Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effleurage Massage, Muscle Blood Flow and Long-Term Post-Exercise Strength Recovery

Manual massage is commonly assumed to enhance long term muscle recovery from intense exercise, partly due to its ability to speed healing via enhanced muscle blood flow. We tested these assumptions by daily (for four days) massaging the quadriceps muscles of one leg on subjects who had previously completed an intense bout of eccentric quadriceps work with both legs. Immediate post-exercise isometric and dynamic quadriceps peak torque measures had declined to approximately 60-70% of pre-exercise values in both legs. Peak torques for both the massage and control leg tended to slowly return toward pre-exercise values through the subsequent four days (96 hrs). There was no significant difference between the isometric and dynamic peak torques between massage and control legs up to 96 hours post-exercise. Leg blood flow was estimated by determining femoral artery and vein mean blood velocities via pulsed Doppler ultrasound velocimetry. Massage of the quadriceps muscles did not significantly elevate arterial or venous mean blood velocity above resting levels, while light quadriceps muscle contractions did. The perceived level of delayed onset muscle soreness tended to be reduced in the massaged leg 48-96 hours post-exercise. It was concluded that massage was not an effective treatment modality for enhancing long term restoration of post-exercise muscle strength and its use for this purpose in athletic settings should be questioned.
Circulating plasma levels of nucleosomes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: correlation with serum antinucleosome antibody titers and absence of clear association with disease activity.

OBJECTIVE To assess nucleosome plasma levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to study the correlations with serum antinucleosome, anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA), and antihistone antibody activities, as well as with disease activity (by the SLE Disease Activity Index [SLEDAI]). METHODS In a cross-sectional study, we assessed 58 SLE patients for their plasma nucleosome levels. Plasma nucleosome levels as well as serum antinucleosome, anti-double-stranded DNA, and antihistone antibody activities were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. SLE activity was evaluated using the SLEDAI: RESULTS The mean (+/-SD) plasma nucleosome concentration in SLE patients was 52 +/- 159 ng/ml (range 5-1,180), and was significantly higher than that of the controls (16 +/- 8.8 ng/ml, range 8-52; P = 0.03). Thirteen of the 58 lupus patients had levels over the range of normal (defined as the control mean + 3 SD, or 42 ng/ml). An inverse correlation was found between nucleosome plasma levels and serum antinucleosome antibody activity in the entire group of SLE patients, those with active disease, and those with inactive disease, respectively. No correlation was found between the SLEDAI and nucleosome plasma concentrations. CONCLUSION Nucleosome plasma levels may be normal or increased in SLE, and found in patients with active or inactive SLE. Longitudinal studies are needed to further establish whether high levels of circulating nucleosomes may predict the occurrence of an SLE flare.
Es útil la aspirina para prevenir el cáncer de colon

Varios estudios apoyan el uso diario de aspirina para ayudar a prevenir la muerte por cancer. Se han postulado diversos mecanismos, que forman parte de la cascada de senalizacion derivada de la accion de las prostaglandinas, inhibicion del Inositol Kinasa 3 (PI3K), entre otros. Estos factores podrian intervenir tanto en el desarrollo del cancer como en su propagacion a distancia. Sin embargo, aun quedan dudas sobre la magnitud del beneficio potencial.
Institutional report - Cardiopulmonary bypass Psychosocial factors and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events after cardiac surgery

Our aim was to prospectively examine the association of psychosocial factors with adverse outcome after cardiac surgery. One hundred and eighty cardiac surgery patients were enrolled and contacted annually by mail. Depression wBeck depression inventory (BDI)x, anxiety wstate anxiety subscale in Spielberger State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) and trait anxiety subscale in Spielberger State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T)x were investigated annually, social support, negative affectivity, social inhibition (SI), illness intrusiveness, self-rated health and sleeping disorders were investigated by standardized tests at the second and fifth year. The end-point was the major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) including death. Twenty-eight (15.5%) patients died by the end of the fifth year. At the end of the second and fifth years, 146 (81.1%) and 118 (65.5%) patients fulfilled the tests, respectively. At the end of the second year after adjustment for medical and perioperative factors worse self-rated health wadjusted hazard ratio (AHR): 0.67, Ps0.006x, sleeping disorders (AHR: 1.14, Ps0.001), higher illness intrusiveness (AHR: 1.03, Ps0.018), higher BDI (AHR: 1.12, Ps0.001), STAI-S (AHR: 1.09, Ps0.001) and higher STAI-T scores (AHR: 1.08, Ps0.002) showed higher risk for MACCE. Significant individual elevation in scores of sleeping disorders, illness intrusiveness and SI were observed over the three-year period in the MACCE group. Assessment of psychosocial factors could help in identifying patients at high-risk for MACCE after cardiac surgery. 2010 Published by European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.
Caspase Inhibition Blocks Cell Death and Results in Cell Cycle Arrest in Cytokine-deprived Hematopoietic Cells*

Cytokine deprivation has been classically used to study molecular processes of apoptosis. Following interleukin (IL)-3 withdrawal in FL5.12 cells, Bax undergoes a conformational change that results in its mitochondria targeting, cytochrome c release, activation of caspase-9, and apoptosis. Cells overexpressing Casp9DN (dominant negative caspase-9) or treated with the caspase inhibitor Q-VD-OPh increased viability but failed to increase clonogenic survival. We find that caspase-inhibited cells had a significant fraction of viable cells (herein termed “rescued” cells) that failed to initiate cell division after IL-3 add back. The “rescued” cells had reduced mitochondrial potential, stained for active Bax, and had reduced staining with dihydroethidium, an agent sensitive to superoxide levels. Readdition of IL-3 after deprivation demonstrated that Bax activation was reversed, whereas altered 5,5′,6,6′-tetrachloro-1,1′,3,3′-tetraethylbenzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide and dihydroethidium staining persisted for days. Furthermore, the “rescued” cells were resistant to rotenone, an inhibitor of mitochondrial respiration. The cells were highly sensitive to 2-deoxyglucose, an inhibitor of glycolysis and proposed anti-cancer agent. We conclude that the inhibition of caspase-9 allows cells to retain viability, but cells have prolonged mitochondrial dysfunction and enter a unique nondividing state that shares some properties with malignant cells.
In vivo 1H MRS of normal breast and breast tumors using a dedicated double breast coil

Image‐guided localized proton MR spectroscopy (MRS) of normal breasts and breast tumors (ductal and undifferentiated carcinomas) was performed using a dedicated double breast coil. In vivo 1H MR spectra from 10 normal volunteers showed signals from water and lipids only, even in breasts with small contribution of fatty breast tissue. In the spectra from 6 of the 12 examined patients, an intense signal assigned to choline compounds was detected. The signal was also detected at lower levels in the remaining patients. This study shows that in vivo 1H MRI/MRS examinations of breast tumors can be performed within an examination time of 45 to 60 minutes. Signals from breast tumor metabolites may be detected using in vivo 1H MRS.
Rat vascular tissue contains a neutral endopeptidase capable of degrading atrial natriuretic peptide.

Neutral endopeptidase (NEP, EC 3.4.24.11), purified from renal brush border, cleaves the Cys7-Phe8 amide bond of rat atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), to generate the inactive metabolite (ANP cleaved at the Cys7-Phe8 bond; x-ANP). To determine if NEP contributes to the inactivation of circulating ANP, we investigated the degradation of rat ANP (rANP, 1-28) in the vasculature. Formation of x-ANP from exogenous ANP was studied in a mesenteric arterial preparation by perfusion in a single pass system in the presence and absence of the NEP inhibitors, thiorphan or phosphoramidon. In addition, a purified membrane fraction was prepared from mesenteric arterial homogenate and compared with an equivalent renal membrane fraction. Formation of x-ANP was quantified by a specific immunoassay (ELISA). Renal and vascular membranes shared the same pH optima for x-ANP formation (pH 7.5), although x-ANP generation was considerably greater in renal vs. vascular membranes (31.6 and 0.4 nmol min-1 mg-1 of protein, respectively). Both preparations were inhibited in a similar, dose-dependent manner by phosphoramidon, thiorphan or a polyclonal antibody to NEP. In perfused mesenteric arteries, 1.6 +/- 0.8 pmol of x-ANP were generated from 1 microgram of ANP; this formation was inhibited 51% by 10 microM phosphoramidon or thiorphan. Plasma levels of x-ANP after bolus i.v. administration of rANP in rats, were inhibited (70-80%) by thiorphan at comparable doses to those used in perfused mesenteric arteries. These studies indicate that ANP is degraded in the vasculature by NEP or an "NEP-like" enzyme(s).
Mortality from stomach cancer in Serbia, excluding the province of Kosovo, in the 1991-2009 period.

BACKGROUND/AIM Stomach cancer is the second most common cause of death from all malignant tumors in the world (third in men, fifth in women), with a strong decreasing trend in most developed countries. The aim of this descriptive epidemiological study was to analyze mortality of stomach cancer in Serbia, excluding the Province of Kosovo, in the 1991-2009 period. MATERIALS AND METHODS In data analysis, we used mortality rates which were standardized directly using those of the world population as a standard. In order to analyze the mortality trend from stomach cancer, linear trend and regression analysis were used. Confidence intervals (CIs) for the average age-adjusted and age-specific mortality rates were assessed with 95% level of probability. Mortality data were derived from the data file of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia. RESULTS During the 1991-2009 period, a significant downward trend in mortality of stomach cancer was recorded in Serbia (y=9.78 - 0.13x, p=0.000; average annual percent change was - 6.3 (95%CI, -7.8 to - 4.8). During the same period, a significant decrease in mortality trend was found both in male (y=14.13 - 0.20x; p=0.000; % change was -7.7 (95%CI, -10.9 to -4.5) and female populations (y=6.27 - 0.08x; p=0.000; % change was - 4.4 (95%CI, -5.3 to -3.6). CONCLUSION Decreasing trends in mortality from stomach cancer in Serbia are similar to those in most developed countries.
Multiple effects of ryanodine on intracellular free Ca2+ in smooth muscle cells from bovine and porcine coronary artery: modulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum function

1 The effects of ryanodine and caffeine on intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were studied by use of fura‐2 microfluorometry in single smooth muscle cells freshly dispersed from bovine and porcine coronary artery. 2 Bovine and porcine cells demonstrated similar sensitivities to 10 min of exposure to ryanodine in physiological salt solution (PSS), as determined by comparable dose‐dependent decreases in the subsequent [Ca2+]i transient induced by 5 mm caffeine. 3 Ryanodine (10 μm) caused a significant increase in [Ca2+]i to a plateau level 27 ± 3% and 38 ± 4% above baseline [Ca2+]i (baseline [Ca2+]i = [Ca2+]i at 0 min) in porcine and bovine cells, respectively, when bathed in PSS. In bovine cells the time required to reach ½ the plateau level was only 3 min versus 6 min for porcine cells. 4 The ryanodine‐induced plateau increase in [Ca2+]i was 35 ± 5% above baseline for bovine cells bathed in 0 Ca PSS (PSS including 10 μm EGTA with no added Ca2+), but only 7 ± 3% above baseline in porcine cells during 10 min exposure to 10 μm ryanodine. In bovine cells [Ca2+]i showed proportional increases when extracellular Ca2+ was increased from the normal 2 mm Ca2+ PSS to 5 and 10 mm. 5 Cells pretreated with caffeine in 0 Ca PSS, which depleted the caffeine‐sensitive sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ store, showed no increase in [Ca2+]i when challenged with 10 μm ryanodine. The ryanodine‐associated increase in [Ca2+]i, which was sustained in 0 Ca PSS during the 10 min ryanodine exposure in cells not pretreated with caffeine, suggests that ryanodine releases Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, but also inhibits Ca2+ efflux. 6 Intracellular free Ba2+ ([Ba2+]i) was measured with fura‐2 microfluorometry to define further the Ca2+ efflux pathway inhibited by ryanodine; specifically, Ba2+ is not transported by the Ca2+ pump, but will substitute for Ca2+ in Na+‐Ca2+ exchange. In porcine cells pretreated with caffeine in 0 Ca PSS to deplete the caffeine‐sensitive sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ store, depolarization with 80 mm K+ in 2 mm external Ba2+ caused a 100 ± 6% increase in fura‐2 fluorescence ([Ba2+]i). During the 17.5 min 0 Ca PSS recovery from depolarization, exposure to 10 μm ryanodine inhibited the removal of [Ba2+]i by 69 ± 3% when compared with control (0 Ca PSS without ryanodine). 7 It was concluded that in bovine and porcine smooth muscle cells: (a) ryanodine (≥ 10 μm) releases Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum; (b) ryanodine (≥ 10 μm) decreases Ca2+ efflux, probably by inhibition of Na+‐Ca2+ exchange; (c) the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ store may be larger in bovine than in porcine smooth muscle cells; thus, porcine cells have a relatively greater reliance on Ca2+ influx to increase [Ca2+]i.
Single electrode brain signal data fusion for security

Brain is a vital part of our body, without brain can't perform any task. Human beings are termed as an intelligence because of the unique properties of the human brain. When we want to do any activity, it generates the signals. On the basis of brain signal our body act accordingly. The signal pattern of brain to give the instruction to the organs is varies person to person. Therefore, by using single electrode brain signal are used as biometrics security. Security is most important task of every individual, living organism and nation. Security means any record, things, any individual object keeping safe from harmful things or imposter. The researcher has developed various security systems, this area is developing with high speed. Now scientists are engaged to make most of the record secure using Biometric. Fusion of brain signal channels for security purpose using electroencephalography (EEG) and achieved better performance of recognition rates of a person to identify and verify a person.
On the use of interference suppression to reduce intermodulation distortion in multicarrier CDMA systems

This paper presents a coded multicarrier direct-sequence code-division multiple-access (DS-CDMA) system that, by the use of a minimum mean-squared-error receiver, achieves frequency diversity (instead of path diversity as in a conventional single-carrier RAKE DS-CDMA) and has the ability to suppress the intermodulation distortion and partially compensate for the signal distortion introduced by a nonlinear amplifier at the transmitter. A frequency-selective Rayleigh fading channel is decomposed into M frequency-nonselective channels, based on the channel coherence bandwidth. A rate 1/M convolutional code, after being interleaved, is used to modulate M different DS-CDMA waveforms. The new system is shown to effectively combat intermodulation distortion in the presence of multiple-access interference.
Increased levels of interleukin 5 are associated with the generation of eosinophilia in drug‐induced hypersensitivity syndrome

Hypersensitivity syndrome (HSS) usually refers to severe drug eruption associated with systemic symptoms and eosinophilia. Interleukin (IL)‐5 regulates eosinophil counts with the help of IL‐3 and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF). Blood IL‐5 levels have been reported to be increased in patients with eosinophilia secondary to parasitic infections or idiopathic eosinophilia, but have never been evaluated in drug‐induced eosinophilia. The aim of our study was to determine whether IL‐5, IL‐3 and GM‐CSF are involved in eosinophilia in patients with drug‐induced HSS. Plasma levels of IL‐3, IL‐5 and GM‐CSF were assayed by ELISA in seven patients with drug‐induced HSS, in eight patients with cutaneous adverse drug reactions not associated with eosinophilia, and in five patients with eosinophilia unrelated to drug treatment. IL‐5 levels were normal in all eight patients with drug eruptions without eosinophilia, and increased in five of the seven patients with HSS. In the latter patients, IL‐5 levels peaked several days before highest eosinophil counts were noted, and returned to normal within a few days, even when eosinophilia persisted. In patients with eosinophilia unrelated to drug treatment, IL‐5 levels, although significantly increased, remained lower than in HSS patients. IL‐3 and GM‐CSF could not be detected in any group, at any time. Our results show that IL‐5 is involved in drug‐related eosinophilia. As IL‐5 production was only involved in the early stages of the reaction, it is suggested that IL‐5 mainly derives from activated lymphocytes rather than eosinophils. Our results support the clinical relevance of previous in vitro findings. Further studies are needed to test whether assays of IL‐5 production by lymphocytes of patients stimulated by the suspected drug and/or its metabolites, are useful in establishing causality in drug‐induced reactions associated with eosinophilia.
Partitioning of resources: the evolutionary genetics of sexual conflict over resource acquisition and allocation

Fitness depends on both the resources that individuals acquire and the allocation of those resources to traits that influence survival and reproduction. Optimal resource allocation differs between females and males as a consequence of their fundamentally different reproductive strategies. However, because most traits have a common genetic basis between the sexes, conflicting selection between the sexes over resource allocation can constrain the evolution of optimal allocation within each sex, and generate trade‐offs for fitness between them (i.e. ‘sexual antagonism’ or ‘intralocus sexual conflict’). The theory of resource acquisition and allocation provides an influential framework for linking genetic variation in acquisition and allocation to empirical evidence of trade‐offs between distinct life‐history traits. However, these models have not considered the emergence of trade‐offs within the context of sexual dimorphism, where they are expected to be particularly common. Here, we extend acquisition–allocation theory and develop a quantitative genetic framework for predicting genetically based trade‐offs between life‐history traits within sexes and between female and male fitness. Our models demonstrate that empirically measurable evidence of sexually antagonistic fitness variation should depend upon three interacting factors that may vary between populations: (1) the genetic variances and between‐sex covariances for resource acquisition and allocation traits, (2) condition‐dependent expression of resource allocation traits and (3) sex differences in selection on the allocation of resource to different fitness components.
Joint and soft tissue injections: a survey of general practitioners.

OBJECTIVES To determine the type of joint and soft tissue injections carried out by general practitioners (GPs) in the Bath area and factors affecting activity. METHODS A questionnaire was sent to 360 GPs requesting information on injections carried out during the previous 12 months, referral pathways for injection, barriers to injecting and training. RESULTS We received 251 replies. The commonest injections were for tennis elbow, glenohumeral joint, knee, supraspinatus tendonitis and carpal tunnel. The majority of GPs (66.4%) carry out most injections themselves, 26.3% refer to a colleague and 7.3% refer to secondary care. Over half (51%) of all the injections are carried out by 15.6% of the GPs. Factors associated with higher levels of injection activity were: male gender, partnership, more than 10 years' experience, a special interest in rheumatology or orthopaedics and working in a rural or mixed practice. The most important barriers to carrying out injections were lack of practical training, lack of confidence and inability to maintain skills. Most GPs have been trained on models. CONCLUSIONS Most GPs carry out some joint and soft tissue injections, but limit themselves to knees, shoulders and elbows. A small highly active group receive referrals from colleagues. Gender and specialist training strongly influence activity. Many, especially female and part-time, GPs find it hard to maintain their skills and confidence. Training targeted at this group, based in practices and using models and other tools, is likely to increase the number of patients receiving timely injections in general practice.
Obesity in patients with bipolar disorder: a biopsychosocial-behavioral model.

OBJECTIVE We provide a model to explicate how factors representing different levels of analysis (i.e., biology, psychology, sociodemographics, and behavior) interact to influence the onset and maintenance of obesity in bipolar disorder. DATA SOURCES We conducted MEDLINE (1966-2005) and PsycInfo (1872-2005) searches of all English-language articles using the keywords obesity, body weight, weight gain, and metabolic syndrome combined with bipolar disorder, depression, atypical depression, binge eating, and pharmacotherapy. STUDY SELECTION Studies were selected if they provided data regarding (1) the prevalence of obesity in patients with bipolar disorder, (2) correlates of obesity in patients with bipolar disorder, or (3) evidence that a clinical feature(s) or correlate(s) of bipolar disorder is associated with obesity. Ninety-two studies were reviewed. DATA SYNTHESIS Obesity is prevalent in patients with bipolar disorder and is associated with increased medical morbidity and poorer psychiatric outcome. Variables that may interact to influence the onset and maintenance of obesity in bipolar disorder include genetic factors, neurotransmitter abnormalities, atypical depression, eating behaviors, pharmacotherapy, age, gender, socioeconomic status, and physical inactivity. CONCLUSIONS Although the exact causes of obesity in bipolar disorder undoubtedly vary across patients, the etiologic cascade, which includes biological, psychological, and sociodemographic variables, ultimately directly or indirectly affects levels of physical activity and eating behavior, leading to obesity in this population. Behavioral interventions aimed at targeting physical inactivity and overeating in bipolar disorder patients are needed, as are better screening and treatment for binge eating. Finally, there is a clear need for ongoing research to explicate the causes and consequences of obesity across levels of analysis.