Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Entamoeba Shows Reversible Variation in Ploidy under Different Growth Conditions and between Life Cycle Phases

Under axenic growth conditions, trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica contain heterogenous amounts of DNA due to the presence of both multiple nuclei and different amounts of DNA in individual nuclei. In order to establish if the DNA content and the observed heterogeneity is maintained during different growth conditions, we have compared E. histolytica cells growing in xenic and axenic cultures. Our results show that the nuclear DNA content of E. histolytica trophozoites growing in axenic cultures is at least 10 fold higher than in xenic cultures. Re-association of axenic cultures with their bacterial flora led to a reduction of DNA content to the original xenic values. Thus switching between xenic and axenic growth conditions was accompanied by significant changes in the nuclear DNA content of this parasite. Changes in DNA content during encystation-excystation were studied in the related reptilian parasite E. invadens. During excystation of E. invadens cysts, it was observed that the nuclear DNA content increased approximately 40 fold following emergence of trophozoites in axenic cultures. Based on the observed large changes in nuclear size and DNA content, and the minor differences in relative abundance of representative protein coding sequences, rDNA and tRNA sequences, it appears that gain or loss of whole genome copies may be occurring during changes in the growth conditions. Our studies demonstrate the inherent plasticity and dynamic nature of the Entamoeba genome in at least two species.
Off-shell extension of S-matrix elements and tachyonic effective actions

We show that the on-shell S-matrix elements of four open string massless scalars, two scalars and two tachyons, and four open string tachyons in the super string theory can be written in a unique form. We then propose an off-shell extension for the S-matrix element of four scalars which is consistent, in the low energy limit, with the Dirac-Born-Infeld effective action. Using a similar off-shell extension for the S-matrix element of two scalars and two tachyons and for the S-matrix element of four tachyons, we show that they are fully consistent with the tachyonic DBI action.
Coming Back Normal: The Process of Self-Recovery in Those With Schizophrenia

BACKGROUND: Researchers have identified the reestablishment of self-identity as a key part of recovery in individuals with schizophrenia. Previous studies have increased scholars’ understanding about how and when identity changes occur in those with schizophrenia; less is understood about the process by which individuals with schizophrenia reconstruct their self-identity. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to describe the process of self-identity reconstruction in people with schizophrenia. STUDY DESIGN: A grounded theory study was conducted with 10 purposively selected participants and 4 significant others; 19 semistructured interviews were completed. RESULTS: Constant comparative analysis led to a theory of a six-stage process of self-recovery in those with schizophrenia. For some participants, the successful struggle to care for a new self led to the refinement and eventual recovery of self-identity. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with schizophrenia experience a process of distinct changes in self-identity occurring between engulfment by a severe mental illness and emergence of a new self.
Testing lake sediment and dendrogeomorphic proxies for little ice age environmental change in the upper fraser river area, british columbia, canada

Abstract. This study assesses Little Ice Age (LIA) lake sediment morphological and geochemical records and moraine chronologies in the upper Fraser River watershed, British Columbia, Canada, to resolve differences in paleoenvironmental interpretation and to clarify sediment production and sediment delivery processes within alpine geomorphic systems. Moose Lake (13.9 km2), situated at 1032 m a.s. l. , contains a partially varved record indicating variable rates of accumulation during the last millennium that, in general, coincide with previously documented LIA glacial advances in the region and locally. Dendrochronological assessment of forefield surfaces in the headwaters of the catchment (Reef Icefield) shows that periods of moraine construction occurred just prior to ad 1770, ad 1839 and ad 1883, and some time before ad 1570. Taken collectively, increases in varve thickness within eight Moose Lake sediment cores coincide with documented glacier advances over the twelfth through fourteenth centuries, the eighteenth century, and nineteenth through twentieth centuries. Glacial activity during the sixteenth century is also indicated. While varve thickness variations in proximal and distal sediments clearly reflect glacial activity upstream of Moose Lake, the intermediate varve record is relatively insensitive to these decadal and longer‐term catchment processes. Variations in Ca and related elements derived from glaciated carbonate terrain within the Moose River sub‐catchment (including Reef Icefield) indicate gradually increasing delivery from these sources from the twelfth through twentieth centuries even where the varve thickness record is unresponsive. Elevated carbonate concentrations confirm glacial activity c. ad 1200, ad 1500, ad 1750, and ad 1900.
The Estimation of Urban Domestic Water Use: A Study with Reference to Leeds

The privatisation of the water industry in 1989 highlighted the need for greater precision in planning water resources. The absence of any large scale research on the pattern of domestic water use (DWU) accentuated the ignorance of the utilisation of more than 50% of supplies. With the gradual introduction of domestic metering during the mid 1980s, there has been a considerable growth in information in this area. Since privatisation, the number of metered properties has risen and now amounts to 6% of the population. The data accumulated on the subject of domestic water use have increased the ability to understand better some of the processes involved, although there remained two major stumbling blocks on the way to analysing fully these data. Firstly, the nature of the meters and the frequency with which they are read makes the understanding of the components which make up domestic water use almost impossible; and secondly, the profile of metered households is, by its nature, biased towards new properties which often have meters installed in them automatically, and small households, who opt to have a meter installed as they perceive financial gain resulting from it. Under such circumstances the data containing the results of two surveys conducted by Yorkshire Water in 1992 are used in a new approach to geographical modelling. In the first stage the components with the highest DWU coefficients are determined by statistical means. A microsimulation technique, which lies beyond the scope of this work, is used in the second stage to model the spatial distribution of domestic water use in Leeds by using household components derived from the data by statistical means. The uniqueness of this thesis is in its association of these two techniques. The overall conceptual analysis of all the issues involved in DWU, together with results of the two analyses, allow a better understanding of domestic water use of all properties, whether they possess a meter or not, from the smallest geographical unit - the household - to any spatial aggregation required. The implications of this model for policy formulation and management strategy are numerous. The ability to forecast demand whilst incorporating environmental and economic scenarios, combined with the ability to concentrate on any geographical scale, renders this approach extremely useful in future developments which the water industry is about to enter.
Measuring sexual behaviour: methodological challenges in survey research

Series editors J M Stephenson, A Babiker The study of sexual behaviour lies at the heart of understanding the transmission dynamics of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Academic investigation into sexual behaviour dates back to the 18th century and, over time, has employed a variety of approaches including the medical and psychiatric investigation of sexual disorders, anthropological investigations, and survey research based largely on volunteer samples. More recent studies, driven largely by the public health response to HIV/AIDS, have focused on large scale probability sample survey research.1–5 Key areas of inquiry have shifted towards describing population patterns of risk behaviours for STI/HIV transmission, understanding how epidemics of STIs are generated, and informing disease control strategies. Sexual behaviour is a largely private activity, subject to varying degrees of social, cultural, religious, moral and legal norms and constraints. A key challenge for all sex survey research is to generate unbiased and precise measures of individual and population behaviour patterns. Methods are needed to minimise measurement error which may be introduced by participation bias, recall and comprehension problems, and respondents' willingness to report sensitive and sometimes socially censured attitudes or behaviours.6, 7 This paper briefly considers the role of different types of study in understanding STI epidemiology. It then focuses on potential sources of measurement error in survey research and strategies for assessing and limiting them.Sex Transm Inf 2001;77:84–92 The type of study chosen will depend on the purpose of the investigation. However, studies generally fall into four main groups: general population surveys, studies on population subgroups, partner and network studies, ethnographic and qualitative studies. ### GENERAL POPULATION PROBABILITY SAMPLE SURVEYS Cross sectional population surveys aim to describe the overall distribution of behaviours in populations. By using probability sampling techniques and maximising response rates, large scale behavioural surveys can provide robust estimates of the prevalence …
Hygroscopic growth of ultrafine ammonium sulphate aerosol measured using an ultrafine tandem differential mobility analyzer

An ultrafine tandem differential mobility analyzer has been developed for measurements of the hygroscopicity of ultrafine aerosol particles, between 8 and 50 nm in mobility diameter. In this paper, the main operation features of the device are presented along with a detailed evaluation for the limits of its operation. The instrument is suitable for both laboratory-generated and atmospheric aerosol measurements. Hygroscopic growth data are presented for ammonium sulphate particles in the ultrafine size range, and comparisons are made with both experimental literature data and with theory. The data include determination of hygroscopic growth curves, deliquescence behavior, and hysteresis. These data will find applications in studies of the formation and growth of atmospheric aerosols.
Isometric handgrip training lowers blood pressure and increases heart rate complexity in medicated hypertensive patients

Hypertension is characterized by elevated blood pressure (BP) and autonomic dysfunction, both thought to be improved with exercise training. Isometric handgrip (IHG) training may represent a beneficial, time‐effective exercise therapy. We investigated the effects of IHG training on BP and traditional and nonlinear measures of heart rate variability (HRV). Pre‐ and post‐measurements of BP and HRV were determined in 23 medicated hypertensive participants (mean ± SEM, 66 ± 2 years) following either 8 weeks of IHG training (n = 13) or control (n = 10). IHG exercise consisted of four unilateral 2‐min isometric contractions at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction, each separated by 4 min of rest. IHG training was performed 3 days/week for 8 weeks. IHG training decreased systolic BP (125 ± 3 mmHg to 120 ± 2 mmHg, P < 0.05) and mean BP (90 ± 2 mmHg to 87 ± 2 mmHg, P < 0.05), while sample entropy was increased (1.07 ± 0.1 to 1.35 ± 0.1, P < 0.05) and the fractal scaling distance score was decreased (0.34 ± 0.1 to 0.19 ± 0.1, P < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in traditional spectral or time‐domain measures of HRV or control participants. IHG training improves nonlinear HRV, but not traditional HRV, while reducing systolic and mean BP. These results may highlight the benefits of IHG training for patients with primary hypertension.
Quetiapine for psychosis in Parkinson's disease versus dementia with Lewy bodies.

BACKGROUND Most clinicians perceive psychosis in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) as more difficult to treat than Parkinson's disease, yet there are no reports comparing the antipsychotic response between the 2 disorders. METHOD All charts of Parkinson's disease and DLB patients at our Movement Disorders Center, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Pawtucket, given quetiapine for psychosis were reviewed. Demographic data, including type and severity of psychosis, before and after Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)-motor scores, motor worsening, and treatment response (recorded as poor/none, partial, or total), were obtained. The chi-square test was used to assess differences in efficacy and tolerability of quetiapine between Parkinson's disease and DLB patients. RESULTS Eighty-seven Parkinson's disease and 11 DLB patients with psychosis were analyzed. No significant difference in mean age, levodopa dose, quetiapine dose, duration of quetiapine use, or baseline UPDRS-motor score was noted between Parkinson's disease and DLB patients. Eighty percent (70/87) of Parkinson's disease patients and 90% (10/11) of DLB patients had partial to complete resolution of psychosis using quetiapine (p = .40). Motor worsening was noted at one point in 32% (28/87) of Parkinson's disease and 27% (3/11) of DLB patients over the duration of quetiapine use (p = .74). CONCLUSION Long-term quetiapine use was generally well tolerated in this geriatric Parkinson's disease and DLB population. Mild motor worsening occurred in some patients. No significant difference in long-term efficacy and motor worsening associated with quetiapine treatment was noted between the 2 disorders.
Environmental occurrence, abundance, and potential toxicity of polychlorinated biphenyl congeners: considerations for a congener-specific analysis.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as environmental contaminants often cannot be adequately described by reference to Aroclors or to total PCBs. Although there are 209 possible PCB configurations (congeners), perhaps half that number account for nearly all of the environmental contamination attributable to PCBs. Still fewer congeners are both prevalent and either demonstrably or potentially toxic. If potential toxicity, environmental prevalence, and relative abundance in animal tissues are used as criteria, the number of environmentally threatening PCB congeners reduces to about thirty-six. Twenty-five of these account for 50 to 75% of total PCBs in tissue samples of fish, invertebrates, birds, and mammals. A few PCB congeners that are sterically similar to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) are directly toxic. Other PCB congeners, as well as those that are directly toxic, may also be involved in toxicity indirectly by stimulating the production of (inducing) bioactivating enzyme systems. The most consequential of these have the ability to induce aryl hydrocarbon metabolizing mixed-function oxidases (MFOs). A result can be an increased capacity for bioactivation of otherwise nontoxic foreign compounds such as certain polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) to cytotoxic or genotoxic metabolites. The effectiveness of specific PCB congeners as inducers of different types of cytochrome P-450-dependent MFO systems is determined by their stereochemistry. Although MFO induction is not a proximate cause, it is a strong correlate of certain kinds of toxicities. Structural patterns can thus be used to discriminate among PCB congeners on the basis of toxic potential, if not entirely on toxicity per se. Congeners that demonstrate 3-methylcholanthrene-type (3-MC-type) and mixed-type MFO induction have the greatest toxic potential. These congeners most closely resemble 2,3,7,8-TCDD in their structures and in their toxic effects. The larger group of phenobarbital-type (PB-type) inducers have considerably less potential for contributing to toxic effects. Weak inducers and noninducing congeners have the least potential for toxicity. Using the rationale described in this paper, we assigned the most evironmentally threatening PCB congeners to four groups. Congeners assigned to Group 1 are considered most likely to contribute to adverse biological effects attributable to PCBs in an environmental sample. Group 1A contains the three most potent (pure 3-MC-type inducer) congeners, IUPAC numbers 77, 126, and 169. Six congeners, numbers 105, 118, 128, 138, 156, and 170, are assigned to Group 1B. These congeners are mixed-type inducers that have been reported frequently in environmental samples. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) ImagesFIGURE 2.FIGURE 3.FIGURE 4.FIGURE 5.FIGURE 6.
Toxicity of perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid to plants and aquatic invertebrates

Acute toxicities of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were tested on four freshwater species and three plant species. PFOS was more toxic than PFOA for all species tested in this study. Similar time‐response patterns of PFOS and PFOA toxicity were observed for each tested species. Values of the 48‐h LC50 of PFOS for all test species ranged from 27 to 233 mg/L and values of the 96‐h LC50 for three of the species ranged from 10 to 178 mg/L. Values of the 48‐h LC50 of PFOA for all test species ranged from 181 to 732 mg/L and values of the 96‐h LC50 for three of the species ranged from 337 to 672 mg/L. The most sensitive freshwater species to PFOS was green neon shrimp (Neocaridina denticulate) with a 96‐h LC50 of 10 mg/L. Of the aquatic organisms tested, the aquatic snail (Physa acuta) always has the highest resistance to PFOS or PFOA toxicity over each exposure period. Both PFOS and PFOA had no obvious adverse effect on seed germination for all three plant species. Five‐day EC50 of root elongation was more sensitive to LC50 of seed germination in this study. Based on EC10, EC50, and NOECs, the 5‐day root elongation sensitivity of test plants to both PFOS and PFOA was in the order of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) > pakchoi (Brassica rapa chinensis) > cucumber (Cucumis sativus). Based on the results of this study and other published literature, it is suggested that current PFOS and PFOA levels in freshwater may have no acute harmful ecological impact on the aquatic environment. However, more research on the long‐term ecological effects of PFOS and PFOA on aquatic fauna are needed to provide important information to adequately assess ecological risk of PFOS and PFOA. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2009.
Histological Subtype Remains a Significant Prognostic Factor for Survival Outcomes in Patients With Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm With Peritoneal Dissemination

BACKGROUND: It has been increasingly recognized that appendiceal mucinous neoplasm with peritoneal dissemination is not a homogenous disease. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the impact of different histological subtypes on survival of a large cohort of patients with appendiceal mucinous neoplasms uniformly treated by cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy. DESIGN: This was a retrospective study of prospectively collected data of patients with peritoneal dissemination of appendiceal neoplasm who underwent cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy. SETTING: The study was conducted by 1 surgical team at St. George Hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 444 patients formed the cohort of this study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Histological diagnoses were categorized based on Carr criteria to include acellular mucin, disseminated peritoneal adenomucinosis, peritoneal mucinous neoplasms without signet ring cells, and peritoneal mucinous carcinomatosis with signet cells. RESULTS: Patients with low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms with neoplastic epithelium absent tended to have lower CEA, CA19-9, and CA125 levels preoperatively (p = 0.109, 0.008, and 0.034). Factor analysis showed that histological diagnosis was an independent prognostic factor for survival outcomes (HR = 3.13 (95% CI, 2.34–4.39); p < 0.001), adjusted for peritoneal cancer index >20, completeness of cytoreductive score ≥2, use of early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy, transfusion units, CEA >7.0 mg/L, CA19-9 >24.0 U/mL, and CA125 >24 U/mL. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by its retrospective nature, lack of uniform classifications of appendiceal mucinous neoplasms in early years, and the heterogeneity of this study cohort given the long study period. CONCLUSIONS: Histological subtype remains a significant prognostic factor for survival outcomes in patients with appendiceal mucinous neoplasms. It should be taken into account when selecting patients for cytoreductive surgery, tailoring appropriate adjuvant therapies and follow-up surveillance plan.
Validity of the Danish National Registry of Patients for chemotherapy reporting among colorectal cancer patients is high

Background The Danish National Registry of Patients (DNRP) is a potentially valuable resource for monitoring national trends in the use of chemotherapy and evaluating the benefits and harms of alternative treatments among colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in Denmark. However, the validity of chemotherapy reporting in the DNRP is unknown. In this study, we evaluated the validity of the DNRP for identifying the receipt of chemotherapy and specific treatments, and the timing and number of treatments among CRC patients, using medical records and pharmacy data as the reference standard. Methods We selected a random sample of CRC patients with lymph node involvement who were diagnosed at Aarhus University Hospital (n = 25) or Aalborg University Hospital (n = 25) from 2009 to 2010. Administration dates, specific treatments, and number of treatment courses were abstracted for the 180 days post diagnosis from the DNRP, medical records, and pharmacy production databases. The prevalence of chemotherapy, timing of first administration, and number of courses were described. DNRP data were compared with the reference standard for each hospital, and the kappa, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the receipt of any chemotherapy and specific treatments. Results The prevalence of chemotherapy was 72% and 68% among CRC patients treated in Aarhus and Aalborg, respectively, with >90% of patients without distant metastasis receiving treatment within 90 days from diagnosis. Patients received on average 4.6 and 4.7 treatment courses in Aarhus and Aalborg, respectively. Kappa, sensitivity, and specificity of chemotherapy reporting in the DNRP was high (≥0.88), but the sensitivity of individual chemotherapies varied by hospital. Conclusion The validity of chemotherapy reporting in the DNRP was high, although some variation by hospital exists. The DNRP represents a population-based nationwide resource that can be used to provide timely and accurate evaluations of chemotherapy use among CRC patients in Denmark.