Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parental smoking during pregnancy: findings from the Growing Up in New Zealand cohort.

AIMS To investigate patterns of exposure to tobacco smoke in pregnancy among a representative sample of New Zealand women. METHODS Analyses of smoking-related data from the first wave of the Growing Up in New Zealand cohort study, ie from the first data-collection point during the antenatal period in 2009-10. RESULTS Twenty percent of mothers reporting smoking before pregnancy and 9.9% of mothers continued during pregnancy. These figures were higher in younger women (p<.0001), women with lower educational achievement (p<.001) and Māori women (p<.001). Similarly, being Māori (p<.0001) and having a lower education achievement (p<.0029) were associated with smoking during an unplanned compared to a planned pregnancy. Multiparous mothers were more likely to be smokers than primaparous mothers (11%: 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 10.0-12.1 vs 8.3%: 95% CI 7.2-9.4). Second-hand smoke exposure was more common for younger women (Odds Ratio [OR] 3.2: 95% CI 1.6-6.4), Māori women (OR 1.9: 95% CI 1.4-2.5), and women with unplanned pregnancies (OR 3.4 95% CI 12.0-14.8). CONCLUSIONS There are differences in a range of contextual and behavioural factors related to smoking before and during pregnancy. Low educational achievement, being young, Māori and multiparous were all associated with smoking during pregnancy. A better understanding of why these differences exist is needed in order to find appropriate interventions to support women in becoming smoke-free.
Mechanism of tolerance to class I-mismatched renal allografts in miniature swine: regulation of interleukin-2 receptor alpha-chain expression on CD8 peripheral blood lymphocytes of tolerant animals.

BACKGROUND Donor-specific tolerance to renal allografts in miniature swine is uniformly induced across a two-haplotype class I plus minor histocompatibility antigen disparity by a 12-day course of cyclosporine. Recent studies have demonstrated that the thymus is essential for rapid and stable tolerance induction, because either prior thymectomy or a series of thymic biopsies induce a spontaneously reversible rejection crisis after the 12-day course of cyclosporine. The present study examined the peripheral cellular mechanisms of tolerance by analyzing cytotoxic effector pathways in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of tolerant animals. METHODS The phenotype and cytotoxic T lymphocyte response of alloantigen-activated PBL cultures using cells from a series of tolerant animals with stable renal function (no thymic manipulation), or during a rejection crisis (induced by thymic biopsies), were studied. The in vitro findings were correlated with the in vivo clinical course of experimental animals. RESULTS The data demonstrated that in vivo and in vitro tolerance was associated with a specific deficiency of interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) alpha-chain up-regulation on CD8 single-positive (SP) T cells expressing high levels of CD8 (CD8high) when PBL from tolerant animals are stimulated with donor class I alloantigen. Stimulation by third party class I alloantigen, or by donor antigen during a rejection crisis, produced efficient cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses and expression of IL-2Ralpha on CD8high SP cells. CONCLUSION Antigen-specific regulation of the IL-2Ralpha expression on CD8high SP PBL is a principal event associated with and potentially involved in the mechanism of tolerance in this preclinical large animal model.
Upward bias in odds ratio estimates from genome‐wide association studies

Genome‐wide association studies are carried out to identify unknown genes for a complex trait. Polymorphisms showing the most statistically significant associations are reported and followed up in subsequent confirmatory studies. In addition to the test of association, the statistical analysis provides point estimates of the relationship between the genotype and phenotype at each polymorphism, typically an odds ratio in case‐control association studies. The statistical significance of the test and the estimator of the odds ratio are completely correlated. Selecting the most extreme statistics is equivalent to selecting the most extreme odds ratios. The value of the estimator, given the value of the statistical significance depends on the standard error of the estimator and the power of the study. This report shows that when power is low, estimates of the odds ratio from a genome‐wide association study, or any large‐scale association study, will be upwardly biased. Genome‐wide association studies are often underpowered given the low α levels required to declare statistical significance and the small individual genetic effects known to characterize complex traits. Factors such as low allele frequency, inadequate sample size and weak genetic effects contribute to large standard errors in the odds ratio estimates, low power and upwardly biased odds ratios. Studies that have high power to detect an association with the true odds ratio will have little or no bias, regardless of the statistical significance threshold. The results have implications for the interpretation of genome‐wide association analysis and the planning of subsequent confirmatory stages. Genet Epidemiol. 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chronic stress exacerbates neuropathic pain via the integration of stress-affect–related information with nociceptive information in the central nucleus of the amygdala

Abstract Exacerbation of pain by chronic stress and comorbidity of pain with stress-related psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression, represent significant clinical challenges. However, the underlying mechanisms still remain unclear. Here, we investigated whether chronic forced swim stress (CFSS)–induced exacerbation of neuropathic pain is mediated by the integration of stress-affect–related information with nociceptive information in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA). We first demonstrated that CFSS indeed produces both depressive-like behaviors and exacerbation of spared nerve injury (SNI)-induced mechanical allodynia in rats. Moreover, we revealed that CFSS induces both sensitization of basolateral amygdala (BLA) neurons and augmentation of long-term potentiation (LTP) at the BLA-CeA synapse and meanwhile, exaggerates both SNI-induced sensitization of CeA neurons and LTP at the parabrachial (PB)-CeA synapse. In addition, we discovered that CFSS elevates SNI-induced functional up-regulation of GluN2B-containing NMDA (GluN2B-NMDA) receptors in the CeA, which is proved to be necessary for CFSS-induced augmentation of LTP at the PB-CeA synapse and exacerbation of pain hypersensitivity in SNI rats. Suppression of CFSS-elicited depressive-like behaviors by antidepressants imipramine or ifenprodil inhibits the CFSS-induced exacerbation of neuropathic pain. Collectively, our findings suggest that CFSS potentiates synaptic efficiency of the BLA-CeA pathway, leading to the activation of GluN2B-NMDA receptors and sensitization of CeA neurons, which subsequently facilitate pain-related synaptic plasticity of the PB-CeA pathway, thereby exacerbating SNI-induced neuropathic pain. We conclude that chronic stress exacerbates neuropathic pain via the integration of stress-affect–related information with nociceptive information in the CeA.
Subgroup and serotype distributions of human, bovine, and porcine rotavirus in Thailand

The subgroup and serotype specificities of human, bovine, and porcine group A rotaviruses in stool specimens collected in Thailand were examined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay by using subgroup- and serotype-specific monoclonal antibodies. A clear yearly change was observed in the serotype distribution of human rotavirus. Between 1983 and 1984, serotype 4 was the most prevalent, while the highest frequency of serotype 2 was found between 1987 and 1988. All the bovine and porcine rotaviruses examined showed subgroup I specificities and long RNA patterns. It was of note that serotype 3 porcine rotaviruses were found at a high frequency.
Long-term results of fludarabine/melphalan as a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen in mantle cell lymphoma: the GELTAMO experience

Background: We herein report the long-term results of an allogeneic reduced-intensity conditioning (allo-RIC) protocol used in 21 consecutive patients (16 males, median age 56 years, 71% in complete remission) diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Methods: The allo-RIC consisted of fludarabine plus melphalan and peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells (PBSCs) from human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical siblings were used in all cases. Median CD34+ infused cells was 5.8 × 106/kg. All patients engrafted promptly. Results: Early toxicity included mild/moderate mucositis (43%), febrile neutropenia (33%) and bacterial infections (19%). With a median follow up of 48 months, four deaths were reported, all due to infections and/or graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), yielding a 3-year cumulative incidence of nonrelapse mortality of 19.5%. Grade III–IV acute GVHD occurred in 15% and chronic GVHD in 78%, being extensive in 39%. The 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were both 80% (95% CI: 63–97%). Age was the only possible prognostic factor for OS, which was 43% for those aged more than 60 years and 100% for those younger (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our data confirm that allo-RIC offers a low toxicity profile and a chance for prolonged long-term disease-free survival in MCL, particularly in younger patients.
Pilus‐mediated adhesion of Neisseria meningitidis: the essential role of cell contact‐dependent transcriptional upregulation of the PilC1 protein

Pilus‐mediated adherence makes an essential contribution to the pathogenesis of Neisseria meningitidis by allowing the initial localized adherence. Pili are assembled from a protein subunit called pilin. Two proteins, PilC1 and PilC2, are also key elements in the formation of pili as the production of at least one PilC protein is required for pilus assembly. In addition, PilC1 but not PilC2 modulates adhesiveness, most probably by being the adhesin. Recently, both genes have been demonstrated to be controlled by different promoters, pilC2 is expressed from a single transcription starting point (TSP), whereas pilC1 has three TSPs. One of these, PC1.1, corresponds to the unique TSP of pilC2, and two others, PC1.2 and PC1.3, are located in a region upstream of pilC1 but not pilC2. This suggests that both genes may be under the control of separate regulatory pathways. In this work, by engineering pilC1–lacZ and pilC2–lacZ transcriptional fusions, we provide evidence that expression of pilC1, but not that of pilC2, is transiently induced by bacterial cell contact. This induction required viable cells, did not need the presence of pili and relied on the expression of pilC1 from PC1.3. Destruction of this TSP by site‐directed mutagenesis did not significantly diminish the piliation level or the basal expression of PilC1, but led to the loss of cell contact‐dependent upregulation of pilC1 and to a dramatic decrease in bacterial adhesiveness. Taken together, these data demonstrate that cell contact‐dependent upregulation of the transcription of pilC1 at PC1.3 is essential for meningococcal pilus‐mediated adhesion.
Overexpression of fibroblast growth factor receptors FGFR1 and FGFR2 in renal cell carcinoma

Abstract Objective. Fibroblast growth factor/fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGF/FGFR) has recently emerged as a critical event in the transformation and tumorigenicity of several murine and human tumors. This pathway could be a mechanism driving angiogenesis in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Membrane antigens such as FGFR expressed in RCC are attractive targets for new therapeutic and diagnostic applications. This study evaluated the expression of FGFR1 and FGFR2 in RCC. Material and methods. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of 100 primary tumors and 40 metastatic lymph nodes removed from 140 untreated RCC patients were evaluated by immunohistochemistry with FGFR1 and FGFR2 antibodies. The extent of FGFR expression was compared with 40 specimens of normal human kidney tissue (selected from the surgical diagnostic files). Significant differences in the immunoexpression of FGFR among these groups were assessed bychi-squared and Fisher's exact tests using a semi-quantitative scoring system on the extent of stained cells and intensity of corresponding immunostained cells (0 to 3+). Results. Expression of FGFR1 was observed in 98% (98/100) of primary renal tumors and in 82.5% (33/40) of lymph-node metastases. Intensity was 3+ in allcases. Nuclear expression of FGFR1 was found in 68% (95/140). FGFR2 staining was seen in 4% (4/100) of primary tumors and in 5% (2/40) of lymph-node metastases. FGFR2 was expressed in RCC of non-clear cell histology. FGFR1 expression was significantly lower in the normal kidney tissue(p = 0.001) and was detected in 2.5% of cases (1/40); no FGFR2 expression was found. Conclusion. This study has shown for the first time that FGFR1 is highly expressed in RCC patients.
Structural and energetic evidence for highly peptide-specific tumor antigen targeting via allo-MHC restriction

Immunotherapies targeting peptides presented by allogeneic MHC molecules offer the prospect of circumventing tolerance to key tumor-associated self-antigens. However, the degree of antigen specificity mediated by alloreactive T cells, and their ability to discriminate normal tissues from transformed cells presenting elevated antigen levels, is poorly understood. We examined allorecognition of an HLA-A2–restricted Hodgkin's lymphoma-associated antigen and were able to isolate functionally antigen-specific allo-HLA-A2–restricted T cells from multiple donors. Binding and structural studies, focused on a prototypic allo-HLA-A2–restricted T-cell receptor (TCR) termed NB20 derived from an HLA-A3 homozygote, suggested highly peptide-specific allorecognition that was energetically focused on antigen, involving direct recognition of a distinct allopeptide presented within a conserved MHC recognition surface. Although NB20/HLA-A2 affinity was unremarkable, TCR/MHC complexes were very short-lived, consistent with suboptimal TCR triggering and tolerance to low antigen levels. These data provide strong molecular evidence that within the functionally heterogeneous alloreactive repertoire, there is the potential for highly antigen-specific “allo-MHC–restricted” recognition and suggest a kinetic mechanism whereby allo-MHC–restricted T cells may discriminate normal from transformed tissue, thereby outlining a suitable basis for broad-based therapeutic targeting of tolerizing tumor antigens.
A Variable Response Phosphine Sensing Matrix Based on Nanostructure Treated p and n-Type Porous Silicon Interfaces

We study the dynamic interplay as PH3 interacts at room temperature to contribute electrons to nanostructure modified p and n-type porous silicon (PS) interfaces. A nanopore coated microporous interface is treated to form TiO2, SnOx, CuxO, and AuxO (x ≫ 1) nanostructured centers deposited in fractional coverage on the PS interface. Relative sensitivities of the surface sites are measured under 2-5 and 10 ppm PH3 exposure. The interaction with two p-type nanostructure decorated boron-doped interfaces demonstrates enhancement of sensitivity relative to undecorated PS. The results are explained using the inverse hard/soft acid/base (IHSAB) principle, combining the tenants of acid/base chemistry and semiconductor physics. Analyte coupling to the majority charge carriers of the extrinsic semiconductor determines the nature of directed electron transduction as it induces a change in conductance. As applied, the nanostructured metal oxides serve as gateways, forcing a dominant electron transduction (versus chemisorption) at the decorated extrinsic semiconductor interface. A study of gold clustered oxide depositions on p-type (1-3 Q-cm) PS demonstrates that an optimal fractional deposition can be attained and should not be exceeded to avoid crosstalk between the deposited nanoparticles. It appears that phosphine can be converted on interaction with phosphorous doped n-type PS. A reversal of the response signal observed with increased PH3 concentration, considered within the IHSAB model, suggests that the conductance might be associated with the formation of the electron withdrawing PH2 radical.
Learning About Sex: Results From Natsal 2000

To date, the focus of sex education research has tended to be on the effect of education on behavioral outcomes. There is little data on the felt needs of young people, how well they are met, and how provision might be improved. Here we report on main source of information about sexual matters, adequacy of knowledge, further needs, and preferred source of additional information, using data from a probability sample survey of people aged 16 to 44 years in Britain (Natsal 2000). A total of 11,161 participants (4,762 men and 6,399 women) were interviewed. The response rate was 65.4%. The results show that despite the assumed worldliness and sophistication of young people about sexual matters, there is a great deal of self-perceived ignorance among them. Parents and schools are the preferred source of further information. We need to enable parents to provide information to their children, especially their sons.
Low-Profile Tunable Dipole Antenna Using Barium Strontium Titanate Varactors

In this paper, a 2.4 GHz low-profile dipole antenna that uses a frequency-selective surface (FSS) with interdigital barium strontium titanate (BST) varactor-tuned unit cells is presented. The tunable unit cell is a square patch with a small aperture on either side to accommodate the BST devices. The Ba0.6Sr0. 4TiO3 varactors were fabricated on alumina substrates and demonstrate capacitance tuning of 1.5:1 (33%) at 90 V. The varactor chips were placed only along one dimension of the FSS to avoid the use of vias and simplify the dc-bias network. The measured data of the antenna demonstrate tunability from 2.23 to 2.55 GHz with a peak gain at broadside that ranges from 3 to 3.7 dBi, and instantaneous bandwidths of 50 to 160 MHz within the tuning range. The total antenna thickness is approximately λ/47.
Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Growth: The Cases of Singapore and Oman

Economic growth is associated with improvements in productivity, and increasing productivity is driven by growth in economic efficiency, structural changes and substitutional activities. To raise these factors, innovation and trade are substantial drivers. However, there are many economies with a high potential for economic growth but a lack of domestic investment. Foreign direct investment (FDI) is able to fill the gap between investment needed to promote economic growth, and locally available investments. This article highlights the potential of FDI for small economies using Singapore and Oman as examples.
Teachers’ environmental knowledge and pro-environmental behavior: An application of CNS and EID scales

Environmental education’s teachers are responsible to endow students with the knowledge, values, attitudes and skills necessary to protect and sustain the environment. The current study investigates Greek teachers’ environmental attitudes, behavior and knowledge via Connectedness to Nature Scale (CNS) and Environmental Identity (EID) Scale. The approach combines applied methodological research like item analysis and Factor Analysis. Teachers’ derived scores in both scales were high confirming their positive attitudes in terms of the environment. Furthermore, teachers have positive environmental attitudes, showing pro-environmental behavior but also a moderate level of environmental knowledge.
LEARNING WITH GENE ONTOLOGY ANNOTATION USING FEATURE SELECTION AND CONSTRUCTION

A key role for ontologies in bioinformatics is their use as a standardized, structured terminology, particularly to annotate the genes in a genome with functional and other properties. Since the output of many genome-scale experiments results in gene sets it is natural to ask if they share a common function. A standard approach is to apply a statistical test for overrepresentation of functional annotation, often within the gene ontology. In this article we propose an alternative to the standard approach that avoids problems in overrepresentation analysis due to statistical dependencies between ontology categories. We apply methods of feature construction and selection to preprocess gene ontology terms used for the annotation of gene sets and incorporate these features as input to a standard supervised machine-learning algorithm. Our approach is shown to allow the straightforward use of an ontology in the context of data sourced from multiple experiments to learn classifiers predicting gene function as part of a cellular response to environmental stress.
The study of the k-ε turbulence model for numerical simulation of centrifugal pump

k-ε Turbulence model have been widely used for the numerical simulation of centrifugal pump. It includes the standard k-ε model, the renormalization group (RNG) k-ε model and the Realizable k-ε model. In order to examine their applicability, a series of steady numerical simulations of centrifugal pump at the design point and at eight off-design points were carried out with these three kinds of turbulence models. During the simulations, the influence of the changes on the relative position between the impeller and volute was also considered each simulation. And the impeller/volute interaction was roundly reflected. According to the results obtained, the water head, shaft power and efficiency were calculated and the simulated performance curves of a centrifugal pump were compared with the experimental performance curves. It was confirmed that all these three models were suitable for the numerical simulation of the internal flow inside a centrifugal pump. And especially the result of the numerical simulation from the Realizable k-ε model had a best agreement with the experimental result
Social media #MOOC mentions: lessons for MOOC research from analysis of Twitter data

There is a relative dearth of research into what is being said about MOOCs by users in social media, particularly through analysis of large datasets. In this paper we contribute to addressing this gap through an exploratory analysis of a Twitter dataset. We present an analysis of a dataset of tweets that contain the hashtag #MOOC. A three month sample of tweets from the global Twitter stream was obtained using the GNIP API. Using techniques for analysis of large microblogging datasets we conducted descriptive analysis and content analysis of the data. Our findings suggest that the set of tweets containing the hashtag #MOOC has some strong characteristics of an information network. Course providers and platforms are prominent in the data but teachers and learners are also evident. We draw lessons for further research based on our findings.
The Psychiatric Out-Patient Experiences Questionnaire (POPEQ): Data quality, reliability and validity in patients attending 90 Norwegian clinics

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the Psychiatric Out-Patient Experiences Questionnaire (POPEQ). The instrument was developed following a literature review, patient interviews and pre-testing of questionnaire items. The POPEQ was administered as part of a postal survey of 15,422 adult outpatients attending Norwegian clinics; 6677 (43.3%) patients responded to the questionnaire. Items had low levels of missing data. Factor analysis showed that 11 widely applicable items contribute to a measure of overall experiences. Sub-dimensions include clinician interaction (six items) information (two items) and outcomes (three items). Item-total correlations ranged from 0.5 to 0.8. Cronbach's alpha and test–retest reliability estimates exceeded the criterion of 0.7; the majority were over 0.8 and total scores over 0.9. Construct validity was supported by the results of 128 tests. The POPEQ includes important aspects of patient experience for psychiatric outpatients and has excellent evidence for reliability and construct validity. The instrument is recommended for the measurement of psychiatric outpatient experiences.