Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efferent and afferent fibres in human sacral ventral nerve roots: basic research and clinical implications.

Single extracellular action potentials have been recorded at 2 sites from human S4 ventral nerve roots, and their amplitude, duration and conduction time measured. Conduction velocity frequency distribution histograms have been constructed. Three classes of a-motoneurons could be identified, which had mean conduction velocity values of 61.5 (a1), 49 (a2) and 37.5 m/sec (a3) for a young adult at about 37 degrees C. The conduction velocity of single motor fibres has been correlated with its action potential amplitude and duration. The action potential amplitude increased and the duration decreased with the conduction velocity. Touch-stimulated and other afferences have been identified in these motor roots. The fastest afferents had about the same conduction velocity as the a1-motoneurons and the touch-stimulated afferents had conduction velocities of between 20 and 41 m/sec at about 34 degrees C. Also the amplitude of the afferent single unit potentials increased and the duration decreased with the conduction velocity. The electrophysiologically measured roots have been removed and morphologically analysed with the light and electron microscope. Nerve fibre diameter frequency distribution histograms have been constructed with respect to 4 myelin sheath thickness ranges. In the diameter histograms 3 a-motoneuron peaks with mean values of about 12.5 (a1), 10.3 (a2) and 8.3 microns (a3) and 1 peak of touch stimulated afferences with a mean value of 11.2 microns could be identified for myelin sheath thicknesses between 1.8 and 2.3 microns. A teased fibre dissection gave a factor of 100 between the internode length and the nerve fibre diameter. The electrophysiologic parameters have been correlated with the morphologic parameters. Approximate factors between the mean conduction velocities and the mean nerve fibre diameters of the a-motoneuron classes were 5.1 (a1), 4.85 (a2) and 4.4 m/sec/microns (a3) at about 37 degrees C. Comparable approximate conversion factors for group I and fastest touch-stimulated ventral root afferents were 4.5 (gr. I) and 3.5 m/sec/microns (touch). By comparing the number of nerve fibres of each class of motoneurons with the number of spontaneously occurring action potentials, it was found that the a3-motoneurons, most likely supplying the slow fatigue resistant muscle fibres, had the highest activation at rest. The existance of ventral root afferents has been discussed with respect to pain treatments by deafferentation and ventral root stimulation to improve the bladder function in paraplegia. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Process Management Systems and public healthcare in Brazil: Technology to improve service delivery

The reality of healthcare delivery in emerging societies are not good enough for most of its population. This article aims to explore how the analytical and monitoring capabilities of information systems know as BPMS (Business Process Management Systems) could improve the quality of services provided in Brazil. We propose that the adoption of a service science and process-centric view will be of great value to help the public health manager evaluate its quality gaps while fostering better comprehension of the system dynamics and making clear points for policy changes.
A biomechanical evaluation of hinged total knee replacement prostheses

The number of total knee replacements being performed worldwide is undergoing an unprecedented increase. Hinged total knee replacements, used in complex salvage and revision procedures, currently account for a small but growing proportion of prostheses implanted. Modern hinged prostheses share the same basic configuration, allowing flexion–extension and tibial rotation. One aspect on which designs differ is the anteroposterior location of the hinge. A more posterior hinge is designed to increase the patellar tendon moment arm, reducing the quadriceps force required for a given activity and benefiting the patient. Five commonly used total knee replacements were evaluated in terms of quadriceps force and patellar tendon moment arm using a laboratory-based rig. Significant differences were identified between the five prostheses in quadriceps force and patellar tendon moment arm. Analysis of the correlation between these two parameters indicates that while patellar tendon moment arm influences quadriceps force, it is not the only factor. Also important is the lever function of the patella, and it is suggested here that the non-physiological nature of the prosthetic patellofemoral geometry may result in unnatural joint function. Thus, a thorough understanding of the resulting kinematic function of hinged total knee replacements is becoming increasingly important in complex revision total knee replacement to meet rising patient expectations and functional demands.
Money and Prices in a Small Economy

A simple rational expectations version of the quantity theory is applied to recent monthly and quarterly Finnish data on prices, money and related variables. It is found that, apparently because of sufficient flexibility of the exchange rate, money precedes income with a lead of up to eight quarters. In sharp contrast with previous Phillips-curve models, the Bank of Finland's stable money-supply policy causes a negative relationship between inflation and real activity. When contrasted with models based on international transmission of inflation over fixed exchange rates, the monetary model performs surprisingly well. The results appear to indicate greater monetary autonomy than that suggested by previous studies.
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in Adults. Pathologic Features and Prognosis

Abstract Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignant neoplasm of the lymphocyte precursor cells. Among adults it is a relatively rare neoplasm with a curability rate around 30% at 5 years. Currently, the diagnosis and classification of ALL is a multistep procedure that relies on the simultaneous application of multiple techniques that include: cytomorphology, immunophenotype and cytogenetic assays . Some of which have important clinical implications for both diagnosis and predicting response to specific treatment regimens, while the role of others is still to be defined. Over the years, several prognostic factors have been identified and today a risk stratification at diagnosis and during the follow -up is based on the characteristics of the leukemic cells. Abstract Leucemia acută limfoblastică (ALL) este o neoplazie malignă a celulelor precursoare limfoide. În rândul adulţilor, este o neoplazie relativ rară cu o rată de curabilitate la 5 ani în jur de 30%. Actualmente, diagnosticul şi clasificarea ALL este o procedură ce presupune mai multe etape care se bazează pe aplicarea simultană de tehnici multiple ce includ: examinări citomorfologice, imunofenotipice şi citogenetice. Unele dintre ele au o implicare clinică importantă atât în diagnostic cât şi în estimarea răspunsului la regimurile de tratament specific, în timp ce rolul celorlalte rămâne să fie definit. De-alungul anilor, au fost identificaţi anumiţi factori de risc, iar astăzi, caracterizarea celulei leucemice stă la baza stratificării riscului la diagnostic şi în timpul evoluţiei bolii.
Socioeconomic factors and prescription of antibiotics in 0- to 2-year-old Danish children.

OBJECTIVES The aim was to examine the impact of socioeconomic factors on the use of systemic antibiotics during the first 2 years of life. METHODS This was a population-based cohort study of 5024 Danish children born in 1997. The study was conducted by linking records drawn from public administrative registries. The main predictor variables were mother's education level, household income and cohabitation status. The outcome was the number of antibiotic courses (0, 1-5, > or =6) during the first 2 years of life. RESULTS A total of 3273 children (65.1%) received 1-5 antibiotic courses, and 337 (6.7%) received > or =6 courses of antibiotics during the first 2 years of life. The risk of receiving > or =6 courses of antibiotics was increased in children of mothers with a low educational level (< or =10 years) compared with vocational education [OR 1.3 (95% CI 1.0-1.7)]. Children of mothers with a higher education >4 years had a reduced risk of receiving > or =6 courses [OR 0.3 (95% CI 0.1-0.7)]. Children from high-income families had a reduced risk (not statistically significant) of receiving antibiotics, compared with children from middle-income families [1-5 and > or =6 courses: adjusted OR 0.6 (95% CI 0.3-1.2)]. Children of single mothers had an increased risk of receiving antibiotics, particularly if the child did not attend day care. CONCLUSIONS Socioeconomic factors have some impact on antibiotic prescription in young children. Children of mothers with only basic schooling were at highest risk of receiving multiple prescriptions, whereas children of mothers with a high education, and/or high household income, had the lowest risk.
Photoperiod influences age at puberty of heifers.

Two experiments were conducted to determine if exposure of prepubertal heifers to supplemental lighting hastens the onset of puberty. In Exp. 1, 16 heifers were paired according to birth date (April 21 to July 4) and assigned randomly to exposure to either 18 h light/d (L) or natural photoperiods (N) from 22 wk of age until puberty. Twenty-two heifers in Exp. 2, born between February 27 and March 31 and between May 3 and May 17, 1981, were exposed to L or N from 24 wk of age until March 23, 1982. In Exp. 2, animals were bred at all estrous periods until conception. Age at first ovulation and first estrus were less (P less than .01 for Exp. 1 and P less than .10 for Exp. 2) for L than N heifers. Average ages at first estrus were 318 (L) and 367 d (N) for Exp. 1 and 367 (L) and 394 d (N) for Exp. 2. Age at conception in Exp. 2 was similar for L (380 d) and N (396 d) groups. There were no significant differences between L and N heifers in changes in body weight for either experiment. There was a photoperiod X age interaction (P less than .06) for ovarian volume in Exp. 1 because the rate of ovarian growth was greater for L than N heifers. Concentrations of LH were not affected by photoperiod in Exp. 1 and not measured in Exp. 2. There were no significant changes in LH concentrations between 22 and 34 wk of age. When expressed relative to first ovulation, LH levels were highest at 7 and 2 wk before first ovulation. Concentrations of prolactin in Exp. 1 were not significantly affected by photoperiod. It was concluded that supplemental lighting after 22 or 24 wk of age reduced ages at first ovulation and first estrus in heifers born from February to July. These effects of photoperiod were accompanied by changes in ovarian development.
Antibiotic Resistance Patterns and Virulence Determinants of Different SCCmec and Pulsotypes of Staphylococcus Aureus Isolated from a Major Hospital in Ilam, Iran

Aims & Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate genetic relatedness, antibiotic resistance pattern, and virulence characteristics of different types of S. aureus isolated from air, surfaces, staff, and patients in a Public hospital in Ilam. Methods & Materials: A total of 88 of 140 staphylococci identified as S. aureus by conventional and molecular methods were used in this study. Isolate samples were obtained from surfaces, staff, patients, and hospital indoor air. The sampling from staff and surfaces was done through using swab and air by standard pump. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and presence different resistant and virulence determinants was assessed. Isolates were then typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and SCCmec typing methods. Results: Out of 88isolates, 36 of them (40.9%) were MRSA. Among MRSA isolates, the range of resistance to antibiotic was 0% in vancomycin to 83.3% in gentamycin. The most prevalent resistant genes among gentamicin resistant S. aureus were acc (6')/aph (2”)Ia and aph(3”)IIIa. The most common erythromycin resistant gene was ermC. Surprisingly, SCCmec types I (30.5%), II (25%)were highly distributed. PFGE analysis showed 33 different pulsotypes. Conclusion: This study confirms that different isolates of MSSA and MRSA circulate in Ilam which differ in antimicrobial susceptibility, content of resistance, and virulence determinants.
The issue of competing currencies. Case study – Bitcoin

The complexity and interdependence of the economies of various geographical and political entities have one generic binder - money. The economic history of the last century, replicated in the first decade of our century, can be “written” with money. Indeed, money, a multiple discovery of the civilization in its historical way, was and still is the guardian of hope for prosperity. The disputes about money clearly indicate the need, opportunity and the possibility of monetary competition, which would provide, from the point of view of entrepreneurs, the most suitable production of money based on expectations of their economic preferences. Increasingly more, theorists, practitioners and analysts bring to the fore the issue of simultaneously using the official currency and the digital one. Thus, the issue of the public debate regarding the private money is still of interest. Based on these considerations, this paper aims to highlight how the digital currency Bitcoin can meet the challenges of the economic environment, taking into account both the opportunities and the threats to which it is subject, and the records emphasized by the history of economic thought and adapted to the current reality.
Intracranial aneurysms: detection with three-dimensional CT angiography with volume rendering--comparison with conventional angiographic and surgical findings.

PURPOSE To assess the diagnostic accuracy of three-dimensional (3D) computed tomographic (CT) angiography for intracranial aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS The 3D CT angiograms obtained in 49 patients with or without intracranial aneurysms were evaluated by four blinded observers. Results were compared with findings at conventional angiography or surgery. A volume-rendering method was used, and 13 images obtained in different directions were reviewed in each study. The diameter of aneurysms was divided into four sizes: large, greater than 13 mm; medium, 5-12 mm; small, 3-4 mm; and very small, less than 3 mm. Results were also evaluated by means of receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS At conventional angiography, 47 aneurysms, including 14 less than 3 mm, were depicted in 35 patients. The mean sensitivity of CT angiography for very small aneurysms was 64%; small, 83%; medium, 95%; and large, 100%. Some very small aneurysms that were not depicted at conventional angiography were depicted at CT angiography, and one was proved at surgery. CONCLUSION CT angiography has good sensitivity for depiction of intracranial aneurysms 3 mm or larger and relatively good sensitivity for aneurysms less than 3 mm. CT angiography may be a noninvasive technique for detection of asymptomatic unruptured or ruptured aneurysms.
ETS-Mediated Cooperation between Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Motifs of the Immunoglobulin μ Heavy-Chain Gene Enhancer

ABSTRACT The μE motifs of the immunoglobulin μ heavy-chain gene enhancer bind ubiquitously expressed proteins of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family. These elements work together with other, more tissue-restricted elements to produce B-cell-specific enhancer activity by presently undefined combinatorial mechanisms. We found that μE2 contributed to transcription activation in B cells only when the μE3 site was intact, providing the first evidence for functional interactions between bHLH proteins. In vitro assays showed that bHLH zipper proteins binding to μE3 enhanced Ets-1 binding to μA. One of the consequences of this protein-protein interaction was to facilitate binding of a second bHLH protein, E47, to the μE2 site, thereby generating a three-protein–DNA complex. Furthermore, transcriptional synergy between bHLH and bHLH zipper factors also required an intermediate ETS protein, which may bridge the transcription activation domains of the bHLH factors. Our observations define an unusual form of cooperation between bHLH and ETS proteins and suggest mechanisms by which tissue-restricted and ubiquitous factors combine to generate tissue-specific enhancer activity.
Accuracy of Clinical Diagnosis in Parkinsonism — A Prospective Study

ABSTRACT: Clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's syndrome (PS) is reasonably easy in most cases but the distinction between different variants of PS may be difficult in early cases. The correct diagnosis is not only important for counselling and management of patients but also in conducting pharmacological and epidemiological studies. There is very little critical literature on the pathological verification of the clinical diagnosis in PS. We report our 22 year experience to address that issue. Between 1968 and 1990, 65 PS patients came to autopsy. Complete data are available in 59 (M- 50, F-19) cases. The initial diagnosis made by a qualified neurologist was idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) in 43 cases. Of those 28 (65%) had Lewy body pathology. After a mean duration of 12 years the final diagnosis was IPD in 41 cases which was confirmed in 31 (76%). The IPD could not be clinically distinguished from cases with severe substantia nigra neuronal loss without inclusions or from those with neurofibrillary tangle inclusions and neuronal loss at the anatomical sites typically involved in IPD. All progressive supra-nuclear palsy, olivopontocerebellar atrophy, Jakob-Creutzfeldt's disease and the majority of the multiple system atrophy cases were diagnosed correctly during life. The correct clinical diagnosis in most non-IPD variants of PS was possible within 5 years of onset (range: 2 months to 18 years). We recommend that studies aimed at including only the IPD cases restrict the enrollment to those cases that have had PS motor manifestations for five years or longer duration.
Thirty‐five years of isolated limb perfusion for melanoma: Indications and results

Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) for limb melanoma remains controversial despite its frequent use for over 35 years. To determine whether it has proven benefits, reported results have been reviewed. The value of adjuvant ILP cannot be determined from the multitude of retrospective studies on this subject. Preliminary results of the large European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer–World Health Organization–North American Perfusion Group trial suggest that patients with melanomas of 1·5–3·0 mm in thickness who do not undergo elective lymph node dissection may have a locoregional control benefit from ILP. However, as long as a definite survival advantage for ILP has not been demonstrated, such treatment does not seem justified for these patients. The value of prophylactic ILP after resection of recurrent limb melanoma is also scientifically unproven. The potential prevention of further limb recurrence for only a limited period of time, as demonstrated in a rather small Swedish trial, probably does not justify routine use of ILP in these patients; a large international trial will be needed to assess whether ILP provides a survival advantage. For those with locally inoperable limb melanoma, ILP appears to be the treatment of choice since it results in complete disappearance of all macroscopic disease in a substantial proportion of patients, removing the need for amputation and providing palliation of symptoms. However, high limb recurrence rates and short duration of response need improvement. Results of alternative treatments should be compared prospectively with those of ILP in this clinical situation.
REVERSIBILITY IN EVOLUTION: A MAXIMUM LIKELIHOOD APPROACH TO CHARACTER GAIN/LOSS BIAS IN PHYLOGENIES

Statistical methods are used to test the hypothesis that rate of gain is equal to rate of loss for a single character on a cladogram. Ancestral character states are used as input for maximum likelihood (ML) rate estimation. Two markovian models of character evolution are considered: one has equality of rate across branches; the other permits variation in rate according to predetermined weights for branches. ML estimates are derived for both models, and their properties in large and small trees are investigated. Bias and error are significant in small trees. Error is greatest for characters in which rate of gain is low, and is greater for the loss estimate than for the gain estimate. Likelihood ratio (LR) tests of the null hypothesis of equality of gain/loss rate are derived, and their properties investigated. The distribution of ‐2 log LR is close to χ2 with 1 df with as few as 32 taxa. However, the power of the test is low unless the character is evolving rapidly. Methods for increasing power are examined, including selection of rapidly evolving subsets of characters, and pooling across characters. A goodness of fit test is presented to determine if pooling is justified. An example using published restriction site data on the Asteraceae demonstrates significant deviation from the null model in the direction predicted on the basis of the molecular biology of restriction enzyme site recognition, but only for one large subset of the data in which pooling is warranted.
Physiological characteristics of elite high‐altitude climbers

Factors underlying the amplitude of exercise performance reduction at altitude and the development of high‐altitude illnesses are not completely understood. To better describe these mechanisms, we assessed cardiorespiratory and tissue oxygenation responses to hypoxia in elite high‐altitude climbers. Eleven high‐altitude climbers were matched with 11 non‐climber trained controls according to gender, age, and fitness level (maximal oxygen consumption, VO2max). Subjects performed two maximal incremental cycling tests, in normoxia and in hypoxia (inspiratory oxygen fraction: 0.12). Cardiorespiratory measurements and tissue (cerebral and muscle) oxygenation were assessed continuously. Hypoxic ventilatory and cardiac responses were determined at rest and during exercise; hypercapnic ventilatory response was determined at rest. In hypoxia, climbers exhibited similar reductions to controls in VO2max (climbers −39 ± 7% vs controls −39 ± 9%), maximal power output (−27 ± 5% vs −26 ± 4%), and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2). However, climbers had lower hypoxic ventilatory response during exercise (1.7 ± 0.5 vs 2.6 ± 0.7 L/min/%; P < 0.05) and lower hypercapnic ventilatory response (1.8 ± 1.4 vs 3.8 ± 2.5 mL/min/mmHg; P < 0.05). Finally, climbers exhibited slower breathing frequency, larger tidal volume and larger muscle oxygenation index. These results suggest that elite climbers show some specific ventilatory and muscular responses to hypoxia possibly because of genetic factors or adaptation to frequent high‐altitude climbing.
The Term Structure of Interest Rates and Inflation

This paper examines the implications of the expectations theory of the term structure for the implementation of inflation targeting. We show that the term structure weakens the transmission of short-term interest rates to ultimate policy objectives. Therefore, short term interest rates in the central bank's forward looking monetary policy rule need to respond more strongly to the output gap and deviations of inflation from its target. Thus, in general the term structure implies a higher degree of policy activism. Next, we show that both the sensitivity of the term spread to economic fundamentals, and the extent to which the spread predicts future output, are increasing in the duration of the long bond and the degree of structural output persistence. If the central bank becomes relatively less concerned about inflation stabilization the term spread becomes less sensitive to fundamentals, and the spread will be less successful in predicting real economic activity.