Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Osteocartilaginous metabolic markers change over a 3-week stage race in pro-cyclists

Abstract Evidence suggests that endurance and even recreational cycling may stimulate bone resorption; however, little is known about cartilage response to endurance cycling exercise. We investigated effort-dependent changes in bone turnover and cartilage biomarkers in blood and urine samples from elite cyclists during a 3-week stage race. Whole blood and urine samples were collected the day before the start of the race, at mid and end-race for serum and urinary CTx-I, NTx-I, PINP, COMP (only in serum), and CTx-II analysis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The values were corrected for plasma volume or creatinine excretion, respectively, and correlated with power output (corrected for body weight) and net energy expenditure. Bone marker concentrations in both serum and urine were slightly but significantly decreased. Among the cartilage degradation markers, only CTx-II was decreased, while COMP remained unchanged. The changes in bone and cartilage turnover indexes were correlated with the indexes of physical effort and energy consumption. Strenuous physical effort, in the absence of mechanical loading, slows bone metabolism and only minimally affects cartilage turnover. Since changes in plasma and urine volume, which normally occur in exercising athletes, can mask these effects, biomarker concentrations need to be corrected for shifts in plasma volume and urinary creatinine for correct interpretation of the data.
Dopamine agonists for the treatment of restless legs syndrome

The restless legs syndrome is a neurological disorder characterised by the urge to move the extremities associated with paraesthesias, which are partially or totally relieved by movement, a worsening of symptoms at rest and in the evening or at night and, as a consequence, sleep disturbances. Restless legs syndrome is common and affects 1 – 10% of the population. The aetiology of restless legs syndrome is unknown, but, beside genetic factors, the dopaminergic system may play a crucial role. Current treatment strategies are not curative, but may nevertheless produce an effective and lasting relief of symptoms. Evidence-based and clinical guidelines identify dopamine agonists as a first-line treatment for daily restless legs symptoms, and such substances are in the process of registration for this indication. In May 2005, the first dopamine agonist, ropinirole, was approved by the FDA. This review discusses treatment studies of dopamine agonists in patients with restless legs syndrome and focuses on long-term treatment with dopamine agonists.
Sensitive electromechanical sensors using viscoelastic graphene-polymer nanocomposites

Super sensitive, not so silly, putty Many composites blend stiff materials, such as glass or carbon fibers, into a softer elastic polymer matrix to generate a material with better overall mechanical toughness. Boland et al. added graphene to a lightly cross-linked silicone polymer (also known as Silly Putty). The resulting composite has unusual mechanical properties, allowing the manufacture of strain sensors that can detect respiration and the footsteps of spiders. Science, this issue p. 1257 A composite of graphene and a viscoelastic polymer results in a material with unexpected electromechanical properties. Despite its widespread use in nanocomposites, the effect of embedding graphene in highly viscoelastic polymer matrices is not well understood. We added graphene to a lightly cross-linked polysilicone, often encountered as Silly Putty, changing its electromechanical properties substantially. The resulting nanocomposites display unusual electromechanical behavior, such as postdeformation temporal relaxation of electrical resistance and nonmonotonic changes in resistivity with strain. These phenomena are associated with the mobility of the nanosheets in the low-viscosity polymer matrix. By considering both the connectivity and mobility of the nanosheets, we developed a quantitative model that completely describes the electromechanical properties. These nanocomposites are sensitive electromechanical sensors with gauge factors >500 that can measure pulse, blood pressure, and even the impact associated with the footsteps of a small spider.
Pharmacokinetics of Mephedrone and Its Metabolites in Human by LC-MS/MS

AbstractMephedrone is a synthetic cathinone consumed as a recreational drug. Recently, it was identified several of its metabolites in vivo in humans but there is little information about its pharmacokinetics in plasma and urine. Although several analytical methods have been proposed for mephedrone quantification in different matrices, none are available for its metabolites. Therefore, the aim of the study was to develop and validate an analytical method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the quantification of mephedrone, nor-mephedrone, N-succinyl-nor-mephedrone, 1′-dihydro-mephedrone, and 4′-carboxy-mephedrone. The method was validated in human plasma and urine and in rat brain homogenates. Six healthy male subjects, recreational users of new psychoactive substances, ingested 150 mg of mephedrone within the context of a clinical trial. 4′-Carboxy-mephedrone, followed by nor-mephedrone, was the most abundant metabolites found in plasma. Dihydro-mephedrone represented 10% of the amount of mephedrone in plasma and N-succinyl-nor-mephedrone was the metabolite eliminated with the longer half-life of 8.2 h. In urine, 4′-carboxy-mephedrone was the main metabolite excreted with amounts recovered being about 10 times those of mephedrone. Additionally, the validated method was used to test metabolite ability to cross the blood-brain barrier in vivo in rats with mephedrone and nor-mephedrone as the main active compounds present in the brain. The method described is useful for the determinations of mephedrone and metabolites in biological samples. Graphical Abstractᅟ
Transthoracic Versus Transesophageal Two‐Dimensional Echo Doppler Determination of Flow Velocity in the Left Atrial Appendage

The assessment of flow velocity (FV) in the left atrial appendage (LAA) by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been reported to be a useful tool as a high risk marker for systemic emboli. The analysis of FV in LAA by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) has not yet been validated. The purpose of this study was to compare FV measurements in the LAA by TEE and TTE in 30 consecutive patients (age 19–87 years, mean = 55) sent for echocardiographic study with the following diagnosis: stroke (11 patients), mitral stenosis (6 patients), congenital heart disease (4 patients), mitral prosthetic function assessment (2 patients), and other pathologies (7 patients). FV was measured at the outlet and mid‐portion of the LAA with TTE, from the apical two‐chamber view and with biplane TEE, from the longitudinal two‐chamber view. Satisfactory measurements were obtained with TTE from the outlet of the LAA in 96.7% and from the mid‐portion of the LAA in 90% of patients. One third of patients were in atrial fibrillation (AF) during the study. The mean FV in the outlet of the LAA was 32.7 ± 2.5 (SE) cm/sec with TTE and was 33.7 ± 3.04 (SE) cm/sec with TEE (r = 0.95). The mean FV in the mid‐portion of the LAA was 40.9 ± 3.3 and 42.7 ± 3.9 with TTE and TEE respectively (P = NS) (r = 0.95). There was no difference in the LAA FV determination by TTE and TEE in the subgroup with AF. TTE was able to detect FV < 30 cm/sec with a sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 81% and a positive predictive value of 84% compared with TEE.
Localization of p35 (annexin I, lipocortin I) in normal adult rat kidney and during recovery from ischemia

The 35‐kDa protein (p35, lipocortin I, annexin I), originally discovered as a Ca++‐dependent substrate for the EGF receptor tyrosine kinase, binds Ca++ and phospholipids, is developmentally regulated in embryos and has restricted expression in adults. Immunohistochemistry of normal rat kidney shows that p35 is enriched in epithelia of Bowman's capsule, the macula densa, and medullary/papillary collecting ducts, suggesting that p35 is related to specialized renal functions. Light staining is observed in the thick ascending limb; elsewhere, immunoreactivity is nil. Since renal recovery from ischemia involves both hyperplasia and hypertrophy and reportedly is accelerated by EGF, we examined p35 distribution during this process. After 48 hours of recovery, both the distribution and amount of renal p35 are altered. Immunoblots show p35 levels increased at least threefold in whole‐kidney homogenates. The expression of p35 is still highly restricted in recovering kidneys; however, the thick ascending limb now stains heavily. This is the first documentation of alterations in annexin levels during a pathophysiologic response. However, our attempts to discern effects of exogenous EGF on the recovery from ischemia were negative for both mitotic index and renal function assays. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Very High Resolution Stacked Multilevel Inverter Topology for Adjustable Speed Drives

This paper proposes a novel 49-level stacked inverter topology for drives. The 49 levels are achieved by stacking three 17-level inverters. Each of the 17-level inverter is developed by cascading a flying capacitor (FC) inverter with three capacitor-fed H-bridges. The device count can be reduced by making the FC and the three cascaded H-bridges common to the dc link in each phase using selector switches in between them. The selector switches need to operate at fundamental frequency only. Also, the devices need to block very low voltages. Hence, MOSFETs can be used. This topology requires three dc sources, each of $V_{\text{dc}}$ /6 only, which can be replaced with stacked batteries for electric vehicle applications. The reduction in the dc voltage requirement is achieved by using a normal symmetric six-phase induction motor with parallel connection of the opposite phase windings. All the floating capacitors in the topology can be balanced irrespective of any modulation index or load power factor. Due to the high number of voltage levels, nearest level control can be used instead of pulse width modulation, which reduces the switching losses. The $dv/dt$ during the inverter operation is also less. Detailed experimental results at different speeds of operation and during transients ensure that the novel topology can be a viable option for high-power adjustable speed drives.
Impact of a Growth Mindset Intervention on Academic Performance of Students at Two Urban High Schools

Developing a growth mindset has been shown to improve academic performance. The goal of this practitioner research study was to help urban high school students (N = 69) challenged by poor grades, poor attendance, and poor graduation rates change their beliefs about their own potential. Results indicated that the intervention increased growth mindset scores of students in the treatment group but did not improve core grade point average. The authors discuss implications for school counseling practice and recommendations for future research.
TNFalpha polymorphisms and risk of psoriatic arthritis.

BACKGROUND Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) is a cytokine of critical importance in psoriatic arthritis. OBJECTIVES (1) To examine the association between TNFalpha promoter gene polymorphisms and psoriatic arthritis in two well characterised Canadian populations with the disease; (2) to carry out a meta-analysis of all TNFalpha association studies in white psoriatic arthritis populations. METHODS DNA samples were genotyped for five TNF variants by time of flight mass spectrometry using the Sequenom platform. All five single nucleotide polymorphisms were in the 5' flanking region of TNFalpha gene at the following positions: -1031 (T-->C), -863 (C-->A), -857 (C-->T), -308 (G-->A), and -238 (G-->A). Primary analyses were based on logistic regression. Summary estimates of disease/genotype relations from several studies were derived from random effects meta-analyses. RESULTS 237 psoriatic arthritis subjects and 103 controls from Newfoundland and 203 psoriatic arthritis subjects and 101 controls from Toronto were studied. A combined analysis of data from both populations, showed a significant association between disease status and the -238(A) variant (p=0.01). The meta-analysis estimate for the -238(A) TNFalpha variant in eight psoriatic arthritis populations was also significant (odds ratio=2.29 (95% confidence interval, 1.48 to 3.55)). CONCLUSIONS Analysis of TNFalpha variants in psoriatic arthritis populations shows that the -238 (A) variant is a significant risk factor for this disease.
Estimated severe pneumococcal disease cases and deaths before and after pneumococcal conjugate vaccine introduction in children younger than 5 years of age in South Africa

Introduction Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of severe bacterial infections globally. A full understanding of the impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) on pneumococcal disease burden, following its introduction in 2009 in South Africa, can support national policy on PCV use and assist with policy decisions elsewhere. Methods We developed a model to estimate the national burden of severe pneumococcal disease, i.e. disease requiring hospitalisation, pre- (2005–2008) and post-PCV introduction (2012–2013) in children aged 0–59 months in South Africa. We estimated case numbers for invasive pneumococcal disease using data from the national laboratory-based surveillance, adjusted for specimen-taking practices. We estimated non-bacteraemic pneumococcal pneumonia case numbers using vaccine probe study data. To estimate pneumococcal deaths, we applied observed case fatality ratios to estimated case numbers. Estimates were stratified by HIV status to account for the impact of PCV and HIV-related interventions. We assessed how different assumptions affected estimates using a sensitivity analysis. Bootstrapping created confidence intervals. Results In the pre-vaccine era, a total of approximately 107,600 (95% confidence interval [CI] 83,000–140,000) cases of severe hospitalised pneumococcal disease were estimated to have occurred annually. Following PCV introduction and the improvement in HIV interventions, 41,800 (95% CI 28,000–50,000) severe pneumococcal disease cases were estimated in 2012–2013, a rate reduction of 1,277 cases per 100,000 child-years. Approximately 5000 (95% CI 3000–6000) pneumococcal-related annual deaths were estimated in the pre-vaccine period and 1,900 (95% CI 1000–2500) in 2012–2013, a mortality rate difference of 61 per 100,000 child-years. Conclusions While a large number of hospitalisations and deaths due to pneumococcal disease still occur among children 0–59 months in South Africa, we found a large reduction in this estimate that is temporally associated with PCV introduction. In HIV-infected individuals the scale-up of other interventions, such as improvements in HIV care, may have also contributed to the declines in pneumococcal burden.
Can cannabis increase the suicide risk in psychosis? A critical review.

OBJECTIVES This paper aimed to critically review the current literature concerning the possible association between cannabis use and suicidal behavior in patients with psychosis and in non-psychotic samples. METHODS We performed a detailed Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, PsycLit, and PsycInfo search to identify all papers and book chapters focusing on the association between cannabis use, and suicidal behavior during the period between 1980 and 2011. RESULTS Most, but not all studies reported an association between suicidal behavior and cannabis use both in psychotic and non-psychotic samples. However, there were also some studies suggesting a weak (not direct) association between these two phenomena. Overall, those who attempt or complete suicide are characterized by additional risk factors such as mood disorders, stressful life events, interpersonal problems, poor social support, lonely lives, and feelings of hopelessness. LIMITATIONS It was not possible to perform a meta-analysis due to the high heterogeneity of individual data. CONCLUSIONS Cannabis use was a relevant risk factor associated with both suicidal attempts and behaviors in psychotic and non-psychotic samples. Preventive programs should be directed on reducing cannabis use, particularly in psychotic subjects. Evidence suggests that targeted suicide prevention programs can be also developed in specific at-risk subgroups such as those at genetic or clinical high risk of psychosis.
An Exploratory Study on the Effect of Price as an Anchor on Willingness-to-pay

The two competing underlying mechanisms of anchoring, anchoring-and-adjustment and selective accessibility, have very different managerial implications for the effect of price as an anchor on willingness-to-pay (WTP). To clarify their relative roles in inducing the anchoring effect, path analysis modeling in which two paths are included in a single model was utilized. The first path proceeds directly from anchor price to WTP, representing anchor-and-adjustment. The second path, representing selective accessibility, includes a mediator formed by various explanatory variables of WTP. The results consistently show that only the direct path, anchoring-and-adjustment, is significant. The results also show that the level of available product information has no significant moderation effect on both of the paths, which implies the robustness of the result with respect to information level.
Low-Power BiCMOS Optical Receiver With Voltage-Controlled Transimpedance

An optical receiver with voltage-controlled transimpedance using a current conveyor and a voltage amplifier monolithically integrated with a PIN photodiode in 0.6 mum BiCMOS technology is presented. The transimpedance is directly proportional to a voltage-controlled resistance, and can be continuously varied by changing its control voltage. Thanks to the mixed current-mode and voltage-mode signal processing, the bandwidth of the optical receiver is virtually independent of the photodiode capacitance. A linearity error smaller than 3.1%, a sensitivity dynamic range of 78.8 (37.9 dB) with the largest sensitivity of S = 890 mV/muW at 660 nm, an offset voltage smaller than 0.53 mV, a largest maximum power consumption of only 3.2 mW, a small-signal frequency bandwidth up to 189 MHz, a large-signal rise time/fall time down to 3.7 ns/3.3 ns, and an output noise level down to -77.8 dBm (for a frequency of 50 MHz and a resolution bandwidth of 30 kHz) are achieved.
Rheumatic manifestations among HIV positive adults attending the Infectious Disease Clinic at Mulago Hospital.

BACKGROUND Rheumatic manifestations in HIV are common and sometimes the initial presentation of the disease. HIV is now a common infection at the Infectious Disease Clinic, Mulago. The spectrum of joint diseases seen depend on a number of factors such as, the CD4 count, HLA status and current therapy. OBJECTIVE This study included HIV patients from a heterogeneous population and was designed to determine the prevalence and clinical pattern of rheumatic manifestations among these HIV patients. METHODS Four hundred eighty seven patients were screened and 300 HIV positive patients were consecutively recruited into the study, evaluated for rheumatic manifestations and their clinical and laboratory findings documented. RESULTS The prevalence of rheumatic manifestations was 27% (81 of 300). Arthralgias in 19.3% of the study population were commonest finding followed by HIV associated arthritis at 4.3%. The lower limbs were the most commonly affected with the knees (28.8%) and ankles (26.9%) contributing the highest. All patients had a negative anti-nuclear antibody test, with only two having a positive rheumatoid factor test. An association of antituberculosis drugs with joint disease was further highlighted in this study (OR 3.79 95% CI, 1.44 - 9.93). Septic arthritis due to Staphylococcus aureus was rarely observed except when the patients' level of CD4 + T cells dropped below 200 cells mm(3). The mean CD4+ count was 171 cells mm(3). CONCLUSION Rheumatic manifestations should be considered among HIV positive adults. Arthralgias are common especially in patients using pyrazinamide.
Relative Tax Rates, Proximity, and Cigarette Tax Noncompliance: Evidence from a National Sample of Littered Cigarette Packs

We analyze data about cigarette tax compliance from the first US-based national scale littered cigarette packs collection. We code each pack based on whether an appropriate tax had been paid at the location where it was found. Noncompliance across our 132 sample communities ranges from 0 percent to 100 percent with an appropriately weighted mean of 21 percent. We provide evidence that noncompliance is due to both cross-border shopping and cigarette trafficking. Ordinary least squares and binomial logit regressions demonstrate that the financial incentive for noncompliance is the most important explanatory variable and has a statistically and quantitatively significant impact on noncompliance. We find mixed evidence about the extent to which tax avoidance varies with distance to lower-tax borders. Our simulations show that, even after accounting for increased noncompliance, virtually all areas in our study would experience increases in tax revenue if they increased cigarette tax rates.
Occurrence and human exposure assessment of organophosphate flame retardants in indoor dust from various microenvironments of the Rhine/Main region, Germany

We analyzed organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) in 74 indoor dust samples collected from seven microenvironments (building material markets, private cars, daycare centers, private homes, floor/carpet stores, offices, and schools) in the Rhine/Main region of Germany. Ten of 11 target OPFRs were ubiquitously detected, some with more than 97% detection frequency, including tris(1,3-dichloroisopropyl)phosphate (TCIPP), tris(2-butoxyethyl)phosphate (TBOEP), triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), and tris(isobutyl) phosphate (TIBP). Total concentrations (∑OPFRs) ranged from 5.9 to 4800 μg/g, with TBOEP and TCIPP being the most abundant congeners. The ∑OPFRs in schools, private cars, offices, and daycare centers were significantly (P<.05) higher than in private homes. The ∑OPFRs for building material markets (19 μg/g) and floor/carpet stores (20 μg/g) showed no significant difference to the other microenvironments, likely because of forced ventilation. The profiles of OPFRs in dust samples from offices and private homes were highly similar, while profiles from the other five microenvironments were substantially different. Comparison of our results with previous studies indicates a significant global variation in OPFR concentrations and their profiles, reflecting distinct fire safety regulations in different countries and/or different sampling strategies. Dust ingestion constitutes the major exposure pathway to OPFRs for toddlers, while air inhalation is the major pathway for adults.