Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The shifting sands of uncertainty: Risk construction and BSE/vCJD

It is more than a decade since scientists in the UK put forward evidence of a link between the emergence of a new variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) in humans, and a diminishing epidemic of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, or BSE, in cattle. In the wake of this anniversary, the paper revisits two scientific narratives of risk, forged at different points along the developmental pathway of BSE science, including a series of advisory reports provided to the UK government between 1989 and 1994, and a symposium held in 2001 to assess the impact of the Phillips Inquiry. While the primary pathology of BSE became apparent relatively early on, uncertainties remain about the origins of BSE and its human variant, vCJD. The paper examines the handling of this sensitivity, and its communication, within these key documents, noting changes in patterns of uncertainty construction over time.
Non‐specific indicators of stress and their association with age at death in Medieval York: Using stature and vertebral neural canal size to examine the effects of stress occurring during different periods of development

Selective mortality can occur towards individuals who survive episodes of physiological stress, such as disease and malnutrition, during development. The skeletal elements affected depend on the timing of these stressful episodes. Studying multiple non-specific indicators of stress can show which periods of development were affected and whether certain periods can be linked with selective mortality. To examine this method a preliminary study of 61 adult individuals from the Medieval population of Fishergate House, York was undertaken to examine small vertebral neural canal size and reduced adult stature. Previous studies have shown that selective mortality occurs towards individuals who display these non-specific indicators of stress. Statistical analysis showed that small transverse neural canal diameter was significantly associated with early adult mortality for males and females and there was evidence of selective mortality towards females with reduced stature. This suggests that individuals who died in early adulthood experienced health insults during late childhood which stunted VNC growth but males in particular were not significantly affected by health insults after this age as they achieved a normal adult stature. Therefore it appears that health insults which occurred during late childhood had a greater influence on adult health in the Fishergate House population. This method could be expanded to provide more detailed information by using a greater variety of non-specific indicators of stress which will allow more specific periods of development to be investigated. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hypoxia inducible factor‐1α‐mediated activation of survivin in cervical cancer cells

Aim: Hypoxia, a characteristic of almost all types of solid tumors, has been associated with poor outcome in a number of human malignancies. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in hypoxia‐induced activation of the human survivin gene promoter in cervical HeLa cells.
A novel scale to assess resistance-exercise effort

Abstract In this study, we examined the validity of a novel subjective scale for assessing resistance-exercise effort. Seventeen male bodybuilders performed five sets of 10 repetitions at 70% of one-repetition maximum, for the bench press and squat. At the completion of each set, participants quantified their effort via the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and novel estimated-repetitions-to-failure scales, and continued repetitions to volitional exhaustion to determine actual-repetitions-to-failure. There were high correlations between estimated- and actual-repetitions-to-failure across sets for the bench press and squat (r ≥ 0.93; P < 0.05). During sets 3, 4, and 5, estimated-repetitions-to-failure predicted the number of repetitions to failure for the bench press and squat, as indicated by smaller effect sizes for differences (ES = 0.37–0.0). The estimated-repetitions-to-failure scale was reliable as indicated by high intraclass correlation coefficients (≥0.92) and narrow 95% limits of agreement (≤0.63 repetitions) for both the bench press and squat. Despite high correlations between RPE and actual-repetitions-to-failure (P < 0.05), RPE at volitional fatigue was less than maximal for both exercises. Our results suggest that the estimated-repetitions-to-failure scale is valid for predicting onset of muscular failure, and can be used for the assessment and prescription of resistance exercise.
Plasma Concentrations of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) and Soluble TNF Receptors in Patients with Anorexia Nervosa1

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a cytokine with numerous immunological and metabolic activities. To study the role of TNF-α on the pathophysiology of anorexia nervosa and its complications, plasma concentrations of TNF-α, 2 soluble TNF receptors (sTNF-RI and sTNF-RII), and leptin were measured in 20 female patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and 20 age-matched normal women (N). Plasma TNF-α concentrations in AN were significantly higher than those in N (4.1 ± 0.6 pg/mL vs. 1.6 ± 0.1 pg/mL; P < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in plasma sTNF-RI concentrations between the two groups, plasma sTNF-RII concentrations in AN were significantly higher than those in N (2094.0 ± 138.5 pg/mL vs. 1569.5 ± 84.0 pg/mL; P < 0.01). Plasma concentrations of TNF-α and sTNF-RII after treatment of 8 anorectic patients were not different from those before treatment, although body fat mass and plasma leptin concentrations significantly increased after treatment. Plasma TNF-α concentrations were not rel.
Influence of fluid intake on soccer performance in a temperate environment

Abstract The study aim was to examine the effect of fluid intake and dehydration on soccer-skill and high-intensity, intermittent-running performance after 90-minutes intermittent exercise (Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test). Thirteen semi-professional, men soccer-players completed, the 90-minute intermittent exercise on three fluid trials: prescribed fluid equal to sweat loss (1.65 ± 0.17 litres: Mean ± s), ad libitum fluid (0.85 ± 0.19 litres) and no fluid. After the intermittent exercise, dehydration was equivalent to 0.3 ± 0.1, 1.1 ± 0.2, 2.5 ± 0.4% body mass loss on the prescribed-fluid, ad libitum-fluid and no-fluid trials, respectively. Soccer-skill and high-intensity, intermittent-running performance, as assessed by the Loughborough Soccer Passing and Shooting Tests, and the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test, declined after the intermittent exercise compared with assessments made before. The decline in performance was however similar on all fluid trials (P > 0.34 for interactions and effect sizes were trivial or small). These effect sizes suggest larger fluid intakes had limited and inconsistent (both beneficial and detrimental) effects on performance. In conclusion the results suggest that fluid intake during 90-minutes of intermittent exercise and modest dehydration have limited and inconsistent effects on soccer passing and shooting skill or high-intensity, intermittent-running in a temperate environment.
The relative age effect in European professional soccer: Did ten years of research make any difference?

Abstract The relative age effect (RAE) refers to an asymmetry in the birth-date distribution favouring players born early in the selection year and discriminating against participants born later in the year. While the RAE effect was initially reported in sport more than two decades ago, there have been few attempts to examine whether player selection strategies have changed over time in light of our improved understanding of the phenomenon. We compared the birth-date distributions of professional soccer players in ten European countries over a 10-year period involving the 2000–2001 and 2010–2011 competitive seasons, respectively. Chi-square goodness-of-fit tests were used to compare differences between the observed and expected birth-date distributions across selection years. Generally, results indicated no change in the RAE over the past 10 years in professional soccer, emphasizing the robust nature of this phenomenon. We propose a change in the structure of youth involvement in soccer to reduce the impact of the RAE on talent identification and selection.
Coaches' interpersonal style, basic psychological needs and the well- and ill-being of young soccer players: A longitudinal analysis

Abstract This study entailed a longitudinal test of basic psychological needs theory, a sub-theory in the self-determination framework (Deci & Ryan, 2000), in young soccer players. We examined whether changes in soccer players' perceptions of the coaches' interpersonal style (autonomy supportive and controlling) predicted changes in the players' need satisfaction/need thwarting, and in turn, variability in their reported subjective vitality and burnout over the course of a season. Young male soccer players (M = 12.58 ± 0.54 years) completed a questionnaire at two time points in the season [n(T1) = 725; n(T2) = 597]. Changes in the players' perceptions of an autonomy supportive environment significantly predicted changes in psychological need satisfaction (positively) and in psychological need thwarting (negatively). Changes in psychological need satisfaction positively predicted changes in subjective vitality and negatively related to cross-time variation in global burnout scores. In contrast, changes in the players' perceptions of a controlling coach-created environment were positively associated with changes in psychological need thwarting that corresponded to increases in player burnout. Finally, results provided support for the assumed mediational roles of psychological need satisfaction and need thwarting in the social environment to well- and ill-being relationships.
Readability of Spine-Related Patient Education Materials From Subspecialty Organization and Spine Practitioner Websites

Study Design. Analysis of spine-related websites available to the general public. Objective. To assess the readability of spine-related patient educational materials available on professional society and individual surgeon or practice based websites. Summary of Background Data. The Internet has become a valuable source of patient education material. A significant percentage of patients, however, find this Internet based information confusing. Healthcare experts recommend that the readability of patient education material be less than the sixth grade level. The Flesch-Kincaid grade level is the most widely used method to evaluate the readability score of textual material, with lower scores suggesting easier readability. Methods. We conducted an Internet search of all patient education documents on the North American Spine Society (NASS), American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), and a sample of 10 individual surgeon or practice based websites. The Flesch-Kincaid grade level of each article was calculated using widely available Microsoft Office Word software. The mean grade level of articles on the various professional society and individual/practice based websites were compared. Results. A total of 121 articles from the various websites were available and analyzed. All 4 categories of websites had mean Flesch-Kincaid grade levels greater than 10. Only 3 articles (2.5%) were found to be at or below the sixth grade level, the recommended readability level for adult patients in the United States. There were no significant differences among the mean Flesch-Kincaid grade levels from the AAOS, NASS, AANS, and practice-based web-sites (P = 0.065, ANOVA). Conclusion. Our findings suggest that most of the Spine-related patient education materials on professional society and practice-based websites have readability scores that may be too high, making comprehension difficult for a substantial portion of the United States adult population.
Fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair

Fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR) is a technically challenging operation. The duration, blood loss, and risk of limb ischaemia, contrast‐induced nephropathy and reperfusion injury are likely to be higher than after standard endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Benefits of FEVAR over open repair may be less than those seen with standard infrarenal EVAR. This paper is a meta‐analysis of observational studies of all published data for FEVAR, with the aim to highlight current issues around the evidence for the potential benefit of FEVAR.
True Hemifacial Hypertrophy ̶A Case Report and Review of Literature

Hemifacial hypertrophy is a rare congenital disease involving hypertrophy of both soft and hard tissues of the face, and is usually discovered soon after birth. This pathology may be classified as either true or partial hemifacial hypertrophy. Many conditions resemble hemifacial hypertrophy, potentially complicating diagnosis. We present a case of true hemifacial hypertrophy in a 6-year-old girl with radiological findings, differential diagnosis and a brief review of the literature. Myohyperplasia, reported previously as a separate entity, may actually represent a form of true or partial hemifacial hypertrophy. Management of true hemifacial hypertrophy requires meticulous planning, including multiple treatment modalities.
Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor induces a rapid dephosphorylation of tau protein through a PI‐3Kinase signalling mechanism

The microtubule‐associated protein tau is essential for microtubule stabilization in neuronal axons. Hyperphosphorylation and intracellular fibrillar formation of tau protein is a pathology found in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains, and in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders referred to as ‘taupathies’. In the present study, we investigated how brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), an extracellular factor that is down‐regulated in AD brains, affects tau phosphorylation. BDNF stimulation of neuronally differentiated P19 mouse embryonic carcinoma cells resulted in a rapid decrease in tau phosphorylation, at phosphorylation sites recognized by Tau1, AT8, AT180 and p262‐Tau antibodies. K252a, a tyrosine receptor kinase (Trk) inhibitor, attenuated this dephosphorylation event, suggesting that BNDF activation of TrkB is responsible for the tau dephosphorylation. In addition, BDNF had no affect on tau phosphorylation in the presence of wortmannin, a PI‐3Kinase inhibitor, or lithium, a GSK3β inhibitor, suggesting that these two kinases are part of the signaling transduction cascade leading from TrkB receptor activation to tau dephosphorylation. These results suggest a link between a correlate of AD, decrease in BDNF levels and an AD pathology, tau hyperphosphorylation.
Does High Dose Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate Really Improve Neurological Status in Patient With Acute Cervical Cord Injury?: A Prospective Study About Neurological Recovery and Early Complications

Study Design. Consecutive cohort study. Objective. To reconsider effects of the Second National Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study. Summary of Background Data. High dose methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) for the patients with acute spinal cord injury has been considered standard treatment in the several countries. However, many authors have criticized the effect of MPSS because of lack of evidence about neurologic improvement and the high incidence of complications. Methods. During 2-year, all patients with cervical cord injury were treated with MPSS within 8 hours of their injuries based on the Second National Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study protocol (MPSS group). During the next 2-year, all patients were treated without MPSS (non-MPSS group). There were 38 patients in the MPSS group and 41 in the non-MPSS. Early spinal decompression and stabilization was performed as soon after injury in both the groups. Results. According to The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) motor score, there was an average improvement by 3 months postinjury of 12.4 points in the MPSS group and 13.8 points in the non-MPSS group. In patients with complete motor loss, average ASIA motor score improved 9.0 points in the MPSS group and 12.6 points in the non-MPSS group. For patients with incomplete motor loss, average ASIA motor score improvement was 14.1 and 15.5 points in the MPSS and non-MPSS groups, respectively. In the MPSS group, 19 patients developed pneumonia, 13 developed urinary tract infections, and 5 developed wound infections. Incidence of pneumonia was significantly increased with the use of MPSS medication. Conclusion. We found no evidence supporting the opinion that high-dose MPSS administration facilitates neurologic improvement in patients with spinal cord injury. We believe MPSS should be used under limited circumstances because of the high incidence of pulmonary complication.
Projections from basal forebrain to prefrontal cortex comprise cholinergic, GABAergic and glutamatergic inputs to pyramidal cells or interneurons

The present study was undertaken to characterize the pre‐ and postsynaptic constituents of the basal forebrain (BF) projection to the prefrontal cortex in the rat, and determine whether it includes glutamatergic in addition to established γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic and cholinergic elements. BF fibres were labelled by anterograde transport using biotin dextran amine (BDA) and dual‐stained for the vesicular transporter proteins (VTPs) for glutamate (VGluT), GABA (VGAT) or acetylcholine (VAChT). Viewed by fluorescence microscopy and estimated by stereology, proportions of BDA‐labelled varicosities were found to be stained for VGluT2 (and not VGluT1 or 3), VGAT or VAChT (representing, respectively, ∼15%, ∼52% and ∼19% within the infralimbic cortex). Each type was present in all, though commonly most densely in deep, cortical layers. Material was triple‐stained for postsynaptic proteins to examine whether BDA+VTP+ varicosities might form excitatory or inhibitory synapses, respectively, labelled by postsynaptic density‐95 kDA (PSD‐95) or gephyrin (Geph). Viewed by confocal microscopy, a majority of BDA+/VGluT2+ varicosities were found to be apposed to PSD‐95+ elements, and a majority of BDA+/VGAT+ varicosities to be apposed to Geph+ elements. Other series were triple‐stained for cell marker proteins to assess whether the varicosities contacted interneurons or pyramidal cells. Viewed by confocal microscopy, BDA‐labelled VGluT2+, VGAT+ and VAChT+ BF terminals were all found in contact with calbindin+ interneurons, whereas VGAT+ BF terminals were also seen in contact with parvalbumin+ interneurons and non‐phosphorylated neurofilament+ pyramidal cells. Through distinct glutamatergic, GABAergic and cholinergic projections, the BF can thus influence cortical activity in a diverse manner.
Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein in Canine Spinal Cord Appears in the Cerebrospinal Fluid Associated With Intervertebral Disc Herniation

Study Design. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from dogs with intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH) were analyzed using a specific antibody against cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP). Immunolocalization and genetic expression of COMP were also examined in the spinal cords of mouse, rat, and dog. Objective. To investigate the hypothesis that COMP is present in CSF of dogs with IVDH, and the clinical relevance of COMP expression in CSF as a potential biomarker of spinal cord injury. Summary of Background Data. In dog IVDH, diagnostic imaging is useful for determining the spinal cord compression, but less useful for assessment of traumatic degeneration. Aggrecan, a well-known component of cartilage matrix, is increased in CSF from cases of neural damage and inflammation of the spinal cord. Methods. CSF from the cisterna magna (C-CSF) and the lumbar spine (L-CSF) of 19 dogs with IVDH and 5 normal dogs were analyzed using inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting with an antibody cross-reactive with dog COMP. Samples of normal spinal cord from mouse, rat, and dog were also prepared for immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Results. ELISA values were significantly higher for L-CSF than for C-CSF in dogs with IVDH, whereas there was no significant difference between them in normal dogs. Immunoblots of L-CSF samples revealed positive bands of approximately 500 kDa in 6 cases of IVDH (positive cases), but no signal in negative cases. ELISA values were significantly higher in the positive cases than in the negative cases. Both COMP protein and mRNA were present at high levels in the gray matter of the spinal cord in all species. Conclusion. In dog IVDH, release of COMP from the spinal cord in association with injury may lead to COMP accumulation in L-CSF posterior to the site of disc extrusion, and therefore might be a predictive marker of spinal cord injury.
Cognitive and affective components of challenge and threat states

Abstract We explored the cognitive and affective components of the Theory of Challenge and Threat States in Athletes (TCTSA) using a cross-sectional design. One hundred and seventy-seven collegiate athletes indicated how they typically approached an important competition on measures of self-efficacy, perceived control, achievement goals, emotional states and interpretation of emotional states. Participants also indicated to what extent they typically perceived the important competition as a challenge and/or a threat. The results suggest that a perception of challenge was not predicted by any of the cognitive components. A perception of threat was positively predicted by avoidance goals and negatively predicted by self-efficacy and approach goals. Both challenge and threat had a positive relationship with anxiety. Practical implications of this study are that an avoidance orientation appeared to be related to potentially negative constructs such as anxiety, threat and dejection. The findings may suggest that practitioners and researchers should focus on reducing an avoidance orientation, however the results should be treated with caution in applied settings, as this study did not examine how the combination of constructs exactly influences sport performance. The results provided partial support for the TCTSA with stronger support for proposed relationships with threat rather than challenge states.