Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Associations between chronotypes and psychological vulnerability factors of depression

ABSTRACT Chronotypes have been associated with psychopathology. The eveningness chronotype has been consistently linked with depressed states or depressive disorder, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Prior studies have shown associations between chronotype and personality traits that are linked to depression (e.g. neuroticism), but other psychological vulnerability factors have not been previously investigated in relation to chronotypes. The aim of this study was to examine the association between chronotypes, depression and psychological risk factors of depression (namely, cognitive reactivity and worry), in a large cohort of depressed patients and healthy individuals. We used data from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (n = 1654), which includes 1227 clinically diagnosed individuals with a lifetime diagnosis of depression and 427 healthy controls. We assessed cognitive reactivity (Leiden Index of Depression Sensitivity-Revised) and trait worry (Penn State Worry Questionnaire). We controlled for sociodemographic factors as well as for insomnia and neuroticism. We found that the evening type is associated with higher cognitive reactivity scores, especially with increased rumination. Cognitive reactivity also mediated the relationship between chronotype and depression status, even when controlling for neuroticism and insomnia. Trait worry was not associated with chronotype. Our findings show that depressogenic cognitions are more prevalent in evening types and perhaps mediate the association between chronotype and depression. Further prospective research is needed to determine the timeline of the association. Nevertheless, results imply that targeting depressogenic cognitive processes, perhaps in combination with chronotherapeutic treatments, may be particularly useful in evening types.
Effect of treatment of chronic periodontitis on levels of serum markers of acute-phase inflammatory and vascular responses.

AIMS Recent epidemiological work suggests an association between periodontal disease severity and cardiovascular disease risk. This study aimed to ascertain if circulating levels of cardiovascular and systemic inflammatory markers could be modified following treatment of periodontal disease. METHOD Adult subjects were recruited from those awaiting periodontal treatment and randomised to either immediate (test, n=24) or delayed treatment (control, n=15). Demographic and clinical data were collected and venous blood was taken before and either 6 weeks after completion of treatment or after an equivalent 3-month control period. Periodontal examination included probing depth, loss of attachment, plaque scores and bleeding scores. Blood was analysed to determine serum and plasma fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, sialic acid, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin -6 and -1beta. Effects of treatment were assessed by paired tests and analysis of variance by treatment group with baseline covariates. RESULTS Treatment improved plaque and bleeding scores and reduced probing depths (p<0.002). However, there were no statistically significant changes in levels of any of the systemic markers. CONCLUSION Improvement in periodontal health did not influence the levels of vascular markers.
Seasonal variations of Cinnamomum burmanii photosynthetic traits in karst hills

Vegetation restoration was an effective approach of ecosystem rehabilitation in karst area. Selecting tree species well adaptive to karst environment and ascertaining their ecophysiological traits had a vital significance. We investigated photosynthetic diurnal changes of the dominant species Cinnamomum burmanii in the four seasons on the karst hill. Both the main photosynthetic parameters, such as net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency, and some environment factors, such as photosynthetic active radiation, air temperature, relative humidity, were measured. It showed the photosynthetic traits of C. burmanii had seasonal variations to make the plant adaptive to the droughty and high temperature environment and keep high photosynthesis in karst hills. Based on exploring the photosynthetic and water use characteristcs, this study provided important theoretical foundation and scientific data for revealing the ecological adaptation mechanism of C. burmanii to karst envirionment and developing strategies of vegetation restoration in karst area.
Evaluation of Fractionated Radiotherapy and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery in Cavernous Sinus Meningiomas: Treatment Strategy

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the respective role of fractionated radiotherapy (FR) and gamma knife stereotactic (GKS) radiosurgery in cavernous sinus meningioma (CSM) treatment. METHODS:The authors report the long-term follow-up of two populations of patients harboring CSMs treated either by FR (Group I, 38 patients) or GKS radiosurgery (Group II, 36 patients). There were 31 females with a mean age of 53 years in Group I and 29 females with a mean age of 51.2 years in Group II. In 20 patients (Group I) and 13 patients (Group II), FR and GKS radiosurgery were performed as an adjuvant treatment. In 18 patients (Group I) and in 23 patients (Group II), FR and GKS radiosurgery were performed as first line treatment. In our early experience with GKS radiosurgery (1992, date of gamma knife availability in the department), patients with tumors greater than 3 cm, showing close relationship with the optic apparatus (<3 mm) or skull base dural spreading, were treated by FR. Secondarily, with the advent of new devices and our growing experience, these criteria have evolved. RESULTS:The median follow-up period was 88.6 months (range, 42–168 mo) for Group I and 63.6 months (range, 48–92 mo) for Group II. According to Sekhar's classification, 26 (68.4%) patients were Grade III to IV in Group I and 10 (27.8%) patients in Group II (P < 0.05); 23 (60.5%) patients had extensive lesions in Group I and 7 (19.4%) patients in Group II (P < 0.05). Mean tumor volume was 13.5 cm3 in Group I and 5.2 cm3 in Group II (P < 0.05). Actuarial progression-free survival was 94.7% and 94.4% in Group I and II, respectively. Clinically, improvement was seen for 24 (63.2%) patients in Group I and for 21 (53.8%) patients in Group II (P > 0.05). Radiologically, 11 (29%, Group I) patients and 19 (Group II, 52.7%) patients showed tumor shrinkage (P = 0.04). Transient morbidity was 10.5% in Group I and 2.8% in Group II. Permanent morbidity was 2.6% in Group I and 0% in Group II. CONCLUSION:FR and GKS radiosurgery are safe and efficient techniques in treatment of CSMs, affording comparable satisfactory long-term tumor control. However, GKS radiosurgery provides better radiological response, is far more convenient, and fits into most patients lives much better than FR. Therefore, in the authors' opinion, GKS radiosurgery should be advocated in first intention for patients with CSMs, whereas conventional radiotherapy should be reserved for cases that are not amenable to this technique, thus making these two therapeutic modalities not alternative but complementary tools in CS meningioma treatment strategy.
Influence of Set on Perception

To examine the role which preparatory set plays in visual perception three groups of undergraduates were presented 10 items displayed tachistoscopically in . 125-sec. exposures. The two experimental groups were each given a different preparatory set relevant to the content of the items. The third group, the control group, was given no preparatory set. Six of the 10 items displayed were ambiguous items which might be seen as belonging to either set. Although the two experimental groups perceived more items correctly than did the control group, an analysis of the responses indicated that preparatory set did influence perception. Each experimental group perceived three times as many items as belonging to its set as did the other group.
A comprehensive survey of numeric and symbolic outlier mining techniques

Data that appear to have different characteristics than the rest of the population are called outliers. Identifying outliers from huge data repositories is a very complex task called outlier mining. Outlier mining has been akin to finding needles in a haystack. However, outlier mining has a number of practical applications in areas such as fraud detection, network intrusion detection, and identification of competitor and emerging business trends in e-commerce. This survey discuses practical applications of outlier mining, and provides a taxonomy for categorizing related mining techniques. A comprehensive review of these techniques with their advantages and disadvantages along with some current research issues are provided.
Differential recruitment of E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes regulates RET isoform internalization

ABSTRACT The RET receptor tyrosine kinase is implicated in normal development and cancer. RET is expressed as two isoforms, RET9 and RET51, with unique C-terminal tail sequences that recruit distinct protein complexes to mediate signals. Upon activation, RET isoforms are internalized with distinct kinetics, suggesting differences in regulation. Here, we demonstrate that RET9 and RET51 differ in their abilities to recruit E3 ubiquitin ligases to their unique C-termini. RET51, but not RET9, interacts with, and is ubiquitylated by CBL, which is recruited through interactions with the GRB2 adaptor protein. RET51 internalization was not affected by CBL knockout but was delayed in GRB2-depleted cells. In contrast, RET9 ubiquitylation requires phosphorylation-dependent changes in accessibility of key RET9 C-terminal binding motifs that facilitate interactions with multiple adaptor proteins, including GRB10 and SHANK2, to recruit the NEDD4 ubiquitin ligase. We showed that NEDD4-mediated ubiquitylation is required for RET9 localization to clathrin-coated pits and subsequent internalization. Our data establish differences in the mechanisms of RET9 and RET51 ubiquitylation and internalization that may influence the strength and duration of RET isoform signals and cellular outputs. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first authors of the paper. Summary: The RET receptor isoforms RET9 and RET51 recruit distinct E3 ubiquitin ligases through assembly of isoform-specific adaptor protein complexes that promote receptor ubiquitylation and internalization.
Traffic Congestion and Infant Health: Evidence from E-Zpass

We exploit the introduction of electronic toll collection, (E-ZPass), which greatly reduced both traffic congestion and vehicle emissions near highway toll plazas. We show that the introduction of E-ZPass reduced prematurity and low birth weight among mothers within 2km of a toll plaza by 10.8% and 11.8% respectively relative to mothers 2-10km from a toll plaza. There were no immediate changes in the characteristics of mothers or in housing prices near toll plazas that could explain these changes. The results are robust to many changes in specification and suggest that traffic congestion contributes significantly to poor health among infants.
Haemobartonellosis in a dog in association with Coombs' positive anemia.

Introduction HaemobartoneUa canis according to Jubb and Kennedy (11) is virtually of no pathogenic significance, but latent infection can be activated by splenectomy. It is reported to occur in many countries. Khutti and Hawkins (12) reported the disease in 1935 in the U.S.A. in splenectomized dogs. Benjamin and Lumb (1) described spontaneous H. canis infection in a dog after removal of the spleen containing hemangiosarcoma. Carr (5) reported a case of severe anemia in a dog after splenectomy. Brodey and Schalm (2) described H. canis infection in a dog accompanied by thrombocytopenia purpura. Ingle (9) diagnosed Bartonella (Haemobartonella) infection in a dog and described erythrocytes as being normal in size with loss of pigmentation, and made a tentative diagnosis of normocytic, hypochromic anemia. According to Venable(18) and also Carter (6) members of the genus Haemobartonella (various species) are classified in the order of Rickettsiales, but presently they are considered to be bacteria because all contain DNA and RNA, are susceptible to various antibiotics and at least one species contains muriatic acid, the cell wall constituent of bacteria. They are small, pleomorphic, coccobacillary forms with many of the metabolic functions of bacteria. They do, however, also require exogenous co-factors from animal cells. Small and Ristic (17) studying fine structure of H. felis, found that the organisms were partially embedded in the erythrocytic membrane and enclosed by a double membrane; whereas, H. canis is enclosed by a single membrane. This leads to the concept that feline
Oestrogen receptor‐alpha activation augments post‐exercise myoblast proliferation

Aim: Our laboratory has shown that oestrogen acts to augment myoblast (satellite cell) activation, proliferation and total number and that this may occur through an oestrogen receptor (OR)‐mediated mechanism. The purpose of this study was to further investigate the mechanism of oestrogen influence on augmentation of post‐exercise myoblast numbers through use of a specific OR‐α agonist, propyl pyrazole triol (PPT).
Health behaviors of cancer survivors: examining opportunities for cancer control intervention.

PURPOSE A population-based investigation was conducted to examine the prevalence of health behaviors (smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, and cancer screening) of cancer survivors by age, time since diagnosis, and cancer site. Understanding health behaviors of survivors is imperative, as many survivors are living longer and are at risk for cancer recurrence, second cancers, and complications from treatment. METHODS Using the National Health Interview Survey, this study examined the prevalence of smoking and alcohol use as well as whether cancer survivors (n = 7,384) are meeting current recommendations for physical activity and cancer screening compared with noncancer controls (n = 121,347). RESULTS Cancer survivors are similar to controls with respect to smoking status and alcohol consumption after adjusting for group differences. However, younger survivors (18 to 40 years) are at greater risk for continued smoking than controls. Survivors are 9% more likely to meet physical activity recommendations compared with controls. chi2 tests indicate no significant differences in smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity by time since diagnosis, but differences by cancer site exist. Female cancer survivors are 34% and 36% more likely to meet mammogram and Papanicolaou smear screening recommendations, respectively, compared with controls. Similar screening patterns were found for prostate-specific antigen screening in men. CONCLUSION This study provides benchmark approximations of the prevalence of risky health behaviors of survivors by time since diagnosis and cancer site. As part of the collective effort to reduce late effects of cancer treatment, oncologists may be in the best position to offer initial guidance for promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors among cancer survivors.
Interactions of cellulose content and diet composition with food intake and digestibility in dogs.

In diets specifically designed for obese dogs and cats, fiber is considered important to reduce energy density and therefore energy intake. However, there is contradictory evidence on the effects of high fiber diets on food intake. Butterwick and Markwell (1997) found no influence of soluble or insoluble fiber on the energy intake in energy-restricted dogs. In contrast, Jewell and Toll (1995) noted decreased energy and dry matter intake in dogs after they were fed a medium or high fiber diet. These differences may be due to different composition or palatability of basic experimental diets. In this investigation, we studied the interactions between diet composition (especially high fat content) and fiber (cellulose) on dry matter intake. Digestibility of macronutrients and organic matter was also determined in some high fiber diets.
C2′-endo nucleotides as molecular timers suggested by the folding of an RNA domain

A striking and widespread observation is that higher-order folding for many RNAs is very slow, often requiring minutes. In some cases, slow folding reflects the need to disrupt stable, but incorrect, interactions. However, a molecular explanation for slow folding in most RNAs is unknown. The specificity domain of the Bacillus subtilis RNase P ribozyme undergoes a rate-limiting folding step on the minute time-scale. This RNA also contains a C2′-endo nucleotide at A130 that exhibits extremely slow local conformational dynamics. This nucleotide is evolutionarily conserved and essential for tRNA recognition by RNase P. Here we show that deleting this single nucleotide accelerates folding by an order of magnitude even though this mutation does not change the global fold of the RNA. These results demonstrate that formation of a single stacking interaction at a C2′-endo nucleotide comprises the rate-determining step for folding an entire 154 nucleotide RNA. C2′-endo nucleotides exhibit slow local dynamics in structures spanning isolated helices to complex tertiary interactions. Because the motif is both simple and ubiquitous, C2′-endo nucleotides may function as molecular timers in many RNA folding and ligand recognition reactions.
Short-term growth in healthy infants, schoolchildren and adolescent girls

Background: There is agreement amongst most investigators now on the fact that growth, when measured over short periods, is an irregular and non-linear process. However, many aspects related to this process still remain controversial, for example, the continuity or discontinuity of the daily changes and the degree of existence of age differences in growth patterns. Aim: In this study we analyse and compare growth in height based on daily measurements in three samples of healthy children: Eight infants (I), 16 schoolchildren (S) and 10 adolescent girls during their pubertal growth spurt (A). Subjects and methods: Standing height or supine length were measured five times a week during 128 days, with Harpenden instruments and standardized techniques. A jump-preserving smoothing technique, based on the technical error of measurement (TEM) with a hard rejection criterion was used to analyse our data. TEM varied between 0.08 and 0.20 cm. Results: Three types of events were found: (1) stasis (changes in smoothed values indistinguishable from zero over 7 or more consecutive days), (2) steep changes (any daily increment greater than 0.3 cm over 1 day), and (3) continuous growth (small, and continued increments over time). The three types were present in all infants, adolescents and schoolchildren, with the exception of four schoolchildren who did not show steep changes. In the three samples, steep changes accounted for 32.7% (r = 15.3–54.5%) of the total growth during the study period. Mean numbers of 1-day steep changes were 4.4, 1.4 and 2.1 for samples I, S and A, respectively. Mean numbers of stasis periods were 3.0, 2.9 and 4.3 for samples I, S and A, respectively. The longest stasis period observed was 28 consecutive days in one infant and one school child. Mean number of steep changes per child was significantly greater in infants. Conclusion: Our findings support the concept of growth as a non-linear and irregular process with three phenomena: Stasis, steep changes and continuous growth present in all ages, including infancy, school age and adolescence.
Furan in canned sardines and other fish

Thirty-seven different samples of canned sardines and other fish sold in the United Kingdom were analysed for their furan content using a validated automated headspace gas chromatography–mass spectrometry procedure. All 37 samples contained detectable furan, with an average level of 26 μg kg−1. The maximum furan content was in canned fish containing tomato sauce, which had an average of 49 μg kg−1 and in canned fish packed with lemon which had an average of 55 μg kg−1. All fish in brine or in oil contained less than 20 μg kg−1 furan. Furan levels recorded in fish packed in extra virgin olive oil were low with an average of 2 μg kg−1.
Linear theory of rectangular helix slow-wave structure for traveling wave tube

Linear gain properties of a rectangular helix traveling wave tubes (TWT) loaded a solid sheet electron beam are investigated. The working dispersion equation was obtained by the self-consistent field theory, and then small signal gain of it was computed. The numerical results show that, the small signal gain and the bandwidth increase as the beam current increasing; while the beam voltage affects small signal gain not strongly, and the gain increases and the bandwidth decreases with the increases of the width of the structure whether structure parameters a and L or ψ and L are fixed, which reveals that this kind of structure is a wide-band or high gain amplifier by choosing proper value of the slow-wave structure and the beam parameters. So this structure has potential applications in compact TWTs.
Excessive Exposure to Secondhand Tobacco Smoke among Hospitality Workers in Kyrgyzstan

The aim of this study was to assess the levels of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure of men and women in public places in Kyrgyzstan. This cross-sectional study involved 10 bars and restaurants in Bishkek the capital city of Kyrgyzstan. Smoking was allowed in all establishments. Median (interquartile range) air nicotine concentrations were 6.82 (2.89, 8.86) μg/m3. Employees were asked about their smoking history and exposure to SHS at work. Employees were exposed to SHS for mean (SD) 13.5 (3.6) hours a day and 5.8 (1.4) days a week. Women were exposed to more hours of SHS at work compared to men. Hospitality workers are exposed to excessive amounts of SHS from customers. Legislation to ban smoking in public places including bars and restaurants is urgently needed to protect workers and patrons from the harmful effects of SHS.
The Risk of Transmission of Genital Chlamydia trachomatis Infection Is Less than That of Genital Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infection

A total of 211 men with 237 female sexual partners and a total of 155 women with 156 male consorts were examined for genital infection with Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The index patients had either single chlamydial or gonococcal infections or dual infections with both microorganisms. Analysis of recovery rates for groups of sexual consorts indicated that gonorrhea was contracted more frequently than chlamydial infection. Thus, when index patients had dual infections, 45% and 28% of their female and male consorts, respectively, had chlamydial infection, but 64% and 77%, respectively, had gonorrhea. When index patients had single infections with C. trachomatis or N. gonorrhoeae, chlamydial infections were observed in consorts of 45% (women) and 28% (men), but gonococcal infections were observed in 80% (women) and 81% (men). Moreover, a significantly larger proportion of consorts of patients with chlamydial infection eluded infection than did partners of patients with gonorrhea. Women who used an intrauterine contraceptive device had chlamydial and gonococcal infections more often than those who used other forms of contraception, or no contraceptive.