Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Drop-Jump Video Screening Test: Retention of Improvement in Neuromuscular Control in Female Volleyball Players

Barber-Westin, SD, Smith, ST, Campbell, T, and Noyes, FR. The drop-jump video screening test: retention of improvement in neuromuscular control in female volleyball players. J Strength Cond Res 24(11): 3055-3062, 2010-A valgus lower limb alignment is commonly documented during noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries. We previously developed a videographic drop-jump test to measure overall lower limb alignment in the coronal plane as a screening tool to detect such an abnormal (valgus) position on landing. A neuromuscular retraining program developed for female athletes was shown to be effective in improving lower limb alignment on this test immediately after completion of training. What remained unknown was whether these improvements would be retained for longer periods of time. Therefore, this study was undertaken to determine if these improvements in overall lower limb alignment would be retained up to 1 year after the training. Sixteen competitive, experienced female high-school volleyball players underwent the video drop-jump test and then completed the neuromuscular retraining program. The program consisted of a dynamic warm-up, jump training, speed and agility drills, strength training, and static stretching and was performed 3 times a week for 6 weeks. The athletes repeated the drop-jump test immediately upon completion of training and then 3- and 12-months later. Significant improvements were found in the mean normalized knee separation distance between the pre and posttrained values for all test sessions (p < 0.01). Immediately after training, 11 athletes (69%) displayed significant improvements in the mean normalized knee separation distance that were retained 12 months later. Five athletes failed to improve. The video drop-jump test, although not a risk indicator for a knee ligament injury, provides a cost-effective general assessment of lower limb position and depicts athletes who have poor control on landing and acceleration into a vertical jump.
PERFORMANCE OF CAT-FISH FED DIFFERENT DOSES OF AFLATOXIN IN THE DIET

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a mycotoxin known to frequently contaminate poorly stored foods/feeds. This study was carried out to investigate the performance of parameters of catfish fed 3 different doses of aflatoxins earlier determined from fish feeds. Simulated toxicity test using AFB1, (1000 µg/ml, 500µg/ ml, 250µg/ml) in feeding juvenile cat fish was conducted for 56 days. Catfishes were divided into 4 treatments according to aflatoxin dose (A=control, B=250µg/ml, C=500µg/ml, D=1000µg/ml). At the end of the experiment, body weight and biochemical parameters were evaluated. Results revealed that growth of aflatoxicosed fish was significantly different from control using analysis of variance and Duncan Multiple Range Test at p< 0.05. Protein, cholesterol, bilirubin, electrolytes and liver enzymes such as Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were also significantly different from the control. Histopathological examination of liver sections revealed severe liver damage. There was gross oedema of the hepatocytes with increased inflammatory cells. This is the first report of simulated aflatoxin toxicity obtained from fish feeds sold in Nigeria. It is clear from the results that legislation for the control of aflatoxins in animal feed is now over due because of its attendant economic loss and potential health hazard. Routine surveillance is needed.
Interaction of novel thiocolchicine analogs with the tubulin isoforms from bovine brain.

The antimitotic alkaloid colchicine binds to tubulin and inhibits microtubule assembly. Recently a new series of colchicine derivatives has been synthesized in which the seven-membered B-ring was shortened to a six-membered ring. In an effort to study the role of the B-ring substituents in this new series, we have studied the interaction of two compounds of this series, THC 5 and THC 18, with tubulin isoforms from bovine brain. We find that THC 18, which has a side chain with a pi-bonded SP2 conformation, binds differently to the tubulin isoforms, while THC 5 with a slightly different side chain does not. The results indicate that the conformation of the B-ring domain plays a major role in the differential interaction of a colchicine derivative with different tubulin isoforms. The results will be very important in designing potent antitumor derivatives of colchicine.
Obesity and prognosis of breast cancer

Obesity has a complicated relationship to both breast cancer risk and the clinical behaviour of the established disease. It is suggested that obesity is associated with both an increased risk of developing breast cancer risk and worse prognosis after disease onset. In post‐menopausal women, various measures of obesity such as body mass index, weight, weight gain and waist : hip ratio have all been positively associated with risk of developing breast cancer. In most but not all case–control and prospective cohort studies, an inverse relationship has been found between weight and breast cancer among pre‐menopausal women. Some data suggest that adult weight gain and central obesity increase the risk of pre‐menopausal breast cancer. Obesity at the time of diagnosis is thought to be significant as a poor prognostic factor. Obesity is associated with adverse outcomes in both pre‐ and post‐menopausal women with breast cancer. Many cancer survivors seek ways to minimize the risk of recurrence and death because of breast cancer. Despite complex and at times controversial data, enough evidence is available at present to suggest that weight management should be a part of the strategy to prevent the occurrence, recurrence and death because of breast cancer. In this review the effect of obesity on the prognosis of breast cancer is examined in detail.
Local Institutional Investors, Information Asymmetries, and Equity Returns

We examine the informational role of geographically proximate institutions in stock markets. We find that both the level of and change in local institutional ownership predict future stock returns, particularly for firms with high information asymmetry; in contrast, such predictive abilities are relatively weak for nonlocal institutional ownership. The local advantage is especially evident for local investment advisors, high local ownership institutions, and high local turnover institutions. We also find that the stocks that local institutional investors hold (trade) earn higher excess returns around future earnings announcements than those that nonlocal institutional investors hold (trade).
Health problems related to working in extreme cold conditions indoors

OBJECTIVES: To identify health problems among workers performing cleaning, maintenance and machine operation tasks inside cold storage rooms with temperatures between -43 degrees C and -62 degrees C in a freeze drying coffee company. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. METHODS: All 24 workers working inside the cold stores participated in the study. A questionnaire about cold-related health problems and the standardized Nordic questionnaire assessing muscle complaints were completed by all exposed workers. A physical examination was performed on each worker. RESULTS: The most relevant cold-related health problem was episodic finger symptoms (50%), followed by respiratory symptoms (21%), peripheral circulation symptoms (20%), and repeated pain in the musculoskeletal system (12%). Two subjects had a previous diagnosis of Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP). The prevalence of musculoskeletal complains in the neck and low back was 21% in each. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence found for various complaints among the freeze drying coffee workers implies that the cold conditions inside cold stores may present a real risk of cold-related health problems and, due to lowered concentration level, for injuries, too. Greater efforts should be made to minimize the cold exposure by designing automation processes to prevent continuous exposure to cold during freeze drying process. In addition, improving the cold-protective clothing and guaranteeing its appropriate use will reduce health risks.
Physostigmine and tetrahydroaminoacridine treatment of Alzheimer's disease

The cholinergic hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) was tested in two doubleblind crossover studies. Physostigmine given intravenously to 10 AD patients for two hours caused improvement of reaction time and EEG and increased regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the temporoparietal cortex. 17 AD patients (mean age 62.6±6.8 years) obtained three types of treatment: tetrahydroaminoacridine (THA), THA + lecithin and placebo in randomized order. Each treatment period was 6 weeks. The mean THA dose was 104±20 mg/day. There were differences in outcome between groups of patients over the total 26 weeks treatment period. The subclassification in responders, unchanged and deteriorated was supported by rCBF, EEG and psychometric testing.
E-cigarette use in adults: a qualitative study of users’ perceptions and future use intentions

Abstract Background There has been an exponential increase in the prevalence of e-cigarette use, particularly among youth. However, adult use is also rising, and there have been relatively few qualitative studies with adult users to understand their reasons for use and future use intentions. Such information is needed to inform both prevention and cessation approaches. Method Thirty-one e-cigarette users participated in one of several focus groups assessing the appeal of e-cigarettes as well as comparisons to combustible cigarettes and approved smoking cessation aids. We also obtained perspectives on future use intentions and interest in e-cigarette cessation interventions. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using the constant comparative method. Results Participants reported several aspects of e-cigarette appeal as compared to approved cessation treatment options. These included similarities to combustible cigarettes, fewer side effects, and control of e-cigarettes to suit personal preferences. Participants were split on whether they preferred flavors that mimicked or contrasted with their combustible cigarettes (i.e. tobacco vs. alternative flavors, such as candy). Some participants who were unmotivated to quit smoking reported an unanticipated disinterest in continuing use of combustible cigarettes shortly after initiating e-cigarettes. Despite strong interest in reducing nicotine dosage, the majority did not intend to fully discontinue e-cigarettes. Conclusions Understanding e-cigarette users’ perspectives can inform policy and treatment development. Regulatory and policy initiatives will need to balance the appealing characteristics of e-cigarettes with the potential for negative public health outcomes.
Bilateral Teleoperation Over Networks Based on Stochastic Switching Approach

In this paper, new control strategies based on linear matrix inequalities and Markov jump linear systems are proposed for bilateral teleoperation systems over networks with random time delays and packet losses. The characteristics of the network are thoroughly incorporated in the design and two cases are considered: where both communication directions behave identically and where they are independent. In both cases, the tracking error is shown to be bounded by the rate of change of the external forces acting on the teleoperation system. The theoretical results are verified with simulation results using experimentally collected network data to show the performance of the proposed scheme as well as how to fine-tune the controller gain to balance the tradeoff between force and position fidelity. Experimental teleoperation results are then presented that show the practical performance of the proposed control scheme.
Loneliness, social support, and preference for online social interaction: the mediating effects of identity experimentation online among children and adolescents

This study explores the practices of online social activities among children and adolescents in order to uncover the connections between preferences for online social interaction and loneliness, social support, and the mediating effect of identity experimentation online. Data were gathered from a random sample of 718 youngsters aged 9 to 19. Analyses revealed that individuals who are lonely and have a lower level of offline social support find opportunities for identity experimentation online more gratifying than those who are less lonely or not lonely. Both loneliness and social support offline were found significantly related to preference for online social interaction, but the relationships were mediated by identity experimentation online. Finally, it was found that age differences exist. In particular, individuals aged 9 to 14 who are lonely and those aged 15 to 19 with little social support show a significant preference for online social interaction. Implications for future research into identity experimentation online and social relationship are discussed.
Surgical-Site Infections: Reanalysis of Risk Factors

Surgical-site infections (SSIs) are the most common nosocomial infection in surgical patients, accounting for 38% of all such infections, and are a significant source of postoperative morbidity resulting in increased hospital length of stay and increased cost. From 1986 to 1996, the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance system of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 15,523 SSIs following 593,344 operations (2.6%). Previous studies have documented patient characteristics associated with an increased risk of SSI, including diabetes, tobacco or steroid use, obesity, malnutrition, and perioperative blood transfusion. Malone and colleagues from the Department of Surgery, Veterans Administration Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, conducted a study to reevaluate risk factors for SSI in a large cohort of noncardiac surgical patients. Prospective data (NSQIP) were collected on 5,031 noncardiac surgical patients at the Veterans Administration Maryland Healthcare System from 1995 to 2000. All preoperative risk factors were evaluated as independent predictors of SSI. The mean age of the study cohort was 61 (± 13) years. SSIs occurred in 162 patients, comprising 3.2% of the study cohort. Gram-positive organisms were the most common bacterial etiology. Multiple logistic regression analysis documented that diabetes (insulin-dependent and non-insulindependent), low postoperative hematocrit, weight loss (within 6 months), and ascites were significantly associated with increased risk of SSI. Tobacco use, steroid use, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were not predictors for SSI. This study confirms that diabetes and malnutrition (defined as significant weight loss 6 months prior to surgery) are significant preoperative risk factors for SSI. Postoperative anemia is a significant risk factor for SSI. In contrast to prior analyses, this study showed that tobacco use, steroid use, and COPD were not independent predictors of SSI. FROM: Malone DL, Genuit T, Tracy JK, Gannon C, Napolitano LM Surgical site infections: reanalysis of risk factors. / Surg Res 2002;103:89-95.
Mechanisms of hypertension in transgenic rats expressing the mouse Ren-2 gene.

Transgenic (TG) rats carrying the mouse Ren-2 gene (Ren-2d)27 are a newly established monogenetic model in hypertension research. To gain an insight into the mechanisms of this form of hypertension we determined the effects of a 13-day therapy with losartan (10 mg/kg) or lisinopril (20 mg/kg) on the blood pressure (BP) and plasma levels of angiotensin (ANG) peptides of mature female TG hypertensive and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The contribution of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) to the maintenance of their hypertension and the response to therapy was evaluated by systemic injection of either NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) or endothelin-1. Hypertension in TG rats was associated with decreased plasma ANG I, no differences in plasma ANG II, and plasma ANG-(1-7) near the detectable level. Lisinopril lowered BP more than losartan in both TG hypertensive and normotensive controls. In both strains, the chronic fall in BP produced by lisinopril was accompanied by significant increases in plasma ANG I and ANG-(1-7), while losartan augmented plasma ANG I and ANG II in both strains and plasma ANG-(1-7) in TG rats. Inhibition of NO synthase reversed the fall in BP produced by either lisinopril or losartan in SD controls. In contrast, administration of L-NMMA to TG rats given the same therapy did not. The transient endothelium-mediated relaxing phase of the depressor response to systemic injections of endothelin-1 was attenuated by losartan and lisinopril in TG rats. These studies indicate that hypertension in female TG rats is mediated by the RAS. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Reactive oxygen species induce injury of the intestinal epithelium during hyperoxia

Long-term therapeutic hyperoxia may exert serious toxic effects on intestinal epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo. The aim of the present study was to investigate the cause of this intestinal injury under conditions of hyperoxia. Caco-2 cells were treated with different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and 85% hyperoxia for 24 h. Higher rates of injury of Caco-2 cells were observed in the hyperoxia and H2O2 groups compared with the control group. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) level of the hyperoxia group was significantly higher compared with that of the 400 μM H2O2 group. The protein and gene levels of RelA, RelB, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, tumor necrosis factor-α and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 were significantly higher in the hyperoxia and H2O2 groups compared with those in the control group. In conclusion, during hyperoxia, intestinal epithelial cells were destroyed and the levels of ROS were increased. Therefore, ROS may play an important role in intestinal injury in a hyperoxic environment.
The histaminergic system regulates wakefulness and orexin/hypocretin neuron development via histamine receptor H1 in zebrafish

The histaminergic and hypocretin/orexin (hcrt) neurotransmitter systems play crucial roles in alertness/wakefulness in rodents. We elucidated the role of histamine in wakefulness and the interaction of the histamine and hcrt systems in larval zebrafish. Translation inhibition of histidine decarboxylase (hdc) with morpholino oligonucleotides (MOs) led to a behaviorally measurable decline in light‐associated activity, which was partially rescued by hdc mRNA injections and mimicked by histamine receptor H1 (Hrh1) antagonist pyrilamine treatment. Histamine‐immunoreactive fibers targeted the dorsal telencephalon, an area that expresses histamine receptors hrh1 and hrh3 and contains predominantly glutamatergic neurons. Tract tracing with DiI revealed that projections from dorsal telencephalon innervate the hcrt and histaminergic neurons. Translation inhibition of hdc decreased the number of hcrt neurons in a Hrh1‐dependent manner. The reduction was rescued by overexpression of hdc mRNA. hdc mRNA injection alone led to an up‐regulation of hcrt neuron numbers. These results suggest that histamine is essential for the development of a functional and intact hcrt system and that histamine has a bidirectional effect on the development of the hcrt neurons. In summary, our findings provide evidence that these two systems are linked both functionally and developmentally, which may have important implications in sleep disorders and narcolepsy. —Sundvik, M. , Kudo, H. , Toivonen, P., Rozov, S. , Chen, Y. ‐C. , Panula, P. The histaminergic system regulates wakefulness and orexin/hypocretin neuron development via histamine receptor H1 in zebrafish. FASEB J. 25, 4338–4347 (2011). www.fasebj. org
Resource-Saving File Management Scheme for Online Video Provisioning on Content Delivery Networks

Content delivery networks (CDNs) have been widely implemented to provide scalable cloud services. Such networks support resource pooling by allowing virtual machines or physical servers to be dynamically activated and deactivated according to current user demand. This paper examines online video replication and placement problems in CDNs. An effective video provisioning scheme must simultaneously (i) utilize system resources to reduce total energy consumption and (ii) limit replication overhead. We propose a scheme called adaptive data placement (ADP) that can dynamically place and reorganize video replicas among cache servers on subscribers' arrival and departure. Both the analyses and simulation results show that ADP can reduce the number of activated cache servers with limited replication overhead. In addition, ADP's performance is approximate to the optimal solution.
Ancestry to an Endemic Radiation in Lake Tanganyika? Evolution of the Viviparous Gastropod Potadomoides Leloup, 1953 in the Congo River System (Caenogastropoda, Cerithioidea, Paludomidae)

Providing another spectacular model for understanding speciation and radiation, the origin of the gastropod species flock in Lake Tanganyika (with an estimated age of approximately 12 Myr) remained enigmatic to date. Although, for a long time, an in situ radiation was assumed, Lake Tanganyika could have functioned as a reservoir for ancient African lineages, implying that the now lacustrine taxa originiated elsewhere. However, the fluviatile gastropod fauna of adjacent river systems in Central and East Africa is only poorly known. Here, we provide conchological, anatomical, phylogenetical, and biogeographical data on the fluviatile genus Potadomoides Leloup, 1953, which was hitherto regarded as ancestral to the entire Tanganyika gastropod radiation. The type species Potadomoides pelseneeri is restricted to the delta region of the Malagarasi River east of Lake Tanganyika, whereas three congeneric species (Potadomoides bequaerti, Potadomoides hirta, and Potadomoides schoutedeni) inhabit the Congo River with its tributaries Lualaba and Luvua, west of the Tanganyikan Rift. We describe and document, with scanning electron microscopy, the ontogenetic development of embryos of this uterine brooder as well as the detailed reproductive anatomy. Phylogenetic analysis of 44 morphological characters (including adult and embryonic shell, operculum, radula, reproductive tract) for 15 paludomid taxa could not support monophyly of the Tanganyika species flock. Instead, we found two major lineages that colonized Lake Tanganyika independently, one comprising the Nassopsinae Kesteven, 1903 (= Lavigeriinae Thiele, 1925) with the riverine Potadomoides plus the lacustrine Lavigeria and Vinundu, the second comprising the riverine Cleopatra together with the rest of the lacustrine species (except for Tiphobia horei). The analysis identifies Potadomoides as paraphyletic, with the uterine brooder P. pelseneeri being the sister taxon to the uterine brooder Lavigeria plus the oviparous Vinundu, but not to the entire Tanganyika species flock. We reconstruct the independent evolution of an fluviolacustrine taxon Nassopsinae for which we evaluate the synapomorphic characters, in particular those of reproductive biology, and discuss systematic and evolutionary implications of repeated origin of (ovo-)viviparity in these limnic Cerithioidea. Finally, we outline a hypothesis on the evolutionary history of Potadomoides in the context of the gastropod radiation in Lake Tanganyika. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 92, 367–401.