Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Booster vaccination against pertussis in Chinese children at six years of age using reduced antigen content diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccine (Boostrix™)

Pertussis continues to circulate in Chinese communities and older children, adolescents and adults are sources of infection for unprotected infants. Two studies conducted in Jiangsu Province in the People’s Republic of China assessed the immunogenicity, reactogenicity and safety of Boostrix™, a combined reduced antigen content diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccine (dTpa) when administered as a booster dose to children 6−8 years of age. Immunogenicity was assessed before and one month after vaccination in a subset. Reactogenicity was assessed over a 4-day follow-up using diary cards. A total of 690 Chinese subjects were enrolled. Boostrix™ was well tolerated. One month after the booster dose, 100% of dTpa recipients had seroprotective antibody concentrations against diphtheria and tetanus. The percentage of subjects with a response against pertussis antigens (using locally defined cut-offs) was 91.9% for pertussis toxoid, 98.8% for filamentous hemagglutinin, and 100% for pertactin. The exploratory analysis showed no statistically significant differences between dTpa or diphtheria-tetanus vaccine in terms of the percentage of subjects with seroprotective antibodies against diphtheria or tetanus. These studies demonstrate that Boostrix™ is well tolerated and immunogenic when administered as a booster dose to 6−8 year old Chinese children previously immunized with a combined diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine. Introduction of dTpa into the routine Chinese immunization schedule would provide booster vaccination against pertussis without the addition of further injections into the Chinese vaccination schedule and is likely to promote improved pertussis control in older children.
No association between the tryptophan hydroxylase gene polymorphism and major depressive disorders and antidepressant response in a Korean population

The serotonergic neurotransmitter system has been implicated in major depressive disorder (MDD) and appears to be the target of a variety of antidepressants. Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) is the rate-limiting enzyme in serotonin biosynthesis, and selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors exert their activity enhancing the general serotonergic tone. The goal of this study was to investigate whether the A218C polymorphism of the TPH gene is associated with MDD or antidepressant response. All patients were evaluated at the start and in the eighth week of using the 21-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Genotyping was analyzed with polymerase chain reaction. There were no significant differences in genotypes and allele frequencies between the MDD patients (n=93) and the control group (n=127) and in the antidepressant response among TPH gene variants. Results suggest that the A218C polymorphism of the TPH gene does not play a major role in pathogenesis in MDD and does not serve as a modulator of antidepressant activity.
Integrated proviral human immunodeficiency virus type 1 is present in CD4+ peripheral blood lymphocytes in healthy seropositive individuals

Evidence of a latent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in healthy, seropositive individuals who do not have viral antigens in their sera and from whom virions cannot be rescued in cocultivation experiments was examined. Proviral DNA was detected by amplification by the polymerase chain reaction procedure. In each of 10 seropositive individuals, the presence of HIV-1 proviral sequences was demonstrated in their peripheral blood mononuclear cells. By using fluorescence-activated cell sorting, we obtained highly enriched subpopulations of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and found that the CD4+ T-cell subset is the cell subset that consistently harbors the HIV-1 proviral sequences. The number of HIV-1-infected CD4+ T cells was variable among the 10 healthy individuals, ranging from 1 in 100 to 1 in 40,000. While in vitro infection of CD4+ T cells causes down regulation and eventual loss of CD4 surface molecules, this is not true in vivo where it is only the CD4+ population that harbors the virus. This disparity may reflect differences between a latent infection in vivo with the lytic response of cells infected in vitro.
Sarcoidosis-related mortality in the United States from 1988 to 2007.

RATIONALE It has been nearly 20 years since sarcoidosis mortality was examined at the population level in the United States. OBJECTIVES To examine mortality rates and underlying causes of death among United States decedents with sarcoidosis from 1988-2007. METHODS We used data from the National Center for Health Statistics to (1) calculate age-adjusted sarcoidosis-associated mortality rates; (2) examine how those rates differ by age, sex, and race and ethnicity; and (3) determine underlying causes of death among sarcoidosis decedents. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS From 1988-2007, there were 46,450,489 deaths in the United States and 23,679 decedents with sarcoidosis mentioned on their death certificates. Over this time, the age-adjusted, sarcoidosis-related mortality rate increased 50.5% in women and 30.1% in men. The greatest absolute increase in death rates was among non-Hispanic black females. Regardless of sex or race, mortality rates climbed most in decedents 55 years or older. The most common cause of death was sarcoidosis itself. Younger sarcoidosis decedents with pulmonary fibrosis were more likely to be black than white, and younger sarcoidosis decedents were more likely than similarly aged decedents in the general population to have a cardiac cause contribute to death. CONCLUSIONS From 1988-2007, sarcoidosis-related mortality rates increased significantly, particularly in non-Hispanic black females aged 55 years or older. The underlying cause of death in most patients with sarcoidosis was the disease itself. Among young sarcoidosis decedents, those with pulmonary fibrosis or a cardiac cause contributing to death were more likely to be black than white.
Local Practice and Global Data: Loyalty Cards, Social Practices, and Consumer Surveillance

Monitoring of consumers has become the most widespread mode of surveillance today. Being a multi-billion dollar business, the collected data are traded globally without much concern by the consumers themselves. Loyalty cards are an element with which such data are collected. Analyzing the role of loyalty cards in everyday practices such as shopping, I discuss how new modes of surveillance evolve and work and why they eventually make communication about data protection a difficult matter. Further, I will propose an alternative approach to the study of surveillance. This approach is concerned with local practices, focusing on subjective narratives in order to view surveillance as an integral part of culturally or socially manifested contexts and actions and not to view surveillance as something alien to society and human interaction. This will open up other possibilities to study modes of subjectivity or how individuals situate themselves within society.
Dynamic load parameter assessment based on continuous recorder measurements

This paper proposes an original approach to assess the parameters of a dynamic load model. By taking advantage of continuous recorder measurements, the procedure can be fully automated. The idea is to exploit natural voltage variations caused by transformer tap changes. These variations are detected by a robust event detection algorithm. To deal with the huge stochastic variation of the load, an averaging process is used and its output is used in a nonlinear identification algorithm. Results given by this procedure on real measurements taken in a substation in the Belgian power system are shown. A review of the literature on load model and on parameter identification approaches is also presented, allowing a better understanding of the aim of the procedure developed.
Intralesional Human Recombinant Epidermal Growth Factor for the Treatment of Advanced Diabetic Foot Ulcer: From Proof of Concept to Confirmation of the Efficacy and Safety of the Procedure

Foot ulceration is among the most significant complications of diabetes. It is estimated that 15% of the diabetic patients develop ulcers at some point in their lives (Reiber, 1996). The therapeutic management of a diabetic patient carrying a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is currently based on: metabolic control, debridement (Brem et al., 2004), moist cures, wound dressing, local pressure off-loading, antimicrobial treatment of infections, and revascularization procedures, when indicated. More recent therapies such as topical growth factors (Tsang et al., 2003; Brem et al., 2004; Eldor et al., 2004; Hong et al., 2006; Viswanathan et al., 2006), skin substitutes (Marston et al., 2003; Veves et al., 2001), and others have shown efficacy in pure neuropathic, non-complicated ulcers. However, these products would still have to be tested in advanced lesions including those with an ischemic etiopathogenic component. Still 10 to 30% of the cases progress to amputation, frequently preceded by gangrene and infection (Lipsky, 2004). After amputation of a lower limb, the five year mortality rate reaches 50-60% (Reiber, 1996). Therefore, despite progress in the diagnosis and treatment of infection and other complications (Lipsky, 2004; Williams et al., 2004), the advanced DFU is still an unmet medical need.
Response of myeloma to the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib is correlated with the unfolded protein response regulator XBP-1

Background Multiple myeloma, a malignancy of the antibody-secreting plasma cells, remains incurable by current therapy. However, the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib and other new drugs are revolutionizing its treatment. It remains unclear why myelomas are peculiarly sensitive to bortezomib, or what causes primary or acquired resistance. The ‘unfolded protein response’ is necessary for folding and assembly of immunoglobulin chains in both normal and malignant plasma cells, as well as for the disposal of incorrectly folded or unpaired chains via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. We tested the hypothesis that levels of transcription factor XBP-1, a major regulator of the unfolded protein response, predict response to bortezomib. Design and Methods Expression of XBP-1 and other regulators of the unfolded protein response were measured in myeloma and other cancer cell lines and two cohorts of patients with refractory myeloma and correlated with sensitivity/response to bortezomib. Bortezomib-resistant myeloma cell lines were derived and the effects on expression of unfolded protein response regulators, immunoglobulin secretion, proteasome activity and cross-resistance to cytotoxic drugs and tunicamycin determined. The consequences of manipulation of XBP-1 levels for sensitivity to bortezomib were tested. Results Low XBP-1 levels predicted poor response to bortezomib, both in vitro and in myeloma patients. Moreover, myeloma cell lines selected for resistance to bortezomib had down-regulated XBP-1 and immunoglobulin secretion. Expression of ATF6, another regulator of the unfolded protein response, also correlated with bortezomib sensitivity. Direct manipulation of XBP-1 levels had only modest effects on sensitivity to bortezomib, suggesting it is a surrogate marker of response to bortezomib rather than a target itself. Conclusions The unfolded protein response may be a relevant target pathway for proteasome inhibitors in the treatment of myeloma and its regulator XBP-1 is a potential response marker. (The BIR study was registered with Australian Clinical Trial Registry Number 12605000770662)
Thrombin Induces Platelet Adhesion to Endothelial Cells

Hemostasis requires close regulation of the interac tions between the vessel wall, platelets, and soluble co agulation factors. The nonthrombogenic nature of the endothelial cell is essential to the control of blood flow by acting to maintain vascular patency. However, in order to conserve blood volume, hemostasis must be rapid and effective. Platelets readily adhere to endothelial extracel lular matrix. If a vessel is severed
Neuromuscular Differences Between Volleyball Players, Middle Distance Runners and Untrained Controls

Volleyball players, middle distance runners and non-athletes (n = 10/group) were tested to determine whether neuromuscular differences existed between groups and to clarify the roles of factors involved in maximal power production. The runners were leaner than controls, while the volleyball players were taller, heavier and had larger thigh volumes than the other groups. The volleyball players had higher absolute cycle ergometer power than both middle distance (26%) and control (15%) groups, but differences disappeared when expressed relative to body mass or thigh volume. Volleyball athletes were also stronger than both middle distance (51, 52%) and control subjects (33, 35%) for isokinetic leg extension and plantar flexion respectively (0-4.19 rad.s-1). In leg press they were stronger than middle distance (32%) and control subjects (36%) for only the isometric and 1.05 rad.s-1 contraction. The volleyball players also had higher rates of isometric torque development than the other groups, however nerve conduction velocity did not vary. Vastus lateralis biopsy samples revealed no differences in percent Type II muscle fibers, or fiber cross-sectional area between groups, yet volleyball athletes had larger Type II/I fiber area ratio than controls (15%). Both strength, rate of torque development and power were related to muscle and muscle fiber size variables, but not fiber distribution or nerve conduction velocity. The size of type II muscle fibers seemed to be especially important since this was the only variable related to power when adjusted for body size.
Long‐term runoff database, Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed, Arizona, United States

Runoff measurement at the semiarid Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed began in the middle 1950s with five critical depth flumes. Since that time, the measurement network has evolved to include measurement structures on 11 large watersheds (2.27–149 km2), 8 medium watersheds (0.35–1.60 km2), and 11 small watersheds (0.0018–0.59 km2). The ephemeral nature of runoff, high‐flow velocities, and high‐sediment concentrations in the flow led to the development of the Walnut Gulch supercritical flume used on the large watersheds and the Smith supercritical flume used on the small watersheds. The period of record considered good to excellent ranges from 26 to 47 years. In 1999, the original analog recording systems were augmented with digital recorders. Runoff occurs at Walnut Gulch primarily as a result of convective thunderstorms during the months of July through September. Runoff volume and flow duration are correlated with drainage area as a result of the limited areal extent of runoff producing rainfall and transmission losses or infiltration of the flood wave into the channel alluvium. Runoff records including hydrographs and summary data are available in several formats via a Web interface at http://www.tucson. ars.ag. gov/dap/.
Stochastic Optimization of a Locally Smooth Function under Correlated Bandit Feedback

In this paper we consider the problem of online stochastic optimization of a locally smooth function under bandit feedback. We introduce the hierarchical confidence tree (HCT) algorithm, a novel any-time X -armed bandit algorithm, and derive regret bounds matching the performance of existing state-of-the-art in terms of dependency on number of steps n and near-optimality dimensions d. The main advantage of HCT is that it handles the challenging case of correlated arms, whereas existing methods require that rewards to be conditionally independent of each others. HCT also improves on the state-of-the-art in terms of space complexity as well as requiring a weaker smoothness assumption on the meanreward function in compare to the previous any time algorithms. Finally, we discuss how HCT can be applied to the problem of policy search in reinforcement learning and we report preliminary empirical results.
Human retrovirus-5 proviral DNA is rarely detected in salivary gland biopsy tissues from patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE To examine whether human retrovirus-5 (HRV-5) infection is associated with Sjögren's syndrome. METHODS Salivary gland DNA was tested by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for HRV-5 proviral DNA. Rigorous precautions were taken to prevent false-positive results from PCR contamination. Positive samples were confirmed by testing with an additional independent set of primers and were then sequenced. RESULTS Ninety-two samples were examined (55 from Sjögren's syndrome patients, 37 from non-Sjögren's syndrome patients), 2 of which were positive. One was from a patient who had sicca symptoms but who did not satisfy the criteria for a diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome. The other was from a patient with secondary Sjögren's syndrome. Owing to the extremely low virus load in minor salivary glands, the number of HRV-5-infected patients may be underestimated. In total, 3 different sequences of HRV-5 were identified which were 98% identical to the original sequence but which displayed variations between and within individuals. CONCLUSION This is the first study to systematically seek a disease association with HRV-5, although with this method, an association with Sjögren's syndrome was not identified.
Comparison of pressure measurement, dobutamine contrast stress echocardiography and SPECT for the evaluation of intermediate coronary stenoses. The COMPRESS trial

BACKGROUND: DSE and SPECT are two well-established methods to non-invasively investigate the functional significance of coronary artery stenoses in patients with coronary artery disease. The measurement of Fractional Flow Reserve has emerged a new invasive reference standard for lesion specific quantification of coronary artery stenoses. The objective of our prospective study was to compare sensitivity and specificity of Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography (DSE) and Single Photon Emission Computer tomography (SPECT) with the pressure derived Frational Flow Reserve (FFR) for the identification of hemodynamic relevant cororonary lesions in patients with predominantely coronary multivessel disease and angiographically intermediate stenoses. METHODS: Inclusion criteria were a coronary lesion of 50-75% diameter stenosis by visual assessment in patients with known or suspected CAD. SPECT, DSE and FFR testing was performed within one week of coronary angiography RESULTS: The study comprised 48 consecutive symptomatic patients. In 41 cases, a coronary multivessel disease was present. Mean FFR was 0.80 ± 0.13 (0.41-1.0). Overall sensitivity of DSE and SPECT was 67% and 69% whereas specificity reached 77% and 87%. However, sensitivity was significantly reduced if the target lesion was located distally. DSE showed poor results if the lesions were located in the circumflex artery or if a history of prior myocardial infarctions was present. CONCLUSION: DSE and SPECT are both useful methods for the non-invasive assessment of coronary artery disease. DSE showed reasonable combination of sensitivity and specificity even in patients with multivessel disease. Although use of noninvasive stress tests is only limited in patients with prior myocardial infarctions and invasive stress testing should be preferred in these patients. (Int J Cardiovasc Intervent 2004; 6: 142-147)
Predictors of panic-fear in asthma.

Eighty-six asthmatics completed measures of illness-specific panic-fear (i.e., panic-fear in response to symptoms of asthma) and of generalized panic-fear, dyspnea frequency, and catastrophic cognitions about bodily symptoms (the Anxiety Sensitivity Index [ASI] and Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire [ACQ]). Asthma variables (self-report and pulmonary function tests) and cognitive variables (ASI and ACQ) were independently related to illness-specific panic-fear. Regression analyses showed that the cognitive variables predicted significant variance in both panic-fear scales after controlling for the effects of demographic and asthma variables. By contrast, the asthma variables were not associated with generalized panic-fear when the cognitive measures were controlled. In light of the adverse effects of panic-fear on asthma, the authors' results suggest that researchers may fruitfully explore the use of cognitive techniques as an adjunctive treatment for improving asthma outcome.
The Role of the Acromioclavicular Ligaments and the Effect of Distal Clavicle Resection

To determine the role of the acromioclavicular liga ments in controlling scapular rotation about the distal clavicle and the effects of distal clavicle resection, we used 13 fresh shoulders consisting of the clavicle, acromioclavicular ligaments, coracoclavicular liga ments, and scapula. The range of motion was mea sured using a specially designed goniometer for each of the three orthogonal axes of rotation of the scapula with reference to the clavicle: anterior-posterior axial rotation, protraction-retraction, and abduction-adduc tion. We did two experiments involving sequential sec tioning. Range of motion was measured in the intact shoulder and after each sectioning cut. The order of sectioning in Experiment 1 (six shoulders) was 1) the inferior acromioclavicular ligament, 2) removal of 5 mm of the distal clavicle, and 3) the superior acromiocla vicular ligament. In Experiment 2 (seven shoulders) the order was 1) the superior acromioclavicular ligament, 2) removal of 5 mm of the distal clavicle, and 3) the inferior acromioclavicular ligament. The most important results were 1) only 5 mm of the distal clavicle needs to be resected to ensure that no bone-to-bone contact occurs in rotation postoperatively and 2) there was no difference in the end result (for range of motion in any of the three axes) whether the inferior acromioclavicu lar ligament or the superior acromioclavicular ligament was cut before removal of 5 mm of the distal clavicle.
CONSTRAINTS ON THE ASSEMBLY AND DYNAMICS OF GALAXIES. I. DETAILED REST-FRAME OPTICAL MORPHOLOGIES ON KILOPARSEC SCALE OF z ∼ 2 STAR-FORMING GALAXIES

We present deep and high-resolution Hubble Space Telescope NIC2 F160W imaging at 1.6 μm of six z ∼ 2 star-forming galaxies with existing near-infrared integral field spectroscopy from SINFONI at the Very Large Telescope. The unique combination of rest-frame optical imaging and nebular emission-line maps provides simultaneous insight into morphologies and dynamical properties. The overall rest-frame optical emission of the galaxies is characterized by shallow profiles in general (Sérsic index n < 1), with median effective radii of Re ∼ 5 kpc. The morphologies are significantly clumpy and irregular, which we quantify through a non-parametric morphological approach, estimating the Gini (G), multiplicity (Ψ), and M20 coefficients. The estimated strength of the rest-frame optical emission lines in the F160W bandpass indicates that the observed structure is not dominated by the morphology of line-emitting gas, and must reflect the underlying stellar mass distribution of the galaxies. The sizes and structural parameters in the rest-frame optical continuum and Hα emission reveal no significant differences, suggesting similar global distributions of the ongoing star formation and more evolved stellar population. While no strong correlations are observed between stellar population parameters and morphology within the NIC2/SINFONI sample itself, a consideration of the sample in the context of a broader range of z ∼ 2 galaxy types (K-selected quiescent, active galactic nucleus, and star forming; 24 μm selected dusty, infrared-luminous) indicates that these galaxies probe the high specific star formation rate and low stellar mass surface density part of the massive z ∼ 2 galaxy population, with correspondingly large effective radii, low Sérsic indices, low G, and high Ψ and M20. The combined NIC2 and SINFONI data set yields insights of unprecedented detail into the nature of mass accretion at high redshift.