Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DOES CREATINE SUPPLEMENTATION IMPROVE FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY IN ELDERLY WOMEN?

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of shortterm (7 days) oral creatine supplementation (0.3 g·kg−1) in elderly women during exercise tests that reflect functional capacity during daily living tasks. We assessed several indices of endurance capacity (1-mile walk test, gross mechanical efficiency, ventilatory threshold, and peak oxygen intake determined during cycle-ergometry) and lower-extremity functional performance (time to complete sit-stand test). Subjects were assigned to a creatine (n = 10; age 67 ± 6 years) or placebo (n = 6; age 68 ± 4 years) group. We found a significant improvement only after creatine loading in the sit-stand test (placebo: 9.7 ± 0.9 seconds for pretest and 9.3 ± 0.7 seconds for posttest, p > 0.05; creatine: 10.0 ± 0.7 seconds for pretest and 8.8 ± 1.1 seconds for posttest). Significance was recorded at p < 0.05 for the interaction effect (group [creatine, placebo] 3 time [pretest, post-test]). In elderly women, short-term oral creatine supplementation does not improve endurance capacity but increases the ability to perform lower-body functional living tasks involving rapid movements.
Pathological α-Synuclein Transmission Initiates Parkinson-like Neurodegeneration in Nontransgenic Mice

Synthetic Parkinson's Parkinson's disease (PD) and related α-synucleinopathies are defined by the accumulation of α-synuclein (α-Syn)–containing intraneuronal inclusions—Lewy bodies (LBs) and Lewy neurites (LNs)—in association with the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and other brain regions. However, a cause-and-effect relationship between LB/LN formation and neurodegeneration remains unclear. Indeed, whether LB/LNs are toxic or represent a neuroprotective response has been contentious. Luk et al. (p. 949) injected α-Syn fibrils generated from recombinant mouse α-Syn protein into the dorsal striatum of wild-type mice and found that misfolded α-Syn caused the formation of PD-like LB/LNs and subsequent cell-to-cell transmission of pathologic α-Syn to anatomically interconnected regions, including the SNpc. Furthermore, the formation of LB/LNs and their accumulation in SNpc resulted in the progressive loss of these dopaminergic neurons, reduced dopamine innervations to the dorsal striatum, and culminated in motor deficits similar to PD. Thus, a synthetic misfolded wild-type protein (that is, α-Syn) was able to elicit and transmit disease pathology and neurodegeneration in healthy nontransgenic mice. Intracerebral inoculation of synthetic misfolded α-synuclein mimics Parkinson’s disease in wild-type mice. Parkinson’s disease is characterized by abundant α-synuclein (α-Syn) neuronal inclusions, known as Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, and the massive loss of midbrain dopamine neurons. However, a cause-and-effect relationship between Lewy inclusion formation and neurodegeneration remains unclear. Here, we found that in wild-type nontransgenic mice, a single intrastriatal inoculation of synthetic α-Syn fibrils led to the cell-to-cell transmission of pathologic α-Syn and Parkinson’s-like Lewy pathology in anatomically interconnected regions. Lewy pathology accumulation resulted in progressive loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, but not in the adjacent ventral tegmental area, and was accompanied by reduced dopamine levels culminating in motor deficits. This recapitulation of a neurodegenerative cascade thus establishes a mechanistic link between transmission of pathologic α-Syn and the cardinal features of Parkinson’s disease.
The reliability and validity of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) among the elderly Chinese in Hong Kong.

INTRODUCTION The Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) was reported to be a sensitive cognitive function assessment scale for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The English, Greek, Spanish but not Chinese versions had been validated previously. OBJECTIVES The objectives of the present study were to investigate the reliability and validity of an adapted Chinese version of the ADAS-cog among Chinese elderly AD patients in Hong Kong. MATERIALS AND METHOD Thirty-nine subjects were recruited during the period July to December 1998. Twenty were AD patients while 19 were non-demented normal subjects. Two raters administered the ADAS-cog scale thrice on different occasions. RESULTS The internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) of the ADAS-cog were 0.91, 0.88 and 0.65 for the whole group, the AD and normal (i.e. non-demented) subjects respectively. The test-retest reliability as measured by the Spearman's rho correlation coefficients were 0.96, 0.86 and 0.86 for the whole group, AD and normal subjects, respectively, (all P < 0.001). The Spearman's rho correlation coefficients for inter-rater reliability were 0.95 (P < 0.001), 0.91 (P < 0.001) and 0.65 (P = 0.003) for the whole group, AD and normal subjects, respectively. The ADAS-cog score was inversely related to the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) score (Spearman's rho = -0.91; P < 0.001). The ADAS-cog score was directly proportional to the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) (rho = 0.89; P < 0.001). Forward stepwise discriminant function analysis between AD and normal subjects yielded a canonical discriminant function with 3-question items (i.e. word recall test, orientation and comprehension of speech; P < 0.001). This short version had a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 94.7% and overall accuracy of 92.3%. CONCLUSION The Chinese version of ADAS-cog subscale is both reliable and valid among the elderly Chinese in Hong Kong.
Alteration of tissue and serum sphinganine to sphingosine ratio: an early biomarker of exposure to fumonisin-containing feeds in pigs.

Fumonisins are a group of naturally occurring compounds produced by the fungus Fusarium moniliforme. They are believed to be the etiologic agent of several animal diseases associated with consumption of corn-based feeds including porcine pulmonary edema. Recently it was shown in vitro that fumonisins are specific inhibitors of sphingosine and sphinganine N-acyltransferases. Inhibition of these enzymes in cultured cells results in the accumulation of free long chain sphingoid bases, specifically sphingosine and sphinganine, and the depletion of complex sphingolipids. In this study, tissues and serum from male SPF pigs fed a nutritionally balanced diet containing corn or corn screenings naturally contaminated with fumonisins for up to 14 days were analyzed for free sphingoid bases and complex sphingolipids. Total fumonisins (B1 and B2) in the diets were analyzed at 0 (< 1), 5, 23, 39, 101, and 175 ppm. Pulmonary edema only occurred at 175 ppm, while histologic liver damage was present at > or = 23 ppm, and serum liver enzymes were significantly elevated at > or = 101 ppm. The results of this study show that free sphinganine is elevated in liver, lung, and kidney, from pigs consuming feeds containing fumonisins at total fumonisin concentrations of 23 ppm or greater. Sphingosine is also elevated in a dose-dependent manner, but to a lesser extent than sphinganine. The consequence of this differential inhibition is that the ratio of sphinganine to sphingosine increases, suggesting that sphinganine N-acyltransferase is the preferred target for fumonisins. Elevation of free sphinganine and free sphingosine in serum paralleled the increases in tissues. Statistically significant increases in the ratio were observed at feed concentrations as low as 5 ppm total fumonisins and in pigs (at higher concentrations) in which other serum biochemistry parameters and tissue morphology were not altered. Elevated ratios were also observed in serum from pigs fed pure fumonisin B1. The sensitivity of the ratio indicates that it could serve as an effective biomarker for consumption of fumonisin-containing feeds. In addition, the data supports the hypothesis that inhibition of sphingosine and sphinganine N-acyltransferase plays an important role in the pathogenesis of animal diseases associated with consumption of feed containing fumonisins.
Effects of Oxytocin Administration on Receiving Help

Receiving help can be a “mixed blessing. ” Despite the many psychosocial benefits it can carry, it sometimes has negative psychological consequences, such as loss in self-esteem or enhanced guilt. It is, therefore, important to understand the factors that modify responses to receiving help from others. We explored the role of the hormone oxytocin (OT) on affective and social responses to receiving help, given the putative role of OT in social bonding and attunement. To this end, we manipulated whether help was received from a same-sex interaction partner (confederate) versus a control condition, crossed with a double-blind administration of intranasal OT (vs. placebo), and examined subjective and observer-rated participant responses to help. We observed significant interactions between OT and the help manipulation. In the placebo condition, receiving help from the interaction partner compared with the control condition had negative consequences, such that participants reported greater negative affect and came to view themselves and their interaction partners more negatively after interacting together on several tasks. What is important, however, is that OT administration buffered against these negative subjective responses to receiving help. Further, outside observers rated participants who received OT administration as expressing greater happiness and gratitude in response to help, relative to those who received placebo. In sum, in the context of receiving help from a stranger, oxytocin administration fostered more positive affective and social responses.
Acute onset of bilateral visual loss during sildenafil therapy in a young infant with congenital heart disease

We report a case of posterior non-arteritic ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) causing bilateral visual loss in a 7-month-old female infant, after a therapeutic course with sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i). The patient was affected by a complex cyanotic congenital heart defect and had undergone cavopulmonary anastomosis (Glenn operation) 3 months ago. After 2 months of recurring chylothorax, a course of oral sildenafil was administered, with the hypothesis that pulmonary vascular resistances were increased. Approximately 4 weeks later the acute onset of visual worsening and poor pupillary light reflex prompted the diagnosis of posterior NAION. Despite a rapid cessation of PDE5i and systemic treatment with corticosteroids, no visual recovery was noticed at 2-year follow-up. NAION has been associated with PDE5i therapy in adults, but to the best of our knowledge it is almost unheard of in children. We suggest close monitoring of visual function in children undergoing treatment with sildenafil.
Electrophoretic separation and molecular weight characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa H-antigen flagellins

We found that preparations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa flagellar antigens protected against P. aeruginosa challenge in a burned-mouse model. To determine the extent of similarity among known flagellar antigen types, we compared flagellins by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A majority of our laboratory strains and clinical isolates, including PAO strains and their derivative mutants RM46 and PJ108, as well as virulent strains M-2 and 1244, had flagellins of 53,000 Mr. These flagellins had the same Mrs as those of type b-standard strains 170001 and 15084. The heterogeneous group of a-type H-antigen flagellins were of smaller molecular weights, ranging from 52,000 Mr for standard strain 5939 (a0, a3) to 45,000 Mr for standard strain 170018 (a0, a3, a4). Standard strains 5933 (a0, a1, a2) and 5940 (a0, a2) had intermediate Mrs of 51,000 and 47,000, respectively. Differences in Mr of 1,000 to 2,000 could be resolved by coelectrophoresis. A series of 26 unknown strains were categorized. Correlations among typing by molecular weight, cross-agglutination reactions with O-adsorbed H antisera, and previous results for H-serum typing are reported.
Global Asymptotic Saturated PID Control for Robot Manipulators

This paper addresses the global asymptotic regulation of robot manipulators under input constraints, both with and without velocity measurements. It is proven that robot systems subject to bounded inputs can be globally asymptotically stabilized via a saturated proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control in agreement with Lyapunov's direct method and LaSalle's invariance principle. Advantages of the proposed controller include an absence of modeling parameters in the control law formulation and an ability to ensure actuator constraints are not breached. This is accomplished by selecting control gains a priori, removing the possibility of actuator failure due to excessive torque input levels. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is illustrated via simulations.
Oxidation study of copper wire bonding

Copper wire bonding is the most effective alternative of gold wire bonding. As copper is more chemical reactive than gold, easier oxidation is one of the most major problem copper wire bonding encountered. Anti-oxidation technology must be used in copper wire bonding process. In general, there are two different ways to improve the anti-oxidation properties of copper bonding wire. One of which is injecting forming gas (FG) containing reducibility; the other is plated anti-oxidation metal coating on 4N pure copper wire. In this paper, we have investigated the performance of copper wire anti-oxidation technology. An optimized forming gas flow rate has been obtained for the pure copper wire. Evidences of anti-oxidation performance have also been shown for Pd-coated copper wire.
Sex steroids at birth: genetic and environmental variation and covariation.

Three sex-steroids (estradiol, progesterone, & testosterone) were assayed from the umbilical cord blood of 58 same-sex twin pairs in an investigation of the effects of sex, as well as genetic and environmental factors, on neonatal hormone levels. Although significant mean differences were found between boys and girls for both testosterone and progesterone, sex appeared to account for very little of the total variation for any of the hormones. Results showed that genetic influences significantly affected within-sex variation in both estradiol and progesterone levels, while variations in the intrauterine (shared twin) environment accounted primarily for differences in levels of testosterone. Moderate correlations were also found among the three hormones. Multivariate biometrical analyses revealed these relationships to be explained by an underlying general factor of nonshared environmental influences affecting all three hormones. Genetic factors appeared to be specific to each hormone rather than correlated across hormones. These results suggest not only that genes are operating at this early age, but also that maternal and other prenatal factors (e.g., placental effects, uterine position) have a significant role in variations of sex-steroids and possibly on later behaviors.
Expression of the Human Endogenous Retrovirus (HERV) Group HML-2/HERV-K Does Not Depend on Canonical Promoter Elements but Is Regulated by Transcription Factors Sp1 and Sp3

ABSTRACT After fixation in the human genome, human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are bona fide cellular genes despite their exogenous origin. To be able to spread within the germ line and the early embryo, the ancient retroviral promoters must have adapted to the requirements for expression in these cell types. We describe that in contrast to the case for current exogenous retroviruses, which replicate in specific somatic cells, the long terminal repeat (LTR) of the human endogenous retrovirus HERV-K acts as a TATA- and initiator element-independent promoter with a variable transcription start site. We present evidence that the HERV-K LTR is regulated by the transcription factors Sp1 and Sp3. Mutating specific GC boxes, which are binding sites for Sp proteins, and knocking down Sp1 and Sp3 by use of small interfering RNA (siRNA) significantly reduced the promoter activity. Binding of Sp1 and Sp3 to the promoter region was confirmed using electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). Our data explain why certain HERV-K proviruses have lost promoter competence. Since vertebrate promoters lacking canonical core promoter elements are common but poorly studied, understanding the HERV-K promoter not only will provide insight into the regulation of endogenous retroviruses but also can serve as a paradigm for understanding the regulation of this class of cellular genes.
Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Toxoplasma gondii Infection on Finishing Swine Reared in the Umbria Region, Central Italy

Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide zoonotic protozoan parasite and pork is considered the major meat source of Toxoplasma infection in humans. To determine the prevalence of infection of Toxoplasma gondii in pigs reared in the Umbria Region (Central Italy), blood samples of 960 pigs from 10 different farms (96 for each farm) were randomly collected and tested for antibodies (IgG) against T. gondii using an IFA assay. Sera were screened at 1/16 titrr and the endpoint titre was determined. Farm management questionnaires were completed and used to develop descriptive statistics on the tested farms as well as to determine measures of association for risk factors for the presence of T. gondii‐seropositive pigs. A total of 155 seropositive pigs (16.14%) were identified; within herds prevalence ranged from 8.33 to 25%. The statistical analysis identified all‐in‐all‐out housing and cleaning method as risk factors for Toxoplasma infection.
Lichen sclerosus and lichen planus: a spectrum of disease? Report of two cases and review of the literature

There has long been controversy concerning the relationship between lichen planus and lichen sclerosus. Whilst these two conditions are now considered distinct, there are shared clinical and pathological features. We now describe two patients with the cutaneous involvement of both lichen planus and lichen sclerosus, presenting a review of similar reported cases and discussing the implications for pathogenesis of these two diseases.
Characterization and analysis of intra-body communication channel

In this work, the experiment setup of EF-IBC is studied. An effective setup is developed to preserve the parasitic return path in EF-IBC. Characteristics of every component in an EF-IBC system are measured or derived through a combination of experiments. The measured EF-IBC channel shows a bandpass profile with a center frequency around 42MHz. The channel bandpass profile is mainly determined by the capacitive parasitic return path and the capacitive PCB leakage path. Below 100MHz, the body appears to be a uniform attenuator with about 15dB loss at the distance of 15cm between TX and RX. The channel characteristics are recombined by all the components, and match well with the direct measurement results, which verifies the decomposition method.
Electronic Patient Records in Managing Medication Information - A Health Care Professional Perspective

Efficiently managed information is a key resource in clinical practice. Electronic patient records (EPRs) are in focal point in managing patient-specific medication information. In this multi-method-study, we combine qualitative and quantitative data to investigate Finnish physicians’ perceptions of EPRs. Physicians consider EPRs important in their clinical practice and use them in managing patients’ medication information while addressing a considerable dissatisfaction with quality of the current EPRs. Altogether the findings highlight the need for improving the quality of the systems and increasing the physicians’ satisfaction to materialize the benefits from the
Effects of CPAP on oxidative stress and nitrate efficiency in sleep apnoea: a randomised trial

Background: Previous studies have presented contradictory data concerning obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), lipid oxidation and nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. This study was undertaken to (1) compare the concentration of 8-isoprostane and total nitrate and nitrite (NOx) in plasma of middle-aged men with OSAS and no other known co-morbidity and healthy controls of the same age, gender and body mass index; and (2) test the hypothesis that nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy attenuates oxidative stress and nitrate deficiency. Methods: A prospective, randomised, placebo controlled, double-blind, crossover study was performed in 31 consecutive middle-aged men with newly diagnosed OSAS and 15 healthy control subjects. Patients with OSAS were randomised to receive sham CPAP or effective CPAP for 12 weeks. Blood pressure, urinary catecholamine levels and plasma 8-isoprostane and NOx concentrations were obtained before and after both treatment modalities. Results: Patients with OSAS had significantly higher 8-isoprostane levels (median (IQR) 42.5 (29.2–78.2) vs 20.0 (12.5–52.5) pg/ml, p = 0.041, Mann-Whitney test) and lower NOx levels (264 (165–650) vs 590 (251–1465) μmol/l, p = 0.022) than healthy subjects. Body mass index, blood pressure and urinary catecholamines were unchanged by CPAP therapy, but 8-isoprostane concentrations decreased (38.5 (24.2–58.7) pg/ml at baseline vs 22.5 (16.2–35.3) pg/ml on CPAP, p = 0.0001) and NOx levels increased (280 (177–707) vs 1373 (981–1517) μmol/l, p = 0.0001) after CPAP. Conclusions: OSAS is associated with an increase in oxidative stress and a decrease in NOx that is normalised by CPAP therapy.
Improving Knowledge of the Prostate Cancer Screening Dilemma among African American Men: An Academic-Community Partnership in Washington, DC

Objective. Studies have shown that African American men are at greater risk than other men for prostate cancer in terms of both incidence and mortality. At the same time, the utility of screening asymptomatic men for prostate cancer remains controversial. The combination of high incidence and high mortality with the uncertain benefits of screening poses a difficult problem for African American men. This study was part of an ongoing project that sought to develop and evaluate health education materials designed to help African American men make an informed decision about prostate cancer screening. The project represented a collaboration between the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia and the Lombardi Cancer Center of Georgetown University. Methods. The authors conducted eight focus groups with 44 members of the Prince Hall Masons. The focus groups covered men's understanding of prostate cancer screening and their preferences for methods of health education. Results. Participants demonstrated a high level of awareness of the availability of prostate cancer screening, a low awareness of the screening controversy, and a desire for detailed epidemiologic information and information about the benefits and limitations of screening. The preferred forms of educational materials were video and print-based materials, which the research team has recently developed. Conclusions. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of developing an academic-community collaboration with the goal of improving a health-related problem in the African American community. A randomized trial is underway to evaluate the impact of the video and print education materials.