Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of seated posture on erector spinae EMG activity during whole body vibration.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the electromyographic (EMG) response of the erector spinae to whole body vibration in three different unsupported seated postures: neutral upright, forward lean, and posterior lean. Subjects were 11 healthy college-age men. EMG was collected using bipolar surface electrodes placed bilaterally over the erector spinae at the L4 level. A modified chair with attached accelerometer was affixed to an induction type vibrator. Subjects were vibrated vertically at 4.5 Hz and 6.21 m.s-2 RMS. Data were collected in each of the three postures for 30 s pre- and post-vibration and for 2 min during vibration. Mean EMG values were determined for each sampling period and compared using ANOVA. The mean value for anterior lean was significantly larger (p < 0.05) than that for posterior lean and neutral. EMG data analysed by triggered averaging showed a phase-dependent response to the vibratory cycle for the forward leaning and neutral upright postures. The results of this study indicate that the magnitude of the vibration synchronous response of the erector spinae musculature is dependent upon body posture. This response may be an important factor in the onset of muscular fatigue and the increased incidence of back disorders among individuals exposed to whole body vibration.
Dysfunction and functional restoration of HCV‐specific CD8 responses in chronic hepatitis C virus infection

The functional impairment of HCV‐specific T cell responses is believed to be an important determinant of HCV persistence, but the functional T cell defects of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CH‐C) are only partially defined. CD8 responses to HLA‐A2–restricted epitopes of HCV and other unrelated viruses were studied in 23 HLA‐A2–positive patients both ex vivo and after in vitro culture. Degranulation capacity, intracellular perforin, and granzyme‐A content and cytokine production (IFN‐γ, TNF‐α) by HCV‐ and non–HCV‐specific CD8 cells were tested both ex vivo and in vitro, whereas cytolytic activity was studied after 10 days' expansion in vitro. Memory maturation and role of exhaustion were assessed ex vivo by HCV‐specific CD8 staining for CD127 and PD‐1, and in vitro after peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) culture in the presence of anti–PD‐L1 monoclonal antibodies. IFN‐γ production and cytolytic activity were expressed less efficiently by HCV‐specific than by non–HCV specific CD8 cells derived from the same CH‐C patients. The amount of stored granzyme‐A within single cells was always lower in HCV‐specific CD8 cells, which were less efficient also in the release of lytic granules and in the production of TNF‐α. The CD8 dysfunction was associated with high PD‐1 expression by most HCV‐specific CD8 cells, and PD‐1/PD‐L1 blockade by anti–PD‐L1 antibodies in vitro was able to improve the HCV‐specific CD8 function. Conclusion: Our study characterizes CD8 defects that may be important in maintaining HCV persistence; identification of strategies to correct these defects may help to define novel approaches to treat HCV infection. (HEPATOLOGY 2007;45:588–601.)
Thermoelasticity of Silicate Perovskite and Magnesiow�stite and Stratification of the Earth's Mantle

Analyses of x-ray-diffraction measurements on (Mg,Fe)SiO3 perovskite and (Mg,Fe)O magnesiow�stite at simultaneous high temperature and pressure are used to determine pressure-volume-temperature equations of state and thermoelastic properties of these lower mantle minerals. Detailed comparison with the seismically observed density and bulk sound velocity profiles of the lower mantle does not support models of this region that assume compositions identical to that of the upper mantle. The data are consistent with lower mantle compositions consisting of nearly pure perovskite (>85 percent), which would indicate that the Earth's mantle is compositionally, and by implication, dynamically stratified.
Selective Photothermolysis : Precise Microsurgery by Selective Absorption of Pulsed Radiation

Suitably briefpulses of selectively absorbed optical radiation can cause selective damage to pigmented structures, cells, and organelles in vivo. Precise aiming is unnecessary in this uniqueform ofradiation injury because inherent optical and thermal properties provide target selectivity. A simple, predictive model is presented. Selective damage to cutaneous microvessels and to melanosomes within melanocytes is shown after 577-nanometer (3 x 10-7 second) and 351-nanometer (2 x 10-8 second) pulses, respectively. Hemodynamic, histological, and ultrastructural responses are discussed. Many biomedical applications of lasers have been developed (1, 2). The first effect of light on tissue is the absorption of photons, which leads either to photochemical reactions or to significant heating. With few exceptions (3), biomedical lasers use a variety of thermal effects (4). Rapid localized heating causes large thermal transients and shock waves which may propagate, causing mechanical damage. Many enzymes are heatlabile. Above 60° to 70°C, structural proteins including collagens are also denatured (5). Above 70° to 80°C, nucleic acids are denatured and membranes become permeable. Thus, essentially any 100V a po r i z at I
Gestational nicotine exposure reduces nicotinic cholinergic receptor (nAChR) expression in dopaminergic brain regions of adolescent rats

Children of women who smoked during pregnancy are at increased risk of dependence when smoking is initiated during adolescence. We previously reported that gestational nicotine exposure attenuated dopamine release induced by nicotine delivered during adolescence. In this study, we determined the effects of gestational nicotine exposure on nicotinic cholinergic receptor (nAChR) expression. Timed pregnant rats received nicotine (2 mg/kg/day) or vehicle via mini‐osmotic pumps during gestation. Treatments continued in pups via maternal nursing during postnatal days (PN) 2–14 (equivalent to the human in utero third trimester). On PN35, 125I‐epibatidine binding to nAChR was measured. The Bmax values (fmol/mg) in prefrontal cortex (PFC), nucleus accumbens (NAcc), substantia nigra (SN) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) were reduced by 26.6% (P < 0.05), 32.6% (P < 0.01), 23.0% (P < 0.01) and 27.6% (P < 0.05), respectively. In addition, gender differences were found in vehicle‐treated groups; in SN and VTA, females were 79.3% (P < 0.005) and 82.9% (P = 0.08) of males, respectively. The expression of nAChR subunit mRNAs was measured using real‐time RT‐PCR on laser‐capture microdissected tissues. In adolescent VTA, gestational nicotine exposure reduced (P < 0.05) nAChR subunit mRNAs encoding α3 (53.0%), α4 (23.9%), α5 (46.7%) and β4 (61.4%). In NAcc core, the treatment increased α3 mRNA (75.8%). In addition, the number of neurons in VTA was reduced by 15.0% (P < 0.001). These studies indicate that gestational exposure to nicotine induces long‐lasting changes in nAChR expression that may underlie the vulnerability of adolescents to dependence on nicotine.
Characterizing the Gonadosomatic Index and Its Relationship with Age in Greater Cane Rat (Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck)

This work investigated the gonadosomatic index (GI) by weight and by volume and its relationship with age in the greater cane rat raised in captivity at Igbesa, a suburb of Agbara Industrial layout in Ogun state, Nigeria. The actual weights and volumes of the testes of 18 sexually matured male animals, obtained after sacrificing the rats, were used to evaluate the gonadosomatic indices. The results obtained showed that the cane rat has low investment in its spermatogenic tissue and spermatozoa having GI by weight and by volume of 0.053% and 0.059% respectively, compared to other rodents like mouse (0.4% in Mus pahari, 3% in Mus spicilegus), 0.72% in gerbils, 0.3 - 9.1 in lemur and 0.88% in African giant rat. Also, it was observed that low relationship existed between testicular size (r 2 = 0.23, p< 0.05) and the GI (r 2 = 0.41, p <0.05) in sexually matured males. The result showed that as the animal ages even with increased body weight its GI declines. These observations can serve as aid for farmers involved in captive rearing of this animal and contribute to the knowledge of the reproductive biology of the male cane rat.
The Simple View of Reading: Assessment and Intervention

The Simple View of Reading (P. B. Gough & W. Tunmer, 1986; W. A. Hoover & P. B. Gough, 1990) provides a 2-component model of reading. Each of these 2 components, decoding and comprehension, is necessary for normal reading to occur. The Simple View of Reading provides a relatively transparent model that can be used by professionals not only to understand the development of reading, but also to assess and treat reading difficulties. In addition, the model provides a role for oral language, and its relationship to written language abilities, making it an attractive model for speech-language pathologists, who often encounter individuals with broad-based language difficulties. This article reviews oral and written language development within the Simple View model and provides a blueprint of assessment of these language skills within the framework. It concludes with an overview of intervention for individuals who are not learning to read as expected.
Migraine Headaches and Sleep Disorders in Children

Copyright: © 2013 Ming X. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. The connection between headaches and sleep disorders has recently come under greater scrutiny as more and more studies are being conducted to elucidate this relationship. Questionnaire studies have shown a significant increase in the sleep disturbances amongst patients with headaches compared to healthy controls [1-4]. This “disturbed sleep” includes insomnias such as difficulty falling and remaining asleep, parasomnias such as restless leg syndrome, sleep paralysis, hypnagogic startles, and bruxism, and disordered breathing such as snoring and trouble breathing [1]. Morning, or “awakening” headache patterns can be signs of a sleep disorder. Snoring and sleep apnea can exacerbate migraine headaches [5]. This relationship has been demonstrated in adults and more recently it has been reported in studies focusing on children [2-4,6]. For example, Heng and Wirrell [2] compared children with migraines to their siblings without migraine and found that the migraine sufferers had a higher occurrence of sleep disorders when compared to their healthy control siblings [2]. Not only did the children with headaches have a higher rate of sleep disorders, but they found that the patients with greater migraine severity had significantly increased sleep disturbances [2].
Zinc concentration in serum and cerebrospinal fluid simultaneously decrease in children with febrile seizure: Findings from a prospective study in Bangladesh

Objective: Since the underlying mechanisms of febrile seizure (FS) having multi‐factorial aetiology yet remains unclear, we conducted this prospectively designed cross‐sectional study to determine if there was any simultaneous change in zinc (Zn) concentration (conc.) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) among the FS children in comparison to their matched non‐seizure febrile (NSF) peers.
Prognostic re-evaluation of peritoneal lavage cytology in Japanese patients with gastric carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS The aim of the present study was to re-evaluate CY(+) with gastric carcinoma in Japanese patients to identify the characteristics that might distinguish patients with a poor prognosis from those with an intermediate prognosis among CY(+) patients. METHODOLOGY CY(+) was found in 56 of 566 patients (9.9%) who had undergone surgery for gastric carcinoma between January 2000 and December 2006. The 56 patients with CY(+) were classified into four groups: group A, P(-)CY(+) (n = 10); group B, P1CY (+) (n = 10); group C, P2,3CY(+) (n = 18); group D, other (n = 18). RESULTS The 5-year survival of all patients with CY(+) was 12%. A multivariate analysis demonstrated serosal invasion, lymph node metastasis, and CY(+) to be independent prognostic factors. However, the 5-year survival in group A was 30%. The prognosis of group A patients was significantly better than that of patients in any other group (Groups B, C, D; p < 0.02). Sites of the recurrence in group A were located only in the peritoneum but the lymph nodes, etc. CONCLUSIONS Gastric carcinoma with CY(+) has a poor prognosis because it is associated with non-curative factors, peritoneal dissemination, and liver or lymph nodes metastases. However, a small subpopulation of patients with P(-)CY(+) showed an intermediate prognosis.
Regulation of melanin production by Cryptococcus neoformans

Species of Filobasidiella, the agents of cryptococcosis, produced melanin-like pigments within 4 to 48 h with diphenol, aminophenol, and diaminobenzene compounds as substrates. The rate of phenyloxidase activity was found to be regulated by glucose and nitrogen catabolite repression. Increased glucose concentration reduced pigmentation of all serotypes of Filobasidiella, whereas repression by nitrogen sources varied with the strain. Glutamine repressed the phenyloxidases of all isolates except those of serotype B, and (NH4)2SO4 repressed the phenyloxidase of all isolates except that of serotype A. Tyrosine and glycine appeared to be near optimal for phenyloxidase activity but not necessarily for growth of all strain examined. Representatives of serotype C were unique in that their phenyloxidase system was adpative in contrast to the constitutive system found in the other serotypes. No single medium was found to support pigmentation of all strains of Cryptococcus neoformans within a 72-h incubation period; false-negative reactions can occur.
Specific domains of plant defensins differentially disrupt colony initiation, cell fusion and calcium homeostasis in Neurospora crassa

MsDef1 and MtDef4 from Medicago spp. are small cysteine‐rich defensins with potent antifungal activity against a broad range of filamentous fungi. Each defensin has a hallmark γ‐core motif (GXCX3–9C), which contains major determinants of its antifungal activity. In this study, the antifungal activities of MsDef1, MtDef4, and peptides derived from their γ‐core motifs, were characterized during colony initiation in the fungal model, Neurospora crassa. These defensins and their cognate peptides inhibited conidial germination and accompanying cell fusion with different potencies. The inhibitory effects of MsDef1 were strongly mediated by the plasma membrane localized sphingolipid glucosylceramide. Cell fusion was selectively inhibited by the hexapeptide RGFRRR derived from the γ‐core motif of MtDef4. Fluorescent labelling of this hexapeptide showed that it strongly bound to the germ tube plasma membrane/cell wall. Using N. crassa expressing the Ca2+ reporter aequorin, MsDef1, MtDef4 and their cognate peptides were each shown to perturb Ca2+ homeostasis in specific and distinct ways, and the disruptive effects of MsDef1 on Ca2+ were mediated by glucosylceramide. Together, our results demonstrate that MsDef1 and MtDef4 differ markedly in their antifungal properties and specific domains within their γ‐core motifs play important roles in their different modes of antifungal action.
Cooperative males reduce incubation in response to cues of female–female competition

Social groups of the joint-laying Pukeko Porphyrio porphyrio melanotus typically contain one or two breeding females. Male Pukeko mated to two females father more offspring and therefore benefit from this mating arrangement; however, primary females should not prefer this system, because fewer eggs hatch per female in the larger joint clutches. Here, we investigated male response to simulated egg destruction, a common female competitive tactic observed in other joint-laying species. In response to egg removal, males reduced the consistency of their incubation and in some cases nests were abandoned. Such decreases in paternal effort could eliminate any putative advantage gained by a female that destroys the eggs of a co-nester. Our study demonstrates facultative adjustments in paternal care in a joint-laying species and suggests that primary females may be limited in their ability to monopolize reproduction.
Low metallothionein 1 M expression association with poor hepatocellular carcinoma prognosis after curative resection

According to the typical clinical characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), recurrence and prognosis can differ dramatically between patients. Using RNA sequencing, we identified differential expression of the gene metallothionein 1M (MT1M) by comparing early-recurrence HCC (N = 11), no-recurrence HCC (N = 10), and normal liver tissues (N = 5). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was employed to test MT1M expression levels in 92 HCC tissue samples from a cohort of patients with whom contact was established for post-operative follow-up. Low MT1M expression correlated with high alpha-fetoprotein levels (P = 0.017) and tumor recurrence within 24 months after surgery (P = 0.029). Recurrence rates in highand low2 J. Ding and S.C. Lu Genetics and Molecular Research 15 (4): gmr.15048735 MT1M groups were significantly different (MT1M cutoff point = 0.066; P = 0.008). Moreover, the disease-free survival time of patients in the former was longer than that of those in the latter (median of 20.39 vs 14.35 months, respectively; P = 0.002). Among early-stage HCC patients (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage 0/A), those with reduced MT1M expression exhibited higher recurrence rates (37.5 vs 12.1%; P = 0.023). Low MT1M expression is associated with poor HCC prognosis following curative resection, and this also applies to the early stage of this disease.
(OECD, 2012) Equity and Quality in Education: Supporting Disadvantaged Students and Schools

This spotlight report draws upon the OECD report Equity and Quality in Education: Supporting Disadvantaged Students and Schools. The first section reproduces the executive summary of the report. The second section presents a snapshot of some variables on equity in education and school failure in the Czech Republic based on the indicators used in the comparative report. It also outlines some recent policy developments and suggested policy options for the Czech Republic, which are also informed by the Country Background Report prepared by the Czech Republic.
Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Children with Growth Failure

Objective: To examine if helicobacter pylori infection has a role in growth failure in children. Patients and Methods: 26 children patients with growth failure and 14 normally growing children of the same age group, socioeconomic level and sex ratio as controls were included in the study. All were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination, anthropometry, laboratory investigations and upper endoscopy with gastric biopsy taking for diagnosis of helicobacter pylori infection by histopathology. Positive cases for helicobacter pylori infection were treated by eradication therapy; the group of children with growth failure were followed for 6 months and reevaluated. Results: Helicobacter pylori infection was diagnosed in 77% of children with growth failure, while it was diagnosed in 43% of normal children (p<0.05). After 6 months of eradication therapy, there was significant increase in height, weight and hemoglobin (p<0.001 for each). Conclusion: Helicobacter pylori infection is a causative factor in growth failure in children.
Followup study of narcotic drug addicts five years after hospitalization.

AEECENT publication (1) reports the findings of a field team which attempted to follow 1,912 addict patients, living in the New York City area, who were discharged from the Public Health Service Hospital at Lexing¬ ton, Ky. , during the period from July 1952 to December 1955. The dischargees were followed until their readdiction to narcotics or until De¬ cember 31, 1956. Subsequently, the followup functions were continued by the New York Demonstration Center, Community Services Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Public Health Service. Followup was contin¬ ued on a sample from 11 population groups which contained 1,359 of the 1,912 dischargees. The stratified sample of 453, or 33.3 percent, was chosen by a system of disproportionate weights. The number of dischargees so selected and the percentage of the total number con¬ sidered for further followup is presented in table 1. These patients all lived in the New York City area at the time of admission to Lex¬ ington. However, an estimated 38 percent are not native New Yorkers. This study was undertaken to ascertain what happens to the treated narcotic drug addict
[Validation of a questionnaire to quantify the risk for skin cancer].

INTRODUCTION Currently, strategies are needed to identify the population at risk for skin cancer in order to implement prevention and for early diagnosis. There are no validated Spanish language instruments to measure skin cancer risk. OBJECTIVES To design and validate a self-applied questionnaire to quantify the risk of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer in a Mexican population. METHODS A self-applied questionnaire was designed to measure risk factors for skin cancer. Face and content validity was assessed by five experts in skin cancer. The value of each item was weighted according to the relative risk of the risk factors. The questionnaire was applied to extreme groups in order to measure the construct validity. Reliability was evaluated using test-retest method two weeks after the first application. RESULTS The questionnaire was applied to patients with (n = 147) and without (n = 249) skin cancer from the Dermatologic Center "Dr. Ladislao de la Pascua". The total score of the questionnaire was different in both groups (U = 2,104.5, p = 0.0001) and ROC curve determined that five points or more equals high risk for skin cancer (area 0.964; 95% CI: 0.946-0.981; p = 0.0001). The reliability of the instrument was 0.971 (95% CI: 0.943-0.986; p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION This is the first Spanish language questionnaire valid to measure risk of skin cancer, whose application at the population level would be useful to identify high-risk individuals who need preventative interventions.