Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patterns of Human Papillomavirus DNA and Antibody Positivity in Young Males and Females, Suggesting a Site-Specific Natural Course of Infection

Background To monitor the impact of human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 vaccine on HPV infection dynamics in the Netherlands, we started an ongoing study in sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics in 2009. Here, we analyze baseline type-specific HPV DNA and HPV-specific antibody positivity rates. Methods We enrolled 3569 men and women, 16–24 years of age, from 14 STI clinics, and estimated genital and anal HPV DNA and antibody positivity rates of 7 main carcinogenic HPV types. Generalized estimating equations regression analyses were applied to determine risk factors for, and associations between, type-specific HPV DNA and antibody positivity. Results Genital HPV DNA positivity rates were higher in women than in men; anal HPV DNA was especially high in men who have sex with men (MSM). HPV antibody seropositivity rates were also highest in women and MSM. High-risk sexual behavior was predictive of both HPV DNA and antibody positivity. Despite a strong correlation in serological profiles for multiple HPV types, seropositivity was independently associated with homologous HPV DNA detection. Conclusions HPV DNA and antibody positivity rates are higher in women and MSM than in heterosexual men, but their association is similar across gender. This suggests a site-specific natural course of infection.
Effects of formulation factors on encapsulation efficiency and release behaviour in vitro of huperzine A-PLGA microspheres

To develop a long-acting injectable huperzine A-PLGA microsphere for the chronic therapy of Alzheimer's disease, the microsphere was prepared by using an o/w emulsion solvent extraction evaporation method based on a series of formulation design of the emulsion. The dialysis method was used for release analysis. The encapsulation efficiency and release amount of the microspheres were determined by a UV/VIS spectrophotometer. The morphology of the microspheres was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The distribution of the drug within microspheres was observed by a confocal laser scanning microscope. The results indicated that the PLGA 15 000 microspheres possessed a smooth and round appearance with average particle size of 50 µm or so. The encapsulation percentages of microspheres prepared from PLGA 15 000, 20 000 and 30 000 were 62.75%, 27.52% and 16.63%, respectively. The drug release percentage during the first day decreased from 22.52% of PLGA 30 000 microspheres to 3.97% of PLGA 15 000 microspheres, the complete release could be prolonged to 3 weeks. The initial burst release of microspheres with higher molecular weight PLGA could be explained by the inhomogeneous distribution of drug within microspheres. The encapsulation efficiency of the microspheres improved as the polymer concentration increased in the oil phase and PVA concentration decreased in the aqueous phase. The burst release could be controlled by reducing the polymer concentration. Evaporation temperature had a large effect on the drug release profiles. It had better be controlled under 30°C. Within a certain range of particle size, encapsulation efficiency decreased and drug release rate increased with the reducing of the particle size.
Development of a Bioinstrumentation System in the Interaction between a Human and a Robot

Personal robots, which are expected to become popular in the future, are required to be active in joint work and community life with humans. Such robots must have no bad physical or psychical effect on humans. The psychical effect of a robot on humans has been subjectively measured using questionnaires. However, it has not been objectively measured yet. Human emotion and the consciousness direction can be measured by physiological parameters and body motion, respectively. Therefore, the bioinstrumentation system WB-1 was developed in order to objectively measure the psychical effect of a robot on a human. It can measure physiological parameters such as respiration, heart rate, perspiration and pulse wave, and arm motion. Analyzing human stress in the interaction with a robot from electrocardiogram, the robot could generate a motion for decreasing the stress
The Most Relictual Fungus-Farming Ant Species Cultivates the Most Recently Evolved and Highly Domesticated Fungal Symbiont Species

Fungus-farming (attine) ant agriculture is made up of five known agricultural systems characterized by remarkable symbiont fidelity in which five phylogenetic groups of ants faithfully cultivate five phylogenetic groups of fungi. Here we describe the first case of a lower-attine ant cultivating a higher-attine fungus based on our discovery of a Brazilian population of the relictual fungus-farming ant Apterostigma megacephala, known previously from four stray specimens from Peru and Colombia. We find that A. megacephala is the sole surviving representative of an ancient lineage that diverged ∼39 million years ago, very early in the ∼55-million-year evolution of fungus-farming ants. Contrary to all previously known patterns of ant-fungus symbiont fidelity, A. megacephala cultivates Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, a highly domesticated fungal cultivar that originated only 2–8 million years ago in the gardens of the highly derived and recently evolved (∼12 million years ago) leaf-cutting ants. Because no other lower fungus-farming ant is known to cultivate any of the higher-attine fungi, let alone the leaf-cutter fungus, A. megacephala may provide important clues about the biological mechanisms constraining the otherwise seemingly obligate ant-fungus associations that characterize attine ant agriculture.
Functional MRI of human auditory cortex using block and event‐related designs

fMRI of human auditory cortex response to sinusoidal tones of 200, 1000, and 3000 Hz was evaluated using block design and conventional and “silent” event‐related designs. Conventional event‐related fMRI revealed the timecourse of the BOLD response (∼5 sec to peak, ∼4 sec full‐width‐half‐max, and ∼14 sec recovery to baseline). Both event‐related, but not block, designs provided evidence for tonotopic organization in auditory cortex. Sources of low‐frequency activation were more lateral and anterior than the sources of high‐frequency activation (P ≤ 0.05). In the block designs, repeated rapid stimulus presentation and the co‐incidence of scanner noise preclude definition of tonotopic organization revealed in event‐related approaches. Magn Reson Med 45:254–260, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia among French Canadians in Quebec Province

Nineteen patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemla (FH) living at the time of the 1981 Canada census are the subject of this report Their mean age at that time was 15, with a range of 1 to 26 years. All patients had extensive xanthomatosls but showed variable clinical manifestations of coronary heart disease (CHD); five (mean age, 21; range, 11 to 27 years) died from sudden death due to CHD. Plasma cholesterol levels varied more than twofold (557 to 1532 mg/dl). Variation In the concentrations of both plasma and low density llpoproteln cholesterol, as well as apolipoproteln B, were related neither to age at death from CHD nor to the clinical course of CHD. The mean high density llpoproteln cholesterol concentration (37 mg/dl) was lower than the mean value (49 mg/dl) in the control population (p<0.001). Both the clinical and biochemical features of this cohort are typical of homozygous FH. The prevalence of homozygotes among French Canadians in Quebec was ∼1:275 000, and the minimum estimated frequency of heterozygotes was 1 270. In northeastern Quebec, the frequency of homozygotes was ∼1:100 000, and the minimum estimated frequency of heterozygotes was 1 154. Only Afrikaaners In South Africa have correspondingly higher frequencies.
Usefulness of Amino Acid Profiling in Ovarian Cancer Screening with Special Emphasis on Their Role in Cancerogenesis

The aim of this study was to quantitate 42 serum-free amino acids, propose the biochemical explanation of their role in tumor development, and identify new ovarian cancer (OC) biomarkers for potential use in OC screening. The additional value of this work is the schematic presentation of the interrelationship between metabolites which were identified as significant for OC development and progression. The liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry technique using highly-selective multiple reaction monitoring mode and labeled internal standards for each analyzed compound was applied. Performed statistical analyses showed that amino acids are potentially useful as OC biomarkers, especially as variables in multi-marker models. For the distinguishing metabolites the following metabolic pathways involved in cancer growth and development were proposed: histidine metabolism; tryptophan metabolism; arginine biosynthesis; arginine and proline metabolism; and alanine, aspartate and glutamine metabolism. The presented research identifies histidine and citrulline as potential new OC biomarkers. Furthermore, it provides evidence that amino acids are involved in metabolic pathways related to tumor growth and play an important role in cancerogenesis.
Advanced characterisation of encapsulated lipid powders regarding microstructure by time domain-nuclear magnetic resonance

Abstract Encapsulation is an established technique to protect sensitive materials from environmental stress. In order to understand the physical protection mechanism against oxidation, knowledge about the powder microstructure is required. Time domain-nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR) has the potential to determine the surface oil (SO) and droplet size distribution by relaxation and restricted self-diffusion, respectively. The amount of SO, the retention and encapsulation efficiency are determined based on a lipid balance. The oil load of the initial powder and after SO removal is measured by TD-NMR. The results correlate with gravimetric and photometric references. The oil droplet size obtained by TD-NMR correlates well with static light scattering. The diameter of droplets in emulsions and dried powder both measured by TD-NMR, correlates (r = 0.998), implying that oil droplets embedded in a solid matrix can be measured. Summarising, TD-NMR allows analysis of the microstructure of encapsulated lipid powders, in a rapid, simple and non-destructive way.
Identification by the sequential cell immunoblot assay of a subpopulation of rat dopamine-unresponsive lactotrophs.

The responsiveness to dopamine of PRL secretion from individual lactotrophs of female rats was investigated by the use of a newly developed sequential cell immunoblot assay. In this assay, PRL secretion from the same single lactotrophs that had been cultured on plastic coverslips was quantified before and after dopamine treatment by a combination of direct absorption of PRL secreted on protein-blotting transfer membranes, immunostaining, and microscopic image analysis. The assay was sensitive enough to detect 0.03 fg PRL/pixel and was specific for PRL. The range of PRL secretion from single pituitary cells in culture was 0.03-1.92 pg/cell.h. PRL secretion was increased with time of incubation and reached a maximum by 80-160 min. There was a significant correlation in PRL secretion from the same lactotrophs between the first and second 60-min incubations. When medium used in the second incubation contained no dopamine, amounts of PRL secreted during the second incubation period were 21-204% of those secreted during the first incubation period. Inclusion of 10(-8)-10(-6) M dopamine in the second incubation medium increased in a dose-dependent manner the proportion of lactotrophs whose PRL secretion was suppressed significantly compared with that during the first incubation period. However, PRL secretion from approximately 6% of the total lactotrophs was not suppressed even by dopamine at concentrations over 10(-6) M. The present study demonstrates that the sequential cell immunoblot assay is a useful means to quantify repeatedly hormone secretion from individual endocrine cells in culture. Furthermore, these results suggest that there is a subpopulation of rat PRL-secreting lactotrophs that are unresponsive to dopamine.
Mediastinitis after coronary artery bypass grafting: the effect of vacuum‐assisted closure versus traditional closed drainage on survival and re‐infection rate

Mediastinitis is treated with either vacuum‐assisted closure (VAC) or traditional closed drainage (TCD) with irrigation. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the two treatments on mortality and re‐infection rate in a source population, using 21 314 consecutive patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) from January 1997 to October 2010. Median observation time was 2·9 years in the VAC group and 8·0 years in the TCD group. The epidemiological design was of an exposed (VAC, n = 64) versus non‐exposed (TCD, n = 66) cohort with two endpoints: (1) mortality and (2) failure of sternal wound healing or re‐infection. The crude effect of treatment technique versus endpoint was estimated by univariate analysis. Stratification analysis by the Mantel–Haenszel method was performed to quantify confounders and to pinpoint effect modifiers. Adjustment for confounders was performed using Cox regression analysis. Mediastinitis was diagnosed 6–105 (median 14) days after primary operation in the VAC group and 13 (5–29) days in the TCD group. There was no difference between groups in long‐term survival. Failure of sternal wound healing or re‐infection occurred less frequently in the VAC group (6%) than in the TCD group (21%; relative risk = 0·29, 95% CI = 0·06–0·88, P = 0·01). There are concerns for increase in right ventricle rupture in VAC compared with TCD. There was no difference in survival after VAC therapy and TCD therapy of post‐CABG mediastinitis. Failure of sternal wound healing or re‐infection was more common after TCD therapy.
Benchmarking against the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit recommendations

The Royal College of Anaesthetists published the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA) to describe and compare inpatient care and outcomes of major emergency abdominal surgery in England and Wales in 2015 and 2016. The purpose of this article is to compare emergency abdominal surgical care and mortality in a regional hospital (Logan Hospital, Queensland, Australia) with NELA results.
Learning the Kernel Matrix with Semidefinite Programming

Kernel-based learning algorithms work by embedding the data into a Euclidean space, and then searching for linear relations among the embedded data points. The embedding is performed implicitly, by specifying the inner products between each pair of points in the embedding space. This information is contained in the so-called kernel matrix, a symmetric and positive semidefinite matrix that encodes the relative positions of all points. Specifying this matrix amounts to specifying the geometry of the embedding space and inducing a notion of similarity in the input space---classical model selection problems in machine learning. In this paper we show how the kernel matrix can be learned from data via semidefinite programming (SDP) techniques. When applied to a kernel matrix associated with both training and test data this gives a powerful transductive algorithm---using the labeled part of the data one can learn an embedding also for the unlabeled part. The similarity between test points is inferred from training points and their labels. Importantly, these learning problems are convex, so we obtain a method for learning both the model class and the function without local minima. Furthermore, this approach leads directly to a convex method for learning the 2-norm soft margin parameter in support vector machines, solving an important open problem.
Empirical Study of Design Choices in Multi-Sensor Context Recognition Systems

This paper deals with the design and implementation of a highlyminiaturized, multi-sensor context recognition sy stem. It repre- sents an optimal trade-off between power consumption and recognition performance rather than straightforward maximization of the recognition rate. We present a thumb-sized, 8 gram platform that combines sound, accel- eration and light sensing with processing power, wireless communication and a battery. Based on this platform we make an experimental evalu- ation of design choices present in such multi-sensor context recognition systems. We introduce a design method to achieve an optimal power con- sumption vs. recognition rate trade-off through variations of the sampling rate, feature selection and choice of classifiers. Power consumption anal- ysis indicates that our system can operate for 300 hours without having to recharge the battery. An important and somewhat surprising result of our analysis is that the addition of a sensor maybe a power efficient wayto improve the overall system performance.
Estimates of genetic parameters and genetic change for reproduction, weight, and wool characteristics of Targhee sheep.

Genetic parameters from both single-trait and bivariate analyses for prolificacy, weight, and wool traits were estimated using REML with animal models for Targhee sheep from data collected from 1950 to 1998 at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, Dubois, ID. Breeding values from both single-trait and seven-trait analyses calculated with the parameters estimated from the single-trait and bivariate analyses were compared across years of birth with respect to genetic trends. The numbers of observations were 38,625 for litter size at birth and litter size at weaning, 33,994 for birth weight, 32,715 for weaning weight, 36,807 for fleece weight and fleece grade, and 3,341 for staple length. Direct heritability estimates from single-trait analyses were 0.10 for litter size at birth, 0.07 for litter size at weaning, 0.25 for birth weight, 0.22 for weaning weight, 0.54 for fleece weight, 0.41 for fleece grade, and 0.65 for staple length. Estimate of direct genetic correlation between litter size at birth and weaning was 0.77 and between birth and weaning weights was 0.52. The estimate of genetic correlation between fleece weight and staple length was positive (0.54), but was negative between fleece weight and fleece grade (-0.47) and between staple length and fleece grade (-0.69). Estimates of genetic correlations were near zero between birth weight and litter size traits and small and positive between weaning weight and litter size traits. Fleece weight was slightly and negatively correlated with both litter size traits. Fleece grade was slightly and positively correlated with both litter size traits. Estimates of correlations between staple length and litter size at birth (-0.14) and litter size at weaning (0.05) were small. Estimates of correlations between weight traits and fleece weight were positive and low to moderate. Estimates of correlations between weight traits and fleece grade were negative and small, whereas estimates between weight traits and staple length were positive and small. Estimated breeding values averaged by year of birth from both the single- and seven-trait analyses for the prolificacy and weight traits increased over time, whereas those for fleece weight decreased slightly and those for the other wool traits were unchanged. Estimated changes in breeding values over time did not differ substantially for the single-trait and seven-trait analyses, except for traits highly correlated with another trait that was responding to selection.
Multiple factors explain injury risk in adolescent elite athletes: Applying a biopsychosocial perspective

Many risk factors for injury are presented in the literature, few of those are however consistent and the majority is associated with adult and not adolescent elite athletes. The aim was to identify risk factors for injury in adolescent elite athletes, by applying a biopsychosocial approach. A total of 496 adolescent elite athletes (age range 15‐19), participating in 16 different sports, were monitored repeatedly over 52 weeks using a valid questionnaire about injuries, training exposure, sleep, stress, nutrition, and competence‐based self‐esteem. Univariate and multiple Cox regression analyses were used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) for risk factors for first reported injury. The main finding was that an increase in training load, training intensity, and at the same time decreasing the sleep volume resulted in a higher risk for injury compared to no change in these variables (HR 2.25, 95% CI, 1.46‐3.45, P<.01), which was the strongest risk factor identified. In addition, an increase by one score of competence‐based self‐esteem increased the hazard for injury with 1.02 (HR 95% CI, 1.00‐1.04, P=.01). Based on the multiple Cox regression analysis, an athlete having the identified risk factors (Risk Index, competence‐based self‐esteem), with an average competence‐based self‐esteem score, had more than a threefold increased risk for injury (HR 3.35), compared to an athlete with a low competence‐based self‐esteem and no change in sleep or training volume. Our findings confirm injury occurrence as a result of multiple risk factors interacting in complex ways.
[Prognostic factors for the success of psychoanalytically founded inpatient psychotherapy].

In the scope of our study for evaluation of the differential effect of inpatient psychotherapy we investigated by retrospective analysis of data at admission and 6. week of treatment, which factors were prognostic relevant for therapy success. We defined therapy-success as an equally weighted combination of patients' assessment of satisfaction with treatment success, which was evaluated by the Helping Relationship Questionnaire of Luborsky (1984), and the therapists' assessment of symptomatic and ego-structural improvement of the patients. For the variables, which were related to the patients or therapists, especially the therapists' judgement of the ego-structural disturbance of the patients (r = -.43, N = 218, p < 0.1) and motivation for psychotherapy (r = .27, N = 70, p < .01) exhibited relevant prognostic potency. The variables concerning the therapeutic relationship however gained increased prognostic value first after six weeks of treatment duration.
Dissection of an inverted X(p21.3q27.1) chromosome associated with mental retardation

In a 6 year old boy referred for mental retardation, fragile X syndrome was ruled out by cytogenetic and molecular analyses. Cytogenetic investigations revealed an inverted X chromosome (p21.3q27.1). A similar chromosomal rearrangement was detected in his mildly mentally retarded mother. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), using a panel of ordered YAC clones, allowed the identification of YACs spanning both the Xp21.3 and Xq27.1 breakpoints, where many non-specific mental retardation loci have been reported so far. Further investigations by FISH showed that the IL1RAPL1 gene at Xp21.3 was disrupted by the X chromosome inversion and therefore its inactivation may be related to the mental retardation observed in our patients.