Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
This item is the archived peer-reviewed author-version of: Urinary BPA measurements in children and mothers from six European member states : overall results and determinants of exposure

For the first time in Europe, both European-wide and country-specific levels of urinary Bisphenol A (BPA) were obtained through a harmonized protocol for participant recruitment, sampling and quality controlled biomarker analysis in the frame of the twin projects COPHES and DEMOCOPHES. 674 child-mother pairs were recruited through schools or population registers from six European member states (Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden). Children (5-12 y) and mothers donated a urine sample. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, life style, dietary habits, and educational level of the parents were provided by mothers. After exclusion of urine samples with creatinine values below 300 mg/L or above 3000 mg/L, 653 children and 639 mothers remained for which BPA was measured. The geometric mean (with 95% confidence intervals) and 90 th percentile were calculated for BPA separately in children and in mothers and were named “European reference values”. After adjustment for confounders (age and creatinine), average exposure values in each country were compared with the mean of the “European reference values” by means of a weighted analysis of variance. Overall geometric means of all countries (95%CI) adjusted for urinary creatinine, age and gender were 2.04 (1.87-2.24) µg/L and 1.88 (1.71-2.07) µg/L for children (n=653) and mothers (n=639), respectively. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify significant environmental, geographical, personal or life style related determinants. Consumption of canned food and social class (represented by the highest educational level of the family) were the most important predictors for the urinary levels of BPA in mothers and children. The individual BPA levels in children were significantly correlated with the levels in their mothers (r=0.265, p<0.001), which may suggest a possible common environmental/dietary factor that influences the biomarker level in each pair. Exposure of the general European population was well below the current health-based guidance values and no participant had BPA values higher than the health-based guidance values.
Modeling, Simulation, and Design Guidelines for Piezoresistive Affinity Cantilevers

This paper presents design guidelines for piezoresistive affinity cantilevers for operation in liquid environments. For the first time, we consider the interdependence of various functional elements (such as biological, mechanical, and electrical) of the cantilever, their dependence on material choice, microfabrication processes, and geometry, and the resultant effects on the mechanical and electrical sensitivities of the cantilever. The cantilever design guidelines that include material selection as well as determination of geometrical dimensions are proposed. As an example, we have designed and simulated a multilayer piezoresistive silicon nitride affinity cantilever for performance in a liquid environment under constraints imposed by microfabrication and electrical and mechanical considerations. Systematic steps toward optimization of geometrical dimensions include initial analytical estimates of geometrical dimensions, followed by finite-element modeling and analysis of such cantilevers under the applied surface stress. Simulation studies brought forth the limitation on maximum obtainable ΔR/R as well as the nonlinear behavior of the cantilever which was not observed in analytical estimates.
Motor coordination impairment in children with autism spectrum disorder: a pilot study using Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 Checklist.

BACKGROUND Some research suggests that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience diverse motor difficulties that appear closely related to the severity of symptomatology, including repetitive behaviors. Therefore, motor assessment in ASD has crucial relevance in order to plan a specific intervention. The aim of this study is to assess and describe the motor functioning in school-aged children with ASD and to evaluate the relationship between their motor profile and clinical features. METHOD The Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2nd edition (M-ABC2) Checklist was administered to twenty children with ASD, aged between 5 and 13.5 years. The motor profile of the sample was analyzed and then the relationship between the motor functioning and the clinical characteristics of subjects (age, treatment duration, intellectual functioning and repetitive behaviors) was investigated. RESULTS 70% of our sample has motor difficulties, especially in aiming and catching skills, balance and manual dexterity. Poorer performance was related to a higher frequency and intensity of repetitive and stereotyped behaviors. CONCLUSIONS Motor difficulties in children with ASD affect specific skills that imply the ability to integrate the perception with the action for anticipating and controlling the movement in a well-coordinated way. This result, along with the finding of an increased severity of repetitive and stereotyped behaviors in these children, emphasizes the close link between motor and "core" symptoms in ASD.
Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Pancreas: Diagnostic Benefit From an Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Model–Based 3 b-Value Analysis

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic benefit of an intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) model–based characterization of pancreatic masses from diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with 3 b values. Materials and MethodsThis retrospective study had an approval from the institutional review board, and informed patient consent was waived. The 1.5-T DWI data of 42 patients with or without pancreatic disease, acquired by a respiratory-gated spin-echo echo-planar imaging sequence with 3 b values (0, 50, 800 s/mm2), were retrospectively analyzed. The IVIM-related parameters D′, which is the apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC(50,800)], and f′, as well as ADC(0,50), and conventional ADC(0,800) were calculated voxelwise. Regions of interest were analyzed in pancreatic adenocarcinomas (CAs, n = 12), neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors (NETs, n = 9), and chronic pancreatitis (CPs, n = 11), not affected tissue of each pathologic group, and in the head, body, and tail of the healthy pancreas (n = 10). ResultsBy ADC(0,800) and D′, CAs could hardly be distinguished from neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors and chronic pancreatitis. However, CAs revealed very low ADC(0,50) and f′ values, which differed significantly from all other groups. In the healthy pancreas, ADC(0,800) and D′ values were significantly higher for the head than for the body and tail, but no significant differences were found for ADC(0,50) and f′. ConclusionsThe determination of IVIM-based microcirculation-sensitive parameter maps from DWI with 3 b values significantly improved the discrimination of CAs from NETs, CPs, and the healthy tissue.
Regulation of Fish Gill Na+-K+-ATPase by Selective Sulfatide-enriched Raft Partitioning during Seawater Adaptation*

Na+-K+-ATPase is arguably the most important enzyme in the animal cell plasma membrane, but the role of the membrane in its regulation is poorly understood. We investigated the relationship between Na+-K+-ATPase and membrane microdomains or “lipid rafts” enriched in sulfatide (sulfogalactosylceramide/SGC), a glycosphingolipid implicated as a cofactor for this enzyme, in the basolateral membrane of rainbow trout gill epithelium. Our studies demonstrated that when trout adapt to seawater (33 ppt), Na+-K+-ATPase relocates to these structures. Arylsulfatase-induced desulfation of basolateral membrane SGC prevented this relocation and significantly reduced Na+-K+-ATPase activity in seawater but not freshwater trout. We contend that Na+-K+-ATPase partitions into SGC-enriched rafts to help facilitate the up-regulation of its activity during seawater adaptation. We also suggest that differential partitioning of Na+-K+-ATPase between these novel SGC-enriched regulatory platforms results in two distinct, physiological Na+ transport modes. In addition, we extend the working definition of cholesterol-dependent raft integrity to structural dependence on the sulfate moiety of SGC in this membrane.
Knowledge and educational needs of individuals with the factor V Leiden mutation

Summary. Background: Genetic testing for factor (F)V Leiden is widely performed in an effort to prevent thrombosis‐related morbidity. The implications of a positive test for patients' health perception and the extent of patients' understanding of results are not known. Objectives: This study examined patient experience of genetic testing for FV Leiden. Patients and methods: The study was a cross‐sectional, mailed survey of 110 patients who tested positive for the FV Leiden gene mutation at an academic medical center between 1995 and 2001. Patient knowledge about FV Leiden, satisfaction with available information, and psychosocial reactions to testing were assessed and the influence of demographic and clinical characteristics on outcome measured. Results: The magnitude of thrombosis risk associated with FV Leiden was incorrectly estimated by 79% of participants. Many patients (64%) stated that they had not been given much information about FV Leiden and 68% still had many questions. Most patients (53%) felt that their healthcare providers do not understand FV Leiden. Patients who had been seen by a hematologist or in a specialized thrombosis clinic were more knowledgeable and had less information need. Most patients (88%) were glad to know genetic test results, despite negative psychosocial implications such as increased worry (43%). Conclusions: Knowledge of genetic status increases awareness of thrombosis risk among patients, but magnitude of risk is often overestimated. Affected individuals indicate that there is a lack of available information about FV Leiden and that additional educational resources are needed.
Parameter estimation of double exponential pulses (EMP, UWB) with least squares and Nelder Mead algorithm

Transient test pulses like electromagnetic pulse and ultrawide-band are commonly described by rise time t/sub r/, pulse length t/sub fwhm/ and the maximum amplitude E/spl circ/. Simulating the effects of varying pulses an analytical description of the pulses is necessary, which is given by a double exponential form with the parameters /spl alpha/, /spl beta/ and E/sub 0/. This paper describes the link between the parameters t/sub r/, t/sub fwhm/ and E/spl circ/ on the one side and the analytical parameters /spl alpha/, /spl beta/ and E/sub 0/ on the other side. It is shown that the Nelder Mead simplex algorithm in combination with the least squares method is appropriate to determine an analytical relationship between these parameters. There with extensive analysis of double exponential pulse shapes with far-ranging parameters is possible in a considerably smaller computing time.
Revised Limit Cycle Oscillator Model of Human Circadian Pacemaker

In 1990, Kronauer proposed a mathematical model of the effects of light on the human circadian pacemaker. This study presents several refinements to Kronauer's original model of the pacemaker that enable it to predict more accurately the experimental results from a number of different studies of the effects of the intensity, timing, and duration of light stimuli on the human circadian pacemaker. These refinements include the following: The van der Pol oscillator from Kronauer’s model has been replaced with a higher order limit cycle oscillator so that the system’s amplitude recovery is slower near the singularity and faster near the limit cycle; the phase and amplitude of the circadian rhythm in sensitivity to light from Kronauer’s model has been refined so that the peak sensitivity to light on the limit cycle now occurs 4 h before the core body temperature minimum (CBTmin) and is three times as great as the minimum sensitivity on the limit cycle; the critical phase (at which type 1 phase response curves [PRCs] can be distinguished from type 0 PRCs) that occurs at CBTmin now corresponds to 0.8 h after the minimum of x (x min) in this refined model rather than to the exact timing of x min as in Kronauer’s model; a direct effect of light on circadian period was incorporated into the model such that as light intensity increases, the period decreases, which is in accordance with Aschoff’s rule.
Diurnal variation of rumen ammonia, serum urea, and milk urea in dairy cows at high and low yields.

Milk urea content as an indicator of nutritional status may be a useful tool if major sources of variation are considered. Blood and milk samples were collected frequently during 16 to 19 h from four Holstein cows to study diurnal variation of urea content. Corn silage, alfalfa hay, and concentrates were fed. Rumen ammonia, VFA, and pH were measured in three of the cows. A clear serum urea peak, 70 to 85% higher than the lowest concentration, was observed in the higher yielding cows. The serum urea peak occurred 1.5 to 2.0 h after the rumen ammonia peak. Urea in milk equilibrated with serum with a time lag of 1 to 2 h when the rate of change in serum was . 5 to 1.0 mM/h. At this rate, the average difference between serum and milk urea content was . 8 mM. Urea in total milk tended to be more closely correlated to serum than samples from the gland cistern, but deviations were minor. Our results indicate a relatively rapid equilibration between blood serum and milk urea, also in the gland cistern. Equilibration may be explained by diffusion of urea along the mammary ducts and through the mucosa in the alveoli. If urea is to be used as an indicator of nutritional status, diurnal variations of serum and milk urea should be considered; time of sampling versus time of feeding is crucial. A small milk sample from a healthy quarter may give information on urea that is as good as that of a sample from regular milking.
Functional Coupling between TRPC3 and RyR1 Regulates the Expressions of Key Triadic Proteins*

We have shown that TRPC3 (transient receptor potential channel canonical type 3) is sharply up-regulated during the early part of myotube differentiation and remains elevated in mature myotubes compared with myoblasts. To examine its functional roles in muscle, TRPC3 was “knocked down” in mouse primary skeletal myoblasts using retroviral-delivered small interference RNAs and single cell cloning. TRPC3 knockdown myoblasts (97.6 ± 1.9% reduction in mRNA) were differentiated into myotubes (TRPC3 KD) and subjected to functional and biochemical assays. By measuring rates of Mn2+ influx with Fura-2 and Ca2+ transients with Fluo-4, we found that neither excitation-coupled Ca2+ entry nor thapsigargin-induced store-operated Ca2+ entry was significantly altered in TRPC3 KD, indicating that expression of TRPC3 is not required for engaging either Ca2+ entry mechanism. In Ca2+ imaging experiments, the gain of excitation-contraction coupling and the amplitude of the Ca2+ release seen after direct RyR1 activation with caffeine was significantly reduced in TRPC3 KD. The decreased gain appears to be due to a decrease in RyR1 Ca2+ release channel activity, because sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content was not different between TRPC3 KD and wild-type myotubes. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that TRPC1, calsequestrin, triadin, and junctophilin 1 were up-regulated (1.46 ± 1.91-, 1.42 ± 0.08-, 2.99 ± 0.32-, and 1.91 ± 0.26-fold, respectively) in TRPC3 KD. Based on these data, we conclude that expression of TRPC3 is tightly regulated during muscle cell differentiation and propose that functional interaction between TRPC3 and RyR1 may regulate the gain of SR Ca2+ release independent of SR Ca2+ load.
Childhood-onset schizophrenia: A double-blind clozapine-haloperidol comparison

Background: Childhood-onset schizophrenia is a rare but severe form of the disorder that is often treatmentrefractory. In this study, the efficacy and adverse effects of clozapine and haloperidol were compared for children and adolescents with early-onset schizophrenia. Methods: Twenty-one patients (mean [±SD] age, 14.0 ±2.3 years) with onset of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Revised Third Edition— defined schizophrenia that began by age 12 years and who had been nonresponsive to typical neuroleptics participated in the study. Patients were randomized to a 6-week double-blind parallel comparison of clozapine (mean [ ±SD] final dose, 176± 149 mg/d), or haloperidol, (16±8 mg/d). Results: Clozapine was superior to haloperidol on all measures of psychosis ( P =.04-.002). Positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia improved. However, neutropenia and seizures were major concerns. To date, one third of the group has discontinued using clozapine. Conclusions: Clozapine has striking superiority for positive and negative symptoms in treatment-refractory childhood-onset schizophrenia. However, due to possibly increased toxic effects in this pediatric population, close monitoring for adverse events is essential.
Risk of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in Athletes on Synthetic Playing Surfaces

Background: The effect of synthetic playing surfaces on the risk of injury in athletes is frequently debated in the orthopaedic literature. Biomechanical studies have identified increased frictional force at the shoe-surface interface, theoretically increasing the risk of injury relative to natural grass. This increase in frictional force is potentially relevant for the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, where noncontact mechanisms are frequent. However, clinical studies examining this issue have shown mixed results. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to systematically review the available literature on risk of ACL rupture on natural grass versus artificial turf. We hypothesized that the risk of ACL rupture on synthetic playing surfaces would not be higher than that of natural grass playing surfaces. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: A systematic keyword search was performed of OVID, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews, and the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. Candidate articles were included if they reported the risk ratio of ACL rupture on natural grass versus synthetic playing surfaces, were of level 3 evidence or better, and included only ACL injuries sustained during organized athletic events. Exclusion criteria included a study with non-field-related sports and the use of historical cohorts for calculating risk ratios. Results: A total of 10 studies with 963 ACL injuries met criteria for inclusion, all of which reported on soccer and football cohorts. Among these, 4 studies (753 ACL injuries) found an increased risk of ACL injury on artificial playing surfaces. All 4 of these articles were conducted using American football cohorts, and they included both earlier-generation surfaces (AstroTurf) and modern, 3rd-generation surfaces. Only 1 study in football players found a reduced risk of ACL injury on synthetic playing surfaces. No soccer cohort found an increased risk of ACL injury on synthetic surfaces. Conclusion: High-quality studies support an increased rate of ACL injury on synthetic playing surfaces in football, but there is no apparent increased risk in soccer. Further study is needed to clarify the reason for this apparent discrepancy.
Expression and Immunogenicity of Proteins Encoded by Sequences Specific to Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis

ABSTRACT The development of immunoassays specific for the diagnosis of Johne's disease in cattle requires antigens specific to Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. However, because of genetic similarity to other mycobacteria comprising the M. avium complex, no such antigens have been found. Through a comparative genomics approach, 21 potential coding sequences of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis that are not represented in any other mycobacterial species tested (n = 9) were previously identified (J. P. Bannantine, E. Baechler, Q. Zhang, L. Li, and V. Kapur, J. Clin. Microbiol. 40:1303-1310, 2002). Here we describe the cloning, heterologous expression, and antigenic analysis of these M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis-specific sequences in Escherichia coli. Nucleotide sequences representing each unique predicted coding region were amplified and cloned into two different E. coli expression vectors encoding polyhistidine or maltose binding protein (MBP) affinity purification tags. All 21 of the MBP fusion proteins were successfully purified under denaturing conditions and were evaluated in immunoblotting studies with sera from rabbits and mice immunized with M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis. These studies showed that 5 of the 21 gene products are produced by M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis and are antigenic. Immunoblot analysis with a panel of sera from 9 healthy cattle and 10 cattle with clinical disease shows that the same five M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis proteins are also detected within the context of infection. Collectively, these studies have used a genomic approach to identify novel M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis antigens that are not present in any other mycobacteria. These findings may have a major impact on improved diagnostics for Johne's disease.
Prevalence and social determinants of suicidal behaviours among college youth in India

Background: Little is known about the prevalence of and factors associated with suicide ideation and suicide attempts among college youth in India. Aims: The aims were to estimate the prevalence of suicidal behaviours among Indian college students and identify potential risk factors for suicide ideation and attempts. Method: The study surveyed 1,817 undergraduate college students aged 18–24 years in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, with a questionnaire that assessed suicidal behaviours as well as stressful situations and life events. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess risk factors. Results: The prevalence of lifetime suicide ideation and lifetime suicide attempts was 11.7% and 4.0%, respectively. Suicide ideation was predicted by female gender, odds ratio (OR) = 1.41, 95% CI 1.01, 1.97, economic stress, OR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.11, 1.24, stress due to life events involving religious violence in the community, OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.15, 1.78, and life events involving caste conflicts or caste discrimination, OR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.13, 1.46. Female gender and caste-related life events were not significantly associated with suicide attempts but economic stress and stressful experience of religious conflict continued to be significantly associated with lifetime suicide attempt, OR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.08, 1.31, and OR = 1.58, 95% CI 1.14, 2.17, respectively. Conclusions: In this sample, college students from low socioeconomic classes who faced economic difficulties, and students who experienced distress as a result of caste discrimination or caste conflict, and communal unrest, were at a higher risk for suicidal behaviour.