Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variations of Furfuryl alcohol and Wolmanit CX-8 treatability of pine sapwood within and between trees

The variations on the ratio of filling (RoF) were investigated on Norwegian grown Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). The samples were taken from 10 different stands in south-east Norway, and treated with furfuryl alcohol and a copper-containing wood preservative. Both within tree variations, between tree variations and variations between stands were investigated for significant differences. Factors like horizontal and vertical positioning of the stem, annual ring width, density, tree height, tree age and latitude were tested. Samples of 20 x 20 x 60 mm were impregnated with a mild treatment scheme to avoid full penetration, which made it possible to distinguish the RoF. A significant variation was found between copper impregnated a furfuryl treated samples, favouring the copper impregnated samples. Within tree variations show a positive significance of the first log compared to the other logs, and a higher RoF in younger sapwood. The latitude of the stand gave a strong correlation, favouring southern stands.
Absence of deficits in social behaviors and ultrasonic vocalizations in later generations of mice lacking neuroligin4

Mutations in NLGN4X have been identified in individuals with autism spectrum disorders and other neurodevelopmental disorders. A previous study reported that adult male mice lacking neuroligin4 (Nlgn4) displayed social approach deficits in the three‐chambered test, altered aggressive behaviors and reduced ultrasonic vocalizations. To replicate and extend these findings, independent comprehensive analyses of autism‐relevant behavioral phenotypes were conducted in later generations of the same line of Nlgn4 mutant mice at the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, MD, USA and at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, France. Adult social approach was normal in all three genotypes of Nlgn4 mice tested at both sites. Reciprocal social interactions in juveniles were similarly normal across genotypes. No genotype differences were detected in ultrasonic vocalizations in pups separated from the nest or in adults during reciprocal social interactions. Anxiety‐like behaviors, self‐grooming, rotarod and open field exploration did not differ across genotypes, and measures of developmental milestones and general health were normal. Our findings indicate an absence of autism‐relevant behavioral phenotypes in subsequent generations of Nlgn4 mice tested at two locations. Testing environment and methods differed from the original study in some aspects, although the presence of normal sociability was seen in all genotypes when methods taken from Jamain et al. (2008) were used. The divergent results obtained from this study indicate that phenotypes may not be replicable across breeding generations, and highlight the significant roles of environmental, generational and/or procedural factors on behavioral phenotypes.
Relationship of asymmetric dimethylarginine levels with disease severity and pulmonary hypertension in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) has emerged as a risk marker for many conditions related to pulmonary hypertension (PH); however, little is known about ADMA and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) plasma concentrations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Our interest centers on the role of ADMA in regulation of endothelial function in COPD and secondary PH. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the serum ADMA, SDMA, and L-arginine concentrations in COPD and its association with PH. Methods: Patients with diagnosis of COPD underwent pulmonary function tests, echocardiography, and laboratory investigations including ADMA, SDMA, and L-arginine. Results: Serum concentrations of ADMA, SDMA, and L-arginine tend to increase as COPD progresses. Patients with PH had higher concentrations of ADMA, SDMA, and L-arginine compared to cases with normal pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP); the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Our results show that increased ADMA, SDMA, and L-arginine concentrations are associated with increased PAP measurements in patients with COPD, however, the relationship is not statistically significant.
The role of mixed dominance in bilingual assessment

The Bilingual English Spanish Assessment (BESA) is a new standardized test normed on young bilingual children who speak Spanish and English. This bilingual standardized m easure is unique because it considers the possibility th a t children might have differential semantic and gram m atical abilities across their two languages. The BESA’s scoring scheme accounts for mixed dominance by allowing children to dem onstrate best performance. In­ form ation on how this new m easure aligns w ith other indices of underlying language ability, such as parent questionnaires and nonword repetition (NW R) is needed. Inform ation of this type could lead to the development of new screening procedures. Twenty-six Hispanic Spanish/English-speaking children were recruited from Salt Lake City, U tah. Parents reported on childrens in p u t/o u tp u t in both languages and rated their Spanish and E n­ glish abilities using the Speech Language Assessment Scale (SLAS). Participants were adm inistered three nonword repetition tasks and the BESA. An English NW R task and a Spanish NW R task were adm inistered to each child. The highest achieved score from the Spanish and English NW R tasks was used to allow for mixed dominance across languages (NW R-best). A recently developed framework was used to create a quasi-universal NW R task with quasineutral prosody with syllable patterns and phonemes in English and Spanish (NW R-U). Results of correlational and regression analyses indicated th a t performances across the NW R tasks were highly correlated w ith participants’ performance on the BESA. The parent ratings from the SLAS were m oderately correlated w ith performance on the BESA. A linear regression analysis including the SLAS, N W R-best, and NW R-U accounted for 82% of the variability in children’s BESA scores. A second linear regression analysis including N W R-best and NW R-U indicated th a t on its own, NW R-U accounted for 85% of the variability in children’s BESA scores. These findings suggest th a t NW R measures in general and the created quasiuniversal N W R m easure in particular, show promise as potential screeners for young Spanish/English bilinguals. Parent questionnaires continue to be useful in collecting current inform ation regarding bilingual childrens language abilities. Using NW R-U with bilingual children might represent an appealing alternative because it can account for both languages and potentially m aintain high levels of diagnostic accuracy.
Recent trends and future directions in human immunodeficiency virus‐associated cancer

Malignancies, including the three that are part of the definition of AIDS (Kaposi sarcoma [KS], non-Hodgkin lymphoma [NHL] and cervical cancer) as well as certain non-AIDS-defining cancers, cause significant morbidity and an estimated one-third of deaths among HIV-infected individuals (1). In this issue of Cancer, Seaberg et al. (2) examined cancer incidence among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected men who have sex with men (MSM) in the U.S. Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS). Cancer risk in HIV-infected men was compared internally to HIV-uninfected MACS participants, and externally to general population cancer data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registry program.
Rising Endogenous Interferon–α and Declining Transaminases during Pregnancy in Egyptian Women with Chronic Hepatitis C

Background and Study Aims: Immunological changes occurring during pregnancy in HCV-infected women that might protect the foetus attract the attention. Aim was to monitor changes in serum levels of endogenous interferon-α (IFN-α) and transaminases (AST &ALT) in Egyptian pregnant women with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Patients and Methods: A total of 56 women were studied. Cases group comprised 26 pregnant women with CHC (positive for both anti HCV and HCV- RNA- PCR). Transaminases were assessed in the 3 trimesters while endogenous INF-α was assessed in early 2nd & late 3rd ones. Three control groups were taken 10 women each: pregnant women with negative HCV-Ab, Non pregnant, HCV positive women and Non pregnant, HCV negative groups. Infants born to CHC patients were tested for HCV-RNA-PCR after ≥ 12 months old. Results: Transaminases were statistically significant decreasing as pregnancy was progressing in the cases group. Moreover, in the 3rd trimester, cases group had serum transaminases levels comparable to those of healthy pregnant and non-pregnant-women groups without HCV and significantly lower than those of HCV positive non pregnant women. There was a non-significant rise in viral load in early 2nd and late 3rd trimesters in cases group. Serum endogenous INF-α level was significantly increased when measured in late 3rd compared to that in early 2nd trimester. This rise in serum endogenous INF-α level in the 3rd trimester was significant when compared to all control groups. Fortunately, all the examined 26 infants born to CHC mothers had undetectable HCV-RNA-PCR when were older than 24 months. Conclusion: Endogenous INF- α progressively rises during pregnancy in CHC patients and this might explain the low rates of vertical transmission and the noticeable reduction in transaminases levels in such patients.
Detection of Individuals With Acute HIV-1 Infection Using the ARCHITECT HIV Ag/Ab Combo Assay

Background:We evaluated use of the ARCHITECT HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay (HIV Combo; Abbott Diagnostics; available for sale outside the United States only) for detection of acute HIV infection. Methods:Samples were obtained from a behavioral intervention study (EXPLORE). HIV-uninfected men who have sex with men were enrolled and tested for HIV infection every 6 months. Samples from seroconverters collected at their last seronegative visit (n = 217) were tested individually using 2 HIV RNA assays. Samples with detectable HIV RNA were classified as acute and were tested with HIV Combo. Samples from the enrollment visit (n = 83) and the time of HIV seroconversion (n = 219) were tested with HIV Combo as controls. Results:Twenty-one samples (9.7%) from the last seronegative visit had detectable HIV RNA and were classified as acute. HIV Combo was positive for 13 of the acute samples (61.9%). Samples not detected by HIV Combo had viral loads of 724-15,130 copies per milliliter. Expected results were obtained for positive and negative controls tested with HIV Combo. Conclusions:HIV Combo detected nearly two thirds of acute HIV infections identified in this high-risk population by non-pooled HIV RNA assays. HIV Combo may be useful for high-throughput screening to identify individuals with acute HIV infection.
Analysis of the Arabidopsis superman allelic series and the interactions with other genes demonstrate developmental robustness and joint specification of male-female boundary, flower meristem termination and carpel compartmentalization.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS SUPERMAN is a cadastral gene controlling the sexual boundary in the flower. The gene's functions and role in flower development and evolution have remained elusive. The analysis of a contrasting SUP allelic series (for which the names superman, superwoman and supersex have been coined) makes it possible to distinguish early vs. late regulatory processes at the flower meristem centre to which SUP is an important contributor. Their understanding is essential in further addressing evolutionary questions linking bisexuality and flower meristem homeostasis. METHODS Inter-allelic comparisons were carried out and SUP interactions with other boundary factors and flower meristem patterning and homeostasis regulators (such as CLV, WUS, PAN, CUC, KNU, AG, AP3/PI, CRC and SPT) have been evaluated at genetic, molecular, morphological and histological levels. KEY RESULTS Early SUP functions include mechanisms of male-female (sexual) boundary specification, flower mersitem termination and control of stamen number. A SUP-dependent flower meristem termination pathway is identified and analysed. Late SUP functions play a role in organ morphogenesis by controlling intra-whorl organ separation and carpel medial region formation. By integrating early and late SUP functions, and by analyzing in one single experiment a series of SUP genetic interactions, the concept of meristematic 'transference' (cascade) - a regulatory bridging process redundantly and sequentially co-ordinating the triggering and completion of flower meristem termination, and carpel margin meristem and placenta patterning - is proposed. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, the results strongly support the view that SUP(-type) function(s) have been instrumental in resolving male/female gradients into sharp male and female identities (whorls, organs) and in enforcing flower homeostasis during evolution. This has probably been achieved by incorporating the meristem patterning system of the floral axis into the female/carpel programme.
Life history evolution, reproduction, and the origins of sex‐dependent aging and longevity

Males and females in many species differ in how they age and how long they live. These differences have motivated much research, concerning both their evolution and the underlying mechanisms that cause them. We review how differences in male and female life histories have evolved to shape patterns of aging and some of the mechanisms and pathways involved. We pay particular attention to three areas where considerable potential for synergy between mechanistic and evolutionary research exists: (1) the role of estrogens, androgens, the growth hormone/insulin‐like growth factor 1 pathway, and the mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling pathway in sex‐dependent growth and reproduction; (2) sexual conflict over mating rate and fertility, and how mate presence or mating can become an avenue for males and females to directly affect each other's life span; and (3) the link between dietary restriction and aging, and the emerging understanding that only the restriction of certain nutrients is involved and that this is linked to reproduction. We suggest that ideas about life histories, sex‐dependent selection, and sexual conflict can inform and be informed by the ever more refined and complex understanding of the mechanisms that cause aging.
Weight‐loss interventions and gut microbiota changes in overweight and obese patients: a systematic review

Imbalances in the gut microbiota, the bacteria that inhabit the intestines, are central to the pathogenesis of obesity. This systematic review assesses the association between the gut microbiota and weight loss in overweight/obese adults and its potential manipulation as a target for treating obesity. This review identified 43 studies using the keywords ‘overweight’ or ‘obesity’ and ‘microbiota’ and related terms; among these studies, 17 used dietary interventions, 11 used bariatric surgery and 15 used microbiota manipulation. The studies differed in their methodologies as well as their intervention lengths. Restrictive diets decreased the microbiota abundance, correlated with nutrient deficiency rather than weight loss and generally reduced the butyrate producers Firmicutes, Lactobacillus sp. and Bifidobacterium sp. The impact of surgical intervention depended on the given technique and showed a similar effect on butyrate producers, in addition to increasing the presence of the Proteobacteria phylum, which is related to changes in the intestinal absorptive surface, pH and digestion time. Probiotics differed in strain and duration with diverse effects on the microbiota, and they tended to reduce body fat. Prebiotics had a bifidogenic effect and increased butyrate producers, likely due to cross‐feeding interactions, contributing to the gut barrier and improving metabolic outcomes. All of the interventions under consideration had impacts on the gut microbiota, although they did not always correlate with weight loss. These results show that restrictive diets and bariatric surgery reduce microbial abundance and promote changes in microbial composition that could have long‐term detrimental effects on the colon. In contrast, prebiotics might restore a healthy microbiome and reduce body fat.
Prevalence of visual impairment in the United States.

CONTEXT The prevalence of visual impairment in the US public has not been surveyed nationally in several decades. OBJECTIVE To estimate the number of US individuals aged 12 years or older who have impaired distance vision due to uncorrected refractive error. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), using a multistage probability sampling design, included a vision evaluation in a mobile examination center. Visual acuity data were obtained from 13,265 of 14,203 participants (93.4%) who visited the mobile examination center in 1999-2002. Visual impairment was defined as presenting distance visual acuity of 20/50 or worse in the better-seeing eye. Visual impairment due to uncorrected refractive error was defined as (presenting) visual impairment that improved, aided by automated refraction results, to 20/40 or better in the better-seeing eye. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Presenting distance visual acuity (measured with usual corrective lenses, if any) and distance visual acuity after automated refraction. RESULTS Overall, 1190 study participants had visual impairment (weighted prevalence, 6.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.0%-6.8%), and of these, 83.3% could achieve good visual acuity with correction (95% CI, 80.9%-85.8%). Extrapolating these findings to the general US population, approximately 14 million individuals aged 12 years or older have visual impairment (defined as distance visual acuity of 20/50 or worse), and of these, more than 11 million individuals could have their vision improved to 20/40 or better with refractive correction. CONCLUSIONS Visual impairment due to uncorrected refractive error is a common condition in the United States. Providing appropriate refractive correction to those individuals whose vision can be improved is an important public health endeavor with implications for safety and quality of life.
Electric fields of synaptic currents could influence diffusion of charged neurotransmitter molecules

Rapid activation of synaptic receptor‐channels evokes an ion current that flows through the narrow synaptic cleft; this exerts a significant voltage drop and therefore strong electric field (104 V/m range) directed towards the current sinks in the cleft. To what extent this field affects fast diffusion of charged neurotransmitter molecules is not known. We draw a theoretical framework for this complex electrodiffusion phenomenon and establish the basic relationships between the synaptic current and the time course of neurotransmitter in the cleft. The analyses predict that excitatory currents could significantly accelerate the dispersion of negatively charged molecules from the cleft while attracting the positively charged molecules towards the current sinks. This previously unrecognized mechanism should affect the kinetics of synaptic receptor currents, thus contributing to fast synaptic signaling in the brain. Synapse 51:270–278, 2004. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Record linkage: similarity measures and algorithms

This tutorial provides a comprehensive and cohesive overview of the key research results in the area of record linkage methodologies and algorithms for identifying approximate duplicate records, and available tools for this purpose. It encompasses techniques introduced in several communities including databases, information retrieval, statistics and machine learning. It aims to identify similarities and differences across the techniques as well as their merits and limitations.
Reducing Peripheral Inflammation with Infliximab Reduces Neuroinflammation and Improves Cognition in Rats with Hepatic Encephalopathy

Inflammation contributes to cognitive impairment in patients with hepatic encephalopathy (HE). However, the process by which peripheral inflammation results in cognitive impairment remains unclear. In animal models, neuroinflammation and altered neurotransmission mediate cognitive impairment. Taking into account these data, we hypothesized that in rats with HE: (1) peripheral inflammation is a main contributor to neuroinflammation; (2) neuroinflammation in hippocampus impairs spatial learning by altering AMPA and/or NMDA receptors membrane expression; (3) reducing peripheral inflammation with infliximab (anti-TNF-a) would improve spatial learning; (4) this would be associated with reduced neuroinflammation and normalization of the membrane expression of glutamate receptors. The aims of this work were to assess these hypotheses. We analyzed in rats with portacaval shunt (PCS) and control rats, treated or not with infliximab: (a) peripheral inflammation by measuring prostaglandin E2, IL10, IL-17, and IL-6; (b) neuroinflammation in hippocampus by analyzing microglial activation and the content of TNF-a and IL-1b; (c) AMPA and NMDA receptors membrane expression in hippocampus; and (d) spatial learning in the Radial and Morris water mazes. We assessed the effects of treatment with infliximab on peripheral inflammation, on neuroinflammation and AMPA and NMDA receptors membrane expression in hippocampus and on spatial learning and memory. PCS rats show increased serum prostaglandin E2, IL-17, and IL-6 and reduced IL-10 levels, indicating increased peripheral inflammation. PCS rats also show microglial activation and increased nuclear NF-kB and expression of TNF-a and IL-1b in hippocampus. This was associated with altered AMPA and NMDA receptors membrane expression in hippocampus and impaired spatial learning and memory in the radial and Morris water maze. Treatment with infliximab reduces peripheral inflammation in PCS rats, normalizing prostaglandin E2, IL-17, IL-6, and IL-10 levels in serum. Infliximab also prevents neuroinflammation, reduces microglial activation, translocates NF-kB into nucleoli and normalizes TNF-a and IL-1b content in hippocampus. This was associated with normalization of AMPA receptors membrane expression in hippocampus and of spatial learning and memory. The results suggest that peripheral inflammation contributes to spatial learning impairment in PCS rats. Treatment with anti-TNF-a could be a new therapeutic approach to improve cognitive function in patients with HE.