Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On-going generation of multiple forms of HIV-1 intersubtype recombinants in the Yunnan Province of China

ObjectivesTo investigate the molecular epidemiology of HIV in China's Yunnan Province, where the initial HIV-1 outbreak among injecting drug users (IDU) occurred in 1989, and to analyse the genesis and interrelationship of the epidemic with that in surrounding areas. DesignA molecular epidemiological investigation was conducted among IDU in three prefectures in Yunnan Province, including Wenshan (east), Honghe (southeast) and Dehong (west). MethodsThirty-nine specimens were collected from consenting IDU in 2000–2001. The nucleotide sequences of 2.6 kb gag-RT and 340 base pair (bp) env (C2/V3) regions were determined. Phylogenetic tree and recombination breakpoint analyses were performed. ResultsThe circulating recombinant form (CRF), CRF08_BC, predominated in east Yunnan near Guangxi Province (89% in Wenshan and 81% in Honghe), whereas it was not detected in Dehong (0/14) in the west. In contrast, 71% (10/14) of the Dehong isolates were unique recombinant forms (URF), mostly between subtypes B′ (Thailand variant of subtype B) and C, with distinct profiles of recombination breakpoints. The subtype B′ accounts for the remaining 29% (4/14) of Dehong isolates. Interestingly, two Honghe isolates (2/16) shared some of the precise B′/C recombination breakpoints with CRF07_BC. ConclusionNew recombinant strains are arising continually in west Yunnan near the Myanmar border. Some appeared to be secondary recombinants derived from CRF07_BC that had further recombined with other strains. The uneven distribution of subtypes, CRF and URF, suggests the presence of independent transmission networks and clusters among IDU in Yunnan.
System-Theoretic Analysis of a Class of Battery Equalization Systems: Mathematical Modeling and Performance Evaluation

Battery equalizers are widely used in multi-battery systems to maintain balanced charge among individual battery cells. While the research on the hardware realization of battery equalizers has received significant attention, rigorous analysis of the battery equalization process at the system level remains largely unexplored. In this paper, we study three types of battery equalization system structures: series-based, layer-based, and module-based. Specifically, we derive mathematical models that describe the system-level behavior of the battery equalization processes under these equalization structures. Then, based on the mathematical models, analytical methods are developed to evaluate the performance of the equalization processes. In addition, we carry out statistical analysis to compare the performance of the three equalization structures considered.
Mediterranean spotted fever: A review of fifteen cases

We aimed to determine the following things: the frequency of patients with Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) during the last 10 years among those patients admitted with fever and rash, their clinical features, and the factors predicting the diagnosis of MSF among patients admitted with fever and rash. Between 1993–2002, the files of all patients admitted to our hospital with fever and rash were collected. The clinical features and serologic results of the patients diagnosed with MSF were further investigated. The diagnosis of MSF was established by epidemiological and clinical features and also by the clinical response within 2 days after doxycycline treatment. During the previous 10 years, 140 patients were admitted with fever and rash, and 15 (10%; four females, 11 males; mean age: 41 years; range: 17–70) of them were diagnosed with MSF. Clinical features were as follows: fever (100%), rash (100%), myalgia and/or arthralgia (93%), headache (87%), petechiae (27%), tache noire (13%), leucocytosis (74%), thrombocytopenia (33%), and accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (100%). In nine of these patients, the diagnosis of MSF was established by epidemiological and clinical features and was confirmed by serologic studies. As a complication, one patient developed facial paralysis. Six (40%) were given several antibiotics. In conclusion, MSF should be considered in the differential diagnosis when a patient is admitted with fever, maculopapular rash, headache, myalgia and/or arthralgia, especially in spring, summer, or autumn.
The Comeback Kid: Donald Trump on Election Day in 2016

ABSTRACT The surprise outcome of the 2016 presidential election continues to raise more questions as experts grapple with the evidence for why most prognosticators considered a Hillary Clinton victory almost certain. This article uses the 2016 Cooperative Congressional Election Study data to show that a primary explanation for why the election of Donald Trump was difficult to predict is that the bulk of his support did not materialize until Election Day, in the battleground states that he had to carry to win the Electoral College.
Osteoprotegerin Abrogates Chronic Alcohol Ingestion‐Induced Bone Loss in Mice

To investigate the role of osteoprotegerin (OPG) on alcohol (ethanol)‐mediated osteoporosis, we measured a variety of bone remodeling parameters in mice that were either on a control diet, an ethanol (5%) diet, or an ethanol (5%) diet plus OPG administration. OPG diminished the ethanol‐induced (1) decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) as determined by dual‐energy densitometry, (2) decrease in cancellous bone volume and trabecular width and the increase of osteoclast surface as determined by histomorphometry of the femur, (3) increase in urinary deoxypyridinolines (Dpd's) as determined by ELISA, and (4) increase in colony‐forming unit‐granulocyte macrophage (CFU‐GM) formation and osteoclastogenesis as determined by ex vivo bone marrow cell cultures. Additionally, OPG diminished the ethanol‐induced decrease of several osteoblastic parameters including osteoblast formation and osteoblast culture calcium retention. These findings were supported by histomorphometric indices in the distal femur. Taken together, these data show that OPG diminishes ethanol‐induced bone loss. Furthermore, they suggest that OPG achieves this through its ability to abrogate ethanol‐induced promotion of osteoclastogenesis and promote osteoblast proliferation.
Distributional Effects of a Continuous Treatment with an Application on Intergenerational Mobility

This paper considers the effect of a continuous treatment on the entire distribution of outcomes after adjusting for differences in the distribution of covariates across different levels of the treatment. Our methodology encompasses dose response functions, counterfactual distributions, and "distributional policy effects'' depending on the assumptions invoked by the researcher. We propose a three-step estimator that consists of (i) estimating the distribution of the outcome conditional on the treatment and other covariates using quantile regression; (ii) for each value of the treatment, averaging over a counterfactual distribution of the covariates holding the treatment fixed; (iii) manipulating the counterfactual distribution into a parameter of interest. We show that our estimators converge uniformly to Gaussian processes and that the empirical bootstrap can be used to conduct uniformly valid inference across a range of values of the treatment. We use our method to study intergenerational income mobility where we consider distributional effects of parents' income on child's income such as (i) the fraction of children with income below the poverty line, (ii) the variance of child's income, and (iii) the inter-quantile range of child's income -- all as a function of parents' income.
Quantitative CSF PCR in Epstein–Barr virus infections of the central nervous system

Acute Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection of the central nervous system (CNS) is associated with meningoencephalitis and other neurological syndromes and with CNS lymphomas (CNSLs). Diagnosis is based on serological studies and more recently on detection of EBV DNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We measured EBV DNA by quantitative PCR and EBV mRNA by RT‐PCR in the CSF in patients with EBV‐associated neurological disorders. EBV was identified as the cause of CNS infection in 28 patients: 14 with CNSL, 10 with encephalitis, and 4 with postinfectious neurological complications. CSF analysis showed that patients with CNSL had high EBV load (mean ± standard error of 4.8 ± 0.2 log10 DNA copies/ml) and low leukocyte counts (22 ± 7 cells/μl); encephalitis was characterized by high EBV load (4.2 ± 0.3 log10 DNA copies/ml) and high leukocyte counts (143 ± 62 cells/μl); and patients with postinfectious complications showed low EBV load (3.0 ± 0.2 log10 DNA copies/ml) with high leukocyte counts (88 ± 57 cells/μl). Lytic cycle EBV mRNA, a marker of viral replication, was identified in 10 CSF samples from patients with CNSL and encephalitis. These studies demonstrate the utility of quantitative CSF PCR and establish the presence of lytic cycle EBV mRNA in CSF of patients with EBV‐associated neurological disease.
Neurotoxic effects of carambola in rats: the role of oxalate.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Carambola (star fruit) has been reported to contain neurotoxins that cause convulsions, hiccups, or death in uremic patients, and prolong barbiturate-induced sleeping time in rats. The constituent responsible for these effects remains uncertain. Carambola contains a large quantity of oxalate, which can induce depression of cerebral function and seizures. This study was conducted to investigate the role of oxalate in carambola toxicity in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS The effects on barbiturate-induced sleeping time and death caused by intraperitoneal administration of carambola juice were observed in Sprague-Dawley rats. To obtain a dose-dependent response curve and evaluate the lethal dose, rats were treated with serial amounts of pure carambola juice diluted with normal saline in a volume of 1:1. To test the role of oxalate in the neurotoxic effect of carambola, either 5.33 g/kg carambola after oxalate removal or 5.33 g/kg of pure carambola juice diluted with normal saline were administered intraperitoneally, while the control group was given normal saline before pentobarbital injection. The effects of carambola and oxalate-removed carambola on barbiturate-induced sleeping time were compared with those of saline. To assess the lethal effect of oxalate in carambola, we gave rats chemical oxalate at comparable concentrations to the oxalate content of carambola. RESULTS Carambola juice administration prolonged barbiturate-induced sleeping time in a dose-dependent manner. The sleeping time of rats that received normal saline and 1.33 g/kg, 2.67 g/kg, 5.33 g/kg, and 10.67 g/kg of carambola juice were 66 +/- 16.6, 93.7 +/- 13.4, 113.3 +/- 11.4, 117.5 +/- 29.0, and 172.5 +/- 38.8 minutes, respectively. The three higher-dose groups had longer sleeping times than controls (p < 0.05 or 0.005). This effect was eliminated after the removal of oxalate from carambola juice. Four of eight rats in the 10.67-g/kg group and all rats in the 21.33 g/kg and chemical oxalate groups died after seizure. Lethal doses of carambola juice were rendered harmless by the oxalate removal procedure. CONCLUSIONS Oxalate is a main constituent of carambola neurotoxicity. This finding suggests that patients with carambola intoxication should be treated for oxalate toxicosis.
Macrophages Escape Inhibition of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I-Dependent Antigen Presentation by Cytomegalovirus

ABSTRACT The mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) m152- andm06-encoded glycoproteins gp40 and gp48, respectively, independently downregulate major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I surface expression during the course of productive MCMV infection in fibroblasts. As a result, presentation of an immediate-early protein pp89-derived nonapeptide to H-2Ld -restricted CD8+ cytotoxic T cells is completely prevented in fibroblasts. Here we demonstrate that MCMV-infected primary bone marrow macrophages and the macrophage cell line J774 constitutively present pp89 peptides during permissive MCMV infection to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). In contrast to fibroblasts, expression of them152 and m06 genes in macrophages does not affect surface expression of MHC class I. Assessment of pp89 synthesis and quantification of extracted peptide revealed a significantly higher efficiency of macrophages than of fibroblasts to process pp89 into finally trimmed peptide. The yield of pp89 peptide determined in MCMV-infected tissues of bone marrow chimeras confirmed that bone marrow-derived cells represent a prime source of pp89 processing in parenchymal organs. The finding that macrophages resist the viral control of MHC I-dependent antigen presentation reconciles the paradox of efficient induction of CMV-specific CD8+ CTL in vivo despite extensive potential of CMVs to subvert MHC class I.
Genetic determination of individual birth weight and its association with sow productivity traits using Bayesian analyses.

Genetic association between individual birth weight (IBW) and litter birth weight (LBW) was analyzed on records of 14,950 individual pigs born alive between 1988 and 1994 at the pig breeding farm of the University of Kiel. Dams were from three purebred lines (German Landrace, German Edelschwein, and Large White) and their crosses. Phenotypically, preweaning mortality of pigs decreased substantially from 40% for pigs with < or = 1 kg weight to less than 7% for pigs with > 1.6 kg. For these low to high birth weight categories, preweaning growth (d 21 of age) and early postweaning growth (weaning to 25 kg) increased by more than 28 and 8% per day, respectively. Bayesian analysis was performed based on direct-maternal effects models for IBW and multiple-trait direct effects models for number of pigs born in total (NOBT) and alive (NOBA) and LBW. Bayesian posterior means for direct and maternal heritability and litter proportion of variance in IBW were . 09, . 26, and . 18, respectively. After adjustment for NOBT, these changed to . 08, . 22, and . 09, respectively. Adjustment for NOBT reduced the direct and maternal genetic correlation from -. 41 to -. 22. For these direct-maternal correlations, the 95% highest posterior density intervals were -. 75 to -. 07, and -. 58 to . 17 before and after adjustment for NOBT. Adjustment for NOBT was found to be necessary to obtain unbiased estimates of genetic effects for IBW. The relationship between IBW and NOBT, and thus the adjustment, was linear with a decrease in IBW of 44 g per additionally born pig. For litter traits, direct heritabilities were . 10, . 08, and . 08 for NOBT, NOBA, and LBW, respectively. After adjustment of LBW for NOBA the heritability changed to . 43. Expected variance components for LBW derived from estimates of IBW revealed that genetic and environmental covariances between full-sibs and variation in litter size resulted in the large deviation of maternal heritability for IBW and its equivalent estimate for LBW. These covariances among full-sibs could not be estimated if only LBW were recorded. Therefore, selection for increased IBW is recommended, with the opportunity to improve both direct and maternal genetic effects of birth weight of pigs and, thus, their vitality and pre- and postnatal growth.
Reduced prevalence of AD in users of NSAIDs and H2 receptor antagonists

Objective: To test the hypothesis that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and histamine H2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) are associated with a decreased risk of AD in late life. Background: Sustained use of non-aspirin NSAIDs has been repeatedly associated with a reduced occurrence of AD. Similar effects with aspirin have been weaker. One prior study showed a strong association between use of H2RAs and reduced AD prevalence. Methods: In a population study of AD in Cache County, UT, we used a sequenced plan of sampling and case ascertainment to identify 201 cases of AD and 4425 participants with no indication of cognitive impairment. Independently, an interview and medicine chest inventory assessed use of several medicines including aspirin, non-aspirin NSAIDs, H2RAs, and three classes of “control” drugs not thought to be associated with AD. Follow-up questioning probed possible indications for use of these drugs. Results: Compared with cognitively intact individuals, the AD cases had significantly less reported current use of NSAIDs, aspirin, and H2RAs. Stronger associations appeared when subjects reported use of both NSAIDs and aspirin (no H2RAs), two different NSAIDs (no H2RAs), or two different H2RAs (with neither aspirin nor NSAIDs). There was little or no such association with use of the control medicines. Adjustment for usage indication did not influence these findings, and there was no appreciable variation with number of APOE ε4 alleles. Conclusions: As predicted, use of NSAIDs and aspirin were specifically associated with reduced occurrence of AD. Notably, a previous observation of an inverse association of AD and use of H2RAs was also affirmed. Definitive evidence for a preventive action of these agents will require randomized prevention trials.
Deep Venous Thrombosis in the Pediatric Trauma Population: An Unusual Event: Report of Three Cases

The incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in the pediatric population has been reported to be lower than in adults. Pediatric trauma patients have predisposing risk factors for DVT similar to those in the general trauma population. We reviewed the records of 2746 children under 16 years of age admitted to our Level I pediatric trauma service from 1989 to 1997. Only three cases of DVT were documented, all adolescents. DVT was located in the upper (n = 1) and lower (n = 1) extremity venous system. One patient presented with pulmonary embolism alone without identifiable DVT. Risk factors found were venous system manipulations, including atriocaval shunt, subclavian central line, and hyperinflated medical antishock trousers garment. Therapy consisted of heparin followed by warfarin anticoagulation. A vena cava filter was inserted in one patient for whom systemic anticoagulation was contraindicated. No DVT was seen in 1123 closed head injury patients or 29 spinal cord injury patients without associated risk factors. The thrombotic risk in pediatric trauma patients is low. Routine screening or prophylaxis is not indicated except for patients who are likely to remain immobile for an extended period of time and require prolonged rehabilitation, have venous manipulations, or present with clinical symptoms. Hematologic evaluation in patients with diagnosed DVT is necessary to identify individual risk factors.
Long term outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI): a systematic review of 5-year survival and beyond.

BACKGROUND Transcatheter aortic valve implantation/replacement (TAVI/TAVR) is becoming more frequently used to treat aortic stenosis (AS), with increasing push for the procedure in lower risk patients. Numerous randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that TAVI offers a suitable alternative to the current gold standard of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in terms of short-term outcomes. The present review evaluates long-term outcomes following TAVI procedures. METHODS Literature search using three electronic databases was performed up to June 2017. Studies which included 20 or more patients undergoing TAVI procedures, either as a stand-alone or concomitant procedure and with a follow-up of at least 5 years, were included in the present review. Literature search and data extraction were performed by two independent researchers. Digitized survival data were extracted from Kaplan-Meier curves in order to re-create the original patient data using an iterative algorithm and subsequently aggregated for analysis. RESULTS Thirty-one studies were included in the present analysis, with a total of 13,857 patients. Two studies were national registries, eight were multi-institutional collaborations and the remainder were institutional series. Overall, 45.7% of patients were male, with mean age of 81.5±7.0 years. Where reported, the mean Logistic EuroSCORE (LES) was 22.1±13.7 and the mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score was 9.2±6.6. The pooled analysis found 30-day mortality, cerebrovascular accidents, acute kidney injury (AKI) and requirement for permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation to be 8.4%, 2.8%, 14.4%, and 13.4%, respectively. Aggregated survival at 1-, 2-, 3-, 5- and 7-year were 83%, 75%, 65%, 48% and 28%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The present systematic review identified acceptable long-term survival results for TAVI procedures in an elderly population. Extended follow-up is required to assess long-term outcomes following TAVI, particularly before its application is extended into wider population groups.
Preschool major depressive disorder: preliminary validation for developmentally modified DSM-IV criteria.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the validity of developmentally modified DSM-IV criteria for preschool major depressive disorder (MDD). METHOD Subjects between the ages of 3.0 and 5.6 years were ascertained from community and clinical sites for a comprehensive assessment that included an age-appropriate psychiatric interview with the parent about the child. Minor developmental modifications to the formal DSM-IV MDD criteria were tested, including translations of symptoms to describe age-appropriate manifestations and setting aside the duration criterion. Preschool children who met modified criteria were compared with psychiatric and normal control groups. RESULTS Validation for the modified criteria was supported by a specific and stable symptom constellation, social impairment, greater family histories of affective disorders, and higher child-reported symptoms of depression on an age-appropriate puppet interview. Preschool children with MDD displayed "typical" symptoms of depression, as well as vegetative signs. Standard DSM-IV criteria failed to capture 76% of children who met these modified criteria. CONCLUSIONS Evidence that preschool children can manifest typical symptoms of MDD when age-adjusted symptoms states are assessed is provided. Findings also suggest that standard DSM-/V criteria may not be sufficiently sensitive for preschool children, as they failed to capture a substantial proportion of symptomatic children. Minor modifications to DSM-IV criteria are recommended to capture clinically significant preschool MDD.
Relationship of childhood sexual abuse and eating disturbance in children.

OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that childhood sexual abuse increases the risk of eating disturbance in children. METHOD Data obtained from 20 sexually abused children were compared with data obtained from 20 nonabused control children. All subjects were female and between the ages of 10 and 15 years. Subjects completed a battery of tests assessing eating disorder behaviors, body image concern, and childhood trauma history. RESULTS Comparison of the 2 groups revealed that the abused children had higher levels of weight dissatisfaction and purging and dieting behavior. Furthermore, abused children reported eating less than control children when they felt emotionally upset. Abused children were less likely than control children to exhibit perfectionistic tendencies, but more likely to desire thinner body types. CONCLUSIONS This is the first controlled study to examine the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and eating disturbance which relied on children as subjects. The results support previous findings with adult subjects which indicate that a history of childhood sexual abuse is associated with weight and body dissatisfaction, along with purging and dietary restriction.