Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of acute inhalation of the bronchodilator, albuterol, on power output.

This study was designed to examine the effects of acute inhalation of the bronchodilator, albuterol (Proventil, Schering Corp.), on high intensity power output. Fifteen healthy nonasthmatic subjects (eight male, seven female, 18-33 yr) performed four supramaximal 15-s rides on a bicycle ergometer. Rides were arranged in pairs with a 10-min rest interval. Each pair of rides was preceded by a 5-min warm-up. Sessions were separated by a minimum of 48 h. The study design was fully randomized and double blind. Ten minutes prior to each pair of rides subjects inhaled two metered doses (180 micrograms) of albuterol (A) or a placebo (P). Individual ANOVAs revealed a significant difference between the A and P treatment for peak power (A = 886.6 W, P = 858.3 W) and fatigue (A = 27.2%, P = 24.4%). Mean changes in FEF25-75% (A = 0.712, P = 0.040 l.s-1), FEV1.0 (A = 0.188, P = 0.007 l), and PEF (A = 0.573, P = -0.155 l.s-1) were also statistically significant; however, these changes did not correlate to the anaerobic performance changes. No significant differences were found between treatments for heart rate increases resulting from the power test (A = 56.73 bpm, P = 53.20 bpm). These results indicate an ergogenic effect of the bronchodilator on short-term power output independent of impact on respiratory smooth muscle, with no effect on cardiac response.
Epstein-Barr Virus in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis—Association and Causation

Epidemiological data suggest that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with several autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. However, it is not clear whether EBV plays a role in the pathogenesis of these diseases, and if so, by which mechanisms the virus may contribute. In this review, we discuss possible viral and immunological mechanisms that might explain associations between EBV and autoimmune diseases and whether these associations represent causes or effects of inflammation and autoimmunity.
Efficacy and safety of paravertebral blocks in breast surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND Thoracic paravertebral blocks (PVBs) are successfully performed for pain management after breast surgery. The aim of the present quantitative systematic review was to assess the efficacy and adverse events of PVB in women undergoing breast surgery. METHODS The systematic search, data extraction, critical appraisal, and pooled analysis were performed according to the PRISMA statement. The relative risk (RR), mean difference (MD), and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the RevMan statistical software for dichotomous and continuous outcomes, respectively. Pain scores were converted to a scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain). RESULTS Fifteen randomized controlled trials (published between 1999 and 2009) including 877 patients met the inclusion criteria. There was a significant difference in worst postoperative pain scores between PVB and general anaesthesia (GA) at <2 h (MD: -2.68; 95% CI: -3.33 to -2.02; P<0.00001), 2-24 h (MD: -2.34; 95% CI: -2.42 to -1.12; P<0.00001), and 24-48 h (MD: -1.75; 95% CI: -3.19 to 0.31; P=0.02). Accordingly, lower pain scores were observed for combined PVB with GA compared with GA alone for <2 h (MD: -1.87; 95% CI: -2.53 to -1.21; P<0.00001), 2-24 h (MD: -2.21; 95% CI: -3.07 to -1.35; P<0.00001), and 24-48 h (MD: -1.80; 95% CI: -2.92 to 0.68; P=0.002). The RR for the reported adverse events (e.g. pneumothorax) was low. CONCLUSIONS There is considerable evidence that PVB in addition to GA or alone provide a better postoperative pain control with little adverse effects compared with other analgesic treatment strategies.
Co-infection of Polyomavirus-BK and Cytomegalovirus in Renal Transplant Recipients

Background. Polyomavirus-BK (BK) is a significant cause of allograft dysfunction in renal transplant recipients. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and BK infection are thought to be possible risk factors for one another, but no supporting data are yet available. Methods. The authors monitored BK and CMV infection by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 69 renal transplant recipients with serum creatinine elevation to determine the prevalence of co-infection. In addition, 150 adult renal transplant recipients were also retrospectively analyzed for both infections. Results. Of 69 recipients, 12 were plasma BK-PCR–positive. Eight of the 12 showed high BK levels (>103 copies) and BK nephropathy. Six of the 12 were also CMV-PCR–positive compared with only 3 of 57 plasma BK-negative patients (50% vs. 5.3%, P=0.001). Comparatively, the incidence of Epstein-Barr virus infection was similar in both groups (1 of 12 [8.3%] vs. 2 of 57 [3.5%], P =not significant). In addition, retrospective analysis of CMV-PCR–positivity in 150 adult renal transplant recipients showed similar results (5 of 6 in BK-PCR–positive [83%] vs. 8 of 144 in BK-PCR–negative [5.6%], P=0.00001). More plasma BK-PCR–positive patients had concomitant CMV infection than CMV-PCR–positive patients with BK infection (5 of 6 [83%] vs. 4 of 13 [31%], P=0.05). Conclusions. In conclusion, high plasma BK-positivity (>103) is significantly associated with BK nephropathy. Plasma BK-positivity is highly associated with co-infection of CMV, suggesting possible risk factors for one another. Therefore, detection of either infection strongly suggests the need to monitor for the other. This strategy may lead to the prevention of virus-induced complications by preemptive antiviral therapy in renal allografts.
Examining the influence of mild traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder on alcohol use disorder in OEF/OIF veterans.

OBJECTIVES Examine (1) impact of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, (2) frequency of alcohol use disorder in male and female combat Veterans, and (3) influence of PTSD and mTBI on alcohol use disorder. METHOD A retrospective medical-record review extracted the following data for Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans (N = 1,278) who completed a semi-structured mental health evaluation: alcohol use disorder diagnoses, PTSD symptom criteria, and Brief Traumatic Brain Injury Screen. Logistic regressions tested if PTSD and mTBI predicted which Veterans had an alcohol use disorder diagnosis. RESULTS Veterans with mTBI had more re-experiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal symptoms than Veterans without mTBI. Men and women differed regarding alcohol use. For men, PTSD predicted alcohol use diagnosis while mTBI did not. For women, neither mTBI nor PTSD predicted alcohol use diagnosis. CONCLUSION Findings from this study can inform treatment providers by alerting them to the possibility of subthreshold PTSD in Veterans with mTBI. Providers may begin PTSD treatments or consider targeting hyperarousal symptoms early in treatment to reduce distress. PTSD is also uniquely associated with alcohol use disorder in male Veterans, while more research on predictors of alcohol use disorder is needed for female Veterans.
Role of the "YxGG/A" motif of Phi29 DNA polymerase in protein-primed replication.

We have analyzed the functional significance of the phi29 DNA polymerase "YxGG/A" motif in initiation and replication reactions involving the terminal protein (TP) as a primer. This motif, located between the proposed limits of the polymerase and exonuclease domains, has been shown to be very important for the coordination between synthesis and degradation in phi29 DNA polymerase. Mutations in this region affected the polymerization/exonucleolysis (pol/exo) balance, due to its importance for DNA template binding stability at both active sites. Here, we show that the YxGG/A motif of phi29 DNA polymerase is necessary for the formation of a stable complex between TP and phi29 DNA polymerase, affecting initiation and transition during replication of phi29 TP-DNA. The phenotypes in TP-primed reactions in nine of 11 mutant polymerases, showed reduced initiation and/or replication activities using TP-DNA as template. High dATP concentrations allowed the reduced initiation activities of some of these mutant polymerases to reach the wild-type level. The reduction in their affinity for the initiating nucleotide is likely due to their reduced interaction with the TP. Besides, the YxGG/A motif of phi29 DNA polymerase controls the pol/exo balance in the transition step immediately after TP-primed initiation, before DNA polymerase and TP dissociate. Thus, from the first elongation step, the phenotypes of the mutant polymerases parallel those obtained in DNA-primed replication: wild-type, high and low pol/exo balance. A detailed analysis of different transition intermediates suggests that mutants at the YxGG/A motif switch from interaction with TP to DNA once the TP has been extended with six nucleotides.
Cell‐cell contact activation of fibroblasts increases the expression of matrix metalloproteinases

Background. We recently found that direct homotypic cell‐cell contacts between human dermal fibroblasts induce a novel form of cell activation leading to non‐apoptotic programmed cell death. As the major features of this process we identified massive induction of cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 and production of inflammatory prostaglandins. On the surface of the decomposing spheroids, activation of the major extracellular proteolytic cascade, plasminogen activation, associated with surface exposure of α‐enolase, took place. Aim. To further characterize pericellular proteolysis by cell‐cell contact‐activated fibroblasts we studied the role of the other major extracellular proteolytic system, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Methods. MMP expression in fibroblast clusters and monolayers was compared using mRNA microarrays and immunoblot analyses. The activities of MMPs were confirmed using MMP inhibitors and caseinolysis. Results. In microarrays MMP‐1, ‐10, and ‐14 (MT1‐MMP) were induced 5.8‐, 106‐, and 5.6‐fold, respectively. These findings were confirmed by immunoblotting. Radial caseinolysis showed low level of proteolytic activity in spheroid‐conditioned media; ilomastat, a general inhibitor of MMPs, suppressed 50% of the proteolytic activity thus confirming it to be at least in part due to MMPs. A cocktail of tetracycline‐derived MMP inhibitors suppressed lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release only 11%, and if combined with aprotinin 28%. Conclusions. Cell‐cell contact activation of fibroblasts induced MMP‐1, ‐10, and MT1‐MMP expression, suggesting similar signaling to that in inflammation and cancer.
Research of P2P Offline download based on hybrid P2P network

The Peer-to-peer (P2P) computing has been one of the hottest technologies today, which is popular in distributed file sharing. There are many famous download applications developed such as BitTorrent, Emule, etc. They have been widely studied in terms of network topology, performance and incentive algorithms. Through these kinds of research, many useful functions have been implemented like virtual currency policy which has an incentive effect on free-riders (users who only get resources from others but do not share their own to others in return). In this paper we proposed a new mechanism called P2P Offline download Model. Through providing offline P2P download service, we believe it provides a new way to solve serious problems in real P2P network such as low download speed, huge power cost, etc.
Does using latest technologies impact new venture innovation? A contingency-based view of institutional environments

ABSTRACT Drawing on resource-based theory and institutional theory, we develop a multi-level model on the outcomes of early stage entrepreneurs employing latest technologies in their ventures. Essentially, we argue that the effects of using latest technologies on new venture innovation are moderated by the nature of a country’s regulative, conducive, normative, and cognitive environments. Results indicate that the entrepreneur who employs higher levels of latest technology usage in a country exhibit higher innovation as compared to others as regulatory and conducive environments of the country strengthen. These results contribute to the literature examining international comparative entrepreneurship determinants of productive entrepreneurship.
Febrile status, malarial parasitaemia and gastro-intestinal helminthiases in schoolchildren resident at different altitudes, in south–western Cameroon

Abstract In the many areas where human malaria and helminthiases are co-endemic, schoolchildren often harbour the heaviest infections and suffer much of the associated morbidity, especially when co-infected. In one such area, the Buea district, in south–western Cameroon, two cross-sectional surveys, together covering 263 apparently healthy schoolchildren aged 4–12 years, were recently conducted. The prevalences of fever, malarial parasitaemia and intestinal helminth infections, the seroprevalences of anti-Plasmodium falciparum IgG and IgE and anti-glycosylphosphatidylinositol (anti-GPI) IgG, plasma concentrations of total IgE, and the incidence of anaemia were all investigated. The mean (S.D.) age of the study children was 7.56 (1.82) years. Overall, 156 (59.3%) of the children were found parasitaemic, with a geometric mean parasitaemia of 565 parasites/μml. Parasitaemia and fever were significantly associated (P=0.042). The children who lived at low altitude, attending schools that lay 400–650 m above sea level, had significantly higher parasitaemias than their high-altitude counterparts (P<0.01). At low altitude, the children attending government schools had significantly higher parasitaemias than their mission-school counterparts (P=0.010). Of the 31 children (11.9%) found anaemic, 22 (70.4%) had mild anaemia and none had severe anaemia. A significant negative correlation (r=−0.224; P=0.005) was observed between haemoglobin concentration and level of parasitaemia. Infection with Plasmodium appeared to reduce erythrocyte counts (P=0.045), a condition that was exacerbated by co-infection with helminths (P=0.035). Plasma concentrations of total IgE were higher in the children found to be excreting helminth eggs than in those who appeared helminth-free, while levels of anti-P. falciparum IgE were higher in the children with low-grade parasitaemias than in those with more intense parasitaemias. Levels of anti-GPI IgG increased with age and were relatively high in the children who lived at low altitude and in those who were aparasitaemic. The survey results confirm that asymptomatic malarial parasitaemia frequently co-exists with helminth infections in schoolchildren and indicate links with fever, altitude and school type. Immunoglobulin E may play a role in immune protection against helminthiasis whereas anti-GPI antibodies may be important in the development of antimalarial immunity in such children. In Cameroon, as in other areas with endemic malaria, control programmes to reduce the prevalences of infections with intestinal helminths and malarial parasites in schoolchildren, which may effectively reduce the incidence of anaemia, are clearly needed.
[Role of homocysteine in the acute phase of stroke].

INTRODUCTION Hyperhomocysteinemia is a well known vascular risk factor. However its action mechanism and its role in the acute phase of stroke have not been determined. OBJECTIVES To study plasmatic homocysteine levels in the acute stroke of different etiologies and evaluate its role as a prognostic factor. METHODS We determined plasmatic homocysteine in 136 consecutive patients with stroke. Mean time from symptoms onset was 4.6 hours. RESULTS Higher than normal homocysteine levels were found in ischemic stroke (n= 119 13.1 micromol/l; 43 % of patients > normality rank) and intracranial hemorrhage (n= 17 micromol/l; 24 % of patients > normality rank). The etiological distribution of ischemic stroke was the following: 42 cardioembolic (29.4%; median Hcy: 13.1 micromol/l), 20 atherothrombotic (14 %; Hcy: 12.7 micromol/l), 33 lacunar (23.1 %; Hcy: 11.8 micromol/l) and 24 undetermined (16.8%; Hcy:15.2 micromol/l). No significant differences were found between these groups (p=0.19). Those patients who presented early neurological deterioration presented higher homocysteine levels than those who remained stable or improved (median 13.3 n=16 v 11.3 n=113; p=0.061). CONCLUSIONS High homocysteine levels are associated to all etiologic stroke subtypes and intracranial hemorrhage. Patients who experienced early neurological worsening tend to have higher homocysteine levels.
Secular Stagnation, Low Growth, and Financial Instability

Abstract Rentier-financier capitalism, neoliberalism, and globalization have been in crisis since 2008. It is characterized by low growth rates, quasi-stagnant wages, and increase of inequality since rentiers replaced business entrepreneurs, neoliberalism became the hegemonic ideology, and globalization became the means to achieve the best of all possible worlds. But the rich capitalist world faces the threat of secular stagnation. In this article, I discuss this threat, the main authors who have been discussing it, and the new historical facts that are behind such a threat. Among the threats are the fall of the productivity of capital associated with information and communication technology, the increase of market power, the profusion of capitals, and globalization, which opened room for the successful competition of developing countries. These new historical facts don’t cause stagnation but low growth rates and general uneasiness.
Heterogeneous memory assembly exploration using a floorplan and interconnect aware framework

Embedded SRAM based memory sub-systems are an integral part of SoCs and have a large area footprint in modern SoCs today. Huge memory requirements are typically met by using an array of SRAM instances and optimal selection of these memory instances becomes imperative for SoC designers. We propose a framework based on the following approach: pre-sort a list of most suitable SRAM instances; create a memory assembly using one of these SRAM instances; calculate total assembly area, power and performance of the resultant sub-system using estimation models; iterate through this process to find out the optimal memory assembly possible that conforms to the user-defined PPA criteria. This automated framework assists SoC designers to select an optimal SRAM instance from the potentially large number of combinations possible through generic memory compilers. Through this paper, we also demonstrate that the optimal memory solution can actually lie in using a combination of distinct memory instances, their characteristics varying on the type of optimization desired. We refer to this approach as approach of heterogeneous memory assemblies. These heterogeneous memory assemblies can potentially achieve even better performance than what can be achieved by homogeneity, whatever be the scope of optimization, viz. area, dynamic power or leakage optimization. Through our advanced memory sub-system exploration framework (MSSEF), we demonstrate that for a 4 M-bit memory requirement, we can achieve area savings up to 11 % by using a combination of heterogeneous memory instances instead of homogeneous assemblies.
In Vivo Brain Dialysis of Amino Acids and Simultaneous EEG Measurements Following Intrahippocampal Quinolinic Acid Injection: Evidence for a Dissociation Between Neurochemical Changes and Seizures

Abstract: The extracellular content of taurine, glutamate, and glycine was measured by the novel method of brain dialysis in the acute phases following an intrahippocampal injection of the excitotoxic convulsant brain metabolite quinolinic acid (QUIN). Using bilaterally depth electrodes physically combined with hollow fibers for dialysis, it was possible to collect continuously brain perfusates while simultaneously monitoring brain activity in the unanesthetized rat. In separate animals, hippocampal amino acid tissue levels were measured 2 h after an intracerebral injection of a convulsant dose (156 nmol) of QUIN. When compared with those in animal receiving the nonconvulsant decarboxylation product of QUIN, nicotinic acid, no differences in tissue levels were detected. In contrast, the same dose of QUIN caused a selective increase (2.24‐fold) in taurine levels in perfusates from the injected hippocampus. These changes were apparent prior to the onset of electrographic seizures and did not occur in the contralateral hippocampus where seizure activity was equally severe. Thus, increases in extracellular taurine, triggered by the presence of QUIN in the hippocampus, may reflect a selective tissue response to the neurotoxic (rather than the convulsant) effects of this excitotoxin.
Fatigue life of bioactive titanium dental implants treated by means of grit-blasting and thermo-chemical treatment.

OBJECTIVE This study focuses on the fatigue behavior of titanium dental implants as-received, with a grit-blasted surface and with a new bioactive surface treatment (2Steps). BACKGROUND The 2Step process consists of (1) an initial grit-blasting process to produce a micro-rough surface, followed by (2) a combined thermo-chemical treatment that produces a potentially bioactive surface, that is, that can form an apatitic layer when exposed to biomimetic conditions in vitro. The 2Step treatment produced micro-rough and apatitic coating implants. METHODS Residual stresses were determined by means of X-ray diffraction. The fatigue tests were carried out at 37°C on 500 dental implants, and the S-N curve was determined. The fatigue-crack nucleation for the different treatments was analyzed. RESULTS The fatigue tests show that the grit-blasting process improves the fatigue life. This is a consequence of the layer of compressive residual stresses that the treatment generates in titanium surfaces. Dental implants that had its surfaced prepared with the 2Step procedure (grit-blasting and thermo-chemical treatment) had its fatigue life decreased by 10% due to the incorporation of oxygen to the surface and the relaxation of the compressive residual stress produced by the heat treatment. CONCLUSIONS Thermo-chemical treatment is an excellent compromise between the improvement of bioactive and mechanical long-life behaviors.
Energy demand for materials in an international context

Materials are everywhere and have determined society. The rapid increase in consumption of materials has led to an increase in the use of energy and release of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Reducing emissions in material-producing industries is a key challenge. If all of industry switched to current best practices, the energy-efficiency improvement potential would be between 20% and 35% for most sectors. While these are considerable potentials, especially for sectors that have historically paid a lot of attention to energy-efficiency improvement, realization of these potentials under current ‘business as usual’ conditions is slow due to a large variety of barriers and limited efforts by industry and governments around the world. Importantly, the potentials are not sufficient to achieve the deep reductions in carbon emissions that will be necessary to stay within the climate boundaries as agreed in the 2015 Paris Conference of Parties. Other opportunities need to be included in the menu of options to mitigate GHG emissions. It is essential to develop integrated policies combining energy efficiency, renewable energy and material efficiency and material demand reduction, offering the most economically attractive way to realize deep reductions in carbon emissions. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Material demand reduction’.