Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sleep Disordered Breathing, Fatigue, and Sleepiness in HIV-Infected and -Uninfected Men

Study Objectives We investigated the association of HIV infection and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with sleep disordered breathing (SDB), fatigue, and sleepiness. Methods HIV-uninfected men (HIV−; n = 60), HIV-infected men using HAART (HIV+/HAART+; n = 58), and HIV-infected men not using HAART (HIV+/HAART−; n = 41) recruited from two sites of the Multicenter AIDS cohort study (MACS) underwent a nocturnal sleep study, anthropometric assessment, and questionnaires for fatigue and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. The prevalence of SDB in HIV- men was compared to that in men matched from the Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS). Results The prevalence of SDB was unexpectedly high in all groups: 86.7% for HIV−, 70.7% for HIV+/HAART+, and 73.2% for HIV+/HAART−, despite lower body-mass indices (BMI) in HIV+ groups. The higher prevalence in the HIV− men was significant in univariate analyses but not after adjustment for BMI and other variables. SDB was significantly more common in HIV− men in this study than those in SHHS, and was common in participants with BMIs <25 kg/m2. HIV+ men reported fatigue more frequently than HIV− men (25.5% vs. 6.7%; p = 0.003), but self-reported sleepiness did not differ among the three groups. Sleepiness, but not fatigue, was significantly associated with SDB. Conclusions SDB was highly prevalent in HIV− and HIV+ men, despite a normal or slightly elevated BMI. The high rate of SDB in men who have sex with men deserves further investigation. Sleepiness, but not fatigue, was related to the presence of SDB. Clinicians caring for HIV-infected patients should distinguish between fatigue and sleepiness when considering those at risk for SDB, especially in non-obese men.
Cause of Death in Korean Men with Prostate Cancer: an Analysis of Time Trends in a Nationwide Cohort

Despite rapid increase in incidence of prostate cancer (PC) and PC survivors, there are few studies regarding competing causes of death and time trends in Asian population. We conducted a cohort study of 2% nationwide random sample of Korean National Health Insurance employees. A total of 873 patients who had received active treatments, including surgery, radiation therapy (RT) and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), for newly diagnosed PC between 2003 and 2010 were included. The cause of death was categorized as PC, other cancers, cardiovascular disease, and other causes. During a median follow-up of 4.75 years, 29.4% (257/873) of the study population died. PC, other cancers, cardiovascular disease, and other causes were responsible for 46.3%, 35.4%, 6.6%, and 11.7%, respectively, of the decedents. Significant differences existed in the cause of death among treatment groups (P < 0.001). Only 20% and 9.5% of surgery and RT group died of PC, whereas 63.9% of ADT group died of PC. Other cancers were responsible for 56%, 74.6% and 17.8% of death in the surgery, RT and ADT group, respectively, while cardiovascular disease accounted for 4%, 6.3%, and 7.1% of death in the treatment groups. Analysis of time trends showed that PC-specific death tended to decrease (from 42.9% in 2003 to 23.1% in 2010), whereas non-PC causes tended to increase over the 8 years. Our results are valuable in overviewing causes of death and time trends in Korean PC patients, and planning future health policy for PC.
Parental stress as a predictor of wheezing in infancy: a prospective birth-cohort study.

The role of stress in the pathogenesis of childhood wheeze remains controversial. Caretaker stress might influence wheeze through stress-induced behavioral changes in caregivers (e.g., smoking, breast-feeding) or biologic processes impacting infant development (e.g., immune response, susceptibility to lower respiratory infections). The influence of caregiver stress on wheeze in infancy was studied in a genetically predisposed prospective birth-cohort (n = 496). Caregiver-perceived stress and wheeze in the children were ascertained bimonthly from the first 2 to 3 mo of life. Greater levels of caregiver-perceived stress at 2 to 3 mo was associated with increased risk of subsequent repeated wheeze among the children during the first 14 mo of life (RR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.3 to 1.9). Caregiver-perceived stress remained significant (RR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.9) when controlling for factors potentially associated with both stress and wheeze (parental asthma, socioeconomic status, birth weight, and race/ethnicity) as well as mediators through which stress might influence wheeze (maternal smoking, breast-feeding, indoor allergen exposures, and lower respiratory infections). Furthermore, caregiver stress prospectively predicted wheeze in the infants, whereas wheeze in the children did not predict subsequent caregiver stress. The effect of caregiver stress on early childhood wheeze was independent of caregiver smoking and breast-feeding behaviors, as well as allergen exposure, birth weight, and lower respiratory infections. These findings suggest a more direct mechanism may be operating between stress and wheeze in early childhood. Stress may contribute significantly to the population burden of preventable childhood respiratory illness.
Genetic loss of D‐amino acid oxidase activity reverses schizophrenia‐like phenotypes in mice

Reduced function of the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The NMDAR contains a glycine binding site in its NR1 subunit that may be a useful target for the treatment of schizophrenia. In this study, we assessed the therapeutic potential of long‐term increases in the brain levels of the endogenous NMDAR glycine site agonist D‐serine, through the genetic inactivation of its catabolic enzyme D‐amino acid oxidase (DAO) in mice. The effects of eliminating DAO function were investigated in mice that display schizophrenia‐related behavioral deficits due to a mutation (Grin 1D481N) in the NR1 subunit that results in a reduction in NMDAR glycine affinity. Grin 1D481N mice show deficits in sociability, prolonged latent inhibition, enhanced startle reactivity and impaired spatial memory. The hypofunctional Dao 1G181R mutation elevated brain levels of D‐serine, but alone it did not affect performance in the behavioral measures. Compared to animals with only the Grin 1D481N mutation, mice with both the Dao1G181R and Grin 1D481N mutations displayed an improvement in social approach and spatial memory retention, as well as a reversal of abnormally persistent latent inhibition and a partial normalization of startle responses. Thus, an increased level of D‐serine resulting from decreased catalysis corrected the performance of mice with deficient NMDAR glycine site activation in behavioral tasks relevant to the negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Diminished DAO activity and elevations in D‐serine may serve as an effective therapeutic intervention for the treatment of psychiatric symptoms.
Myocilin mutations among POAG patients from two populations of Tamil Nadu, South India, a comparative analysis

Purpose Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common type of glaucoma. Among the POAG genes identified so far, myocilin (MYOC) is the most frequently mutated gene in POAG patients worldwide. The MYOC Gln48His mutation is unique among Indian POAG patients. This mutation has not been observed in some populations within India and in other populations worldwide. The objectives of this work were to characterize and compare the mutation spectrum among POAG patients from two places of South India and identify the occurrence and prevalence of Gln48His mutation in our study populations. Methods One hundred-one (101) POAG patients from Chennai, South India were recruited for the study. Earlier, 100 patients from the southernmost part of India, Kanyakumari district, were screened. MYOC was screened by polymerase chain reaction based single stand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) methodology. DNA sequencing of deviant samples was performed. Secondary structures of the proteins with amino acid sequence variations were predicted. Results The mutation frequency of MYOC among POAG patients in Chennai was 2%. Three types of mutations were observed. The MYOC Gln48His mutation was observed among 2 POAG patients from Chennai. However, absence of this mutation among patients from Kanyakumari suggests possible involvement of demographic factors in disease causation via this mutation. Two heterozygous sequence variants, Thr353Ile and Asn480Lys, in the same exon (exon III) of MYOC were observed in one POAG patient who had a severe disease phenotype. This is the first such report of a compound heterozygote individual with two mutations in the same exon of MYOC. Conclusions The presence of mutations at a rate similar to other studies suggests the causative role of MYOC among POAG patients from Chennai. Screening of more patients and families from all parts of India is required to identify the actual frequency of the Gln48His mutation and thus highlight its importance. The compound heterozygote with a severe disease phenotype reiterates the importance of MYOC in certain POAG patients.
Abusive supervision and work performance: The moderating role of abusive supervision variability

I drew on situational strength theory to develop and test a cross-level contingent model to explain how the dispersion-based conceptualization of group-level abusive supervision (i.e., abusive supervision variability) affects subordinates’ work performance. Analysis of multisource, longitudinal data of 242 supervisor–subordinate dyads from 82 groups showed that abusive supervision was negatively related to job performance and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCB). Further, results of moderated path analysis showed abusive supervision variability augmented the negative impacts of abusive supervision on job performance and OCB, such that these negative relationships would be stronger when the variability of abusive supervision was low as opposed to high. I discuss the implications of abusive supervision variability as it relates to understanding the impact of abusive supervision on subordinates’ performance.
Footprints of Inversions at Present and Past Pseudoautosomal Boundaries in Human Sex Chromosomes

The human sex chromosomes have stopped recombining gradually, which has left five evolutionary strata on the X chromosome. Y inversions are thought to have suppressed X–Y recombination but clear evidence is missing. Here, we looked for such evidence by focusing on a region—the X-added region (XAR)—that includes the pseudoautosomal region and the most recent strata 3 to 5. We estimated and analyzed the whole set of parsimonious scenarios of Y inversions given the gene order in XAR and its Y homolog. Comparing these to scenarios for simulated sequences suggests that the strata 4 and 5 were formed by Y inversions. By comparing the X and Y DNA sequences, we found clear evidence of two Y inversions associated with duplications that coincide with the boundaries of strata 4 and 5. Divergence between duplicates is in agreement with the timing of strata 4 and 5 formation. These duplicates show a complex pattern of gene conversion that resembles the pattern previously found for AMELXY, a stratum 3 locus. This suggests that this locus—despite AMELY being unbroken—was possibly involved in a Y inversion that formed stratum 3. However, no clear evidence supporting the formation of stratum 3 by a Y inversion was found, probably because this stratum is too old for such an inversion to be detectable. Our results strongly support the view that the most recent human strata have arisen by Y inversions and suggest that inversions have played a major role in the differentiation of our sex chromosomes.
Latency Analysis for M2M and Online Gaming Traffic in an HSPA Network

This paper analyzes latency in a High-Speed Packet Access network appropriately resourced for emulated Machine-to-Machine and Online Gaming traffic. Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP) are used for conveying application data and the measurement results from the end-user perspective are compared. In TCP case, traffic traces were recorded in two points of the core network as well (Gn interface and the firewall), and the overall delay is dissected to portions belonging to different parts of the network (access, core, backbone). The diversity of the traffic patterns used made it possible to draw conclusions concerning selectivity of certain parts of the network towards different traffic patterns, indicating the direction of future research on reducing latency for subject emerging application domains in legacy networks.
Planar cell polarity defects and defective Vangl2 trafficking in mutants for the COPII gene Sec24b

Among the cellular properties that are essential for the organization of tissues during animal development, the importance of cell polarity in the plane of epithelial sheets has become increasingly clear in the past decades. Planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling in vertebrates has indispensable roles in many aspects of their development, in particular, controlling alignment of various types of epithelial cells. Disrupted PCP has been linked to developmental defects in animals and to human pathology. Neural tube closure defects (NTD) and disorganization of the mechanosensory cells of the organ of Corti are commonly known consequences of disturbed PCP signaling in mammals. We report here a typical PCP phenotype in a mouse mutant for the Sec24b gene, including the severe NTD craniorachischisis, abnormal arrangement of outflow tract vessels and disturbed development of the cochlea. In addition, we observed genetic interaction between Sec24b and the known PCP gene, scribble. Sec24b is a component of the COPII coat protein complex that is part of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-derived transport vesicles. Sec24 isoforms are thought to be directly involved in cargo selection, and we present evidence that Sec24b deficiency specifically affects transport of the PCP core protein Vangl2, based on experiments in embryos and in cultured primary cells.
Analysis of coherent structures and atmosphere-canopy coupling strength during the CABINEX field campaign: implications for atmospheric chemistry

Intermittent coherent structures can be responsible for a large fraction of the exchange between a forest canopy and the atmosphere. Quantifying their contribution to momentum and heat fluxes is necessary to interpret measurements of trace gases and aerosols within and above forest canopies. The primary objective of the Community Atmosphere-Biosphere Interactions Experiment (CABINEX) field campaign (10 July 2009 to 9 August 2009) was to study the chemistry of volatile organic compounds (VOC) within and above a forest canopy. In this manuscript we provide an analysis of coherent structures and canopy-atmosphere exchange during CABINEX to support in-canopy gradient measurements of VOC. We quantify the number and duration of coherent structure events and their percent contribution to momentum and heat fluxes with two methods: (1) quadrant-hole analysis, and (2) wavelet analysis. Despite differences in the duration and number of events, both methods predict that coherent structures contribute 40–50 % to momentum fluxes and 44-65 % to heat fluxes during the CABINEX campaign. Contributions associated with coherent structures are slightly greater under stable atmospheric conditions. By comparing heat fluxes within and above the canopy, we determine the degree of coupling between upper canopy and atmosphere, and find that they are coupled the majority of the time. Uncoupled canopyatmosphere events occur in the early morning (4–8 a.m. local time) approximately 30 % of the time. This study conCorrespondence to: A. L. Steiner (alsteiner@umich.edu) firms that coherent structures contribute significantly to the exchange of heat and momentum between the canopy and atmosphere at the CABINEX site, and indicates the need to include these transport processes when studying the mixing and chemical reactions of trace gases and aerosols between a forest canopy and the atmosphere.
Estrogen receptor alpha gene polymorphisms Pvu II and Xba I influence association between leptin receptor gene polymorphism (Gln223Arg) and bone mineral density in young men.

OBJECTIVE The peak bone mass is recognized as an important determinant in the development of osteoporosis. We investigated associations between bone mineral density (BMD) and polymorphisms of the leptin receptor (LEPR) and estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) genes in young men. DESIGN BMD, anthropometric characteristics, and serum leptin concentrations were measured in young men and compared with regard to the LEPR and ERalpha genotype. METHODS From 219 healthy volunteers aged 20-34 Years, we genotyped the Lys109Arg, Gln223Arg, Ser492Thr, Ala976Asp, and Pro1019Pro variants of LEPR and the PvuII and XbaI variants of ERalpha using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. We determined serum leptin concentrations by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and BMD by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS The subjects carrying the Gln223 allele of LEPR had higher BMD at the lumbar spine compared with the subjects without this allele. There were no significant differences in BMD among PvuII and XbaI genotypes of ERalpha. However, an association between LEPR and BMD was noted in the subjects carrying the PP homozygotes of PvuII or the X alleles of XbaI, but this was not significant in those without these genotypes. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that the Gln223Arg polymorphism of LEPR is important for determination of the peak bone mass in men and that it is influenced by ERalpha gene polymorphisms.
Teacher Classroom Practices, Student Motivation and Mathematics Achievements in High School: Evidence from HSLS:09 Data

The present study explored the direct influences of teacher classroom practices, including teacher support, conceptual teaching, and procedural teaching, on 9 th grade students’ mathematics achievement, and the indirect influences of these teacher variables on student mathematics achievement through students’ mathematics self-efficacy and interest in mathematics courses. The base year data of High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS: 09) was used for this study. Structural equation modeling method was used to estimate the relationships among variables. Results showed that teacher classroom practices influenced student mathematics achievement in different ways. Conceptual teaching positively, whereas procedural teaching negatively, influenced student mathematics achievement. Teacher support influenced student mathematics achievement indirectly through students’ mathematics self-efficacy. It also had powerful influence on students’ interest in mathematics courses. In addition, family socioeconomic status (SES) and student prior achievement were associated with teacher classroom practices. Students with higher levels of family SES and prior achievement were more likely to have teachers who use conceptual teaching strategies. Students with higher prior achievement were more likely to perceive higher levels of teacher support.
A decorated raven bone from the Zaskalnaya VI (Kolosovskaya) Neanderthal site, Crimea

We analyze a radius bone fragment of a raven (Corvus corax) from Zaskalnaya VI rock shelter, Crimea. The object bears seven notches and comes from an archaeological level attributed to a Micoquian industry dated to between 38 and 43 cal kyr BP. Our study aims to examine the degree of regularity and intentionality of this set of notches through their technological and morphometric analysis, complemented by comparative experimental work. Microscopic analysis of the notches indicate that they were produced by the to-and-fro movement of a lithic cutting edge and that two notches were added to fill in the gap left between previously cut notches, probably to increase the visual consistency of the pattern. Multivariate analysis of morphometric data recorded on the archaeological notches and sets of notches cut by nine modern experimenters on radii of domestic turkeys shows that the variations recorded on the Zaskalnaya set are comparable to experimental sets made with the aim of producing similar, parallel, equidistant notches. Identification of the Weber Fraction, the constant that accounts for error in human perception, for equidistant notches cut on bone rods and its application to the Zaskalnaya set of notches and thirty-six sets of notches incised on seventeen Upper Palaeolithic bone objects from seven sites indicate that the Zaskalnaya set falls within the range of variation of regularly spaced experimental and Upper Palaeolithic sets of notches. This suggests that even if the production of the notches may have had a utilitarian reason the notches were made with the goal of producing a visually consistent pattern. This object represents the first instance of a bird bone from a Neanderthal site bearing modifications that cannot be explained as the result of butchery activities and for which a symbolic argument can be built on direct rather than circumstantial evidence.
Profile of tourists visiting European spa resorts: a case study of Poland

ABSTRACT Spa resorts in Europe have recently faced a need to adapt to the heterogeneous market, due to the health-related demand changes. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to provide a thorough assessment of tourists visiting spa resorts. The present study focuses primarily on Polish medical (therapeutic) spa resorts. The findings of the primary study reveal a complex approach to the profiling of spa resort tourists who were categorized into two groups regarding funding source of treatment, namely non-commercial and commercial. Primary data were obtained from 2050 tourists visiting the medical Polish spa resorts relating to the socio-demographic, behavioural and psychographic characteristics. The empirical evidence is based on a variety of statistical tools chosen according to the measurement scale for answers (metric, non-metric data). Knowing the profiles of spa resort tourists is important for local government entities and managers of spa treatment enterprises in order to develop and manage a spa resort product that meets the needs of their customers.
Comparison of Antibody Responses to Human Papillomavirus Vaccination as Measured by Three Assays

Background: Different assays, including the competitive Luminex immunoassay (cLIA), secreted alkaline phosphatase neutralization assay (SEAP-NA), and virus-like particle-based ELISA, are commonly used to measure antibody responses after human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Direct assay comparisons aid interpretation of immunogenicity data evaluated by different assays. Methods: We compared cLIA to SEAP-NA and ELISA among 51 HPV16/18-vaccinated women enrolled in the Costa Rica Vaccine Trial. We tested replicate serum samples collected at months 0, 1, and 12 by HPV16/18 cLIA, SEAP-NA, and ELISA. For a subset (N = 10), we further tested month 6, 24 and 36 samples. We calculated seroprevalence estimates and Spearman rank correlation coefficients comparing cLIA to SEAP-NA and ELISA. Results: After one vaccine dose, seroprevalence by SEAP-NA and ELISA was 100% (both HPV16 and HPV18), and by cLIA was 96% (95% CI 87–100%) for HPV16 and 71% (95% CI 56–83%) for HPV18. Seroprevalence was 100% by all assays after three doses. Correlation between assays was high after one vaccine dose [cLIA/SEAP-NA ρ = 0.91 (HPV16) and ρ = 0.86 (HPV18); cLIA/ELISA ρ = 0.84 (HPV16) and ρ = 0.74 (HPV18); all p < 0.001] and remained high through month 36. Ratios of mean antibody levels to seropositivity cutoffs at month 36 were lower for cLIA than for SEAP-NA or ELISA, particularly for HPV18 (HPV18 ratio for cLIA 1.9, SEAP-NA 3.5, ELISA 3.4). Conclusion: Though correlation between cLIA and SEAP-NA/ELISA is high and stable after vaccination, the assays differ in scale and sensitivity, with notable differences after one vaccine dose and for HPV18. Our results demonstrate that comparisons of antibody responses to HPV vaccination measured by different assays are approximate, and must consider biological and technical differences between assays.