Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Odor Annoyance of Environmental Chemicals: Sensory and Cognitive Influences

In low concentrations, environment pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may be perceived via olfaction. Modulators of odor-mediated health effects include age, gender, or personality traits related to chemical sensitivity. Severe multi-organ symptoms in response to odors also characterize a syndrome referred to as idiopathic environmental intolerance (IEI). One prominent feature of IEI is self-reported odor hypersensitivity that is usually not accompanied by enhanced olfactory functioning. The impact of interindividual differences in olfactory functioning on chemosensory perceptions is sparsely investigated, and therefore this study addressed the influences of different types of modulators, including olfactory functioning. In a psychophysical scaling experiment, an age-stratified sample of 44 males and females was examined. After controlled application of nine concentrations of six chemicals by flow-olfactometry, the participants rated four olfactory and nine trigeminal perceptions. Weak effects were found for gender and age, as well as some modulating effects of self-reported chemical sensitivity and odor discrimination ability. For chemical sensitivity, the results were as expected: Subjects with higher sensitivity reported stronger perceptions. The individual odor threshold (n-butanol) exerted no influence on the subjects' ratings of olfactory and trigeminal perceptions. Surprisingly, above-average odor discrimination ability was associated with lower ratings of odor intensity and nausea. This particular aspect of olfactory functioning might be a reflection of a more objective odor evaluation model buffering emotional responses to environmental odors.
A Human Globin Enhancer Causes both Discrete and Widespread Alterations in Chromatin Structure

ABSTRACT Gene activation requires alteration of chromatin structure to facilitate active transcription complex formation at a gene promoter. Nucleosome remodeling complexes and histone modifying complexes each play unique and interdependent roles in bringing about these changes. The role of distant enhancers in these structural alterations is not well understood. We studied nucleosome remodeling and covalent histone modification mediated by the β-globin locus control region HS2 enhancer at nucleosome-level resolution throughout a 5.5-kb globin gene model locus in vivo in K562 cells. We compared the transcriptionally active locus to one in which HS2 was inactivated by mutations in the core NF-E2 sites. In contrast to inactive templates, nucleosomes were mobilized in discrete areas of the active locus, including the HS2 core and the proximal promoter. Large differences in restriction enzyme accessibility between the active and inactive templates were limited to the regions of nucleosome mobilization, which subsumed the DNase I hypersensitive sites. In contrast to this discrete pattern, histone H3 and H4 acetylation and H3 K4 methylation were elevated across the entire active locus, accompanied by depletion of linker histone H1. The coding region of the gene differed from the regulatory regions, demonstrating both nucleosome mobilization and histone hyperacetylation, but lacked differences in restriction enzyme accessibility between transcriptionally active and inactive genes. Thus, although the histone modification pattern we observe is consistent with the spreading of histone modifying activity from the distant enhancer, the pattern of nucleosome mobilization is more compatible with direct contact between an enhancer and promoter.
A Jury of One's Peers.

A urinary metabolite of nalidixic acid causefalsepositiveurineglucose reactions when certain reagents are used (e.g. Benedict's Solution or Clinitest). Enzymatictests (e.g. Clinistix) arenotaffected inthis manner. Incorrect values may be obtained for urinaryl7-keto and ketogenic steroids in patients receiving nalidixic acid, because of an interaction between the drug and the m -dinitro benzene used in theassay method. In such cases, the Porter-Silber test for 17-hydroxycorticoids may be used. Children: Recent toxicological studies have shown that high doses of nalidixic acid or other chemically related antibacterial agents can produce erosions ot the cartilage in weight-bearing joints in immature animals of some species. No such joint lesions have been reported in man to date. Nevertheless, until the significance of this finding is clarified, it should be carefully considered betore prescribing this product for prepubertal children.
Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) in Ecuador: Geographic Distribution, Population Size and Extinction Risk

The Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) in Ecuador is classified as Critically Endangered. Before 2015, standardized and systematic estimates of geographic distribution, population size and structure were not available for this species, hampering the assessment of its current status and hindering the design and implementation of effective conservation actions. In this study, we performed the first quantitative assessment of geographic distribution, population size and population viability of Andean Condor in Ecuador. We used a methodological approach that included an ecological niche model to study geographic distribution, a simultaneous survey of 70 roosting sites to estimate population size and a population viability analysis (PVA) for the next 100 years. Geographic distribution in the form of extent of occurrence was 49 725 km2. During a two-day census, 93 Andean Condors were recorded and a population of 94 to 102 individuals was estimated. In this population, adult-to-immature ratio was 1:0.5. In the modeled PVA scenarios, the probability of extinction, mean time to extinction and minimum population size varied from zero to 100%, 63 years and 193 individuals, respectively. Habitat loss is the greatest threat to the conservation of Andean Condor populations in Ecuador. Population size reduction in scenarios that included habitat loss began within the first 15 years of this threat. Population reinforcement had no effects on the recovery of Andean Condor populations given the current status of the species in Ecuador. The population size estimate presented in this study is the lower than those reported previously in other countries where the species occur. The inferences derived from the population viability analysis have implications for Condor management in Ecuador. This study highlights the need to redirect efforts from captive breeding and population reinforcement to habitat conservation.
A meta-analysis of adolescent smoking prevention programs.

OBJECTIVES A large number of studies evaluating adolescent smoking prevention programs have been published. Systematic quantitative reviews of this literature are needed to learn what does and does not work. The present meta-analysis focuses on the efficacy of school-based programs. METHODS Evaluations of 94 separate interventions were included in the meta-analysis. Studies were screened for methodological rigor and those with weaker methodology were segregated from those with more defensible methodology; major analyses focused on the latter. RESULTS Behavioral effect sizes were found to be largest for interventions with a social reinforcement orientation, moderate for interventions with either a developmental or a social norms orientation, and small for interventions with the traditional rational orientation. Attitude effect sizes followed the same pattern, but knowledge effect sizes were similar across all four orientation categories. CONCLUSIONS Because behavioral effect represents the fundamental objective of programs for prevention of adolescent tobacco use, the present results indicate that school-based programs should consider adopting interventions with a social reinforcement, social norms, or developmental orientation.
Interprofessional collaboration in primary health care: a review of facilitators and barriers perceived by involved actors.

BACKGROUND The epidemiological transition calls for redefining the roles of the various professionals involved in primary health care towards greater collaboration. We aimed to identify facilitators of, and barriers to, interprofessional collaboration in primary health care as perceived by the actors involved, other than nurses. METHODS Systematic review using synthetic thematic analysis of qualitative research. Articles were retrieved from Medline, Web of science, Psychinfo and The Cochrane library up to July 2013. Quality and relevance of the studies were assessed according to the Dixon-Woods criteria. The following stakeholders were targeted: general practitioners, pharmacists, mental health workers, midwives, physiotherapists, social workers and receptionists. RESULTS Forty-four articles were included. The principal facilitator of interprofessional collaboration in primary care was the different actors' common interest in collaboration, perceiving opportunities to improve quality of care and to develop new professional fields. The main barriers were the challenges of definition and awareness of one another's roles and competences, shared information, confidentiality and responsibility, team building and interprofessional training, long-term funding and joint monitoring. CONCLUSIONS Interprofessional organization and training based on appropriate models should support collaboration development. The active participation of the patient is required to go beyond professional boundaries and hierarchies. Multidisciplinary research projects are recommended.
Enhanced resistance against Listeria monocytogenes at an early phase of primary infection in pregnant mice: activation of macrophages during pregnancy

We investigated the pregnancy-induced changes in macrophage activity which are important in the expression of host defense against infections. Several macrophage functions were examined by using Listeria monocytogenes. In pregnant mice, prolonged survival and enhanced in vivo elimination of bacteria were observed in the early phase of primary infection. Functions of peritoneal macrophages, including in vitro phagocytosis intracellular killing, glucose consumption, generation of superoxide anion, and intracellular beta-glucuronidase activity were shown to be enhanced in pregnant mice. These findings indicate that pregnancy enhances macrophage functions qualitatively. Possible mechanisms for this enhancement and the significance of macrophage activation for pregnant hosts are discussed.
Nasopharyngeal Papillary Adenocarcinoma: A Clinicopathologic Study of a Low‐Grade Carcinoma

We present the clinicopathologic features of nine cases of a primary nasopharyngeal (NP) papillary adenocarcinoma. Patients ranged in age from 11 to 64 years (median, 37). The ratio of male to female patients was 5:4. They most frequently presented with airway obstruction. Histomorphologic evaluation showed an invasive carcinoma with papillary and glandular features. The tumor displayed transition from normal surface epithelium to neoplasm. Cytologically it was composed of moderately pleomorphic, columnar, and pseudostratified cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm. The nuclei were round to oval and had vesicular or optically clear chromatin. Histochemical analysis confirmed production of epithelial mucin. Immunohistochemical study demonstrated diffuse keratin and epithelial membrane antigen reactivity and focal carcinoembryonic antigen reactivity. No immunoreactivity was seen with S-100 protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein, or thyroglobulin. Taken together, these findings indicate derivation from the nasopharyngeal surface epithelium and help to differentiate these tumors from seromucous gland lesions and metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma. The biologic potential was that of a low-grade malignant tumor. Simple and complete surgical excision was the treatment of choice. All patients are presently alive and well, free of recurrent or metastatic tumor (median follow-up, 6 years, 9 months).
Efecto anestésico en el dispositivo de asistencia mecánica circulatoria: anestesia intravenosa frente a anestesia inhalatoria. Estudio experimental

Los dispositivos de asistencia mecanica circulatoria (AMC) son una opcion terapeutica prometedora para pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca avanzada, ya que pueden actuar como puente al trasplante, como terapia de destino, o como puente hacia una recuperacion. El principal objetivo de una AMC es mantener la perfusion de los organos vitales, sin embargo, el efecto de los anestesicos en el flujo de los organos en pacientes con una AMC no ha sido analizado hasta la fecha. En este trabajo experimental hemos estudiado el efecto de la anestesia inhalatoria (sevoflurano) en comparacion con la anestesia intravenosa (propofol) en el flujo de los organos (medido mediante el metodo de microesferas de colores) en pacientes con una AMC de flujo continuo. Hemos analizado tambien sus efectos en parametros hemodinamicos, gasometricos y hematologicos, y en marcadores plasmaticos de dano tisular, de respuesta inflamatoria y de estres oxidativo al inicio del estudio (antes del clampaje lateral de la aorta), antes de asistencia y tras 30 minutos de asistencia parcial. El flujo sanguineo fue significativamente mayor en el cerebro, corazon, e higado despues de 30 minutos de asistencia parcial en el grupo sevoflurano en comparacion con el grupo propofol; si bien, no se registraron diferencias significativas en pulmones, rinones e intestino. Los niveles sericos de alanina aminotransferasa y bilirrubina total fueron significativamente mas altos despues de 30 minutos de asistencia parcial en el grupo propofol, aunque no se detectaron diferencias significativas en otros parametros de la funcion hepatica ni renal. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en el resto de parametros (hemodinamicos, gasometricos, hematologicos, proteina de choque termico 70, C3a, factor de necrosis tumoral, oxido nitrico). Este es el primer estudio que demuestra un efecto beneficioso del sevoflurano en comparacion con el propofol sobre el flujo sanguineo en el corazon, higado y cerebro en una bomba centrifuga Biomedicus 540 en un modelo porcino.
Caractérisation moléculaire de lésions tumorales par imagerie spectrale infrarouge : implémentation d'un nouveau concept basé sur l'histopathologie spectrale pour le diagnostic du cancer du côlon

A l'heure actuelle, des methodes innovatrices complementaires a l'histopathologie pour le diagnostic de cancer sont en voie de developpement. Dans cette perspective, une approche biophotonique telle la micro-imagerie spectrale infrarouge represente une methode candidate capable de fournir une empreinte biochimique des cellules et des tissus sans etape de marquage. Par consequent, un nouveau concept d'histopathologie spectrale infrarouge des tissus du colon a ete mis en œuvre afin d'identifier les signatures spectrales specifiques des structures histologiques du colon, et d'exploiter ces signatures afin de developper un modele de prediction comprenant des marqueurs potentiels pour le diagnostic du cancer du colon de maniere rapide et automatisee. Pour cela, les images infrarouges de differents echantillons coliques (adenocarcinome moderement differencie et non-tumorale) ont ete acquises en utilisant un systeme d'imagerie infrarouge. Un deparaffinage mathematique a ete realise sur les images spectrales en utilisant l'algorithme « extended multiplicative signal correction » (EMSC). Les donnees spectrales ont ete soumises a une analyse de clustering, afin d'identifier les signatures spectrales specifiques des tissus du colon. Ces signatures ont ete utilisees pour developper un modele de prediction robuste qui a ete applique sur des echantillons des tissus du colon inconnus pour l'identification histopathologique. Le modele de prediction, a non seulement identifie d'une part les tissus tumoraux inconnus avec une sensibilite de 100%, mais aussi d'autre part des caracteristiques importantes associees a la tumeur telles que le tumor budding et l'association de la tumeur et du stroma. La micro-imagerie spectrale infrarouge en conjonction avec l'analyse statistique multivariee, constituant une approche non destructive et ne necessitant aucun marquage, demontre le potentiel de cette methode comme outil complementaire a l'histopathologie classique pour un diagnostic de cancer automatise et objectif.
Structural features of Sm- and Gd-doped ceria studied by synchrotron X-ray diffraction and μ-Raman spectroscopy.

A structural study of Sm- and Gd-doped ceria was performed with the aim to clarify some unexplained structural features. (Ce1-xREx)O2-x/2 samples (RE ≡ Sm, Gd; x = 0, 0.1, ., 1) were prepared by coprecipitation of mixed oxalates and subsequent thermal treatment at 1473, 1173, or 1073 K in air; they were then analyzed at room temperature both by synchrotron X-ray diffraction and μ-Raman spectroscopy. Two structural models were adopted to fit the experimental data, namely, a fluoritic one, resembling the CeO2 structure at low RE content, and a hybrid one at higher RE content, intermediate between the CeO2 and the RE2O3 structures. Two main transitions were detected along the compositional range: (a) an RE-dependent transition at the boundary between the fluoritic and the hybrid regions, of a chemical nature; (b) an RE-independent transition within the hybrid region at ∼0.5, having a purely geometrical nature. The presence of two finely interlaced F- and C-based structures within the hybrid region was confirmed, and hints of their composition were obtained by μ-Raman spectroscopy. The obtained results indicate a possible explanation for the non-Vegard behavioral trend of the cell parameters.
Diet quality and income in Rural and Urban China : evidence from the Health and Nutrition

The specific objective of this paper is the investigation of the link between an improvement in Chinese households’ wealth and the quality of their diet and the role played by this relationship on the overall nutrition transition process. Better economic conditions mean a worsening of the diet in terms of higher energy intakes from fats, only partially compensated by higher fruit and vegetable intakes. China nutrition transition is going on and the rapid economic growth may lead to adverse health consequences if the negative effects of this transition will not be contrasted.
Characterization of a Novel Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Receptor, Edg-8*

Three G protein-coupled receptors (Edg-1, Edg-3, and Edg-5) for the lysolipid phosphoric acid mediator sphingosine 1-phosphate have been described by molecular cloning. Using a similar sequence that we found in the expressed sequence tag data base, we cloned and characterized of a fourth, high affinity, rat brain sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor, Edg-8. When HEK293T cells were co-transfected with Edg-8 and G protein DNAs, prepared membranes showed sphingosine 1- phosphate-dependent increases in [35S]guanosine 5′-(3-O-thio)triphosphate binding with an EC50of 90 nm. In a rat hepatoma Rh7777 cell line that exhibits modest endogenous responses to sphingosine 1-phosphate, this lipid mediator inhibited forskolin-driven rises in cAMP by greater than 90% when the cells were transfected with Edg-8 DNA (IC50 0.7 nm). This response is blocked fully by prior treatment of cultures with pertussis toxin, thus implicating signaling through Gi/oα proteins. Furthermore, Xenopus oocytes exhibit a calcium response to sphingosine 1-phosphate after injection of Edg-8 mRNA, but only when oocytes are co-injected with chimeric Gq/iα protein mRNA. Membranes from HEK293T and Rh7777 cell cultures expressing Edg-8 exhibited high affinity (K D = 2 nm) binding for radiolabeled sphingosine 1-phosphate. Rat Edg-8 RNA is expressed in spleen and throughout adult rat brain where in situ hybridization revealed it to be associated with white matter. Together our data demonstrate that Edg-8 is a high affinity sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor that couples to Gi/oα proteins and is expressed predominantly by oligodendrocytes and/or fibrous astrocytes in the rat brain.
Combinatorial Creativity for Procedural Content Generation via Machine Learning

In this paper we propose the application of techniques from the ﬁeld of creativity research to machine learned models within the domain of games. This application allows for the creation of new, distinct models without additional training data. The techniques in question are combinatorial creativity techniques, deﬁned as techniques that combine two sets of input to create novel output sets. We present a survey of prior work in this area and a case study applying some of these techniques to pre-trained machine learned models of game level design.
The release of DNA into serum and synovial fluid.

In 5 of 15 patients receiving high dose corticosteroids for a variety of disorders, and in 7 of 11 patients undergoing cardiac surgery involving periods of extra-corporeal circulation, circulating DNA was detected. DNA was also detected in 41 of 63 synovial fluid samples tested. It is suggested that release of DNA is a relatively common phenomenon and may follow a variety of causes of cellular injury. The release of this antigen in SLE patients with circulating antiDNA antibodies may provide an opportunity for in vivo immune complex formation and resultant renal damage.
The frequency and severity of metabolic acidosis related to topiramate

Objective We planned a cross-sectional analysis to determine the frequency and severity of metabolic acidosis in patients taking topiramate while awaiting craniotomy. Methods Eighty patients (18 – 65 years) taking topiramate to control seizures while awaiting elective craniotomy were enrolled. Any signs of metabolic acidosis or topiramate-related side effects were investigated. Blood chemistry levels and arterial blood gases, including lactate, were obtained. The severity of metabolic acidosis was defined according to base excess levels as mild or moderate. Results Blood gas analysis showed that 71% (n = 57) of patients had metabolic acidosis. The frequency of moderate metabolic acidosis was 56% (n = 45), while that of mild metabolic acidosis was 15% (n = 12). A high respiratory rate was reported in only 10% of moderately acidotic patients. Conclusions In patients receiving topiramate, baseline blood gas analysis should be performed preoperatively to determine the presence and severity of metabolic acidosis.
Restricted expression of the ron gene encoding the macrophage stimulating protein receptor during mouse development

The human ron gene codes for a transmembrane protein tyrosine kinase which is a receptor for the macrophage stimulating protein. The ron receptor, together with the hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor receptor encoded by the proto‐oncogene met, and the product of the c‐sea proto‐oncogene, make up a family of structurally related receptors. We have cloned murine ron cDNA sequences and used them as probes for in situ hybridization and Northern blot experiments. We show that ron gene expression occurs relatively late in development, and is much more restricted than that of the met gene. ron gene expression is detected in specific areas of the central and the peripheric nervous system, as well as in discrete cells in developing bones, and in the glandular epithelia along the digestive tract. © 1995 wiley‐Liss, Inc.