Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Clinical study on expansion of groove of ulnar nerve and interfascicular neurolysis in treating severe cubital tunnel syndrome].

OBJECTIVE To discuss the curative effect of expanding ulnar nerve groove and interfascicular neurolysis under microscope in treating severe cubital tunnel syndrome (Cub Ts), and to compare with that of the forward moving of ulnar nerve and interfascicular neurolysis under microscope to find out the best way to treat severe Cub Ts. METHODS From December 2002 to January 2007, 22 severe Cub Ts cases were treated with expansion of ulnar nerve groove and interfascicular neurolysis under microscope (treatment group), and other 22 cases were treated with forward moving of ulnar nerve and interfascicular neurolysis under microscope (control group). In treatment group, there were 17 males and 5 females, aged 21-66 years (mean 43.8 years). Pathogenic causes were elbow arthritis in 17 cases, ulnar nerve dislocation in 3 cases and elbow ectropion in 2 cases. The locations were left elbow in 8 cases and right elbow in 14 cases. The course of disease was 6-69 months. In control group, there were 18 males and 4 females, aged 20-64 years (mean 42.1 years). Pathogenic causes were elbow in arthritis 16 cases, ulnar nerve dislocation in 3 cases, elbow ectropion in 1 case and narrowing and shallowing of ulnar nerve groove caused by abnormal healing of medial condyle fracture in 1 case. The locations were left elbow in 7 cases and right elbow in 15 cases. The course of disease was 5-67 months. RESULTS For all patients of both groups, the wound healed by first intention, and all were followed up for 12-45 months. In treatment group, the numbness in little finger was obviously relieved, or disappeared in 22 cases 1 day after operation. In control group, the numbness in little finger was obviously relieved or disappeared in 22 cases 3-5 days after operation. EMG showed that conduction speed of ulnar nerve was normal. Evaluated by upper limbs function standard of China Medical Association, Surgery Association and Lascar grades, the results were excellent in 21 cases and good in 1 case in treatment group; whilst excellent in 19 cases, good in 2 cases and fair in 1 case in control group. There was significant difference between treatment group and control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Either expansion of ulnar nerve groove and interfascicular neurolysis or forward moving of ulnar nerve and interfascicular neurolysis is an effective method to treat severe Cub Ts, but the former is better than the latter.
Cancer incidence in a cohort of Swedish chimney sweeps, 1958-2006.

OBJECTIVES We examined cancer incidence in an expanded cohort of Swedish chimney sweeps. METHODS We added male chimney sweep trade union members (1981-2006) to an earlier cohort (employed 1918-1980) and linked them to nationwide registers of cancer, causes of deaths, and total population. The total cohort (n = 6320) was followed from 1958 through 2006. We estimated standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) using the male Swedish population as reference. We estimated exposure as years of employment and analyzed for exposure-response associations by Poisson regression. RESULTS A total of 813 primary cancers were observed versus 626 expected (SIR = 1.30; 95% confidence interval = 1.21, 1.39). As in a previous follow-up, SIRs were significantly increased for cancer of the esophagus, liver, lung, bladder, and all hematopoietic cancer. New findings included significantly elevated SIRs for cancer of the colon, pleura, adenocarcinoma of the lung, and at unspecified sites. Total cancer and bladder cancer demonstrated positive exposure-response associations. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to soot and asbestos are likely causes of the observed cancer excesses, with contributions from adverse lifestyle factors. Preventive actions to control work exposures and promote healthier lifestyles are an important priority.
Managing Diagnostic Process Data Using Semantic Web

In the paper the use of semantic web technologies for managing medical information during a diagnostic process is studied. Following a steady international move towards optimization of health care delivery, the latest development in information technology has drawn the health care industry decision makers' attention. The introduction of proper information technology innovations within the health care processes should provide the necessary optimization. In this manner we propose an approach to manage medical data during the whole diagnostic process using the semantic web technologies.
Increased nonHDL cholesterol levels cause muscle wasting and ambulatory dysfunction in the mouse model of LGMD2B[S]

Progressive limb and girdle muscle atrophy leading to loss of ambulation is a hallmark of dysferlinopathies, which include limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B and Miyoshi myopathy. However, animal models fail to fully reproduce the disease severity observed in humans, with dysferlin-null (Dysf−/−) mice exhibiting minor muscle damage and weakness without dramatic ambulatory dysfunction. As we have previously reported significant Dysf expression in blood vessels, we investigated the role of vascular function in development of muscle pathology by generating a Dysf-deficient mouse model with vascular disease. This was achieved by crossing Dysf−/− mice with ApoE−/− mice, which have high levels of nonHDL-associated cholesterol. Double-knockout Dysf−/−ApoE−/− mice exhibited severe ambulatory dysfunction by 11 months of age. In limb-girdle muscles, histology confirmed dramatic muscle wasting, fibrofatty replacement, and myofiber damage in Dysf−/−ApoE−/− mice without affecting the ratio of centrally nucleated myofibers. Although there were no major changes in ex vivo diaphragm and soleus muscle function, histological analyses revealed these muscles to be untouched by damage and remodelling. In all, these data suggest that cholesterol may be deleterious to dysferlinopathic muscle and lead to ambulatory dysfunction. Moreover, differences in plasma lipid handling between mice and humans could be a key factor affecting dysferlinopathy severity
Based Adaptive Wavelet Hidden Markov Tree for Microarray Image Enhancement

The accuracy of the gene expression depends on microarray image processing technology. However, eliminating the noise from different sources inherented in the DNA microarray still a challenging problem, which mainly contribute to the diversity and complexity of the noise of microarray image. Traditionally, statistical methods are used to estimate the noises of the microarray images. In this paper, we construct the adaptive tensor wavelets for microarray image denoising in terms of an explicit parameterizations of the univariate orthogonal scaling functions. The constructed adaptive wavelet keep the edge information as possible as. Combining our constructed adaptive wavelet and hidden Markov tree model, we present a novel image denoising method, which shows the significant improvement for microarray image denoising through the concrete numerical experiments.
Structure and mechanism of ADP‐ribose‐1″‐monophosphatase (Appr‐1″‐pase), a ubiquitous cellular processing enzyme

Appr‐1″‐pase, an important and ubiquitous cellular processing enzyme involved in the tRNA splicing pathway, catalyzes the conversion of ADP‐ribose‐1″monophosphate (Appr‐1″‐p) to ADP‐ribose. The structures of the native enzyme from the yeast and its complex with ADP‐ribose were determined to 1.9 Å and 2.05 Å, respectively. Analysis of the three‐dimensional structure of this protein, selected as a target in a structural genomics project, reveals its putative function and provides clues to the catalytic mechanism. The structure of the 284‐amino acid protein shows a two‐domain architecture consisting of a three‐layer αβα sandwich N‐terminal domain connected to a small C‐terminal helical domain. The structure of Appr‐1″‐pase in complex with the product, ADP‐ribose, reveals an active‐site water molecule poised for nucleophilic attack on the terminal phosphate group. Loop‐region residues Asn 80, Asp 90, and His 145 may form a catalytic triad.
Rasch analysis of the dimensional structure of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale

The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) has been used extensively in cancer patients to identify psychological distress. Reports of the factor structure and screening performance of the instrument vary. Rasch models allow an assessment of the structure of a questionnaire by identifying item fit. Removal of misfitting items may improve both the dimensionality and efficacy of screening questionnaires.
Long‐term venous access insertion: ‘the learning curve’

The central venous access port device (CVAPD) provides reliable vascular access and is used for delivery of fluids and for obtaining blood samples. However, it can carry some intra‐ and post‐operative complications such as thrombosis, pneumothorax, catheter fracture and port malposition. This article describes one surgeon's experience over a 16‐year period and strategies to avoid complications.
Visceral adiposity and incident coronary heart disease in Japanese-American men. The 10-year follow-up results of the Seattle Japanese-American Community Diabetes Study.

OBJECTIVE To identify risk factors for incident coronary heart disease (CHD). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 175 Japanese-American men without CHD were followed for up to 10 years. Baseline variables were blood pressure, weight, BMI, fat areas by computed tomography, skinfold thicknesses, abdominal circumference, plasma insulin, C-peptide, cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, HDL2 cholesterol, and HDL3 cholesterol, triglycerides, apoproteins A1 and B, and diagnosis of diabetes and hypertension. CHD was diagnosed by electrocardiogram and clinical events. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratio. RESULTS There were 50 incident cases of CHD. Using univariate logistic regression analysis, significant risk factors were intra-abdominal fat (P = 0.0090), fasting glucose (P = 0.0002), 2-h glucose (P = 0.0008), fasting HDL cholesterol (P = 0.0086), fasting HDL2 cholesterol (P = 0.030), fasting HDL3 cholesterol (P = 0.018), fasting triglycerides (P = 0.013), systolic (P = 0.0007) and diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.0002), and presence of diabetes (P = 0.0023). Multiple logistic regression models adjusted for BMI and age showed that intra-abdominal fat accounted for the effects of HDL cholesterol or triglycerides. In a multiple logistic regression model that included intra-abdominal fat, all systolic blood pressure and fasting glucose were significant. Substituting diastolic blood pressure for systolic blood pressure and 2-h glucose or diabetes status for fasting glucose produced similar results. CONCLUSIONS Visceral adiposity, blood pressure, and plasma glucose are important independent risk factors for incident CHD in this population of diabetic and nondiabetic Japanese-American men.
Meta-Analysis of Nicotinamide Treatment in Patients With Recent-Onset IDDM

OBJECTIVE Nicotinamide, a vitamin of the B group, has in vitro actions capable of interfering with the pathogenetic process leading to IDDM. Since 1987, several studies have evaluated nicotinamide as a means of protecting β-cells from end-stage destruction in insulin-treated patients with newly diagnosed IDDM. The aim of the study was to determine whether nicotinamide protects residual β-cell function when given at IDDM diagnosis. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We performed a meta-analysis of the integrated parameters of metabolic control (C-peptide, glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin dose) in 10 randomized (5 of which were placebo) controlled trials conducted in recent-onset IDDM patients for a total of 211 nicotinamide-treated patients. Data on the adverse effects of nicotinamide were also collected from an additional four trials to yield a grand total of 291 nicotinamide-receiving patients. RESULTS One year after diagnosis, baseline C-peptide was significantly higher in nicotinamide-treated patients, compared with control patients (0.73 ± 0.65 vs. 0.32 ± 0.56 ng/ml, P < 0.005). This statistical difference remained also when the five placebo-controlled trials only were considered (P < 0.05). No differences were observed in the insulin dose required or glycosylated hemoglobin values between nicotinamide and control patients. Adverse effects were reported in few patients (transient elevation of transaminase, n = 2; skin rash, n = 2; recurrent hypoglycemia, n = 2). CONCLUSIONS This combined analysis demonstrates a therapeutic effect of nicotinamide in preserving residual β-cell function when given at IDDM diagnosis in addition to insulin. Since adverse effects were negligible, we suggest that prolonged use of nicotinamide after IDDM diagnosis should be tested to see whether residual β-cell function can be preserved for longer periods.
Unraveling the essential role of CysK in CDI toxin activation

Significance Contact-dependent growth inhibition (CDI) systems produce toxins that inhibit competing bacteria and immunity proteins that protect against self-inhibition. The CDI toxin deployed by Escherichia coli 536 is a nuclease that only cleaves transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules when bound to the biosynthetic enzyme O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase (CysK). Here, we present crystal structures of the activated CysK/toxin binary complex and the neutralized CysK/toxin/immunity protein ternary complex. CysK significantly increases toxin thermostability and promotes its interaction with tRNA substrates. Collectively, our results indicate that CysK stabilizes the toxin fold, thereby organizing the nuclease active site for substrate recognition and catalysis. We propose that the E. coli 536 toxin may need to unfold when transferred between bacteria and that its interaction with CysK could ensure reactivation after entry into target cells. Contact-dependent growth inhibition (CDI) is a widespread mechanism of bacterial competition. CDI+ bacteria deliver the toxic C-terminal region of contact-dependent inhibition A proteins (CdiA-CT) into neighboring target bacteria and produce CDI immunity proteins (CdiI) to protect against self-inhibition. The CdiA-CTEC536 deployed by uropathogenic Escherichia coli 536 (EC536) is a bacterial toxin 28 (Ntox28) domain that only exhibits ribonuclease activity when bound to the cysteine biosynthetic enzyme O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase A (CysK). Here, we present crystal structures of the CysK/CdiA-CTEC536 binary complex and the neutralized ternary complex of CysK/CdiA-CT/CdiIEC536. CdiA-CTEC536 inserts its C-terminal Gly-Tyr-Gly-Ile peptide tail into the active-site cleft of CysK to anchor the interaction. Remarkably, E. coli serine O-acetyltransferase uses a similar Gly-Asp-Gly-Ile motif to form the “cysteine synthase” complex with CysK. The cysteine synthase complex is found throughout bacteria, protozoa, and plants, indicating that CdiA-CTEC536 exploits a highly conserved protein–protein interaction to promote its toxicity. CysK significantly increases CdiA-CTEC536 thermostability and is required for toxin interaction with tRNA substrates. These observations suggest that CysK stabilizes the toxin fold, thereby organizing the nuclease active site for substrate recognition and catalysis. By contrast, Ntox28 domains from Gram-positive bacteria lack C-terminal Gly-Tyr-Gly-Ile motifs, suggesting that they do not interact with CysK. We show that the Ntox28 domain from Ruminococcus lactaris is significantly more thermostable than CdiA-CTEC536, and its intrinsic tRNA-binding properties support CysK-independent nuclease activity. The striking differences between related Ntox28 domains suggest that CDI toxins may be under evolutionary pressure to maintain low global stability.
Output Feedback Tracking Control of an Underactuated Quad-Rotor UAV

This paper proposes a new controller for an underactuated quad-rotor family of small-scale unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) using output feedback (OFB). Specifically, an observer is designed to estimate the velocities and an output feedback controller is designed for a nonlinear UAV system in which only position and angles are measurable. The design is performed via a Lyapunov type analysis. A semi- global uniformly ultimate bounded (SGUUB) tracking result is achieved. Simulation results are shown to demonstrate the proposed approach.
Cardiac high‐sensitivity troponin T measurement: A layer of complexity in managing haemodialysis patients

Aim: To determine: (i) the proportion of stable asymptomatic haemodialysis patients with elevated troponin; (ii) stability of troponin values after dialysis and over a 2‐week interval; and (iii) whether high‐sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) was associated with higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors or cardiovascular disease in these patients.
The gastric cardia: fact or fiction?

OBJECTIVE:It is unclear whether the gastric cardia is present from birth or is metaplastic and develops as a result of gastroesophageal reflux disease. To this end, we evaluated the histology of the entire esophagogastric junction in consecutive pediatric autopsies to determine the presence and extent of cardiac mucosa.METHODS:The entire esophagogastric junction of 33 consecutive pediatric (≤18 yr) autopsies was examined. The precise location of the squamocolumnar junction and its relationship to the esophagogastric junction was noted in all cases. Slides were evaluated by two pathologists in a blinded fashion to look for cardiac mucosa, characterized by unequivocal periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive mucous glands in a lobular configuration. Sections from the antrum and esophagogastric junction were examined for the presence of Helicobacter pylori.RESULTS:Three cases were excluded due to autolysis. The mean age of the 30 remaining patients was 6.3 yr (range: 16 days–18 yr). A regular-appearing squamocolumnar junction was identified at the esophagogastric junction in all 30 cases. Cardiac mucosa was present in all specimens (mean length: 1.8 mm; range: 1.0–4.0 mm), always on the gastric side of the esophagogastric junction. There was no significant association between patient age or gender and length of cardiac mucosa. None of the patients had a known history of gastroesophageal reflux disease or Barrett's esophagus, and none were taking acid-suppressing medications before death. All were negative for Helicobacter pylori by Giemsa stain.CONCLUSIONS:In an unselected pediatric patient population with little or no propensity for gastroesophageal reflux disease, a short segment of cardiac mucosa was consistently present on the gastric side of the esophagogastric junction, independent of gender or age. These results support the concept that the gastric cardia is present from birth as a normal structure.
The use of titanium ligation clips in microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of titanium ligation clips for dilated spermatic veins in microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this retrospective study, eighty-four men with clinical varicocele underwent microsurgical varicocele repair. The patients were divided into two groups according to the ligation materials used for the varicocelectomy (silk sutures vs. titanium clips). Group 1 included 43 patients; these patients underwent microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy with the titanium clips. The 41 patients included in Group 2 underwent microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy with silk sutures. Microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy was performed in all patients. The two study groups were compared in terms of intra-operative and postoperative parameters. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 28.6±4.6 years, and the mean follow-up was 12.3±2.7 months. The two groups exhibited comparable improvements in sperm motility and/or concentration: 79.1% and 82.9% in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively (p>0.05). The operation time in Group 1 (titanium clip) was significantly shorter than in Group 2 (silk sutures). None of the patients experienced any intra-operative complications. There were no significant differences between Group 1 and Group 2 with regard to postoperative recurrences, ligated veins, postoperative complications and hydrocele formation, hospitalization time, the requirement for postoperative analgesia or the time until the patient could return to work. CONCLUSION Titanium ligation clips can be used for the ligation of dilated vessels during microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy, and the operation time is significantly reduced with the use of titanium ligation clips.
Crystal structure of tetraaqua(5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridyl-κ2 N,N′)iron(II) sulfate

In the crystal structure of the title compound, [Fe(dmbpy)(H2O)4][SO4], the charged components form an extensive hydrogen-bonding network. Eight O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds [d(O⋯H) < 2.00 Å], form a two-dimensional network parallel to the ab plane.
Response of epididymal duct to the temporary depletion of spermatozoa induced by testicular irradiation in mice

The mouse epididymal duct can be histologically divided into five segments (I‐V), and the principal cells in segment II appear to secrete periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS)‐positive material into the lumen. In this study, male dd‐mice received one, two, or four 800‐R doses of radiation beginning at age 50 days. Mice receiving multiple doses were irradiated at 1‐week intervals.
TRA-418, a thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist and prostacyclin receptor agonist, inhibits platelet-leukocyte interaction in human whole blood

Summary TRA-418, a compound with both thromboxane A2 receptor (TP receptor) antagonistic and prostacyclin receptor (IP receptor) agonistic activities, was synthesised in our laboratory as a new antithrombotic agent. In this study, we examined the effects of TRA-418 on platelet-leukocyte interactions in human whole blood. Platelet-leukocyte interactions were induced by U-46619 in the presence of epinephrine (U-46619 + epinephrine) or with thrombin receptor agonist peptide 1–6 (TRAP). Platelet-leukocyte interactions were assessed by flow cytometry, with examination of both platelet-neutrophil and platelet-monocyte complexes. In a control experiment, the TP receptor antagonist SQ-29548 significantly inhibited the induction of platelet-leukocyte complexes by the combination of U-46619 and epinephrine, but not TRAP-induced formation of platelet-leukocyte complexes. Conversely, the IP receptor agonist beraprost sodium inhibited platelet-leukocyte complex formation induced by both methods, although the IC50 values of beraprost sodium for U-46619 + epinephrine were at least 10-fold greater than for TRAP. Under such conditions, TRA-418 inhibited both U-46619 + epinephrine-induced and TRAP-induced platelet-leukocyte complex formation in a concentration-dependent manner, in a similar range. These results suggest that TRA-418 exerts its inhibitory effects on platelet-leukocyte interactions by acting as a TP receptor antagonist as well as an IP receptor agonist in an additive or synergistic manner. These inhibitory effects of TRA-418 on formation of platelet-leukocyte complexes suggest the compound is beneficial effects as an antithrombotic agent.