Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reliability and validity of a reactive agility test for Australian football.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to test the reliability and construct validity of a reactive agility test (RAT), designed for Australian Football (AF). METHODS Study I tested the reliability of the RAT, with 20 elite junior AF players (17.44 +/- 0.55 y) completing the test on two occasions separated by 1 wk. Study II tested its construct validity by comparing the performance of 60 participants (16.60 +/- 0.50 y) spread over three aged-matched population groups: 20 athletes participating in a State Under-18 AF league who had represented their state at national competitions (elite), 20 athletes participating in the same league who had not represented their state (subelite), and 20 healthy males who did not play AF (controls). RESULTS Test-retest reliability reported a strong correlation (0.91), with no significant difference (P = .22) between the mean results (1.74 +/- 0.07 s and 1.76 +/- 0.07 s) obtained (split 2+3). Nonparametric tests (Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney) revealed both AF groups performed significantly faster on all measures than the control group (ranging from P = .001 to .005), with significant differences also reported between the two AF groups (ranging from P = .001 to .046). Stepwise discriminant analyses found total time discriminated between the groups, correctly classifying 75% of the participants. CONCLUSIONS The RAT used within this study demonstrates evidence of reliability and construct validity. It further suggests the ability of a reactive component within agility test designs to discriminate among athletes of different competition levels, highlighting its importance within training activities.
Do all patients with sentinel node metastasis from breast carcinoma need complete axillary node dissection?

OBJECTIVE To determine the likelihood of nonsentinel axillary metastasis in the presence of sentinel node metastasis from a primary breast carcinoma. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA Sentinel lymphadenectomy is a highly accurate technique for identifying axillary metastasis from a primary breast carcinoma. Our group has shown that nonsentinel axillary lymph nodes are unlikely to contain tumor cells if the axillary sentinel node is tumor-free, but as yet no study has examined the risk of nonsentinel nodal involvement when the sentinel node contains tumor cells. METHODS Between 1991 and 1997, axillary lymphadenectomy was performed in 157 women with a tumor-involved sentinel node. Fifty-three axillae (33.5%) had at least one tumor-involved nonsentinel node. The authors analyzed the incidence of nonsentinel node involvement according to clinical and tumor characteristics. RESULTS Only two variables had a significant impact on the likelihood of nonsentinel node metastasis: the size of the sentinel node metastasis and the size of the primary tumor. The rate of nonsentinel node involvement was 7% when the sentinel node had a micrometastasis (< or =2 mm), compared with 55% when the sentinel node had a macrometastasis (>2 mm). In addition, the rate of nonsentinel node tumor involvement increased with the size of the primary tumor. CONCLUSIONS If a primary breast tumor is small and if sentinel node involvement is micrometastatic, then tumor cells are unlikely to be found in other axillary lymph nodes. This suggests that axillary lymph node dissection may not be necessary in patients with sentinel node micrometastases from T1/T2 lesions, or in patients with sentinel node metastases from T1a lesions.
New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase in Jamaica.

INTRODUCTION The global dissemination of the New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM) gene among certain strains of bacteria has serious implications since the infections caused by such organisms pose a therapeutic challenge. Although the NDM gene has been detected in various parts of the world, this is the first report of its detection in the English-speaking Caribbean. The NDM producing Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated from an Indian patient who had recently relocated to Jamaica. METHODOLOGY Identification and susceptibility testing of the K. pneumoniae isolate was performed using the Vitek 2 automated system) in keeping with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) standards. It was identified as a metallobetalactamase producer using the Rosco KPC+MBL kit. Genotypic screening for common betalactamase (including carbapenemase) genes, was carried out using two multiplex PCRs: one for SHV-, TEM-, CTX-M-, OXA-1-, and CMY-2-types, and one for VIM-, KPC-, IMP-, OXA-48, GES-, and NDM-types. Strain typing was conducted by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) using XbaI and multi-locus sequencing (MLS). Plasmid isolation and analysis was also performed. RESULTS K. pneumoniae (N11-02395), not previously associated with the dissemination of the NDM in India, Sweden or the UK, was found to harbor the NDM-1 gene on plasmid pNDM112395. CONCLUSION The identification of the NDM-1 gene underscores the need for effective surveillance and infection control measures to identify and prevent spread of multidrug resistant Gram negative bacilli. Strict infection control measures implemented for this patient helped to prevent the spread of this organism to other patients.
Incidence and Outcomes of Spinal Cord Injury Clinical Syndromes

Abstract Background/Objective: To examine and compare demographics and functional outcomes for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) clinical syndromes, including central cord (CCS), Brown-Sequard (BSS), anterior cord (ACS), posterior cord (PCS), cauda equina (CES), and conus medullaris (CMS). Design: Retrospective review. Setting: Tertiary care, level 1 trauma center inpatient rehabilitation unit. Participants: Eight hundred thirty-nine consecutive admissions with acute SCIs. Main Outcomes Measures: Functional independence measure (FIM), FIM subgroups (motor, self-care, sphincter control), length of stay (LOS), and discharge disposition. Results: One hundred seventy-five patients (20.9%) were diagnosed with SCI clinical syndromes. CCS was the most common (44.0%), followed by CES (25.1%) and BSS (17.1%). Significant differences (P < 0.01) were found between groups with regard to age, race, etiology, total admission FIM, motor admission FIM, self-care admission and discharge FIM, and LOS. Statistical analysis between tetraplegic BSS and CCS revealed significant differences (P < 0.01) with respect to age (39.7 vs 53.2 years) and a trend toward significance (P < 0.05) with regard to self-care admission and discharge FIM. No significant differences (P < 0.01) were found when comparing CMS to CES. Conclusions: SCI clinical syndromes represent a significant proportion of admissions to acute SCI rehabilitation, with CCS presenting most commonly and representing the oldest age group with the lowest admission functional level of all SCI clinical syndromes. Patients with cervical BSS seem to achieve higher functional improvement by discharge compared with patients with CCS. Patients with CMS and CES exhibit similar functional outcomes. Patients with ACS and PCS show functional gains with inpatient rehabilitation, with patients with ACS displaying the longest LOS of the SCI clinical syndromes. These findings have important implications for the overall management and outcome of patients with SCI.
Calcium-channel blockers decrease clopidogrel-mediated platelet inhibition

Background The extent of clopidogrel-mediated platelet inhibition varies considerably from one person to the next. Numerous studies have shown that low responders have significantly more adverse events after coronary stenting than patients who respond well to antithrombotic treatment with clopidogrel. Dihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers (CCBs) inhibit the cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme, which metabolises clopidogrel to its active form. Objective To investigate the influence of CCBs on clopidogrel-mediated platelet inhibition. Methods Adenosine-5-diphosphate (ADP)-inducible platelet reactivity was assessed by light transmission aggregometry (LTA) and the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay in 162 patients after percutaneous intervention with stent implantation. Results in the fourth quartiles of both assays were considered as high on-treatment residual ADP-inducible platelet reactivity. Results Patients with concomitant CCB therapy showed a significantly higher on-treatment platelet reactivity than patients without CCB medication (p=0.001 for both assays). Further, high on-treatment residual ADP-inducible platelet reactivity was significantly more common among patients currently taking CCBs (p=0.001 for LTA and p=0.004 for the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay). A multivariate regression analysis confirmed CCB therapy as an independent predictor of reduced clopidogrel-mediated platelet inhibition (p=0.006 for LTA and p=0.004 for the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay). Conclusion CCBs decrease clopidogrel-mediated platelet inhibition in patients undergoing angioplasty and stenting for cardiovascular disease.
Hypertriglyceridemia: An Independent Risk Factor of Chronic Kidney Disease in Taiwanese Adults

Background:The prevalence and incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are relatively high in Taiwanese patients than in patients of other countries, particularly in the older age groups. Dyslipidemia in patients with CKD has been recognized as a risk factor for disease progression but the role of triglycerides (TGs) remains controversial. With this regard, we evaluated the effects of hypertriglyceridemia on renal function in Taiwanese adults (aged ≥40 years). Methods:From January 2002 to December 2006, we conducted a community-based medical screening program in Chiayi County with 18,422 subjects (aged ≥40 years). The CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate of <60 mL min 1.73 m2. Age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and serum total cholesterol were considered as potential confounders. Result:The CKD was prevalent in 24.2% of the middle-aged and elderly population. By using multiple logistic regression models, we determined that old age and elevated levels of body mass index, systolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and cholesterol were associated with CKD. The adjusted odds ratios of CKD in participants with serum TG ≧200 mg/dL was 1.901 (95% confidence interval: 1.07–3.36; P < 0.05) and in participants with serum TG > 500 mg/dL it increased to 2.205 (1.33–3.64, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Hypertriglyceridemia is an independent risk factor for CKD in Taiwanese adults. Thus, an effective screening program that identifies people with hypertriglyceridemia is warranted.
Post-infarct cortical plasticity and behavioral recovery using concurrent cortical stimulation and rehabilitative training: A feasibility study in primates

Abstract Stroke is often characterized by incomplete recovery and chronic motor impairments. A nonhuman primate model of cortical ischemia was used to evaluate the feasibility of using device-assisted cortical stimulation combined with rehabilitative training to enhance behavioral recovery and cortical plasticity. Following preinfarct training on a unimanual motor task, maps of movement representations in primary motor cortex were derived. Then, an ischemic infarct was produced which destroyed the hand representation. Several weeks later, a second cortical map was derived to guide implantation of a surface electrode over periinfarct motor cortex. After several months of spontaneous recovery, monkeys underwent subthreshold electrical stimulation combined with rehabilitative training for several weeks. Post-therapy behavioral performance was tracked for several additional months. A third cortical map was derived several weeks post-therapy to examine changes in motor representations. Monkeys showed significant improvements in motor performance (success, speed, and efficiency) following therapy, which persisted for several months. Cortical mapping revealed large-scale emergence of new hand representations in peri-infarct motor cortex, primarily in cortical tissue underlying the electrode. Results support the feasibility of using a therapy approach combining peri-infarct electrical stimulation with rehabilitative training to alleviate chronic motor deficits and promote recovery from cortical ischemic injury.
Effects of Exercise on microRNA Expression in Young Males Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

MicroRNAs are increasingly seen as targets of drug discovery because they influence gene function acting both to silence and subtly modulate protein translation. Little is known about effects of dynamic physiological states on microRNA regulation in humans. We hypothesized that microRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) would be affected by brief exercise. Twelve young men performed brief bouts of heavy exercise. PBMC microRNA was analyzed before and immediately after exercise using the Agilent Human microRNA V2 Microarray. Exercise altered expression level of 34 microRNAs (FDR < 0.05). Many of them play roles in inflammatory processes (e.g., miR‐125b[↓], down‐regulated by proinflammatory factor LPS; and miR‐132[↑], 125b[↓] and let‐7e[↓] involved inTLR4 signaling). Using previous exercise data in PBMCs, we linked the microRNA changes to specific gene pathways. This analysis identified 12 pathways including the TGF‐β and MAPK signaling. We also compared exercise‐associated microRNA changes in PBMCs with the exercise‐associated microRNAs previously identified in neutrophils. Nine microRNAs were affected in both PBMCs and neutrophils, but only six changed in the same direction. A commonly occurring physiologic perturbation, brief heavy exercise, changes microRNA profiles in PBMCs, many of which are related to inflammatory processes. The pattern of change suggests that exercise differentially influences microRNAs in leukocyte subtypes. Clin Trans Sci 2012; Volume #: 1–7
The Magnitude of the Fixation Offset Effect with Endogenously and Exogenously Controlled Saccades

Two experiments examined saccadic reaction time (RT) in response to visual targets as a function of fixation offset condition (no offset; target simultaneous with offset and 200-msec offset-target SOA) in prosaccade and antisaccade tasks. The second experiment also included a condition in which saccades were made in response to verbal commands presented auditorally. To ensure that observers were equally prepared in each condition, auditory warning tones preceded target onset on every trial. The RT reduction associated with fixation offset (FOE, or gap effect) was identical with visual targets in the prosaccade task and in response to verbal signals, strongly implicating motor, rather than sensory, mechanisms in the FOE. The FOE in the antisaccade task was significant, but it was also significantly smaller than in the other tasks. We speculate that the reduced FOE in the antisaccade task may be due to the requirement to inhibit the superior colliculus when the target directed saccadic programs are, by instruction, erroneous.
Altered mitochondrial function and genome frequency post exposure to γ-radiation and bystander factors

Purpose: To further evaluate irregular mitochondrial function and mitochondrial genome damage induced by direct γ-irradiation and bystander factors in human keratinocyte (HPV-G) epithelial cells and hamster ovarian fibroblast (CHO-K1) cells. This is as a follow-up to our recent reports of γ-irradiation-induced loss of mitochondrial function and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage. Materials and methods: Mitochondrial function was evaluated post direct radiation and irradiated cell conditioned medium (ICCM) by determining: Activity of the individual complexes of oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos); mtDNA-encoded protein synthesis; and mitochondrial genome frequency and mtDNA damage. Results: Mitochondria show a loss of OxPhos enzyme function as early as 4 h post treatment with recovery observed 12–96 h in some but not all complexes demonstrating a non-uniform sensitivity to γ-radiation. We also identified irregular mtDNA-directed protein synthesis. Long range Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis identified mitochondrial genome damage and real-time PCR identified increases in mitochondrial genome frequency. Conclusions: The study reaffirms the sensitive nature of mitochondria to both low-level direct radiation exposure and radiation-induced bystander factor mediated damage. Furthermore, we report for the first time, the loss of function in the enzymes of OxPhos post exposure to bystander factors and identify altered mtDNA-directed protein synthesis post both direct radiation and bystander factors.
Combination therapy of Western drugs and herbal medicines: recent advances in understanding interactions involving metabolism and efflux

Introduction: While complementary and alternative medicine markets prosper with an increasing number of consumers of herbal medicines, there is an associated likelihood for herb–drug interactions to occur. Modulation of the activity of metabolic enzymes and/or active transporters by chemical constituents of herbal medicines may influence the therapeutic outcomes of coadministered allopathic medicines due to changes in their pharmacokinetic profiles. Although valuable information on herb–drug interactions is obtained by in vitro studies, such as the mechanisms of interaction, clinical significance of interactions is ultimately demonstrated by in vivo data. Areas covered: The authors outline the mechanisms of herb–drug pharmacokinetic interactions briefly and discuss pharmacokinetic interactions between different therapeutic classes of Western drugs and herbal medicines. Furthermore, the authors also discuss herb–drug interactions from both in vitro and in vivo studies with specific focus on recent findings. Expert opinion: Basic and clinical researches have contributed to the comprehension of the underlying mechanisms involved as well as the practical implications of herb–drug interactions. This provides a foundation for development of guidelines to inform patients about herb–drug interactions that can affect their health.
[Feminism and qualitative nursing research].

PURPOSE The purpose of this article was to describe feminism and to propose the integration of a feminist method into qualitative nursing methodology in order to expand the body of nursing knowledge. METHOD The world view of feminism including philosophy, epistemology and methodology was outlined, and a feminist grounded theory and feminist ethnography were suggested as a way of strengthening nursing research methodology using literature review. RESULT Four different philosophical perspectives of feminism, that is, liberal feminism, radical feminism, Marxist feminism, and social feminism were described. Also epistemological perspectives including feminist empiricism, feminist standpoint, and postmodern feminism, were explained and were related to the methodology and methods of feminism. To enhance the strengths of nursing research within the feminist perspectives, feminist grounded theory and feminist ethnography were exemplified in the paradigm of qualitative nursing research. CONCLUSION This paper suggested that incorporation of feminist approaches within nursing is a valuable attempt to expand the body of nursing knowledge and to enhance the quality of nursing care services by rectifying male-oriented knowledge and by empowering women in the care of other people as well as themselves.
The Vibrio cholerae quorum sensing response is mediated by Hfq‐dependent sRNA/mRNA base pairing interactions

Vibrio cholerae quorum sensing controls expression of four redundant sRNAs, Qrr1‐4. The Qrr sRNAs are predicted to alter the translation of several mRNAs, including, hapR, which encodes a transcription factor that controls genes for virulence factors, biofilm formation, protease production and DNA uptake. Each Qrr contains a 21 nucleotide region absolutely conserved among pathogenic Vibrios, and predicted to base pair with mRNA targets, like hapR, aided by the RNA chaperone Hfq. This molecular mechanism was not experimentally tested previously, and we provide here both in vivo and in vitro evidence to validate this model. In Escherichia coli, Qrr expression repressed a HapR‐GFP translational fusion, and a specific nucleotide substitution in the 21 nucleotide region eliminated HapR control, while a compensatory mutation in hapR restored it. In V. cholerae, the identical mutations also deregulated HapR‐dependent gene expression and corresponding QS phenotypes by altering HapR protein levels. We calculated in vitro binding affinities of a Qrr/hapR complex and show that Hfq stabilizes complex formation. Finally, the Qrr mutation with in vivo defects also prevented Qrr/hapR binding, while the compensatory hapR mutation restored binding. These results demonstrate that the V. cholerae QS response is mediated by base pairing interactions between Qrr sRNAs and hapR mRNA.
Distribution of Esophageal Motor Disorders in Diabetic Patients With Dysphagia

Background: Diabetes mellitus can cause various gastrointestinal symptoms. Assessment of esophageal dysmotility in diabetic patients has been scarcely studied. The aim of this study was to determine the esophageal motor characteristics of diabetic versus nondiabetic patients who present with dysphagia. Methods: High-resolution esophageal manometries (HREMs) of 83 diabetic patients and 83 age and gender-matched nondiabetic patients with dysphagia from 2 medical centers were included in this study. Demographic information, medical comorbidities, and medication usage were recorded for each patient in a single registry. HREM of each patient was evaluated and the different functional parameters were recorded. Key Results: Overall, 46% of diabetic patients were found to have an esophageal motor disorder. Diabetic patients with dysphagia were more likely to have failed swallows on HREM (50.6% vs. 33.7%; P=0.03) as compared with nondiabetic patients. Among diabetic patients, those being treated with insulin were more likely to have failed (69.0% vs. 40.7%; P=0.01) and weak (65.5% vs. 33.3%; P=0.005) swallows as compared with diabetic patients not on insulin. Among diabetic patients, those with abnormal manometry were more likely to demonstrate diabetic retinopathy (27.0% vs. 8.7%; P=0.04). There was a trend toward increased incidence of esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction in diabetic patients (10.8% vs. 2.4%; P=0.057) as compared with nondiabetic patients. Conclusions: Nearly half of diabetic patients with dysphagia have some type of an esophageal motility disorder. Diabetic retinopathy and the use of insulin are predictive of esophageal motor abnormalities among diabetic patients.
Vibration-induced deterioration of tin-coated connectors studied by using a force controlled fretting bench-test

The deterioration of tin-coated connectors caused by vibration was studied by using a new approach. In order to simulate the true contact situation during vibration, a controlled oscillating tangential force was applied on a model tin-contact, while the displacement was free to vary. This study shows that the friction and the amplitude of the tangential force acting on the contact are critical parameters for a contact subjected to vibration, since they have a significant impact on the relative slip at the contact interface. Almost any slip (>1 /spl mu/m) resulted in an increased contact resistance in the performed experiments. Initial slip caused an increase of the contact resistance, and also an increase of the contact area with a subsequent increase in friction force. The slip came to stop, as the friction force became equal to the applied tangential force. Provided the slip was stopped before the contact failed as described, a stable contact resistance was achieved despite an applied oscillating tangential force. In all other, cases the slip continued and the contact inevitably failed. With a force controlled fretting bench test the critical tangential force for a specific contact can easily be determined, and the results can be used to predict the risk for fretting corrosion.