Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A case control study to investigate risk factors associated with horse falls in steeplechase races at Cheltenham racetrack

To date epidemiological reviews of fall risk in horse racing have applied a general approach to analysis integrating different grades, type of race and various racetracks. This study aimed to investigate if increasing specificity in analysis (one course and type of race) would expose the same risk factors for horse falls. The purpose of the study was to apply the principles of epidemiology to predict factors that increase the risk of a horse falling in steeplechase races at Cheltenham racecourse. Relevant factors related to horse falls were identified and collated from the Racing Post website for all steeplechase races run at Cheltenham between 1990 and 2010. Subsequent uni- and multivariable single-level and mixed effects logistic regression models were developed using ‘fall’ or ‘no fall’ as the dependent variables. The chance of a steeplechase race containing a minimum of one horse fall at Cheltenham racecourse is increased by 22% for each additional runner in the field and reduced by 86% for every hors.
Suppression of InsP3 Receptor-Mediated Ca2+ Signaling Alleviates Mutant Presenilin-Linked Familial Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis

Exaggerated intracellular Ca2+ signaling is a robust proximal phenotype observed in cells expressing familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD)-causing mutant presenilins (PSs). The mechanisms that underlie this phenotype are controversial and their in vivo relevance for AD pathogenesis is unknown. Here, we used a genetic approach to identify the mechanisms involved and to evaluate their role in the etiology of AD in two FAD mouse models. Genetic reduction of the type 1 inositol trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R1) by 50% normalized exaggerated Ca2+ signaling observed in cortical and hippocampal neurons in both animal models. In PS1M146V knock-in mice, reduced InsP3R1 expression restored normal ryanodine receptor and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB)-dependent gene expression and rescued aberrant hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP). In 3xTg mice, reduced InsP3R1 expression profoundly attenuated amyloid β accumulation and tau hyperphosphorylation and rescued hippocampal LTP and memory deficits. These results indicate that exaggerated Ca2+ signaling, which is associated with FAD PS, is mediated by InsP3R and contributes to disease pathogenesis in vivo. Targeting the InsP3 signaling pathway could be considered a potential therapeutic strategy for patients harboring mutations in PS linked to AD.
Iniciação sexual, masculinidade e saúde: narrativas de homens jovens universitários

The main objective of this study was to analyze the narratives of young university students about the experience of sexual initiation. The theoretical and conceptual references used were the sexual scripts of our society that inform people about when, how, where and with whom they should have their sexual experiences, indicating how to act sexually and the reasons why they have to practice some kind of sexual activity. The method used was a qualitative study of narratives from the perspective of dialectic hermeneutics. The methodological design involves the comprehension of sceneries, contexts, environments and characters of the narratives about sexual initiation. The analysis refers to narratives of university students in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Among the meanings of sexual initiation, we emphasize sexual intercourse, the demarcation of a stage of life, the awakening to the opposite sex and the discovery of the body. We observed that the young men's narratives were coherent with what is considered masculine, present in the discourse of different generations. It is concluded that the young men should be encouraged to participate in actions combining health and education aimed at promotion of sexual and reproductive health.
Attenuation of angiotensin type 2 receptor function in the rostral ventrolateral medullary pressor area of the spontaneously hypertensive rat

Abstract We hypothesized that blockade of angiotensin II type 2 receptors (AT2Rs) in the rostral ventrolateral medullary pressor area (RVLM) may elicit sympathoexcitatory responses which are smaller in hypertensive rats compared to normotensive rats. This hypothesis was tested in urethane-anesthetized, artificially ventilated male 14-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Age-matched male Wistar–Kyoto rats (WKY) and Wistar rats were used as controls. PD123319 (AT2R antagonist) was microinjected into the RVLM and mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and greater splanchnic nerve activity (GSNA) were recorded. Increases in MAP, HR and GSNA elicited by unilateral microinjections of PD123319 into the RVLM were significantly smaller in SHR when compared with those in WKY and Wistar rats. Unilateral microinjections of l-glutamate (l-Glu) into the RVLM elicited greater increases in MAP and GSNA in SHR compared to those in WKY. AT2R immunoreactivity was demonstrated in the RVLM neurons which were retrogradely labeled from the intermediolateral cell column (IML) of the spinal cord. These results indicate that AT2Rs are present on the RVLM neurons projecting to the IML and their blockade results in sympathoexcitatory responses. Activation of AT2Rs has an inhibitory influence in the RVLM and these receptors are tonically active. Attenuation of the function of AT2Rs in the RVLM may play a role in genesis and/or maintenance of hypertension in SHR.
Proactive Selective Response Suppression Is Implemented via the Basal Ganglia

In the welter of everyday life, people can stop particular response tendencies without affecting others. A key requirement for such selective suppression is that subjects know in advance which responses need stopping. We hypothesized that proactively setting up and implementing selective suppression relies on the basal ganglia and, specifically, regions consistent with the inhibitory indirect pathway for which there is scant functional evidence in humans. Consistent with this hypothesis, we show, first, that the degree of proactive motor suppression when preparing to stop selectively (indexed by transcranial magnetic stimulation) corresponds to striatal, pallidal, and frontal activation (indexed by functional MRI). Second, we demonstrate that greater striatal activation at the time of selective stopping correlates with greater behavioral selectivity. Third, we show that people with striatal and pallidal volume reductions (those with premanifest Huntington's disease) have both absent proactive motor suppression and impaired behavioral selectivity when stopping. Thus, stopping goals are used to proactively set up specific basal ganglia channels that may then be triggered to implement selective suppression. By linking this suppression to the striatum and pallidum, these results provide compelling functional evidence in humans of the basal ganglia's inhibitory indirect pathway.
Public trust and vaccine acceptance-international perspectives

Vaccines save millions of lives every year. They are one of the safest and most effective public health interventions in keeping populations healthy while bringing numerous social and economic benefits. Vaccines play an important role in ensuring that children, regardless of where they live, can have a healthy start to life. New financing mechanisms that allow poorer countries to gain access to vaccines faster than ever mean additional deaths and disabilities are projected to be saved during the Decade of Vaccines (2011–2020). Trust in vaccines and in the health system is an important element of public health programs that aim to deliver life-saving vaccines. Indeed, understanding the contributors and threats to trust is essential to explaining vaccine acceptance, particularly as they vary across epidemiologic conditions, specific vaccines and cultural and sociopolitical settings. Greater efforts to communicate the benefits and risks of vaccines and address issues with evidence-based information will help improve and sustain public trust in vaccines and health systems worldwide. Measuring and monitoring trust levels and focusing on deliberate efforts to build trust in vaccines are important steps to reducing vaccine confidence gaps when they occur.
MER5101, a Novel Aβ1-15:DT Conjugate Vaccine, Generates a Robust Anti-Aβ Antibody Response and Attenuates Aβ Pathology and Cognitive Deficits in APPswe/PS1ΔE9 Transgenic Mice

Active amyloid-β (Aβ) immunotherapy is under investigation to prevent or treat early Alzheimer's disease (AD). In 2002, a Phase II clinical trial (AN1792) was halted due to meningoencephalitis in ∼6% of the AD patients, possibly caused by a T-cell-mediated immunological response. Thus, generating a vaccine that safely generates high anti-Aβ antibody levels in the elderly is required. In this study, MER5101, a novel conjugate of Aβ1-15 peptide (a B-cell epitope fragment) conjugated to an immunogenic carrier protein, diphtheria toxoid (DT), and formulated in a nanoparticular emulsion-based adjuvant, was administered to 10-month-old APPswe/PS1ΔE9 transgenic (Tg) and wild-type (Wt) mice. High anti-Aβ antibody levels were observed in both vaccinated APPswe/PS1ΔE9 Tg and Wt mice. Antibody isotypes were mainly IgG1 and IgG2b, suggesting a Th2-biased response. Restimulation of splenocytes with the Aβ1-15:DT conjugate resulted in a strong proliferative response, whereas proliferation was absent after restimulation with Aβ1-15 or Aβ1-40/42 peptides, indicating a cellular immune response against DT while avoiding an Aβ-specific T-cell response. Moreover, significant reductions in cerebral Aβ plaque burden, accompanied by attenuated microglial activation and increased synaptic density, were observed in MER5101-vaccinated APPswe/PS1ΔE9 Tg mice compared with Tg adjuvant controls. Last, MER5101-immunized APPswe/PS1ΔE9 Tg mice showed improvement of cognitive deficits in both contextual fear conditioning and the Morris water maze. Our novel, highly immunogenic Aβ conjugate vaccine, MER5101, shows promise for improving Aβ vaccine safety and efficacy and therefore, may be useful for preventing and/or treating early AD.
Korean nursing students’ experiences of their first clinical practice

Background: Clinical practice in nursing education develops the students’ core competence in nursing. Nursing students’ experiences of their clinical practice provide deeper insight to develop an effective clinical teaching strategy in nursing education. The purpose of this study was to explore the meanings and structure related to nursing students’ experiences of their clinical practice. Methods: A qualitative approach based on van Manen’s phenomenological method was used. Participants were 12 female students and three male students, ages 21 to 25 in a nursing college. Data were collected from iterative work with in-depth interviews and their field notes during the first clinical practice of eight-weeks. Each interview was tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Findings: Essential themes that fit into the context of the four existential ground of body, time, space and other people emerged: body locking up, hands trembling; an obstruction-like being; feeling the patient’s pain; my proud self as a future nurse; the first encounter with a serious and awkward time; increasing one’s own time for self-reflection; long days but a quickly-passing week; any places with uncomfortableness; steadily growing radius of activities; nurses who and who are not worthy of emulation; but still-grateful patients; and my most reliable practice colleague. Conclusions: The result showed that nursing students did not adapt efficiently to clinical practice and they experienced difficult learning processes. It is necessary for nursing faculty to develop effective and realistic orientation programs, support systems, and intervention programs to strengthen nursing students’ competency. The lived experiences of clinical learning among nursing students provided useful insight for nursing faculty involved in nursing education.
Practical approaches to vaccine hesitancy issues in the United States: 2013

The intention to delay or avoid vaccines that are recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices can be described as “vaccine hesitancy. ” While outright refusal of all vaccines is uncommon, hesitancy is seen on a regular basis in most primary care offices, resulting in immunization delay and prolonged susceptibility to preventable disease. The consequences of vaccine hesitancy include the potential for resurgence of vaccine preventable infections. Open, honest, and frank discussions with hesitant patients and their families can assist in their understanding of the importance of vaccines. While many experienced providers are able to do so in an intuitive manner, others may benefit from developing a systemic framework for such discussions. An understanding of the history and rationale for vaccine hesitancy is a first step in regaining lost public confidence in our robust immunization programs.
Análisis funcional y cinemático de la marcha en un paciente con lesión medular lumbar incompleta

Este estudio de investigacion pretende analizar la evolucion de la marcha en un paciente con lesion medular incompleta, tras ser sometido a un programa de entrenamiento de la marcha de forma asistida con soporte parcial del peso corporal con el sistema Lokomat®. Para ello se ha realizado una exploracion fisica y funcional con las escalas de evaluacion mas utilizadas a este nivel, conjuntamente con el analisis videografico, permitiendonos observar correlaciones entre los datos obtenidos en los apartados de pasos por minuto, velocidad y longitud de paso. Para poder corroborar estos datos, se ha realizado un estudio cinematico utilizando dos camaras de alta definicion, con una velocidad de filmacion fijada en 100 imagenes por segundo, procesadas directamente a un ordenador, y realizando la Transformacion de 2D a 3D, con el metodo Direct Linear Transformation (DLT) dado por el Performance Analysis System (APAS).
Protective roles of ascorbic acid in oxidative stress induced by depletion of superoxide dismutase in vertebrate cells

Abstract Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are antioxidant proteins that convert superoxide to hydrogen peroxide. In vertebrate cells, SOD1 is mainly present in the cytoplasm, with small levels also found in the nucleus and mitochondrial intermembrane space, and SOD2 is present in the mitochondrial matrix. Previously, the authors conditionally disrupted the SOD1 or SOD2 gene in DT40 cells and found that depletion of SOD1 caused lethality, while depletion of SOD2 led to growth retardation. The observations from previous work showed that the lethality observed in SOD1-depleted cells was completely rescued by ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid is a water-soluble antioxidant present in biological fluids; however, the exact target for its antioxidant effects is not known. In this study, the authors demonstrated that ascorbic acid offset growth defects observed in SOD2-depleted cells and also lowered mitochondrial superoxide to physiological levels in both SOD1- or SOD2-depleted cells. Moreover, depletion of SOD1 or SOD2 resulted in the accumulation of intracellular oxidative stress, and this increased oxidative stress was reduced by ascorbic acid. Taken together, this study suggests that ascorbic acid can be applied as a nontoxic antioxidant that mimics the functions of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial SODs.
Konzept für einen biologisch inspirierten, semi-passiven pneumatisch angetriebenen zweibeinigen Prothesen-Roboter-Hybrid

Zusammenfassung Ein Schwerpunkt bei der Entwicklung von Laufmaschinen liegt auf der Stabilisierung der Maschine während der Fortbewegung. Sechsbeinige Laufmaschinen sind in der Lage, permanent statische Stabilität zu garantieren. Bei Vierbeinern ist dies nur auf bestimmte Gangmuster beschränkt und Zweibeiner sind auf dynamische Stabilität angewiesen. Die Arbeiten in diesem Artikel basieren auf Bewegungsstudien von beidseitig amputierten Probanden, die trotz passiver Prothesen stabil laufen können. Zur Übertragung dieses Konzepts auf Laufmaschinen wird ein neuartiger zweibeiniger Demonstrator mit einer künstlichen Wirbelsäule vorgestellt, der über pneumatische Aktoren in der Hüfte und in der Wirbelsäule angetrieben wird. Zusätzlich kommen nichtaktuierte Knie- und Fußprothesenteile zum Einsatz. Das Ziel besteht darin, zweibeinige, unteraktuierte, dadurch leichte und energieeffiziente Roboter zu entwickeln. Neben dem Hardwaredesign und dem Zusammenspiel der einzelnen Komponenten wird auch die Bewegungsgenerierung, die auf biologisch inspirierten Zentralen Mustergeneratoren basiert sowie die experimentelle Erprobung des Demonstrators beschrieben. Abstract One key issue in developing walking machines lies in stabilizing the machine during gait. Hexapods are capable of guaranteeing static stability all the time whereas quadrupeds are only able to guarantee this during special gait patterns. Bipeds have to rely on dynamic stability if they want to perform locomotion tasks. The work in this paper is based on gait studies of amputated test subjects who are still able to walk in stable gait patterns, despite of their passive prostheses. To transfer this concept to walking machines, a new biped demonstrator with an artificial spine is introduced. The hip joints and the spine are actuated pneumatically, whereas the knees and feet are off-the-shelf passive prosthetic devices. The mid-term goal is the development of bipedal, underactuated, light-weight, and energy-efficient robots. Apart from the hardware design, the motion generation, which is based on biologically inspired central pattern generators, is described. In addition to that the experimental results and their evaluation are discussed.
Overcoming the spatial barriers of the stimulus secretion cascade in pancreatic β-cells

The ability of the pancreatic β-cells to adapt the rate of insulin release in accordance to changes in circulating glucose levels is essential for glucose homeostasis. Two spatial barriers imposed by the plasma membrane and inner mitochondrial membrane need to be overcome in order to achieve stringent coupling between the different steps in the stimulus-secretion cascade. The first spatial barrier is overcome by the presence of a glucose transporter (GLUT) in the plasma membrane, whereas a low affinity hexokinase IV (glucokinase, GK) in the cytosol conveys glucose availability into a metabolic flux that triggers and accelerates insulin release. The mitochondrial inner membrane comprises a second spatial barrier that compartmentalizes glucose metabolism into glycolysis (cytosol) and tricarboxylate (TCA) cycle (mitochondrial matrix). The exchange of metabolites between cytosol and mitochondrial matrix is mediated via a set of mitochondrial carriers, including the aspartate-glutamate carrier (aralar1), α- ketoglutarate carrier (OGC), ATP/ADP carrier (AAC), glutamate carrier (GC1), dicarboxylate carrier (DIC) and citrate/isocitrate carrier (CIC). The scope of this review is to provide an overview of the role these carriers play in stimulus-secretion coupling and discuss the importance of these findings in the context of the exquisite glucose responsive state of the pancreatic β-cell.
Unterstützung von Anlagenplanung durch einen kooperativen Planungstisch (Supporting Co-operative Plant Design: The Planners´ Table)

Abstract Roomware besitzt für kooperative Anlagenplanung ein großes Potential, wenn sie domänenspezifisch gestaltet wird. Sie muss dazu erlauben, gemeinsame Absprachen ohne hohen Bedienungsaufwand für alle Beteiligten verständlich zu visualisieren und zu dokumentieren. Im vorliegenden Papier wird vorgestellt, wie auf der Basis einer empirischen Bedarfsanalyse ein kooperativer Planungstisch für den Bereich der Anlagenplanung entwickelt wird. Es wird dabei gezeigt, wie neuartige Interaktionstechno-logien zur Unterstützung realer Anwendungsszenarien genutzt werden können.
Changing partners at the dance

Differential use of cellular and molecular components shapes immune responses, but understanding of how these are regulated to promote defense and health during infections is still incomplete. Examples include signaling from members of the Janus activated kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) cytokine family. Following receptor stimulation, individual JAK-STAT cytokines have preferences for particular key STAT molecules to lead to specific cellular responses. Certain of these cytokines, however, can conditionally activate alternative STATs as well as elicit pleiotropic and paradoxical effects. Studies examining basal and infection conditions are revealing intrinsic and induced cellular differences in various intracellular STAT concentrations to control the biological consequences of cytokine exposure. The system can be likened to changing partners at a dance based on competition and relative availability, and sets a framework for understanding the particular conditions promoting subset biological functions of cytokines as needed during evolving immune responses to infections.
HIV Prevalence and Associated Risks in Young Men Who Have Sex With Men

ContextStudies conducted in the late 1980s on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among older men who have sex with men (MSM) suggested the epidemic had peaked; however, more recent studies in younger MSM have suggested continued high HIV incidence.ObjectiveTo investigate the current state of the HIV epidemic among adolescent and young adult MSM in the United States by assessing the prevalence of HIV infection and associated risks in this population in metropolitan areas.DesignThe Young Men's Survey, a cross-sectional, multisite, venue-based survey conducted from 1994 through 1998.SettingOne hundred ninety-four public venues frequented by young MSM in Baltimore, Md; Dallas, Tex; Los Angeles, Calif; Miami, Fla; New York, NY; the San Francisco (Calif) Bay Area; and Seattle, Wash.SubjectsA total of 3492 15- to 22-year-old MSM who consented to an interview and HIV testing.Main Outcome MeasuresPrevalence of HIV infection and associated characteristics and risk behaviors.ResultsPrevalence of HIV infection was high (overall, 7.2%; range for the 7 areas, 2.2%-12.1%) and increased with age, from 0% among 15-year-olds to 9.7% among 22-year-olds. Multivariate-adjusted HIV infection prevalence was higher among blacks (odds ratio [OR], 6.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.1-9.8), young men of mixed or other race (OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 3.0-7.6), and Hispanics (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.5-3.4), compared with whites (referent) and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.5-2.8). Factors most strongly associated with HIV infection were being black, mixed, or other race; having ever had anal sex with a man (OR, 5.0; 95% CI, 1.8-13.8); or having had sex with 20 or more men (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 2.0-4.7). Only 46 (18%) of the 249 HIV-positive men knew they were infected before this testing; 37 (15%) were receiving medical care for HIV, and 19 (8%) were receiving medical drug therapy for HIV. Prevalence of unprotected anal sex during the past 6 months was high (overall, 41%; range, 33%-49%). ConclusionsAmong these young MSM, HIV prevalence was high, underscoring the need to evaluate and intensify prevention efforts for young MSM, particularly blacks, men of mixed race or ethnicity, Hispanics, and adolescents.