Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification and Characterization of a Conserved Erythroid-specific Enhancer Located in Intron 8 of the Human 5-Aminolevulinate Synthase 2 Gene*

Thirty five kilobases of sequence encompassing the human erythroid 5-aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS2) gene have been determined. Analysis revealed a very low GC content, few repetitive elements, and evidence for the insertion of a reverse-transcribed mRNA sequence and a neighboring gene. We have investigated whether introns 1, 3, and 8, which correspond to DNase I-hypersensitivity sites in the structurally related mouseALAS2 gene, affect expression of the humanALAS2 promoter in transient expression assays. Whereas intron 3 was marginally inhibitory, introns 1 and 8 of the human gene stimulated promoter activity. Intron 8 harbored a strong erythroid-specific enhancer activity which was orientation-dependent. Deletion analysis of this region localized enhancer activity to a fragment of 239 base pairs. Transcription factor binding sites clustered within this region include GATA motifs and CACCC boxes, critical regulatory sequences of many erythroid cell-expressed genes. These sites were also identified in the corresponding intron of both the murine and canine ALAS2genes. Mutagenesis of these conserved sites in the human intron 8 sequence and transient expression analysis in erythroid cells established the functional importance of one GATA motif and two CACCC boxes. The GATA motif bound GATA-1 in vitro. The two functional CACCC boxes each bound Sp1 or a related protein in vitro, but binding of the erythroid Krüppel-like factor and the basic Krüppel-like factor could not be detected. The intron 8 enhancer region was not activated by GATA-1 together with Sp1 in transactivation experiments in COS-1 cells indicating the involvement of a related Sp1 protein or of another unidentified erythroid factor. Overall, these results demonstrate that a GATA-1-binding site and CACCC boxes located within the human ALAS2 intron 8 are critical for the erythroid-specific enhancer activity in transfected erythroid cells, and due to the conserved nature of these binding sites across species, it seems likely that these sites play a functional role in the tissue-restricted expression of the gene in vivo.
Productive symptoms in right brain damage

Purpose of reviewThe purpose of this review is to summarize the more recent studies on productive symptoms from the neuropsychological, neurophysiological and anatomical points of view. The integration of these aspects may provide some clarifications on the cognitive impairments underpinning the main productive disorders, also contributing to better understand the normal functioning of the brain. Recent findingsProductive symptoms are closely associated to spatial neglect and are distinguished in relation to the part of space they manifest. The investigation of perseveration in extrapersonal space with different manipulations helps to understand the neuropathological mechanisms underlying this symptom. Anosognosia for hemiplegia and somatoparaphrenia may be considered as disorders of body representation (personal space). Recently it has been proposed that these disorders may be ascribed to an impairment of different levels of motor control. The identification of the anatomical correlates of these two disorders contributes to better understanding of their the cognitive nature. SummaryProductive behaviours have diverse clinical manifestations and may be induced by different mechanisms. Lesional studies are beginning to provide evidence for specific anatomical correlates of these disorders. Further investigations are needed to better understand to what extent productive symptoms can be disentagled from spatial neglect. These attempts may contribute to clarifying the role of the right hemisphere in monitoring spatial cognition.
Stand-alone anterior lumbar interbody fusion: indications, techniques, surgical outcomes and complications

ABSTRACT Introduction: Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is a well-established technique to achieve lumbar spine fusion with various indications including degenerative disk disease, spondylolisthesis, recurrent disk herniation, adjacent level disease, pseudoarthrosis, as well as being used as part of the overall strategy to restore sagittal balance. ALIF can be an extremely useful tool in any spine surgeon’s armamentarium. However, like any surgical procedure, proper patient selection is key to success. A solid understanding of the biomechanics, careful surgical planning, along with clear knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of stand-alone ALIF will ensure optimal clinical outcome. Stand-alone ALIF may be a suitable surgical option in carefully selected patients that can provide good clinical results and adequate fusion rates without the need for posterior instrumentation. Areas covered: A brief overview of the indications, techniques, biomechanics, surgical outcome and complications of stand-alone ALIF is provided in this article with a review of the pertinent literature. Expert commentary: In this review we discuss the clinical evidence of using a stand-alone ALIF compared to other fusion techniques of the lumbar spine. The development of interbody cages with integrated screws has increased the arthrodesis rate and improved clinical outcomes while decreasing morbidity and operative time.
A new real time Range-Doppler imaging algorithm

This paper firstly describes the processing of Range-Doppler imaging algorithm and FFT interpolation for range cell migration correction, and then forms a improved range-doppler algorithm for SAR imaging with combining the two methods, which has much less computation time. In order to eliminate computation further, the Pruning FFT technique is used.
Experimental transmission of malacosporean parasites from bryozoans to common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus)

SUMMARY To address whether a fish host is involved in the life cycles of malacosporeans of the genus Buddenbrockia, cohabitation experiments with different bryozoan and fish species were conducted. Samples were analysed by malacosporean-specific PCR, partial sequencing of the 18S rDNA, and light and electron microscopy. Co-habitation challenges with bryozoans resulted in malacosporean infections detected mainly in the kidney of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus). Sequences of the minnow parasite and of worm-like Buddenbrockia stages in Plumatella repens were identical and showed 99·5% similarity to Buddenbrockia plumatellae and 96·3% similarity to the sequence obtained from carp. One sample, comprising 4–5 zooids of statoblast-raised bryozoans cohabitated with infected carp was PCR-positive, but no overt infection could be observed in the remaining colony. Light and electron-microscopy of kidney samples of infected minnows revealed single cells within kidney tubules, whereas in carp, sporogonic stages were found in kidney tubules. Phylogenetic analysis of the Buddenbrockia spp. known to date placed the carp-infecting species at the base of the B. plumatellae clade, but low posterior probability makes this node questionable. The present study showed that Buddenbrockia spp. were able to infect cyprinid fish, showing stages in kidney-tubules strikingly similar to those of T. bryosalmonae.
Strain on intervertebral discs after anterior cervical decompression and fusion.

STUDY DESIGN An analysis of the change in strain distribution of intervertebral discs present after anterior cervical decompression and fusion by an original method. The analytical results were compared to occurrence of herniation of the intervertebral disc on magnetic resonance imaging. OBJECTIVES To elucidate the influence of anterior cervical decompression and fusion on the unfused segments of the spine. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA There is no consensus regarding the exact significance of the biomechanical change in the unfused segment present after surgery. METHODS Ninety-six patients subjected to anterior cervical decompression and fusion for herniation of intervertebral discs were examined. Shear strain and longitudinal strain of intervertebral discs were analyzed on pre- and postoperative lateral dynamic routine radiography of the cervical spine. Thirty of the 96 patients were examined by magnetic resonance imaging before and after surgery, and the relation between alteration in strains and postsurgical occurrence of disc herniation was examined. RESULTS In the cases of double- or triple-level fusion, shear strain of adjacent segments had increased 20% on average 1 year after surgery. Thirteen intervertebral discs that had an abnormally high degree of strain showed an increase in longitudinal strain after surgery. Eleven (85%) of the 13 discs that showed an abnormal increase in longitudinal strain had herniation in the same intervertebral discs with compression of the spinal cord during the follow-up period. Relief of symptoms was significantly poor in the patients with recent herniation. CONCLUSIONS Close attention should be paid to long-term biomechanical changes in the unfused segment.
Etiology of the Metabolic Syndrome: Potential Role of Insulin Resistance, Leptin Resistance, and Other Players

ABSTRACT: Obesity and Type 2 diabetes are now major public health issues in developed nations and have reached epidemic proportions in many developing nations, as well as disadvantaged groups in developed countries, e.g., Mexican‐Americans, African‐Americans, and Australian Aborigines. These groups all show hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, which have been demonstrated to be future predictors of Type 2 diabetes and have also been suggested as key factors in the etiology of the Metabolic Syndrome. It is now increasingly recognized that Type 2 diabetes is part of a cluster of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors comprising the Metabolic Syndrome. This group is at very high risk of atherosclerosis because each of the risk factors in the Metabolic Syndrome cluster in its own right is an important CVD risk factor. They also contribute cumulatively to atherosclerosis. A key strategy in reducing macrovascular disease lies in the better understanding of the Metabolic Syndrome‐glucose intolerance, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and central obesity. Although it has been suggested that hyperinsulinemia/insulin resistance is the central etiological factor for the Metabolic Syndrome, epidemiological data do not support the idea that this can account for all of the cluster abnormalities. We have animal and human data suggesting that hyperleptinemia rather than, or synergistically with, hyperinsulinemia may play a central role in the genesis of the CVD risk factor cluster that constitutes the syndrome. Studies in Psammomys obesus (the Israeli sand rat) suggest hyperinsulinemia/insulin resistance is an early metabolic lesion in the development of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. This animal also develops other features of the Metabolic Syndrome, making it an excellent model to investigate etiology. Psammomys, when placed on an ad libitum laboratory diet, develops hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. It also develops hyperleptinemia and leptin insensitivity, and hyperleptinemia is correlated with insulin resistance independent of changes in body weight. It is likely that a similar sequence occurs in the transition from the prediabetic state to Type 2 diabetes in humans. More recently, other potential players in the etiology of the Metabolic Syndrome have been suggested including endothelial dysfunction and acetylation‐stimulating protein (ASP). It has been suggested that endothelial dysfunction may be an antecedent for both Type 2 diabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome. In addition, ASP is a serious new candidate for an important role in insulin resistance. The ASP pathway plays a critical role in fatty acid metabolism and storage, and it has been suggested that ineffective storage of fatty acids by adipocytes due to a defect in the ASP pathway may lead to insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes.
Psychometric Testing Confirms That the Brazilian-Portuguese Adaptations, the Original Versions of the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, and the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia Have Similar Measurement Properties

Study Design. Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and psychometric testing of 2 questionnaires. Objective. The objectives of this study were to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) to Brazilian-Portuguese and to test the psychometric properties of the Brazilian-Portuguese versions of the FABQ and the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK). Summary of Background Data. Self-report measures of fear-avoidance have been widely used in clinical practice and in research. To date there is no Brazilian-Portuguese version of the FABQ and the Brazilian-Portuguese TSK has not yet been comprehensively tested. Methods. The FABQ was cross-culturally adapted after the recommendations from the Guidelines for the process of cross-cultural adaptation of self-report measures. The Brazilian-Portuguese versions of the FABQ and the TSK were tested for internal consistency, reproducibility, ceiling and floor effects, construct validity, and internal and external responsiveness. Results. Both instruments yielded high values for internal consistency and reproducibility [(Cronbach's &agr; FABQ = 0.93 and TSK = 0.82) and (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient FABQ = 0.96 and TSK = 0.93)]. No ceiling and floor effects were detected in either questionnaire. The FABQ and TSK were highly correlated (r = 0.86) and they were moderately correlated with the pain numerical rating scale at baseline (r = 0.42 and r = 0.43, respectively) showing good construct validity. The TSK was shown to be more responsive than the FABQ in all internal and external responsiveness analyses. Conclusion. Both the Brazilian-Portuguese versions of the FABQ and the TSK are equally useful in terms of description and identification of patients with fear-avoidance behavior; however, in situations that clinicians or researchers aimed to use fear-avoidance as a follow-up measurement for treatment outcomes it seems that the TSK is the better option due to its better capacity to identify change over time.
Using blogs to explore the lived‐experience of life after stroke: “A journey of discovery I never wanted to take”

AIMS To explore the lived-experiences of stroke survivors as expressed in blogs and to discover the role the blogs play in the writers' lives. BACKGROUND Stroke can be a devastating, life changing event. Previous qualitative studies tend to examine one aspect of life after stroke. As stroke often has multiple effects, it is necessary to look widely at its lived-experience. New resources which can enable researchers to explore the lived-experience of stroke are blogs. DESIGN Phenomenological exploration using an interpretive thematic analysis. METHODS The Internet was searched for stroke survivors' blogs (January-March 2016) using pre-set criteria, seeking blogs with entries over an extended time (>1 year). Suitable blogs were identified and codes of meaning were identified and developed into categories, subthemes and themes. FINDINGS Eight blogs were identified for analysis. Of the 40 categories, eight subthemes were assimilated; internal dialogue, emotions, transition, stroke effects, health care, "in the world", relationships, rehabilitation. Two main themes were identified related to perspectives of lived-experience; Internal relationship with "self" and External relationship with "the world". Participants expressed loss and initially strove to regain their "old" lives, their focus being recovery and independence. CONCLUSION Stroke survivors must transition from their previous life to a new and initially unwelcome way of being. Rehabilitation should respect this process and support stroke survivors as they undertake this individual journey.
Using Strategic CSR to Achieve the Hybrid Middle Ground in Social Entrepreneurship: The Case of Telenor Hungary

— To be considered a socially entrepreneurial organization today requires achieving what can be termed a “hybrid middle ground” equilibrium, comprising of economic as well as social sustainability. This middle ground requires some blend of both business and social commitments. In this paper, we use the case of Hungary's second ranked mobile operator, Telenor Hungary to illustrate an example of a company that is moving to the hybrid middle ground by transitioning from a for-profit company to a socially responsible business using the concept of strategic CSR. In this line of thinking, the organization explicitly supports programs and initiatives that have a direct link to the core business and bring operational and/or financial advantages for the company, while creating a positive social and/or environmental impact. The important lessons learned from the company transition are also discussed.
Analysis and Mapping of Video Decoding Algorithm on Coarse-Grain Reconfigurable Array

Abstract-Because of the high computation demand for multimedia applications like video decoding, there is a need to develop flexible and high performance reconfigurable computing architectures. Taking video decoding algorithm as an example, we propose a reconfigurable computing realization solution of multimedia application. Based on the analysis of parallelism in video decoding algorithm, a hardware platform was chosen. Then the video decoding algorithm was adjusted according to the character of platform, and mapped onto the it. Electronic system level simulation of the mapping was made, and the result was compared to the result on arm. The result shows there is about 35% improvement by speed in DCT and about 145% in sample interpolation algorithm. In the last part of the paper, some improvement of the hardware platform was proposed according to the character of video decoding.
Potential Biosorbent Derived from Calligonum polygonoides for Removal of Methylene Blue Dye from Aqueous Solution

The ash of C. polygonoides (locally called balanza) was collected from Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, and was utilized as biosorbent for methylene blue (MB) removal from aqueous solution. The ash was used as biosorbent without any physical or chemical treatment. The biosorbent was characterized by using various techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The particle size and surface area were measured using particle size analyzer and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller equation (BET), respectively. The SEM and BET results expressed that the adsorbent has porous nature. Effects of various conditions such as initial concentration of methylene blue (MB), initial pH, contact time, dosage of biosorbent, and stirring rate were also investigated for the adsorption process. The rate of the adsorption of MB on biomass sample was fast, and equilibrium has been achieved within 1 hour. The kinetics of MB adsorption on biosorbent was studied by pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order kinetic models and the pseudo-second-order has better mathematical fit with correlation coefficient value (R 2) of 0.999. The study revealed that C. polygonoides ash proved to be an effective, alternative, inexpensive, and environmentally benign biosorbent for MB removal from aqueous solution.
Canadian Healthcare Perspective in Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation

Brain injury rehabilitation is based on principles of universal access to healthcare in a publicly funded system and is available to all residents in Canada. However, a variability of resources exists because of the vastness of the country and differences in provincial funding. Rehabilitation is typically provided by an interprofessional team and is client centered, goal directed, evidence based, and aimed at improving quality of life for survivors of brain injury. Work is being done exploring different models of care including community treatment and the use of rehabilitation therapists. Patient education is an ongoing priority. Data collection is considered mandatory in many centers for program evaluation and quality improvement. There is a clear need for coordinated standards of care across the country.
Estudo comparativo entre os métodos de estimativa visual e goniometria para avaliação das amplitudes de movimento da articulação do ombro

Objetivo: comparar a utilização das técnicas de estimativa visual e de goniometria para medidas de amplitudes de movimento (ADM´s) do ombro (elevação, extensão, abdução e rotações externa/interna a 90° de abdução) e indicar o melhor procedimento e referência para medidas das ADM’s da articulação do ombro. Métodos: dois profissionais da área de saúde com diferentes experiências na avaliação de ADM’s avaliaram noventa e sete indivíduos normais de ambos os sexos com idade entre 20 a 50 anos, utilizando os métodos de estimativa visual recomendados pela American Academy Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) e o método de goniometria recomendado por Norkin e White (1997). Comparações entre os métodos apresentaram diferenças significativas para todos os movimentos. Conclusões: existem diferenças entre os valores das ADM’s do ombro avaliadas pelo método de estimativa visual da AAOS e os valores obtidos pela goniometria, sugerindo que a goniometria é até o momento, o melhor método para avaliar diferenças discretas entre as medidas.
Impact of Snacking Pattern on Overweight and Obesity Risk in a Cohort of 11- to 13-Year-Old Adolescents

Objectives: The association between snacking habits and overweight in adolescents is unclear. We evaluated the relation between snacking patterns and overweight/obesity in a cohort of 11- to 13-year-old Italian adolescents. Methods: The dietary habits of 400 randomly selected adolescents were evaluated; those with body mass index ≥85th percentile were considered as overweight/obese. Participants were classified based on the percentage of caloric intake from snacks (<15%, 15%–20%, >20%), snacking frequency (1, 2, ≥3), and timing of consuming the most caloric snack (morning, afternoon, evening). Results: A minority of participants (13/400, 3.3%) did not consume any snacks; 5/13 (38.5) of them were overweight/obese. Among snackers (387/400), overweight/obesity prevalence was 10.4%, 14.4%, 20.5%, respectively, in those consuming <15%, 15% to 10%, and >20% of their energy intake from snacks. In a Poisson regression model, the overweight/obesity relative risks (RRs) were 1.35 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58–3.15) and 2.32 (1.10–4.89) for 15% to 20% and >20% calories/day from snacks, respectively. Overweight/obesity prevalence (from 9.6% to 22.6%) was correlated with snacking frequency (RR 2.20, 95% CI 0.92–5.27, and RR 4.17, 95% CI 1.60–10.9, for 2 and ≥3 snacks per day, respectively). The most caloric snacks were consumed in the morning (180/387) and afternoon (179/387); 28.6% of the predominantly evening snackers (28/387) were overweight/obese (RR 3.12, 95% CI 1.17–8.34). Conclusions: Increased snacking calories, frequency, and evening snacking are independently associated with overweight/obesity in Italian middle-school adolescents.