Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High-intensity interval training is not superior to other forms of endurance training during cardiac rehabilitation

Background High-intensity interval training has recently emerged as superior to continuous endurance training in cardiac rehabilitation upon other training regimes. Individually tailored continuous endurance training and pyramid training could induce comparable effects on peak work capacity as high intensity interval training. Design A prospective, randomized study. Methods Effects of the following isocaloric cycle ergometer protocols on peak work capacity have been assessed in patients with coronary artery disease (n = 60) during 6 weeks of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation, i.e. 18 supervised sessions of exercise training: (1) continuous endurance training (n = 20): 33 min at 65–85% peak heart rate; (2) high intensity interval training (n = 20): 4 × 4 min intervals at 85–95% peak heart rate, each followed by 3 min of active recovery at 60–70% peak heart rate; (3) pyramid training (n = 20): 3 × 8 min of stepwise load increase and subsequent decrease from 65–95–65% peak heart rate, supplemented by 2 min recovery at 60–70% peak heart rate between pyramids. All protocols were preceded by 5 min of warm-up and followed by 5 min cool-down at 60–70% peak heart rate. Results Attendance during exercise sessions was 99.2%. There were significant increases in peak work capacity of comparable magnitude in all three training groups (begin vs. end: continuous endurance training: 136.0 ± 49.6 W vs. 163.4 ± 60.8 W (21.1 ± 8.5%); high-intensity interval training: 141.0 ± 60.4 W vs. 171.1 ± 69.8 W (22.8 ± 6.6%); pyramid training: 128.7 ± 50.6 W vs. 158.5 ± 57.9 W (24.8 ± 10.8%); within groups all p < 0.001; between groups, p = not significant). Conclusion Endurance training protocols assessed in this study all led to significant increases in peak work capacity of comparable magnitude. Our findings suggest that these protocols can be used interchangeably, which will lead to further individualization of exercise prescription and may therefore result in improved adherence to lifelong behavioural changes.
Calpain Cleaves Most Components in the Multiple Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetase Complex and Affects Their Functions

Background: The human multiple aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex (MSC) has an elongated and multiarmed structure, which might be sensitive to proteases such as calpain in vivo. Results: Partial calpain hydrolysis of MSC components generated specific fragments. Conclusion: Calpain hydrolysis could dissociate the MSC, thereby affecting its function. Significance: Calpain proteolytically degrades MSC components and might regulate the canonical and non-canonical functions of aaRS. Nine aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) and three scaffold proteins form a super multiple aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex (MSC) in the human cytoplasm. Domains that have been added progressively to MSC components during evolution are linked by unstructured flexible peptides, producing an elongated and multiarmed MSC structure that is easily attacked by proteases in vivo. A yeast two-hybrid screen for proteins interacting with LeuRS, a representative MSC member, identified calpain 2, a calcium-activated neutral cysteine protease. Calpain 2 and calpain 1 could partially hydrolyze most MSC components to generate specific fragments that resembled those reported previously. The cleavage sites of calpain in ArgRS, GlnRS, and p43 were precisely mapped. After cleavage, their N-terminal regions were removed. Sixty-three amino acid residues were removed from the N terminus of ArgRS to form ArgRSΔN63; GlnRS formed GlnRSΔN198, and p43 formed p43ΔN106. GlnRSΔN198 had a much weaker affinity for its substrates, tRNAGln and glutamine. p43ΔN106 was the same as the previously reported p43-derived apoptosis-released factor. The formation of p43ΔN106 by calpain depended on Ca2+ and could be specifically inhibited by calpeptin and by RNAi of the regulatory subunit of calpain in vivo. These results showed, for the first time, that calpain plays an essential role in dissociating the MSC and might regulate the canonical and non-canonical functions of certain components of the MSC.
Retinoblastoma Gene Promoter Directs Transgene Expression Exclusively to the Nervous System*

In human, germ line mutations in the tumor suppressor retinoblastoma (Rb) predispose individuals to retinoblastoma, whereas somatic inactivation of Rb contributes to the progression of a large spectrum of cancers. In mice, Rb is highly expressed in restricted cell lineages including the neurogenic, myogenic, and hematopoietic systems, and disruption of the gene leads to specific embryonic defects in these tissues. The symmetry between Rb expression and the defects in mutant mice suggest that transcriptional control of Rb during embryogenesis is pivotal for normal development. We have initiated studies to dissect the mechanisms of transcriptional regulation of Rb during development by promoter lacZtransgenic analysis. DNA sequences up to 6 kilobase pairs upstream of the mouse Rb promoter, isolated from two different genomic libraries, directed transgene expression exclusively to the developing nervous system, excluding skeletal muscles and liver. Expression of the transgene in the central and peripheral nervous systems, including the retina, recapitulated the expression of endogenous Rb during embryogenesis. A promoter region spanning ∼250 base pairs upstream of the transcriptional starting site was sufficient to confer expression in the central and peripheral nervous systems. To determine whether this expression pattern was conserved, we isolated the human Rb 5′ genomic region and generated transgenic mice expressinglacZ under control of a 1.6-kilobase pair human Rb promoter. The human Rb promoter lacZ mice also expressed the transgene primarily in the nervous system in several independent lines. Thus, transgene expression directed by both the human and mouse Rb promoters is restricted to a subset of tissues in which Rb is normally expressed during embryogenesis. Our findings demonstrate that regulatory elements directing Rb expression to the nervous system are delineated within a well defined core promoter and are regionally separated from elements, yet to be identified, that are required for expression of Rb in the developing hematopoietic and skeletal muscle systems.
Ultrasound-guided nasogastric feeding tube placement in critical care patients.

BACKGROUND Nasogastric feeding tube (NGT) placement is a common practice performed in intensive care units (ICUs). Complications due to the improper placement of NGT are well known. In this prospective descriptive study, the effectiveness of ultrasound (US)-guided NGT placement was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-six mechanically ventilated patients monitored in the ICU were included. A linear US probe was transversely placed just cranial to the suprasternal notch, and the concentric layers of the esophagus were attempted to be viewed on the posterolateral side of the trachea (generally left) by shifting the probe. If the esophagus can be seen, an attempt was made to insert the NGT under real-time visualization of ultrasonography. Furthermore, gastric placement of the NGT tip was confirmed with abdominal radiograph. RESULTS A total of 56 patients were included in the study. For 52 (92.8%), the NGT image was obtained during placement within the esophagus. For 3 (5.3%), the esophagus could not be seen by US, and NGT was placed blindly. For 1 patient, we could not detect passing of the NGT into the stomach despite the successful visualization of esophagus. In this patient, NGT was radiographically detected in the trachea after the procedure. CONCLUSION This study revealed that passing of the NGT through the esophagus could be visualized at a high rate in real-time US among ICU patients. These data suggest that ultrasonographic visualization of the upper esophagus during NGT insertion can be used as an adjuvant method for confirmation of correct placement.
Expanding Paramedic Scope of Practice in the Community: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Abstract Background. Paramedics are an important health human resource and are uniquely mobile in most communities across Canada. In the last dozen years, challenges in the delivery of health care have prompted governments from around the globe to consider expanding the role paramedics play in health systems. Utilizing paramedics for the management of urgent, low-acuity illnesses and injuries has been coined “community paramedicine,” but the role, safety, and effectiveness of this concept are poorly understood. Objective. We undertook a systematic review of the international literature to describe existing community paramedic programs. Method. We used the Cochrane methodology for systematic reviews. An international group of experts developed a search strategy and a health information specialist executed this search in Medline, Embase, and CINAHL starting January 1, 2000. We included all research articles in the English language that reported a research methodology. We excluded commentaries and letters to the editor. Two investigators independently screened citations in a hierarchical manner and abstracted data. Results. Of 3,089 titles, 10 articles were included in the systematic review and one additional paper was author-nominated. The nature of the 11 articles was heterogeneous, and only one randomized controlled trial (RCT) was found. This trial showed community paramedicine to be beneficial to patients and health systems. The other articles drew conclusions favoring community paramedicine. Conclusion. Community paramedicine research to date is lacking, but programs in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada are perceived to be promising, and one RCT shows that paramedics can safely practice with an expanded scope and improve system performance and patient outcomes. Further research is required to fully understand how expanding paramedic roles affect patients, communities, and health systems. Key words: emergency medical services; prehospital; community paramedic; extended scope; paramedic practitioner
Pulse rate variability analysis by video using face detection and tracking algorithms

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a physiological parameter which has increased its importance in recent years due to its relationship with the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and cardiovascular disorders. In this work the pulse rate variability (PRV) is measured as a surrogate measurement of HRV using only a video of the face of the subject. Because of pulse rate signals obtained by video are largely affected by the person movements and the analyzed region of interest (ROI), we propose the application of face detection and tracking algorithms as a solution to the artifacts produced by these factors. We compare the obtained results of the proposed method with a pulse sensor signal of a reference system. The statistical analysis results show good agreement between both methods.
Ligation of CD28 receptor by B7 induces formation of D‐3 phosphoinositides in T lymphocytes independently of T cell receptor/CD3 activation

The co‐stimulatory role of B7/CD28 interactions is important in promoting T cell activation. Very little is known about the intracellular events that follow CD28 engagement although recent evidence has implicated coupling of CD28 to a protein tyrosine kinase signal transduction pathway. In this study we have investigated the putative role of D‐3 phosphoinositides as mediators of CD28 receptor signaling, since phosphoinositide (PI) 3‐kinase, the enzyme responsible for D‐3 phosphoinositide formation, is a known substrate for protein tyrosine kinases associated with certain T cell surface receptors such as CD4 and interleukin‐2 receptor. The lipid products of PI 3‐kinase activity have been suggested to play a role in mitogenic signaling and growth regulation in other cells. Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) previously transfected with B7 cDNA, induced time‐dependent elevation above basal levels of phosphatidylinositol(3,4)‐bisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4)P2) and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3, while parental CHO cells that did not express B7 had no effect on these lipids. Moreover, the elevation of these same lipids by CD3 ligation was potentiated in an additive manner by CHO‐B7+ but not by CHO‐B7− cells. CHO‐B7+ and CHO‐B7− cells did not activate phospholipase C as evidenced by their inability to modulate basal or CD3‐induced changes in the levels of phosphatidic acid or D‐4 and D‐5 phosphoinositides. These data imply that PI 3‐kinase but not phospholipase C, may be an important signal transduction molecule with respect to CD28‐mediated co‐stimulation and T cell activation following ligation by B7.
Dual-Task Assessment in Natalizumab-Treated Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Background: To study the 1-year evolution of quantitative dual-task gait parameters in comparison with single-task gait parameters and detailed neuropsychological assessment in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with natalizumab. Methods: Walking speed, stride length and stride time during a dual task (walking while forward counting, backward counting, semantic fluency, and phonemic fluency), a single walking task, and a detailed neuropsychological assessment were prospectively measured and assessed twice at the 1-year interval in 9 consecutive patients with MS treated with natalizumab. Results: Dual-task-related gait changes (walking speed, stride length and stride time while performing semantic fluency and walking speed, and stride time while performing phonemic fluency) showed a significant improvement after 1 year of treatment with natalizumab. The single walking task and detailed neuropsychological assessment did not present any modification. Conclusions: Dual-task-related gait changes using a cognitive task with a specific executive demand represent an interesting marker of disease-modifying therapy in patients with MS.
Hormonal and substrate responses during recovery from hypoglycaemia in man during beta1‐selective and non‐selective beta‐adrenergic blockade

Abstract. recovery from acute hypoglycaemia induced by the injection of insulin has been examined in six human subjects under control conditions, under nonselective beta blockade (propranolol) and under selective beta] blockade (metoprolol). The normal blood glucose recovery was biphasic with an initial rapid and a slower subsequent phase of recovery. The early recovery mechanism was unaffected by either form of beta blockade, but with propranolol the late phase of recovery was significantly prolonged. Rises in blood lactate and plasma free fatty acids following hypoglycaemia were markedly reduced by propranolol but to a much lesser degree with metoprolol. The counterregulatory hormonal responses of glucagon, cortisol and growth hormone were augmented appropriately for the prolonged hypoglycaemia associated with propranolol.
An early antigen‐presenting cell defect in HIV‐1‐infected patients correlates with CD4 dependency in human T‐cell clones

We have used a defined panel of nine HIV peptide‐specific T‐cell clones (TLC) generated from a healthy volunteer to evaluate the antigen‐presenting cell (APC) function of human immunodeficiency virus‐1 (HIV‐1)‐infected patients. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from HLA‐matched seropositive and uninfected volunteers were compared for their capacity to present peptide to TLC specific for the V3 loop of HIV‐1 envelope glycoprotein gp120, influenza haemagglutinin or the mycobacterial 19 000 MW antigen. APC from uninfected volunteers (HIV−APC) invariably presented peptides to all TLC with comparable efficiency. In contrast, using APC from HIV‐1‐infected subjects (HIV+APC), three patterns of responsiveness were observed. The first group of TLC was not stimulated by HIV+APC, even early in infection. The second responded to all APC comparably. The third, and intermediate group, responded to APC from some clinically asymptomatic, but not acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), patients. The two additional TLC, derived from other donors and with specificity for non‐HIV peptides, showed similar variation in response to HIV+APC. The different patterns of response to HIV+APC did not correlate with the fine specificity or cytokine phenotypes of the TLC. Neither was the defect due to decreased levels of expression of APC molecules involved in delivering the first or second signal required for T‐cell activation. APC mixing experiments showed no evidence of APC‐derived inhibitory factors. Furthermore, the defect was independent of T cells or their products and was equally expressed in monocytes and dendritic cells. Instead, responsiveness was inversely related to the degree of CD4 dependency, suggesting that the underlying mechanism was a CD4 APC‐associated–gp120 interaction. The early appearance of this defect in HIV‐1 infection co‐incident with the loss of recall responses is consistent with a role for APC dysfunction in pathogenesis.
Maximal Measurement or Meaningful Measurement: The Interpretive Challenges of the MMPI–2 Restructured Clinical (RC) Scales

The persisting correlations of the Restructured Clinical (RC; Tellegen et al., 2003) Scales with independent measures of first-factor variance (A, NEGE) suggest that trying to extract demoralization did not work well, and it may not be a clinically realistic task. Nichols's (2006/this issue) description of the clinical scales as "syndromal" and "multivariate" is seen as accurately reflecting their multicore natures so that the emphasis on the extraction of a single core unduly distorts the complexity and richness of the scales. Meehl and Hathaway (1946) cited factorially derived scales as "maximal" measurement, specifically measuring something very well; empirical scales based on criterion groups provide "meaningful" measurement as to the similarities of an individual's behavior to that of the group. I discuss this narrowness of factorial scales, such as the RC Scales, as a limitation of their generalization. I discuss problems with interpreting scales on the basis of the face validity of their items; assuming that self-perception and self report are accurate is a potentially misleading and undependable basis for assessment and intervention. I contrast the narrowness of the interpretive specificity of the RC Scales with the much broader and surprisingly specific interpretations offered by study of the individuals aggregated by the MMPI (Hathaway & McKinley, 1943) and MMPI–2 (Butcher, Dahlstrom, Graham, Tellegen, & Kaemmer, 1989) code types.
Acute Leukemia Subclassification: A Marker Protein Expression Perspective

Abstract Improved leukemia classification and tailoring of therapy have greatly improved patient outcome particularly for children with acute leukemia (AL). Using immunophenotyping, molecular genetics and cytogenetics the low hanging fruits of biomedical research have been successfully incorporated in routine diagnosis of leukemia subclasses. Future improvements in the classification and understanding of leukemia biology will very likely be more slow and laborious. Recently, gene expression profiling has provided a framework for the global molecular analysis of hematological cancers, and high throughput proteomic analysis of leukemia samples is on the way. Here we consider classification of acute leukemia samples by flow cytometry using the marker proteins of immunophenotyping as a component of the proteome. Marker protein expressions are converted into quantitative expression values and subjected to computational analysis. Quantitative multivariate analysis from panels of marker proteins has demonstrated that marker protein expression profiles can distinguish MLLre from non-MLLre ALL cases and also allow to specifically distinguish MLL/AF4 cases. Potentially, these quantitative expression analyses can be used in clinical diagnosis. Immunophenotypic data collection using flow cytometry is a fast and relatively easily accessible technology that has already been implemented in most centers for leukemia diagnosis and the translation into quantitative expression data sets is a matter of flow cytometer settings and output calibration. However, before application in clinical diagnostics can occur it is crucial that quantitative immunophenotypic data set analysis is validated in independent experiments and in large data sets.
Environmental Uranium and Human Health

Uranium from the environment enters the human body by ingestion with food and drink and by inhalation of respirable airborne uranium-containing dust particles or aerosols. Daily intake of uranium in food and water varies from approximately 1 to approximately 5 micrograms U/d daily in uncontaminated regions to 13-18 micrograms/d or more in uranium mining areas. A 70 kg, non-occupationally exposed 'Reference Man' living in Europe or in the United States has an estimated total body uranium content of about 22 micrograms. Uranium is absorbed from the intestine or the lungs, enters the bloodstream, and is rapidly deposited in the tissues, predominantly kidney and bone, or excreted in the urine. In the bloodstream, uranium is associated with red cells, and its clearance is relatively rapid. Renal toxicity is a major adverse effect of uranium, but the metal has toxic effects on the cardiovascular system, liver, muscle, and nervous system as well. Any possible direct risk of cancer or other chemical- or radiation-induced health detriments from uranium deposited in the human body is probably less than 0.005% in contrast to an expected indirect risk of 0.2% to 3% through inhaling the radioactive inert gas radon, which is produced by the decay of environmental uranium-238 in rocks and soil and is present in materials that are used to build dwellings and buildings where people live and work.
3D measurements of alpine skiing with an inertial sensor motion capture suit and GNSS RTK system

Abstract To date, camcorders have been the device of choice for 3D kinematic measurement in human locomotion, in spite of their limitations. This study examines a novel system involving a GNSS RTK that returns a reference trajectory through the use of a suit, imbedded with inertial sensors, to reveal subject segment motion. The aims were: (1) to validate the system's precision and (2) to measure an entire alpine ski race and retrieve the results shortly after measuring. For that purpose, four separate experiments were performed: (1) forced pendulum, (2) walking, (3) gate positions, and (4) skiing experiments. Segment movement validity was found to be dependent on the frequency of motion, with high accuracy (0.8°, s = 0.6°) for 10 s, which equals ∼10 slalom turns, while accuracy decreased slightly (2.1°, 3.3°, and 4.2° for 0.5, 1, and 2 Hz oscillations, respectively) during 35 s of data collection. The motion capture suit's orientation inaccuracy was mostly due to geomagnetic secular variation. The system exhibited high validity regarding the reference trajectory (0.008 m, s = 0.0044) throughout an entire ski race. The system is capable of measuring an entire ski course with less manpower and therefore lower cost compared with camcorder-based techniques.
Loss of a renal graft due to recurrence of anti‐GBM disease despite rituximab therapy

Abstract: The recurrence of anti‐glomerular basement membrane (anti‐GBM) glomerulonephritis (GN) in renal transplants is very rare. We report on a patient that developed acute renal allograft dysfunction due to anti‐GBM GN relapse 18 months after transplantation. As plasmaseperation, dose escalation of MMF, steroids and cyclophosphamids did not result in an improvement of the graft function, a therapy with the anti‐CD20 antibody Rituximab was established in addition to plasmaseperation, cyclophosphamid and steroids. Although this resulted in a decrease of anti‐GBM antibody titer, graft function deteriorated further and a renal replacement therapy had to be initiated.