Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vaginal Wall Descensus and Pelvic Floor Symptoms in Older Women

OBJECTIVE: To understand the clinical significance of early pelvic organ prolapse in older women, we studied associations between vaginal descensus and pelvic floor symptoms. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 270 women enrolled at one site of the Women's Health Initiative clinical trial completed a questionnaire modified from the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory on pelvic floor symptoms and underwent a Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) examination. We tested associations between symptoms (individual and grouped) with anterior, posterior, uterine, and maximum vaginal descensus. RESULTS: Mean age was 68 years. Ninety-six percent had POP-Q stages I or II. Only obstructive urinary symptoms and feeling a bulge were associated with vaginal descensus. Obstructive urinary symptom scores increased as anterior (P = .04), posterior (P < .01), and maximal (P = .01) vaginal descensus increased. Urinary incontinence or bowel symptoms were not associated with descensus of any vaginal compartment. ‘‘See or feel a bulge,'’ reported by 11 women (4%), was associated with descensus in all compartments (P ≤ .04 for all) and with prolapse at or beyond the hymen (P < .001). This symptom was specific (100%), but not sensitive (16%) for prolapse, defined as descensus at or beyond the hymen. CONCLUSION: Vaginal support defects in older women are associated with obstructive urinary symptoms and the symptom of seeing or feeling a bulge. However, symptoms are not useful in discriminating between women with and without milder vaginal wall descensus. Based on these results, we suggest that other etiologies for bothersome bladder or bowel complaints be considered before performing surgery for early pelvic organ prolapse. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2
Host PGRP Gene Expression and Bacterial Release in Endosymbiosis of the Weevil Sitophilus zeamais

ABSTRACT Intracellular symbiosis (endosymbiosis) with gram-negative bacteria is common in insects, yet little is known about how the host immune system perceives the endosymbionts and controls their growth and invasion without complete bacterial clearance. In this study, we have explored the expression of a peptidoglycan recognition protein gene of the weevil Sitophilus zeamais (wPGRP); an ortholog in Drosophila (i.e., PGRP-LB) was recently shown to downregulate the Imd pathway (A. Zaidman-Remy, M. Herve, M. Poidevin, S. Pili-Floury, M. S. Kim, D. Blanot, B. H. Oh, R. Ueda, D. Mengin-Lecreulx, and B. Lemaitre, Immunity 24:463-473, 2006). Insect challenges with bacteria have demonstrated that wPGRP is induced by gram-negative bacteria and that the level of induction depends on bacterial growth. Real-time reverse transcription-PCR quantification of the wPGRP gene transcript performed at different points in insect development has shown a high steady-state level in the bacteria-bearing organ (the bacteriome) of larvae and a high level of wPGRP up-regulation in the symbiotic nymphal phase. Concomitantly, during this stage fluorescence in situ hybridization has revealed an endosymbiont release from the host bacteriocytes. Together with the previously described high induction level of endosymbiont virulence genes at the nymphal phase (C. Dale, G. R. Plague, B. Wang, H. Ochman, and N. A. Moran, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99:12397-12402, 2002), these findings indicate that insect mutualistic relationships evolve through an interplay between bacterial virulence and host immune defense and that the host immunity engages the PGRP gene family in that interplay.
Now You See It, Now You Don’t

Ever since Thompson (1980) inverted Margaret Thatcher’s eyes and mouth, to grotesque effect (Fig. 1a), researchers have puzzled over why “Thatcherized” faces look so bizarre and why the effect disappears with inversion. After much study, the Thatcher illusion has been attributed to distorted spatial relations between features, which make the upright face look bizarre, and to difficulty coding these spatial relations in inverted faces (for reviews, see Anstis, 2005; Rhodes & Jeffery, 2009). This conclusion fits snugly into a long-standing theoretical view that orientation-sensitive configural coding of spatial relations is central to face expertise (Diamond & Carey, 1986; Maurer, Le Grand, & Mondloch, 2002; Peterson & Rhodes, 2003; Rossion, 2008; Yin, 1969). As a result, in introductory psychology courses, Thompson’s Thatcher has become a “poster girl” demonstrating the importance of configural coding in face perception. However, the very strength of the Thatcher illusion challenges this interpretation. Other abnormal spatial relations simply do not produce inversion effects as large as those seen for Thatcherized faces (Bartlett & Searcy, 1993; McKone & Yovel, 2009; Murray, Yong, & Rhodes, 2000; Rhodes, Brake, & Atkinson, 1993), which suggests that there is more to the illusion than altered configuration. We show here that the solution to this puzzle lies in disrupted shape-from-shading perception caused by inverted features. Extraction of shape from shading is done globally, assuming (unconsciously) a single, overhead, source of illumination (Kleffner & Ramachandran, 1992; Ramachandran, 1988). We suggest that Thatcherized faces are assumed to be uniformly top lit (cf. Hill & Bruce, 1993), although the inverted eyes and mouths are actually bottom lit. As a result, these features appear concave, giving a sunken, ghoulish appearance. To test this shape-from-shading hypothesis, we created “de-Thatcherized” faces, in which eyes and mouths from bottom-lit faces were inverted and pasted onto top-lit faces, giving the appearance of convex features lit from above (Fig. 1a). We predicted that these faces would look less bizarre when upright and have smaller inversion effects than Thatcherized faces even though both face types have inverted features. Method Participants
Why Do I Keep Checking Facebook: Effects of Message Characteristics On the Formation of Social Network Services Addiction

Nowadays, social media has become an important tool for individuals to communicate with others. Recent statistics show that a large number of people spend plenty of time on social network websites daily, which may lead to some potential social and psychological problems. In this study, we define the new concept of Social Network Services (SNS) addiction, and claim that it is different from other online addictions (e.g., online shopping addiction, online gambling addiction and online pornography addiction) studied before. Then we give a reasonable explanation for the formation of SNS addiction, and emphasize the mediating role of SNS use habit in this process. Last but not least, we posit that message characteristics: message richness and message synchronicity can amplify or weaken the relationship between SNS use habit and SNS addiction. A survey will be conducted to empirically test the hypotheses in the theoretical model in future study.
Heritability of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, Defined According to the Consensus Statement of the National Institutes of Health

OBJECTIVE. The goal was to determine the magnitude of genetic effects on susceptibility and risk factors for bronchopulmonary dysplasia by using the clinically validated National Institutes of Health consensus definition as a demonstrated proxy for long-term respiratory and neurodevelopmental outcomes in extremely low birth weight infants. METHODS. We analyzed clinical data from twin pairs born at ≤30 completed weeks of gestation in British Columbia, Canada, between 1993 and 2006. Differences in correlations between monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs and model-fitting approaches were used to quantify the relative contributions of genetic, shared environmental, and nonshared environmental effects. RESULTS. Among 318 twins of known zygosity, monozygotic twin pair similarities were greater than those observed for dizygotic pairs, which suggests significant heritability for bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Model-fitting analyses confirmed that genetic effects accounted for 82% and 79% of the observed variance in bronchopulmonary dysplasia susceptibility, defined on the basis of the need for supplemental oxygen at 36 weeks or the National Institutes of Health consensus definition, respectively. Variations in rates of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus were largely accounted for by genetic effects, whereas the observed variability in susceptibility to blood-borne bacterial infections was largely attributable to environmental factors, both common and unique to each infant. CONCLUSIONS. Susceptibility to bronchopulmonary dysplasia and persistence of patent ductus arteriosus are both significantly heritable. Our study strengthens the case for investigating genetic risk stratification markers useful for predicting the most significant long-term respiratory and neurodevelopmental consequences of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature neonates.
Authors' reply: Escherichia coli harbouring mcr-1 gene isolated from poultry not exposed to polymyxins in Brazil.

To the editor: The foregoing letter by Lentz et al. examined the occurrence of the mcr-1 gene in Escherichia coli isolates recovered from chicken cloacal swabs collected between August and October of 2015, from a poultry slaughterhouse in southern Brazil [1], providing valuable additional data on the epidemiology of this novel gene. Of 343 animals screened, 10 (3%) different chickens belonging to three flocks from three different breeders were found with mcr-1 positive E. coli isolates [1]. None of these chickens had been reportedly exposed to polymyxins (as growth promoter) [1]. The authors therefore considered their findings as contradicting the plausible hypothesis that the emergence of the mcr-1 gene is linked to the use of polymyxins in animal feed in Brazilian livestock [2], suggesting that others compounds or factors may also be involved in the selection of this gene.
PPARγ as a potential therapeutic target in pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive disorder of the pulmonary circulation associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The pathobiology of PH involves a complex series of derangements causing endothelial dysfunction, vasoconstriction and abnormal proliferation of pulmonary vascular wall cells that lead to increases in pulmonary vascular resistance and pressure. Recent evidence indicates that the ligand-activated transcription factor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) can have a favorable impact on a variety of pathways involved in the pathogenesis of PH. This review summarizes PPARγ biology and the emerging evidence that therapies designed to activate this receptor may provide novel approaches to the treatment of PH. Mediators of PH that are regulated by PPARγ are reviewed to provide insights into potential mechanisms underlying therapeutic effects of PPARγ ligands in PH.
Evolución y variabilidad de las tasas de gemeralidad en la población española

A partir de informacion procedente del Instituto Nacional de Estadistica se calcularon las tasas anuales de gemelaridad brutas y estandarizadas, tomando como referencia el ano 1980. Se pone de manifiesto un incremento de la gemelaridad doble en los ultimos anos en Espana, pareja a un aumento de la edad de maternidad, la cual desde 1980 a 1996 paso de 27,15 a 29,53 anos. La informacion se agrupo por comunidades autonomas para los periodos 1980-84, 1985-89, 1990-94 y 1995-96, en funcion de la provincia de residencia de la madre en el momento del parto. Sin excepciones, en el ultimo periodo la frecuencia de partos dobles se incremento en todas las comunidades, aunque esa tendencia ya se manifestaba en 1990-94 en muchas de ellas. Tasas superiores al l2%o se encuentran durante el periodo 1995-96 en el Pais Vasco, Aragon, Asturias, Cantabria, Valencia y Baleares, aunque no se observaron diferencias sustanciales entre las edades medias de maternidad con respecto a las restantes regiones en conjunto. El marcado aumento encontrado de las tasas de nacimientos multiples a posteriormente a 1984 podria estar relacionado, ademas de con la edad materna, con la aplicacion de las tecnicas de reproduccion asistida, especialmente en el caso de partos triples y cuadruples
Stabilizing Networked Control Systems with Sparse Observer-Controller Networks

In this paper we provide a set of distributed stability conditions for linear time-invariant networked control systems with arbitrary topology, using a Lyapunov direct approach. We then use these stability conditions to provide a novel approach for the design of a sparse, distributed, observer-based control network. The sparsity of the control network is motivated by the desire to minimize its cost and complexity. We employ distributed observers by employing the output of other nodes to improve the stability of each observer dynamics. To avoid unbounded growth of local controller and observer gains, we impose bounds on the norm of controller and observer gains. The effects of relaxation of these bounds is discussed. Index Terms Networked control systems, Distributed observer-based control, Linear time-invariant systems, Sparse control network
ROI-based Compression on Radiological Image by Urdhva-Tiryagbhyam and DWT Over FPGA

The area of radiological image compression has not yet met its potential solution. After reviewing the existing mechanism of compression, it was found that majority of the existing techniques suffers from significant pitfalls e.g. more usage of transformation schemes, more resource utilization, delay, less focus on FPGA performance enhancement, extremely less emphasis on Vedic-multipliers. Hence, this paper presents an analytical modelling of ROI (Region of Interest)-based radiological image compression that applies Vedic Multiplier Urdhva-Tiryagbhyam to enhance the performance of coding using Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT). The study outcome was implemented in Matlab and multiple test bed of FPGA devices (Virtex 4 FX100 -12 FF1152 and Spartan 3 XC400-5TQ144) and assessed using both visual and numerical outcomes to find that proposed system excel better performance in comparison to recently existing techniques.
Hausse du niveau de la mer et impact du changement climatique global

Au cours du 20eme} siecle, les enregistrements maregraphiques suggerent une hausse du niveau de la mer de 1.8 mm/an. Plus recemment, les observations spatiales indiquent une hausse de 3.3 mm/an sur la periode 1993-2009. Cette augmentation au cours du temps est attribuee au rechauffement global de la planete enregistre depuis plusieurs annees maintenant. Durant cette these, nous analysons les observations et les causes de la hausse moyenne globale du niveau de la mer. Nous estimons les variations steriques du niveau de la mer grâce aux donnees du projet international Argo et, les variations de masse des oceans lies aux apports d'eau des continents a l'aide des mesures de la mission GRACE. Une autre etude se concentre sur la variabilite du stock d'eaux continentales des plus grands bassins hydrologiques de la planete, a l'aide des donnees GRACE, et l'impact de cette composante a la hausse du niveau de la mer. Puis, nous analysons l'impact de la variabilite interannuelle du stock d'eaux continentales aux variations du niveau de la mer sur diverses periodes. Enfin, nous etudions le bilan des contributions climatiques a la hausse observee du niveau de la mer sur la periode altimetrique totale et pour les annees recentes. Dans une deuxieme partie, nous etudions les variations regionales du niveau de la mer. Nous etablissons dans un premier temps, les causes de la variabilite regionale du niveau de la mer et nous interpretons le signal residuel issu de la difference entre le niveau de la mer observe et l'expansion thermique des oceans. Nous etudions ensuite les variations passees des structures regionales du niveau de la mer sur les dernieres decennies (1950-2003). Le but est de reconstruire les variations passees du niveau de la mer en 2-D et ainsi d'avoir une connaissance plus approfondie de l'evolution regionale du niveau moyen des mers. Ce travail a pour objectif ultime de contraindre les modeles climatiques couples utilises par l'IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) pour predire l'evolution future du niveau de la mer au cours du 21eme siecle. Cette analyse nous permet de detecter un signal basse frequence dans la variabilite regionale du niveau de la mer que nous observons non seulement dans les donnees in situ mais aussi dans les modeles climatiques couples.
His499 Regulates Dimerization and Prevents Oncogenic Activation by Asparagine Mutations of the Human Thrombopoietin Receptor*

Ligand binding to the extracellular domain of the thrombopoietin receptor (TpoR) imparts a specific orientation on the transmembrane (TM) and intracellular domains of the receptors that is required for physiologic activation via receptor dimerization. To map the inactive and active dimeric orientations of the TM helices, we performed asparagine (Asn)-scanning mutagenesis of the TM domains of the murine and human TpoR. Substitution of Asn at only one position (S505N) activated the human receptor, whereas Asn substitutions at several positions activated the murine receptor. Second site mutational studies indicate that His499 near the N terminus of the TM domain is responsible for protecting the human receptor from activation by Asn mutations. Structural studies reveal that the sequence preceding His499 is helical in the murine receptor but non-helical in peptides corresponding to the TM domain of the inactive human receptor. The activating S505N mutation and the small molecule agonist eltrombopag both induce helix in this region of the TM domain and are associated with dimerization and activation of the human receptor. Thus, His499 regulates the activation of human TpoR and provides additional protection against activating mutations, such as oncogenic Asn mutations in the TM domain.
Drag Reduction Fundamentals

Our objective is to acquaint the reader with the phenomenon of drag reduction, in which the skin friction caused by turbulent flow of an ordinary liquid is reduced by additives. This phenomenon, discovered ahnut 1947, has received attention because it suggests practical benefits, such as increased pipeline capacities and faster ships, and is also theoretically stimulating, in the areas of wall turbulence and molecular rheology . This review, restricted to drag reduction by polymer solutions in pipe flow, has three sections: (1) the experimental evidence, (2) correlation and analysis, and (3) mechanism. Section 1 presents experimentally established results showing the flow regimes exhibited by polymer solutions, the relationships among flow and macromolecular parameters, and the changes in mean and turbulent flow structures which accompany drag reduction. The conclusions of Section 1 are documented in Section 2. The latter concerns the empirical correlation of experimental results, with analysis (and tabulations) of the data used for this purpose. Section 2 also provides for discussion of evidence not fully enough established to be included in Section 1. Finally, in Section 3 an attempt is made to physically interpret the experimental results, to infer the nature of the polymer-turbulence interaction responsible for drag reduction and its effect on the energy balances of turbulent pipe flow.
Fine mapping of AHI1 as a schizophrenia susceptibility gene: from association to evolutionary evidence

In previous studies, we identified a locus for schizophrenia on 6q23.3 and proposed the Abelson helper integration site 1 (AHI1) as the candidate gene. AHI1 is expressed in the brain and plays a key role in neurodevelopment, is involved in Joubert syndrome, and has been recently associated with autism. The neurodevelopmental role of AHI1 fits with etiological hypotheses of schizophrenia. To definitively confirm our hypothesis, we searched for associations using a dense map of the region. Our strongest findings lay within the AHI1 gene: single‐nucleotide polymorphisms rs11154801 and rs7759971 showed significant associations (P=6.23E‐06; P=0.84E‐06) and haplotypes gave P values in the 10E‐8 to 10E‐10 range. The second highest significant region maps close to AHI1 and includes the intergenic region between BC040979 and PDE7B (rs2038549 at P=9.70E‐06 and rs1475069 at P=6.97E‐06), and PDE7B and MAP7. Using a sample of Palestinian Arab families to confirm these findings, we found isolated signals. While these results did not retain their significance after correction for multiple testing, the joint analysis across the 2 samples supports the role of AHI1, despite the presence of heterogeneity. Given the hypothesis of positive selection of schizophrenia genes, we resequenced a 11 kb region within AHI1 in ethnically defined populations and found evidence for a selective sweep. Network analysis indicates 2 haplotype clades, with schizophrenia‐susceptibility haplotypes clustering within the major clade. In conclusion, our data support the role of AHI1 as a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia and confirm it has been subjected to positive selection, also shedding light on new possible candidate genes, MAP7 and PDE7B. —Torri, F. , Akelai, A. , Lupoli, S. , Sironi, M. , Amann‐Zalcenstein, D. , Fumagalli, M. , Dal Fiume, C. , Ben‐Asher, E. , Kanyas, K. , Cagliani, R. , Cozzi, P., Trombetti, G. , Lievers, L. S. , Salvi, E. , Orro, A. , Beckmann, J. S. , Lancet, D. , Kohn, Y. , Milanesi, L. , Ebstein, R. B. , Lerer, B. , Macciardi, F. Fine mapping of AHI1 as a schizophrenia susceptibility gene: from association to evolutionary evidence. FASEB J. 24, 3066–3082 (2010). www.fasebj. org
Dietary‐sodium‐induced cardiac remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rat versus Wistar–Kyoto rat

Objective To study the effects of short-term and long-term high sodium intake on cardiac mass and design in sodium-sensitive spontaneously hypertensive rats versus sodium-resistant Wistar–Kyoto rats. Methods Young spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar–Kyoto rats were randomly allocated to control diet, 2 or 8% dietary sodium for 2–12 weeks and changes in resting hemodynamics, cardiac angiotensin II level, sympathetic activity and cardiac structure evaluated. Sympathetic activity was assessed by measuring levels of plasma catecholamines, responses of blood pressure to ganglionic blockade, and rates of cardiac turnover of norepinephrine. Results High sodium intake for 4 weeks increased left ventricle weight of Wistar–Kyoto rats aged 4 weeks (by 11 and 25% for 2 and 8% NaCl diets, respectively). This hypertrophic response was temporary, however, had already diminished after 6 weeks, and was absent after 12 weeks of a high sodium intake. However, after prolonged exposure concentric remodeling occurred (i.e. left ventricle wall thickness: radius ratio increased with no change in left ventricle mass). High sodium intake did not affect resting blood pressure, cardiac index, cardiac angiotensin II level, and general sympathetic activity of Wistar–Kyoto rats. Short-term high sodium intake did not increase left ventricle mass of young spontaneously hypertensive rats, unless sodium intake was so high (8% NaCl) that blood pressure and general sympathetic activity increased, too. However, a prolonged moderate (2%) increase in sodium intake also caused concentric remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats without increasing left ventricle mass, blood pressure, cardiac index, and general and cardiac sympathetic activities. Conclusions The blood pressure in young Wistar–Kyoto rats is sodium-insensitive but the heart structure is sodium-sensitive and high dietary sodium intake causes an early hypertrophic response, and then concentric remodeling. In contrast, hypertrophic response appears to occur after the response of blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats, whereas the remodeling is similar to that in Wistar–Kyoto rats.