Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Training effects of combined resistance and proprioceptive neck muscle exercising.

OBJECTIVES To investigate training effects of two different resistance and proprioceptive exercising concepts of neck muscles. MATERIAL AND METHOD Twenty-six healthy women participated in a randomized pilot trial. The test persons were randomized to two different neck-training programs (resistance training (RT) and proprioceptive resistance training (PRT)). They performed a standardized training program for the duration of ten weeks two times weekly. The neck strength, the cross-sectional area of three neck muscle groups (1. sternocleidomastoid muscles; 2. multifidus and semispinalis cervicis muscles; 3. semispinalis capitis and splenius muscles) and the proprioceptive capability evaluated by the dynamic joint repositioning error (DJRE) of the head were assessed pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS Strength gain did not differ significantly between the two resistance training groups (PRT group: 8.2% to 29.3%; RT group: 1.4% to 19.8%). Change of hypertrophy of all neck muscle groups was significantly (p< 0.001 to p=0.013) greater in the PRT group (18.9% to 32.3%) than in the RT group (1.5% to 12.9%). The DJRE deteriorated with 35% in the RT group and did not change in PRT group (-2.0%). CONCLUSION In combination with resistance training, proprioceptive training led to a significantly higher muscle hypertrophy and didn't effect a significant deterioration of the proprioceptive capability compared to isolated resistance training.
Performance of the Dementia Severity Rating Scale: A Caregiver Questionnaire for Rating Severity in Alzheimer Disease

Summary:The Dementia Severity Rating Scale (DSRS) is an informant-based, multiple- choice questionnaire that assesses severity from the mildest to the most severe stages in the major functional and cognitive domains affected in Alzheimer disease (AD). The DSRS has good reliability as measured by making repeated observations over short time periods and by comparing caregiver responses to information collected by a physician or an experienced nonphysician research associate. The measure correlates favorably with the Washington University Clinical Dementia Rating scale and with standard cognitive testing measures. The DSRS provides a simple, valid, and sensitive measure of impairment associated with AD. It is ideally suited for multisite collaborative studies and can be implemented with a minimum of staff time and training.
Sequential genome‐wide association studies for monitoring adverse events in the clinical evaluation of new drugs

Pharmacovigilance, the monitoring of adverse events (AEs), is an integral part in the clinical evaluation of a new drug. Until recently, attempts to relate the incidence of AEs to putative causes have been restricted to the evaluation of simple demographic and environmental factors. The advent of large‐scale genotyping, however, provides an opportunity to look for associations between AEs and genetic markers, such as single nucleotides polymorphisms (SNPs). It is envisaged that a very large number of SNPs, possibly over 500 000, will be used in pharmacovigilance in an attempt to identify any genetic difference between patients who have experienced an AE and those who have not.
Deep brain stimulation of the posterior hypothalamic area in intractable short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT)

Background: SUNCT (short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache with conjunctival injection and tearing) is a rare syndrome characterized by the sudden onset of excruciating unilateral periorbital pain that is accompanied by conjunctival injection and lacrimation or further autonomic signs. Similar to patients with chronic cluster headache, Leone and Lyons showed a beneficial effect of deep brain stimulation of the posterior hypothalamic region in two patients with a chronic SUNCT. Case: Here, we present the case of a man with a chronic SUNCT responding to deep brain stimulation of the posterior hypothalamic area. Conclusion: This case supports the idea of a central origin of SUNCT and shows that deep brain stimulation of the hypothalamic region can be effective in the treatment of the chronic form of this rare disorder.
Patellar tendinitis (jumper's knee)

A jumper's knee is an overload lesion of patellar or quadriceps tendon near its insertion at the lower or upper pole of the patella. If conservative treatment fails, an operation can be performed in Phase 3 where disabling symptoms, are present. The necrotic tissue in the patellar tendon is excised. The early results of this surgery are encouraging.
Content of Total Phenols in Red Heart and Wound-Associated Wood in Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)

The structure of wound-associated wood has been relatively well studied in beech, but only a little information about the occurrence of extractives and particular classes of compounds in these tissues is available. We examined the content of total phenols and variability in their distribution in sapwood, wound-wood and the reaction zones walling-off typical red heart and xylem altered by wounding in two beech trees, using spectrophotometric method. Signifi cant differences in total phenols in different types of beech wood, as well as differences between trees, were confi rmed. Concentrations of total phenols were markedly lower in red heart than in reaction zones and sapwood extracts. The content of total phenols was highest in extracts of the reaction zones formed as a direct response of sapwood to wounding. Differences in the content of total phenols in reaction zones walling-off typical red heart and directly wounded xylem indicate differences in their formation process, in alterations to surrounding tissues and in the characteristics of individual trees.
Family‐based association study between NOS‐I and ‐IIA polymorphisms and autism spectrum disorders in Korean trios

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with a strong genetic component and environmental risk factors. Nitric oxide (NO), which is produced by nitric oxide synthase (NOS), may play a role in the development of ASD. We genotyped nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the NOS‐I gene and nine SNPs in the NOS‐IIA gene and carried out the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) and haplotype analysis in 151 Korean ASD trios. We found preferential transmission of the A allele of rs8068149 (P = 0.039) and G allele of rs1060826 (P = 0.035) of NOS‐IIA in ASD and the haplotype analysis revealed that the two haplotypes had significant associations (P = 0.014 and 0.031, respectively). The behavioral subdomain score of failure to use nonverbal behaviors to regulate social interaction in Autism Diagnostic Interview‐Revised (ADI‐R) was significantly higher in subjects with the GG or AG allele in rs1060826 of NOS‐IIA compared to those who had the AA allele (P = 0.027). These results provide significant but weak evidence for an association between NOS‐IIA and ASD in the Korean population. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Effect of Glycaemic Control and the Introduction of Insulin Therapy on Retinopathy in Non‐insulin‐dependent Diabetes Mellitus

To study the progression of diabetic retinopathy in relation to diabetes treatment and glycaemic control in patients with non‐insulin dependent (Type 2) diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), we performed a prospective study in a cohort of 1378 diabetic patients, aged ⩾40 years at diagnosis, of whom 333 were treated with insulin, and 1045 with oral antihyperglycaemic agents or diet alone. In the latter group 174 patients changed to insulin therapy during follow‐up. We used the Wisconsin scale to grade retinopathy, recorded blindness (visual acuity ⩽0.1) and visual impairment (visual acuity 0.2–0.4), and measured the average HbA1c for each patient during a mean 3.1‐year study period. In a multivariate analysis, patients who changed treatment from oral agents or diet alone to insulin therapy had a relative risk of 2.0 (95 % confidence interval 1.7–2.3) for progression of retinopathy ⩾3 levels compared with all other patients in the study. The increase in risk remained even after controlling for mean HbA1c (relative risk 1.6; 95 % confidence interval 1.3–1.9). Progression ⩾3 levels was significantly associated with a higher incidence of macular oedema and deterioration of visual acuity (p < 0.001). The relative risk for blindness/visual impairment due to retinopathy was 2.7 (95 % confidence interval 1.8–4.0) in the group with changed treatment compared with all the other patients in the study. Poor glycaemic control (HbA1c %) before the start of insulin therapy and any retinopathy at baseline were significant risk factors for progression in the group with changed treatment (both p < 0.01). In the whole study group, poor glycaemic control was significantly associated with retinopathy progression ⩾3 levels; the relative risk for those having mean HbA1c above the median being 1.7 (95 % confidence interval 1.4–2.1), compared to those with a HbA1c value below the median. Moderate non‐proliferative diabetic retinopathy at baseline was also associated with progression (relative risk 2.5; 95 % confidence interval 1.4–4.5). In contrast, insulin treatment at baseline was not associated with an increased risk of retinopathy progression. In conclusion, while hyperglycaemia was a risk factor for the progression of retinopathy in all patients, change of treatment from oral drugs to insulin was associated with a 100 % increased risk of retinopathy progression and a 3‐fold increased risk of blindness/visual impairment. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SAW Properties of SiO2/128&#176; Y-X LiNb03Structure Fabricated by Magnetron Sputtering Technique

The propagation characteristics of the layered structure consistingof anSiO2 film on 128"rotated Y-cut X-propagating LiNb03 structure are investigated for surface acoustic waves (SAWS). The SiOz fiis are fabricated by radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering techniques. Rayleigh-type waves are excited and detected by conven- tional inter digital transducers (IDT's) fabricated on the LiNbO3 crystal plates. Excellent results have been obtained not only for the tempera- ture characteristics with a temperature coefficient of delay (TCD, of about 0 ppm/"C but also for the frequency characteristics with a very small spurious response. Also, the attenuation constant is found to be very small and the layered structure exhibits a high value of electro- mechanical coupling coefficient (K') of about 0.08. The spurious re- sponse characteristics of the layered structure have been investigated theoretically by analyzing the generation of acoustic waves using IDT's and the spurious response is found to be small.
Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific for lipooligosaccharide of Serpulina hyodysenteriae

Serpulina (Treponema) hyodysenteriae is the causative agent of swine dysentery, a contagious mucohemorrhagic disease of the colon. Diagnosis of swine dysentery is extremely difficult because of the presence of cross-reactive antibodies to the proteins of S. hyodysenteriae and Serpulina innocens, a nonpathogenic inhabitant of the porcine large intestine. Therefore, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against the serotype-specific lipooligosaccharide (LOS) antigens of S. hyodysenteriae were produced to rapidly differentiate S. hyodysenteriae from S. innocens. Whole-cell preparations of S. hyodysenteriae serotypes 1 through 7 were used as antigens. MAbs were characterized by an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with whole-cell or LOS antigen and by Western blot (immunoblot) analysis with whole-cell lysates as antigen. A total of 12 LOS-specific MAbs which could identify and differentiate the seven original serotypes of S. hyodysenteriae were produced. The MAb serospecificities are as follows: MAb 9G8, serotype 1; MAb 31D9, serotype 2; MAb 7D3, serotypes 2 and 7; MAb 24B7, serotype 3; MAb 13C2, serotype 4; MAb 18E9, serotype 4; MAb 2B7, serotype 6; MAb 1D2, serotypes 2, 5, and 7; MAb 9C5, serotypes 2, 5, and 7; MAb 11C9, serotype 7; MAb 11E10, serotype 7; and MAb 6G11, serotype 7.
Quantitation of Antibody Binding to Erythrocytes in LISS

Abstract. The amount of antibody bound to cells in a low ionic strength solution (LISS) has been quantitated for several antibodies including anti‐D, anti‐c̄, anti‐Kell, anti‐Fya, and anti‐Jka. With the exception of the Kell antibodies there was an enhancement of the rate of antibody uptake in LISS. For Rh antibodies the amount bound after a 5‐min LISS incubation is comparable to that bound after 45 min in saline. For Kell antibodies a smaller amount was bound in LISS than in saline. The effect of the ratio of serum to cells was also studied, and with several antibodies there was an increase in the amount of antibody bound with a higher serum to cell ratio irrespective of suspending medium. For Kell antibodies this ratio appears to be of greater importance than the ionic strength for antibody detection. A modification to the LISS method to increase the serum to cell ratio is, therefore, presented.
Financial Markets with Trade on Risk and Return

In this paper, I develop a model in which risk-averse investors possess private information regarding both a stock’s expected payoff and its risk. These investors trade in the stock and a derivative whose payoff is driven by the stock’s risk. In equilibrium, the derivative is used to speculate on the stock’s risk and to hedge against adverse fluctuations in the stock’s risk. I analyze the derivative price and variance risk premium that arise in this equilibrium and their predictive power for stock returns. Finally, I examine the relationship between prices and trading volume in the stock and derivative. Received July 31, 2017; editorial decision December 3, 2018 by Editor Stijn Van Nieuwerburgh. Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.
Fbw7 and Usp28 Regulate Myc Protein Stability in Response to DNA Damage

The cellular levels of the Myc oncoprotein are critical determinants of cell proliferation, cell growth and apoptosis and are tightly regulated by external growth factors. Levels of Myc oncoprotein also decline in response to intracellular stress signals such as DNA damage. We show here that this decline is in part due to proteasomal degradation and that it is mediated by the Fbw7 ubiquitin ligase. We have shown previously that the ubiquitin-specific protease Usp28, binds to the nucleoplasmic isoform of Fbw7, Fbw7α, and counteracts its function in mammalian cells. Usp28 dissociates from Fbw7α in response to UV irradiation, providing a mechanism how Fbw7-mediated degradation of Myc is enhanced upon DNA damage. Our data extend previous observations that link Myc function to the cellular response to DNA damage.
Sleep Locus of Control: Report on a New Scale

The psychometric properties of a new 8-item measure, the Sleep Locus of Control Scale (SLOC), were investigated. A sample of 425 adult alumnae from the University of Manitoba and 57 community volunteers with chronic insomnia were surveyed. Results showed that the SLOC had acceptable reliability (i.e., internal consistency) and demonstrated convergent and discriminant validity through patterns of association with the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (Wallston, Wallston, & DeVellis, 1978). Principal factors extraction with varimax rotation identified two factors underlying the SLOC Scale. One factor captured an internal sleep locus of control orientation and the other reflected a chance sleep locus of control orientation. In the adult alumnae sample, having a more chance sleep locus of control was associated with greater perfectionism, depression, and anxiety. In adults with chronic insomnia, having a more internal sleep locus of control orientation was associated with increased sleep-related anxiety. One implication of the study is that too much emphasis on developing an internal sleep locus of control may be counterproductive (i.e., associated with increased sleep-related anxiety). Instead, achieving a balance between an internal and chance sleep locus of control orientation may be an important goal when treating individuals with chronic insomnia.
Au th or ' s pe rs on al co py Mutations of Trp 275 and Trp 397 altered the binding selectivity of Vibrio carchariae chitinase A

Point mutations of the active-site residues Trp168, Tyr171, Trp275, Trp397, Trp570 and Asp392 were introduced to Vibrio carchariae chitinase A. The modeled 3D structure of the enzyme illustrated that these residues fully occupied the substrate binding cleft and it was found that their mutation greatly reduced the hydrolyzing activity against pNP-[GlcNAc]2 and colloidal chitin. Mutant W397F was the only exception, as it instead enhanced the hydrolysis of the pNP substrate to 142% and gave no activity loss towards colloidal chitin. The kinetic study with the pNP substrate demonstrated that the mutations caused impaired Km and kcat values of the enzyme. A chitin binding assay showed that mutations of the aromatic residues did not change the binding equilibrium. Product analysis by thin layer chromatography showed higher efficiency of W275G and W397F in G4–G6 hydrolysis over the wild type enzyme. Though the time course of colloidal chitin hydrolysis displayed no difference in the cleavage behavior of the chitinase variants, the time course of G6 hydrolysis exhibited distinct hydrolytic patterns between wild-type and mutants W275G and W397F. Wild type initially hydrolyzed G6 to G4 and G2, and finally G2 was formed as the major end product. W275G primarily created G2–G5 intermediates, and later G2 and G3 were formed as stable products. In contrast, W397F initially produced G1–G5, and then the high-Mr intermediates (G3–G5) were broken down to G1 and G2 end products. This modification of the cleavage patterns of chitooligomers suggested that residues Trp275 and Trp397 are involved in defining the binding selectivity of the enzyme to soluble substrates. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Statistical inference of allelic imbalance from transcriptome data

Next‐generation sequencing and the availability of high‐density genotyping arrays have facilitated an analysis of somatic and meiotic mutations at unprecedented level, but drawing sensible conclusions about the functional relevance of the detected variants still remains a formidable challenge. In this context, the study of allelic imbalance in intermediate RNA phenotypes may prove a useful means to elucidate the likely effects of DNA variants of unknown significance. We developed a statistical framework for the assessment of allelic imbalance in next‐generation transcriptome sequencing (RNA‐seq) data that requires neither an expression reference nor the underlying nuclear genotype(s), and that allows for allele miscalls. Using extensive simulation as well as publicly available whole‐transcriptome data from European‐descent individuals in HapMap, we explored the power of our approach in terms of both genotype inference and allelic imbalance assessment under a wide range of practically relevant scenarios. In so doing, we verified a superior performance of our methodology, particularly at low sequencing coverage, compared to the more simplistic approach of completely ignoring allele miscalls. Because the proposed framework can be used to assess somatic mutations and allelic imbalance in one and the same set of RNA‐seq data, it will be particularly useful for the analysis of somatic genetic variation in cancer studies. Hum Mutat 32:98–106, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Physical and Functional Interactions between the Corepressor CtBP and the Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen EBNA3C

ABSTRACT CtBP has been shown to be a highly conserved corepressor of transcription. E1A and all the various transcription factors to which CtBP binds contain a conserved PLDLS CtBP-interacting domain, and EBNA3C includes a PLDLS motif (amino acids [aa] 728 to 732). Here we show that EBNA3C binds to CtBP both in vitro and in vivo and that the interaction requires an intact PLDLS. The C terminus of EBNA3C (aa 580 to 992) has modest trans-repressor activity when it is fused to the DNA-binding domain of Gal4, and deletion or mutation of the PLDLS sequence ablates this and unmasks a transactivation function within the fragment. However, loss of the CtBP interaction motif had little effect on the ability of full-length EBNA3C to repress transcription. A striking correlation between CtBP binding and the capacity of EBNA3C to cooperate with (Ha-)Ras in the immortalization and transformation of primary rat embryo fibroblasts was also revealed.
An instrumentation system using combined sensing strategies for online mass flow rate measurement and particle sizing

Online concurrent measurement of mass flow rate and size distribution of particles in a pneumatic suspension is desirable in many industries. This paper presents the basic principle of and initial results from a novel instrumentation system that uses a combination of electrostatic and digital imaging sensors in order to achieve these goals. An inferential approach is adopted for the mass flow measurement of particles where velocity and volumetric concentration of particles are measured independently. The velocity of particles is determined by cross-correlating two signals derived from a pair of electrostatic sensors, while the volumetric concentration of particles is obtained using a novel digital imaging sensor, which also provides particle size distribution data. The basic principles and limits of operation of the imaging sensor are discussed and explained. Results obtained from a pneumatic conveyor system are presented that show good performance of the system for both mass flow metering (accurate to about /spl plusmn/4%) and particle sizing (reliable to around /spl plusmn/0.5%). A particle size distribution result is also included, and the insensitivity of particle sizing to changes in velocity and concentration is assessed. In general, the results obtained are encouraging, and the system shows great promise.
Evaluation of the anaesthetic properties of ketamine and a ketamine/xylazine/atropine combination in sheep

The anaesthetic properties of ketamine in sheep were evaluated and compared with the results of a combination of ketamine/xylazine and ketamine/xylazine/atropine. Premedication of xylazine/atropine followed by intravenous injection of ketamine hydrochloride appeared to result in satisfactory immobilisation and anaesthesia for surgical operations of short duration. This combination effectively reduced some of the undesirable effects of ketamine, such as muscle rigidity, insufficient suppression of reflexes and tachycardia. The action on haematological factors was studied and significant increases in blood glucose content were detected during anaesthesia.