Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of aquatic and land plyometric training on strength, sprint, and balance in young basketball players

Arazi H, Asadi A. The effect of aquatic and land plyometric training on strength, sprint, and balance in young basketball players. J. Hum. Sport Exerc. Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 101-111, 2011. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of eight weeks of aquatic and land plyometric training on leg muscle strength, 36.5 and 60 meters sprint times, and dynamic balance test in young male basketball players. Eighteen young male basketball players (age=18.81±1.46 years, height=179.34±6.11 cm, body mass=67.80±9.52 kg, sport experience=4.8±2.47 years) volunteered in this study and divided to three groups; aquatic plyometric training (APT), land plyometric training (LPT) and control group (CON). Experimental groups trained; ankle jumps, speed marching, squat jumps, and skipping drills for eight weeks and 3 times a week for 40 min. The data were analyzed by one way analysis of variance with repeated measures, a Tukey post hoc testing and independent-sample t-test. The results showed there were not any significant differences between the APT and LPT groups in any of the variables tested (P>0.05). Significant increases were observed in posttraining both APT and LPT groups in 36.5-m and 60-m sprint times record compare to pretraining (P<0.05). There was a significant difference in relative improvement between the APT and CON in 36.5-m, 60-m, and one repetition maximum leg press (P<0.05). We conclude that plyometric training in
Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) extract may prevent the deterioration of spatial memory and the deficit of estimated total number of hippocampal pyramidal cells of trimethyltin-exposed rats

Abstract Context: Protection of neurons from degeneration is an important preventive strategy for dementia. Much of the dementia pathology implicates oxidative stress pathways. Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) contains curcuminoids which has anti-oxidative and neuro-protective effects. These effects are considered to be similar to those of citicoline which has been regularly used as one of standard medications for dementia. Objective: This study aimed at investigating the effects of turmeric rhizome extract on the hippocampus of trimethyltin (TMT)-treated Sprague-Dawley rats. Materials and methods: The rats were divided randomly into six groups, i.e., a normal control group (N); Sn group, which was given TMT chloride; Sn-Cit group, which was treated with citicoline and TMT chloride; and three Sn-TE groups, which were treated with three different dosages of turmeric rhizome extract and TMT chloride. Morris water maze test was carried out to examine the spatial memory. The estimated total number of CA1 and CA2–CA3 pyramidal cells was calculated using a stereological method. Results: The administration of turmeric extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg bw has been shown to prevent the deficits in the spatial memory performance and partially inhibit the reduction of the number of CA2–CA3 regions pyramidal neurons. Discussion: TMT-induced neurotoxic damage seemed to be mediated by the generation of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species. Turmeric extract might act as anti inflammatory as well as anti-oxidant agent. Conclusions: The effects of turmeric extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg bw seem to be comparable to those of citicoline.
Effects of Cardiovascular Risk Factors on Endothelial Progenitor Cell.

UNLABELLED Atherosclerosis is a systemic inflammatory disease of arterial wall and initiated by endothelial damage. The integrity and functional activity of endothelial monolayer play an important role in atherogenesis. The extent of endothelial injury may represent a balance between the magnitude of injury and the capacity for repair. Traditional view suggested endothelium integrity is maintained by neighboring mature endothelial cells which migrate and proliferate to restore the injured endothelial cells. However, a series of clinical and basic studies prompted by the discovery of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have demonstrated that the injured endothelial monolayer may be regenerated partly by circulating EPCs. These circulating EPCs are mobilized endogenously triggered by tissue ischemia or exogenously by cytokine stimulation. Clinical studies demonstrated that levels of circulating EPCs are associated with vascular endothelial function and cardiovascular risk factors, and help to identify patients at increased cardiovascular risk. Reduced levels of circulating EPCs independently predict atherosclerotic disease progression and development of cardiovascular events. Therefore, a better understanding of the relation between EPCs and atherosclerosis would provide additional insight into the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease and create novel therapeutic strategies. Here, we will make a brief review to clarify the effects of cardiovascular risk factors on circulating EPCs. KEY WORDS Atherosclerosis; endothelial function; endothelial progenitor cell.
Mutations in the Escherichia coli Tus Protein Define a Domain Positioned Close to the DNA in the Tus-Ter Complex (*)

A new genetic screen for mutations in the tus gene of Escherichia coli has been devised that selects for Tus proteins with altered ability to arrest DNA replication. We report here the characterization of three such mutants: TusP42S, TusE49K, and TusH50Y. TusP42S and TusE49K arrest DNA replication in vivo at 36% of the efficiency of wild-type Tus, whereas TusH50Y functions at 78% efficiency. The loss of replication arrest activity did not correlate with changes in the stability of the Tus-TerB complexes formed by the mutant proteins. TusE49K formed a more stable protein-DNA complex than wild-type Tus (t of 178 versus 149 min, respectively) and TusP42 had a 9-min half-life, yet these two mutants showed identical efficiencies for replication arrest. When tested in vitro using a helicase assay or an oriC replication system, we observed a general, but imperfect, correlation between the in vivo and in vitro assays. Finally, the half-lives of the mutant protein-DNA complexes suggested that the domain of Tus where these mutations are located is positioned close to the DNA in the Tus-Ter complex.
A GDP/GTP exchange-stimulatory activity for the Rab5-RabGDI complex on clathrin-coated vesicles from bovine brain

Small GTPases of the Rab family are key regulators of intracellular transport. They are associated with the cytoplasmic surface of distinct exocytic and endocytic organelles and with transport vesicles connecting these compartments. Rab proteins are also present in the cytosol in the GDP-bound conformation complexed to Rab GDP dissociation inhibitor (RabGDI). Upon membrane association, RabGDI is released, and the Rab protein is converted into the GTP-bound form. In this paper we have investigated whether Rab5, which regulates the clathrin-coated vesicle-mediated pathway of endocytosis, can directly associate with the membrane of clathrin-coated vesicles (CCV) purified from bovine brain in vitro. We found that RabGDI can specifically deliver Rab5 but not Rab7, which is localized to late endosomes, to CCV. Furthermore, CCV contain a heat- and trypsin-sensitive activity that stimulates the dissociation of GDP from Rab5, but not from Rab7, and the subsequent binding of GTP. The activity was found to be associated with the CCV membrane but not with the coat components. CCV weakly stimulated GDP release from either post-translationally modified or unmodified Rab5 alone. However, maximal GDP dissociation stimulation required the presence of RabGDI, suggesting that the factor(s) responsible for the membrane association and GDP/GTP exchange of Rab5 recognize the protein complexed to RabGDI. These data demonstrate that CCV are competent for acquiring Rab5 and for converting the molecule into the GTP-bound active form.
Interactions of myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS)-related protein with a novel solid-supported lipid membrane system (TRANSIL).

The determination of partition coefficients is crucial for the biochemical analysis of membrane-based processes, but requires tedious procedures. We have facilitated this analysis using a silica gel coated with a single phospholipid bilayer (TRANSIL) as the membranous phase. We demonstrate the validity of this method using MARCKS-related protein, a 20-kDa member of the MARCKS family (an acronym for myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate). The partition coefficients describing the association of unmyristoylated and myristoylated MARCKS-related protein with membranes of different phospholipid composition are in agreement with previous work with vesicles and show that both the myristoyl moiety and the basic effector domain of MARCKS-related protein mediate the binding. However, no significant cooperativity is observed between these two domains. Interestingly, MARCKS-related protein binds to TRANSIL membranes more strongly at temperatures below their phase-transition temperature. Taking advantage of this property, MARCKS-related protein was purified by phase-transition chromatography, loading Escherichia coli lysates on a TRANSIL column at 4 degrees C and eluting MRP at room temperature. In conclusion, TRANSIL is a versatile tool to determine the affinity of compounds for phospholipid membranes and to purify membrane-bound proteins. TRANSIL should also enable functional studies of protein-ligand and protein-protein interactions at the surface of membranes.
High rate of persistent/recurrent disease among patients with differentiated thyroid cancer in Saudi Arabia: factors affecting non-remission

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES A fairly high number of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) in our center had locally advanced disease at presentation and/or persistent disease after standard treatment. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective study to find the rate of successful ablation and remission and the factors affecting these outcomes. METHODS The study included 100 consecutively treated patients (20 males, 80 females; median age 36 years) diagnosed with DTC. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the effect of risk factors on the persistence or recurrence of thyroid cancer. All patients underwent total thyroidectomy and had cervical lymph node dissection when indicated. All patients received sodium iodide I 131 ablation once or twice post surgery. Patients were followed clinically by neck ultrasound, 123I whole body scan and by thyroglobulin measurements and other diagnostic tests as needed. RESULTS Over a median follow-up of 7.6 years (range 7–10 years), ablation occurred in 93%, remission in 50%, disease persisted without remission in 41%, and 9% had recurrence after at least 1 year of remission. Papillary thyroid cancer was found in 76%, the follicular variant in 14%, other variants (tall cell and sclerosing types) in 2%, Hurthle cell carcinoma in 4%, and pure follicular thyroid cancer in 4%. Compared with patients in remission, patients with persistent/recurrent disease were older (mean 41 versus 31 years, P=.003), had higher postoperative thyroglobulin (193 versus 29 ng/mL, P=.04) and more advanced TNM staging (P=.005). Risk factors significant for non-remission were age >40 years (odds ratio 4.1, 95% CI 1.5–10.9 years, P=.003) and TNM stage other than 1 (odds ratio 5.5, 95% CI 1.9–16.3, P=.001). Only TNM Stage 1 was significant for remission in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION The low remission rate in our DTC patients is probably due to more advanced disease at time of presentation. Early detection may, therefore, be essential in improving outcome.
UWB propagation indoor statistical channel modeling

The propagation signals of ultra wideband (UWB) systems in indoor or outdoor environments is an important issue with significant effects on the future works of the UWB technology. In this paper, an overview of reported channel modeling of the UWB indoor wireless channel is presented. Also this paper describes a comprehensive study of statistical channel modeling that is valid for a frequency range from 3–10 GHz. This study is based on channel sounding and simulation for different environments such as: residential indoor, office indoor, industrial indoor, and outdoor. The presented channel models are include: path loss, amplitude fading, channel impulse response, power delay profile and inter-arrival times of multipath components (MPCs). Standard models of IEEE802.15. 13a and IEEE802.15. 4a are described.
The Angiotensin-(1-7)/Mas Receptor Axis Is Expressed in Sinoatrial Node Cells of Rats

The authors’ previous studies have indicated that angiotensin(Ang)-(1-7) protects the heart against reperfusion arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to determine whether a functional angiotensin-converting enzyme2 (ACE2)/Ang-(1-7)/Mas receptor axis is present in the sinoatrial node (SAN) of Wistar rats. SAN cells were identified by Masson’s trichrome staining, HCN4 expression, and lack of connexin43 expression. Immunohistochemistry technique was used to detect the expression of ACE2, Ang-(1-7), and Mas in the SAN. To evaluate the role of this axis in the SAN function, atrial tachyarrhythmias (ATs) were induced in isolated rat atria perfused with Krebs-Ringer solution (KRS) alone (control) or KRS containing Ang-(1-7). The specific Mas antagonist, A-779, was used to evaluate the role of Mas in the Ang-(1-7) effects. The findings showed that all components of the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas branch are present in the SAN of rats. Importantly, it was found that this axis is functional because perfusion of atria with Ang-(1-7) significantly reduced the duration of ATs. Additionally, this anti-arrhythmogenic effect was attenuated by A-779. No significant changes were observed in heart rate, contractile tension, or ±dT/dt. These observations demonstrate that the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis is expressed in SAN cells of rats. They provide the morphological support to the anti-arrhythmogenic effect of Ang-(1-7).
ABSENCE OF Yq MICRODELETIONS IN INFERTILE MEN

Microdeletions of the long arm of the Y chromosome (Yq) were described in men with idiopathic azoo- or oligozoospermia and seem to cause impairment of spermatogenesis. Deletion frequencies differ considerably among selected infertile men. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Yq microdeletions in patients with idiopathic infertility. Men with azoospermia or oligozoospermia resulting from endocrine or obstructive causes or with a constitutional cytogenetic anomaly were excluded. Ninety-seven patients presenting at infertility centers in Leipzig and Zurich were included in the study. Sixty-four (66%) of them were severely oligozoospermic (sperm concentrations < 5 2 10 6 /mL) and 33 (36%) were azoospermic. A sequence-tagged site (STS) PCR strategy was applied for the microdeletion screening. Thirteen STS markers spanning the whole euchromatic region of Yq were used. No Y-chromosomal microdeletion could be detected in these 97 infertile men. This result suggests a much lower Yq deletion frequency than previously thought, even among strictly selected patients with idiopathic azoo- or oligozoospermia.
Climatic Impact on Small Grain Production in the Subarctic Region of the United States

The Subarctic comprises the higher mid-latitudinal regions with short, cool, moist summers and long, cold, dry winters. Indeed, the short, cool growing season is often thought of as a barrier to crop growth and diversity in these regions. Little is known, however, concerning the impact of the Subarctic climate on crop production. This study aimed to identify the climatic factors that are most important to the production of small grains in the Subarctic region of Alaska. The impact of climate on 'Galt' and 'Weal' barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.), 'Nip' and 'Toral' oat ( Avena sativa L.), and 'Gasser' and 'Park' wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) was assessed using climate and grain yield data collected from 1972 to 1989 at Fairbanks. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify the climatic factors that most influence yield. Different factors accounted for the largest proportion of variability in yield across years for the different grains. 1) For barley, variations in precipitation deficit (pan evaporation minus precipitation) and distribution of precipitation events within a growing season accounted for 41% of the variability across years in yield of Galt and Weal cultivars. 2) For oat, variations in the precipitation deficit ratio (ratio between precipitation deficit and pan evaporation) accounted for 44% of the variability across years in yield of Nip and 58% in yield of Toral oat. 3) For wheat, variations in number of days between precipitation events within a growing season, precipitation deficit, and temperature explained 70% of the variability across years in yield of Gasser and Park wheat. Results from our analysis further indicated that small grain production was bolstered in seasons with greater precipitation, more frequent precipitation, or lower evaporative demand (pan evaporation). Only wheat production appeared to be favored by higher minimum air temperatures. This study suggests that, despite the cool growing season in interior Alaska, the primary climatic limitation to crop production is water stress, associated with low precipitation or high evaporative demand. Therefore, land management practices aimed at conserving soil water will likely bolster crop production in the Subarctic.
Identification of Critical Amino Acid Residues in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 IN Required for Efficient Proviral DNA Formation at Steps prior to Integration in Dividing and Nondividing Cells

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase (HIV-1 IN) is thought to have several putative roles at steps prior to integration, such as reverse transcription and nuclear transport of the preintegration complex (PIC). Here, we investigated new functional aspects of HIV-1 IN in the context of the viral replication cycle through point mutagenesis of Ser, Thr, Tyr, Lys, and Arg residues conserved in IN, some of which are located at possible phosphorylation sites. Our results showed that mutations of these Ser or Thr residues had no effect on reverse transcription and nuclear transport of PIC but had a slight effect on integration. Of note, mutations in the conserved KRK motif (amino acids 186 to 189), proposed previously as a putative nuclear localization signal (NLS) of HIV-1 IN, did not affect the karyophilic property of HIV-1 IN as shown by using a green fluorescent protein fusion protein expression system. Instead, these KRK mutations resulted in an almost complete lack of viral gene expression due to the failure to complete reverse transcription. This defect was complemented by supplying wild-type IN in trans, suggesting atrans-acting function of the KRK motif of IN in reverse transcription. Mutation at the conserved Tyr 143 (Y143G) resulted in partial impairment of completion of reverse transcription in monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) but not in rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Similar effects were obtained by introducing a stop codon in thevpr gene (ΔVpr), and additive effects of both mutations (Y143G plus ΔVpr) were observed. In addition, these mutants did not produce two-long terminal repeat DNA, a surrogate marker for nuclear entry, in MDM. Thus, the possible impairment of Y143G might occur during the nuclear transport of the PIC. Taken together, our results identified new functional aspects of the conserved residues in HIV-1 IN: i) the KRK motif might have a role in efficient reverse transcription in both dividing and nondividing cells but not in the NLS function; ii) Y143 might be an important residue for maintaining efficient proviral DNA formation in nondividing cells.
A method of camera calibration by iterative optimization algorithm

Camera calibration is the premise and important step of servo control. In the process of optimization of camera calibration parameters, this paper establishes a nonlinear model including the camera internal parameters, the external parameters and distortion coefficients, each parameter is optimized by iterative steps, it avoids the coupling among all parameters, and the efficiency of calibration is obviously enhanced. It is easier to get pose information from 2D image signal to 3D. the optimization model is established with the minimum re-projection error. Under the Matlab simulation, the result shows that the non-linear model calibration algorithm improves the calibration precision compared with the traditional calibration algorithm. Servoing control of robot visual is more accurately with the proposed method.
Graft‐versus‐host‐disease‐associated donor cell engraftment in an F1 hybrid model is dependent upon the Fas pathway

The graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) generated in BDF1 mice by the injection of spleen cells from the C57BL/6 parental strain induces a direct cell‐mediated attack on host lymphohaematopoietic populations, resulting in the reconstitution of the host with donor cells. We examined Fas–Fas ligand (FasL) interactions in donor and host haematopoietic cells over a prolonged period of parental‐induced GVHD. Fas expression on bone marrow cells of both donor and host origin increased at 2 weeks. Host cell incubation with anti‐Fas antibody induced apoptosis, and the number of haematopoietic progenitor cells decreased. Fas‐induced apoptosis by the repopulating donor cells, however, did not increase until 12 weeks, when more than 90% of the cells were donor cells. The expression of various cytokines, such as interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and FasL gene expression in the bone marrow increased concomitantly. To examine directly whether FasL has a major role in the development of donor cell engraftment, FasL‐deficient (gld) mice were used as donors. Injection of B6/gld spleen cells induced significantly less host lymphohaematopoietic depletion, resulting in a failure of donor cell engraftment. Furthermore, injection of IFN‐γ gene knockout (gko) B6 spleen cells failed to augment Fas and FasL expression in recipient mice, resulting in a failure of donor cell engraftment. This suggests that the induction of apoptosis by Fas–FasL interactions in host cells may contribute to a reconstitution of the host with donor cells and that donor‐derived IFN‐γ plays a significant role for Fas–FasL interactions in host cells during parental‐induced GVHD.
Title : Collaborative futuring with and by makers Year : 2014 Version : Final

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