Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study of Cerebral Glutamate in an Ex Vivo Brain Preparation of Guinea Pig

Abstract: Cerebral glutamate was monitored in a superfused cerebral cortical preparation by 1H NMR spectroscopy using a semiselective spin‐echo sequence N‐acetyl aspartate (NAA) as an internal concentration reference. During controlled metabolic conditions, the cerebral 1H NMR‐detected glutamate‐to‐NAA ratio was ∼ 20–30% lower than expected from the ratio of neutralized perchloric acid extracts of the preparations. Inhibition of respiration in the presence of glucose did not change the 1H NMR glutamate‐to‐NAA ratio in brain slice preparation. In contrast, either complete depletion of ATP during cyanide poisoning together with 0 mM glucose, anoxia in the absence of glucose, or treatment with nigericin or with a protonophore, carbonyl cyanide‐m‐fluorophenylhydrazone, increased 1H NMR‐detected glutamate/NAA in the cerebral preparations without a change in the relative and absolute concentration ratios determined from the tissue acid extracts. Spin‐spin relaxation times of glutamate and NAA peaks in anoxic slices were 749 ± 89 and 729 ± 94 ms, respectively, and thus, the portion of glutamate that could not be detected by 1H NMR was quantified in absolute terms. It was calculated that an increase in the glutamate‐to‐NAA ratio from 0.55 ± 0.02 to 0.67 ± 0.02 during aglycemic anoxia corresponded to some 6 mmol/kg of tissue dry weight of glutamate from the total concentration of 28 mmol/kg dry weight. It is suggested that this 22% of total glutamate pool is present in a noncytoplasmic compartment during controlled metabolic state.
Reducing vortex motion in YBa2Cu3O7 crystals with splay in columnar defects.

A strategy to boost the current-carrying capacity of cuprate superconductors beyond the levels attainable with parallel columnar defects was recently proposed. It consists of the enforcement of vortex entanglement by controlled splay of columns. We demonstrate the validity of this suggestion in YBa[sub 2]Cu[sub 3]O[sub 2] single crystals using the difference in splay naturally occurring in irradiations with two ions differing in mass and energy. The terminal dispersion of the columns produced by 0.58-GeV [sup 116]Sn[sup 30+] is about 10[degree], as compared with 1[degree] for 1.08-GeV [sup 197]Au[sup 23+]. At high temperatures, this large splay results in a persistent current density one order of magnitude larger and a creep rate one order of magnitude smaller.
Dietary energy source and density: effects of roughage source, roughage equivalent, tallow level, and steer type on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics.

The effects of roughage level (10, 20, or 30% roughage equivalent [RE]), roughage source (alfalfa vs cottonseed hulls), roughage regimen (constant RE vs 2% RE during the mid-finishing period), tallow level (1.2 vs 4.6%), and steer type (British crossbred [BRITX] vs Bos indicus crosses [BRX]) were evaluated in three experiments with a common allotment and several overlapping treatments. Steers (n = 432; initial weight = 326 +/- 26 kg) were divided into three BW blocks and allotted randomly to 72 pens and 24 treatments. Steers were fed steam-flaked, sorghum grain-based finishing diets for 124 to 166 d. Diets with 20% RE decreased gain efficiency and 30% RE diets decreased both gain (linear, P < .07) and efficiency (linear, P < .001) compared with 10% RE diets. Reducing roughage level during the mid-finishing period improved overall gain efficiency 2, 7, and 24% (P > .2, < .05, and < .001, respectively) for the 10, 20, and 30% RE diets, respectively. Steers fed cottonseed hulls consumed more feed (9.6 vs 8.8 kg/d, P < .001) but tended to gain less (1.53 vs 1.58 kg/d, P = .11) than steers fed alfalfa, were leaner, and had fewer carcasses grading Choice (62 vs 77%, P < .05). Feeding 4.6% tallow decreased DMI (P < .05) and improved gain efficiency (P < .05) compared with 1.2% tallow. The BRITX steers consumed more feed (6%, P < .001) but were somewhat less efficient (3.5%, P < .05) than BRX steers. Carcasses from BRITX steers tended to be fatter than carcasses from BRX steers and more of them graded Choice (62 vs 37%, P < .01). Commercial BRX steers did not perform as well as BRITX steers on higher-energy-density diets (4.6% tallow or variable roughage regimen). Knowledge of the genetic background of feeder cattle can be important in the selection of dietary energy density and marketing expectations.
Pharmacologic Therapy for Intermittent Claudication

Peripheral artery disease, defined as atherosclerosis in the lower extremities, affects nearly 8.5 million people in the United States. Due to the frequent asymptomatic manifestation of peripheral artery disease, diagnosis may be delayed and its true incidence underestimated. However, some patients may experience aching pain, numbness, weakness, or fatigue, a condition termed intermittent claudication. Peripheral atherosclerosis is associated with cardiovascular risk and physical impairment; therefore, treatment goals are aimed at decreasing cardiovascular risk, as well as improving quality of life. Little debate exists regarding the management of cardiovascular risk reduction, which consists of both antiplatelet therapy and risk factor modification. Despite recently published guidelines, the treatment of intermittent claudication is less well established and the management remains controversial and uncertain. Exercise remains the first‐line therapy for intermittent claudication; however, pharmacologic treatment is often necessary. Although only two prescription drugs have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of intermittent claudication, several supplements and investigational agents have been evaluated. Therapeutic optimization should balance the anticipated improvements in quality of life with the potential safety risks.
Atrial Ablation Versus Biatrial Ablation or Persistent and Permanent Atrial Fibrillation

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to compare—in patients with persistent and permanent atrial fibrillation (AF)—the efficacy and safety of left atrial ablation with that of a biatrial approach. BACKGROUND Left atrium-based catheter ablation of AF, although very effective in the paroxysmal form of the arrhythmia, has an insufficient efficacy in patients with persistent and permanent AF. METHODS Eighty highly symptomatic patients (age, 58.6 8.9 years) with persistent (n 43) and permanent AF (n 37), refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs, were randomized to two different ablation approaches guided by electroanatomical mapping. A procedure including circumferential pulmonary vein, mitral isthmus, and cavotricuspid isthmus ablation was performed in 41 cases (left atrial ablation group). In the remaining 39 patients (biatrial ablation group), the aforementioned approach was integrated by the following lesions in the right atrium: intercaval posterior line, intercaval septal line, and electrical disconnection of the superior vena cava. RESULTS During follow-up (mean duration 14 5 months), AF recurred in 39% of patients in the left atrial ablation group and in 15% of patients in the biatrial ablation group (p 0.022). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that ablation technique was an independent predictor of AF recurrence during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS In patients with persistent and permanent AF, circumferential pulmonary vein ablation, combined with linear lesions in the right atrium, is feasible, safe, and has a significantly higher success rate than left atrial and cavotricuspid ablation alone. (J Am Coll Cardiol 2006;47: ublished by Elsevier Inc. doi:10.1016/j.jacc. 2006.02. 047
Diagnosis and Treatment of Clostridium difficile Infection

AbstractEarly and accurate diagnosis is essential for optimal treatment of individuals with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and for implementation of effective infection control procedures. The decision about which diagnostic test to use is an important one that should be based on test sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value. The challenges of CDI go beyond rapid identification and management of symptomatic patients. Asymptomatic carriage has long been suspected in C. difficile transmission, but it may play a larger role than previously thought. Emerging information also shows that patients treated for CDI remain colonized for many weeks after symptom resolution. In fact, stool culture positivity increases during the first weeks after treatment completion. Treatments that reduce the duration and degree of asymptomatic shedding could have added benefit for reduced transmission.
The role of follicular helper T cells and the germinal center in HIV-1 gp120 DNA prime and gp120 protein boost vaccination

The importance of follicular T helper (TFH) cells and the germinal center (GC) reaction in the humoral immune response has become clear in recent years, however the role of TFH cells and the GC in an HIV vaccine strategy remains unclear. In this study, we primed mice with gp120-encoding DNA and boosted with gp120 protein, a regimen previously shown to induce high titers of high affinity and cross-reactive anti-gp120 Abs. Priming with gp120 DNA caused increased TFH cell differentiation, GC B cells, and antigen-specific antibody titers, compared with priming with gp120 protein. Priming with DNA also caused more activated CD4+ T cells to become TFH cells and more GC B cells to become memory cells. Deletion of BCL6 midway through the vaccine regimen resulted in loss of TFH cells and GCs, and, unexpectedly, increased anti-gp120 IgG titers and avidity. Our data suggests vaccination with gp120-encoding DNA elicits a stronger and more rapid TFH and GC response than gp120 protein. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the GC reaction may actually limit antigen-specific IgG secretion in the context of repeated immunizations.
Correlation between hamstring muscle length and pelvic tilt range during forward bending in healthy individuals : An initial evaluation

ee front matter & 2005 bmt.2005. 06.001 ing author. Tel. /fax: +4 ess: info@norrisassociat Summary The purpose of this study was to determine if an association exists between hamstring muscle length and the angle of pelvic tilt during forward bending in a student sporting population. A bubble goniometer was used to determine angle of pelvic tilt, and the active knee extension (AKE) test used to assess hamstring muscle length in 21 asymptomatic subjects. The forward bending task was matched to the tibial length of each subject. Mean AKE was 146.51 (79.01) and mean angle of pelvic tilt 15.51 (76.91). No association was found between hamstring muscle length and total angle of pelvic tilt (r 1⁄4 0:045) in people with extensibility of the hamstrings within normal limits. & 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Use of a highly sensitive quantitative telomerase assay in intracytoplasmic sperm injection programmes for the treatment of 47,XXY non‐mosaic Klinefelter men *

Summary. We evaluated the role of the sensitive quantitative telomerase assay (SQTA) in the management of men with non‐mosaic Klinefelter's syndrome (KS). Diagnostic testicular biopsy (DTB) was performed in 24 men with KS. A part of the DTB was stained and the remaining fragment was processed for the SQTA. After 3–18 months, a therapeutic testicular biopsy (TTB) was performed in the same testicle and the recovered specimens were processed to identify spermatozoa. Men with a SQTA outcome equal to 0.00 Units μg−1 protein (n=7) demonstrated therapeutic testicular biopsy material that was negative for spermatogenic cells. In five men with a SQTA outcome of 8.11–38.03 Units μg−1, the most advanced germ cell was the spermatogonium/primary spermatocyte. In the remaining 12 men, the most advanced spermatogenic cell in the TTB was the spermatozoon. In these men, the SQTA outcome was equal to 25.76–92.68 Units μg−1 protein. Using 39.00 Units μg−1 protein as a cut‐off value, the accuracy of the SQTA in identifying men positive for spermatozoa was 91.6%. It appears that the SQTA has a role for identifying non‐mosaic KS men who have testicular spermatozoa.
Three-Dimensional Structure of the Fab from a Human IgM Cold Agglutinin1

Cold agglutinins (CAs) are IgM autoantibodies characterized by their ability to agglutinate in vitro RBC at low temperatures. These autoantibodies cause hemolytic anemia in patients with CA disease. Many diverse Ags are recognized by CAs, most frequently those belonging to the I/i system. These are oligosaccharides composed of repeated units of N-acetyllactosamine, expressed on RBC. The three-dimensional structure of the Fab of KAU, a human monoclonal IgM CA with anti-I activity, was determined. The KAU combining site shows an extended cavity and a neighboring pocket. Residues from the hypervariable loops VHCDR3, VLCDR1, and VLCDR3 form the cavity, whereas the small pocket is defined essentially by residues from the hypervariable loops VHCDR1 and VHCDR2. This fact could explain the VH4-34 germline gene restriction among CA. The KAU combining site topography is consistent with one that binds a polysaccharide. The combining site overall dimensions are 15 Å wide and 24 Å long. Conservation of key binding site residues among anti-I/i CAs indicates that this is a common feature of this family of autoantibodies. We also describe the first high resolution structure of the human IgM CH1:CL domain. The structural analysis shows that the CH1-CL interface is mainly conserved during the isotype switch process from IgM to IgG1.
Human capital management in Zimbabwean rural schools: A socio-economic analysis

This paper discusses the impact of socio-economic factors in the management of human capital in Zimbabwean rural schools. A case study approach was taken focusing on Mazowe District. The researcher used observations, questionnaires, telephone interviews and face to face interviews to obtain data from teachers and administrative staff in Mazowe District who were randomly selected. The study found that teachers were disgruntled with their current salaries, poor working and living conditions thereby leading to poor educational results at both Primary and Secondary school levels. Accommodation for teachers and other infrastructure in most schools under the study were found to be inadequate and inhabitable. The study recommended that good compensation, good working conditions, adequate accommodation and teaching and learning materials and infrastructure are critical in motivating and retaining teachers in Zimbabwean rural schools. The study is significant in that it identifies promising areas on which the government can work on to provide quality education to the rural folk so that they can successfully participate in the national and global economy.
‘Shadowing’ as a management strategy for chemotherapy outpatient primary support persons

Despite growing numbers of patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy in outpatient settings and the corresponding increase in care demands on family and close friends, little is known about the experiences of those informal carers supporting people with cancer during their chemotherapy trajectories. Using an interpretivist theoretical framework, this study explored the experiences of primary support persons of chemotherapy outpatients through in-depth interviews with 17 participants nominated as their primary support persons by people receiving chemotherapy at a large tertiary hospital in Australia. The study demonstrates that primary support persons of chemotherapy outpatients face distinct challenges, being at the frontline of treatment and managing side effects with minimal support at home. This role involves sensitive provision of complex medical and social care in circumstances that profoundly challenge the everyday worlds of both patient and carer. From the moment of diagnosis, informal carers in this context face the 'double whammy' of needing to 'manage' the cancer diagnosis experience as well as the chemotherapy trajectory experience. This study points to the significant level of responsibility that primary support persons take on, and the extent to which patients and clinicians rely on their support and management skills. It also points, however, to the lack of recognition they receive for assuming this role, and their sense of frustration in the face of this invisibility. The conceptualisation of the informal carer role as a 'shadowing' role explicitly represents the protective, vigilant, but almost invisible, support role described by the participants in this study.
Characteristics and Outcomes of Open Globe Trauma in the Urban versus Rural Population: A Single Center Retrospective Review

ABSTRACT Purpose: To examine the characteristics and outcomes of open globe injuries sustained by the urban population compared to the rural population. Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of 429 patients presenting to University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Presbyterian Hospital with traumatic open globes from July 2005 to July 2013. Results: Rural patients had a longer time which elapsed from injury to presentation (P = 0.023, average 12.04 hours vs 7.53 hours). There was a higher incidence of patient transfer prior to arrival to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital (P = 0.018), patient follow-up elsewhere (P = 0.049), and patients sustaining intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs) (P = 0.009). Conclusions: Health care access is a well-known problem in rural areas and using rural-urban commuting area (RUCA) codes can help identify a population for risk factors or potential disparities in care. Rural patients sustained a higher rate of IOFBs; this should heighten the clinicians’ suspicion during the evaluation of an open globe in other rural populations.
Chronic nicotine treatment increases GABAergic input to striatal neurons

Recent studies suggest the involvement of the dorsal striatum in the advanced stages of drug addiction as well as motor functions. We investigated the effect of chronic nicotine treatment on GABAergic synaptic transmission in the striatum of mice. Intrastriatal stimulation evoked GABAA receptor-mediated polysynaptic inhibitory postsynaptic currents more frequently in medium-sized spiny projection neurons of mice treated chronically with nicotine (1 mg/kg, twice-daily subcutaneous injections for 10–15 days) than in those of PBS-treated mice. The multiphasic inhibitory postsynaptic currents consisted of monosynaptic early and polysynaptic, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated late components. Dihydro-&bgr;-erythroidine, an antagonist of the non-&agr;7nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, suppressed only the late inhibitory postsynaptic current. These results suggest that chronic nicotine treatment increases GABAergic input to projection neurons in the dorsal striatum.
PHYSIOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF ELITE WOMEN RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYERS

This study investigated the physiological and anthropometric characteristics of elite women rugby league players and developed physical performance standards for these athletes. Thirty-two elite women rugby league players underwent measurements of standard anthropometry (body mass, height, sum of 7 skinfolds), muscular power (vertical jump), speed (10-, 20-, and 40-m sprint), agility (505 test), glycolytic capacity (glycolytic agility test), and estimated maximal aerobic power (multistage fitness test). The skinfold thickness, speed, agility, vertical jump height, glycolytic capacity, and estimated maximal aerobic power results were 6.0–38.1% poorer than previously reported for elite women team sport athletes (e.g., rugby union, soccer, and hockey). Although no significant differences (p > 0.05) were detected between selected and non- selected players for any of the physiological or anthropometric characteristics, significant differences (p > 0.05) were detected between forwards and backs for body mass, skinfold thickness, 10-, 20-, and 40-m speed, and estimated maximal aerobic power. When data were analyzed according to positional similarities, it was found that the hit-up forwards positional group were heavier, had greater skinfold thickness, and had lower 10-, 20-, and 40-m speed, muscular power, glycolytic capacity, and estimated maximal aerobic power than the adjustables and outside backs positional groups. The results of this study show that elite women rugby league players have slower speed and agility, lower muscular power, glycolytic capacity, and estimated maximal aerobic power, and greater body mass and skinfold thickness than previously reported for other elite women team sport athletes. These findings show the need to develop all physiological parameters to allow elite women rugby league players to more effectively tolerate the physiological demands of competition, reduce fatigue-related errors in skill execution, and decrease the risk of injury.
Strain tensor selection and the elastic theory of incompatible thin sheets.

The existing theory of incompatible elastic sheets uses the deviation of the surface metric from a reference metric to define the strain tensor [Efrati et al., J. Mech. Phys. Solids 57, 762 (2009)JMPSA80022-509610.1016/j.jmps. 2008.12. 004]. For a class of simple axisymmetric problems we examine an alternative formulation, defining the strain based on deviations of distances (rather than distances squared) from their rest values. While the two formulations converge in the limit of small slopes and in the limit of an incompressible sheet, for other cases they are found not to be equivalent. The alternative formulation offers several features which are absent in the existing theory. (a) In the case of planar deformations of flat incompatible sheets, it yields linear, exactly solvable, equations of equilibrium. (b) When reduced to uniaxial (one-dimensional) deformations, it coincides with the theory of extensible elastica; in particular, for a uniaxially bent sheet it yields an unstrained cylindrical configuration. (c) It gives a simple criterion determining whether an isometric immersion of an incompatible sheet is at mechanical equilibrium with respect to normal forces. For a reference metric of constant positive Gaussian curvature, a spherical cap is found to satisfy this criterion except in an arbitrarily narrow boundary layer.
Fingolimod Use for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis in a Clinical Practice Setting in Madrid

Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of fingolimod use in a Spanish clinical practice setting. Methods Retrospective study with multiple sclerosis patients who received at least 1 fingolimod dose between January 2004 and January 2015. Effectiveness and safety data were collected during the entire treatment of each patient. Analysis was performed for the total population and stratified according to prior treatment, sex, and age at treatment initiation. Results A total of 167 patients were included, 50.9% had prior immunomodulator use, 33.5% natalizumab use, and 15.6% were naive patients. The annual relapse rate (ARR) decreased for the total population at month 12 (62%) and month 24 (84%) (P < 0.0001, in both cases); for naive patients (P < 0.05) and patients with prior immunomodulator use (P < 0.0001); for patients with prior natalizumab use, the ARR kept low after treatment initiation (0.23). After 24 months, the proportion of relapse-free patients was 70% or greater and disability progression-free patients was 80% or greater. No significant differences were observed when the results were compared by prior treatment, sex, or age. Thirty-two patients (19.2%) reported adverse drug reactions and 9.6% discontinued: 4.8% due to adverse drug reactions and 4.8% for lack of effectiveness. Conclusions The results support fingolimod use due to clinical effectiveness, tolerability, and ease of administration.