Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of experience in a dynamic environment on postural control

Background: Surfing is a balance-reliant, open skill performed in a dynamic environment rich in visual, somatosensory and vestibular information. Objective: To evaluate adaptations to the postural control system by surfing experience. Methods: Postural control was assessed in an upright bipedal stance in 60 male volunteers (21 elite surfers, 20 intermediate level surfers, and 19 controls) using various closed-stance positions. Six tasks were performed with two trials including a cognitive task, in the following order: eyes open, head in a neutral position (EO1); eyes closed, head in a neutral position (EC); eyes closed, head back (ECHB); eyes open, head in a neutral position, cognitive task 1 (EOC1); eyes open head in a neutral position, cognitive task 2 (EOC2); eyes open head in a neutral position (EO2). Dependent variables were area of 95th centile ellipse (AoE) and sway path length (SPL). Results: All participants showed systematic increases in SPL and AoE in EC and ECHB trials. Expert surfers displayed significantly (p<0.05) increased SPL but not AoE when sharing attention with both concurrent mental tasks compared with controls. Controls showed a slight, non-significant change in postural control (reduced SPL and AoE) when attending to concurrent mental tasks. Conclusions: The findings indicate that standard postural sway indices are not able to elucidate whether expertise in surfing facilitates adaptations to the postural control system. However, concurrent mental task findings illustrate that systematic differences in balance abilities between expert surfers and controls may exist.
Does fatigue induced by repeated dynamic efforts affect hamstring muscle function?

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of hamstring fatigue induced by repeated maximal efforts on hamstring muscle function during maximal sprint running. METHODS Twelve subjects performed three maximal 40-m sprints during which time high-speed film of the subjects' sprint action and EMG of five lower extremity muscles were recorded (nonfatigued condition, NFC). Subjects then performed specific and general hamstring fatigue tasks followed by three final 40-m sprints (fatigued condition, FC) during which time high-speed film and EMG of the same muscles were again recorded. RESULTS Statistical analysis of the kinematic data indicated the following significant (P < 0.05) changes in the subjects' running action from the NFC to the FC: decreased hip and knee flexion at maximum knee extension in the swing phase of the sprint cycle, decreased leg angular velocity immediately before foot-ground contact (FGC), and decreased angular displacement of the trunk, thigh, and leg segments during the late swing phase. Statistical analysis of the EMG data indicated a significant increase in the duration of hamstring activity and earlier cessation of rectus femoris activity during the swing phase of the sprint stride. CONCLUSIONS It was concluded that these changes in the kinematic and EMG parameters of sprint running primarily served as protective mechanisms to reduce stress placed on the hamstring muscles at critical phases of the stride cycle.
Drainage alone or combined with anti-tumor therapy for treatment of obstructive jaundice caused by recurrence and metastasis after primary tumor resection.

AIM To compare drainage alone or combined with anti-tumor therapy for treatment of obstructive jaundice caused by recurrence and metastasis after primary tumor resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS We collect 42 patients with obstructive jaundice caused by recurrence and metastasis after tumor resection from January 2008 - August 2012, for which percutaneous transhepatic catheter drainage (pTCD)/ percutaneous transhepatic biliary stenting (pTBS) were performed. In 25 patients drainage was combined with anti-tumor treatment, antineoplastic therapy including intra/postprodure local treatment and postoperative systemic chemotherapy, the other 17 undergoing drainage only. We assessed the two kinds of treatment with regard to patient prognosis. RESULTS Both treatments demonstrated good effects in reducing bilirubin levels in the short term and promoting liver function. The time to reobstruction was 125 days in the combined group and 89 days in the drainage only group; the mean survival times were 185 and 128 days, the differences being significant. CONCLUSIONS Interventional drainage in the treatment of the obstructive jaundice caused by recurrence and metastasis after tumor resection can decrease bilirubin level quickly in a short term and promote the liver function recovery. Combined treatment prolongs the survival time and period before reobstruction as compared to drainage only.
Delayed derecruitment after removal of PEEP in patients with acute lung injury

Background:A step decrease in positive end‐expiratory airway pressure (PEEP) is not followed by an instantaneous loss of the PEEP‐induced increase in end‐expiratory lung volume (EELV). Rather, the reduction of EELV is delayed, while adverse PEEP effects on hemodynamics are immediately attenuated upon the drop in airway pressure. Step PEEP increments were applied to the lungs of patients with acute lung injury. It was investigated retrospectively whether enlargement of end‐expiratory lung volume and changes in lung mechanics persist 45 min after removal of the PEEP increment.
Significance of the lupus anticoagulant

In 1952, Conley and Hartmann [l] first described the presence of circulating anticoagulants in two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presenting with a peculiar hemorrhagic diathesis characterized by a unique coagulation inhibitor that prolonged the whole blood and prothrombin clotting times. Associated conditions included a biologic false-positive serologic test for syphilis. Similar inhibitors have now been described in a variety of clinical conditions including other autoimmune disorders, malignancies, certain drug-induced disorders, and even in otherwise normal individuals [2-41. The term “lupus anticoagulant” (LA) was introduced in 1972 by Feinstein and Rapaport [5 ] to describe the presence of acquired circulating agents that inhibit in vitro coagulation tests despite the usual lack of inhibition directed against a single coagulation factor. The reported prevalence of the LA in patients with SLE varies from 5 to 37% [6]. The higher incidence was obtained when the LA was specifically sought with the use of more sophisticated techniques [6], and a generally accepted figure is about 10%. Although it is difficult to establish the prevalence of the LA in nonlupus conditions, about one-half of a large series of 219 patients with the LA did not have SLE or any SLE-like disorder [7]. Six percent were drug-induced whether “drugrelated SLE” (eg , procainamide) or nonlupus (eg , chloropromazine) . The hallmark of the LA is prolongation of coagulation in all phospholipiddependent clotting tests. A prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) not corrected by mixture with normal plasma is generally considered the most sensitive and practical test for detecting the LA and is widely used. Classically, it has not been thought necessary to preincubate the mixture of LA and normal plasma prior to APTT testing to demonstrate anticoagulant activity (ie, a non-time-dependent reaction). However, recent observations suggest that preincubation is required to demonstrate anticoagulant activity in a significant proportion of LA cases and that preincubation also enhances the LA activity in others [8]. The standard prothrombin time (PT) is usually normal or only slightly prolonged. In a recent study, Gastineau et a1 [7] noted a prolonged recalcification clotting time of platelet-rich plasma (PCT) in 196 (98%) of 202 patients. Ninety-six of 111 patients tested had a prolonged PTT; and more interestingly all of the 15 patients with a normal PTT had a prolonged PCT.
DIFFERENTIAL SENSITIVITY TO LUNG TUMORIGENESIS FOLLOWING TRANSPLACENTAL EXPOSURE OF MICE TO POLYCYCLIC HYDROCARBONS, HETEROCYCLIC AMINES, AND LUNG TUMOR PROMOTERS

Research conducted by this laboratory over the past decade has demonstrated the high susceptibility of the fetus to lung tumor formation following in utero exposure of the resistant C57BL/6 and DBA/2N strains of mice to 3-methylcholanthrene (MC). In this review, we describe our more recent studies on the effects of MC and cotreatment with the lung tumor promoter, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), on lung tumor formation in the intermediately susceptible BALB/c strain of mice, and the determination of the potential carcinogenicity of the heterocyclic amine, 2-amino3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) in resistant mouse strains. BALB/c mice showed a similar incidence of lung tumors, both in terms of percentage of mice with tumors and number of tumors per mouse, as found in the resistant [D2 B6D2F1]F2 mice. Ki-ras point mutations were found in 56% (20/36) of BALB/c lung lesions compared with an incidence of 79% in [D2 B6D2F1]F2 mice. BALB/clung lesions demonstrated a similar association of Ki-ras
Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Indian adolescent school going children: its relationship with socioeconomic status and associated lifestyle factors.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Obesity and overweight have become a worldwide epidemic, and there is an urgent need to examine childhood obesity and overweight across countries using a standardized international standard. In the present study we have investigated the prevalence of obesity and overweight and their association with socioeconomic status (SES) and the risk factors like diet, physical activity like exercise, sports, sleeping habit in afternoon, eating habits like junk food, chocolate, eating outside at weekend, family history of diabetes and obesity. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was carried out in 5664 school children of 12-18 years of age and having different SES. The obesity and overweight were considered using an updated body mass index reference. SES and life style factors were determined using pre-tested questionnaire. RESULTS Age-adjusted prevalence of overweight was found to be 14.3% among boys and 9.2% among girls where as the prevalence of obesity was 2.9% in boys and 1.5% in girls. The prevalence of overweight among children was higher in middle SES as compared to high SES group in both boys and girls whereas the prevalence of obesity was higher in high SES group as compared to middle SES group. The prevalence of obesity as well as overweight in low SES group was the lowest as compared to other group. Eating habit like junk food, chocolate, eating outside at weekend and physical activity like exercise, sports, sleeping habit in afternoon having remarkable effect on prevalence on overweight and obesity among middle to high SES group. Family history of diabetes and obesity were also found to be positively associated. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that the prevalence of overweight and obesity varies remarkably with different socioeconomic development levels.
Cooperation of Tim-3 and PD-1 in CD8 T-cell exhaustion during chronic viral infection

Inhibitory receptors play a crucial role in regulating CD8 T-cell function during chronic viral infection. T-cell Ig- and mucin-domain–containing molecule–3 (Tim-3) is well known to negatively regulate T-cell responses, but its role in CD8 T-cell exhaustion during chronic infection in vivo remains unclear. In this study, we document coregulation of CD8 T cell exhaustion by Tim-3 and PD-1 during chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection. Whereas Tim-3 was only transiently expressed by CD8 T cells after acute infection, virus-specific CD8 T cells retained high Tim-3 expression throughout chronic infection. The majority (approximately 65% to 80%) of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus–specific CD8 T cells in lymphoid and nonlymphoid organs coexpressed Tim-3 and PD-1. This coexpression of Tim-3 and PD-1 was associated with more severe CD8 T-cell exhaustion in terms of proliferation and secretion of effector cytokines such as IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2. Interestingly, CD8 T cells expressing both inhibitory receptors also produced the suppressive cytokine IL-10. Most importantly, combined blockade of Tim-3 and PD-1 pathways in vivo synergistically improved CD8 T cell responses and viral control in chronically infected mice. Taken together, our study defines a parameter for determining the severity of CD8 T cell dysfunction and for identifying virus-specific CD8 T cells that produce IL-10, and shows that targeting both PD-1 and Tim-3 is an effective immune strategy for treating chronic viral infections.
Filter Run Time in CVVH: Pre- versus Post-Dilution and Nadroparin versus Regional Heparin-Protamine Anticoagulation

Background/Aims: To study the effect of different modes of continuous veno-venous haemofiltration (CVVH) on filter run time (FRT). Methods: We studied, in two consecutive prospective, randomised and crossover studies, 16 and 15 patients with acute renal failure during critical illness. Study A compared pre- versus post-dilution, and study B compared regional anticoagulation with heparin (pre-filter) and protamine (post-filter) (HP) versus nadroparin (NP) pre-filter. All CVVH sessions were standardised. Analyses were by Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Results: Study A: During pre-dilution the median FRT was 45.7 vs. 16.1 h in post-dilution CVVH (p = 0.005). The median creatinine clearance during pre-dilution was 33 vs. 45 ml/min in post-dilution (p = 0.001). Study B: During NP, median FRT was 39.5 vs. 12.3 h during HP CVVH (p = 0.045). Conclusions: Pre-dilution CVVH results in the greatest FRT but a lower plasma creatinine clearance compared to post-dilution. Regional anticoagulation with heparin-protamine resulted in a significantly shorter FRT compared to systemic NP anticoagulation.
Empirical Model for Electrical Activation of Aluminum- and Boron-Implanted Silicon Carbide

Accurate modeling of the electrical properties of impurities in semiconductors is essential for the mandatory support of the development of novel semiconductor devices by means of simulations. An appropriate modeling approach to determine the activation rate of dopants in silicon carbide is currently not available, which limits the predictability of process simulations. To remedy this fact, we propose an empirical model for the electrical activation of aluminum and boron impurities in silicon carbide for various annealing temperatures and total doping concentrations. The differences of the two acceptor-type dopants are discussed according to the model predictions and the activation ratios for various processing parameters are presented. The model was implemented into Silvaco’s simulation platform Victory Process and evaluated with respect to published experimental findings.
Balanced inhibition and excitation underlies spike firing regularity in ventral cochlear nucleus chopper neurons

Ventral cochlear nucleus stellate cells respond to characteristic frequency (CF) tones with sustained (CS), transient (CT) or onset chopping (OC) activity. The mechanisms underlying these different response patterns are not fully understood, and the present study used in vivo intracellular recordings (n = 42) in urethane‐anaesthetized rats to examine the possible influence of inhibition on action potential regularity. Hyperpolarization following the offset of a CF tone burst was used as a measure of on‐CF inhibition. A cluster analysis based on several membrane potential features, including on‐CF inhibition, discriminated three groups in addition to the CS response type − two types of CT responses and the OC type. The different patterns of firing regularity exhibited by CS/T neurons reflected different thresholds or degrees of overlap between these cells' narrowly tuned excitatory and inhibitory inputs. CT cells with closely matched inhibitory and excitatory response areas showed substantial on‐CF inhibition and the greatest decline in firing regularity during a CF tone, whereas those with a mismatch between their response areas showed lateral inhibition and a less marked decline in firing regularity. The presence of inhibition in CS neurons did not alter their firing regularity, possibly because of the lower threshold for excitation compared with inhibition. The latency, duration and frequency extent of sustained hyperpolarization in CS/T cells is inconsistent with the response properties of OC neurons, suggesting that another source(s) of inhibition influences firing regularity, and presumably response magnitude, in these neurons.
HoBi-like viruses

The genus Pestivirus is composed of 4 important pathogens of livestock: Bovine viral diarrhea virus 1 and 2 (BVDV-1 and BVDV-2), Classical swine fever virus (CSFV), and Border disease virus of sheep (BDV). BVDV are major pathogens of cattle, and infection results in significant economic loss worldwide. A new putative pestivirus species, tentatively called “HoBi-like,” “BVDV-3,” or “atypical pestiviruses,” was first identified in Europe in fetal bovine serum (FBS) imported from Brazil. HoBi-like viruses are related to BVDV at the genetic and antigenic levels. Further, the disease caused by these new viruses resembles clinical presentations historically associated with BVDV infection, including growth retardation, reduced milk production, respiratory disease, reduced reproductive performance, and increased mortality among young stock. Current BVDV diagnostic tests may fail to detect HoBi-like viruses or to differentiate between BVDV and HoBi-like viruses. Further, commercial tests for BVDV exposure, based on serological response, do not reliably detect HoBi-like virus exposure, and cross protection against HoBi-like viruses conferred by current BVDV vaccines is likely limited. As many HoBi-like viruses, characterized to date, were isolated from FBS originating from Brazil, it is assumed that the agent is probably widespread in Brazilian herds. Nevertheless, reports of natural infection in Southeast Asia and Europe demonstrate that these viruses are not restricted to South America. Increased demand for FBS has led to widespread distribution of FBS originating in HoBi-like virus endemic regions. The contamination of such FBS with HoBi-like viruses may lead to spread of this virus to other regions.
Localization of substance P and GABA in retinotectal ganglion cells of the larval tiger salamander

Abstract The present study was performed as part of a systematic examination of the transmitter specificity of neuronal populations in the larval tiger salamander retina. Backfill-labeling of ganglion cells from the optic tectum was combined with double-label immunofluorescence histochemistry to determine if substance P and GABA are localized to ganglion cell populations in the tiger salamander retina. The triple-label analysis revealed the presence of substance P- and GABA-ganglion cells in both central and peripheral regions of the retina. Substance P-immunoreactive ganglion cells comprised 2% of the total population of backfill-labeled ganglion cells, while less than 1% of backfill-labeled ganglion cells expressed GABA immunoreactivity. Ganglion cells were not found to co-label for both substance P and GABA. Backfill-labeled displaced ganglion cells, which comprised 1.4% of the ganglion cell population, were not observed to be immunoreactive for either substance P or GABA. Forty-six point nine percent of substance P-cells in the ganglion cell layer were backfill-labeled and were identified as ganglion cells. GABA ganglion cells comprised less than 1% of GABA-immunoreactive cells in the ganglion cell layer.
Acute Exposure to the Mitochondrial Complex I Toxin Rotenone Impairs Synaptic Long‐Term Potentiation in Rat Hippocampal Slices

Aims: To evaluate the acute effects of the mitochondrial complex I inhibitor rotenone on rat hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Methods: Electrophysiological field potential recordings were used to measure basal synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity in rat coronal hippocampal slices. Synaptic long‐term potentiation (LTP) was induced by high‐frequency stimulation (100 Hz, 1 second × 3 at an interval of 20 seconds). In addition, mitochondrial complex I function was measured using MitoSOX imaging in mitochondrial preparations. Results: Acute exposure of hippocampal slices to 50 nM rotenone for 1 h did not alter basal CA3–CA1 synaptic transmission though 500 nM rotenone significantly reduced basal synaptic transmission. However, 50 nM rotenone significantly impaired LTP and this rotenone's effect was prevented by co‐application of rotenone plus the ketones acetoacetate and β‐hydroxybutyrate (1 mM each). Finally, we measured mitochondrial function using MitoSOX imaging in mitochondrial preparations and found that 50 nM rotenone partially reduced mitochondrial function whereas 500 nM rotenone completely eliminated mitochondrial function. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that mitochondrial activity driven by complex I is a sensitive modulator of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. Acute exposure of the hippocampus to rotenone eliminates complex I function and in turn impairs LTP.
Effectiveness of telaprevir or boceprevir in treatment-experienced patients with HCV genotype 1 infection and cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS We investigated the effectiveness of the protease inhibitors peginterferon and ribavirin in treatment-experienced patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infection and cirrhosis. METHODS In the Compassionate Use of Protease Inhibitors in Viral C Cirrhosis study, 511 patients with HCV genotype 1 infection and compensated cirrhosis who did not respond to a prior course of peginterferon and ribavirin (44.3% relapsers or patients with viral breakthrough, 44.8% partial responders, and 8.0% null responders) were given either telaprevir (n = 299) or boceprevir (n = 212) for 48 weeks. We assessed percentages of patients with sustained viral responses 12 weeks after therapy and safety. This observational study did not allow for direct comparison of the 2 regimens. RESULTS Among patients given telaprevir, 74.2% of relapsers, 40.0% of partial responders, and 19.4% of null responders achieved SVR12. Among those given boceprevir, 53.9% of relapsers, 38.3% of partial responders, and none of the null responders achieved SVR12. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with SVR12 included prior response to treatment response, no lead-in phase, HCV subtype 1b (vs 1a), and baseline platelet count greater than 100,000/mm(3). Severe adverse events occurred in 49.9% of cases, including liver decompensation, severe infections in 10.4%, and death in 2.2%. In multivariate analysis, baseline serum albumin level less than 35 g/L and baseline platelet counts of 100,000/mm(3) or less predicted severe side effects or death. CONCLUSIONS Relatively high percentages of real-life, treatment-experienced patients with HCV genotype 1 infection and cirrhosis respond to the combination of peginterferon and ribavirin with telaprevir or boceprevir. However, side effects are frequent and often severe. Baseline levels of albumin and platelet counts can be used to guide treatment decisions. ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01514890.
Who will volunteer? Analysing individual and structural factors of volunteering in Swiss sports clubs

Abstract This article analyses the conditions influencing volunteering in sports clubs. It focuses not only on individual characteristics of volunteers but also on the corresponding structural conditions of sports clubs. It proposes a model of voluntary work in sports clubs based on economic behaviour theory. The influences of both the individual and context levels on the decision to engage in voluntary work are estimated in different multilevel models. Results of these multilevel analyses indicate that volunteering is not just an outcome of individual characteristics such as lower workloads, higher income, children belonging to the sports club, longer club memberships, or a strong commitment to the club. It is also influenced by club-specific structural conditions; volunteering is more probable in rural sports clubs whereas growth-oriented goals in clubs have a destabilising effect.