Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association between Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Use of Electrical Appliances during Pregnancy and Childhood

As part of a comprehensive study of residential magnetic field exposure in nine midwestern and mid-Atlantic states, we evaluated the use of appliances by 640 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 0–14 years of age, diagnosed between 1989 and 1993, and 640 matched control children. Mothers were interviewed regarding use of electrical appliances during their pregnancy with the subject and the child's postnatal use. The risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia was elevated in children whose mothers reported use of an electric blanket or mattress pad during pregnancy [odds ratio (OR) = 1.59; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.11–2.29] but was reduced for use of sewing machines during pregnancy (OR = 0.76; 95% CI = 0.59–0.98). The risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia was increased with children's use of electric blankets or mattress pads (OR = 2.75; 95% CI = 1.52–4.98) and three other electrical appliances (hair dryers, video machines in arcades, and video games connected to a television), but the patterns of risk for duration in years of use and frequency of use were inconsistent for most appliances used by children. Risks rose with increasing number of hours per day children spent watching television, but risks were similar regardless of the usual distance from the television. The inconsistency in the dose-response patterns for many appliances, reporting and selection bias, and the lack of an effect for measured 60 Hertz magnetic fields or wire codes in our companion study must be considered before ascribing these associations to exposures from magnetic fields. (Epidemiology 1998;9:234–245)
Bmc Complementary and Alternative Medicine Effect of a Homeopathic Drug, Chelidonium, in Amelioration of P-dab Induced Hepatocarcinogenesis in Mice

Background: Crude extracts of Chelidonium majus, and also purified compounds derived from crude extracts of this plant, have been reported to exhibit anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-microbial properties both in vitro and in vivo. Chelidonium is a homeopathic drug routinely used against various liver disorders including cancer in humans. Two potencies of Chelidonium (Ch-30, Ch-200) have been tested for their possible anti-tumor and enzyme modulating activities in liver and anti-clastogenic effects during p-DAB-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in mice compared to suitable controls.
Opinion Target Extraction Using Word-Based Translation Model

This paper proposes a novel approach to extract opinion targets based on word-based translation model (WTM). At first, we apply WTM in a monolingual scenario to mine the associations between opinion targets and opinion words. Then, a graph-based algorithm is exploited to extract opinion targets, where candidate opinion relevance estimated from the mined associations, is incorporated with candidate importance to generate a global measure. By using WTM, our method can capture opinion relations more precisely, especially for long-span relations. In particular, compared with previous syntax-based methods, our method can effectively avoid noises from parsing errors when dealing with informal texts in large Web corpora. By using graph-based algorithm, opinion targets are extracted in a global process, which can effectively alleviate the problem of error propagation in traditional bootstrap-based methods, such as Double Propagation. The experimental results on three real world datasets in different sizes and languages show that our approach is more effective and robust than state-of-art methods.
The furhat Back-Projected humanoid Head-Lip Reading, gaze and Multi-Party Interaction

In this paper, we present Furhat - a back-projected human-like robot head using state-of-the art facial animation. Three experiments are presented where we investigate how the head might facilitate human - robot face-to-face interaction. First, we investigate how the animated lips increase the intelligibility of the spoken output, and compare this to an animated agent presented on a flat screen, as well as to a human face. Second, we investigate the accuracy of the perception of Furhat's gaze in a setting typical for situated interaction, where Furhat and a human are sitting around a table. The accuracy of the perception of Furhat's gaze is measured depending on eye design, head movement and viewing angle. Third, we investigate the turn-taking accuracy of Furhat in a multi-party interactive setting, as compared to an animated agent on a flat screen. We conclude with some observations from a public setting at a museum, where Furhat interacted with thousands of visitors in a multi-party interaction.
Racial differences in the association of CD14 polymorphisms with serum total IgE levels and allergen skin test reactivity

Background The CD14 C-159T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has been investigated widely as a candidate genetic locus in patients with allergic disease. There are conflicting results for the association of the CD14 C-159T SNP with total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and atopy. There are limited data regarding the association of the CD14 C-159T SNP in subjects of African ancestry. The aim of the study was to determine whether the C-159T SNP and other CD14 SNPs (C1188G, C1341T) were associated with total serum IgE levels and with allergy skin test results in nonatopic and atopic subjects; as well as in Caucasian and African American subjects. Methods A total of 291 participants, 18–40 years old, were screened to determine whether they were atopic and/or asthmatic. Analyses were performed to determine the association between CD14 C-159T, C1188G, or C1341T genotypes with serum IgE levels and with the number of positive skin tests among Caucasian or African American subjects. Results We found no significant association of serum total IgE level with CD14 C-159T, C1188G, or C1341T genotypes within nonatopic or atopic subjects. Subjects with CD14-159 T alleles had significantly more positive allergen skin tests than subjects without CD14-159 T alleles (P = 0.0388). There was a significant association between the CD14 1188 G allele, but not the CD14 1341 T allele, with the number of positive skin-test results in Caucasians, but not in African Americans. Conclusion These results support a possible association between CD14 polymorphisms and atopy. CD14-159 T or CD14 1188 G alleles were associated with atopic disease. For subjects with CD14 1188 G alleles, the association with atopic disease was stronger in Caucasians compared to African Americans.
Optical mapping in a new guinea pig model of ventricular tachycardia reveals mechanisms for multiple wavelengths in a single reentrant circuit.

BACKGROUND Although the relationship between cardiac wavelength (lambda) and path length importantly determines the stability of reentrant arrhythmias, the physiological determinants of lambda are poorly understood. To investigate the cellular mechanisms that control lambda during reentry, we developed an experimental system for continuously monitoring lambda within a reentrant circuit with the use of voltage-sensitive dyes and a new guinea pig model of ventricular tachycardia (VT). METHODS AND RESULTS Action potentials were recorded simultaneously from 128 ventricular sites in Langendorff-perfused hearts (n = 15) in which propagation was confined to a two-dimensional rim of epicardium by an endocardial cryoablating procedure. The reentrant path was precisely controlled by creating an epicardial obstacle (2 x 10 mm) with an argon laser. To control for fiber orientation and rate-dependent membrane properties, lambda during reentry was compared with lambda during plane wave propagation transverse and longitudinal to cardiac fibers at a stimulus cycle length (CL) comparable to the VT CL. Reentrant VT (CL = 97.0 +/- 6.2 ms) was reproducibly induced by programmed stimulation in 93% of preparations. lambda varied considerably within the reentrant circuit (range, 10.6 to 22.5 mm), because of heterogeneities of conduction rather than action potential duration. lambda was significantly shorter during reentrant propagation (ie, with pivoting) parallel to fibers (10.6 +/- 4.2 mm) compared with plane wave propagation (ie, without pivoting) parallel to fibers (32.8 +/- 6.5 mm, P < .02), indicating that wave-front pivoting was primarily responsible for shortening of lambda during reentry. The mechanism of lambda shortening was conduction slowing from increased current load experienced by the pivoting wave front. CONCLUSIONS We provide direct experimental evidence that multiple wavelengths are present even within a relatively simple reentrant circuit. Abrupt changes in loading during wave-front pivoting, rather than membrane ionic properties or fiber structure, were a major determinant of lambda and, therefore, may play an important role in the stability of reentry.
Household Food Insecurity: Associations With At-Risk Infant and Toddler Development

OBJECTIVES. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between household food security status and developmental risk in young children, after controlling for potential confounding variables. METHODS. The Children's Sentinel Nutritional Assessment Program interviewed (in English, Spanish, or Somali) 2010 caregivers from low-income households with children 4 to 36 months of age, at 5 pediatric clinic/emergency department sites (in Arkansas, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania). Interviews included demographic questions, the US Food Security Scale, and the Parents' Evaluations of Developmental Status. The target child from each household was weighed, and weight-for-age z score was calculated. RESULTS. Overall, 21% of the children lived in food-insecure households and 14% were developmentally “at risk” in the Parents' Evaluations of Developmental Status assessment. In logistic analyses controlling for interview site, child variables (gender, age, low birth weight, weight-for-age z score, and history of previous hospitalizations), and caregiver variables (age, US birth, education, employment, and depressive symptoms), caregivers in food-insecure households were two thirds more likely than caregivers in food-secure households to report that their children were at developmental risk. CONCLUSIONS. Controlling for established correlates of child development, 4- to 36-month-old children from low-income households with food insecurity are more likely than those from low-income households with food security to be at developmental risk. Public policies that ameliorate household food insecurity also may improve early child development and later school readiness.
Dietary Plant Sterol Esters Must Be Hydrolyzed to Reduce Intestinal Cholesterol Absorption in Hamsters.

BACKGROUND Elevated concentrations of LDL cholesterol are associated with the development of atherosclerosis and therefore are considered an important target for intervention to prevent cardiovascular diseases. The inhibition of cholesterol absorption in the small intestine is an attractive approach to lowering plasma cholesterol, one that is addressed by drug therapy as well as dietary supplementation with plant sterols and plant sterol esters (PSEs). OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that the cholesterol-lowering effects of PSE require hydrolysis to free sterols (FSs). METHODS Male Syrian hamsters were fed atherogenic diets (AIN-93M purified diet containing 0.12% cholesterol and 8% coconut oil) to which one of the following was added: no PSEs or ethers (control), 5% sterol stearate esters, 5% sterol palmitate esters (PEs), 5% sterol oleate esters (OEs), 5% sterol stearate ethers (STs; to mimic nonhydrolyzable PSE), or 3% FSs plus 2% sunflower oil. The treatments effectively created a spectrum of PSE hydrolysis across which cholesterol metabolism could be compared. Metabolic measurements included cholesterol absorption, plasma and liver lipid concentration, and fecal neutral sterol and bile acid excretion. RESULTS The STs and the PEs and SEs were poorly hydrolyzed (1.69-4.12%). In contrast, OEs were 88.3% hydrolyzed. The percent hydrolysis was negatively correlated with cholesterol absorption (r = -0.85; P < 0.0001) and positively correlated with fecal cholesterol excretion (r = 0.92; P < 0.0001), suggesting that PSE hydrolysis plays a central role in the cholesterol-lowering properties of PSE. CONCLUSIONS Our data on hamsters suggest that PSE hydrolysis and the presence of FSs is necessary to induce an optimum cholesterol-lowering effect and that poorly hydrolyzed PSEs may lower cholesterol through an alternative mechanism than that of competition with cholesterol for micelle incorporation.
A PEG-like LDPC code design avoiding short trapping sets

In this paper, we propose a predictive method to construct regular column-weight-three LDPC codes with girth g = 8 so that their Tanner graphs contain a minimum number of small trapping sets. Our construction is based on improvements of the Progressive Edge-Growth (PEG) algorithm. We first show how to detect the smallest trapping sets (5; 3) and (6; 4) in the computation tree spread from variable nodes during the edge assignment. A precise and rigorous characterization of trapping sets (5; 3) and (6; 4) are given, and we then derive a modification of the Randomized Progressive Edge-Growth (RandPEG) algorithm [1] to take into account a new cost function that allows to build regular column-weight dv = 3, girth 8 LDPC codes free of (5,3) and with a minimization of (6,4). We present the construction and the performance results in the context of quasi-cyclic LDPC (QC-LDPC) codes.
Genetic diversity of endophytic bacteria which could be find in the apoplastic sap of the medullary parenchym of the stem of healthy sugarcane plants

The genetic diversity of 29 endophytic bacterial strains isolated from apoplastic sap of the medullary parenchym of the stem of healthy sugarcane plants grown in Cuba was analysed by Two Primers‐Ramdom Amplified Polymorphic DNA fingerprinting (TP‐RAPD) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The strains were distributed into 17 groups on the basis of their TP‐RAPD patterns, and a representative strain from each group was subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Analysis of these sequences showed that the isolates belong to a wide variety of phylogenetic groups being closely related to species of genera Bacillus and Staphylococcus from Firmicutes, Microbacterium, Micrococcus and Kokuria from Actinobacteria, Rhizobium and Gluconacetobacter from α ‐Proteobacteria, Comamonas and Xanthomonas from β ‐Proteobacteria, and Acinetobacter and Pantoea from γ ‐Proteobacteria. These results show the complexity of the bacterial populations present in inner tissues of sugarcane, and indicate the interest and relevance of the studies on microbial diversity to improve our knowledge on the plant endophytic bacterial communities. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Maternal Serum ADAM12 Levels Correlate with PAPP-A Levels during the First Trimester

Background: We wished to investigate the correlation between a new Down screening marker ADAM12 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase-12) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and free β-human chorionic gonadotropin (fβ-hCG) during the first trimester of pregnancy. Methods: ADAM12, PAPP-A and fβ-hCG were measured in 225 serum samples of randomly chosen pregnancies with completely normal outcome. The samples were taken between pregnancy weeks 9+0 and 12+6. Results: The ADAM12 levels tended to increase with advanced gestational age and the highest levels were detected at pregnancy week 12. The ADAM12 levels correlated with PAPP-A levels. After weight correction and logarithmic transformation the multiples of median (MoM) of ADAM12 still correlated with the MoMs of PAPP-A and also with the MoMs of fβ-hCG. Smokers had lower ADAM12 levels than non-smokers. Conclusion: The secretion of ADAM12 seems to resemble the secretion of PAPP-A in the end of the first trimester. Accordingly ADAM12 appears not to be a separate marker independent of PAPP-A. It remains to be assessed whether adding ADAM12 in Down screening risk calculation will reduce the false positive rate during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Bounds on Van der Waerden Numbers and Some Related Functions

For positive integers $s$ and $k_1, k_2, . , k_s$, let $w(k_1,k_2,.,k_s)$ be the minimum integer $n$ such that any $s$-coloring $\{1,2,. ,n\} \to \{1,2,. ,s\}$ admits a $k_i$-term arithmetic progression of color $i$ for some $i$, $1 \leq i \leq s$. In the case when $k_1=k_2=. =k_s=k$ we simply write $w(k;s)$. That such a minimum integer exists follows from van der Waerden's theorem on arithmetic progressions. In the present paper we give a lower bound for $w(k,m)$ for each fixed $m$. We include a table with values of $w(k,3)$ which match this lower bound closely for $5 \leq k \leq 16$. We also give an upper bound for $w(k,4)$, an upper bound for $w(4;s)$, and a lower bound for $w(k;s)$ for an arbitrary fixed $k$. We discuss a number of other functions that are closely related to the van der Waerden function.
Applicability of Controlled Low-Strength Materials with Incinerated Sewage Sludge Ash and Crushed-Stone Powder

This paper discusses the applicability of new controlled low-strength materials (CLSM) that include incinerated sewage sludge ash. The incinerated sewage sludge ash was used as a replacement for fly ash, which is the main component of CLSM. A dust powder made during crushed-stone production was used as a fine aggregate. This new type of green CLSM is a promising sustainable cementitious material with the capability to reduce CO 2 emissions. The test results show that adequate strength development and reasonable flowability can be achieved if the mixture proportion is carefully designed. The leachate characteristics of the new CLSM are evaluated in this paper, and the test results show acceptable leachate levels. The test results also confirm that a wide range of municipal solid wastes could be used as materials in the new green CLSM. Finally, backfill construction was conducted with this new CLSM, and the excellent performance was confirmed.
Increased Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Patients with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: A 9-Year Follow-Up Nationwide Population Study in Taiwan

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common form of vertigo and is characterized by episodic dizziness related to changes in head position relative to gravity. BPPV symptoms can be similar to those of central nervous system vascular diseases. The association between BPPV and ischemic stroke has not yet been investigated. The study cohort consisted of patients who were diagnosed with BPPV at least twice in the previous year as an outpatient or for whom BPPV was the primary diagnosis as an inpatient (n = 4104). An age- and gender-matched sample that excluded patients with a diagnosis of any form of vertigo was selected as the comparison cohort (n = 8397). All cases were followed up from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2008. The demographic characteristics, medical comorbidities, and use of medications in both groups were investigated using chi-square tests. A stratified analysis of stroke risk factors was performed to determine the hazard ratios of BPPV. During the 9-year follow-up period, 185 of the 4104 (4.5%) subjects with BPPV and 240 of the 8379 (2.9%) subjects without BPPV developed ischemic strokes. The crude hazard ratio of BPPV for developing ischemic strokes was 1.708. After adjusting for stroke risk factors, the risk of developing ischemic strokes in BPPV subjects was 1.415-fold higher than the risk among those without BPPV (confidence interval: 1.162–1.732, p = 0.001). After a subgroup analysis stratified according to stroke risk factors, BPPV remained independently associated with a higher risk of developing future ischemic stroke. We conclude that BPPV is independently associated with a risk of subsequent ischemic stroke. More aggressive control of modifiable risk factors for ischemic strokes should be conducted in patients with BPPV.
In Activated Mast Cells, IL-1 Up-Regulates the Production of Several Th2-Related Cytokines Including IL-9

Mast cells can play detrimental roles in the pathophysiology and mortality observed in anaphylaxis and other Th2-dominated allergic diseases. In contrast, these cells contribute to protective host defense mechanisms against parasitic worm infections. After IgE/Ag activation, mast cells can produce multiple cytokines that may enhance allergic inflammations, while a similar panel of Th2-related cytokines may support immunological strategies against parasites. Here we report that in primary mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells activated by ionomycin or IgE/Ag, the proinflammatory mediator IL-1 (α or β) up-regulated production of IL-3, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-9 as well as TNF, i.e., cytokines implicated in many inflammatory processes including those associated with allergies and helminthic infections. IL-1 did not induce significant cytokine release in the absence of ionomycin or IgE/Ag, suggesting that Ca-dependent signaling was required. IL-1-mediated enhancement of cytokine expression was confirmed at the mRNA level by Northern blot and/or RT-PCR analysis. Our study reveals a role for IL-1 in the up-regulation of multiple mast cell-derived cytokines. Moreover, we identify mast cells as a novel source of IL-9. These results are of particular importance in the light of recent reports that strongly support a central role of IL-9 in allergic lung inflammation and in host defense against worm infections.
The effects of cAMP on differentiation of cultured Schwann cells: progression from an early phenotype (04+) to a myelin phenotype (P0+, GFAP-, N-CAM-, NGF-receptor-) depends on growth inhibition

The present experiments were designed to clarify the relationship between cAMP elevation, proliferation and differentiation in Schwann cells. They were carried out on short-term cultures of cells obtained from neonatal rat sciatic nerves. It was found that the myelin-related phenotype was expressed in response to agents that elevate or mimic intracellular cAMP (forskolin, cholera toxin, cAMP analogues), provided cell division was absent. This phenotype included upregulation of the major myelin protein P0 and downregulation of GFAP, N-CAM, A5E3, and NGF receptor. In contrast, when cells were cultured in conditions where cell division occurred, elevation of intracellular cAMP produced an alternative response, characterized by DNA synthesis and absence of myelin-related differentiation. The cAMP mediated induction of an early Schwann cell antigen, 04, followed a different pattern since it was induced equally in dividing and nondividing cells. These observations are consistent with the proposal that during development of the rat sciatic nerve: (a) cAMP elevation, possibly induced by axon-associated factors, is a primary signal responsible for the induction of 04 expression in proliferating Schwann cells during the premyelination period; (b) subsequent withdrawal of cells associated with the larger axons from the cell cycle acts as a permissive secondary signal for induction of myelination, since in quiescent cells the ongoing cAMP elevation will trigger myelination.