Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Foreground-background discrimination indicated by event-related brain potentials in a new auditory multistability paradigm.

For studying multistable auditory perception, we propose a paradigm that evokes integrated or segregated perception of a sound sequence, and permits decomposition of the segregated grouping into foreground and background sounds. The paradigm combines 3-tone pitch patterns with alternating timbres, resulting in a repeating 6-tone structure that can be perceived as rising based on temporal proximity, or as falling based on timbre similarity. Listeners continuously report their percept while EEG is recorded. Results show an ERP modulation starting at ∼70 ms after sound onset that can be explained by whether a sound belongs to perceived foreground or background, with no additional effect of integrated versus segregated grouping. Auditory grouping as indexed by the mismatch negativity did not correspond with reported sound grouping. The paradigm offers a new possibility for investigating effects of conscious perceptual organization on sound processing.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis in the Guinea Pig

This is a most unusual book incorporating numerous observations which have not heretofore been published together. By reading this book, one can readily recognize why it is easily possible to have an experiment fail, not because the general experimental design was poor, but because the vagaries for eliciting the reaction are not understood. For instance, these authors demonstrate that the best age of guinea pigs for eliciting contact allergic reactions is 1 to 3 months, that males and females are equal in their potential, that pregnancy decreases the sensitization index, that sensitization may be elicited with equal readiness in both winter and summer, and that ambient temperatures have no effect. They also clearly demonstrate that the best area for sensitization is the scapular and that the use of other areas is considerably less effective. They also study the influence of the concentration and frequency of application on the topical sensitization
Clinical symptoms cannot predict influenza infection during the 2013 influenza season in Bavaria, Germany

SUMMARY For influenza surveillance and diagnosis typical clinical symptoms are traditionally used to discriminate influenza virus infections from infections by other pathogens. During the 2013 influenza season we performed a multiplex assay for 16 different viruses in 665 swabs from patients with acute respiratory infections (ARIs) to display the variety of different pathogens causing ARI and to test the diagnostic value of both the commonly used case definitions [ARI, and influenza like illness (ILI)] as well as the clinical judgement of physicians, respectively, to achieve a laboratory-confirmed influenza diagnosis. Fourteen different viruses were identified as causing ARI/ILI. Influenza diagnosis based on clinical signs overestimated the number of laboratory-confirmed influenza cases and misclassified cases. Furthermore, ILI case definition and physicians agreed in only 287/651 (44%) cases with laboratory confirmation. Influenza case management has to be supported by laboratory confirmation to allow evidence-based decisions. Epidemiological syndromic surveillance data should be supported by laboratory confirmation for reasonable interpretation.
The Prevalence, Severity, and Distribution of Childhood Food Allergy in the United States

RS Gupta, EE Springston, MR Warrier. Pediatrics. 2011;128:e9–e17 The purpose of this study was to estimate the overall prevalence of childhood food allergy, and the severity of food-related allergic reactions in the United States. Participants included individuals ≥18 years old residing in US households with at least 1 child <18 years old who could complete a Spanish or English survey. The final study population consisted of 38 480 individuals. A survey was sent to a randomly assigned group of participants determined to be a representative sample of US households with …
Late electrophysiological modulations of feature-based attention to object shapes.

Feature-based attention has been shown to aid object perception. Our previous ERP effects revealed temporally late feature-based modulation in response to objects relative to motion. The aim of the current study was to confirm the timing of feature-based influences on object perception while cueing within the feature dimension of shape. Participants were told to expect either "pillow" or "flower" objects embedded among random white and black lines. Participants more accurately reported the object's main color for valid compared to invalid shapes. ERPs revealed modulation from 252-502 ms, from occipital to frontal electrodes. Our results are consistent with previous findings examining the time course for processing similar stimuli (illusory contours). Our results provide novel insights into how attending to features of higher complexity aids object perception presumably via feed-forward and feedback mechanisms along the visual hierarchy.
Gastrointestinal, influenza-like illness and dermatological complaints following exposure to floodwater: a cross-sectional survey in The Netherlands

SUMMARY Extreme rainfall events may cause pluvial flooding, increasing the transmission of several waterborne pathogens. However, the risk of experiencing clinically overt infections following exposure to pluvial floodwater is poorly estimated. A retrospective cross-sectional survey was performed to quantify the occurrence of self-reported gastrointestinal, influenza-like illness (ILI) and dermatological complaints, and the frequency of visits to the general practitioner (GP), during a 4-week observation period following pluvial flooding at seven locations in The Netherlands. Questionnaires were sent to 817 flooded households, 149 (17%) of which returned the questionnaire reporting information for 199 participants. Contact with floodwater was significantly associated with increased occurrence of gastrointestinal [odds ratio (OR 4·44)], ILI (OR 2·75) and dermatological (OR 6·67) complaints, and GP visits (OR 2·72). Having hand contact with floodwater was associated with gastrointestinal and dermatological complaints, whereas ILI complaints were associated with being engaged in post-flooding cleaning operations and having walked/cycled through floodwater. This study shows that floodwater-associated diseases occur in urban settings following extreme rainfall events in a high-income country. As pluvial floods are expected to escalate in the future due to global climate change, further research is warranted to determine the disease burden of pluvial flooding and to assess the effect of different interventions, including raising awareness among stakeholders.
Perceptual properties of feedback stimuli influence the feedback-related negativity in the flanker gambling task.

A negative deflection in the event-related potential is enhanced following error- and loss-related feedback in decision-making and simple gambling tasks. Researchers have assumed that the perceptual properties of the feedback stimuli are unimportant in explaining these effects. This assumption was tested in the present study through a flanker gambling task, in which the perceptual properties of the feedback were manipulated. Consistent with previous studies, loss elicited a larger feedback-related negativity (FRN) than gain feedback. However, this FRN reward effect was modulated by the perceptual properties of the feedback stimuli. When gain and loss feedback were perceptually similar to each other, the enhancement of the FRN following the loss feedback was smaller compared to when the gain and loss feedback were different from each other. In addition, incongruent feedback elicited a larger FRN than congruent feedback; this FRN congruency effect was larger following gain than loss feedback. These results suggested that perceptual properties of the feedback stimuli play a role in the elicitation of the FRN.
Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in China: an integrated data analysis

SUMMARY Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease that was caused by a novel bunyavirus, SFTSV. The study aimed to disclose the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of SFTSV infection in China so far. An integrated clinical database comprising 1920 SFTS patients was constructed by combining first-hand clinical information collected from SFTS sentinel hospitals (n = 1159) and extracted data (n = 761) from published literature. The considered variables comprised clinical manifestations, routine laboratory tests of acute infection, hospitalization duration and disease outcome. SFTSV-IgG data from 19 119 healthy subjects were extracted from the published papers. The key clinical variables, case-fatality rate (CFR) and seroprevalence were estimated by meta-analysis. The most commonly seen clinical manifestations of SFTSV infection were fever, anorexia, myalgia, chill and lymphadenopathy. The major laboratory findings were elevated lactate dehydrogenase, aminotransferase, followed by thrombocytopenia, lymphocytopenia, elevated alanine transaminase and creatine kinase. A CFR of 12·2% was estimated, significantly higher than that obtained from national reporting data, but showing no geographical difference. In our paper, the mortality rate was about 1·9 parts per million. Older age and longer delay to hospitalization were significantly associated with fatal outcome. A pooled seroprevalence of 3·0% was obtained, which increased with age, while comparable for gender. This study represents a clinical characterization on the largest group of SFTS patients up to now. A higher than expected CFR was obtained. A wider spectrum of clinical index was suggested to be used to identify SFTSV infection, while the useful predictor for fatal outcome was found to be restricted.
Epidemiology and factors associated with candidaemia following Clostridium difficile infection in adults within metropolitan Atlanta, 2009–2013

SUMMARY We assessed prevalence of and risk factors for candidaemia following Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) using longitudinal population-based surveillance. Of 13 615 adults with CDI, 113 (0·8%) developed candidaemia in the 120 days following CDI. In a matched case-control analysis, severe CDI and CDI treatment with vancomycin + metronidazole were associated with development of candidaemia following CDI.
Heritability and molecular-genetic basis of resting EEG activity: a genome-wide association study.

Several EEG parameters are potential endophenotypes for different psychiatric disorders. The present study consists of a comprehensive behavioral- and molecular-genetic analysis of such parameters in a large community sample (N = 4,026) of adolescent twins and their parents, genotyped for 527,829 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Biometric heritability estimates ranged from . 49 to . 85, with a median of . 78. The additive effect of all SNPs (SNP heritability) varied across electrodes. Although individual SNPs were not significantly associated with EEG parameters, several genes were associated with delta power. We also obtained an association between the GABRA2 gene and beta power (p < .014), consistent with findings reported by others, although this did not survive Bonferroni correction. If EEG parameters conform to a largely polygenic model of inheritance, larger sample sizes will be required to detect individual variants reliably.
Epidemiological investigations on the potential transmissibility of a rare disease: the case of atypical scrapie in Great Britain

SUMMARY Multiple cases of atypical scrapie in the same holding and co-existence with classical scrapie have been reported in Great Britain. A two-stage simulation tool was developed by combining a sampling algorithm and a hierarchical Bayesian model to simulate the number of positive cases of atypical scrapie from: (i) random sampling and (ii) using the actual sampled population in Great Britain, being the output probability of detection of flocks with one and more cases. Cluster analysis was conducted to assess the level of geographical over- and under-sampling over the years. The probability of detecting at least two cases of atypical scrapie in the same holding is much lower in simulated random data than in simulated actual data for all scenarios. Sampling bias in the selection of sheep for testing led to multiple sampling from fewer but larger holdings, Scotland, and areas of Wales were under-sampled and the South-West and East of England oversampled. The pattern of atypical scrapie cases observed is unlikely to be explained by a multi-case event epidemiologically linked. The co-existence of classical and atypical scrapie is a rare event with 19 holdings detected in GB and does not suggest an epidemiological link between the two types of disease.
T cell tolerance to inhaled allergens: mechanisms and therapeutic approaches

Background: Specific immune response to allergens is decisive in the development of clinically healthy or allergic states. Objective: Recent developments in the mechanisms of allergen-specific peripheral tolerance can be used for future treatment modalities. Methods: This review focuses on recent developments in allergen tolerance. Results/conclusion: The balance between allergen-specific IL-10-secreting T regulatory cells (Tr1) and T helper 2 (Th2) cells appears to be decisive in the development of allergic and healthy immune response against allergens. Induction of IL-10- and TGF-β-producing Tr1 cells, IgG4-isotype-blocking antibodies, and suppressed mast cells, basophils and eosinophils represent major components of a relatively normalized immune response after allergen-specific immunotherapy and healthy immune response to aeroallergens in sensitized individuals.
[Bariatric surgery].

PLEASE NOTE: Contracts exclude from coverage, among other things, services or procedures that are considered investigational or cosmetic. Providers may bill members for services or procedures that are considered investigational or cosmetic. Providers are encouraged to inform members before rendering such services that the members are likely to be financially responsible for the cost of these services.
Burden of community-onset bloodstream infections, Western Interior, British Columbia, Canada

SUMMARY Although community-onset bloodstream infection (BSI) is recognized as a major cause of morbidity and mortality, its epidemiology has not been well defined in non-selected populations. We conducted population-based surveillance in the Interior Health West region of British Columbia, Canada in order to determine the burden associated with community-onset BSI. A total of 1088 episodes were identified for an overall annual incidence of 117·8/100 000 of which 639 (58·7%) were healthcare-associated (HA) and 449 (41·3%) were community-associated (CA) BSIs for incidences of 69·2 and 48·6/100 000, respectively. The incidence of community-onset BSI varied by age and gender and elderly males were at the highest risk. Overall 964 (88·6%) episodes resulted in hospital admission for a median length of stay of 8 days; the total days of acute hospitalization associated with community-onset BSI was 13 530 days or 1465 days/100 000 population per year. The in-hospital mortality rate was 10·6% (102/964) and this was higher for HA-BSI (72/569, 12·7%) compared to CA-BSI (30/395, 7·6%, P = 0·014) episodes. Community-onset BSI, especially HA-BSI, is associated with a major burden of illness.
Expression pattern of adhesion molecules (E‐cadherin, α‐, β‐, γ‐catenin and claudin‐7), their influence on survival in primary breast carcinoma, and their corresponding axillary lymph node metastasis

Reduced intercellular adhesion is implicated in the development of metastasis. This study investigates the expression of intercellular adhesion molecules (E‐cadherin, α‐, β‐, γ‐catenin and claudin‐7) and their influence on survival in primary breast carcinomas and corresponding axillary lymph node metastases (ALNM), and evaluates associations between them and with clinicopathological factors. The expression of adhesion molecules was analyzed immunohistochemically in tissues from 196 patients with primary invasive breast carcinomas and their nodal metastases (174 ductal and 22 lobular types). The expression was evaluated using semi‐quantitative scoring of the intensity and proportion of immunoreactivity. All five adhesion proteins showed significantly reduced expression in primary ductal carcinomas with re‐expression in ALNM (p<0.001). In uni‐ and multivariate analyses, the expression of E‐cadherin in the primary tumours was a significant predictor of disease‐free survival and distant disease‐free survival. Thus, abnormal E‐cadherin expression in the primary invasive breast carcinoma seems to be an independent prognostic biomarker in predicting a shorter survival in node‐positive breast cancer patients. The results indicate that abnormal expression of the adhesion molecules in the primary tumours with re‐expression in corresponding nodal metastases is a common event in breast ductal carcinomas and may play a central role in establishing metastasis.
Influenza hospitalizations in Australian children

SUMMARY Australia's National Immunisation Program (NIP) provides free influenza vaccination for children at high risk of severe influenza; a pilot-funded programme for vaccine in all children aged 6 months to <5 years in one of eight states, has seen poor vaccine impact, related to recent vaccine safety concerns. This retrospective review examined influenza hospitalizations in children aged <16 years from three seasons (2011–2013) at two paediatric hospitals on opposite sides of the country. Comparisons of this cohort were made with state-based data on influenza-coded hospitalizations and national immunization register data on population-level immunization coverage. Of 740 hospitalizations, the majority were aged <5 years (476/740, 64%), and a substantial proportion (57%) involved healthy children, not currently funded for influenza vaccine. Intensive care unit admission occurred in 8·5%, and 1·5% of all children developed encephalitis. Use of antiviral therapy was uncommon (20·5%) and decreasing. Of those hospitalized, only 5·0% of at-risk children, who are currently eligible for free vaccine, and 0·7% of healthy children were vaccinated prior to hospitalization. This was consistent with low population-wide estimates of influenza vaccine uptake. It highlights the need to examine alternative strategies, such as universally funded paediatric influenza vaccination, to address disease burden in Australian children.
Aspectos higiênico-sanitários no processo produtivo dos alimentos em escolas públicas do Estado de Goiás, Brasil

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to monitor the cleanness of public school canteens of Goias state, investigated during the study “Avaliacao e Monitoramento da Qualidade dos Alimentos Oferecidos na Merenda Escolar” (Assessment and Monitoring of School Food Quality), Goias, done from 2004 to 2007. METHODS: Starting in 2004, a three-stage survey was done in public schools of Goias. During the first phase, from 2004 to 2005, a checklist was used to assess the cleanness of schools canteens. In the second phase, from 2005 to 2007, interventions were done at the schools to train the relevant personnel. The third phase, done in 2010, consisted of monitoring the 18 school canteens that participated in the first phase using the same checklist to compare the sanitary quality of their meals in the two periods. The study was approved by the Universidade Federal de Goias Research Ethics Committee. RESULTS: The study schools complied only in part with the legislation, as the items personal hygiene, facility conditions, equipment and utensils, operational hygiene and processing were inadequate in 44.9% of the school food services investigated from 2004 to 2005 and in 37.1% of the ones investigated during the present study, jeopardizing the sanitary quality of the preparations. CONCLUSION: Comparison of the two phases of this investigation showed that only operational hygiene improved. These results reinforce the need of improving the pertinent school facilities and providing periodical training to those involved in food preparation to improve the sanitary quality of school foods.
Influence of exercise and sports on bone

In general, exercise and/or sports are effective for bone health. Bone metabolism is influenced by several environmental factors, especially mechanical loading and nutrition. It is well known that the bone mass in athletes is higher than that of people having a sedentary life-style. Mechanical loading leads to an increase in bone mass, whereby it helps in strengthening. However, in some cases athletes might have lower bone mass. Insufficient dietary intake and an imbalanced nutritional status cause an inhibition of bone formation and activation of bone resorption. A higher than necessary Ca intake is important for improving bone metabolism. An adequate protein intake level, not too high or low, might be effective for bone maintenance. In addition, low energy availability could be leading to low bone mass. It might be possible to say that exercise is not effective for improving bone metabolism in an inadequate and/or imbalanced nutritional condition. A moderate level of physical activity, not an excess level, and appropriate nutrient intake are both necessary for bone health.
Tetanus vaccination, antibody persistence and decennial booster: a serosurvey of university students and at-risk workers

SUMMARY The aim of the present research is to verify the immune status against tetanus in students and workers exposed to risk and to ascertain whether a decennial booster is necessary. Antibodies against tetanus were measured in 1433 workers and students of Padua University (Italy). The enrolment criterion was the ability to provide a booklet of vaccinations released by a public health office. The influence of age, gender, the number of vaccine doses, and the interval since the last dose was determined. Ten years after the last dose, the majority of subjects (95·0%) displayed an antibody titre above the protective level (⩾0·10 IU/ml), and half of these (49·1%) had a long-term protective level (⩾1·0 IU/ml). According to our data, titre depends on both the number of vaccine doses and the interval since the last dose (P < 0·0001). Five vaccine doses and an interval of at least 10 years since the last dose are predictive of a long-term protective titre in absence of a booster (1·97 IU/ml). These data suggest that when primary series are completed, a decennial booster is unnecessary for up to 20 years. Furthermore, we recommend measuring the antibody level before a new booster is given to prevent problems related to over-immunisation.