Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential sexual dimorphism: size and shape in the cranium and pelvis of grey foxes (Urocyon)

Patterns of sexual size dimorphism (SSD) and cranial dimorphism are well documented. However, limited examinations exist of the contrasts in the patterns and nature of dimorphism across body regions (e.g. cranium, pelvis), particularly when these regions have different sex-specific functions (e.g. display in mating, locomotion, and reproduction). Using landmark-based morphometric techniques, we investigated size and shape dimorphism variation in the crania and pelves of two closely-related fox species within the genus Urocyon. Although we found no significant size and shape dimorphism in the crania of either species, we did find significant dimorphism in the pelvis: its size was dimorphic in Urocyon littoralis (but not in Urocyon cinereoargenteus) and its shape was dimorphic in both species (though more pronounced in U. littoralis). The observation of greater dimorphism in the pelvis than in the cranium suggests that factors such as offspring size and locomotor mode play a greater role in sexual dimorphism than simple ‘whole body’ allometric affects associated with dimorphism in body size. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 96, 339‐353. ADDITIONAL KEYWORDS: allometry ‐ Canidae ‐ Carnivora ‐ function ‐ geometric morphometrics ‐ shape dimorphism index.
Exogenous luminal nitric oxide exacerbates esophagus tissue damage in a reflux esophagitis model of rats

Objective. Cytotoxic concentrations of nitric oxide are generated luminally at the gastroesophageal junction through the entero-salivary recirculation of dietary nitrate in humans. The site of luminal nitric oxide generation shifts to the lower esophagus when gastric acid is refluxed into the esophagus. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of persistent administration of exogenous nitric oxide on esophageal damage. Material and methods. 0.1% sodium nitrite and/or 1% ascorbic acid was administered in an established rat acid-refluxed esophagitis model. Co-administration of both reactants in this model is thought to induce high concentrations of nitric oxide luminally in the esophagus by an acid-catalyzed chemical reaction when refluxed gastric acid is present. The tissue damage was evaluated by a macroscopic lesion index and myeloperoxidase activity. Nitrotyrosin was assessed immunohistochemically as a footprint of peroxynitrite formation. Results. Co-administration of sodium nitrite and ascorbic acid induced a 4- to 5-fold increase in the esophageal damage compared with baseline reflux esophagitis, while the damage was unchanged when either of the reagents alone was given. Nitrotyrosine was strongly stained in the tissue from the co-administration. Treatment of superoxide scavengers efficiently prevented the exacerbation of esophageal damage by exogenous nitric oxide exposure, suggesting an essential role of superoxide in esophageal damage. Conclusions. Exogenous luminal nitric oxide greatly exacerbated the tissue damage of reflux esophagitis. Diffusion of the luminal nitric oxide into the adjacent superoxide-enriched inflamed tissue of the esophagus could lead to the production of the highly toxic agent peroxynitrite, thus causing exacerbation of the esophageal damage.
Twisted tale of the tiger: the case of inappropriate data and deficient science

Publications in peer-reviewed journals are often looked upon as tenets on which future scientific thought is built. Published information is not always flawless and errors in published research should be expediently reported, preferably by a peer-review process. We review a recent publication by Gopalaswamy et al. (10.1111/2041-210X.12351) that challenges the use of “double sampling” in large-scale animal surveys. Double sampling is often resorted to as an established economical and practical approach for large-scale surveys since it calibrates abundance indices against absolute abundance, thereby potentially addressing the statistical shortfalls of indices. Empirical data used by Gopalaswamy et al. (10.1111/2041-210X.12351) to test their theoretical model, relate to tiger sign and tiger abundance referred to as an Index-Calibration experiment (IC-Karanth). These data on tiger abundance and signs should be paired in time and space to qualify as a calibration experiment for double sampling, but original data of IC-Karanth show lags of (up to) several years. Further, data points used in the paper do not match the original sources. We show that by use of inappropriate and incorrect data collected through a faulty experimental design, poor parameterization of their theoretical model, and selectively picked estimates from literature on detection probability, the inferences of this paper are highly questionable. We highlight how the results of Gopalaswamy et al. were further distorted in popular media. If left unaddressed, the paper of Gopalaswamy et al. could have serious implications on statistical design of large-scale animal surveys by propagating unreliable inferences.
Carbohydrate‐induced hypertriglyceridemia: modifying factors and implications for cardiovascular risk

&NA; High‐carbohydrate/low‐fat, isocaloric diets have repeatedly been shown to increase plasma triglyceride concentrations. The present review addresses recent developments relevant to several important unresolved issues. These include the type of dietary carbohydrate that is most likely to induce hypertriglyceridemia, predictors of individual susceptibility, modifiable physiologic factors that may mitigate the plasma triglyceride response, underlying metabolic mechanisms that are responsible for increased plasma triglycerides, and implications of altered serum lipid profiles for atherogenic risk. Although some progress has been made in this field, the central public health issue ‐ the net effect on cardiovascular risk ‐ remains unresolved.
Intravenous thrombolysis in young stroke patients

Objective: To assess safety and efficacy of thrombolysis in 18- to 50-year-old patients compared to those aged 51 to 80 years recorded in the Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke–International Stroke Thrombolysis Register (SITS-ISTR). Methods: A total of 27,671 patients aged 18–80 years treated with IV alteplase within 4.5 hours of symptom onset were enrolled in SITS-ISTR between 2002 and 2010. Main outcome measures were symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH; deterioration of ≥4 points on the NIH Stroke Scale [NIHSS] within 24 hours and type 2 parenchymal hematoma), mortality, and functional independence (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0–2) at 3 months. Results: In the 3,246 (11.7%) patients aged 18–50, SICH occurred in 0.6% vs 1.9% in those aged 51–80 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.31–0.90, p = 0.02). Three-month mortality was 4.9% and 14.4%, respectively (aOR 0.49; 95% CI 0.40–0.60, p < 0.001) and functional independence was 72.1% vs 54.5%, respectively (aOR 1.61; 95% CI 1.43–1.80, p < 0.0001). In multivariable analysis in young patients, baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) was the only independent factor associated with SICH (p = 0.04). Baseline NIHSS, baseline glucose, and signs of infarction in baseline imaging scan were associated with higher mortality and poorer functional outcome. Male gender, mRS before stroke, and atrial fibrillation (AF) were associated with higher mortality, and age, SBP, and previous stroke were associated with mRS. Conclusions: Treatment with IV alteplase is safe in young ischemic stroke patients and they benefit more compared to older patients. We found several factors associated with SICH, mortality, and functional outcome. These can be used to help in the selection of young ischemic stroke patients for thrombolysis. Classification of evidence: This study provides Class III evidence that younger patients (18–50 years) with ischemic stroke symptoms treated with IV alteplase have lower morbidity and mortality compared to older patients (51–80 years).
Preliminary study of frontal lobe 1H MR spectroscopy in childhood‐onset schizophrenia

Cerebral 1H MR spectra were recorded in 13 children and adolescents with schizophrenia and 12 healthy children and adolescents. Stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM) sequence was used to localize an 8‐ml voxel bilaterally in the frontal gray matter. The frontal gray matter metabolite ratios for NAA/Cr, Ch/Cr, Gix/Cr, and mI/Cr in schizophrenic children and adolescents were 1.08 ± . 28, . 64 ± . 23, 1.09 ± . 30, and . 60 ± . 24, respectively. In comparison, these ratios were 1.59 ± . 35, . 74 ± . 27, 1.23 ± . 36, and . 58 ± . 29 in healthy children and adolescents. Decrease in the frontal lobe NAA/Cr of schizophrenic children and adolescents was statistically significant (P < .001). In contrast, the MR spectra localized bilaterally in the occipital gray matter (8 ml) showed no significant changes between the patients and the controls. In the occipital gray matter, the metabolite ratios were 1.21 ± . 26, . 52 ± . 08, 1.00 ± . 11, and . 55 ± . 12 in patients versus 1.30 ± . 23, . 45 ± . 10, 1.15 ± . 20, and . 48 ± . 19 in controls. Our preliminary finding of reduced NAA/Cr ratio in the frontal gray matter is consistent with the neurodevelopmental models emphasizing dysfunction of frontal lobe areas in patients with schizophrenia.
The relationship between severity of dementia and subjective well-being

Abstract The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between cognitive deficits and self-reported subjective well- being (depression, life satisfaction, and perceived social support). Sixty-three participants who suffered from mild to moderate dementia were interviewed with standardized measurements of subjective well-being. Reliability and validity of the instruments were satisfactory. Zero-order correlations showed significant correlations between depression, life satisfaction, and perceived social support. Cognitive functioning correlated negatively with perceived social support. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that the interaction of physical diseases and cognitive functioning produced a significant change in depressive symptoms and life satisfaction. Participants with mild dementia reported more depressive symptoms and less life satisfaction than persons with more severe dementia, if there were few constraints on physical health.
Comparative effect of human and Trypanosoma cruzi calreticulin in wound healing

In orthopaedics, the use of factors that enhance granulation tissue formation and prevent or delay new bone regeneration is sometimes desirable. Calreticulin (CRT), a unique endoplasmic reticulum luminal Ca2+‐binding chaperone widely distributed in eukaryotic cells, is involved in many cellular functions. Among them, CRT has an important influence in cutaneous wound healing and diverse processes associated with cutaneous repair, inhibition of angiogenesis, promotion of cell adhesion and antitumour effect. One of the molecules involved in several aspects of the host–parasite interplay is Trypanosoma cruzi calreticulin (TcCRT), which is highly homologous to human calreticulin (HuCRT). Here, recombinant (r)HuCRT and rTcCRT are compared on their abilities to affect fibroblast behaviour in a scratch plate assay, and wound healing in in vivo skin rat models. In molar terms, rTcCRT is three orders of magnitude more efficient than rHuCRT in increasing proliferation and migration of human fibroblasts in vitro. A similar effect was observed in vivo on rat skin wounds and inhibition of bone gap bridging in rabbit unicortical bone osteotomies. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Leaders’ Mental Health at Work: Empirical, Methodological, and Policy Directions

While employees’ mental health is the focus of considerable attention from researchers, the public, and policymakers, leaders’ mental health has almost escaped attention. We start by considering several reasons for this, followed by discussions of the effects of leaders’ mental health on their own leadership behaviors, the emotional toll of high-quality leadership, and interventions to enhance leaders’ mental health. We offer 8 possible directions for future research on leaders’ mental health. Finally, we discuss methodological obstacles encountered when investigating leaders’ mental health, and policy dilemmas raised by leaders’ mental health.
Suppression of antipsychotic-induced tardive dyskinesia with aripiprazole in an elderly patient with bipolar I disorder

Introduction Aripiprazole has a low risk for causing extrapyramidal syndrome and can remit neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia (TD). Here, we presented a case in which TD was suppressed, but not cured, by long-term aripiprazole treatment. Case This 74-year-old male patient had bipolar I disorder and had developed TD many times after several antipsychotic treatments. The lowest chlorpromazine dose equivalent among the previous antipsychotic treatments was 25 mg/day of quetiapine. His TD always improved immediately after the dosage was shifted to aripiprazole. However, his insomnia or other psychiatric symptoms worsened the first three times when the treatment was shifted to aripiprazole, making the transition a failure. Before the fourth attempt of aripiprazole transition, the patient was in a euthymic state but again developed TD under olanzapine 10 mg/day treatment. During the fourth attempt of aripiprazole transition, his TD had remained in complete remission for more than 1 year after the dosage shifted to 10 mg/day of aripiprazole. He developed TD again when we tapered the aripiprazole dose to 5 mg/day, but his TD remitted when we restored his aripiprazole dose to 10 mg/day. Conclusion Aripiprazole could be an effective drug in elderly bipolar patients with antipsychotic-induced TD while the patients are in a euthymic state. However, aripiprazole may only suppress TD rather than cure it.
Effects of Three Different Stretching Techniques on Vertical Jumping Performance

Abstract Kirmizigil, B, Ozcaldiran, B, and Colakoglu, M. Effects of three different stretching techniques on vertical jumping performance. J Strength Cond Res 28(5): 1263–1271, 2014—The aim of this study was to evaluate 3 different flexibility techniques: (a) ballistic stretching (BS), (b) proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching (PNF) + BS, and (c) PNF + static stretching (SS) on vertical jump (VJ) performance and to determine the most appropriate stretching method during warm-up period before explosive force disciplines. One hundred voluntary male athletes participated in this study. All subjects performed aerobic warm-up (5-minute jog) followed by BS (5 seconds for each stretching exercise), PNF + BS (PNF performed followed by 5 seconds of BS), and PNF + SS (PNF performed followed by 30 seconds of SS) treatment protocol, respectively in the same day. Each stretching treatment was applied for 4 sets bilaterally. In all stretching treatments, lumbar extensor, gluteus maximus, and hamstring muscles were stretched with a single stretching exercise. After a 2-minute brief rest period, participants performed 3 trials of VJ test followed by one of the treatment protocols. Vertical jump performance was evaluated by countermovement jump (CMJ). Participants were divided into 3 groups according to their flexibility and prejump performances after warm-up. For each individual group and the whole group, after all treatments, differences in CMJ values were obtained (p ⩽ 0.05). Ballistic stretching increased the VJ performance in the groups with low and average flexibility, poor prejumping performance, and also in the whole group (p ⩽ 0.05). Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching + BS affected VJ performance in the group of participants with high flexibility (p ⩽ 0.05). Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation + SS decreased VJ performance in groups of participants with high flexibility, moderate, and high prejumping performance and in whole group (p ⩽ 0.05). Ballistic stretching method increased VJ height, therefore seems to be more suitable than PNF + SS and PNF + BS before events that rely on explosive power as a part of warm-up period.
Clinical variables associated with PSA response to abiraterone acetate in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND Abiraterone acetate (abiraterone) prolongs overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). This study's objective was to retrospectively identify factors associated with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response to abiraterone and validate them in an independent cohort. We hypothesized that the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), thought to be an indirect manifestation of tumor-promoting inflammation, may be associated with response to abiraterone. PATIENTS AND METHODS All patients receiving abiraterone at the Princess Margaret (PM) Cancer Centre up to March 2013 were reviewed. The primary end point was confirmed PSA response defined as PSA decline ≥50% below baseline maintained for ≥3 weeks. Potential factors associated with PSA response were analyzed using univariate and multivariable analyses to generate a score, which was then evaluated in an independent cohort from Royal Marsden (RM) NHS foundation. RESULTS A confirmed PSA response was observed in 44 out of 108 assessable patients (41%, 95% confidence interval 31%-50%). In univariate analysis, lower pre-abiraterone baseline levels of lactate dehydrogenase, an NLR ≤ 5 and restricted metastatic spread to either bone or lymph nodes were each associated with PSA response. In multivariable analysis, only low NLR and restricted metastatic spread remained statistically significant. A score derived as the sum of these two categorical variables was associated with response to abiraterone (P = 0.007). Logistic regression analysis on an independent validation cohort of 245 patients verified that this score was associated with response to abiraterone (P = 0.003). It was also associated with OS in an exploratory analysis. CONCLUSIONS A composite score of baseline NLR and extent of metastatic spread is associated with PSA response to abiraterone and OS. Our data may help understand the role of systemic inflammation in mCRPC and warrant further research.
Predictors of functional outcomes after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy.

OBJECTIVE To confirm previous studies that have identified knee osteoarthritis as the principal correlate of poor outcomes after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM), we considered a range of other preoperative characteristics using multivariable analyses to control for confounding variables. METHODS One hundred five patients who had APM were studied. Selected demographic and clinical features were obtained from charts and operative notes. Preoperative and current functional status were determined by patient interviews. The principal outcomes were functional status at the time of followup, measured by the Physical Activity Scale of the SF-36 Health Status Inventory, and the Lysholm Knee Rating Scale. RESULTS SF-36 scores improved from a mean of 53.7 to a mean of 18.2. The percentage of patients with satisfactory (> or = 77) Lysholm scores increased from 5% preoperatively to 73%. In multivariable analyses, Worker's Compensation (p = 0.003), worse baseline physical functional status (p = 0.007), and Grade III-IV cartilage damage (p = 0.05) were associated with worse post-operative function. CONCLUSION The outcome of APM is generally favorable. The extent of cartilage damage was confirmed as a correlate of poor outcome. However, Worker's Compensation and preoperative physical functional status had the greatest prognostic value and should be ascertained routinely in orthopedic outcome studies.
Tetrandrine, a plant alkaloid, inhibits the production of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (cachectin) hy human monocytes

Human mononuclcar leucocytes (MNL) or the adherent fraction (monocytes) produced tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) (by EL1SA) in culture when stimulated with killed Staphylococcus aureus. The bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, tetrandrine inhibited the capacity of MNL and monocytes to produce TNF‐α at a concentration range of 0·1 to 5 μg/ml. Tetrandrine may be potentially useful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases in which TNF‐α plays a major role.
International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. CII: Pharmacological Modulation of H2S Levels: H2S Donors and H2S Biosynthesis Inhibitors

Over the last decade, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has emerged as an important endogenous gasotransmitter in mammalian cells and tissues. Similar to the previously characterized gasotransmitters nitric oxide and carbon monoxide, H2S is produced by various enzymatic reactions and regulates a host of physiologic and pathophysiological processes in various cells and tissues. H2S levels are decreased in a number of conditions (e.g., diabetes mellitus, ischemia, and aging) and are increased in other states (e.g., inflammation, critical illness, and cancer). Over the last decades, multiple approaches have been identified for the therapeutic exploitation of H2S, either based on H2S donation or inhibition of H2S biosynthesis. H2S donation can be achieved through the inhalation of H2S gas and/or the parenteral or enteral administration of so-called fast-releasing H2S donors (salts of H2S such as NaHS and Na2S) or slow-releasing H2S donors (GYY4137 being the prototypical compound used in hundreds of studies in vitro and in vivo). Recent work also identifies various donors with regulated H2S release profiles, including oxidant-triggered donors, pH-dependent donors, esterase-activated donors, and organelle-targeted (e.g., mitochondrial) compounds. There are also approaches where existing, clinically approved drugs of various classes (e.g., nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories) are coupled with H2S-donating groups (the most advanced compound in clinical trials is ATB-346, an H2S-donating derivative of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compound naproxen). For pharmacological inhibition of H2S synthesis, there are now several small molecule compounds targeting each of the three H2S-producing enzymes cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS), cystathionine-γ-lyase, and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase. Although many of these compounds have their limitations (potency, selectivity), these molecules, especially in combination with genetic approaches, can be instrumental for the delineation of the biologic processes involving endogenous H2S production. Moreover, some of these compounds (e.g., cell-permeable prodrugs of the CBS inhibitor aminooxyacetate, or benserazide, a potentially repurposable CBS inhibitor) may serve as starting points for future clinical translation. The present article overviews the currently known H2S donors and H2S biosynthesis inhibitors, delineates their mode of action, and offers examples for their biologic effects and potential therapeutic utility.