Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of a three-month therapeutic lifestyle modification program to improve bone health in postmenopausal Korean women in a rural community: a randomized controlled trial.

In this randomized controlled trial, we examined the effects of a 3-month therapeutic lifestyle modification (TLM) intervention on knowledge, self-efficacy, and health behaviors related to bone health in postmenopausal women in rural Korea. Forty-one women ages 45 or older were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n = 21) or control (n = 20) group. The intervention group completed a 12-week, 24-session TLM program of individualized health monitoring, group health education, exercise, and calcium-vitamin D supplementation. Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed significant increases in knowledge and self-efficacy and improvement in diet and exercise after 12 weeks, providing evidence that a comprehensive TLM program can be effective in improving health behaviors to maintain bone health in women at high risk of osteoporosis.
Serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of a patient with Balo's concentric sclerosis treated with immunoadsorption plasmapheresis

A 28-year-old Japanese woman with Balo's concentric sclerosis developed a rapidly progressive form of encephalopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multiple concentric lesions in the central white matter and the cerebellum. The administration of corticosteroid regimen resulted in little benefit Immunoadsorption plasmapheresis led to a remission within 1 month of onset Serial MRI study was described here for the first time, which allowed us to observe the development of concentric stuctures. The observation indicated that initially, a central core, a round demyelinated area, and surrounding edema appeared around a vessel. Subsequently, concentric demyelineated bands formed simultaneously, not centrifugally, with diminution of the edema. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid showed elevated levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α. The success of immunoadsorption plasmapheresis therapy in this patient suggests that both humoral demyelinating factors and cell-mediated immunity may be involved in the pathogenesis of this disorder.
Safety programmes in the Egyptian Construction Industry

This study is aimed at exploring the nature of the safety programmes applied by large-size contractors operating in Egypt. Results revealed that safety programmes applied by those contractors were less formal than the programmes applied by their American counterparts. Only three contractors out of the surveyed sample had accident records broken down by projects, provided workers with formal safety orientation, and trained safety personnel on first-aid. The study recommended that reforms to the scheme of the employers' contribution to social insurance are necessary. This is meant to serve as a strong incentive for safety management.
CD99 Is a Key Mediator of the Transendothelial Migration of Neutrophils1

Transendothelial migration of leukocytes is a critical event for inflammation, but the molecular regulation of this event is only beginning to be understood. PECAM (CD31) is a major mediator of monocyte and neutrophil transmigration, and CD99 was recently defined as a second mediator of the transmigration of monocytes. Expression of CD99 on the surface of circulating polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) is low compared with expression of CD99 on monocytes or expression of PECAM on PMN. We demonstrate here that, despite low expression of CD99, Fab of Abs against CD99 blocked over 80% of human neutrophils from transmigrating across HUVEC monolayers in an in vitro model of inflammation. Blocking CD99 on either the neutrophil or endothelial cell side resulted in a quantitatively equivalent block, suggesting a homophilic interaction between CD99 on the neutrophil and CD99 on the endothelial cell. Blocking CD99 and PECAM together resulted in additive effects, suggesting the two molecules work at distinct steps. Confocal microscopy confirmed that CD99-blocked neutrophils lodged in endothelial cell junctions at locations distal to PECAM-blocked neutrophils. The CD99-blocked PMN exhibited dynamic lateral movement within endothelial cell junctions, indicating that only the diapedesis step was blocked by interference with CD99. Anti-CD99 mAb also blocked PMN transmigration in a second in vitro model that incorporated shear stress. Taken together, the evidence demonstrates that PECAM and CD99 regulate distinct, sequential steps in the transendothelial migration of neutrophils during inflammation.
Ca2+ imaging of mouse neocortical interneurone dendrites: Contribution of Ca2+‐permeable AMPA and NMDA receptors to subthreshold Ca2+dynamics

In this second study, we have combined two‐photon calcium imaging with whole‐cell recording and anatomic reconstructions to directly characterize synaptically evoked calcium signals in three types of mouse V1 supragranular interneurones: parvalbumin‐positive fast spikers (FS), calretinin‐positive irregular spikers (IS), and adapting cells (AD). We observed that subthreshold synaptic activation evoked calcium signals locally restricted to individual dendritic compartments. These signals were mediated by NMDA receptors (NMDARs) in AD and IS cells, whereas in FS cells, calcium‐permeable AMPA receptors (CP‐AMPARs) provided an additional and kinetically distinct influx. Furthermore, even a single, subthreshold synaptic activation evoked a larger dendritic calcium influx than backpropagating action potentials. Our results demonstrate that NMDARs dominate subthreshold calcium dynamics in interneurones and reveal the functional contribution of CP‐AMPARs to a specific subclass of cortical interneurone. These data highlight different strategies in dendritic signal processing by distinct classes of interneurones.
Les déterminants du recours à l'automédication

Le marche francais de l’automedication est assez peu developpe par rapport aux autres pays europeens. A partir de l’Enquete decennale Sante de 2002-2003, ce travail etudie le recours a l’automedication en fonction des caracteristiques demographiques, economiques sociales, d’etat de sante. des individus et met en evidence leurs roles respectifs, tant sur la probabilite de recours a l’automedication que sur le mode de recours. Le recours a l’automedication concerne plus souvent les personnes d’âge actif, plutot en bonne sante, et qui appartiennent a des milieux sociaux et culturels plutot favorises. Leurs recours se font sans conseil prealable ou en suivant les conseils du pharmacien, alors que les personnes de milieux plus modestes, qui ont un moindre recours a l’automedication, suivent plus souvent les conseils d’un medecin quand elles y recourent. Ces resultats conduisent a s’interroger sur les perspectives de developpement de l’automedication en France, qui pourraient etre differentes selon les milieux sociaux.
Cardiac Troponin I Is Associated With Impaired Hemodynamics, Progressive Left Ventricular Dysfunction, and Increased Mortality Rates in Advanced Heart Failure

Background—Cardiac troponin I (cTnI), a sensitive and specific marker of myocardial cell injury, is useful in diagnosing and assessing prognosis in acute coronary syndromes. Small studies report that cTnI is elevated in severe heart failure (HF) and may predict adverse outcomes. Methods and Results—The present study evaluated 238 patients with advanced HF referred for cardiac transplantation evaluation who had cTnI assay drawn at the time of initial presentation. Patients with acute myocardial infarction or myocarditis were excluded from analysis. cTnI was detectable (cTnI ≥0.04 ng/mL) in serum of 117 patients (49.1%). Patients with detectable cTnI levels had significantly higher B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels (P <0.001) and more impaired hemodynamic profiles, including higher pulmonary wedge pressures (P =0.002) and lower cardiac indexes (P <0.0001). A significant correlation was found between detectable cTnI and progressive decline in ejection fraction over time. Furthermore, detectable cTnI was associated with increased mortality risk (RR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.22 to 3.43). After adjustment for other factors associated with adverse prognosis including age, sex, ejection fraction, and coronary artery disease, cTnI remained a significant predictor of death. cTnI used in conjunction with BNP further improved prognostic value. Conclusions—cTnI is associated with impaired hemodynamics, elevated BNP levels, and progressive left ventricular dysfunction in patients with HF. cTnI may be a novel, useful tool in identifying patients with HF who are at increased risk for progressive ventricular dysfunction and death.
Changes in historical Iowa land cover as context for assessing the environmental benefits of current and future conservation efforts on agricultural lands

Conservationists and agriculturists face unprecedented challenges trying to minimize tradeoffs between increasing demands for food, fiber, feed, and biofuels and the resulting loss or reduced values of other ecosystem services, such as those derived from wetlands and biodiversity (Millenium Ecosystem Assessment 2005a, 2005c; Maresch et al. 2008). The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-234, Stat. 923, HR 2419, also known as the 2008 Farm Bill) reauthorized the USDA to provide financial incentives for agricultural producers to reduce environmental impacts via multiple conservation programs. Two prominent programs, the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) and the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), provide incentives for producers to retire environmentally sensitive croplands, minimize erosion, improve water quality, restore wetlands, and provide wildlife habitat (USDA FSA 2008a, 2008b; USDA NRCS 2002). Other conservation programs (e.g., Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Conservation Stewardship Program) provide incentives to implement structural and cultural conservation practices to improve the environmental performance of working agricultural lands. Through its Conservation Effects Assessment Project, USDA is supporting evaluation of the environmental benefits obtained from the public investment in conservation programs and practices to inform decisions on where further investments are warranted (Duriancik et al. 2008; Zinn 1997). Participation in USDA conservation…
"Historia y estadística del fútbol español": La gran obra enciclopédica de Vicente Martínez Calatrava

No hay una razon de mayor peso para que el CIHEFE y la IFFHS se enorgullezcan que el simple hecho de contar entre nosotros con D. Vicente Martinez Calatrava, el unico historiador Espanol capaz de ejecutar con maestria una obra historica de tal envergadura. D. Vicente es hoy por hoy una de las referencias a la hora de proceder a realizar cualquier consulta relativa a la historia del futbol Espanol y es un colaborador activo como asesor en diversos medios de comunicacion e instituciones deportivas.
Constraints on the distribution of supernova remnants with Galactocentric radius

Supernova remnants (SNRs) in the Galaxy are an important source of energy injection into the interstellar medium, and also of cosmic rays. Currently there are 294 known SNRs in the Galaxy, and their distribution with Galactocentric radius is of interest for various studies. Here I discuss some of the statistics of Galactic SNRs, including the observational selection effects that apply, and difficulties in obtaining distances for individual remnants from the ‘Σ–D’ relation. Comparison of the observed Galactic longitude distribution of a sample of bright Galactic SNRs – which are not strongly affected by selection effects – with those expected from models is used to constrain the Galactic distribution of SNRs. The best-fitting powerlaw/exponential model is more concentrated towards the Galactic Centre than the widely used distribution obtained by Case & Bhattacharya.
Influence of laboratory homogenization procedures on trace element content of food samples: an ICP-MS study on soft and durum wheat

Sample contamination as a consequence of abrasion of grinding tools during the homogenization of food materials to be analysed for trace elements was addressed. The possible release of 15 trace elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sn, V, Zn) from six different grinding and milling devices, operating either continuously or discontinuously, was evaluated. All the devices were commercially available and were representative of models usually employed in food and agricultural laboratories. Wheat grains belonging to one soft and one durum cultivar were used as test material. The determination of the analyte concentrations in subsamples submitted to the different preparation treatments was performed by quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Q-ICPMS). Accordingly, a suitable digestion method was developed and the ArC+ interference affecting Cr determination was evaluated and corrected. Statistical differences with respect to the control were detected for 10 elements (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb) and in most cases contamination of the samples was traced back to the composition of the grinding equipment. None of the investigated devices was contamination-free with respect to all of the quantified elements. Abrasion of the grinding tools was higher with durum wheat than with soft wheat as a consequence of their different hardness.
Seed Transfers of Silver Birch (Betula pendula) from the Baltic to Finland - Effect on Growth and Stem Quality

Silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) seed origins from the Baltic countries, Finland and Russia were compared for survival, growth and stem quality, and the effect of latitudinal seed transfer distance examined in two provenance trials. The trials were located on moist upland forest soils at Tuusula (60°21’N) in southern Finland and at Viitasaari (63°11’N) in central Finland. The material consisted of 21 stand and single tree origins ranging from latitudes 54° to 63°N. Survival, height, dbh, relative stem taper, stem volume/ha and the proportion of trees with a stem defect (vertical branch or forked stem), were assessed when the trees were 22 years old. Significant differences were detected among the origins regarding all the measured traits in both trials. Southern Finnish origins produced the highest volume per unit area in central Finland, whereas Estonian and north Latvian stand seed origins, as well as the southern Finnish plus tree origins, were the most productive ones in southern Finland. The more southern the origin, the higher was the proportion of trees with a stem defect in both trials. The latitudinal seed transfer distance had a significant but relatively small effect on survival, stem volume/ ha and proportion of trees with a stem defect. The proportion of trees with a stem defect increased linearly in relation to the seed transfer distance from the south. The relationship of both survival and stem volume/ha to the seed transfer distance was curvilinear. Volume/ ha was increased by transferring seed from ca. 2 degrees of latitude from the south. A longer transfer from the south, as well as transfer from the north, decreased the yield.
Prolonged administration of sex hormones to castrated rats.

OUR previous experiments with castrated male rats have been of only 23 days' duration [see references and technique, Korenchevsky, 1937; Hall & Korenchevsky, 1938, 2]. For obvious reasons the investigation of much longer periods of injections is important from both the experimental and the clinical viewpoints. In these experiments we have used the hormones which are known to occur naturally in males-androsterone, transdehydroandrosterone and testosterone. Oestrone also belongs to this group of "natural " hormones, but in this investigation oestradiol dipropionate, a more active compound with a prolonged activity [Miescher et al. 1938] has been used. For the same reason the activity of testosterone propionate has also been investigated.
The psychosocial impact of wheelchair tennis on participants from developing countries.

PURPOSE Individuals with physical disabilities in developing countries can experience many instances of psychosocial hardship. Although scholars have suggested that participation in sport can positively impact psychosocial health, few studies have explored this phenomenon within the disabled population of developing nations. METHODS Sixteen wheelchair tennis players were recruited across six developing countries and interviewed in regards to their experiences. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, transcribed verbatim and subject to thematic analysis. RESULTS Wheelchair tennis players perceived their participation in sport enhanced their psychosocial well-being. Three broad themes emerged from analysis of the interviews; (1) developed transferrable skills, (2) perceived personal growth and (3) benefits of an athletic identity. CONCLUSIONS Sports participation, in this case wheelchair tennis, may be a viable means to promote psychosocial well-being in disabled populations within developing nations. Moreover, sport holds the potential to challenge negative perceptions of disability at an individual and societal level within these cultures. Implication for Rehabilitation Individuals with physical disabilities in developing countries may experience psychosocial hardship and cultural stigma. Wheelchair sport may be a viable means to enhance psychosocial well-being in this population. Skills learnt "on court" are transferrable to everyday life potentially improving independence and quality of life. Identifying as an athlete can challenge negative cultural perceptions of disability.
The value of a statistical injury: New evidence from the Swiss labor market

SummaryWe study the monetary compensation for non-fatal accident risk in Switzerland using the number of accidents within cells defined over industry × skill-level of the job and capitalizing on the partial panel structure of our data. Our results show that using accident risk at a lower level of aggregation, using narrower samples of workers, and using the wage component that is specific to the firm all yield higher (i.e. more positive) estimates of risk compensation. However, we only find a statistically significant positive compensation for non-fatal accident risk for workers in jobs with the lowest skill-level. Our preferred estimate for this group of workers yields an estimate of about 35,000 Swiss francs per prevented injury per year.
Inhibition of platelet activation by the Alzheimer's disease amyloid precursor protein

The amyloid precursor protein (APP) of Alzheimer's disease is abundantly expressed in the platelet α‐granule where its role remains unclear. This study describes a novel function for APP in regulating human platelet activation. Preincubation of platelet‐rich plasma with recombinant secreted APP (sAPP) isoforms dose‐dependently inhibited platelet aggregation and secretion induced by ADP or adrenaline. Similarly, sAPP potently inhibited low‐dose thrombin‐induced activation in washed platelet suspensions, indicating that the activity does not require plasma cofactors. There were no functional differences between sAPP forms with or without the Kunitz protease inhibitor domain or derived from either α‐ or β‐secretase cleavage. In fact, the N‐terminal cysteine‐rich region of APP (residues 18–194) was as effective as the entire sAPP region in the inhibition of platelet activation. The inhibitory activity of sAPP correlated with a significant reduction in the agonist‐induced production of the arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites thromboxane B2 and prostaglandin E2. However, sAPP did not affect AA‐induced platelet aggregation or secretion, indicating the enzymatic conversion of AA was not inhibited. The addition of a threshold dose of AA reversed the sAPP‐inhibition of agonist‐induced platelet activation. This suggests that sAPP decreases the availability of free AA, although the mechanism is not yet known. These data provide evidence that the release of sAPP upon platelet degranulation may result in negative feedback regulation during platelet activation.
Evolusi Mikrobe dan Kaitannya dengan Sistematik Molekuler

Dengan pencacah radioakti f, para pakar geologi memperkirakan bahwa umur bumi sekitar 4.6 biliun tahun. Air cair sudah ada sekitar empat biliun tahun yang lalu, yang memungkinkan perkembangan yang pesa t dan menjadi sy ara t mu tlak untuk menyokong semua kehidupan di bumi . Bukti-bukti fosil mikrobe pada stromatoli t, yaitu lapisan massa mikrobe prokariot berfilamen yang terperangkap dalam sedimen, menunjukkan bahwa sudah ada kehidupan sedikitnya pada 3.5 biliun tahun yang lalu. Stromatolit yang berumur lebih tua dari 2.5 biliun tahun diperkirakan hanya terdiri dari fototrof anoksigen (bakteri ungu dan hijau), karena kondisi bumi pa& waktu itu masih anaerob. Sedangkan stromatolit yang lebih muda umumnya terdiri dari sianobakter. Bukti-bukti fosil tersebut juga menunjukkan bahwa prokariot telah menampilkan keragaman morfologi yang luar biasa antara 2-3 biliun tahun yang lalu (Brock dan Madigan, 1991). Kohdisi atmosfer bumi yang masih primi ti f bersifat anaerob sehingga merupakan lingkungan yang tereduksi. Selain uap air, gas-gas lain yang terdapat dalam jumlah banyak ialah CH4, CO2, N2, dan NHs. Sedangkan CO, Hz, dan H2S hanya terdapat dalam jumlah sedikit sekali. Pada waktu bumi masih berumur setengah biliun tahun, temperatur bumi diperkirakan lebih dari 100'C (Brock dan Madigan, 199 I), sehingga air cair mungkin tidak terdapat di bumi pada waktu itu sampai suhu bumi menjadi lebih dingin (Woese, 1979). Oleh karena itu organisme termofil atau setidaknya termotoleran sangat mungkin merupakan penghuni-penghuni bumi yang pertama (Woese, 1987). Radiasi ultraviolet dari matahari, halilintar, radioakti f, dan energi termai dari aktivitas gunung berapi merupkan energi yang mendorong terbentuknya senyawa-senyawa organik dari lingkungan bumi yang tereduksi. Berbagai macam molekul biokimia yang penting seperti gula, asam amino, purin, pirimidin, berbagai nukleotida, dan asam lemak dapat terbentuk; demikian juga polimer dari beberapa molekul-molekul tersebut (Corliss et al., 1981). Oleh karena itu, bumi yang primitif menjadi tempat penumpukan bahan organik (semacam kaldu nutrien) yang menjadi dasar untuk memulai evolusi biologi.
Activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB in human inflamed synovial tissue.

OBJECTIVE The transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) has been implicated in the inflammatory response and is known to be activated by a process involving reactive oxygen intermediates. The purpose of the present study was to demonstrate the presence and distribution of activated NF-kappaB in synovium samples from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) and from autopsy subjects with no known history of arthritis. METHODS Immunohistochemical staining was performed using both polyclonal and monoclonal "activity-specific" antibodies to the Rel-A (p65) subunit of NF-kappaB (anti-Rel-A nuclear location sequences). Histologic features of inflammation were also scored. RESULTS Both antibodies demonstrated positive staining of synovial tissue, with a cellular distribution that was nuclear. The staining was associated with specific cell types within the tissue, in particular, type A synoviocytes and vascular endothelium. Notably, lymphoid aggregates were unstained. Using the monoclonal antibody, a further study was carried out to investigate the distribution of staining in tissues from patients with different disease activities and clinical diagnoses, as well as in normal control tissue obtained at autopsy. Patients with acute RA more commonly showed vessel staining (P = 0.05) and, conversely, showed less frequent staining of the synovial lining (P < 0.005) compared with OA patients. Synovial tissue from controls exhibited either no staining or only weak staining in the synovial lining. CONCLUSION The activation of NF-kappaB in vascular endothelium and type A synovial lining cells is a feature of synovial tissue from both RA and OA patients. The distribution of this staining appears to be related to the clinical diagnosis.