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This study aimed to determine the specific adaptations provoked by power‐oriented resistance training using light (LL‐PT, 40% 1‐RM) vs. heavy (HL‐PT, 80% 1‐RM) loads in older adults. Using a randomized within‐subject study design, 45 older adults (>65 years) completed an 8‐week control period (CTR) followed by 12 weeks of unilateral LL‐PT vs. HL‐PT on a leg press. The 1‐RM, theoretical force at zero velocity (F0), maximal unloaded velocity (V0), and maximal muscle power (Pmax) were determined through a force‐velocity relationship test. Isometrically, the rate of force development (RFD) and the corresponding muscle excitation of the knee extensor muscles were assessed. In addition, muscle cross‐sectional area (CSA) and architecture of two quadriceps muscles were determined. Changes after CTR, LL‐PT and HL‐PT were compared using linear mixed models. HL‐PT provoked greater improvements in 1‐RM and F0 (effect size (ES) = 0.55‒0.68; p < 0.001) than those observed after LL‐PT (ES = 0.27−0.47; p ≤ 0.001) (post hoc treatment effect, p ≤ 0.057). By contrast, ES of changes in V0 was greater in LL‐PT compared to HL‐PT (ES = 0.71, p < 0.001 vs. ES = 0.39, p < 0.001), but this difference was not statistically significant. Both power training interventions elicited a moderate increase in Pmax (ES = 0.65‒0.69, p < 0.001). Only LL‐PT improved early RFD (ie, ≤100 ms) and muscle excitation (ES = 0.36‒0.60, p < 0.05). Increased CSA were noted after both power training programs (ES = 0.13‒0.35, p < 0.035), whereas pennation angle increased only after HL‐PT (ES = 0.37, p = 0.004). In conclusion, HL‐PT seems to be more effective in improving the capability to generate large forces, whereas LL‐PT appears to trigger greater gains in movement velocity in older adults. However, both interventions promoted similar increases in muscle power as well as muscle hypertrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Limited research has addressed whether maternal alcohol intake in early pregnancy increases the risk of spontaneous preterm birth. In the current study, we examined how alcohol binge drinking and weekly alcohol intake in early pregnancy were associated with spontaneous preterm birth in a contemporary cohort of Danish women. Methods: We included 15,776 pregnancies of 14,894 women referred to antenatal care at Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark, between 2012 and 2016. Self‐reported alcohol intake in early pregnancy was obtained from a Web‐based questionnaire completed prior to the women's first visit at the department. Information on spontaneous preterm birth was extracted from the Danish Medical Birth Register. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of spontaneous preterm birth according to self‐reported alcohol binge drinking and weekly intake of alcohol in early pregnancy were derived from Cox regression. Results: Women reporting 1, 2, and ≥ 3 binge drinking episodes had an aHR for spontaneous preterm birth of 0.88 (95% CI 0.68 to 1.14), 1.34 (95% CI 0.98 to 1.82), and 0.93 (95% CI 0.62 to 1.41), respectively, compared to women with no binge drinking episodes. Women who reported an intake of ≥ 1 drink per week on average had an aHR for spontaneous preterm birth of 1.09 (95% CI 0.63 to 1.89) compared to abstainers. When restricting to nulliparous women or cohabiting women with ≥ 3 years of higher education, this estimate was 1.28 (95% CI 0.69 to 2.40) and 1.20 (95% CI 0.67 to 2.15), respectively. Conclusion: We found no evidence that maternal alcohol intake in early pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of spontaneous preterm birth, neither for alcohol binge drinking nor for a low average weekly intake of alcohol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about maternal alcohol intake in early pregnancy and the risk of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children beyond 5 years of age. We examined the association between alcohol binge drinking and weekly alcohol intake in early pregnancy and the risk of ADHD in children followed from birth to 19 years of age. Methods: We included 48,072 children born between 1998 and 2012, whose mothers participated in the Aarhus Birth Cohort. Maternal alcohol intake was obtained from a self‐administered questionnaire completed in early pregnancy. ADHD diagnoses were retrieved from the Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register and the Danish National Patient Register. Crude hazard ratio and adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of ADHD according to alcohol binge drinking or weekly intake of alcohol were calculated using the Cox regression. Results: Compared to children of women with no binge drinking episodes, we observed an aHR for ADHD of 0.91 (95% CI 0.76 to 1.08), 0.73 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.96), and 0.77 (95% CI 0.57 to 1.06) among children of women reporting 1, 2, and 3 or more binge drinking episodes, respectively. Among children of women drinking <1 drink per week, 1 drink per week, 2 drinks per week, and 3 or more drinks per week, we observed an aHR for ADHD of 0.87 (95% CI 0.74 to 1.03), 0.63 (95% CI 0.40 to 0.98), 1.30 (95% CI 0.89 to 1.92), and 0.78 (95% CI 0.38 to 1.59), respectively, when compared to children of women not drinking on a weekly basis. Conclusion: We found no evidence that binge drinking or low alcohol intake in early pregnancy was associated with the risk of ADHD in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is increasingly important in low and middle-income settings where infectious diseases are declining. Childhood cancers treated in well-resourced centres have excellent outcomes with more than 80% survival. This success is not reflected in low-income settings where challenges involve every step on the care pathway. Access to diagnosis, delayed presentation, advanced disease, co-morbidities and underlying malnutrition make treatment difficult. Treatments are costly for impoverished families. Yet, the common haematological malignancies (Burkitt lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, non Hodgkin lymphoma) are relatively easy to diagnose and, when managed with simple chemotherapy protocols, give limited but good results. As funding becomes available for cancer research we must ensure that the care and cure of these children is top of the agenda. There is already evidence of improved outcomes in middle-income countries. For others there is a long journey ahead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The joint distribution of low, high and closing prices of the arithmetic Brownian motion is used to evaluate the properties of the most popular estimators of the variance constructed on the basis of high, low and closing prices. The expected values and mean square errors of the Parkinson, Garman-Klass and Rogers-Satchell estimators for the process with a zero drift and a non-zero drift are derived. Moreover, new volatility estimators, more efficient in the majority of financial applications than the Rogers-Satchell estimator, are proposed. The considered estimators are applied to the estimation of the volatility of the Polish stock index WIG20. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New products, e.g. data-glasses and camera view finders demand highly efficient colored OLED microdisplays. State-of-the-art OLED microdisplays use lossy color filters. In this paper, we describe a novel microdisplay technology approach to structure OLED sup-pixels, with a feature size smaller than 10 μm in different colors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PUREMA H (referred to as PES) is an innovative dialysis membrane for enhanced low-molecular-weight (LMW) protein removal. The purpose of the study was to prove whether its efficacy in hemodialysis (HD) matches that of online hemodiafiltration (HDF) with conventional high-flux membranes. In a prospective, randomized, cross-over study on eight maintenance dialysis patients, treatment efficacy of HD with PES was compared with online postdilution HDF with the two synthetic high-flux membranes polysulfone (referred to as PSU) and Polyamix (referred to as POX). Apart from the infusion of replacement fluid, which was set at 20% of the blood flow rate of 300 mL/min, operating conditions in HD and HDF were kept identical. Small solute and LMW protein plasma clearances as well as the reduction ratio ( RR) of cystatin C and retinol-binding protein were not different between the therapies. HDF with POX resulted in a significantly lower myoglobin RR as compared with HD with PES, and HDF with PSU. A 4% higher beta2-microglobulin RR was determined in HDF with PSU (73 ± 5%) as compared with PES in HD (69 ± 5%). The albumin loss was below 1 g for all treatments. Despite the fact that simple HD did not fully exploit the characteristics of PES, it achieved essentially similar LMW protein removal and albumin loss as compared with online postdilution HDF with the conventional synthetic high-flux membranes PSU and POX. Therefore, HD with PES may have beneficial effects on the outcome of maintenance dialysis patients similar to high-efficiency HDF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine whether low-frequency, 1-Hz sine-wave stimulation (LFS) applied to a fully kindled amygdala focus would show antiepileptic properties in rats that were either naturally seizure prone (Fast) or seizure resistant (Slow). Methods: Normal twisted and/or “spanning” bipolar electrode configurations were implanted in the amygdalae of adult male Fast and Slow rats. In experiment one, rats were kindled daily to stage-5 levels through one electrode type until stable afterdischarge thresholds (ADTs) were obtained. Next, LFS was applied through the kindled electrode, and ADTs were redetermined 1 min later, and daily for a week, without reapplying the LFS. In experiment two, a single, normal bipolar kindling electrode was implanted in the amygdala and centered between two poles of a spanning electrode. After stable kindled ADTs were obtained, LFS was applied to the amygdala “area” through the spanning electrode. ADTs were redetermined at the kindled electrode as earlier. Results: LFS through the kindling electrode had no effect on ADTs 1 min later, but the ADTs increased dramatically 24 h later and then slowly returned to baseline over days. In experiment two, LFS applied through the nonkindled spanning electrode also showed a small but significant threshold elevation at the interposing kindled electrode. Importantly, no obvious neuropathology was associated with these LFS treatments. Conclusions: LFS applied directly to the kindled network has significant threshold-elevating properties that are less evident when applied to the “general area”; here LFS must be delivered through a larger surface area and/or at higher intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are regarded as a potential autologous source for cartilage repair, because they can differentiate into chondrocytes by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) treatment under the 3-dimensional (3-D) culture condition. However, more efficient and versatile methods for chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs are still in demand for its clinical application. Recently, low-intensity ultrasound (LIUS) was shown to enhance fracture healing in vitro and induce chondrogenesis of MSCs in vitro. In this study, we investigated the effects of LIUS on the chondrogenesis of rabbit MSCs (rMSCs) in a 3-D alginate culture and on the maintenance of chondrogenic phenotypes after replating them on a monolayer culture. The LIUS treatment of rMSCs increased: (i) the matrix formation; (ii) the expression of chondrogenic markers such as collagen type II, aggrecan, and Sox-9; (iii) the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease-2 implicated in the integrity of cartilage matrix; and (iv) the capacity to maintain the chondrogenic phenotypes in a monolayer culture. Notably, LIUS effects were clearly shown even without TGF-β treatment. These results suggest that LIUS treatment could be an efficient and cost-effective method to induce chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs in vitro for cartilage tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoelectric dyes, which absorb light and convert photon energy to electric potentials, have been previously shown to stimulate retinal neurons in culture. In this study, a photoelectric dye was coupled to a polyethylene film surface and tested in vitro using retinal tissues from chick embryos at the 12-day embryonic stage, at which time outer segments of retinal photoreceptor cells have not yet developed. Carboxyl moieties were introduced to a polyethylene film surface by fuming nitric acid, and then a photoelectric dye, 2-[2-[4-(dibutylamino)phenyl]ethenyl]-3-carboxymethylbenzothiazolium bromide, was coupled to the film through amide linkage. Intracellular calcium elevation was observed with Fluo-4 in retinal tissues placed on the dye-coupled polyethylene film, in contrast to retinal tissues which had no contact with the film. The response was inhibited by calcicludine, a voltage-gated calcium channel blocker, and also by extracellular calcium depletion. The photoelectric dye, coupled to the polyethylene film surface, absorbed light under a dissecting microscope and stimulated neurons in retinal tissues, showing that the dye-coupled film could be used as a prototype of retinal prostheses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anaphylactoid reactions due to contact activation have been observed in patients on ACE inhibitor therapy and hemodialysis with negatively charged dialysis membranes. Negatively charged surfaces are functional constituents of different LDL apheresis systems. Therefore, contact activation was investigated during LDL apheresis with three different systems: (i) heparin-induced extracorporeal LDL precipitation (HELP); (ii) dextran sulfate cellulose (DSC) columns; and (iii) modified polyacrylate gels (DALI) in a clinical setting. Methods: 24 prevalent patients on regular LDL apheresis treatment were included in the study. Bradykinin, prekallikrein, and HMW kininogen were measured during a single LDL apheresis at different sites of the systems. Results: LDL apheresis with DSC and DALI was associated with an extreme release of bradykinin after the passage of plasma or blood through the LDL adsorbers as well as with a decrease of prekallikrein and HMW kininogen during the course of the treatment. Bradykinin release exceeded the degradation capacity of the kininase II, since markedly elevated bradykinin concentrations were observed in the arterial line of the extracorporeal circuits of both systems. This was not associated with anaphylactoid reactions. In contrast to the treatments with DSC and DALI, the HELP system did not lead to any activation of the kallikrein–kinin system. Conclusion: From our data we conclude that angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are contraindicated in patients on LDL apheresis with the DSC and the DALI system. Because the HELP system does not activate the kallikrein–kinin system, patients who need ACE inhibitors are predisposed for this LDL apheresis procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One area of family law that has generated considerable public discourse but has received relatively little attention in the social science literature is the awarding of alimony. Because of the paucity of research in this area, we are left with little information about the impact of these support awards and payments on the emotional and economic dynamics between former spouses. In this article, we outline key issues associated with spousal support and call for research on the implications of this neglected aspect of domestic relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we review case law as it applies to parental rights. Specifically, we examine two issues: (a) Who has been awarded the right to parent? and (b) What rights have been bestowed to parents? The review demonstrates how family law in the United States reflects and perpetuates society's ambivalence about family structure and, subsequently, parental rights and responsibilities. On the basis of this analysis, we recommend a broadened legal perspective that not only communicates society's expectation of responsible parenting but, in addition, gives legal recognition to diverse family forms in which members carry out these responsibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While breast milk appears to be superior to formula for the development of very low birthweight (VLBW) infants, it is supplemented to meet the metabolic demands of the rapidly growing premature infant. To estimate the nutritional variability of breast milk from mothers of VLBW infants, protein (bicinchoninic acid method) and fat content (creamatocrit) were measured in breast-milk spot samples from mothers of 20 VLBW infants, collected 4 times a day during the first 4 wk of lactation. Protein content (median 1.9 g dl[sup -1], range 1.1-3.5 g dl[sup -1]) and fat content (3.8/1.0-14.6 g dl[sup -1]) were highly variable and lacked a normal distribution over all samples and in individual women's milk. There was only a weak correlation between fat and protein (r[sub s] = 0.416, p < 0.001). Fat but not protein was lower in morning samples than in samples collected later in the day (p < 0.001). Protein but not fat content decreased during the weeks of lactation (r[sub s] = -0.446, p < 0.001). No impact of the baby's gestational age was observed. Conclusion: The fat and protein content of breast milk from mothers of VLBW infants is highly variable, calling into question the clinical feasibility of individualized supplementation of breast milk for VLBW infants based on spot sample measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the pH-dependent regulation of carbonic anhydrase induction and change in photosynthesis during adaptation of Chlorella cells to low carbon dioxide. Algal cells grown in ordinary air exhibit higher affinity for carbon dioxide in photosynthesis and higher activity of carbonic anhydrase (CA) than those grown in carbon dioxide-enriched air. Those changes induced during adaptation to low carbon dioxide have been reported to be regulated by several environmental factors. For example, light plays an important role in CA induction and its effect is different depending on algal species.

One hundred variants of Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. 'Parliament', selected on a single plant basis for early flowering at low temperature, were tested on a clonal basis. These variants originated from irradiated or non-irradiated microcalli subjected to a one-step greenhouse selection procedure, or, a two-step selection procedure (preselection in vitro at 6 °C followed by selection in the greenhouse). Clones originating from irradiated calli flowered significantly earlier than the controls. Most of the low-temperature tolerant (LTT) mutants were found among plants obtained by the one-step selection procedure. Variants originating from slowly regenerating calli yielded more LTT mutants as compared to those of faster regenerating calli. We therefore conclude that, irradiation and subsequent selection of plants from slowly regenerating calli considerably increases the efficiency of selecting LTT mutants. The expected advantage of a preselection in vitro at low-temperature could not be confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of in vitro cold treatment (+6 °C, 90 days) on selection of low-temperature tolerant (LTT) mutants was investigated using X-irradiated (15 Gy and 20 Gy) and non-irradiated cell suspensions of Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. `Parliament'. Low temperature reduced significantly the number of regenerating calli, especially in the irradiated cultures. After the end of the cold stress 684, 197 and 54 plants were obtained from the 0 Gy, 15 Gy and 20 Gy treated cultures, respectively. Testing these plants in the greenhouse (+12 °C, winter low-light) most of the early flowering variants were selected from the 15 Gy population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]