Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimization and Performance Assessment of the Chorion-Off [Dechorinated] Zebrafish Developmental Toxicity Assay.

The Dechorinated Zebrafish Embryo Developmental toxicity assay was originally developed from a training set of 31 compounds and reported to be 87% concordant with in vivo teratogenicity data (Brannen, K. C., Panzica-Kelly, J. M., Danberry, T. L., and Augustine-Rauch, K. A. (2010). Development of a zebrafish embryo teratogenicity assay and quantitative prediction model. Birth Defects Res. 89, 66-77. ). The assay includes scoring larva treated in a concentration range for malformations of specific morphological structures/organ systems. The model includes identifying a no-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) and the concentration resulting in 25% lethality (LC25) at 5 days postfertilization. An LC25/NOAEL ratio ≥10 classifies a compound positive for teratogenic potential. A consortium effort evaluated a modified version of this assay which involved enzymatic chorion treatment instead of manual dissection and used experimental replicates for final classification. The modified assay achieved an 85% overall predictivity (Gustafson, A. L., Stedman, D. B., Ball, J., Hillegass, J. M., Flood, A., Zhang, C. X., Panzica-Kelly, J., Cao, J., Coburn, A., Enright, B. P., et al. (2012). Inter-laboratory assessment of a harmonized zebrafish developmental toxicology assay - progress report on phase I. Reprod. Toxicol. 33, 155-164. ). The objective of this study was to perform a thorough performance evaluation of the dechorinated assay by repeating the original training set and testing additional compounds in experimental replicates. When the initial training set was repeated with inclusion of experimental replicates, the overall predictivity was 83%. Model performance was tested with an additional 34 compounds and achieved overall predictivity of 74%. When the training and test sets were combined (63 compounds) the assay's final sensitivity was 83% and the specificity was 71%. Total predictivity was 78% with relatively balanced predictivity for nonteratogens (77%) and teratogens (78%). The chorion-off assay achieved superior sensitivity (83%) compared with sensitivity (63-74%) reported by consortium efforts testing a similar assay with chorion-intact embryos (Ball, J. S., Stedman, D. B., Hillegass, J. M., Zhang, C. X., Panzica-Kelly, J., Coburn, A., Enright, B. P., Tornesi, B., Amouzadeh, H. R., Hetheridge, M., et al. (2014). Fishing for teratogens: a consortium effort for a harmonized zebrafish developmental toxicology assay. Toxicol. Sci. 139, 210-219. ). Additional protocol modifications were made to increase assay throughput.
Guns in Intimate Partner Violence: Comparing Incidents by Type of Weapon

Abstract Objective: The goal of this study was to assess the frequency, nature, and outcome of weapon use in intimate partner violence (IPV) and to assess compliance with related gun policies. Methods: Data were drawn from forms police are mandated to complete at the scene of IPV in the fifth largest U.S. city during 2013. Proportions were calculated and odds ratios were adjusted for demographic and contextual characteristics and a Bonferroni correction for multiple statistical tests was applied. Results: Of the 35,413 incidents, 6,573 involved hands, fists, or feet, and 1,866 involved external weapons of which 576 were guns. Most incidents were male-on-female: 63.4% (no weapon), 77.4% (bodily weapon), 50.2% (nongun external weapon), and 79.5% (gun). Guns were used most often to threaten the partner (69.1%). When a gun (vs. bodily or nongun external weapon) was used, IPV victims were less likely to have visible injuries (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.64 and 0.23, respectively)—offenders were less likely to have pushed or shoved, grabbed, punched, or kicked the victim—but (victims) were more likely to be frightened (AOR = 3.13 and 1.49, respectively). Conclusions: Weapon use of any type by an intimate partner is associated with a wide range of violent offender behavior and multiple negative outcomes for victims. The use of a gun has implications that include, but go beyond, physical injury of the victim. Documentation of the enforcement of state law regarding gun removal merits improvement, which has important implications for the evaluation of policies designed to keep guns out of the hands of abusers.
Does marriage matter?

When politicians point to the high social costs and taxpayer burden imposed by disintegrating `family values they overlook the fact that individuals do not simply make the decisions that lead to unwed parenthood marriage or divorce on the basis of what is good for society. They weigh the costs and benefits of each of these choices to themselves--and sometimes their children. But how much do individuals know about these costs and benefits? I think that we as demographers have something to contribute here. As individual researchers we investigate the relationship between marriage and longevity wealth earnings or childrens achievements but we rarely try to pull all this evidence together. I would like to argue that we have an opportunity and an obligation to do that and to tell people what their decisions about marriage and family potentially mean for them as individuals. That is my objective here. (EXCERPT)
Validity and Reliability of the Positive Aspects of Caregiving (PAC) Scale and Development of Its Shorter Version (S-PAC) Among Family Caregivers of Older Adults

Purpose of the Study To (a) assess the validity and reliability of the 9-item Positive Aspects of Caregiving (PAC) scale among a national sample of caregivers for older adults with functional limitations, (b) develop a shorter version (short-PAC [S-PAC] scale) and assess its psychometric properties, and (c) investigate both scales' measurement equivalence/invariance (ME/I) across language of administration (Chinese/English/Malay). Design and Methods Scale/item measurement property assessment, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), testing the "original" 2-factor model (6 items: first factor; 3 items: second factor), and exploratory FA (EFA) of the 9-item PAC scale was done. Consequently, alternate CFA models were tested. The S-PAC was developed and subjected to CFA. For both scales, convergent (correlation with caregiver esteem) and divergent (correlation with caregiver depressive symptoms) validity, and language ME/I was assessed. Results For the 9-item PAC scale, the "original" 2-factor CFA model had a poor fit; its EFA and scale/item measurement properties supported a single factor. Among alternate CFA models, a bi-factor model (all nine items: first factor [overall PAC]; six items: second factor [self-affirmation]; three items: third factor [outlook-on-life]) had the best fit. The bi-factor CFA model also had a good fit for the S-PAC scale, developed after eliminating 2 items from the 9-item PAC scale. Both scales demonstrated convergent and divergent validity, and partial ME/I across language of administration. Implications Both the 9-item PAC and 7-item S-PAC scales can be used to assess positive feelings resulting from care provision among family caregivers of older adults with functional limitations.
Compromised JMJD6 Histone Demethylase Activity Affects VHL Gene Repression in Preeclampsia

Context The von Hippel Lindau (VHL) protein is a key executor of the cellular hypoxic response that is compromised in preeclampsia, a serious disorder complicating 5% to 7% of pregnancies. To date, the mechanisms controlling VHL gene expression in the human placenta remain elusive. Objective We examined VHL epigenetic regulation in normal pregnancy and in preeclampsia, a pathology characterized by placental hypoxia. Design, Setting, and Participants Placentae were obtained from early-onset preeclampsia (n = 56; <34 weeks of gestation) and late-onset preeclampsia (n = 19; ≥34 weeks of gestation). Placentae from healthy normotensive age-matched preterm control (n = 43) and term control (n = 23) pregnancies were included as controls. Main Outcome Measure(s) We measured the activity of Jumonji domain containing protein 6 (JMJD6), a ferrous iron (Fe2+)- and oxygen-dependent histone demethylase, and examined its function in the epigenetic control of VHL. Results JMJD6 regulates VHL gene expression in the human placenta. VHL downregulation in preeclampsia is dependent on decreased JMJD6 demethylase activity due to hypoxia and reduced Fe2+ bioavailability. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed decreased association of JMJD6 and its histone targets with the VHL promoter. Findings in preeclampsia were corroborated in a murine model of pharmacological hypoxia using FG-4592. Placentae from FG-4592-treated mice exhibited reduced VHL levels, accompanied by placental morphological alterations and reduced pup weights. Notably, Fe2+ supplementation rescued JMJD6 histone demethylase activity in histone from E-PE and FG-4592-treated mice. Conclusions Our study uncovers epigenetic regulation of VHL and its functional consequences for altered oxygen and iron homeostasis in preeclampsia.
Genetic association between IL-27 rs153109 polymorphism and cancer risk in Chinese population: a meta-analysis

Abstract IL-27 plays an important role in anti-cancer activity. The -964A/G polymorphism in IL-27 gene has been implicated in susceptibility to cancer, but the results were conflicting. The aim of this study was to assess the association between this polymorphism and cancer risk. Pubmed and Wanfang database were searched for all publications concerning IL-27 -964A/G polymorphism and cancer risk. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the strength of association. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata 11.0 software. A total of eight case–control studies including 2044 cancer cases and 2197 controls were identified. Overall, significant association between IL-27 -964A/G polymorphism and cancer risk was observed (GG versus AA: OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.03–1.52; GG versus AG + AA: OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.00–1.44). In subgroup analysis based on cancer type, significant association was found in colorectal cancer (GG versus AA: OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.07–2.27; AG versus AA: OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.02–1.67). The current meta-analysis suggests that IL-27 -964A/G polymorphism might enhance cancer risk. However, large-scale and well-designed studies are still needed to confirm the result of our meta-analysis. The association of IL-27 polymorphism with colorectal cancer may provide insight for future therapies.
The Spatial Architecture of Bacillus subtilis Biofilms Deciphered Using a Surface-Associated Model and In Situ Imaging

The formation of multicellular communities known as biofilms is the part of bacterial life cycle in which bacteria display cooperative behaviour and differentiated phenotypes leading to specific functions. Bacillus subtilis is a Gram-positive bacterium that has served for a decade as a model to study the molecular pathways that control biofilm formation. Most of the data on B. subtilis biofilms have come from studies on the formation of pellicles at the air-liquid interface, or on the complex macrocolonies that develop on semi-solid nutritive agar. Here, using confocal laser scanning microcopy, we show that B. subtilis strains of different origins are capable of forming biofilms on immersed surfaces with dramatically protruding “beanstalk-like” structures with certain strains. Indeed, these structures can reach a height of more than 300 µm with one undomesticated strain from a medical environment. Using 14 GFP-labeled mutants previously described as affecting pellicle or complex colony formation, we have identified four genes whose inactivation significantly impeded immersed biofilm development, and one mutation triggering hyperbiofilm formation. We also identified mutations causing the three-dimensional architecture of the biofilm to be altered. Taken together, our results reveal that B. subtilis is able to form specific biofilm features on immersed surfaces, and that the development of these multicellular surface-associated communities involves regulation pathways that are common to those governing the formation of pellicle and/or complex colonies, and also some specific mechanisms. Finally, we propose the submerged surface-associated biofilm as another relevant model for the study of B. subtilis multicellular communities.
The European Lead Extraction ConTRolled (ELECTRa) study: a European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) Registry of Transvenous Lead Extraction Outcomes

Aims The European Lead Extraction ConTRolled Registry (ELECTRa), is a prospective registry of consecutive transvenous lead extraction (TLE) procedures conducted by the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) in order to identify the safety and efficacy of the current practice of TLE. Methods and results European centres performing TLE, invited by the organizing committee on behalf of EHRA, prospectively recruited all consecutive patients undergoing TLE at their institution. The primary endpoint was TLE safety defined by pre-discharge major procedure-related complications including death. Secondary endpoints included clinical and radiological success and overall complication rates. Outcomes were compared between Low Volume (LoV) vs. High Volume (HiV) centers (LoV < 30 and HiV ≥ 30 procedures/year). A total of 3555 consecutive patients (pts) of whom 3510 underwent TLE at 73 centres in 19 European countries were enrolled between November 2012 and May 2014. The primary endpoint of in-hospital procedure-related major complication rate was 1.7% [95% CI 1.3-2.1%] (58/3510 pts) including a mortality of 0.5% [95% CI 0.3-0.8%] (17/3510 pts). Approximately two-thirds (37/58) of these complications occurred during the procedure and one-third (21/58) in the post-operative period. The most common procedure related complications were those requiring pericardiocentesis or chest tube and/or surgical repair (1.4% [95% CI 1.0-1.8%]). Complete clinical and radiological success rates were 96.7% [95% CI 96.1-97.3%] and 95.7% [95% CI 95.2-96.2%], respectively. The all cause in-hospital major complications and deaths were significantly lower in HiV centres vs. LoV centres (2.4% [95% CI 1.9-3.0%] vs. 4.1% [95% CI 2.7-6.0%], P = 0.0146; and 1.2% [95% CI 0.8-1.6%] vs. 2.5% [95% CI 1.5-4.1%] P = 0.0088), although those related to the procedure did not reach statistical significance. Radiological and clinical successes were more frequent in HiV vs. LoV centres. Conclusion The ELECTRa study is the largest prospective registry on TLE and confirmed the safety and efficacy of the current practice of TLE. Lead extraction was associated with a higher success rate with lower all cause complication and mortality rates in high volume compared with low volume centres.
No better moment to score a goal than just before half time? A soccer myth statistically tested

We test the soccer myth suggesting that a particularly good moment to score a goal is just before half time. To this end, rich data on 1,179 games played in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League are analysed. In contrast to the myth, we find that, conditional on the goal difference and other game characteristics at half time, the final goal difference at the advantage of the home team is 0.520 goals lower in case of a goal just before half time by this team. We show that this finding relates to this team’s lower probability of scoring a goal during the second half.
Shear Strengthening Of Reinforced Concrete Beams Using Textile-Reinforced Mortar

The effectiveness of using carbon textile-reinforced mortar as an innovative technique to improve the shear response of reinforced concrete beams has been investigated. The research comprised double-shear bond testing on bond behavior of textile-reinforced mortar, large-scale beam testing on shear response of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with textile-reinforced mortar, and nonlinear finite element modeling of the tested beam specimens. Test variables of the double-shear bond testing were the matrix type, and width/length of the bonded area, whereas for the large-scale beam testing, the variables included the number of textile-reinforced mortar layers, matrix type, and amount of internal stirrups. Results of the double-shear bond tests demonstrated that delamination of the textile fabric governed the failure of the specimens without debonding at the concrete/matrix interface. The bond stress of the specimens with a cementitious mortar-based matrix was on average 28% lower than that of their counterparts with an epoxy-based matrix. For the same bonded area, the bond stress tended to decrease with an increase in the bonded length of the fabric. Results of the large-scale beam testing demonstrated that the shear strength gain caused by strengthening was in the range of 51% to 145% depending on the amount of internal stirrups and number of textile-reinforced mortar layers. The shear strength gain decreased with an increase in the amount of internal stirrups. Increasing the number of textile-reinforced mortar layers increased the shear capacity but the additional shear strength gain was not proportional to the added amount of layers. The use of epoxy adhesive rather than a cementitious mortar as a matrix slightly increased the shear strength gain. The effect of increasing the amount of textileviii reinforced mortar and varying the matrix type was less pronounced for the specimens with internal stirrups. The finite element models developed in this study were able to predict the nonlinear shear response of the tested specimens. A comparison between the predicted and experimental results confirmed the accuracy and validity of the developed finite element models.
A refined ecological risk assessment for California red‐legged frog, Delta smelt, and California tiger salamander exposed to malathion

The California red‐legged frog (CRLF), Delta smelt (DS), and California tiger salamander (CTS) are 3 species listed under the United States Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), all of which inhabit aquatic ecosystems in California. The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has conducted deterministic screening‐level risk assessments for these species potentially exposed to malathion, an organophosphorus insecticide and acaricide. Results from our screening‐level analyses identified potential risk of direct effects to DS as well as indirect effects to all 3 species via reduction in prey. Accordingly, for those species and scenarios in which risk was identified at the screening level, we conducted a refined probabilistic risk assessment for CRLF, DS, and CTS. The refined ecological risk assessment (ERA) was conducted using best available data and approaches, as recommended by the 2013 National Research Council (NRC) report “Assessing Risks to Endangered and Threatened Species from Pesticides. ” Refined aquatic exposure models including the Pesticide Root Zone Model (PRZM), the Vegetative Filter Strip Modeling System (VFSMOD), the Variable Volume Water Model (VVWM), the Exposure Analysis Modeling System (EXAMS), and the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) were used to generate estimated exposure concentrations (EECs) for malathion based on worst‐case scenarios in California. Refined effects analyses involved developing concentration–response curves for fish and species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) for fish and aquatic invertebrates. Quantitative risk curves, field and mesocosm studies, surface‐water monitoring data, and incident reports were considered in a weight‐of‐evidence approach. Currently, labeled uses of malathion are not expected to result in direct effects to CRLF, DS or CTS, or indirect effects due to effects on fish and invertebrate prey. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2018;14:224–239. © 2017 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC)
Clinical Effectiveness and Cognitive Impact of Electroconvulsive Therapy for Schizophrenia: A Large Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE To determine the clinical effectiveness and cognitive impact of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in a large clinical sample of patients with schizophrenia and explore factors associated with treatment response and transient cognitive impairment. METHODS We examined the clinical records of 144 patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who were treated at an academic mental health hospital from October 2009 to August 2014. These patients received 171 acute courses of ECT; we attempted to determine their treatment response and transient cognitive impairment from ECT. We explored the impact of various factors including ECT indication, clinical characteristics, medication during ECT, and technical parameters on treatment response and transient cognitive impairment. RESULTS Treatment with ECT resulted in a 76.7% response rate. Factors associated with a better response to ECT were absence of treatment with antiepileptic medication (17.9% vs 3.9%, P = .007), a previous good response to ECT (36.4% vs 15.4%, P = .017), and primary indication for ECT referral other than failed pharmacotherapy (89.7% vs 69.8%, P = .012). Factors not associated with treatment response included age, clozapine treatment, and benzodiazepine treatment (P > .05). Treatment with ECT caused transient cognitive impairment in 9% of treatment courses; no demographic or clinical factors were associated with cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS This work demonstrates the effectiveness of ECT for schizophrenia treatment and several factors associated with treatment response. The rate of transient cognitive impairment is lower than expected based on the rate of cognitive impairment seen in ECT for depression. ECT appears to be an effective treatment option for schizophrenia that is tolerated by the majority of patients.
Comprehension of direct and indirect sarcastic remarks in children and adolescents with Tourette’s syndrome

ABSTRACT Previous research has reported that aspects of social cognition such as nonliteral language comprehension are impaired in adults with Tourette’s syndrome (TS), but little is known about social cognition in children and adolescents with TS. The present study aims to evaluate a measure of sarcasm comprehension suitable for use with children and adolescents (Experiment 1), and to examine sarcasm comprehension in children and adolescents with TS-alone or TS and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, the measure of sarcasm comprehension was found to be sensitive to differences in nonliteral language comprehension for typically-developing children aged 10 to 11 years old compared to children aged 8 to 9 years old; the older group performed significantly better on the comprehension of scenarios ending with either direct or indirect sarcastic remarks, whereas the two age groups did not differ on the comprehension of scenarios ending with sincere remarks. In Experiment 2, both the TS-alone and TS+ADHD groups performed below the level of the control participants on the comprehension of indirect sarcasm items but not on the comprehension of direct sarcasm items and sincere items. Those with TS+ADHD also performed below the level of the control participants on measures of interference control and fluency. The findings are discussed with reference to the possible contribution of executive functioning and mentalizing to the patterns of performance.