Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial function and antioxidative defence in human muscle: effects of endurance training and oxidative stress

1 The influence of endurance training on oxidative phosphorylation and the susceptibility of mitochondrial oxidative function to reactive oxygen species (ROS) was investigated in skeletal muscle of four men and four women. Mitochondria were isolated from muscle biopsies taken before and after 6 weeks of endurance training. Mitochondrial respiration was measured before and after exposure of mitochondria to exogenous ROS (H2O2+ FeCl2). 2 Endurance training increased peak pulmonary O2 uptake (V̇O2,peak) by 24 % and maximal ADP‐stimulated mitochondrial oxygen consumption (state 3) by 40 % (P < 0.05). Respiration in the absence of ADP (state 4), the respiratory control ratio (RCR = state 3/state 4) and the ratio between added ADP and consumed oxygen (P/O) remained unchanged by the training programme. 3 Exposure to ROS reduced state 3 respiration but the effect was not significantly different between pre‐ and post‐training samples. State 4 oxygen consumption increased after exposure to ROS both before (+189 %, P < 0.05) and after training (+243 %, P < 0.05) and the effect was significantly higher after training (P < 0.05, pre‐ vs. post‐training). The augmented state 4 respiration could in part be attenuated by atractyloside, which indicates that ADP/ATP translocase was affected by ROS. The P/O ratio in ROS‐treated mitochondria was significantly lower (P < 0.05) compared to control conditions, both before (−18.6 ± 2.2 %) and after training (−18.5 ± 1.1 %). 4 Muscle activities of superoxide dismutase (mitochondrial and cytosolic), glutathione peroxidase and muscle glutathione status were unaffected by training. There was a positive correlation between muscle superoxide dismutase activity and age (r= 0.75; P < 0.05; range of age 20–37 years), which may reflect an adaptation to increased generation of ROS in senescent muscle. The muscle glutathione pool was more reduced in subjects with high activity of glutathione peroxidase (r= 0.81; P < 0.05). 5 The influence of short‐term training on mitochondrial oxygen consumption has for the first time been investigated in human skeletal muscle. The results showed that maximal mitochondrial oxidative power is increased after endurance training but that the efficiency of energy transfer (P/O ratio) remained unchanged. Antioxidative defence was unchanged after training when expressed relative to muscle weight. Although this corresponds to a reduced antioxidant protection per individual mitochondrion, the sensitivity of aerobic energy transfer to ROS was unchanged. However, the augmented ROS‐induced non‐coupled respiration after training indicates an increased susceptibility of mitochondrial membrane proton conductance to oxidative stress.
Public Perceptions of the Role of IT in Resolving Governance Challenges in a Transition State: THe Case of Tanzania

International bodies and donors demand that countries demonstrate how they use IT to ensure effective governance. However, measuring the role of IT in governance remains problematic, particularly in transition economies characterised by poor IT capabilities. This paper measured public perceptions of the role of IT in addressing governance challenges in transition Tanzania. The paper identifies (i) usage of IT for governance and democratic purposes, (ii) governance processes and (iii) external pressures as key interplaying factors influencing effective governance. Adopting the Gestalts (configurational) approach, we argue that IT contributes to effective governance when it is coherent with (ii) and (iii). One hundred and sixty six members of the public were surveyed and cluster analysis was used to determine the degree of coherence. None of the three clusters of (i), (ii) and (iii) that emerged revealed a strong coherent relationship, indicating that IT was not playing a major role in addressing governance challenges in transition Tanzania.
An Empowerment Forum for Women Living with HIV

The Women’s Empowerment Forum is a one-day educational event for women living with HIV to receive information and encouragement to be proactive in their self-care, in a safe, affirmative atmosphere where they are able to make connections with other women living with HIV. Relational Cultural Theory is used to explain how a gathering of HIV positive women can be a source of hope and empowerment. The essential elements to growth-fostering relationships, mutual empathy and authenticity, are able to flourish at the Women’s Empowerment Forum. The planning, implementation and evaluation method successfully used by one group of women is offered.
Risk factors and attributable mortality associated with superinfections in neutropenic patients with cancer.

To identify the risk factors and attributable mortality associated with superinfections in febrile neutropenic patients with hematologic malignancies, we prospectively evaluated 333 episodes of fever and neutropenia by means of univariate and multivariate analyses. Superinfection was defined as any infection either occurring during antibiotic therapy or developing within 1 week after discontinuation of antibiotic therapy. Of 333 episodes, 46 (13.8%) were defined as superinfection; these episodes occurred in 46 patients. The risk factors for superinfection in the multivariate analysis were longer duration of profound neutropenia (P < .0001), lack of use of quinolones as prophylaxis (P < .0001), presence of a central venous catheter (P = .02), and persistence of fever after 3 days of antibiotic therapy (P = .02). The crude mortality rate among patients with superinfection was 48%, and the attributable mortality rate was 24% (95% confidence interval, 3%-45%). Identifying risk factors for superinfections in neutropenic patients might allow clinical practices to reduce the negative impact of this complication.
Antihypertensive action of 2-hydroxyoleic acid in SHRs via modulation of the protein kinase A pathway and Rho kinase Published, JLR Papers in Press, May 10, 2006.

Olive oil consumption leads to high monounsaturated fatty acid intake, especially oleic acid, and has been associated with a reduced risk of hypertension. However, the molecular mechanisms and contribution of its different components to lower blood pressure (BP) require further evaluation. Here, we examined whether a synthetic, non-β-oxidation-metabolizable derivative of oleic acid, 2-hydroxyoleic acid (2-OHOA), can normalize BP in adult spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and whether its antihypertensive action involves cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) and Rho kinase, two major regulators of vascular smooth muscle contraction. Oral administration of 2-OHOA to SHRs induced sustained systolic BP decreases in a time-dependent (1–7 days) and dose-dependent (100–900 mg/kg every 12 h) manner. After 7 days of treatment with 2-OHOA (600 mg/kg), the systolic BP of SHRs was similar to that of normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats, returning to its initial hypertensive level after withdrawal of 2-OHOA. This treatment strongly increased the protein expression of the catalytic and regulatory RIα and RIIα PKA subunits as well as PKA activity in aortas from SHRs. Consistently, administration of the PKA inhibitor 8-bromo adenosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphorothioate, Rp isomer, to 2-OHOA-treated SHRs induced a pronounced reversal (up to 59%) of the antihypertensive effect of 2-OHOA. Additionally, 2-OHOA completely reversed the pathological overexpression of aortic Rho kinase found in SHRs, suppressing the vasoconstrictory Rho kinase pathway.
Somatostatin receptor imaging.

[(111)In-DTPA(0)]octreotide is a radiopharmaceutical with a great potential for the visualization of somatostatin receptor-positive tumors. The overall sensitivity of Somatostatin Receptor Imaging (SRI) to localize neuroendocrine tumors is high. In a number of neuroendocrine tumor types, as well as in Hodgkin's disease, inclusion of SRI in the localization or staging procedure may be very rewarding, either in terms of cost-effectiveness, patient management, or quality of life. The value of SRI in patients with other tumors, like breast cancer, or in patients with granulomatous diseases, has to be established. The development of Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) is expected to stimulate peptide receptor imaging.
Algorithms for energy efficient reconstruction of a process with a multihop Wireless Sensor Network

In this work, a multihop Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is employed to monitor a field, modeled as a process s(x, y, t). In order to extend the lifetime of the network, we propose two algorithms for energy-efficient reconstruction of the monitored process. The reconstruction of the process is done in sink node, with samples that it receives from each sensor node. Both algorithms explore the variation rate of the field to manage the necessity of communication by sensor nodes, aiming at reducing the amount of transmissions. Furthermore, nodes can sleep between transmissions to save energy. Simulations are done, and results show a significant increase in the network lifetime, compared to a WSN without any energy saving method. The algorithms are evaluated with respect to the reconstruction error of the field being sensed and network lifetime increase.
Beanspruchter und beherrschter Raum Zur Erkennbarkeit politischer Räume in Palästina auf der Basis schriftlicher und archäologischer Zeugnisse am Beispiel des eisenzeitlichen Königreiches Moab

The Moabite rebellion against Israel in the 9 th century BC is variously presented in the written sources. A chronological background can help make the prehistory and the course of the conflict comprehensible. Aspects of religious history surrounding these military campaigns are no less interesting. In view of the ongoing debate about the identifiability of political spaces using archaeological means, the article points out the distinct limitations in archaeology’s ability to make such identifications in a small geographical area or a short historical period.
A lány továbbra is szolgál.. [Modelling and econometrics]

Mellar Tamas kozelmultbeli cikkeben az empirikus makrogazdasagtan velt vagy valos problemaiert, az elmult evek hibasnak bizonyult makrogazdasagi előrejelzeseiert egyedul az okonometriaban talalta meg a felelőst. Nem mehetek el szo nelkul e tulzo allitas mellett. Az empirikus makrogazdasagtan es az okonometriai modszertan kapcsolatanak nehany fontos kerdeseről irok, kulonos tekintettel az aggregalt idősorok hasznalatanak problemaira. Felvazolom, hogy miert nincs ertelme gazdasagi idősorok trendbecslesenek, kiterek az egyensulyi modellekre, vegul megmutatom az előrejelzesek keszitesenek felteteleit es korlatait. * Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) kod: C01, C5, E17, E32, E37.
Tax and Welfare in a Post-Labour Defence Society

The principle of labour defence has traditionally informed welfare policy in New Zealand. By promoting full employment and ensuring employers paid a living wage, government could foster economic security for the unionised workingman and his family. Nordic-style social insurance schemes, which were designed to shelter citizens from market vicissitudes, were, in the main, unnecessary. Protected and adequately paid workers, as patriarchs, could support their families, but also, as social citizens, could afford to pay income tax, and thereby contribute to the support of superannuated workers on a non-contributory, pay-as-you-go basis. Through income tax progressivity, money was redistributed from members of the middle class but they also benefited from universal pensions, mostly free healthcare and subsidised tertiary education. Labour defence, characterised by its privileging of employment over a broader conception of inclusive citizenship, has strong roots in New Zealand but is challenged by global megatrends, notably, neoliberal globalisation, an ageing population and technologically determined job losses. This paper considers tax and welfare in a post-labour defence society but, nevertheless, a society in which employment is likely to retain a privileged status. The discussion is grounded in local traditions and long-term trends, and avoids utopian or dystopian speculation. Note is taken of ‘the Fourth Industrial Revolution’ and predictions for ‘postcapitalism’ but the focus of the paper lies with plausible evolution in tax and welfare, not revolution. The paper first identifies the principal models for welfare and the particular nature of welfare in New Zealand. Global threats to work and welfare are then outlined. Traditions and trends in New Zealand’s tax-welfare system are identified in order to consider how they may evolve in response to the challenges faced. Predictions are not, from a progressive perspective, optimistic. Indeed, the paper concludes that, notwithstanding the likelihood of technologically-determined job losses, employment will continue to be a privileged social status and the focus of tax-welfare policy.
Green Cloud Computing for Multi Cell Networks

This paper investigates the power minimization problem for the user terminals by application offloading in multi-cell multi-user OFDMA mobile cloud computing networks where some practical constraints such as backhaul capacity limitation, interference level on each channel and maximum tolerable delay as user's quality of service is taken into account. Furthermore, the mixed integer nonlinear problem is converted into a convex form using D.C. approximation. Moreover, to solve the optimization problem, we have proposed joint power allocation and decision making (J-PAD) algorithm which can make offloading decision and allocate power at the same time. Simulation results illustrate that by utilizing the J-PAD algorithm, in comparison with baselines, considerable power saving could be achieved e.g. about 30% for delays more than 100 ms.
Coincident diabetes mellitus and primary hyperparathyroidism

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in primary hyperparathyroidism is ∼8% and that of primary hyperparathyroidism in diabetic patients is ∼1%. Both values are about three‐fold higher than the respective expected prevalences in general populations. Patients with both disorders are over 40 years of age and80% are female; 22% have type 1 and 78% type 2 diabetes. Primary hyperparathyroidism presents first in ∼20% of patients, and diabetes mellitus in 40%; both disorders present together, or within 1 year, in 40%. Approximately 40% of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism have impaired glucose tolerance. Insulin resistance is present in hyperparathyroidism and probably arises from a raised intracellular free calcium concentration which, by decreasing normal insulin‐stimulated glucose transport, increases the requirement for insulin: if this insulin resistance progresses, impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes mellitus would result. Parathyroidectomy has been followed by regression of diabetes and of impaired glucose tolerance in some but not all patients. Early diagnosis of the second disorder is clinically desirable when one disorder is present. Hyperparathyroid patients should therefore be screened for impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes annually, and pre‐operatively. Diabetic patients should be checked for hypercalcaemia at appropriate intervals; although only 1% of them may have hyperparathyroidism, this disorder if untreated is associated with hypertension, to which diabetic patients are already prone. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metabolites of the L-arginine-NO pathway in patients with left-to-right shunt.

OBJECTIVES The endogenous production of metabolites of the L-arginine-NO pathway has been found to be altered in patients with left-to-right shunt and pulmonary hypertension. The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of age and of the magnitude of the left-to-right shunt on plasma levels of L-arginine, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), nitrite and nitrate in children and young adults presenting with left-to-right shunt. METHODS Twenty-nine patients with ventricular septal defect (n=18), atrial septal defect (n=6) and atrioventricular canal (n=5) were assigned to group I when the ratio of pulmonary to systemic blood flow (Qp/Qs) was less than 1.5 (n=10) and to group II when Qp/Qs > or = 1.5 (n=19). At cardiac catheterization blood samples were taken from the pulmonary vein or left ventricle. In 33 controls peripheral venous blood was obtained. cGMP levels were determined by radioimmunoassay, L-arginine, nitrite and nitrate by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS L-arginine plasma levels were lower in group II than in controls (51.7 [23.3-82.2] versus 60.5 [32.4-85.9] pmol/l; p < 0.05 by KRUSKAL-WALLIS). Age did not influence the L-arginine plasma levels (p = 0.30). cGMP levels depended on age (p<0.01) and mean pulmonary artery pressure (p <0.01) but not on high pulmonary blood flow (p=0.85; ANOVA). Plasma nitrite and nitrate were not different in both groups and when compared with controls (nitrite: 26.0 [23.5-31.0] micromol/l; nitrate: 26.8 [24.0-32.0] micromol/l). CONCLUSIONS Age and pulmonary artery pressure exert important effects on plasma cGMP. Measurement of nitrite and nitrate in plasma alone may not reflect the endogenous NO production. Future studies should evaluate the role of plasma levels of L-arginine in patients with high pulmonary blood flow undergoing repair of their defect.
Fluoxetine, a Selective Serotonin‐Uptake Inhibitor, Enhances the Anticonvulsant Effects of Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, and Ameltolide (LY 201116)

Summary: Dose‐response curves for the prototypical anticonvulsants phenytoin (PHT) and carbamazepine (CBZ), and a novel anticonvulsant, Ameltolide (LY201116), were determined with and without pretreatment with the selective serotonin‐uptake inhibitor fluoxetine by maximal electroshock seizure (MES) test in mice. Fluoxetine (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally, i.p.) produced a dose‐related decrease in the ED50, values for the anticonvulsants (i.p. administration) to protect against MES‐induced tonic‐extensor seizures. Fluoxetine (10 mg/kg i.p.) also decreased the intravenous (i.v.) ED50 doses of the three anticonvulsants by a factor of ∼2. These data suggest that fluoxetine, through its selective inhibition of serotonergic reuptake, may have beneficial advantages as compared with common antidepressant drugs in treatment of depressed patients with epilepsy and may also enhance the seizure control of prototypical anticonvulsants in treatment of epilepsy.
A randomized trial of rofecoxib for the chemoprevention of colorectal adenomas.

BACKGROUND & AIMS In human and animal studies, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been associated with a reduced risk of colorectal neoplasia. Although the underlying mechanisms are unknown, inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX), particularly COX-2, is thought to play a role. We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial to assess whether use of the selective COX-2 inhibitor rofecoxib would reduce the risk of colorectal adenomas. METHODS We randomized 2587 subjects with a recent history of histologically confirmed adenomas to receive daily placebo or 25 mg rofecoxib. Randomization was stratified by baseline use of cardioprotective aspirin. Colonoscopic follow-up evaluation was planned for 1 and 3 years after randomization. The primary end point was all adenomas diagnosed during 3 years' treatment. In a modified intent-to-treat analysis, we computed the relative risk of any adenoma after randomization, using Mantel-Haenszel statistics stratified by low-dose aspirin use at baseline. RESULTS Adenoma recurrence was less frequent for rofecoxib subjects than for those randomized to placebo (41% vs 55%; P < .0001; relative risk [RR], 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69-0.83). Rofecoxib also conferred a reduction in risk of advanced adenomas (P < .01). The chemopreventive effect was more pronounced in the first year (RR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.57-0.73) than in the subsequent 2 years (RR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.71-0.93). As reported previously, rofecoxib was associated with increased risks of significant upper gastrointestinal events and serious thrombotic cardiovascular events. CONCLUSIONS In this randomized trial, rofecoxib significantly reduced the risk of colorectal adenomas, but also had serious toxicity.
Heat stability of plasmin (milk proteinase) and plasminogen

SUMMARY The effect of heating on plasmin activity in various media, including phosphate buffer pH 7·0, skim milk, blood plasma, solutions of casein and solutions of whey proteins were investigated. Plots of log residual activity υ. heating time were linear at all temperatures from 63 to 143 °C. In buffer solutions the presence of casein led to substantial substrate protection, the Arrhenius plots being linear both in the presence and absence of casein. The activation energy, Ea, for the inactivation reaction, was 62·4 kJ/mol in buffer alone and 58·4 kJ/mol with casein present at 25 mg/ml. In skim milk, despite the presence of casein at a similar concentration, plasmin was no more stable to heat than in buffer alone, and a curved Arrhenius plot was obtained indicating a more complex inactivation mechanism. Heating in the presence of proteins having free -SH groups accelerated the inactivation of plasmin. The role of -SH groups was confirmed by experiments with added α-lactalbumin, in which no free -SH groups occur, and reduced carboxymethylated β-lactoglobulin, both of which were without effect. In blood plasma, plasmin was less stable to heat than in buffer (pH 7·0) or in skim milk. Plasminogen behaved very similarly to plasmin either when activated to plasmin with urokinase before heating or when activated afterwards. A hypothesis is presented to describe the heat inactivation and denaturation of plasmin. Technologically important findings are that in skim milk plasmin was largely unaffected by pasteurization conditions and 30–40% of its activity remained even after ultra high temperature processing conditions.
Bio-inspired compliant spine for humanoid robot a degrees of freedom challenge

Taking into consideration the architecture of the human spine, we propose the construction of a module whose series could be used as a robotic spine*. This module is basically constituted by an elastic diabolo, which mimics the vertebral bodies and the intervertebral disc, joining two metallic setsquares - the two consecutive vertebrae. Two actuators realize the actuation of the module and are oriented parallel to the main axis of the diabolo. This simple compliant model allowed us to construct a demonstrator that will be used to measure the incidence of active and passive movements of the model. From the knowledge of these results we will design a new compliant system in place of the elastic diabolo whose characteristics will be adequate to the convenient properties of the spine that could be included in humanoid machines.