Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new instrument for measuring self‐efficacy in patients with an anterior cruciate ligament injury

It has been suggested that self‐efficacy belief is of major importance for rehabilitation outcome after sports‐related injuries. No instruments are, however, available to evaluate perceived self‐efficacy for prognostic and outcome expectations in patients with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Perceived self‐efficacy is defined as a judgment of one's potential ability to carry out a task, rather than a measure of whether or not one actually can or does perform the task. The purpose of this study was to develop a reliable and valid instrument for measuring perceived self‐efficacy in patients with an ACL injury.
Detection of chromosome instability of tissue fields at risk: In situ hybridization

Many human tumors are thought to develop along a multistep pathway in tissues that have encountered long periods of carcinogen exposure and thus have accumulated genetic hits in functional targets relevant to tumor evolution. The cumulative degree of genetic change is dependent on both exogenous (e.g., degree of carcinogen exposure) and endogenous factors (e.g., metabolism of procarcinogens, repair or misrepair capacity, proliferation properties of the tissue, capability of damaged cells to survive). Thus one approach to risk estimation is to measure the accumulated amount of genetic damage in a target tissue at risk for tumor development. Since one cannot predict the exact site of the future tumor, the risk assay must detect a generalized ongoing process of genetic instability from small, random biopsies. The technique of chromosome in situ hybridization involves the use of chromosome‐ or region‐specific probes and provides an ability to directly visualize genetic change (e.g., random or clonal chromosome polysomy and monosomy) on thin tissue sections (where tissue architecture is maintained) or exfoliated cells. Analyses of normal and premalignant lesions adjacent to tumors (e.g., head and neck, lung, bladder, cervix, breast) have demonstrated that chromosome instability can be detected in the field of the tumor (i.e., in normal and premalignant cells in a tissue at 100% risk of tumor development) and the degree of chromosome instability increases with the degree of histologic progression toward cancer. Analyses of premalignant lesions (e.g., oral leukoplakia and erythroplakia from individuals at risk for aerodigestive tract cancer) by chromosome in situ hybridization have uncovered varying degrees of chromosome instability. However, approximately half of those individuals who showed a high degree of chromosome instability in biopsies subsequently developed aerodigestive tract cancer. Of interest, half of these tumors have developed away from the biopsied site, suggesting that the detection of a chromosome instability process in one aspect of the tissue might yield risk information for the total tissue field. These studies also suggest that chromosome in situ hybridization might be useful for identifying individuals with high tumor risk who might benefit from chemopreventive intervention. J. Cell. Biochem. 25S:57–62. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
THE SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS FRAMEWORK FOR DOCUMENT CHANGES USING REVERSE ENGINERING APPROACH

Document changes are center of focus in maintenance phase during software development life cycle (SDLC). In Agile development process, document maintenance become crucial as the focus is on technical maintenance. This paper presents a software requirements framework for document changes using reverse engineering approach. The framework is called XML Document Tracker (XML_DocTracker). Based on the framework, a tool is developed to automate the generation of software requirement document, due to requirements document changes. The approach focuses on XML application changes. Class diagram is used to capture changes semantically rather that syntax of code. Then, the changes are kept as version factors for generating SRDdue to requirements document change. This reverse approach is better because in agile development methodology, developer shall change the codes directly without making any changes in requirements. The advantage of using the tool is to ease the agile developer task in document generation.
Analysis of elastohydrodynamic lubrication in a novel metal-on-metal hip joint replacement

Abstract Elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) analysis was carried out in this study for a novel metal-on-metal hip prosthesis, which consists of a cobalt-chrome alloy femoral head articulating against a cobalt-chrome alloy acetabular insert connected to a titanium fixation shell through a taper. Finite element models were developed to investigate the effect of the pelvic bone and the load on the predicted contact pressure distribution between the two bearing surfaces under dry conditions. The finite element method was used to develop elasticity models for both the femoral and the acetabular components; it was found that the elastic deformation of the acetabular insert was mainly dependent on the load, rather than the detailed pressure distribution. A modified solution methodology was accordingly developed to couple the elasticity models for both the femoral and the acetabular surfaces with the Reynolds equation and to solve these numerically by the finite difference method. It was found that a load increase from 500 to 2500 N had a negligible effect on the predicted maximum contact pressure and the minimum film thickness, due to the relatively flexible and accommodating structure of the acetabular insert. Furthermore, the predicted minimum film thickness was shown to be significantly greater than the simple estimation based on the assumption of semi-infinite solids (mono-block design) using the Hamrock and Dowson formula. The effects of the viscosity of the lubricant and the radial clearance between the femoral and the acetabular components on the predicted lubricating film thickness were investigated under both in vitro simulator testing and in vivo walking conditions.
Direct translation of a protracted irinotecan schedule from a xenograft model to a phase I trial in children.

PURPOSE In a preclinical model of neuroblastoma, administration of irinotecan daily 5 days per week for 2 consecutive weeks ([qd x 5] x 2) resulted in greater antitumor activity than did a single 5-day course with the same total dose. We evaluated this protracted schedule in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-three children with refractory solid tumors were enrolled onto a phase I study. Cohorts received irinotecan by 1-hour intravenous infusion at 20, 24, or 29 mg/m(2) (qd x 5) x 2 every 21 days. RESULTS The 23 children (median age, 14.1 years; median prior regimens, two) received 84 courses. Predominant diagnoses were neuroblastoma (n = 5), osteosarcoma (n = 5), and rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 4). The dose-limiting toxicity was grade 3/4 diarrhea and/or abdominal cramps in six of 12 patients treated at 24 mg/m(2), despite aggressive use of loperamide. The maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) on this schedule was 20 mg/m(2)/d. Five patients had partial responses and 16 had disease stabilization. On day 1, the median systemic exposure to SN-38 (the active metabolite of irinotecan) at the MTD was 106 ng-h/mL (range, 41 to 421 ng-h/mL). CONCLUSION This protracted schedule is well tolerated in children. The absence of significant myelosuppression and encouraging clinical responses suggest compellingly that irinotecan be further evaluated in children using the (qd x 5) x 2 schedule, beginning at a dose of 20 mg/m(2). These results imply that data obtained from xenograft models can be effectively integrated into the design of clinical trials.
Effect of paternal heat stress on the development in vitro of preimplantation embryos in the mouse

Summary. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of paternal heat stress on the development in vitro of preimplantation embryos in the mouse. Female C57/CBA mice were superovulated using eCG/hCG and mated either to an untreated (control) male mouse or to one that had been exposed for 24 h to an ambient temperature of 36 ± 0.1 °C and 62 ± 0.4% relative humidity, between 3 and 42 days previously. Putative zygotes were collected from the oviducts of mated mice, 25–28 h after hCG injection, and cultured in vitro. Embryo development was evaluated at 24‐h intervals for up to 120 h. Paternal heat stress significantly reduced the proportion of embryos that developed normally during 24–120 h of in vitro culture, when zygotes were sired by males which had been heat stressed between 7 and 35 days prior to mating. Maximum impairment to development (including nondevelopment, abnormal and dying/dead embryos) occurred in those embryos sired by males at days 14 and 21 after heating. Embryo development returned to control levels by day 42 after heat stress. Furthermore, whilst all stages of embryo development were affected by paternal heat stress, the proportion of embryos at the two‐cell stage appeared to be most severely affected. Four‐cell to morula stages and the morula to blastocyst stage also demonstrated impairment at days 14, 21, 28 and 35 after heating. These results demonstrate that a single episode of paternal heat stress significantly reduces the development of preimplantation embryos, and this is not recovered until day 42 after heating. The present results also support previous work demonstrating that sperm from the epididymis as well as germ cells in the testis are susceptible to damage by heat stress, with both spermatids and spermatocytes being the most vulnerable.
Multiple Finite Production Rate Dynamic Lot Size Inventory Models

This paper investigates the dynamic inventory model for the case when production in a period is restricted to a finite set of specified values. The model allows the production rate to be any value in the set {0, P, 2P, ', mP}, where m is a nonnegative integer. It is assumed that the setup cost is paid only once for a production block and the holding cost is monotonically or linearly increasing. Efficient planning horizon procedures have been developed for this model.
The ability of denbufylline to inhibit cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase and its affinity for adenosine receptors and the adenosine re‐uptake site

1 Denbufylline has been examined for its ability to inhibit cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase isoenzymes from rat cardiac ventricle and cerebrum, as well as for its affinity for adenosine A1 and A2 receptors and the re‐uptake site. For comparison, SK&F 94120, theophylline and 3‐isobutyl‐1‐methyl‐xanthine (IBMX) were examined as phosphodiesterase inhibitors whilst N6‐cyclohexyladenosine, R(−)‐N6‐(2‐phenylisopropyl)‐adenosine, 5′‐N‐ethylcarboxamido‐adenosine, 2‐nitrobenzylthioinosine, theophylline and IBMX were examined for their affinity for adenosine binding sites. 2 This investigation confirmed the presence of four phosphodiesterase activities in rat cardiac ventricle; in rat cerebrum only three were present. 3 Denbufylline selectively inhibited one form of Ca2+‐independent, low Km cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase. The form inhibited was one of two present in cardiac ventricle and the sole one in cerebrum. This form was not inhibited by cyclic GMP. The inotropic agent SK&F 94120 selectively inhibited the form of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase which was inhibited by cyclic GMP present in cardiac ventricle. Theophylline and IBMX were relatively non‐selective phosphodiesterase inhibitors. 4 Denbufylline was a less potent inhibitor of ligand binding to adenosine receptors than of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase. This contrasted with theophylline, which had a higher affinity for adenosine receptors, and IBMX which showed no marked selectivity. Denbufylline, theophylline and IBMX all had a low affinity for the adenosine re‐uptake site. 5 Denbufylline is being developed as an agent for the therapy of multi‐infarct dementia. The selective inhibition of a particular low Km cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase may account for the activity of this compound.
Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy and Subsequently Measured Cardiovascular Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: To study the association of hypertensive pregnancy disorders with modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and to estimate the feasibility for early detection and prevention. METHODS: This was a prospective study of 15,065 women with a first singleton birth between 1967 and 1995, who later participated in a population study that included standardized measurements of blood pressure, serum lipids, and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: Women with a history of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (preeclampsia or gestational hypertension) had higher BMI, higher blood pressure, and unfavorable levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides. Preeclampsia was associated with substantially higher risk of developing diabetes (odds ratio 3.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.1–6.6), and if the hypertensive disorder occurred in more than one pregnancy, or in a relatively late pregnancy, the associations with later cardiovascular risk factors were substantially stronger. Thus, women with two episodes of preeclampsia were approximately 10 times more likely to use blood pressure medication at follow-up (adjusted odds ratio, 11.6, 95% CI 7.1–26.3), and in women with gestational hypertension in three consecutive pregnancies, systolic pressure was on average 27 mm Hg (95% CI 18–37 mm Hg) higher, and diastolic pressure was 12 mm Hg (95% CI 5–19 mm Hg) higher, compared with women without a history of hypertensive disorders. Adjustment for current body mass index partly attenuated these associations, suggesting that BMI may play an important mediating role. CONCLUSION: Women with a history of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, and particularly women with recurrent pregnancy disorders, should be candidates for intervention intended to prevent premature cardiovascular disease. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II
An EOG-based Sleep Monitoring System and Its Application on On-line Sleep-stage Sensitive Light Control

Human beings spend approximately one third of their lives sleeping. Conventionally, to evaluate a subjects sleep quality, all-night polysomnogram (PSG) readings are taken and scored by a well-trained expert. The development of an automatic sleep-staging system that does not rely upon mounting a bulky PSG or EEG recorder on the head will enable physiological computing systems (PhyCS) to progress toward easy sleep and comfortable monitoring. In this paper, an electrooculogram (EOG)-based sleep scoring system is proposed. Compared to PSG or EEG recordings, EOG has the advantage of easy placement, and can be operated by the user individually. The proposed method was found to be more than 83% accurate when compared with the manual scorings applied to sixteen subjects. In addition to sleep-quality evaluation, the proposed system encompasses adaptive brightness control of light according to online monitoring of the users sleep stages. The experiments show that the EOG-based sleep scoring system is a practicable solution for home-use sleep monitoring due to the advantages of comfortable recording and accurate sleep staging.
Direct Estimation of the Cost Effectiveness of Tornado Shelters

This article estimates the cost effectiveness of tornado shelters using the annual probability of a tornado and new data on fatalities per building struck by a tornado. This approach differs from recent estimates of the cost effectiveness of tornado shelters in Reference 1 that use historical casualties. Historical casualties combine both tornado risk and resident action. If residents of tornado‐prone states take greater precautions, observed fatalities might not be much higher than in states with lower risk. Estimation using the tornado probability avoids this potential bias. Despite the very different method used, the estimates are $68 million in permanent homes and $6.0 in mobile homes in Oklahoma using a 3% real discount rate, within about 10% of estimates based on historical fatalities. The findings suggest that shelters provide cost‐effective protection for mobile homes in the most tornado‐prone states but not for permanent homes.
A TIR Domain Variant of MyD88 Adapter-like (Mal)/TIRAP Results in Loss of MyD88 Binding and Reduced TLR2/TLR4 Signaling*

The adapter protein MyD88 adapter-like (Mal), encoded by TIR-domain containing adapter protein (Tirap) (MIM 606252), is the most polymorphic of the five adapter proteins involved in Toll-like receptor signaling, harboring eight non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in its coding region. We screened reported mutations of Mal for activity in reporter assays to test the hypothesis that variants of Mal existed with altered signaling potential. A TIR domain variant, Mal D96N (rs8177400), was found to be inactive. In reconstituted cell lines, Mal D96N acted as a hypomorphic mutation, with impaired cytokine production and NF-κB activation upon lipopolysaccharide or PAM2CSK4 stimulation. Moreover, co-immunoprecipitation studies revealed that Mal D96N is unable to interact with MyD88, a prerequisite for downstream signaling to occur. Computer modeling data suggested that residue 96 resides in the MyD88 binding site, further supporting these findings. Genotyping of Mal D96N in three different cohorts suggested that it is a rare mutation. We, thus, describe a rare variant in Mal that exerts its effect via its inability to bind MyD88.
Three-Dimensional Changes in the Midface Following Malar Calcium Hydroxyapatite Injection in a Cadaver Model.

BACKGROUND Three-dimensional (3D) changes in the midface following malar calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHa) injection have not been systematically analyzed. OBJECTIVES The authors analyzed 3D volume changes in midface and naso-labial fold (NLF) volume, as well as lateral movement in the NLF/naso-labial crease (NLC) junction following malar injection of CaHa in a cadaver model. METHODS A single surgeon injected CaHa in the supraperiosteal plane. Sequential images were obtained with the VECTRA 3D system pre- and post-1.5- and 3-cc CaHa injections. All measurements were performed by a single examiner. Injection location was verified anatomically. RESULTS Injections were performed in 16 fresh cadaver hemi-faces. Maximal increases in projection were centered on the malar injection site, with associated decreases in projection and volume in the infero-medial locations. Relative mean increases in volume of 3.16 cc and 4.94 cc were observed following the 1.5-cc and 3-cc injections, respectively. There was a relative decrease in the volume of the NLF of -0.3 cc and -0.4 cc following the 1.5- and 3-cc injections, respectively. Injection of CaHa was associated with lateral movements of the NLF-NLC junction at the level of the nasal sill, philtral columns, and oral commissure, measuring 2.7, 2.5, and 1.9 mm and 2.8, 2.9, and 2.4 mm following the 1.5- and 3-cc injections, respectively. Anatomical dissection verified the location in the supraperiosteal space and within the middle malar fat pad. CONCLUSIONS Following malar CaHa injection, 3D photographic analysis showed a measureable lifting effect with recruitment of ptotic tissue and lateral movement of the NLF-NLC junction in a cadaver model.
Vaccine adjuvants.

Nonreplicating, purified subunit or synthetic viral vaccines of the future are likely to be weak immunogens that will require immunopotentiation if they are to be effective. These marginal vaccines could be improved by combination with potent and safe immunologic adjuvants. The use of adjuvants should also reduce the amount of purified antigen required for successful immunization, thus making vaccine production more economical and more feasible. It may be possible to combine the recently developed relatively nontoxic synthetic immunoregulators of low molecular weight with antigens in order to modulate preselected compartments of the immune system. To date, the question of adjuvant safety has not been resolved and represents the major obstacle to the orderly development of adjuvanted vaccines. The fear of inducing cancer and other immediate or long-term perturbations of the immune system must be patently and rationally overcome by basic and applied experimentation and by the development of appropriate guidelines for studies in humans.
Learning in Systems Controlling Motor Automatisms

4. Principle of active learning 4.1. Brownian movement of particles in the presence of a temperature gradient 4.2. Changes of transfer function of neurons under the influence of initiating signals 4.3. Changes of function calculated by a neural network 4.4. Sources of initiating signals 4.4.1. External initiating signal 4.4.2. Internal initiating signal 4.4.3. Learning with and without a teacher 4.4.4. External model of the controlled object
EFFICACY OF PIOGLITAZONE AS AN ADD ON DRUG WITH INSULIN , GLIBENCLAMIDE AND METFORMIN IN PATIENTS WITH UNCONTROLLED TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of pioglitazone in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), despite treatment with insulin and a combination of glibenclamide and metformin. Fifty-seven patients with type 2 DM, mean age 56.84 years and mean body mass index (BMI) 26.30 kg/m2, were enrolled in this unicenter open label trial. They were given pioglitazone 30 mg/day in addition to previous treatment with insulin (≥30 units a day), glibenclamide (10 mg a day) and metformin (1000 mg a day) for a period of six months. Pioglitazone 30 mg/day, when added to insulin and the combination of glibenclamide and metformin, significantly decreased hemoglobin A1c at six months from a mean of 8.15%±0.24 to a mean of 7.17%±0.42 (p<0.0001) and fasting plasma glucose at six months from a mean of 209.3±32.43 mg/dl to 115.14±36.94 mg/dl (p<0.0001). Pioglitazone was well tolerated throughout the study period. Pioglitazone was found to improve glycemic control, when given as a fourth drug (quadruple drug therapy) in addition to insulin and the combination of glibenclamide and metformin in patients with type 2 DM. Foot edema and weight gain were common side effects. In a significant number of patients, insulin therapy could be stopped, and in the rest the dose of insulin and glibenclamide could be reduced. INTRODUCTION