Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Monitoring Uterine Activity during Labor: Clinician Interpretation of Electrohysterography versus Intrauterine Pressure Catheter and Tocodynamometry

Abstract Objective The aim of this article was to compare clinical interpretation of uterine activity tracings acquired by tocodynamometry and electrohysterography with the gold standard, intrauterine pressure. Study Design Using data from a previous study, subjects who had simultaneous monitoring with all three uterine activity devices were included in this study. These were parturients who required intrauterine pressure catheter (IUPC) placement for obstetric indication. A Web-based application displayed scrolling 30-minute segments of uterine activity. Two blinded obstetricians and two blinded obstetric nurses independently reviewed the segments, marking uninterpretable segments and the peak of each contraction. Interpretability was compared using positive percent agreement. False positives are contractions marked in the noninvasive strip that have no corresponding contraction in the IUPC strip. False negatives are the reverse. Results A total of 135 segments, acquired during either Stage 1 (active labor) or Stage 2 (pushing), from 105 women, were included in this analysis. For all four observers, both interpretability and sensitivity of electrohysterography exceeded that of tocodynamometry (p < 0.0001). This remained true for the obese population (96 segments). Conclusion Compared with the IUPC, electrohysterography is more sensitive and provides tracings that are more often interpretable than tocodynamometry for intrapartum monitoring; electrohysterography is also less affected by increasing maternal body mass index.
Assessing human risk of illness with West Nile virus mosquito surveillance data to improve public health preparedness

Surveillance for West Nile virus (WNV) and other mosquito‐borne pathogens involves costly and time‐consuming collection and testing of mosquito samples. One difficulty faced by public health personnel is how to interpret mosquito data relative to human risk, thus leading to a failure to fully exploit the information from mosquito testing. The objective of our study was to use the information gained from historic West Nile virus mosquito testing to determine human risk relative to mosquito infection and to assess the usefulness of our mosquito infection forecasting models to give advance warning. We compared weekly mosquito infection rates from 2004 to 2013 to WNV case numbers in Illinois. We then developed a weather‐based forecasting model to estimate the WNV mosquito infection rate one to 3 weeks ahead of mosquito testing both statewide and for nine regions of Illinois. We further evaluated human illness risk relative to both the measured and the model‐estimated infection rates to provide guidelines for public health messages. We determined that across 10 years, over half of human WNV cases occurred following the 29 (of 210) weeks with the highest mosquito infection rates. The values forecasted by the models can identify those time periods, but model results and data availability varied by region with much stronger results obtained from regions with more mosquito data. The differences among the regions may be related to the amount of surveillance or may be due to diverse landscape characteristics across Illinois. We set the stage for better use of all surveillance options available for WNV and described an approach to modelling that can be expanded to other mosquito‐borne illnesses.
Prediction of disease activity in models of multiple sclerosis by molecular magnetic resonance imaging of P-selectin

Significance Multiple sclerosis is a brain and spinal cord disease. In the most common forms, the disease unfolds by switching between periods of relapses, during which symptoms rise, and remissions, during which symptoms decline. However, it is not yet possible to predict the occurrence of relapses and remissions. Today, the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is based on clinical criteria and on the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Here, we developed an MRI method that helps predict relapses and remissions in a classical model of multiple sclerosis in the mouse. New strategies for detecting disease activity in multiple sclerosis are being investigated to ameliorate diagnosis and follow-up of patients. Today, although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used to diagnose and monitor multiple sclerosis, no imaging tools exist to predict the evolution of disease and the efficacy of therapeutic strategies. Here, we show that molecular MRI targeting the endothelial adhesion molecule P-selectin unmasks the pathological events that take place in the spinal cord of mice subjected to chronic or relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. This approach provides a quantitative spatiotemporal follow-up of disease course in relation to clinical manifestations. Moreover, it predicts relapse in asymptomatic mice and remission in symptomatic animals. Future molecular MRI targeting P-selectin may be used to improve diagnosis, follow-up of treatment, and management of relapse/remission cycles in multiple sclerosis patients by providing information currently inaccessible through conventional MRI techniques.
Decisional Conflict, Regret, and the Burden of Rational Decision Making

I was first introduced to the idea of decisional conflict and regret at 12 or 13 years of age. The religious studies teacher at my school described a ‘‘moral dilemma’’ that he had heard on a radio phone-in. We were asked to imagine that we were in the jungle and had stumbled across a squad of soldiers about to execute some villagers. The officer in charge offers us a deal: if we kill one villager, he would let the rest go free. The teacher told us that he would know exactly what to do: he would refuse the offer because killing breaks one of the Ten Commandments. Indeed, he said that he would have no regrets afterward, would never doubt his decision, and would sleep well. He went on to explain that this moral dilemma illustrated one of the great joys of having faith, which is that you always knew what to do. I remember thinking that I was not at all sure of what the right choice was, that I probably would always doubt my decision, and that sleep might well be hard to come by. So my first lesson in decision making was this: low decisional conflict and regret was associated with the abnegation of rational decision making; thinking through a decision and struggling with moral principles led to decisional conflict and regret.
Flower orientation influences the consistency of bumblebee movement within inflorescences.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Plant species differ greatly in the three-dimensional arrangements of their flowers (inflorescence architecture). However, the nature of selection responsible for this diversity is poorly understood. Studies that examine among-species variation suggest that inflorescence architecture affects pollinator behaviour, and so should influence plant mating. However, few studies consider the consequences of within-population architectural variation for pollinator behaviour. METHODS We manipulated inflorescence architecture of Delphinium glaucum to contrast bumblebee responses to normal and one-sided (secund) inflorescences. KEY RESULTS The 'dimensionality' of manipulated inflorescences did not affect the number of flowers that bees visited; however, bees moved upward proportionally more on secund inflorescences. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that realistic within-population variation in inflorescence architecture can manipulate pollinator behaviour. These results bear important consequences for plant mating success and the coordinated evolution of inflorescence architecture and floral specialization within inflorescences. These results also question why secund inflorescences are rare, for which we propose four testable explanations.
Mesenchymal stem cells and their therapeutic applications in inflammatory bowel disease

Mesenchymal stem or stromal cells (MSCs) are non-hematopoietic stem cells that facilitate tissue regeneration through mechanisms involving self-renewal and differentiation, supporting angiogenesis and tissue cell survival, and limiting inflammation. MSCs were originally identified and expanded in long-term cultures of cells from bone marrow and other organs; and their native identity was recently confined into pericytes and adventitial cells in vascularized tissue. The multipotency, as well as the trophic and immunosuppressive effects, of MSCs have prompted the rapid development of clinical applications for many diseases involving tissue inflammation and immune disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease. Although standard criteria have been established to define MSCs, their therapeutic efficacy has varied significantly among studies due to their natural heterogenicity. Thus, understanding the biological and immunological features of MSCs is critical to standardize and optimize MSCs-based therapy. In this review, we highlight the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in MSCs-mediated tissue repair and immunosuppression. We also provide an update on the current development of MSCs-based clinical trials, with a detailed discussion of MSC-based cell therapy in inflammatory bowel disease.
WHIM syndrome: congenital immune deficiency disease

Purpose of reviewWarts, hypogammaglobulinemia, infections, and myelokathexis (WHIM) syndrome is characterized by susceptibility to human papilloma virus infection-induced warts and carcinomas; neutropenia, B-cell lymphopenia and hypogammaglobulinema-related infections; and bone marrow myelokathexis (myeloid hyperplasia with apoptosis). The purpose of this report is to review new findings about WHIM. Recent findingsMost WHIM patients have heterozygous C-terminus deletion mutations of the intracellular carboxy terminus of the chemokine receptor CXCR4. WHIM leukocytes have enhanced responses to CXCL12, the cognate ligand of CXCR4. Enhanced activity of CXCR4 delays release of mature neutrophils from bone marrow, resulting in neutropenia and apoptosis of mature neutrophils retained in the marrow. Finding two patients with WHIM who do not have detectable mutations of CXCR4 but whose cells are hyperresponsive to CXCL12 raises the possibility that there is more than one genetic basis for WHIM. One patient had low levels of G-protein receptor kinase 3, and the functional hyperactivity response to CXCL12 was corrected by forced gene transfer-mediated overexpression of G-protein receptor kinase 3, implicating defects in function of this protein as a potential alternate genetic cause of WHIM. SummarySubjects reviewed include clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of WHIM and advances in understanding the genetic basis of WHIM.
The clinician perspective on sex differences in autism spectrum disorders

Research studies using existing samples of individuals with autism spectrum disorders have identified differences in symptoms between males and females. Differences are typically reported in school age and adolescence, with similarities in symptom presentation at earlier ages. However, existing studies on sex differences are significantly limited, making it challenging to discern if, how, and at what point in development females with autism spectrum disorder actually exhibit a different behavioral presentation than males. The purpose of this study was to gather impressions from a large group of clinicians to isolate specific areas for future study of sex differences. Clinicians were surveyed about their opinions and perceptions of symptom severity in females, as compared to males, at different points during development. They were also asked to provide open-ended responses about female symptom presentation. Consistent with previous literature, clinicians noted more sex-related differences in restricted and repetitive behaviors and fewer differences for social communication features. Differences were most commonly observed in school age and adolescence, suggesting this time period as a critical and particularly vulnerable window for females with autism spectrum disorder. The results are discussed in the context of other male/female differences across development so that more targeted investigations of autism spectrum disorder sex differences across development.
Phylogenetic relationships, diversification and expansion of chili peppers (Capsicum, Solanaceae).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Capsicum (Solanaceae), native to the tropical and temperate Americas, comprises the well-known sweet and hot chili peppers and several wild species. So far, only partial taxonomic and phylogenetic analyses have been done for the genus. Here, the phylogenetic relationships between nearly all taxa of Capsicum were explored to test the monophyly of the genus and to obtain a better knowledge of species relationships, diversification and expansion. METHODS Thirty-four of approximately 35 Capsicum species were sampled. Maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference analyses were performed using two plastid markers (matK and psbA-trnH) and one single-copy nuclear gene (waxy). The evolutionary changes of nine key features were reconstructed following the parsimony ancestral states method. Ancestral areas were reconstructed through a Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo analysis. KEY RESULTS Capsicum forms a monophyletic clade, with Lycianthes as a sister group, following both phylogenetic approaches. Eleven well-supported clades (four of them monotypic) can be recognized within Capsicum, although some interspecific relationships need further analysis. A few features are useful to characterize different clades (e.g. fruit anatomy, chromosome base number), whereas some others are highly homoplastic (e.g. seed colour). The origin of Capsicum is postulated in an area along the Andes of western to north-western South America. The expansion of the genus has followed a clockwise direction around the Amazon basin, towards central and south-eastern Brazil, then back to western South America, and finally northwards to Central America. CONCLUSIONS New insights are provided regarding interspecific relationships, character evolution, and geographical origin and expansion of Capsicum A clearly distinct early-diverging clade can be distinguished, centred in western-north-western South America. Subsequent rapid speciation has led to the origin of the remaining clades. The diversification of Capsicum has culminated in the origin of the main cultivated species in several regions of South to Central America.
More than kin, less than kind: one family and the many faces of diabetes in youth

SUMMARY Identification of the correct etiology of diabetes brings important implications for clinical management. In this report, we describe a case of a 4-year old asymptomatic girl with diabetes since age 2, along with several individuals in her family with different etiologies for hyperglycemia identified in youth. Genetic analyses were made by Sanger sequencing, laboratory measurements included HbA1c, lipid profile, fasting C-peptide, pancreatic auto-antibodies (glutamic acid decarboxylase [GAD], Islet Antigen 2 [IA-2], and anti-insulin). We found a Gly178Ala substitution in exon 5 of GCK gene in three individuals co-segregating with diabetes, and type 1 diabetes was identified in two other individuals based on clinical and laboratory data. One individual with previous gestational diabetes and other with prediabetes were also described. We discuss difficulties in defining etiology of hyperglycemia in youth in clinical practice, especially monogenic forms of diabetes, in spite of the availability of several genetic, laboratory, and clinical tools.
Haplotype associations with quantitative traits in the presence of complex multilocus and heterogeneous effects

In genetic mapping of complex traits, scored haplotypes are likely to represent only a subset of all causal polymorphisms. At the extreme of this scenario, observed polymorphisms are not themselves functional, and only linked to causal ones via linkage disequilibrium (LD). We will demonstrate that due to such incomplete knowledge regarding the underlying genetic mechanism, the variance of a trait may become different between the scored haplotypes. Thus, unequal variances between haplotypes may be indicative of additional functional polymorphisms affecting the trait. Methods accounting for such haplotype‐specific variance may also provide an increased power to detect complex associations. We suggest ways to estimate and test these haplotypic variance contrasts, and incorporate them into the haplotypic tests for association. We further extend this approach to data with unknown gametic phase via likelihood‐based simultaneous estimation of haplotypic effects and their frequencies. We find our approach to provide additional power, especially under the following types of models: (a) where scored and unobserved variants are epistatically interacting with each other; and (b) under heterogeneity models, where multiple unobserved mutations are linked to non‐functional observed polymorphisms via LD. An illustrative example of usefulness of the method is discussed, utilizing analysis of multilocus effects within the catechol‐O‐methyltransferase gene. Genet. Epidemiol. 2008. Published 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Red blood cell distribution width and the risk of death in middle-aged and older adults.

BACKGROUND Red blood cell distribution width (RDW), a component of an electronic complete blood count, is a measure of heterogeneity in the size of circulating erythrocytes. In patients with symptomatic cardiovascular disease (CVD), RDW is associated with mortality. However, it has not been demonstrated that RDW is a predictor of mortality independent of nutritional deficiencies or in the general population. METHODS Red blood cell distribution width was measured in a national sample of 8175 community-dwelling adults 45 years or older who participated in the 1988-1994 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; mortality follow-up occurred through December 31, 2000. Deaths from all causes, CVD, cancer, and other causes were examined as a function of RDW. RESULTS Higher RDW values were strongly associated with an increased risk of death. Compared with the lowest quintile of RDW, the following were adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality (and 95% confidence intervals [CIs]): second quintile, HR, 1.1 (95% CI, 0.9-1.3); third quintile, HR, 1.2 (95% CI, 1.0-1.4); fourth quintile, HR, 1.4 (95% CI, 1.2-1.8); and fifth quintile, HR, 2.1 (95% CI, 1.7-2.6). For every 1% increment in RDW, all-cause mortality risk increased by 22% (HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.15-1.30; P < .001). Even when analyses were restricted to nonanemic participants or to those in the reference range of RDW (11%-15%) without iron, folate, or vitamin B(12) deficiency, RDW remained strongly associated with mortality. The prognostic effect of RDW was observed in both middle-aged and older adults for multiple causes of death. CONCLUSION Red blood cell distribution width is a widely available test that is a strong predictor of mortality in the general population of adults 45 years or older.
A complication probability planning study to predict the safety of a new protocol for intracranial tumour radiotherapy in dogs

Technical advances make it possible to deliver radiation therapy for canine intracranial tumours in fewer fractions, under the assumption of equivalent tumour control. With the aim of estimating the late toxicity risk profile for various tumour sizes and locations, the present paper evaluates the normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) values for the intracranial organs at risk. By making isoeffect calculations, a new 10-fraction radiation protocol was developed with the same tumour control probability (TCP) as a currently used 20-fraction standard protocol, and complication risk profiles for brain, brainstem and optic chiasm were modelled using a representative population of 64 dogs with brain tumours. For >59% of cases, the new 10-fraction protocol yielded an acceptable, low risk estimate of late toxicity (<10%). Our calculations suggest that it may be safe to treat small to intermediate-sized tumours that are neither located near the optic chiasm nor at the brainstem with 10 daily fractions of 4.35 Gy.
Eye‐tracking with nonhuman primates is now more accessible than ever before

Human and nonhuman primates rely almost exclusively on vision for social communication. Therefore, tracking eye movements and examining visual scan paths can provide a wealth of information about many aspects of primate social information processing. Although eye‐tracking techniques have been utilized with humans for some time, similar studies in nonhuman primates have been less frequent over recent decades. This has largely been owing to the need for invasive manipulations, such as the surgical implantation of devices to limit head movement, which may not be possible in some laboratories or at some universities, or may not be congruent with some experimental aims (i.e., longitudinal studies). It is important for all nonhuman primate researchers interested in visual information processing or operant behavior to realize that such invasive procedures are no longer necessary. Here, we briefly describe new methods for fully noninvasive video eye‐tracking with adult rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). We also describe training protocols that require only ∼30 days to accomplish and quality control measures that promote reliable data collection. It is our hope that this brief overview will reacquaint nonhuman primate researchers with the benefits of eye‐tracking and promote expanded use of this powerful methodology. Am. J. Primatol. 73: 562–569, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gamifying mobile applications for smartphone augmented infrastructure sensing

We present a gamified Smartphone Augmented Infrastructure Sensing (SAIS) platform for leveraging mobile gamers for serious applications, e.g., in smart cities. We develop a suite of algorithms to transparently guide the gamers to sensing task locations, in order to complete more tasks at shorter response time without incurring high workload on gamers. We evaluate our algorithms using extensive simulations and a real prototype implementation. The simulation results confirm that our algorithms achieve their design goals. For example, with 200 sensing tasks and 100 gamers, our algorithms on average: (i) achieve 63% higher completion ratio, (ii) cuts the response time by almost two-third, and (iii) reduces the gamer working hour by 81%, compared to the existing solutions. Furthermore, our prototype implementation demonstrates the practicality of our algorithms, and our preliminary user study receives positive feedback.