Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Selection of an optimal method for co-isolation of circulating DNA and miRNA from the plasma of pregnant women

Abstract Background: Circulating nucleic acids acquired non-invasively have been confirmed as useful biomarkers in cancer and prenatal medicine. The most important molecules in the field of circulating nucleic acids research are circulating DNA and miRNA. In this study, the possibility of co-isolation of total circulating DNA, cell-free fetal DNA and miRNA from the plasma of pregnant women was tested, and the yields of co-isolated circulating nucleic acids using two commercial kits and three protocols were compared. Methods: Cell-free fetal DNA and miRNA from the plasma of pregnant women carrying male fetuses were co-isolated with the miRCURY™ RNA Isolation Kit according to the original protocol and the QIAamp Circulating Nucleic Acid Kit (CNA kit) according to the manufacturer’s protocol for DNA isolation and miRNA isolation. For comparison of DNA isolation, the AR and DYS14 gene-based assays were used for the detection and quantification of total circulating and cell-free fetal DNA. For miRNA detection and quantification, the miR-16 and miR-451 assays were used. Results: Two different protocols for isolation using the CNA kit did not significantly differ in the yields of isolated tcDNA and cffDNA; however, the amount of isolated cffDNA using the miRCURY™ RNA Isolation Kit was significantly less (p<0.05, F=4.776). There was a statistically significant difference for miRNA isolation (p<0.0001, F=859 for miR-16 and p<0.0001, F=854.4 for miR-451), with the highest amount of isolated miRNA obtained using the miRCURY™ RNA Isolation Kit. Conclusions: All three methods used in our study were successful in the co-isolation of tcDNA, cffDNA and miRNA from the same sample. The best combined results were obtained with the miRCURY™ RNA Isolation Kit.
Effect of Repeated Discriminations on the Identifiability of the Enantiomers of Carvone

Repeated testing of the ability to discriminate between d- and 1-carvone indicated that: (1) discriminal ability does not deteriorate with repeated exposure; (2) there is no more effect from the exposure to the d- than to the 1-form; and, (3) Ss differ reliably in their ability to discriminate the d- and I-enantiomers.
A behavioral investigation of the algorithms underlying reinforcement learning in humans

One of the most important aspects of our lives is the way in which we as humans, and more generally as animals, adapt to the surrounding environment. This adaptation is supported by learning appropriately how to behave in each situation. The idea of decision making as a response to rewards and punishments has been supported with several animal behavioral studies, leading to the development of classical and instrumental conditioning theories.
2015 James W. Freston Single Topic Conference: A Renaissance in the Understanding and Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California; Department of Biobehavioral Nursing & Health Systems, School of Nursing, Division of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
Patterns of expressed emotion in adolescent eating disorders.

BACKGROUND This goal of this study was to understand the patterns of expressed emotions (EEs) in adolescent eating disorders. As such, this study compared EE among families of adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and a psychiatric control group, major depressive disorder (MDD). This study also examined the influence of family status (intact vs. nonintact) and the presence of siblings on EE. METHODS Two-hundred and fifteen adolescents (ages 12-19) and their families were recruited for this study including 121 adolescents with AN, 54 adolescents with BN, and 40 adolescents with MDD. Adolescents with at least one parent completed the Standardized Clinical Family Interview. Adolescents completed structured diagnostic interviews to assess eligibility for the study, as well as a standardized questionnaire to assess depression. RESULTS Analyses revealed that fathers showed higher levels of critical comments to adolescents with BN or MDD than those with AN, whereas mothers made more critical comments toward patients with BN. Mothers made the least number of positive remarks toward patients with MDD. In terms of the influence of family status, fathers from intact families showed more expressions of warmth and were less critical than fathers from nonintact families, whereas mothers from intact families were less critical but also made fewer positive remarks than mothers from nonintact families. The presence of siblings appeared to reduce mothers' expression of warmth and emotional overinvolvement. CONCLUSIONS Unique patterns of EE were found to characterize AN, BN, and MDD. Family status and the presence of siblings exert an influence on EE that should be taken into consideration in future research.
HEAVY METALS AND ARSENIC IN SEDIMENTS , MUSSELS AND MARINE WATER FROM MURANO

This paper describes a study of the trace element distribution in sediments, marine water and mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis of the Venetian Lagoon around the Island of Murano, an island with a long tradition of glassmaking. Trace elements analysed include Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni, Ag and As. Sediments are contaminated with Zn, Cu, Ag, As and Pb, with levels in the <2 m fraction that are likely to cause adverse biological effects to marine organisms. The pelite (<63 μm) is the main carrier of heavy metals at most sites. However, the fine-grained and coarse sand on the southern coast of Murano accounts for a significant proportion of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, Ag, Ni and Pb. Most trace element concentrations found in soft tissue of mussels appear to be within recommended Italian and international guidelines for shellfish for human consumption, the only exception being relatively high As levels. The bioaccumulation of Ag and Cr is more pronounced in the shell of these organisms. In the marine water of the lagoon, trace elements are more enriched than in other areas of the Mediterranean, with particular reference to the dissolved labile species of Zn, Mn, As, Cu, Ni and Cr.
The intonation of Banyumas Javanese

I will present an analysis of the intonation of the Banyumas dialect of Javanese (an Austronesian language spoken in Indonesia), based on the autosegmental-metrical framework. As Javanese is a language without lexical stress, there are no pitch accents. Boundary tones are associated with the Accentual Phrase (AP). A non-final AP ends in a H% tone, while a nuclear AP ends in either a HL% or a LH% tone that marks the end of the focus. Any post-focal material appears in an encliticized AP. Contrastive focus at the word level is impossible, except in a few special constructions.
Gender and Gaming : A Literature

Educational games are commonly used to help motivate students and provide enhanced learning opportunities. However, because of gender differences in how males and females play games, concerns regarding potential gender inequity arise when games are used for education. In order to explore what gender differences exist and how they might impact educational games, this literature review summarizes the common themes and findings of recent research articles focusing on gender and gaming. In particular, this review discusses the demographics of video game players, especially as they relate to gender; characteristics of female game players; gender differences in motivation and game style preference; gender and educational games; and the implications of gender differences on video game design.
The Impact Of Intraoperative Monitoring On Patient Safety

Until the 1960s, intraoperative monitoring consisted of a blood pressure cuff, electrocardiogram (ECG), stethoscope, and the vigilance of the anesthesiologist. Over the next 2 decades, the array of available monitors burgeoned, and clinical practice varied widely. In 1986, in an effort to improve patient safety, standards for intraoperative monitoring were developed and implemented by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). They have been almost universally adopted by anesthesia providers in the United States and now form the standard of care in this country. The ASA standards are summarized in Figure 24.1. Concurrently with the implementation of better monitoring, anesthesia-related mortality has fallen sharply. Proponents of monitoring claim that better monitoring is the reason for improvement in patient safety. Others have claimed that advances in knowledge and training combined with the development of safer medications have had as much impact on patient safety as the adoption of monitoring standards. In this chapter, we evaluate the evidence linking intraoperative monitoring to patient safety.
High resolution computed tomography as a predictor of lung histology in systemic sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The relative proportions of fibrosis and inflammation seen by open lung biopsy examination is a predictor of disease outcome in fibrosing alveolitis. This study was designed to assess the ability of high resolution computed tomography to predict the histological appearance of open lung biopsy specimens from patients with systemic sclerosis. METHODS: Twenty abnormal biopsy specimens from 12 patients were assessed; abnormalities were categorised as fibrotic (fibrosis exceeding inflammation) or inflammatory (inflammation equal to or exceeding fibrosis). Computed tomography appearances were scored for the lobe from which the biopsy specimen was taken; scans were graded from parenchymal opacification alone through to a reticular pattern alone. RESULTS: Two lobar appearances were identified on computed tomograms: amorphous parenchymal opacification equal in extent to reticulation (grade 3) and a predominantly reticular pattern (grade 4). There was a significant association between a fibrotic histological appearance and a grade 4 computed tomogram, and between an inflammatory histological appearance and a grade 3 computed tomogram. Computed tomography grade 4 was associated with a fibrotic histological appearance in 12 out of 13 lobes, and grade 3 with an inflammatory histological appearance in four out of seven lobes. CONCLUSION: Computed tomography discriminated between biopsy specimens that were predominantly fibrotic and a smaller group with a larger amount of inflammation.
Algal Species and Light Microenvironment in a Low-pH, Geothermal Microbial Mat Community

ABSTRACT Unicellular algae are the predominant microbial mat-forming phototrophs in the extreme environments of acidic geothermal springs. The ecology of these algae is not well known because concepts of species composition are inferred from cultivated isolates and microscopic observations, methods known to provide incomplete and inaccurate assessments of species in situ. We used sequence analysis of 18S rRNA genes PCR amplified from mat samples from different seasons and different temperatures along a thermal gradient to identify algae in an often-studied acidic (pH 2.7) geothermal creek in Yellowstone National Park. Fiber-optic microprobes were used to show that light for algal photosynthesis is attenuated to <1% over the 1-mm surface interval of the mat. Three algal sequences were detected, and each was present year-round. A Cyanidioschyzon merolae sequence was predominant at temperatures of ≥49°C. A Chlorella protothecoides var. acidicola sequence and a Paradoxia multisita-like sequence were predominant at temperatures of ≤39°C.
Targeting Cell Death in Dementia

Neuronal degeneration is a key feature of both Alzheimer disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD). Although the exact cause(s) of neurodegeneration in AD is uncertain, strong candidates are β-amyloid and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) within neurons. VaD arises as a consequence of ischemic insults such as hemorrhage and hypoperfusion that trigger neurodegeneration by depriving the cells of oxygen and glucose. The initial insults in AD and VaD result in regional differences in the pattern of neurodegeneration, with cholinergic and glutamatergic neurons being particularly vulnerable in AD, and neurons of whatever neurochemical phenotype close to the vascular insult being more at risk of death in VaD. Although the initial trigger of neurodegeneration and the population of neurons affected differ in AD and VaD, there is considerable overlap in the downstream pathways that mediate cell death. As a consequence there are, therefore, a number of levels in the cytotoxic pathway common to AD and VaD at which a neuroprotective agent might be targeted.
Muscarinic M1 and M3 Receptor Binding Alterations in Pancreas During Pancreatic Regeneration of Young Rats

The importance of muscarinic receptors in proliferation of different cell types and in insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells has been extensively studied. However, the role of pancreatic muscarinic receptors during pancreatic regeneration has not yet been studied. For the first time, the functional status of the muscarinic M1 and M3 receptors in regeneration of the pancreas is investigated here. It is observed that the number and affinity of high-affinity muscarinic M3 receptors increased at the time of regeneration. The low-affinity M3 receptors also showed a similar trend. In the case of muscarinic M1 receptors, the receptor number increased with a decrease in affinity. We also observed an increase in the circulating insulin levels at the time of active regeneration. The in vitro studies confirmed that muscarinic receptors are stimulatory to insulin secretion. Our results suggest that the increased muscarinic M1 and M3 receptor subtypes stimulate insulin secretion and islet cell proliferation during the regeneration of pancreas.
On the Relation between Edge and Vertex Modelling in Shape Analysis

Objects in the plane with no obvious landmarks can be described by either vertex transformation vectors or edge transformation vectors. In this paper we provide the relation between the two transformation vectors. Grenander & Miller (1994) use a multivariate normal distribution with a block circulant covariance matrix to model the edge transformation vector. This type of model is also feasible for the vertex transformation vector and in certain cases the free parameters of the two models match up in a simple way. A vertex model and an edge model are applied to a data set of sand particles to explore shape variability.
Effect of chlorothiazide on renal juxtaglomerular cells and tissue electrolytes.

Administration of chlorothiazide to rats for 9 weeks produces an increase of intracellular sodium and a decrease of intracellular potassium in skeletal muscle. However, in cardiac muscle, in the wall of mesenteric arterioles, in aortic wall, and in kidney there is no significant alteration in the amount of sodium, potassium, or chloride per unit of dry tissue weight. The water content of heart muscle, skeletal muscle, and kidney is not altered by chlorothiazide. The intracellular concentration of Na and K in heart muscle is likewise unaltered by chlorothiazide. However, chlorothiazide produces a highly significant 44% increase in the granularity of the juxtaglomerular cells. The data in general suggest that chlorothiazide decreases the volume of extracellular fluid, but does not reduce the content of intracellular Na. Extracellular K is reduced as well as the K inside skeletal muscle fibers. However, the amount of K inside cardiac muscle fibers is unchanged by chlorothiazide.
Review of physiology modifiers: Hyaluronan, polysulfated glycosaminoglycan, and tiludronate.

Hyaluronans have been used and studied in horses and humans since the 1970s. Most hyaluronan preparations are a 1% concentration with a molecular size of anywhere between 500,000 and 6,000,000 Daltons. Hyaluronan has been shown to interact with the CD44 receptor to modulate cell proliferation, migration, and gene expression. It has also been shown to decrease proinflammatory mediators and pain-producing neuropeptides that are common in the joint and lead to disease. In vitro, hyaluronan has shown a positive effect on chondrocyte morphology in articular cartilage explants, it stimulated proteoglycan synthesis in both chondrocyte and articular cartilage explant cultures, and it has also been shown to decrease prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by synoviocytes in a lipopolysaccharidestimulated model. Hyaluronan has also been shown to reduce shear strain after injury, probably leading to a decrease in post-injury trauma, and to have a positive effect when combined with corticosteroids such as with triamcinolone or methylprednisolone acetate. However, in vitro studies have shown mixed results in the face of corticosteroids, as one study showed little effect of hyaluronan on methylprednisolone acetate–induced articular cartilage matrix catabolism, and another showed that exogenous hyaluronan in combination with corticosteroids decreased the proteoglycan release typical of corticosteroid administration alone. There has also been some indication that molecular weight may have an influence on the efficacy of hyaluronan. One in vitro study showed that lowand medium-molecular-weight hyaluronan actually increased inflammation, whereas high-molecularweight hyaluronan decreased inflammation. This was shown to occur via binding to the CD44 receptor and led to the conclusion that CD44 receptor may modulate inflammation via hyaluronan mass. Santangelo et al. showed that hyaluronan was protective of lipopolysaccharide-induced fibroblast changes in vitro and that high-molecular-weight hyaluronan had a greater effect than low-molecularweight compounds. Although in vitro studies have shown an effect of molecular weight, variable effects
RESPONSES OF SOIL BIOTA TO ELEVATED CO2 IN A CHAPARRAL ECOSYSTEM

Atmospheric CO2 is rapidly increasing without an integrative understanding of the responses of soil organisms. We sampled soils in a chaparral ecosystem at 18 intervals over a 3-yr period in replicated field chambers ranging from 250 to 750 ppm CO2 at 100 ppm increments. We assessed three distinct soil energy channels: mycorrhizal fungi, saprotrophic fungi-mite/collembola, and bacteria-protozoa/nematode. C allocation belowground increased with elevated CO2. Standing crops of fungi and bacteria rarely changed with CO2. Mass of bacteria-feeding nematodes increased during wet periods, but the effects on soil bacteria were not detectable. However, grazing of fungi by mites increased with increasing CO2 up to 550 ppm CO2. Above this threshold, allocation of C to the fungal channel declined. Direct measures of mycorrhizal fungi (percentage infection, arbuscular mycorrhizal [AM] fungal hyphal length) showed no changes with CO2 enrichment, but indirect measures (macroaggregates with newly fixed C) increased sugge.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EPISIOTOMY AND PREVALENCE OF URINARY INCONTINENCE IN WOMEN 2-5 YEARS AFTER CHILDBIRTH

Aim: The aim of the study was to find a relationship between episiotomy and prevalence of urinary incontinence in women. The obtained results were compared with those in women who suffered 1st- or 2nd-degree perineal tears during childbirth and those with an intact perineum. Design: Cross sectional study. Methods: The sample was made up of 211 women, who were 2-5 years after a spontaneous term childbirth. The data were collected using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Results: No differences were found in the prevalence of urinary incontinence between women with episiotomy and those with spontaneous perineal tears or with an intact perineum. The prevalence of urinary incontinence is affected by a woman’s BMI, parity and the presence of incontinence before childbirth. Conclusion: The study did not find episiotomy to either increase or decrease the prevalence of urinary incontinence at 2-5 years postpartum.
Heritability of optic disc and cup measured by the Heidelberg Retinal Tomography in Chinese: the Guangzhou twin eye study.

PURPOSE To assess the heritability of disc area (DA), cup area (CA), and cup-disc area ratio (CDAR) as intermediate phenotypes for glaucoma in Chinese subjects in a classic twin study. METHODS Twins (n = 1160) aged 7 to 15 years were identified in the Guangzhou Twin Registry. Optic disc parameters were measured with a Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT; Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany) by the same examiner and grader. Zygosity was confirmed by genotyping with 16 polymorphic markers in all same-sex twin pairs. The DA, CA, and CDAR of the right eyes were chosen as the traits of interest in the analysis. Heritability was assessed by structural variance component genetic modeling, with Mx quantitative genetic modeling software, after adjustment for age and gender. RESULTS Of those recruited, 1114 twins were identified in the analysis, including 355 monozygotic (MZ) and 202 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs. The intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.79 for DA, 0.83 for CA, and 0.80 for CDAR in MZ pairs and 0.30, 0.37, and 0.35, respectively, in DZ pairs. The age- and sex-adjusted variance component model identified additive genetic and unshared environmental effects (AE model) being best fit for DA, CA, and CDAR. This best-fitting model yielded 77.3% additive genetic (95%CI: 73.0%-80.8%) and 22.7% unshared environment (95% CI: 19.2%-27.0%) for DA, 82.7% (95% CI:79.4%-85.5%) and 17.3% (95% CI: 14.5%-20.6%) for CA, 78.6% (95% CI: 74.5%-82.0%) and 21.4% (95% CI: 18.0%-25.4%) for CDAR. CONCLUSIONS The variance of optic nerve head parameters (DA, CA, and CDAR) appears to be attributable to additive genetic and unshared environmental effects. Approximately 80% of these phenotypic variances are genetically determined.
A randomised controlled trial of a CBT intervention for anxiety in children with Asperger syndrome.

BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief CBT intervention for anxiety with children diagnosed with Asperger syndrome (AS). A second interest was to evaluate whether more intensive parent involvement would increase the child's ability to manage anxiety outside of the clinic setting. METHODS Seventy-one children aged ten to twelve years were recruited to participate in the anxiety programme. All children were diagnosed with AS and the presence of anxiety symptoms was accepted on parent report via brief interview. Children were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: intervention for child only, intervention for child and parent, wait-list control. RESULTS The two intervention groups demonstrated significant decreases in parent-reported anxiety symptoms at follow-up and a significant increase in the child's ability to generate positive strategies in an anxiety-provoking situation. There were a number of significant differences between the two interventions to suggest parent involvement as beneficial. CONCLUSIONS The sample of children with AS in this study presented with a profile of anxiety similar to a sample of clinically diagnosed anxious children. The intervention was endorsed by parents as a useful programme for children diagnosed with Asperger syndrome and exhibiting anxiety symptoms, and active parent involvement enhanced the usefulness of the programme. Limitations of the study and future research are discussed.