Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of ADH1B polymorphism on alcohol use and its subjective effects in a Jewish population.

Class I alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) are the principal enzymes responsible for ethanol metabolism in humans. Genetic polymorphism at the ADH1B locus (old nomenclature ADH2) results in isozymes with quite different catalytic properties. The frequency of the ADH1B*2 allele varies among ethnic groups. ADH1B*2 is most often observed in Asian populations, and has been shown to be protective against alcoholism. The Jewish population has a higher frequency of the ADH1B*2 allele and lower rates of alcohol-related problems as compared to other Caucasian populations. Thus, it would be of interest to determine whether the ADH1B*2 allele is associated with alcohol consumption and its subjective effects in this group. Four groups of Jewish subjects (male and female college-age samples, and male and female general samples) were recruited from the same region of the United States. All subjects completed a questionnaire to delineate alcohol consumption and its subjective consequences. Genotype at the ADH1B locus was determined for each participant. ADH1B*2 allele frequencies were similar for the Jewish college-age and general population samples. Men in both the college-age and general population in the ADH1B*2 group reported more unpleasant reactions following alcohol consumption than men in the ADH1B*1 group. Men in the general population in the ADH1B*2 group drank alcohol less frequently than men who were homozygous ADH1B*1; there was a similar trend among the women. The ADH1B polymorphism is associated with unpleasant reactions after alcohol consumption, and frequency of alcohol consumption in these Jewish samples.
Environmental Dissolved Organic Matter Governs Biofilm Formation and Subsequent Linuron Degradation Activity of a Linuron-Degrading Bacterial Consortium

ABSTRACT It was examined whether biofilm growth on dissolved organic matter (DOM) of a three-species consortium whose members synergistically degrade the phenylurea herbicide linuron affected the consortium's integrity and subsequent linuron-degrading functionality. Citrate as a model DOM and three environmental DOM (eDOM) formulations of different quality were used. Biofilms developed with all DOM formulations, and the three species were retained in the biofilm. However, biofilm biomass, species composition, architecture, and colocalization of member strains depended on DOM and its biodegradability. To assess the linuron-degrading functionality, biofilms were subsequently irrigated with linuron at 10 mg liter−1 or 100 μg liter−1. Instant linuron degradation, the time needed to attain maximal linuron degradation, and hence the total amount of linuron removed depended on both the DOM used for growth and the linuron concentration. At 10 mg liter−1, the final linuron degradation efficiency was as high as previously observed without DOM except for biofilms fed with humic acids which did not degrade linuron. At 100 μg liter−1 linuron, DOM-grown biofilms degraded linuron less efficiently than biofilms receiving 10 mg liter−1 linuron. The amount of linuron removed was more correlated with biofilm species composition than with biomass or structure. Based on visual observations, colocalization of consortium members in biofilms after the DOM feed appears essential for instant linuron-degrading activity and might explain the differences in overall linuron degradation. The data show that DOM quality determines biofilm structure and composition of the pesticide-degrading consortium in periods with DOM as the main carbon source and can affect subsequent pesticide-degrading activity, especially at micropollutant concentrations.
A Finger Vein Image-Based Personal Identification System With Self-Adaptive Illuminance Control

As a biometric trait, finger vein pattern-based technology is highly effective for personal identification with high security. In this paper, we presented the design of a personal identification system based on near infrared (NIR) finger vein image. In this paper, we introduced an observation model of finger vein imaging, upon which a self-adaptive illuminance control algorithm is proposed and integrated into image acquisition hardware. According to the distribution of pixel intensity of the acquired image, the proposed algorithm could automatically adjust the illuminance distribution of lighting: increase the illuminance of lighting, under which the thicker part of finger body is presented and decrease the illuminance of lighting, under which the thinner part of finger body is presented. With this adaptation, the whole finger body could be illuminated appropriately according to its thickness distribution, and the overexposure and underexposure are avoided effectively. An NIR finger vein image database containing 2040 images is established and published in this paper. In the image preprocessing stage, Gabor filters are used to enhance captured raw finger vein images. In our experiment, the identification performance of our system is evaluated using the recognition rate and the margin distribution. A sparse representation-based algorithm is used to calculate the recognition rate and provide data for margin analysis. The results prove the effectiveness of the proposed illuminance control algorithm and the whole system in finger vein-based personal identification.
The Bayh–Dole Act, Technology Transfer and the Public Interest

Passed to stimulate innovation and economic growth in 1980, the Bayh–Dole Act caused research universities in the USA to increase their focus on patenting and licensing activities. While Bayh–Dole appears to have led to an escalation in licensing and patenting applications through technology transfer offices, some question the Act's utility and influence with regard to the traditional mission of the university. This paper describes the Act's operation and influence, and analyses its consequences for academia, industry and the mission of research universities.
Safety of influenza vaccines

Purpose of reviewTo review recent publications on the safety of influenza vaccines [both the injectable, inactivated trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) and the intranasal, live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV)] and new recommendations regarding their use. Recent findingsNumerous studies have demonstrated that TIV can be safely administered to patients with egg allergy. Influenza vaccines are very unlikely to cause or exacerbate Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). TIV cannot cause asthma exacerbations, whereas there may be some slight risk that LAIV could do so. TIV is well tolerated by patients with immunocompromise. Some brands of influenza vaccine are not indicated for certain age groups due to lack of effectiveness or possible side effects. SummaryTIV should be administered to patients with egg allergy with appropriate precautions. Influenza vaccines should be withheld from patients with a history of GBS only if the GBS began within 6 weeks of prior influenza immunization. TIV should be given to patients with asthma, but they should not receive LAIV. TIV should be given to immunocompromised patients, but they should not receive LAIV. Contacts of most immunocompromised patients can receive either TIV or LAIV. Age appropriate brands of influenza vaccine should be used.
Diagnostic effect of capsule endoscopy in 31 cases of subacute small bowel obstruction.

AIM To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of capsule endoscopy (CE) in patients with recurrent subacute small bowel obstruction. METHODS The study was a retrospective analysis of 31 patients referred to hospital from January 2003 to August 2008 for the investigation of subacute small bowel obstruction, who underwent CE. The patients were aged 9-81 years, and all of them had undergone gastroscopy and colonoscopy previously. Some of them received abdominal computed tomography or small bowel follow-through. RESULTS CE made a definitive diagnosis in 12 (38.7%) of 31 cases: four Crohn's disease (CD), two carcinomas, one intestinal tuberculosis, one ischemic enteritis, one abdominal cocoon, one duplication of the intestine, one diverticulum and one ileal polypoid tumor. Capsule retention occurred in three (9.7%) of 31 patients, and was caused by CD (2) or tumor (1). Two with retained capsules were retrieved at surgery, and the other one of the capsules was spontaneously passed the stricture by medical treatment in 6 mo. No case had an acute small bowel obstruction caused by performance of CE. CONCLUSION CE provided safe and effective visualization to identify the etiology of a subacute small bowel obstruction, especially in patients with suspected intestinal tumors or CD, which are not identified by routine examinations.
Neural mechanisms underlying reaching for remembered targets cued kinesthetically or visually in left or right hemispace

Reaching for a target involves integrative coordinate transformation processes between the representation of the target location, the sensorimotor information of limb of reach, and body space. Although right hemisphere dominance for visuospatial information processing is well established, corresponding right hemisphere dominance for kinesthetic spatial information processing remains to be demonstrated. We explored neural mechanisms of encoding target locations using 15O‐butanol positron emission tomography (PET) in normal volunteers in a factorial experiment, where modality (visual/kinesthetic) and hemispace of target presentation (left/right of midsagittal plane) were varied systematically. After target presentation, subjects reached to the encoded target location. PET data analysis using SPM99 showed increased neural activity (P < 0.05, corrected) associated with left hemispace target presentation in right hemisphere areas (sensorimotor, anterior cingulate, insular, and temporo‐occipital cortex) only. By contrast, right hemispace target presentation activated bilateral temporo‐occipital cortex, which extended into the right temporo‐parietal cortex and left sensorimotor cortex. A significant interaction of hemispace and modality of target presentation observed in right temporo‐parietal cortex resulted from an increase in neural activity with kinesthetic target presentation in right hemispace. The data support an important role for the right temporo‐parietal area in visuospatial processing and suggest a specific role of the right hemisphere in kinesthetic spatial processing. Hum. Brain Mapp. 21:165–177, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sensorimotor mapping of the human cerebellum: fMRI evidence of somatotopic organization

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed to determine areas of activation in the cerebellar cortex in 46 human subjects during a series of motor tasks. To reduce the variance due to differences in individual anatomy, a specific transformational procedure for the cerebellum was introduced. The activation areas for movements of lips, tongue, hands, and feet were determined and found to be sharply confined to lobules and sublobules and their sagittal zones in the rostral and caudal spino‐cerebellar cortex. There was a clear symmetry mirroring at the midline. The activation mapped as two distinct homunculoid representations. One, a more extended representation, was located upside down in the superior cerebellum, and a second one, doubled and smaller, in the inferior cerebellum. The two representations were remarkably similar to those proposed by Snider and Eldred [ 1951 ] five decades ago. In the upper representation, an intralimb somatotopy for the right elbow, wrist, and fingers was revealed. The maps seem to confirm earlier electrophysiological findings of sagittal zones in animals. They differ, however, from micromapping reports on fractured somatotopic maps in the cerebellar cortex of mammals. We assume that the representations that we observed are not solely the result of spatial integration of hemodynamic events underlying the fMRI method and may reflect integration of afferent peripheral and central information in the cerebellar cortex. Hum. Brain Mapping 13:55–73, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Local anesthetics block transient outward potassium currents in rat neocortical neurons.

1. Whole-cell patch clamp techniques were used to record transient outward potassium currents in embryonic rat neocortical neurons maintained in culture. The effect of lidocaine and its quaternary derivative QX222 on this transient outward current (TOC) was examined. 2. Extracellular application of lidocaine produced a progressive decrease in peak TOC amplitude with no change in the overall current waveform. Peak amplitude was reduced to 74 +/- 6% (mean +/- SE) of control by 0.5 mM and to 48 +/- 2% by 2 mM lidocaine. The effect of lidocaine was fully reversible. Intracellular application of QX222 also resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction of the TOC with 0.5 mM reducing the peak amplitude to 73 +/- 8% of control and 1 mM reducing it to 41 +/- 4%. 3. Lidocaine reduced TOCs when applied intracellularly but the rate of block was considerably slower than with extracellular application. QX222 had no effect on the TOC when applied extracellularly. 4. Lidocaine (1 mM) induced a 4-5 mV hyperpolarizing shift in the voltage-dependence of activation and steady-state inactivation with no change in the slope factor. This small hyperpolarizing shift could not account for the > 30% reduction in peak amplitude produced by 1 mM lidocaine. Hyperpolarizing shifts were not seen with 0.5 mM intracellular QX222. The lack of effect on the slope of the activation and steady-state inactivation curves indicates that local anesthetic (LA) actions were not voltage-dependent. 5. Lidocaine or QX222 did not produce a significant change in the TOC decay time-constant. The lack of any significant change in the voltage-dependence of steady-state inactivation or time course of recovery from inactivation indicates that LAs were not altering inactivation mechanisms. 6. Application of lidocaine or QX222 during a 60-s period, when the TOC channels were kept in the resting state, reduced the peak amplitude of the first evoked TOC. The reduction was not as large as when TOCs were evoked at regular 0.1-Hz intervals during drug application. This indicates that the amount of tonic block induced by the LA is dependent on channel activation. Increasing the activation frequency to 1 Hz after a steady-state had been obtained with lidocaine or QX222 did not result in additional reductions in the TOC. 7. It is proposed that lidocaine and QX222 tonically block TOCs by binding to a site within the channel protein complex, rendering the channel non-conductive. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Injury Reduction Effectiveness of Selecting Running Shoes Based on Plantar Shape

Knapik, JJ, Swedler, DI, Grier, TL, Hauret, KG, Bullock, SH, Williams, KW, Darakjy, SS, Lester, ME, Tobler, SK, and Jones, BH. Injury reduction effectiveness of selecting running shoes based on plantar shape. J Strength Cond Res 23(3): 685-697, 2009-Popular running magazines and running shoe companies suggest that imprints of the bottom of the feet (plantar shape) can be used as an indication of the height of the medial longitudinal foot arch and that this can be used to select individually appropriate types of running shoes. This study examined whether or not this selection technique influenced injury risk during United States Army Basic Combat Training (BCT). After foot examinations, BCT recruits in an experimental group (E: n = 1,079 men and 451 women) selected motion control, stability, or cushioned shoes for plantar shapes judged to represent low, medium, or high foot arches, respectively. A control group (C: n = 1,068 men and 464 women) received a stability shoe regardless of plantar shape. Injuries during BCT were determined from outpatient medical records. Other previously known injury risk factors (e.g., age, fitness, and smoking) were obtained from a questionnaire and existing databases. Multivariate Cox regression controlling for other injury risk factors showed little difference in injury risk between the E and C groups among men (risk ratio (E/C) = 1.01; 95% confidence interval = 0.88-1.16; p = 0.87) or women (risk ratio (E/C) = 1.07; 95% confidence interval = 0.91-1.25; p = 0.44). In practical application, this prospective study demonstrated that selecting shoes based on plantar shape had little influence on injury risk in BCT. Thus, if the goal is injury prevention, this selection technique is not necessary in BCT.
Pattern of ocular manifestations in patients with sarcoidosis in developing countries.

PURPOSE Sarcoidosis is increasingly diagnosed in developing countries, although it was earlier thought to be uncommon. We describe the pattern of ocular manifestations in sarcoidosis in India. METHODS A total of 48 consecutive patients with histologically confirmed sarcoidosis, referred to a teaching university hospital, underwent a detailed ophthalmological examination, irrespective of whether they had eye symptoms or not. RESULTS Ocular involvement was seen in 14 (29%) patients. The mean age at presentation was 50 years, and neither two peaks of incidence nor a female preponderance could be demonstrated. The majority of patients had chronic disease. Posterior uveitis was distinctly more common (12/14) than anterior (5/14) uveitis. Conjunctival involvement was uncommon. These findings differ from those reported in the Western literature. CONCLUSIONS Eye involvement is common in sarcoidosis in India and may occur without ocular symptoms. Posterior segment involvement is more common than has been reported. Ophthalmologists need to be aware of ocular involvement in this disease as untreated disease can have significant visual consequences.
Silicon Surface Passivation by Thin Thermal Oxide/PECVD Layer Stack Systems

For the passivation of p-type silicon surfaces, we investigate layer systems consisting of a thin layer of thermally grown SiO2 and different dielectric capping layers deposited by means of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). We find that the thermal SiO2 layer thickness strongly impacts the passivation quality and interface parameters of the stacks. Capacitance-voltage measurements reveal that for Al2O3 and SiNx capping layers, an increased thermal SiO2 film thickness suppresses charge formation at the interface between SiO2 and the capping layer. Interface trap density and effective carrier lifetime data suggest that a certain thermal SiO2 thickness is required to achieve appropriate chemical passivation. The combination of a thin thermal SiO2 layer (~4 nm) and a PECVD-SiOx capping results in very low surface recombination velocities of a few centimeters per second, measured on p-type 1-Ω·cm float-zone silicon after contact firing and postmetallization annealing. The experimentally observed dependence of the surface recombination velocity on the fixed charge density, gate voltage, and injection density is reproduced very accurately by analytical calculations that use the measured interface trap density and total charge density at the Si/insulator interface. The model also includes additional recombination in the space charge region of inverted surfaces.
Factor Structure and Internal Validity of the Functional Movement Screen in Adults

Abstract Koehle, MS, Saffer, BY, Sinnen, NM, and MacInnis, MJ. Factor structure and internal validity of the Functional Movement Screen in adults. J Strength Cond Res 30(2): 540–546, 2016—The factor structure and internal consistency of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) have not been examined in a general healthcare population. Replicating the factor structure of the FMS is important because it illustrates the interdependence between each of the subtests, enabling the strength and conditioning professional to better interpret and act on an individual's FMS score. Anthropometric data and FMS scores were collected from 1,113 clients of a multidisciplinary healthcare clinic in Vancouver, BC The mean (SD) ages were 53.4 (11.1) for men (n = 656) and 49.3 (12.3) for women (n = 457). The mean FMS Summary Score was 13.7 (2.9) and was significantly negatively correlated with both age (r = −0.25; p < 0.001) and body mass index (r = −0.37; p < 0.001). The internal consistency of the FMS scale, which was assessed with both ordinal and Cronbach's alpha, was 0.73 and 0.64, respectively. Polychoric correlations between individual movements ranged from 0.03 to 0.59. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) revealed that the FMS showed 2 main factors, a basic movement factor (shoulder mobility and active straight leg raise) and a complex movement factor (squat, hurdle step, inline lunge, and the trunk stability push-up). Rotary stability loaded onto both factors in the CFA, and its exclusion from the model had little effect. The findings of this study broadly replicated the intended factor structure of the FMS, as the individual movements aligned well with the intended factors.
Bariatric Surgery for Morbid Obesity: Tehran Obesity Treatment Study (TOTS) Rationale and Study Design

Background Obesity is a major health concern in the Middle East and worldwide. It is among the leading causes of morbidity, mortality, health care utilization, and costs. With bariatric surgery proving to be a more effective treatment option for overweight and obesity, the need for systematic assessment of different procedures and their outcomes becomes necessary. These procedures have not yet been described in detail in our region. Objective We aim to undertake a prospective study evaluating and comparing several surgical bariatric procedures in an Iranian population of morbid obese patients presenting to a specialized bariatric center. Methods In order to facilitate and accelerate understanding of obesity and its complications, the Tehran Obesity Treatment Study (TOTS) was planned and developed. This study is a longitudinal prospective cohort study in consecutive patients undergoing bariatric surgery. TOTS investigators use standardized definitions, high-fidelity data collection system, and validated instruments to gather data preoperatively, at the time of surgery, postoperatively, and in longer-term follow-up. Results This study has recruited 1050 participants as of September 2015 and is ongoing. Conclusions This study will ensure creation of high-level evidence to enable clinicians to make meaningful evidence-based decisions for patient evaluation, selection for surgery, and follow-up care.
Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT) Associated With Ryanodine Receptor (RyR2) Gene Mutations　- Long-Term Prognosis After Initiation of Medical Treatment.

BACKGROUND The long-term prognosis of cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) positive catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) patients after initiation of medical therapy has not been well investigated. This study aimed to assess the recurrence of fatal cardiac event after initiation of medical therapy inRyR2-positive CPVT patients. METHODSANDRESULTS Thirty-fourRyR2-positive CPVT patients with a history of cardiac events were enrolled. All patients had medical treatment initiated after the first symptom or diagnosis. Exercise stress tests (ESTs) were performed to evaluate the efficacy of the medical therapy. Even after the initiation of medical therapy, high-risk ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), including premature ventricular contraction couplets, bigeminy, and ventricular tachycardia, were still induced in the majority of patients (80.6%). During 7.4 years of follow-up after the diagnosis, 7 of the 34 (20.6%) patients developed fatal cardiac events. Among those 7 patients, 6 (85.7%) were not compliant with either exercise restriction or medication therapy at the time of the events. CONCLUSIONS Even after initiation of medical treatment, high-risk VAs were induced during EST in mostRyR2-positive CPVT patients. Most fatal recurrent cardiac events occurred in patients who were noncompliant with exercise restriction and/or medical therapy. Medical management including strict exercise restriction should be emphasized to prevent recurrent cardiac event in mostRyR2-positive CPVT patients. (Circ J 2016; 80: 1907-1915).