Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anal High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions in Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Men: A Study of 100 Cases With Emphasis on Cytohistologic Correlation

Objectives Anorectal cytology (ARC) is a widely used screening tool for anal cancer in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected men who have sex with men (MSM). Its diagnostic accuracy needs to be improved, especially for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs). Methods Using 100 HIV+ MSM with biopsy-proven anal HSILs, we correlated histologic/cytologic findings. Results Upon review, HSIL cells were present in 58 cytology samples and absent in 42. Positive samples were higher in cellularity and contained transformation zones ( P < .05). Cytology was able to predict HSILs in 36%, 48%, 68%, and 78% of patients with one, two, three, and four or more high-grade lesions. HSIL cells were identified in all cytology samples initially reported as HSILs or atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude HSIL and in 34 samples reported as low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or less. Notably, among this last category, 15 (44%) were keratinized-type HSILs. Conclusions Our findings should improve the ARC detection rate for anal HSILs, helping to implement ARC as the primary screening tool for anal cancer.
Mechanical Behavior of Thermoplastic FML-reinforced Sandwich Panels Using an Aluminum Foam Core: Experiments and Modeling

Sandwich panels manufactured using thermoplastic fiber-metal laminates (FML) skins and an aluminum foam core were tested under quasi-static and low-velocity impact loading conditions. The quasi-static properties of the sandwich beams were evaluated using the three-point bend test geometry. Energy absorbing mechanisms such as buckling and interfacial delamination in the FML skin, as well as indentation, crushing, and densification in the aluminum foam have been observed to contribute to the excellent energy absorbing characteristics offered by these systems. The low-velocity impact behavior of the sandwich panels was evaluated using an instrumented dropping weight impact tower and modeled using an energy balance approach. A breakdown of the energy absorption revealed that these sandwich structures absorb much of the impact energy due to contact and bending effects. Finally, four-point bend testing after low-velocity impact revealed that these systems offer excellent residual flexural strength with relative values remaining close to 80% of the original strength after a 32 J impact.
Spatial distribution mapping of drinking water fluoride levels in Karnataka, India: fluoride-related health effects

Objectives: (1) To estimate the concentrations of fluoride in drinking water throughout different zones and districts of the state of Karnataka. (2) To investigate the variation of fluoride concentration in drinking water from different sources, and its relationships to daily temperature and rainfall status in the regional districts. (3) To develop an updated fluoride concentration intensity map of the state of Karnataka, and to evaluate these data in the context of fluoride-related health effects such as fluorosis and their prevalence. Materials and Methods: Aqueous standard solutions of 10, 100 and 1,000 ppm fluoride (F−) were prepared with analytical grade Na+/F− and a buffer; TISAB II was incorporated in both calibration standard and analysis solutions in order to remove the potentially interfering effects of trace metal ions. This analysis was performed using an ion-selective electrode (ISE), and mean determination readings for n = 5 samples collected at each Karnataka water source were recorded. Results: The F− concentration in drinking water in Karnataka state was found to vary substantially, with the highest mean values recorded being in the north-eastern zone (1.61 ppm), and the lowest in the south-western one (only 0.41 ppm). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) demonstrated that there were very highly significant ‘between-zone’ and ‘between-districts-within-zones’ sources of variation (p < 10−5–10−9), results consistent with a substantial spatial variance of water source F− levels within this state. Conclusions: The southern part of Karnataka has low levels of F− in its drinking water, and may require fluoridation treatment in order to mitigate for dental caries and further ailments related to fluoride deficiency. However, districts within the north-eastern region have contrastingly high levels of fluoride, an observation which has been linked to dental and skeletal fluorosis. This highlights a major requirement for interventional actions in order to ensure maintenance of the recommended range of fluoride concentrations (0.8–1.5 ppm) in Karnataka’s drinking water sources.
Personalized Digital Interventions Showed no Impact on Risky Drinking in Young Adults: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Aim To assess the effectiveness of two personalized digital interventions (OneTooMany and Drinks Meter) compared to controls. Method Randomized controlled trial (AEARCTR-0,001,082). Volunteers for the study, aged 18-30, were randomly allocated to one of two interventions or one of two control groups and were followed up 4 weeks later. Primary outcomes were AUDIT-C, drinking harms and pre-loading. Drinks Meter provided participants with brief screening and advice for alcohol in addition to normative feedback, information on calories consumed and money spent. OneTooMany presented a series of socially embarrassing scenarios that may occur when drinking, and participants were scored according to if/how recently they had been experienced. Results The study failed to recruit and obtain sufficient follow-up data to reach a prior estimated power for detecting a difference between groups and there was no indication in the analysable sample of 402 subjects of a difference on the primary outcome measures (Drinks Meter; AUDIT-C IRR = 0.98 (0.89-1.09); Pre-loading IRR = 1.01 (0.95-1.07); Harms IRR = 0.97 (0.79-1.20); OneTooMany; AUDIT-C IRR = 0.96 (0.86-1.07); Pre-loading IRR = 0.99 (0.93-1.06); Harms IRR = 1.16 (0.94-1.43). Conclusion Further research is needed on the efficacy of such instruments and their ingredients. However, recruitment and follow-up are a challenge.
Reassigning stop codons via translation termination: How a few eukaryotes broke the dogma

The genetic code determines how amino acids are encoded within mRNA. It is universal among the vast majority of organisms, although several exceptions are known. Variant genetic codes are found in ciliates, mitochondria, and numerous other organisms. All revealed genetic codes (standard and variant) have at least one codon encoding a translation stop signal. However, recently two new genetic codes with a reassignment of all three stop codons were revealed in studies examining the protozoa transcriptomes. Here, we discuss this finding and the recent studies of variant genetic codes in eukaryotes. We consider the possible molecular mechanisms allowing the use of certain codons as sense and stop signals simultaneously. The results obtained by studying these amazing organisms represent a new and exciting insight into the mechanism of stop codon decoding in eukaryotes. Also see the video abstract here.
HDL-cholesterol levels and risk of age-related macular degeneration: a multiethnic genetic study using Mendelian randomization

Abstract Background Dyslipidemia, particularly high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), has recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss. However, epidemiological studies have yielded conflicting results. Methods We investigated the causal role of plasma lipid levels in AMD in multiethnic populations comprising 16 144 advanced AMD cases and 17 832 controls of European descent, together with 2219 cases and 5275 controls of Asian descent, using Mendelian randomization in three models. Model 1 is a conventional meta-analysis which does not account for pleiotropy of instrumental variable (IV) effects. Model 2 is a univariate, inverse variance weighted regression analysis that accounts for potential unbalanced pleiotropy using MR-Egger method. Finally, Model 3 is a multivariate regression analysis that addresses pleiotropy by MR-Egger method and by adjusting for effects on other lipid traits. Results A 1 standard deviation (SD) higher HDL-cholesterol level was associated with an odds ratio (OR) for AMD of 1.17 (95% confidence interval: 1.07–1.29) in Europeans (P = 6.88 × 10–4) and of 1.58 (1.24–2.00) in Asians (P = 2.92 × 10–4) in Model 3. The corresponding OR estimates were 1.30 (1.09–1.55) in Europeans (P = 3.18 × 10–3) and 1.42 (1.11—1.80) in Asians (P = 4.42 × 10–3) in Model 1, and 1.21 (1.11–1.31) in Europeans (P = 3.12 × 10–5) and 1.51 (1.20–1.91) in Asians (P = 7.61 × 10–4) in Model 2. Conversely, neither LDL-C (Europeans: OR = 0.96, P = 0.272; Asians: OR = 1.02, P = 0.874; Model 3) nor triglyceride levels (Europeans: OR = 0.91, P = 0.102; Asians: OR = 1.06, P = 0.613) were associated with AMD. We also assessed the association between lipid levels and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in Asians, a subtype of AMD, and found a similar trend for association of PCV with HDL-C levels. Conclusions Our study shows that high levels of plasma HDL-C are causally associated with an increased risk for advanced AMD in European and Asian populations, implying that strategies reducing HDL-C levels may be useful to prevent and treat AMD.
What older adolescents expect from physical activity: Implicit cognitions regarding health and appearance outcomes

ABSTRACT Objective: To explore older adolescents' reflective and impulsive thoughts about health- and social/appearance-related physical activity (PA) outcomes and investigate how those thoughts relate to their PA behavior. Participants: One hundred and forty-four undergraduate students (109 women; 35 men) aged 17–19 years (M = 18.11, SD = 0.65) participated in this study in October 2015. Methods: Participants completed a Go/No-go Association Task that assessed automaticity of associations between PA words and either health outcomes or social/appearance outcomes. Questionnaires assessing PA behavior, attitudes, outcome expectations, and body image were also completed. Results: Participants demonstrated a positive automatic association between PA and social/appearance outcomes, F(1, 136) = 4.403, p < . 05, η2 = . 031, but they showed no difference in their associations between PA and desirable or undesirable health outcomes, F(1, 136) = 2.405, p = . 123, η2 = . 017. Conclusions: Older adolescents implicitly attend to the social/appearance outcomes of PA more than potential health outcomes, indicating that social recognition and a desirable physique may be the key PA motivators for adolescents.
Core vocabulary of young children with Down syndrome

Abstract The aim of this study was to develop a core vocabulary list for young children with intellectual disabilities between 2 and 7 years of age because data from this population are lacking in core vocabulary literature. Children with Down syndrome are considered one of the most valid reference groups for researching developmental patterns in children with intellectual disabilities; therefore, spontaneous language samples of 30 Dutch children with Down syndrome were collected during three different activities with multiple communication partners (free play with parents, lunch- or snack-time at home or at school, and speech therapy sessions). Of these children, 19 used multimodal communication, primarily manual signs and speech. Functional word use in both modalities was transcribed. The 50 most frequently used core words accounted for 67.2% of total word use; 16 words comprised core vocabulary, based on commonality. These data are consistent with similar studies related to the core vocabularies of preschoolers and toddlers with typical development, although the number of nouns present on the core vocabulary list was higher for the children in the present study. This finding can be explained by manual sign use of the children with Down syndrome and is reflective of their expressive vocabulary ages.
HEMATOLOGIC EVALUATION IN GUANS (PENELOPE OBSCURA) UNDER PHYSICAL RESTRAINT AND ISOFLURANE ANESTHESIA

Abstract Hematology is an important health indicator in birds, but the stress from capture or anesthesia can cause alterations in blood count. This study aimed to evaluate the differences found in blood counts among guans (Penelope obscura) under physical restraint and anesthetized with isoflurane. Thirty-two free-range guans from the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) Park were enrolled in the study. After physical restraint, blood samples were obtained from the ulnar vein and placed in heparinized tubes. The birds were anesthetized with isoflurane and after 45 min, when the animals were still anesthetized, a blood sample from the jugular vein was collected. Data were analyzed by paired t-test, and the differences were analyzed with Tukey's test. Decreases in red blood cell counts, hemoglobin concentrations, and packed cell volumes, and increased mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations were observed when animals were under general anesthesia. Decreases in total plasma protein, fibrinogen, and thrombocytes were detected after anesthesia. It was concluded that isoflurane influences the hematologic parameters, and those effects should be considered when interpreting hematologic values.
Duration of Antibiotic Use Among Adults With Uncomplicated Community-Acquired Pneumonia Requiring Hospitalization in the United States

Background Previous studies suggest that duration of antibiotic therapy for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) often exceeds national recommendations and might represent an important opportunity to improve antibiotic stewardship nationally. Our objective was to determine the average length of antibiotic therapy (LOT) for patients treated for uncomplicated CAP in US hospitals and the proportion of patients with excessive durations. Methods Records of retrospective cohorts of patients aged 18-64 years with private insurance and aged ≥65 years with Medicare hospitalized for CAP in 2012-2013 were used. Inpatient LOT was estimated as a function of length of stay. Outpatient LOT was based on prescriptions filled post discharge based on data from outpatient pharmacy files. Excessive duration was defined as outpatient LOT >3 days. Results Inclusion criteria were met for 22128 patients aged 18-64 years across 2100 hospitals and 130746 patients aged ≥65 years across 3227 hospitals. Median total LOT was 9.5 days. LOT exceeded recommended duration for 74% of patients aged 18-64 years and 71% of patients aged ≥65 years. Patients aged 18-64 years had a median (quartile 1-quartile 3) 6 (3-7) days outpatient LOT and those aged ≥65 years had 5 (3-7) days. Conclusions In this nationwide sample of patients hospitalized for CAP, median total LOT was just under 10 days, with more than 70% of patients having likely excessive treatment duration. Better adherence to recommended CAP therapy duration by improving prescribing at hospital discharge may be an important target for antibiotic stewardship programs.
Exercise improved semen quality and reproductive hormone levels in sedentary obese adults

INTRODUCTION From the previously published literature on the relationship between obesity and infertility, it is clear that male obesity negatively impacts semen quality. Accordingly, this study was conducted to determine whether regular exercise may improve semen quality in sedentary obese adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS Ninety obese adults were randomly allocated to the intervention (n = 45) or control group (n = 45). Participants in the intervention group performed a 16-week aerobic training program in a treadmill, three sessions per week, consisting of a warm-up (10-15 minutes), 35-50 minutes treadmill exercise (increasing five minutes per four weeks) at a work intensity of 50-65% of peak heart rate (increasing a 5% per four weeks) and cooling-down (5-10 minutes). Semen quality assessment included semen volume, sperm concentration and the percentages of progressive motility and normal morphology. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone and estradiol were determined by ELISA. Body composition and physical fitness were also assessed. RESULTS After the completion of the training program, sperm count, motility and normal morphology were significantly increased. A second key finding was that exercise improved reproductive hormone levels by increasing serum testosterone. Lastly, significant correlations were found between seminal outcomes and abdominal obesity. CONCLUSION A short-term intervention program based on aerobic training improved semen quality in sedentary obese adults. This finding may be explained, at least in part, by an improvement of the reproductive hormone profile.
Assessing musculoskeletal disorders among municipal waste loaders of Mumbai, India.

OBJECTIVES The study aims to assess the impact of municipal waste loading occupation upon developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and thereby disabilities among waste loaders. Additionally, the study has identified the potential risk factors raising MSDs and disabilities. MATERIAL AND METHODS A cross-sectional case-control design survey was conducted in 6 out of 24 municipal wards of Mumbai during March-September 2015. The study population consisted of municipal waste loaders (N = 180) and a control group (N = 180). The Standardized Modified Nordic questionnaire was adopted to measures the MSDs and thereby disabilities in the past 12 months. A Propensity Score Matching (PSM) method was applied to assess the impact of waste loading occupation on developing MSDs and disabilities. RESULTS Waste loaders had a significantly higher risk of developing MSDs as well as disabilities than the control group particularly for low back, hip/ thigh upper back and shoulder. Propensity Score Matching results revealed that the MSDs were significantly higher among waste loaders for hip/thigh (22%), low back (19%), shoulder (18%), and upper back (15%) than matched control group. Likewise, MSDs-related disabilities were found to be significantly higher among waste loaders for low back (20%), hip/ thigh (18%) upper back (13%) and shoulder (8%) than the control group. Duration of work, substance use and mental health were found to be the potential psychosocial factors for developing the risk of MSDs and disabilities. CONCLUSIONS The municipal waste loading occupation raised the risk of MSDs and related disabilities among waste loaders compared to the control group. The preventive and curative measures are strongly recommended to minimize the burden of MSDs and disabilities. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(6):875-886.
The effect of perineural dexamethasone on duration of sciatic nerve blockade: a randomized, double‐blind study

Major hindfoot and ankle surgery is associated with severe postoperative pain, which is effectively alleviated by combined sciatic and saphenous nerve blockade. Local anaesthetics with added dexamethasone consistently prolongs the duration of pain relief compared to local anaesthetics alone. However, whether the extended duration of pain relief is due to an effect on duration of sensorimotor block per se vs. systemic absorption of the dexamethasone is still not fully elucidated. We aimed to investigate the postoperative duration of sensorimotor blockade with either dexamethasone or saline added to bupivacaine‐epinephrine.
Assessment Data–Informed Guidance to Individualize Kindergarten Reading Instruction: Findings from a Cluster-Randomized Control Field Trial

The purpose of this cluster-randomized control field trial was to examine whether kindergarten teachers could learn to differentiate classroom reading instruction using Individualized Student Instruction for Kindergarten (ISI-K) and to test the efficacy of differentiation on reading outcomes. The study involved 14 schools, 23 ISI-K (n = 305 students) and 21 contrast teachers (n = 251 students). Data sources included classroom observations, parent surveys, and student assessments of language, cognitive, and reading skills. Hierarchical multivariate linear modeling revealed that students in ISI-K classrooms outperformed contrast students on a latent measure of reading skills (ES = .52). Teachers in both conditions provided small-group instruction, but teachers in the ISI-K condition provided significantly more individualized instruction. Findings are discussed regarding professional development to differentiate core reading instruction and the challenge of using Response to Intervention approaches to address students' needs in the areas of reading.
Gingival fibroblasts protect against experimental abdominal aortic aneurysm development and rupture through tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 production

Aims Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), frequently diagnosed in old patients, is characterized by chronic inflammation, vascular cell apoptosis and metalloproteinase-mediated extracellular matrix destruction. Despite improvement in the understanding of the pathophysiology of aortic aneurysm, no pharmacological treatment is yet available to limit dilatation and/or rupture. We previously reported that human gingival fibroblasts (GFs) can reduce carotid artery dilatation in a rabbit model of elastase-induced aneurysm. Here, we sought to investigate the mechanisms of GF-mediated vascular protection in two different models of aortic aneurysm growth and rupture in mice. Methods and results In vitro, mouse GFs proliferated and produced large amounts of anti-inflammatory cytokines and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (Timp-1). GFs deposited on the adventitia of abdominal aorta survived, proliferated, and organized as a layer structure. Furthermore, GFs locally produced Il-10, TGF-β, and Timp-1. In a mouse elastase-induced AAA model, GFs prevented both macrophage and lymphocyte accumulations, matrix degradation, and aneurysm growth. In an Angiotensin II/anti-TGF-β model of aneurysm rupture, GF cell-based treatment limited the extent of aortic dissection, prevented abdominal aortic rupture, and increased survival. Specific deletion of Timp-1 in GFs abolished the beneficial effect of cell therapy in both AAA mouse models. Conclusions GF cell-based therapy is a promising approach to inhibit aneurysm progression and rupture through local production of Timp-1.
Text Document Clustering Using Memetic Feature Selection

With the wide increase of the volume of electronic documents, it becomes inevitable the need to invent more sophisticated machine learning methods to manage the issue. In this paper, a Memetic feature selection technique is proposed to improve the k-means and the spherical k-means clustering algorithms. The proposed Memetic feature selection technique combines the wrapper inductive method with the filter ranking method. The internal and external clustering evaluation measures are used to assess the resulted clusters. The test results showed that after using the proposed hybrid method, the resulted clusters were more accurate and more compacted in comparison to the clusters resulted from using the GA-selected feature or using the entire feature space.
Domain‐specific impairment in cognitive control among remitted youth with a history of major depression

Impairment in neuropsychological functioning is common in major depressive disorder (MDD), but it is not clear to what degree these deficits are related to risk (e.g. trait), scar, burden or state effects of MDD. The objective of this study was to use neuropsychological measures, with factor scores in verbal fluency, processing speed, attention, set‐shifting and cognitive control in a unique population of young, remitted, unmedicated, early course individuals with a history of MDD in hopes of identifying putative trait markers of MDD.