Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lactate Removal Ability and VO 2 . Recovery Kinetics in Sickle Cell Trait Carriers Compared with Normal Haemoglobin Subjects: Preliminary Data

Because of the reduced affinity of haemoglobin S to oxygen and the altered blood rheological profile of sickle cell trait carriers (AS), it is often thought that exercise physiological responses should differ between AS and subjects with normal haemoglobin (AA). The present study aimed to compare the ability to remove blood lactate and the characteristics of oxygen uptake (VO2 kinetics were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). No significant relationship was observed between ￻ 2 and A2 (r = 0.04; P > 0.05) or between ￻ 2 and ￻ 2 (r = -0.44; P > 0.05) in all groups. It seems that the ability to recover or to remove lactate after a short supramaximal exercise does appear unaltered by sickle cell trait. It is possible that the elevated blood viscosity reported several times in AS could have promoted greater vasodilatation which in turn may favour exercise recovery to a similar level observed in subjects with normal haemoglobin. Our findings may suggest that AS and AA subjects need similar recovery after exhausting exercise. However, it is also known that AS may be prone to medical complications in response to exercise. So, the presence of clinical sign should justify to prolong recovery or to stop exercise in AS.
Attitudinal concordance toward uptake and disclosure of genetic testing for cancer susceptibility in patient–family member dyads

Decisions for cancer susceptibility genetic testing (CSGT) uptake and dissemination of results occur within the family context. A national survey was performed with 990 patient–family member dyads (participation rate:76.2%), with paired questionnaires examining attitudes toward CSGT uptake and disclosure of results in response to a hypothetical scenario in which a reliable CSGT was available for the specific cancer a patient was being treated. While most patients and family members responded they would uptake or recommend CSGT if available, concordance between the dyads was poor for both patient's testing (agreement rate 77.5%, weighted κ = 0.09) and first‐degree relatives' testing(agreement rate 78.0%, weighted κ = 0.09). Most patients (93.2%) and family members (92.9%) indicated that patients should disclose positive CSGT results to family members, with dyadic agreement of 89.1% (κ = 0.15). However, there were substantial disagreement regarding when disclosure should take place, who should make the disclosure (the patient or the health care professionals), and to whom the results should be disclosed. Patients and family members may hold different attitudes toward CSGT uptake of and disclosure of results within the family. Our findings reinforce the need for a family system approach to incorporate perspectives of patients as well as their family members.
Coupling Mass Spectrometry-Based “Omic” Sciences with Bioguided Processing to Unravel Milk's Hidden Bioactivities

Many of milk's functional molecules could not be discovered until the right concordance of novel separation and analytical technologies were developed and applied. Many health-promoting components still await discovery due to technical challenges in their identification, isolation and testing. As new analytical technologies are assembled, new functional milk molecules will be discovered. Bovine milk is a source of a wide array of known bioactive compounds from a variety of molecular classes, including free glycans, lipids, glycolipids, peptides, proteins, glycoproteins, stem cells and microRNA. Because milk is such a complex mixture, when analyzed without fractionation or purification, many components mask the analytical signal of others, so some components cannot be detected. Modern analytics allow for the discovery and characterization of hundreds of novel milk compounds with high-resolution and high-accuracy. Liquid chromatography paired with electrospray ionization allows the separation of peptides, glycans and glycolipids for improved mass spectrometric detection. Target proteins and glycoproteins can now be purified from intact milk or other dairy streams by chromatography in order to better characterize these proteins for new bioactivities. The combination of advanced analytics with the new engineering capabilities will allow for high molecular resolution and separation techniques that can be scaled-up to semi-industrial and industrial scale for translation of lab-based discoveries. Bioguided analysis and design of dairy processing side streams will result in the transformation of waste into isolated functional ingredients to add value to dietary products.
Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy: An autosomal recessive disorder due to thymidine phosphorylase mutations

Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE) is an autosomal recessive disorder defined clinically by severe gastrointestinal dysmotility; cachexia; ptosis, ophthalmoparesis, or both; peripheral neuropathy; leukoencephalopathy; and mitochondrial abnormalities. The disease is caused by mutations in the thymidine phosphorylase (TP) gene. TP protein catalyzes phosphorolysis of thymidine to thymine and deoxyribose 1‐phosphate. We identified 21 probands (35 patients) who fulfilled our clinical criteria for MNGIE. MNGIE has clinically homogeneous features but varies in age at onset and rate of progression. Gastrointestinal dysmotility is the most prominent manifestation, with recurrent diarrhea, borborygmi, and intestinal pseudo‐obstruction. Patients usually die in early adulthood (mean, 37.6 years; range, 26–58 years). Cerebral leukodystrophy is characteristic. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has depletion, multiple deletions, or both. We have identified 16 TP mutations. Homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations were present in all patients tested. Leukocyte TP activity was reduced drastically in all patients tested, 0.009 ± 0.021 μmol/hr/mg (mean ± SD; n = 16), compared with controls, 0.67 ± 0.21 μmol/hr/mg (n = 19). MNGIE is a recognizable clinical syndrome caused by mutations in thymidine phosphorylase. Severe reduction of TP activity in leukocytes is diagnostic. Altered mitochondrial nucleoside and nucleotide pools may impair mtDNA replication, repair, or both. Ann Neurol 2000;47:792–800
Performance of a Population-Based HIV-1 Tropism Phenotypic Assay and Correlation With V3 Genotypic Prediction Tools in Recent HIV-1 Seroconverters

Background:Pure X4 and X4R5 dual-tropic viruses may be recognized in ∼15% of drug-naive HIV-1-positive patients. CCR5 antagonists are active against R5 viruses; therefore, HIV tropism should be known before their prescription. Patients and Methods:A population-based phenotypic assay was performed in 61 recent HIV-1 seroconverters. The results were compared with those obtained using 8 different predictor software programs (C4.5, C4.5 with 8 and 12, PART, SVM, Charge Rule, PSSMsinsi, PSSMx4r5, and geno2pheno), which are freely available at 3 different Web sites and use V3 sequences derived from patient's viruses. Results:Phenotypic testing reported X4R5 dual-tropic viruses in 10 (16.4%) patients. CD4 cell counts and viral loads were significantly lower in X4R5 dual-tropic (450 cells/μL and 3.9 log HIV RNA copies/mL) than in R5 viruses (629 cells/μL, 4.5 log HIV RNA copies/mL) (P < 0.05). The overall concordance of genotype and phenotype was relatively good (>80%). Although specificity was >90% using all but 1 genotypic predictor (geno2pheno), however, the sensitivity for the detection of X4 variants was low (<30%), except for SVM and geno2pheno (70%). Conclusions:The prevalence of X4 and X4/R5 dual-tropic viruses in recent HIV seroconverters is 16%. Current genotypic algorithms need to be improved for the estimation of HIV-1 coreceptor use before moving to the clinic. This information is crucial for the selection of candidates to receive CCR5 antagonists in places where phenotypic tropism assays may not be feasible.
Identification of the Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein as a Cellular Receptor for Rubella Virus

ABSTRACT Rubella virus (RV) is a highly transmissible pathogenic agent that causes the disease rubella. Maternal RV infection during early pregnancy causes the death of the fetus or congenital rubella syndrome in infants. However, the cellular receptor for RV has not yet been identified. In this study, we found that the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) specifically bound to the E1 envelope glycoprotein of RV, and an antibody against MOG could block RV infection. Most importantly, we also showed that ectopic expression of MOG on the cell surface of 293T cells rendered this nonpermissive cell line permissive for RV entry and replication. Thus, this study has identified a cellular receptor for RV and suggests that blocking the MOG attachment site of RV may be a strategy for molecular intervention of RV infection.
Motivation and willingness to communicate as predictors of reported L2 use: The Japanese ESL context

The purpose of this study was to examine affective variables as predictors of reported second language (L2) use in classrooms of Japanese ESL (English as a Second Language) students. The study used the socio-educational model and the willingness to communicate (WTC) model as the basis for a conceptual framework, partially replicating a study by Macintyre and Charos (1996). Descriptive statistics, reliability of the subscales, correlation, and construct validity (using principal component analysis) were examined, and a model of L2 communication was tested using structural equation modeling. Using Amos version 4.0, structural equation modeling showed that motivation and WTC affect reported L2 communication frequency in classrooms as hypothesized. Variables underlying WTC were also examined. Perceived competence and L2 anxiety were found to be causes of WTC, which led to more L2 use, and L2 anxiety was found to negatively influence perceived competence, supporting the results of the Macintyre and Charos (1996) study. Although a path from WTC to motivation was not found to be significant in the original study, it was found to be significant in the present replication. In addition, a path from perceived competence was found to exert a strong and direct influence on motivation from a data-driven path.
The reliability and validity of tasks measuring perception of rapid sequences in children with dyslexia.

BACKGROUND Claims that children with reading and oral language deficits have impaired perception of sequential sounds are usually based on psychophysical measures of auditory temporal processing (ATP) designed to characterise group performance. If we are to use these measures (e.g., the Tallal, 1980, Repetition Test) as the basis for intervention in language and literacy deficits, we need to demonstrate that they can effectively quantify individual differences. Therefore, questions of standardisation, reliability and construct validity can no longer be ignored. METHOD We explored these issues in three studies: (i) 52 Dyslexics and Good Readers aged 8 to 11 years performed a task requiring perception of rapid sequences (PRS) based on the Tallal Repetition Test; (ii) a subgroup of the initial sample was retested on the task three to four months later, and after extended practice; (iii) a further subgroup then completed a rate of auditory processing task using a backward recognition masking paradigm. RESULTS With a standardised methodology, we were able to replicate previous results with the PRS task, and demonstrate moderate reliability of measurement across time and practice. However, there were large effects of exposure and practice, and the task did not seem useful for identifying absolute and continuing deficits in given individuals. CONCLUSIONS Our results call into question the use of this type of task as an individual measure of ATP. Neither is it certain that it is capturing what is currently understood as ATP.
A Community-Oriented Primary Care Demonstration Project: Refining Interventions for Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes

BACKGROUND We describe a community-oriented primary care project that implemented all 5 steps of the formal model. Data are presented on cardiac risk factors, protective behaviors, health locus of control, and stage of readiness for change in an African American community. We discuss the use of these data to refine our health promotion interventions. METHODS We undertook a cross-sectional study of self-reported health behaviors from a door-to-door household survey of a geographically-defined community. Trained community members administered the survey questionnaire, which was completed in 386 of 557 randomly sampled households (response rate 69.4%). Qualitative discussions of survey results with 2 community groups were taped, transcribed, and analyzed for common themes. RESULTS Compared with their counterparts, respondents who were older than 65 years (P = .0006), who had hypertension (P <.0001), and who had diabetes (P = .001) had higher mean scores for powerful others locus of control. Rates for physical activity and low-fat diet indicators were low compared with national statistics. Most respondents reported a maintenance stage of change for exercise (46.2%) and diet (57.5%). Group discussions found lack of local exercise resources and high-quality grocery stores to be major barriers to health behavior change. Ministers and physicians were identified as important powerful others. CONCLUSION This study documents low rates of physical activity and healthy dietary patterns and describes recent interventions to address environmental barriers to behavior change. The association between powerful others locus of control and specific cardiac risk factors has prompted a greater emphasis on developing faith-based interventions and renewing physician-counseling efforts. Stage of readiness for change findings have prompted strategies to disseminate existing diet and physical activity recommendations more effectively.
Morphine and pregabalin in the treatment of neuropathic pain

The drugs that are currently available to treat neuropathic pain exhibit inadequate efficacy and numerous adverse effects. The present study compared the efficacy of combination therapy with pregabalin and morphine with that of each as a single agent in patients with neuropathic pain. The primary measurement was mean daily pain intensity. Secondary measurements included a pain questionnaire, adverse effects, mood and quality of life. Combination therapy of morphine plus pregabalin and morphine monotherapy were both more effective at reducing neuropathic pain than pregabalin monotherapy. Furthermore, patients in the combination group noted that their quality of life markedly improved from the baseline, as compared with the patients in the other two groups. These findings indicate that combination therapy with morphine and pregabalin may be used as a valuable therapy for neuropathic pain.
Distribution of a Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored Protein at the Apical Surface of MDCK Cells Examined at a Resolution of <100 Å Using Imaging Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer

Membrane microdomains (“lipid rafts”) enriched in glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins, glycosphingolipids, and cholesterol have been implicated in events ranging from membrane trafficking to signal transduction. Although there is biochemical evidence for such membrane microdomains, they have not been visualized by light or electron microscopy. To probe for microdomains enriched in GPI- anchored proteins in intact cell membranes, we used a novel form of digital microscopy, imaging fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), which extends the resolution of fluorescence microscopy to the molecular level (<100 Å). We detected significant energy transfer between donor- and acceptor-labeled antibodies against the GPI-anchored protein 5′ nucleotidase (5′ NT) at the apical membrane of MDCK cells. The efficiency of energy transfer correlated strongly with the surface density of the acceptor-labeled antibody. The FRET data conformed to theoretical predictions for two-dimensional FRET between randomly distributed molecules and were inconsistent with a model in which 5′ NT is constitutively clustered. Though we cannot completely exclude the possibility that some 5′ NT is in clusters, the data imply that most 5′ NT molecules are randomly distributed across the apical surface of MDCK cells. These findings constrain current models for lipid rafts and the membrane organization of GPI-anchored proteins.
123Iodine-labelled anti-VCAM-1 antibody scintigraphy in the assessment of experimental colitis

Objectives To evaluate the usefulness of 123I-labelled anti-vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) monoclonal antibody (MAb) scintigraphy in the assessment of colonic inflammatory damage. Design Colitis was induced by intracolonic administration of 30 mg trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid in 0.5 ml of 50% (v/v) ethanol. Rats injected with vehicle served as controls. Animals were studied at day 7 after induction of colitis. Methods Scintigraphy was performed in control and trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid-induced colitic rats 2, 4 and 24 h after intravenous administration of 123I-anti-VCAM-1 MAb. Scintigraphic uptake was quantified in selected areas on scintigraphs. Animals were killed, tissue 123I radioactivity accumulation was measured, and accumulation of anti-VCAM-1 MAb in each organ was calculated. 99mTc-hexamethyl propylene amine oxime-labelled leucocyte scintigraphy was performed in additional groups of animals for comparison. Results Colonic tracer uptake was visible in scans of colitic, but not control animals. Quantification of scintigraphic uptake in the colon was significantly higher in colitic rats than in control animals (P < 0.0001). The specificity of the increase was demonstrated by lack of 123I-labelled non-binding MAb uptake in the colon, and by displacement of 123I-anti-VCAM-1 MAb colonic uptake by pre-treatment with unlabelled MAb. Accumulation of anti-VCAM-1 MAb in the colon of colitic rats was eightfold higher than in control animals. Strong correlations were found between quantification of scintigraphic uptake, anti-VCAM-1 MAb accumulation, histological damage and myeloperoxidase activity in the colon. Conclusion 123I-labelled anti-VCAM-1 MAb scintigraphy allows an accurate evaluation of colonic inflammatory damage in trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid-induced colitis, suggesting a potential role for this imaging technique in the assessment of human IBD.
Re -defining psychological contracts: A network of relationships

Re-Defining Psychological Contracts: A Network of Relationships. (May 2008) Yvette Paula Lopez, B. S. , California State University, Fresno Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Ricky W. Griffin The focus of this dissertation is to gain a greater understanding of the individual psychological contract. It is proposed that by examining other specific exchange relationships (e.g., individual-supervisor, individual-co-worker) in addition to the already dominantly examined individual-organization exchange relationship, a greater understanding of how these specific exchanges impact employee attitudes and behaviors differently such as commitment and organizational citizenship behaviors, especially in the presence of a psychological contract breach can be achieved. This research is grounded in social exchange theory and norm of reciprocity and draws from the perceived organizational support, leader-member exchange, and co-worker exchange theories to examine each specific exchange relationship. Participants consisted of employees from several organizations and university systems who were placed in three subsamples to examine each exchange relationship and their respective breaches. Results indicate partial support for the overall idea of increasing the examination of the psychological contract to include the distinct exchange relationships of the individual-supervisor and individual-co-worker in addition to the individual-organization exchange. More specifically, results indicate significant support for the following
Race, age, and back pain as factors in completion of residential substance abuse treatment by veterans.

OBJECTIVE Variables associated with successful completion of residential substance abuse treatment were identified. METHODS The records of 340 veterans admitted to a 120-day substance abuse treatment program were retrospectively analyzed. The likelihood of successful treatment completion was calculated as a function of race, age, gender, psychiatric diagnosis, past suicide attempts, homelessness, legal history, childhood physical or sexual abuse, parental history of addiction, multiple substance dependence, medical problems, and the race of the therapist. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to identify variables that were significant predictors of treatment completion. RESULTS Overall, 66 percent of veterans completed the program. Eighty-two percent of the veterans admitted to the program were black, and 16 percent were white. The completion rate of black veterans (71 percent) was significantly higher than that of white veterans (49 percent). Veterans completing treatment were significantly more likely to be older, by an average of two years, than those who did not complete treatment. The association between younger age and failure to complete the program was largely accounted for by younger black veterans. Veterans with back pain were significantly less likely to complete treatment than those without back pain. Completion rates did not vary by the other variables examined. In the regression analysis that included age, race, and back pain, each variable, when adjusted by the other variables, was a significant predictor of completion. CONCLUSIONS White patients were less likely to complete residential substance abuse treatment in a program in which the majority of both therapists and patients were black. Younger black veterans and those with back pain were also less likely to complete treatment.
Seasonal variation of equatorial wave momentum fluxes at Gadanki (13.5° N, 79.2° E)

The vertical flux of the horizontal momentum associated with the equatorial Kelvin and Rossby-gravity waves are estimated from the winds measured by the Indian MST radar located at Gadanki (13.5° N, 79.2° E) during September 1995 to August 1996 in the tropospheric and lower stratospheric regions for all four seasons. The present study shows that momentum flux values are greater during equinox seasons than solstices, with values near the tropopause level being 16 × 10 -3 , 7.4 × 10 -3 , 27 × 10 -3 and 5.5 × 10 -3 m 2 s -2 for Kelvin waves and 5.5 × 10 -3 , 3.5 × 10 -3 , 6.7 × 10 -3 and 2.1 × 10 -3 m 2 s -2 for RG waves during autumnal equinox, winter, vernal equinox and summer seasons, respectively. Using these momentum flux values near the tropopause level, acceleration of the mean flow in the stratosphere up to a 29 km height were computed following Plumb (1984), by considering the wave-meanflow interaction and the deposition of the momentum through the radiative dissipation of the waves. A comparison of the estimated mean-flow acceleration in the stratosphere compares well, except at a few height levels, with the observed mean-flow accelerations in the stratosphere derived from the radiosonde data from a nearby station. Key words. Meteorology and atmosphenic dynamics (tropical meteorology; waves and tides)