Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fat Content and Nitrite-Curing Influence the Formation of Oxidation Products and NOC-Specific DNA Adducts during In Vitro Digestion of Meat

The effects of fat content and nitrite-curing of pork were investigated on the formation of cytotoxic and genotoxic lipid oxidation products (malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, volatile simple aldehydes), protein oxidation products (protein carbonyl compounds) and NOC-specific DNA adducts (O6-carboxy-methylguanine) during in vitro digestion. The formation of these products during digestion is suggested to be responsible for the association between red meat and processed meat consumption and colorectal cancer risk. Digestion of uncured pork to which fat was added (total fat content 5 or 20%), resulted in significantly higher lipid and protein oxidation in the mimicked duodenal and colonic fluids, compared to digestion of pork without added fat (1% fat). A higher fat content also significantly favored the formation of O6-carboxy-methylguanine in the colon. Nitrite-curing of meat resulted in significantly lower lipid and protein oxidation before and after digestion, while an inconsistent effect on the formation of O6-carboxy-methylguanine was observed. The presented results demonstrate that haem-Fe is not solely responsible for oxidation and nitrosation reactions throughout an in vitro digestion approach but its effect is promoted by a higher fat content in meat.
Wide distribution of Plasmodium ovale in Myanmar

The presence of Plasmodium ovale has never been previously reported in Myanmar. Using blood samples obtained in many villages across the country between 1996 and 2000, molecular diagnosis of Plasmodium species was made with semi‐ or full‐nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with species‐specific primers, followed by agarose gel electrophoresis to detect amplification products. The presence of P. ovale was also confirmed with the another PCR‐based diagnosis, the microtiterplate hybridization (MPH) method using species‐specific probes. Both methods target the A type of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene of the four human malaria parasites. Plasmodium ovale DNA was amplified in samples from 65 (4.9%) of 1323 PCR‐positive patients, with perfect agreement between results obtained by nested PCR and MPH. Only four P. ovale‐infected patients had single‐species infection; all others were coinfected with P. falciparum, P. vivax and/or P. malariae. Quadruple infections were observed in six subjects. Parasites with typical P. ovale morphology were found in only 19 patients by conventional microscopy of Giemsa‐stained thin smears or fluorescence microscopy of acridine orange‐stained thin smears. Plasmodium ovale infections were found in villages situated in the southern, central and western regions of Myanmar, suggesting that P. ovale may be widely distributed in this country.
Real Wage Inequality

A large literature has documented a significant increase in the return to college over the past 30 years. This increase is typically measured using nominal wages. I show that from 1980 to 2000, college graduates have increasingly concentrated in metropolitan areas that are characterized by a high cost of housing. This implies that college graduates are increasingly exposed to a high cost of living and that the relative increase in their real wage may be smaller than the relative increase in their nominal wage. To measure the college premium in real terms, I deflate nominal wages using a new CPI that allows for changes in the cost of housing to vary across metropolitan areas and education groups. I find that half of the documented increase in the return to college between 1980 and 2000 disappears when I use real wages. This finding does not appear to be driven by differences in housing quality and is robust to a number of alternative specifications. The implications of this finding for changes in well-being inequality depend on why college graduates sort into expensive cities. Using a simple general equilibrium model, I consider two alternative explanations. First, it is possible that the relative supply of college graduates increases in expensive cities because college graduates are increasingly attracted by amenities located in those cities. In this case, higher cost of housing reflects consumption of desirable local amenities, and there may still be a significant increase in well-being inequality even if the increase in real wage inequality is limited. Alternatively, it is possible that the relative demand of college graduates increases in expensive cities due to shifts in the relative productivity of skilled labor. In this case, the relative increase in skilled workers' standard of living is offset by higher cost of living. The empirical evidence indicates that relative demand shifts are more important than relative supply shifts, suggesting that the increase in well-being inequality between 1980 and 2000 is smaller than the increase in nominal wage inequality.
Ambient pollution and heart rate variability.

BACKGROUND We investigated associations between ambient pollution levels and cardiovascular function in a repeated measures study including 163 observations on twenty-one 53- to 87-year-old active Boston residents observed up to 12 times from June to September 1997. Particles with aerodynamic diameter </=2.5 microm (PM(2.5)) were measured continuously using a tapered element oscillating microbalance. METHODS AND RESULTS The protocol involved 25 minutes per week of continuous Holter ECG monitoring, including 5 minutes of rest, 5 minutes of standing, 5 minutes of exercise outdoors, 5 minutes of recovery, and 20 cycles of slow breathing. Heart rate variability (HRV) was assessed through time domain variables: the standard deviation of normal RR intervals (SDNN) and the square root of the mean of the squared differences between adjacent normal RR intervals (r-MSSD). Mean 4-hour PM(2.5) levels ranged from 3 to 49 microg/m(3); 1-hour ozone levels ranged from 1 to 77 ppb. In multivariate analyses, significantly less HRV (SDNN and r-MSSD) was associated with elevated PM(2.5). During slow breathing, a reduction in r-MSSD of 6.1 ms was associated with an interquartile (14.3 microg/m(3)) increase in PM(2.5) during the hour of and the 3 hours previous to the Holter session (P=0.006). During slow breathing, a multiple pollution model was associated with a reduction in r-MSSD of 5.4 ms (P=0.02) and 5.5 ms (P=0.03) for interquartile changes in PM(2.5) and ozone, respectively, resulting in a combined effect equivalent to a 33% reduction in the mean r-MSSD. CONCLUSIONS Particle and ozone exposure may decrease vagal tone, resulting in reduced HRV.
Reactive powder concrete reinforced by nanoparticles

The influences of four nanoparticles of nanosilica (SiO2), nano-calcium carbonate (CaCO3), nano-aluminium oxide (Al2O3) and nano-iron oxide (Fe2O3) on workability, hydration, pore structure and mechanical strength of reactive powder concrete (RPC) are investigated by macro/microscopic methods. The aim of this study is to provide an essential basis for exploiting new-generation cementitious materials with ultra-high strength and super-long service life by employing modern nano-modification technology. The results indicate that addition of low-dosage nanoparticles to RPC shows a remarkable influence on the mechanical strength, hydration and pore structure compared to the ordinary cement system with a relatively high water/cement ratio. The compactness and mechanical strength of RPC can be greatly improved by incorporating nanoparticles. The promotive ratio of flexural and compressive strength of RPC is up to 30%. The elevated temperature further promotes the effect of nanoparticles on the strength of RPC. T.
Glucocorticoid inhibits growth factor‐induced differentiation of hippocampal progenitor HiB5 cells

In the present study, we investigated the effect of glucocorticoid on neuronal differentiation of hippocampal progenitor HiB5 cells. Dexamethasone (DEX), a synthetic glucocorticoid, inhibited platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF)‐induced differentiation of HiB5 cells. The inhibitory effect of DEX was antagonized by RU486, a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist, indicating the GR‐mediated processes. Nestin mRNA level was decreased and midsize neurofilament (NF‐M) mRNA level was increased as a function of neuronal differentiation. DEX significantly blocked PDGF‐induced down‐regulation of nestin mRNA level, and up‐regulation of NF‐M mRNA level, which were similar to those of undifferentiated cells. DEX inhibited PDGF‐induced activation of cyclic AMP‐responsive element binding protein (CREB) and AP‐1, suggesting that glucocorticoid interfered with signal transduction cascades linking the PDGF receptor and downstream transcription factors. Indeed, DEX reduced PDGF‐induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinases1/2 (ERK1/2). Tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor reversed the effect of DEX on ERK1/2. In accordance with this finding, blockage of ERK1/2 signaling pathway with PD098059, a potent inhibitor for Ras/ERK pathway, mimicked the inhibitory effect of DEX on differentiation processes. Taken together, these results indicate that glucocorticoid inhibits PDGF‐induced differentiation of hippocampal progenitor HiB5 cells by inhibiting the ERK1/2 signaling cascade via a tyrosine phosphatase‐dependent mechanism.
Obstructive left-sided prosthetic valve thrombosis

Obstructive prosthetic valve thrombosis is a serious complication in patients with prosthetic heart valves. It should be suspected in patients with worsening functional class, embolic phenomena, and inadequate anticoagulation. TTE is very informative and the most frequent modality to begin with. TEE is extremely important, with its unique role in excluding high-risk thrombi. Fluoroscopy is currently the best modality for the assessment of leaflet motion, especially for the aortic position, while cardiac CT may be of added value due to its unique post-processing features. Efforts to discriminate thrombosis from pannus should be made, although current methods are frequently inconclusive. The application of 3-dimensional TEE is hoped to improve the diagnostic accuracy further. Once the diagnosis is established, therapy should be offered according to the local expertise, considering the risk of surgery, the risk of thrombolysis (mainly—bleeding and embolism), the patients' functional class, and the likelihood of achieving valve reopening. Guidelines are numerous and puzzling. Thrombus size is probably the most important determinant of complications, and if it is small, thrombolysis is probably advised across all degrees of functional class, as suggested by American College of Chest Physicians.
Molecular Identification of Birds: Performance of Distance-Based DNA Barcoding in Three Genes to Delimit Parapatric Species

Background DNA barcoding based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (cox1 or COI) has been successful in species identification across a wide array of taxa but in some cases failed to delimit the species boundaries of closely allied allopatric species or of hybridising sister species. Methodology/Principal Findings In this study we extend the sample size of prior studies in birds for cox1 (2776 sequences, 756 species) and target especially species that are known to occur parapatrically, and/or are known to hybridise, on a Holarctic scale. In order to obtain a larger set of taxa (altogether 2719 species), we include also DNA sequences of two other mitochondrial genes: cytochrome b (cob) (4614 sequences, 2087 species) and 16S (708 sequences, 498 species). Our results confirm the existence of a wide gap between intra- and interspecies divergences for both cox1 and cob, and indicate that distance-based DNA barcoding provides sufficient information to identify and delineate bird species in 98% of all possible pairwise comparisons. This DNA barcoding gap was not statistically influenced by the number of individuals sequenced per species. However, most of the hybridising parapatric species pairs have average divergences intermediate between intraspecific and interspecific distances for both cox1 and cob. Conclusions/Significance DNA barcoding, if used as a tool for species discovery, would thus fail to identify hybridising parapatric species pairs. However, most of them can probably still assigned to known species by character-based approaches, although development of complementary nuclear markers will be necessary to account for mitochondrial introgression in hybridising species.
Investigating source and filter contributions, and their interaction, to statistical parametric speech synthesis

This paper presents an investigation of the separate perceptual degradations introduced by the modelling of source and filter features in statistical parametric speech synthesis. This is achieved using stimuli in which various permutations of natural, vocoded and modelled source and filter are combined, optionally with the addition of filter modifications (e.g. global variance or modulation spectrum scaling). We also examine the assumption of independence between source and filter parameters. Two complementary perceptual testing paradigms are adopted. In the first, we ask listeners to perform “same or different quality” judgements between pairs of stimuli from different configurations. In the second, we ask listeners to give an opinion score for individual stimuli. Combining the findings from these tests, we draw some conclusions regarding the relative contributions of source and filter to the currently rather limited naturalness of statistical parametric synthetic speech, and test whether current independence assumptions are justified.
The benefits of bariatric surgery in obese patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review

Osteoarthritis is a common progressive disease leading to joint pain and severe disability. It is a complex multifactorial disease leading to damage of cartilage, deposition of subchondral bone matrix and release of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Obesity is an emerging epidemic and also an important risk factor for osteoarthritis. Weight loss has been shown to improve pain and function in hip and knee joints with osteoarthritis. Bariatric surgery currently is the only evidence‐based approach to marked weight loss in obese individuals. However, there is currently limited literature to evaluate the role of bariatric surgery in hip and knee osteoarthritis. The objective of the present study was to systematically review the literature regarding the effectiveness of bariatric surgery in obese adult patients in improving large weight‐bearing joint (hip and knee) osteoarthritis. Published English‐language manuscripts were considered for review inclusion. A comprehensive search of electronic databases using broad search terms was completed. From a total of 400 articles, eight articles were identified. A total of six studies were included for qualitative analysis. A general trend was identified indicating improved hip and knee osteoarthritis following marked weight loss secondary to bariatric surgery. This systematic review demonstrates that bariatric surgery may benefit obese patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis. However, this review identifies the need for randomized controlled trials to clarify the role and indications for bariatric surgery.
Correlation of Tumor Volume with Local Control in Laryngeal Carcinoma Treated by Radiotherapy

An analysis of 37 patients with laryngeal carcinoma (T2 or greater) treated with radical radiotherapy, with surgery reserved for failure, was performed to determine if tumor volume, alone or in association with other prognostic factors, accurately predicted the probability of local control. Patient records were reviewed retrospectively and the following data extracted: Age, sex, laryngeal region and number of sites involved by tumor, T and N categories, and success or failure of radiotherapy. Tumor volume for each patient was calculated from pretreatment computed tomograms by summing the products of the cross-sectional tumor area on each CT cut and the interval in millimeters between sequential CT cuts. The mean tumor volume for patients failing radiotherapy was 21.8 cm3, and the mean volume for patients primarily controlled by radiotherapy was 8.86 cm3. Tumor volume significantly predicted disease-free interval (p = .045) and outcome with radiotherapy (p = .02). The study suggests that tumor volume is a significant factor in determining the outcome of primary radiotherapy in advanced laryngeal carcinoma.
Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fiber Reinforced High-Density Polyethylene Homocomposites: Effect of Processing Condition and Nanoclay Addition

A new method to prepare single-polymer high-density (HDPE)-ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber (PE-PE homocomposites) composed and also PE-PE homocomposites containing HDPE organo montmorillonite clay (OMMT) nanocomposites as a matrix (PE nanohomocomposites) was used. Owing to the major importance of fiber impregnation by the matrix and its effect on the adhesion of matrix/fiber and, consequently, the mechanical properties of the composite, a combination of powder impregnation and film stacking methods, utilizing compression molding, were used for manufacturing the PE-PE homocomposites and PE nanohomocomposites. In addition, PE nanohomocomposites with the matrix containing different amounts of nanoclay were prepared to investigate the effect of the clay on the interfacial and mechanical properties of the PE-PE nanohomocomposites. Several different processing conditions were examined to determine the best conditions for manufacturing of the PE-PE homocomposite and PE nanohomocomposites and it was concluded that 40 bar and 10 min of compression molding resulted in the highest overall mechanical properties. The PE-PE homocomposites and PE-PE nanohomocomposites showed identical trends for the relationship between the effects of processing conditions and mechanical properties. Mechanical results demonstrated that clay platelets could increase the interfacial strength by improving physical entanglements between fiber and matrix through better cocrystallization.
The Micronutrient Status of Children Aged 24–60 Months Living in Rural Disaster Areas One Year after the Wenchuan Earthquake

Objective In order to evaluate micronutrient status of children aged 24–60 months living in rural disaster areas after one year of the earthquake in Wenchuan. Design After one year of Wenchuan Earthquake, using PPS sampling methods, a total of 270 children from six-randomized townships near seismic center, in each township sample size consisted of 30 to 50 children, were sampled for evaluating Z-score of children's growth status, anemia prevalence, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B12, folic acid status. Final sample consisted of 152 boys and 118 girls, and blood samples were drawn from 206 children. Results The stunting (HAZ<2SD) and wasting (WHZ<2SD) were respectively 14.7% and 0.7%. Prevalence of anemia was 17.3% and percentage of iron deficiency was 45.7%. The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency and marginal deficiency was 15.4% and 30.3%, respectively. The sum of vitamin D deficiency and marginal deficiency was near 90%. Percentages of Zinc deficiency including marginal and deficiency were 65.5%. Percentages of vitamin B12 marginal and deficiency were 8.6% and 10.6% and the prevalence of marginal deficiency was significantly higher in boys than in girls. Folic acid deficiency was not found in surveyed children using serum folic acid level <16.9 ng/ml. Conclusion In areas affected by Earthquake, preschool children had higher stunting prevalence and a relatively higher prevalence suffered from micronutrient deficiencies, including iron-deficiency anemia, and deficiencies of iron, zinc, vitamin A and vitamin B12.
Rapid discovery and optimization of therapeutic antibodies against emerging infectious diseases

Abstract Using a comprehensive set of discovery and optimization tools, antibodies were produced with the ability to neutralize SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection in Vero E6 cells and in animal models. These anti-SARS antibodies were discovered using a novel DNA display method, which can identify new antibodies within days. Once neutralizing antibodies were identified, a comprehensive and effective means of converting the mouse sequences to human frameworks was accomplished using HuFR™ (human framework reassembly) technology. The best variant (61G4) from this screen showed a 3.5–4-fold improvement in neutralization of SARS-CoV infection in vitro. Finally, using a complete site-saturation mutagenesis methodology focused on the CDR (complementarity determining regions), a single point mutation (51E7) was identified that improved the 80% plaque reduction neutralization of the virus by greater than 8-fold. These discovery and evolution strategies can be applied to any emerging pathogen or toxin where a causative agent is known.
An Introduction to Multilevel Modeling for Research on the Psychology of Art and Creativity

This article introduces some applications of multilevel modeling for research on art and creativity. Researchers often collect nested, hierarchical data—such as multiple assessments per person—but they typically ignore the nested data structure by averaging across a level of data. Multilevel modeling, also known as hierarchical linear modeling and random coefficient modeling, enables researchers to test old hypotheses more powerfully and to ask new research questions. After describing the logic of multilevel analysis, the article illustrates three practical uses of multilevel modeling: (1) estimating within-person relationships, (2) examining between-person differences in within-person processes, and (3) comparing people's judgments to a criterion. The breadth, flexibility, and power of multilevel modeling make it a useful analytic tool for the multilevel data that researchers have been collecting all along.
Turnover Rates of Intermediate Sulfur Species (Sx2-, S0, S2O32-, S4O62-, SO32-) in Anoxic Freshwater and Sediments

The microbial reduction of sulfate to sulfide coupled to organic matter oxidation followed by the transformation of sulfide back to sulfate drives a dynamic sulfur cycle in a variety of environments. The oxidative part of the sulfur cycle in particular is difficult to constrain because the eight electron oxidation of sulfide to sulfate occurs stepwise via a suite of biological and chemical pathways and produces a wide variety of intermediates (Sx2-, S0, S2O32-, S4O62-, and SO32-), which may in turn be oxidized, reduced or disproportionated. Although the potential processes affecting these intermediates are well-known from microbial culture and geochemical studies, their significance and rates in the environment are not well constrained. In the study presented here, time-course concentration measurements of intermediate sulfur species were made in amended freshwater water column and sediment incubation experiments in order to constrain consumption rates and processes. In sediment incubations, consumption rates were Scolloidal0> Sx2-> SO32-≈ S4O62-> S2O32-, which is consistent with previous measurements of SO32-, S4O62-, and S2O32- consumption rates in marine sediments. In water column incubations, however, the relative reactivity was Scolloidal0> SO32-> Sx2-> S2O32-> S4O62-. Consumption of thiosulfate, tetrathionate and sulfite was primarily biological, whereas it was not possible to distinguish between abiotic and biological polysulfide consumption in either aqueous or sediment incubations. Scolloidal0 consumption in water column experiments was biologically mediated, however, rapid sedimentary consumption was likely due to reactions with iron minerals. These experiments provide important constraints on the biogeochemical reactivity of intermediate sulfur species and give further insight into the diversity of biological and geochemical processes that comprise (cryptic) environmental sulfur cycling.