Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How Would a Decline in Sperm Concentration Over Time Influence the Probability of Pregnancy?

Background: Reports have suggested a decline in sperm concentration during the second half of the 20th century. The effect of this decline on fecundability (the monthly probability of pregnancy) could be detected in principle by a study of time to pregnancy. In practice, the amplitude of this expected effect is not well known and the statistical power of time-to-pregnancy studies to detect it has not been explored. Methods: We developed a nonparametric model to describe a temporal decline in sperm concentration using data on French semen donors. We then applied this model to 419 Danish couples planning a first pregnancy in 1992, to predict their time to pregnancy as if the pregnancy attempt had begun during earlier decades with higher sperm concentrations. Finally, we used bootstrap simulations to estimate the statistical power of prospective or retrospective studies that compared fecundability (estimated from time to pregnancy) across these time periods. We express the change in fecundability over time as a fecundability ratio (FR), with values less than 1 indicating decreased fecundability. Results: We estimate that the median sperm concentration decreased by 21% from 1977 to 1992 and by 47% from 1947 to 1992. The estimated decline in fecundability with those semen changes was 7% from 1977 to 1992 (FR = 0.93, adjusted) and 15% from 1947 to 1992 (FR = 0.85, adjusted). The total numbers of couples that would be needed in prospective studies of time to pregnancy to detect these changes in fecundability (with a power of 80%) were 12,000 when comparing 1977 to 1992, and 2000 when comparing 1947 to 1992. Retrospective studies of the same size that excluded childless couples had much lower statistical power and were biased toward the null. Conclusion: The effect of realistic declines in sperm concentration on time to pregnancy may be observed only with studies that include several thousand couples.
Identification of Enterococcus species isolated from human infections by a conventional test scheme

Streptococci (206 cultures) previously identified as enterococci were retrieved from storage and reidentified by using tests designed to identify species of the genus Enterococcus. Of these 188, 91% were correctly identified as Enterococcus species. Of the remaining strains, nine (4%) were unidentified and six (3%) and 3 (1.5%) were identified as Leuconostoc sp. and Lactococcus sp. , respectively. Two new Enterococcus species were discovered: E. raffinosus and E. solitarius. DNA-DNA hybridizations were performed on selected strains to assure correct identification. Cultures representing 10 of the 12 Enterococcus species were among the 188 strains identified. An identification system based on the grouping of key reactions of 20 phenotypic characteristics of Enterococcus species is described.
Fast Prediction of Wing Rock Onset Based on Computational Fluid Dynamics

Abstract : This report results from a contract tasking University of Glasgow as follows: The objective is to develop efficient CFD based techniques for the prediction of wing rock instabilities for a delta wing-body. Two approaches in addition to the basic time marching approach will be investigated. First direct calculation of the Hopf point for the onset of the instability (for a fixed sweep angle the incidence is regarded as the bifurcation parameter) will be developed based on techniques previously developed for aeroelasticity. Secondly reduced order models will be developed driven by CFD results to again predict the instability onset efficiently. Finally an assessment of the different methods will be carried out to provide guidance for future application in certification by analysis and design. The derived solutions will also be examined to answer some of the current questions as to the physical mechanisms for wing rock.
Prevention of gastroduodenal damage induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: controlled trial of ranitidine.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prophylactic effect of ranitidine 150 mg twice daily in patients requiring one of the following non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: naproxen, piroxicam, diclofenac, and indomethacin. In addition, risk factors were studied in order to help in targeting of such treatment to specific groups of patients. DESIGN: Double blind, placebo controlled, randomised, parallel group with endoscopic assessments at 0, 4, and 8 weeks. SETTING: Multicentre outpatient study at secondary referral centres in five European countries. PATIENTS--297 patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis over the age of 18 without lesions in the stomach and duodenum at baseline endoscopy (after one week without taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Those taking other antirheumatic agents, concomitant ulcerogenic drugs, or treatment for peptic ulcers within the previous 30 days were excluded. Age, sex, arthritic disease, and type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used were comparable in the two treatment groups. In all, 263 patients completed the trial. INTERVENTIONS: Ranitidine 150 mg twice daily or placebo (plus the selected non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) was prescribed within five days after the baseline endoscopy for two consecutive periods of four weeks. Paracetamol was permitted during the study, but not antacids. Patients were withdrawn if the most severe grade of damage (including ulceration) was found at the four week endoscopy or when indicated, or with lesser damage at the investigator's discretion. END POINT: Frequency of gastric and duodenal ulceration or lesions, or both. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of peptic ulceration by eight weeks was 10.3% (27/263); 2 out of 135 (1.5%) developed duodenal ulceration in the ranitidine group, compared with 10 out of 126 (8%) taking placebo. The frequency of gastric ulceration was the same (6%) for the two groups at eight weeks. Though significantly fewer gastric lesions developed in the ranitidine group by eight weeks. The frequency of non-ulcerative lesions in the duodenum did not differ greatly for the two groups at either time point. Twelve out of 75 (16%) patients taking piroxicam developed peptic ulceration, of whom two thirds had duodenal ulceration. Patients with a history of peptic ulcer were particularly susceptible to recurrent ulceration, against which ranitidine offered some protection. CONCLUSIONS: Ranitidine 150 mg twice daily significantly reduced the incidence of duodenal ulceration but not gastric ulceration when prescribed concomitantly with one of four commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Synchronous Hodgkin’s Disease and Gastric Adenocarcinoma

Background: Adenocarcinoma is the most frequent pathological type of stomach cancer. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a lymphoproliferative disease arising from lymphoid tissue which is characterized by Reed-Sternberg cells. Synchronous occurrence of these two malignancies has not been reported in the English literature so far. Case: Here we present a 52-year-old male complaining of epigastric pain and fever diagnosed as stomach adenocarcinoma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Conclusion: It is thought that this case is the first of a synchronous stomach adenocarcinoma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma encountered in the English literature. It should be kept in mind that second malignancies can be seen in mass lesions in patients diagnosed with cancer.
delta-crystallin synthesis and vacuole formation during induced opacification of cultured embryonic chick lenses.

Previous experiments have shown that embryonic chick lenses cultured either without their vitreous bodies or with their vitreous bodies in the presence ofouabain alter their intracellular concentrations of sodium and potassium, change their ratio of synthesis of 8-crystallin polypeptides, and develop opacities in cortical or epithelial regions, respectively. In the present investigation b-crystallin synthesis was examined electrophoretically in the epithelial, cortical fiber, and nuclear fiber regions of the cultured lenses. The intercellular space was estimated by determining H-inulin uptake, and lens structure was visualized by light and electron microscopy. The results showed that the alteration in the ratio of b-crystallin synthesis occurred in both the clear and cloudy regions of the cultured lenses, suggesting that this change in protein synthesis does not cause the opacities. Moreover, experiments with cycloheximide revealed that inhibition of protein synthesis neither induced nor prevented the development of opacities in lenses lacking the vitreous body or treated with ouabain. Intercellular and intracellular vacuoles were directly associated with the opaque regions of these lenses, suggesting a causal basis for the opacities. Ouabain-treated lenses with attached vitreous bodies had only intracellular vacuoles, rather than a combination of intercellular and intracellular vacuoles, which is consistent with the possibility that the intercellular vacuoles are caused by excretion of fluid from the hydropic cells.
Brittle cornea syndrome associated with a missense mutation in the zinc-finger 469 gene.

PURPOSE To investigate the diverse clinical manifestations, identify the causative mutation and explain the association with red hair in a family with brittle cornea syndrome (BCS). METHODS Eight family members in three generations underwent ophthalmic, dental, and general medical examinations, including radiologic examination of the spine. Bone mineral density (BMD) and serum levels of vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and biochemical markers for bone turnover were measured. Skin biopsies were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. Molecular genetic studies included homozygosity mapping with SNP markers, DNA sequencing, and MC1R genotyping. RESULTS At 42 and 48 years of age, respectively, both affected individuals were blind due to retinal detachment and secondary glaucoma. They had extremely thin and bulging corneas, velvety skin, chestnut colored hair, scoliosis, reduced BMD, dental anomalies, hearing loss, and minor cardiac defects. The morphologies of the skin biopsies were normal except that in some areas slightly thinner collagen fibrils were seen in one of the affected individuals. Molecular genetic analysis revealed a novel missense mutation of ZNF469, c.10016G>A, that was predicted to affect the fourth of the five zinc finger domains of ZNF469 by changing the first cysteine to a tyrosine (p.Cys3339Tyr). Both affected individuals were homozygous for the common red hair variant R151C at the MC1R locus. CONCLUSIONS BCS is a disorder that affects a variety of connective tissues. Reduced BMD and atypical dental crown morphology have not been reported previously. The results confirm that BCS is associated with mutations in ZNF469. The association with red hair in some individuals with BCS is likely to occur by chance.
Outcome after less-invasive decompression of lumbar spinal stenosis: a randomized comparison of unilateral laminotomy, bilateral laminotomy, and laminectomy.

OBJECT Recently, limited decompression procedures have been proposed in the treatment of lumbar stenosis. The authors undertook a prospective study to compare the safety and outcome of unilateral and bilateral laminotomy with laminectomy. METHODS One hundred twenty consecutive patients with 207 levels of lumbar stenosis without herniated discs or instability were randomized to three treatment groups (bilateral laminotomy [Group 1], unilateral laminotomy [Group 2], and laminectomy [Group 3]). Perioperative parameters and complications were documented. Symptoms and scores, such as visual analog scale (VAS), Roland-Morris Scale, Short Form-36 (SF-36), and patient satisfaction were assessed preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Adequate decompression was achieved in all patients. The overall complication rate was lowest in patients who had undergone bilateral laminotomy (Group 1). The minimum follow up of 12 months was obtained in 94% of patients. Residual pain was lowest in Group 1 (VAS score 2.3 +/- 2.4 and 4 +/- 1 in Group 3; p < 0.05 and 3.6 +/- 2.7 in Group 2; p < 0.05). The Roland-Morris Scale score improved from 17 +/- 4.3 before surgery to 8.1 +/- 7, 8.5 +/- 7.3, and 10.9 +/- 7.5 (Groups 1-3, respectively; p < 0.001 compared with preoperative) corresponding to a dramatic increase in walking distance. Examination of SF-36 scores demonstrated marked improvement, most pronounced in Group 1. The number of repeated operations did not differ among groups. Patient satisfaction was significantly superior in Group 1, with 3, 27, and 26% of patients unsatisfied (in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Bilateral and unilateral laminotomy allowed adequate and safe decompression of lumbar stenosis, resulted in a highly significant reduction of symptoms and disability, and improved health-related quality of life. Outcome after unilateral laminotomy was comparable with that after laminectomy. In most outcome parameters, bilateral laminotomy was associated with a significant benefit and thus constitutes a promising treatment alternative.
Comparative field evaluation of the fluorescent-antibody test, virus isolation from tissue culture, and enzyme immunodiagnosis for rapid laboratory diagnosis of rabies

The rabies tissue culture infection test (RTCIT) and rapid rabies enzyme immunodiagnosis (RREID) were compared to the fluorescent-antibody test (FAT) with field specimens. At the French National Reference Center for Rabies, 15,248 specimens were analyzed by FAT and RTCIT, and 2,290 of those specimens were also tested by RREID; 818 other specimens were tested by FAT and RREID in 12 laboratories located in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The sensitivities and specificities of RREID and RTCIT were comparable. This study showed that both tests can be used as backup procedures to confirm FAT. RREID is also strongly recommended for epidemiological studies and for laboratories which are not equipped for performing FAT.
Linkage and candidate gene analysis of 14q22‐24 in bipolar disorder: support for GCHI as a novel susceptibility gene

Using a collection of Irish sib‐pair nuclear families, we previously obtained modest evidence of linkage implicating 14q22‐24 in bipolar disorder (BPD). To follow‐up on this preliminary finding, an extended linkage analysis was performed which employed thirteen microsatellite markers, spanning a total distance of 85 cM on 14q. Effectively, P‐values <0.05 were observed for a region extending over 41.88 cM, with the marker D14S281 displaying a peak multipoint non‐parametric lod (NPL) score of 2.72 and an associated P‐value of 0.003. Support for this finding was also obtained from flanking markers indicating excess allele sharing at 14q22‐24 in Irish bipolar sib‐pairs. A web‐based candidate gene search of 14q22‐24 resulted in the selection of GTP cyclohydrolase I (GCHI), located 200 kb 3′ of D14S281, as the best plausible candidate gene for involvement in BPD. GCHI is the rate‐limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), a natural cofactor for tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylases. These enzymes play an essential role in the biosynthesis of various hormones and neurotransmitters such as dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline, and serotonin. Numerous studies have also suggested that the clinical symptoms of depression might be related to a deficiency of BH4. An association study between BPD and a novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in GCHI (G to A at position −959 bp, upstream of the ATG codon), is also presented here. This study revealed that the variant A allele is preferentially transmitted to BPI probands (χ2 = 4.54, P = 0.033) suggesting that variants within GCHI may contribute to BPD in the Irish population. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Involvement of histone H1 in the organization of the chromosome fiber.

At high ionic strength (e.g., physiological salt concentrations) chromosome fibers are 200 A in diameter and composed of discrete globular structures that are held together by histone H1. At low ionic strength the fibers unfold and appear as the familiar chains of nucleosomes (80 A in diameter). The unfolding of chromosome fibers occurs within a narrow salt range. It results from a change in the mode of the interaction between histone H1 and the chromosome fiber and is very likely the consequence of a change from cooperative binding between histone H1 and DNA to a noncooperative binding. In the noncooperative binding state histone H1 molecules are randomly redistributed along the chromosome fiber.
The preliminary study of influence on tone perception from segments

Although previous studies have demonstrated that fundamental frequency (f0) is a significant cue in tone perception, there are other factors influencing it (e.g., segments). In the present study, we explored Initials and Finals' effect on tone perception. One perception experiment was conducted with six continua (i.e., Tone 2-Tone 3) based on syllables which include three types of Initials (i.e., plosive, affricate, fricative) and two types of Finals (i.e., with/without the medial). Results showed that both Initials and Finals had significant effect on tone perception and there existed significant interaction. For syllables with the medial, syllables with plosive and affricate were more likely to be perceived as tone 3 rather than tone 2 as compared to syllables with fricative. Syllables with plosive whose Finals include the medial were more likely to be perceived as tone 3 in contrast with syllables with plosive whose Finals exclude the medial, the latter were more likely to be perceived as tone 2. However, such effect was totally reversed between syllables with fricative.
Colour polymorphism is likely to be disadvantageous to some populations and species due to genetic architecture and morph interactions

Polymorphism describes two or more distinct, genetically determined, phenotypes that co‐occur in the same population, where the rarest morph is maintained at a frequency above the mutation rate (Ford 1945; Huxley 1955). In a recent opinion piece, we explored a new idea regarding the role of genetic architectures and morph interactions in colour polymorphisms and how this can negatively affect population performance (Bolton et al. 2015). In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Forsman (2016) thoroughly discusses the current evidence for polymorphisms enhancing population performance and critiques the validity of the definitions of polymorphism we use in our original paper. We respond by clarifying that the negative consequences of polymorphisms that we discussed are likely to be most pertinent in species that have a particular set of characteristics, such as strong sexual or social interactions between morphs and discrete genetic architectures. Although it was not our intention to redefine polymorphism, we do believe that there should be further discussion about refining or characterizing balanced polymorphisms with respect to the degree of morph sympatry, discreteness of traits and their underlying genetic architecture, and the types of selection that drive and maintain the variation. The latter describes whether polymorphism is primarily maintained by external factors such as predation pressure or internal factors such as interactions with members of the same species. The contribution of Forsman (2016) is useful to this discussion, and we hope that our exchange of opinions will inspire new empirical and theoretical ideas on the origin and maintenance of colour polymorphisms.
Effect of fat saturation on satiety, hormone release, and food intake.

BACKGROUND Ileal delivery of fat reduces hunger and food intake through activation of the ileal brake. Physicochemical properties of fat have been shown to affect satiety and food intake. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to assess the effect of ileal fat emulsions with differing degrees of fatty acid saturation on satiety, food intake, and gut peptides (cholecystokinin and peptide YY). We hypothesized that long-chain triacylglycerols with diunsaturated fatty acids would increase satiety and reduce energy intake compared with long-chain triacylglycerols with monounsaturated or saturated fatty acids. DESIGN We performed a double-blind, randomized, crossover study in which 15 healthy subjects [mean age: 24 y; mean body mass index (in kg/m(2)): 22] were intubated with a naso-ileal catheter and participated in 4 experiments performed in random order on 4 consecutive days. After consumption of a liquid meal, subjects received a fat or control infusion in the ileum. Fat emulsions consisted of 6 g of 18:0 (shea oil; mainly 18:0), 18:1 (canola oil; mainly 18:1), or 18:2 (safflower oil; mainly 18:2) oils. Food intake was measured during an ad libitum lunch. Satiety questionnaires (visual analog scale) and blood samples were collected at regular intervals. RESULTS Compared with the control, only 18:2 and 18:1 significantly increased fullness and reduced hunger. No effect on food intake was observed. 18:1 and 18:2 increased cholecystokinin secretion significantly compared with the control. Fatty acid saturation did not affect peptide YY secretion. CONCLUSIONS When infused into the ileum, triacylglycerols with unsaturated fatty acids increase satiety, whereas triacylglycerols with saturated fatty acids does not. This trial was registered with the Dutch Trial Register as: ISRCTN51742545.
The quest for a successful cell-based therapeutic approach for heart failure

This editorial refers to ‘Cardiopoietic cell therapy for advanced ischaemic heart failure: results at 39 weeks of the prospective, ramdomized, double-blind, sham-controlled CHART-1 clinical trial’, by J. Bartunek et al. , doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehw543. Two-thirds of all heart failure is due to ischaemic heart disease.1 These patients receive lifelong medication, experience significant morbidity and mortality, and often progress to heart transplantation or insertion of a left ventricular assist device,1,2 In terms of population impact, a successful regenerative medicine strategy will have enormous impact upon patients with heart failure, who number in the millions worldwide. The staggering impact upon patients and healthcare systems provides extraordinary impetus for the development of a regenerative approach to treat these patients.2,3 Indeed, the notion of affecting an improvement in left ventricular structure as a substrate for enhancing patients’ quality of life and functional capacity (ultimately leading to reducing morbidity and mortality) is extraordinarily attractive.2 This quest has spawned several clinical investigative efforts to devise an effective and efficient way to deliver cell-based therapy to this large patient population with major unmet needs.4,5 This resulted in the testing of a vast array of cells ( Table 1 ). 2 Currently, there are few decisive successes in the field. However, all of the current efforts are small, with no published studies exceeding 200 patients, and very importantly lack standardization. For reference, an early important study in the development of biventricular pacing enrolled 453 patients.6 View this table: Table 1 Cell types under investigation in cell-based therapy trials for heart failure In 2010, Behfar and colleagues demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could be guided to become cardiac progenitor cells in mice.7 Furthermore, this study demonstrated that there are individuals that harbour stem cells with unique reparative capabilities, which are characterized …
Pharmacokinetics and Ex Vivo Antimalarial Activity of Artesunate-Azithromycin in Healthy Volunteers

ABSTRACT In 18 male healthy subjects, artesunate (200 mg)-azithromycin (1,500 mg) daily for 3 days was found to be well tolerated, with only mild gastrointestinal disturbances reported. The pharmacokinetic properties of artesunate-azithromycin given in combination are comparable to those of the drugs given alone. Artesunate and its major active metabolite, dihydroartemisinin, are responsible for most of the ex vivo antimalarial activity, with a delayed contribution by azithromycin.