Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High Frequency of HIV Mutations Associated with HLA-C Suggests Enhanced HLA-C–Restricted CTL Selective Pressure Associated with an AIDS-Protective Polymorphism

Delayed HIV-1 disease progression is associated with a single nucleotide polymorphism upstream of the HLA-C gene that correlates with differential expression of the HLA-C Ag. This polymorphism was recently shown to be a marker for a protective variant in the 3′UTR of HLA-C that disrupts a microRNA binding site, resulting in enhanced HLA-C expression at the cell surface. Whether individuals with “high” HLA-C expression show a stronger HLA-C–restricted immune response exerting better viral control than that of their counterparts has not been established. We hypothesized that the magnitude of the HLA-C–restricted immune pressure on HIV would be greater in subjects with highly expressed HLA-C alleles. Using a cohort derived from a unique narrow source epidemic in China, we identified mutations in HIV proviral DNA exclusively associated with HLA-C, which were used as markers for the intensity of the immune pressure exerted on the virus. We found an increased frequency of mutations in individuals with highly expressed HLA-C alleles, which also correlated with IFN-γ production by HLA-C–restricted CD8+ T cells. These findings show that immune pressure on HIV is stronger in subjects with the protective genotype and highlight the potential role of HLA-C–restricted responses in HIV control. This is, to our knowledge, the first in vivo evidence supporting the protective role of HLA-C–restricted responses in nonwhites during HIV infection.
Effects of intracameral triamcinolone and gentamicin injections following cataract surgery.

OBJECTIVE Evaluate the anti-inflammatory efficacy of intracameral triamcinolone acetonide and gentamicin injections compared with topical dexamethasone and tobramycin combination eye drops in cataract surgery patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD The present prospective study enrolled 60 patients scheduled to receive phacoemulsification surgery. After surgery, patients were randomized to receive either single intracameral injections of triamcinolone acetonide and gentamicin followed by topical tobramycin eye drops four times daily for one week (IC TA group, n=30), or topical dexamethasone-tobramycin combination eyedrops four times daily until no inflammation was seen (Topical group, n=30). Postoperative evaluations included grading of anterior chamber cells, log MAR best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP) and adverse effects. RESULTS There was no significant difference between the treatment groups in anterior chamber cells at one day and one week after surgery (p = 0.50 and 0.328, respectively). However the anterior chamber cells were significantly less in the IC TA group than in the Topical group, one month postoperatively (p = 0.006). No significant between-group difference in mean BCVA or IOP was noted at any time point (p > 0.05). No adverse effects or endophthalmitis were observed. CONCLUSION Intracameral injections of triamcinolone acetonide and gentamicin appear to be a promising treatment option for the control of post-operative inflammation following cataract surgery.
Cross-Linking of Human FcγRIIIb Induces the Production of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor and Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor by Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils

We have reported that human autoantibodies reacting with the polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN)-anchored FcγRIIIb (CD16) protect these cells from spontaneous apoptosis. In this study, we used anti-CD16 F(ab′)2 to delineate the mechanism(s) whereby the PMN life span is extended. As documented using four methods, CD16 cross-linking impeded spontaneous apoptosis, whereas anti-CD18 F(ab′)2 exerted no effect. Incubation of PMNs with anti-CD16 prevented the up-regulation of β2 integrins, particularly CD11b, which is the α-chain of complement receptor type 3, but also CD18, which is its β-chain, as well as CD11a and CD11c. Anti-CD16-conditioned supernatant of PMNs diminished the percentage of annexin V-binding fresh PMNs after another 18 h in culture, whereas the negative control anti-CD18 had no effect. The expression of mRNA for G-CSF and GM-CSF was induced by anti-CD16, followed by the release of G-CSF and GM-CSF in a dose-dependent manner. Anti-G-CSF and anti-GM-CSF mAbs abrogated the antiapoptotic effect of the related growth factors. The delay in apoptosis was accompanied by a down-regulated expression of Bax, and a partial reduction of caspase-3 activity. These data suggest an autocrine involvement of anti-CD16-induced survival factors in the rescue of PMNs from spontaneous apoptosis. Thus, apoptosis of aged PMNs can be modulated by signaling through FcγRIIIb, which may occur in patients with PMN-binding anti-FcγRIIIb autoantibodies.
Discrete Wavelet Transform Based Strongly Robust Watermarking Scheme for Information Hiding in Digital Images

The performance evaluation of watermarking scheme is done by two performance metrics: perceptual transparency and robustness. Perceptual transparency refers quality of image which is measured by ‘Peak Signal to Noise Ratio’ (PSNR). Robustness is measured in terms of ‘Correlation Factor’ (ρ). A good quality watermarking scheme should have maximum PSNR, ideally Correlation Factor equals to 1 and should have maximum watermark information hiding capacity. In this paper, we have presented strongly robust digital image watermarking scheme based on ‘Discrete Wavelet Transform’, by embedding scrambled watermark in middle frequency sub band. The security levels are increased by generating PN sequence depending on periodicity of watermark image. The image scrambling is applied by Arnold Transform. The decomposition is done with ‘Haar’ which is simple, symmetric and orthogonal wavelet and the direct weighting factor is used in watermark embedding and extraction process. The scheme results in exact recovery of watermark with standard database images of size 512x512, giving Correlation Factor equals to 1. The Correlation Factor for different attacks like Noise addition, Filtering, Rotation and Compression ranges from 0.90 to 0.95. The PSNR with weighting factor 0.02 is up to 48.53 dBs. The presented scheme is nonblind and embeds binary watermark of 64x64 size.
Ionic liquids as electrolytes for the development of a robust amperometric oxygen sensor.

A simple Clark-type online electrochemical cell design, consisting of a platinum gauze working electrode and incorporating ionic liquids (IL) as electrolytes, has been successfully applied for the amperometric sensing of oxygen. Studying ILs comprising the bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion, the obtained analytical parameters were found to be strongly dependent on the choice of cation. Compared with a conventional Clark cell design based on an aqueous supporting electrolyte, the modified oxygen sensor achieves substantial improvements in performance and stability. A limit of detection for oxygen as low as 0.05 vol %, linearity over an oxygen partial pressure between 0% and 20%, and a steady-state response time of 2 min was demonstrated, with a stable analytical response shown over the examined period of 90 days with no obvious fouling of the electrode surface. Based on the attractive physical attributes of ionic liquids (e.g., thermal stability beyond 150 °C), one can envision intriguing utility in nonstandard conditions and long-term online applications, as well as extension to the determination of other gases, such as methane and nitric oxide.
Staphylococcal protein A promotes osteoclastogenesis through MAPK signaling during bone infection

Bone infection is a common and serious complication in the orthopedics field, which often leads to excessive bone destruction and non‐union. Osteoclast is the only type of cells which have the function of bone resorption. Its over activation is closely related to excessive bone loss. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a major pathogen causing bone infection, which can produce a large number of strong pathogenic substances staphylococcal protein A (SPA). However, few studies were reported about the effects of SPA on osteoclastogenesis. In our study, we observed that S. aureus activated osteoclasts and promoted bone loss in bone infection specimens. Then, we investigated the effects of SPA on RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro, the results revealed that SPA promoted osteoclastic differentiation and fusion, and enhanced osteoclastic bone resorption. In addition, we also showed that SPA upregulated the expression of NFATc1 and c‐FOS through the activation of MAPK signaling to promote osteoclastogenesis. Our findings might help us better understand the pathogenic role of S. aureus in bone infection and develop new therapeutic strategies for infectious bone diseases.
Dynamics of Saccadic Adaptation: Differences Between Athletes and Nonathletes

Purpose. The aim of the study was to delineate differences in saccadic adaptation characteristics between a population of racquet sports athletes and nonathletes. Methods. Eye movements were recorded at 120 Hz using a video-based eye tracker (ELMAR 2020) in a sample of 27 athletes (varsity badminton and squash players) and 14 nonathletes (<3 hours/week participation in recreational sports). Responses to negative positional error and positive positional error were studied in two sessions on separate days. Negative positional errors were induced by displacing the stimuli backwards by 3° from the initial target step (12°). Likewise, positive positional errors were induced by displacing the stimuli forward by 3°. Amplitude gains were calculated for trials before, during, and after the adaptation phase. The magnitude and the rate of change of saccadic adaptation were determined from the amplitude gains. Differences between the groups were compared using regression analysis. Results. No significant differences were found between the two groups in the magnitude of saccadic adaptation, both for negative (athletes −60%, nonathletes −57%) and positive (athletes +26%, and nonathletes +27%) positional error. Racquet sports athletes showed a significantly faster rate of adaptation for the positive positional error. A significant difference was not observed in the rate of adaptation for the negative positional error. Conclusions. Racquet sports athletes and nonathletes adapt to positional error signals by similar amounts. However, racquet sports athletes respond to positive positional errors at a faster rate, suggesting that a strategic component or environmental influences (such as practice) may play a role in saccadic adaptation.
Electrostatic and Piezoelectric Testing Methods for RF MEMS Resonators

Two techniques to characterize diamond micromechanical resonator structures are described: (1) electrostatic testing, and (2) piezoelectric actuation with optical detection. It is found that, while the resonant frequency values obtained from the two techniques differ only by 3%, method (2) yield up to eight times larger estimates for the quality factor Q. After describing the techniques and discussing experimental results, an explanation based on the different pressure regimes used on the two testing methods is proposed to explain this apparent discrepancy.
Informed consent for cancer screening with prostate-specific antigen: how well are men getting the message?

OBJECTIVES This study examined knowledge about prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening among African Americans and Whites. Because PSA screening for prostate cancer is controversial, professional organizations recommend informed consent for screening. METHODS Men (n = 304) attending outpatient clinics were surveyed for their knowledge about and experience with screening. RESULTS Most men did not know the key facts about screening with PSA. African Americans appeared less knowledgeable than Whites, but these differences were mediated by differences in educational level and experience with prostate cancer screening. CONCLUSIONS Public health efforts to improve informed consent for prostate cancer screening should focus on highlighting the key facts and developing different approaches for men at different levels of formal education and prior experience with screening.
Relationship between unstimulated salivary flow rate and saliva composition of healthy children in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND Saliva is one of the most important factors in regulating oral health, with flow rate and composition changing throughout development and during disease. In view of the shortage of data, the present study aimed to shed light on the relationship between unstimulated salivary flow rate and saliva composition of healthy children in Taiwan. METHODS Forty-four normal, healthy children from 3-14 years of age were divided into three age groups: pre-school, elementary school and junior-high school. All participants received salivary flow rate, pH and saliva composition analysis under unstimulated conditions. One-way ANOVA and Pearson's correlation were used. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS Our results suggest that, under unstimulated conditions, the salivary flow rate of the elementary school group was greater than that of the pre-school group (p < 0.05). No difference in pH was found among the three groups. Intergroup salivary calcium, phosphorus and amylase did not reach statistical difference. As the flow rate increased, the pH increased (r = 0.364, p < 0.05) but the protein level decreased (r = -0.473, p < 0.05). In addition, salivary protein was positively correlated to age (r = 0.479, p < 0.05) and negatively correlated to pH (r = -0.361, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION Age-related increase in the unstimulated salivary flow rate of pre-school and elementary school groups was noted. As the flow rate increased, the pH increased but the protein level decreased. The information obtained may serve as reference values for the growing interest in saliva as a diagnostic tool, especially monitoring those with neurological or oral motor dysfunction.
Comparison between Serum Holotranscobalamin and Total Vitamin B12 as Indicators of Vitamin B12 Status.

OBJECTIVES This study aims to assess the usefulness of serum holotranscobalamin (holoTC), the fraction of vitamin B12 that is available for tissue uptake, compared with total vitamin B12 in patients investigated for vitamin B12 disorders. METHODS Serum samples were randomly selected from 76 patients (48 females, 28 males; age range 12-69 years) referred to the Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory, Royal Hospital for the assessment of vitamin B12 status. For each patient, serum total vitamin B12 level was determined by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay on Architect 2000 analyzer and holoTC (active vitamin B12) level was determined by microparticle enzyme immunoassay on Axsym analyzer (both from Abbott, USA). RESULTS Comparison of the data was conducted to reflect the mean, standard deviation (SD) and correlation coefficient between the two groups. The mean (SD) for serum holoTC and total vitamin B12 were 46.5(32.2) pmol/L and 316.3(165.6) pmol/L respectively. There was a significant correlation between holoTC and total vitamin B12 (r= 0.765, P< 0.001) and the regression equation was expressed as; y = a + bx (i.e: holoTC = 1.5 + 0.14 total vitamin B12). Also, the results were assessed for any misclassification when comparing holoTC and the total vitamin B12 in terms of whether each or both values agree or disagree for classifying the patients as having normal or abnormal (low or high) results, based on the cut-off thresholds of the kit's quoted reference range for holo TC of 9 - 123 pmol/L and for total vitamin B12 of 140-600 pmol/L. Accordingly, in 69 (90.8%) samples, there was a parallel agreement/ classification of results, both being normal or abnormal. In 61 (80.4%) patients, both results were normal, whereas in 4 (5.2%) patients, both results were high, and in 4 (5.2%) patients both results were low. However, in 7 (9.8%) cases, there was disagreement/ misclassification of results; 6 (7.8%) patients, holoTC was normal while total vitamin B12 was low, and in 1 (1.4%) patient, holoTC was normal while total vitamin B12 was high. CONCLUSION It can be recommended that holoTC and total vitamin B12, alone and in combination, have almost equal diagnostic efficiency in screening/diagnosing vitamin B12 deficiency for the majority of patients. In very few patients, holoTC appeared to be a better reflector of vitamin B12 status. Further comparison studies based on a gold standard method for classifying vitamin B12 status are worth considering.
The Brain’s Tendency to Bind Audiovisual Signals Is Stable but Not General

Previous studies have shown a surprising amount of between-subjects variability in the strength of interactions between sensory modalities. For the same set of stimuli, some subjects exhibit strong interactions, whereas others exhibit weak interactions. To date, little is known about what underlies this variability. Sensory integration in the brain could be governed by a global mechanism or by task-specific mechanisms that could be either stable or variable across time. We used a rigorous quantitative tool (Bayesian causal inference) to investigate whether integration (i.e., binding) tendencies generalize across tasks and are stable across time. We report for the first time that individuals’ binding tendencies are stable across time but are task-specific. These results provide evidence against the hypothesis that sensory integration is governed by a single, global parameter in the brain.
The usefulness of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ((18)F-FDG-PET) and a comparison of (18)F-FDG-pet with (67)gallium scintigraphy in the evaluation of lymphoma: relation to histologic subtypes based on the World Health Organization classification.

BACKGROUND Although studies comparing conventional imaging modalities with (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ((18)F-FDG-PET) for the detection of lymphoma and although the relations between (18)F-FDG-PET and histologic types were reported previously, most studies were not systematic and involved relatively small numbers of patients. METHODS Two hundred fifty-five patients with lymphoma had their disease staged using (18)F-FDG-PET, and 191 of those patients also were assessed using gallium-67 scintigraphy ((67)Ga). Disease sites were identified on a site-by-site basis using computed tomography scans and/or magnetic resonance imaging. The results of these conventional imaging modalities were compared with the results from (8)F-FDG-PET and (67)Ga, and correlations between the imaging results and pathologic diagnoses were evaluated by using the World Health Organization classification system. RESULTS Of 913 disease sites in 255 patients, (18)F-FDG-PET identified >97% of disease sites of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and aggressive and highly aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma. For indolent lymphoma, the detection rate of (18)F-FDG-PET was 91% for follicular lymphoma (FL); 82% for extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, irrespective of plasmacytic differentiation; and approximately 50% for small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) and splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL). The results from (67)Ga were similar to those from (18)F-FDG-PET for most histologic subtypes. However, the sensitivity of (67)Ga was unexpectedly poor for FL, for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), and for the nasal type of natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NK/T-nasal), ranging from 30% to 38%. CONCLUSIONS (18)F-FDG-PET was useful for all histologic subtypes of lymphoma other than SLL and SMZL. Compared with (67)Ga, the authors strongly recommend the use of (18)F-FDG-PET in patients with FL, MCL, and NK-nasal.
Trends of allergic symptoms in school children: large‐scale long‐term consecutive cross‐sectional studies in Osaka Prefecture, Japan

To cite this article: Yura A, Kouda K, Iki M, Shimizu T. Trends of allergic symptoms in school children: large‐scale long‐term consecutive cross‐sectional studies in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011; 22: 631–637.
Variants in the 5alpha-reductase type 1 and type 2 genes are associated with polycystic ovary syndrome and the severity of hirsutism in affected women.

CONTEXT Despite the importance of dihydrotestosterone in androgen action, polymorphisms in the genes for the two isoforms of 5alpha-reductase (SRD5A1 and SRD5A2) have not been evaluated as risk factors for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that haplotypes in the SRD5A1 and SRD5A2 genes are risk factors for PCOS and the severity of hirsutism in affected women. DESIGN PCOS and control subjects were genotyped for seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms in SRD5A1 and eight single-nucleotide polymorphisms in SRD5A2. Haplotypes were determined and tested for association with PCOS diagnosis and component phenotypes. SETTING Subjects were recruited from the reproductive endocrinology clinic at the University of Alabama at Birmingham; control subjects were recruited from the general surrounding community. Genotyping took place at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. PARTICIPANTS A total of 287 White women with PCOS and 187 controls participated. MAIN MEASUREMENTS SRD5A1 and SRD5A2 genotype, quantitative hirsutism score, and hormonal and metabolic phenotypes were assessed. RESULTS Haplotypes within both genes were associated with PCOS risk. The Leu allele of the Val89Leu variant in SRD5A2 was associated with protection against PCOS; this allele is known to modestly reduce 5alpha-reductase activity. Haplotypes in SRD5A1 but not SRD5A2 were also associated with the degree of hirsutism in affected women. CONCLUSIONS This study presents genetic evidence suggesting an important role of both isoforms of 5alpha-reductase in the pathogenesis of PCOS. That only SRD5A1 haplotypes were associated with hirsutism suggests that only this isoform is important in the hair follicle.
Alfred Nobel's will and the Nobel Prize to Karl Landsteiner for his discovery of human blood groups

Sir, Incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is rarely reported in the Asian populations. In one registry study in children of <15 years of age from 1990 to 1994 in 100 centres of 50 countries worldwide, the incidence differed by >350fold, with the lowest rate of 0.1 per 100 000 in China and Venezuela and the highest rate of 36.8 and 36.5 per 100 000 in Sardinia and Finland, respectively (1). Even in Europe, great variation in T1DM incidence has been observed, from 3.6 per 100 000 in Macedonia to 43.9 per 100 000 in Finland in one study (2). We previously reported the incidence trend of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) during 1992–1996 in Taiwan based on the data obtained from telephone interview of 93 484 diabetic patients using the National Health Insurance (3). With further analyses of the dataset, the incidence trend of T1DM in children aged 0–14 years during the same period is reported here. The diagnosis of T1DM was based on either one of the following two criteria: (1) diabetic ketoacidosis at the onset of diabetes mellitus or (2) the patients required insulin injection within 1 year of diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.
Análisis cluster del turismo residencial en municipios alicantinos

El turismo residencial en la provincia de Alicante ha experimentado un repunte desde fi nales del siglo XX. El notable aumento del parque de viviendas es la principal causa de la transformacion del espacio litoral, asi como uno de los factores fundamentales en el tamano y la composicion de la poblacion en los municipios con turismo residencial. En este trabajo se aplica el analisis cluster para estudiar, de una manera basica, la relacion entre los cambios experimentados en los ultimos anos por la vivienda y las caracteristicas de la poblacion a escala municipal, partiendo de la premisa de que ambas mantienen una estrecha correlacion. El uso de un metodo de clasifi cacion jerarquico permite agrupar los municipios atendiendo a sus semejanzas y diferencias, ayudando a reconocer que modelos de desarrollo han tenido un mismo comportamiento en lo que a las variables estudiadas se refi ere.