Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal assessment of responses by triathletes to swimming, cycling, and running.

Fourteen triathletes (eight male, six female) were tested four times (in February, May, August, and October) to monitor adaptations to training for a triathlon (1.9-km swim, 90.3-km bike, 21.1-km run). VO2max was measured during treadmill running (TR), cycle ergometry (CE), and tethered swimming (TS). Lactate threshold (LT), defined as the VO2 at a lactate concentration of 4 mM, was determined during TR and CE. In all sessions, TS VO2max was less than TR and CE (P less than 0.05), and CE was less than TR (P less than 0.05). Means for Session I were 57.4, 53.4, and 48.3 ml.min-1.kg-1 for TR, CE, and TS, respectively. Corresponding values for Session IV were 58.4, 56.0, and 47.8 ml.min-1.kg-1. The only significant increase in VO2max was for CE (5%). VO2 at the LT increased from Session I to IV for both TR (6%) and CE (10%); the LT for TR was at a higher VO2 than for CE in all sessions. The percent VO2max at LT for TR in Sessions I and IV was 80 and 85%, respectively. Analogous values for CE were 72 and 76%. The minimal increases in VO2max suggest that subjects had reached their potential in this parameter. Improvements in race performance were probably attained through peripheral adaptations, as suggested by increases in the VO2 at LT. The occurrence of the LT at a lower percent VO2max in cycling than in running suggests that the triathletes had greater potential for improvement in cycling.
Frequency and the risk factors of hepatitis C virus in pregnant women; A hospital based descriptive study in Gadap Town Karachi

Objective: To determine the frequency and the risk factors of hepatitis C virus in pregnant women at Al-Tibri Medical College & Hospital in Gadap Town Karachi. Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study conducted at Obstetrics & Gynecology OPD of Al-Tibri Medical College & Hospital, Isra University Karachi Campus from 10th June to 10th September 2016. A total of 400 pregnant women of 16-45 years of age, who came in outpatient department for antenatal checkup were selected for the study. The diagnosed cases of Hepatitis C were excluded from the study. Detailed history including age, parity, risk factor like history of transfusion, previous surgeries, vaginal deliveries was taken and relevant examination was performed. Patients on routine antenatal investigation if found to have Anti HCV positive on Immunochromatography Test (ICT) method were further confirmed by Elisa. A well designed proforma was used for data collection. Results: During the period of 3 months 400 women in antenatal clinic were tested for hepatitis C, out of which 27 (6.6%) were positive for HCV antibodies. The age of the women included ranges from 16-45 years. Thirteen (7.9%) pregnant women having HCV +ve antibodies fell in 26-30 years of age group. From 27 HCV +ve patients, 19 (70.3%) were multigravida & 8 (29.6%) were primigravida. Majority of the patients (77%) had history of injections. Conclusion: There is high prevalence of Hepatitis C infection among pregnant female in our setup. The possible risk factors are injection, blood transfusion and surgery.
Impact of intra- and inter-RAT offloading on the spectrum/energy efficiency of HetNets

This paper addresses the problem of simultaneously achieving high spectral efficiency (SE) and energy efficiency (EE) in the heterogeneous radio access technology (RAT) environment via biased intra- and inter-RAT offloading. An analytical framework is developed for investigating the SE and EE performance of a two-RAT heterogeneous network (HetNet), based on which it is shown that the feasibility of increasing the SE and EE via offloading is strongly dependent on the load level and the biased offloading factors. For jointly maximizing the SE and EE, a multi-objective optimization problem subject to quality of service (QoS) constraints is formulated and solved to give the Pareto optimal operational regime in terms of the network parameters. Following this, the constrained Pareto regime is used to quantify the tradeoff between SE and EE as an opportunity cost measure. By opportunistically adapting the small cell BS density and biased offloading factors to the load conditions, we numerically show the range of load values that achieves a good balance in the SE-EE tradeoff while satisfying the specified users' QoS requirements.
Genetic and epigenetic variation of the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) in placenta and infant neurobehavior.

The intrauterine environment can impact the developing infant by altering the function of the placenta through changes to the epigenetic regulatory features of this tissue. Genetic variation, too, may impact infant development or may modify the relationship between epigenetic alterations and infant outcomes. To examine the associations of these variations with early life infant neurodevelopment, we examined the extent of DNA methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) promoter and a common single nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter region in a series of 186 placentas from healthy newborn infants. We associated these molecular features with specific summary measures from the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scales. After controlling for genotype and confounders, we identified significant associations of NR3C1 methylation with infant quality of movement (p = .05) and with infant attention (p = .05), and a potential interaction between methylation and genotype on infant attention score. These results suggest that epigenetic alteration of the NR3C1 gene in the placentas of genetically susceptible infants can have impacts on neurodevelopment which may have lifelong impact on neurobehavioral and mental health outcomes. Further research is needed to more precisely define these relationships and the interaction between epigenetic alterations and genetic variations on infant health.
Regulation of TSH secretion and thyroid function in Cushing's disease.

In 15 untreated patients with Cushing's disease the regulation of TSH secretion and thyroid function was evaluated. The maximal increment of plasma TSH to TRH was 3.8 +/- 2.2 vs 8.7 +/- 2.9 muU/ml (patients with Cushing's disease vs controls; mean +/- SD; P less than 0.001). Free thyroxine-index was 21.8 +/- 5.2 vs 27.7 +/- 5.0 (P less than 0.001). Plasma T3 1.45 +/- 0.24 vs 1.96 +/- 0.32 nmol/l (P less than 0.001) and reverse T3 0.22 +/- 0.05 vs 0.20 +/- 0.08 nmol/l (N.S.). The maximal TSH increase in response to TRH was inversely correlated with plasma cortisol (P less than 0.05). The maximal increment of TSH to TRH and plasma T4, free T4 index and T3 are reduced in patients with Cushing's disease due to an impaired thyrotroph function. Plasma reverse T3, however, is normal which may be due to a simultaneous decrease in production and degradation.
Professionally Mediated Peer Support and Early Breastfeeding Success

Social support interventions that incorporate professionally mediated peer support (PMPS) for improved breastfeeding outcomes were compared with no special breastfeeding support. Fifty-five breastfeeding mothers participated. The breastfeeding outcomes of duration, completeness, satisfaction, and exclusive breastfeeding were compared at 6 weeks postpartum among an experimental group that received PMPS, and among younger community (YC) and older community (OC) groups that received no special breastfeeding support. The PMPS group exclusively breastfed for a significantly longer duration than the YC group. At 6 weeks, mothers in both community groups who had weaned were significantly less satisfied with their breastfeeding experiences than the mothers who were still nursing their babies. Professionally mediated peer support can improve the early breastfeeding outcomes of duration of exclusive breastfeeding and satisfaction with breastfeeding.
Evaluation of trait and state anxiety levels in a group of peri- and postmenopausal women

ABSTRACT Our objective was to evaluate levels of trait and state anxiety in a group of peri- and postmenopausal women and to explore the relation of hormonal therapy to levels of anxiety. Peri- (n = 63) and postmenopausal (n = 236) women were evaluated between March and September 2013. The assessed variables were menopausal status, anxiety (using the state and trait anxiety inventory), and sociodemographic and clinical variables. Use of psychotropic medications and hormone therapy was also ascertained. The mean age of the participants was 51.9 years, ranging from 31 to 69 years. The mean state anxiety scores, as well as the mean trait anxiety scores, were higher in perimenopausal than postmenopausal women. High state anxiety (above the 75th percentile), but not high trait anxiety, was related to perimenopausal status. Anxiety levels appeared to be higher among perimenopausal than postmenopausal women, as also occurs with depressive symptoms. Anxiety state provides data about recent anxiety symptoms in women; however, anxiety trait could be present in some women before perimenopause. Our findings suggest that perimenopause is a period with increased anxiety levels in some women.
Reproduction and Estimation Methods of Time Judgment

Two methods of time judgment, the method of reproduction and the method of estimation, were compared. Ss were women blindfolded after ocular surgery, women not blindfolded after ocular surgery, and visually normal female employees of the hospital. The reproduction task was handled equally well by all groups, and time estimates were given with greater accuracy and reproducibility than for the estimation task. On the other hand, the method of estimation led to differential performance among groups, with greatest accuracy and least variance in the working group, and least accuracy with greatest variance in the blindfolded group.
Mechanism of Action of RNase T*

Escherichia coli RNase T, an RNA-processing enzyme and a member of the DEDD exonuclease superfamily, was examined using sequence analysis and site-directed mutagenesis. Like other DEDD exonucleases, RNase T was found to contain three conserved Exo motifs that included four invariant acidic residues. Mutagenesis of these motifs revealed that they are essential for RNase T activity, indicating that they probably form the RNase T catalytic center in a manner similar to that found in other DEDD exonucleases. We also identified by sequence analysis three short, but highly conserved, sequence segments rich in positively charged residues. Site-directed mutagenesis of these regions indicated that they are involved in substrate binding. Additional analysis revealed that residues within the C-terminal region of RNase T are essential for RNase T dimerization and, consequently, for RNase T activity. These data define the domains necessary for RNase T action, and together with information in the accompanying article, have led to the formulation of a detailed model for the structure and mechanism of action of RNase T.
Regulation of ACE gene expression and plasma levels during rat postnatal development.

Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (kininase II, ACE) is a transmembrane ectoenzyme of vascular endothelial cells that is also secreted in plasma. To understand why plasma ACE levels are elevated in children compared with adults, the age-related changes in ACE mRNA and enzyme levels were studied in 1-day- to 3-mo-old rats. In the lung, a rich source of endothelial ACE, the abundance of ACE mRNA and the microsomal ACE concentration increased progressively and tripled during the first 3 mo. This large increase reflects, at least in part, development of the capillary network. In plasma, ACE levels rose dramatically a few days after birth and decreased toward adult values after the 14th day of life. Because the elevation of ACE in plasma was contemporary to thyroid maturation, the effect of perinatal suppression of thyroid function by propylthiouracil was studied. Hypothyroidism slightly delayed the evolution of ACE in lung but blunted the postnatal rise in plasma ACE levels. A 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine injection to 14-day-old hypothyroid rats failed to alter ACE mRNA levels in the lung. Thus thyroid hormones are involved in the postnatal rise in plasma ACE levels but act probably on the posttranslational proteolytic pathway involved in ACE secretion by endothelial cells or on an unknown extrapulmonary ACE source. ACE gene expression is also developmentally regulated in epithelia and male germinal cells. In the intestine, ACE mRNA levels and ACE activity were very high at birth and then decreased dramatically during the next 2 wk. In the kidney, they were low and decreased further during growth. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A biomechanical comparison of supplementary posterior translaminar facet and transfacetopedicular screw fixation after anterior lumbar interbody fusion.

OBJECT Facet screw fixation is the lowest profile lumbar stabilization method. In this study the immediate biomechanical stability provided by the two different types of fixation are compared: translaminar facet screw (TLFS) and transfacetopedicular screw (TFPS) placement after anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) using a femoral ring allograft. Both facet screw fixation types were also compared with the gold standard, transpedicular screw and rod (TSR) fixation. METHODS Twenty-four human lumbosacral spines were tested in the following sequence: intact state, after discectomy, after ALIF, and after TLFS, TFPS, or TSR fixation. Intervertebral motions were measured by a video-based motion capture system. The range of motion (ROM) and neutral zone (NZ) were compared for each loading to a maximum of 7.5 Nm. The ROMs for stand-alone ALIFs were less than but similar to those of the intact spine, but NZs were slightly increased in all modes. The ROMs for both TLFS and TFPS fixation were significantly decreased from those of the intact spine in all modes and those of the stand-alone ALIF in flexion and extension. The TLFS and TFPS fixations significantly reduced NZs to below that of the intact spine in all modes. Compared with NZs for ALIF, both types of fixation revealed significantly lower values, except for TLFS placement in lateral bending and TFPS fixation in lateral bending and rotation. There were no significant differences between TLFS and TFPS fixation. There were also no significant differences among both TLFS and TFPS and TSR fixations, except that TFPS was inferior to TSR in lateral bending. CONCLUSIONS Stand-alone ALIF may not provide sufficient stability. Both facet fixations produced significant additional stability and both are comparable to TSR fixation. Although TFPS fixation revealed a slightly inferior result, TFPSs can be placed percutaneously with the assistance of fluoroscopic guidance and it makes the posterior facet fixation minimally invasive. Therefore, the TFPS fixation can be considered as a good alternative to TLFS fixation.
The Value of Thymectomy in Myasthenia Gravis: A Computer‐Assisted Matched Study

In the absence of a prospective randomized study of patients treated conservatively or with thymectomy, a computer-assisted retrospective matched study was devised. Of 563 patients treated for myasthenia gravis without thymoma up to 1965, 104 had thymectomy. With computer assistance, each surgical patient was matched with a medical patient on the basis of age, sex, and severity and duration of disease. On this basis 80 of the 104 surgical patients could be matched satisfactorily. There were 16 males and 64 females in each of the matched surgically treated and medical control groups. A complete remission was experienced by 27 of the 78 patients in the surgical group as compared to 6 of the medical group. Improvement was noted by 26 of 78 surgically treated patients and 13 of 78 receiving medical treatment. Survival curves show a significantly better chance of long-term survival for patients having thymectomy. Thirty-four patients in the medical group had died as compared to 11 in the surgical group. Comparison of survival in relation to sex, duration of symptoms, or age (<30 or >30 years) did not show a significant difference. Until more effective treatment is available for myasthenia gravis, thymectomy deserves consideration for both sexes, and with increased age or long duration of symptoms.
Moralization and Becoming a Vegetarian: The Transformation of Preferences Into Values and the Recruitment of Disgust

We describe a rather common process that we call moralization, in which objects or activities that were previously morally neutral acquire a moral component. Moralization converts preferences into values, and in doing so influences cross-generational transmission (because values are passed more effectively in families than are preferences), increases the likelihood of internalization, invokes greater emotional response, and mobilizes the support of governmental and other cultural institutions. In recent decades, we claim, cigarette smoking in America has become moralized. We support our claims about some of the consequences of moralization with an analysis of differences between health and moral vegetarians. Compared with health vegetarians, moral vegetarians find meat more disgusting, offer more reasons in support of their meat avoidance, and avoid a wider range of animal foods. However, contrary to our prediction, liking for meat is about the same in moral and health vegetarians.
Podocytopenia and disease severity in IgA nephropathy.

BACKGROUND IgA nephropathy is a common form of progressive glomerular disease, associated with proliferation of mesangial cells and mesangial deposition of IgA. The present study was designed to investigate functional and morphological covariates of disease severity in patients with IgA nephropathy. METHODS Glomerular hemodynamics, permselectivity and ultrastructure were studied in 17 adult patients with IgA nephropathy using inulin, para-aminohippuric acid (PAH) and 3H-Ficoll clearances and morphometric methods. A mathematical model of macromolecule permeation through a heteroporous membrane was used to characterize glomerular permselectivity. Controls consisted of 14 healthy living kidney donors and 12 healthy volunteers. RESULTS The patients were heterogeneous in their disease severity, but as a group had a decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and increased urinary protein excretion compared to controls [63 +/- 29 SD vs. 104 +/- 23 mL/min/1.73 m2, P < 0.001, and (median) 1.34 vs. 0.11 g/day, P < 0.0001, respectively). A multivariate analysis of structural and functional relationships revealed GFR depression to be most strongly correlated with the prevalence of global glomerular sclerosis (t = -4.073, P = 0.002). Those patients with the most severe glomerular dysfunction had a reduced number of glomerular visceral epithelial cells (podocytes) per glomerulus. The degree of podocytopenia was related to the extent of glomerular sclerosis and of impairment of permselectivity and GFR, with worsening injury below an apparent threshold podocyte number of about 250 cells per glomerulus. There were no corresponding correlations between these indices of injury and the number of mesangial and endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show that podocyte loss is a concomitant of increasing disease severity in IgA nephropathy. This suggests that podocyte loss may either cause or contribute to the progressive proteinuria, glomerular sclerosis and filtration failure seen in this disorder.
Modest Decreases in Nnrti Susceptibility Do Not Influence Virological Outcome in Patients Receiving Initial Nnrti-Containing Triple Therapy

Objective To assess the prevalence of modest (<10-fold) decreases in baseline non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) susceptibility and their impact on virological response to NNRTI-containing triple therapy in drug-naive individuals. Methods Baseline HIV resistance phenotype, genotype and response to therapy were examined retrospectively for all antiretroviral-naive individuals initiating therapy with two nucleoside analogues and an NNRTI in British Columbia, Canada, between 05/1997 and 08/1999 (n=279), followed until July 31 2001. Time to viral suppression (first of at least two consecutive plasma viral loads <400 copies HIV RNA copies/ml) and viral rebound (to ≥400 copies/ml after first pVL <400 copies HIV RNA copies/ml), were estimated by Kaplan-Meier methods. Multivariate analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results Nevirapine was the most commonly prescribed NNRTI (96%). Four- to 10-fold decreased susceptibility to NNRTIs was observed in >30% of untreated individuals at baseline, an observation strongly driven by decreased susceptibility to delavirdine (22.4%). A >10-fold decrease in susceptibility to any NNRTI was observed only rarely (<2%). There was no association between four- and 10-fold decreased baseline susceptibility to NNRTIs and virological outcome (P>0.05). In multivariate analyses, the strongest predictors of poor virological response to NNRTI-based therapy were baseline plasma viral load and the proportion of time on therapy in the first year of follow-up. There was no relationship between the presence of previously reported mutations associated with decreased NNRTI susceptibility (at codons 135 and 283 in HIV reverse transcriptase) and virological response. Conclusions These data suggest that the clinically significant level of resistance to NNRTIs, particularly nevirapine, in drug-naive individuals is likely greater than four- to 10-fold.
Cholera vaccine field trials in east Pakistan. 2. Effectiveness in the field.

A cholera-vaccine field trial in a rural area of East Pakistan where cholera is highly endemic has indicated that a high-potency whole-cell vaccine can provide significant protection against disease due to Vibrio cholerae for at least 18 months. This vaccine gave more than 70% protection during the first cholera season after vaccination. In the second cholera season after the administration of a single dose of vaccine, protection fell in those under 5 years of age, while continuing at significantly effective levels in older persons.Purified Ogawa antigen (lipopolysaccharide) afforded significant protection to adults against disease due to the heterologous Inaba serotype, but only protected children against milder diarrhoeas.The effect of cholera vaccine on the incidence of infections among family contacts of cholera patients was variable. Vaccine had no effect on the proportion of asymptomatic infections.Diarrhoeal disease associated with V. cholerae occurred predominantly among children, while protection was most marked among adults. Adverse reactions were practically restricted to the adults, suggesting that children will not only tolerate a larger dose, but actually require a larger dose for maximum protection against infection.