Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Pilot Randomized Crossover Trial of Electronic Cigarette Sampling Among Smokers

Introduction: Electronic cigarette (EC) use is proliferating, but initial uptake patterns and their influence on smoking remains unclear. This study of EC sampling examines naturalistic uptake of ECs, as well as effects on smoking and perceived reward from smoking and vaping. Methods: Within a double-blind randomized crossover design, smokers (n = 24; 75% male; M age = 48.5 years) smoked as usual for 1 week, followed by two counterbalanced naturalistic (ie, ad libitum use) weeks of either placebo or active first generation ECs. Vaping and regular smoking was measured daily using diaries and at weekly clinic visits. Perceived reward from ECs and intentions/confidence to quit were also assessed. Analyses compared variables during the naturalistic smoking week and each EC week while controlling for sequence and baseline measurements of respective variables. Results: No significant differences emerged between active and placebo EC weeks in vaping or regular smoking, EC reinforcement, and intention/confidence to quit smoking. Satisfaction from smoking (p = .04) and smoking’s ability to reduce cravings (p = .003) decreased from the naturalistic to active EC week. Behavioral dependence to cigarettes decreased from the naturalistic (M = 16.5, p = .02) to active (M = 14.7) and placebo (M = 14.2) EC weeks. Conclusions: Few differences emerged in vaping, regular cigarette use, and overall reactions to ECs between active and placebo ECs. Active ECs appeared to decrease reinforcement from smoking, and both active and placebo ECs reduced behavioral dependence to cigarettes. Nicotine (per labeling) may have minimal influence on the uptake of first generation ECs among smokers. Implications: First generation ECs provide an important behavioral/sensorimotor replacement for cigarettes, regardless of nicotine delivery, but substantial substitution may be minimal when smokers are only asked to use ad libitum. However, newer models of EC devices that provide better nicotine delivery should be examined for potential differential patterns of smoking and vaping (eg, decreased smoking and increased vaping) given their suggested greater ability to provide nicotine and behavior/sensorimotor replacement.
Velocidade de fala em crianças com e sem transtorno fonológico

BACKGROUND: speech rate in phonological disorders. AIM: to compare the performance of children with and without phonological disorders in different speech rate tests. METHOD: participants of this study were 20 children diagnosed with phonological disorders (PDG) and 20 with typical speech development (CG), aged 4 years to 10 years and 11 months, of both genders. Speech rate measurements (total durantion time, syllables per second and phonemes per second) were analyzed in two imitation tests, being one standard and the other based on phrases taken from the child's own speech, each composed of a short and a long sentence. RESULTS: the CG presented a significantly better performance than the PDG, when considereing all of the mesurements applied to the standard imitation test and also when considering the total duration time of the long sentence in the self-imitation test. This indicates that the length and type of sentences influenced the performance of both groups. CONCLUSION: lower values of speech rate are observed for children with PD, participants of this study, due to possible language or motor deficits, although there is evidence of speech rate control due to the length of the sentence. All of the measurements indicated this difference, specially for the standard imitation test.
Title Hybrid vector including polyethylenimine and cationic lipid , DOTMA , forgene delivery

Title Hybrid vector including polyethylenimine and cationic lipid, DOTMA, for gene delivery. Author(s) Matsumoto, Megumi; Kishikawa, Reiko; Kurosaki, Tomoaki; Nakagawa, Hiroo; Ichikawa, Nobuhiro; Hamamoto, Tomoyuki; To, Hideto; Kitahara, Takashi; Sasaki, Hitoshi Citation International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 363(1-2), pp.58-65; 2008 Issue Date 2008-11-03 URL http://hdl.handle. net/10069/20065 Right Copyright (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. NAOSITE: Nagasaki University's Academic Output SITE
The morphology of the attachment and probable feeding site of the nematode Trichuris muris (Schrank, 1788) Hall, 1916.

The 'tunnel' within which the nematode Trichuris muris is contained was examined by light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. The amount of worm covered by the tunnel varied with age. Young larval worms were completely embedded in the host's intestinal mucosa whereas older larvae and adults had part, if not all, of the posterior region protruding into the lumen. All worms were found to have heads embedded in the tissue and in no cases were whole worms found free in the lumen.The 'tunnel' was shown to be a syncytial protoplasmic mass with recognizable cellular elements such as nuclei, lipid droplets, mitrochondria, and mucous droplets anteriorly whereas more distal to the head these elements became increasingly scarce and degenerated. The syncytium is bordered apically, laterally, and basally by cell membrane. The basal lamina can be identified beneath the basal membrane of the syncytium indicating that syncytium formation occurs in the epithelial sheet only and does not extend into the lamina.
Arsenic Epidemiology and Drinking Water Standards

Establishment of the maximum contaminant level that regulates the concentration of arsenic in public water supplies has been an extraordinarily protracted process. The U.S. Public Health Service set an interim standard of 50 mg per liter in 1942. It was another 60 years before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lowered the standard to 10 mg per liter, despite extensive epidemiological evidence of significant cancer risks. [ Smith et al . ][1] of this Policy Forum consider how the regulatory process might interpret and respond more effectively to results from epidemiological studies. [1]: http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/content/full/296/5576/2145
Characteristics impacting on session rating of perceived exertion training load in Australian footballers

Abstract The relationship between external training load and session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE) training load and the impact that playing experience, playing position and 2-km time-trial performance had on s-RPE training load were explored. From 39 Australian Football players, 6.9 ± 4.6 training sessions were analysed, resulting in 270 samples. Microtechnology devices provided external training load (distance, average speed, high-speed running distance, player load (PL) and player loadslow (PLslow)). The external training load measures had moderate to very large associations (r, 95% CI) with s-RPE training load, average speed (0.45, 0.35–0.54), high-speed running distance (0.51, 0.42–0.59), PLslow (0.80, 0.75–0.84), PL (0.86, 0.83–0.89) and distance (0.88, 0.85–0.90). Differences were described using effect sizes (d ±95% CL). When controlling for external training load, the 4- to 5-year players had higher s-RPE training load than the 0- to 1- (0.44 ± 0.33) and 2- to 3-year players (0.51 ± 0.30), ruckmen had moderately higher s-RPE training load than midfielders (0.82 ± 0.58), and there was a 0.2% increase in s-RPE training load per 1 s increase in time-trial (95% CI: 0.07–0.34). Experience, position and time-trial performance impacted the relationship between external training load and s-RPE training load. This suggests that a given external training load may result in different internal responses between athletes, potentially leaving individuals at risk of overtraining or failing to elicit positive adaptation. It is therefore vital that coaches and trainers give consideration to these mediators of s-RPE training load.
The actin cytoskeleton in store‐mediated calcium entry

Store‐mediated Ca2+ entry is the main pathway for Ca2+ influx in platelets and many other cells. Several hypotheses have considered both direct and indirect coupling mechanisms between the endoplasmic reticulum and the plasma membrane. Here we pay particular attention to new insights into the regulation of store‐mediated Ca2+ entry: the role of the cytoskeleton in a secretion‐like coupling model. In this model, Ca2+ entry may be mediated by a reversible trafficking and coupling of the endoplasmic reticulum with the plasma membrane, that shows close parallels to the events mediating secretion. As with secretion, the actin cytoskeleton plays an inhibitory role in the activation of Ca2+ entry by preventing the approach and coupling of the endoplasmic reticulum with the plasma membrane, making cytoskeletal remodelling a key event in the activation of Ca2+ entry. We also review recent advances investigating the regulation of store‐mediated Ca2+ entry by small GTPases and phosphoinositides, which might be involved in the store‐mediated Ca2+ entry pathway through roles in the remodelling of the cytoskeleton.
Collagenase-3 (MMP-13) Expression in Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma

Background Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), enzymes with the ability to degrade the extracellular matrix, play an important role in tissue invasion by cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). One specific MMP, collagenase-3 (MMP-13), is thought to have a key function in the activation of MMP. Aims To evaluate the expression of MMP-13 in CMM and assess its possible relationship to clinical and pathological parameters. Methods MMP-13 expression was analyzed in 51 paraffin-embedded tumor samples from patients with invasive CMM, ten samples from in situ melanomas, and in eight samples from benign lesions (three dermal melanocytic nevi, three compound melanocytic nevi and two atypical melanocytic nevi) using immunohistochemical techniques. The median follow-up period in patients with invasive CMM was 50 months. Results Benign lesions were consistently negative for MMP-13, whereas three of the ten in situ melanomas (30%) and 23 of the 51 invasive CMMs (45%) showed positive immunostaining for MMP-13. The percentage of MMP-13-positive tumors correlated significantly and positively with the mitotic index (p=0.002) in invasive CMM. However, our results did not show any significant association between tumoral MMP-13 expression and relapse-free survival in patients with invasive CMM. Conclusions MMP-13 appears to be a factor associated with tumor aggressiveness in CMM. It seems to eliminate an important barrier not only against tumoral invasion but also against proliferation.
Activity of a gelsolin-like actin modulator in rat skeletal muscle under protein catabolic conditions.

A gelsolin-like actin-modulating protein was isolated from rat skeletal muscle and characterized with respect to its interaction with actin. The protein, with a molecular mass of approx. 85 kDa, forms a stoichiometric complex with two actin molecules and is activated by micromolar concentrations of Ca2+. It effectively severs actin filaments and promotes nucleation of actin polymerization. The activity of this protein is detectable already in crude extracts by its capability to reduce the steady state viscosity of actin. Actin-modulating activities were determined in muscle extracts of rats kept under protein catabolic conditions, i.e. as generated by corticosterone treatment and starvation. In both cases we found a marked increase of modulator activity. The possibility is discussed that the increased activity of actin modulator indicates a fragmentation of actin filaments prior to the proteolytic degradation of actin.
‘Fast’ and ‘slow’ muscle fibres in hindlimb muscles of adult rats regenerate from intrinsically different satellite cells

Myosin heavy chain (MyHC) expression was examined in regenerating fast extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and slow soleus (SOL) muscles of adult rats. Myotoxic bupivacaine was injected into SOL and EDL and the muscles were either denervated or neuromuscularly blocked by tetrodotoxin (TTX) on the sciatic nerve. Three to 10 or 30 days later, denervated SOL or EDL, or innervated but neuromuscularly blocked EDL received a slow 20 Hz stimulus pattern through electrodes implanted on the muscles or along the fibular nerve to EDL below the TTX block. In addition, denervated SOL and EDL received a fast 100 Hz stimulus pattern. Denervated EDL and SOL stimulated with the same slow stimulus pattern expressed different amounts of type 1 MyHC protein (8%versus 35% at 10 days, 13%versus 87% at 30 days). Stimulated denervated and stimulated innervated (TTX blocked) EDL expressed the same amounts of type 1, 2A, 2X and 2B MyHC proteins. Cross‐sections treated for in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry showed expression of type 1 MyHC in all SOL fibres but only in some scattered single or smaller groups of fibres in EDL. The results suggest that muscle fibres regenerate from intrinsically different satellite cells in EDL and SOL and within EDL. However, induction by different extrinsic factors arising in extracellular matrix or from muscle position and usage in the limb has not been excluded. No evidence for nerve‐derived trophic influences was obtained.
Osmotic shock induction of capsule synthesis in Escherichia coli K-12

The genes (cps) involved in the synthesis of the colanic acid capsular polysaccharide in Escherichia coli K-12 are transcriptionally regulated by numerous proteins. Two of these, RcsB and RcsC, share homology with two-component regulatory elements that respond to environmental stimuli. Osmotic shock by sucrose or NaCl transiently increased transcription of a cpsB::lacZ fusion. RcsC and RcsB were essential for osmotic induction of colanic acid synthesis. In contrast to observations in some other osmotically regulated systems, addition of glycine betaine enhanced the osmotic induction of cps::lacZ by both sucrose and NaCl but had no effect alone.
A study of the mechanism by which exercise increases the pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide.

The pulmonary diffusing capacity (DL) increases with exercise. This was first shown by Krogh in 1915 (1) and has been confirmed by investigators who have studied the matter since that time, using both carbon monoxide and oxygen (2-5). The mechanism by which exercise increases the diffusing capacity is not altogether clear, however, and the apparent amount of increase with exercise is dependent on the technique used for determining the diffusing capacity, and on the severity of the exercise. Two methods widely used for estimating the pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide are the steady state method of Filley, MacIntosh and Wright (3) and the Krogh breath holding technique as modified by Ogilvie, Forster, Blakemore and Morton (5). In the steady state technique, the subject breathes continuously throughout the test period, which makes minute ventilation a variable factor. In the breath holding method, however, the breath is held and minute
Physiological identification of morphologically distinct afferent classes innervating the cristae ampullares of the squirrel monkey.

1. Semicircular-canal afferents in the squirrel monkey were characterized by their resting discharge, discharge regularity, sensitivity to galvanic currents delivered to the ear (beta *), the gain (g2Hz), and phase lead (phi 2Hz) of their response to 2-Hz sinusoidal head rotations, and their antidromic conduction velocity. Discharge regularity was measured by a normalized coefficient of variation (CV*); the higher the CV*, the more irregular the discharge. g2Hz and phi 2Hz were expressed relative to angular head velocity. 2. These physiological measures were used in an attempt to discern the discharge properties of the three morphological classes of afferents innervating the crista. Presumed bouton (B) fibers were identified as slowly conducting afferents. Presumed calyx (C) fibers were recognized by their irregular discharge and low rotational gains. The remaining fibers were considered to be dimorphic (D) units. Single letters (B, C, and D) are used to emphasize that the classification is based on circumstantial evidence and may be wrong for individual fibers. Of the 125 identified fibers, 13 (10%) were B units, 36 (29%) were C units, and 76 (61%) were D units. 3. B units were regularly discharging D units ranged from regularly to irregularly discharging. C units were the most irregularly discharging afferents encountered. The mean resting discharge for the entire sample was 74 spikes/s. Resting rates were similar for regularly discharging B and D units and higher than those for irregularly discharging C and D units. 4. Except for their lower conduction velocities, the discharge properties of B units are indistinguishable from those of regularly discharging D units. Many of the discharge properties of B and D units vary with discharge regularity. There is a strong, positive relation when beta *, g2Hz, or phi 2Hz is plotted against CV*. For beta * or phi 2Hz, C units conform to the relation for B and D units. In contrast, values of g2Hz for C units are three to four times lower than predicted from the relation for the other two classes. 5. Internal (axon) diameters (dp) of peripheral vestibular-nerve fibers were estimated from central antidromic conduction velocities. Thick fibers (dp > or = 49 microns) were irregularly discharging, mostly C units. Medium-sized fibers (dp = 1.5-4 microns) included regular, intermediate, and irregular D units, as well as C units. Thin fibers (dp < or = 1.5 microns) were defined as B units. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Autofluorescence spectroscopy for the classification of oral lesions

Background and Objectives: Autofluorescence spectroscopy shows promising results for detection and staging of oral (pre-)malignancies. To improve staging reliability, we developed and compared algorithms for lesion classification. Furthermore, we examined the potential for detecting invisible tissue alterations. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Autofluorescence spectra were recorded at 6 excitation wavelengths from 172 benign, dysplastic and cancerous lesions and from 97 healthy volunteers. We applied Principal Components Analysis (PCA), Artificial Neural Networks and red/green intensity ratios to separate benign from (pre-)malignant lesions, using 4 normalization techniques. To assess the potential for detecting invisible tissue alterations, we compared PC scores of healthy mucosa and surroundings/contralateral positions of lesions. Results: The spectra showed large variations in shape and intensity within each lesion group. Intensities and PC score distributions demonstrated large overlap between benign and (pre-)malignant lesions. The Receiver-Operator Characteristic Areas Under the Curve (ROC-AUCs) for distinguishing cancerous from healthy tissue were excellent (0.90-0.97). However, the ROC-AUCs were too low for classification of benign vs. (pre-)malignant mucosa for all methods (0.50-0.70). Some statistically significant differences between surrounding/contralateral tissues of benign and healthy tissue and of (pre-)malignant lesions were observed. Conclusions: We could successfully separate healthy mucosa from cancers (ROC-AUC > 0.9). However, autofluorescence spectroscopy was not able to distinguish benign from visible (pre-)malignant lesions using our methods (ROC-AUC<0.65). The observed significant differences between healthy tissue and surroundings/contralateral positions of lesions might be useful for invisible tissue alteration detection.
Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain: Associated Factors and Rehabilitation Outcomes of Hemiplegic Patients With and Without Shoulder Pain

Abstract Objectives: To analyze the incidence of and the factors associated with shoulder pain in people with hemiplegia and to understand the effect of rehabilitation programs on the parameters of motor function and activity limitations in patients with and without hemiplegic shoulder pain. Methods: Patients in the initial 6-month period after stroke who were hospitalized in the physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic were included in the study. Patients were considered early rehabilitation entrants if they were admitted in the first 0 to 30 days after a stroke and late rehabilitation entrants if they were admitted 30 to 120 days after a stroke. Demographic and clinical features, complications, and medical histories of the patients were recorded. Upper extremity Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment (FMA), Frenchay Arm Test (FAT), and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) were applied to the patients on admission, at discharge, and after 1 month of follow-up. Results: Twenty-one (38%) patients did not have shoulder pain, and 34 (62%) patients had decreased shoulder pain. Immobilization, duration of disease, and late rehabilitation were shown to be effective treatments for shoulder pain. The major risk factors were disease duration and poor initial motor function. In both groups, the FMA, FAT, and FIM scores showed significant changes. This improvement did not differ between the 2 groups. Conclusion: Duration of disease and low motor functional capacities have the most important impact on shoulder pain. In patients with and without shoulder pain, a systematic rehabilitation program is beneficial with respect to motor function and daily living activities.
Recent Advances in Designs, Approaches and Materials in Total Knee Replacement: Literature Review and Evidence Today

Ever since Themistocles Gluck described the use of an ivory cup as a tibial hemiarthroplasty in 1894, knee arthoplasty has continued to evolve. Both human ingenuity and intensive clinical research has led to an improved understanding of biomaterials and knee kinematics, resulting in the modern total knee replacement which has enjoyed such a clinical and commercial success. As it increases in popularity, attempts to improve knee arthroplasty have been driven by demands for improved function and implant survival, particularly in younger, more demanding patients. Research continues to see if advances in implant instrumentation, materials and design will translate into improved clinical outcomes and longevity.
AES Inspired Hex Symbols Steganography for Anti-Forensic Artifacts on Android Devices

Mobile phones technology has become one of the most common and important technologies that started as a communication tool and then evolved into key reservoirs of personal information and smart applications. With this increased level of complications, increased dangers and increased levels of countermeasures and opposing countermeasures have emerged, such as Mobile Forensics and anti-forensics. One of these anti-forensics tools is steganography, which introduced higher levels of complexity and security against hackers’ attacks but simultaneously create obstacles to forensic investigations. In this paper we proposed a new data hiding approach, the AES Inspired Steganography (AIS), which utilizes some AES data encryption concepts while hiding the data using the concept of hex symbols steganography. As the approach is based on the use of multiple encryption steps, the resulting carrier files would be unfathomable without the use of the cipher key agreed upon by the communicating parties. These carrier files can be exchanged amongst android devices and/or computers. Assessments of the proposed approach have proven it to be advantageous over the currently existing steganography approaches in terms of character frequency, security, robustness, length of key, and Compatibility.