Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maternal diet amplifies the hepatic aging trajectory of Cidea in male mice and leads to the development of fatty liver

The importance of the early environment on long‐term heath and life span is well documented. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating these effects remain poorly understood. Male offspring from a maternal protein restriction model, in which animals are exposed to a low‐protein diet while in utero and then are cross‐fostered to normally fed dams, demonstrate low birth weight, catch‐up growth, and reduced life span (recuperated offspring). In the current study, we used microarray analysis to identify hepatic genes that changed with age. Cell death‐inducing DNA fragmentation factor, α subunit‐like effector A (Cidea), a transcriptional coactivator that has been implicated in lipid accumulation demonstrated one of the largest age‐associated increases in expression (200‐fold, P<0.001). This increase was exaggerated ~ 3‐fold in recuperated offspring. These demonstrated increased hepatic lipid accumulation, higher levels of transcription factors important in lipid regulation, and greater oxidative stress. In vitro analysis revealed that Cidea expression was regulated by oxidative stress and DNA methylation. These findings suggest that maternal diet modulates the age‐associated changes in Cidea expression through several mechanisms. This expression affects hepatic lipid metabolism in these animals and thus provides a mechanism by which maternal diet can contribute to the metabolic health and ultimately the life span of the offspring. —Carr, S. K. , Chen, J.‐H. , Cooper, W. N. , Constância, M. , Yeo, G. S. H. , Ozanne, S. E. Maternal diet amplifies the hepatic ageing trajectory of Cidea in male mice and leads to the development of fatty liver. FASEB J. 28, 2191–2201 (2014). www.fasebj. org
Ability of thigh-worn ActiGraph and activPAL monitors to classify posture and motion.

PURPOSE This study compared sitting, standing, and stepping classifications from thigh-worn ActiGraph and activPAL monitors under laboratory and free-living conditions. METHODS Adults wore both monitors on the right thigh while performing activities (six sitting, two standing, nine stepping, and one cycling) and writing on a whiteboard with intermittent stepping under laboratory conditions (n = 21) and under free-living conditions for 3 d (n = 18). Percent time correctly classified was calculated under laboratory conditions. Between-monitor agreement and weighted κ were calculated under free-living conditions. RESULTS In the laboratory, both monitors correctly classified 100% of standing time and >95% of the time spent in four of six sitting postures. Both monitors demonstrated misclassification of laboratory stool sitting time (ActiGraph 14% vs. activPAL 95%). ActivPAL misclassified 14% of the time spent sitting with legs outstretched; ActiGraph was 100% accurate. Monitors were >95% accurate for stepping, although ActiGraph was less so for descending stairs (86%), ascending stairs (92%), and running at 2.91 m·s(-1) (93%). Monitors classified whiteboard writing differently (ActiGraph 83% standing/15% stepping vs. activPAL 98% standing/2% stepping). ActivPAL classified 93% of cycling time as stepping, whereas ActiGraph classified <1% of cycling time as stepping. During free-living wear, monitors had substantial agreement (86% observed; weighted κ = 0.77). Monitors classified similar amounts of time as sitting (ActiGraph 64% vs. activPAL 62%). There were differences in time recorded as standing (ActiGraph 21% vs. activPAL 27%) and stepping (ActiGraph 15% vs. activPAL 11%). CONCLUSIONS Differences in data processing algorithms may have resulted in the observed disagreement in posture and activity classification between thigh-worn ActiGraph and activPAL. Despite between-monitor agreement in classifying sitting time under free-living conditions, ActiGraph appears to be more sensitive to free-living upright walking motions than activPAL.
Calcitonin gene‐related peptide erases the fear memory and facilitates long‐term potentiation in the central nucleus of the amygdala in rats

Calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) is a 37 amino acid neuropeptide, which plays a critical role in the central nervous system. CGRP binds to G protein‐coupled receptors, including CGRP1, which couples positively to adenylyl cyclase (AC) and protein kinase A (PKA) activation. CGRP and CGRP1 receptors are enriched in central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), the main part of the amygdala, which regulates conditioned fear memories. Here, we reported the importance of CGRP and CGRP1 receptor for synaptic plasticity in the CeA and the extinction of fear memory in rats. Our electrophysiological and behavioral in vitro and in vivo results showed exogenous application of CGRP induced an immediate and lasting long‐term potentiation in the basolateral nucleus of amygdala–CeA pathway, but not in the lateral nucleus of amygdala–CeA pathway, while bilateral intra‐CeA infusion CGRP (0, 5, 13 and 21 μM/side) dose dependently enhanced fear memory extinction. The effects were blocked by CGRP1 receptor antagonist (CGRP8–37), N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors antagonist MK801 and PKA inhibitor H89. These results demonstrate that CGRP can lead to long‐term potentiation of basolateral nucleus of amygdala–CeA pathway through a PKA‐dependent postsynaptic mechanism that involved N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors and enhance the extinction of fear memory in rats. Together, the results strongly support a pivotal role of CGRP in the synaptic plasticity of CeA and extinction of fear memory.
Articulatory control of phonological vowel length contrasts: kinematic analysis of labial gestures.

The present study investigated the articulatory control of the German vowel quantity contrast, i.e., the phonological difference between short and long vowels. By means of an optoelectronic system the excursions of the compound lower lip/jaw opening and closing gestures were measured during production of test sentences comprising the target sequence /pVp/ (V = /a/, /i/, /u/, /a:/, /i:/, /u:/). First, a highly linear relationship between peak velocity and movement amplitude emerged within each quantity class. Second, vowel quantity systematically influenced the scaling of velocity and amplitude during oral opening. Third, as compared to their short counterparts, long vowels showed an increased peakedness of the velocity profile. Finally, the velocity profiles of the long vowels were characterized by an asymmetric shape in terms of a prolonged deceleration phase of the opening and a lengthened acceleration interval of the closing movement. With respect to durational coarticulation patterns, the control of vowel quantity clearly differed from intrinsic, i.e., vowel type-induced, variability. The latter was partially compensated for the level of word duration by shortening of the prevocalic consonant whereas vowel quantity turned out to be primarily due to the lengthening of the syllable /pV/.
Responses in primary somatosensory cortex of rhesus monkey to controlled application of embossed grating and bar patterns.

Responses of 66 neurons in primary somatosensory cortex (SI) of three anesthetized monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were characterized with grating patterns of 550- to 2900-mm groove width (Gw) and 250-mm ridge width, and/or pairs of 3-mm-wide ridges (bars) spaced 1-20 mm apart. Surfaces were stroked across single fingertips at parametrically varied levels of force (25-150 g) and velocity (25-100 mm/sec). The average firing rates (AFRs) of many cells varied with Gw, but force and velocity altered response functions (e.g., from linear to plateau or inverted). Slowly adapting (SA) cells were more sensitive to force, rapidly adapting (RA) cells to velocity. Force and velocity affected all cells sensitive to Gw, which suggests that response independence (e.g., AFR correlated with Gw but not force or velocity) may require active touch. Discharge intervals of many cells replicated stimulus temporal period. This temporal fidelity in SAs far exceeded examples reported for active touch. However, discharge burst duration and AFR increased with Gw, supporting a neural rate rather than temporal code for roughness. Force and velocity altered the Gw at which some cells fired once in phase to stimulus cycle ("tuning point"). Responses to bar edges suggest cortical replication of peripheral mechanoreceptor sensitivity to skin curvature, leading to this temporal fidelity in some cortical cells. Graded RA responses to Gw without obvious stimulus temporal replication may reflect early stages of integrative processing in supra- and infragranular layers that blur obvious temporal patterning and lead to a rate code correlated with spatial variation and proportional to perceived roughness.
Perceived quality of physiotherapy services among informal caregivers of children with cerebral palsy in Ibadan, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE Effective physiotherapy intervention for children with cerebral palsy (CP) requires that expectations of their caregivers be incorporated into treatment plans and strategies. This study explored the perceived Quality of Physiotherapy (QoP) for children with CP in Ibadan, Nigeria METHODS This cross-sectional survey explored the perceived QoP using the SERVQUAL instrument among informal caregivers of children with CP from two different healthcare facilities. Data was analysed using Mann Whiney U and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS Fifty-three informal caregivers (50 females, 3 males) of children with CP (32 males, 21 females) were surveyed. Fourth-fifths (81.13%) of the caregivers perceived the QoP service for their children as poor. The highest negative and positive ranks were in the tangible and responsiveness dimensions of the SERVQUAL respectively. CONCLUSIONS The study demonstrated that caregivers of children with CP perceived the quality of physiotherapy provided for their children as poor. This poor perception is related more to the tangible dimension of care. Strategies to improve care environment for children with CP and their informal caregivers should be implemented to engender satisfaction with care.
Opposition Support and the Experience of Violence Explain Colombian Peace Referendum Results

What factors led to the surprise defeat of the Colombian peace referendum? Initial analyses suggested a link between support for peace and the experience of violence, but economic conditions and political support for incumbent parties also affect electoral outcomes. We use Bayesian hierarchical models to test links between referendum result and previous violence victimization, economic conditions, and support for Centro Democrático (the main party opposed to the peace agreement). There was less support for peace in the Andean region than in other regions, and departments with lower support had higher unemployment and growth in GDP. Support for the opposition was the dominant covariate of decreasing support for the peace accords, while previous violence victimization increased the proportion of votes for peace. In light of these results, regional variation in baseline support for the agreements – a complex variable governed by partisan engagement but also influenced by structural economic factors – will be critical during implementation of the newly revised accords.
Women exposed to second-hand smoke more at home than at workplace: An analysis of GATS Report, India, 2009–10

Background: Tobacco smoke has adverse health effects on women of the reproductive age group with serious health implications for the next generation. Objectives: This study assessed the prevalence of current active smoking, second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure and the factors influencing smoke exposure in females of the reproductive age group. Materials and Methods: Data from the nationally representative Global Adult Tobacco Survey-India (GATS 2009) was analyzed for socio demographic variables, tobacco-related variables and knowledge variables. Results: 50.4% of the women in the reproductive age group had been exposed to SHS at home, though only 2.6% of the women were current active smokers. This was more than the SHS exposure at work (21.7%) and elsewhere (32.6%). SHS exposure of the women at home did not vary significantly with knowledge of adverse effects of smoking but was affected by the place of dwelling as the smoke exposure was found to be more among rural women. Conclusion: SHS exposure is more prevalent than current active smoking in women of the reproductive age group and that too at home. Thus, policies need to be framed in order to curb this menace which is a vicious one as women don’t really have an alternative as far as this exposure is concerned.
Comparison of Culture, Real-Time DNA Amplification Assay and Ehrlich-Ziehl-Neelsen for Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE Mycobacterium tuberculosis is still a substantial health problem universally. Although culture is the gold standard method, reliable, rapid and new methods are required for effective struggle with disease. We retrospectively compared the results of Ehrlich-Ziehl-Neelsen (EZN) stain and real-time DNA amplification assay (BD ProbeTec ET system) with culture. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective study. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 703 samples, 182 pulmonary and 521 extra pulmonary, collected from 630 patients between May 2008 and February 2011 were evaluated. Culture was considered the gold standard. RESULTS For pulmonary specimens, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values of BD ProbeTec ET and EZN were calculated to be 100%, 98.8%, 87.5%, 100% and 71.4%, 98.8%, 83.3%, 97.6%, respectively. For extra pulmonary specimens, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values of BD ProbeTec ET and EZN were calculated to be 80%, 98.7%, 76.9%, 98.9% and 24%, 98.3%, 42.8%, 96.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION According to these results, we suggest that the BD ProbeTec ET system is more reliable than EZN. In addition, the BD ProbeTec ET system produces faster results. Based upon these results, we consider that the BD ProbeTec ET system may be employed in the diagnosis of M. tuberculosis.
Progressive peri-implantitis. Incidence and prediction of peri-implant attachment loss.

The aim of this prospective study was to characterize an implant patient population exhibiting clinical signs of peri-implantitis and to determine subsequently the incidence of progressive attachment loss. The predictive values of diagnostic parameters were evaluated. 25 patients with 54 endosseous implants that had been loaded for 41 +/- 15 months were included in the study. Clinical parameters included the assessment of plaque, bleeding on probing, probing depth, attachment levels, and Periotest values. Probing measurements were performed in duplicate by means of a controlled force electronic probe (Periprobe). Peri-implant crevicular fluid samples were collected and assayed for neutral proteolytic enzyme (NPE) activity (Periocheck). Analysis of duplicate baseline probing data revealed a high degree of reproducibility (mean difference: 0.1 +/- 0.3 mm). A minimum threshold of 1.0 mm (> 3 x S.D.) loss of probing attachment was chosen to classify a site as positive for breakdown. Alternatively, the tolerance method was employed to identify sites with progressive attachment loss. After 6 months, irrespective of the analytical method, 6 percent of all sites (in 19% of the implants) and 28% of the patients had experienced further peri-implant attachment loss. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in mean plaque (73% vs. 45%) and NPE (36% vs. 12%) scores between patients with progressive peri-implantitis and those with stable peri-implant conditions. Both bleeding on probing and the NPE-test were characterized by high negative predictive values, and thus negative scores can serve as indicators for stable peri-implant conditions. For monitoring peri-implant health during recall visits, attachment level recordings with a controlled force electronic probe in conjunction with enzymatic diagnostic tests of the host response can be recommended.
Machine learning for activity recognition: hip versus wrist data

Problem addressed: Wrist-worn accelerometers are associated with greater compliance. However, validated algorithms for predicting activity type from wrist-worn accelerometer data are lacking. This study compared the activity recognition rates of an activity classifier trained on acceleration signal collected on the wrist and hip. Methodology: 52 children and adolescents (mean age 13.7 ± 3.1 year) completed 12 activity trials that were categorized into 7 activity classes: lying down, sitting, standing, walking, running, basketball, and dancing. During each trial, participants wore an ActiGraph GT3X+ tri-axial accelerometer on the right hip and the non-dominant wrist. Features were extracted from 10-s windows and inputted into a regularized logistic regression model using R (Glmnet + L1). Results: Classification accuracy for the hip and wrist was 91.0% ± 3.1% and 88.4% ± 3.0%, respectively. The hip model exhibited excellent classification accuracy for sitting (91.3%), standing (95.8%), walking (95.8%), and running (96.8%); acceptable classification accuracy for lying down (88.3%) and basketball (81.9%); and modest accuracy for dance (64.1%). The wrist model exhibited excellent classification accuracy for sitting (93.0%), standing (91.7%), and walking (95.8%); acceptable classification accuracy for basketball (86.0%); and modest accuracy for running (78.8%), lying down (74.6%) and dance (69.4%). Potential Impact: Both the hip and wrist algorithms achieved acceptable classification accuracy, allowing researchers to use either placement for activity recognition.
Unwinding External Stock Imbalances? The Case of Italy’s Net International Investment Position

This paper is a case study of an (almost complete) adjustment of Italy’s external stock imbalance. After reaching a peak of around 25 per cent of GDP in early 2014, Italy’s net external debtor position has steadily decreased, reaching less than 7 per cent of GDP at the end of 2017. The contribution of this work is twofold. First, it reviews the main developments in Italy’s net international investment position (NIIP) since 1999. Second, it reports a baseline projection of Italy’s NIIP over a medium-term horizon, as implied by current account balance forecasts. Since this projection ignores the role of valuation adjustments, the study also provides an analysis of their sensitivity to a set of potential movements in exchange rates and equity or bond markets.
A 3-kW Wireless Power Transfer System for Sightseeing Car Supercapacitor Charge

Wireless power transfer (WPT) is the preferred charging method for electric vehicles (EVs) powered by battery and supercapacitor. In this paper, a novel WPT system with constant current charging capability for sightseeing car with supercapacitor storage is designed. First, an optimized magnetic coupler using ferrite cores and magnetic shielding structure is proposed to ensure stable power transfer and high efficiency. Compared with the traditional planar shape ferrite core coupler, the proposed magnetic coupler requires lesser ferrite material without degrading the performance of the WPT system. Second, the model of supercapacitor is applied to the WPT system and the relationship between equivalent load resistances of supercapacitor and charging time is analyzed in detail. Then, a Buck converter with proportional integral (PI) controller is implemented on the secondary side to maintain constant charging current for the variable load. Finally, the proposed design is verified by experiments. Constant charging current of 31.5 A across transfer distance of 15 cm is achieved. The peak transfer power and system efficiency are 2.86 kW and 88.05%, respectively.
Relapse patterns and outcomes following recurrence of endometrial cancer in northern Thai women.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to analyze the patterns of relapse and survival outcomes in Northern Thai women with recurrent endometrial cancer (EC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Medical records were abstracted from EC patients who underwent primary surgery from 1999 to 2012. Data on clinicopathologic variables, sites of first recurrence, time to relapse of disease, and overall survival (OS) was analyzed. Associations between the clinicopathological variables and the rates of disease recurrence were determined. RESULTS Among 1,204 reviewed records, 42 eligible patients were identified with recurrent disease. The median age was 55 years and the median follow-up time was 26.0 months. The median times to recurrence (TTR) after completion of the initial treatment in the group of local relapse (LR) and distant/combined sites of recurrence (DCSR) was 6.6 (95% CI=4.6 to 8.6 months) and 16.9 months (95% CI=5.6 to 28.2 months), respectively (p=0.36). The 2-year survival and 3-year survival probability in the group of LR was 54.2% (95% CI=27.2 to 81.3%) and 34.7% (95% CI=9.2 to 60.2%), compared to 50.4% (95% CI=41.1 to 59.7%) and 42.1% (95%CI= 24.1 to 60.1%) for those with DCSR. Distant recurrence was the most frequent pattern of relapse. Overall survival was not significantly different in patients with local relapse when compared to those with DCSR (p=0.69). CONCLUSIONS Patients with recurrence of EC after primary treatment had a worse prognosis and clinical aggressiveness. LR and DCSR occurred most during the first three years. The common sites of relapses were vaginal cuff, pelvis, and lungs. No significant clinicopathological predictor for survival outcomes was identified.
Fundus autofluorescence in acute and chronic-recurrent central serous chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) affects mostly young and middle-aged adults. Typically, a serous retinal detachment occurs with a focal leakage point in fluorescein angiography. Fundus autofluorescence (AF) is related to the lipofuscin within the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). As CSC is thought to be associated with RPE disorders, AF measurements might be able to detect distinct changes within the RPE level. The purpose of this study was to compare AF patterns in acute and chronic-recurrent CSC and to evaluate the potential value of AF as a non-invasive monitoring tool. METHODS From 85 patients diagnosed with CSC (mean age 43 years), AF images were retrospectively evaluated and compared with angiographic and ophthalmoscopic findings. Fluorescein angiography and AF measurements were performed using a Heidelberg retina angiograph. Autofluorescence was excited at a wavelength of 488 nm and detected above 500 nm. RESULTS Acute CSC as determined by an acute decrease in visual acuity (VA) within the last 6 weeks, focal point leakage and neurosensory retinal detachment was diagnosed in 39 patients. In 36 of those patients (92%), a significantly decreased AF at the leakage point (72%) and/or decreased AF in the area of neurosensory detachment (77%) were observed. Regarding chronic-recurrent CSC as determined by a decrease in VA for longer than 6 weeks and mottled hyperfluorescent appearance in angiography, abnormalities in AF were observed in 44/46 patients (96%). In those patients, decreased or mottled AF was observed at the leakage point itself (76%), whereas significantly increased AF was seen in the area of residual neurosensory retinal detachment (85%). CONCLUSIONS In acute CSC, decreased AF is presumably due to a blockage caused by oedema, whereas in chronic-recurrent forms, irregular and increased AF is observed, possibly reflecting reactive RPE changes secondary to RPE defects and neurosensory detachment. If these findings could be systematically underlined by prospective clinical studies, AF might be an interesting non-invasive tool for monitoring RPE changes in CSC and for performing differential diagnosis.