Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Current Issues in the Epidemiology and Toxicology of Occupational Exposure to Lead

Lead is an ancient metal. Its toxicity to industrial workers has been recognized for millenia (Major, 1939). Ramazzini, the father of modem occupational medicine, described industrial lead poisoning in potters and portrait painters in his classic study, de Morbis Artificum Diatriba in 1713 (Ramazzini, 1913). Great interest continues to surround the topic of lead toxicity. In particular, concern has arisen that lead may cause toxic effects at relatively low levels of exposure, levels which previously
Iron Supplementation and Physical Performance

Iron is one of the most abundant elements, essential for the completion of numerous important biological functions, including electron transfer reactions, gene regulation, binding and transport of oxygen, regulation of cell growth and differentiation. In the human body it is mainly found in the oxygen transport and storage proteins haemoglobin (Hb) (60 70%) and myoglobin (10%), in various iron-containing enzymes (2%), as well as in the liver, bone marrow and muscle in the form of the storage proteins ferritin (Ferr) and hemosiderin (20 30%) [1]. Only a minor quantity (0.1 0.2%) of total iron, mostly bound to the iron-transport protein transferrin, circulates in the plasma and other extracellular fluids [1, 2]. Besides its essential character, excessive free iron could adversely affect the human body, by augmenting oxidative stress, mainly via the Fenton and Haber-Weiss reactions. Ferritin, hemosiderin and transferrin, assist the system to maintain iron balance under tight control by keeping free iron levels low and hence restrain the conversion of hydrogen peroxide to the highly reactive hydroxyl radical [3] that disturbs cellular homeostasis when it is increased at toxic levels.
A Comparison of Common Treatments for Coprophagy in Canis familiaris

Coprophagy is a common and undesirable behavior among domestic canines. Data from this study show that 49% of domestic dogs have attempted to eat feces at some point in time and that 28% of dogs are currently coprophagic. Many dog owners are disgusted by this behavior and will go to great lengths to find a treatment for it. Some alter each fecal deposit with hot sauce or other aversive substances, while others try simpler methods such as medication or punishment. Research on coprophagy in canines is sparse, and little is known about treatment efficacy, making coprophagy hard to prevent. In rare cases, medical disorders and intestinal parasites are believed to cause malnourishment, forcing dogs to look for nutrients in abnormal sources. These medical etiologies should be ruled out before owners actively prevent coprophagic behavior. This study used a survey-based design to compare 11 methods for preventing coprophagy. Data showed that the most effective treatments for coprophagy require an active owner‐dog relationship. Preventing access to the feces by keeping the dog on a lead, rewarding positive post-elimination behavior and distracting the dog from the feces were the most effective treatments studied. The medications Deter® and Forbid® were moderately effective, with success rates being much higher in younger dogs. The least effective treatment studied was actively ignoring the behavior in the hope that it would go away. The owner of a coprophagic dog must take an active role in preventing coprophagy and be aware of the dog and its surroundings.
The N-terminal Extracellular Segments of the Chemokine Receptors CCR1 and CCR3 Are Determinants for MIP-1α and Eotaxin Binding, Respectively, but a Second Domain Is Essential for Efficient Receptor Activation*

CCR1 and CCR3 are seven-transmembrane domain G protein-coupled receptors specific for members of the CC chemokine subgroup of leukocyte chemoattractants. Both have been implicated in the inflammatory response, and CCR3, through its expression on eosinophils, basophils, and Th2 lymphocytes, may be especially important in allergic inflammation. CCR1 and CCR3 are 54% identical in amino acid sequence and share some ligands but not others. In particular, macrophage inflammatory protein 1α (MIP-1α) is a ligand for CCR1 but not CCR3, and eotaxin is a ligand for CCR3 but not CCR1. To map ligand selectivity determinants and to guide rational antagonist design, we analyzed CCR1:CCR3 chimeric receptors. When expressed in mouse pre-B cells, chimeras in which the N-terminal extracellular segments were switched were both able to bind both MIP-1α and eotaxin, but in each case, binding occurred via separate sites. Nevertheless, neither MIP-1α nor eotaxin were effective agonists at either chimeric receptor in either calcium flux or chemotaxis assays. These data are consistent with a multi-site model for chemokine-chemokine receptor interaction in which one or more subsites determine chemokine selectivity, but others are needed for receptor activation. Agents that bind to the N-terminal segments of CCR1 and CCR3 may be useful in blocking receptor function.
ASSESSING CURRENT ADAPTATION AND PHYLOGENETIC INERTIA AS EXPLANATIONS OF TRAIT EVOLUTION: THE NEED FOR CONTROLLED COMPARISONS

Abstract The determination of whether the pattern of trait evolution observed in a comparative analysis of species data is due to adaptation to current environments, to phylogenetic inertia, or to both of these forces requires that one control for the effects of either force when making an assessment of the evolutionary role of the other. Orzack and Sober (2001) developed the method of controlled comparisons to make such assessments; their implementation of the method focussed on a discretely varying trait. Here, we show that the method of controlled comparisons can be viewed as a meta-method, which can be implemented in many ways. We discuss which recent methods for the comparative analysis of continuously distributed traits can generate controlled comparisons and can thereby be used to properly assess whether current adaptation and/or phylogenetic inertia have influenced a trait's evolution. The implementation of controlled comparisons is illustrated by an analysis of sex-ratio data for fig wasps. This analysis suggests that current adaptation and phylogenetic inertia influence this trait.
Architectural synthesis for DSP silicon compilers

A design methodology for automated mapping of DSP algorithms into VLSI architectures is presented. The methodology takes into account explicit algorithm requirements on throughput and latency, in addition to VLSI technology constraints on silicon area and power dissipation. Algorithm structure, design style of functional units, and parallellism of the architecture are all explored in the design space. The synthesized architecture is a multibus multifunction unit processor matched to the implemented algorithm. The architecture has a linear topology and uses a lower number of interconnects and multiplexer inputs compared to other synthesized architectures with random topology having the same performance. The synthesized processor is a self-timed element externally, while it is internally synchronous. The methodology is implemented in a design aid tool called SPAID. Results obtained using SPAID for two DSP algorithms compare favorably with other synthesis techniques. >
Request Solicitation and Semantic Evocation of Freedom: An Evaluation in a Computer-Mediated Communication Context

The “But you are free of …” technique is a compliance procedure which solicits someone to comply with a request by simply telling him that he is free to accept or to refuse the request. This semantic evocation leads to increased compliance with the request. A new evaluation of the generality of this technique was tested in an experiment in which subjects received an anonymous electronic mail which asked them to consult the site of a humanitarian association for children. Analysis showed that, when the semantic evocation of freedom is included in the message, a higher compliance rate was observed than in a situation in which this evocation was omitted.
Atopy, Helicobacter pylori and the hygiene hypothesis

Early acquired infections may have a protective role against allergy. Subjects with H. pylori infection seem to have a prevalence of allergic disorders that is 30% lower than H. pylori-negative subjects This information is relevant for the planning of cohort studies and eradication trials to demonstrate a cause-effect relationship that may affect current guidelines on H. pylori infection management. It is uncertain whether the exposure to infections may decrease or increase the risk of allergy development in adult age. According to the hygiene hypothesis, an early childhood infection can down-regulate immunity, suppressing allergic and autoimmune disorders. Novel epidemiological data from a cross-sectional survey show that in subjects with active Helicobacter pylori infection the prevalence of asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis is lower than in H. pylori-negative subjects. This information is supported by several mechanistic disease models, but is in contrast with previous reports on the association between H. pylori and atopic conditions. The public health relevance of both allergic disorders and H. pylori-related diseases calls for prospective and therapeutic studies. Studies able to show a cause-effect relationship are now essential to bring evidence that might make the case against H. pylori eradication in children and when such intervention is not highly recommended.
Homozygous Myotonic Dystrophy With Craniosynostosis

Myotonic dystrophy is considered a true dominant condition with no difference in the phenotype between heterozygous and homozygous cases. The homozygous state is very rare and only a few patients have been reported in the literature. We report a 2.5-year-old boy from a nonconsanguineous marriage, with a unique combination of clinical and radiological findings: hypotonia, motor and language developmental delay, ventriculomegaly, subcortical white matter lesions, and craniosynostosis. Mutation analysis revealed 2 copies of expansion mutation of 1260 and 60 cytosine-thymine-guanine repeats in the myotonic dystrophy protein kinase gene. Both the mildly symptomatic (434 repeats) mother and the asymptomatic (37 repeats) father are heterozygous. Craniosynostosis has not been reported previously in myotonic dystrophy. This homozygous case expands the clinical spectrum of myotonic dystrophy type 1 and provides support to the hypothesis that myotonic dystrophy type 1 pathophysiology could be, in part, due to the loss of normal function of the wild-type protein.
Appetite and Energy Intake Responses to Acute Energy Deficits in Females versus Males

ABSTRACT Purpose To explore whether compensatory responses to acute energy deficits induced by exercise or diet differ by sex. Methods In experiment one, 12 healthy women completed three 9-h trials (control, exercise-induced (Ex-Def) and food restriction–induced energy deficit (Food-Def)) with identical energy deficits being imposed in the Ex-Def (90-min run, ∼70% of V˙O2max) and Food-Def trials. In experiment two, 10 men and 10 women completed two 7-h trials (control and exercise). Sixty minutes of running (∼70% of V˙O2max) was performed at the beginning of the exercise trial. The participants rested throughout the remainder of the exercise trial and during the control trial. Appetite ratings, plasma concentrations of gut hormones, and ad libitum energy intake were assessed during main trials. Results In experiment one, an energy deficit of approximately 3500 kJ induced via food restriction increased appetite and food intake. These changes corresponded with heightened concentrations of plasma acylated ghrelin and lower peptide YY3–36. None of these compensatory responses were apparent when an equivalent energy deficit was induced by exercise. In experiment two, appetite ratings and plasma acylated ghrelin concentrations were lower in exercise than in control, but energy intake did not differ between trials. The appetite, acylated ghrelin, and energy intake response to exercise did not differ between men and women. Conclusions Women exhibit compensatory appetite, gut hormone, and food intake responses to acute energy restriction but not in response to an acute bout of exercise. Additionally, men and women seem to exhibit similar acylated ghrelin and PYY3–36 responses to exercise-induced energy deficits. These findings advance understanding regarding the interaction between exercise and energy homeostasis in women.
Validating the Extended Technology Acceptance Model: Perceived Playfulness in the Context of Information-searching Websites

Prior research that has used the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to predict Internet usage has focused on perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of websites. More recently, in an extension of TAM to include an intrinsic motivator, perceived playfulness was found to be another important factor in user acceptance of websites (Moon and Kim, 2001). Since then, no other research found has validated the significance of perceived playfulness. The purpose of this study is therefore to validate Moon and Kim’s extended TAM by exploring the importance of the intrinsic factor “perceived playfulness”, in the context of information-searching sites on the Internet.
Subclinical hepatic encephalopathy: proton MR spectroscopic abnormalities.

PURPOSE To determine whether hydrogen-1 magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy of the brain allows detection of subclinical hepatic encephalopathy (SCHE). MATERIALS AND METHODS In a double-blind study, overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and SCHE (defined with clinical and neuropsychiatric tests) were compared by means of H-1 MR spectroscopic criteria--reduction in cerebral myo-inositol (< 2 standard deviations [SDs] from normal) and choline (< 2 SDs from normal) with or without increased cerebral glutamine (> 1 SD from normal)--in 20 patients with cirrhosis. RESULTS Concordance between MR spectroscopic and neuropsychiatric test results was 94% (kappa = 0.84). MR spectroscopy allowed diagnosis of SCHE in nine of nine patients (100%) and of HE in seven of eight (88%). Myo-inositol depletion alone had 80%-85% sensitivity for detection of HE and SCHE. CONCLUSION H-1 MR spectroscopy allows accurate diagnosis of SCHE, and the results suggest an important role for myo-inositol in psychomotor and visuopractic functions.
Visual Explanation by Interpretation: Improving Visual Feedback Capabilities of Deep Neural Networks

Learning-based representations have become the defacto means to address computer vision tasks. Despite their massive adoption, the amount of work aiming at understanding the internal representations learned by these models is rather limited. Existing methods aimed at model interpretation either require exhaustive manual inspection of visualizations, or link internal network activations with external "possibly useful" annotated concepts. We propose an intermediate scheme in which, given a pretrained model, we automatically identify internal features relevant for the set of classes considered by the model, without requiring additional annotations. We interpret the model through average visualizations of these features. Then, at test time, we explain the network prediction by accompanying the predicted class label with supporting heatmap visualizations derived from the identified relevant features. In addition, we propose a method to address the artifacts introduced by strided operations in deconvnet-based visualizations. Our evaluation on the MNIST, ILSVRC 12 and Fashion 144k datasets quantitatively shows that the proposed method is able to identify relevant internal features for the classes of interest while improving the quality of the produced visualizations.
Primatology comes of age: 2002 AAPA Luncheon Address.

The growth of primate field studies has occurred along multiple dimensions representing expansion in the number of species studied, comparative studies of different populations of the same species, and populations and groups studied over time. The accumulation of data on a broader taxonomic diversity of primates has contributed to advances in the use of comparative methods for gaining insights into interspecific variation in behavior patterns, but the incorporation of intraspecific variation into comparative models of behavior has lagged behind. This delay can be attributed, in part, to the slow rate at which the interacting effects of life history and demography on behavior emerge in slow-growing, long-lived primates. It may also reflect the anthropocentric foundation of field primatology, which historically focused on interspecific comparisons with humans instead of interpopulation variation among primates. Conservation concerns have stimulated new thinking about the importance of populations and the range of behavioral variation that populations maintain. The integration of intra- and interspecific behavioral variation will distinguish the next generation of comparative models in primatology, and set a new agenda as field primatology comes of age.
Carbohydrates Facilitate Correct Disulfide Bond Formation and Folding of Rotavirus VP7

ABSTRACT It is well established that glycosylation is essential for assembly of enveloped viruses, but no information is yet available as to the function of carbohydrates on the nonenveloped but glycosylated rotavirus. We show that tunicamycin and, more pronouncedly, a combination of tunicamycin and brefeldin A treatment caused misfolding of the luminal VP7 protein, leading to interdisulfide bond aggregation. While formation of VP7 aggregates could be prevented under reducing conditions, they reoccurred in less than 30 min after a shift to an oxidizing milieu. Furthermore, while glycosylated VP7 interacted during maturation with protein disulfide isomerase, nonglycosylated VP7 did not, suggesting that glycosylation is a prerequisite for protein disulfide isomerase interaction. While native NSP4, which does not possess S-S bonds, was not dependent on N-linked glycosylation or on protein disulfide isomerase assistance for maturation, nonglycosylated NSP4 was surprisingly found to interact with protein disulfide isomerase, further suggesting that protein disulfide isomerase can act both as an enzyme and as a chaperone. In conclusion, our data suggest that the major function of carbohydrates on VP7 is to facilitate correct disulfide bond formation and protein folding.
Choroidal abnormalities in a 9‐year‐old girl with neurofibromatosis type 1

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), an autosomal dominant disorder with a high mutation rate, is considered a neurocristopathy characterized by pathological hamartomatous proliferations of neural crest-derived tissues. A minimum of two of the following criteria are required for diagnosis: six or more café-au-lait spots; two or more cutaneous neurofibromas; one or more plexiform neurofibromas; axillary or groinal freckling; optic glioma; two or more iris Lisch nodules; distinctive bony lesions; and a firstdegree relative with NF1. Among these criteria, iris Lisch nodules are frequently observed and well recognized, but retinal and choroidal lesions have been considered unusual in eyes with this disease. A 9-year-old girl with NF1 was referred to the clinic at Jichi Medical University for an ophthalmological examination. NF1 diagnosis was made on the basis of several café-au-lait spots and cutaneous neurofibromas. She had no visual symptoms. Her bestcorrected visual acuity was 1.2 in both eyes. There were at least three Lisch nodules on each side (Fig. 1a,b). The conventional ophthalmoscopic findings were unremarkable (Fig. 1c,d), but near-infrared reflectance (NIR) showed multiple bright, patchy lesions in the choroid of the posterior pole in both eyes (Fig. 1e,f). Yasunari et al. suggested that choroidal abnormalities occurred more frequently than Lisch nodules. Viola et al. reported that the highest accuracy was obtained at the cut-off value of 1.5 choroidal nodules detected on NIR. NIR originates from the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the choroid, and the melanin content of the RPE and choroid gives rise to NIR. In NF1 patients, the choroid has a proliferation of neural crestderived melanocytes and thickening of the posterior fundus. In conclusion, performing NIR to detect choroidal involvement is useful for confirming the diagnosis of NF1. The extent of choroidal involvement is likely to vary among patients and increase with age. Long-term follow up will be necessary to further characterize the phenomenon in the present case. The authors state that they have no conflict of interest.
Longitudinal Study of Acute Stress Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Dissociation Following Myocardial Infarction

Since dissociation has been recognized as a marker of posttraumatic processes, this study examines the chronological relations between dissociation and stress reactions (acute stress disorder, ASD, and posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD) following myocardial infarction (MI). One hundred sixteen MI patients were examined twice: within 1 week of the trauma (time 1) and 7 months later (time 2). Sixty-seven matched controls were studied in a parallel interval. ASD was assessed at time 1, PTSD at time 2, and dissociative tendencies at both times. ASD and PTSD were moderately associated with levels of dissociation. In addition, while the MI patients did not differ from the controls in level of dissociation, both in time 1 and time 2, among the MI group, PTSD was associated with an increase in dissociation. These findings may reflect either the development of two comorbid entities, or a presentation of a dissociative subtype of PTSD.
School life and adolescents' self-esteem trajectories.

This study investigates heterogeneity in adolescents' trajectories of global self-esteem (GSE) and the relations between these trajectories and facets of the interpersonal, organizational, and instructional components of students' school life. Methodologically, this study illustrates the use of growth mixture analyses, and how to obtain proper student-level effects when there are multiple schools, but not enough to support multilevel analyses. This study is based on a 4-year, six-measurement-point, follow-up of 1,008 adolescents (M(age) = 12.6 years, SD = 0.6 at Time 1. ) The results show four latent classes presenting elevated, moderate, increasing, and low trajectories defined based on GSE levels and fluctuations. The results show that GSE becomes trait-like as it increases and that school life effects, moderated by gender, played an important role in predicting membership in these trajectories.
Experience with the new German hepatitis B vaccination strategy since 1995

In Germany general hepatitis B (HB) vaccination for newborns and adolescents was introduced in all federal states following the recommendation of the STIKO (Permanent Vaccination Commission) of 1995. In 1998 serological studies of the German National Health Survey showed that at least 9.8% in the age group of 18 to 19 years had been vaccinated against HBV infection. By 1996 the vaccine doses sold for children rose dramatically and started to reach a plateau of approximately five million per year in 1997. Data from the kassenärztliche Vereinigung of the Oberpfalz region in Bavaria also indicate that the new policy started to be implemented in 1996. At school entry, however, in 1997 only 10% of the children in seven West German states showed serological evidence of HB vaccination coverage. According to observations of virologists, paediatricians and public health experts the current acceptance of the HB vaccination recommendations is 80%–90% in children below the age of six years but only 30% to 40% in adolescents. To achieve high HB vaccination coverage rates in Germany more rapidly a modern surveillance system providing detailed data about vaccination coverage in the different age and population groups is needed. Based on those data additional targeted vaccination strategies for those that can only be contacted by the traditional health care system, such as teenagers and vulnerable groups, should be developed, involving the public health service, local communities and other agencies.