Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The influence of home exercise programs for patients with non-specific or specific neck pain: a systematic review of the literature

Abstract Study design: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCT). Objectives: To examine the effects of a therapeutic home exercise program (HEP) for patients with neck pain (associated with whiplash, non-specific, or specific neck pain, with or without radiculopathy, or cervicogenic headache) on pain, function, and disability. Our secondary aim was to describe the design, dosage, and adherence of the prescribed HEPs. Background: Neck pain is a leading cause of disability that affects 22–70% of the population. Different techniques have been found effective for the treatment of neck pain. However, there is conflicting evidence to support the role of a therapeutic HEP to reduce pain, disability, and improve function and quality of life (QOL). Methods: A systematic review in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement for reporting systematic reviews. The full-text review utilized the Maastricht–Amsterdam assessment tool to assess quality among RCTs. Results: A total of 1927 subjects included within seven full-text articles met our specific search strategy. It was found that HEPs with a focus on strength and endurance-training exercises, as well as self- mobilization, have a positive effect when used in combination with other conservative treatments or alone. Conclusions: Home exercise programs that utilize either self-mobilizations within an augmented HEP to address specific spinal levels, or strengthening, and/or endurance exercise are effective at reducing neck pain, function, and disability and improving QOL. The benefit of HEPs in combination with other conservative interventions yields some benefit with a range of effect sizes.
Novel interactions of a microbial superantigen with TLR2 and TLR4 differentially regulate IL‐17 and Th17‐associated cytokines

Mycoplasma arthritidis, an inflammatory murine pathogen, secretes a potent superantigen, Mycoplasma arthritidis mitogen (MAM) that contributes to toxic shock, arthritis and skin necrosis. Previously we showed that MAM induced type 2 T‐cell cytokines in mice that express functional TLR2 and TLR4, but type 1 cytokines in mice that lack TLR4 function. We show here that IL‐17, pSTAT3 and retinoid‐related orphan nuclear receptorγt are rapidly expressed in wild‐type C3H/HeSnJ (TLR2+/4+) mice but are significantly delayed in mutant C3H/HeJ (TLR2+/4−) mice. This marked kinetic difference was associated with a high level of IL‐6 in TLR2+/4+ mice versus high levels of IL‐1β and TNFα in TLR2+/4− mice. Also antibodies to IL‐6 and IL‐23, suppressed IL‐17 responses to MAM in TLR2+/4+ mice whereas anti‐IL‐1β, but not anti‐TNFα, enhanced IL‐17 in TLR2+/4− mice. Antibody blocking of TLR4 in TLR2+/4+ mice decreased IL‐17 and IL‐6 but not IL‐23. In addition both IL‐17 and IL‐6 but not IL‐23 were elevated in TLR2 KO mice versus wild‐type TLR2+/4+ mice given MAM. We conclude that the MAM interaction with TLR2 versus TLR4 leads to distinct cytokine pathways mediated primarily by IL‐1β or IL‐6/IL‐17 signalling respectively. Our findings suggest that the differential interaction of MAM with different TLRs might play an important role in disease outcomes by M. arthritidis.
Decreased expression levels of L‐selectin on subsets of leucocytes and increased serum L‐selectin in severe psoriasis

L‐selectin is a leucocyte adhesion molecule involved in leucocyte interactions with vascular endothelial cells. Following leucocyte activation L‐selectin is endoproteolytically released from the cell surface. To assess whether psoriasis vulgaris results in systemic leucocyte activation, we examined expression levels of L‐selectin on subsets of peripheral blood leucocytes from patients with psoriasis (n = 25) and normal control subjects. Serum levels of soluble L‐selectin were quantified by ELISA in patients with psoriasis (n = 75), pustulosis palmaris et plantaris, and contact dermatitis, as well as normal control subjects. Psoriasis severity was evaluated by psoriasis area and severity index (PASI). L‐selectin expression levels on CD4+ T cells, B cells, monocytes, and neutrophils from patients with severe‐type psoriasis (PASI ≥ 15) was significantly decreased compared with leucocytes from normal control subjects. Furthermore, L‐selectin expression on CD4+ T cells showed good inverse correlation with PASI scores. Monocyte L‐selectin expression was restored when the skin lesions of psoriasis were remitted. The frequencies of L‐selectin+ CD4+ T cells or L‐selectin+ CD8+ T cells from patients with psoriasis were almost normal. Serum L‐selectin levels in patients with severe‐type psoriasis were significantly higher than those in normal control subjects. These results suggest that subsets of leucocytes may be activated in psoriasis, and that L‐selectin expression levels on some leucocyte subsets, especially CD4+ T cells, tend to correlate with disease severity of psoriasis.
Activation of G by the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Involves Phosphorylation (*)

Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates cAMP accumulation in the heart via a process involving G and the EGF receptor (EGFR) protein tyrosine kinase activity (Nair, B. G., Parikh, B., Milligan, G., and Patel, T. B.(1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 21317-21322; Nair, B. G. , and Patel, T. B. (1993) Biochem. Pharmacol. 46, 1239-1245). Therefore, studies were performed to investigate the hypothesis that the EGFR protein tyrosine kinase phosphorylates G and activates this protein. Employing purified EGFR and G, we have demonstrated that the EGFR kinase phosphorylates G in a time-dependent manner with a stoichiometry of 2 mol of phosphate incorporated/mol of G. As determined by phosphoamino acid analysis, the phosphorylation of G by the EGFR kinase was exclusively on tyrosine residues. Interestingly, GDP and guanosine 5′-3-O-(thio)triphosphate (GTPS) inhibited the phosphorylation of G without altering EGFR autophosphorylation. However, G protein β subunits protected against GDP- and GTPS-mediated inhibition of phosphorylation of G. In functional studies, phospho-G demonstrated a greater GTPase activity and also a greater capacity to bind GTPS as compared to the nonphosphorylated G. Moreover, the phospho-G augmented adenylyl cyclase activity in S49 cyc cell membranes to a greater extent than its nonphosphorylated counterpart. Therefore, we conclude that phosphorylation of G on tyrosine residues by the EGFR kinase activates this G protein and increases its ability to stimulate adenylyl cyclase.
Minimal and Contributing Sequence Determinants of thecis-Acting Locus of Transfer (clt) of Streptomycete Plasmid pIJ101 Occur within an Intrinsically Curved Plasmid Region

ABSTRACT Efficient interbacterial transfer of streptomycete plasmid pIJ101 requires the pIJ101 tra gene, as well as acis-acting plasmid function known as clt. Here we show that the minimal pIJ101 clt locus consists of a sequence no greater than 54 bp in size that includes essential inverted-repeat and direct-repeat sequences and is located in close proximity to the 3′ end of the korB regulatory gene. Evidence that sequences extending beyond the minimal locus and into thekorB open reading frame influence clt transfer function and demonstration that clt-korB sequences are intrinsically curved raise the possibility that higher-order structuring of DNA and protein within this plasmid region may be an inherent feature of efficient pIJ101 transfer.
EFEKTIVITAS PROGRAM CERDAS COMMAND CENTER SEBAGAI MEDIA INFORMASI MASYARAKAT DALAM RANGKA PELAYANAN PUBLIK (Studi di Kantor Walikota Manado)

Abstrak Kota Manado adalah salah satu Kota di Indonesia yang mendukung e-government lewat pengembangan Kota Cerdas atau The Smart City. Dalam penerapan Kota Cerdas di Kota Manado Pemerintah Kota Meluncurkan Program yang dapat membantu masyarakat dan instansi pemerintah yaitu Cerdas Command Center, dalam proses pelaksanaan program ini ada kendala yang ditemui oleh pemerintah yaitu, koordinasi antar dinas masih lambat karena belum semua dinas bekerja sama dengan cerdas command center ini pun di akui oleh pihak pemerintah kota karena masih kurangya sosialisasi yang dilakukan berhubung juga Cerdas Command Center ini baru 1,5 tahun beroperasi di Kota Manado. Kemudian dari segi fasilitas juga belum lengkap, dan masih diusahakan oleh pemerintah dalam pengadaan fasilitas. Dan juga sumber daya manusia yang masih kurang dalam mengoperasikan atau menjalankan progam ini dan pemerintah kota pun mengontrak beberapa teknisi yang profesional di bidang informatika. yang menjadi saran penulis disini yaitu walaupun Cerdas Command Center hanya sampai pada tahap mediasi, namun dilihat dari segi kepemerintahan maka masalah-masalah yang terjadi di lapangan harus dituntaskan sesuai dengan tugas dan fungsi pemerintah yaitu mengayomi dan memberikan pelayanan terbaik bagi masyarakat karena hal tersebut dapat mempengaruhi kualitas pelayanan, sehingga lewat pelayanan yang baik maka e-government lewat penerapan Cerdas Command Center di Kota Manado akan membawa kota ini menuju kota cerdas 2021 sesuai dengan Visi dan Misi yang ada. Kata Kunci : Efektivitas, E-Government, Cerdas Command Center, Smart City.
Evaluation of a rebound tonometer for measuring intraocular pressure in dogs and horses.

OBJECTIVE To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements obtained with a rebound tonometer in dogs and horses with values obtained by means of applanation tonometry and direct manometry. DESIGN Prospective study. ANIMALS 100 dogs and 35 horses with clinically normal eyes, 10 enucleated eyes from 5 dogs, and 6 enucleated eyes from 3 horses. PROCEDURES In the enucleated eyes, IOP measured by means of direct manometry was sequentially increased from 5 to 80 mm Hg, and IOP was measured with the rebound tonometer. In the dogs and horses, results of rebound tonometry were compared with results of applanation tonometry. RESULTS For the enucleated dog and horse eyes, there was a strong (r2 = 0.99) linear relationship between pressures obtained by means of direct manometry and those obtained by means of rebound tonometry. Mean +/- SD IOPs obtained with the rebound tonometer were 10.8 +/- 3.1 mm Hg (range, 5 to 17 mm Hg) and 22.1 +/- 5.9 mm Hg (range, 10 to 34 mm Hg) for the dogs and horses, respectively. Mean IOPs obtained with the applanation tonometer were 12.9 +/- 2.7 mm Hg (range, 8 to 18 mm Hg) and 21.0 +/- 5.9 mm Hg (range, 9 to 33 mm Hg), respectively. Values obtained with the rebound tonometer were, on average, 2 mm Hg lower in the dogs and 1 mm Hg higher in the horses, compared with values obtained with the applanation tonometer. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggest that the rebound tonometer provides accurate estimates of IOP in clinically normal eyes in dogs and horses.
Using network resources to mitigate volumetric DDoS

Les attaques massives par deni de service representent une menace pour les services Internet. Ils impactent aussi les fournisseurs de service reseau et menace meme la stabilite de l’Internet. Il y a donc un besoin pressant de controler les dommages causes par ces attaques. De nombreuses recherches ont ete menees, mais aucune n’a ete capable de combiner le besoin d’attenuation de l’attaque, avec l’obligation de continuite de service et les contraintes reseau. Les contre mesures proposees portent sur l’authentification des clients legitimes, le filtrage du trafic malicieux, une utilisation efficace des interconnections entre les equipements reseaux, ou l’absorption de l’attaque par les ressources disponibles. Dans cette these, nous proposons un mecanisme de controle de dommages. Base sur une nouvelle signature d’attaque et les fonctions reseaux du standard Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), nous isolons le trafic malicieux du trafic legitime et appliquons des contraintes sur la transmission du trafic malicieux. Le but est de rejeter suffisamment de trafic d’attaque pour maintenir la stabilite du reseau tout en preservant le trafic legitime. La solution prend en compte des informations sur l’attaque, mais aussi les ressources reseaux. Considerant que les operateurs reseaux n’ont pas une meme visibilite sur leur reseau, nous etudions l’impact de contraintes operationnelles sur l’efficacite d’une contre mesure regulierement recommandee, le filtrage par liste noire. Les criteres d’evaluation sont le niveau d’information sur l’attaque ainsi que sur le trafic reseau. Nous formulons des scenarios auxquels chaque operateur peut s’identifier. Nous demontrons que la l’algorithme de generation des listes noires doit etre choisi avec precaution afin de maximiser l’efficacite du filtrage
Association between antidepressant prescribing and suicide in Israel

The effects of antidepressants on suicide are controversial; on the one hand they decrease the incidence of death by suicide, as reflected in epidemiological studies, and on the other hand, there are claims that they increase the risk of impulsivity and suicide. In 1998, primary care physicians in Israel were not allowed to prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and in 1999 this prohibition was lifted. We thus evaluated the association between patterns of antidepressant prescribing and the rate of death by suicide in Israel in 1998 compared with that in 2002. Data regarding deaths by suicide were obtained from the Central Bureau of Statistics. Annual rates of antidepressant prescribing were computed from the Intercontinental Marketing Services database. The Intercontinental Marketing Services data covers three out of the four Health Maintenance Organizations in Israel, encompassing 46% of all citizens. Prescribing of all antidepressants increased 2.6-fold between 1998 and 2002. This increase was significantly more pronounced for the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. A shift in prescription practices was noted, with a 1.37-fold increase in prescribing by primary care physicians. While the concomitant decrease in overall national rates of completed suicide did not reach significance (17–14 per 100 000), the incidence decreased significantly in men aged 55–74 years (33–22 per 100 000; P=0.029). An overall reduction in suicides, which was significant only in elderly men, was noted in association with increased rates of antidepressant prescription. This study is limited in scope but adds a unique viewpoint related to the possible positive effect of increased antidepressant prescribing in primary care on suicide.
The effect of perimetric experience in patients with glaucoma.

OBJECTIVE To study prospectively the effects of perimetric learning in glaucoma patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-five patients with newly detected glaucoma underwent repeated perimetric testing using the 30-2 full threshold program with the Humphrey perimeter. Each patient was tested five times at about 1-week intervals. No patient had undergone perimetry before entering the study. RESULTS In most patients, visual field results improved with repeated testing. Improvements were obvious in 21 of the 37 glaucomatous eyes. Means of mean deviation values improved significantly, by 2.81 dB (P < .001, analysis of variance), between the first and the second test session, and no significant differences were shown between tests 2 and 5. Fields with moderate field loss improved more than fields with milder or more severe loss. Learning effects were more pronounced peripherally than centrally, and better points improved more than more disturbed ones. CONCLUSIONS The effects of perimetric learning were large and common, and are clinically important. Baselines for perimetric follow-up of patients with glaucoma should consist of more than one test. To avoid misleading conclusions, studies using perimetry to assess the effects of glaucoma treatment should take learning effects into consideration.
Dual functions of DNA repair genes: molecular, cellular, and clinical implications

The complex series of DNA repair pathways that are used to repair damage to cellular DNA employ many different proteins. A substantial number of these have second functions. Defects in these multifunctional proteins in man can lead to widely differing clinical phenotypes depending on which of the functions is affected. This is illustrated most clearly in the transcription factor TFIIH, which is involved in both basal transcription and nucleotide excision repair. Different mutations in genes encoding TFIIH subunits can result in the highly cancer‐prone repair disorder xeroderma pigmentosum, or the noncancer‐prone multisystem disorder trichothiodystrophy, the features of which are probably a consequence of abnormalities in transcription. The involvement of repair proteins in other processes also poses interesting evolutionary questions. BioEssays 20:146–155, 1998. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Pregnancy Leads to Lasting Changes in Foot Structure

ObjectiveWomen are disproportionately affected by musculoskeletal disorders. Parous women seem to be at a particularly elevated risk for structural and functional changes in the lower limbs. The combination of increased weight on the joints with potentially greater laxity during pregnancy could lead to permanent structural changes in the feet. Although arches may become lax during pregnancy, it is unknown whether the changes persist. The objective of this study was to determine whether arch height loss persists postpartum. DesignForty-nine women completed this longitudinal study. Static and dynamic arch measurements were collected in the first trimester and at 19 wks postpartum. Linear mixed models were used to determine whether outcome measures significantly changed overall or by parity. ResultsArch height and rigidity indices significantly decreased, with concomitant increases in foot length and arch drop. The first pregnancy accounted for the reduction in arch rigidity and the increases in foot length and arch drop. No changes were detected in the center of pressure excursion index. ConclusionsPregnancy seems to be associated with a permanent loss of arch height, and the first pregnancy may be the most significant. These changes in the feet could contribute to the increased risk for musculoskeletal disorders in women. Further research should assess the efficacy of rehabilitative interventions for prevention of pregnancy-related arch drop.
Secretion and Assembly of Type IV and VI Collagens Depend on Glycosylation of Hydroxylysines*

Most lysines in type IV and VI collagens are hydroxylated and glycosylated, but the functions of these unique galactosylhydroxylysyl and glucosylgalactosylhydroxylysyl residues are poorly understood. The formation of glycosylated hydroxylysines is catalyzed by multifunctional lysyl hydroxylase 3 (LH3) in vivo, and we have used LH3-manipulated mice and cells as models to study the function of these carbohydrates. These hydroxylysine-linked carbohydrates were shown recently to be indispensable for the formation of basement membranes (Ruotsalainen, H., Sipilä, L., Vapola, M., Sormunen, R., Salo, A. M., Uitto, L., Mercer, D. K., Robins, S. P., Risteli, M., Aszodi, A., Fässler, R., and Myllylä, R. (2006) J. Cell Sci. 119, 625–635). Analysis of LH3 knock-out embryos and cells in this work indicated that loss of glycosylated hydroxylysines prevents the intracellular tetramerization of type VI collagen and leads to impaired secretion of type IV and VI collagens. Mice lacking the LH activity of LH3 produced slightly underglycosylated type IV and VI collagens with abnormal distribution. The altered distribution and aggregation of type VI collagen led to similar ultrastructural alterations in muscle to those detected in collagen VI knockout and some Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy patients. Our results provide new information about the function of hydroxylysine-linked carbohydrates of collagens, indicating that they play an important role in the secretion, assembly, and distribution of highly glycosylated collagen types.
DNA damage and repair in light-induced photoreceptor degeneration.

PURPOSE Intense light causes photoreceptor death that is greatest in the superior central retina. Short-duration treatment in a light-damage model results in TUNEL-positive photoreceptor nuclei within this region. However, cells lost 10 days after light treatment are fewer than the TUNEL-labeled cells observed earlier. Therefore, this study was undertaken to monitor DNA fragmentation and cell death to explain the discrepancy. METHODS Eyes of dark-adapted rats were light damaged for 4 or 5 hours. DNA fragmentation was measured by TUNEL, laddering, and highly repetitive short interspersed nuclear element (SINE) analysis in dark-adapted, nondamaged control (dark-control) retinas and in retinas collected at 6-hour intervals after light treatment. TUNEL-positive photoreceptor nuclei were counted in these samples along a superior-to-inferior meridian and compared with control and damaged 10-day retinas. Monocytes and DNA polymerase beta were monitored by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS TUNEL-positive staining of photoreceptors was centered around the superior central retina. At 10 days, photoreceptor loss had occurred in this region. In graphs of 6-hour-interval data, two DNA-fragmentation peaks, 24 hours apart, were evident. Monocytes appeared after nuclear damage. Total TUNEL-positive cells under both peaks exceeded the number of photoreceptors lost. The DNA-repair enzyme, polymerase beta, was induced in the superior central retina, within photoreceptor inner segments, 24 hours after light treatment, but declined thereafter. CONCLUSIONS One population of damaged cells may mend DNA until the repair mechanism is exceeded and then revert to apoptosis, or, alternatively, two populations may undergo DNA fragmentation 24 hours apart. Either DNA fragmentation is masked at midpoint by temporary repair, or two waves of damage occur, but repair rescues the first set, not the second. Photoreceptors lost are fewer than TUNEL-positive cells. Thus, both possibilities suggest photoreceptor DNA repair. The transient appearance of DNA polymerase beta in photoreceptors under these experimental conditions further suggests nuclear repair. Thus, maintenance of in-house DNA-repair mechanisms may provide an alternate approach for the rescue of photoreceptors, as well as other neurons with stress-induced damage. These events may provide useful drug targets to promote photoreceptor survival in various forms of retinal degeneration.