Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New vascular system in reptiles: Anatomy and postural hemodynamics of the vertebral venous plexus in snakes

Using corrosion casting, we demonstrate and describe a new vascular system—the vertebral venous plexus—in eight snake species representing three families. The plexus consists of a network of spinal veins coursing within and around the vertebral column and was previously documented only in mammals. The spinal veins of snakes originate anteriorly from the posterior cerebral veins and form a lozenge‐shaped plexus that extends to the tip of the tail. Numerous anastomoses connect the plexus with the caval and portal veins along the length of the vertebral column. We also reveal a posture‐induced differential flow between the plexus and the jugular veins in two snake species with arboreal proclivities. When these snakes are horizontal, the jugulars are observed fluoroscopically to be the primary route for cephalic drainage and the plexus is inactive. However, head‐up tilting induces partial jugular collapse and shunting of cephalic efflux into the plexus. This postural discrepancy is caused by structural differences in the two venous systems. The compliant jugular veins are incapable of sustaining the negative intraluminal pressures induced by upright posture. The plexus, however, with the structural support of the surrounding bone, remains patent and provides a lowhyphen;pressure route for venous return. Interactions with the cerebrospinal fluid both allow and enhance the role of the plexus, driving perfusion and compensating for a posture‐induced drop in arterial pressure. The vertebral venous plexus is thus an important and overlooked element in the maintenance of cerebral blood supply in climbing snakes and other upright animals. J. Morphol. 250:173–184, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cancer in older persons. Magnitude of the problem‐how do we apply what we know?

The elderly experience the major impact of cancer. The incidence rate for those aged 65 and older is 2085.3 per 100,000 as compared with 193.9 per 100,000 for those younger than 65. Overall, 58% of all cancer incidence is in the older segment of the population. Cancer mortality in the elderly now accounts for 67% of all cancer deaths. Data from the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program for 1985–1989 reveal many salient facts. Older persons have a risk of developing cancer 10 times greater than that for individuals younger than 65. This paper outlines the magnitude of the major cancers that affect the elderly. Incidence and mortality data are presented according to individual tumors (colon, rectum, lung/bronchus, pancreas, stomach, urinary bladder, breast, ovary, and prostate). Demographic data from the U. S. Bureau of the Census focus on the expanding elderly population in the United States and projections for the future.
The haemodynamics of obesity: a theoretical analysis

Background: Obesity and hypertension are frequently associated with one another, and changes in body weight are usually accompanied by consensual changes in blood pressure Objective: To examine formally the haemodynamic conditions required for a weight gain to cause a rise in blood pressure in the resting state. Methods: The relevant equations were developed, and then used in a simulation to predict blood pressure and peripheral vascular resistance in response to changes in body weight. The model was tested on data taken from published reports. Furthermore, the impact of the composition of the excess weight, i.e. fat versus muscle tissue, on the haemodynamics of obesity was incorporated into the simulation by using a range of tissue-specific blood flow rates taken from published reports Results: The key determinant of weight-induced increases in blood pressure is a disproportional increase in cardiac output, which is not fully accounted for by the haemodynamic contribution of new tissues. An increase in muscle tissue relative to fat in newly gained weight is a further factor in the blood pressure increase arising from any given level of excess weight Conclusions: The disproportional increase in cardiac output in obesity is best attributed to stimulation of cardiac dynamics by the adrenergic nervous system. The low resistance of adipose tissue relative to muscle may be the physiologic basis for the dominance of fat-free mass in multiple regression analyses of blood pressure determinants in the population; it further suggests that in the obese hypertensive, fat tissue may provide protection against cardiovascular disease by limiting increases in total peripheral resistance
The prognosis of functional (psychogenic) motor symptoms: a systematic review

Background The prognosis of functional (or psychogenic) motor symptoms (weakness and movement disorder) has not been systematically reviewed. Methods We systematically reviewed PubMed for all studies of eight or more patients with functional motor symptoms reporting follow-up data longer than 6 months (excluding studies reporting specific treatments). We recorded symptom duration, physical and psychiatric comorbidity, disability, occupational functioning at follow-up and prognostic factors. Results 24 studies were included. There was heterogeneity regarding study size (number of patients (n)=10 491), follow-up duration clinical setting and data availability. Most studies (n=15) were retrospective. Reported symptom outcome was highly variable. Mean weighted follow-up duration was 7.4 years (in 13 studies where data was extractable). The mean percentage of patients same or worse at follow-up for all studies was 39%, range 10% to 90%, n=1134. Levels of physical disability and psychological comorbidity at follow-up were high. Short duration of symptoms, early diagnosis and high satisfaction with care predicted positive outcome in two studies. Gender had no effect. Delayed diagnosis and personality disorder were negatively correlated with outcome. Prognostic factors that varied between studies included age, comorbid anxiety and depression, IQ, educational status, marital status and pending litigation. Conclusions Existing follow-up studies of functional motor symptoms give us some insights regarding outcome and prognostic factors but are limited by their largely retrospective and selective nature. Overall, prognosis appears unfavourable. The severity and chronicity of functional motor symptoms argues for larger prospective studies including multiple prognostic factors at baseline in order to better understand their natural history.
ADF10 shapes the overall organization of apical actin filaments by promoting their turnover and ordering in pollen tubes

ABSTRACT Here, we show that Arabidopsis ADF10 plays an important role in shaping the overall organization of apical actin filaments by promoting their turnover and ordering. ADF10 severs and depolymerizes actin filaments in vitro and is distributed throughout the entire pollen tube. In adf10 mutants, severing and monomer dissociation events for apical actin filaments are reduced, and the apical actin structure extends further toward the tube base than in wild-type tubes. In particular, the percentage of apical actin filaments that form large angles to the tube growth axis is much higher in adf10 pollen tubes, and the actin filaments are more randomly distributed, implying that ADF10 promotes their ordering. Consistent with the role of apical actin filaments in physically restricting the movement of vesicles, the region in which apical vesicles accumulate is enlarged at the tip of adf10 pollen tubes. Both tipward and backward movements of small vesicles are altered within the growth domain of adf10 pollen tubes. Thus, our study suggests that ADF10 shapes the organization of apical actin filaments to regulate vesicle trafficking and pollen tube growth. Summary: ADF10 is an important regulator in shaping the overall organization of apical actin filaments and acts by promoting filament turnover and ordering as well as limiting their length.
Analysing foreign market entry – The choice between greenfield investment and acquisitions

This paper formalises the choice a firm has to face when entering a foreign market via FDI as between setting up an entirely new plant (greenfield investment) or acquiring an existing indigenous firm. We assume the existence of an asymmetric duopoly in the host country, and these duopolists face the entry of a technologically advanced foreign firm in the market. The analysis shows how different constellations of entry costs and the post‐entry competition affect the foreign firm’s entry mode choice. Simulation results show that the foreign entrant will in most cases be best off by acquiring an existing indigenous high‐technology firm, thus, forming a duopoly with an indigenous low‐technology firm. We also discuss briefly the strategic dimension to the model, where the foreign firm has the possibility of crowding out the indigenous incumbents through lowering the price.
Social Support and its Correlation with Loneliness: A Cross-Cultural Study of Nepalese Older Adults

The aim of this study was to analyze the situation of social support exchange among elderly men and women and to study the cross-cultural validity of predictors of loneliness in two Nepalese castes/ethnicities of older adults. Data for this study were taken from a cross-sectional study of the elderly at least 60 years old living in one ward of Kathmandu City, conducted in 2005. Loneliness was measured using a three-item loneliness scale based on the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale. Sources of social support were classified as spouse, children living with their elders, children living apart, and friends/neighbors. Study findings indicate that the main social support exchange for the elderly was with adult children living together, spouse, and friends/neighbors. Results also show gender difference in social support. Significant variables of loneliness were social support received from spouse, social support provided to spouse, and children living together with both elderly parents. This finding shows there is a high degree of cross-cultural invariance in the predictor sources of social support on loneliness among two Nepalese castes/ethnicities older adults.
Postural Control after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction and Functional Rehabilitation

Total sagittal knee laxity and postural control in the sagittal and frontal planes were measured in 25 patients at a mean of 36 months (range, 27 to 44) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and in a control group consisting of 20 uninjured age- and activity-matched subjects. Body sway was measured in the sagittal plane on a stable and on a sway-referenced force plate in single-legged stance, double-legged stance, or both, with the eyes open and closed. Postural reactions to perturbations in the sagittal and frontal planes were recorded in the single-legged stance with the eyes open. Total sagittal plane laxity was significantly greater in the anterior cruciate ligament-reconstructed knee (11.2 mm; range, 6 to 15) than in the uninjured knee (8.9 mm; range, 6 to 12) or in the control group (6.0 mm; range, 5 to 8). In spite of this, the patients, in comparison with the controls, exhibited normal postural control except in two variables—the reaction time and the latency between the start of force movement to maximal sway in the sagittal plane perturbations. This supports the hypothesis that rehabilitation, with proprioceptive and agility training, is an important component in restoring the functional stability in the anterior cruciate ligament-reconstructed knee.
Stability of fused versus nonfused THA Femoral impaction grafts

Impaction grafting for THA involves compacting morselized cancellous bone (MCB) into a cavitary defect to build up bone stock. Ideally, the MCB subsequently remodels into a new contiguous cancellous lattice. A recent laboratory model of MCB fusion allows simulating an impaction graft construct in this ideal eventual clinical state. The purpose of the present study was to determine the relative stability of femoral impaction graft constructs in which the MCB has fused versus that for MCB in the freshly impacted nonfused condition. Cemented femoral impaction graft constructs were created in composite femurs. For fused constructs, the MCB was mixed with an amine epoxy that causes the MCB to set up into a contiguous structure biomechanically comparable to intact cancellous bone in compression. The constructs were loaded with 500,000 physiologic gait cycles. Three‐dimensional motion was measured between the femur and the stem. The fused femoral impaction grafts were much more stable than the nonfused grafts at the proximal stem location, but MCB fusion had only a modest effect on distal stem stability. These results indicate that most of the opportunity to reduce femoral stem micromotion and migration lies proximal, and that steps to enhance impaction graft remodeling and fusion are most effectively focused proximally. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 2007
Glutaredoxin 1 (Grx1) Protects Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells From Oxidative Damage by Preventing AKT Glutathionylation.

PURPOSE Glutaredoxin 1 (Grx1) belongs to the oxidoreductase family and is a component of the endogenous antioxidant defense system. However, its physiological function remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated whether and how Grx1 overexpression protects the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells against H2O2-induced apoptosis. METHODS Human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells were transfected with either a Grx1-containing plasmid or an empty vector. Primary human RPE cells were transfected with Grx1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) or scrambled siRNA. Cell viability was measured with the WST8 assay. Apoptosis was quantitatively measured by annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) double staining. The level of protein glutathionylation (PSSG) was measured by immunoblotting using anti-PSSG antibody. Protein kinase B (AKT) activation was examined by Western blot. Protein kinase B glutathionylation was detected by immunoprecipitation followed by immunoblotting with anti-PSSG antibody. RESULTS Glutaredoxin 1 overexpression protected ARPE-19 cells from H2O2-induced cell viability loss. Conversely, Grx1 gene knockdown sensitized primary human RPE cells to H2O2. Assessment of apoptosis indicated that cells transfected with the Grx1-containing plasmid were more resistant to H2O2 with fewer cells undergoing apoptosis as compared to empty vector-transfected cells. Hydrogen peroxide-induced PSSG accumulation was also attenuated by Grx1 enrichment. Furthermore, Grx1 overexpression prevented H2O2-induced AKT glutathionylation, resulting in a sustained phospho-AKT elevation in RPE cells. CONCLUSIONS Glutaredoxin 1 can protect RPE cells against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. The mechanism of this protection is associated with its ability to stimulate the phosphorylation of AKT by preventing AKT glutathionylation. Considering Grx1's protective abilities in RPE cells, Grx1 could be a potential pharmacological target for retinal degenerative diseases.
Oxidative capacities of cardiac and skeletal muscles of heart transplant recipients: mitochondrial effects of cyclosporin‐A and its vehicle Cremophor‐EL

Chronic immunosuppressive treatment was suspected to alter maximal muscle oxidative capacity (Vmax) of heart transplant recipients, leading to a limitation of their exercise tolerance. It remains undefined whether the mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) of right ventricle (RV) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles were altered by immunosuppressants and/or their vehicles. Vmax was measured polarographically in saponin‐skinned fibres of RV and VL biopsies of patients and compared with Vmax of healthy VL and myocardium. Effects of increasing concentrations (1–10–100 μM) of Sandimmune®, its vehicle, Cyclosporine (CsA) in ethanol (EtOH), or EtOH alone were tested. The vehicle's effects on MRC complexes were investigated using specific substrates and inhibitors. Ten months after grafting, Vmax of RV and VL of immunosuppressed patients were similar to their Vmax at time of transplantation and to that of control tissues. In Vitro, Sandimmune® significantly decreased Vmax while CsA in EtOH or EtOH exerted small and similar effects. Effects of the vehicle were higher than (RV) or identical to (VL) those of Sandimmune®. The sites of action of the vehicle on MRC were located on complexes I and IV. While unchanged under chronic immunosuppressive therapy, Vmax of RV and VL muscles was depressed by acute exposure to intravenous Sandimmune® in vitro, an effect attributed to its vehicle by inhibition of complexes I and IV of the MRC. This work provides an in vitro proof of a toxic effect on the mitochondria respiratory chain of the vehicle used in the intravenous formulation of Sandimmune® but with no clinical consequences in chronically immunosuppressed patients.
The behavior of practicing sports among nursing students.

OBJECTIVE Analyzing the frequency patterns of practicing sports, the stages of change phases and the pros and cons of decision-making balance in nursing students related to gender and which year of study they are in. METHOD A cross-sectional, descriptive and exploratory study. RESULTS 535 students of both genders participated in the study. An analysis of the results revealed that 27.6% of the students did not present any frequency of practicing sports; 55.3% of the students did not have a consistent or continuous habit of practicing sports; students overall exhibited a non-existing frequency of practicing sports at similar levels throughout the study cycle; male students presented similar percentages in their positioning in the precontemplation and contemplation stages throughout the study cycle; and throughout all the stages of change phases students showed higher values for pros over cons related to practicing sports. CONCLUSION The results reinforce the relevance for implementing mechanisms for promoting and monitoring nursing students' involvement and regular participation in practicing sports.
Atypical antipsychotics and weight gain in Chinese patients: a comparison of olanzapine and risperidone.

OBJECTIVE To compare the effect of olanzapine with that of risperidone on weight change among Chinese patients in Hong Kong. METHOD The body weight of subjects maintained on olanzapine or risperidone treatment was recorded at the outpatient clinic of a teaching hospital. Pretreatment weight of the subjects was retrieved from case records. Subjects on olanzapine treatment were matched in sex, age, and diagnosis with those on risperidone treatment, and demographic and clinical data were analyzed. The study was conducted in May and June 2002. RESULTS Twenty-eight olanzapine-risperidone matched pairs were studied. All were diagnosed with DSM-IV schizophrenia. In patients treated with olanzapine and risperidone, respectively, mean +/- SD duration of treatment with atypical neuroleptics was 103.5 +/- 47.4 weeks and 93.2 +/- 50.6 weeks (range, 21-255 weeks), and mean doses were 12.4 +/- 6.7 mg/day and 4.5 +/- 2.8 mg/day. The mean +/- SD weight gain of subjects on treatment with olanzapine and risperidone, respectively, was 8.34 +/- 5.97 kg (18.53 +/- 13.27 lb) and 2.74 +/- 8.09 kg (6.09 +/- 17.98 lb) with a statistically significant difference at p < . 005. Lower baseline body weight and body mass index were associated with greater weight gain in both olanzapine- and risperidone-treated subjects. Gender, age, mean daily dose, and duration of treatment had no effect on weight change. CONCLUSION Treatment with olanzapine was associated with significantly greater weight gain than treatment with risperidone in Chinese schizophrenia patients in Hong Kong. The effect of adjunctive anticonvulsant treatment on weight gain requires further study.
Spinal Fractures in Current Military Deployments

Objective To describe spinal fracture patterns presenting to deployed medical facilities during recent military operations. Methods Retrospective analysis of the United Kingdom Centre for Defence Imaging Computed Tomography database, 2005- 2009. Fractures are classified, mechanism noted and associated injuries recorded. Statistical analysis is by Fisher’s Exact test. Results 128 fractures in 57 casualties are analysed. Ballistic (79%) and non-ballistic mechanisms contribute to vertebral fracture at all regions of the spinal column in patients treated at deployed medical facilities. There is a high incidence of lumbar spine fractures, which are more likely to be due to explosion than gunshot wounding (p<0.05). Two thirds of thoracolumbar spine fractures caused by explosive devices are unstable and are mainly burst-fractures in configuration. 60% of spinal fracture patients had concomitant injuries. There is a strong relationship between spinal fractures caused by explosions and lower limb fractures. Conclusion Injuries to the spine caused by explosive devices account for greater numbers, greater associated morbidity and increasing complexity than other means of spinal injury managed in contemporary warfare. With the predominance of explosive injury in current conflict, this work provides the first detail of an evolving injury mechanism with implications for injury mitigation research.
Near-Infrared Spectroscopic Study of the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Wood with Meso- and Micro-Scale Anatomical Observation

Estimation of the density along with the tensile strength of wood within both the elastic and plastic deformation ranges, represented as modulus of elasticity (MOE) and ultimate tensile stress (UTS), respectively, were performed using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. A partial least squares (PLS) analysis was applied to the measurements of density, MOE, and UTS, and resulted in a high accuracy of prediction, independent of wood species. The correlation coefficient between the NIR spectra and criterion variables, and the regression vector resulting from the PLS analysis, suggested that the characteristic absorption bands were strongly related to the predictability of each property. In the case of softwood, absorption bands due to intra-molecular hydrogen-bonded OH groups in the crystalline regions of cellulose, which are oriented preferentially in a direction parallel to the cellulose chain, might strongly affect the tensile strength of softwood. Hardwoods have much more complex and variable structures than softwoods; therefore, it was supposed that the key factor governing the tensile strength in hardwood would be the interaction between the three principal constituents (i.e., cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) of wood.
Noise‐induced increase in human auditory evoked neuromagnetic fields

Noise is usually detrimental to auditory perception. However, recent psychophysical studies have shown that low levels of broadband noise may improve signal detection. Here, we measured auditory evoked fields (AEFs) while participants listened passively to low‐pitched and high‐pitched tones (Experiment 1) or complex sounds that included a tuned or a mistuned component that yielded the perception of concurrent sound objects (Experiment 2). In both experiments, stimuli were embedded in low or intermediate levels of Gaussian noise or presented without background noise. For each participant, the AEFs were modeled with a pair of dipoles in the superior temporal plane, and the effects of noise were examined on the resulting source waveforms. In both experiments, the N1m was larger when the stimuli were embedded in low background noise than in the no‐noise control condition. Complex sounds with a mistuned component generated an object‐related negativity that was larger in the low‐noise condition. The results show that low‐level background noise facilitates AEFs associated with sound onset and can be beneficial for sorting out concurrent sound objects. We suggest that noise‐induced increases in transient evoked responses may be mediated via efferent feedback connections between the auditory cortex and lower auditory centers.