Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Causes of cervical cancer in the Philippines: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND Among the numerous human papillomavirus (HPV) types, only types 16 and 18 have been formally classified as human carcinogens. To evaluate the associations of 33 HPV types and other risk factors with squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the cervix, we performed a hospital-based, case-control study in the Philippines. METHODS The study included 356 case subjects who had histologically confirmed cervical cancer (323 incident cases of squamous cell carcinoma and 33 incident cases of adenocarcinoma/adenosquamous carcinoma) and 381 control subjects. Information on risk factors was obtained by personal interview. HPV DNA was detected in exfoliated cervical cells and biopsy specimens by use of a polymerase chain reaction assay. RESULTS HPV DNA was detected in 93.8% of case subjects with squamous cell carcinoma and in 90.9% of case subjects with adenocarcinoma/adenosquamous carcinoma compared with 9.2% of control subjects, giving age-adjusted odds ratios of 156 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 87-280) for squamous cell carcinoma and 111 (95% CI = 31-392) for adenocarcinoma/adenosquamous carcinoma. Fifteen different HPV types were detected in squamous cell carcinoma, and six different HPV types were detected in adenocarcinoma/adenosquamous carcinoma. Among HPV types other than types 16 and 18, the associations of HPV with risk of squamous cell carcinoma were strongest for HPV45. In addition to HPV, high parity, low socioeconomic status, and smoking were also associated with both types of cervical cancer. CONCLUSIONS As has been shown for squamous cell carcinoma, HPV is the central cause of adenocarcinoma/adenosquamous carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The observed associations of less prevalent HPV types with cervical cancer have important implications for cervical cancer prevention strategies.
First-pass neocortical processing of spoken language takes only 30 msec: Electrophysiological evidence

ABSTRACT Fast real-time processing of external information by the brain is vital to survival in a highly dynamic environment. A ubiquitous information medium used by humans is spoken language, but the neural dynamics of its comprehension is still poorly understood. Here, we scrutinized the earliest electrophysiological activity elicited in the human brain by spoken words and matched meaningless word-like stimuli using a lexical auditory oddball paradigm, an established technique for investigating cortical activation patterns underlying early automatic stages of language processing. We show that the earliest cortical reflection of word comprehension takes place during the electrophysiological P1 evoked response, at about 30 ms following the word disambiguation point, and takes the form of an enhanced brain activation for familiar meaningful words, even when they are presented outside the focus of attention. This previously unknown ultra-early lexicality effect is underpinned by left temporo-frontal cortical circuits and likely reflects a first-pass automatic lexical access that precedes later stages of lexical and semantic processing described in previous literature. The results suggest that the brain operates with maximum speed and efficiency to extract meaningful (including linguistic) information from the sensory input, which is a neurobiological capacity essential for timely and appropriate reactions to external events.
Local diabetic retinopathy prediction by multifocal ERG delays over 3 years.

PURPOSE To derive and validate a model for use in predicting local retinal areas in which nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) lesions will develop over a 3-year period, by using primarily the implicit time (IT) of the multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG). METHODS Eighteen diabetic patients were examined at baseline and at three annual follow-ups. Ophthalmic examinations, including fundus photographs and mfERG testing, were performed at each visit. Thirty-five retinal zones were constructed from the 103-element stimulus array, and each zone was assigned the maximum IT z-score within it based on 30 age-similar control subjects. Logistic regression was used to investigate the development of retinopathy in relation to baseline mfERG IT delays and additional diabetic health variables. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the models. RESULTS Retinopathy developed in 77 of the 1208 retinal zones, of which 25 had recurring retinopathy. Multivariate analyses yielded baseline mfERG IT, duration of diabetes, and blood glucose concentration as the most important predictors of recurring retinopathy. mfERG ITs were not predictive of transient retinopathy. ROC curves based on the multivariate model for the prediction of recurring retinopathy resulted in an area under the curve of 0.95, sensitivity of 88%, and specificity of 98%. Ten-fold cross-validation confirmed the high sensitivity and specificity of the model. CONCLUSIONS The development of recurring retinopathy over a 3-year period can be well predicted by using a multivariate model based on mfERG implicit time. Multifocal ERG delays are promising candidate measures for trials of novel therapeutics directed at preventing or slowing the progression of NPDR.
Strength and size ratios between reciprocal muscle groups in the thigh and lower leg of male collegiate soccer players

This study investigated the strength and size ratios between reciprocal muscle groups in the thigh and lower leg of soccer players. In 11 male collegiate soccer players and 21 male non‐soccer players, the joint torques developed during isometric maximal voluntary contractions of the knee extensors (TQKE) and flexors (TQKF), plantar flexors (TQPF) and dorsiflexors (TQDF) were determined using a dynamometer. The muscle volumes of the same muscles (i.e. MVKE, MVKF, MVPF and MVDF) were determined by magnetic resonance imaging. There were no significant differences in any of the joint torques or muscle volumes between soccer and non‐soccer players. TQKE/TQKF was significantly lower for soccer players than for non‐soccer players. On the other hand, no significant difference in TQPF/TQDF was found between soccer and non‐soccer players. MVKE/MVKF and MVPF/MVDF for soccer players were not significantly different from those for non‐soccer players. Additionally, there were no significant correlations between MVKE/MVKF and TQKE/TQKF and between MVPF/MVDF and TQPF/TQDF of soccer players. Thus, the strength ratios appear not to be affected by the size ratios between the knee extensors and flexors and between the plantar flexors and dorsiflexors in soccer players.
The Relationship between Exposure to Pesticides and the Occurrence of Lymphoid Neoplasm

Background The etiology of malignant lymphoma is still largely unknown. This study determines the relationship between exposure to pesticides and the occurrence of lymphoid neoplasms in Shiraz, Southern Iran. Methods Between 2007 and 2008, in a case control study conducted in Nemazee Hospital in Shiraz, Southern Iran, 200 subjects diagnosed with lymphoma according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification were enrolled. Controls (n=200) were frequency matched to the cases by sex, age, and center. Subjects who were a farmer were compared with all other occupations. Results Out of the 200 cases that were diagnosed as lymphoid neoplasms, 100 were non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 54 Hodgkin's lymphoma and 46 multiple myeloma. Seventy two percent of the NHL's were of the B-cell type, 15% of the T-cell type and the rest were not classified. Furthermore, subjects exposed to pesticides were at an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and MM, but not Hodgkin lymphoma. Conclusion Risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and MM was highest for exposure to pesticides, among them, insecticide's risk was confirmed.
Black Currant Nectar Reduces Muscle Damage and Inflammation Following a Bout of High-Intensity Eccentric Contractions

ABSTRACT This investigation determined the efficacy of black currant nectar (BCN) in reducing symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). Sixteen college students were randomly assigned to drink either 16 oz of BCN or a placebo (PLA) twice a day for eight consecutive days. A bout of eccentric knee extensions (3 × 10 sets @ 115% of 1RM) was performed on the fourth day. Outcome measures included muscle soreness (subjective scale from 0 to 10) and blood markers of muscle damage (creatine kinase, CK), inflammation (interleukin-6, IL-6), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Although there were no differences in reported soreness between groups, consumption of BCN reduced CK levels at both 48 (PLA = 82.13% vs. BCN = −6.71%, p = .042) and 96 h post exercise (PLA = 74.96% vs. BCN = −12.11%, p = .030). The change in IL-6 was higher in the PLA group (PLA = 8.84% vs. BCN = −6.54%, p = .023) at 24 h post exercise. The change in ORAC levels was higher in the treatment group (BCN = 2.68% vs. PLA = −6.02%, p = .039) at 48 h post exercise. Our results demonstrate that consumption of BCN prior to and after a bout of eccentric exercise attenuates muscle damage and inflammation.
Work schedules and fatigue: a prospective cohort study

Aims: (1) To describe the prevalence of fatigue among employees in different work schedules (day work, three-shift, five-shift, and irregular shift work); (2) to investigate whether different work schedules are related to increasing fatigue over time, while taking into account job title and job characteristics; and (3) to study fatigue among shift workers changing to day work. Methods: Data from nine consecutive four-monthly self administered questionnaires from the Maastricht Cohort Study on Fatigue at work (n = 12 095) were used with 32 months of follow up. Day and shift workers were matched on job title. Results: The prevalence of fatigue was 18.1% in day workers, 28.6% in three-shift, 23.7% in five-shift, and 19.1% in irregular shift workers. For three-shift and five-shift workers substantial higher fatigue levels were observed compared to day workers at baseline measurement. In the course of fatigue over the 32 months of follow up there were only small and insignificant differences between employees in different work schedules. However, among employees fatigued at baseline, fatigue levels decreased faster over time among five-shift workers compared to fatigued day workers. Shift workers changing to day work reported substantially higher fatigue levels prior to change, compared to those remaining in shift work. Conclusions: Substantial differences in fatigue existed between day and shift workers. However, as no considerable differences in the course of fatigue were found, these differences have probably developed within a limited time span after starting in a shift work job. Further, evidence was found that fatigue could be an important reason for quitting shift work and moving to day work. Finally, in the relation between work schedules and fatigue, perceived job characteristics might play an important role.
Clinical and cytohistopathological evaluation of inflammatory skin lesions in and around Muzaffarnagar district 1

Introduction : Cytological examination is the initial diagnostic technique for nodular skin lesions which gives the basic preliminary information regarding the pathology of the lesion. The present study was conducted to correlate the clinical diagnosis with cytology and histopathology for the diagnosis of various nodular inflammatory lesions. Material and methods : Fine needle aspiration cytology of skin lesions. Giemsa staining of cytology smears. Histopathological examination of the lesion, wherever feasible. Special stains eg. Zeihl Neelsen stain, wherever necessary. Results : Out of total 70 cases of inflammatory lesions cases, FNAC was done in 56 cases. In 42 cases (75%) an accurate diagnosis was made by cytology where as in 14 cases (25%) cases discordant results were seen. Aspiration was insufficient in five cases & wrong diagnosis was made in nine cases. The overall sensitivity was 75%, specificity 96%, positive predictive value was 80% and overall efficiency was 92.30%. Conclusions : It was observed that FNAC is a very simple and rapid primary procedure which can be performed even in OPD patients. Besides FNAC and histopathology, other procedures which can be used in future to improve diagnostic accuracy including phase contrast microscopy, electron microscopy, immuno-histochemistry, cytogenetic studies and flow cytometry etc. Diagnosis has to be confirmed by histopathological examination.
Online train delay recognition and running time prediction

Data mining and analysis of standard track occupation data is used to compute accurate actual train delays at stations. Based on historical train describer records the delays can be automatically classified into initial and consecutive ones through comparison of actual with scheduled blocking times. The distributions of running times and dwell times of each line and direction can be estimated conditional on the amount of original delays, route conflicts and factors such as type of rolling stock, peak hours or even weather conditions. The running times of actual trains until the next downstream stations can be predicted at a high precision by means of a new online model whose parameters have been calibrated and tested in the Dutch railway corridor Rotterdam - The Hague.
Clinical predictors of acute risperidone response in schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and psychotic mood disorders.

BACKGROUND In studies of patients with schizophrenia, the atypical antipsychotic risperidone has been shown to be comparable in efficacy to haloperidol and, at dosages of 4 to 8 mg/day, to have a lower rate of extrapyramidal side effects. However, little is known about the efficacy of risperidone in patients with schizophrenia refractory to treatment with typical antipsychotics, schizoaffective disorder, and psychotic mood disorders. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of risperidone in the treatment of these disorders and to identify clinical factors associated with risperidone response. METHOD By surveying treating clinicians and chart data, we assessed response to risperidone and factors associated with response to risperidone in 144 consecutive patients treated with the drug for at least 2 weeks at a regional state psychiatric hospital. RESULTS Patients displaying a moderate-to-marked response to risperidone were more likely to be younger; receive diagnoses of bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder, depressive type; and have a shorter duration of illness and shorter length of stay prior to risperidone treatment. Response to risperidone was sufficient to allow discharge in 26% of patients with treatment-refractory schizophrenia hospitalized for at least 10 weeks prior to risperidone and in 11% of patients with treatment-refractory schizophrenia hospitalized for greater than 1 year. CONCLUSION Risperidone may be a useful alternative or adjunctive treatment for patients with schizophrenia refractory to treatment with standard antipsychotic agents, schizoaffective disorder (especially the depressive type), and bipolar disorder when used in conjunction with mood stabilizers.
Chemical Characterization of Outdoor and Subway Fine (PM2.5–1.0) and Coarse (PM10–2.5) Particulate Matter in Seoul (Korea) by Computer-Controlled Scanning Electron Microscopy (CCSEM)

Outdoor and indoor (subway) samples were collected by passive sampling in urban Seoul (Korea) and analyzed with computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (CCSEM-EDX). Soil/road dust particles accounted for 42%–60% (by weight) of fine particulate matter larger than 1 µm (PM2.5–1.0) in outdoor samples and 18% of PM2.5–1.0 in subway samples. Iron-containing particles accounted for only 3%–6% in outdoor samples but 69% in subway samples. Qualitatively similar results were found for coarse particulate matter (PM10–2.5) with soil/road dust particles dominating outdoor samples (66%–83%) and iron-containing particles contributing most to subway PM10–2.5 (44%). As expected, soil/road dust particles comprised a greater mass fraction of PM10–2.5 than PM2.5–1.0. Also as expected, the mass fraction of iron-containing particles was substantially less in PM10–2.5 than in PM2.5–1.0. Results of this study are consistent with known emission sources in the area and with previous studies, which showed high concentrations of iron-containing particles in the subway compared to outdoor sites. Thus, passive sampling with CCSEM-EDX offers an inexpensive means to assess PM2.5–1.0 and PM10-2.5 simultaneously and by composition at multiple locations.
Turner Syndrome and Celiac Disease: A Case-Control Study

OBJECTIVE: Turner syndrome (TS) is the most common sex chromosome abnormality in females. Previous research has indicated a high prevalence of celiac disease (CD) in TS, but data have mostly been limited to case series at tertiary centers. We aimed to examine the risk for CD in individuals with TS compared with the general population. METHODS: This Swedish nationwide case-control study included individuals with CD and controls born in 1973-2006. The study consisted of 2 groups: (1) 7548 females with biopsy-verified CD (villous atrophy; Marsh stage 3) diagnosed until January 2008 according to histopathology report data from all 28 Swedish pathology departments and (2) 34 492 population-based controls matched by gender, age, calendar year of birth, and county of residence. TS, diagnosed by the end of 2009, was identified using prospectively recorded data from 3 nationwide health registries. Odds ratios (ORs) for CD were calculated using conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the 7548 females with CD, 20 had a diagnosis of TS (0.26%) compared with 21 of 34 492 controls (0.06%), corresponding to an OR of 3.29 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.94–5.56) for CD in individuals with TS. The risk of CD in females with TS ranged from twofold (OR 2.16; 95% CI 0.91–5.11) in the first 5 years of life to a more than fivefold increase in females aged >10 years at CD diagnosis (OR 5.50; 95% CI 1.53–19.78). The association between TS and CD was largely unaffected by concurrent type 1 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Females with TS are more likely to develop CD. This study supports active case-finding for CD in TS.
Low-bandwidth telerehabilitation for patients who have undergone total knee replacement: Preliminary results

summary We have developed a low-bandwidth, Internet-based telerehabilitation system to provide outpatient rehabilitation to patients who have undergone total knee arthroplasty. The preliminary efficacy of this treatment programme in terms of both physical and functional objective outcome measures was assessed on 21 patients. Subjects receiving a six-week rehabilitation programme were randomized to the telerehabilitation system or the usual face-to-face method. The physical and functional improvements in the telerehabilitation group were similar to those in the control group. There was a non-significant trend for greater improvements in the telerehabilitation group for most outcome measurements. The telerehabilitation programme was well received by patients. The results of this study provide evidence for the efficacy of low-bandwidth telerehabilitation consultations.
Bartonella henselae in Ixodes ricinus Ticks (Acari: Ixodida) Removed from Humans, Belluno Province, Italy

The potential role of ticks as vectors of Bartonella species has recently been suggested. In this study, we investigated the presence of Bartonella species in 271 ticks removed from humans in Belluno Province, Italy. By using primers derived from the 60-kDa heat shock protein gene sequences, Bartonella DNA was amplified and sequenced from four Ixodes ricinus ticks (1.48%). To confirm this finding, we performed amplification and partial sequencing of the pap31 protein and the cell division protein FtsZ encoding genes. This process allowed us to definitively identify B. henselae (genotype Houston-1) DNA in the four ticks. Detection of B. henselae in these ticks might represent a highly sensitive form of xenodiagnosis. B. henselae is the first human-infecting Bartonella identified from Ixodes ricinus, a common European tick and the vector of various tickborne pathogens. The role of ticks in the transmission of bartonellosis should be further investigated.
Decoder side motion vector derivation for inter frame video coding

In this paper, a decoder side motion vector derivation scheme for inter frame video coding is proposed. Using a template matching algorithm, motion information is derived at the decoder instead of explicitly coding the information into the bitstream. Based on Lagrangian rate-distortion optimisation, the encoder locally signals whether motion derivation or forward motion coding is used. While our method exploits multiple reference pictures for improved prediction performance and bitrate reduction, only a small template matching search range is required. Derived motion information is reused to improve the performance of predictive motion vector coding in subsequent blocks. An efficient conditional signalling scheme for motion derivation in Skip blocks is employed. The motion vector derivation method has been implemented as an extension to H.264/AVC. Simulation results show that a bitrate reduction of up to 10.4% over H.264/AVC is achieved by the proposed scheme.
Minority Influence Minority Influence in Virtual Groups : A Comparison of Four Theories of

This study examined minority influence within virtual groups and how members’ geographic dispersion and argument consistency affect group decisions. Competing predictions were derived from several theories that were applicable but untested in the domain of online interaction: a double minority effect, the black sheep effect, congruity theory applied to groups, and the minority leniency contract framework. Online groups were created that had 4 collocated members or 4 geographically distributed members, or 2 collocated and 2 isolated members. Group members were provided biased distributions of information resembling a hidden profile to facilitate majority and minority positions resulting in 24 groups with a minority opinion holder geographically isolated or in proximity with one or more other members. The patterns of minority members’ influence on majority members’ decisions lent greatest support to the black sheep effect, congruity, and minority leniency approaches, depending on the respective location of the minority opinion holders and the consistency with which they argued their positions.
Neuronal connexin-36 can functionally replace connexin-45 in mouse retina but not in the developing heart

The gap junction protein connexin-45 (Cx45) is expressed in the conduction system of the heart and in certain neurons of the retina and brain. General and cardiomyocyte-directed deficiencies of Cx45 in mice lead to lethality on embryonic day 10.5 as a result of cardiovascular defects. Neuron-directed deletion of Cx45 leads to defects in transmission of visual signals. Connexin-36 (Cx36) is co-expressed with Cx45 in certain types of retinal interneurons. To determine whether these two connexins have similar functions and whether Cx36 can compensate for Cx45, we generated knock-in mice in which DNA encoding Cx45 was replaced with that encoding Cx36. Neuron-directed replacement of Cx45 with Cx36 resulted in viable animals. Electroretinographic and neurotransmitter coupling analyses demonstrated functional compensation in the retina. By contrast, general and cardiomyocyte-directed gene replacement led to lethality on embryonic day 11.5. Mutant embryos displayed defects in cardiac morphogenesis and conduction. Thus, functional compensation of Cx45 by Cx36 did not occur during embryonic heart development. These data suggest that Cx45 and Cx36 have similar functions in the retina, whereas Cx45 fulfills special functions in the developing heart that cannot be compensated by Cx36.