Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in pennation with joint angle and muscle torque: in vivo measurements in human brachialis muscle.

1. Estimates of pennation in human muscles are usually obtained from cadavers. In this study, pennation of human brachialis was measured in vivo using sonography. Effects of static and dynamic changes in elbow angle and torque were investigated. 2. Pennation was measured in eight subjects using an 80 mm, 5 MHz, linear‐array ultrasound transducer to generate sagittal images of the brachialis during maximal and submaximal isometric contractions at various elbow angles. It was shown that estimates of pennation were reproducible, representative of measurements made throughout the belly of the muscle and not distorted by compression of the muscle with the transducer or rotation of the muscle out of the plane of the transducer. 3. Mean resting pennation was 9.0 +/‐ 2.0 deg (S.D., range 6.5‐12.9 deg). When the muscle was relaxed there was no effect of elbow angle on pennation. However, during a maximal isometric contraction (MVC), with the elbow flexed to 90 deg, pennation increased non‐linearly with elbow torque to between 22 and 30 deg (mean 24.7 +/‐ 2.4 deg). The effect of increasing torque was small when the elbow was fully extended. The relationship between elbow angle, elbow torque and brachialis pennation suggests that the relaxed brachialis muscle is slack over much of its physiological range of lengths. 4. There was no hysteresis in the relationship between torque and pennation during slow isometric contractions (0.2 MVC s‐1), and the relationship between elbow angle and pennation was similar during slow shortening and lengthening contractions. 5. Two consequences follow from these findings. Firstly, intramuscular mechanics are complex and simple planar models of muscles underestimate the increases in pennation which occur during muscle contraction. Second, spindle afferents from relaxed muscles may not encode joint angle over the full range of movement.
Mutational analysis of the high affinity immunoglobulin E receptor β subunit gene in asthma

BACKGROUND The gene for the β subunit of the high affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E (FcεRI-β) on chromosome 11q13 is linked with clinical asthma and certain mutations have been identified. A study was undertaken to identify DNA variation in the FcεRI-β gene in a population sample in which linkage between 11q13 and asthma was explained by bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) but not atopy. METHODS DNA samples from 71 subjects with asthma, atopy, or BHR were analysed. The complete coding region, some of the introns, and some of the 5′ untranscribed region of the FcεRI-β gene were sequenced. RESULTS In the subjects studied there were no deviations from the published sequence in any of the seven coding exons of the FcεRI-β gene. In particular, the three previously reported mutations (Ile181, Leu183, Glu237) were not detected. Two new polymorphisms were discovered, one at position 243 in the 5′ untranscribed region and one at position 4390 in intron III. Neither of these variants showed significant association with asthma, atopy, or BHR. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that, in the population studied, linkage of asthma and BHR to 11q13 is not explained by mutations in the FcεRI-β gene. Other mutations in the non-coding region of this gene or in adjacent genes must explain the linkage findings in this study.
Duodenojejunal mesenteric rents: Survival and complications after surgical correction in 38 broodmares (2006‐2014)

Objectives: To describe short‐term and long‐term survival of horses with duodenojejunal mesenteric rents, and to examine the association of selected preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors with survival or colic after discharge, in horses with duodenojejunal mesenteric rents. Study Design: Retrospective case series. Animals: Horses undergoing surgery for correction of small intestinal lesions secondary to duodenojejunal mesenteric rents (n = 38). Methods: Medical records (2006‐2014) of horses admitted to a referral hospital in Kentucky were reviewed. Data for preoperative and intraoperative findings, postoperative complications, and short‐term survival to discharge were recorded Long‐term (>12 months) survival was determined by follow‐up telephone query. Association of factors with survival and colic after discharge was determined using logistic regression. Results: All 38 horses were Thoroughbred broodmares. Short‐term survival was 76% overall and 88% among horses that recovered from general anesthesia. Long‐term survival was 74% overall and 97% for mares that survived to discharge. All long‐term survivors and 85% of mares that recovered from general anesthesia returned to use for breeding. The odds of survival were significantly higher for horses ≤10 years of age (OR = 6.2; 95% CI, 1.1‐34.4). Failure to close the rent was associated with increased odds of colic after discharge, but had no effect on survival. Conclusion: Short‐term and long‐term survival was high relative to prior reports and mares surviving to discharge following mesenteric rent surgery had an excellent prognosis for long‐term survival. Based on our data, closure of rents is recommended to prevent recurrence of colic, but may be unnecessary for survival.
Inflammatory Mediators in Uveitis: Differential Induction of Cytokines and Chemokines in Th1- Versus Th2-Mediated Ocular Inflammation

Ocular inflammation leads to vision loss through the destruction and scarring of delicate tissues along the visual axis. To identify inflammatory mediators involved in this process, we used real time RT-PCR to quantify the expression of mRNA transcripts of 34 cytokines, 26 chemokines, and 14 chemokine receptors at certain time points during T cell-mediated ocular inflammation. We induced disease by adoptive transfer of Ag-specific Th1 or Th2 cells into recipients expressing the target Ag in their eyes. We also compared the mediator expression patterns seen in adoptive transfer-induced inflammation with that seen in mouse eyes developing experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis. In addition, we used laser capture microdissection to examine chemokine mRNA production by both retinal pigment epithelium cells and infiltrating leukocytes in inflamed eyes. Major findings included the following: 1) Three patterns of expression of the inflammation-related molecules were seen in recipients of adoptively transferred Th cells: preferential expression in Th1 recipients, or in Th2 recipients, or similar expression in both recipient groups. 2) In experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis, the inflammatory mediator expression pattern largely paralleled that seen in Th1-induced disease. 3) Both retinal pigment epithelium and infiltrating leukocytes expressed chemokine transcripts in distinct, but overlapping patterns in inflamed eyes. 4) Interestingly, trancripts of multiple cytokines, chemokines, and chemokine receptors were constitutively expressed in high levels in mouse eyes. Seven of these molecules have not been previously associated with the eye. These data underscore the multiplicity of mediators that participate in the pathogenesis of eye inflammation and point to upstream cytokines as potential therapeutic targets.
IgG4 antibodies against rodents in laboratory animal workers do not protect against allergic sensitization

To cite this article: Krop EJM, Doekes G, Heederik DJJ, Aalberse RC, van der Zee JS. IgG4 antibodies against rodents in laboratory animal workers do not protect against allergic sensitization. Allergy 2011; 66: 517–522.
Resource Use Efficiency in Poultry Production in Bureti District, Kenya

Poultry production is one of the most important economic activities to the smallholder farmers of Kenya. However, constraints are evident which have resulted in low production of poultry and poultry products to meet population demand and for socio-economic sustainability of the livelihoods. The objective of the study was to determine resource use efficiency, optimal production levels, production systems of small-scale poultry farmers in Bureti district, Kenya. Primary data were obtained using a set of structured questionnaires from 300 representative farmers drawn from the study area using cross-sectional sampling techniques. Data were analyzed by Cobb-Douglas production function. The results showed that the resources used in poultry production were underutilized while others were over utilized. The efficiency indicators for poultry feeds (0.0603) showed that poultry feeds were inefficiently used. Labour efficiency indicator (-0.091) showed that farmers were not only grossly inefficient in the use of the resource but also over utilized it while the efficiency indicator (60.86) for poultry equipment implied the resource was inefficiently utilized. It is recommended that farmers should use inputs more efficiently (particularly feeds which were being inefficiently utilized) by reducing their levels of employment.
Effect of strength training on resting metabolic rate and physical activity: age and gender comparisons.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to compare age and gender effects of strength training (ST) on resting metabolic rate (RMR), energy expenditure of physical activity (EEPA), and body composition. METHODS RMR and EEPA were measured before and after 24 wk of ST in 10 young men (20-30 yr), 9 young women (20-30 yr), 11 older men (65-75 yr), and 10 older women (65-75 yr). RESULTS When all subjects were pooled together, absolute RMR significantly increased by 7% (5928 +/- 1225 vs 6328 +/- 1336 kJ.d-1, P < 0.001). Furthermore, ST increased absolute RMR by 7% in both young (6302 +/- 1458 vs 6719 +/- 1617 kJ x d(-1), P < 0.01) and older (5614 +/- 916 vs 5999 +/- 973 kJ x d(-1), P < 0.05) subjects, with no significant interaction between the two age groups. In contrast, there was a significant gender x time interaction (P < 0.05) for absolute RMR with men increasing RMR by 9% (6645 +/- 1073 vs 7237 +/- 1150 kJ x d(-1), P < 0.001), whereas women showed no significant increase (5170 +/- 884 vs 5366 +/- 692 kJ x d(-1), P = 0.108). When RMR was adjusted for fat-free mass (FFM) using ANCOVA, with all subjects pooled together, there was still a significant increase in RMR with ST. Additionally, there was still a gender effect (P < 0.05) and no significant age effect (P = NS), with only the men still showing a significant elevation in RMR. Moreover, EEPA and TEE estimated with a Tritrac accelerometer and TEE estimated by the Stanford Seven-Day Physical Activity Recall Questionnaire did not change in response to ST for any group. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, changes in absolute and relative RMR in response to ST are influenced by gender but not age. In contrast to what has been suggested previously, changes in body composition in response to ST are not due to changes in physical activity outside of training.
Antibody-independent effector mechanisms in resistance to the intestinal nematode parasite Trichuris muris

The development of a strong Th2-type immune response is essential in resistance to the intestinal nematode parasite Trichuris muris. Although the underlying cell-regulatory mechanisms important in protective immunity are well defined, the actual Th2-controlled effector mechanisms culminating in worm expulsion are uncharacterized. Using methodology involving the selective reconstitution of severe combined immunodeficiency mice with highly pure populations of CD4+ T cells from immune BALB/c donors, we show here that antibody is not an essential component in resistance to T. muris. Thus, CD4+ T cells purified from BALB/c donor mice at a time point when Th2 cells are in dominance (days 19 to 21 postinfection) confer resistance to infection on recipient severe combined immunodeficiency mice in the complete absence of an antibody response.
Overexpression of squamous cell carcinoma antigen in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: clinicopathological correlations

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive disorder with a poor prognosis. Epithelial instability is a crucial step in the development and progression of the disease, including neoplastic transformation. Few tissue markers for epithelial instability have been reported in IPF. Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) is a serine protease inhibitor typically expressed by dysplastic and neoplastic cells of epithelial origin, more often in squamous cell tumours. At present, no information is available on its expression in IPF. Methods: SCCA and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) expression in surgical lung biopsies from 22 patients with IPF and 20 control cases was examined. An in vitro study using A549 pneumocytes was also conducted to investigate the relationship between SCCA and TGFβ expression. SCCA and TGFβ epithelial expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription–PCR (RT-PCR). SCCA values were correlated with different pathological and clinical parameters. Time course analysis of TGFβ expression in A549 pneumocytes incubated with different SCCA concentrations was assessed by real time RT–PCR. Results: SCCA was expressed in many metaplastic alveolar epithelial cells in all IPF cases with a mean value of 24.9% while it was seen in only two control patients in up to 5% of metaplastic cells. In patients with IPF, SCCA correlated positively with extension of fibroblastic foci (r = 0.49, p = 0.02), expression of TGFβ (r = 0.78, p<0.0001) and with carbon monoxide transfer factor decline after 9 months of follow-up (r = 0.59, p = 0.01). In vitro experiments showed that incubation of cultured cells with SCCA induced TGFβ expression, with a peak at 24 h. Conclusion: Our findings provide for the first time a potential mechanism by which SCCA secreted from metaplastic epithelial cells may exert a profibrotic effect in IPF. SCCA could be an important biomarker in this incurable disease.
Parents' and providers' attitudes toward school-located provision and school-entry requirements for HPV vaccines

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine parents' and providers' attitudes toward school-located provision and school-entry requirements for HPV vaccination. Methods: Parents/guardians of 11–17 y old girls and pediatric healthcare providers at one inner-city public clinic and three private practices completed semi-structured interviews in 2012-2013. Participants were asked open-ended questions regarding their attitudes toward school-located provision and school-entry requirements for HPV vaccination. Parents' answers were analyzed with relationship to whether their daughters had not initiated, initiated but not completed, or completed the HPV vaccine series. Qualitative analysis was used to identify themes related to shared views. Results: 129 parents/guardians and 34 providers participated. 61% of parents supported providing HPV vaccinations in schools, citing reasons of convenience, improved access, and positive peer pressure. Those who opposed school-located provision raised concerns related to privacy and the capacity of school nurses to manage vaccine-related reactions. Parents whose daughters had not completed the series were more likely to intend to vaccinate their daughters in schools (70%) and support requirements (64%) than parents who had not initiated vaccination (42% would vaccinate at school, 46% support requirements) or completed the series (42% would vaccinate at school, 32% support requirements; p < 0 .05 for all comparisons). 81% of providers supported offering vaccination in schools, wanting to take advantage of the captive audience, improve vaccine completion rates, and decrease the administrative burden on medical office staff, but were concerned about adequate information transfer between schools and medical offices. Only 32% of providers supported school-entry requirements, largely because they felt that a requirement might provoke a public backlash that could further hinder vaccination efforts. Conclusions: School-located provision of HPV vaccination was widely accepted by healthcare providers and parents whose children have not completed the series, indicating that this venue might be a valuable addition to improve completion rates. Support for school-entry requirements was limited among both parents and healthcare providers.
Graduate distance education in nursing : assessment under students ’ perspective

DOI http://dx.doi. org/10.1590/19820194201500024 Conselho Regional de Enfermagem de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Escola Paulista de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Conflicts of interest: none reported. Abstract Objective: To evaluate the distance learning Graduate Nursing Management Program according to the students’ perspective. Methods: This exploratory-descriptive study with a quantitative approach involved 484 students who had completed the nursing program. For the assessment we used an instrument divided into the following categories: access location, hours dedicated to the program, professors, mentors, students’ expectations and general assessment. Association among numerical variables was done using a Pearson’s chi-square test, and measurement reliability was assessed with the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Results: Main results showed that students felt welcomed by mentors and professors and that two courses helped improve professional performance and development of competencies related to management. Conclusion: Courses were evaluated positively and were perceived as a useful tool for training of nurses aim to support transformation of management scenario of Brazilian nursing.
Author ' s personal copy Assessing the areas under risk of invasion within islands through potential distribution modelling : The case of Pittosporum undulatum in

Non-indigenous plant species have been frequently reported as successful invaders in island environments, changing plant community composition and structure. This is the case of the sweet pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum), native from Australia, which is one of the most successful plant invaders in the Azores archipelago. Data extracted from recent forestry inventories were used to model and map the potential distribution of P. undulatum in São Miguel, the larger island of the Azores. Current distribution of P. undulatum is related to climate, altitude and some human activity effects. Further analysis of the areas under risk of invasion showed that protected areas are under potential threat, although only a few native forest remnants seem to be threatened due to future expansion of P. undulatum, since the current distribution of these native communities has been reduced due to clearing and competition with invasive plants. We discuss the threats that any further expansion of the species will represent for low-altitude native forests, as well as the utility of species distribution models in the assessment of the areas under risk of invasion. & 2009 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
Statin treatment reduces glomerular inflammation and podocyte damage in rat deoxycorticosterone-acetate-salt hypertension

Objective We examined the effects of fluvastatin treatment on the development of kidney injury in experimental deoxycorticosterone-acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertension. Methods Male Sprague–Dawley rats underwent unilateral nephrectomy and received subcutaneous DOCA pellets as well as 1% NaCl for drinking. Simultaneously, rats were treated with 5 mg/kg per day fluvastatin, or solvent only for 6 weeks. Mean arterial pressure was measured intraarterially. Glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, cell proliferation, inflammation and podocyte damage were evaluated on kidney sections. Inflammatory markers were measured by real-time PCR. Results Mean arterial pressure was elevated in DOCA-salt-treated rats but unaltered by fluvastatin. Serum cholesterol was markedly elevated in DOCA-salt-treated rats and tended to be lower in fluvastatin-treated animals. Fluvastatin treatment decreased the mortality of DOCA-salt-treated rats. Urinary protein excretion, glomerular proliferation and macrophage infiltration as well as glomerulosclerosis were reduced by fluvastatin. Fluvastatin alleviated podocyte damage and glomerular osteopontin protein expression, which was localized in podocytes. On the contrary, interstitial fibrosis, inflammation and interstitial cell proliferation of DOCA-salt-treated rat kidneys were not influenced by fluvastatin. Conclusion Statin treatment reduces mortality and glomerular damage independent from blood pressure in a low-renin model of hypertensive nephrosclerosis. A reduction of podocyte damage and macrophage infiltration may explain the beneficial effects of fluvastatin.
Professional learning communities for enhancing faculty development initiatives

I write in response to the critical review by Steinert et al. (2016) on faculty development initiatives. Germane to the review for enhancing teaching effectiveness is the sense of collaboration as emerging component of clinical and educational practice. For a start, I suggest drawing upon concepts of professional learning communities (PLC). It is defined as a group of people sharing and critically interrogating their practice as a collective enterprise (Stoll et al. 2006) and can spur the current state of faculty development for medical teaching effectiveness. When embedded within PLC, educators continuously seek to act on their learning to enhance teaching for their students’ benefit. PLC is sensitive to teaching and learning challenges. It offers educators contextualized learning opportunities to reflect and improve their pedagogical practices in the clinical and medical classroom settings. Critically, PLC meetings afford medical educators collaborative opportunities through problem posing and articulation of practice for improving teaching performances in contextualized settings. Hence, PLC is a platform that ‘‘discusses new teacher materials and strategies and that supports the risk taking and struggle entailed in transforming practice’’ (McLaughlin & Talbert 1993, p. 15). When medical educators with diverse experience come together, they can draw upon and incorporate each other’s expertise to create rich conversations for new insights into medical curriculum development. Medical educators are well positioned to learn collectively when they share an unwavering goal to improve medical students’ learning. We need to rise above faculty development as interventions to build learning communities among faculty development program participants. PLC opens door to connecting the larger medical community of educators for collective professional growth.
Some aspects of compensatory hyperplasia of the kidney.

THE mechanisms controlling tissue growth and regeneration are largely unknown, although disturbances of these may well play an important part in many diseases. One of the basic problems in any study of these processes is to estimate the rate at which new cells are formed under different conditions. In organs with only diploid cells, the rate of incorporation of radioactive materials into DNA will give a general index, but when the organ contains cells of several histological types, the most informative method is still mitotic counts. A fair amount is known about the later stages of the enlargement of the remaining kidney after unilateral nephrectomy, but the early changes and the changes in the mitotic rate of various cell types have not been examined in any detail. As the kidney may have certain advantages as an experimental model for the study of regeneration, the normal mitotic rate in the kidney and the changes during hyperplasia have been examined with special reference to the first 3 days after unilateral nephrectomy. At the same time, changes in the basement membranesand in stainable fat were sought, as these are early and prominent in the regenerating liver (Aterman, 1952; Stowell, 1948).