Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shelf Life and In Vivo Duration; Impacts on Performance of Tibial Bearings

Polyethylene has been used for more than 30 years as an orthopaedic bearing material; however, recently concern has been focused on the early failure of some polyethylene bearings. The damage seen in some bearings has been linked to gamma radiation sterilization performed in an air environment. Gamma sterilization in air has been documented to cause an increase in oxidation and degradation of mechanical properties that continue with time. However, not all retrieved bearings that are gamma sterilized in air exhibit the elevated oxidation and mechanical property degradation that lead to early component failure. Bearings that are gamma sterilized in air oxidize while sitting in inventory before implantation. Shelf oxidation rate was estimated based on analysis of a series of never implanted tibial bearings. This shelf oxidation rate allowed estimation of in vivo oxidation for retrieved tibial bearings of known sterilization date. Bearings with less than 1 year of shelf life after gamma sterilization in air had lower in vivo oxidation and better in vivo performance than did those with longer shelf life before implantation. Shelf time before implantation appears to be a significant factor in the success or failure of bearings that are gamma sterilized in air.
Fibrates in the management of atherogenic dyslipidemia

ABSTRACT Introduction: Significant advancements in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia have recently been achieved. However, a considerable level of residual cardiovascular risk still affects patients’ outcomes. Atherogenic dyslipidemia is one of the major constituents of residual risk. Fibrates, PPAR alpha agonists, which modify lipid profile and have numerous pleiotropic effects, seem to be drugs of choice in patients with atherogenic dyslipidemia. These drugs are effective both in monotherapy and combined therapy with statins. Areas covered: A review of clinical trials and experimental studies on fibrates and their use in the treatment of lipid disorders has been performed. Expert commentary: Fibrates are an effective and safe group of drugs to treat patients with atherogenic dyslipidemia. In this particular population of patients, they improve cardiovascular outcomes. Benefits of fibrate treatment extend beyond the impact of lipid profile. Significant improvements in carbohydrate metabolism, adipokines levels, thrombosis and inflammation were also noted.
Training and simulation

Surgical training is a complex process that continues throughout the professional careers of surgeons. Significant changes in training have taken place during the past two decades, stimulated by the introduction of endoscopic surgery. Simulation is used increasingly for both training and assessment of surgeons in addition to the well-established apprenticeship systems. Currently, surgical and medical simulation is undertaken within the confines of skills laboratories. As virtual-reality simulators improve, skills laboratories will transform into virtual-reality simulation centres. Surgical simulation ensures that the learning curve is completed without jeopardising the outcome of patients, or using live animals.
Developing Innovative Care Models: The Use of Customer Satisfaction Scores

With the increased emphasis on accountability, cost, and quality in healthcare, models of care delivery are being restructured. The author examines the planning, implementation, and evaluation of a model of care delivery for neonates based on customer, staff nurse, nurse practitioner, and attending physician perceptions of care and their suggestions for improvement.
Preoperative Dexamethasone Improves Surgical Outcome After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

Objective: To determine the effects of preoperative dexamethasone on surgical outcome after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Summary Background Data: Pain and fatigue are dominating symptoms after LC and may prolong convalescence. Methods: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 88 patients were randomized to intravenous dexamethasone (8 mg) or placebo 90 minutes before LC. Patients received a similar standardized anesthetic, surgical, and multimodal analgesic treatment. All patients were recommended 2 days postoperative duration of convalescence. The primary endpoints were fatigue and pain. Preoperatively and at several times during the first 24 postoperative hours, we measured C-reactive protein (CRP) and pulmonary function, pain scores, nausea, and number of vomiting episodes were registered. Analgesic and antiemetic requirements were recorded. Also, on a daily basis, patients reported scores of fatigue and pain before and during the first postoperative week and the dates for resumption of work and recreational activities. Results: Eight patients were excluded from the study, leaving 40 patients in each study group for analysis. There were no apparent side effects of the study drug. Dexamethasone significantly reduced postoperative levels of CRP (P = 0.01), fatigue (P = 0.01), overall pain, and incisional pain during the first 24 postoperative hours (P < 0.05) and total requirements of opioids (P < 0.05). In addition, cumulated overall and visceral pain scores during the first postoperative week were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Dexamethasone also reduced nausea and vomiting on the day of operation (P < 0.05). Resumption of recreational activities was significantly faster in the dexamethasone group versus placebo group (median 1 day versus 2 days) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Preoperative dexamethasone (8 mg) reduced pain, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, and duration of convalescence in patients undergoing noncomplicated LC, when compared with placebo, and is recommended for routine use.
Crystal Structure of the Endonuclease Domain Encoded by the Telomere-specific Long Interspersed Nuclear Element, TRAS1*[boxs]

The telomere-specific long interspersed nuclear element, TRAS1, encodes an endonuclease domain, TRAS1-EN, which specifically cleaves the telomeric repeat targets (TTAGG)n of insects and (TTAGGG)n of vertebrates. To elucidate the sequence-specific recognition properties of TRAS1-EN, we determined the crystal structure at 2.4-Å resolution. TRAS1-EN has a four-layered α/β sandwich structure; its topology is similar to apurinic/apyrimidinic endonucleases, but the β-hairpin (β10-β11) at the edge of the DNA-binding surface makes an extra loop that distinguishes TRAS1-EN from cellular apurinic/apyrimidinic endonucleases. A protein-DNA complex model suggests that the β10-β11 hairpin fits into the minor groove, enabling interaction with the telomeric repeats. Mutational studies of TRAS1-EN also indicated that the Asp-130 and β10-β11 hairpin structure are involved in specific recognition of telomeric repeats.
Robust control of coupled two tank system via LMI

The paper compares several methods for robust state-feedback controller design via LMI for a two tank coupled system and discusses qualities of the respective LMI solutions. LMI approach is used to design a controller guaranteeing quadratic or parameter dependent robust stability, H2 and Hinf performance specification for uncertain linearized model of two tank system. The results obtained using LMI and SeDuMi solvers are compared.
Staphylococcus Lugdunensis, An Aggressive Coagulase-Negative Pathogen not to be Underestimated

The new emerging coagulase-negative pathogen Staphylococcus lugdunensis is responsible for severe cardiac and joint infections. Since the biochemical phenotypic systems designed for the identification of CoNS do not appear to be species specific and are hardly reliable for the discrimination of S. lugdunensis from other staphylococci, its precise identification requires fine molecular methods. The pathogenic mechanisms by which S. lugdunensis causes severe infections are not yet completely elucidated and in this review its virulence and toxic determinants are surveyed as well as its adhesins and biofilm production.
Effect of Acids on Water Vapor Uptake by Pyrogenic Silica

Effect of gaseous HCl and HNO3 on the water vapor uptake by pyrogenic silica was studied at different relative humidities (RH) for pure water and different compositions of binary and ternary vapor mixtures. Experiments showed that the ability of silica to uptake water strongly depends on RH and on the type of acids and their concentration in the vapor mixtures. At low acid concentration in the binary mixtures the influence of acids is probably small. Water uptake by silica does not change monotonically with acid concentration: at first it decreases and then starts to grow. However, the presence of acids promotes water uptake, and the effect is very significant at low RH. HCl seems to be more effective acid to enhance water uptake than HNO3 . In the case of ternary mixtures the adsorbed weight of water is a bit larger than that adsorbed from the binary mixtures. Acids are accumulated by silica surface, and the accumulation is larger for nitric acid.
The complex antigenicity of a small external region of the C‐terminal tail of the HIV‐1 gp41 envelope protein: a lesson in epitope analysis

The newly discovered external tail loop within the C‐terminal tail of the gp41 transmembrane subunit of the HIV‐1 envelope protein comprises approximately 40 residues, and within this are 18‐residues (734PDRPEGIEEEGGERDRDR751) that include three antibody‐reactive regions. The antigenicity is complex, and changes according to the biological context of the gp41. It is thus of interest both to the HIV specialist and protein immunologists. The antibody‐reactive region, centred on the sequence ERDRD, encompasses three distinct epitopes which are expressed in different combinations on infected cells, wt virions, prefusion virion‐cell complexes, and a neutralising antibody escape mutant virion. In addition ERDRD‐specific antibodies have one or more antiviral activities, and variously neutralise the infectivity of free virions, neutralise virions already attached to the target cell, reduce the production of infectious progeny, and inhibit the ability of infected cells to fuse with non‐infected cells. Antibodies to PDRPEG and IEEE have no apparent antiviral activity even though the footprints of the IEEE‐ and ERDRD‐specific antibodies overlap. This review marshals the available experimental data with the aim of understanding the significance of the gp41 tail loop to the HIV‐1 life cycle, and its relevance to potential anti‐viral measures. There are lessons here, too, that are relevant to the comprehension of the antigenicity of short protein segments in general. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pharmacological study on angusticeps-type toxins from mamba snake venoms.

Five angusticeps-type toxins, F7, F8 and C10S2C2 from Dendroaspis angusticeps and C and FS2 from D. polylepis polylepis, were tested for action on the chick biventer cervicis nerve-muscle, the frog rectus abdominis muscle and the mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparations. In the chick muscle, none of these toxins exhibited any stimulatory effect up to 100 micrograms/ml. In the frog muscle, the response to acetylcholine, but not to carbachol, was enhanced dose dependently by F7 and C. No appreciable effect was observed with the other three toxins. In the mouse diaphragm, also only F7 and C augmented responses to indirect stimulation and produced spontaneous fasciculations. On tetanic stimulation, a marked Wedensky inhibition was observed. Their stimulatory effect was abolished by d-tubocurarine. In the presence of d-tubocurarine as well as in the denervated mouse diaphragm, neither toxin increased responses to direct stimulation. In low-calcium (0.6 mM) or high magnesium (4.2 mM) medium, the stimulatory effect of both toxins was markedly attenuated. The resting membrane potential of the mouse diaphragm was not changed. The amplitude and frequency of MEPPs and the quantal content and the half-decay time of EPPs was increased. Both toxins also produced a stimulatory effect on the isolated guinea-pig ileum, which was abolished by atropine. In the rat atrial preparation, both toxins caused negative inotropic and chronotropic effects, which were reversed by atropine. If pretreated with atropine, these effects were completely prevented. Both F7 and C markedly inhibited the cholinesterase activity of the homogenized mouse diaphragm and frog rectus abdominis muscle but not that of the chick biventer cervicis muscle. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The isometric torque at which knee-extensor muscle reoxygenation stops.

PURPOSE We investigated the knee-extensor torque at which reoxygenation (inflow of arterial blood) during an isometric contraction stopped, whether this torque depended on maximal torque capacity (MTC), and whether there were differences among the synergists. METHODS Isometric knee-extension torque was measured using a dynamometer with 90 degrees angles in the hip and knee. Maximal voluntary activation (established with superimposed nerve stimulation) was > 90% in the 15 healthy male subjects (20-30 yr). Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to measure changes in muscle oxygenation of the vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), and rectus femoris (RF) muscle during submaximal isometric contractions at intensities of 20-45% MTC with 5% increments, applied in randomized order and divided over 2 d. At each torque, a contraction with an inflated pressure cuff (450 mm Hg), inducing full arterial occlusion, was followed (10 min of rest) by a second contraction without the cuff. RESULTS MTC ranged from 178 to 348 N.m. The torque at which maximal deoxygenation (all oxygen consumed) during contraction without the cuff became similar (P < 0.05) to the maximal deoxygenation reached with the cuff (indicative for complete occlusion of blood flow during the contraction without the cuff) was significantly higher for the RF (35% MTC) than for both vasti (25% MTC). There was no significant relation between MTC and relative (% MTC) torque at which muscle reoxygenation stopped. CONCLUSION Knee-extensor reoxygenation stopped at lower torques than previously reported for blood flow in this muscle, and this occurred at the same % MTC in subjects of different strength but at different % MTC for the different synergists.
Transcapillary fluid responses to lower body negative pressure.

The effect of lower body negative pressure (LBNP) on transcapillary fluid balance is unknown. Therefore, our objective was to assess leg interstitial fluid pressures (IFP), leg circumference, plasma volume (PV), and net whole body transcapillary fluid transport (TFT) during and after supine LBNP and to evaluate the addition of oral saline ingestion on transcapillary exchange. Six healthy men 23-41 yr old underwent 4 h of 30 mmHg LBNP, followed by 50 min of supine recovery on two separate occasions, once with and once without ingestion of 1 liter of isotonic saline. IFP was measured continuously in subcutis as well as superficial and deep regions of the tibialis anterior muscle by slit catheters. TFT was calculated by subtracting urine production and calculated insensible fluid loss from changes in PV. During exposure to LBNP, IFP decreased in parallel with chamber pressure, foot venous pressure did not change, leg circumference increased by 3 +/- 0.35% (SE) (P < 0.05), and PV decreased by 14 +/- 2.3%. IFP returned to near control levels after LBNP. At the end of minute 50 of recovery, PV remained decreased (by 7.5 +/- 5.2%) and leg circumference remained elevated (by 1 +/- 0.37%). LBNP alone produced significant movement of fluid into the lower body but no net TFT (-7 +/- 12 ml/h). During LBNP with saline ingestion, 72 +/- 4% of the ingested fluid volume filtered out of the vascular space (TFT = 145 +/- 10 ml/h), and PV decreased by 6 +/- 3%. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Viral Counts Count in HIV Infection

A single measurement of the amount of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in a patient's blood can predict the subsequent risk of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or death, even before the patient shows signs of the disease—so reports a paper (Mellors et al., p.1167) in this issue. In his Perspective, Ho discusses why this is the case and why measurement of viral loads will become extremely useful clinically.
Implementation of VANET-based Warning Generation System using Cellular Networks, GPS, and Passive RFID Tags

Vehicular communication systems are a key part of an intelligent transportation system, while vehicle safety communication is a major target of vehicular communication. Other features that augment vehicular ad hoc networks are enhanced driving experience, including but not limited to, active navigation and weather information, real-time traffic information and a plethora of other autonomous and automated systems. However, our focus will be warning generation systems, which can help reduce fatalities if deployed in an efficient and fail-safe manner on motorways and highways. This paper describes a collective information system for collection and delivery of traffic information aimed at supporting fast, efficient and secure travel of people and transport of goods. Based on that information, authorities are able to assess vehicles’ sudden motion and movement changes and can generate warning/alert messages (for emergency/police vehicles) for post-accident scenarios. In this paper, the use of a radio frequency identification (RFID) system for vehicular communication has been proposed and an extended RFID system and infrastructure for vehicle safety communication through emergency phone towers (EPTs) and cell phones is suggested. In order to communicate, vehicles may be equipped with a cellular phone, RFID, and/or a global positioning system (GPS), whereas RFID readers may be mounted on EPTs, which are already installed on motorways. It also provides a demonstration on flow of information within the system; the simulation results are also included.
The effect of reminder calls in reducing non-attendance rates at care of the elderly clinics

BACKGROUND DNA (“did not attend”) at outpatient clinics is an important problem costing the NHS an estimated £266 million annually. The national DNA rate for 1996–1997 for all clinics was 12%. The DNA rate at Hammersmith Hospital for the same year in the care of the elderly specialty was 21%. The aim of this study was to establish why this was so, and to test the efficacy of a reminder call in increasing attendance rates at care of the elderly clinics. METHODS 23 DNAs from seven clinics were contacted to ascertain the reasons for non-attendance (group I). For seven further clinics, 84 patients were contacted in advance to reconfirm their appointment (group II). RESULTS From group II 12 patients were identified who were unaware of their appointment (14%), six of whom agreed to attend; thus six potential DNAs were prevented. Eleven vacant appointments were identified in advance. Theunexpected DNA rate was reduced to 5% from a potential 21% as a result of this exercise. The DNA rate for all patients with dementia (both groups) was 44%, whereas the DNA rate for all patients without this diagnosis (both groups) was 16% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS A preclinic phone call reminder to elderly patients is feasible, increases attendance rates, and identifies vacant appointments. Patients with dementia are more likely to miss clinic appointments; therefore they and their carers need specific reminders about appointment dates. Key points Clinic non-attendance is an important problem in the elderly. Surveys show that up to 50% of non-attenders say they forgot about their appointment, and reminder letters/calls are effective for other specialties. Reminder calls to the elderly are well received, and very effective in increasing attendance rates. Vacant appointments can be identified in advance, allowing urgent referrals at short notice. Patients with dementia are significantly more likely to be non-attenders, and they and their carers need to be specially targeted for reminders.
A profile-based hierarchical location management scheme for future PCS

To accommodate the growth in the user population and network size in mobile environments, hierarchical architectures of location databases have been proposed. Recent studies showed that the signaling traffic and processing overhead of location updates is expected to grow tremendously, leading to poor performance. The authors present a Profile based Hierarchical location management Scheme (PHS) that focuses on reducing the cost of updates while keeping the lookup cost low. Our proposal is motivated by the observation that users follow repetitive patterns that can be profiled and predicted with reasonable cost, allowing users to send updates occasionally and not on every move. Further, it deploys a simple prediction technique that reduces the uncertainty of a user's location. We quantify the costs and benefits of PHS for several mobility patterns and show that it can result in up to 60% reduction in the update cost with minimal increase (7%) in lookup cost.
Intracellular Position of Centrioles and the Direction of Homeostatic Epithelial Cell Movements in the Mouse Cornea

Corneal epithelial cells exhibit continuous centripetal movements at a rate of about 30 µm per day, but neither the driving force nor the mechanism that determines the direction of movements is known. To facilitate the investigation of homeostatic cell movement, we examined if the intracellular position of a centriole can be used as a directional marker of epithelial cell movements in the mouse cornea. A direction of cell movements was estimated in fixed specimens from a pattern of underlying subepithelial nerve fibers. Intracellular position of centrioles was determined by gamma-tubulin immunohistology and plotted in a narrow strip along the entire diameter of a cornea from limbus to limbus. When we determined the position of centrioles in the peripheral cornea where cell movements proceed generally along a radial path, about 55% of basal epithelial cells contained a centriole in the front half of a cell. However, in the central cornea where cells exhibit a spiral pattern of movements, centrioles were distributed randomly. These results suggest that centrioles tend to be positioned toward the direction of movement in corneal basal epithelial cells when they are moving centripetally at a steady rate.