Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuromuscular response differences to power vs strength back squat exercise in elite athletes

The study's aim was to establish the neuromuscular responses in elite athletes during and following maximal ‘explosive’ regular back squat exercise at heavy, moderate, and light loads. Ten elite track and field athletes completed 10 sets of five maximal squat repetitions on three separate days. Knee extension maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC), rate of force development (RFD) and evoked peak twitch force (Pt) assessments were made pre‐ and post‐session. Surface electromyography [root mean square (RMS)] and mechanical measurements were recorded during repetitions. The heavy session resulted in the greatest repetition impulse in comparison to moderate and light sessions (P < 0.001), while the latter showed highest repetition power (P < 0.001). MIVC, RFD, and Pt were significantly reduced post‐session (P < 0.01), with greatest reduction observed after the heavy, followed by the moderate and light sessions accordingly. Power significantly reduced during the heavy session only (P < 0.001), and greater increases in RMS occurred during heavy session (P < 0.001), followed by moderate, with no change during light session. In conclusion, this study has shown in elite athletes that the moderate load is optimal for providing a neuromuscular stimulus but with limited fatigue. This type of intervention could be potentially used in the development of both strength and power in elite athletic populations.
Meta‐analysis of self‐reported substance use compared with laboratory substance assay in general adult mental health settings

An accurate assessment of substance use is necessary to make a correct psychiatric diagnosis and to provide appropriate treatment. This study uses meta‐analysis to establish the strength of the association between self‐reported substance use and the results of laboratory substance assay including the testing for specific substances and screening for any substance use in psychiatric hospitals and in community mental health settings.
Identification and Validation of Reference Genes for Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction in Cimex lectularius

ABSTRACT Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) has emerged as robust methodology for gene expression studies, but reference genes are crucial for accurate normalization. Commonly used reference genes are housekeeping genes that are thought to be nonregulated; however, their expression can be unstable across different experimental conditions. We report the identification and validation of suitable reference genes in the bed bug, Cimex lectularius, by using qRT-PCR. The expression stability of eight reference genes in different tissues (abdominal cuticle, midgut, Malpighian tubules, and ovary) and developmental stages (early instar nymphs, late instar nymphs, and adults) of pesticide-susceptible and pesticide-exposed C. lectularius were analyzed using geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper. Overall expression analysis of the eight reference genes revealed significant variation among samples, indicating the necessity of validating suitable reference genes for accurate quantification of mRNA transcripts. Ribosomal protein (RPL18) exhibited the most stable gene expression across all the tissue and developmental-stage samples; &agr;-tubulin revealed the least stability across all of the samples examined. Thus, we recommend RPL18 as a suitable reference gene for normalization in gene expression studies of C. lectularius.
Premigratory expectations and postmigratory mental health symptoms in Vietnamese Amerasians.

OBJECTIVE To determine the relationship between premigratory expectations for one's future life in the United States and postmigratory symptoms of anxiety and depression in a group of Vietnamese Amerasians. METHOD A cohort of 161 Vietnamese Amerasian migrants was assessed prior to departure from Vietnam using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25), the Vietnamese Depression Scale, and an Expectations Questionnaire. After migration to the United States, subjects were reassessed using the HSCL-25 and the Vietnamese Depression Scale. RESULTS Premigratory expectations for support from the Vietnamese community in the United States were associated with significantly higher scores on the HSCL-25 Depression scale. Of subjects reassessed in the United States, 20% scored in the clinical range for depression. CONCLUSIONS Like-ethnic community support is critically important in preventing depressive symptoms among Vietnamese Amerasian migrants. Clinicians working with Amerasians should target those with unrealistically high expectations for preventive intervention and should approach Vietnamese community leaders to mobilize support for recently arrived Amerasians.
Stage of the estrous cycle at the time of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin injection affects pre‐implantation embryo development in vitro in the mouse

The present study aims to analyze in the mouse the effect of the stage of the estrous cycle at the time of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) injection on fertilization of ovulated cumulus‐enclosed oocytes and later embryo development in vitro to the blastocyst stage. Quality of blastocysts was evaluated by staining and counting of total number of nuclei, mitotic index, percentage of apoptotic nuclei, and cell allocation to the inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) lineage. Superovulation of hybrid (C57Bl/6JIco female × CBA/JIco male) female mice of 4–6 weeks of age was induced by a priming injection of PMSG at different stages of the estrous cycle followed after a 48‐hr interval by human chrorionic gonadotropin. Our data indicate that injection of PMSG at the estrus phase gives the best outcome whereas injection of PMSG at the diestrus‐1 or diestrus‐2 phase provides the worst results. In fact, (1) total number of oocytes ovulated, number of ovulated oocytes enclosed by cumulus cells, and number of TE cells in day‐5 blastocysts were significantly lower in diestrus‐1 females than in estrus, diestrus‐2 and proestrus mice; (2) percentage of day‐5 blastocysts and total number of cells in day‐5 blastocysts were lower in diestrus‐1 and diestrus‐2 females than in estrus and proestrus mice; and (3) percentage of apoptotic nuclei in day‐5 blastocysts was lower in estrus mice than in diestrus‐1, diestrus‐2, or proestrus females. These data endorse previous studies suggesting that administration of gonadotropins in mice should be synchronized with the innate estrous cycle of females. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 62: 312–319, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate restores gastric damages and suppressive autophagy induced by hydrogen peroxide

Abstract It is well known that gastric barrier is very important for protecting host from various insults. Simultaneously, autophagy serving as a prominent cytoprotective and survival pathway under oxidative stress conditions is being increasingly recognized. Thus, this study was conducted for investigating the effect of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) on gastric barrier function and autophagy under oxidative stress induced by intragastric administration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The gastric tight junction proteins [zonula occludens-1 (ZO1), occludin, and claudin1], autophagic proteins [microtubule-associated protein light chain 3I(LC3I), LC3II, and beclin1], and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway (p65 and IκB kinase α/β) were determined by Western blot. The results showed that H2O2 exposure disturbed gastric barrier function with decreased expression of ZO1, occludin, and claudin1, and reduced gastric autophagy with decreased conversion of LC3I into LC3II in mice. However, treatment with PDTC restored these adverse effects evidenced by increased expression of ZO1 and claudin1 and increased conversion of LC3I into LC3II. Meanwhile, H2O2 exposure decreased normal human gastric epithelial mucosa cell line (GES-1) viability in a concentration-dependent way. However, after being exposed to H2O2, GES-1 exhibited autophagic response which was inconsistent with our in vivo results in mice, while PDTC failed to decrease autophagy in GES-1 induced by H2O2. Simultaneously, the beneficial effect of PDTC on gastric damage and autophagy in mice might be independent of inhibition of NF-κB. In conclusion, PDTC treatment restores gastric damages and reduced autophagy induced by H2O2. Therefore, PDTC may serve as a potential adjuvant therapy for gastric damages.
Norepinephrine selectively reduces slow Ca2+- and Na+-mediated K+ currents in cat neocortical neurons.

1. The effects of norepinephrine (NE) and related agonists and antagonists were examined on large neurons from layer V of cat sensorimotor cortex ("Betz cells") were examined in a brain slice preparation using intracellular recording, constant current stimulation and single microelectrode voltage clamp. 2. Application of NE (0.1-100 microM) usually caused a small depolarization from resting potential; hyperpolarizations were rare. Application of NE reversibly reduced rheobase and both the Ca2+- and Na+-dependent portions of the slow afterhyperpolarization (sAHP) that followed sustained firing evoked by constant current injection. The faster Ca2+-dependent medium afterhyperpolarization (mAHP), the fast afterhyperpolarization (fAHP), the action potential, and input resistance were unaffected. 3. The changes in excitability produced by NE application were most apparent during prolonged stimulation. The cells exhibited steady repetitive firing to currents that were formerly ineffective. The slow phase of spike frequency adaptation was reduced selectively and less habituation occurred during repeated long-lasting stimuli. The relation between firing rate and injected current became steeper if firing rate was averaged over several hundred milliseconds. 4. During voltage clamp in TTX, NE application selectively reduced the slow component of Ca2+-mediated K+ current. The faster Ca2+-mediated K+ current was unaffected, as were two voltage-dependent, transient K+ currents, the anomalous rectifier and leakage conductance measured at resting potential. Depolarizing voltage steps in the presence of Cd2+ revealed an apparent time- and voltage-dependent increase of the persistent Na+ current after NE application. The voltage-clamp results suggested ionic mechanisms for all effects seen during constant current stimulation except the depolarization from resting potential. The latter was insensitive to Cd2+ and TTX and occurred without a detectable change in membrane conductance. 5. NE application did not alter Ca2+ spikes evoked in the presence of TTX and 10 mM TEA. Inward Ca2+ currents examined during voltage clamp in TTX (with K+ currents reduced) became slightly larger after NE application. We conclude that NEs reduction of the slow Ca2+-mediated K+ current is not caused by reduction of Ca2+ influx. 6. Effects on membrane potential, rheobase, and the sAHP were mimicked by the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol, but not by the alpha-adrenergic agonists clonidine or phenylephrine at higher concentrations. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Wireless multiple-input single-output optical links with coherent detection

Coherent wireless optical communications (WOC) is a viable alternative to irradiance modulation with direct detection for atmospheric channels impacted by turbulence. Effective techniques such as channel coding and diversity can be introduced to mitigate the turbulence effects, but transmit diversity for coherent WOC has not been reported due to the phase noise imposed on the electric fields of multiple optical carriers. To understand this problem and facilitate multiple-input single-output (MISO) for coherent WOC, we propose a new MISO optical structure in this paper. Based on the proposed structure, several cases are studied by adopting this MISO technique. Error rates and outage probability are presented in closed-forms with equal gain combining. Significant performance improvement is seen by comparing MISO systems with the standard single-input single-output coherent WOC systems.
Audiological Diagnostics and Treatment of Craniofacial Abnormalities inCleidocranial Dysplasia CCD

Introduction: Cleidocranial dysplasia CCD is a rare genetic disorder connected with mutation in the gene RUNX2. The characteristic feature of this syndrome is a triad of symptoms: hypoplasia or aplasia of clavicles, cranial defects, persistent decidous teeth and multiple supernumerary teeth with consecutive failure in succedaneous teeth eruption. Objective: The aim of the study is to present a CCD patient, in which during orthodontic treatment there was performed a comprehensive hearing test. Case report: The paper presents a 15-year-old patient in whom intraorally there were stated only 4 first permanent molars and 1 lower central incisor while all the remaining teeth were decidous. The CBCT showed 11 impacted supernumerary teeth. Treatment started by surgical exposure and orthodontic traction of the upper incisors into the arch. The introduced fixed appliance seems to be a good solution to pull down impacted anterior teeth. An audiological examination of the patient with CCD revealed normal hearing on the border of norm, however tympanometry may suggest a defect of the auditory ossicles. Conclusion: Active long-term treatment that requires cooperation of many specialists is the correct procedure in CCD cases.
Tumor suppressor p16INK4A is necessary for survival of cervical carcinoma cell lines

Significance Here we report that addiction to histone lysine demethylase (KDM)6B expression is shared by a number of cervical carcinoma lines and arises as a direct and immediate consequence of human papillomavirus (HPV)16 E7 oncoprotein expression. We also report that the p16INK4A tumor suppressor is a mediator of KDM6B addiction and that p16 expression is necessary for survival of HPV E7-expressing cells. The addiction of p16INK4A is based on its ability to inhibit CDK4/CDK6 activity. We also present data that KDM6 inhibition may be evaluated as a therapeutic modality for high-risk HPV-associated lesions and cancers. The tumor suppressor p16INK4A inhibits formation of enzymatically active complexes of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) with D-type cyclins. Oncogenic stress induces p16INK4A expression, which in turn triggers cellular senescence through activation of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor. Subversion of oncogene-induced senescence is a key step during cancer development, and many tumors have lost p16INK4A activity by mutation or epigenetic silencing. Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated tumors express high levels of p16INK4A in response to E7 oncoprotein expression. Induction of p16INK4A expression is not a consequence of retinoblastoma tumor suppressor inactivation but is triggered by a cellular senescence response and is mediated by epigenetic derepression through the H3K27-specific demethylase (KDM)6B. HPV E7 expression causes an acute dependence on KDM6B expression for cell survival. The p16INK4A tumor suppressor is a critical KDM6B downstream transcriptional target and its expression is critical for cell survival. This oncogenic p16INK4A activity depends on inhibition of CDK4/CDK6, suggesting that in cervical cancer cells where retinoblastoma tumor suppressor is inactivated, CDK4/CDK6 activity needs to be inhibited in order for cells to survive. Finally, we note that HPV E7 expression creates a unique cellular vulnerability to small-molecule KDM6A/B inhibitors.
Market trends and consumer demand for fresh berries

We present an analysis of markets for fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries in the United States during 2008â€“2011. We use weekly panel data covering supermarket purchases in 52 cities. The primary goal is to estimate demand elasticities for fresh berries and thereby provide a better understanding of consumer behaviour in response to price changes and the nature of competition among these crops. We estimate fixed and random effects models for double log demand equations and a complete demand system, the Almost Ideal Demand System. The latter specification can be used to estimate demand relationships that conform to utility maximising behaviour. The elasticity estimates are very robust across the different specifications and estimation methods. This increases confidence in our findings and provides some assurance that choice of functional form or estimation method is not driving our results. We find that retail demands for all berry crops are in the elastic range and that the different berries are substitutes for one another. The demand for strawberries was the least elastic with an own price elasticity of â€“1.26 and blackberries were the most elastic with a demand elasticity of â€“1.88. Blackberry demand was also the most responsive to the prices of competing berry crops. The study provides clearer insight into markets for berries in the United States. In addition, it fills a gap in the present lack of up-to-date consumer demand elasticities for these crops and will be useful for growers, decision makers and consumers.
Feeding a child with mealtime challenges: A mother's work.

BACKGROUND The literature suggests that at least 25% of all children and up to 80% of children with developmental disabilities have some type of feeding and/or eating difficulty. Currently there is limited information in the literature related to mothers who are mothering young children with difficulties in the area of feeding and eating. Specifically there is little information available regarding how mothering a young child with difficulties in feeding and eating impacts participation in the work of mothering. OBJECTIVE This paper discusses a piece of the qualitative portion of a mixed methods study. The qualitative portion of the study sought to examine the lived experience of mothers who were mothering a young child with feeding concerns. PARTICIPANTS Five women between the ages of 26 and 41 years of age agreed to participate in this portion of the study. All of the women were married and were mothering a child between 12 and 36 months experiencing concerns related to feeding. METHODS Phenomenological methods were used to complete the qualitative portion of this study. Each woman participated in one interview in her own home that lasted between one and two hours. RESULTS Five themes emerged from the data analysis, feeling supported, seeking support, the range of emotions/feelings, dealing with the system, and the complexity of feeding. Two of the themes are discussed in this paper in detail as they relate to maternal work. CONCLUSIONS Data from this study were analyzed in relationship to maternal work. Findings highlight the difficulty of negotiating daily mealtime occupations and support the connection between mealtime occupations and maternal work as outlined by Ruddick.
Ultrastructural studies of sporulation in Streptomyces

This is the first study of sporogenesis in Streptomyces carried out on a relatively high number of species (seven) which allows us, using also previously published results, to establish a general picture of this process. In the sporogenesis of Streptomyces two basic stages can be considered: the sporulation septum synthesis and the arthrospore maturation. Our ultrastructural study of the sporulation septum formation suggests the existance within this genus of three basic types. Type I is distinguished because the septum is formed from the beginning by two separate cross walls. Within this type we include Streptomyces erythraeus, Streptomyces albus, and Streptomyces aureofaciens and also include Streptomyces venezuelae, Streptomyces griseus, and Streptomyces osteogriseus. Type II is distinguished because there is a deposit of material previous to the synthesis of the double annulus which completes the septum. This type can be divided into two subtypes. In the first the deposits are wedge-shaped and the double annulus is clearly visible, and to this group belong Streptomyces flaveolus, Streptomyces ambofaciens, and Streptomyces coelicolor. In the second the deposits, which have a different shape and are very well developed, constitute almost entirely the sporulation septum in which the double annulus is barely visible; Streptomyces antibioticus and also Streptomyces viridochromogenes belong to this group. Type III, represented by Streptomyces cinnamonensis, is distinguished because the septum is formed by a single cross wall.
Matching Heterogeneous Events with Patterns

A large amount of heterogeneous event data are increasingly generated, e.g., in online systems for Web services or operational systems in enterprises. Owing to the difference between event data and traditional relational data, the matching of heterogeneous events is highly non-trivial. While event names are often opaque (e.g., merely with obscure IDs), the existing structure-based matching techniques for relational data also fail to perform owing to the poor discriminative power of dependency relationships between events. We note that interesting patterns exist in the occurrence of events, which may serve as discriminative features in event matching. In this paper, we formalize the problem of matching events with patterns. A generic pattern based matching framework is proposed, which is compatible with the existing structure based techniques. To improve the matching efficiency, we devise several bounds of matching scores for pruning. Recognizing the np-hardness of the optimal event matching problem with patterns, we propose efficient heuristic. Finally, extensive experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of our pattern based matching compared with approaches adapted from existing techniques, and the efficiency improved by the bounding, pruning and heuristic methods.
H-Reflex, Muscle Voluntary Activation Level, and Fatigue Index of Flexor Carpi Radialis in Individuals With Incomplete Cervical Cord Injury

Background. Individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) are predisposed to muscle fatigue during voluntary exercise. However, the origin of fatigue is unclear. Objective. The authors examined the motoneuron excitability, muscle activation level, and fatigue properties of the flexor carpi radialis muscle, just below the level of injury. Methods. Nine individuals with chronic, incomplete cervical cord injury and 9 age-matched healthy individuals were recruited. The authors tested maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), motoneuron excitability by the maximum amplitude of the H-reflex (Hmax at C-7), and muscle voluntary activation level measured by the interpolated twitch technique. Subjects were fatigued by repetitive maximal voluntary isometric wrist flexion. General fatigue index (GFI), central fatigue index (CFI), and peripheral fatigue index (PFI) of flexor carpi radialis were examined before, during, and immediately after exercise. Results. The Hmax in the SCI group was significantly higher (P = .0028) than in controls. The MVC (P < .001) and voluntary activation level (P = .016) in the SCI group were significantly lower. The GFI and CFI decreased in both the SCI and the non-SCI groups. The PFI in the SCI group was significantly higher (ie, less fatigue) than that in controls at 30 repetitive contractions. Conclusions. In individuals with incomplete SCI, the deficit in central drive is an important source of muscle weakness and fatigue in the muscle below the level of injury.