Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Techniques of Peripheral Nerve Repair

Nerve injuries extend from simple nerve compression lesions to complete nerve injuries and severe lacerations of the nerve trunks. A specific problem is brachial plexus injuries where nerve roots can be ruptured, or even avulsed from the spinal cord, by traction. An early and correct diagnosis of a nerve injury is important. A thorough knowledge of the anatomy of the peripheral nerve trunk as well as of basic neurobiological alterations in neurons and Schwann cells induced by the injury are crucial for the surgeon in making adequate decisions on how to repair and reconstruct nerves. The technique of peripheral nerve repair includes four important steps (preparation of nerve end, approximation, coaptation and maintenance). Nerves are usually repaired primarily with sutures applied in the different tissue components, but various tubes are available. Nerve grafts and nerve transfers are alternatives when the injury induces a nerve defect. Timing of nerve repair is essential. An early repair is preferable since it is advantageous for neurobiological reasons. Postoperative rehabilitation, utilising the patients' own coping strategies, with evaluation of outcome are additional important steps in treatment of peripheral nerve injuries. In the rehabilitation phase adequate handling of pain, allodynia and cold intolerance are emphasised.
Molecular Evidence for a Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia Species in the Tick Amblyomma longirostre in Brazil

Abstract Two Amblyomma longirostre adult male ticks were collected from a Brazilian porcupine Coendou prehensilis L. in the state of Rondonia, Western Amazon, Brazil. The two ticks were pooled for DNA extraction and tested for the presence of rickettsial DNA by amplifying portions of the gltA, 17-kDa, ompA, and ompB rickettsial genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Portions of the four genes were amplified from the sample and subsequently sequenced. These results indicated the presence of a Rickettsia strain infecting A. longirostre, which was designated as strain Aranha. Compared with homologous ompA rickettsial sequences, “Rickettsia amblyommii” ompA seemed to be the closest relative to Aranha (similarity values: 99.0–99.3%). Phylogenetic analyses of more conserved genes including 17-kDa and gtlA partial sequences indicated that this Rickettsia sp. is a spotted fever group rickettsia. The partial ompB sequence of strain Aranha was distinct from all homologous sequences available in GenBank. Although our ompA analysis suggested a very close molecular phylogenetic relationship of Aranha with “R. amblyommii,” we cannot at this time determine if Aranha is a new strain of “R. amblyommii” or a new Rickettsia species in South America.
[Supraglottic horizontal partial laryngectomies in 163 cases].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical value of supraglottic horizontal partial laryngectomy. METHODS One hundred and sixty-three patients with supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma were treated surgically by supraglottic horizontal partial laryngectomy from 1978 to 1998. There were 64 males and 99 females. Five cases were staged I, 95 staged II, 48 staged III and 15 staged IV. The surgical techniques were improved: The hyoid was removed conventionally; The outer perichondrium of thyroid cartilage was turned into the laryngeal cavity and sutured with the mucosa of laryngeal ventricle and the base of tongue was sutured to the reserved thyroid cartilage. Survival was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The differences between stages were tested by Los-Rank method. RESULTS The 5-year survival rate were 100.0%, 77.9%, 54.2% and 33.3% for patients staged I to IV respectively, and were statistically significant (P = 0.0006) between different clinical stages. The 5-year survival rate were 73.1% and 45.5% in patients with cN0 and cN + respectively, and were statistically significant (P = 0.0132). The speech and swallowing functions were good after operation. The decannulation rate was 91.4%. The main causes of death were cervical lymph node metastasis in 40% (20/50) and laryngeal recurrence in 18% (9/50). The occult metastasis rate was 23.1% (30/130) and cervical metastasis rates of patients with cN1-3 75.8% (25/33), with a total metastasis rate was 33.7 (55/163). CONCLUSIONS Supraglottic horizontal partial laryngectomy is very effective in eradicating disease and in preserving laryngeal function on condition that the indications were selected correctly. The selective lateral neck dissection was recommended for supraglottic carcinoma.
High‐frequency jet ventilation in children with the adult respiratory distress syndrome complicated by pulmonary barotrauma

High‐frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) was used in 29 children with severe ARDS complicated by pulmonary barotrauma (PST). Treatment with HFJV was begun when PBT was progressing over a 24‐h period while receiving conventional ventilation (CV). The mean (±SD) age was 0.95 ± 1.21 years (range, 0.03‐4 years). The most common diagnosis was viral pneumonia (n = 17); other diagnoses included aspiration pneumonitis (n = 4), bacterial pneumonia (n = 3), multiple trauma (n = 2), and near‐drowning (n = 3). The Bunnell Life‐Pulse ventilator was used at a rate of 240/min or 300/min, with inspiratory time of 0.02 sec. Twenty children survived (69%). Survivors and nonsurvivors had equal disease severity prior to HFJV as assessed by ventilator settings, alveolar‐to‐arterial oxygen tension gradient, oxygenation index, and blood gas values. Survivors had spent significantly less time on conventional ventilation prior to HFJV than nonsurvivors, with a mean (±SD) of 3.7 ± 2.1 days vs 9.6 5 4.5 days, respectively (P < 0.05). Survivors underwent an average of 4.4 ± 3.9 days of HFJV, which supported adequate gas exchange with lower airway pressures, and produced resolution or significant improvement in airleak on chest radiograph. In conclusion, we speculate that the application of HFJV early in the course of severe hypoxemic respiratory failure complicated by airleak, allows the reduction of airway pressures, thereby minimizing pulmonary barotrauma and allowing the lung to recover from the underlying insult. Further controlled evaluation of HFJV in this high risk group of patients is warranted. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Src signaling in cancer invasion

Src is a non‐receptor cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase which becomes activated following the stimulation of plasma membrane receptors including receptor tyrosine kinases and integrins, and is an indispensable player of multiple physiological homeostatic pathways. Once activated, Src is the starting point for several biochemical cascades that thereby propagate signals generated extracellularly along intracellular interconnected transduction pathways. Src transmits signals promoting cell survival and mitogenesis and, in addition, exerts a profound effect on the reorganization of the cytoskeleton and the adhesion systems that underpin cell migration and invasion. Because increased activity of Src is a frequent occurrence in many types of human cancer, and because there is evidence of a prominent role of Src in invasion and in other tumor progression‐related events such as epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and development of metastasis, inhibitors targeting Src are being viewed as promising drugs for cancer therapy. J. Cell. Physiol. 223: 14–26, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Potassium-induced spontaneous electrographic seizures in the rat hippocampal slice.

1. The CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices bathed in 8.5 mM interstitial K+ ([K+]o) exhibited spontaneous 20- to 90-s electrographic seizures at regular intervals of 1-8 min. In these same slices CA3 neurons generated spontaneous interictal bursts that propagated throughout the pyramidal cell subfields. CA1 electrographic seizures contained components reminiscent of discharges recorded in vivo during tonic-clonic motor seizures. The tonic phase lasted 1-10 s, consisted of a sustained depolarization and firing of CA1 pyramidal cells, and was associated with a negative extracellular potential in the cell layer. The clonic phase lasted tens of seconds and was composed of paroxysmal bursts with afterdischarges in pyramidal cells. 2. Electrographic seizures in CA1 were focal in nature in that they did not invade the CA3 region. Moreover, in approximately 85% of all slices the frequency and amplitude of interictal bursts in CA3 did not change during a CA1 seizure. 3. Both the tonic phase and each clonic discharge of an electrographic seizure were triggered synaptically by a CA3 interictal burst. Microlesions of the Schaffer collateral input abolished CA1 seizures in high [K+]o, and electrical stimulation of these afferents, in a pattern designed to mimic interictal input, restored seizures. Likewise, similarly patterned electrical stimulation of these fibers in slices bathed in high [K+]o with the CA3 region removed reliably evoked electrographic seizures with period and duration similar to spontaneous seizures in whole slices. 4. Electrographic seizures but not CA3 interictal bursts could be reversibly abolished by lowering the temperature from 35-37 to 28-30 degrees C or by the competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (5-10 microM). The inactive isomer, L-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (25 microM) did not eliminate seizures. 5. Neither the frequency nor intensity of interictal bursts recorded in the CA3 region changed in the minute preceding seizure initiation. Thus, although the presence of interictal input from the CA3 region is required for CA1 seizure generation, it appears that electrographic seizures do not result from a change in the quality or quantity of interictal input to the CA1 region. 6. During the 30- to 60-s period leading to a seizure the excitability of CA1 pyramidal cells appeared to increase gradually. Over the interseizure interval both CA1 pyramidal cells and glia gradually depolarized, the intensity of interictal bursts recorded in the CA1 region increased, and the extracellular DC potential recorded in the CA1 cell layer drifted negative. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Microscopic Cords, a Virulence-Related Characteristic of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Are Also Present in Nonpathogenic Mycobacteria

ABSTRACT The aggregation of mycobacterial cells in a definite order, forming microscopic structures that resemble cords, is known as cord formation, or cording, and is considered a virulence factor in the M ycobacterium tuberculosis complex and the species M ycobacterium marinum. In the 1950s, cording was related to a trehalose dimycolate lipid that, consequently, was named the cord factor. However, modern techniques of microbial genetics have revealed that cording can be affected by mutations in genes not directly involved in trehalose dimycolate biosynthesis. Therefore, questions such as “How does mycobacterial cord formation occur? ” and “Which molecular factors play a role in cord formation? ” remain unanswered. At present, one of the problems in cording studies is the correct interpretation of cording morphology. Using optical microscopy, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between cording and clumping, which is a general property of mycobacteria due to their hydrophobic surfaces. In this work, we provide a new way to visualize cords in great detail using scanning electron microscopy, and we show the first scanning electron microscopy images of the ultrastructure of mycobacterial cords, making this technique the ideal tool for cording studies. This technique has enabled us to affirm that nonpathogenic mycobacteria also form microscopic cords. Finally, we demonstrate that a strong correlation exists between microscopic cords, rough colonial morphology, and increased persistence of mycobacteria inside macrophages.
The Effect of an Orthopaedic Surgical Procedure in the National Basketball Association

Background: Professional basketball players have a high incidence of injuries requiring surgical intervention. However, no studies in the current literature have compared postoperative performance outcomes among common injuries to determine high- and low-risk procedures to these athletes’ careers. Purpose: To compare return-to-play (RTP) rates and performance-based outcomes after different orthopaedic procedures in National Basketball Association (NBA) players and to determine which surgeries are associated with the worst postoperative change in performance. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Athletes in the NBA undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, Achilles tendon repair, lumbar discectomy, microfracture, meniscus surgery, hand/wrist or foot fracture fixation, and shoulder stabilization were identified through team injury reports and archives on public record. The RTP rate, games played per season, and player efficiency rating (PER) were determined before and after surgery. Statistical analysis was used to compare the change between pre- and postsurgical performance among the different injuries. Results: A total of 348 players were included. The RTP rates were highest in patients with hand/wrist fractures (98.1%; mean age, 27.0 years) and lowest for those with Achilles tears (70.8%; mean age, 28.4 years) (P = .005). Age ≥30 years (odds ratio [OR], 3.85; 95% CI, 1.24-11.91) and body mass index ≥27 kg/m2 (OR, 3.46; 95% CI, 1.05-11.40) were predictors of not returning to play. Players undergoing Achilles tendon repair and arthroscopic knee surgery had a significantly greater decline in postoperative performance outcomes at the 1- and 3-year time points and had shorter career lengths compared with the other procedures. Conclusion: NBA players undergoing Achilles tendon rupture repair or arthroscopic knee surgery had significantly worse performance postoperatively compared with other orthopaedic procedures.
A fast algorithm for power optimization using multiple voltages in data path synthesis

In this paper, we propose a fast iterative improvement algorithm to optimize power consumption during data path synthesis using multiple supply voltages and threshold voltages. We do scheduling, binding and voltage assignment simultaneously by applying some heuristic strategies such that power consumption can be quickly optimized to a considerable level. Experimental results on a number of standard benchmarks using three supply voltage levels and three threshold voltage levels show that an average power saving of 36.186% can be obtained compared to using a single supply voltage level (with a time constraint of 1.2 times the critical path delay and a resource constraint of two function unit each type)
Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep is Associated with Increased Mortality

Objective To elucidate the association between periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) and mortality. Methods Nocturnal polysomnographic recordings of 1,344 subjects obtained from 1995 to 2008 were reviewed. The subjects were divided into four groups based on PLMS and insomnia: reference group (PLMS≤5), insomnia group (PLMS≤5 with insomnia symptoms), 515 group. We searched each subject's Identification Number in the death records from the Statistics of Korea, the national bureau of statistics, to determine deaths in the cohort that occurred prior to December, 2013. Cox-proportional hazard regression and Kaplan-Meier survival curve analyses were used to compare mortality among the four groups. Results Hazard ratios (HRs) in the 515 groups were significantly higher than that in the reference group before adjusting for age and gender [HR, 3.37; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.73–6.55; p<0.001; HR, 5.77; 95% CI, 3.24–10.29; p<0.001]. Only the PLMS>15 group had a higher mortality rate than that in the reference group after adjusting for age, gender, and sleep efficiency (HR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.06–2.21; p=0.033). Conclusion These results suggest that PLMS may be associated with increased mortality.
The Computer-Assisted Brief Intervention for Tobacco (CABIT) Program: A Pilot Study

Background Health care providers do not routinely carry out brief counseling for tobacco cessation despite the evidence for its effectiveness. For this intervention to be routinely used, it must be brief, be convenient, require little investment of resources, require little specialized training, and be perceived as efficacious by providers. Technological advances hold much potential for addressing the barriers preventing the integration of brief interventions for tobacco cessation into the health care setting. Objective This paper describes the development and initial evaluation of the Computer-Assisted Brief Intervention for Tobacco (CABIT) program, a web-based, multimedia tobacco intervention for use in opportunistic settings. Methods The CABIT uses a self-administered, computerized assessment to produce personalized health care provider and patient reports, and cue a stage-matched video intervention. Respondents interested in changing their tobacco use are offered a faxed referral to a “best matched” tobacco treatment provider (ie, dynamic referral). During 2008, the CABIT program was evaluated in an emergency department, an employee assistance program, and a tobacco dependence program in New Jersey. Participants and health care providers completed semistructured interviews and satisfaction ratings of the assessment, reports, video intervention, and referrals using a 5-point scale. Results Mean patient satisfaction scores (n = 67) for all domains ranged from 4.00 (Good) to 5.00 (Excellent; Mean = 4.48). Health care providers completed satisfaction forms for 39 patients. Of these 39 patients, 34 (87%) received tobacco resources and referrals they would not have received under standard care. Of the 45 participants offered a dynamic referral, 28 (62%) accepted. Conclusions The CABIT program provided a user-friendly, desirable service for tobacco users and their health care providers. Further development and clinical trial testing is warranted to establish its effectiveness in promoting treatment engagement and tobacco cessation.
Glioma-specific cytotoxic T cells can be effectively induced by subcutaneous vaccination of irradiated wild-type tumor cells without artificial cytokine production.

Effective induction of systemic antitumor immunity is a crucial step for success of immune gene therapy for intracerebral gliomas. We examined in this study the ability to induce glioma-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) by subcutaneous (s.c.) immunization of irradiated whole-tumor cell vaccine with or without artificial cytokine production, and also examined in vivo efficacy of the induced CTL against a rat brain tumor model with 9L gliosarcoma cells. Murine neuroblastoma C1300 cells transduced with the interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4 or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) gene (C1300/IL-2, C1300/IL-4 or C1300/GM-CSF) were used as cytokine-producers. Glioma-specific CTL activity was equivalently induced in the rats vaccinated s.c. with irradiated 9L, irradiated IL-2-producing 9L cells or the mixed population of irradiated 9L and C1300/IL-2 cells, while the activity was relatively lower in the rats vaccinated with irradiated 9L cells mixed with either C1300/IL-4 or C1300/GM-CSF cells. In the rats immunized s.c. with irradiated 9L cells, intracerebral (i.c.) 9L tumors implanted together with either C1300/IL-2 or C1300/IL-4 were completely rejected. Pre-established brain tumor also could be eliminated by the s.c. immunization of irradiated 9L cells and i.c. transplantation of IL-2-producers. These results suggest that glioma-specific CTLs could be effectively induced by s.c. immunization of irradiated wild-type tumor cells without artificial cytokine production.
Mapping the genes for haloperidol-induced catalepsy.

The strain means for haloperidol-induced catalepsy were determined in the 26 strain BXD recombinant inbred series. The ED50 values ranged from 0.55 mg/kg (strain 30) to 7.9 mg/kg (strain 2). Heritability for the catalepsy response was 0.78 and the number of effective loci was estimated to be four. The strain means were correlated with the strain distribution patterns for 1300 marker loci of known chromosomal location and polymorphic between the C57Bl/6J and DBA/2J strains. Six quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified at P < . 01. Two of the six QTLs were confirmed in a sample of B6XD2 F2 animals (n = 144), phenotyped for haloperidol response and genotyped for microsatellites closely linked to the QTLs. The confirmed QTL on chromosome 4 is near the b locus. The confirmed QTL on chromosome 9 is closely linked to Drd2, the D2 dopamine receptor gene. One hundred of the F2 individuals were phenotyped for D2 dopamine receptor binding using the ligand [125I] epidepride as the ligand. Consistent with previous results, the nonresponsive F2 individuals showed modestly higher receptor binding in all brain regions examined: the nucleus accumbens core, the nucleus accumbens shell, the lateral caudate putamen, the dorsomedial caudate putamen, the substantia nigra zona compacta and the ventral tegmental area. The DBA/2J allele of the chromosome 9 QTL was associated with higher receptor binding in all brain areas except the ventral tegmental area. Overall, the data illustrate that either near or part of Drd2 is a QTL which has significant effects on both haloperidol response and D2 dopamine receptor binding. However, the data also illustrate that most of the genetic variance in either haloperidol response or D2 dopamine receptor binding is not associated with Drd2.
Determination of peak vertical ground reaction force from duty factor in the horse (Equus caballus)

SUMMARY Measurement of peak vertical ground reaction force (GRFz) from multiple limbs simultaneously during high-speed, over-ground locomotion would enhance our understanding of the locomotor mechanics of cursorial animals. Here, we evaluate the accuracy of predicting peak GRFz from duty factor (the proportion of the stride for which the limb is in contact with the ground). Foot-mounted uniaxial accelerometers, combined with UHF FM telemetry, are shown to be practical and accurate for the field measurement of stride timing variables, including duty factor. Direct comparison with the force plate produces a mean error of 2.3 ms and 3.5 ms for the timing of foot on and foot off, respectively, across all gaits. Predictions of peak GRFz from duty factor show mean errors (with positive values indicating an overestimate) of 0.8±0.04 N kg–1 (13%; N=42; mean ± s.e.m.) at walk, –0.3±0.06 N kg–1 (3%; N=75) at trot, –2.3±0.27 N kg–1 (16%; N=18) for the non-lead limb at canter and +2.1±0.7 N kg–1 (19%; N=9) for the lead limb at canter. The substantial over- and underestimate seen at canter, in the lead and non-lead limbs, respectively, is attributed to the different functions performed by the two limbs in the asymmetrical gaits. The difference in load experienced by the lead and non-lead limbs decreased with increasing speed.