Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of exercise intensity on postprandial improvement in glucose disposal and insulin sensitivity in prediabetic adults.

BACKGROUND A single bout of exercise improves postprandial glycemia and insulin sensitivity in prediabetic patients; however, the impact of exercise intensity is not well understood. The present study compared the effects of acute isocaloric moderate (MIE) and high-intensity (HIE) exercise on glucose disposal and insulin sensitivity in prediabetic adults. METHODS Subjects (n=18; age 49±14 y; fasting glucose 105±11 mg/dL; 2 h glucose 170±32 mg/dL) completed a peak O2 consumption/lactate threshold (LT) protocol plus three randomly assigned conditions: 1) control, 1 hour of seated rest, 2) MIE (at LT), and 3) HIE (75% of difference between LT and peak O2 consumption). One hour after exercise, subjects received an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Plasma glucose, insulin, and C-peptide concentrations were sampled at 5- to 10-minute intervals at baseline, during exercise, after exercise, and for 3 hours after glucose ingestion. Total, early-phase, and late-phase area under the glucose and insulin response curves were compared between conditions. Indices of insulin sensitivity (SI) were derived from OGTT data using the oral minimal model. RESULTS Compared with control, SI improved by 51% (P=.02) and 85% (P<.001) on the MIE and HIE days, respectively. No differences in SI were observed between the exercise conditions (P=.62). Improvements in SI corresponded to significant reductions in the glucose, insulin, and C-peptide area under the curve values during the late phase of the OGTT after HIE (P<.05), with only a trend for reductions after MIE. CONCLUSION These results suggest that in prediabetic adults, acute exercise has an immediate and intensity-dependent effect on improving postprandial glycemia and insulin sensitivity.
Biochemical Characterization of Two Ram Cauda Epididymal Maturation-Dependent Sperm Glycoproteins1

Abstract Rabbit polyclonal antibodies were raised against ram cauda epididymal sperm proteins solubilized by N-octyl-β-d-glucopy-ranoside (anti-CESP) and against proteins of the fluid obtained from the cauda epididymidis (anti-CEF). The anti-CESP polyclonal antibody reacted with several bands from 17 to 111 kDa with different regionalization throughout the epididymis. The strongest epitopes at 17 kDa and 23 kDa were restricted to the cauda epididymidis. The anti-CEF polyclonal antibody reacted mainly with a 17-kDa and a 23-kDa compound in the cauda sperm extract. These cauda epididymal 17- and 23-kDa proteins disappeared after orchidectomy, but they reappeared in the same regions after testosterone supplementation, indicating that they were secreted by the epithelium. The fluid and membrane 17- and 23-kDa antigens had a low isoelectric point and were glycosylated. The fluid 17- and 23-kDa proteins had hydrophobic properties: they were highly enriched in the Triton X-114 detergent phase and could be extracted from the cauda epididymal fluid by a chloroform-methanol mixture. These proteins were further purified, and their N-terminal sequences did not match any protein in current databases. A polyclonal antibody against the fluid 17-kDa protein recognized the protein in the cauda epididymal sperm extract and immunolocalized it on the sperm flagellum membrane and at the luminal border of all cells in the cauda epididymal epithelium. These results indicated that secreted glycoproteins with hydrophobic properties could be directly integrated in a specific domain of the sperm plasma membrane.
Factors Influencing Persistence or Recurrence of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia After Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure

Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine the predictors of persistent or recurrent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) after a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) procedure in an urban population of low socioeconomic status. Methods. A database was created using information about LEEPs done between October 2004 and December 2008 at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital, Cook County. This information was then analyzed using &khgr;2 test to determine the predictors of persistent or recurrent CIN. Results. A total of 769 LEEPs were performed during the study period, and 52 were excluded secondary to ineligible entries, index cytology report not recorded, or incorrect medical record numbers. Persistent or recurrent disease was defined as cytology of atypical squamous cells cannot rule out high grade lesion (ASC-H) or worse without a histology, or histology of CIN 1 or worse, at any time after the LEEP was performed. Of our study population, 64.7% had a follow-up cytology or biopsy performed. Of these women, 24.7% had persistent or recurrent disease. The preoperative factors, namely positive human immunodeficiency virus serostatus (p < .0001) and a preoperative endocervical curettage that was positive for neoplasia (p < .0001), and postoperative factors, namely positive margin status (p < .0001) and high-grade pathology on the LEEP specimen (p < .0001), were significantly associated with persistent or recurrent disease. A high-grade preoperative cytology, a high-grade preoperative cervical biopsy, or the type of procedure performed (single specimen or separate endocervical pass) was not significantly associated with persistent or recurrent disease. Conclusions. In our population, adherence with follow-up was poor, and the rate of persistence or recurrence was high. In a limited resource setting such as ours, patients with significant predictors of persistence/recurrence such as human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity, endocervical disease, and high-grade pathology or positive margins on LEEP specimens should be targeted for closer surveillance.
Compartmentalization and evolution of feline immunodeficiency virus between the central nervous system and periphery following intracerebroventricular or systemic inoculation

The emergence of distinct neuropathogenic strains resulting from the adaptation and the unique evolution of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the brain may contribute to the development of HIV-induced neurological diseases. In this study, the authors tracked early changes in virus evolution and compartmentalization between peripheral tissues and the central nervous system (CNS) after intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) or intraperitoneal (i.p.) inoculation of animals with cell-free feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Using the FIV-NCSU1 envelope V3–V4 heteroduplex tracking assay (HTA), the authors observed a rapid compartmentalization of envelope variants between the CNS and periphery. Animals receiving the i.c. v. inoculation showed two peaks of viral RNA in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with very different HTA patterns. Compared to the initial viral peak in CSF, the second peak showed an increased compartmentalization from plasma, reduced viral diversity, and more divergence from the proviral DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the choroid plexus. In contrast, changes in plasma over the same time period were small. Different animals harbored different FIV DNA genotypes with varied regional compartmentalization within the brain. These results demonstrated that the virus within the CNS experienced a relatively independent but variable evolution from the periphery. Initial penetration of virus into the CSF facilitated the development of brain-specific reservoirs and viral diversification within the CNS.
Effects of Initial Antihypertensive Drug Class on Patient Persistence and Compliance in a Usual‐Care Setting in the United States

Antihypertensive treatment regimen persistence and compliance were measured using a retrospective cohort study of pharmacy claims data. Newly treated patients receiving monotherapy with angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), calcium channel blockers (CCBs), β‐blockers (BBs), or diuretics were followed for 1 year (N=242,882). A higher proportion of ARB patients (51.9%) were persistent in taking prescribed medication compared with those in the ACEI (48.0%), BB (40.3%), CCB (38.3%), and diuretic groups (29.9%). Compared with patients receiving diuretics, those receiving ARBs (hazard ratio [HR], 0.593; P<.0001), ACEIs (HR, 0.640; P<.0001), CCBs (HR, 0.859; P<.0001), and BBs (HR, 0.819; P<.0001) were all less likely to discontinue therapy. Compliance was similar in ACEI and ARB patients, but patients receiving ARBs and ACEIs had better compliance than those receiving BBs, CCBs, or diuretics. The lesser degree of compliance and persistence observed in patients receiving diuretics compared with other antihypertensive medications may have public health as well as cost implications.
Virtual Reality Based Knowledge Acquisition and Job Training for Advanced Casting Skills

The environment where Japanese industry has beenpaid with respect is changing tremendously due to the globalization of economics, where Asian countries are undergoing economical and technical development as well as advancing in information technology. For example, in the design of custom-made casting product, a designer whom lacking of casting knowledge may not be able to produce a good design. In order to obtain a good design and manufacturing result, it is necessary to equip the designer and manufacturer with a support system related to casting design or so called, knowledge transfer and creation system. In recent years, the design supporting system using VR technology is developed, and introduced in the manufacturing industry. The merit of using VR system is being able to carry out the stereoscopy of the product model drawn by 3D CAD, and to carry out the design review of the product model in the same size as thing. However, since many systems extend the display of the conventional 3D CAD, they cannot input annotation and so on directly in VR environment. In this paper, the system which can input and display the annotation in VR environment is developed. By drawing annotation to the product model displayed on VR environment, sharing of technical tacit knowledge and engineers' communication are promoted, and engineers becomes possible gaining physical tacit knowledge.
Involvement of prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase‐2 in osteoclast‐like cell formation induced by interleukin‐1β

Interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) stimulates osteoclast‐like cell formation via prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. However, the regulatory mechanism for the production of PGE2 in bone cells is still unclear. Recently, it has been shown that two prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase (PGHS) isozymes exist, termed PGSH‐1 and PGHS‐2. We report here that IL‐1β induces PGE2 production in bone marrow culture induced by a PGHS‐2‐dependent mechanism. IL‐1β stimulated the formation of tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)‐positive multinucleated cells (MNC) and the production of PGE2 in mouse bone marrow cultures. The dose response curves for the indomethacin inhibition of TRAP‐positive MNC formation and PGE2 production were nearly identical. Cycloheximide (CHX) suppressed IL‐1β‐induced PGE2 production, suggesting that the production of PGE2 induced by IL‐1β required de novo protein synthesis. Northern blot analysis determined that IL‐1β induced PGHS‐2 expression by 30 minutes and mRNA levels were maximal by 1–2 h. Cycloheximide potentiated the accumulation of PGHS‐2 mRNA linearly up to 8 h. Dexamethasone, an inhibitor of the induction of PGHS‐2, inhibited IL‐1β‐induced PGHS‐2 mRNA expression and also suppressed IL‐1β‐stimulated formation of TRAP‐positive MNC. Furthermore NS‐398, as a selective PGHS‐2 inhibitor, completely inhibited IL‐1β‐induced TRAP‐positive MNC formation. Moreover, IL‐1β‐induced PGHS‐2 mRNA expression and formation of TRAP‐positive MNC were inhibited by calphostin C, a selective inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC). These results indicate that IL‐lβ‐induced formation of osteoclast‐like cells requires PKC activation, induction of PGHS‐2, and subsequent prostaglandin synthesis by this enzyme.
Use of a direct fluorescent antibody test for detecting Chlamydia trachomatis cervical infection in women seeking routine gynecologic care.

We determined the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of a direct fluorescence test for Chlamydia trachomatis infection compared with culture of the endocervix in women seeking routine gynecologic care. Of 527 patients seen in a hospital-based practice, 23 (4.4%) had a positive culture for C. trachomatis. The overall sensitivity of the direct test was 70%, and the specificity was 98%. When five or more endocervical cells were present on the direct test slide, the sensitivity increased to 92%, and the specificity decreased to 96% (P less than .05). When the presence of any columnar epithelial cells, five or more elementary bodies, or both was used as the criteria for accepting specimens, the sensitivity and specificity of the direct test were 80% and 96%, respectively. However, 44% of the specimens would be rejected if these criteria were used. The overall probability that an individual with a positive direct test would have a positive culture was 62%.
Local stereo matching under radiometric variations

Stereo matching is an active research area in computer vision for decades. Most of the existing stereo matching algorithms assume that the corresponding pixels have the same intensity or color in both images. But in real world situations, image color values are often affected by various radiometric factors such as exposure and lighting variations. This paper introduces a robust stereo matching algorithm for images captured under varying radiometric conditions. In this paper, histogram equalization and binary singleton expansion are performed as preprocessing step for local stereo matching. For the purpose of eliminating the discrepancy of illumination between reference image and corresponding image in stereo pair, the histogram equalization is first explored to remove the global discrepancy. As the second step, binary singleton expansion is performed to reduce noise and normalize histogram results for window cost computation efficient. Afterwards, local pixel matching on preprocessed stereo images is performed with Sum of Absolute Difference (SAD) on intensity and gradient. Finally, the final disparity map is obtained by left-right consistency checking and filtering with mean shift segments. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can reduce illumination differences and improve the matching accuracy of stereo image pairs effectively.
Social Media and Search Optimization

Author Title Number of pages Date Number of Pages Date Ephrem Haile Social Media and Search Optimization 53 06 April 2011 5 May 2010 Degree Bachelor of Engineering Degree Programme Media Engineering Instructor Supervisor Erkki Aalto, Senior Lecturer Kari Aaltonen, Senior Lecturer The purpose of this project was to design a website MyInstrumentalMusic.com that focuses on up and coming, signed, unsigned, independent and currently popular music producers to sell their instrumental music online. The site promotes the instrumentals uploaded by the music producers exposing their talent for the artist who wants to make use of it. This social media format supports and encourages the interaction between producers and artists online. Producers show off their music by uploading their instrumentals to the market and make money out of it. The site is looking forward to shorten and improve the long-distance relationship that is holding music producers and artists to work together. MyInstrumentalMusic.com believes that exposed talent can be harvested easily with less pain bringing success in a short period of time. The website is designed from scratch using the Zend Framework. The entire project was developed and tested on my home computer using the XAMPP server which is an open source crossplatform web server capable of serving dynamic web pages. www.MyInstrumentalMusic.com
Reactive Oxygen Species as Mediators of Cardiac Injury and Protection: The Relevance to Anesthesia Practice

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are central to cardiac ischemic and reperfusion injury. They contribute to myocardial stunning, infarction and apoptosis, and possibly to the genesis of arrhythmias. Multiple laboratory studies and clinical trials have evaluated the use of scavengers of ROS to protect the heart from the effects of ischemia and reperfusion. Generally, studies in animal models have shown such effects. Clinical trials have also shown protective effects of scavengers, but whether this protection confers meaningful clinical benefits is uncertain. Several IV anesthetic drugs act as ROS scavengers. In contrast, volatile anesthetics have recently been demonstrated to generate ROS in the heart, most likely because of inhibitory effects on cardiac mitochondria. ROS are involved in the signaling cascade for cardioprotection induced by brief exposure to a volatile anesthetic (termed “anesthetic preconditioning”). ROS, therefore, although injurious in large quantities, can have a paradoxical protective effect within the heart. In this review we provide background information on ROS formation and elimination relevant to anesthetic and adjuvant drugs with particular reference to the heart. The sources of ROS, the means by which they induce cardiac injury or activate protective signaling pathways, the results of clinical studies evaluating ROS scavengers, and the effects of anesthetic drugs on ROS are each discussed.
Extending the index finger is worse than sitting: Posture and minimal objects in 3D pointing interfaces

This study examined the relationship between objects of manipulation in interacting with an absolute 3D deictic gesture interface. Participants were given a hand-mounted 3D mouse and pointing movements were tracked by a Kinect sensor. Two experiments were run; the first in which the user either sat or stood while performing the points and the second the user's index finger was either splinted in a pointing position or left free. We found regulating the way the user pointed did not greatly change their behavior, while the seated posture impacted both the angle of the arm when pointing and the experienced fatigue.
Inhibition of human MAO-A and MAO-B by a compound isolated from flue-cured tobacco leaves and its neuroprotective properties in the MPTP mouse model of neurodegeneration

Prompted by the findings that smokers have lowered brain and blood platelet monoamine oxidase-A and-B activities compared to non-smokers and that smokers have a lowered incidence of Parkinson's disease, we have examined the neuroprotective properties of an MAO inhibitor, 2,3,6- trimethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (TMN), which is present in the tobacco plant and smoke in the MPTP C57BL /6 mouse model of neurodegeneration. Dopamine (DA) levels in the striata of mice treated with TMN prior to the administration of MPTP were significantly higher than DA levels in the striata of mice receiving MPTP only, thus indicating a degree of neuroprotection in this model of Parkinson's disease. The potential consequences on MAO activity of long term exposure to this compound need to be evaluated. Furthermore, there is evidence for the presence of other inhibitors in the tobacco leaf and smoke, including compounds with irreversible MAO inhibitory properties. Although there is no evidence to link the lowered activities of MAO to the lowered incidence of Parkinson's disease in smokers, the neuroprotective effects of TMN in the MPTP mouse model suggest that such a relationship is worthy of further evaluation.
Utilization of mental health services by women in a male-dominated environment: the VA experience.

OBJECTIVE The study examined whether women in the Veterans Affairs system use mental health services at a lower rate than men because the system is geared to treat a mostly male population. METHODS Data were obtained on a national cohort of patients utilizing specialty mental health services in the VA during a two-week period in fiscal year 1991 (N = 70,979). Analyses included comparison of the proportion of women among treated veterans with the age-adjusted proportion of women among all veterans, comparison across gender of the likelihood of use of any general psychiatric services or substance abuse care in 1991, comparison of the intensity of services used (inpatient days and outpatient contacts) by service users in 1991, and comparison of the likelihood of receiving care and the intensity of mental health services received two years later. RESULTS Overall, 3.95 percent of veterans who used VA mental health specialty services were women; 4.02 percent of all veterans were women. No significant differences between genders were found in use of general psychiatric services, either in the likelihood of any use or the intensity of services used. However, women were significantly less likely to receive substance abuse care (16.3 percent of women versus 71.2 percent of men); once receiving care, they used a similar intensity of substance abuse services. CONCLUSIONS Being a woman does not appear to have a substantial effect on overall access to VA mental health services or use of general psychiatric services; however, women use VA substance abuse treatment services at a lower rate than men.
Mechanism of chromatin remodeling

Results from biochemical and structural studies of the RSC chromatin-remodeling complex prompt a proposal for the remodeling mechanism: RSC binding to the nucleosome releases the DNA from the histone surface and initiates DNA translocation (through one or a small number of DNA base pairs); ATP binding completes translocation, and ATP hydrolysis resets the system. Binding energy thus plays a central role in the remodeling process. RSC may disrupt histone-DNA contacts by affecting histone octamer conformation and through extensive interaction with the DNA. Bulging of the DNA from the octamer surface is possible, and twisting is unavoidable, but neither is the basis of remodeling.
Permanent versus Temporary Monetary Base Injections: Implications for Past and Future Fed Policy

Abstract Despite the Federal Reserve's use of quantitative easing (QE) programs, the U.S. economy experienced one of the weakest recoveries on record following the Great Recession. Not only was real growth disappointingly low, but even nominal growth over which monetary policy has more control was feeble. Why did QE fail to stimulate robust aggregate demand growth? This paper argues the answer is that the Federal Reserve could not credibly commit to a permanent expansion of the monetary base under QE. Both quantity theoretic and New Keynesian models show, however, that a permanent expansion of the monetary base is needed to spur aggregate demand growth at the zero lower bound (ZLB). The Federal Reserve's inability to do so meant its QE programs got consigned to ‘irrelevance results’ of Krugman (1998) and Eggertson and Woodford (2003) and were never going to spark a strong a recovery. Going forward, this inability to commit to a permanent expansion of the monetary base at the ZLB will continue to weigh down on the effectiveness of Fed policy. As a result, this paper calls for a new monetary policy regime of a NGDP level target that is backstopped by the consolidated balance sheet of the government.
Improving piezoelectric cell printing accuracy and reliability through neutral buoyancy of suspensions

The sedimentation and aggregation of cells within inkjet printing systems has been hypothesized to negatively impact printer performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate this influence through the use of neutral buoyancy. Ficoll PM400 was used to create neutrally buoyant MCF‐7 breast cancer cell suspensions, which were ejected using a piezoelectric drop‐on‐demand inkjet printing system. It was found that using a neutrally buoyant suspension greatly increased the reproducibility of consistent cell counts, and eliminated nozzle clogging. Moreover, the use of Ficoll PM400 was shown to not affect cellular viability. This is the first demonstration of such scale and accuracy achieved using a piezoelectric inkjet printing system for cellular dispensing. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109: 2932–2940. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.