Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Self-management: challenges for allied healthcare professionals in stroke rehabilitation – a focus group study

Abstract Purpose: Self-management has become an important concept in stroke rehabilitation. This study explored allied healthcare professionals' (AHPs) perceptions and beliefs regarding the self-management of stroke survivors and their knowledge and skills regarding stroke self-management interventions. Method: Four focus group interviews were conducted with 27 professionals. Verbal questions and mind mapping were used to collect data. A constant comparative framework was used for analysis. Results: The AHPs discussed different levels of post-stroke self-management, depending on factors such as pre-stroke skills, recovery-phases post-stroke and cognitive abilities of the stroke patients. They hesitated about stroke clients' capacities to self-manage. AHPs questioned whether their own attitudes and skills were really supportive for stroke clients' self-management and criticised stroke services as being too medically oriented. They recommended that self-management programmes should focus both on clients and caregivers and be delivered at peoples' homes. Conclusion: Professional perceptions and beliefs are important factors to take into account when implementing stroke self-management programmes. Before professionals can enable stroke survivors to self-manage, they first need support in acquiring knowledge and skills regarding post-stroke self-management. Moreover, professionals could benefit from behavioural change models, and professionals recognised that stroke self-management interventions would be most beneficial when delivered post-discharge at people's homes. Implications for Rehabilitation Post-stroke self-management is a learning process with different levels dependent on pre-stroke lifestyle and self-management skills, the post-stroke phase of recovery, the cognitive abilities of stroke survivors and the support of caregivers (co-management). Persons with cognitive impairments are not persons who cannot learn to self-manage; rather, they need more specific self-management support. Case studies describing the abilities of stroke survivors, who are successful in self-management post-stroke, can help to develop “ability oriented” stroke-illness scripts. Addressing “ability oriented” stroke-illness scripts in bachelor and post-graduate education will enhance positive professional beliefs concerning the self-management post-stroke, and will help professionals in coaching in stroke survivors' goal setting in self-management programmes. Professionals' account suggests that stroke self-management programmes should also be delivered post-discharge at stroke survivors' own homes.
TNF‐α release by monocytic THP‐1 cells through cross‐linking of the extended V‐region of the oral streptococcal protein I/II

We tested the hypothesis of a conserved activation mode of monocytic THP‐1 cells by proteins I/II expressed by several species of oral streptococci through the specific role of the extended V‐region. We studied the binding and modulating activities of six proteins I/II purified from strains representing four different species of oral streptococci, and of expression products of polymerase chain reaction‐amplified sequences encoding corresponding extended V‐regions. We found that the different proteins I/II bound to THP‐1 cells in a sugar‐dependent mode involving the extended V‐region. Furthermore, all the proteins I/II stimulated THP‐1 cells to produce tumor necrosis factor α, indicating that these properties are not strain‐ or species‐specific. Despite the weak stimulation of THP‐1 cells by the extended V‐region alone, we obtained evidence that cross‐linking of this region can be one of the mechanisms involved in monocytic cell activation by proteins I/II. J. Leukoc. Biol. 67: 81–89; 2000.
Molecular mechanisms of green tea polyphenols with protective effects against skin photoaging

ABSTRACT Whereas green tea has historically been consumed in high quantities in Northeast Asia, its popularity is also increasing in many Western countries. Green tea is an abundant source of plant polyphenols exhibiting numerous effects that are potentially beneficial for human health. Accumulating evidence suggests that green tea polyphenols confer protective effects on the skin against ultraviolet (UV) irradiation-induced acceleration of skin aging, involving antimelanogenic, antiwrinkle, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects as well as prevention of immunosuppression. Melanin pigmentation in the skin is a major defense mechanism against UV irradiation, but pigmentation abnormalities such as melasma, freckles, senile lentigines, and other forms of melanin hyperpigmentation can also cause serious health and aesthetic issues. Furthermore, UV irradiation initiates the degradation of fibrillar collagen and elastic fibers, promoting the process of skin aging through deep wrinkle formation and loss of tissue elasticity. UV irradiation-induced formation of free radicals also contributes to accelerated photoaging. Additionally, immunosuppression caused by UV irradiation plays an important role in photoaging and skin carcinogenesis. In this review, we summarize the current literature regarding the antimelanogenic, antiwrinkle, antioxidant, and immunosuppression preventive mechanisms of green tea polyphenols that have been demonstrated to protect against UV irradiation-stimulated skin photoaging, and gauge the quality of evidence supporting the need for clinical studies using green tea polyphenols as anti-photoaging agents in novel cosmeceuticals.
Evaluation of latex agglutination kits for detection of fibrin(ogen) degradation products and D-dimer in healthy horses and horses with severe colic.

BACKGROUND Fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDPs) and D-dimer are sensitive indicators of excessive fibrinolysis due to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in dogs. To the authors' knowledge, latex-agglutination-based plasma FDP and D-dimer assays have not been validated for use in horses. OBJECTIVES To determine: 1) sensitivity and specificity of latex agglutination serum and plasma FDP and D-dimer assays for diagnosis of DIC; and 2) their prognostic value in horses with severe colic. METHODS At hospital admission and 24 hours later, blood was collected from 30 healthy horses and 20 horses with severe colic. Horses fulfilling predefined laboratory criteria of DIC were enrolled, and their data were subcategorized by survival for analysis. Platelet counts were determined and coagulation panel testing was performed. Serum and plasma FDP concentrations were measured using separate latex agglutination kits. Plasma D-dimer concentration was measured using 3 latex agglutination kits and a card immunofiltration test. Test sensitivity and specificity results were determined for healthy horses and those with colic. Median test values were compared between colic survivors and nonsurvivors to evaluate the prognostic usefulness of all tests. RESULTS Performance characteristics varied among assays and kit suppliers. The FDP assays had low sensitivity (<40%), whereas the most accurate D-dimer kit had 50% sensitivity and 97% specificity. High D-dimer concentration was the third most common hemostatic abnormality in horses with colic. Median antithrombin (AT) activity was significantly lower and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) was significantly longer in nonsurvivors than survivors. CONCLUSIONS Commercial latex-agglutination D-dimer assays might prove useful as adjunctive tests for the diagnosis of DIC in horses with severe colic; however FDP assays are invalid for this purpose. Low AT activity and prolonged aPTT at admission are associated with a poor prognosis in this patient population.
Rapid adaptation of the 2 f 1 ^ f 2 DPOAE in humans : Binaural and contralateral stimulation e ¡ ects 1

The present data were collected in humans to characterize the effects of monaural and binaural stimulation and contralateral noise on the 2f1^f2 distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) adaptation response. DPOAE levels (f2/f1 = 1.21, L1 = 70 dB SPL, L2 = 65 dB SPL) were measured in both ears for a range of f2 frequencies (1.2 to 10.0 kHz). The f2 frequency producing the largest amplitude DPOAE was used for further testing employing three different stimulus conditions: the primary tones were presented to only one ear for 4 s; the two tones were presented simultaneously in both ears; and, contralateral broadband noise (60 dB SPL) was presented for 5 s, beginning 4 s after the onset of the monaural primaries in the test ear. Acoustic reflex thresholds were measured to verify that the middle-ear muscles played no systematic role in the measured DPOAE reductions. Estimates of monaural rapid adaptation levels and time constants agreed well with previous human findings. The magnitude of the rapid adaptation under binaural stimulation, as compared with monaural primaries, was 25% greater on average, though adaptation time constants were comparable. With added contralateral noise, the average DPOAE suppression was 1.1 dB (0.3^2.7 dB). The magnitude of the monaural adaptation and the effects of binaural and contralateral stimulation, however, were smaller than those measured previously in experimental animals, though the time constants were in good agreement. < 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Four‐year retention and risk factors for attrition among members of community ART groups in Tete, Mozambique

Community ART groups (CAG), peer support groups involved in community ART distribution and mutual psychosocial support, were piloted to respond to staggering antiretroviral treatment (ART) attrition in Mozambique. To understand the impact of CAG on long‐term retention, we estimated mortality and lost‐to‐follow‐up (LTFU) rates and assessed predictors for attrition.
Mind the Gap: A Semicontinuum Model for Discrete Electrical Propagation in Cardiac Tissue

Electrical propagation in cardiac tissue is a discrete or discontinuous phenomenon that reflects the complexity of the anatomical structures and their organization in the heart, such as myocytes, gap junctions, microvessels, and extracellular matrix, just to name a few. Discrete models or microscopic and discontinuous models are, so far, the best options to accurately study how structural properties of cardiac tissue influence electrical propagation. These models are, however, inappropriate in the context of large scale simulations, which have been traditionally performed by the use of continuum and macroscopic models, such as the monodomain and the bidomain models. However, continuum models may fail to reproduce many important physiological and physiopathological aspects of cardiac electrophysiology, for instance, those related to slow conduction. In this study, we develop a new mathematical model that combines characteristics of both continuum and discrete models. The new model was evaluated in scenarios of low gap-junctional coupling, where slow conduction is observed, and was able to reproduce conduction block, increase of the maximum upstroke velocity and of the repolarization dispersion. None of these features can be captured by continuum models. In addition, the model overcomes a great disadvantage of discrete models, as it allows variation of the spatial resolution within a certain range.
Complement in Non-Antibody-Mediated Kidney Diseases

The complement system is part of the innate immune response that plays important roles in protecting the host from foreign pathogens. The complement components and relative fragment deposition have long been recognized to be strongly involved also in the pathogenesis of autoantibody-related kidney glomerulopathies, leading to direct glomerular injury and recruitment of infiltrating inflammation pathways. More recently, unregulated complement activation has been shown to be associated with progression of non-antibody-mediated kidney diseases, including focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, C3 glomerular disease, thrombotic microangiopathies, or general fibrosis generation in progressive chronic kidney diseases. Some of the specific mechanisms associated with complement activation in these diseases were recently clarified, showing a dominant role of alternative activation pathway. Over the last decade, a growing number of anticomplement agents have been developed, and some of them are being approved for clinical use or already in use. Therefore, anticomplement therapies represent a realistic choice of therapeutic approaches for complement-related diseases. Herein, we review the complement system activation, regulatory mechanisms, their involvement in non-antibody-mediated glomerular diseases, and the recent advances in complement-targeting agents as potential therapeutic strategies.
Absence of Echinococcus granulosus in dogs from Central Sulawesi (Celebes) Indonesia.

fresh medium in the sixth and 14th days of culture. Little growth occurred in +/+ culture, and this flask was discarded. The population in the Sl/Sd culture grew to 1.6 x 106/ml during the next week. Subsequently weekly feeding was instituted, and growth continued for 14 wk in this flask. Six of six mice inoculated with 500 parasites harvested after 11 wk of growth in this culture developed pleomorphic infections. The T. congolense NCN-aT1 strain also grew in Sl/Sd bone marrow. One SI/SId culture was inoculated with 5 x 105 cells. Trypanosomes were no longer visible 96 hr after inoculation. The culture was fed by adding fresh medium after 7 days. On the 18th day, 1.5 x 106 trypanosomes/ml were present. Parasites continued to grow in this flask for 3 mo with weekly or biweekly feeding. Four of four mice were infected with 500 parasites harvested from this flask 6 wk after initiation. Both T. b. rhodesiense and T. congolense derived from these original cultures grew readily when subinoculated into BALB/cCr marrow cultures. Lines of each species have been passaged in marrow cultures more than 5 mo and appear to be growing continuously. T. b. gambiense has been maintained in vitro over a year. Two conclusions can be drawn from these res c ll e, a suits. First, the cellular interactions disrupted by Steel (Sl/SlI) mutations do not influence the ability of bone marrow cultures to support trypanosome growth. This implies that trypanosomes and hematopoietic stem cells have different requirements for growth and differentiation in culture. It should be noted in this context that the presence of hydrocortisone in the medium also precludes development of stem cells of the B-lymphocyte lineage (Whitock and Witte, 1982, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 79: 3608-3612). Second, the bone marrow culture systems allows long-term propagation of infectious bloodstream forms of T. congolense and of T. b. rhodesiense-, the latter species retains its ability to initiate pleomorphic infections. These two species appeared to require a longer adaptation to culture conditions than the monomorphic strain of T. b. gambiense studied earlier. Nevertheless, the bone marrow system appears to be generally useful as a method for maintaining pathogenic African trypanosomes continuously in culture. The author is grateful to R. Edwards for providing trypanosomes, to D. B. Amos and W. J. Hubbard for support and facilities. This work was supported by grant CA 14049 from the National Cancer Institute. i st, the ce lular interactions disrupted by
IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF CONNEXIN 43 IN THE CORNEA OF THE ONE HUMPED CAMEL ( CAMELUS DROMEDARIES )

Received at: 20/12/2014 Accepted: 16/2/2015 The present study has described for the first time the expression of connexin 43 in the cornea of camel. The camel cornea was composed of five layers, the corneal epithelium, subepithelial basement membrane (Bowman’s membrane), substantiapropria or stroma, posterior limiting membrane (Descemet’s membrane), and posterior epithelium (corneal endothelium). Using immunohistochemical techniques we have examined the localizations of the connexin 43 in one humped camel cornea. The expression of gap junction protein CX43 was appeared as punctate staining pattern along the lateral plasma membrane between the cells and at the apical surface. We observed the expression in both basal and suprabasal cell layers; the superficial cell layer was give negative staining reactions for CX 43. While the fibroblast cells of the corneal stroma revealed moderate immuno-staining for connexin 43. However no reaction was evident in the collagen fiber of the stroma.
A New Type of Peroxisomal Acyl-Coenzyme A Synthetase from Arabidopsis thaliana Has the Catalytic Capacity to Activate Biosynthetic Precursors of Jasmonic Acid*

Arabidopsis thaliana contains a large number of genes that encode carboxylic acid-activating enzymes, including nine long-chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetases, four 4-coumarate:CoA ligases (4CL), and 25 4CL-like proteins of unknown biochemical function. Because of their high structural and sequence similarity with bona fide 4CLs and their highly hydrophobic putative substrate-binding pockets, the 4CL-like proteins At4g05160 and At5g63380 were selected for detailed analysis. Following heterologous expression, the purified proteins were subjected to a large scale screen to identify their preferred in vitro substrates. This study uncovered a significant activity of At4g05160 with medium-chain fatty acids, medium-chain fatty acids carrying a phenyl substitution, long-chain fatty acids, as well as the jasmonic acid precursors 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid and 3-oxo-2-(2′-pentenyl)-cyclopentane-1-hexanoic acid. The closest homolog of At4g05160, namely At5g63380, showed high activity with long-chain fatty acids and 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid, the latter representing the most efficiently converted substrate. By using fluorescent-tagged variants, we demonstrated that both 4CL-like proteins are targeted to leaf peroxisomes. Collectively, these data demonstrate that At4g05160 and At5g63380 have the capacity to contribute to jasmonic acid biosynthesis by initiating the β-oxidative chain shortening of its precursors.
Image quality of 16-slice computed tomography coronary angiography in patients with complete left bundle branch block.

OBJECTIVE Noninvasive diagnosis of coronary artery disease in patients with left bundle branch block is challenging. Multislice computed tomography can be useful in this population; however, quality of images depends on the patterns of myocardial contractions. We investigated the influence of left bundle branch block on image quality of multislice computed tomography coronary angiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS Multislice computed tomography coronary angiography was performed in 30 patients with left bundle branch block and 30 patients without conduction disturbances. Image quality of each coronary segment was visually assessed and rated on a five-point scale (1=highest quality). RESULTS Average image quality score in the best cardiac cycle phase did not differ significantly between groups (1.71+/-0.59 in the left bundle branch block group vs. 1.60+/-0.57 in the control group, P=0.46). In the left bundle branch block group, a significantly lower image quality score was observed in end-systolic cardiac phase (2.67+/-0.6 vs. 2.22+/-0.65 in the control group, P=0.007), whereas no difference was demonstrated in mid-diastolic phase (1.73+/-0.6 vs. 1.69+/-0.66 in the control group, P=0.81). After image assessment in multiple cardiac phases, an increase in image quality score was higher in the left bundle branch block than in the control group (0.2+/-0.17 vs. 0.11+/-0.14, P=0.003). A negative correlation was observed between image quality score and both the heart rate and heart rate variability in both groups (P<0.001). CONCLUSION A nonsignificantly lower overall image quality of multislice computed tomography coronary angiography was demonstrated in the left bundle branch block group. In the presence of left bundle branch block, image quality in the end-systolic phase was significantly lower. Image assessment in multiple phases increased overall image quality and is therefore advisable in patients with left bundle branch block. Increased heart rate and heart rate variability worsened image quality in both groups.
Mycoplasma and ureaplasma infection and male infertility: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

The relationship between mycoplasma and ureaplasma infection and male infertility has been studied widely; however, results remain controversial. This meta‐analysis investigated the association between genital ureaplasmas (Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum) and mycoplasmas (Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium), and risk of male infertility. Differences in prevalence of ureaplasma and mycoplasma infection between China and the rest of the world were also compared. Study data were collected from PubMed, Embase and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Summary odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was applied to assess the relationship. Heterogeneity testing and publication bias testing were also performed. A total of 14 studies were used: five case–control studies with 611 infertile cases and 506 controls featuring U. urealyticum infection, and nine case–control studies with 2410 cases and 1223 controls concerning M. hominis infection. Two other infection (U. parvum and M. genitalium) were featured in five and three studies, respectively. The meta‐analysis results indicated that U. parvum and M. genitalium are not associated with male infertility. However, a significant relationship existed between U. urealyticum and M. hominis and male infertility. Comparing the global average with China, a significantly higher positive rate of U. urealyticum, but a significantly lower positive rate of M. hominis, was observed in both the infertile and control groups in China.
An Overview of Resource Allocation Algorithms for OFDM Systems

In wireless communication system, the available radio resource is limited and scarce, and hence, how to use the limited resource to satisfy various service quality requirements and realize the fairness between different users is a key problem. This paper gives an overview for the existing resource allocation algorithms in OFDM systems from the aspects of single-user and multi-user, respectively. Moreover, existing methods to solve the resource allocation problem are classified, and future development is analyzed as well.
Extralobar Pulmonary Sequestration With Anomalous Blood Supply From The Subclavian Artery

Pulmonary sequestration is a rare embryonic mass of lung tissue that has no identifiable bronchial communication and that receives its blood supply from one or more anomalous systemic arteries. Systemic blood supply is commonly from the thoracic aorta. Venous drainage is commonly to systemic pulmonary vessels. A healthy, asymptomatic 20 year-old male was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of a left sided mass. The standard chest roentgenograms, a contrast-enhanced chest tomography, a bronchoscopic examination, thoracic magnetic resonance imaging and a selective angiography were performed. With these findings we decided that this heterogeneous lesion between mediastinum and left upper lobe as extralobar pulmonary sequestration. The patient underwent left sided posterolateral thoracotomy. We performed sequestrectomy. Postoperative period was uneventful.