Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Peroneal Nerve Functional Electrical Stimulation Versus Ankle-Foot Orthosis in Patients With Chronic Stroke

Background. Evidence supports peroneal nerve functional electrical stimulation (FES) as an effective alternative to ankle-foot orthoses (AFO) for treatment of foot drop poststroke, but few randomized controlled comparisons exist. Objective. To compare changes in gait and quality of life (QoL) between FES and an AFO in individuals with foot drop poststroke. Methods. In a multicenter randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT01087957) with unblinded outcome assessments, 495 Medicare-eligible individuals at least 6 months poststroke wore FES or an AFO for 6 months. Primary endpoints: 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), a composite of the Mobility, Activities of Daily Living/Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, and Social Participation subscores on the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS), and device-related serious adverse event rate. Secondary endpoints: 6-Minute Walk Test, GaitRite Functional Ambulation Profile (FAP), Modified Emory Functional Ambulation Profile (mEFAP), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go, individual SIS domains, and Stroke-Specific Quality of Life measures. Multiply imputed intention-to-treat analyses were used with primary endpoints tested for noninferiority and secondary endpoints tested for superiority. Results. A total of 399 subjects completed the study. FES proved noninferior to the AFO for all primary endpoints. Both the FES and AFO groups improved significantly on the 10MWT. Within the FES group, significant improvements were found for SIS composite score, total mFEAP score, individual Floor and Obstacle course time scores of the mEFAP, FAP, and BBS, but again, no between-group differences were found. Conclusions. Use of FES is equivalent to the AFO. Further studies should examine whether FES enables better performance in tasks involving functional mobility, activities of daily living, and balance.
ComGA‐RelA interaction and persistence in the Bacillus subtilis K‐state

The bistably expressed K‐state of Bacillus subtilis is characterized by two distinct features; transformability and arrested growth when K‐state cells are exposed to fresh medium. The arrest is manifested by a failure to assemble replisomes and by decreased rates of cell growth and rRNA synthesis. These phenotypes are all partially explained by the presence of the AAA+ protein ComGA, which is also required for the binding of transforming DNA to the cell surface and for the assembly of the transformation pilus that mediates DNA transport. We have discovered that ComGA interacts with RelA and that the ComGA‐dependent inhibition of rRNA synthesis is largely bypassed in strains that cannot synthesize the alarmone (p)ppGpp. We propose that the interaction of ComGA with RelA prevents the hydrolysis of (p)ppGpp in K‐state cells, which are thus trapped in a non‐growing state until ComGA is degraded. We show that some K‐state cells exhibit tolerance to antibiotics, a form of type 1 persistence, and we propose that the bistable expression of both transformability and the growth arrest are bet‐hedging adaptations that improve fitness in the face of varying environments, such as those presumably encountered by B. subtilis in the soil.
Cholera Toxin B Subunit as a Carrier Molecule Promotes Antigen Presentation and Increases CD40 and CD86 Expression on Antigen-Presenting Cells

ABSTRACT Cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) is an efficient mucosal carrier molecule for the generation of mucosal antibody responses and/or induction of systemic T-cell tolerance to linked antigens. CTB binds with high affinity to GM1 ganglioside cell surface receptors. In this study, we evaluated how conjugation of a peptide or protein antigen to CTB by chemical coupling or genetic fusion influences the T-cell-activating capacity of different antigen-presenting cell (APC) subsets. Using an in vitro system in which antigen-pulsed APCs were incubated with antigen-specific, T-cell receptor-transgenic T cells, we found that the dose of antigen required for T-cell activation could be decreased >10,000-fold using CTB-conjugated compared to free antigen. In contrast, no beneficial effects were observed when CTB was simply admixed with antigen. CTB conjugation enhanced the antigen-presenting capacity not only of dendritic cells and B cells but also of macrophages, which expressed low levels of cell surface major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and were normally poor activators of naive T cells. Enhanced antigen-presenting activity by CTB-linked antigen resulted in both increased T-cell proliferation and increased interleukin-12 and gamma interferon secretion and was associated with up-regulation of CD40 and CD86 on the APC surface. These results imply that conjugation to CTB dramatically lowers the threshold concentration of antigen required for immune cell activation and also permits low-MHC II-expressing APCs to prime for a specific immune response.
Design of a portable guided SH-SAW chemical sensor system for liquid environments

Following successful application in gas sensing, acoustic wave liquid sensors attracted considerable attention due to the need for real-time, rapid and direct detection where the device is in direct contact with the solution. More importantly, there is a need for field measurement capability with portable devices. Challenges include a physical layout of the RF circuitry to minimize parasitic and spurious noise, continuous and realtime measurements capability, and obtaining vector network analyzer (VNA) performance in a portable RF unit, especially since the sensor signal noise dictates the limit of detection (LOD). Polymer-guided shear horizontal surface acoustic wave (SH-SAW) sensor platforms operating around 105 MHz on 36deg rotated Y-cut LiTaO 3 are investigated as portable detectors in liquid environments. The described system is self-contained including RF signal source, sensor input/output signal conditioning, and sensor signal amplitude and phase measuring capabilities. Amplitude and phase signals from the sensor are differentially compared with concomitant signals available directly from the RF signal source. The two primary outputs from the system are voltages related to the detected amplitude and phase changes that are caused by the sensor's response to analyte sorption by the coated device. Several devices, coated with chemically sensitive polymers, are investigated in the detection of low concentrations (10-60 ppm) of ethylbenzene and xylenes in water using the RF portable unit. The units were tested for both reproducibility and repeatability, and the results matched very well with VNA measurements
Adaptive neural control of wheeled inverted pendulum models

This paper investigate motion control of wheeled inverted pendulum (WIP) models, which have been widely applied for a large class of modern vehicles that can transport human with high safety and work capability. Neural network (NN) has been employed to design adaptive control for the fully actuated tilt and yaw angular motion subsystem using a reference model derived by finite time linear quadratic regulation (LQR) optimization technique. The forward velocity is indirectly “controlled” by the implicit control trajectory, which is then planned by an NN based adaptive generator of implicit control trajectory (AGICT).
A Common Genetic Variant Is Associated with Adult and Childhood Obesity

Obesity is a heritable trait and a risk factor for many common diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. We used a dense whole-genome scan of DNA samples from the Framingham Heart Study participants to identify a common genetic variant near the INSIG2 gene associated with obesity. We have replicated the finding in four separate samples composed of individuals of Western European ancestry, African Americans, and children. The obesity-predisposing genotype is present in 10% of individuals. Our study suggests that common genetic polymorphisms are important determinants of obesity.
The effects of desferrioxamine on cisplatininduced lipid peroxidation and the activities of antioxidant enzymes in rat kidneys

Cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity is associated with an increase in lipid peroxidation and oxygen free radicals in rat kidneys. In this study, the effects of desferrioxamine were compared to vitamin C and E on cisplatin-induced lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities in rat kidneys. Rats were divided into five groups, with 15 Wistar rats in each group. In the control group, rats received 1 mL/100 g isotonic saline solution intraperitoneally (i.p.). In Group II, 10 mg/kg cisplatin i.p. was injected to rats. Thirty minutes before the same dosage of cisplatin administration, 100 mg/kg i.p. vitamin C or E was given to rats in groups III and IV, respectively. Rats in Group V received 250 mg/kg desferrioxamine i.p., before the same dose of cisplatin administration. All rats were killed by cervical dislocation after 72 hours. The kidneys were immediately removed and washed in cold saline. Spectrophotometric method was used for all analyses. While catalase, glutathione reductase (GR), and super oxide dismutase (SOD) levels were found to be significantly decreased (P B < 0.001), malondialdehyde (MDA) (P < 0.05) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (P < 0.001) levels were significantly increased in the cisplatin group when compared to the controls. MDA levels were decreased by desferrioxamine (P < 0.005) as well as vitamin C and E (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). These three compounds induced a significant increase in SOD levels (P B < 0.05), but only in the vitamin C group, were SOD levels not significantly different than the levels of the controls (P > 0.05). In the desferrioxamine (P < 0.05), vitamin C and E groups (P < 0.001 for both), the cisplatin elevated H2O2 levels were decreased. None of these drugs had any effect on GR and catalase levels (P > 0.05). Desferrioxamine is useful to prevent cisplatin-induced lipid peroxidation, however, vitamin C and E are more effective on antioxidant enzymes than desferrioxamine.
Building new farmer-entrepreneur training systems in poor relocation-settlements

Purpose This paper aims to study the conditions of the regional ecology, environment, resources and social harmony from the perspective of the new farmer-entrepreneur training process. Design/methodology/approach The study focuses on the poor conditions in relocation settlements currently developing in China. Findings The results show that the building of a new farmer-entrepreneur training system is a vital factor in the process of relocation development, where new farmer-entrepreneurs are characteristic of knowledge, innovation, openness and ambition. Originality/value For farmers participating in the program for the relocation of poor resettlements, a combination of these features is required for the process of building the new farmer-entrepreneur training-system to do well.
Unilateral calf hypertrophy and focal myositis induced by S1 radiculopathy: dramatic response to steroid treatment

Unilateral enlargement of the calf in a 57-year-old man with S1 radiculopathy is described in this case report. Short tau inversion recovery-weighted imaging provided evidence of selective hypertrophy and a high signal intensity of the gastrocnemius and soleus. Histopathological analysis of the gastrocnemius revealed an endomysial inflammatory infiltrate and marked denervation lesions. Marked signs of denervation are suggestive of focal myositis secondary to neurogenic damage. The patient was treated with an oral corticosteroid (30 mg/day) and the calf hypertrophy was dramatically reduced within 5 weeks. Our case indicates that steroid therapy should be tried because it may be a potentially treatable disease.
Vadovavimo efektyvumo vertinimas : psichologiniai aspektai

Monografijos leidyba finansuojama pagal Europos Sąjungos struktūrinių fondų Žmogiskųjų isteklių plėtros veiksmų programos, Mokslininkų ir kitų tyrėjų mobilumo ir studentų mokslinių darbų skatinimo priemonės (VP1-3.1-SMM-01) įgyvendinamą projektą „Podoktorantūros (post doc) stažuocių įgyvendinimas Lietuvoje“.
Quality of Life after Surgical Treatment of Cancer of the Larynx

The purpose of the study was to assess the quality of life of patients after surgical treatment for cancer of the larynx. Three groups of patients were identified according to surgical treatment: total laryngectomy, 111 patients; near-total laryngectomy, 38 patients; and partial laryngectomy, 23 patients. The impact of successful surgical treatment on their life roles was analyzed in terms of work, activities, familial and spousal relationships, sexuality, and psychologic features such as stress and anxiety. Two questionnaires were used: the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS) and the Mayo Clinic Postlaryngectomy Questionnaire. With the PAIS questionnaire, no difference was found in role adjustment between the total laryngectomy and near-total laryngectomy groups, with one exception. In the work domain, the total laryngectomy patients who were working had better adjustment than the near-total laryngectomy patients. The overall adjustment of both groups was less favorable than that of a comparison group of patients with nonlaryngeal cancer. The patients who had the classic conservation operations adjusted in all domains more favorably than the patients with permanent tracheostomas. The partial operation patients adjusted better than the nonlaryngeal cancer patients. We conclude that the stoma has a negative impact on adjustment postoperatively and that it may have a more serious impact on life adjustment than voice alteration. Further investigation and standardization of measurement tools are needed.
A case‐control study of risk factors in men with chronic pelvic pain syndrome

In the section on the lower urinary tract this month there are several papers of general interest. First, authors from the USA present a case‐control study of risk factors in men with chronic pelvic pain syndrome. There are also papers presenting important data on alfuzosin, dutasteride, and tamsulosin versus naftopidil, respectively. In addition, the use of thermo‐expandable prostate stents is further explored by authors from the UK and Denmark. Finally, authors from Austria describe the use of a new minimally invasive device in the treatment of incontinence after prostatectomy.
Influence of ruminal or abomasal starch hydrolysate infusion on pancreatic exocrine secretion and blood glucose and insulin concentrations in steers.

Seven Holstein steers (234 +/- 6.4 kg) surgically fitted with pancreatic cannulas, ruminal and abomasal infusion cannulas, and hepatic-portal vein catheters were used in a 4 x 7 incomplete Latin square design experiment to examine the influence of ruminal and abomasal carbohydrate infusion on enzyme secretion and composition of pancreatic juice. Four treatments were arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial: 1) ruminal starch hydrolysate (SH; 34.2 g/[h.site]) or abomasal water and 2) abomasal SH or ruminal water. Starch hydrolysate is raw cornstarch that has been partially digested by a heat-stable alpha-amylase. Experimental periods were 14 d with 9 to 10 d of adaptation, 4 d of pancreatic collection, and blood collection on d 14. Abomasal SH infusion tended (P < .10) to increase pancreatic fluid secretion. The pH of pancreatic juice was higher (P < .01) for ruminal SH infusion, and abomasal SH infusion tended (P < .10) to result in lower pH of pancreatic juice. alpha-Amylase concentrations (units/milliliter and units/milligram of protein) and secretion (units/hour) were less (P < .002) for abomasal SH infusion. Chymotrypsin concentration (units/liter; P < .01) and secretion (units/hour; P < .10) were less for abomasal SH infusion; however, a rumen x abomasal interaction was found (P < .05). Chloride concentration (milligrams/deciliter) and secretion (milligrams/hour) were increased (P < .01) for abomasal SH infusion. Abomasal SH infusion resulted in increased (P < .01) portal blood glucose concentrations; however, portal plasma insulin concentration was not affected (P > .10). Abomasal SH infusion altered alpha-amylase secretion in steers, but ruminal SH infusion had minimal effect on alpha-amylase secretion. These changes suggest abosamal infusion of SH may negatively impact secretion of pancreatic alpha-amylase.
Variation in the determinants of power of chemically skinned human muscle fibres

We have explored the extent to which the maximal velocity of unloaded shortening (Vmax), the force generated per unit cross‐sectional area (P0) and the curvature of the force–velocity relationship (a/P0 in the Hill equation) contribute to differences in peak power of chemically skinned single fibres from the quadriceps muscle of healthy young male subjects. The analysis was restricted to type I and IIA fibres that contained a single type of myosin heavy chain on electrophoretic separation. Force–velocity relationships were determined from isotonic contractions of maximally activated fibres at 15°C. Mean (±s.d.) peak powers were 1.99 ± 0.72 watts per litre (W L−1) for type I fibres and 6.92 ± 2.41 W L−1, for type IIA fibres. The most notable feature, however, was the very large, sevenfold, range of power outputs within a single fibre type. This wide range was a consequence of variations in each of the three components determining power: P0, Vmax and a/P0. Within a single fibre type, P0 varied threefold, and Vmax and a/P0 two‐ to threefold. There were no obvious relationships between P0 and Vmax or between P0 and a/P0. However, there was a suggestion of an inverse relationship between a/P0 and Vmax, the effect being to reduce, somewhat, the impact of differences in Vmax on peak power. In searching for the causes of variation in peak power of fibres of the same type, it appears likely that there are two factors, one that affects P0 and another that leads to variation in both Vmax and a/P0.
MPP3 Is Required for Maintenance of the Apical Junctional Complex, Neuronal Migration, and Stratification in the Developing Cortex

During mammalian cortical development, division of progenitor cells occurs at the apical ventricular zone. Apical complex proteins and adherens junctions regulate the different modes of division. Here, we have identified the membrane-associated guanylate kinase protein membrane palmitoylated protein 3 (MPP3) as an essential protein for the maintenance of these complexes. MPP3 localizes at the apical membrane in which it shows partial colocalization with adherens junction proteins and apical proteins. We generated Mpp3 conditional knock-out mice and specifically ablated Mpp3 expression in cortical progenitor cells. Conditional deletion of Mpp3 during cortical development resulted in a gradual loss of the apical complex proteins and disrupted adherens junctions. Although there is cellular disorganization in the ventricular zone, gross morphology of the cortex was unaffected during loss of MPP3. However, in the ventricular zone, removal of MPP3 resulted in randomization of spindle orientation and ectopically localized mitotic cells. Loss of MPP3 in the developing cortex resulted in delayed migration of progenitor cells, whereas the rate of cell division and exit from the cell cycle was not affected. This resulted in defects in cortical stratification and ectopically localized layer II–IV pyramidal neurons and interneurons. These data show that MPP3 is required for maintenance of the apical protein complex and adherens junctions and for stratification and proper migration of neurons during the development of the cortex.
Prediction of amino acid positions specific for functional groups in a protein family based on local sequence similarity

The exchange of single amino acid residue in protein can substantially affect the specificity of molecular recognition. Many protein families can be divided into the groups based on specificity to recognized ligands. Prediction of group‐discriminating residues within the certain family is extremely necessary for theoretical studies, enzyme engineering, drug design, and so on. The most existing methods use the multiple sequence alignment. They have the limitations in prediction accuracy due to the family sequence divergence and ligand‐based grouping. We developed a new method SPrOS (Specificity Projection On Sequence) for estimating the specificity of residues to user‐defined groups. SPrOS compares the sequence segments from the test protein and training proteins. Contrary to other segment‐comparison approaches extracting the string motifs, SPrOS calculates the scores for single positions by the similarity of their surroundings. The method was evaluated on the simulated sequences and real protein families. The high‐prediction accuracy was achieved for simulated sequences, in which SPrOS detected specific positions not predicted with the alignment‐based method. For bacterial transcription factors (LacI/GalR) clearly divided into functional groups, the predicted specific residues corresponded to the published experimental data. In a more complicated case of protein kinases classified by inhibitor specificity, the positions predicted with high significance were located in ligand‐binding areas. As the ligand specificity is not necessary coincided with phylogeny, evolutionary‐coupled mutations could disturb the detection of ligand‐specific residues. Excluding proximate homologs of the test protein kinase from the training set, we improved the prediction of the ligand‐specific residues. The SPrOS is available at http://www.way2drug. com/spros/ Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.