Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
World Health Organization 2006 Child Growth Standards and 2007 Growth Reference Charts: A Discussion Paper by the Committee on Nutrition of the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition

ABSTRACT Growth charts are essential for evaluating children's health including their nutrition; however, the evaluation of child growth trajectories and consequently the decision to intervene are highly dependent on the growth charts used. The aim of this discussion paper of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Committee on Nutrition is to provide information on the background and rationale of the World Health Organization (WHO) 2006 child growth standards and WHO 2007 growth reference charts, describe their development, outline their main innovative aspects, discuss potential limitations, and make recommendations. WHO 2006 child growth standards (0–5 years) are based on prospectively collected data describing the growth of healthy infants who were breast-fed according to WHO recommendations, showing a pattern of linear growth, which is remarkably consistent between different countries and ethnic groups. WHO 2007 growth reference charts (5–19 years) are based mainly on a re-analysis of National Centre for Health Statistics data from 1977, without information on feeding. European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Committee on Nutrition recommends that WHO child growth standards should be used to monitor growth in all children in the age range 0 to 2 years in Europe, whether breast- or formula-fed, and that they should be considered to be used in the age range 2 to 5 years. Implementation of the WHO child growth standards should be preceded by evaluation of the implication of their use on national healthcare policies. Health professionals should be guided on their use and interpretation and an adequate communication strategy should be available locally to ensure that parents receive clear and consistent advice. The decision on whether to implement the WHO growth references (5–19 years) should be made by national bodies because the growth pattern during the 5- to 19-year period differs between populations.
An efficient cis-element discovery method using multiple sequence comparisons based on evolutionary relationships.

The discovery of cis-element control motifs in noncoding DNA poses a difficult problem in genome analysis. Functional analysis by means of reporter constructs expressed in transgenic organisms is the most reliable method, but is by itself time-consuming and expensive. Searching noncoding DNA for known control motifs by sequence analysis is problematic, since protein binding motifs are short, in the range of 8-10 bp, and occur frequently by chance. Heretofore, the most reliable sequence analysis method has been the comparison of homologous sequence domains in related but moderately evolutionarily divergent species such as, for example, mouse and human. In such pairwise combinations, control regions are conserved because they serve a vital function and can be identified by their similar sequences. Single pairwise comparisons, however, allow the discovery of conserved sequence strings only at low resolution and without specific identity. We have investigated the possibility of using multiple sequence comparisons to correct these shortcomings. We applied this method to the Hoxc8 early enhancer region that has been previously analyzed in depth by functional methods and through its application successfully identified known protein binding cis-element motifs. Candidate protein binding sites could also be identified. This method, based on evolutionarily related sequence comparisons, should be quite useful as a prescreening step prior to functional analysis with corresponding savings in time and resources.
A Decade (2001–2010) of Genetic Testing for Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma

Abstract The identification of 9 susceptibility genes for paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma between 2001and 2010 has led to the development of routine genetic tests. To study the evolution in genetic screening for paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma over the past decade, we carried out a retrospective study on the tests performed in our laboratory from January 2001 to December 2010. A genetic test for paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma was assessed for 2 499 subjects, 1 620 index cases, and 879 presymptomatic familial genetic tests. A germline mutation in a PGL/PCC susceptibility gene was identified in 363 index cases (22.4%): 269 in SDHx genes (137 in SDHB, 100 in SDHD, 30 in SDHC, 2 in SDHA), 64 in VHL, 23 in RET, and 7 in TMEM127. A presymptomatic paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma test was positive in 427 subjects. Advances in molecular screening techniques led to an increase in the total number of mutation-carriers diagnosed each year. Overall, during the last decade, our laboratory identified a germline mutation in 44.7% of patients with a suspect hereditary PGL/PCC and in 8% of patients with an apparently sporadic PGL/PCC. During the past decade, the discoveries of new paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma susceptibility genes and the subsequent progress of molecular screening techniques have enabled us to diagnose a hereditary paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma in about 22% of patients tested in routine practice. This genetic testing is of major importance for the follow-up of affected patients and for the genetic counselling of their families.
Quality of sexual life of women using the contraceptive vaginal ring in extended cycles: Preliminary report

Abstract Objective To evaluate the quality of the sexual life of healthy women who are using a contraceptive vaginal ring (CVR) in extended cycles. Methods Fifty-two women (18 to 32 years old) seeking hormonal contraception were enrolled in this prospective study. Women were to use a CVR releasing daily 15 μg of ethinylestradiol (EE) and 120 μg of etonogestrel (ENG) for 63 days, followed by a four-day hormone-free interval, for two such extended cycles. At baseline and at the first (day 63–73) and second (day 126–134) follow-ups the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaires were administered to investigate, respectively, sexual behaviour and the quality of life (QoL). The Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) was used to verify whether sexual dysfunction caused significant personal distress to the woman. Results The FSFI and FSDS scores obtained at the first and second follow-up appointments detected an improvement with respect to the baseline score (p < 0.05). QoL measures of body pain, general health and emotional role improved at the first follow-up visit (p < 0.05); at the second one, all variables showed improvement (p < 0.05). Conclusion According to these preliminary data the CVR in extended cycles could improve the sexual function and the QoL of women. Chinese Abstract 摘 要 目的 评估在扩展周期中使用阴道避孕环健康女性的性生活质量。 方法 寻求激素避孕的52名女性（18-32岁）参加了这项前瞻性研究。 妇女使用阴道避孕环每天释放15μg炔雌醇和120μg依托孕烯,共63天，随后4天是无激素间歇期，持续2个这样的周期。 在基础状态及第一（63-73天）和第二（126-134天）周期，用女性性功能指数（FSFI）和简化SF-36表问卷，分别对性行为和生活质量(QoL)进行调查。 使用女性性障碍量表(FSDS)来证明性功能障碍是否已经引起了明显的个人困扰。 结果 与基础评分相比，第一次和第二次随访时FSFI和FSDS评分明显提高（p＜0.05）。 QoL评分 的身体疼痛，一般健康和情绪评分在第一次随访时明显提高；第二次随访时各项评分均明显提高。 结论 根据这些初步数据，扩展周期的阴道避孕环可能会改善性功能和提高妇女的生活质量。
Survival analysis using auxiliary variables via non‐parametric multiple imputation

We develop an approach, based on multiple imputation, that estimates the marginal survival distribution in survival analysis using auxiliary variables to recover information for censored observations. To conduct the imputation, we use two working survival models to define a nearest neighbour imputing risk set. One model is for the event times and the other for the censoring times. Based on the imputing risk set, two non‐parametric multiple imputation methods are considered: risk set imputation, and Kaplan–Meier imputation. For both methods a future event or censoring time is imputed for each censored observation. With a categorical auxiliary variable, we show that with a large number of imputes the estimates from the Kaplan–Meier imputation method correspond to the weighted Kaplan–Meier estimator. We also show that the Kaplan–Meier imputation method is robust to mis‐specification of either one of the two working models. In a simulation study with time independent and time‐dependent auxiliary variables, we compare the multiple imputation approaches with an inverse probability of censoring weighted method. We show that all approaches can reduce bias due to dependent censoring and improve the efficiency. We apply the approaches to AIDS clinical trial data comparing ZDV and placebo, in which CD4 count is the time‐dependent auxiliary variable. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expression and significance of PTEN, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha in colorectal adenoma and adenocarcinoma.

AIM To investigate the expression and significance of PTEN, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha), and targeting gene VEGF during colorectal carciogenesis. METHODS Total 71 cases colorectal neoplasms (9 cases of colorectal adenoma and 62 colorectal adenocarcinoma) were formalin fixed and paraffin-embedded, and all specimens were evaluated for PTEN mRNA, HIF-1alpha mRNA and VEGF protein expression. PTEN mRNA, HIF-1alpha mRNA were detected by in situ hybridization. VEGF protein was identified by citrate-microwave SP immunohistochemical method. RESULTS There were significant differences in PTEN, HIF-1alpha and VEGF expression between colorectal adenomas and colorectal adenocarcinoma (P<0.05). The level of PTEN expression decreased as the pathologic stage increased. Conversely, HIF-1alpha and VEGF expression increased with the Dukes stage as follows: stage A (0.1029+/-0.0457: 0.1207+/-0.0436), stage B (0.1656+/-0.0329: 0.1572+/-0.0514), and stage C+D (0.2335+/-0.0748: 0.2219+/-0.0803). For PTEN expression, there was a significant difference among Dukes stage A, B, and C+D, and the level of PTEN expression was found to be significant higher in Dukes stage A or B than that of Dukes stage C or D. For HIF-1alpha expression, there was a significant difference between Dukes stage A and B, and the level of HIF-1alpha expression was found to be significantly higher in Dukes stage C+D than that of Dukes stage A or B. The VEGF expression had similar results as HIF-1alpha expression. In colorectal adenocarcinoma, decreased levels of PTEN were significantly associated with increased expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA (r=-0.36, P<0.05) and VEGF protein (r=-0.48, P<0.05) respectively. The levels of HIF-1 were positively correlated with VEGF expression (r=0.71, P<0.01). CONCLUSION Loss of PTEN expression and increased levels of HIF-1alpha and VEGF may play an important role in carcinogenesis and progression of colorectal adenocarcinoma.
Specificity in ROS signaling and transcript signatures.

SIGNIFICANCE Reactive oxygen species (ROS), important signaling molecules in plants, are involved in developmental control and stress adaptation. ROS production can trigger broad transcriptional changes; however, it is not clear how specificity in transcriptional regulation is achieved. RECENT ADVANCES A large collection of public transcriptome data from the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana is available for analysis. These data can be used for the analysis of biological processes that are associated with ROS signaling and for the identification of suitable transcriptional indicators. Several online tools, such as Genevestigator and Expression Angler, have simplified the task to analyze, interpret, and visualize this wealth of data. CRITICAL ISSUES The analysis of the exact transcriptional responses to ROS requires the production of specific ROS in distinct subcellular compartments with precise timing, which is experimentally difficult. Analyses are further complicated by the effect of ROS production in one subcellular location on the ROS accumulation in other compartments. In addition, even subtle differences in the method of ROS production or treatment can lead to significantly different outcomes when various stimuli are compared. FUTURE DIRECTIONS Due to the difficulty of inducing ROS production specifically with regard to ROS type, subcellular localization, and timing, we propose that the concept of a "ROS marker gene" should be re-evaluated. We suggest guidelines for the analysis of transcriptional data in ROS signaling. The use of "ROS signatures," which consist of a set of genes that together can show characteristic and indicative responses, should be preferred over the use of individual marker genes.
Are Diffusion Models too Simple? A Comparison with Telegraph Models of Invasion

Diffusion models of animal movement are often criticized because they assume animals have infinite velocity and completely random motion. To investigate the impact of these assumptions, I compared a diffusion model with a telegraph model of dispersal The telegraph model assumes organisms have finite velocity and tend to maintain their direction. I compared the models in two settings: (i) as models for dispersal of nonreproducing organisms and (ii) as models for range expansion of organisms that simultaneously disperse and reproduce (so-called reaction-diffusion or reaction-telegraph models). Both models predict very similar dispersal patterns for nonreproducing organisms. In the case of reproducing organisms, however, they predict grossly different rates of range expansion for all but a small range of parameter values. The disparity is greatest for organisms with high population growth and low movement rates. To assess the magnitude of disparity for different organisms, I used published data to estimate model parameters for the cabbage butterfly (Pieris rapae), gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), European starling (Sturnus vulgaris), collared turtledove (Streptopelia decaocto), Black Death (Yersinia pestis), and for rabies. All six cases fell within the narrow parameter range where the diffusion and telegraph models yield indistinguishable predictions regarding the rate of range expansion.
ACE gene polymorphism: ischemic heart disease and longevity in 10,150 individuals. A case-referent and retrospective cohort study based on the Copenhagen City Heart Study.

BACKGROUND Homozygosity for the deletion allele (D) of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion-deletion polymorphism has been suggested to be a potent risk factor for myocardial infarction. With one exception, the samples studied so far have been small and/or ethnically heterogeneous, and most investigators have studied men only. METHODS AND RESULTS We investigated the association between ACE genotype and myocardial infarction as well as other manifestations of ischemic heart disease for both women and men in a case-referent study (n = 10,150) as well as in a retrospective cohort study (n = 7263). The cohort was from the ethnically homogeneous Danish population. Case subjects were from the same geographic area and had ischemic heart disease. Irrespective of the assumed degree of relative penetrance of the D allele, the odds ratios were not significantly different from 1.0 (P > .05) for ischemic heart disease, severe stenosis on coronary angiography, or myocardial infarction. There was also no association between ACE genotype and phenotypic variation in recognized risk factors for ischemic heart disease. Finally, the relative frequency of the D allele did not change as a function of age in subjects aged from 20 to > or = 80 years. CONCLUSIONS In two large studies, a case-referent study and a retrospective cohort study in an ethnically homogeneous white population, there was no evidence for a statistically significant difference in the development of myocardial infarction or any other manifestations of ischemic heart disease between genotype classes of the ACE gene polymorphism in either women or men.
Polymerase chain reaction for detection of Mycoplasma gallisepticum in environmental samples

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect Mycoplasma gallisepticum in samples collected from the environment of experimentally or naturally infected poultry. Culture was also used in the experimental infections. Of 160 samples of food, drinking water, feathers, droppings or dust collected during experimental infection, 103 were positive using a M. gallisepticum -specific PCR (MG-PCR) and 68 were positive using a PCR (mycoplasma-PCR) that detects all species of the genera Mycoplasma , Spiroplasma, Acholeplasma and Ureaplasma . Six of these samples were also positive by culture. In environmental samples collected on a depopulated M. gallisepticum -positive turkey farm, three and two out of a total of 12 were positive by mycoplasma-PCR and MG-PCR, respectively. These results indicate the disseminating capacity of this mycoplasma and the possible use of PCR methods for epidemiological analyses and control of farm decontamination before the introduction of new birds.
5‐HT1B Autoreceptors limit the effects of selective serotonin re‐uptake inhibitors in mouse hippocampus and frontal cortex

We used knockout mice and receptor antagonist strategies to investigate the contribution of the serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine, 5‐HT) 1B receptor subtype in mediating the effects of selective serotonin re‐uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Using in vivo intracerebral microdialysis in awake mice, we show that a single systemic administration of paroxetine (1 or 5 mg/kg, i.p.) increased extracellular serotonin levels [5‐HT]ext in the ventral hippocampus and frontal cortex of wild‐type and mutant mice. However, in the ventral hippocampus, paroxetine at the two doses studied induced a larger increase in [5‐HT]ext in knockout than in wild‐type mice. In the frontal cortex, the effect of paroxetine was larger in mutants than in wild‐type mice at the 1 mg/kg, but not at 5 mg/kg. In addition, either the absence of the 5‐HT1B receptor or its blockade with the mixed 5‐HT1B/1D receptor antagonist, GR 127935, potentiated the effect of a single administration of paroxetine on extracellular 5‐HT levels more in the ventral hippocampus than in the frontal cortex. These data suggest that 5‐HT1B autoreceptors limit the effects of SSRIs on dialysate 5‐HT levels at serotonergic nerve terminals.
Impact of Resistance Selection and Mutant Growth Fitness on the Relative Efficacies of Streptomycin and Levofloxacin for Plague Therapy

ABSTRACT Yersinia pestis, the bacterium that causes plague, is a potential agent of biowarfare and bioterrorism. The aminoglycoside antibiotic streptomycin is the gold standard for treatment. However, this recommendation is based on scant animal and clinical data. We used an in vitro pharmacodynamic infection model to compare the efficacies of 10-day regimens of streptomycin versus the fluoroquinolone antibiotic levofloxacin for the treatment of Y. pestis infection and to evaluate for emergence of resistance. The human serum concentration-time profiles for standard clinical regimens of 1 g of streptomycin given every 12 h and 500 mg of levofloxacin given every 24 h were simulated. The growth fitness of drug-resistant mutants was examined in neutropenic and immunocompetent mouse thigh infection models. In the in vitro infection system, untreated bacteria grew from 107 to 1010 CFU/ml. Streptomycin therapy caused a 105 CFU/ml reduction in the number of bacteria over 24 h, followed by regrowth with streptomycin-resistant mutants. Levofloxacin resulted in a 107 CFU/ml reduction in the number of bacteria within 12 h, ultimately sterilizing the culture without resistance selection. In both the normal and neutropenic mouse infection models, streptomycin-resistant and wild-type strains were equally fit. However, 90% of levofloxacin-resistant isolates, cultured from the control in vitro infection arm, did not proliferate in the mouse models. Thus, the fluoroquinolone antibiotic levofloxacin was superior to streptomycin in our in vitro infection model. The majority of levofloxacin-resistant mutants were less fit than streptomycin-resistant and wild-type Y. pestis.
Influence of natural organic matter and ionic composition on the kinetics and structure of hematite colloid aggregation: implications to iron depletion in estuaries.

The stability and aggregation behavior of iron oxide colloids in natural waters play an important role in controlling the fate, transport, and bioavailability of trace metals. Time-resolved dynamic light scattering experiments were carried out in a study of the aggregation kinetics and aggregate structure of natural organic matter (NOM) coated hematite colloids and bare hematite colloids. The aggregation behavior was examined over a range of solution chemistries, by adjusting the concentration of the supporting electrolyte-NaCl, CaCl2, or simulated seawater. With the solution pH adjusted so that NOM-coated and bare hematite colloids were at the same zeta potential, we observed a significant difference in colloid stability which results from the stability imparted to the colloids by the adsorbed NOM macromolecules. This enhanced stability of NOM-coated hematite colloids was not observed with CaCl2. Aggregate form expressed as fractal dimension was determined for both NOM-coated and bare hematite aggregates in both NaCl and CaCl2. The fractal dimensions of aggregates formed in the diffusion-limited regime indicate slightly more loosely packed aggregates for bare hematite than theory predicts. For NOM-coated hematite, a small decrease in fractal dimension was observed when the solution composition changed from NaCl to CaCl2. For systems in the reaction-limited regime, the measured fractal dimensions agreed with those in the literature. Colloid aggregation was also studied in synthetic seawater, a mixed cation system to simulate estuarine mixing. Those results describe the important phenomena of iron oxide aggregation and sedimentation in estuaries. When compared to field data from the Mullica Estuary, U.S.A. , it is shown that collision efficiency is a good predictor of the iron removal in this natural system.
A novel Blood Pressure estimation method combing Pulse Wave Transit Time model and neural network model

Blood Pressure (BP) measurement can assist doctors to assess patients' cardiovascular status and diagnose heart diseases. Pulse Wave Transit Time (PWTT) model is one frequently used BP estimation method to monitor BP continuously in clinics. However, individual variations may influence the measurement accuracy of PWTT model. Focusing on above promble, this paper proposes a novel BP estimation method combining a classical PWTT model and a neural network model. The novel method is composed of five steps: signal pre-processing, feature extraction, initial PWTT model selection, model correction by neural network model, and final PWTT model identification. A validation experiment based on 10 patients from Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care (MIMIC) database showed that the BP estimation results by our method had a minimum mean of error readout value 5 mmHg with a standard deviation of error readout value ±8mmHg. As a result, both the diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure estimation by our method can meet clinical requirements.