Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human genetic variation: New challenges and opportunities for doping control

Abstract Sport celebrates differences in competitors that lead to the often razor-thin margins between victory and defeat. The source of this variation is the interaction between the environment in which the athletes develop and compete and their genetic make-up. However, a darker side of sports may also be genetically influenced: some anti-doping tests are affected by the athlete's genotype. Genetic variation is an issue that anti-doping authorities must address as more is learned about the interaction between genotype and the responses to prohibited practices. To differentiate between naturally occurring deviations in indirect blood and urine markers from those potentially caused by doping, the “biological-passport” program uses intra-individual variability rather than population values to establish an athlete's expected physiological range. The next step in “personalized” doping control may be the inclusion of genetic data, both for the purposes of documenting an athlete's responses to doping agents and doping-control assays as well facilitating athlete and sample identification. Such applications could benefit “clean” athletes but will come at the expense of risks to privacy. This article reviews the instances where genetics has intersected with doping control, and briefly discusses the potential role, and ethical implications, of genotyping in the struggle to eliminate illicit ergogenic practices.
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors and Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein: Partners in Translational Regulation at the Synapse

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) mental retardation is caused by loss-of-function mutations in an RNA-binding protein, fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). Previous studies in patients or animal models of FXS have identified alterations in dendritic spine structure, as well as synaptic plasticity induced by metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). The translation of multiple messenger RNA (mRNA) targets of FMRP is regulated by mGluRs at synapses. Here, we incorporate data from several studies into a working model of how FMRP regulates mGluR-stimulated protein synthesis and, in turn, regulates protein synthesis–dependent synaptic plasticity. Understanding the complex functions of FMRP at the synapse will lead to a better understanding of the neurobiological underpinnings of mental retardation.
Proviral HIV‐1 dynamics and evolution in patients receiving efficient long‐term antiretroviral combination therapy

Different experimental approaches have shown that, despite plasma viral loads under the threshold of detection, HIV‐1 frequently continues to replicate in patients receiving potent antiretroviral therapy. However, whether this low‐grade viral replication is sufficient for the generation of new major quasispecies has not been studied. Thus, in order to evaluate the extent of variation in the major proviral HIV‐1 population, we monitored proviral DNA sequences in such patients over a time period of up to 30 months.
The use of a thrombus-specific ultrasound contrast agent to detect thrombus in arteriovenous fistulae.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES To evaluate the use of a new thrombus-specific ultrasound contrast agent, MRX-408, in the ultrasonic detection of thrombus in arteriovenous (AV) fistulae. METHODS Six purpose-bred mongrels with two AV fistulae each were imaged with gray-scale ultrasound 7 weeks after graft implantation before and after the intravenous bolus injection of MRX-408 (a GPIIb receptor-targeted ultrasound contrast agent). Pre- and postcontrast videotaped segments were randomized and reviewed by four radiologists blinded to the presence of thrombus in the grafts. RESULTS After the use of MRX-408, there was improved visualization of thrombus within the grafts (P < 0.0001). This was due to the enhancement of the thrombus (P < 0.0001). The improved visualization and contrast enhancement were more marked in the grafts that contained thrombus nonhyperechoic to surrounding soft tissues. CONCLUSIONS MRX-408 demonstrated better visualization of thrombus within AV fistulae. This was shown in both patent and occluded grafts. These results are encouraging and suggest that this contrast agent merits further development.
Enforcing Covenants Not to Compete: The Life-Cycle Impact on New Firms

We examine the impact of enforcing non-compete covenants (CNC) on the formation and performance of new firms using matched employer-employee data on 30 US states. To identify the impact of CNC, we exploit the inter-state variation in CNC enforcement along with the fact that courts do not enforce such covenants between law firms and departing lawyers in any state. Using a difference-in-difference-in-difference specification with law firms and firms that are not withinindustry spinouts as the baseline, we find states with stricter CNC enforcement have fewer, but larger within-industry spinouts that are more likely to survive their nascent years, and conditional on survival, grow faster during those years. These results are consistent with CNC enforcement having a selection effect on within-industry spinouts. Particularly, with stricter enforcement, only founders with higher-quality ideas and resources choose to overcome CNC-related barriers, which reduces entry rate but increases observed short-term performance of these spinouts.
Peripheral Vestibular Dysfunction in Patients With Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia: Abnormal Otoconial Development?

Hypothesis Patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) have absent or reduced otoconial function compared to the normal population. Background Investigations in zebrafish show that ciliation is important for the development of the otolith organs, but this has never been evaluated in humans. PCD is a congenital defect of ciliary structure. We undertook a pilot study to determine whether patients with PCD have absent or reduced otoconial function compared to the normal population. Methods Vestibular function testing, including utricular centrifugation (UCF) testing, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs), and electronystagmography, was undertaken in five patients with known PCD. Patients also completed validated questionnaires regarding subjective balance function and symptoms. Results There were markedly reduced or unobtainable VEMPs bilaterally in three of the five subjects and unilaterally in the remaining two subjects. No subject had a pathological UCF asymmetry, but three subjects showed utricular abnormalities. The vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) at 0.25 Hz sinusoidal rotation was normal in all subjects. There were no subjective dizzy symptoms or balance issues. Conclusion We speculate that the reduced saccular and utricular function in PCD patients observed in this pilot study suggests a relationship between cilia structure and/or motility, and otoconia seeding and/or positioning. Further investigation is warranted.
HUMAN CORTICOSTEROID BINDING GLOBULIN

The literature on corticosteroid binding globulin (transcortin) in the human is reviewed under the following headings: physicochemical properties, biosynthesis, measurement, and physiological, pharmacological and pathological variations with particular emphasis of the effects of pregnancy and oral contraceptives. Finally, the physiological implications of corticosteroid binding globulin are discussed.
Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Extremely Urgent Caesarean Delivery in Relation to the Decision-to- delivery Interval

Objectives: To evaluate whether there were any differences in the maternal and fetal outcomes for extremely urgent Caesarean deliveries having shorter decision-to-delivery interval (DDI) versus those with longer DDI (i.e. >20 minutes), and to explore the reasons for longer DDI. Methods: Retrospective data were retrieved between 1 January 2011 and 30 June 2013 from all women with singleton pregnancies delivering at >24 weeks of gestation by extremely urgent Caesarean sections for fetal distress. Data including the causes of fetal distress, DDI and the breakdown, perinatal outcomes (Apgar scores, cord blood pH, need for neonatal intensive care unit admission) and maternal outcomes (operative complications, wound infection, need for intensive care unit admission) were collected. Results: Of 171 extremely urgent Caesarean deliveries, 159 (93%) and 100 (58%) were delivered within 30 and 20 minutes after decision, respectively. Compared with the group with DDI of ≤20 minutes, the antenatal characteristics, gestational age, and birth weight were not significantly different in those with DDI of >20 minutes. No significant differences in the maternal outcomes of fever, endometritis, wound infection, bladder injury, hysterectomy, and the need for special postoperative care were found between these two groups. Besides, the mean cord blood pH was significantly lower in those with DDI of ≤20 minutes (7.19 ± 0.14 vs. 7.23 ± 0.09, p=0.04), however, no significant differences in the Apgar scores at 5 minutes as well as the need for admission to neonatal intensive care unit were noted between these two groups. No hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy was found in those with DDI of >20 minutes. When compared with those with DDI of ≤20 minutes, more time was required in the preparation and transfer of patient to the operating theatre (15.9 vs. 7.9 mins, p<0.001), induction of anaesthesia (6.9 vs. 6.0 mins, p=0.01), and from skin incision to delivery of the baby (3.4 vs. 2.7 mins, p=0.01) for those with DDI of >20 minutes. Conclusion: The cord blood pH was lower in the group with DDI of ≤20 minutes than that with DDI of >20 minutes. The reason for delayed DDI was mainly related to the longer time required for preparation and transfer of patient to the operating theatre. Hong Kong J Gynaecol Obstet Midwifery 2015; 15(1):16-22
Variability of amygdalin content in seeds of sweet and bitter apricot cultivars in Turkey

In this study, amygdalin contents in the seeds of ten different bitter or sweet apricot cultivars were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for two years. The seeds of apricot cultivars were obtained from the Malatya Fruit Research Institute in Turkey. The results indicated that genetic variation was found among the cultivars. The amygdalin contents of bitter cultivars were found to be higher than those of sweet cultivars. As the average of two years, the amygdalin contents of the cultivars were determined as 6.354 g/100 g in Paviot (bitter), 5.914 g/100 g in Karacabey (bitter), 4.411 g/100 g in Alyanak (bitter), 1.584 g/100 g in Cologlu (sweet), 0.970 g/100 g in Cataloglu (sweet), 0.820 g/100 g in Aprikoz (sweet), 0.729 g/100 g in Sekerpare (sweet), 0.709 g/100 g in Kabaasi (sweet), 0.610 g/100 g in Ismailaga (sweet) and 0.604 g/100 g in Hacihaliloglu (sweet).
Effects of sulpiride and SCH 23390 on methamphetamine-induced changes in body temperature and lethality.

Data from human and animal studies suggest that hyperpyrexia contributes to both the neurotoxic and the lethal effects of stimulant drugs such as methamphetamine (METH). Because many of the effects of METH involve the release of dopamine from CNS neurons, we examined the effects of D1 and D2 dopamine receptor antagonists on METH-induced lethality and determined whether these effects correlated with changes in body temperature. In the first set of experiments, we found that the D2 antagonist sulpiride (SUL; 20, 40 or 80 mg/kg) potentiated the lethality caused by a single injection of METH (10 mg/kg). Pretreatment with the D1 antagonist SCH 23390 (SCH; 0.5 mg/kg) reduced the lethality induced by METH alone or by SUL/METH. Other D2 or 5-hydroxytryptamine antagonists prevented, rather than potentiated, METH-induced lethality. In a second set of experiments, rectal temperatures were recorded in METH-injected animals pretreated with SCH or SUL. METH caused a significant increase (i.e., above vehicle-injected levels) in body temperature at 2.5 hr after injection. The effects of SCH or SUL pretreatment on METH-induced changes in body temperature suggest that the lethality-potentiating and -protective effects of SUL and SCH, respectively, were not due to altered thermoregulatory responses. These data support the idea that D1 receptor activation is an important event in the lethality caused by METH and that SUL may potentiate D1 receptor activation by augmenting METH-induced DA release.
Normal oral bacterial flora from some southern African snakes.

Eighteen snakes representing 11 species were subject to mouth swabbing on 58 occasions. Of these swabs, 52.2% were positive for bacteria. A total of 92 bacterial isolates were cultured, representing 30 species of which 81.5% were Enterobacteriaceae, 16.3% gram positive cocci, and 2.2% anaerobes. Swabs from non-venomous snakes were more commonly bacteriologically sterile than those from venomous snakes (P = 0.0107). The oral bacterial flora did not differ between captive and newly captured snakes. The bacterial species found were not constant in a single snake with time, in the same snake species, the same serpentarium or geographically. The bacteria most commonly cultured were Proteus spp. , Pseudomonas spp. , Salmonella arizonae and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Colony counts tended to be low. Three or more bacterial species per venomous snake per occasion were more common in winter than summer (P= 0.0192).
Nonhemolytic Listeria monocytogenes mutants that are also noninvasive for mammalian cells in culture: evidence for coordinate regulation of virulence

We identified nonhemolytic mutants of Listeria monocytogenes that were severely deficient in their ability to invade mammalian nonprofessional phagocytes. These mutants were generated spontaneously or by means of transposon Tn916 mutagenesis. In terms of their extracellular proteins, the noninvasive mutants were deficient not only in the sulfhydryl-activated hemolysin (listeriolysin) but also in an antigenically unrelated extracellular protein with an apparent molecular weight of 32,000 which could induce opacity in egg yolk and is considered to be a phospholipase. Our results suggest the existence of a common genetic control between the expression of listeriolysin and that of other determinants, including a phospholipase and determinants involved in the ability of L. monocytogenes to enter mammalian cells.
VCSEL-based Single-mode and Multimode Fiber Star/Tree Distribution Network for Millimeter-wave Wireless Systems

A cost-effective VCSEL-based star/tree radio over fiber architecture for indoor millimeter-wave systems is presented. The indoor pico-cells can be located many km from a Central Office, with the longer distance distribution performed using single-mode fiber and the in-building distribution using multimode fiber. The feasibility of the system is verified through experimental results demonstrating emulated signal transmission (QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM at 6MSps) over the required single-mode and multimode fiber components with good EVM performance
Assessment of vascular function in systemic sclerosis: indications of the development of nitrate tolerance as a result of enhanced endothelial nitric oxide production.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent functions and the stiffness of conduit arteries as well as levels of endothelial activation markers in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS Endothelium-dependent (i.e., flow-mediated) and endothelium-independent (i.e., nitroglycerin-induced) dilation of the brachial artery was measured as the percentage of change from baseline (FMD% and NTG%, respectively) in 24 SSc patients and 24 age- and sex-matched healthy controls by high-resolution ultrasound imaging. The maximum increase in systolic pressure per unit of time (dP/dt(max)), as a measure of arterial wall stiffness, was assessed in the radial artery by pulse applanation tonometry. Plasma nitrate, the most important metabolite of nitric oxide, and 24-hour urinary excretion of nitrate were measured by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Soluble E-selectin and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Brachial artery FMD% and NTG% did not differ between SSc patients and controls. Radial artery dP/dt(max) was significantly increased in the patients and correlated significantly with elevated levels of plasma nitrate and sVCAM-1. Twenty-four-hour urinary nitrate excretion tended to be elevated. Brachial artery NTG% was significantly inversely correlated with levels of plasma nitrate and soluble endothelial adhesion molecules. CONCLUSION The ability of the brachial arteries to dilate in response to hyperemia and nitroglycerin challenge is preserved in SSc. Stiffness of the radial artery is increased, however. Endothelial activation seems to determine the extent of the brachial artery NTG% and the radial artery dP/dt(max). The data are compatible with the hypothesis that nitrate tolerance is present in the vascular smooth muscle cells of the brachial artery wall in SSc.
Amelioration of cisplatin-induced toxicity in mice by carotenoid meso-zeaxanthin

Carotenoid meso-zeaxanthin ((3R, 3′S)-β, β-carotene-3,3′-diol [MZ]) was evaluated for its protective effect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in Swiss albino mice. Oral administration of MZ was started 5 days prior to cisplatin (16 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally as a single dose) injection. Animals in all groups were killed 72 h after cisplatin treatment. In serum, renal function markers like urea and creatinine, which were drastically elevated in cisplatin-treated control animals, were found to be decreased significantly by MZ pretreatment. Cisplatin-induced myelosuppression was also found to be significantly ameliorated by MZ as evident from the increase in white blood cell count, bone marrow cellularity and number of maturing monocytes in MZ-treated animals when compared with cisplatin alone-treated control animals. The levels of antioxidant enzymes—superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase—as well as the glutathione level in the kidney were decreased after cisplatin treatment. But the levels were markedly increased by the carotenoid treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Addition of MZ was found to inhibit singlet oxygen produced by toluidine blue in vitro. Moreover, administration of MZ to the animals inhibited increased lipid peroxidation, conjugated dienes and hydroperoxides that are formed in the kidney by cisplatin administration. The results of histopathological analysis supported the protective potential of MZ against cisplatin-induced toxicity.
The prognostic value of sulphomucin positive intestinal metaplasia in the development of gastric cancer

Gastric biopsy specimens from 230 patients with chronic atrophic gastritis were investigated with the use of mucin stains for the presence and type of intestinal metaplasia. Metaplasia was not shown in 59 cases; 92 of the 171 cases with metaplasia were sulphomucin positive and 79 were negative. The patients were followed‐up from 1976 to 1985. Eight patients were registered as having gastric cancer over this period. However, five of them had to be eliminated from the study because on careful review of all the clinical data it was clear that they had gastric cancer at the time of the biopsy. Two of the three remaining patients had sulphomucin negative biopsies. Thus, only one patient out of 90 with chronic atrophic gastritis and sulphomucin positive intestinal metaplasia developed gastric cancer when followed‐up for 8—9 years. None of the patients with unequivocal type IIb metaplasia developed gastric cancer. We conclude that sulphomucin positive intestinal metaplasia does not identify a high risk group and its recognition is thus of no value in surveillance for gastric cancer.
[Mini-Mental State Examination: psychometric characteristics in elderly outpatients].

OBJECTIVE To assess the psychometric characteristics of the Mini-Mental State Examination in elderly outpatients who seek primary health care. METHODS A total of 303 subjects (>65 years) underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment with functional tools, including Mini-Mental State Examination. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and ROC curve were calculated. RESULTS Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and area under ROC curve were 80.8%, 65.3%, 44.7%, 90.7% and 0.807 respectively (cutoff point =23/24). The best cutoff point for illiterate was 18/19 (sensitivity =73.5%; specificity =73.9%); and for literate was 24/25 (sensitivity =75%; specificity =69.7%). CONCLUSIONS While screening elderly outpatients for dementia, schooling must be considered in the choice of the best cutoff point in the Mini-Mental State Examination.
Enhanced specific antibody response to bovine serum albumin in pigeons due to L-carnitine supplementation

1. Thirty adult female pigeons (Columba livia domestica) were randomly divided into 3 equal groups; the 1st and 2nd groups were immunised with bovine serum albumin (BSA) at 0 and 20 d, the 2nd group also received 1 g L-carnitine per litre of drinking water from -5 to 25 d post-immunisation (dpi) and the 3rd group, a control group, received neither treatment. 2. Body weights and serum samples were taken at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 dpi. 3. Both BSA-specific IgG and IgM responses were enhanced by about 10% by L-carnitine supplementation. 4. L-carnitine supplemented pigeons showed a higher water consumption. Body weight loss during the onset of the immune response showed a slight tendency to be counteracted by L-carnitine supplementation. 5. The impact of L-carnitine on resistance and resilience to an immunological challenge is discussed.
In Vivo Tumor Imaging in Mice Using a State-of-the-Art Clinical PET/CT in Comparison with a Small Animal PET and a Small Animal CT

The aim of this prospective study was to assess the feasibility of a state-of-the-art clinical PET/CT scanner for in vivo tumor imaging in mice in comparison to a small animal PET scanner and a small animal CT scanner. Seventeen female NMRI nude mice bearing a subcutaneous transplanted murine mammary carcinoma (EMT6) on the right hind limb were examined using a clinical PET/CT scanner (biograph Sensation 16®), a dedicated small animal PET scanner (MOSAIC® system), and a dedicated small animal CT scanner (MicroCAT® II). 18F-fluoroazomycin arabinoside (18F-FAZA) was used as PET tracer for imaging of regional tumor hypoxia. The examination of tumor-bearing mice using a state-of-the-art clinical PET/CT scanner, a dedicated small animal PET scanner and a dedicated small animal CT scanner revealed good image quality and allowed the evaluation and correlation of molecular/metabolic alterations of cancers with anatomical/morphological findings. The tumor lesions showed a 1.89 ± 0.6 higher mean tumor-to-background ratio ± SD for the dedicated small animal PET scanner than the PET from the clinical PET/CT scanner (P<0.001). The mean tumor-to-background ratio of the PET of the clinical PET/CT scanner showed a high correlation with the mean tumor-to-background ratio of the dedicated small animal PET scanner (r2 = 0.92). The tissue hypoxia in the subcutaneous transplanted EMT6 tumors did not correlate with the tumor volume. Clinical PET/CT scanners are widely available and could contribute not only to human clinical routine examinations, but also to tumor research in animals. The molecular/metabolic information is reduced when imaging small tumors of mice with clinical PET/CT scanners due to the low spatial resolution and sensitivity of the PET scanners. The examination of small tumors in mice should be resevered to research centers with small animal PET/CT scanners because they provide promising hope to achieve accurate measurement of activity concentration. For tumor research in humans and animals using clinical PET/CT scanners, PET scanners with a higher spatial resolution and a higher sensitivity will be highly promising, but will be in competition to PET/MRI.