Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physical Therapists’ Use of Therapeutic Exercise for Patients With Clinical Knee Osteoarthritis in the United Kingdom: In Line With Current Recommendations?

Background and Purpose: Physical therapists have an important role in the management of clinical knee osteoarthritis (OA) through designing and supervising exercise programs. This study explored whether their current use of therapeutic exercise for patients with this condition is in line with recent recommendations. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a random sample of chartered (licensed) physical therapists (N=2,000) practicing in the United Kingdom. This survey included a vignette describing a patient with clinical knee OA as well as clinical management questions relating to the respondents’ use of therapeutic exercise. Results: The questionnaire response rate was 58% (n=1,152), with 538 respondents stating they had treated a patient with clinical knee OA in the preceding 6 months. In line with recent recommendations, 99% of the physical therapists stated they would use therapeutic exercise for this patient population, although strengthening exercises were favored over aerobic exercises. Although nearly all physical therapists would monitor exercise adherence, only 12% would use an exercise diary. Seventy-six percent of physical therapists would provide up to 5 treatment sessions, and only 34% would offer physical therapy follow-up after discharge. Discussion and Conclusions: The measure of physical therapists’ current clinical practice was self-reported clinical behavior on the basis of a vignette. Although this is a valid measure of clinical behavior, in practice, physical therapists may use therapeutic exercise differently. There are disparities between physical therapists’ current use of therapeutic exercise for clinical knee OA and recent recommendations. Identifying potential ways to overcome these disparities is an important step toward optimizing the outcome from therapeutic exercise for patients with clinical knee OA.
Rising Food Prices, Poverty, and the Doha Round

Summary This paper examines the issues at stake in the Doha Round in light of rising food prices and their impact on global poverty. It first reviews the causes of high food prices, emphasizing those that are susceptible to action by governments. The author then presents recent evidence on how food prices affect the poor and concludes that, although many poor households will require urgent assistance, more are likely to gain from rising prices than lose. She argues that the Doha Round must allow developing countries adequate policy flexibility so that they can build up their own agricultural sectors, increase food supply in the medium and long term, and shield the poor from market failures that can affect their very survival. An agreement should:
Effect of VEGF on retinal microvascular endothelial hydraulic conductivity: the role of NO.

PURPOSE Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) increases microvascular permeability in vivo and has been hypothesized to play a role in plasma leakage in diabetic retinopathy. Few controlled studies have been conducted to determine the mechanism underlying the effect of VEGF on transport properties (e.g., hydraulic conductivity [Lp]). This study was conducted to determine the effect of VEGF on bovine retinal microvascular endothelial LP and the role of nitric oxide (NO) and the guanylate cyclase/guanosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate/protein kinase G (GC/cGMP/PKG) pathway downstream of NO in mediating the VEGF response. METHODS Bovine retinal microvascular endothelial cells (BRECs) were grown on porous polycarbonate filters, and water flux across BREC monolayers in response to a pressure differential was measured to determine endothelial LP RESULTS: VEGF (100 ng/ml) increased endothelial LP: within 30 minutes of addition and by 13.8-fold at the end of 3 hours of exposure. VEGF stimulated endothelial monolayers to release NO and incubation of the BRECs with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; 100 microM) significantly attenuated the VEGF-induced LP increase. It was observed that incubation of the monolayers with the GC inhibitor LY-83583 (10 microM) did not alter the VEGF-mediated LP: response. Addition of the cGMP analogue 8-br-cGMP (1 mM) did not change the baseline LP over 4 hours. Also, the PKG inhibitor KT5823 (1 microM) did not inhibit the response of BREC LP to VEGF. CONCLUSIONS These experiments indicate that VEGF elevates hydraulic conductivity in BRECs through a signaling mechanism that involves NO but not the GC/cGMP/PKG pathway.
Electrostatic binding energy calculation using the finite difference solution to the linearized Poisson-Boltzmann equation: Assessment of its accuracy

A full account of how to calculate the electrostatic binding energy using the finite difference solution to the linearized Poisson-Boltzmann equation (FDPB) for protein-ligand systems is described. The following tests show that the statistical and systematic errors due to discrete grid representation of molecular shape and charges amount to about 1% and 5% of calculated binding energy difference, respectively. The greater accuracy results from a three-stage error cancellation: first in AG,, then AAGs, and finally AAG,,,,. We conclude in this study that the intrinsic error of FDPB is mostly canceled in computing binding energy differences. Among the parameters examined, the partial charge, dielectric constant, and radius of solvent can influence the calculated results most.
High-voltage electron microscope study of the release of vaccinia virus from whole cells

High-voltage (1,000-kV) electron microscope examination of whole BSC-1 cells infected with vaccinia virus at different times after infection revealed the presence of increasing numbers of virions no longer confined to factories but situated along the cell periphery of monolayer cells. Stereoscopic images showed each virus enclosed within a membrane-like component of the host cell cytoplasm. Viruses within factories appeared to lack similar enclosures. Cytochalasin B, but not vinblastine, caused the enclosures to disrupt. Vaccinia viruses were observed to escape the host cell individually from the tips of microvillie and within packets of cytoplasm. Observations suggest that the intracellular movement and release of vaccinia virus utilize a host cell cytoplasmic network that involves microfilaments for stability.
Identification of Mutations that Delay Somatic or Reproductive Aging of Caenorhabditis elegans

Aging is an important feature of animal biology characterized by progressive, degenerative changes in somatic and reproductive tissues. The rate of age-related degeneration is genetically controlled, since genes that influence lifespan have been identified. However, little is known about genes that affect reproductive aging or aging of specific somatic tissues. To identify genes that are important for controlling these degenerative changes, we used chemical mutagenesis to perform forward genetic screens in Caenorhabditis elegans. By conducting a screen focused on somatic aging, we identified mutant hermaphrodites that displayed extended periods of pharyngeal pumping, body movement, or survival. One of these mutations is a novel allele of the age-1 gene. age-1 encodes a phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) that functions in the insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling pathway. age-1(am88) creates a missense change in the conserved PIK domain and causes dramatic extensions of the pharyngeal pumping and body movement spans, as well as a twofold extension of the lifespan. By conducting screens focused on reproductive aging in mated hermaphrodites, we identified mutants that displayed increased progeny production late in life. To characterize these mutations, we developed quantitative measurements of age-related morphological changes in the gonad. The am117 mutation delayed age-related declines in progeny production and morphological changes in the gonad. These studies provide new insights into the genetic regulation of age-related degenerative changes in somatic and reproductive tissues.
Does preparedness planning improve attitudes and completion of advance directives in patients with symptomatic heart failure?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE There is little evidence to support whether interventions that engage patients with symptomatic heart failure (HF) in preparedness planning impacts completion of advance directives (ADs). This study was conducted to assess the impact of a palliative care intervention on health perceptions, attitudes, receipt of information and knowledge of ADs, discussion of ADs with family and physicians, and completion of ADs in a cohort of patients with symptomatic HF. METHODS Thirty-six patients hospitalized for HF decompensation were recruited and referred for an outpatient consultation with a palliative care specialist in conjunction with their routine HF follow-up visit after discharge; telephone interviews to assess health status and attitudes toward ADs were conducted before and 3 months after the initial consultation using an adapted version of the Advance Directive Attitude Survey (ADAS). Information pertaining to medical history and ADs was verified through medical chart abstraction. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The current study found support for enhancing attitudes and completion of ADs following a palliative care consultation in patients with symptomatic HF. Despite a significant increase in attitudes toward completion of ADs following the intervention, only 47% of the participants completed ADs. This finding suggests that although education and understanding of ADs is important and can result in more positive attitudes, it does not translate to completion of ADs in all patients.
Coccidiosis in pigs of subtropical hilly region of Meghalaya, India

To determine the prevalence of coccidia infections in pigs of subtropical hilly region of Meghalaya, a total of 2574 Fecal samples of pigs from different age groups <6 months (706 nos.), 6-12 months (896 nos.) and >12 months (972 nos.) were collected and screened by flotation techniques. Oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. were examined by Sheather’s sucrose flotation, Malachite green staining (0.2%) and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining techniques. The overall prevalence of coccidia infections in pigs of Meghalaya was 16.86%. Three different species of coccidia were observed, Eimeria spp. (11.50%), Isospora suis (2.45%) and Cryptosporidium spp. (2.91%). Age wise, 26.35%, 15.74%, and 11% infections were recorded in <6 months, 6-12 months and >12 months old pigs, respectively. Highest and lowest infections was recorded in the month of August (32.83%) and January (6.93%), respectively. Season wise infection was recorded highest during rainy season (21.95%) followed by cool (18.16%), hot (12.35%) and cold (10.07%) season. Six species of Eimeria were recorded viz. E. debliecki (42.23%), E. porci (13.85%), E. suis (27.36%), E. perminuta (12.5%), E. cerdonis (1.69%) and E. spinosa (2.36%). The oocyst count per gram of feces ranged from 502.87-1826.64 in infected pigs.
A novel Tn3-like composite transposon harboring blaVIM-1 in Klebsiella pneumoniae spp. pneumoniae isolated from river water.

OBJECTIVES We present a new plasmid (pOW16C2) with a novel Tn3-like transposon harboring blaVIM-1 from a Klebsiella pneumoniae strain isolated from river water in Switzerland. METHODS Complete nucleotide sequence of pOW16C2 was obtained using a Pacific Biosciences SMRT sequencing approach and coding sequences were predicted. RESULTS The 59,228 bp sequence included a typical IncN-like backbone and a mosaic structure with blaVIM-1, aacA4, aphA15, aadA1, catB2, qnrS1, sul1, and dfrA14 conferring resistance to carbapenems and other β-lactam antibiotics, aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol, quinolones, sulfonamides, and trimethoprim, respectively. Most of these resistance genes were inserted in a class 1 integron that was embedded in a novel Tn3-like composite transposon. CONCLUSIONS IncN plasmids carrying carbapenemases are frequently isolated from K. pneumoniae strains in clinical settings. The dissemination of K. pneumoniae harboring blaVIM-1 in surface water is a cause for increased concern to public health.
Phagocytosis of spermatozoa in the uterine cavity of woman using intrauterine device.

Upon the discovery of many million of macrophages like pure culture and phagocytosis of spermatozoa by them in the endometrial cavity bearing a Lippes loop the present work was planned to study the phagocytosis of spermatozoa in detail and to investigate the time limits in which spermatozoa are phagocytized following a natural sexual intercourse. Thirty-six young women who were using a Lippes loop as IUD were advised for control examination following natural sexual intercourses occurring from 1 to 24 hours preceding the examination. Before the Lippes loop is removed the endocervical canal was cleaned carefully to prevent cellular contamination. The device then removed loopal smears were prepared by direct contact smearing the device against the glass slide. Then endometrial aspirates obtained by a metal cannula were used in the preparation of smears. In the 19 of total 36 cases no spermatozoa were observed in the loopal or endometrial smears. In the remaining 17 cases in which coitus occurred between 2 to 16 hours preceding the examination well preserved or recognizable spermatozoa were observed free and/or engulfed by the macrophages. Another series of 70 cases in which coitus occurred between 24 to 98 hours before the examination was examined for the action of IUD. In none of the endometrial or loopal materials obtained from these patients were recognizable sperm-like particles observed. From these observations it was concluded that spermatozoa which are able to enter into the endometrial cavity bearing a Lippes loop as IUD are mostly phagocytized and destroyed within 16 hours after a natural sexual intercourse. (excerpt)
Stride-in-the-Loop Relative Positioning Between Users and Dummy Acoustic Speakers

We propose and implement a novel positioning system, WalkieLokie, which directly calculates the relative position from a smart device to a target. The requirement of the target is simple: it is attached with a “dummy” acoustic speaker, which does not have any other rich capabilities, such as audio recording, communication, or computation. Hence, the proliferation of smart devices, together with the cheap accessory (e.g., dummy speaker) embedded in daily used items (e.g., smart clothes), paves the way for WalkieLokie applications. WalkieLokie leverages the walking motion for locating an acoustic speaker. The key insight is that the distance between the user and the speaker varies in real time when the user walks, and the pattern of the variance implies the relative position. We design a novel algorithm to estimate the position and signal processing methods to support accurate positioning. The experiment results show that the mean errors of ranging and direction estimation are 0.63 m and 2.46°, respectively. Extensive experiments conducted in noisy environments validate the robustness of WalkieLokie.
Holliday junction resolution in human cells: two junction endonucleases with distinct substrate specificities

Enzymatic activities that cleave Holliday junctions are required for the resolution of recombination intermediates and for the restart of stalled replication forks. Here we show that human cell‐free extracts possess two distinct endonucleases that can cleave Holliday junctions. The first cleaves Holliday junctions in a structure‐ and sequence‐specific manner, and associates with an ATP‐dependent branch migration activity. Together, these activities promote branch migration/resolution reactions similar to those catalysed by the Escherichia coli RuvABC resolvasome. Like RuvC‐mediated resolution, the products can be religated. The second, containing Mus81 protein, cuts Holliday junctions but the products are mostly non‐ligatable. Each nuclease has a defined substrate specificity: the branch migration‐associated resolvase is highly specific for Holliday junctions, whereas the Mus81‐associated endonuclease is one order of magnitude more active upon replication fork and 3′‐flap structures. Thus, both nucleases are capable of cutting Holliday junctions formed during recombination or through the regression of stalled replication forks. However, the Mus81‐associated endonuclease may play a more direct role in replication fork collapse by catalysing the cleavage of stalled fork structures.
Ecological role of transgenerational resistance against biotic threats

Plants in their natural environments are constantly subjected to biotic stress. In addition to possessing physical barriers and anti-nutritive toxins, plants can be primed to respond more efficiently against future attack via faster and stronger gene activation. Here we discuss recent findings showing that plants can pass signatures of attack to the next generation, thus rendering the progeny more resistant against insect and pathogen attack. A combination of phytohormone signaling, small RNA-mediated gene silencing and DNA methylation are involved in transgenerational induced resistance. Epiallelic variation against biotic threats should be under positive selection in populations of plants where the environment is predictable over time. Similarly, in very genetically homogenous populations, such as during range expansion, epigenome reorganization is a likely mechanism for faster plant adaptation to novel biotic attack. Further research is needed to understand the relative role of the genome vs. the epigenome for the evolution of increased plant resistance.
Sinusoidal Injury Increases Morbidity After Major Hepatectomy in Patients With Colorectal Liver Metastases Receiving Preoperative Chemotherapy

Objective:To investigate whether sinusoidal injury (SI) was associated with a worse outcome after hepatectomy in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Background:Correlation between SI and oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy (OBC) was recently shown in patients with CRLM. However, it has yet to be fully clarified whether SI affects liver functional reserve and outcome after hepatectomy. Patients and Methods:Between 2003 and 2005, 90 patients with CRLM who underwent an elective hepatectomy after preoperative chemotherapies were included. Diagnosis of SI was established pathologically in the nontumoral liver parenchyma of the resected specimens, and perioperative data were assessed in these patients. Results:OBC was significantly associated with a higher incidence of SI. Preoperative indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes (ICG-R15) and postoperative value of total-bilirubin were significantly higher, and hospital stay was significantly longer in patients presenting with SI. Multivariate analysis showed that female gender, administration of 6 cycles or more of OBC, abnormal value of preoperative aspartate aminotransferase >36 IU/L, or abnormal value of preoperative ICG-R15 (>10%) were preoperative factors significantly associated with SI. Among patients undergoing a major hepatectomy, SI was significantly associated with higher morbidity and longer hospital stay. Conclusion:The present study suggests that SI resulted in a poorer liver functional reserve and in a higher complication rate after major hepatectomy. Therefore, female patients who received 6 cycles or more of OBC, or presenting with abnormal preoperative aspartate aminotransferase and ICG-R15 values should be carefully selected before deciding to undertake a major hepatectomy.
Ranking Projects for Water-Sensitive Cities

Water agencies and utilities wishing to support water-sensitive projects face the challenge of deciding which of the many possible projects they should support with their limited resources. Projects vary greatly in their benefits and costs, so selecting the best projects can make a major difference to the level of benefits that can be generated for a given budget. Key principles for ranking projects are presented and explained. Suitable formulas to use as a metrics for ranking projects are developed and explained. The formulas account for valuation of benefits, the effectiveness of management, time lags, behaviour change, various risks and various costs. The formulas are designed to strike a balance between theoretical rigour and reasonable simplifications. A number of common mistakes to avoid are outlined. Sample templates for project proposals and spreadsheets for ranking projects are provided, to make it easy to put the principles into practice.
Endoscopic-Guided Proximal Catheter Placement in Treatment of Posterior Fossa Cysts

Purpose: Treatment of posterior fossa cysts by cystoperitoneal shunting may be complicated by a malpositioned proximal catheter located within the brainstem or cerebellum causing acute shunt malfunction or neurological deficits. We propose that proximal catheter placement from a posterior fossa approach aided by a malleable endoscope may prevent malposition and its complications. Methods: We present 4 procedures we performed on 3 patients with posterior fossa cysts using a posterior fossa approach. In each case, the proximal catheter was molded along with a malleable endoscope to place the catheter parallel to the long axis of the fourth ventricle. Direct visualization during catheter placement insured an intracavitary position. Results: Ultimately, the procedure was successful in all 3 patients as judged by intracavitary catheter position and decrease in cyst size on postoperative imaging. In 1 patient, revision using the same technique was required based upon suboptimal catheter position within one of numerous cystic compartments within the posterior fossa. There were no complications related to direct or indirect brainstem injury. Conclusions: Many posterior fossa cysts can be treated effectively and safely via a posterior fossa approach with the aid of a malleable endoscope. Direct visualization facilitates intracavitary catheter placement and orientation of the catheter in the long axis of the cyst, thereby decreasing the risk of injury to surrounding structures.
Identification of the Flavonoid Hydroxylases from Grapevine and Their Regulation during Fruit Development1

Flavonoids are important secondary metabolites in many fruits, and their hydroxylation pattern determines their color, stability, and antioxidant capacity. Hydroxylation of the B-ring of flavonoids is catalyzed by flavonoid 3′-hydroxylase (F3′H) and flavonoid 3′,5′-hydroxylase (F3′5′H), and may also require cytochrome b5. We report the identification of genes encoding F3′H, F3′5′H, and a putative cytochrome b5 from grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. cv Shiraz) and their transcriptional regulation in fruit. Functionality of the genes VvF3′H and VvF3′5′H1 was demonstrated by ectopic expression in petunia (Petunia hybrida), which altered flower color and flavonoid composition as expected. VvF3′H was expressed in grapes before flowering, when 3′-hydroxylated flavonols are made, and all three genes were expressed after flowering, when proanthocyanidins (PAs) are synthesized. In berry skin, expression of all three genes was low at the onset of ripening (véraison) but increased after véraison concomitant with the accumulation of 3′- and 3′,5′-hydroxylated anthocyanins. VvF3′H and VvCytoB5 were expressed in seeds but not VvF3′5′H1, consistent with the accumulation of 3′-hydroxylated PAs in this tissue. VvCytoB5 expression was correlated with expression of both VvF3′H and VvF3′5′H1 in the different grape tissues. In contrast to red grapes, where VvF3′H, VvF3′5′H1, and VvCytoB5 were highly expressed during ripening, the expression of VvF3′5′H1 and VvCytoB5 in white grapes during ripening was extremely low, suggesting a difference in transcriptional regulation. Our results show that temporal and tissue-specific expression of VvF3′H, VvF3′5′H1, and VvCytoB5 in grapes is coordinated with the accumulation of the respective hydroxylated flavonols and PAs, as well as anthocyanins. Understanding the regulation of flavonoid hydroxylases could be used to modify flavonoid composition of fruits.