In addition, 2 external criteria, the Barthel activities of daily living index and the Fugl-Meyer motor test, were used to examine the validity of the 6 SFPASSs. The psychometric properties of the new 6 SFPASSs were compared with each other as well as with those of the original PASS to determine which scale outperformed the others. In the 2nd part of the study, the authors cross-validated the best SFPASS using another independent sample of 179 people with stroke. Results. All 6 SFPASSs demonstrated good reliability, validity, and responsiveness. However, the Bland-Altman plots showed that only the 5-item PASS-3L demonstrated no systematic trend between the difference and mean score of the 5-item PASS-3L and the original PASS. The 5-item PASS-3L also had psychometric properties similar to those of the original PASS, as demonstrated in a cross-validation sample. Conclusion. The authors’ results provide strong evidence that the 5-item PASS-3L has sound psycho-metric properties in people with stroke. The 5-item PASS-3L is simple and fast to administer and is thus recommended.
Dlx‐5 in limb initiation in the chick embryo

Dlx‐5 is a vertebrate homolog of the Drosophila Distal‐less gene, one of the first genetic signals for limb formation in the fly. In the present study we have explored the possible role of Dlx‐5 in limb initiation in the chick embryo. At stage 14 which is well before the initial formation of limb buds Dlx‐5 is highly and specifically expressed in the ectoderm of the presumptive wing and leg forming regions of the lateral plate, but not in the intervening non‐limb forming prospective flank. Thus, Dlx‐5 expression distinguishes the limb‐forming territories prior to limb budding, and is one of the first molecular markers of vertebrate limb initiation. Furthermore, Dlx‐5 expression is induced in the non‐limb‐forming flank within 12 hours after implantation of an FGF2‐soaked bead, a procedure that results in the induction of an ectopic limb. The rapid induction of Dlx‐5 expression in response to a signal which ultimately leads to supernumerary limb formation is consistent with a role for Dlx‐5 in limb initiation. We have also examined the expression of Dlx‐5 in the limb buds of amelic limbless mutant chick embryos, which undergo normal limb formation but do not form an AER and thus fail to undergo further outgrowth. Dlx‐5 is transiently expressed by the ectoderm of emergent limbless limb buds, consistent with a role for Dlx‐5 in limb initiation. Together, our results suggest that Dlx‐5 may be involved in the specification of the limb territories of the lateral plate, and in the initial formation of the limb bud from these regions. Dev Dyn 1999;216:10–15. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Human GAP-43 Gene Expression: Multiple Start Sites for Initiation of Transcription in Differentiating Human Neuroblastoma Cells

Phorbol ester treatment of human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, which leads to mature neuron-like cells with a sympathetic phenotype, induces outgrowth of neurites which are terminated by growth cones. The neurite extension is parallelled by an increased expression of the growth-associated protein, GAP-43. At the mRNA level, two GAP-43 mRNA species of 1.4 and 1.6 kb, respectively, were detected in SH-SY5Y cells. Both the low- and high-molecular-weight GAP-43 transcripts cosedimented with a polysomal fraction, indicating translation of both types of transcripts. To structurally characterize these GAP-43 mRNAs, several cDNA clones were isolated. The only difference identified corresponded to various size extensions in the 5'-untranslated region. A human genomic DNA fragment extending 1145 bp 5' of the GAP-43 translation start site, including a putative promoter region of the GAP-43 gene, was also characterized. Comparison of human and rat GAP-43 genomic sequences revealed an 85% identity between the first 900 bp 5' of translation start site. By RNase protection analysis, two clusters of putative transcription start sites, located approximately 200 bp apart, were identified. DNaseI footprinting analyses, using nuclear extracts prepared from untreated and TPA-treated SH-SY5Y cells, revealed specific footprints primarily detected in extracts prepared from differentiating cells. These clustered at positions immediately 5' of the two putative transcription start site regions. GAP-43 mRNA expression was finally studied using a probe which specifically recognizes the high-molecular-weight GAP-43 transcripts. Five tested human neuroblastoma cell lines and human fetal brain tissue expressed these transcripts. Furthermore, during differentiation of SH-SY5Y and LA-N-5 cells, both sizes of GAP-43 transcripts were transiently induced with the larger slightly preceeding the smaller mRNA species.
The influence of SRC-family tyrosine kinases on Na,K-ATPase activity in lens epithelium.

PURPOSE Na,K-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) is essential for the regulation of cytoplasmic ion concentrations in lens cells. Earlier studies demonstrated that tyrosine phosphorylation by Lyn kinase, a Src-family member, inhibits Na,K-ATPase activity in porcine lens epithelium. In the present study, experiments were conducted to compare the ability of other Src-family kinases (Fyn, Src, and Lck) and Fes, a non-Src-family tyrosine kinase, to alter Na,K-ATPase activity. METHODS Membranes prepared from porcine lens epithelium were incubated with partially purified tyrosine kinases in buffer containing 1 mM adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP hydrolysis in the presence and absence of ouabain was used to measure Na,K-ATPase activity. Western blot analysis was used to examine phosphotyrosine-containing proteins and tyrosine kinase expression. RESULTS Fyn reduced Na,K-ATPase activity by approximately 30%. In contrast, Src caused a approximately 38% increase of Na,K-ATPase activity. Na,K-ATPase activity in membrane material treated with Lck or Fes was not significantly altered, even though Lck and Fes treatment induced robust tyrosine phosphorylation. Added exogenously, each tyrosine kinase induced a different pattern of membrane protein tyrosine phosphorylation. As judged by immunoprecipitation, Src, Fyn, Lyn, and Lck elicited tyrosine phosphorylation of the Na,K-ATPase alpha1 protein. Src, Fyn, Lyn, Lck, and Fes were each detectable in the epithelium by Western blot. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate considerable variation in the Na,K-ATPase activity response of lens epithelium to different tyrosine kinases. This could perhaps explain why inhibition of Na,K-ATPase activity is reported to be caused by tyrosine phosphorylation in some tissues, whereas stimulation of Na,K-ATPase activity is observed in other tissues.
Detection of adenoviruses and enteroviruses in polluted waters by nested PCR amplification

A procedure has been developed for the rapid detection of enteroviruses and adenoviruses in environmental samples. Several systems for virus concentration and extraction of nucleic acid were tested by adding adenovirus type 2 and poliovirus type 1 to different sewage samples. The most promising method for virus recovery involved the concentration of viruses by centrifugation and elution of the virus pellets by treatment with 0.25 N glycine buffer, pH 9.5. Nucleic acid extraction by adsorption of RNA and DNA to silica particles was the most efficient. One aliquot of the extracted nucleic acids was used for a nested two-step PCR, with specific primers for all adenoviruses; and another aliquot was used to synthesize cDNA for a nested two-step PCR with specific primers for further detection of seeded polioviruses or all enteroviruses in the river water and sewage samples. The specificity and sensitivity were evaluated, and 24 different enterovirus strains and the 47 human adenovirus serotypes were recognized by the primers used. The sensitivity was estimated to be between 1 and 10 virus particles for each of the species tested. Twenty-five samples of sewage and polluted river water were analyzed and showed a much higher number of positive isolates by nested PCR than by tissue culture analysis. The PCR-based detection of enteroviruses and adenoviruses shows good results as an indicator of possible viral contamination in environmental wastewater.
Efficacy of Tranexamic Acid in Conservation of Blood Loss in Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients.

A lot of post-operative blood loss is usually associated with total knee arthroplasty . However, intra operative blood loss is minimal. Our study aims to evaluate the efficacy of tranexamic acid in reducing the blood loss.We conducted a randomised double blinded placebo study involving 36 patients (18 subjects and 18 control). Patients were administered either tranexamic acid or normal saline 30 minutes prior to the surgery and then 8 th hourly for 3 days. Blood loss and blood units given before after the procedure was noted. Coagulation profile was noted. D Dimer values were also noted to evaluate fibrinolysis.The blood loss in patients who were administered Tranexamic acid was 635 ml and the placebo had 1325 ml with 24 hours after the surgical procedure.11 patients in the control received 1 -4 units of packed cells and 3 patients in the other group. The packed cell volume in the patients who received tranexamic acid was higher though they received lesser blood transfusion. Plasminogen was decreased in the same group. All the other parameters such as bleeding time, Fibrinogen degradation product, platelet count, Prothrombin time, apTT were the same in both the groups. However d dimer concentrations were increased in the control group. There was no thrombo embolic complications in the tranexamic acid group compared to 3 patients in the control group.
THE MINIMAL BRAIN DYSFUNCTION SYNDROME IN CHILDREN: I–THE SYNDROME AND ITS RELEVANCE FOE PSYCHIATRY II–A PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL MODEL FOR THE SYNDROME

Minimal brain dysfunction (MBD) is probably the single most common psychiatric disorder seen in latency-age children. In the past it has been thought that the disorder was caused by brain damage and was self-limited, being “outgrown” at adolescence. Recent evidence is reviewed which suggests that these beliefs are only partly correct. First, the disorder can apparently also occcur on a genetic basis; second, MBD can, at least in some instances, be the forerunner of several forms of adult psychopathology. The paper advances the hypothesis that the genetic subgroup of MBD is caused by a disorder of monoamine metabolism. It is proposed that this disordered metabolism leads to certain basic (“primary”) psychological dysfunctions which in turn generate the observed (“secondary”) behavioral deviations. The literature dealing with the relationship between monoamine metabolism and the hypothesized primary dysfunctions is reviewed. Finally, some tests of the monoamine hypothesis of MBD are proposed.
Combined effective wavelet estimation and full-waveform inversion of GPR data

Full-waveform inversion uses all information content of the measured data, which leads to higher resolution images compared to standard ray-based techniques. We developed a full-waveform inversion scheme for common-midpoint (CMP) GPR data that is based on a frequency domain solution of Maxwell's equations assuming a layered model of the subsurface. The full-waveform inversion requires a good start model of the subsurface medium parameters; permittivity and conductivity, which mainly influence the velocity and amplitudes, respectively. Traveltime inversion usually returns start values for the relative permittivity. However, reliable conductivity values are difficult to obtain. Erroneous conductivity values result in wrong amplitudes of the effective source wavelet that is needed for the full-waveform inversion, which in turn also results in erroneously inverted conductivity values, since the conductivity and wavelet amplitudes are coupled. To assure a good start model and an accurate estimation of the unknown source wavelet, we implemented a joint optimization of the effective source wavelet and the medium parameters using a combined global and local search algorithm. The full-waveform inversion was successfully applied to dispersive synthetic and experimental CMP datasets reflecting a single-layer low-velocity waveguide.
New in vitro kinetic model for evaluating bactericidal efficacy of antibiotics

A new in vitro model was devised for evaluating the bactericidal activity of antibiotics under dynamic conditions. This model accurately reproduced the observed serum levels of antibiotics after intravenous dosing. The apparatus consists of two vessels which correspond to the central and peripheral compartments of a two-compartment open model. The volume of medium in each vessel and flow rates of media were determined from the pharmacokinetic parameters calculated from the observed serum levels selected for simulation. The bactericidal activity of cefazolin against strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae showing different minimal inhibitory concentrations was investigated with the apparatus simulating serum levels after intravenous injection, and the bactericidal activity was evaluated with respect to the relationship between the minimal inhibitory concentration and the serum levels.
INFLUENCE OF ABERRANT RIGHT HEPATIC ARTERY ON PERIOPERATIVE COURSE AND LONGTERM SURVIVAL AFTER PANCREATODUODENECTOMY

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Diagnosis of enteroviral meningitis by using PCR with a colorimetric microwell detection assay

A 5-h, user-friendly PCR assay for the diagnosis of enteroviral meningitis was developed. Reverse transcription and amplification were performed in a one-step reaction using rTth polymerase. Carryover contamination was prevented with dUTP and uracil N-glycosylate. Detection was performed colorimetrically on a microwell titer plate. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 94.7, 97.4, 94.7, and 97.4%, respectively.
The use of aerobic exercise training in improving aerobic capacity in individuals with stroke: a meta-analysis

Objective: To determine whether aerobic exercise improves aerobic capacity in individuals with stroke. Design: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Databases searched: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Physiotherapy Evidence Database were searched. Inclusion criteria: Design: randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Participants: individuals with stroke. Interventions: aerobic exercise training aimed at improving aerobic capacity. Outcomes: Primary outcomes: aerobic capacity (peak oxygen consumption (VO2), peak workload). Secondary outcomes: walking velocity, walking endurance. Data analysis: The methodological quality was assessed by the PEDro scale. Meta-analyses were performed for all primary and secondary outcomes. Results: Nine articles (seven RCTs) were identified. The exercise intensity ranged from 50% to 80% heart rate reserve. Exercise duration was 20–40 min for 3–5 days a week. The total number of subjects included in the studies was 480. All studies reported positive effects on aerobic capacity, regardless of the stage of stroke recovery. Meta-analysis revealed a significant homogeneous standardized effect size (SES) in favour of aerobic exercise to improve peak VO2 (SES 0.42; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15–0.69; P=0.001) and peak workload (SES 0.50; 95% CI 0.26–0.73; P<0.001). There was also a significant homogeneous SES in favour of aerobic training to improve walking velocity (SES 0.26; 95% CI 0.05–0.48; P=0.008) and walking endurance (SES 0.30; 95% CI 0.06–0.55; P=0.008). Conclusions: There is good evidence that aerobic exercise is beneficial for improving aerobic capacity in people with mild and moderate stroke. Aerobic exercise should be an important component of stroke rehabilitation.
Spinopelvic Balance

S pinopelvic balance is of critical importance for understanding the sagittal balance of the spine and the energy efficiency of bipedal stance and gait in humans. In the sagittal plane, the pelvis and spine can be considered as a linear chain linking the head to the pelvis, with the shape and orientation of each anatomic segment being closely related and influencing the adjacent segments to maintain a stable posture with a minimum of energy
Phosphorus-modified tungsten nitride/reduced graphene oxide as a high-performance, non-noble-metal electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction.

Phosphorus-modified tungsten nitride/reduced graphene oxide (P-WN/rGO) is designed as a high-efficient, low-cost electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). WN (ca. 3 nm in size) on rGO is first synthesized by using the H3[PO4(W3O9)4] cluster as a W source. Followed by phosphorization, the particle size increase slightly to about 4 nm with a P content of 2.52 at %. The interaction of P with rGO and WN results in an obvious increase of work function, being close to Pt metal. The P-WN/rGO exhibits low onset overpotential of 46 mV, Tafel slope of 54 mV dec(-1), and a large exchange current density of 0.35 mA cm(-2) in acid media. It requires overpotential of only 85 mV at current density of 10 mA cm(-2), while remaining good stability in accelerated durability testing. This work shows that the modification with a second anion is powerful way to design new catalysts for HER.
Refining an Alzheimer’s vaccine to avoid an inflammatory response

The utility of vaccine strategies to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease may still hold promise. Phase IIa clinical trials were halted due to a small but significant occurrence of meningoencephalitis. Knowledge gained from studies on amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) immunotherapy will allow optimisation of new-generation vaccines, targeting highly specific epitopes while reducing undesired side effects. In harnessing and steering the immune system, an effective response can be generated against Aβ, one that might have attenuated immune responses with robust disease-altering activity.
Burkitt leukemia limited to the bone marrow has a better prognosis than Burkitt lymphoma with bone marrow involvement in adults

Abstract Burkitt lymphoma patients with bulky disease often have bone marrow involvement. However, leukemic presentation of Burkitt lymphoma in the absence of a mass (pure Burkitt leukemia; PBL) is uncommon. Both PBL and Burkitt lymphoma/leukemia, presenting with a tumor mass and marrow involvement (BLL), are considered stage IV disease, which is associated with a poor prognosis. However, there is limited information on the prognosis in adults with PBL because they have typically been included in cohorts of patients with BLL. This study identified 23 patients, which included 10 PBL and 13 BLL cases. Complex karyotypes (100%) were seen in all BLL cases compared to the PBL group (40%; p = 0.061). Patients with PBL had a significantly better 5-year overall survival of 87.5% vs only 24.3% in the BLL group (p = 0.005). The 5-year overall survival of patients with PBL treated with intensive chemotherapy is superior to those with BLL who are similarly treated.
Proper name retrieval from diachronic documents for automatic speech transcription using lexical and temporal context

Proper names are usually key to understanding the information contained in a document. Our work focuses on increasing the vocabulary coverage of a speech transcription system by automatically retrieving new proper names from contemporary diachronic text documents. The idea is to use in-vocabulary proper names as an anchor to collect new linked proper names from the diachronic corpus. Our assumption is that time is an important feature for capturing name-to-context dependencies, that was confirmed by temporal mismatch experiments. We studied a method based on Mutual Information and proposed a new method based on cosine-similarity measure that dynamically augment the automatic speech recognition system vocabulary. Recognition results show a significant reduction of the word error rate using augmented vocabulary for broadcast news transcription.
VITREOUS SURGERY WITH AND WITHOUT INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE PEELING FOR MACULAR HOLE REPAIR

Purpose: To compare surgical results for idiopathic macular holes with and without internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling in a series of consecutive patients during an 8-year period. Methods: A retrospective, nonrandomized, comparative trial. Four hundred seventeen eyes with macular holes without ILM peeling were compared with 175 eyes with ILM peeling. All eyes underwent pars plana vitrectomy with intravitreous gas, followed by head-down positioning. No adjunctive therapies were used. Comparison of closure and reopening rates and visual acuity with and without ILM peeling was analyzed. Results: Initial success rate significantly improved from 81% to 92% with ILM peeling. ILM peeling significantly improved the initial success rates in all categories of preoperative features. Reopening rates significantly decreased from 7% to 0.6% with ILM peeling. Among successful cases, line improvement was 6.0 in ILM-reserved eyes and 5.8 in ILM-peeled eyes. Among all cases, line improvement was 5.4 in ILM-reserved eyes and 5.7 in ILM-peeled eyes. Initial success rate of holes measuring more than 400 &mgr;m was significantly less than that of holes measuring less than 400 &mgr;m with or without ILM peeling. Initial success rate of holes older than 6 months old was significantly less than that for holes less than 6 months old without ILM peeling. Conclusions: Internal limiting membrane peeling shows high closure and low reopening rates in macular hole surgery. ILM peeling is beneficial in older holes but is limited in larger holes. ILM peeling does not significantly improve visual acuity.
Acceptability of Binaural Hearing Aids: A Cross-Over Study

Using screening questionnaires we were able to detect individuals aged 50–65 years with hearing disability in a general practice population. Those who had better ear hearing levels of 30 dB or worse were invited to take place in a cross-over study comparing the acceptability of a monaural or binaural hearing-aid fitting. Fifty-five per cent ultimately opted for a binaural fitting and had greater hearing disability and worse mean hearing levels than those who opted for a monaural fitting. They made their choice for acoustical reasons, particularly on the basis of improved localization ability.