Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuromuscular disease with type I fiber atrophy, central nuclei, and myotube‐like structures

A MUSCULAH DISEASE, characterized by the presence of muscle fibers with central areas devoid of myofibrils and with central nuclei, was described in 1966 by Spiro, Shy, and Gnatas. ’ These fibers resembled the myotubes ordinarily found in early fetal life. I t was postulated that the finding of myotubes indicates an arrest in development of the muscle at a cellular level, and the disease was consequently described as “myotubular myopathy. ” Sher, Rimalovski, Athanassiades, and Aronson? found similar histopathological changes in two sisters. Since the pathogenesis of this unusual disease remained obscure, they preferred the descriptive term “familial centronuclear myopathy . ” What appeared to be the same condition was described by Bethlem, Meijer, Schellens, and Vroom,s who found the above-mentioned abnormalities in both type I and type ‘TI fibers and also in fibers with medium enzyme activity. The clinical picture was strikingly similar in all these cases: onset in the first year of life, slow progression, involvement of the extraocular muscles and the muscles of the face, neck, and limbs, and absence of the deep tendon reflexes. There was no involvement of the extraocular muscles in the patient with myotubular myopathy described by Kinoshita and Cadman.4 In this case, too, both type I and type I1 fibers were affected. Another condition characterized by the presence of central nuclei was described by Engel, Gold, and Karpati.5 Their case showed a pattern of widespread hypotrophy and central nuclei affecting virtually all type I fibers and a minority of the type I1 fibers. This congenital muscular abnormality was described as “type I fiber hypotrophy and central nuclei. ” We found type I fiber atrophy, myotube-like structures, and central nuclei in a patient who also showed indications of neurogenic muscle involvement. Reports will be presented on this patient, her diseased brother, and their clinically healthy parents and sister.
Design and experimental evaluation of a tendon-driven minimally invasive surgical robotic tool with antagonistic control

The design, implementation and experimental evaluation of a minimally invasive surgical robotic instrument is presented in this article. The tool is constructed using rapid prototyping techniques and each degree-of-freedom is actuated via an antagonistic tendon driven mechanism using servo motors. The accompanying software runs under the Robot Operating System framework. The kinematics of the tool are discussed and the efficiency of the system is investigated in experimental studies, which are showcased in order to assess its potential use in a clinical environment.
Genetics of ABO, H, Lewis, X and Related Antigens

Abstract. The present knowledge on chemical, enzymatic, serologic and genetic aspects of ABH antigens is reviewed in an effort to produce a simple and coherent genetic model for the biosynthesis of these antigens and chemically related structures. The genetic control of type 1 (Lea, Leb, Lec and Led), type 2 (X, Y, I, and H), type 3 and type 4 ABH and related antigens in different animal and human tissues is analyzed, taking into account the properties of the glycosyltransferases which are involved in their synthesis and considering possible competition for common acceptor and donor substrates. The phylogeny of ABH determinants shows that they appeared as tissular antigens much earlier than as red cell antigens. The ontogeny of ABH antigens suggests that they behave as differentiation antigens, and an effort is made to correlate their tissular distribution in the adult with the embryological origin of each tissue.
Molecular Characterization of Syphilis in Patients in Canada: Azithromycin Resistance and Detection of Treponema pallidum DNA in Whole-Blood Samples versus Ulcerative Swabs

ABSTRACT Although detection of Treponema pallidum DNA in whole-blood specimens of syphilis patients has been reported, it is uncertain at what stage of the disease such specimens are most suitable for the molecular diagnosis of syphilis. Also, few studies have directly compared the different gene targets for routine laboratory diagnostic usage in PCR assays. We examined 87 specimens from 68 patients attending two urban sexually transmitted disease clinics in Alberta, Canada. PCR was used to amplify the T. pallidum tpp47, bmp, and polA genes as well as a specific region of the 23S rRNA gene linked to macrolide antibiotic susceptibility. In primary syphilis cases, PCR was positive exclusively (75% sensitivity rate) in ulcerative swabs but not in blood specimens, while in secondary syphilis cases, 50% of the blood specimens were positive by PCR. Four out of 14 (28.6%) of our PCR-positive syphilis cases were found to be caused by an azithromycin-resistant strain(s). Our results confirmed that swabs from primary ulcers are the specimens of choice for laboratory diagnostic purposes. However, further research is required to determine what specimen(s) would be most appropriate for molecular investigation of syphilis in secondary and latent syphilis.
A large-signal RF reliability study of complementary SiGe HBTs on SOI intended for use in wireless applications

For the first time, a large-signal RF stress study of complementary (npn + pnp) SiGe HBTs on thick-film SOI is performed, and analyses based on device physics are presented, shedding light on the observed failure mechanisms of these C-SiGe HBTs at very high RF input power. Two types of npn SiGe HBTs, low-breakdown voltage (LVNPN) and high-breakdown voltage (HVNPN) devices, as well as a high-breakdown voltage pnp SiGe HBT (HVPNP) in a 250 nm C-SiGe on SOI process are investigated. It is shown that the HVPNP can withstand aggressive RF stress for longer periods of time, compared with the LVNPN and the HVNPN, which succumb to several interesting modes of catastrophic device failure. A case is made for the use of pnp SiGe HBTs in sensitive RF front-ends that may be exposed to non-limited high RF power due to leakages in the transmit/receive (T/R) path or RF reflections.
Service provision for older people with mental health problems in a rural area of Australia

Objectives: Unmet mental health care needs of older people (aged 65 and over) have been identified as a serious problem internationally, particularly in rural areas. In this study we explored the views of health and social care providers of the barriers to effective mental health care for older people in a rural region in Australia.Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 participants from 13 organisations providing care and support to older people in a rural region of Australia. A framework analysis approach was used to thematically analyse the data.Results: Two main themes were identified: ‘Recognising the Problem’ and ‘Service Availability and Access’. In particular the participants identified the impact of the attitudes of older people and health professionals, as well as service inadequacies and gaps in services, on the provision of mental health care to older people in a rural region.Conclusion: This study supports previous work on intrinsic and extrinsic barriers to older people with mental health problems accessing mental health services. The study also offers new insight into the difficulties that arise from the separation of physical and mental health systems for older people with multiple needs, and the impact of living in a rural region on unmet mental health care needs of older people.
Digital calibration of gain and linearity in a CMOS RF mixer

This paper presents a new digital calibration technique that allows CMOS Gilbert cell down-conversion mixers to meet their block specifications under large process, temperature and power supply variations. The gain and IIP3 are calibrated by regulating the current of the input differential pair and by switching the loads. IIP2 calibration is achieved by using a novel technique that consists of offset voltages cancellation in the switching pairs. The technique is tested by calibrating a 0.18um CMOS mixer in several corner conditions. It is found that by using this calibration technique, the Gilbert cell mixer can achieve yields comparable to digital circuits, hence making it amenable to AMS SoC integration.
Enhanced localized fluorescence in plasmonic nanoantennae

Pairs of gold elliptical nanoparticles form antennae, resonant in the visible. A dye, embedded in a dielectric host, coats the antennae; its emission excites plasmon resonances in the antennae and is enhanced. Far-field excitation of the dye-nanoantenna system shows a wavelength-dependent increase in fluorescence that reaches 100 times enhancement. Near-field excitation shows enhanced fluorescence from a single nanoantenna localized in a subwavelength area of ∼0. 15μm2. The polarization of enhanced emission is along the main antenna axis. These observed experimental results are important for increasing light extraction from emitters localized around antennae and for potential development of a subwavelength sized laser.
A strategic approach to m-health

This article proposes a strategic framework or road map for sustainable m-health. The drivers and critical success factors of this framework are identified from the literature and a survey of the views of senior strategists in the New Zealand health sector. The success factors are associated with key tasks in the framework that identify suitable applications, channel development activity, and confirm activity by continued support of innovation whilst moving successful applications into the mainstream. The two most important outcomes from the research are that m-health has a crucial, even inevitable, role to play in future healthcare, and the development and exploitation of m-health demands a top-down strategy or framework to match and encourage bottom-up innovation by healthcare practioners. Without such a strategy to guide (but not direct) innovation, many otherwise valuable advances will not be sustainable and resources will be wasted on questionable applications that will slow development and reduce credibility.
CONSUMER PREFERENCES AND WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR FOOD LABELING: A DISCUSSION OF EMPIRICAL STUDIES

We discuss empirical research on consumer preferences and willingness to pay for several types of food quality or attribute labeling. The selected categories we include are eco-labels, GM food labels, U.S. state agricultural-product labels and European Protected Geographical Indication labels, BSE-tested-beef labels, and Â“"Fair TradeÂ”" labels. We discuss generalizations that can be drawn from the studies as a group. Most importantly, we find that consumers must perceive high quality in order for the food product to command a premium. Furthermore, the perception of quality may sometimes differ across consumers.
Development of electromagnetic induction type MEMS air turbine generator with ball bearing

This paper suggests the MEMS air turbine that used for the MEMS electromagnetic induction type generator. In the MEMS air turbine that employed the fluid dynamic bearing system, the gap between the magnet and the magnetic circuit and the eccentric motion of the rotor are problem in the high efficiency and the high output power. The developed MEMS air turbine has miniature silicon structure and the miniature bearing structure. The bearing structure is extended to suppress the eccentric motion and to close the gap between the magnet and the magnetic circuit. The dimension error of the fabricated MEMS air turbine components is less than ± 6 micro meter. Therefore, the microstructure with high-accuracy and high-aspect-ratio can be fabricated by the MEMS process. By forming the guide structure, the assembly error is less than ± 5 micro meter. The combined MEMS air turbine with the ball bearing is achieved, and the dimensions are 4.36 mm, 4.25 mm, and 3.60mm, respectively. Moreover, it is possible to close the distance of the gap by introducing the bearing structure. In the rotational experiment, the rotational motion of the rotor is achieved when the magnetic force applying from the outside of the fabricated turbine. Accordingly, it is possible to realize the rotational structure that is combined with the MEMS silicon components and the ball bearing. In the future work, in order to achieve the rotational motion by the air pressure, the rotational structure will be optimization about the reducing weight of the rotor and the air passage.
Oral Contraceptive Use May Modulate Global Genomic DNA Methylation and Promoter Methylation of APC1 and ESR1

Background: There are challenging reports in the public health sphere regarding associations between oral contraceptive (OC) use and cancer risk. Methods: To evaluate possible effects of OCs on cancer susceptibility, we quantified of global 5-methyl cytosine (5-mC) levels and assessed methylation patterns of CpG islands of two key tumor suppressor genes, APC1 and ESR1, in serum of users by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and methylation specific PCR methods, respectively. Results: Our results indicated that OCs significantly decrease the level of global DNA methylation in users relative to control non-users. However, our data revealed no significant differences between CpG island methylation patterns for ESR1 and APC1 in healthy control and OC-treated women. However, we did find a trend for hypermethylation of both tumor suppressor genes in OC users. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the level of 5-mC but not individual CpG island patterns is significantly influenced by OCs in our cross-section of adult users.
Immunohistochemical localization of an inducible form of nitric oxide synthase in various organs of rats treated with Propionibacterium acnes and lipopolysaccharide

Immunohistochemical localization of an endotoxin‐inducible form of nitric oxide synthase was examined using rabbit polyclonal antibody against the enzyme purified from rat liver. In rats treated with Propionibacterium acnes and lipopolysaccharide, immunostaining was observed in macrophages, occasional lymphocytes, neutrophils and eosinophils in red pulp of spleen, Kupffer cells, endothelial cells and hepatocytes in liver, alveolar macrophages in lung, macrophages and endothelial cells in adrenal glands, and histiocytes, eosinophils, mast cells and endothelial cells in colon. Immunoreactivity was also evident in the following tissues: histiocytes and endothelial cells in kidney; histiocytes and neutrophils in esophagus; macrophages and eosinophils in duodenum; macrophages, some lymphocytes and mast cells in ileum; histiocytes in thymus; and endothelial cells in heart and aorta. Immunoreactivity was not detected in these organs from untreated rats. Positively staining cells in these rat organs appeared within 2.5 h after lipopolysaccharide administration; their number dramatically increased within the next 2.5 h, remained at high levels for a further 19 h, and then decreased over the following 24 h. The number of positive cells appearing correlated well with the nitric oxide synthase activity biochemically determined in the same organs.
Improvement of Interpoly Dielectric Characteristics by Plasma Nitridation and Oxidation for Future nand Flash Memory

In this letter, plasma nitridation and oxidation on interpoly dielectric (IPD; SiO2-SiN-SiO2 ) for cell programming speed and reliabilities are investigated. Nitrided top oxide with N2 plasma shows excellent physical and electrical properties in terms of edge profile on IPD and fast programming voltage. However, plasma nitridation on a floating gate suffers from data retention problems that result from nitridelike residue along the word line. A method to densify and reoxidize bottom oxide with O2 plasma oxidation is proposed for leakage path inhibition and data retention improvement.
Rescue of Light Responses in the Drosophila “Null” Phospholipase C Mutant, norpAP24, by the Diacylglycerol Kinase Mutant, rdgA, and by Metabolic Inhibition*

Light responses in Drosophila are reportedly abolished in severe mutants of the phospholipase C (PLC) gene, norpA. However, on establishing the whole-cell recording configuration in photoreceptors of the supposedly null allele, norpAP24, we detected a small (∼15 pA) inward current that represented spontaneous light channel activity. The current decayed during ∼20 min, after which tiny residual responses (<2 pA) were elicited by intense flashes. Both spontaneous currents and light responses appeared to be mediated by residual PLC activity, because they were enhanced by impairing diacylglycerol (DAG) kinase function by mutation (rdgA) or by restricting ATP but were reduced or abolished by a mutation of the PLC-specific Gq α subunit. It was reported recently that metabolic inhibition activated the light-sensitive transient receptor potential and transient receptor potential-like channels, even in norpAP24, leading to the conclusion that this action was independent of PLC (Agam, K., von Campenhausen, M., Levy, S., Ben-Ami, H. C., Cook, B., Kirschfeld, K., and Minke, B. (2000) J. Neurosci. 20, 5748–5755). However, we found that channel activation by metabolic inhibitors in norpAP24 was strictly dependent on the residual PLC activity underlying the spontaneous current, because the inhibitors failed to activate any channels after the spontaneous current had decayed. By contrast, polyunsaturated fatty acids invariably activated the channels independently of PLC. The results strongly support the obligatory requirement for PLC and DAG in Drosophila phototransduction, suggest that activation by metabolic inhibition is primarily because of the failure of diacylglycerol kinase, and are consistent with the proposal that polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are potential DAG metabolites, act directly on the channels.
Caring for Patients Under Medicaid Mandatory Managed Care: Perspectives of Primary Care Physicians

The purpose of the study was to describe the experiences of primary care physicians caring for Medicaid recipients in a demonstration mandatory health maintenance organization (HMO) managed care program. The authors collected data through semistructured individual or focus group interviews with 14 physicians and through interviews with the chief executive officers of the three HMOs participating in the demonstration program. Interview questions, developed initially from a review of the literature, addressed physicians’ experiences as primary care providers for Medicaid recipients under traditional fee-for-service and under managed care arrangements through the demonstration program. Four themes emerged: providers’ hassles and burdens, the complex needs of Medicaid patients, improved access to care under managed care, and individual providers’ disconnect from the processes of health policy implementation and program evaluation.
Cognitive Profiles of Elder Adult Protective Services Clients Living in Squalor

The purpose of this study was to determine whether squalor-dwelling Adult Protective Services (APS) clients were more cognitively impaired than non–squalor-dwelling APS clients referred for decision-making capacity assessments. The authors performed a retrospective medical record review of neuropsychological and demographic data gathered during decisional capacity assessments. Squalor dwelling was defined by unsanitary living conditions that posed a danger to the occupant’s health or safety. Mean neuropsychological test scores were compared between squalor-dwelling (n = 50) and non–squalor-dwelling (n = 180) subjects. Squalor-dwelling clients were significantly younger than non–squalor-dwelling clients. There were no distribution differences among gender, education, race, or rural-dwelling status. Although both groups performed poorly on each neuropsychological measure, squalor dwellers demonstrated better memory and general cognitive performance. Cognition, depression, gender, race, education, dementia diagnosis, and rural-dwelling status seem insufficient to explain squalor-dwelling behaviors. Other biological and psychosocial variables should be considered.
Malignant disorders of small lymphocytes. Small lymphocytic lymphoma, lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia: their clinical and laboratory relationship.

Within the group of small lymphocytic proliferations, three clinicopathologic disease entities are generally recognized: small lymphocytic (well-differentiated) non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (SLL), lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, LPL), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) 1 . This classification is based on certain hematologic and serum immunoglobulin findings, as indicated in Table 1. Small lymphocytic disorders are neoplasias of B cells, at several stages of differentiation, and therefore express immunologic features of the B-cell lineage 2,3
A computer-aided diagnosis system to screen for osteoporosis using dental panoramic radiographs.

OBJECTIVES An eroded inferior cortex of the mandible detected on dental panoramic radiographs is useful for identifying post-menopausal women with low skeletal bone mineral density (BMD) or osteoporosis. The purposes of this study were to develop a computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system that automatically determines cortical erosion of the mandible on dental panoramic radiographs and to assess the validation of this CAD system. METHODS A CAD system was developed based on mathematical morphology for identifying post-menopausal women with low skeletal BMD or osteoporosis, based on World Health Organization criteria, by identifying whether the endosteal margin of mandibular cortical bone was eroded. The sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, accuracy and likelihood for a positive risk result were calculated using dichotomous 2 x 2 tables using 100 panoramic radiographs. RESULTS For identifying women with low skeletal BMD, the sensitivity and specificity were 76.8% and 61.1%, respectively, the positive and negative predictive values were 90.0% and 36.7%, accuracy was 74.0% and the likelihood for positive risk was 1.96. The respective values for identifying women with osteoporosis were 94.4% and 43.8%, the positive and negative predictive values were 48.6% and 93.3%, respectively, the accuracy was 62.0% and the likelihood for positive risk was 1.68. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that a CAD system applied to dental panoramic radiographs may be useful for identifying post-menopausal women with low skeletal BMD or osteoporosis.
Development of a sirolimus-eluting poly (l-lactide)/poly(4-hydroxybutyrate) absorbable stent for peripheral vascular intervention

Abstract Fully absorbable drug-eluting stent platforms are currently entering the clinical arena for the interventional treatment of coronary artery disease. This new technology also holds potential for application in peripheral vascular settings. Our study reports on the development of a sirolimus- (SIR) eluting absorbable polymer stent made from a blend of poly(l-lactide) and poly(4-hydroxybutyrate) (PLLA/P4HB) for peripheral vascular intervention. Stent prototypes were laser-cut from PLLA/P4HB tubes (I.D.=2.2 mm, t=250 µm), spray-coated with different PLLA/P4HB/SIR solutions, and bench-tested to determine expansion properties, fatigue, trackability and in vitro drug release kinetics. The stent prototypes were expanded with a 5.0×20 mm balloon catheter, and exhibited a recoil of 3.6% upon balloon deflation. Stent collapse pressure of 0.4 bar (300 mm Hg) was measured under external pressure load. Sustained scaffolding properties were observed in vitro over 14 weeks of radial fatigue loading (50±25 mm Hg at 1.2 Hz). Trackability was demonstrated in bench tests with an 8 French contralateral introducer sheath. SIR release kinetics were adjusted over a broad range by varying the PLLA/P4HB ratio of the coating matrix. The newly developed absorbable SIR-eluting PLLA/P4HB stent successfully fulfilled the requirements for peripheral vascular intervention under in vitro conditions.