Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Short-term oral estrogen replacement therapy does not augment endothelium-independent myocardial perfusion in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of usual-dose estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) on myocardial perfusion and myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) (evoked by an endothelium-independent vasodilator) in healthy postmenopausal women. Postmenopausal women have a decreased myocardial perfusion reserve compared with younger women. Estrogen infusions are known to enhance endothelium-dependent vasodilation of the epicardial coronary arteries in postmenopausal women, but whether ERT also enhances endothelium-independent myocardial perfusion and perfusion reserve is unclear. METHODS In 24 healthy postmenopausal women who were not taking ERT, myocardial perfusion at rest, perfusion during the infusion of adenosine (a primarily endothelium-independent vasodilator), and MPR were determined by positron-emission tomography (PET) and oxygen 15-labeled water. The women were then randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to receive either 0.625 mg of oral conjugated estrogens (Premarin) or placebo per day for 4 to 6 weeks, after which they underwent a repeat cardiac PET study. RESULTS There was no statistical difference between those assigned to ERT and those assigned to placebo in the measurement of myocardial perfusion at rest (1.21 +/- 0.31 vs 1.16 +/- 0.18 mL/g/min, respectively) in response to adenosine (2.66 +/- 0.96 vs 3.3 +/- 0.45 mL/g/min) or MPR (2.24 +/- 0.83 vs 2.88 +/- 0.64 mL/g/min) after 4 to 6 weeks of oral ERT. There was also no difference between the groups in any of the myocardial perfusion measurements after correction for the rate-pressure product. CONCLUSIONS Short-term oral ERT does not affect myocardial perfusion at rest in response to adenosine or MPR in healthy postmenopausal women. Thus potential beneficial effects of ERT on vasomotor function may be limited to enhancement of endothelium-dependent vasodilative mechanisms affecting conduit vessels.
Relationships Among Balance, Visual Search, and Lacrosse-Shot Accuracy

Marsh, DW, Richard, LA, Verre, AB, and Myers, J. Relationships among balance, visual search, and lacrosse-shot accuracy. J Strength Cond Res 24(6): 1507-1514, 2010-The purpose of this study was to examine variables that may contribute to shot accuracy in women's college lacrosse. A convenience sample of 15 healthy women's National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III College lacrosse players aged 18-23 (mean ± SD, 20.27 ± 1.67) participated in the study. Four experimental variables were examined: balance, visual search, hand grip strength, and shoulder joint position sense. Balance was measured by the Biodex Stability System (BSS), and visual search was measured by the Trail-Making Test Part A (TMTA) and Trail-Making Test Part B (TMTB). Hand-grip strength was measured by a standard hand dynamometer, and shoulder joint position sense was measured using a modified inclinometer. All measures were taken in an indoor setting. These experimental variables were then compared with lacrosse-shot error that was measured indoors using a high-speed video camera recorder and a specialized L-shaped apparatus. A Stalker radar gun measured lacrosse-shot velocity. The mean lacrosse-shot error was 15.17 cm with a mean lacrosse-shot velocity of 17.14 m·s−1 (38.35 mph). Lower scores on the BSS level 8 eyes open (BSS L8 E/O) test and TMTB were positively related to less lacrosse-shot error (r = 0.760, p = 0.011) and (r = 0.519, p = 0.048), respectively. Relations were not significant between lacrosse-shot error and grip strength (r = 0.191, p = 0.496), lacrosse-shot error and BSS level 8 eyes closed (BSS L8 E/C) (r = 0.501, p = 0.102), lacrosse-shot error and BSS level 4 eyes open (BSS L4 E/O) (r = 0.313, p = 0.378), lacrosse-shot error and BSS level 4 eyes closed (BSS L4 E/C) (r = −0.029, p = 0.936) lacrosse-shot error and shoulder joint position sense (r = −0.509, p = 0.055) and between lacrosse-shot error and TMTA (r = 0.375, p = 0.168). The results reveal that greater levels of shot accuracy may be related to greater levels of visual search and balance ability in women college lacrosse athletes.
Linkage between Schwann Cell Extracellular Matrix Production and Ensheathment Function a

Culture techniques are now available to study cellular interactions that occur during peripheral nerve development. In the animal the interior of peripheral nerve, the endoneurium, contains chiefly nerve fibers, Schwann cells, and fibroblasts, plus associated extracellular matrix. Early in animal development, peripheral nerve consists of large fascicles of nerve fibers with Schwann cells located only at the circumference of each fascicle. During the ensuing developmental period there is a sudden spurt in Schwann cell division, such that in a relatively short period of time there are enough Schwann cells generated to ensheathe every peripheral nerve fiber with either cytoplasm or myelin (for review, see Reference 1). One Schwann cell myelinates a length of one nerve fiber, whereas a number of smaller-diameter unmyelinated nerve fibers lie in troughs of cytoplasm provided by one Schwann cell. Every neuron-related Schwann cell acquires basal lamina, and collagen fibrils fill much of the intervening intercellular space between the Schwann cell-nerve fiber units; these collagen fibrils are oriented parallel to the length of the nerve fibers. Fibroblasts are scattered throughout the endoneurium. Bordering the endoneurium is the perineurium, which consists of a series of closely applied layers of flattened cells interspersed with extracellular matrix, the most prominent components of which are basal lamina and collagen. These flattened cells are related to one another by means of junctions, some of these being tight junctions. Thus, perineurium forms a permeability barrier between epineurium (found outside the perineurium) and the innermost area of nerve, the endoneurium (for review, see Reference 2). Some of the components of endoneurial extracellular matrix in peripheral nerve in situ have been identified (for review, see References 3 and 4). Typically in vivo the Schwann cell basal lamina contains components that are found in basal laminae of many other cell typesS5 These components include types IV and V collagen, laminin, and heparan sulfate proteoglycan. It is also known that types I and I11 collagen are found in the endoneurium; these components are found between the Schwann cell-nerve fiber units in the intercellular space but are not constituents of the Schwann cell basal lamina. Fibronectin is also found in the intercellular space in peripheral nerve in vivo. When immunostaining is performed to demonstrate the position of
Moral Hazard in Health Insurance: What We Know and How We Know It

Abstract We describe research on the impact of health insurance on healthcare spending (“moral hazard”), and use this context to illustrate the value of and important complementarities between different empirical approaches. One common approach is to emphasize a credible research design; we review results from two randomized experiments, as well as some quasi-experimental studies. This work has produced compelling evidence that moral hazard in health insurance exists—that is, individuals, on average, consume less healthcare when they are required to pay more for it out of pocket—as well as qualitative evidence about its nature. These studies alone, however, provide little guidance for forecasting healthcare spending under contracts not directly observed in the data. Therefore, a second and complementary approach is to develop an economic model that can be used out of sample. We note that modeling choices can be consequential: different economic models may fit the reduced form but deliver different counterfactual predictions. An additional role of the more descriptive analyses is therefore to provide guidance regarding model choice.
[Effects of a multicultural education program on the cultural competence, empathy and self-efficacy of nursing students].

PURPOSE This study was done to examine the effects of a multicultural education program on nursing students' cultural competence, empathy, and self-efficacy. METHODS In this quasi-experimental study, the participants were assigned to an experimental group (n=40) or a control group (n=40). The data were analyzed using independent t-test, Chi-square or Fisher's exact test, and paired t-test with the SPSS windows 18.0 program. RESULTS After receiving the multicultural education program, the levels of cultural competence and self-efficacy in the experimental group were higher than in the control group. The level of empathy increased slightly in the experimental group while it decreased in the control group. CONCLUSION The results of this study indicate that multicultural education is effective in raising the level of cultural competence and self-efficacy in nursing students. Thus, there is a need for continuous effort to integrate multicultural education programs in the nursing curriculum. Repeated study to test effects of these multicultural education programs should be also necessary.
Airway management in trauma

Abstract Airway Management for the victims of major trauma is the first priority in the care of the trauma victim andis a core skill in emergency medicine and critical care. Endotracheal intubation remains the gold standardfor trauma airway management. Airway management in trauma patients is not just the capability to insert anoral/nasal airway or endotracheal tube beyond the vocal cords. The five components integral to modern,sophisticated airway management in trauma patients include equipment, pharmacologic adjuncts, manualtechniques, physical circumstances, and patient profile. A trauma patient may require airway managementin a variety of physical circumstances. Whereas, the commonly used airway management algorithms maynot suffice in all these situations, the construction of a truly complete decision tree is also virtually impossi-ble. There is consensus that it is not the intervention per se but rather the conditions, skills, and perform-ance that might be the possible variables that affect outcome. Paramedics have only limited experience andon-the-job skills for invasive airway management. Difficult airway management is best left for the experi-enced physicians to handle.Key Words: Airway, Trauma, Endotracheal Intubation.
Physical activity and mortality: a prospective study among women.

OBJECTIVES This study examined the association between recreational physical activity and mortality in middle-aged and older women and the possibility that physical activity serves as an important marker of health. METHODS Analyses were conducted among participants in the Nurses' Health Study. Levels of physical activity were assessed by questionnaire in 1980 and updated every 2 to 4 years. RESULTS Levels of physical activity were inversely associated with mortality risk; however, each activity level above the reference level had approximately the same level of risk reduction (20%-30%). The inverse association was stronger for cardiovascular deaths than for cancer deaths and was strongest for respiratory deaths. Women who died of noncardiovascular, noncancer causes were more likely to have reported that poor health limited their physical activity than were women who died of other causes or who remained alive. CONCLUSIONS Part of the link between physical activity and mortality risk is probably spurious and difficult to remove analytically; however, on the basis of epidemiologic evidence, much of the health benefit of activity is real.
Expression and Functional Significance of Mouse Paraspeckle Protein 1 on Spermatogenesis1

Abstract Paraspeckle protein 1 (PSP1) in humans is a recently identified component protein of a novel nuclear body, paraspeckle. The protein has a DBHS (Drosophila behavior, human splicing) motif that is found in PSF and p54nrb/NonO proteins. These DBHS-containing proteins have been reported to be involved in various nuclear events such as DNA replication, transcription, and mRNA processing. Here we show that mouse paraspeckle protein 1 (mPSP1; encoded by the Pspc1 gene) has two isoforms with different C-termini lengths. Abundant expression of the longer isoform (mPSP1-α) and the shorter one (mPSP1-β) were observed in testis and kidney, respectively. Transiently expressed mPSP1-α was localized in nuclei, but mPSP1-β was localized in both nuclei and cytoplasm. These observations suggest that alternative splicing regulates tissue distribution and subcellular localization. Like other DBHS-containing proteins, mPSP1 has RNA-binding activity. In mouse testis, mPSP1-α was found in the nuclear matrix fraction. Furthermore, by coimmunoprecipitation, we confirmed that mPSP1 interacts with other DBHS-containing proteins, PSF and p54nrb/NonO. Therefore, we conclude that mPSP1 may regulate multiple phases of important nuclear events during spermatogenesis.
Overexpression of Septin 4, the Drosophila homologue of human CDCrel‐1, is toxic for dopaminergic neurons

parkin loss‐of‐function mutations are linked to autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism. Parkin is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that promotes degradation of specific target proteins by the proteasome. It has been proposed that loss of Parkin activity will result in accumulation of its substrates, thus leading to dopaminergic (DA) neuron death. In Drosophila, parkin mutations cause degeneration of a subset of DA neurons in the brain but no Parkin substrates have yet been described. Here we characterized the septin 4 gene, which encodes the Drosophila orthologue of human CDCrel‐1, a Parkin substrate. We showed that Septin 4 overexpression causes age‐dependent disruption of DA neuron integrity in the dorsomedial cluster, which is suppressed by coexpression of Parkin and enhanced by reducing parkin function. Furthermore, other phenotypes caused by Septin 4 overexpression are also enhanced in a heterozygous parkin mutant background. This indicates that Septin 4 accumulation is toxic for DA neurons and suggests that Septin 4 could be a genuine substrate of Drosophila Parkin. Regarding this, we also showed that both proteins are able to interact physically with each other in vitro, thus supporting this hypothesis.
How Localized Consumption Stabilizes Predator‐Prey Systems with Finite Frequency of Mixing

Predator‐prey theory began with aspatial models that assumed organisms interacted as if they were “well‐mixed” particles that obey the laws of mass action, but it has become clear that both the spatial and individual nature of many organisms can change how the dynamics of such systems function. Here I examine how localized consumption of prey by predators changes the dynamics of predator‐prey systems; I use an individual‐based simulation of the Rosenzweig‐MacArthur model in implicit space and its mean‐field approximation. In combination with limited movement, localized consumption makes the predator‐prey dynamics more stable than the comparable “well‐mixed” Rosenzweig‐MacArthur model. Using a spatial correlation, one can directly compare a simplified version of the individual‐based model with the Rosenzweig‐MacArthur model. While this comparison allows the changes in the dynamics to be captured by the “well‐mixed” Rosenzweig‐MacArthur model, the parameters of the functional response are now dependent on the movement parameters, and so the functional response must be estimated statistically from the dynamics of the individual‐based model. Yet this implies that aspatial models may work in a scale‐specific fashion for spatial systems. Unlike many recent spatial models, the localized consumption and limited movement in the model presented here cannot produce coherent spatial patterns and do not depend on a patchy structure, as found in metapopulation models. Instead, the individual nature of the interactions creates a diffusion‐limited reaction, which appears closer to a form of ephemeral refuge.
Optimal strategies for measuring diffusion in anisotropic systems by magnetic resonance imaging

The optimization of acquisition parameters for precise measurement of diffusion in anisotropic systems is described. First, an algorithm is presented that minimizes the bias inherent in making measurements with a fixed set of gradient vector directions by spreading out measurements in 3‐dimensional gradient vector space. Next, it is shown how the set of b—matrices and echo time can be optimized for estimating the diffusion tensor and its scalar invariants. The standard deviation in the estimate of the tensor trace in a water phantom was reduced by more than 40% and the artefactual anisotropy was reduced by more than 60% when using the optimized scheme compared with a more conventional scheme for the same scan time, and marked improvements are demonstrated in the human brain with the optimized sequences. Use of these optimal schemes results in reduced scan times, increased precision, or improved resolution in diffusion tensor images. Magn Reson Med 42:515–525, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dynorphin regulates D1 dopamine receptor‐mediated responses in the striatum: Relative contributions of pre‐ and postsynaptic mechanisms in dorsal and ventral striatum demonstrated by altered immediate‐early gene induction

Dynorphin, an endogenous kappa opioid receptor ligand, acts in the striatum to regulate the response of striatonigral neurons to D1 dopamine receptor stimulation. We investigated the relative contributions of both presynaptic kappa receptors on dopamine terminals and postsynaptic kappa receptors on striatal neurons by analyzing opioid regulation of D1 effects in the absence of presynaptic kappa receptors, after 6‐hydroxydopamine depletion of striatal dopamine. D1‐receptor‐mediated immediate‐early gene induction was measured by using in situ hybridization histochemistry. First, repeated treatment with the D1‐receptor agonist SKF‐38393 (2 mg/kg/day, 3–14 days) was used to increase dynorphin levels in rats with dopamine depletions. In the nucleus accumbens, increased dynorphin expression was accompanied by reduced induction of the immediate‐early genes c‐fos and zif 268 by SKF‐38393. In contrast, in dorsal/lateral aspects of the dopamine‐depleted striatum, this D1 response was sustained despite a large increase in dynorphin expression. These results are consistent with a requirement of dopamine terminals (presynaptic kappa receptors) for the inhibitory action of dynorphin in the dorsal/lateral striatum, but not in the ventral striatum. Second, the kappa receptor agonist spiradoline (1–10 mg/kg) reduced c‐fos and zif 268 induction by SKF‐38393 (2.5 mg/kg) preferentially in ventral parts of the dopamine‐depleted striatum, which contain higher levels of kappa receptor mRNA and binding. These results also indicate that postsynaptic kappa receptors contribute to the inhibition of the D1 response at least in the ventral striatum. Together, these results indicate that dynorphin in the striatum functions to regulate dopamine input to striatonigral neurons, acting at both pre‐ and postsynaptic sites, and that the relative contributions of these mechanisms differ between dorsal and ventral striatal regions. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. This article is a US Government work and, as such, in the public domain in the United States of America.
Effects of early inhaled beclomethasone therapy on tracheal aspirate inflammatory mediators IL‐8 and IL‐1ra in ventilated preterm infants at risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia

We tested the hypothesis that inhaled beclomethasone therapy for prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) reduces pulmonary inflammation. As part of a randomized, placebo‐controlled trial, interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) and interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1ra) concentrations in tracheal aspirates were measured as markers of pulmonary inflammation. On study days 1 (baseline), 8, 15, and day 28 of age, samples were obtained from enrolled infants (birth weights <1,251 g, gestational age <33 week, 3 to 14 days of age) who remained ventilated and had not received systemic glucocorticoid therapy. Cytokine levels (pg/μg of free secretory component of immunoglobulin A) were compared between groups. We determined whether baseline cytokine levels modified treatment effect regarding subsequent need for systemic glucocorticoid therapy or occurrence of BPD (age 28 days).
A Highly Efficient Multi-objective Optimization Evolutionary Algorithm

Multi-objective Optimization Evolutionary Algorithms (MOEAs) are effective for solving Multi-objective Optimization Problems. Here a new algorithm is proposed and is compared with some famous MOEAs at the state of the art. The experimental results imply that the approximated Pareto Fronts which are obtained by this algorithm are better than the approximated Pareto Fronts by SPEA2, NSGAII etc. when dealing with the chosen test problems within satisfactory computational time.
Star-Mesh NoC based multi-channel H.264 decoder design

In this paper we described the architectural exploration of Star-Mesh NoC based multi-channel H.264 decoder. The Star-Mesh NoC is comprised of local star switch and global mesh switch. By analyzing data transfers among the processors, IPs, and memories, we partitioned IPs into clusters to map then to Star-Mesh NoC architecture. In order to enhance data parallelism and NoC utilization, H.264 decoder IPs with much data traffic are mapped to star switch and shared memory is connected to mesh switch where star switch connected to mesh switch with 1-hop. We explored several mapping architecture to achieve improvement of the system throughput.
GENETIC VARIABILITY IN CULTURED AND WILD POPULATIONS OF Clarias gariepinus (Osteichthys: Clariidae) USING RANDOM AMPLIFIED POLYMORPHIC DNA (RAPD) MARKER

Three wild populations of Clarias gariepinus from Esaodo (River Osun), Owena (River Owena), and Agbabu (River Oluwa), and three farmed populations, viz: Akure, Ilesa and Ado-Ekiti, in Southwest Nigeria, were analysed for their genetic differences using Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Live specimens comprising 40 individuals (680 ± 3.28 g) from each location were collected and kept in six concrete tanks (2x1x1m). Altogether 435 reproducible bands were obtained from six populations for the nine RAPD primers used. The Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) indicated that the sampled populations are significantly different from each other, and that 99% of the total variation resided within the population. The percentage of genetic identity (GI) of RAPD-PCR profile among six populations ranged from 74.6% to 83.5%, while Genetic distance of the six populations based on RAPD-PCR profile ranged from 0.180 to 0.293. Estimates of genetic variation in wild and cultured populations of C. gariepinus were made, and total and mean number of segregating fragments were 71 (89.9%), 34.5 and 59 (74.7%), 35.4, respectively. Total gene diversity within wild and cultured populations (Ht) was 0.3419 and 0.3010, respectively. The study established that there is genetic variability in both wild and cultured C. gariepinus. RAPD showed that samples within the wild and cultured populations under study were closer to each other than between the two habitats. With reference to total gene diversity values and total number of segregating fragments, the wild population was considerably more diverse than the cultured population.