Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of recovery intensity on oxygen demand and repeated sprint performance.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to determine effects of recovery intensity (passive, 20%, 30% and 40% V̇O2peak) on oxygen uptake kinetics, performance and blood lactate accumulation during repeated sprints. METHODS Seven moderately-trained male participants (V̇O2peak: 48.1±5.1 mL/kg/min) performed four 30-second repeated Wingate tests on four separate occasions. RESULTS Recovery of V̇O2 between sprints was prolonged with recovery intensity (time required to reach 50% V̇O2peak: passive: 50±9 s; 20%: 81±17 s; 30%: 130±43 s; 40%: 188±62 s, P<0.001), while V̇O2-to-sprint work ratio was mainly increased by the higher intensities (passive: 138±17 mL/min/kJ; 20%: 149±14 mL/min/kJ; 30%: 159±15 mL/min/kJ; 40%: 158±17 mL/min/kJ, P=0.001). The decline in peak power tended to be greater in the higher intensity conditions during sprint 2 (passive: 7.4±5.4%; 20%: 5.8±7.9%; 30%: 12.7±7.4%; 40%: 12.7±5.5%, P=0.052), whereas average power was less decreased with recovery intensity during sprint 4 (passive: 22.4±8.9%; 20%: 19.9±6.1%; 30%: 18.4±7.3%; 40%: 16.6±6.2%, P=0.036). Blood lactate was not different with recovery intensity (P=0.251). CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrated that while the higher recovery intensities induce prolonged oxygen recovery and impaired peak power restoration during the initial sprints, those intensities provide a greater aerobic contribution to sprint performance, resulting in better power maintenance during the latter sprints.
Exploiting evolutionary principles to prolong tumor control in preclinical models of breast cancer

Using evolutionary principles to guide drug administration, monotherapy with paclitaxel can maintain prolonged stability of breast cancer in preclinical models. Evolution of cancer therapy The standard approach to treating cancer is giving patients the maximum tolerated amount of chemotherapy with the goal of doing the maximum possible damage to the tumor without killing the patient. This method is relatively effective, but it also causes major toxicities. Now, Enriquez-Navas et al. have demonstrated a different approach for ensuring efficacy of chemotherapy and minimizing toxicity. The authors used an evolutionary approach, where the dose of chemotherapy is guided by the tumor’s response to the previous dose, allowing a gradual withdrawal of the drug if the tumor continues to respond. This method proved quite effective for paclitaxel treatment in two different mouse models and warrants further evaluation in additional models as well as human trials. Conventional cancer treatment strategies assume that maximum patient benefit is achieved through maximum killing of tumor cells. However, by eliminating the therapy-sensitive population, this strategy accelerates emergence of resistant clones that proliferate unopposed by competitors—an evolutionary phenomenon termed “competitive release. ” We present an evolution-guided treatment strategy designed to maintain a stable population of chemosensitive cells that limit proliferation of resistant clones by exploiting the fitness cost of the resistant phenotype. We treated MDA-MB-231/luc triple-negative and MCF7 estrogen receptor–positive (ER+) breast cancers growing orthotopically in a mouse mammary fat pad with paclitaxel, using algorithms linked to tumor response monitored by magnetic resonance imaging. We found that initial control required more intensive therapy with regular application of drug to deflect the exponential tumor growth curve onto a plateau. Dose-skipping algorithms during this phase were less successful than variable dosing algorithms. However, once initial tumor control was achieved, it was maintained with progressively smaller drug doses. In 60 to 80% of animals, continued decline in tumor size permitted intervals as long as several weeks in which no treatment was necessary. Magnetic resonance images and histological analysis of tumors controlled by adaptive therapy demonstrated increased vascular density and less necrosis, suggesting that vascular normalization resulting from enforced stabilization of tumor volume may contribute to ongoing tumor control with lower drug doses. Our study demonstrates that an evolution-based therapeutic strategy using an available chemotherapeutic drug and conventional clinical imaging can prolong the progression-free survival in different preclinical models of breast cancer.
The Organization of Local and Distant Functional Connectivity in the Human Brain

Information processing in the human brain arises from both interactions between adjacent areas and from distant projections that form distributed brain systems. Here we map interactions across different spatial scales by estimating the degree of intrinsic functional connectivity for the local (≤14 mm) neighborhood directly surrounding brain regions as contrasted with distant (>14 mm) interactions. The balance between local and distant functional interactions measured at rest forms a map that separates sensorimotor cortices from heteromodal association areas and further identifies regions that possess both high local and distant cortical-cortical interactions. Map estimates of network measures demonstrate that high local connectivity is most often associated with a high clustering coefficient, long path length, and low physical cost. Task performance changed the balance between local and distant functional coupling in a subset of regions, particularly, increasing local functional coupling in regions engaged by the task. The observed properties suggest that the brain has evolved a balance that optimizes information-processing efficiency across different classes of specialized areas as well as mechanisms to modulate coupling in support of dynamically changing processing demands. We discuss the implications of these observations and applications of the present method for exploring normal and atypical brain function.
Renal Injury in Apolipoprotein E–Deficient Mice

Hyperlipidemia is thought to accelerate the progression of renal diseases, but the mechanisms by which hyperlipidemia exerts its deleterious effect is still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to describe the renal pathology in a hyperlipidemic mouse strain, the apolipoprotein E–deficient mice (apoE−/−). Renal specimens from a total of 34 mice were studied, including 19 apoE−/− females at the age of 36 weeks, 9 apoE−/− females at the age of 24 weeks, and 6 wild-type females (C57BL/6) as controls. Kidneys were evaluated by histologic examination, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect MAC-2–expressing monocyte/macrophages, and the proliferation marker PCNA. Glomerular cell number, glomerular matrix area, and glomerular area were quantified by morphometry. Glomerular lesions in apoE−/− mice were characterized by macrophage accumulation, commonly with foam cell appearance, deposition of extracellular matrix, glomerular hyperplasia, and at times prominent mesangiolysis associated with capillary microaneurysms. Some cases demonstrated lipid deposits filling glomerular capillaries. Arterioles of the vascular pole demonstrated a “foamy” degeneration of smooth muscle cells. These lesions related to hyperlipidemia in this well-established mouse strain have not been previously described. Because this mouse strain is among the most widely studied for interventions aimed at altering hyperlipidemia and the progression of atherosclerosis, we believe that our observations may be of major importance for the accurate interpretation of interventional studies in this strain and offer a new opportunity to study mechanisms of hyperlipidemic renal injury.
Along-trench variation in seafloor displacements after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake

Seafloor displacements observed after the Tohoku earthquake place large constraints on assessing the deformation process. The 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake was the largest earthquake ever observed with seafloor geodetic techniques in and around its source region. Large crustal deformation associated with both the coseismic rupture and the rapid postseismic deformation has been reported. However, these observations are insufficient to describe the postseismic deformation processes occurring around the broad rupture area. We report the first results of seafloor Global Positioning System and acoustic ranging (GPS-A) observations based on repeated campaign surveys conducted over nearly 4 years using the extended GPS-A network deployed along the Japan Trench in September 2012. The observed postseismic displacement rates (DRs) show evident spatial variation along the trench: (i) distinct landward DRs in the large coseismic slip area [primary rupture area (PRA)], evidencing the predominance of viscoelastic relaxation; (ii) remarkable trenchward DRs in the south of the PRA, indicating rapid afterslip; and (iii) slight trenchward DRs in the north of the PRA. These features provide great insights into constructing a more complete model of viscoelastic relaxation, and they also indicate spatial variation of afterslip and fault locking along the plate interface with clear spatial resolution, providing invaluable information for the improvement of seismic hazard assessment.
Weighted harmonic mean SINR maximization for the MIMO downlink

Leakage-based methods which are based on the harmonic mean signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) maximization deliver a good tradeoff between the sum rate and bit-error rate (BER). In this paper, we present the joint design of linear transmit and receive beamformers that maximize the weighted harmonic mean signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR) for the downlink of the multiuser MIMO channel. By exploiting the uplink-downlink SINR duality, the non-convex optimization problem is transformed into a series of simpler problems which can be solved by geometric programming. When the minimum mean square error (MMSE) receive beamformers are employed, it is shown that the harmonic mean SINR maximization becomes a close approximation to the sum MSE minimization problem in the high SINR region. The simulations show that the proposed scheme outperforms other leakage-based schemes in terms of harmonic mean SINR, sum MSE, BER and sum rate.
Phonological processing skills in specific language impairment

Abstract In order to provide effective intervention for children with specific language impairment (SLI), it is crucial that there is an understanding of the underlying deficit in SLI. This study utilized a battery of phonological processing tasks to compare the phonological processing skills of children with SLI to typically-developing peers matched for age or language. The children with SLI had significantly poorer performance than age-matched peers on measures of phonological representations, phonological awareness, rapid automatized naming, phonological short-term memory, and one measure of working memory. Of particular significance, the SLI group also demonstrated significantly weaker performance than language-matched peers on one measure of phonological representations, and one measure of working memory. The findings provide some support for a phonological processing account of SLI and highlight the utility of using tasks that draw on a comprehensive model of speech processing to profile and consider children's phonological processing skills in detail.
Mitochondrial Function in Antarctic Nototheniids with ND6 Translocation

Fish of the suborder Notothenioidei have successfully radiated into the Southern Ocean and today comprise the dominant fish sub-order in Antarctic waters in terms of biomass and species abundance. During evolution in the cold and stable Antarctic climate, the Antarctic lineage of notothenioids developed several unique physiological adaptations, which make them extremely vulnerable to the rapid warming of Antarctic waters currently observed. Only recently, a further phenomenon exclusive to notothenioid fish was reported: the translocation of the mitochondrial gene encoding the NADH Dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ND6), an indispensable part of complex I in the mitochondrial electron transport system. This study investigated the potential physiological consequences of ND6 translocation for the function and thermal sensitivity of the electron transport system in isolated liver mitochondria of the two nototheniid species Notothenia coriiceps and Notothenia rossii, with special attention to the contributions of complex I (NADH DH) and complex II (Succinate DH) to oxidative phosphorylation. Furthermore, enzymatic activities of NADH∶Cytochrome c Oxidoreductase and Cytochrome C Oxidase were measured in membrane-enriched tissue extracts. During acute thermal challenge (0–15°C), capacities of mitochondrial respiration and enzymatic function in the liver could only be increased until 9°C. Mitochondrial complex I (NADH Dehydrogenase) was fully functional but displayed a higher thermal sensitivity than the other complexes of the electron transport system, which may specifically result from its unique amino acid composition, revealing a lower degree of stability in notothenioids in general. We interpret the translocation of ND6 as functionally neutral but the change in amino acid sequence as adaptive and supportive of cold stenothermy in Antarctic nototheniids. From these findings, an enhanced sensitivity to ocean warming can be deduced for Antarctic notothenioid fish.
Replication of Linkage of Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia to Chromosome 1q With Additional Heterogeneous Effect of Apolipoprotein A-I/C-III/A-IV Locus: The NHLBI Family Heart Study

Familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL), the most common familial dyslipidemia, is implicated in up to 20% of cases of premature coronary heart disease. Although underlying mutations for FCHL have yet to be identified, several candidate genes/regions have been identified. A positive linkage to chromosome 1q markers has been reported, with the highest lod score of 5.93 occurring at a location between D1S104 and D1S1677. Using the same diagnostic criteria, the Family Heart Study (FHS) has defined 71 FCHL families, comprising 170 cases, for a total of 137 possible affected sibling pairs. The FCHL criteria require elevation in serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels within the family, with at least 2 affected first-degree relatives. Markers D1S104 and D1S1677 were typed, and significant allele sharing was found in FCHL sibships (multipoint lod score with use of the model from the Finnish study was 2.52, and multipoint nonparametric score was 2.48;P =0.007), replicating linkage in this chromosome 1 region. In addition, previously reported linkage of FCHL to apolipoprotein A-I/C-III/A-IV has been investigated in FHS families. FHS results revealed positive but nonsignificant allele sharing among FCHL sibships with apolipoprotein A-I/C-III/A-IV by use of marker D11S4127 (nonparametric linkage score 1.11, P =0.13). Two-locus analyses of D1S104 and D11S4127 suggested possible heterogeneity rather than epistasis, with a maximum 2-locus lod score of 3.05. A nonparametric 2-locus analysis revealed significant improvement in the 2-locus versus single-locus scores. Finally, no linkage was found with markers near the lipoprotein lipase gene region.
The behaviour and productivity of water buffalo in different breeding systems: a review

This review examines the behaviour and productivity of the water buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis) under different breeding systems and in relation to meat and milk production. At present, the steady increment in the consumption of products and sub-products of this species has generated the need to increase the number of animals incorporated into production by progressively expanding the use of stabling systems, reducing the space available to these animals, and applying techniques developed previously for meat and milk production in bovines. However, because such adaptations often fail to take into account important biological and behavioural features of these animals, they may result in serious problems of animal welfare. On the other hand, it is known that water buffaloes adapt well to humid tropical climates, especially in systems that provide extensive, continuous pasture - land. These species are highly susceptible to thermal stress, a fact that leads them to constantly perform wallowing behaviour. For all these reasons, open-air and, above all, silvopastoral, systems represent attractive options because they combine the presence of forage plants with trees that provide natural shade and serve as wind barriers, thus attenuating the negative effects of tropical climes. These measures help increase productivity by promoting greater forage consumption and fostering the expression of the species' natural behaviours, but the reduction in human contact affects their welfare. Hence, this review concludes that welfare is a fundamental concept that must be taken into account in the development of systems for water buffalo production.
Treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis and its effects on asthma

The effects of rhinosinusitis treatment upon asthma are disputed. The first randomised prospective study of surgical compared with medical therapy of chronic rhinosinusitis in 90 patients with and without nasal polyps was previously reported. Asthma symptoms, control, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak flow, exhaled nitric oxide, medication use and hospitalisation at 6 and 12 months from the start of the study were also monitored. This paper reports these results in 43 of those patients with concomitant asthma. Both medical and surgical treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis were associated with subjective and objective improvements in asthma. Overall asthma control improved significantly following both treatment modalities, but was better maintained after medical therapy, where improvement could also be demonstrated in the subgroup with nasal polyps. Medicine was superior to surgery with respect to a decrease in exhaled nitric oxide and increase in FEV1 in the polyp patients. Two patients noted worsening of asthma post-operatively. Improvement in upper airway symptoms, as assessed using a visual analogue scale, correlated with improvement in asthma symptoms and control. Treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis, medical or surgical, benefits concomitant asthma; that associated with nasal polyposis benefits more from medical therapy.
Resveratrol inhibits phorbol ester‐induced cyclooxygenase‐2 expression in mouse skin: MAPKs and AP‐1 as potential molecular targets

Multiple lines of evidence from laboratory studies suggest that resveratrol, a polyphenolic antioxidant present in grapes, has potent chemopreventive activity. Resveratrol has been reported to inhibit chemically‐induced carcinogenesis in mouse skin, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclarified. Since an abnormally elevated level of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) has been implicated in carcinogenesis, we investigated the effect of resveratrol on 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA)‐induced COX‐2 expression in mouse skin. Pretreatment of dorsal skin of female ICR mice with resveratrol inhibited TPA‐induced COX‐2 expression in a dose dependent manner. To elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying COX‐2 inhibition by resveratrol, we examined its effect on TPA‐induced activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK) and transcription factors which regulate COX‐2 expression. Resveratrol pretreatment resulted in a decrease in the phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase (ERK) as well as the catalytic activity of ERK and p38 MAPK. In addition, resveratrol prevented TPA‐induced DNA binding of activator protein‐1 (AP‐1). Taken together, suppression of COX‐2 expression by blocking the activation of MAPKs and AP‐1 may represent possible molecular mechanisms responsible for previously reported anti‐tumor promoting effects of resveratrol on mouse skin carcinogenesis.
Interferon-stimulated Gene 15 (ISG15) is a trigger for tumorigenesis and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide with poor prognosis. IFN-stimulated genes 15 (ISG15) is an ubiquitin-like molecule that is strongly upregulated by type I interferons as a primary response to diverse microbial and cellular stress stimuli. However, the role of ISG15 in HCC remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the function of ISG15 during HCC progression and related mechanism using clinicopathological data, cell line and xenograft model. Our results indicated that ISG15 is highly expressed in HCC tissues and multiple HCC cell lines. ISG15 expression is significantly associated with the differentiation grade, metastatic of tumor and survival of HCC patients. However, the expression of ISG15 is not affected by HBV infection. ISG15 promotes the proliferation and migration of hepatocarcinoma cells through maintaining Survivin protein stabilization via sequestering XIAP from interacting with Survivin. Knowing down ISG15 with SiRNA inhibited the xenografted tumor growth and prolonged the lifespan of tumor-bearing mice. All these results support that ISG15 high expression is an intrinsic feature for HCC and a trigger for tumorigenesis and metastasis. ISG15 may be a prognostic biomarker and the inhibition of ISG15 could provide a therapeutic advantage for HCC patients over-expressing ISG15.
The ATP‐binding cassette transporter subfamily C member 2 in Bombyx mori larvae is a functional receptor for Cry toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis

Bacillus thuringiensis is the most widely used biopesticide, and its Cry toxin genes are essential transgenes for the generation of insect‐resistant transgenic crops. Recent reports have suggested that ATP‐binding cassette transporter subfamily C2 (ABCC2) proteins are implicated in Cry intoxication, and that a single amino acid insertion results in high levels of resistance to Cry1 toxins. However, there is currently no available direct evidence of functional interactions between ABCC2 and Cry toxins. To address this important knowledge gap, we investigated the role of Bombyx mori ABCC2 (BmABCC2) or its mutant from a Cry1Ab‐resistant B. mori strain on Cry1A toxin action. When we expressed BmABCC2 ectopically on Sf9 cells, it served as a functional receptor, and the single amino acid insertion found in BmABCC2 from Cry1Ab‐resistant larvae resulted in lack of susceptibility to Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac. Using the same expression system, we found that Bo. mori cadherin‐like receptor (BtR175) conferred susceptibility to Cry1A toxins, albeit to a lower degree than BmABCC2. Coexpression of BtR175 and BmABCC2 resulted in the highest cell susceptibility to Cry1A, Cry1F, and even the phylogenetically distant Cry8Ca toxin, when compared with expression of either receptor alone. The susceptibility observed in the coexpressing cells and that in Bo. mori larvae are likely to be correlated, suggesting that BtR175 and BmABCC2 are important factors determining larval susceptibility. Our study demonstrates, for the first time, Cry toxin receptor functionality for ABCC2, and highlights the crucial role of this protein and cadherin in the mechanism of action of Cry toxin.