Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Behaviour of the muscle–tendon unit of the gastrocnemius medialis and tibialis anterior during forward and backward sways

It has been reported that changes in muscle fascicles of gastrocnemius medialis are decoupled (shortening and lengthening during forward and backward sways, respectively) from the sway-related changes in the total length of the muscle–tendon unit (Baudry et al. 2012), which has been referred to as paradoxical muscle movement (Loram et al. 2004). Such paradoxical muscle movement has also been reported during slow continuous sway (Loram et al. 2004). In contrast, the tibialis anterior muscle acts in a normal way during unperturbed stance, suggesting that changes in fascicles length of the tibialis anterior may provide relevant information on the sway position (Di Giulio et al. 2009). However, recent work has shown that changes in fascicle length in tibialis anterior could be uncoupled during active upright standing (Day et al. 2013). Knowing how leg muscle fascicles behave during upright standing is highly relevant to understand the role of muscle spindle inputs into the control of upright standing. To further document muscle fascicle behaviour during upright standing, we have investigated whether the pair of antagonist muscles (gastrocnemius medialis and tibialis anterior) was similarly regulated (paradoxical movement) during voluntary sway.
Weight gain in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for carcinoma of the breast

Twenty‐nine patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy for carcinoma of the breast were evaluated for frequency and amount of weight gained during treatment. No difference with respect to age, menopausal status, estrogen receptor status, nodal status, biochemical parameters, or treatment regimen (CMF versus CMFVP) were seen. The gain in weight seen in some 50% of the patients treated seems to be a function of a decrease in activity level during treatment.
Follicle dynamics and aromatase activity in high-ovulating Meishan sows and in Large-White hybrid contemporaries.

This study compared the dynamics of follicle development during the follicular phase in Meishan sows (n = 10) with a high ovulation rate, with those in contemporary Large-White hybrid sows (n = 12) (ovulation rates: 27.7 and 17.6, respectively; p < 0.01). Ovaries were recovered on Day 16 or 19 of the cycle, and all follicles > or = 1 mm in diameter were dissected. Fluid was aspirated from all those > or = 2 mm, and the granulosa and theca cells were incubated to estimate aromatase activity and estradiol production. The total number of follicles dissected was higher in Meishan than in Large-White hybrid animals (p < 0.001), and whereas the number decreased (p < 0.01) between Days 16 and 19 in Large-White hybrid sows, there was no significant change in Meishan animals. The mean diameter of Meishan follicles recovered on each of Days 16 and 19 was smaller (p < 0.001) than that of those recovered from Large-White hybrids. Total estradiol production in vitro was higher (p < 0.01) by follicles > or = 2 mm from Meishan sows. There was an interaction (p < 0.01) between day of the cycle, breed, and follicle diameter in aromatase activity in both granulosa cells and theca tissue, and in follicular fluid estradiol concentrations in follicles > or = 2-< 6 mm. The largest three size categories of follicles recovered on Day 19 from each breed were classified as preovulatory (29.0 and 17.7 for Meishan and Large-White hybrid, respectively), and the mean diameter was smaller (p < 0.001) in Meishan animals. Follicular fluid estradiol concentrations and total estradiol synthesis by granulosa and theca combined were higher (p < 0.05) in Meishan than in Large-White hybrid sows. In conclusion, high-ovulating Meishans maintained a higher number of follicles during the follicular phase, which overall synthesized more estradiol in vitro, than did Large-White hybrid animals.
Effects of Parental Monitoring, Parent–Child Communication, and Parents' Expectation of the Child's Acculturation on the Substance Use Behaviors of Urban, Hispanic Adolescents

ABSTRACT This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,936 Hispanic adolescents of mean age 14.0 years (standard deviation = 0.4) from seven Los Angeles area schools. The effects of perceived parental monitoring and parent–child communication on the adolescents' self-reported past thirty day cigarette smoking and alcohol and marijuana use behaviors were analyzed. In addition, the relationships between parents' expectations of the child's acculturation and adolescents' drug use behaviors were examined. Parental monitoring and parent–child communication were found to have statistically significant inverse associations with all three drug types when controlling for one another and the demographic variables assessed in the study. Parents' expectation of the child's acculturation to the U.S. was found to be inversely related with alcohol use. Parental monitoring and parent–child communication were not found to mediate the relationship between parents' expectation of the child's acculturation and alcohol use.
Abnormal function of the brain system supporting motivated attention in medicated patients with schizophrenia: an fMRI study

Background. Patients with schizophrenia have an impaired ability to generate activity that is appropriate to current circumstances and goals. Method. We report a study using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine cerebral activity during a three-tone auditory oddball target detection task in a sample of 28 patients with schizophrenia and 28 healthy controls. Results. The patients exhibited significantly less activation in response to target stimuli relative to baseline in an extensive set of sites in association neocortex, paralimbic cortex, limbic structures and subcortical nuclei, yet demonstrated a normal level of activation in the sensorimotor cortex. Comparison of activity elicited by rare target stimuli with that elicited by equally rare novel stimuli makes it possible to distinguish cerebral activity associated with attention to behaviourally salient stimuli from activity associated with attending to other attention-capturing stimuli. This comparison revealed that the patients with schizophrenia also exhibited a deficit in activation of basal forebrain areas that mediate motivation during the processing of behaviourally salient stimuli, including the amygdala, ventral striatum, orbital frontal cortex and rostral anterior cingulate cortex. Conclusion. Patients with schizophrenia have a deficit in function of the brain system concerned with mediating motivation, in addition to a more general deficit in the cerebral response to attention-captivating stimuli.
Characteristics of pulmonary arterial hypertension in affected carriers of a mutation located in the cytoplasmic tail of bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2.

BACKGROUND Mutations in BMPR2 encoding bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 (BMPRII) is the main genetic risk factor for heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The suspected mechanism is considered to be a defect of BMP signaling. The BMPRII receptor exists in a short isoform without a cytoplasmic tail, which has preserved BMP signaling. METHODS This cohort study compared age at PAH diagnosis and severity between patients carrying a BMPR2 mutation affecting the cytoplasmic tail of BMPRII and affected carriers of a mutation upstream of this domain. RESULTS We identified 171 carriers affected with PAH with a mutated BMPR2. Twenty-three were carriers of a point mutation located on the cytoplasmic tail of BMPRII. This population was characterized by having an older age at diagnosis compared with other BMPR2 mutation carriers (43.2 ± 12.1 years and 35.7 ± 14.6 years, P = .040), a lower pulmonary vascular resistance (13.3 ± 3.5 and 17.4 ± 6.7, P = .023), and a higher proportion of acute vasodilator responders with a long-term response to calcium channel blockers (8.7% and 0%, P = .02). No statistically significant differences were observed in survival. An in vitro assay showed that mutations located in the cytoplasmic tail led to normal activation of the Smad pathway, whereas activation was abolished in the presence of mutations located in the kinase domain. CONCLUSIONS Patients carrying a mutation affecting the cytoplasmic tail of BMPRII were characterized by an older age at diagnosis compared with other BMPR2 mutation carriers, less severe hemodynamic characteristics, and a greater chance of being a long-term responder to calcium channel blockers. Further investigations are needed to better understand the consequences of these BMPR2 mutations in BMPRII signaling pathways and their possible role in pulmonary arterial remodeling.
Retrospective study of palmar/plantar annular ligament injury in 71 horses: 2001-2006.

REASON FOR PERFORMING STUDY Constriction of the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) and its contents by the palmar/plantar annular ligament (PAL) is well recognised. However, primary injury of the PAL has not been well documented. OBJECTIVES To describe the clinical features of PAL injury, determine its prevalence with or without subcutaneous fibrosis and/or concurrent injury within the DFTS, and assess response to treatment. METHODS Horses were selected for inclusion based upon clinical features consistent with PAL injury and the presence of a thickened PAL (> or =2 mm) verified ultrasonographically. A retrospective analysis of case records from 3 clinics was performed. Details of breed, age and use, and results of clinical and ultrasonographic assessments and response to treatment were recorded. Horses were treated conservatively or surgically by desmotomy of the PAL, with or without tenoscopic evaluation of the DFTS. A telephone questionnaire was performed to assess response to treatment. RESULTS Seventy-one horses were included in the study and middle aged or older general purpose riding horses predominated. PAL desmopathy occurred more frequently in hind- than in forelimbs. The method of treatment, thickness of the PAL or presence of subcutaneous fibrosis did not significantly affect prognosis; however, <50% of horses were able to return to athletic function. There was a trend for horses with PAL desmopathy alone to have the best outcome. Bilateral thickening of the PAL or concurrent fore- and hindlimb injuries had a negative effect on prognosis, as did the simultaneous presence of subcutaneous fibrosis and lesions within the DFTS. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE PAL injury is characterised by a convex contour of the palmar/plantar aspect of the fetlock, associated with thickening of the ligament with or without subcutaneous fibrosis. Bilateral PAL thickening is common in older horses, ponies and cobs; however, bilateral PAL enlargement is often present with only unilateral lameness. Treatment methods used in this study did not appear to influence outcome significantly.
Allosteric and Temperature Effects on the Plasma Protein Binding by Streptococcal M Protein Family Members

Most group A Streptococcal strains bind immunoglobulins (Ig) and fibrinogen to their cell walls. It is shown in this paper that the Ig‐binding of three different strains was much weaker at 37°C than at room temperature (20°C), whereas the fibrinogen binding was unaffected by temperature. The binding properties and molecular sizes of two purified group A Streptococcal cell surface proteins from the M protein family were studied at various temperatures, M1 protein with affinity for IgG, fibrinogen and albumin, and protein Sir22 with affinity for IgA and IgG. Both proteins appeared as monomers which bound all their ligands, including fibrinogen, very weakly at 37°C, and as strongly binding dimers at 10 and 20°C. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that the plasma protein binding of the bacterial proteins was allosterically regulated, i. e. the binding of a ligand to one site modulated the binding of a ligand to a second site. For example, the binding of albumin or IgG to purified M1 protein at 10 and 20°C strongly enhanced the binding of fibrinogen at 37°C. This indicates that the high affinity dimer form of the bacterial proteins can be stabilized at 37°C, a possible explanation for the strong fibrinogen binding of whole bacteria. Finally, the sizes and binding properties of three M1 protein fragments were studied and the results indicated that the centrally located C‐repeats, which are conserved among the members of the M protein family, are important for the formation of the high‐affinity dimers of the bacterial proteins.
Large Visuospatial Sex Difference in Line Judgment: Possible Role of Attentional Factors

This article describes a large sex difference on a new, group-administered visuospatial task, the Judgment of Line Angle and Position (JLAP) test, and investigates the role of attentional factors in the difference. On the JLAP, adapted from a neuropsychological task (Benton et al., 1983), participants evaluate spatial attributes of lines. Study 1: College males (N = 48) outperformed females (N = 80), resulting in a large effect for sex (d = 0.85). Errors were more common on oblique (vs horizontal or vertical) lines, especially for females. Study 2: Task attributes were manipulated (N = 33 males and 36 females) to study the role of attentional factors. Findings suggest that males are more likely than females to normally attend to and be aided by geometrical reference cues.
Assessment of Cyanide Content in Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Varieties and Derived Products from Senegal

We investigated cyanide levels in four cassava varieties and some derived products from Senegal. The study was conducted on fresh tubers by sampling in three longitudinal positions (1/4; 1/2; 3/4) and four radials (A, B, C and D). In addition, the sampling of derived products was carried out by product types (chip dried, graded, unpressed and pressed attieke, gari and flour). Cyanide contents were determined using differential pulse polarography. Results showed that whatever the variety considered, there was no significant difference between the total HCN content in cassava slices (1/4; 1/2; 3/4). Similarly, results from different layers (A, B, C and D) did not highlight the radial variability of the total HCN content. We showed a variable cyanide content (mg HCN/kg fresh material) in cassava varieties: 104.3 ± 3.9; 171.6 ± 5.4; 231.2 ± 10.2; 270.8 ± 12.0 for Kombo, Nigeria, Soya and Gniargui respectively. The detoxification processes (attieke, gari and flour) indicated a reduction rate in excess of 80% and may be effective to reduce the cyanide content in cassava root down to a tolerable level (< 50 mg/kg).
Acquired Factor VIII and von Willebrand Factor (aFVIII/VWF) Deficiency and Hypothyroidism in a Case With Hypopituitarism

This article reports a female who presented with bleeding, acquired factor VIII and von Willebrand factor (aFVIII-VWF) deficiency, and central deficiency in the thyroid and adrenal axis (Sheehan’s syndrome). After starting hormone replacement therapy, relief of bleeding manifestations was associated with correction of both FVIII and VWF to normal. This report draws attention to a rare association between the acquired form of von Willebrand disease and hypothyroidism of central origin.
Hippocampal Aβ42 Levels Correlate with Spatial Memory Deficit in APP and PS1 Double Transgenic Mice

We investigated the role of hippocampal amyloid pathology in spatial learning impairment of a new mouse line carrying mutated human amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin-1 (PS1) transgenes. The APP + PS1 mice were tested in spatial navigation in the water maze and in position discrimination in the T-maze at ages of 3-4 and 11-12 months, before and after the appearance of first amyloid plaques. The APP + PS1 mice were impaired in water maze acquisition and retention only at the age of 11-12 months, but performed equally to controls in the T-maze task at both ages. In the impaired older age group, the levels of total Abeta1-42 in the hippocampus of APP + PS1 mice correlated negatively with the retention score. Here we show for the first time that the age-dependent impairment in memory retention in the traditional water maze of APP + PS1 mice correlates with the amount of total Abeta in hippocampus even at a stage when the amyloid deposits cover less than 1% of the hippocampal volume.
Synthesis and Characterization of Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF)-1 Photoprobes Selective for the IGF-binding Proteins (IGFBPs)

Elevated insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 levels are prognostic for the development of prostate and breast cancers and exacerbate the complications of diabetes. In each case, perturbation of the balance between IGF-1/2, the IGF-1 receptor, and the IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) leads to elevated IGF-1 sensitivity. Blockade of IGF action in these diseases would be clinically significant. Unfortunately, effective IGF antagonists are currently unavailable. The IGFBPs exhibit high affinity and specificity for the IGFs and serve as natural IGF antagonists, limiting their mitogenic/anti-apoptotic effects. As an initial step in designing IGFBP-based agents that antagonize IGF action, we have begun to analyze the structure of the IGF-binding site on IGFBP-2. To this end, two IGF-1 photoprobes,N α Gly1-(4-azidobenzoyl)-IGF-1 (abG1IGF-1) andN α Gly1-([2–6-(biotinamido)-2(p-azidobenzamido)hexanoamido]ethyl-1,3′-dithiopropionoyl)-IGF-1 (bedG1IGF-1), selective for the IGFBPs were synthesized by derivatization of the α-amino group of Gly1, known to be part of the IGFBP-binding domain. Mass spectrometric analysis of the reduced, alkylated, and trypsin-digested abG1IGF-1·recombinant human IGFBP-2 (rhIGFBP-2) complex indicated photoincorporation near the carboxyl terminus of rhIGFBP-2, between residues 266 and 287. Mass spectrometric analysis of avidin-purified tryptic peptides of the bedG1IGF-1·rhIGFBP-2 complex revealed photoincorporation within residues 212–227. Taken together, these data indicate that the IGFBP-binding domain on IGF-1 contacts the distal third of IGFBP-2, providing evidence that the IGF-1-binding domain is located within the C terminus of IGFBP-2.
Basolateral Targeting of ERBB2 Is Dependent on a Novel Bipartite Juxtamembrane Sorting Signal but Independent of the C-Terminal ERBIN-Binding Domain

ABSTRACT ERBB2 is a receptor tyrosine kinase present on the basolateral membrane of polarized epithelia and has important functions in organ development and tumorigenesis. Using mutagenic analyses and Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, we have investigated the signals that regulate basolateral targeting of ERBB2. We show that basolateral delivery of ERBB2 is dependent on a novel bipartite juxtamembrane sorting signal residing between Gln-692 and Thr-701. The signal shows only limited sequence homology to known basolateral targeting signals and is both necessary and sufficient for correct sorting of ERBB2. In addition we demonstrate that this motif can function as a dominant basolateral targeting signal by its ability to redirect the apically localized P75 neurotrophin receptor to the basolateral membrane domain of polarized epithelial cells. Interestingly, LLC-PK1 cells, which are deficient for the μ1B subunit of the AP1B adaptor complex, missort a large proportion of ERBB2 to the apical membrane domain. This missorting can be partially corrected by the introduction of μ1B, suggesting a possible role for AP1B in ERBB2 endosomal trafficking. Furthermore, we find that the C-terminal ERBIN binding domain of ERBB2 is not necessary for its basolateral targeting in MDCK cells.
A noncoherent tracking loop with diversity and multipath interference cancellation for direct-sequence spread-spectrum systems

A noncoherent tracking loop with diversity reception and multipath interference cancellation is proposed for direct-sequence spread-spectrum systems on frequency-selective multipath fading channels. The basic idea of the loop is to reproduce the multipath interference and remove it from the received signal, and then a path diversity is embedded in the loop to improve the loop performance. The tracking error performance of the loop is evaluated by linear analyses and computer simulations. Numerical results show that the proposed tracking loop outperforms the traditional delay locked loop and performs very well under all considered fading conditions.
Muscle α-adrenergic responsiveness during exercise and ATP-induced vasodilation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Sympathetic vasoconstriction is blunted in exercising muscle (functional sympatholysis) but becomes attenuated with age. We tested the hypothesis that functional sympatholysis is further impaired in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. We determined leg blood flow and calculated leg vascular conductance (LVC) during 1) femoral-arterial Tyramine infusion (evokes endogenous norepinephrine release, 1 µmol·min-1·kg leg mass-1), 2) one-legged knee extensor exercise with and without Tyramine infusion [10 W and 20% of maximal workload (WLmax)], 3) ATP (0.05 µmol·min-1·kg leg mass-1) and Tyramine infusion, and 4) incremental ATP infusions (0.05, 0.3, and 3.0 µmol·min-1·kg leg mass-1). We included 10 patients with moderate to severe COPD and 8 age-matched healthy control subjects. Overall, leg blood flow and LVC were lower in COPD patients during exercise ( P < 0.05). Tyramine reduced LVC in both groups at 10-W exercise (COPD: -3 ± 1 ml·min-1·mmHg-1 and controls: -3 ± 1 ml·min-1·mmHg-1, P < 0.05) and 20% WLmax (COPD: -4 ± 1 ml·min-1·mmHg-1 and controls: -3 ± 1 ml·min-1·mmHg-1, P < 0.05) with no difference between groups. Incremental ATP infusions induced dose-dependent vasodilation with no difference between groups, and, in addition, the vasoconstrictor response to Tyramine infused together with ATP was not different between groups (COPD: -0.03 ± 0.01 l·min-1·kg leg mass-1 vs. CONTROLS -0.04 ± 0.01 l·min-1·kg leg mass-1, P > 0.05). Compared with age-matched healthy control subjects, the vasodilatory response to ATP is intact in COPD patients and their ability to blunt sympathetic vasoconstriction (functional sympatholysis) as evaluated by intra-arterial Tyramine during exercise or ATP infusion is maintained. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The ability to blunt sympathetic vasoconstriction in exercising muscle and ATP-induced dilation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients remains unexplored. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients demonstrated similar sympathetic vasoconstriction in response to intra-arterial Tyramine during exercise and ATP-induced vasodilation compared with age-matched healthy control subjects.
Brain perfusion SPECT and EEG findings in Rett syndrome

Thirteen patients (mean age 8.4 + 5.3 years) with Rett syndrome (RS) were studied with EEG and 99mTc‐HMPAO SPECT. Eleven patients had background abnormalities and 10 patients paroxysmal activity in EEG. Hypoperfusion of varying severity was detected in 11 patients, 7 patients having multiple lesions. Bifrontal hypoperfusion, observed in 6 patients, was the most distinctive finding. Hypoperfusion was observed also in other cortical regions, except for the occipital lobes. There was no correlation between severity of the background abnormality or presence of paroxysmal activity in EEG and grade of hypoperfusion. There was, however, an association between the severity of hypoperfusion and early manifestation of symptoms in patients with RS. Whether this early‐onset group of patients represents a different disease entity or only reflects disease variability the basic pathology being the same, is a possibility that deserves further clarification.