Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The battle to keep or lose skeletal muscle with ageing

Ageing is associated with both a loss in muscle mass and a loss in skeletal muscle metabolic quality. These changes lead to sarcopenia and subsequent reduced daily function, and increase the risk for fall and fractures. Also, the metabolic deficits result in an increased risk for insulin resistance, obesity and type 2 diabetes. A major part – but not all – of these age-associated changes are related to a decreased level of physical activity, and thus this age-associated loss can be partly counteracted by increased physical activity. Resistance training in particular has been documented to have beneficial effects upon muscle mass and strength also in very old untrained people (Fiatarone et al. 1990; Welle et al. 1993; Sheffield-Moore et al. 2005). How much and how intense should elderly people perform strength training in order to counteract their age-associated loss in skeletal muscle mass remains a challenge, and only few studies have addressed this issue. In this issue of The Journal of Physiology, the Rennie group (Kumar et al. 2009) document that older compared to young individuals demonstrate a blunted rise in myofibrillar protein synthesis after exercise, and that this was associated with a lower response in the phosphorylation of two of the post-translational modification factors, p70 ribosomal S6 kinase (p70s6K) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (4EBP1). The correlation between protein synthesis and regulatory factors adds to our present knowledge, but clearly still represents associations, and the statement that p70s6K predicts rate of myofibrillar synthesis rate in young but not in old is somewhat optimistic. It does, however, support the view that elderly demonstrate a certain ‘anabolic resistance’, a finding that earlier has been supported by the same research group in relation to nutritional intake, where elderly demonstrated less stimulation of myofibrillar protein synthesis than younger counterparts when challenged with increasing circulating levels of amino acids (Cuthbertson et al. 2005).
Two Novel Salmonella Genomic Island 1 Variants in Proteus mirabilis Isolates from Swine Farms in China

ABSTRACT Four different Salmonella genomic island 1 (SGI1) variants, including two novel variants, were characterized in one Salmonella enterica serovar Rissen sequence type ST1917 isolate and three Proteus mirabilis isolates from swine farms in China. One novel variant was derived from SGI1-B with the backbone gene S021 disrupted by a 12.72-kb IS26 composite transposon containing the dfrA17-aadA5 cassettes and macrolide inactivation gene cluster mphA-mrx-mphR. The other one was an integron-free SGI1 and contained a 183-bp truncated S025 next to IS6100 and S044.
Clinical, Angiographic, and Interventional Follow-Up of Patients With Aortic-Saphenous Vein Graft Connectors

Background—The use of aortic connectors for proximal saphenous vein bypass graft anastomoses eliminates the need for aortic clamping during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and may reduce the incidence of stroke in the elderly and in patients with severe aortic atherosclerosis. Methods and Results—We studied 74 consecutive patients who received the Symmetry Bypass System aortic connector at the time of CABG. A total of 131 of 144 proximal vein graft anastomoses were performed with this device. The left internal mammary artery was used in 62 patients, and 61 patients had “off-pump” coronary revascularization. A total of 11 patients were readmitted with chest pain consistent with unstable angina 173±39 days after CABG. Five of the 11 patients had previous in-stent restenosis before CABG. At angiography, 20 saphenous vein bypass grafts containing 19 connectors were found to have severe stenosis (n=12) or occlusion (n=6) and were treated with angioplasty and stenting or medical therapy. Seven of 11 patients were readmitted 76±11 days later with recurrent chest pain and were found to have severe stenosis at the previously stented connector site. Six patients underwent angioplasty followed by brachytherapy. Three of these patients redeveloped chest pain and were readmitted 151±71 days later. Two patients were started on oral Rapamune, and one patient underwent redo-CABG. Conclusion—Eleven of 74 patients who received aortic connectors at the time of CABG developed symptomatically significant stenosis or occlusion at the connector site shortly after CABG, requiring multiple repeat interventions, including brachytherapy.
Aspects of lipid membrane bio-responses to subnanosecond, ultrahigh voltage pulsing

Membrane electroporation is probably one of the best-known effects of applying external voltages to biological cells. Reports in the literature have focused on relatively long voltage pulse durations (100 ns-1 ms). Here we probe the very short (< 1 ns), but intense electric field (> 500 kV/cm) regime that is made possible by advances in pulsed power technology. Our analyses based on continuum Smoluchowski and molecular dynamics (MD) approaches, predict two new aspects. First, it is shown that pore formation rates would be dramatically lower than predicted by conventional theory due to their dependence on local pore area. Second, such high fields are predicted to affect membrane proteins and ion-channels, without causing electroporation in regions between the proteins. Hence, such high voltage, short duration pulsing should not be associated with electroporation alone, but rather be viewed as a novel vehicle that opens possibilities for a range of new electrically-driven bio-response phenomena.
The ecological context of soundscapes for children's blood pressure.

Although the majority of studies on community noise levels and children's physiological stress responses are positive, effect sizes vary considerably, and some studies do not confirm these effects. Employing a contextual perspective congruent with soundscapes, a carefully constructed sample of children (N = 115, M = 10.1 yr) living in households in relatively high (>60 dBA) or low (<50 dBA) noise areas created by proximity to major traffic arterials in Austria was reanalyzed. Several personal and environmental factors known to affect resting cardiovascular parameters measured under well-controlled, clinical conditions were incorporated into the analyses. Children with premature births and elevated chronic stress (i.e., overnight cortisol) were more susceptible to adverse blood pressure responses to road traffic noise. Residence in a multi-dwelling unit as well as standardized assessments of perceived quietness of the area did not modify the traffic noise impacts but each had its own, independent effect on resting blood pressure. A primary air pollutant associated with traffic volume (NO2) had no influence on any of these results. The scope of environmental noise assessment and management would benefit from incorporation of a more contextualized approach as suggested by the soundscape perspective.
Using Electronic Medical Records to Teach Patient-Centered Care

Objective. To develop, implement, and evaluate the use of electronic medical records (EMRs) in disease state management activities to teach pharmacy students patient-centered care skills. Design. Faculty created 12 patient cases and an EMR for each simulated patient. Students used the information in the EMR to confirm the presence of a disease in their patient; to design and monitor an evidence-based patient-centered care plan, and document their assessment, medication, and monitoring recommendations; and to follow up in a SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment, plan) note format within the EMR. Assessment. A precourse and postcourse survey instrument was administered to assess students' perceived gains in knowledge and attitudes regarding the use of EMRs for learning patient-centered care skills. A grading rubric was used to evaluate each SOAP note. Conclusion. Implementation of disease state management activities involving EMRs improved pharmacy students' patient care skills.
Resisting Attrition Attacks on a Peer-to-Peer System

Peer-to-peer systems are vulnerable to attrition attacks that include both traditional, network-level denial of service attacks as well as application-level attacks in which malign peers conspire to waste loyal peers’ resources. We describe a set of defenses for the LOCKSS digital preservation system that help ensure that applicationlevel attacks even from powerful adversaries are less effective than network-level attacks, and that network-level attacks must be intense, wide-spread, and prolonged to impair the system.
Glu298Asp and NOS4ab polymorphisms in diabetic nephropathy

Background and aims. The risk of diabetic nephropathy (DN) increases with increase in intraglomerular pressure, which may partly be regulated by nitric oxide (NO). NO‐production can be affected by polymorphisms in the endothelial NO‐synthase gene (NOS3), hyperglycaemia and smoking. We therefore studied association between DN and two polymorphisms in NOS3, Glu298Asp and NOS4ab, in Caucasian type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients. Patients and methods. A total of 1510 Finnish and Swedish T1D patients were included in a cross‐sectional case‐control study. Incipient DN was defined as an albumin excretion rate (AER) of 20–200 µg/min (n = 336). Overt DN = AER>200 µg/min or renal replacement therapy (n = 619). All patients with DN were considered as cases. The controls were T1D patients with diabetes duration ⩾20 years, AER<20 µg/min and without antihypertensive treatment (n = 555). The genetic markers studied were a 27 bp repeat (NOS4ab) and Glu298Asp (rs1799983). Results. Age at onset of diabetes, male sex, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, blood pressure and smoking were assessed as possible confounders in the logistic regression analysis, which showed that homozygosity for the Glu‐allele of the Glu298Asp‐polymorphism was independently associated with increased risk of DN (OR = 1.46; 95% CI = 1.12–1.91). The variables smoking (OR = 2.13; 95% CI = 1.63–2.78), male sex (OR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.23–2.10), HbA1c (OR per % increase above upper limit of the normal reference range = 1.02; 95% CI = 1.02–1.03), systolic (OR = 1.05; 95% CI = 1.04–1.06) and diastolic blood pressure (OR = 1.04; 95% CI = 1.02–1.05) also significantly and independently increased the risk of DN when taking age at diabetes onset and diabetes duration into account. The NOS4 a‐allele was not associated with DN. Conclusions. The Glu/Glu‐genotype of the NOS3 Glu298Asp polymorphism may increase the risk of developing DN independently of other known risk factors.
GOUT AND FIBROSITIS IN COLD WEATHER

THE MOST COMMON FEE GOUT AND FIBROSITIS IN COI.D WEATHER I Smith, D. R. , Beauchamp, R. 0. , Garber, . J. L. , and Dougherty, :\1. A. , unpublished material. perhaps interesting to note, however, that many of these countries are currently negotiating for the rights to operate Excerpta Medica centres, sometimes in conjunction with other information centres as well-an indication that despite the necessarily higher costs, it has been found that the more comprehensive information services are essential.
Governance and Culture: 'A Class' and 'B Class' Shares in the People's Republic of China

With the Chinese economy expected to replace the USA as the world’s largest economy by 2050, the drivers of corporate governance in that economy need examination and understanding. This paper examines the interaction between corporate governance and earnings as they affect market performance. The research focuses on Chinese capital markets because of their unique characteristics with respect to elements of corporate governance. Specifically, Chinese companies may issue A-shares to Chinese citizens or B-shares to foreign investors or Chinese citizens with foreign currency. Companies with B-shares produce reports based on International Accounting Standards, have an independent board structure, and use international recognized auditors. Companies with A-shares only use Chinese Accounting Standards, do not have independent boards of directors and use Chinese auditors operating under Chinese audit standards.The differences in governances characteristic between A-share companies and companies with AB-shares provides a useful site to test the relevance of international governance standards in a re-emerging market. Specifically, a matched pair design using Event Study Methodology provides a comparison between the market responses to an earnings announcement where differences in governance practices exist.The results indicate that the Chinese stock markets were segmented before the relaxation of restrictions on purchase of B-shares by domestic investors in 2001 and they remained segmented after the regulation change in 2001. Accordingly, the analysis of governance impacts was assessed in these two segments. The results suggest that corporate governance does not affect market’s reactions to earnings. Investors do not react differently to earnings announcements due to different accounting standards, board structure and audit quality. Contrary to expectation, the earnings response of AB-shares’ is not significantly different from that of A-shares’ earnings response. These findings imply that Chinese listed companies based on Western governance perform no better than Chinese listed companies based on Chinese governance, in terms of the market’s reactions to earnings announcement.
An economic analogy to thermodynamics

We develop analogies between economic systems and thermodynamics, and show how economic quantities can characterize the state of an economic system in equilibrium. We argue that just as a physical system in thermodynamic equilibrium requires a nonmechanical variable (the temperature T) to specify its state, so does an economic system. In addition, both systems must have a corresponding conjugate quantity, the entropy S. We also develop economic analogies to the free energy, Maxwell relations, and the Gibbs–Duhem relationship. Assuming that economic utility can be measured, we develop an operational definition of an economic temperature scale. We also develop an analogy to statistical mechanics, which leads to Gaussian fluctuations.
Results of Contact Resistance Distribution in NbTi and Nb$_{3}$Sn ITER Conductor Termination

The contact resistance distribution among the current-carrying elements of three ITER conductor terminations is measured in the JORDI (joint resistance distribution) test facility at CRPP. One sample is based on Nb3Sn strands, the other two are NbTi cable-in-conduit with different cable pattern and termination layout. The current from a 10 kA power supply is split by precision, low temperature shunt resistors into up to 96 parallel channels, each connected to the first or second cable stage of the conductor sample. The voltage drop is sensed between each current carrying element and the equi-potential surface of the joint connecting the conductor termination to the facility current leads. The current distribution in normal operation of a superconducting coil (imposed voltage) is straightforward deduced from the resistance distribution measured in JORDI under imposed current balance. For the same termination layout, the resistance distribution of the Nb3Sn sample is much flatter than in the NbTi samples.
Occupational and nonoccupational physical activity and the social determinants of physical activity: results from the Health Survey for England.

BACKGROUND This article aims to examine the relative contribution of occupational activity to English adults' meeting of government recommendations for physical activity (PA). METHODS Data were extracted from a cross-sectional survey of householders in the UK via the Health Survey for England.1 In total, 14,018 adult participants were included in the analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the odds of achieving PA recommendations with and without including occupational activity and to examine the contribution of gender and social and demographic characteristics. RESULTS When occupational PA was included, 36% of men and 25% of women were active at the recommended level. Once occupational PA was removed, these proportions were 23% and 19%, respectively. These results were socially patterned, most notably by age and gender. CONCLUSIONS Occupational PA provides a substantial contribution to those meeting the government target for PA.
Capital Commitment and Profitability: An Empirical Investigation

Opportunities to precommit costs can either i ncrease the rents of incumbent firms (by deterring entry), or decrease them (thr ough commitment races and lapses into noncooperation). Authors seek to discrimin ate statistically between these predictions in the determinants of profits of bu sinesses in a cross-section of concentrated markets for producer nondurables. Ov erall, a business'sprofitability declines with its industry's scope for precomm itting production capacity (sunk costs). However, variables interacted with the scope for commitment do not point clearly toward one or the othermechanism. The refore, commitment opportunities seem likely to lead to deterrence and noncooper ative rivalry in proportions that differ idiosyncratically among markets. Copyright 1986 by Royal Economic Society.
Comorbidities of Diabetes and Hypertension: Mechanisms and Approach to Target Organ Protection

Up to 75% of adults with diabetes also have hypertension, and patients with hypertension alone often show evidence of insulin resistance. Thus, hypertension and diabetes are common, intertwined conditions that share a significant overlap in underlying risk factors (including ethnicity, familial, dyslipidemia, and lifestyle determinants) and complications. These complications include microvascular and macrovascular disorders. The macrovascular complications, which are well recognized in patients with longstanding diabetes or hypertension, include coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, congestive heart failure, and peripheral vascular disease. Although microvascular complications (retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy) are conventionally linked to hyperglycemia, studies have shown that hypertension constitutes an important risk factor, especially for nephropathy. The familial predisposition to diabetes and hypertension appears to be polygenic in origin, which militates against the feasibility of a “gene therapy” approach to the control or prevention of these conditions. On the other hand, the shared lifestyle factors in the etiology of hypertension and diabetes provide ample opportunity for nonpharmacologic intervention. Thus, the initial approach to the management of both diabetes and hypertension must emphasize weight control, physical activity, and dietary modification. Interestingly, lifestyle intervention is remarkably effective in the primary prevention of diabetes and hypertension. These principles also are pertinent to the prevention of downstream macrovascular complications of the two disorders. In addition to lifestyle modification, most patients will require specific medications to achieve national treatment goals for hypertension and diabetes. Management of hyperglycemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and the underlying hypercoagulable and proinflammatory states requires the use of multiple medications in combination. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011;13:244–251. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Strategic Management and the Role of Business Strategy in Responsible Purchasing and Supply

Corporate social responsibility in global supply chains has become an increasingly salient issue for many organisations. In a response to this, the aim of this research is to consider the influence of strategic management, and in particular the role of business strategy, in shaping socially and environmentally responsible purchasing and supply management activities. In examining this theme, this research draws heavily upon recent conceptualisations of the relationship between strategic management and corporate social responsibility, and empirically assesses this relationship with a focus on such practices within the supply chain. Using a novel data collection approach to capture firms’ actual social and environmental supply management activities, these data draw on interviews with 178 UK-based firms and observations of 340 separate buyer-supplier relationships. Primary data were supplemented with secondary data to capture both industry and firm characteristics. This methodology minimises social desirability bias and common source bias. The findings suggest that responsible purchasing and supply management is strongly driven by business strategy in the business to consumer market. In contrast, in the business to business market such initiatives are largely influenced by firms’ financial resources and economic obligations. In both the business to consumer and business to business sector, however, business strategy and financial resources are contingent on the industry environment. Hence, the industry environment plays a significant, albeit indirect, role in shaping socially and environmentally responsible purchasing and supply management activities. This research offers one of the first insights into how strategic management, and in particular how business strategy, influences firms’ investments in socially and environmentally responsible purchasing and supply management initiatives. Through conceptual and empirical investigations this research highlights this relationship and notes the importance of integrating business strategy with general supplier practices, with a focus on the implementation of corporate social responsibility in individual buyer-supplier relationships.
Characterization of human lysosomal neuraminidase defines the molecular basis of the metabolic storage disorder sialidosis.

Neuraminidases (sialidases) have an essential role in the removal of terminal sialic acid residues from sialoglycoconjugates and are distributed widely in nature. The human lysosomal enzyme occurs in complex with beta-galactosidase and protective protein/cathepsin A (PPCA), and is deficient in two genetic disorders: sialidosis, caused by a structural defect in the neuraminidase gene, and galactosialidosis, in which the loss of neuraminidase activity is secondary to a deficiency of PPCA. We identified a full-length cDNA clone in the dbEST data base, of which the predicted amino acid sequence has extensive homology to other mammalian and bacterial neuraminidases, including the F(Y)RIP domain and "Asp-boxes. " In situ hybridization localized the human neuraminidase gene to chromosome band 6p21, a region known to contain the HLA locus. Transient expression of the cDNA in deficient human fibroblasts showed that the enzyme is compartmentalized in lysosomes and restored neuraminidase activity in a PPCA-dependent manner. The authenticity of the cDNA was verified by the identification of three independent mutations in the open reading frame of the mRNA from clinically distinct sialidosis patients. Coexpression of the mutant cDNAs with PPCA failed to generate neuraminidase activity, confirming the inactivating effect of the mutations. These results establish the molecular basis of sialidosis in these patients, and clearly identify the cDNA-encoded protein as lysosomal neuraminidase.