Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence for change in current–flux coupling of GLT1 at high glutamate concentrations in rat primary forebrain neurons and GLT1a‐expressing COS‐7 cells

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system and is toxic to neurons even at low concentrations. GLT1, the rodent analog of human EAAT2, is primarily responsible for glutamate clearance in the cerebrum. GLT1 was thought to be expressed exclusively in astrocytes in the mature brain. Recently, however, GLT1a was demonstrated in excitatory axon terminals where synaptic glutamate concentration rises above 1 mm during excitatory transmission. GLT1 function in neurons with accurate control of both intracellular and extracellular solutions mimicking synaptic concentration gradients has never been studied. Here we characterized the kinetics of coupled glutamate transporter current in whole‐cell configuration and [3H]‐l‐glutamate uptake in cultured rat cerebral neurons across the entire range of synaptic glutamate concentrations. In both neurons and GLT1a‐transfected COS‐7 cells, the kinetics were similar and revealed two specific components: a high‐affinity component with glutamate kD value around 15 μm and a low‐affinity component with kD value around 0.2 mm. The specific low‐affinity component was discovered as a result of significant deviation of the transporter current from Michaelis–Menten kinetics in the 100–300 μm concentration range. Activation of the specific low‐affinity component led to a two‐fold decrease in the current/flux ratio, implying a change in the transport coupling. Our data indicate that GLT1 endogenously expressed in cultured rat forebrain neurons displays high and low glutamate affinity uptake components that are different in current–flux coupling ratios. This property is intrinsic to the protein because it was also observed in GLT1a‐transfected COS‐7 cells.
ISSLS Prize Winner: How Loading Rate Influences Disc Failure Mechanics: A Microstructural Assessment of Internal Disruption

Study Design. Mechanically induced disruption and subsequent microscopic investigation of lumbar intervertebral discs following a previously published testing protocol, but using a much higher rate of loading. Objective. To explore if loading rate affects the internal disruption mechanics of lumbar intervertebral discs. Summary of Background Data. The failure mechanics of some bone-ligament-bone constructs vary with the rate of tensile load application. Like many ligaments, recent reports indicate that the mechanical response of the disc wall varies with strain-rate. It is possible that the internal failure mechanics of the disc wall also varies with strain-rate. Methods. Nuclear pressurization was used to deliver sudden pressure impulses directly to the nucleus of ovine lumbar motion segments. Pressure impulses were delivered to 12 neutrally positioned motion segments, and 15 motion segments held at 7° flexion. Aside from loading rate, testing was conducted in the same manner as 2 previously published studies that employed a gradual nuclear pressurization regime. Following testing, the internal damage resulting to each disc was analyzed using micro-CT and serial microscopy in tandem. Results. Radial tears of the medioposterior disc wall were the most frequent cause of disc failure. In most cases, radial tears involved a combination of anular and endplate disruption: Neutrally positioned discs frequently suffered tears within the superior cartilaginous endplate adjacent to the transition zone and/or inner anulus. Flexed discs frequently suffered tears adjacent to the outer anulus at the cartilaginous/vertebral endplate junction, or within the vertebral endplate. Both groups frequently suffered endplate tears adjacent to the mid anulus at the inferior cartilaginous/vertebral endplate junction. Conclusion. The internal morphologies of the disc disruptions created in this study using high strain-rate impulse pressurization differed significantly from those documented previously for both neutrally positioned and flexed discs subjected to gradual low strain-rate pressurization. These morphologic differences show that the internal failure mechanics of lumbar intervertebral discs vary with the rate of internal radial load application.
Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) is a safe and effective single‐stage treatment for choledocholithiasis in the elective setting. The outcomes after LCBDE in the emergency setting are unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes following elective and emergency LCBDE for choledocholithiasis.
Minority Ethnic Groups and Occupational Therapy, Part 2: Transcultural Occupational Therapy, a Curriculum for Today's Therapist

This article is the second of two contributions looking at the under-representation of people from the United Kingdom's minority ethnic groups in the occupational therapy profession. These articles suggest three broad areas that should concern occupational therapy practitioners and educators; the recruitment of people from minority ethnic groups to the profession; the admission process to occupational therapy education and training courses; and the curriculum and ethos of those courses. Part 2 deals with the last concern, that of the curriculum, as part 1 addressed the Issues of recruitment and admission. The authors strongly advocate that these three Issues cannot be treated in isolation but must be dealt with simultaneously.
Does training with 3D videos improve decision-making in team invasion sports?

Abstract We examined the effectiveness of video-based decision training in national youth handball teams. Extending previous research, we tested in Study 1 whether a three-dimensional (3D) video training group would outperform a two-dimensional (2D) group. In Study 2, a 3D training group was compared to a control group and a group trained with a traditional tactic board. In both studies, training duration was 6 weeks. Performance was measured in a pre- to post-retention design. The tests consisted of a decision-making task measuring quality of decisions (first and best option) and decision time (time for first and best option). The results of Study 1 showed learning effects and revealed that the 3D video group made faster first-option choices than the 2D group, but differences in the quality of options were not pronounced. The results of Study 2 revealed learning effects for both training groups compared to the control group, and faster choices in the 3D group compared to both other groups. Together, the results show that 3D video training is the most useful tool for improving choices in handball, but only in reference to decision time and not decision quality. We discuss the usefulness of a 3D video tool for training of decision-making skills outside the laboratory or gym.
Changes of Clinical Findings of Acute Poststreptococcal Glomerulonephritis

목 적 : 최근 연쇄상 구균 감염 후 급성 사구체 신염(APSGN)의 빈도가 증가됨이 보고되고 있다. 본 연구는 최근 15년간 APSGN으로 진단된 환아의 임상양상의 변화를 알아보기 위해 시행되었다. 방 법 : 1992년 1월부터 2006년 12월까지 경북대병원 소아청소년과에서 APSGN으로 진단받은 63례를 대상으로 하여 진료 기록을 후향적으로 조사하였다. 2000년을 기준으로 1992-2000년에서 발병한 33례와 2001-2006년에 발생한 30례로 구분하여 임상 양상의 차이를 비교하였다. 그리고 나이, 성별, 단백뇨 정도, 육안적 혈뇨 유무, 항생제 사용 여부 등으로 구분하여 임상 양상을 서로 비교하였다. 결 과 : 대상 환자 63명 중 남자는 41명, 여자는 22명이었고 발병 당시 연령은 평균 7년 11개월이었다. 전체의 87%에서 인후염이 선행하였고 평균 12일 후 급성 사구체 신염으로 이행되었다. 육안적 혈뇨는 40례에서, 고혈압은 41례에서 있었다. 신염 발생 후 고혈압은 평균 7.8일, 육안적 혈뇨는 11.3일, 현미경적 혈뇨는 3.5개월 후 소실되었다. 2000년 전후 발병군을 비교하면 2000년 이후 발생군의 ASO치가 유의하게 높았다. (P=0.009) 다른 임상 양상은 유의한 차이가 없었다. 연령, 성별, 단백뇨 정도, 육안적 혈뇨 유무, 항생제 사용 여부 등은 신염 후의 고혈압과 혈뇨의 지속기간, 혈청 보체의 회복 기간과 유의한 상관관계가 없었다. 결 론 : 2000년 이후 발병된 APSGN은 ASO치의 차이를 제외하면 2000년 이전 발병군의 임상 양상과 유사하였다. 이러한 ASO 값의 차이와 APSGN의 빈도 증가 연관성을 규명하기 위한 더 큰 규모의 연구가 필요할 것으로 생각된다. 【Purpose : Several studies have reported the recent increase in the incidence of acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis(APSGN). The objective of this study is to see changes of clinical findings/manifwstation in children with APSGN. Methods : Medical records of 63 children who were diagnosed with APSGN in the deparment of Pediatrics, Kyungpook National University Hospital, between January 1992 and December 2006 were reviewed retrospectively. We analyzed various clinical characteristics such as age, sex, degrees of proteinuria, degrees of hematuria, and presence or absence of histories of systemic antibiotic use in children with APSGN, and compared the children with APSGN who were diagnosed between 1992 and 2000 to those who were diagnosed between 2001 and 2006. Results : Age of the patients ranged from 2-14 years(median 7.11 years) at the time of disease onset. Study patients consisted of 41 boys and 22 girls. APSGN followed infection of the throat in 87% of cases. Patient developed an acute nephritic syndrome 12 days after an antecedent streptococcal pharyngitis. Forty patients presented with gross hematuria. Fortyone patients had hypertension at the time of diagnosis. Hypertension disappeared within 7.8 $\pm$ 8.2 days, gross hematuria within 11.3 $\pm$ 17.2 days and microscopic hematuria within 3.5 $\pm$ 3.9 months from the disease onset. Patients in 2001-2006 had significantly higher increase of antistreptolysin O(ASO) titer. However, no significant differences in clinical characteristics were observed. Age, sex, severity of proteinuria, gross or microscopic hematuria, antibiotic therapy did not affect the clinical manifestations of glomerulonephritis. In other words, hypertension, duration of hematuria, recovery of serum C3 level are not different between the two time periods. Conclusion : Our data indicates that patients in 2001-2006 had significantly higher level of ASO titer. However, they did not show significant clinical differences. To evaluate the causes of the resurgence of APSGN, a national epidemic is needed. 】
Transference effect of vertical and horizontal plyometrics on sprint performance of high-level U-20 soccer players

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of adding vertical/horizontal plyometrics to the soccer training routine on jumping and sprinting performance in U-20 soccer players. The vertical jumping group (VJG) performed countermovement jumps (CMJ), while the horizontal jumping group (HJG) executed horizontal jumps (HJ). Training interventions comprised 11 sessions, with volume varying between 32 and 60 jumps per session. The analysis of covariance revealed that CMJ height and peak force improved only in the VJG, and that HJ distance and peak force improved in both groups. Velocity in 20 m (VEL 20 m) did not improve in either group; however, velocity in 10 m (VEL 10 m) presented a moderate positive effect size (ES = 0.66) in the HJG, while the ES was large (1.63) for improvement in the 10–20 m acceleration in the VJG, and it was largely negative (−1.09) in the HJG. The transference effect coefficients (calculated by the equation: TEC = result gain (ES) in untrained exercise/result gain (ES) in trained exercise) between CMJ and VEL 20 m and ACC 10–20 m were 1.31 and 2.75, respectively. The TEC between HJ and VEL 10 m, VEL 20 m and ACC 0–10 m were 0.44, 0.17 and 0.44, respectively. The results presented herein indicate that the plyometric training-axis is decisive in determining neuromechanical training responses in high-level soccer players.
Ai Chi: efeitos do relaxamento aquático no desempenho funcional e qualidade de vida em idosos

OBJETIVO: Este estudo avaliou os efeitos da tecnica de relaxamento aquatico Ai Chi em um grupo de idosos, em relacao ao equilibrio, qualidade de vida e funcionalidade. METODOS: Foram selecionados 20 idosos de ambos os sexos, com media de idade de 68,95 (± 7,42) anos, que foram submetidas a tecnica Ai Chi. Os idosos foram avaliados antes e depois do programa de exercicios, que teve duracao de 12 semanas, com sessoes de 45 minutos, duas vezes por semana, pelas seguintes escalas: Medida de Independencia Funcional (MIF), que avalia a funcionalidade; Escala de Berg, que avalia o equilibrio; e SF36, que mensura a qualidade de vida. Para o desenvolvimento da pesquisa, utilizamos uma piscina aquecida, numa temperatura de 33-34° C. RESULTADOS: Houve melhora significante no equilibrio pre e pos aplicacao da tecnica (p < 0,003), nao houve melhora significante em relacao as medidas de independencia funcional (p < 0,10) e a qualidade de vida (p < 0,38). CONCLUSAO: A tecnica de relaxamento aquatico Ai Chi proporcionou melhora do equilibrio, porem nao houve mudancas em relacao a qualidade de vida e a funcionalidade em idosos independentes.
A Comparative Study of Pyogenic and Tuberculous Spondylodiscitis

Study Design. We performed a retrospective review of 126 cases of infectious spondylodiscitis over a 4-year period. Objective. Differentiation between pyogenic spondylodiscitis (PS) and tuberculous spondylodiscitis (TS) is essential for deciding on the appropriate therapeutic regimen. The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of the 2 forms of spondylodiscitis. Summary of Background Data. There has been much effort to distinguish the radiologic findings in PS versus TS, but classification based on radiologic findings alone had limitations yet. Methods. We compared the predisposing factors or associated illnesses, clinical, radiologic, and laboratory features of microbiologically confirmed cases of PS and TS in 2 university hospitals. Results. Of 126 patients, 79 had PS and 47 TS. PS was more frequently associated with the followings: previous invasive spinal procedures (PS vs. TS: 32.9% vs. 8.5%), preceding bacteremia (13.9% vs. 0%), chronic renal failure (12.7% vs. 0%), liver cirrhosis (13.9% vs. 0%), fever (temperature >38°C) (48.1% vs. 17.0%), white blood cell counts over 10,000/mm3 (41.8% vs. 19.1%), fraction of neutrophils >75% (49.4% vs. 27.7%), C-reactive protein levels over 5 mg/dL (58.2% vs. 27.7%), erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels over 40 mm/h (84.4% vs. 66.0%), and ALP levels over 120 IU/L (45.6% vs. 17.0%). TS was frequently associated with active tuberculosis of other organs (0% vs. 31.9%), longer diagnostic delay (47.6 vs. 106.3 days), involvement of thoracic spines (21.5% vs. 38.3%), and involvement of ≥3 spinal levels (11.4% vs. 36.2%). Conclusion. Previous invasive spinal procedures, preceding bacteremia, fever, higher white blood cell counts, C-reactive protein, ALP, and higher fraction of neutrophils are suggestive of PS. Concurrent active tuberculosis, more indolent course and involvement of thoracic spines are suggestive of TS. When the causative organism is not identified despite all efforts at diagnosis, combination of the clinical, radiologic, and laboratory characteristics of the patient is helpful.
The semaphorin 4D‐plexin‐B signalLing complex regulates dendritic and axonal complexity in developing neurons via diverse pathways

Semaphorins and their receptors, plexins, have emerged as key regulators of various aspects of neuronal development. In contrast to the Plexin‐A family, the cellular functions of Plexin‐B family proteins in developing neurons are only poorly understood. An activation of Plexin‐B1 via its ligand, semaphorin 4D (Sema4D), produces an acute collapse of axonal growth cones in hippocampal and retinal neurons over the early stages of neurite outgrowth. However, the functional role of Sema4D‐Plexin‐B interactions over subsequent stages of neurite development, differentiation and maturation has not been characterized. Here we addressed this question using morphogenetic assays and time‐lapse imaging on developing rat hippocampal neurons as a model system. Interestingly, Sema4D treatment over several hours was observed to promote branching and complexity in hippocampal neurons via the activation of Plexin‐B1. The activation of receptor tyrosine kinases and the Rho kinase following Sema4D treatment was found to control dendritic and axonal morphogenesis by differentially regulating branching and extension. Phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase, but not extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2, was observed to be important for the stimulatory effects of Sema4D on dendritic branching. Furthermore, we observed that the mammalian target of rapamycin is activated downstream of Plexin‐B1 and contributes to Sema4D‐induced effects on dendritic branching. In contrast, glycogen synthase kinase‐3 beta, another effector of phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase signalling, was not involved. Thus, our results show that Sema4D‐Plexin‐B interactions modulate dendritic and axonal arborizations of developing neurons by co‐ordinated and concerted activation of diverse signalling pathways.
Validity of self-reported sedentary time differs between Australian rural men engaged in office and farming occupations

ABSTRACT Rural Australians have a higher likelihood of chronic disease than urban Australians, particularly male farmers. Chronic disease has been associated with occupational sedentary time. The aim was to validate the self-report of sedentary time in men in contrasting rural occupations. Farmers (n = 29) and office workers (n = 28), age 30–65 years, were recruited from the Riverland region of South Australia. Daily sedentary time and number of breaks in sedentary time were self-reported and measured objectively using body-worn inclinometers. Correlational analyses were conducted between self-reported and objectively measured variables, separately by occupation. There was a significant correlation between self-reported and objectively measured sedentary time in the whole sample (r = 0.44, P = 0.001). The correlation among office workers was significant (r = 0.57, P = 0.003) but not among farmers (r = 0.08, P = 0.68). There were no significant correlations between self-reported and measured number of breaks in sedentary time, for the whole sample (rho = −0.03, P = 0.83), office workers (rho = 0.17, P = 0.39) and farmers (rho = −0.22, P = 0.25). In conclusion, the validity of self-report of sedentary behaviours by farmers was poor. Further research is needed to develop better performing self-report instruments or more accessible objective measures of sedentary behaviour in this population.
Impact of lymph node ratio on survival in patients with pancreatic and periampullary cancer

According to some studies, the number of lymph nodes with metastases in relation to the total number of removed lymph nodes, the lymph node ratio (LNR), is one of the most powerful predictors of survival after resection in patients with pancreatic cancer. However, contradictory results have been reported, and small sample sizes of the cohorts and different definitions of a microscopic positive resection margin (R1) hamper the interpretation of data.
Poor Back Muscle Endurance Is Related to Pain Catastrophizing in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Study Design. An experimental and comparative study of chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients and healthy controls. Objective. To use a motivation-independent electromyography (EMG) based test of back muscle capacity to determine whether back muscle deconditioning is present in CLBP patients and whether it is related to pain-related psychological variables. Summary of Background Data. The verification of the deconditioning syndrome in CLBP patients might be biased by the use of performance-based measures to assess physical fitness, especially in patients having fear of injury. Also, the use of lumbar-specific measures of physical fitness, such as back muscle strength and endurance, might be more sensitive to physical deconditioning than more general assessments such as aerobic capacity. Methods. A time-limited submaximal fatigue test was performed by 27 nonspecific CLBP subjects (14 men) who had not had any surgery, and 31 healthy controls (17 men) while surface EMG signals were collected from back muscles. Motivation-independent EMG indices, which are sensitive to muscle fatigue or to activation patterns, were then computed and entered as input into previously developed regression equations to predict endurance (PTend) and strength (PStrength). Between-group comparisons were completed with patients divided in subgroups based on a median split of pain intensity, fear of movement, or pain catastrophizing scores. Results. Differences between healthy and CLBP subgroups were mainly observed when patients were divided using pain catastrophizing scores (PCS). High-PCS patients showed significantly lower PTend than low-PCS patients. Various EMG indices showed comparable results to PTend. However, some of them also pointed out that the PCS-low patients were more fatigue-resistant and showed different activation patterns comparatively to healthy subjects. Conclusion. These results suggest that physical deconditioning that is specific to back muscle capacity was present in a subgroup of patients while the opposite was observed in another subgroup, pain catastrophizing being related to this outcome. These findings support previous theoretical models of pain/disability.
Effects of Vision and Tactile Stimulation of the Neck on Postural Control During Unperturbed Stance and Cervical Joint Position Sense in Young Asymptomatic Adults

Study Design. Before and after intervention trials. Objective. To evaluate the effects of visual input and tactile stimulation of the neck on postural control during unperturbed stance and cervical joint position sense. Summary of Background Data. Although beneficial effects on lower-limb joints proprioception have been reported when vision was available and when tactile stimulation was applied around lower-limb joints, there has hitherto been no study investigating whether and how vision and tactile stimulation applied to the neck could modify postural control during unperturbed stance and joint position sense. Methods. The effects of visual input and tactile stimulation of the neck on postural control during unperturbed stance (Experiments 1 and 2) and cervical joint position sense (Experiments 3 and 4) were assessed in four separate experiments. During these experiments, two experimental tasks (a postural task during unperturbed stance and the CRT to NHP) were executed without (No vision) and with the availability of the vision (Vision) and without (No tactile stimulation condition) and with the application of strips of adhesive bandage to the skin over and around the neck (Tactile stimulation condition). Twelve different subjects participated in the four experiments. Results. For experiments 1 and 2, decreased centre of foot pressure displacements were observed in the Vision relative to the No vision and in the Tactile stimulation relative to the No tactile stimulation condition. For experiments 3 and 4, more accurate and more consistent repositioning performances were observed in the Vision relative to the No vision and in the Tactile stimulation relative to the No tactile stimulation condition, as indicated by decreased absolute and variable errors, respectively. Conclusion. Altogether, our results suggest that subjects were able to take advantage of vision and increased neck cutaneous information provided by the by strips of adhesive bandage applied to the neck to improve postural control during unperturbed stance and cervical joint position sense.