Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AvAliAção A médio prAzo dA ArtroplAstiA totAl do joelho com implAnte de fAbricAção nAcionAl mediUm-term assessment of total knee arthroplasty with implant made in BraZil

ABSTRACT Objective: This study assessed 47 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with implants manufactured in Brazil, with a mean follow-up of five years. Methods: This was a retros-pective study at Santa Casa de Misericordia Hospital in Rio de Janeiro, from January 1993 to December 2002. The sample com-prised 47 patients (44 females and three males) who underwent TKA, totaling 58 knees. The patients’ ages ranged from 46 to 83 years. A diagnosis of osteoarthritis or rheumatic disease was confirmed in all the patients. Results: In this investigation, all the patients underwent cemented TKA with preservation of the posterior cruciate ligament. The length of follow-up ranged from 5 to 17 years. The functional assessment criterion used was the one of the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), and this yielded an average of 87 points after the operation. The radiographic crite-rion used was the Knee Society Total Knee Arthroplasty Roent-genographic Evaluation and Scoring System. We had three cases with a radiolucent line without implant loosening, which were asymptomatic from a clinical standpoint. Conclusion: The total knee arthroplasty procedures using an implant made in Brazil were performed by a trained and experienced team. To date, over the clinical follow-up on these patients with knee osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, the results have been seen to be satisfactory.
The Life-Changing Significance of Normal Birth

Many do not fully understand the lifelong, significant benefits of a well-supported, normal birth. In this column, the editor of The Journal of Perinatal Education reviews research that supports the life-changing advantages of a normal birthing experience. Further scientific study is encouraged in order to enhance previous, evidence-based data that demonstrate the positive outcomes of normal birth for women and their families. The editor also describes the contents of this journal issue, which offers a broad range of resources, research, and inspiration for childbirth educators in their efforts to promote normal birth.
Replication of genome wide association-validated loci for type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Saudi Arabian population

1Biomarkers Research Program, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University; 2Center of Excellence in Biotechnology Research Center, King Saud University; 3Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, King Saud University, 4Clinical Pharmacy Department, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University;5 School of Biological Sciences, Life Science Building 85, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; 6 Rheumatic Diseases Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
Modeless robots calibration in 3D workspace with an on-line fuzzy interpolation technique

Robot calibration techniques can be classified into model-based and modeless methods. A model-based calibration method normally requires that the practitioners understand the kinematics of the robot therefore may pose a challenger for field engineers. An alternative yet effective means for robot calibration is to use a modeless method; however with such a method there is a conflict between the calibration accuracy of the robot and the number of grid points used in the calibration task. In this paper, a novel fuzzy interpolation method is applied to improve the compensation accuracy of the robot in its 3D workspace. An on-line fuzzy inference system is implemented to meet the needs of online robot trajectory planning and control. The simulated results given in this paper show that not only robot compensation accuracy can be greatly improved with this fuzzy interpolation method, but also the calibration process can be significantly simplified therefore it is suitable for practical applications.
Forensic Entomology—First Swedish Case Studies

ABSTRACT In the summer of 1998 a forensic entomology project was carried out at the Unit of Forensic Medicine and the Department of Systematic Zoology at Uppsala University. This was the first forensic entomology project in Sweden. Arthropods were collected from corpses brought to the Unit of Forensic Medicine for autopsy. The arthropods were determined to species and developmental stage. Larvae of the blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy and Lucilia sericata (Meigen), and the beetle (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) Dermestes lardarius L. were recorded. The estimated ambient mean temperatures, development stages of the insects, and literature records of their developmental times were used to extrapolate the dates of death and thereby the post-mortem intervals (PMIs). The PMIs obtained by our data corresponded well with the PMIs obtained by other data.
CNS prophylaxis in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Clinical vignette An 18-month-old girl was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Her initial leukocyte count was 250 000/ L and her diagnostic lumbar puncture showed 3 WBCs/ L and leukemic blasts on cytospin (CNS2). She achieved a minimal residual disease–negative remission after multiagent induction therapy. Her parents are concerned because cranial radiation therapy (CRT) will be included in her treatment and they ask you if any other therapies can be substituted for it.
The year that passed – 2011

The increased number of pages that we have had over the last few years has now taken its toll: in the latest ‘verdict’ from ISI Journal Citation Reports (JCR), our impact factor decreased from 2? 79 to 2? 09 in June this year. This reduction makes us all who put a substantial amount of work into the journal disappointed, wondering what we did wrong. It is good to know that we are not alone – the same drop happened to our big sister journal, British Journal of Nutrition, which experienced an impact factor drop from 3? 45 to 3? 07. These drops are, for both journals, probably due to an increased number of papers being published in the years 2008 and 2009, the years that the 2010 impact factor is based on. Just to remind our readers: the impact factor is based upon the number of citations of papers published in the last two years, divided by the number of papers. For 2008 plus 2009, we published 456 papers, while the corresponding figure for 2007 plus 2008 was only 343 papers. We are now ranked as number 39 out of 70 nutrition journals. Our 5-year impact factor, which may be more interesting than the 1-year version, is higher, 2? 817, and moves the journal up to number 25 out of the 70 nutrition journals. The Article Influence score that is also published by JCR calculates the relative importance of the journal per paper. When this score is more than 1, it indicates that the journal has above-average influence. Our journal ranked relatively high here: at 0? 819, Public Health Nutrition was ranked as number 22 out of the 70 listed nutrition journals in JCR.
Helicobacter pylori and chronic ITP: the discrepancy in the clinical responses to eradication therapy might be due to differences in the bacterial strains.

We read with interest the recently published article by Michel et al,[1][1] which described their investigation of the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection (H pylori) in North American patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and the effect of H pylori eradication on platelet
Interference Measurements in the European 868 MHz ISM Band with Focus on LoRa and SigFox

In this measurement study the signal activity and power levels are measured in the European Industrial, Scientific, and Medical band 863-870 MHz in the city of Aalborg, Denmark. The target is to determine if there is any interference, which may impact deployment of Internet of Things devices. The focus is on the Low Power Wide Area technologies LoRa and SigFox. The measurements show that there is a 22-33 % probability of interfering signals above -105 dBm within the mandatory LoRa and SigFox 868.0-868.6 MHz band in a shopping area and a business park in downtown Aalborg, which thus limits the potential coverage and capacity of LoRa and SigFox. However, the probability of interference is less than 3 % in the three other measurement locations in Aalborg. Finally, a hospital and an industrial area are shown to experience high activity in the RFID subband 865-868 MHz, while the wireless audio band 863-865 MHz has less activity.
Definition of arthritis candidate risk genes by combining rat linkage-mapping results with human case-control association data

Objective: To define genomic regions that link to rat arthritis and to determine the potential association with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) of the corresponding human genomic regions. Methods: Advanced intercross lines (AIL) between arthritis susceptible DA rats and arthritis resistant PVG.1AV1 rats were injected with differently arthritogenic oils to achieve an experimental situation with substantial phenotypic variation in the rat study population. Genotyping of microsatellite markers was performed over genomic regions with documented impact on arthritis, located on rat chromosomes 4, 10 and 12. Linkage between genotypes and phenotypes were determined by R/quantitative trait loci (QTL). Potential association with RA of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in homologous human chromosome regions was evaluated from public Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC) data derived from 2000 cases and 3000 controls. Results: A high frequency of arthritis (57%) was recorded in 422 rats injected with pristane. Maximum linkage to pristane-induced arthritis occurred less than 130 kb from the known genetic arthritis determinants Ncf1 and APLEC, demonstrating remarkable mapping precision. Five novel quantitative trait loci were mapped on rat chromosomes 4 and 10, with narrow confidence intervals. Some exerted sex-biased effects and some were linked to chronic arthritis. Human homologous genomic regions contain loci where multiple nearby SNPs associate nominally with RA (eg, at the genes encoding protein kinase Cα and interleukin 17 receptor α). Conclusions: High-resolution mapping in AIL populations defines limited sets of candidate risk genes, some of which appear also to associate with RA and thus may give clues to evolutionarily conserved pathways that lead to arthritis.
Interferon- (cid:1) –induced gene expression in CD34 cells: identiﬁcation of pathologic cytokine-speciﬁc signature proﬁles

Hematopoietic effects of interferon- (cid:1) (IFN- (cid:1) ) may be responsible for certain aspects of the pathology seen in bone marrow failure syndromes, including aplastic anemia (AA), paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), and some forms of myelodysplasia (MDS). Overexpression of and hematopoietic inhibition by IFN- (cid:1) has been observed in all of these conditions. In vitro, IFN- (cid:1) exhibits strong inhibitory effects on hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells. Previously, we have studied the transcriptome of CD34 cells derived from patients with bone marrow failure syndromes and identiﬁed characteristic molecular signatures common to some of these conditions. In this report, we have investigated genome-wide expression patterns after exposure of CD34 and bone marrow stroma cells in vitro and have detected profound changes in the transcription proﬁle. Some of these changes were concordant in both stroma and CD34 cells, whereas others were speciﬁc to CD34 cells. In general, our results were in agreement with the previously described function of IFN- (cid:1) in CD34 cells involving activation of apoptotic pathways and immune response genes. Comparison between the IFN- (cid:1) transcriptome in normal CD34 cells and changes previously detected in CD34 cells from AA and PNH patients reveals the presence of many similarities that may reﬂect molecular signature of in vivo IFN- (cid:1) exposure. (Blood.2006;107:167-175) © 2006 by
An industrial example of database reverse engineering

This paper presents an industrial example of database reverse engineering. The example has been abridged so that it fits within a paper. Also some of the field names have been disguised as a courtesy to the source company. Nevertheless, the example is real and illustrates the kinds of mistakes and poor design that are often found in practice.
Elucidating genomic gaps using phenotypic profiles

Advances in genomic sequencing provide the ability to model the metabolism of organisms from their genome annotation. The bioinformatics tools developed to deduce gene function through homology-based methods are dependent on public databases; thus, novel discoveries are not readily extrapolated from current analysis tools with a homology dependence. Multi-phenotype Assay Plates (MAPs) provide a high-throughput method to profile bacterial phenotypes by growing bacteria in various growth conditions, simultaneously. More robust and accurate computational models can be constructed by coupling MAPs with current genomic annotation methods. PMAnalyzer is an online tool that analyzes bacterial growth curves from the MAP system which are then used to optimize metabolic models during in silico growth simulations. Using Citrobacter sedlakii as a prototype, the Rapid Annotation using Subsystem Technology (RAST) tool produced a model consisting of 1,367 enzymatic reactions. After the optimization, 44 reactions were added to, or modified within, the model. The model correctly predicted the outcome on 93% of growth experiments.
Change in MRI-detected subchondral bone marrow lesions is associated with cartilage loss: the MOST Study. A longitudinal multicentre study of knee osteoarthritis

Objectives: To describe the natural history of subchondral bone marrow lesions (BMLs) in a sample of subjects with knee osteoarthritis (OA) or at risk of developing it. Additionally, to examine the association of change in BMLs from baseline to 30-month follow-up with the risk of cartilage loss in the same subregion at follow-up. Methods: 1.0 T MRI was performed using proton density-weighted, fat-suppressed sequences. BML size and cartilage status were scored in the same subregions according to the WORMS system. Subregions were categorised based on comparison of baseline and follow-up BML status. A logistic regression model was used to assess the association of change in BML status with cartilage loss over 30 months using stable BMLs as the reference group. Results: 395 knees were included. 66% of prevalent BMLs changed in size; 50% showed either regression or resolution at follow-up. The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of cartilage loss in the same subregion at follow-up for the different groups were 1.2 (0.5 to 1.6) for regressing BMLs, 0.9 (0.5 to 1.6) for resolving BMLs, 2.8 (1.5 to 5.2) for progressing BMLs, 0.2 (0.1 to 0.3) for subregions with no BMLs at baseline and follow-up and 3.5 (2.1 to 5.9) for newly developing BMLs. BML size at baseline was associated with risk of subsequent cartilage loss. Conclusions: The majority of pre-existing BMLs decreased in size at follow-up. Absence of BMLs was associated with a decreased risk of cartilage loss, while progressing and new BMLs showed a high risk of cartilage loss in the same subregion.
DAS-driven therapy versus routine care in patients with recent-onset active rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of Disease Activity Score (DAS)-driven therapy and routine care in patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis receiving traditional antirheumatic therapy from either the BeSt study, a randomised controlled trial comparing different treatment strategies (group A), or two Early Arthritis Clinics (group B) were included. In group A, systematic DAS-driven treatment adjustments aimed to achieve low disease activity (DAS ⩽2.4). In group B, treatment was left to the discretion of the treating doctor. Functional ability (Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ)), Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) and Sharp/van der Heijde radiographic score (SHS) were evaluated. Results: At baseline, patients in group A (n = 234) and group B (n = 201) had comparable demographic characteristics and a mean HAQ of 1.4. Group A had a longer median disease duration than group B (0.5 vs 0.4 years, p = 0.016), a higher mean DAS28 (6.1 vs 5.7, p<0.001), more rheumatoid factor-positive patients (66% vs 42%, p<0.001) and more patients with erosions (71% vs 53%, p<0.001). After 1 year, the HAQ improvement was 0.7 vs 0.5 (p = 0.029), and the percentage in remission (DAS28 <2.6) 31% vs 18% (p<0.005) in groups A and B, respectively. In group A, the median SHS progression was 2.0 (expected progression 7.0), in group B, the SHS progression was 1.0 (expected progression 4.4). Conclusions: In patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis receiving traditional treatment, systematic DAS-driven therapy results in significantly better clinical improvement and possibly improves the suppression of joint damage progression.
Protection against rheumatoid arthritis by HLA: nature and nurture

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex genetic disorder in which the HLA region contributes most to the genetic risk. HLA-DRB1 molecules containing the amino acid sequence QKRAA/QRRAA/RRRAA (ie, HLA-DRB1*0101, *0102, *0401, *0404, *0405, *0408, *0410, *1001 and *1402) at position 70–74 in the third hypervariable region of the DRB1 chain are associated with susceptibility to RA. HLA-DRB1 molecules containing the amino acids “DERAA” (ie, HLA-DRB1*0103, *0402, *1102, *1103, *1301, *1302 and *1304) at the same position are associated with protection from RA. Interestingly, not only inherited but also non-inherited HLA-antigens from the mother can influence RA susceptibility. A protective effect of “DERAA”-containing HLA-DRB1 alleles as non-inherited maternal antigen (NIMA) has recently been described. The underlying mechanism of this protective effect is currently unknown, although a possible explanation is covered below. In this review, an overview of the current knowledge on protection against RA is given and the inherited and NIMA effect of “DERAA”-containing HLA-DRB1 alleles are compared.
Ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block versus caudal block for postoperative pain relief in infants and children undergoing surgical pyeloplasty

Background Caudal block is the most frequently used regional anesthetic technique for pediatric analgesia, with the disadvantage of limited duration of action. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has been reported to provide effective analgesia after lower abdominal surgery, but there are few data comparing caudal block with ultrasound-guided TAP block in pediatric patients undergoing surgical pyeloplasty. Patients and methods Thirty-nine patients (6 months to 6 years) scheduled for elective surgical pyeloplasty were divided into two groups in a double-blinded randomized manner. After sevoflurane in oxygen anesthesia, patients were assigned to one of the two groups: group A (caudal; n = 19 patients) received a single caudal dose of isobaric bupivacaine 0.25% (1.25 ml/kg) and group B (TAP block; n = 20 patients) received isobaric bupivacaine 0.25% (0.3 ml/kg). The primary outcomes were the time to first analgesia in minutes and the analgesic doses (oral acetaminophen and rectal diclofenac) required during the first 24 h postoperatively. The secondary outcome measures included FLACC pain scale score and intraoperative hemodynamic variables. Results Group B had a significantly longer time to first analgesia (602, 705, 748 vs. 250, 280, 365 min) and required significantly lower doses of acetaminophen (301.9 ± 161.26 vs. 635.05 ± 205.42) and rectal diclofenac (0, 0, 0 vs. 0, 0, 12.5 mg) than group A. FLACC pain scale score was significantly lower in group B than in group A (P < 0.05) at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20, and 24 h postoperatively. There was no significant difference between both groups with respect to intraoperative hemodynamic variables. Conclusion Unilateral TAP block provided superior analgesia compared with single caudal block injection in the first 24 postoperative hours after surgical pyeloplasty in infants and children aged 6 months to 6 years.
Modification and validation of the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (version 3)

Background: Comprehensive multisystem clinical assessment using the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity score (BVAS) is widely used in therapeutic studies of systemic vasculitis. Extensive use suggested a need to revise the instrument. The previous version of BVAS has been revised, according to usage and reviewed by an expert committee. Objective: To modify and validate version 3 of the BVAS in patients with systemic vasculitis. Methods: The new version of BVAS was tested in a prospective cross-sectional study of patients with vasculitis. Results: The number of items was reduced from 66 to 56. The subscores for new/worse disease and persistent disease were unified. In 313 patients with systemic vasculitis, BVAS(v.3) correlated with treatment decision (Spearman’s rs = 0.66, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.72), BVAS1 of version 2 (rs = 0.94, 95% CI 0.92 to 0.96), BVAS2 of version 2 in patients with persistent disease (rs = 0.60, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.83), C-reactive protein levels (rs = 0.43, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.54), physician’s global assessment (rs = 0.91, 95% CI 0.89 to 0.93) and vasculitis activity index (rs = 0.88, 95% CI 0.86 to 0.91). The intraclass correlation coefficients for reproducibility and repeatability were 0.96 (95% CI 0.95 to 0.97) and 0.96 (95% CI 0.92 to 0.97), respectively. In 39 patients assessed at diagnosis and again at 3 months, the BVAS(v.3) fell by 17 (95% CI 15 to 19) units (p<0.001, paired t test). Conclusion: BVAS(v.3) demonstrates convergence with BVAS(v.2), treatment decision, physician global assessment of disease activity, vasculitis activity index and C-reactive protein. It is repeatable, reproducible and sensitive to change. The new version of BVAS is validated for assessment of systemic vasculitis.
Functions of the Septo-Hippocampal System

Perhaps the greatest surprise to a British reader is to find that a section entitled Disorders of Movement is yet another metabolic section with clinical neurophysiology reduced to bare essentials. Lower motor neurone physiology is largely from laboratory animals, and the introduction to its disorders has 794 references with 11 pages on hypothetical (sic) lesions with portmanteaux neologisms (Kingengelopathies). Diabetic neuropathy is well described, though many would consider that it underestimates the axonal factor, and the section on leprosy is authoritative. The chapter on myasthenia gravis is comprehensive, but a reproduced table omits the association with epilepsy which now appears to be explicable. Congenital and dystrophic myopathies are well reviewed but need a Sparafucile (indexed forsooth). Neuroendocrine and autonomic disorders are followed by interesting essays on pain and headache, to complete a monumental work. Apparently higher cerebral functions are not scientific. Was it worth it? Well yes, for 1977; the question is, what is its half life? Nonetheless it would be less than generous to close without congratulating the authors on an enormous job well done.
Two-year follow-up of plasma leptin and other cytokines in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Leptin is an adipocyte-derived hormone that may regulate the immune response.1 Its reduction is associated with increased susceptibility to infection, whereas the opposite is associated with proinflammatory cytokine production in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune disorders.2 Leptin could represent a link between the immune response, metabolic functions and nutritional status.3 While the concentration of leptin may be increased in the plasma of patients with RA, in the synovial fluid it seems to be decreased.2 3 Although some reports found no difference between leptin plasma concentrations in patients with RA and healthy controls,4 we found it increased in RA, particularly in those patients with longer disease duration.5 Leptin concentration also correlated with disease …