Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Should External Powered Orthoses be Used by Paraplegic Subjects or Not?

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a damage to spinal cord that results in loss of function, mobility and sensation below the level at which the spinal cord has been injured. The incidence of this disorder varies between 12.7 and 59 new cases per million each year (1). These subjects used various orthoses to improve their abilities to stand and walk, such as mechanical orthoses, functional electrical stimulation (FES), external powered orthoses (EPO) and hybrid system, which is a combination of FES and mechanical orthosis (2). However patients experience some problems such as high energy consumption during walking, high loads applied on upper limb and reduced walking speed (3). The external powered orthoses employ various kinds of power sources which include pneumatic, hydraulic and electrical power. Some orthoses such as pneumatic active gait orthosis (PAGO), powered gait orthosis (PGO), weight bearing control orthosis (WBCO), two degree of freedom orthosis (TDFO), driven gait orthosis (DGO), hybrid assistive limb (HAL) and lowered extremity powered exoskeleton (LEPE) have been designed to improve the performance of the subjects (4-10). However, the main questions posted here is how much the performance of paraplegic subjects is improved while walking with EPO in contrast to mechanical systems. Furthermore, it is not clear that how much is the willingness of subjects to use these orthoses (3). An electronic search was done via Pubmed, Embase and ISI web of knowledge data from 1960 to 2010. Some key words such as external power orthosis, spinal cord injury and rehabilitation were used. The abstracts and titles of each individual study were assessed by two reviewers based on whether the abstracts addressed the research question of interest, Figure 1. The quality of the studies was assessed by use of Black and Down tool. PubMed ISI Web of Knowledge Embase
Site-directed Chemical Labeling of Extracellular Loops in a Membrane Protein

We have mapped the membrane topology of the renal Na,K-ATPase α-subunit by using a combination of introduced cysteine mutants and surface labeling with a membrane impermeable Cys-directed reagent, N-biotinylaminoethyl methanethiosulfonate. To begin our investigation, two cysteine residues (Cys911 and Cys964) in the wild-type α-subunit were substituted to create a background mutant devoid of exposed cysteines (Lutsenko, S., Daoud, S., and Kaplan, J. H. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 5249–5255). Into this background construct were then introduced single cysteines in each of the five putative extracellular loops (P118C, T309C, L793C, L876C, and M973C) and the resulting α-subunit mutants were co-expressed with the β-subunit in baculovirus-infected insect cells. All of our expressed Na,K-ATPase mutants were functionally active. Their ATPase, phosphorylation, and ouabain binding activities were measured, and the turnover of the phosphoenzyme intermediate was close to the wild-type enzyme, suggesting that they are folded properly in the infected cells. Incubation of the insect cells with the cysteine-selective reagent revealed essentially no labeling of the α-subunit of the background construct and labeling of all five mutants with single cysteine residues in putative extracellular loops. Two additional mutants, V969C and L976C, were created to further define the M9M10 loop. The lack of labeling for these two mutants showed that although Met973is apparently exposed, Val969 and Leu976 are not, demonstrating that this method may also be utilized to define membrane aqueous boundaries of membrane proteins. Our labeling studies are consistent with a specific 10-transmembrane segment model of the Na,K-ATPase α-subunit. This strategy utilized only functional Na,K-ATPase mutants to establish the membrane topology of the entire α-subunit, in contrast to most previously applied methods.
Direct Immunofluorescence on Hair Follicles—Present and Future Perspectives

Abstract:Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) is an important tool for evaluating bullous autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.We report 21 cases of pemphigus vulgaris, bullous pemphigoid and lupus erythematosus that were investigated by performing DIF on scalp hair follicles. The study was done using a simplified technique of preparing the hairs for DIF testing. The anagen hairs tested positive in pemphigus vulgaris patients while the telogen hairs were negative. In bullous pemphigoid and lupus erythematosus cases hair DIF presented negative results.Hair DIF has the potential of taking the place of skin or mucosal DIF in pemphigus patients if performed on anagen hair follicles. The technique used to perform hair DIF is important in obtaining reliable results and eliminating the possibility of generating false-negative testing. Larger studies are needed in order to validate this method.
The novel DNA damage checkpoint protein Ddc1p is phosphorylated periodically during the cell cycle and in response to DNA damage in budding yeast

The DDC1 gene was identified, together with MEC3 and other checkpoint genes, during a screening for mutations causing synthetic lethality when combined with a conditional allele altering DNA primase. Deletion of DDC1 causes sensitivity to UV radiation, methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and hydroxyurea (HU). ddc1Δ mutants are defective in delaying G1–S and G2–M transition and in slowing down the rate of DNA synthesis when DNA is damaged during G1, G2 or S phase, respectively. Therefore, DDC1 is involved in all the known DNA damage checkpoints. Conversely, Ddc1p is not required for delaying entry into mitosis when DNA synthesis is inhibited. ddc1 and mec3 mutants belong to the same epistasis group, and DDC1 overexpression can partially suppress MMS and HU sensitivity of mec3Δ strains, as well as their checkpoint defects. Moreover, Ddc1p is phosphorylated periodically during a normal cell cycle and becomes hyperphosphorylated in response to DNA damage. Both phosphorylation events are at least partially dependent on a functional MEC3 gene.
Fixed Point Theorems in Quasi-Metric Spaces

In this article, firstly, the necessary and sufficient condition of upper (lower) completeness is attained. Secondly, the notion of upper (lower) contraction of a mapping between quasi-metric spaces is put forward. Considering the asymmetric of quasi-metrics, the concept of left (right) fixed point of a mapping from a quasi-metric space to itself is proposed. Finally, two fixed point theorems in quasi-metric spaces are obtained.
Contribution of host lipids to Toxoplasma pathogenesis

As an actively dividing organism, the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii must adjust the size and composition of its membranes in order to accommodate changes due to housekeeping activities, to commit division and in fineTo produce new viable progenies. Lipid inventory of T. gondii reveals that the biological membranes of this parasite are composed of a complex mixture of neutral and polar lipids. After examination of the origin of T. gondii membrane lipids, three categories of lipids can be described: (i) lipids scavenged by T. gondii from the host cell; (ii) lipids synthesized in large amounts by the parasite, independently from its host cell; and (iii) lipids produced de novo by the parasite, but whose synthesis does not come close to satisfying the entire parasite's needs. These latter must be adeptly acquired from the host environment. To this end, T. gondii diverts a large variety of lipid precursors from host cytoplasm and efficiently manufacture them into complex lipids. This rather remarkable reliance on host lipid resources for parasite survival opens new avenues to restrict parasite growth. Indeed, parasite starvation can be induced upon deprivation from essential host lipids. Lipid analogues with anti‐proliferative properties are voraciously taken up by the parasites, which results in parasite membrane defects, and ultimately death.
Functional and isokinetic assessment of muscle strength in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies

Objective: To assess muscle strength in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) using neuromuscular scales and isokinetic testing. Methods: Muscle function was evaluated in 27 IIM patients being followed at the Rheumatology Unit of the University of Pisa using: (i) a modified version of the grading system used to assess Duchenne dystrophy, (ii) the four-stage grading system of Henriksson and Sandstedt, (iii) an isokinetic muscle strength test (Kin Com, Chatanooga) and (iv) the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Results: The neuromuscular scales showed normal or only mildly impaired muscle strength in 60% (Duchenne scale) and 80% (Henriksson and Sandstedt scale) of the patients, respectively, whereas isokinetic testing detected moderate to severe reductions in muscle strength in almost 70% of the patients. No correlations were observed between muscle strength and disease activity, therapy, age at evaluation and disease duration. There was a correlation between the results of the HAQ and neuromuscular testing, but not the isokinetic test. Conclusions: Although less easy and more expensive to administer, isokinetic testing appears to be a more sensitive instrument than the standard neuromuscular tests for assessing muscle function in IIM patients. In particular, it can detect small reductions in muscle strength.
In vitro bioactivity and gentamicin release from glass-polymer-antibiotic composites.

Composite materials have been prepared from bioactive glass powders in the SiO(2)-CaO-P(2)O(5) system, a biodegradable polymer [poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA)], a biostable polymer [polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)], and an antibiotic [gentamicin]. The purpose of such composites is to obtain implantable materials that are able to lead to bone growth and also can, at the most critical inflammation-infection step, release an antibiotic. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy, and FTIR analyses after different soaking periods in SBF demonstrated the growth of an apatite-like layer on the composite surface. Therefore the bioactive glass-polymer-antibiotic combination used in this work does not inhibit the glass bioactivity. The release of gentamicin after a soaking of the materials in SBF was followed by UV-visible spectroscopy. A fast initial release during the first 10 h of soaking, followed by a controlled release of the drug was observed.
Decentralized Target Tracking Based on a Weighted Extended Kalman Filter for Wireless Sensor Networks

This paper presents a weighted extended Kalman filter (WEKF) for target tracking in wireless sensor networks, where the location estimation is formulated as a weighted least squares (WLS) problem by taking weights of the local estimates based on the reliability of distance estimation and the WLS problem is solved in an iterative, decentralized manner based on the WEKF. We adopt a message passing (MP) algorithm for inter-sensor- node communication and for adaptively selecting the participating sensor nodes as the target moves around the area. During each iteration, a participating sensor node computes a target's location estimate and passes it on to the next participating sensor node for processing to generate a new location estimate. The update process is circulated among the participating sensor nodes in the close vicinity of the target. To show the convergence behavior of the WEKF-based method, a convergence analysis is given. Computer simulation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme has better location accuracy and tracking performance than previous related methods.
A renewed, ethical defense of placebo-controlled trials of new treatments for major depression and anxiety disorders

The use of placebo as a control condition in clinical trials of major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders continues to be an area of ethical concern. Typically, opponents of placebo controls argue that they violate the beneficent-based, “best proven diagnostic and therapeutic method” that the original Helsinki Declaration of 1964 famously asserted participants are owed. A more consequentialist, oppositional argument is that participants receiving placebo might suffer enormously by being deprived of their usual medication(s). Nevertheless, recent findings of potential for suicidality in young people treated with antidepressants, along with meta-analyses suggesting that antidepressants add no significant clinical benefit over placebos, warrant a re-evaluation of the arguments against placebo. Furthermore, the nature of placebo treatment in short-term clinical trials is often not well understood, and lack of understanding can foster opposition to it. This paper will show how scientific justifications for placebo use are morally relevant. The fundamental ethical importance of placebo controls is discussed in relation to several aspects of clinical trials, including detection of adverse events, accurate assessment of clinical benefit, advancing understanding of the heterogeneity of depression and anxiety disorders and respecting informed consent requirements. Prohibiting the use of placebo controls is morally concerning in that such prohibitions allow for the possibility of serious adverse public health consequences. Moral worries that research participants receiving placebo are being unduly jeopardised will be shown to be exaggerated, especially in relation to the net benefits for end-users to be gained from the quality of data resulting from using placebo controls.
FEC-based burst loss recovery for multiple-bursts transmission in optical burst switching networks

Currently, grid computing and CD/DVD delivery are considered as applications in OBS networks. For these applications, multiple bursts are required to be transmitted simultaneously to any node in contrast with the conventional burst transmission. Moreover, the reliable transmission has to be provided for the multiple bursts. In this paper, we propose a consecutive burst transmission with burst loss recovery based on forward error correction (FEC) for the multiple-bursts transmission. In the proposed method, redundant data is generated from multiple bursts with FEC, and a redundant burst is assembled with the redundant data. Then, the multiple bursts and the redundant burst are transmitted consecutively. If a burst among the bursts is lost at some intermediate node, the lost burst is recovered with the redundant burst at the destination. We evaluate by simulation the proposed method in a uni-directional ring network and compare the performance of the proposed method with the extra-offset time scheme. Numerical examples show that the proposed method can provide a more reliable transmission than the extra-offset time scheme for the OBS network where the burst size and the maximum number of hops are large
Gender differences in physical disability among an elderly cohort.

OBJECTIVES We analyzed the role of sociodemographic factors, chronic-disease risk factors, and health conditions in explaining gender differences in disability among senior citizens. METHODS We compared 1348 men and women (mean age = 79 years) on overall disability and compared their specific activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), and mobility limitations. Analysis of covariance adjusted for possible explanatory factors. RESULTS Women were more likely to report limitations, use of assistance, and a greater degree of disability, particularly among IADL categories. However, these gender differences were largely explained by differences in disability-related health conditions. CONCLUSIONS Greater prevalence of nonfatal disabling conditions, including fractures, osteoporosis, back problems, osteoarthritis and depression, contributes substantially to greater disability and diminished quality of life among aging women compared with men.
Single crossclamp: Safe training tool for coronary artery bypass grafting

Objective The single-crossclamp technique for coronary artery bypass grafting is recognized to reduce manipulation of the ascending aorta, and thereby improve neurological outcomes. However, there is a perceived disadvantage of long cardiopulmonary bypass and crossclamp times. Our objective was to evaluate outcomes with this technique and determine whether it is safe for training. Methods Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass between October 2005 and February 2014 with use of the single-crossclamp method were divided into 2 groups: a consultant group (n = 1024), and a trainee group (n = 504), depending on the primary surgeon. Their outcomes were compared. Results The consultants operated on more nonelective patients who had a higher risk profile (mean additive EuroSCORE I 4.05 vs. 3.80, p = 0.085; logistic EuroSCORE I 4.36 vs. 3.64, p = 0.002). There were 9 (0.9%) deaths in the consultant group and 5 (1%) in the trainee group. The mean number of grafts in the consultant group was greater, but the crossclamp time was similar and cardiopulmonary bypass time was shorter. There were 4 (0.4%) cerebrovascular events in the consultant group and 3 (0.6%) in the trainee group. Postoperative stay was shorter in the trainee group (7.19 vs. 7.97 days, p = 0.033). Other complication rates were similar. Conclusions The technique has excellent outcomes, especially neurological, and is safe for training junior surgeons.
Effects of Denosumab, Alendronate, or Denosumab Following Alendronate on Bone Turnover, Calcium Homeostasis, Bone Mass and Bone Strength in Ovariectomized Cynomolgus Monkeys

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a chronic disease wherein increased bone remodeling reduces bone mass and bone strength. Antiresorptive agents including bisphosphonates are commonly used to mitigate bone loss and fracture risk. Osteoclast inhibition via denosumab (DMAb), a RANKL inhibitor, is a newer approach for reducing fracture risk in patients at increased risk for fracture. The safety of transitioning from bisphosphonate therapy (alendronate; ALN) to DMAb was examined in mature ovariectomized (OVX) cynomolgus monkeys (cynos). One day after OVX, cynos (7–10/group) were treated with vehicle (VEH, s.c.), ALN (50 μg/kg, i.v., twice monthly) or DMAb (25 mg/kg/month, s.c.) for 12 months. Other animals received VEH or ALN for 6 months and then transitioned to 6 months of DMAb. DMAb caused significantly greater reductions in serum CTx than ALN, and transition from ALN to DMAb caused further reductions relative to continued ALN. DMAb and ALN decreased serum calcium (Ca), and transition from ALN to DMAb resulted in a lesser decline in Ca relative to DMAb or to VEH‐DMAb transition. Bone histomorphometry indicated significantly reduced trabecular and cortical remodeling with DMAb or ALN. Compared with ALN, DMAb caused greater reductions in osteoclast surface, eroded surface, cortical porosity and fluorochrome labeling, and transition from ALN to DMAb reduced these parameters relative to continued ALN. Bone mineral density increased in all active treatment groups relative to VEH controls. Destructive biomechanical testing revealed significantly greater vertebral strength in all three groups receiving DMAb, including those receiving DMAb after ALN, relative to VEH controls. Bone mass and strength remained highly correlated in all groups at all tested skeletal sites, consistent with normal bone quality. These data indicate that cynos transitioned from ALN to DMAb exhibited reduced bone resorption and cortical porosity, and increased BMD and bone strength, without deleterious effects on Ca homeostasis or bone quality. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Bacterial infection in cirrhotic patients and its relationship with alcohol

OBJECTIVE:Infections are regarded as a major complication and an important cause of death in cirrhotics. Alcohol is a predisposing factor to infections in such patients. This study was undertaken to compare the frequency and evolution of bacterial infection among alcoholic and nonalcoholic cirrhotics.METHODS:To observe this relationship, we retrospectively studied a cohort of 382 cirrhotic inpatients, 201 of whom were alcoholic (alcohol intake ≥80 g/day for ≥10 yr) and 181 of whom were nonalcoholic.RESULTS:A total of 128 (33.5%) patients presented with infection upon hospitalization, 78 of whom were alcoholic and 50 of whom were nonalcoholic (p = 0.02). A total of 157 cases of infection were diagnosed, with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis as the most prevalent one (54.1%), followed by pneumonia (18.5%), infection of the soft parts (10.8%), and urinary tract infection (7.0%). Infection and deaths were more frequent in patients with Child-Pugh C than in those with Child-Pugh A/B (p = 0.003, p = 0.0002 respectively). Alcoholic patients with Child-Pugh A/B were more susceptible to infection compared to nonalcoholic patients (p = 0.02), although no difference was noted as to the number of deaths (p = 0.1). With regard to patients with Child-Pugh C, no statistical difference was found in the infections or deaths among alcoholics and nonalcoholics (p = 0.8, p = 0.8). CONCLUSIONS:Our findings suggest that, despite the fact that bacterial infections are more common in cirrhotic alcoholics, its seems that the mortality rate is associated more with the severity than with the etiology of the hepatic disease.
Developing Community Health Promotion Interventions: Selecting Partners and Fostering Collaboration

Although an often desired goal, true partnership between community members and university researchers can be difficult to achieve. Strategies implemented in a diabetes prevention and control program in a Latino community may be effective in overcoming hurdles to collaborative research. The development of selection criteria can be useful for objectively choosing a community organization as a partner agency. The implementation of formal partnership principles is proposed as a strategy for building a successful partnership. Partnership principles are a powerful mechanism to assure ethical relations between collaborators. As a strategy for process evaluation, they can help organize data on the extent to which intent has translated into action. They provide a structure for project stability that can outlast individual commitments and a mechanism to keep project commitment on course and maintain active engagement.
Helicobacter pylori infection, gastric acid secretion, and infant growth.

BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori infection is very common in Gambian infants and children, who are also at risk of chronic diarrhoea and undernutrition. Acute H. pylori infection is associated with depressed gastric acid secretion, and loss of the gastric acid barrier may predispose to enteric infections. METHODS In a prospective study a noninvasive test of gastric acid output (measurement of change in urine acid output before and after a feed) was performed on a population of Gambian infants at high risk of H. pylori infection. The 13C urea breath tests was used to measure the prevalence of H. pylori infection and growth was measured by serial anthropometry. RESULTS In 101 infants aged 3 to 12 months, there was a significant relation between H. pylori infection and depressed urine acid output in those aged 6 months, during weaning when growth failure and malnutrition begin. Those infants with sustained H. pylori infection grew less well than those without. CONCLUSIONS We speculate that H. pylori, acquired in infancy, could be a "key that opens the door" to enteric infection in childhood, leading to recurrent diarrhoea, malnutrition, and growth failure.