Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Health-related quality of life in midlife women in Qatar: relation to arthritis and symptoms of joint pain

Objective:The prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been poorly documented in the Middle East and North African region, including the State of Qatar. Given that musculoskeletal pain is commonly reported among midlife women, we evaluated the association between self-report of either OA or RA and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among midlife women in Qatar. In addition, HRQoL among women in Qatar was compared with that of women in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 841 women 40 to 60 years recruited from primary care centers in Qatar. Face-to-face interviews were conducted and included measures of self-reported OA and RA, health-related symptom experience, and HRQoL using the SF-36 health survey. Results:Most women were obese (75.5%) and reported being bothered by aches and stiffness in joints (71.6%). Prevalence of self-reported OA and RA was 4.8% and 4.3%, respectively. OA was significantly associated with reduced physical function (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.97; P=0.003). RA was also significantly related to reduced physical function (adjusted OR, 2.94; P = 0.01) and role physical (adjusted OR, 2.67; P = 0.01). When compared with women from the SWAN, women from the current study had significantly lower mean scores for bodily pain (53.0 vs 68.9, P = 0.0001) and for vitality (49.9 vs 54.8, P = 0.0001). Conclusions:Self-report of OA or RA was associated with significant disability in our sample. Because symptoms of aches and stiff joints were so frequently reported, arthritis may be under-diagnosed, especially given the high rates of obesity observed.
Optimizing seeding and culture methods to engineer smooth muscle tissue on biodegradable polymer matrices.

The engineering of functional smooth muscle (SM) tissue is critical if one hopes to successfully replace the large number of tissues containing an SM component with engineered equivalents. This study reports on the effects of SM cell (SMC) seeding and culture conditions on the cellularity and composition of SM tissues engineered using biodegradable matrices (5 x 5 mm, 2-mm thick) of polyglycolic acid (PGA) fibers. Cells were seeded by injecting a cell suspension into polymer matrices in tissue culture dishes (static seeding), by stirring polymer matrices and a cell suspension in spinner flasks (stirred seeding), or by agitating polymer matrices and a cell suspension in tubes with an orbital shaker (agitated seeding). The density of SMCs adherent to these matrices was a function of cell concentration in the seeding solution, but under all conditions a larger number (approximately 1 order of magnitude) and more uniform distribution of SMCs adherent to the matrices were obtained with dynamic versus static seeding methods. The dynamic seeding methods, as compared to the static method, also ultimately resulted in new tissues that had a higher cellularity, more uniform cell distribution, and greater elastin deposition. The effects of culture conditions were next studied by culturing cell-polymer constructs in a stirred bioreactor versus static culture conditions. The stirred culture of SMC-seeded polymer matrices resulted in tissues with a cell density of 6.4 +/- 0.8 x 10(8) cells/cm3 after 5 weeks, compared to 2.0 +/- 1.1 x 10(8) cells/cm3 with static culture. The elastin and collagen synthesis rates and deposition within the engineered tissues were also increased by culture in the bioreactors. The elastin content after 5-week culture in the stirred bioreactor was 24 +/- 3%, and both the elastin content and the cellularity of these tissues are comparable to those of native SM tissue. New tissues were also created in vivo when dynamically seeded polymer matrices were implanted in rats for various times. In summary, the system defined by these studies shows promise for engineering a tissue comparable in many respects to native SM. This engineered tissue may find clinical applications and provide a tool to study molecular mechanisms in vascular development.
Preventing postoperative pulmonary complications: the role of the anesthesiologist.

THE Confederate General “Stonewall” Jackson was one of the earliest known victims of a respiratory complication after surgery, dying of pneumonia 10 days after an otherwise successful ether anesthetic in 1863. Despite subsequent advances in anesthesia and surgical care, postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) still are a significant problem in modern practice. This commentary examines why PPCs occur and how the anesthesiologist can help prevent them.
Coherence analysis of local field potentials in the subthalamic nucleus: differences in parkinsonian rest and postural tremor

Implantation of electrodes in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) for deep brain stimulation is a well‐established method to ameliorate motor symptoms in patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study investigated the pathophysiology of rest and postural tremor in PD. In 14 patients with PD, we recorded intraoperatively local field potentials (LFPs) in the STN (at different recording depths) and electromyographic signals (EMGs) of the contralateral forearm. Using coherence analysis we analysed tremor epochs both at rest and hold conditions in patients of the akinetic‐rigid or of the tremor‐dominant PD subtype. Data analysis revealed significant LFP–EMG coherence during periods of rest and postural tremor. However, strong differences between both tremor types were observed: local maxima (cluster) of rest and postural tremor did not match. Additionally, during rest tremor coherence occurred significantly more frequently at single tremor frequency than at double tremor frequency in tremor‐dominant as well as in akinetic‐rigid patients. In contrast, during postural tremor in patients with akinetic‐rigid PD coherence was predominantly at double tremor frequency. The data suggest a specific topography of ‘tremor clusters’ for rest and postural tremor. Furthermore, we presume that the same tremor mechanisms exist in patients with tremor‐dominant and akinetic‐rigid PD, but to different degrees.
Polyhistidine-Tagged Hepatitis B Core Particles as Carriers of HIV-1/gp120 Epitopes of Different HIV-1 Subtypes

Abstract The hepatitis B core antigen is a widely accepted carrier particle to enhance the immunogenicity of foreign epitopes. From electron cryomicroscopy, the immunodominant region between amino acid positions 79 to 81 is known to protrude from the surface of the shells. It can be replaced by heterologous sequences without interfering with the particleforming capacity in many cases. Here we have introduced various V3 sequences of the envelope protein of different subtypes (A, B, O) of HIV-1/gp120 in order to enhance their immunogenicity and broaden the immune response against the virus. To improve purification efficiency and solubility of the E. coliexpressed hybrids, six histidine residues were fused to amino acid 156. An adjustable purification scheme was utilised including denaturation, Ni[2+]NTA affinity chromatography and particle renaturation under high salt conditions, resulting in highly pure antigen preparations. The hybrids reacted specifically with sera of HIV-1- infected patients. They further induced an autologous, subtypespecific anti HIV-1 antibody response superior to that of Keyhole limpethaemocyaninecoupled peptides.
A rotary-traveling-wave-oscillator-based all-digital PLL with a 32-phase embedded phase-to-digital converter in 65nm CMOS

All-digital phase-locked loops (ADPLLs) have recently become more popular as possible alternatives to conventional analog charge-pump-based PLLs [1]. Currently, most of the ADPLLs are based on a time-to-digital converter (TDC) utilizing inverter delay chains. There have been tremendous efforts to improve TDC performance, i.e., maximizing resolution and reducing power consumption, but they normally require additional complex circuits.
LA INDIZACIÓN DE PATRONES DE DIFRACCIÓN DE ELECTRONES AL ALCANCE DE TODOS Y SUS APLICACIONES: SISTEMAS ORTOGONALES. PARTE I

Cuando se hace investigacion y desarrollo en el campo de la ciencia de materiales, en ocasiones se hace microscopia electronica de transmision (MET). Puede ocurrir que el investigador haga alguna difraccion de electrones y no tenga la suficiente experiencia y conocimiento para indizar el patron de difraccion o bien pueda indizarlo y con eso da por terminado el trabajo en este campo, desaprovechando asi una maravillosa oportunidad para identificar plenamente las fases presentes, e inclusive descubrir nuevas. El metodo para indizar aqui propuesto consiste en construir la celda reciproca de los sistemas cristalinos ortogonales y del hexagonal compacto, por ser en los que cristalizan los metales y aleaciones, y luego hacer coincidir con la pantalla del microscopio algunos planos reciprocos particulares. La comparacion de la singonia y de la sinaxia del patron teorico con el experimental permitira hacer la indizacion. Esto, unido a un analisis quimico elemental por analisis de energia dispersiva y/o longitud de onda, permitira identificar plenamente las fases y asi poder inferir en los procesos de produccion. Varios ejemplos ilustraran el metodo. El presente trabajo sera dividido en dos partes: la primera estara dedicada a los sistemas ortogonales (cubico, tetragonal y ortorrombico) y la segunda al sistema hexagonal. El metodo usado para la difraccion es el de difraccion por area selecta, aunque desde los 80 se ha estado desarrollado el metodo de la micro-difraccion.
Analysis of the Roles of Glucose Transporter 1 and Hexokinase 2 in the Metabolism of Glucose by Extrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer Cells

Purpose of the Report Extrahepatic bile duct (EHD) cancer varies in uptake of FDG. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of glucose transporter (GLUT) 1 and hexokinase (HK) 2 in the glucose metabolism of EHD cancer cells using immunohistochemistry and 18F-FDG PET/CT. Methods Twenty-six patients with EHD cancer who underwent baseline PET/CT and surgery were studied. Biopsies were immunohistochemically analyzed using antibodies against GLUT1 and HK2, and the expression was scored from 0 to 4 according to the percentage of stained cells. SUV and tumor-to-liver ratio (T/Lratio) were obtained from 18F-FDG PET/CT data. SUV and T/Lratio and GLUT1 and HK2 expression were compared with histological grades and tumor locations (proximal and distal EHD) to correlate glucose metabolism with the expression of GLUT1 and HK2. Results SUV, T/Lratio, and GLUT1 and HK2 expression did not differ as a function of histological grade and tumor location. GLUT1 and HK2 were expressed in 20 (76.9%) and 22 (84.6%) of 26 tumor biopsies, respectively. The GLUT1 score, SUV, and T/Lratio increased, and the GLUT1 score, but not the HK2 score, correlated significantly with SUV (&rgr; = 0.648) and T/Lratio (&rgr; = 0.703). There was no direct correlation between the expression of GLUT1 and that of HK2 (&rgr; = 0.2046, P = 0.3161). Conclusions Although GLUT1 and HK2 regulate intracellular accumulation of FDG in many cancers, only GLUT1 expression was correlated with FDG uptake by EHD cancers.
It's the destination and it's the journey: using multilevel modeling to assess patterns of change in psychotherapy.

BACKGROUND The pairing of analysis of variance (ANOVA)-based analyses with designs lacking multiple measurement of client change may lead to conclusions that are inconsistent with theoretical expectations about how change will occur. Multilevel modeling (MLM), when used with multiple assessments of client outcomes, provides a flexible set of tools to analyze trajectories of client change. PURPOSE The authors present an overview of MLM and growth curve analysis as applied to psychotherapy outcome. Results from a simulated data set illustrate how MLM-specifically, growth curve analysis-can be used to test hypotheses from randomized clinical trials. RESULTS Growth curve analyses were applied to simulated data from an experimental design (treatment versus control group) with multiple assessments of client distress and a client individual difference variable. Results of growth curve analyses confirmed what was found with a pretreatment/posttreatment repeated-measures ANOVA but provided additional information not available from the ANOVA framework. CONCLUSIONS Given its flexibility, MLM is the recommended method to assess patterns of change in studies of psychotherapy outcome.
Adaptation of PyFlag to Efficient Analysis of Overtaken Computer Data Storage

Based on existing software aimed at investigation support in the analysis of computer data storage overtaken during investigation (PyFlag), an extension is proposed involving the introduction of dedicated components for data identification and filtering. Hash codes for popular software contained in NIST/NSRL database are considered in order to avoid unwanted files while searching and to classify them into several categories. The extension allows for further analysis, e.g. using artificial intelligence methods. The considerations are illustrated by the overview of the system's design.
Tall or short? Slender or thick? A plant strategy for regulating elongation growth of roots by low concentrations of gibberellin.

BACKGROUND Since the plant hormone gibberellin (GA) was discovered as a fungal toxin that caused abnormal elongation of rice shoots, the physiological function of GA has mainly been investigated in relation to the regulation of plant height. However, an indispensable role for GA in root growth has been elucidated by using severely GA-depleted plants, either with a gene mutation in GA biosynthesis or which have been treated by an inhibitor of GA biosynthesis. The molecular sequence of GA signalling has also been studied to understand GA functions in root growth. SCOPE This review addresses research progress on the physiological functions of GA in root growth. Concentration-dependent stimulation of elongation growth by GA is important for the regulation of plant height and root length. Thus the endogenous level of GA and/or the GA sensitivity of shoots and roots plays a role in determining the shoot-to-root ratio of the plant body. Since the shoot-to-root ratio is an important parameter for agricultural production, control of GA production and GA sensitivity may provide a strategy for improving agricultural productivity. The sequence of GA signal transduction has recently been unveiled, and some component molecules are suggested as candidate in planta regulatory sites and as points for the artificial manipulation of GA-mediated growth control. CONCLUSIONS This paper reviews: (1) the breakthrough dose-response experiments that show that root growth is regulated by GA in a lower concentration range than is required for shoot growth; (2) research on the regulation of GA biosynthesis pathways that are known predominantly to control shoot growth; and (3) recent research on GA signalling pathways, including GA receptors, which have been suggested to participate in GA-mediated growth regulation. This provides useful information to suggest a possible strategy for the selective control of shoot and root growth, and to explain how GA plays a role in rosette and liana plants with tall or short, and slender or thick axial organs.
Improving communication in the ICU using daily goals.

BACKGROUND Clear communication is imperative if teams in any industry expect to make improvements. An estimated 85% of errors across industries result from communication failures. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of communication during patient care rounds in the intensive care unit (ICU) using a daily goals form. DESIGN We conducted a prospective cohort study in collaboration with the Volunteer Hospital Association (VHA), Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), and Johns Hopkins Hospital's (JHH) 16-bed surgical oncology ICU. All patients admitted to the ICU were eligible. Main outcome variables were ICU length of stay (LOS) and percent of ICU residents and nurses who understood the goals of care for patients in the ICU. Baseline measurements were compared with measurements of understanding after implementation of a daily goals form. RESULTS At baseline, less than 10% of residents and nurses understood the goals of care for the day. After implementing the daily goals form, greater than 95% of nurses and residents understood the goals of care for the day. After implementation of the daily goals form, ICU LOS decreased from a mean of 2.2 days to 1.1 days. CONCLUSION Implementing the daily goals form resulted in a significant improvement in the percent of residents and nurses who understood the goals of care for the day and a reduction in ICU LOS. The use of the daily goals form has broad applicability in acute care medicine.
Revealing how goldfish defy anoxia

[Figure][1] Jean-Michel Weber discusses the impact of Eric Shoubridge and Peter Hochachka's classic paper ‘Ethanol: novel end product of vertebrate anaerobic metabolism’, published in Science in 1980. Just a few rare vertebrates – three carp relatives and two species of turtles
Imbalance between vascular endothelial growth factor and endostatin levels in induced sputum from asthmatic subjects.

BACKGROUND Angiogenesis has recently attracted considerable attention as a component of airway remodeling in bronchial asthma. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is highly expressed in asthmatic airways, and its contribution to airway remodeling has been reported. Although angiogenesis is regulated by a balance of angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors, the relative levels of antiangiogenic factors in asthmatic airways have not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine whether an imbalance between angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors exists in asthmatic airways. METHODS We simultaneously measured VEGF and endostatin levels and evaluated their correlation and balance in induced sputum from 18 steroid-naive asthmatic subjects and 11 healthy control subjects. After initial sputum induction, asthmatic subjects underwent 8 weeks of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP; 800 microg/d) therapy, and sputum induction was then repeated. RESULTS VEGF and endostatin levels in induced sputum were significantly higher in asthmatic subjects than in control subjects (P <.001). There was a significant correlation between VEGF and endostatin levels in both control subjects (r = 0.995, P <.001) and asthmatic subjects (r = 0.923, P <.001). Moreover, the VEGF/endostatin level ratio in asthmatic subjects was significantly higher than that in control subjects (P <.0001). After 8 weeks of inhaled BDP therapy, the VEGF level in induced sputum in asthmatic subjects was significantly decreased (P <.001), whereas the endostatin level was not. A correlation between VEGF and endostatin levels existed even after BDP therapy (r = 0.861, P <.001). Moreover, the VEGF/endostatin level ratio was significantly decreased to the same level as in the control subjects after BDP therapy (P <.0001). CONCLUSION There was an imbalance between VEGF and endostatin levels in induced sputum from asthmatic subjects. This imbalance might play an important role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma through its effects on angiogenesis.
Mental Retrieval of Treatment Context in Dental Phobia

Background: The effect of mental retrieval of an exposure session was investigated during a follow-up examination in dental phobia patients. Method: The exposure session took place at the psychology unit and the follow-up a week later at the dental clinic prior to dental treatment while patients were seated in the dental chair. During exposure, individuals with dental phobia (N = 72) were shown a video of a dental appointment, after which they were instructed to imagine themselves receiving dental treatment. During follow-up half of the participants received instructions to mentally retrieve the exposure session and the other half were asked to recall everyday activities. Before and after exposure treatment, and after mental retrieval, participants were shown three dental instruments while heart rate (HR) and avoidance and subjective units of discomfort (SUD) were recorded. Results: Questionnaires of phobic anxiety administered before and after treatment indicated significant improvement. Mental retrieval of treatment was moderately superior to the control condition with regard to avoidance. Over 80% of patients underwent the subsequent dental treatment session. Those not adhering showed initially more dysfunctional cognitions and more desire for control. Conclusion: There is some evidence that retrieval of treatment context may have a moderately beneficial effect on avoidance.
Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

From the world's greatest and best-known teacher of yoga comes this guide to the discipline. Patanjali, an early Indian sage and mystic, was the first to systematize and codify the principle and practice of yoga. Patanjali's collection of 185 aphorisms, "Yoga Sutras", remains the classical work on the subject - this book provides a commentary on Patanjali's work.
The Antioxidant Effects of Radix Astragali (Astragalus membranaceus and Related Species) in Protecting Tissues from Injury and Disease.

Oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Antioxidants protect the cells and tissues from oxidative stress by scavenging free radicals and reactive oxygen species. These antioxidants may be endogenous or exogenous. Plants are considered as potential and powerful exogenous source of antioxidants. Astragalus species (spp.), especially Astragalus membranaceus, have a long history of medicinal use in traditional Chinese medicine. Specifically, constituents of the dried roots of Astragalus spp. (Radix Astragali) provide significant protection against heart, brain, kidney, intestine, liver and lung injury in various models of oxidative stress-related disease. Different isolated constituents of Astragalus spp. , such as astragalosides, flavonoids and polysaccharides also displayed significant prevention of tissue injury via antioxidant mechanisms. In this article, the antioxidant benefits of Astragalus spp. and its isolated components in protecting tissues from injury are reviewed, along with identification of the various constituents that possess antioxidant activity.
Robotic assisted kidney transplantation

Kidney transplantation is the standard of care for patients with end stage renal disease. While open surgery remains the gold standard, minimally invasive surgery has recently been introduced for the recipient undergoing kidney transplantation. We review the evolution of techniques of minimally invasive surgery for kidney transplantation with specific emphasis on technical aspects of robotic assisted kidney transplantation.