Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of topographical heterogeneity of articular cartilage over the joint surface of a humeral head.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the topographical variations among the morphological and physical properties of articular cartilage over a canine humeral head. DESIGN Nine side-by-side specimens from a canine humeral head were used in the combined polarized light microscopy (PLM) and microscopic magnetic resonance imaging (muMRI). Sixteen images were acquired from each specimen in muMRI. Subsequently, ten to fourteen histological slices were prepared at the location of the muMRI slice from each specimen. Four optical images were acquired from each histological slice. Using these images, the images of the T(2) relaxation, the optical retardation, and the collagen-fiber orientation were constructed in two dimensions. RESULTS Along the medial/lateral direction of the humeral head, we have observed a number of topographical variations. These include the total thickness of the cartilage tissue, the thickness of the individual histological zones, the depth of the minimum optical retardation in the tissue, and the depth of the maximum T(2) relaxation in the tissue. We found that the depth of the minimum retardation from PLM occurs at the geometric middle point of the transitional zone in histology, and that the depth of the maximum T(2) relaxation from muMRI is closely correlated with the minimum retardation depth in PLM. In addition, although the thickness of the total tissue increases approximately by the same amount on both the lateral and medial sides of the joint, a slight asymmetry exists between the measurements from the medial and lateral halves of the humerus. CONCLUSIONS Cartilage from different sites over a single joint could have different properties, possibly the consequence of the variation in load-bearing status. Because of these topographical variations, one must keep in mind that a different sampling site within a relatively small area of the same joint may significantly influence the results of the study.
Sexual dysfunction in male Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans: association with posttraumatic stress disorder and other combat-related mental health disorders: a population-based cohort study.

INTRODUCTION Mental health disorders are prevalent in the United States, Iraq, and Afghanistan war veterans. Mental illness, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with or without psychiatric medications, can increase the risk for male sexual dysfunction, threatening quality of life. AIMS We sought to determine the prevalence and correlates of sexual dysfunction among male Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of 405,275 male Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who were new users of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare from October 7, 2001 to September 30, 2009 and had 2-year follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We determined the independent association of mental health diagnoses and sexual dysfunction after adjusting for sociodemographic and military service characteristics, comorbidities, and medications. RESULTS Veterans with PTSD were more likely to have a sexual dysfunction diagnosis, be prescribed medications for sexual dysfunction, or both (10.6%), compared with veterans having a mental diagnosis other than PTSD (7.2%), or no mental health diagnosis (2.3%). In a fully adjusted model, PTSD increased the risk of sexual dysfunction by more than threefold (adjusted risk ratio = 3.61, 95% CI = 3.48-3.75). Veterans with mental health disorders, particularly PTSD, were at the highest risk of sexual dysfunction when prescribed psychiatric medications (adjusted risk ratio = 4.59, 95% CI = 4.41-4.77). CONCLUSIONS Among U.S. combat veterans, mental health disorders, particularly PTSD, increased the risk of sexual dysfunction independent of the use of psychiatric medications.
How many symbionts are provided by mothers, acquired by offspring, and needed for successful vertical transmission in an obligate insect–bacterium mutualism?

Vertical symbiont transmission is among the most pivotal processes for maintenance of symbiotic associations. However, it is poorly understood whether and how the levels of resource allocation and investment upon vertical transmission are regulated. The stinkbug Megacopta punctatissima is obligatorily associated with the gut symbiotic bacterium ‘Candidatus Ishikawaella capsulata’, whose transmission is mediated by a unique mechanism called ‘symbiont capsule’. We investigated the population dynamics of the symbiont during vertical transmission in the host–symbiont mutualism. The stinkbug mothers produced one capsule for around 3.6 eggs irrespective of clutch size, suggesting a strict maternal control over symbiont supply for the offspring. However, experimental manipulation of egg/capsule ratios revealed that one capsule is sufficient for symbiont transmission to six nymphs. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses demonstrated that a capsule contains 1.2 × 108 symbionts, a newborn nymph possesses 2 × 107 symbionts from a capsule, and thus one capsule certainly contains a sufficient amount of symbiont cells for six nymphs. These results indicated that the stinkbug mothers produce 1.7 times more symbiont capsules than needed. The newborn nymphs consistently harboured around 2 × 107 symbionts, also suggesting a nymphal control over symbiont transmission. The threshold symbiont titre minimally needed for successful vertical transmission was estimated to be 1.9 × 106 symbionts, which is only 1/10 of the actual symbiont titre detected in a newborn nymph. These results illuminate several ecological factors that may be relevant to parental and offspring controls over symbiotic resource allocation through host insect generations.
Sex steroid hormones matter for learning and memory: estrogenic regulation of hippocampal function in male and female rodents

Ample evidence has demonstrated that sex steroid hormones, such as the potent estrogen 17β-estradiol (E2), affect hippocampal morphology, plasticity, and memory in male and female rodents. Yet relatively few investigators who work with male subjects consider the effects of these hormones on learning and memory. This review describes the effects of E2 on hippocampal spinogenesis, neurogenesis, physiology, and memory, with particular attention paid to the effects of E2 in male rodents. The estrogen receptors, cell-signaling pathways, and epigenetic processes necessary for E2 to enhance memory in female rodents are also discussed in detail. Finally, practical considerations for working with female rodents are described for those investigators thinking of adding females to their experimental designs.
An Analysis of Linguistic Styles by Inferred Age in TV Dramas

A language analysis program, Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC), was successful in identifying various psychological variables. This study investigated the relationship between spoken language and age inferred from drama scripts of 162 characters, analyzed by the Korean-LIWC across 4 age categories (10–19, 20–39, 40–59, and 60–79 years). Analysis indicated that younger characters use fewer phrases, morphemes, nouns, auxiliary words, and adverbs than older characters, suggesting less cognitive development of younger characters. In addition, younger characters used less positive words for emotion and achievement than older characters. These data appear contrary to the negative stereotypes of aging people.
Combined effects of diet and cold exposure on insulin responsiveness to glucose and tissue responsiveness to insulin in sheep.

Hyperglycemic clamp and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp techniques were used to investigate effects of diet and cold exposure on insulin responsiveness to glucose and tissue responsiveness and sensitivity to insulin in adult rams. The sheep were fed a high-concentrate diet (80% concentrate and 20% roughage) and a high-roughage diet (20% concentrate and 80% roughage), both 70% above the ME requirement for maintenance, and were exposed to a thermoneutral environment (20 degrees C) and a cold environment (0 degrees C) for 2 wk. The estimated ME intake was greater (P < .01) for the high-concentrate diet than for the high-roughage diet. In the hyperglycemic clamp experiment, the ratio of the plasma insulin increment to the glucose infusion rate (insulin responsiveness to glucose) was lower during cold exposure than in the thermoneutral environment in sheep fed the high-concentrate diet but was unchanged in sheep fed the high-roughage diet. In the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp experiment, the glucose infusion rate (tissue responsiveness to insulin) was higher (P < .01) for the high-concentrate diet than for the high-roughage diet, and it was also higher (P < .01) during cold exposure than in the thermoneutral environment, indicating that tissue responsiveness to insulin was intensified in sheep fed the high-concentrate diet during cold exposure associated with the higher energy intake. These results suggest that both reduced insulin responsiveness and enhanced tissue responsiveness to insulin in sheep exposed to cold were dependent on the type of diet.
Clinical Characteristics Associated with Isolation of Small-Colony Variants of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Respiratory Secretions of Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

ABSTRACT During a 3-month period, small-colony variant phenotypes of both Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated from respiratory secretions of 8.2% and 9.2%, respectively, of 98 patients with cystic fibrosis, particularly those with advanced pulmonary disease and prolonged antibiotic exposure.
Long-term sickness absence from work due to physical inactivity: A registry-based study

Aims: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between leisure-time physical inactivity and long-term sickness absence in a representative sample of individuals aged 16–54 years, within the labour market and in good health. It was hypothesised that physically inactive individuals have a higher risk of long-term sickness absence and longer duration of sickness absence. Methods: The study population was identified from the National Health and Morbidity Survey, 2010. Weekly data on long-term sickness absence were obtained from the National Register on Social Transfer Payments (the DREAM registry). The association of incidence and duration of long-term sickness absence with physical inactivity was explored using logistic and Poisson regression. Data were fitted to models with levels of physical activity, demographic, social and lifestyle characteristics as independent variables. A combined hurdle model was used to estimate the difference in mean number of absence weeks. Results: Logistic regression showed that physically inactive individuals had a 27% higher incidence of long-term sickness absence compared with physically active individuals. The Poisson regression showed that long-term sickness absence was only slightly shorter (1 week less) for moderately active individuals compared with inactive individuals. The hurdle model estimated longer absence periods for inactive individuals (additional 2.5 weeks) in comparison with moderately and highly active individuals. Conclusions: The study showed that physically inactive individuals have a higher incidence of long-term absence and that physically inactive individuals have longer periods with sickness absence than moderately and highly active individuals. When adjustments for social and health behaviour were included, the estimated associations became statistically insignificant.
Formalin fixation in the ‘‐omics’ era: a primer for the surgeon‐scientist

Formalin is the most commonly used tissue fixative worldwide. While it offers excellent morphological preservation for routine histology, it has detrimental effects on nucleic acids. Most studies of nucleic acids have therefore used fresh frozen tissue, the collection and storage of which is resource intensive. The ability to use modern genomic, transcriptomic and epigenomic methods with nucleic acids derived from formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tissues would allow enormous archives of routinely stored tissues (usually with well‐annotated clinical data) to be used for translational research. This paper outlines the effects of formalin on nucleic acids, describes ways of minimizing nucleic acid degradation and optimizing extraction, and reviews recent studies that have used contemporary techniques to analyse FFPE‐derived nucleic acids (with a focus on malignant tissue sources). Simple tips are also offered to ensure the utility of your institution's samples for future studies, and broadly applicable guidelines are listed for those contemplating their own study using FFPE‐derived material.
Apoptosis, tolerance, and regulatory T cells – old wine, new wineskins

Summary: Antigen‐specific unresponsiveness (or tolerance) has always been an important area of research. Interest in the fate of apoptotic cells and their ability to tolerize has revived interest in some of the older models involving hapten‐modified self. Recently, we have examined the mechanisms by which intravenous injection of trinitrophenol‐coupled spleen cells leads to systemic tolerance. These studies have revealed an important role for Fas/Fas ligand interactions, caspases, CD40/CD40L, and regulatory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Extension of these studies to peripheral deletion of T‐cell antigen receptor transgenic T cells has shown that deletion and active regulation of immune responses may be important mechanisms for the control of potentially damaging autoimmune responses.
Appendiceal Mass Management at Bahri Teaching Hospital: Results of a Prospective and Retrospective Clinical Study

Acute appendicitis is the commonest cause of acute abdomen that necessitates surgical intervention. Appendiceal mass (AM) can complicate 2%-10% of patients with acute appendicitis. The treatment of AM is controversial.The aim of the present study was to describe the modalities of management of AM at a single teaching hospital; and to establish its prevalence and possible causes.Methods and Subjects: This is a prospective and retrospective descriptive clinical study; implemented at Bahri teaching hospital, during one year. Out of the 274 patients who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis, 94 developed AM (34.3%). Age range was 13 - 65 years. 47% of the patients were under 20 years of age. The male to female ratio was 2.9:1. 56.4% of patients received treatment for their present illness before the diagnosis of AM. The AM was diagnosed clinically in more than 55% of the patients. About ¾ of the patients were treated conservatively, 16% were treated by immediate appendicectomy and 6.4% underwent appendicectomy after failure of the conservative treatment. Only 33% of the patients underwent interval appendicectomy. The incidence of AM in BTH is high compared to the 10% worldwide, possibly due to the late presentation, miss- diagnosis and the inappropriate treatments. Our modes of managing AM are comparable to other international studies. Only 33% of the patients underwent interval appendicectomy, this finding put the interval appendicectomy in question. Keywords: appendiceal mass, incidence, causes, non-operative, operative, management INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND
Socioeconomic status and risk of dental caries in Japanese preschool children: the Osaka Maternal and child health study.

OBJECTIVES Investigations concerning the relationship between socioeconomic status and dental caries have been conducted mainly in Western countries. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to examine the impact of socioeconomic factors, such as maternal occupation, household income, and parental educational levels, on the risk of dental caries in young Japanese children. METHODS A cohort of 315 preschool children was used. Information pertaining to exposure and potentially confounding factors was obtained by means of questionnaires administered to expectant mothers prior to delivery and subsequently when their children were in the ranges of 2-9, 16-24, 29-39, and 41-49 months of age. Outcome data were collected when the children were between 41 and 50 months old. Children were classified as having dental caries if one or more primary teeth had decayed or had been filled. RESULTS Compared with maternal or paternal education of less than 13 years, maternal or paternal education of 15 years or longer was significantly associated with a decreased risk of dental caries in children: the adjusted odds ratios for maternal and paternal education levels ≥ 15 years compared with <13 years of maternal and paternal education were 0.32 (95 percent confidence interval: 0.14-0.71) and 0.45 (95 percent confidence interval: 0.23-0.88), respectively. No relationship between maternal occupation or household income and the risk of children's dental caries was found. CONCLUSIONS Higher levels of parental education, in particular maternal education, may be associated with reduced risk of dental caries in preschool children.
Priming of long‐term potentiation induced by activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors coupled to phospholipase C

Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) with 1‐aminocyclopentane‐1S,3R‐dicarboxylic acid 20 min prior to tetanus facilitates, or “primes,” subsequent induction of long‐term potentiation (LTP; Cohen and Abraham, J Neurophysiol 1996;76:953–962). In the present study, we investigated the receptor specificity and associated second messenger pathways involved in the mGluR priming effect by using field potentials recorded from area CA1 of rat hippocampal slices. In controls, mild theta‐burst or high‐frequency (100 Hz) stimulation induced 16% and 21% LTP, respectively. A 10‐min application of the group I mGluR agonist 3,5‐dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) caused a transient depression of synaptic responses but a significant enhancement of subsequent LTP for both tetanus protocols (45% and 41% LTP, respectively). Maximal LTP, induced by stronger tetanization protocols, was not enhanced by DHPG, nor was mild LTP facilitated by post‐tetanic application of DHPG. Priming with agonists selective for group II or III mGluRs had no effect on LTP. The mGluR antagonists L‐2‐amino‐3‐phosphonopropionic acid and 1‐aminoindan‐1,5‐dicarboxylic acid inhibited the LTP facilitatory effect of DHPG but not the transient response depression, whereas α‐methyl‐4‐carboxyphenylglycine produced the opposite effects. Priming with N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate or α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid did not facilitate LTP induction. Prior activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors produced at best a weak priming effect. Inhibition of phospholipase C by U‐73122 completely abolished the priming of LTP by DHPG. We conclude that mGluR priming of LTP results from biochemical cascades triggered by activation of phospholipase C coupled to group I mGluRs. Hippocampus 1998;8:160–170. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of Abdominal and Lumbar Muscles Electromyography Activity During Two Types of Stabilization Exercises

Background: Stabilization exercises lead to improve muscle performance and can be used to prevent and treat of low back pain. Objectives: Aim of the present study is to evaluate and compare the level of abdominal and lumbar muscles activity during two types of stabilization exercises. Patients and Methods: Thirty healthy females aged between 20 - 30 years old participated in this quasi-experimental study. Muscle activity was recorded from Transversus Abdominus (TrA), Internal Oblique (IO) and multifidus on both sides with electromyography (EMG) device during the quadruped and dead bug exercises. EMG data were normalized to the percentage of maximum voluntary isometric contraction and paired t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: The mean muscle activity in the right arm reach of quadruped and dead bug exercises showed that right IO and TrA muscles produced greater activity during quadruped exercise (P = 0.015, P = 0.001, respectively). The comparison between the mean muscles activity in the left leg reach of two exercises showed that right and left TrA muscles produced greater activity during left leg reach in quadruped exercise (P = 0.005, P = 0.046, respectively). Also, the comparison between the mean muscle activity in simultaneous movements of left leg and right arm reach in the 2 exercises showed that right TrA muscle was activated at a higher level compared to the other muscles in the quadruped exercise (P = 0.002). Conclusions: The results showed quadruped exercise can provide stability, coordination, and smoothness of the movements in healthy subjects and all considered muscles participated in this exercise.
Protection of gnotobiotic rats against dental caries by passive immunization with bovine milk antibodies to Streptococcus mutans

A multivalent vaccine consisting of whole cell antigens of seven strains, representing four serotypes (b, c, d and g), of mutans streptococci was used to hyperimmunize a group of cows. Serum samples from these animals contained immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) antibody activity to seven serotypes (a to g) of mutans streptococci. Whey obtained from the animal with the highest serum antibody activity, which also contained high levels of IgG1 antibody, was used in passive caries immunity studies. Gnotobiotic rats monoinfected with Streptococcus mutans MT8148 serotype c or Streptococcus sobrinus OMZ176 (d) or 6715 (g) and provided a caries-promoting diet containing immune whey had lower plaque scores, numbers of streptococci in plaque, and degree of caries activity than similarly infected animals given a diet containing control whey obtained from nonimmunized cows. To establish the nature of the protective component(s) present in the immune whey, an ultrafiltrate fraction of the whey was prepared. This preparation contained higher levels of IgG1 anti-S. mutans antibody activity than the immune whey. Rats monoinfected with S. mutans MT8148 and provided with a diet supplemented with 0.1% of this fraction exhibited a degree of caries protection similar to that seen in animals provided a diet containing 100% immune whey. In fact, a diet containing as little as 0.01% of the ultrafiltrate fraction gave some degree of protection against oral S. mutans infection. The active component in the immune whey was the IgG1 anti-S. mutans antibody, since rats monoinfected with S. mutans MT8148 and provided a diet supplemented with purified immune whey IgG1 had significantly reduced plaque scores, numbers of S. mutans in plaque, and caries activity compared with control animals. Prior adsorption of the IgG fraction with killed S. mutans MT8148 whole cells removed antibody activity and abrogated caries protection.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE FEEDBACK : SITUATED DECISION MAKING AND PERSISTENCE IN PRODUCT PHASE-OUT

This study examines the effects of organizational structure on product phase-out. Using quarterly product-level data on the top five mobile handset manufacturers for the period 2004–2009, we analyze how the elevation of phase-out decision to higher levels in the firm—and how the extent of consultation at that level—influence persistence in phase-out decisions. Results show that elevation speeds phase-out whereas consultation slows phase-out. However, structure also moderates the effect of persistence following positive and negative feedback. These results suggest that elevation can increase the inertia and bias in phase-out decisions but only when the firm is well above (or well below) aspirations. Our findings suggest also that the bargaining prevalent in consultative environments facilitates phase-out when performance is below aspirations, but may induce persistence when above. A broader contribution is to offer a theory of situated selection according to which organizational structure affects phase-out through information processing and the way managers attend and respond to performance feedback.