Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Knowledge of HIV, sexual behavior and correlates of risky sex among street children in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

CONTEXT Homeless children are at risk of getting many diseases, including sexually transmitted infections (STI). The number of street children is on the rise in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), while very little is known about their health problems. OBJECTIVES To determine knowledge of HIV (transmission and prevention means), sexual activity, exposure to HIV-prevention services, and to identify correlates of risky sexual behaviour (not having used a condom at first or last sexual encounter and/or having multiple sexual partners over a 12-month period) among street children in Kinshasa. RESULTS At the time of the survey, most participants (85.8%, 95% CI = 83.5-88.1) were sexually experienced and 55.8% had their first sexual intercourse when they were already living on the streets. The median age at first sexual activity was 14.3 years for males and 13.5 years for females. Compared to males (median number of sexual partners = 1), females tended to be more involved with multiple sexual partners (median = 12). Condoms were used less at the fist sexual encounter (20.2%; 95% CI = 17.3-23.1) and the pattern of condom use depended on the type of sexual partners (61.1% at last sexual encounter with a paid/paying partner and 23.1% at last sexual encounter with a non-paid/non-paying partner). In males, sleeping in a NGO-provided night shelter (OR = 0.47; 95% CI = 0.27-0.79), and having had the first sexual intercourse while living on the streets (OR = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.35-0.88) were protective of risky sexual behaviour, while a history of drug use (OR = 3.00; 95% CI = 1.46-6.18), and being aged 20 to 24 years (OR = 1.59; 95% 1.00-2.55) increased the likelihood of displaying risky sexual behaviour. In females, not knowing where to get a condom (OR = 0.04; 95% CI = 0.005-0.29), having started sexual activity when living on the streets (OR = 0.10; 95% CI = 0.01-0.73) and not having an income-generating activity (OR = 0.09; 95% CI = 0.01-0.44) were protective of risky sexual behaviour. CONCLUSION Street children need to be regarded as a high-risk group for acquiring HIV. The potential benefit of providing homeless youth with night-shelters should be explored more since this could be an opportunity to integrate risk-reduction programmes that take into account all problematic behaviors such as risky sexual behaviour and drug use.
Plasma adiponectin and the risk of hypertension in white and black postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND Adiponectin may have a protective role in the development of obesity-related metabolic and vascular disorders, including hypertension. We conducted a prospective, nested case control study to investigate the relation between baseline plasma adiponectin, measures of adiposity, and subsequent risk of hypertension. METHODS We selected 400 white and 400 black postmenopausal women, age <70 years, who developed incident hypertension during 5.9-year follow-up and an equal number of age- and race-matched controls in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study. We measured plasma concentrations of total adiponectin in their baseline blood samples. RESULTS In crude matched models, plasma adiponectin was inversely associated with risk of hypertension among both white and black women. The association appeared to be nonlinear in white women but dose related in black women. Adjustment for lifestyle factors, measures of obesity, and obesity-related clinical factors attenuated these associations. The multivariable relative risk (95% CI) of hypertension across increasing quartiles of plasma adiponectin were 1.00, 0.98 (0.66-1.46), 0.63 (0.41-0.97), and 0.92 (0.60-1.42) in white women (P(trend): 0.38) and 1.00, 0.96 (0.64-1.46), 0.83 (0.53-1.29), and 0.58 (0.36-0.94) in black women (P(trend): 0.02). Further adjustment for inflammatory markers and endothelial markers eliminated the association in white, but not black, women. CONCLUSIONS In this prospective, nested case control study, we found an inverse association between plasma adiponectin and risk of hypertension in white and black postmenopausal women. The reduced risk of hypertension was limited to only intermediate concentrations of adiponectin in white women whereas it was graded across quartiles of adiponectin in black women.
Accretion onto the Companion of η Carinae during the Spectroscopic Event. III. The He II λ4686 Line

We continue to explore the accretion model of the massive binary system η Car by studying the anomalously high He II λ4686 line. The line appears just before periastron and disappears immediately thereafter. Based on the He II λ4686 line emission from O stars and their modeling in the literature, we postulate that the He II λ4686 line comes from the acceleration zone of the secondary stellar wind. We attribute the large increase in the line intensity to a slight increase in the density of the secondary stellar wind in its acceleration zone. The increase in density could be due to the ionization and subsequent deceleration of the wind by the enhanced X-ray emission arising from the shocked secondary wind farther downstream or to accretion of the primary stellar wind. Accretion around the secondary equatorial plane gives rise to collimation of the secondary wind, which increases its density, hence enhancing the He II λ4686 emission line. In contrast with previous explanations, the model proposed in this paper does not require a prohibitively high X-ray flux to directly photoionize the He.
NF‐κB regulation: lessons from structures

Summary: The signaling module that specifies nuclear factor‐κΒ (NF‐κB) activation is a three‐component system: NF‐κB, inhibitor of NF‐κΒ (IκΒ), and IκΒ kinase complex (IKK). IKK receives upstream signals from the surface or inside the cell and converts itself into a catalytically active form, leading to the destruction of IκB in the inhibited IκB:NF‐κB complex, leaving active NF‐κB free to regulate target genes. Hidden within this simple module are family members that all can undergo various modifications resulting in expansion of functional spectrum. Three‐dimensional structures representing all three components are now available. These structures have allowed us to interpret cellular observations in molecular terms and at the same time helped us to bring forward new concepts focused towards understanding the specificity in the NF‐κB activation pathway.
A social influence model of alcohol use for inner-city adolescents: family drinking, perceived drinking norms, and perceived social benefits of drinking.

OBJECTIVE Social influences to drink are important predictors of adolescent drinking. This study explored a social influence model of drinking among inner-city adolescents. We examined the role of family drinking and perceived drinking norms in predicting 1-year follow-up perceived social benefits of drinking and the relationship of perceived social benefits of drinking with 2-year follow-up adolescent drinking. METHOD Participants in the present study were from the control schools of a randomized trial investigating the etiology and prevention of adolescent alcohol use. During a class period at baseline in seventh grade, participants completed a questionnaire that measured self-reported alcohol use and potential predictors. The panel sample consisted of 1,318 students from baseline (seventh grade), 1-year follow-up (eighth grade), and 2-year follow-up (ninth grade). RESULTS Structural equation modeling found that both family drinking and perceived drinking norms affected the perceived benefits of drinking. In turn, the perceived benefits of drinking predicted subsequent drinking, controlling for earlier drinking. CONCLUSIONS These results illuminate the importance of the perceived benefits of drinking, as well as social influences to drink, in adolescent drinking. Therefore, they should be incorporated into alcohol prevention programs.
Associations between abnormal rod-mediated dark adaptation and health and functioning in older adults with normal macular health.

PURPOSE Delayed rod-mediated dark adaptation (DA) is characteristic of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and also can be observed in some older adults in normal macular health. We examine cross-sectional associations between rod-mediated DA and risk factors for AMD in older adults in normal macular health. METHODS The sample consisted of adults aged ≥60 years old in normal macular health per grading of fundus photos using an established disease classification system. Rod-mediated DA was measured psychophysically following a photobleach using a computer-automated dark adaptometer with targets centered at 5° on the inferior vertical meridian. The speed of DA was characterized by the rod-intercept value, with abnormal DA defined as rod-intercept ≥ 12.3 minutes. We assessed several health and functional characteristics that the literature has suggested increase AMD risk (e.g., smoking, alcohol use, inflammatory markers, apolipoproteins, low luminance visual acuity, chronic medical conditions, body mass, family history). RESULTS Among 381 participants (mean age, 68.5 years; SD, 5.5), 78% had normal and 22% had abnormal DA, with the prevalence of abnormal DA increasing with age. After age-adjustment, abnormal DA was associated with increased odds of elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), heavy use of or abstention from alcohol, high blood pressure, and drop in visual acuity under mesopic conditions. CONCLUSIONS Despite having normal macular health according to accepted definitions of AMD presence, approximately one-quarter of older adults recruited from primary eye care clinics had abnormal DA, which was associated with known risk factors for AMD, including elevated CRP.
Genome Sequences of Two Freshwater Betaproteobacterial Isolates, Limnohabitans Species Strains Rim28 and Rim47, Indicate Their Capabilities as Both Photoautotrophs and Ammonia Oxidizers

ABSTRACT Betaproteobacterial genus Limnohabitans represents an important part of freshwater bacterioplankton. Here, we report genome sequences of two Limnohabitans isolates, Rim28 and Rim47. They contain a complete photosynthesis gene cluster, RuBisCO, CO dehydrogenase, ammonia monooxygenase, and sulfur-oxidizing genes, which indicates a great metabolic versatility of the Limnohabitans species.
Towards efficient SimRank computation on large networks

SimRank has been a powerful model for assessing the similarity of pairs of vertices in a graph. It is based on the concept that two vertices are similar if they are referenced by similar vertices. Due to its self-referentiality, fast SimRank computation on large graphs poses significant challenges. The state-of-the-art work [17] exploits partial sums memorization for computing SimRank in O(Kmn) time on a graph with n vertices and m edges, where K is the number of iterations. Partial sums memorizing can reduce repeated calculations by caching part of similarity summations for later reuse. However, we observe that computations among different partial sums may have duplicate redundancy. Besides, for a desired accuracy ϵ, the existing SimRank model requires K = [logC ϵ] iterations [17], where C is a damping factor. Nevertheless, such a geometric rate of convergence is slow in practice if a high accuracy is desirable. In this paper, we address these gaps. (1) We propose an adaptive clustering strategy to eliminate partial sums redundancy (i.e., duplicate computations occurring in partial sums), and devise an efficient algorithm for speeding up the computation of SimRank to 0(Kd'n2) time, where d' is typically much smaller than the average in-degree of a graph. (2) We also present a new notion of SimRank that is based on a differential equation and can be represented as an exponential sum of transition matrices, as opposed to the geometric sum of the conventional counterpart. This leads to a further speedup in the convergence rate of SimRank iterations. (3) Using real and synthetic data, we empirically verify that our approach of partial sums sharing outperforms the best known algorithm by up to one order of magnitude, and that our revised notion of SimRank further achieves a 5X speedup on large graphs while also fairly preserving the relative order of original SimRank scores.
Purification of rat spermatogenic cells and preliminary biochemical analysis of these cells.

A method forobtaininghighlypurifiedfractions of rat testicular cells is described. Single cell suspensions from adult rat testes were separated by centrifugal elutriation. Fractions enriched in pachytene primary spermatocytes, early spermatids, and cytoplasts detached from late spermatids were obtained. These fractions were further separated by equilibrium density centrifugation on gradients of Percoll. In this manner fractions of 3 X 10� pachytene spermatocytes (98% purity), 1.1 X 10� early spermatids (93% purity), and 1.1 X i05 cytoplasts (98% purity) were obtained within 6 h after sacrificing the rats. The cells appeared to be morphologically intact and to have retained their biochemical integrity. Analysis of acid-soluble nuclear proteins by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that histone 4 is synthesized during the pachytene stage, and confirmed that testis-specific histones are also synthesized during this stage. Analysis of a microsomal RNA preparation from purified pachytene spermatocytes and purified early spermatids by sucrose gradients indicated that intact ribosomal RNA (rRNA) can be obtained from purified cells. Both cell types are active in synthesizing presumptive messenger RNA (mRNA) with a wide range of sedimentation values, but no appreciable rRNA synthesis was detected.
Genome Size Diversity in Lilium (Liliaceae) Is Correlated with Karyotype and Environmental Traits

Genome size (GS) diversity is of fundamental biological importance. The occurrence of giant genomes in angiosperms is restricted to just a few lineages in the analyzed genome size of plant species so far. It is still an open question whether GS diversity is shaped by neutral or natural selection. The genus Lilium, with giant genomes, is phylogenetically and horticulturally important and is distributed throughout the northern hemisphere. GS diversity in Lilium and the underlying evolutionary mechanisms are poorly understood. We performed a comprehensive study involving phylogenetically independent analysis on 71 species to explore the diversity and evolution of GS and its correlation with karyological and environmental traits within Lilium (including Nomocharis). The strong phylogenetic signal detected for GS in the genus provides evidence consistent with that the repetitive DNA may be the primary contributors to the GS diversity, while the significant positive relationships detected between GS and the haploid chromosome length (HCL) provide insights into patterns of genome evolution. The relationships between GS and karyotypes indicate that ancestral karyotypes of Lilium are likely to have exhibited small genomes, low diversity in centromeric index (CVCI) values and relatively high relative variation in chromosome length (CVCL) values. Significant relationships identified between GS and annual temperature and between GS and annual precipitation suggest that adaptation to habitat strongly influences GS diversity. We conclude that GS in Lilium is shaped by both neutral (genetic drift) and adaptive evolution. These findings will have important consequences for understanding the evolution of giant plant genomes, and exploring the role of repetitive DNA fraction and chromosome changes in a plant group with large genomes and conservation of chromosome number.
IscR Controls Iron-Dependent Biofilm Formation in Escherichia coli by Regulating Type I Fimbria Expression

ABSTRACT Biofilm formation is a complex developmental process regulated by multiple environmental signals. In addition to other nutrients, the transition metal iron can also regulate biofilm formation. Iron-dependent regulation of biofilm formation varies by bacterial species, and the exact regulatory pathways that control iron-dependent biofilm formation are often unknown or only partially characterized. To address this gap in our knowledge, we examined the role of iron availability in regulating biofilm formation in Escherichia coli. The results indicate that biofilm formation is repressed under low-iron conditions in E. coli. Furthermore, a key iron regulator, IscR, controls biofilm formation in response to changes in cellular Fe-S homeostasis. IscR regulates the FimE recombinase to control expression of type I fimbriae in E. coli. We propose that iron-dependent regulation of FimE via IscR leads to decreased surface attachment and biofilm dispersal under iron-limiting conditions.
Reactions to tick antitoxin serum and the role of atropine in treatment of dogs and cats with tick paralysis caused by Ixodes holocyclus: a pilot survey.

OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence and nature of adverse reactions of dogs and cats to tick antitoxin serum and to re-evaluate the role of atropine in the treatment of tick paralysis. DESIGN A retrospective questionnaire of veterinarians. PROCEDURE Questionnaires were posted to 320 veterinarians in tick-endemic regions of Australia. Questions referred to dogs and cats treated for tick paralysis over a period of three years: the number treated, treatment protocols and adverse systemic reactions to tick antitoxin serum. Ninety completed questionnaires were returned and responses analysed. RESULTS Veterinarians reported that approximately 3% of dogs exhibited adverse reactions immediately following treatment with tick antitoxin serum. Eighteen percent of these reactions were described as anaphylaxis, with the remaining 82% attributed to the Bezold-Jarisch reflex. Six percent of cats treated with tick antitoxin serum reacted adversely and the majority of reactions (63%) were ascribed to the Bezold-Jarisch reflex. Atropine was used routinely by 10% of responding veterinarians in the treatment of dogs and cats with tick paralysis. A similar number of veterinarians used atropine only in selected cases. Most veterinarians (76%) reported that they never used atropine in the treatment of tick paralysis in either dogs or cats. Within the survey population, premedication with atropine reduced the number of Bezold-Jarisch reactions following tick antitoxin administration approximately five-fold in dogs and four-fold in cats. CONCLUSIONS Data from this pilot survey indicate that more cats than dogs have adverse systemic reactions to tick antitoxin serum and that the majority of these reactions in both dogs and cats could be related to the Bezold-Jarisch reflex. The number of reactions to tick antitoxin serum in dogs and cats could be significantly reduced by the routine use of atropine prior to administration of tick antitoxin serum.
Mobilization of Protein Kinase C in Macrophages Induced by Listeria monocytogenes Affects Its Internalization and Escape from the Phagosome

ABSTRACT Listeriolysin O (LLO) and a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) are known virulence factors of Listeria monocytogenes in both tissue cultures and the murine model of infection. LLO is a member of a family of pore-forming cholesterol-dependent cytotoxins and is known to play an essential role in escape from the primary phagocytic vacuole of macrophages. PI-PLC plays an accessory role, in that PI-PLC mutants are partially defective in escape. We have shown that both of these molecules are essential for initiating rapid increases in the calcium level in the J774 murine macrophage cell line (S. J. Wadsworth and H. Goldfine, Infect. Immun. 67:1770-1778, 1999). Here we show that both LLO and PI-PLC are required for translocation of protein kinase C δ (PKC δ) to the periphery of J774 cells and for translocation of PKC β II to early endosomes beginning within the first minute after addition of bacteria to the culture medium. Treatment with the calcium channel blocker SK&F 96365 inhibited translocation of PKC β II but not PKC δ. Our findings lead us to propose a host signaling pathway requiring LLO and the formation of diacylglycerol by PI-PLC in which calcium-independent PKC δ is responsible for the initial calcium signal and the subsequent PKC β II translocation. LLO-dependent translocation of PKC β I to early endosomes also occurs between 1 and 4 min after infection, but this occurs in the absence of PI-PLC. All of these signals were observed in cells that had not internalized bacteria. Blocking PKC β translocation with hispidin resulted in more rapid uptake of wild-type bacteria and greatly reduced escape from the primary phagocytic vacuoles of J774 cells.
Contribution of Prostaglandins to Muscle Blood Flow in Anesthetized Dogs at Rest, during Exercise, and Following Inflow Occlusion

The role of locally formed cyclo-oxygenase products (endoperoxide intermediates, prostaglandins, or prostacyclins) in resistance to blood flow was studied in the hindlimbs of anesthetized dogs during rest, during exercise, and following release of inflow occlusion. Meclofenamic acid, indomethacin, or sodium meclofenamate reduced mean resting blood flows of 86, 133, and 118 ml/min to 54, 82, and 67 ml/min, respectively. Inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis reduced the vasodilator response to arachidonic acid by 81%. In addition, prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors attenuated the hyperemic responses following inflow occlusions in the resting hindlimb. The attenuation was most marked following a l-second occlusion (74%) and progressively less following a 10-second (44%) and a 300-second (24%) occlusion. However, the portion of the total postocclusive hyperemic response attributable to prostaglandins was constant and independent of occlusion duration. Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis did not affect the hyperemia of exercise, but reduced significantly the postocclusion hyperemia that followed the release of a l-second (63%) and a 2-second (43%) period of inflow occlusion in the exercising hindlimb; attenuation was minor following a 10-second occlusion (10%). In three of four exercising hindlimbs, the portion of the postocclusion hyperemia attributable to prostaglandins was inversely related to the duration of the occlusion. These data indicate that locally synthesized cyclo-oxygenase products, possibly prostaglandins, are important in the maintenance of blood flow in resting but not exercising muscle, contribute significantly to postocclusive hyperemia in resting and exercising hindlimbs, and mediate the hyperemia that follows occlusions of 5 seconds or less in resting and 2 seconds or less in exercising hindlimbs. cire Res 44: 67-75, 1979
The offset tree for learning with partial labels

We present an algorithm, called the Offset Tree, for learning to make decisions in situations where the payoff of only one choice is observed, rather than all choices. The algorithm reduces this setting to binary classification, allowing one to reuse any existing, fully supervised binary classification algorithm in this partial information setting. We show that the Offset Tree is an optimal reduction to binary classification. In particular, it has regret at most (k-1) times the regret of the binary classifier it uses (where k is the number of choices), and no reduction to binary classification can do better. This reduction is also computationally optimal, both at training and test time, requiring just O(log2 k) work to train on an example or make a prediction. Experiments with the Offset Tree show that it generally performs better than several alternative approaches.