Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reaction Time Aspects of Elite Sprinters in Athletic World Championships

Abstract Tønnessen, E, Haugen, T, and Shalfawi, SAI. Reaction time aspects of elite sprinters in athletic world championships. J Strength Cond Res 27(4): 885–892, 2013—The aim of this study was to quantify world-class sprinters' reaction times as a function of performance level, gender, body height, finalists' heat round development, and age. A database of 100-m sprint results and corresponding reaction times from 1,319 sprinters participating in different International Association of Athletics Federations world championships during the time period 2003–9 was compiled for this investigation. Seiko was the official timekeeper of the world championships in this study. Seiko uses a silent gun system for time initiation and false start detection. Their Slit Video system captures the runners at the finish line up to 2,000 images per second with high-resolution cameras. Our results indicate that there was a significant relationship (p < 0.01) between reaction time and 100 m running time, with a shared variance of 8.5 and 10.8% for males (r = 0.292) and females (r = 0.328), respectively. Reaction times (0.166 ± 0.030 seconds) of males were significantly shorter (p < 0.01) than those for females (0.176 ± 0.034 seconds). No relationship was observed between reaction time and height. Male finalist sprinters had substantially shorter reaction times in the finals (0.142 ± 0.017 seconds) compared with round 1 (0.161 ± 0.024 seconds), round 2 (0.155 ± 0.020 seconds), and the semifinals (0.153 ± 0.022 seconds). Female finalist sprinters obtained their fastest reaction times during the semifinals (0.153 ± 0.018 seconds). The best reaction times were registered at the age of 26–29 years for males (0.150 ± 0.017 seconds) and >30 years for females (0.153 ± 0.020 seconds), but reaction times across different age categories were also positively correlated with 100 m performance (p < 0.05). Considering the findings of this study, the results suggest that sprinters' reacting abilities affect their sprint performance over 100 m. This study provides magnitude estimates for the influence of performance level, gender, body height, finalists' heat round, and age on reaction time among world-class sprinters, which we believe to be of great interest for coaches and athletes in sports involving reacting skills.
Morin hydrate attenuates Staphylococcus aureus virulence by inhibiting the self‐assembly of α‐hemolysin

To investigate the mechanism by which morin hydrate inhibits the haemolytic activity of α‐hemolysin (Hla), a channel‐forming toxin that is important for the pathogenesis of disease in experimental animals, and its therapeutic effect against Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia in a mouse model.
Anatomic Outcomes of Robotic Assisted Supracervical Hysterectomy and Concurrent Sacrocolpopexy at a Tertiary Care Institution at Initial Adaptation of the Procedure

Objective The aim of the study was to review anatomic and surgical outcomes of robotic-assisted supracervical hysterectomy (RASCH) with concurrent sacrocolpopexy in the treatment of primary pelvic organ prolapse (POP) on initial adaption of this procedure. Study Design A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing RASCH with concurrent sacrocolpopexy between 2009 and 2012 was performed at a tertiary care academic institution, after initial adaption of this procedure. The primary outcome was change in vaginal support (assessed with the pelvic organ prolapse quantification [POP-Q]) at 3 months and 1 year postoperatively. Secondary measures assessed included estimated blood loss, operative times, hospital length of stay, and operative complications. Results Forty patients (N = 40) underwent RASCH with concurrent sacrocolpopexy. Twenty-six patients (65%) had preoperative stage II POP, and 35% had stage III POP. Three months after undergoing the procedure, 55% had achieved stage 0 POP. An additional 35% were categorized as stage I POP. At 1 year, 72.7% were stage I POP or lower. The mean (SD) operating time was 275 (82.3) minutes. Estimated blood loss and mean (SD) length of hospital stay were 163 (114.9) mL and 1.3 (0.8) days, respectively. There were no intensive care unit admissions. The most common postoperative complication was immediate urinary retention in 10% of patients; all cases resolved with time-limited intermittent self-catheterization. Conclusions Even with initial adaptation of the procedure, RASCH with concurrent sacrocolpopexy for the repair of primary POP is effective in restoring anatomic support in the short term. Operative complications are minimal.
Preclinical evaluation of Gd-EOB-DTPA as a contrast agent in MR imaging of the hepatobiliary system.

Gadolinium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) covalently linked to the lipophilic ethoxybenzyl moiety (Gd-EOB-DTPA) was designed for use as a contrast agent in hepatobiliary magnetic resonance imaging. With T1 relaxivity values of 8.7 L/mmol.second in plasma and 16.6 L/mmol.second in rat liver tissue and a median lethal dose of 10 mmol/kg when administered intravenously in mice and rats, Gd-EOB-DTPA has a fairly high margin of safety. In rats and monkeys, biodistribution studies performed 7 days after administration of 0.25 mmol/kg revealed very little retention of gadolinium (less than 1%) in the tissues, indicating complete elimination via renal and biliary excretion. Biliary excretion was inhibited by coadministration of sulfobromophthalein, indicating the involvement of a carrier-mediated transport system based on the enzyme glutathione-S-transferase. In rats, the biliary transport maximum was 5 mumol gadolinium/min.kg. High T1 relaxivity of Gd-EOB-DTPA in rat liver in vivo can be explained by transient interaction with intracellular components and by increased microviscosity inside the hepatocyte.
Association of indoxyl sulfate with heart failure among patients on hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Indoxyl sulfate, a protein-bound uremic toxin, may be associated with cardiovascular events and mortality in patients with CKD. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between indoxyl sulfate and heart failure in patients on hemodialysis. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS Patients on hemodialysis for >6 months were enrolled within 6 months. Patients with congestive heart failure, angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, or cerebral hemorrhage within 3 months before the study or those <18 years old were excluded. The primary end point was first heart failure event during follow-up. RESULTS In total, 258 patients (145 men) with a mean age of 57.0 ± 14.6 years old were enrolled. Median plasma indoxyl sulfate level was used to categorize patients into two groups: the low-indoxyl sulfate group (indoxyl sulfate ≤ 2.35 μg/ml) and the high-indoxyl sulfate group (indoxyl sulfate >32.35 μg/ml). Then, patients were prospectively followed up for a median of 48.0 (interquartile range: 33.5-48.0) months. During follow-up, 68 patients experienced episodes of first heart failure. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed the incidence of first heart failure event in the high-indoxyl sulfate group was significantly higher than in the low-indoxyl sulfate group (log rank P<0.001). Cox regression analysis showed indoxyl sulfate was significantly associated with first heart failure event (indoxyl sulfate as the continuous variable: hazard ratio, 1.02; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.01 to 1.03; P=0.001; indoxyl sulfate as the dichotomous variable: hazard ratio, 3.49; 95% CI, 1.97 to 6.20; P<0.001). After adjustment for other confounding factors, the results remained significant (indoxyl sulfate as the continuous variable: hazard ratio, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.06; P<0.001; indoxyl sulfate as the dichotomous variable: hazard ratio, 5.31; 95% CI, 2.43 to 11.58; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Plasma indoxyl sulfate was associated with first heart failure event in patients on hemodialysis. Whether indoxyl sulfate is only a biomarker or involved in the pathogenesis of heart failure in hemodialysis warrants additional study.
Characterization of a First Domain of Human High Glycine-Tyrosine and High Sulfur Keratin-associated Protein (KAP) Genes on Chromosome 21q22.1*

Analysis of the EBI/GeneBankTM data base using non-human hair keratin-associated protein (KAP) cDNA sequences as a query resulted in the identification of a first domain of high glycine-tyrosine and high sulfur KAP genes located on human chromosome 21q22.1. This domain, present on the DNA accession numbers AP001078 and AP001709, was ∼535 kb in size and contained 17 high glycine-tyrosine and 7 high sulfur KAP genes, as well as 9 KAP pseudogenes. Based on amino acid sequence comparisons of the encoded proteins, the KAP genes could be divided into seven high glycine-tyrosine gene families (KAP6–KAP8, and KAP19–KAP22) and four high sulfur gene families (KAP11, KAP13, KAP15, and KAP23). The high glycine-tyrosine genes described here appear to represent the complete set of this type of KAP genes present in the human genome. Both systematic cDNA isolation studies from an arrayed scalp cDNA library and in situ hybridization expression studies of all of the KAP genes identified in the 21q22.1 region revealed varying degrees and regions of expression of 11 members of the high tyrosine-glycine genes and 6 members of the high sulfur KAP genes in the hair forming compartment.
Creation of an innovative inpatient medical procedure service and a method to evaluate house staff competency

INTRODUCTION: Training residents in medical procedures is an area of growing interest. Studies demonstrate that internal medicine residents are inadequately trained to perform common medical procedures, and program directors report residents do not master these essential skills. The American Board of Internal Medicine requires substantiation of competence in procedure skills for all internal medicine residents; however, for most procedures, standards of competence do not exist.OBJECTIVE: 1) Create a new and standardized approach to teaching, performing, and evaluating inpatient medical procedures; 2) Determine the number of procedures required until trainees develop competence, by assessing both clinical knowledge and psychomotor skills; 3) Improve patient safety.DESIGN: A Medical Procedure Service (MPS), consisting of select faculty who are experts at common impatient procedures, was established to supervise residents performing medical procedures. Faculty monitor residents’ psychomotor performance, while clinical knowledge is taught through a complementary, comprehensive curriculum. After the completion of each procedure, the trainee and supervising faculty member independently complete online questionnaires.RESULTS: During this pilot program, 246 procedures were supervised, with a pooled major complication rate of 3.7%. 123 thoracenteses were supervised, with a pneumothorax rate of 3.3%; this compares favorably with a pooled analysis of the literature. 87% of surveyed house staff felt the procedure service helped in their education of medical procedures.CONCLUSIONS: The “see one, do one, teach one” model of procedure education is dangerously inadequate. Through the development of a Medical Procedure Service, and an associated procedure curriculum and a mechanism of evaluation, we hope to reduce the rate of complications and errors related to medical procedures and to determine at what point competency is achieved for these procedures.
Awareness and Knowledge of the U.S. Public Health Service Syphilis Study at Tuskegee: Implications for Biomedical Research

The purpose of this review was to collect and interpret the findings of all published qualitative or quantitative research that assessed African Americans' 1) general awareness and/or specific knowledge of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Syphilis Study at Tuskegee, and 2) attitudes towards and/or willingness to participate in biomedical research. An exhaustive review of the literature produced eight articles that fit the aforementioned selection criteria. All articles that assessed both awareness and knowledge found that familiarity with the USPHS Syphilis Study at Tuskegee did not necessarily ensure accurate knowledge of it. Four studies also found that awareness of the USPHS Syphilis Study at Tuskegee did not relate to willingness to participate in biomedical research. In addition to awareness and knowledge of the USPHS Syphilis Study at Tuskegee, published studies suggest that a broad array of structural and sociocultural factors influence minorities' willingness to participate in biomedical studies.
Effects of exercise training on nitric oxide, blood pressure and antioxidant enzymes

The relationship between exercise training and nitric oxide-related parameters was examined in a cross-sectional study and an intervention study. A cross-sectional study using 184 employees was conducted to observe the association of exercise habits with serum arginase (ELISA and activity), l-arginine, l-citrulline, l-ornithine, NOx, exhaled nitric oxide, blood pressure, FEV1%, hs-CRP, HDL-cholesterol, IgE, and life style factors. An intervention study was also conducted to evaluate the changes of serum arginase I, nitric oxide-related parameters, and mRNA levels of anti-oxidant enzymes in blood monocytes before and after 1 h of aerobic exercise training per day for a month. Exercise habits were associated with increased arginase activity and a moderate alcohol drinking habit, after adjustment with several covariates. Aerobic exercise training induced a decrease in l-arginine and diastolic blood pressure and induced an increase in NO2− and urea. Moreover, mRNA expression of anti-oxidant enzymes, such as catalase and GPX1, and a life elongation enzyme, SIRT3, were significantly increased after aerobic exercise. The results that aerobic exercise training increased NO generation, reduced blood pressure, and induced anti-oxidant enzymes via SIRT3 suggest that exercise training may be an important factor for the prevention of disease by inducing intrinsic NO and anti-oxidant enzymes.
Isolation and initial culture of porcine inner cell masses derived from in vitro-produced blastocysts

SUMMARY The present study was conducted to isolate and culture inner cell mass (ICM) primarily derived from in vitro-produced blastocysts and to develop the culture conditions for the ICM cells. In Experiment 1, immunosurgically isolated ICMs of blastocysts derived from in vitro fertilization (IVF), somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) or parthenogenetic activation (PA) were seeded onto STO cells. Primary colonies from each isolated ICM were formed with a ratio of 28.9, 30.0 and 4.9%, respectively. In Experiment 2, blastocysts collected from IVF were directly seeded onto a feeder layer with or without zona pellucida (ZP), or were subjected to ICM isolation by immunosurgery. Primary colonies were formed in 36.8% of isolated ICMs and 19.4% in intact blastocysts without ZP. In Experiment 3, ICMs from IVF blastocysts were seeded onto STO cells, mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) or porcine uterine epithelial cells (PUEC). On STO and MEF cells, 34.5 and 22.2% of primary colonies were formed, respectively. However, no primary colony was formed on the PUEC or in feeder-free condition. In Experiment 4, ICMs from IVF blastocysts were cultured in DMEM + Ham's F10 (D/H medium), DMEM + NCSU-23 (D/N medium) or DMEM alone. When D/H medium or D/N medium was used, 21.7 or 44.4% of primary colony were formed, respectively, while no primary colony was formed in DMEM alone. These cells showed alkaline phosphatase activity and could be maintained for up to five passages. In suspension culture, cells formed embryoid bodies. These results demonstrate that porcine ICM could be isolated and cultured primarily from in vitro-produced blastocysts with a suitable culture system.
What is the role, if any, for beta-blockers as initial therapy for uncomplicated hypertension?

Purpose of review Debate continues over the role of beta-blockers in the treatment of uncomplicated hypertension. Such debate has been fuelled mainly by the emerging deleterious effects of atenolol. The purpose of this review is to summarize the latest findings on vasodilating beta-blockers in terms of central effects on blood pressure (BP) and endothelial function and evidence that these agents address fundamental physiological and prognostically relevant mechanisms for the development and progression of hypertension. Recent findings Vasodilating beta-blockers preferentially improve central hemodynamics and reduce arterial stiffness compared with conventional beta-blockers, independent of their effects on BP reduction. Furthermore, vasodilating beta-blockers, particularly nebivolol, have positive effects on endothelial function, possibly by improving the balance between nitric oxide and peroxynitrite. Summary The majority of evidence suggesting that beta-blockade should not be used in uncomplicated hypertension comes from studies using atenolol. It would therefore be premature and unwise to eliminate all beta-blockers from the array of agents available to optimize BP control in patients with uncomplicated hypertension by extrapolating data based almost entirely on the conventional beta-blocker atenolol. Vasodilating beta-blockers have beneficial effects on central BP, arterial stiffening, and nitric oxide-dependent endothelial dysfunction that may contribute to their clinical benefits in patients with hypertension.
A new perspective on the incentive–blood donation relationship: partnership, congruency, and affirmation of competence

BACKGROUND: The Motivation Crowding‐out Theory suggests that incentives undermine intrinsic motivation and thus blood donation behavior. While there is strong evidence showing the negative relationship between monetary incentives and blood donation, findings on the effect of nonmonetary incentives are mixed. Set in a voluntary, nonremunerated environment, this study explores aspects of the nonmonetary incentive–blood donation relationship not captured by the crowding‐out hypothesis.
Quantification of reduced health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared to the general population.

OBJECTIVE To compare levels of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to those of the general population. METHODS Disease burden was assessed using a generic health status instrument (Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36) for measurements of HRQOL and SF-6D to calculate utility scores in representative patients aged 20 to 79 years from the Oslo RA Register (n = 1052), and in individuals in the general population (n = 2323). Comparisons were performed with respect to sex and age, and standardized difference scores (s-scores) were calculated for comparisons with the norm. RESULTS HRQOL in patients with RA was reduced compared to the general population on all scales of the SF-36 for both males and females and for all age groups. s-scores adjusted for age and education ranged from -1.39 for physical functioning to -0.27 for mental health. The overall difference in utility was 0.16 and ranged from 0.13 (in female patients below 50 yrs) to 0.20 (patients 50-60 years). This implies that RA of 1 year duration entails a disease burden of 14-20 quality-adjusted life-years in 100 RA patients. CONCLUSION RA inflicts a substantial disease burden, and the disease affects all HRQOL dimensions as measured by the SF-36 in both sexes and in all age groups. Physical functioning is predominantly affected, but RA has social and mental consequences.
Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors augment UT-15C-stimulated ATP release from erythrocytes of humans with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Both prostacyclin analogs and phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors are effective treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). In addition to direct effects on vascular smooth muscle, prostacyclin analogs increase cAMP levels and ATP release from healthy human erythrocytes. We hypothesized that UT-15C, an orally available form of the prostacyclin analog, treprostinil, would stimulate ATP release from erythrocytes of humans with PAH and that this release would be augmented by PDE5 inhibitors. Erythrocytes were isolated and the effect of UT-15C on cAMP levels and ATP release were measured in the presence and absence of the PDE5 inhibitors, zaprinast or tadalafil. In addition, the ability of a soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor to prevent the effects of tadalafil was determined. Erythrocytes of healthy humans and humans with PAH respond to UT-15C with increases in cAMP levels and ATP release. In both groups, UT-15C-induced ATP release was potentiated by zaprinast and tadalafil. The effect of tadalafil was prevented by pre-treatment with an inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase in healthy human erythrocytes. Importantly, UT-15C-induced ATP release was greater in PAH erythrocytes than in healthy human erythrocytes in both the presence and the absence of PDE5 inhibitors. The finding that prostacyclin analogs and PDE5 inhibitors work synergistically to enhance release of the potent vasodilator ATP from PAH erythrocytes provides a new rationale for the co-administration of these drugs in this disease. Moreover, these results suggest that the erythrocyte is a novel target for future drug development for the treatment of PAH.
Electromagnetism in a moving chiral medium.

We present manifestly covariant equations and boundary equations for electromagnetism in a moving chiral medium. Then, to solve these equations, we develop a particular formalism based on a four-dimensional extension of the Hertz vector potential satisfying a generalized wave equation. Finally, this formalism is applied to the propagation of plane waves in a homogeneous isotropic medium and to their excitation by a plane wave incident on the boundary of such a medium
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor exhibits a pronounced circadian rhythm relevant to its role as a glucocorticoid counter‐regulator

In humans, maximal expression of T helper 1 cytokines coincide with the nocturnal nadir of plasma cortisol, whereas T helper 2 cytokine responses are dominant during day‐time. The pro‐inflammatory cytokine, macrophage migration inhibitory factor counter‐regulates glucocorticoid‐mediated immune suppression. To determine the relationship between cortisol and macrophage migration inhibitory factor, healthy volunteers had blood drawn hourly for 24 h for measurement of plasma cortisol and basal‐ and stimulated‐macrophage migration inhibitory factor. Similar to cortisol, macrophage migration inhibitory factor peaked during the late morning whereas interferon‐γ, tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1 and interleukin‐12 demonstrated a nocturnal peak. After oral cortisone, plasma macrophage migration inhibitory factor rose 2–4‐fold, whereas the other cytokines decreased. There was no correlation between cortisol during the insulin tolerance test and plasma macrophage migration inhibitory factor. The late morning peak of macrophage migration inhibitory factor, by antagonizing cortisol‐mediated pro‐inflammatory cytokine suppression may prolong the duration of early morning inflammation. These observations explain the beneficial role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor neutralization in models of inflammatory arthritis.
Microsatellite markers for the tetraploid halophyte Suaeda maritima (L.) Dumort. (Chenopodiaceae) and cross‐species amplification in related taxa

We developed 12 polymorphic microsatellite markers for the tetraploid halophyte Suaeda maritima (Chenopodiaceae). Population genetic parameters were estimated for three populations from different habitats (coastal and inland), using the program Tetrasat. Between two and 15 alleles per locus were observed. Mean expected heterozygosities (HE) and Shannon‐Wiener Diversity Indices (H′) per locus and population ranged from zero to 0.852, and from zero to 2.990, respectively. The two inland populations were less diverse than the coastal one at most of the loci. All markers cross‐amplified in the closely related Suaeda salsa, and all but one were transferable to Suaeda spicata and Suaeda salinaria.