Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Creatine supplementation elicits greater muscle hypertrophy in upper than lower limbs and trunk in resistance-trained men

Background: Creatine (Cr) supplementation associated with resistance training produces greater muscular strength improvements in the upper compared with the lower body; however, no study has investigated if such region-specific results are seen with gains in muscle mass. Aim: We aimed to evaluate the effect of Cr supplementation in combination with resistance training on lean soft tissue changes in the upper and lower limbs and trunk in resistance-trained young adult men. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled design, 43 resistance-trained men (22.7 ± 3.0 years, 72.9 ± 8.7 kg, 177.9 ± 5.7 cm, 23.0 ± 2.5 kg/m2) received either creatine (Cr, n = 22) or placebo (PLA, n = 21) over an 8-week study period. The supplementation protocol included a loading phase (7 days, four doses of 0.3 g/kg per day) and a maintenance phase (7 weeks, single dose of 0.03 g/kg per day). During the same period, subjects performed resistance training four times per week using the following two-way split routine: Monday and Thursday = pectoral, shoulders, triceps, and abdomen, Tuesday and Friday = back, biceps, thighs, and calves. Lean soft tissue of the upper limbs (ULLST), lower limbs (LLLST), and trunk (TLST) was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry before and after the intervention. Results: Both groups showed significant (p < 0.001) improvements in ULLST, LLLST, TLST, and the Cr group achieved greater (p < 0.001) increases in these outcomes compared with PLA. For the Cr group, improvements in ULLST (7.1 ± 2.9%) were higher than those observed in LLLST (3.2 ± 2.1%) and TLST (2.1 ± 2.2%). Otherwise, for PLA group there was no significant difference in the magnitude of segmental muscle hypertrophy (ULLST = 1.6 ± 3.0%; LLLST = 0.7 ± 2.8%; TLST = 0.7 ± 2.8%). Conclusion: Our results suggest that Cr supplementation can positively augment muscle hypertrophy in resistance-trained young adult men, particularly in the upper limbs.
Species cohesion despite extreme inbreeding in a social spider

Colonial social spiders experience extreme inbreeding and highly restricted gene flow between colonies; processes that question the genetic cohesion of geographically separated populations and which could imply multiple origins from predecessors with limited gene flow. We analysed species cohesion and the potential for long‐distance dispersal in the social spider Stegodyphus dumicola by studying colony structure in eastern South Africa and the cohesion between this population and Namibian populations previously published. Data from both areas were (re)analysed for historic demographic parameters. Eastern South African S. dumicola were closely related to an east Namibian lineage, showing cohesion of S. dumicola relative to its sister species. Colony structure was similar in both areas with mostly monomorphic colonies, but haplotype diversity was much reduced in eastern South Africa. Here, the population structure indicated recent population expansion. By contrast, Namibia constitutes an old population, possibly the geographic origin of the species. Both the comparison of the eastern South African and Namibian lineages and the distribution within eastern South Africa show the potential for long‐distance dispersal in few generations via colony propagation.
ENDOSONOGRAPHY‐GUIDED GALLBLADDER DRAINAGE FOR ACUTE CHOLECYSTITIS FOLLOWING COVERED METAL STENT DEPLOYMENT

Endosonography‐guided biliary drainage (ESBD) is gaining acceptance as an effective treatment for obstructive jaundice. Only a few reports on the application of this technique to the gallbladder (endosonography‐guided gallbladder drainage [ESGBD]) have been published in the literature. In order to relieve acute cholecystitis which developed in a patient with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction after deployment of a covered metal stent (CMS), we applied this technique. ESGBD was carried out by using an electronic curved linear array echoendoscope. After visualization of the gallbladder and determination of the puncture route, a needle knife papillotome was advanced with electrocautery to pierce the gastric and gallbladder walls. Under the guidance of a guidewire inserted through the needle sheath into the gallbladder, a 7.2 Fr, 30 cm‐long, single pigtail plastic tube was placed to bridge the gallbladder and the stomach. No complications relevant to the procedure were encountered. ESGBD was quite effective in ameliorating the patient's acute cholecystitis and the drainage tube was removed after 10 days without sequelae. Acute cholecystitis following CMS deployment is considered to be a good indication for ESGBD.
Influence of dietary phytosterols and phytostanols on diastolic blood pressure and the expression of blood pressure regulatory genes in SHRSP and WKY inbred rats

The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of increased consumption of phytosterols or phytostanols on blood pressure and renal blood pressure regulatory gene expression in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive (SHRSP) and normotensive Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) inbred rats. SHRSP and WKY inbred rats (10/group) were fed a control diet or a diet supplemented with phytosterols or phytostanols (2·0 g/kg diet). After 5 weeks, SHRSP rats demonstrated higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures than WKY inbred rats. SHRSP rats that consumed the phytosterol or phytostanol supplemental diets displayed a 2- or 3-fold respective increase in the diastolic blood pressure than those that consumed the control diet. Angiotensinogen (Agt), angiotensin I-converting enzyme 1 (Ace1), nitric oxide synthase (Nos) 1, Nos3, cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox2) and THUMP domain containing 1 were expressed at higher levels in SHRSP compared with WKY inbred rats. Renin and angiotensin II receptor type 1a were expressed at lower levels in SHRSP than WKY inbred rats. Phytostanol supplementation up-regulated the expression of Ace1 and Nos3 in SHRSP rats. Phytosterol supplementation increased the mRNA levels of Nos1 and spondin 1 (Spon1) in SHRSP and WKY inbred rats. Cox2 mRNA levels were elevated in both phytosterol- and phytostanol-supplemented SHRSP and WKY inbred rats. Therefore, the increased blood pressure in SHRSP rats may be partly due to altered renal expression of blood pressure regulatory genes. Specifically, up-regulation of Ace1, Nos1, Nos3, Cox2 and Spon1 were associated with the increased diastolic blood pressure observed in phytosterol- or phytostanol-supplemented SHRSP rats.
Active endothelin is an important vasoconstrictor in acute coronary thrombi

Summary Acute coronary syndrome is characterized by compromised blood flow at the epicardial and microvascular levels. We have previously shown that thrombectomy in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) accelerates ST-segment resolution, possibly by preventing distal embolization. We hypothesized that thrombus constituents contribute to microcirculatory dysfunction. Therefore, we analyzed the molecular and cellular composition of acute coronary thrombi, and correlated vasoconstrictive mediators with the magnitude of ST-segment resolution within one hour of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Fresh coronary thrombi were retrieved in 35 consecutive STEMI patients who were treated with the X-Sizer thrombectomy catheter, and thrombus cell counts and vasoconstrictor concentrations were assessed. Twelve-lead ECG recordings were analyzed prior to and one hour after PCI. Concentration of endothelin (ET) was 20.0 (7.9–52.2) fmol/ml in thrombus compared with 0.1 (0.1–0.3) fmol/ml in corresponding peripheral plasma (p<0.0001), representing a selective 280 (70.0–510.0)- fold enrichment, exceeding enrichment of noradrenaline, angiotensin II and serotonin. Human coronary thrombus homogenates exerted vasoconstriction of porcine coronary artery rings that was inhibited by the dual ET receptor blocker tezosentan. Extracted ET (r=0.523 p=0.026) and number of leukocytes (r=0.555 p=0.017) were correlated with the magnitude of STsegment resolution. In conclusion, the amount of active ET and white blood cells aspirated from STEMI target vessels correlated with improvement of territorial microcirculatory function as illustrated by enhanced ST-segment resolution.
A novel polymer produced by a bacterium isolated from a deep‐sea hydrothermal vent polychaete annelid

Aims: The objective of the present work was to describe an aerobic, mesophilic and heterotrophic marine bacterium, designated HYD657, able to produce an exopolysaccharide (EPS). It was isolated from a East Pacific Rise deep‐sea hydrothermal vent polychaete annelid. Methods and Results: This micro‐organism, on the basis of the phenotypical features and genotypic investigations, can be clearly assigned to the Alteromonas macleodii species and the name A. macleodii subsp. fijiensis biovar deepsane is proposed. Optimal growth occurs between 30 and 35°C, at pH between 6˙5 and 7˙5 and at ionic strengths between 20 and 40 g l−1 NaCl. The G + C content of DNA was 46˙5%. This bacterium excreted, under laboratory conditions, an EPS consisting of glucose, galactose, rhamnose, fucose and mannose as neutral sugars along with glucuronic and galacturonic acids and a diacidic hexose identified as a 3‐0‐(1 carboxyethyl)‐d‐glucuronic acid. Its average molecular mass was 1˙6 × 106 Da. Conclusions: The bacterium HYD657, for which the name A. macleodii subsp. fijiensis biovar deepsane is proposed, produces an unusual EPS in specific medium. Significance and Impact of the Study: Due to its interesting biological activities, applications have been found in cosmetics. Its probable contribution to the filamentous microbial mat in the Alvinella pompejana microenvironment can be also mentioned.
Determination of the pharmacokinetics of glycopyrronium in the lung using a population pharmacokinetic modelling approach.

AIMS Glycopyrronium bromide (NVA237) is a once-daily long-acting muscarinic antagonist recently approved for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In this study, we used population pharmacokinetic (PK) modelling to provide insights into the impact of the lung PK of glycopyrronium on its systemic PK profile and, in turn, to understand the impact of lung bioavailability and residence time on the choice of dosage regimen. METHODS We developed and validated a population PK model to characterize the lung absorption of glycopyrronium using plasma PK data derived from studies in which this drug was administered by different routes to healthy volunteers. The model was also used to carry out simulations of once-daily and twice-daily regimens and to characterize amounts of glycopyrronium in systemic compartments and lungs. RESULTS The model-derived PK parameters were comparable to those obtained with noncompartmental analysis, confirming the usefulness of our model. The model suggested that the lung absorption of glycopyrronium was dominated by slow-phase absorption with a half-life of about 3.5 days, which accounted for 79% of drug absorbed through the lungs into the bloodstream, from where glycopyrronium was quickly eliminated. Simulations of once-daily and twice-daily administration generated similar PK profiles in the lung compartments. CONCLUSIONS The slow absorption from the lungs, together with the rapid elimination from the systemic circulation, could explain how once-daily glycopyrronium provides sustained bronchodilatation with a low incidence of adverse effects in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Its extended intrapulmonary residence time also provides pharmacokinetic evidence that glycopyrronium has the profile of a once-daily drug.
EFFECT OF INTERNET ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND SOCIAL LIFE OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN PAKISTAN

The internet is one of the greatest recent advancement in the world of information technology and has become a useful instrument that has fostered the process of making the world a global village. This is a universal fact that the use of internet has a great impact on the student’s academic achievement and social life. The study was conducted to determine the effect of use of internet on the academic performance, social life and outdoor activity of University students in Pakistan. The study will be helpful for the university students, researchers and curriculum developers in order to find out the correlation of use of internet and academic performance. The study is significant for the university teachers to analyze the effect of use of internet on academic performance of students. The study will be supportive to explore the correlation of use of internet and social life of university students. Conclusion was drawn with the help of graphical representations indicating the impact of use of internet on academic achievement and social life of university students. Survey research was conducted on one hundred BS students, selected from two Federal Universities of Pakistan.
SELECTED SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF INCOME INEQUALITY IN THE THE VISEGRAD GROUP COUNTRIES

Importance of the issue of income inequality lies in the interdependence with serious economic and social processes in the world in the past two decades. The paper highlights the importance of studying and evaluating income inequality that are perceived as the most striking forms of inequality in society. It emphasizes the links among income inequality with serious current socio-economic processes. The aim of this paper is to create a view of the formation of income inequality in the countries of the Visegrad Group (V4) in the years 2005 - 2013 and to identify possible links among the economic crisis since 2008, or 2007, and its impact on selected socio-economic indicators. In relation to the objectives, they are therefore subject to review by selected socio-economic aspects of income inequality. The starting-point and the comparative parameters of empirical research problems is a database of EU SILC, which is used for the analysis of income inequality and poverty in the V4 countries.
Testing the lawyer-induced litigation hypothesis in Europe

ABSTRACT Utilizing a European panel dataset, we contribute to the scant empirical literature on the lawyer-induced litigation hypothesis. To address endogeneity problems that arise when estimating the effect of the number of lawyers on civil litigation rates, we use two strategies. We first estimate our model by means of the 2SLS procedure. Second, we exploit the instrumental variable approach based on the linear GMM estimator of Arellano and Bond. The estimations result in a positive and significant effect of lawyers that is robust across the different model specifications and estimation methods in which we address endogeneity. In criminal litigation, where lawyers cannot induce demand, we find no such positive relation between lawyers and litigation.
Evolution of T-cell Responses to Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) during Pegylated Interferon plus Ribavirin treatment in HCV-Monoinfected and in HCV/HIV-Coinfected Patients

Background The role of T-cell immunity in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains controversial. As in HIV infection, virus replication could drive or be contained by T-cell immunity. We have examined the effect of HIV coinfection and of suppression of HCV replication with therapy on HCV-specific T-cell responses. Patients and Methods Thirty-five patients with chronic hepatitis C (17 coinfected with HIV) initiating anti-HCV therapy were analysed. HCV-specific responses were assessed at different time points using intracellular interferon-γ staining in response to a panel of overlapping peptides comprising E2, NS3, NS5a and NS5b HCV proteins. Results At baseline, HCV-specific responses were significantly lower in HIV-coinfected patients. At week 12 of therapy, CD8+ T-cell responses against all HCV proteins significantly decreased in HCV-monoinfected patients and this was maintained throughout the follow-up period. Although the same trend occurred in the HIV-coinfected group, differences were not significant. CD4+ T-cell responses against NS3 significantly diminished in the HCV-monoinfected group, whereas in coinfected patients CD4+ T-cell responses were low at baseline and did not experience any significant variation. Conclusions HCV-specific T-cell responses are lower in HIV-coinfected patients and vanish following complete suppression of HCV replication under successful HCV therapy, suggesting that they are dependent on continuous antigenic stimulation.
(Re)Politicizing Security? The Legitimation and Contestation of Mass Surveillance after Snowden

Abstract Ever since the revelations by Edward Snowden, there has been a political debate about the appropriateness of mass surveillance by intelligence agencies. At the same time, surveillance practices based on complex technologies, which are almost invisible in everyday life and interlinked across national borders, have run into scarcely any widespread social protest. That is why this article poses the question: are the powers of depoliticized governance – which can rely on sustained diffuse acceptance based on an ever-widening discourse about dangers and technocratic risk management – making themselves evident here? Or is the post-Snowden debate showing signs of shifting toward (re)politicization of security policy, which is making appropriate measures and actors the subjects of public discourse and politically responsible decision making? By asking these questions, this article questions the widespread thesis of an across-the-board depoliticization of security governance, develops a conceptual framework for a differentiated analysis of politicization processes, with a special focus on the security field, and applies this framework to the specific case of the debate in Germany about the disclosures by Edward Snowden. By following this approach, the article strives to contribute to improved understanding of the dynamics, conditions and limitations of politicization in the purportedly special area of security.
Soil Application of an Encapsulated CO2 Source and Its Potential for Management of Western Corn Rootworm Larvae

ABSTRACT Western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) larvae use carbon dioxide (CO2) to locate the roots of their hosts. This study investigated whether an encapsulated CO2 source (CO2-emitting capsules) is able to outcompete CO2 gradients established by corn root respiration in the soil. Furthermore, the following two management options with the capsules were tested in semifield experiments (0.5- to 1-m2 greenhouse plots): the disruption of host location and an “attract-and-kill” strategy in which larvae were lured to a soil insecticide (Tefluthrin) between the corn rows. The attract-and-kill strategy was compared with an application of Tefluthrin in the corn rows (conventional treatment) at 33 and 18% of the standard field application rate. Application of the CO2-emitting capsules 30 cm from the plant base increased CO2 levels near the application point for up to 20 d with a peak at day 10. Both the disruption of host location and an attract-and-kill strategy caused a slight but nonsignificant reduction in larval densities. The disruption of host location caused a 17% reduction in larval densities, whereas an attract-and-kill strategy with Tefluthrin added at 33 and 18% of the standard application rate caused a 24 and 27% reduction in larval densities, respectively. As presently formulated, the CO2-emitting capsules, either with or without insecticide, do not provide adequate control of western corn rootworm.
Gene Fusions of Signal Sequences with a Modified [beta]-Glucuronidase Gene Results in Retention of the [beta]-Glucuronidase Protein in the Secretory Pathway/Plasma Membrane

Signal sequences and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signals are known to play central roles in targeting and translocation in the secretory pathway, but molecular aspects about their involvement are poorly understood. We tested the effectiveness of deduced signal sequences from various genes (hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein [HRGP] from Phaseolus vulgaris; Serpin from Manduca sexta) to direct a modified [beta]-glucuronidase (GUS) protein into the secretory pathway in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.). The reporter protein was not secreted to the cell wall/extracellular space as monitored using extracellular fluid analysis (low- or high-ionic-strength conditions) but occurred in membranes with a density of 1.16 to 1.20 g/mL. Membrane-bound GUS equilibrated with the plasma membrane (PM) and the ER on linear sucrose gradients with or without ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, suggesting that GUS associates with the ER and the PM. Confocal microscopy of fixed cultured cells prepared from GUS control and HRGP signal peptide (SP)-GUS-expressing plants suggested only cytosolic localization in GUS-expressing plants but substantial peripheral localization in HRGP SP-GUS plants, which is consistent with GUS being associated with the PM. Aqueous two-phase partitioning of microsomal membranes from HRGP SP-GUS and Serpin SP-GUS transgenic leaves also indicated that GUS activity was enriched in the ER and the PM. These observations, together with hydrophobic moment plot analysis, suggest that properties of the SP-GUS protein result in its retention in the secretory pathway and PM.
Teaching medical students complementary and alternative medicine using evidence-based principles.

OBJECTIVES Introducing new ideas such as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and evidence-based medicine (EBM) to medical students early in their education may help to nurture their interest. This study evaluated the effectiveness of teaching CAM using EBM principles and assessed changes in student perceived knowledge, attitudes, and skills following a new curriculum on CAM. DESIGN A before-and-after evaluation using a one-page, anonymous questionnaire. SETTING AND SUBJECTS All third year students of a state, public medical school in Texas. INTERVENTION A new curriculum comprising interactive sessions on CAM, EBM, and basic principles of epidemiology and biostatistics. OUTCOME MEASURES Changes in student-perceived knowledge, attitudes, and skills. RESULTS Of 67 students, complete data were obtained for 54 (81%). The majority reported that the new instruction in CAM (98%), EBM (96%), biostatistics (91%), and epidemiology (87%) would be of some benefit in their future work. Significant changes were reported in the areas of appraising a clinical trial (p < 0.0001), critiquing the medical literature (p < 0.01), and the appropriateness of integrating EBM and CAM in the medical school curriculum (p < 0.05). There were modest increases in the mean responses on their skill level in reading/understanding the medical literature (3.40-3.52), comfort level in reading the medical literature (3.53-3.67), and preparedness in designing a research study (2.12-2.39) based on a five-point Likert scale, although not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Medical students could be effectively taught CAM using EBM principles. In addition, a short, interactive curriculum on an important topic has a positive impact on medical students' desires to acquire new knowledge. This should be a good motivational message to family medicine educators regarding the contribution to new knowledge such as CAM.