Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Common C677T Polymorphism of the Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Gene and the Risk of Venous Thromboembolism: Meta-Analysis of 31 Studies

Background: Although the common 677 C → T polymorphism of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene is implicated in the development of hyperhomocysteinemia, its correlation with venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis of previously published studies to clarify the role of the MTHFR 677 TT homozygous genotype in association with VTE. Methods and Results: Relevant articles were retrieved from a systematic search of Medline and Embase from 1990 to September 2001. Two independent reviewers abstracted data on the characteristics of the cases with VTE and controls without VTE. We pooled the rates of the MTHFR 677 TT genotype in both groups, as well as the odds ratio (OR) of VTE in the presence of the TT versus CC or CT genotypes. In 31 published studies, comprising 4,901 cases and 7,886 controls, the pooled prevalence of the MTHFR 677 TT genotype was slightly higher among cases (14.3%) than controls (11.7%), conferring a borderline degree of heightened risk [pooled OR (ORp) 1.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–1.4]. After excluding cases with a classic thrombophilia factor, the pooled prevalence rates of the MTHFR 677 TT genotype among 11 studies were 17.7 and 12.3%, respectively (ORp 1.5, 95% CI 1.2–1.9). Conclusions: The classic MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism is weakly associated with an increased risk of VTE. It is unlikely that the purported relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and VTE is mediated by this gene defect to a substantial degree, although other undiscovered gene polymorphisms may explain this association. Until more compelling data are made available, we do not recommend that testing for the MTHFR C677T polymorphism be routinely included as part of any clinical thrombophilia assessment.
The incidence of syphilis, HIV and HCV and associated factors in a cohort of men who have sex with men in Nanjing, China

Objective This study investigated the incidence of syphilis, HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV), as well as factors associated with syphilis seroconversion among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Nanjing, China. Methods A cohort of MSM was recruited by respondent-driven sampling methods. Those who were syphilis-, HIV- and HCV-seronegative at the baseline were invited to be retested at month 6. A Poisson regression analysis was performed. Results Of the 416 participants in the study, 348 participants were HIV-, syphilis- and HCV-negative at the baseline, 250 (71.84%) of whom returned for retesting at month 6. Nine of these 250 participants had seroconverted to syphilis-positive (incidence=7.58 per 100 person-years (PY); 95% CI 2.63 to 12.53 per 100 PY), and five had seroconverted to HIV-positive (incidence=4.17 per 100 PY; 95% CI=0.52 to 7.83 per 100 PY). No HIV and syphilis coinfection and no HCV seroconversion were found. Multivariate analysis identified four statistically significant factors predicting syphilis seroconversion, including currently single marital status (RR=0.32, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.65, p<0.01), monthly income >US$300 (RR=2.68, 95% CI 1.28 to 5.61, p<0.01), self-reported homosexual orientation (RR=0.48, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.96, p<0.05) and recruitment of male sex partners mostly from gay saunas (RR=6.72, 95% CI 2.88 to 15.68, p<0.01). Conclusions The high incidence of syphilis and HIV reflects the seriousness and urgency of the HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (STD) epidemics among MSM in China. Effective interventions of syphilis treatment and prevention should target MSM with characteristics reflecting the aforementioned risk factors.
The Matrix Metalloproteinase-14 (MMP-14) Gene Is Structurally Distinct from Other MMP Genes and Is Co-expressed with the TIMP-2 Gene during Mouse Embryogenesis*

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-containing matrix degrading endopeptidases. A subfamily of membrane type (MT) -MMPs has been described recently. We have determined the structure of the gene (Mmp14) encoding the first MT-MMP to be described, MT1-MMP (MMP-14), and mapped it to mouse chromosome 14. The mouse MMP-14 protein is encoded by ten exons. The novel C-terminal peptide domains of MMP-14 are encoded by a single large exon that also encodes the 3′-untranslated region. The structure of the exons encoding the catalytic domain and pro-domain of MMP-14 is distinct from previously described MMP genes, whereas the exons encoding the hemopexin-like domains are similar to those of most other MMP genes. Mmp14 and the gene for tissueinhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (Timp2) show a temporally and spatially co-regulated expression during mouse development. They are co-expressed during vascular and urogenital development and during the development of osteocartilaginous and musculotendinous structures. The stringent co-expression of these two genes suggests common regulatory pathways that may have important functional implications for the activation of pro-gelatinase A in health and disease.
Synthesis of chiral mono(N-heterocyclic carbene) palladium and gold complexes with a 1,1'-biphenyl scaffold and their applications in catalysis

Axially chiral mono(NHC)–Pd(II) and mono(NHC)–Au(I) complexes with one side shaped 1,1'-biphenyl backbone have been prepared from chiral 6,6'-dimethoxybiphenyl-2,2'-diamine. The complexes were characterized by X-ray crystal structure diffraction. The Pd(II) complex showed good catalytic activities in the Suzuki–Miyaura and Heck–Mizoroki coupling reactions, and the (S)-Au(I) complexes also showed good catalytic activities in the asymmetric intramolecular hydroamination reaction to give the corresponding product in moderate ee.
Effects of Ambient Fine Particles PM2.5 on Human HaCaT Cells

The current study was conducted to observe the effects of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) cells. The potential mechanism linking PM2.5 and skin was explored. HaCaT cells were cultured and then accessed in plate with PM2.5. Cell viability was tested by Cell Counting Kit-8. The mRNA and protein expression of Filaggrin, Loricrin, Involucrin, and Repetin were analyzed. The levels of Granulocyte-macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor, Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, Interleukin-1α, and Interleukin-8 were detected in the supernatant of the HaCaT cell with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Cell viability decreased with the increase in PM2.5. Compared with the control group, the protein expression of Filaggrin, Repetin, Involucrin, and Loricrin showed different expression patterns in PM2.5 treatment groups. The level of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin, Interleukin-1α, and Interleukin-8 significantly increased in the cells treated with PM2.5. Ambient PM2.5 may increase the risk of eczema and other skin diseases. The relative mechanism may be associated with the impairment of the skin barrier and the elevation of inflammatory responses.
Improved Gait Recognition Performance Using Cycle Matching

This paper presents a user authentication method based on gait (walking style). Human gait (in terms of acceleration signal) is collected using a wearable accelerometer sensor attached to the ankle of the person. Ankle accelerations from three directions (up-down, forward-backward and sideways) are utilized for identity verification purposes. Applying cycle matching method on experimental data from 30 subjects, we obtained an encouraging EER (Equal Error Rate) of 1.6% using sideway acceleration signals. In addition, our analysis indicate that performance is better with light shoes than with heavy shoes; and sideways motion appear to provide higher discrimination power compared to the up-down and forward-backward motions. Application area for such gait-based user authentication approach can be in improving security and usability of user authentication in emerging applications such as pervasive environment.
Distinguishing late-onset stress symptomatology from posttraumatic stress disorder in older combat veterans

Objective: To assess the discriminant validity of late-onset stress symptomatology (LOSS) in terms of its distinction from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Method: The LOSS Scale, PTSD Checklist – Civilian Version, and related psychological measures were administered to 562 older male combat veterans via a mailed questionnaire. Analyses focused on: (a) comparing associations of LOSS and PTSD with other psychological variables and (b) examining a hypothesized curvilinear relationship between LOSS and PTSD scores. Results: Compared to PTSD, LOSS was more strongly associated with concerns about retirement and less strongly associated with depression, anxiety, sense of mastery, and satisfaction with life. LOSS also demonstrated a curvilinear relationship with PTSD, such that the positive association between LOSS and PTSD diminished at higher levels of PTSD. Conclusion: LOSS is conceptually and statistically more strongly associated with a normative late-life stressor than is PTSD, but is less strongly related to mental health symptoms and emotional well-being. Additionally, LOSS seems more related to subthreshold PTSD than it is to clinically significant PTSD. The present findings support the discriminant validity of LOSS.
Robust rank aggregation for gene list integration and meta-analysis

Motivation: The continued progress in developing technological platforms, availability of many published experimental datasets, as well as different statistical methods to analyze those data have allowed approaching the same research question using various methods simultaneously. To get the best out of all these alternatives, we need to integrate their results in an unbiased manner. Prioritized gene lists are a common result presentation method in genomic data analysis applications. Thus, the rank aggregation methods can become a useful and general solution for the integration task. Results: Standard rank aggregation methods are often ill-suited for biological settings where the gene lists are inherently noisy. As a remedy, we propose a novel robust rank aggregation (RRA) method. Our method detects genes that are ranked consistently better than expected under null hypothesis of uncorrelated inputs and assigns a significance score for each gene. The underlying probabilistic model makes the algorithm parameter free and robust to outliers, noise and errors. Significance scores also provide a rigorous way to keep only the statistically relevant genes in the final list. These properties make our approach robust and compelling for many settings. Availability: All the methods are implemented as a GNU R package RobustRankAggreg, freely available at the Comprehensive R Archive Network http://cran.r-project.org/. Contact: vilo@ut.ee Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Improved Decisional Conflict and Preparedness for Decision Making Using a Patient Decision Aid for Treatment Selection in Psoriasis: A Pilot Study

Background: We developed a patient decision aid (pDA) to assist psoriasis patients in treatment decisions. Objective: This pilot study evaluated the pDA in patient knowledge, decisional conflict, and preparation for decision making. Methods: Newly referred psoriasis patients in a private dermatology office completed self-administered surveys at three time points: before (visit 1) and on two occasions after provision of the pDA (visit 2 up to 2 weeks after visit 1; visit 3 up to 6 weeks after visit 1). The survey included questions regarding knowledge of psoriasis and its treatment and validated questionnaires on decisional conflict and preparation for decision making. Results: Ten psoriasis patients participated (seven men, three women; mean age 45.7 years), with a mean age of 11.4 years since diagnosis. Improvement by visit 3 was observed for knowledge (p = .06), reduced decisional conflict (p ≤ .001), and preparation for decision making (p ≤ .05). Patients tended to self-select treatment appropriate to the level of psoriasis severity. Conclusion: This pilot study of the pDA showed improved patient knowledge of psoriasis and its treatments, reduced decisional conflict, and increased patient preparation for decision making. Limitations: This small study was not randomized and did not have a comparator arm.
Serotonin transporter antagonists target tumor-initiating cells in a transgenic mouse model of breast cancer

Accumulating data suggests that the initiation and progression of human breast tumors is fueled by a rare subpopulation of tumor cells, termed breast tumor-initiating cells (BTIC), which resist radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Consequently, therapies that abrogate BTIC activity are needed to achieve durable cures for breast cancer patients. To identify such therapies we used a sensitive assay to complete a high-throughput screen of small molecules, including approved drugs, with BTIC-rich mouse mammary tumor cell populations. We found that inhibitors of the serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT) and serotonin receptors, which include approved drugs used to treat mood disorders, were potent inhibitors of mouse BTIC activity as determined by functional sphere-forming assays and the initiation of tumor formation by transplant of drug-exposed tumor cells into syngeneic mice. Moreover, sertraline (Zoloft), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), synergized with docetaxel (Taxotere) to shrink mouse breast tumors in vivo. Hence drugs targeting the serotonergic system might be repurposed to treat breast cancer patients to afford more durable breast cancer remissions.
Heavy Ion Induced SEU and MBU Sensitivity of 3D NAND Flash Structures

The use of 3D integration technologies in future satellites is increasingly considered in order to obtain better performance gains. Testability, reliability assessment and radiation resistance are important issues for space applications. It has been shown that 3D architectures give birth to enhanced Single Event Effects sensitivities, which may need to be assessed in different ways than their planar predecessors.In this work, the heavy ions induced SEU and MBU sensitivities of commercially off the shelf (COTS) 3D NAND flash memories are investigated through experimental characterization and compared to Monte-Carlo simulations performed thanks to the TRADCARE© software. Dedicated Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) imagery was used to propose a highly representative model of the memory array giving good confidence in these simulations.
A Dynamic Fault Localization Technique with Noise Reduction for Java Programs

Existing fault localization techniques combine various program features and similarity coefficients with the aim of precisely assessing the similarities among the dynamic spectra of these program features to predict the locations of faults. Many such techniques estimate the probability of a particular program feature causing the observed failures. They ignore the noise introduced by the other features on the same set of executions that may lead to the observed failures. In this paper, we propose both the use of chains of key basic blocks as program features and an innovative similarity coefficient that has noise reduction effect. We have implemented our proposal in a technique known as MKBC. We have empirically evaluated MKBC using three real-life medium-sized programs with real faults. The results show that MKBC outperforms Tarantula, Jaccard, SBI, and Ochiai significantly.
Band-Reconfigurable Unidirectional Antenna: A simple, efficient magneto-electric antenna for cognitive radio applications.

A band-reconfigurable antenna is proposed with one wideband mode (0.83-2.16 GHz) and four narrowband modes. The wideband mode is based on ME dipole technology, and the narrowband modes are realized by a length-reconfigurable thin dipole. By using ME dipole technology, stable gains and well-controlled radiation patterns are achieved together with other benefits, such as high efficiency and simple structure. To demonstrate the functionality of the antenna, a prototype was fabricated with good measured performance. With the frequency selective feature, unidirectional patterns, and high efficiencies, the antenna finds potential applications in future wireless communications, such as CR.
Affine Transformations, Polynomials, and Proportionality

In the articles [1] and [3], standard tools and techniques of calculus are used to establish a variety of proportionality results concerning areas defined by the lines tangent to a cubic curve, and by the lengths of certain arcs of a parabola, where the arcs themselves are determined by an area-proportionality criterion. We demonstrate here that these results can be viewed as consequences of some basic facts about affine transformations in the plane.
Primary Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma of Bone

Background. This study relates our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of a rare clinical entity, nonHodgkin's primary lymphoma of bone. Methods. Seventeen cases of patients with primary lymphoma of bone diagnosed and treated at a single institution between 1975 and 1992 are reviewed. Ten patients received combined-modality therapy, consisting of an anthracycline-containing combination chemotherapy (CT) regimen, followed by adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) to the primary site of disease. Five patients were treated with CT alone: one patient received RT alone; and one patient was treated with CT after emergency RT for spinal cord compression. Results. Thirteen patients presented with Stage I disease, two with Stage 11: and two with Stage IV disease (multiple bony sites only). Thirteen patients had an intermediate-grade diffuse large cell lymphoma: two had an intermediate-grade mixed small and large cell lymphoma; and two had a high-grade lymphoma (one immunoblastic and one small non-cleaved cell lymphoma). The overall response rate was 94% (18% complete response, 58% partial response 1, and 18% partial response 2). Thirteen patients are alive and disease-free at a median of 29 months: 10 of these received CT + RT, and 3 received CT alone. Three patients have died: one of these received CT + RT and one CT alone, and one relapsed immediately after CT. One patient, who was initially treated with RT and then with CT + RT after relapse, was lost to follow-up 40 months from the start of treatment. Conclusions. Because experience in the literature suggests a 50% distant relapse rate in primary lymphoma of bone treated with RT alone, our policy is to treat all patients with combined-modality therapy (CT + RT).
Chronic cocaine self‐administration modulates ERK1/2 and CREB responses to dopamine receptor agonists in striatal slices

Cocaine abuse leads to adaptations in brain reward circuits, where dopaminergic neurotransmission is a fundamental component. We hypothesized that chronic cocaine self‐administration could influence dopamine D1 and D2 receptor activation of extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element‐binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation. Male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to cocaine self‐administration for 6–11 weeks. Brains from sham controls and cocaine rats were extracted 1 day after the last session, and slices obtained from the striatum and nucleus accumbens (NAc) were incubated in vitro with or without the D1R agonist SKF38393 or the D2R agonist quinpirole. We found that cocaine self‐administration led to a reduction in the capacity of D1R to activate ERK1/2 phosphorylation as compared with control rats. Cocaine self‐administration also reduced D1R agonist‐induced CREB phosphorylation in striatal slices, suggesting a downregulation of D1R signaling. D2R‐induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation appeared blunted in striatal slices from cocaine rats. In contrast, surprisingly, cocaine self‐administration strongly potentiated D2R agonist‐induced CREB phosphorylation selectively in the NAc portion of the slices. Altered agonist‐induced signaling was independent of total ERK1/2 and CREB expression. Our finding that selected cellular D2R responses to CREB were strengthened by cocaine self‐administration could be relevant to understand how dopaminergic receptors participate in cocaine‐induced behaviors.
CarepariZn: Translating Social Comparison Elements into a Mobile Solution to Support Weight Loss

Overweight and obesity have become a severe medical and financial societal challenge. Besides an unbalanced caloric intake and expenditure, individual behaviors and lifestyle choices shaped by the social environment, are driving, if not significantly impacting on the global obesity epidemic. This research in progress paper is focused on social comparison theory and presents the design of the mobile application Carepari Zn that implements elements of this theory in order to support weight loss. In the application, users can compare themselves to other users similar in weight, experience and sport motives. The ranking system includes social comparison motives such as self-enhancement, self-assessment, self-verification, self-improvement and provides upward and downward comparison possibilities. This app will be tested in a field-experiment and the collected data will be analyzed in order to find out if social comparison affects health-related behavior and if so, in which way (s).
Gating of the afferent volley of the monosynaptic stretch reflex during movement in man.

1. The time course of the changes in presynaptic inhibition of Ia fibres to soleus motoneurones has been investigated during a voluntary ramp‐and‐hold plantar flexion. 2. Monosynaptic Ia facilitation of the soleus H reflex was evoked by stimulation of the inferior soleus (homonymous) and femoral (heteronymous) nerves. Changes in presynaptic inhibition of the Ia fibres mediating the conditioning volleys were inferred from changes in the amount of reflex facilitation evoked by such constant conditioning stimulations. 3. At the beginning of the voluntary contraction, both homonymous and heteronymous Ia facilitations were markedly increased with respect to their rest values. Then, they dropped abruptly in the middle of the ramp, whatever the ramp duration. 4. The stronger the contraction at the end of the ramp, the larger the initial increase in reflex facilitation. 5. These results indicate that presynaptic inhibition of Ia terminals on motoneurones of the contracting muscle is decreased during the first half of the ramp and then returns to its rest level. It is argued that these changes in presynaptic inhibition are centrally programmed, and it is suggested that, under certain conditions, presynaptic inhibition can be modulated according to both the strength and timing of the contraction. 6. The functional role of the resulting changes in the gain of the stretch reflex is discussed.
Children’s Acquisition of Demonstrative Pronouns in Mandarin Chinese

This paper investigates children's comprehension and production of demonstrative pronouns (DPs), 'zhege' (this) and 'nage' (that), in Mandarin Chinese. Subjects are children of ages three, four, five and six. Based on the results of the present experiment, children's developmental stages and the corresponding age grading are provided. Also, the present study incorporates a physical clue into the experiment. The result suggests that in the acquisition of deixis children rely highly on physical context to work out the meaning distinction. In addition, Piaget's egocentrism hypothesis and H. Clark's marking hypothesis are examined in the study. The result seems to support the egocentrism hypothesis. Subjects under the age of six do fail to shift the deictic center when they and the experimenter have a different perspective. As for the marking hypothesis, the study seems to challenge the hypothesis. The result shows that children actually performed better on the marked term 'zhege' than the unmarked member 'nage'.