Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sequenced response of extracellular matrix deadhesion and fibrotic regulators after muscle damage is involved in protection against future injury in human skeletal muscle

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that remodeling of skeletal muscle extracellular matrix (ECM) is involved in protecting human muscle against injury. Biopsies were obtained from medial gastrocnemius muscles after a single bout of electrical stimulation (B) or a repeated bout (RB) 30 d later, or 30 d after a single stimulation bout (RBc). A muscle biopsy was collected from the control leg for comparison with the stimulated leg. Satellite cell content, tenascin C, and muscle regeneration were assessed by immunohistochemistry; real‐time PCR was used to measure mRNA levels of collagens, laminins, heat‐shock proteins (HSPs), inflammation, and related growth factors. The large responses of HSPs, CCL2, and tenascin C detected 48 h after a single bout were attenuated in the RB trial, indicative of protection against injury. Satellite cell content and 12 target genes, including IGF‐1, were elevated 30 d after a single bout. Among those displaying the greatest difference vs. control muscle, ECM laminin‐β1 and collagen types I and III were elevated ~6‐ to 9‐fold (P<0.001). The findings indicate that the sequenced events of load‐induced early deadhesion and later strengthening of skeletal muscle ECM play a role in protecting human muscle against future injury. —Mackey, A. L. , Brandstetter, S. , Schjerling, P., Bojsen‐Moller, J., Qvortrup, K. , Pedersen, M. M. , Doessing, S. Kjaer, M. , Magnus‐son, S. P., Langberg, H. Sequenced response of extracellular matrix deadhesion and fibrotic regulators after muscle damage is involved in protection against future injury in human skeletal muscle. FASEB J. 25, 1943‐1959 (2011). www.fasebj. org
Nonlinear Changes of Transmembrane Potential During Defibrillation Shocks: Role of Ca2+ Current

Defibrillation shocks induce complex nonlinear changes of transmembrane potential (&Dgr;Vm). To elucidate the ionic mechanisms of nonlinear &Dgr;Vm, we studied the effects of ionic channel blockers on &Dgr;Vm in geometrically defined myocyte cultures. Experiments were carried out in cell strands with widths of 0.2 mm (narrow strands) and 0.8 mm (wide strands) produced using a technique of directed cell growth. Uniform-field shocks were applied across strands during the action potential (AP) plateau, and the distribution of shock-induced &Dgr;Vm was measured using an optical mapping technique. Nifedipine and 4-aminopyridine were applied to inhibit the L-type calcium current (ICa) and the transient outward current (Ito), respectively. In control conditions, the distribution of &Dgr;Vm across cell strands was highly asymmetrical with a large ratio of negative to positive &Dgr;Vm (&Dgr;V−m/&Dgr;V+m) measured at the opposite strand borders. Application of nifedipine caused a large increase of &Dgr;V+m and a decrease of &Dgr;V−m/&Dgr;V+m, indicating involvement of ICa in the asymmetrical &Dgr;Vm, likely as a result of the outward flow of ICa when Vm exceeded the ICa reversal potential. &Dgr;V−m decreased in the narrow strands but remained unchanged in the wide strands, indicating that the changes of &Dgr;V−m were caused by electrotonic interaction with an area of depolarization. 4-Aminopyridine did not change &Dgr;V−m/&Dgr;V+m. These results provide evidence that (1) the asymmetry of shock-induced &Dgr;Vm during the AP plateau is due to outward flow of ICa in the depolarized portions of the strands, (2) Ito is not involved in the mechanism of &Dgr;Vm asymmetry, and (3) the effects of drugs on &Dgr;Vm are modulated by the tissue geometry.
Prediction and prevention of upper gastrointestinal bleeding after cardiac surgery: a case control study.

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal (GI) complications of cardiovascular surgery, particularly bleeding, occur frequently. OBJECTIVE To determine factors that predict upper GI bleeding (UGIB) after cardiac surgery to improve prognostication and, thus, outcomes. METHODS The present case-control study reviewed institutional records spanning 2002 to 2005 for consecutive patients who developed in-hospital UGIB following cardiovascular surgery. Each case was matched to two to three controls for age, sex and date of hospital admission. Demographics, pharmacotherapy (including use of in-hospital acid suppression), endoscopic findings and outcomes were recorded. After adjustment for possible confounders, including Parsonnet score and demographic parameters, conditional logistic regression analysis identified independent significant predictors of the subsequent development of UGIB. RESULTS The study population consisted of 131 cases (mean [± SD] age 68.8±10.2 years, 69.5% male, mean Parsonnet score 24.6±14.2) and 387 matched controls (mean age 68.8±10.8 years, 70.0% male, mean Parsonnet score 20.9±14.2). UGIB events occurred a mean of 10.3±7.7 days after cardiac surgery. Duration of mechanical ventilation (OR 3.01 [95% CI 1.44 to 6.28]), elevation of international normalized ratio (OR 1.91 [95% CI 1.31 to 2.78]) and occurrence of Clostridium difficile colitis before bleeding (OR 3.15 [95% CI 1.19 to 8.36]) were independent risk factors. Use of histamine type 2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) (OR 0.65 [95% CI 0.38 to 1.12]) or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (OR 0.60 [95% CI 0.27 to 1.32]) demonstrated trends toward protecting against UGIB after cardiac surgery. CONCLUSIONS GI bleeding events occurred approximately 10 days after cardiac surgery in patients with a complicated postoperative course. Significant predictors of subsequent bleeding included increased duration of mechanical ventilation and elevation of international normalized ratio; routine acid suppression with PPIs should be considered in such patients. C difficile colitis also significantly predicted UGIB, and H2RAs should be considered for acid suppression. Neither H2RAs nor PPIs were effective in preventing UGIB, although the small number of patients limits definitive conclusions regarding the role of acid suppression.
Impaired Glucose Tolerance and NIDDM: Does a Lifestyle Intervention Program Have an Effect?

OBJECTIVE To determine whether a 2-year lifestyle intervention program improves glucose tolerance and lipid levels in people with persistent impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Screening for IGT and NIDDM was carried out in 1,752 people. Subjects with persistent IGT or NIDDM completed three 2-h oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) before the start of the study and after 2 years. A single OGTT was carried out every 3 months. A 4-day food diary and a 7-day exercise diary were completed, and weight, blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1), plasma lipids, and fasting and 2-h serum insulin were measured at baseline and every 3 months. Subjects were encouraged to make dietary changes and increase exercise. RESULTS Thirty-two subjects with persistent IGT and 20 subjects with NIDDM were recruited. Women reported significant decreases in total and saturated fat and an increase in carbohydrate, but few subjects reached the recommended intakes. Men achieved smaller dietary changes. There were significant decreases in body mass index, fasting and 2-h plasma glucose, HbA1, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in both the IGT and NIDDM groups during the study. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that a diet and exercise program can result in significant improvements in a range of clinical and metabolic variables in some people with IGT or NIDDM, although the absence of a control group precludes firm conclusions. Screening for IGT in those at high risk for developing NIDDM and offering those with persistent IGT a lifestyle intervention program could help reduce the progression of IGT to NIDDM.
A trial of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate to prevent prematurity in twins.

BACKGROUND In singleton gestations, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P) has been shown to reduce the rate of recurrent preterm birth. This study was undertaken to evaluate whether 17P would reduce the rate of preterm birth in twin gestations. METHODS We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 14 centers. Healthy women with twin gestations were assigned to weekly intramuscular injections of 250 mg of 17P or matching placebo, starting at 16 to 20 weeks of gestation and ending at 35 weeks. The primary study outcome was delivery or fetal death before 35 weeks of gestation. RESULTS Six hundred sixty-one women were randomly assigned to treatment. Baseline demographic data were similar in the two study groups. Six women were lost to follow-up; data from 655 were analyzed (325 in the 17P group and 330 in the placebo group). Delivery or fetal death before 35 weeks occurred in 41.5% of pregnancies in the 17P group and 37.3% of those in the placebo group (relative risk, 1.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.9 to 1.3). The rate of the prespecified composite outcome of serious adverse fetal or neonatal events was 20.2% in the 17P group and 18.0% in the placebo group (relative risk, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.9 to 1.5). Side effects of the injections were frequent in both groups, occurring in 65.9% and 64.4% of subjects, respectively (P=0.69), but were generally mild and limited to the injection site. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate did not reduce the rate of preterm birth in women with twin gestations. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00099164 [ClinicalTrials.gov].).
Cell–cell communication in sourdough lactic acid bacteria: A proteomic study in Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis CB1

The mechanisms of cell–cell communication in Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis CB1 were studied. The highest number of dead/damaged cells of L. sanfranciscensis CB1 was found in cocultures with Lactobacillus plantarum DC400 or Lactobacillus brevis CR13 when the late stationary phase of growth (18 h) was reached. 2‐DE analysis was carried out. Almost the same proteins were induced in all three cocultures at the mid‐exponential phase of growth (7 h). The number of induced proteins markedly increased at 18 h, especially when L. sanfranciscensis CB1 was cocultured with L. plantarum DC400 or L. brevis CR13. Nineteen overexpressed proteins were identified. These proteins had a central role in stress response mechanisms and LuxS‐mediated signalling was involved in the regulation of most of them. The luxS and metF genes were partially sequenced in L. sanfranciscensis CB1. RT‐PCR showed that the expression of luxS gene decreased from 7 to 12 h. It was highest in cocultures with L. plantarum DC400 and L. brevis CR13. 2(3H)dihydrofuranone‐5ethyl and 2(3H)dihydrofuranone‐5pentyl were identified as presumptive signalling molecules when L. sanfranciscensis CB1 was cocultured with L. brevis CR13 and, especially, L. plantarum DC400. The synthesis of other volatile compounds and peptidase activities were also influenced by the type of microbial cocultures.
Causes of urine marking in cats and effects of environmental management on frequency of marking.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate effects of environmental management alone on marking frequency in cats with urine marking and to obtain demographic data on cats with urine marking and data on owner-perceived factors that contributed to urine marking behavior. DESIGN Single-intervention study. ANIMALS 40 neutered male and 7 spayed female cats. PROCEDURE During a 2-week baseline phase, owners maintained a daily record of the number of urine marks. This phase was followed by a 2-week environmental management phase during which owners cleaned recently deposited urine marks daily, scooped waste from the litter box daily, and changed the litter and cleaned the litter box weekly while continuing to record urine marks. RESULTS Male cats and cats from multicat households were significantly overrepresented, compared with the general pet cat population in California. The most commonly mentioned causative factors for urine marking were agonistic interactions with other cats outside or inside the home. Environmental management procedures resulted in an overall reduction in urine marking frequency. Among cats that marked > or = 6 times during the baseline phase, females were significantly more likely to respond to treatment (> or = 50% reduction in marking frequency) than were males. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggest that male cats and cats from multicat households are more likely to exhibit urine marking behavior than females and cats from single-cat households. Results also suggest that attention to environmental and litter box hygiene can reduce marking frequency in cats, regardless of sex or household status of the cats, and may come close to resolving the marking problem in some cats.
Lack of expression of the chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan neuron‐glial antigen 2 on candidate stem cell populations in paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia/abn(11q23) and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia/t(4;11)

It has increasingly been acknowledged that only a few leukaemic cells possess the capability to renew themselves and that only these self‐renewing leukaemic stem cells are able to initiate relapses. Therefore, these leukaemic stem cells should be the target cells for therapy and for minimal residual disease (MRD) detection. Because of its presence on blasts of 11q23‐rearranged high‐risk leukaemic patients, neuron‐glial antigen 2 (NG2) is thought to be a valuable marker for detecting leukaemic stem cells. Six acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)/abn(11q23) and three acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)/t(4;11) samples were analysed by four‐colour flow cytometry for NG2 expression on primitive cell populations. Candidate leukaemic cell populations were defined by the antigen profiles CD34+CD38− in AML and CD34+CD19−CD117+ in ALL. Surprisingly, in all patients these candidate stem cell populations were shown to lack expression of NG2. Instead, a correlation between the expression of the myeloid differentiation marker CD33 and increasing levels of NG2 on maturing cells could be demonstrated. Similarly, in ALL patients CD34+CD19+ cells showed a higher expression of NG2 mRNA compared with CD34+CD19−. Thus, NG2 appears to be upregulated with differentiation and not to be expressed on primitive disease‐maintaining cells. This hampers the clinical use of NG2 as a therapeutic target and as a sensitive marker for MRD detection.
Benign prostatic enlargement is not associated with diabetes: a population‐based study

The association between diabetes and benign prostatic hyperplasia remains inconclusive. In this case–control study, we examined the association of diabetes with benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) using the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000 in Taiwan. In total, 20 152 patients with BPE as cases and 20 152 age‐matched patients without BPE were included as controls. Conditional logistic regression analyses were performed to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% CI for having been previously diagnosed with diabetes between cases and controls. We found that of the 40 304 sampled patients, 9492 (23.6%) had a history of diabetes before the index date. This mean age for the sampled patients was 65.9 with a standard deviation of 12.0 years. A Chi‐squared test revealed that there was a significant difference in the prevalence of prior diabetes between cases and controls (25.3% vs. 21.8%, p < 0.001). The conditional logistic regression found that the OR of prior diabetes for cases was 1.21 (95% CI = 1.15–1.27) compared with controls. However, after adjusting for geographic region, monthly income, urbanization level, hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD), hyperlipidemia, tobacco use disorder, and obesity, the association between prior diabetes and BPE did not reach a statistically significant level (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.98–1.08). In addition, it was noteworthy that hypertension (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.20–1.31), CHD (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.32–1.48), and hyperlipidemia (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.24–1.36) were all significantly associated with BPE. We found that men with a diagnosis of diabetes were not significantly associated with BPE after adjusting for patient's sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities.
Cytogenetic abnormalities in exfoliated oral mucosal cells and their association with oral cancer.

OBJECTIVE To assess cytogenetic abnormalities through quantification of micronuclei, broken eggs, and karyorrhexis, in cells from normal oral mucosa of individuals exposed to carcinogens (alcohol and tobacco) and adjacent to leukoplakias and squamous cell carcinomas. STUDY DESIGN The sample was composed of 40 subjects aged > 30 years, divided into four groups: control, alcohol/tobacco, leukoplakia, and squamous cell carcinoma. For control and alcohol/tobacco groups, cells were collected from lower lip, tongue border, and floor of the mouth. For leukoplakia and squamous cell carcinoma groups, mucosa contralateral and adjacent to the lesions were analyzed. Cytologic smears were stained with the Feulgen reaction. A blind observer analyzed 1,000 cells per slide to quantify micronuclei, broken eggs, and karyorrhexis. RESULTS The leukoplakia group showed an increased number of micronuclei compared to controls (p = 0.0016) and the alcohol/tobacco group (p = 0.0048) and also increased broken eggs compared to the alcohol/tobacco group (p = 0.0172). Similarly, the carcinoma group presented more micronuclei compared to controls (p = 0.0462) and more broken eggs compared to the alcohol/tobacco group (p = 0.0104). CONCLUSION The assessment of cytogenetic abnormalities micronuclei and broken eggs may be useful for monitoring individuals exposed to risk factors for developing oral cancer.
Questioning the use of an amphibian colour morph as an indicator of climate change

The effects of recent climate changes on earth ecosystems are likely among the most important ecological concerns in human history. Good bioindicators are essential to properly assess the magnitude of these changes. In the last decades, studies have suggested that the morph proportion of the eastern red‐backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus), one of the most widely distributed and abundant vertebrate species in forests of eastern North America, could be used as a proxy for monitoring climate changes. Based on new discoveries in the northern areas of the species' range and on one of the largest compilation ever made for a vertebrate in North America (236 109 observations compiled from 1880 to 2013 in 1148 localities), we demonstrate however that climatic and geographic variables do not influence the colour morph proportions in P. cinereus populations. Consequently, we show that the use of colour morph proportions of this species do not perform as an indicator of climate change. Our findings indicate that bioindicator paradigms can be significantly challenged by new ecological research and more representative databases.
Physical activity and healthy eating in the after-school environment.

BACKGROUND No research to date has extensively described moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and healthful eating (HE) opportunities in the after-school environment. The current study described the quality of the after-school environment for its impact on children's MVPA and HE. METHODS An alliance of 7 elementary schools and Boys and Girls Clubs who worked with the Cooperative Extension Service in Lawrence, KS, was selected to participate in a larger intervention study. After-school settings were observed for information regarding session type, session context, leader behavior, physical activity, and snack quality using validated instruments such as the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time. Data presented are baseline measures for all sites. RESULTS Participating children (n = 144) were primarily non-Hispanic white (60%) and in fourth grade (69%). After-school sites offered 4 different sessions per day (active recreation, academic time, nonactive recreation, and enrichment activities). Children were provided with a daily snack. On 36% of the days observed, this snack included fruit, fruit juice, or vegetables. There was significantly more time spent in MVPA during free play sessions (69%) compared to organized adult-led sessions (51%). There was also significantly more discouragement of physical activity during organized adult-led sessions (29%) as compared to the free play sessions (6%). CONCLUSIONS The quality of after-school programs can be improved by providing fruits and vegetables as snacks; offering more free play activities; training the after-school staff in simple, structured games for use in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings; and training after-school staff to promote and model MVPA and HE in and out of the after-school setting.
Juvenile granulosa cell tumor of the ovary: A clinicopathological analysis of 125 cases

The clinical and pathological features of 125 juvenile granulosa cell tumors of the ovary were analyzed. The patients ranged in age from newborn to 67 years (average 13 years). Forty-four percent were 10 years of age or younger, 34% between 11 and 20 years, 18% between 21 and 30 years, and 3% over 30 years of age. Eighty-two percent of the prepubertal patients presented because of isosexual pseudo-precocity. In the remainder of the children and in most of the older patients, the presenting manifestation was usually abdominal pain or swelling. Fifteen patients in the reproductive age group had menstrual irregularities or amenorrhea, and one of the two postmenopausal women presented with uterine bleeding. Two patients had Ollier's disease and two had Maffucci's syndrome.Laparotomy revealed unilateral involvement in 122 cases and involvement of both ovaries in two cases; bilateral tumors were found at autopsy in one case. Two tumors were Stage lib and one Stage He; the remainder were Stage I. In 13 cases (11%), rupture had occurred before or during operation and ascites was present in 11 cases (9%). The tumors ranged from 3 to 32 cm in diameter (average 12.5 cm). Forty-nine percent of them were solid and cystic, 37% solid, and 14% cystic. Microscopic examination disclosed diffuse and follicular patterns, with the former predominating in most of the cases. The follicles varied in size and shape and characteristically contained basophilic or eosinophilic secretion, which often stained positively for mucin. The granulosa cells were typically luteinized to varying degrees and had dark round nuclei without grooves; a theca cell component of variable extent was present in many of the cases. The mitotic rate ranged from less than 1 to 32/10 high-power fields, with an average of 7. Nuclear atypicality varied from Grade 1 to 4.Follow-up information of at least 1 year's and up to 21 years' (average 5 years') duration was available for 95 patients, 87 of whom (92%) were alive and free of disease. One patient with Maffucci's syndrome died of chondrosarcoma 11 years after removal of the ovarian tumor (corrected survival–93%). The seven remaining patients died as a result of their tumor from 7 months to 3 years postoperatively; one of the clinically malignant tumors was Stage Iai, one Stage Iaii, two Stage Ic, two Stage lib, and one Stage He. Of the various features that were evaluated for prognostic significance, a low stage of the tumor correlated best with survival. Although there was a relation of size, mitotic activity, and nuclear atypia to the outcome when tumors of all stages were evaluated, no such relation was evident when only Stage Iai and Ibi tumors were considered.