Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distribution of KIR genes in Han population in Yunnan Province: comparison with other Han populations in China

Killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIRs) show extensive variation among different populations. In this study, 404 unrelated individuals in Han population in Yunnan Province, China, were genotyped for the presence or the absence of 16 KIR genes using the multiplex PCR‐SSP method. Our data showed that the inhibitory gene frequency of genes KIR2DL1, KIR2DL3, KIR3DL1, KIR2DL5 and KIR2DL2 was 0.930, 0.889, 0.789, 0.206 and 0.095, respectively, and the activating gene frequency of KIR2DS4, KIR3DS1, KIR2DS1, KIR2DS5, KIR2DS2 and KIR2DS3 was 0.795, 0.218, 0.196, 0.165, 0.095 and 0.087, respectively. In all, 44 distinct KIR genotypes were identified; genotype 1 was predominant with a frequency of 0.478, followed by genotypes 2 and 8 with a frequency of 0.121 and 0.077, respectively. Haplotype A outnumbered haplotype B by 2.39:1. In addition, phylogenetic tree and multidimensional scaling analysis (MDS) based on KIR genes in populations including Asian, African and Caucasians have been performed. Neighbour‐joining tree analysis and the MDS plot showed that Han populations were clustered together with Asian and were separate from other populations. The Han populations in China were separated into northern and southern groups; the Yunnan Han population investigated in this study was clustered in the southern group. These results implied that the difference between northern and southern Han populations might reflect responses to a variety of locally acting epidemiological challenges.
Screening Criteria for Ophthalmic Manifestations of Congenital Zika Virus Infection

Importance Current guidelines recommend screening eye examinations for infants with microcephaly or laboratory-confirmed Zika virus infection but not for all infants potentially exposed to Zika virus in utero. Objective To evaluate eye findings in a cohort of infants whose mothers had polymerase chain reaction–confirmed Zika virus infection during pregnancy. Design, Setting, and Participants In this descriptive case series performed from January 2 through October 30, 2016, infants were examined from birth to 1 year of age by a multidisciplinary medical team, including a pediatric ophthalmologist, from Fernandes Figueira Institute, a Ministry of Health referral center for high-risk pregnancies and infectious diseases in children in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Participants Mother-infant pairs from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, who presented with suspected Zika virus infection during pregnancy were referred to our institution and had serum, urine, amniotic fluid, or placenta samples tested by real-time polymerase chain reaction for Zika virus. Main Outcomes and Measures Description of eye findings, presence of microcephaly or other central nervous system abnormalities, and timing of infection in infants with confirmed Zika virus during pregnancy. Eye abnormalities were correlated with central nervous system findings, microcephaly, and the timing of maternal infection. Results Of the 112 with polymerase chain reaction–confirmed Zika virus infection in maternal specimens, 24 infants (21.4%) examined had eye abnormalities (median age at first eye examination, 31 days; range, 0-305 days). Ten infants (41.7%) with eye abnormalities did not have microcephaly, and 8 (33.3%) did not have any central nervous system findings. Fourteen infants with eye abnormalities (58.3%) were born to women infected in the first trimester, 8 (33.3%) in the second trimester, and 2 (8.3%) in the third trimester. Optic nerve and retinal abnormalities were the most frequent findings. Eye abnormalities were statistically associated with microcephaly (odds ratio [OR], 19.1; 95% CI, 6.0-61.0), other central nervous system abnormalities (OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.6-11.2), arthrogryposis (OR, 29.0; 95% CI, 3.3-255.8), and maternal trimester of infection (first trimester OR, 5.1; 95% CI, 1.9-13.2; second trimester OR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.2-1.2; and third trimester OR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1-1.2). Conclusions and Relevance Eye abnormalities may be the only initial finding in congenital Zika virus infection. All infants with potential maternal Zika virus exposure at any time during pregnancy should undergo screening eye examinations regardless of the presence or absence of central nervous system abnormalities.
Efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy in bipolar versus unipolar major depression: a meta‐analysis

Dierckx B, Heijnen WT, van den Broek WW, Birkenhäger TK. Efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy in bipolar versus unipolar major depression: a meta‐analysis. Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 146–150. © 2012 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
Exercise-Mediated Effects on White and Brown Adipose Tissue Plasticity and Metabolism

Exercise training increases the thermogenic capacity of white adipose tissue (WAT), an effect known as “browning” of the WAT. Here, we discuss how this affects whole-body energy homeostasis. We put forth the hypothesis that browning of the subcutaneous WAT allows the organism to adjust its metabolic rate according to energy availability while coping with increased heat production through exercise.
Poverty alleviation of labour-based infrastructure delivery: the csae of Dar es Salaam ( Tanzania)

Labour-based technology (LBT) is a strategy popularised by international organisations such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank, to address poverty, unemployment and infrastructure provision especially in informal urban settlements. More emphasis has been placed on using the LBT approach in subSaharan countries where unprecedented urbanisation is taking place leading to the formation of informal settlements, high levels of unemployment accompanied by poverty. The LBT approach has been implemented in many developing countries. However, there is little available evidence of the long-term impact of LBT on poverty alleviation and employment creation opportunities. This article reports on employment creation opportunities and poverty alleviation while delivering infrastructure using LBT in informal settlements in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A qualitative research approach was used which included personal interviews of the residents who were directly involved in infrastructure provision in the Hanna Nasif informal settlement using LBT. The infrastructure delivery project in Hanna Nassif commenced in 1994 and was completed in 2000. The research was conducted four years after the project had been completed, namely in 2004. The findings reported in this article provide base line data for policy makers and researchers, while contributing to understanding the long-term impact on employment creation opportunities and poverty alleviation using LBT. The article concludes with a proposal for a LBT-Poverty Alleviation framework.
Automated Quantitative Analysis of E-Cadherin Expression in Lymph Node Metastases Is Predictive of Survival in Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer

Purpose: The tumor suppressor adhesion molecule E-cadherin is believed to have an anti-invasive role in breast cancer. Lymph node involvement is the best prognostic marker known, yet there is variability in outcome among node-positive patients. We investigated the relationship between E-cadherin expression in primary invasive ductal tumors and corresponding nodal metastases, and determined the prognostic value of E-cadherin expression in node-positive breast cancer. Experimental Design: Membrane E-cadherin expression was studied by immunohistochemical staining of tissue microarrays with fluorescent-labeled antibodies. An objective method of automated quantitative analysis (AQUA) was used. AQUA uses cytokeratin to define pixels as breast cancer (tumor mask) within the array spot, and measures E-cadherin expression using a Cy5-conjugated antibody within the mask. Results: We employed a tissue microarray containing 207 primary and matched nodal metastases suitable for AQUA analysis. There was no significant difference in mean staining intensity between the primary and nodal specimens (P = 0.8). A scattergram was generated which identified a subset of patients (25%) with high E-cadherin expression in nodal metastases, and this top quartile had improved survival (P = 0.028). On univariate analysis, increased E-cadherin expression in nodal metastases was strongly associated with improved survival (P = 0.007), whereas expression in primary tumors was not (P = 0.13). On multivariate analysis, nodal E-cadherin expression retained its independent association with survival, as did tumor size and HER2/neu status. Conclusions: Strong E-cadherin expression in lymph node metastases was highly predictive of improved survival. This suggests that expression of adhesion molecules at metastatic sites portends less aggressive tumor behavior.
Marked enhancement of antitumor immune responses in mouse brain tumor models by genetically modified dendritic cells producing Semliki Forest virus-mediated interleukin-12.

OBJECT The authors evaluated dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy for malignant brain tumor to improve its therapeutic efficacy. METHODS Dendritic cells were isolated from bone marrow and pulsed with phosphate-buffered saline, Semliki Forest virus (SFV)-LacZ, retrovirus vector GCsap-interleukin (IL)-12, and SFV-IL-12, respectively, to treat mice bearing brain tumors of the B16 cell line. The results indicated that therapeutic immunization with DCs pulsed with SFV-IL-12 prolonged the survival of mice with established tumors. Semliki Forest virus induced apoptosis in DCs, which in turn facilitated the uptake of apoptotic cells by other DCs, thus providing a potential mechanism for enhanced immunogenicity. CONCLUSIONS Therapy with DCs that have been pulsed with SFV-mediated IL-12 may be an excellent step in the development of new cancer vaccines. Intratumorally injected DCs that have been transiently transduced with IL-12 do not require pulsing of a source of tumor antigens to induce tumor regression.
Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and single photon emission tomography with radio‐iodine labelled compounds in the diagnosis of dementia

ABSTRACT— White matter lesions and T1 changes were identified using NMR and then compared between groups of patients suffering from dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT), Multiple infarct dementia (MID) and normal controls. All DAT and MID patients were also imaged with a gamma camera using 123Iodo‐n‐isopropylamphetamine, a radiopharmaceutical whose uptake in the brain follows the regional blood flow. While NMR was not able to differentiate between DAT and MID, 19 out of 21 DAT patients compared to four out of 18 MID patients showed bilateral parietal lesions on IMP scans.
Forecasting Asthma Hospital Admissions from Remotely Sensed Environmental Data

Asthma has a major social impact and is prone to exacerbations. It is known that environmental factors, such as meteorological conditions and air pollutants, have a role over their occurrence. In a previous work, positive associations were found between hospital admissions due to asthma exacerbation at highly urbanized regions of Portugal and higher atmospheric NO2 levels, lower vegetation density and higher air temperatures, estimated using remote sensing. In this study we propose the use of georeferenced environmental factors to forecast the risk of hospital admissions due to asthma exacerbation. We applied linear discriminant analysis using monthly averages based in 2003–2007 environmental data to forecast positive monthly admission rates in municipalities of Lisboa district (Portugal) during 2008. Space-time estimates of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), vegetation density from MODIS Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDV I) and near-surface air temperature (Ta) were considered as independent variables. We identified over 65% of the combinations months/municipalities having hospital admissions in the testing set, with less than 10% of false positives. These results confirm that NO2, NDV I and Ta levels obtained from remotely sensed data can be used to predict hospital admissions due to asthma exacerbation, and may be helpful if applied in warning systems for patients in the future.
A study of iridectomy histopathologic features of latanoprost- and non-latanoprost-treated patients.

OBJECTIVES To examine the histopathologic features of iridectomy specimens from patients undergoing glaucoma surgery and to compare histologic abnormalities in a group of patients with a history of latanoprost therapy with those in a group of patients who had no history of prostaglandin therapy (controls). METHODS Iridectomy specimens and patient history forms were submitted to the central Latanoprost Pathology Center. These were independently examined by 3 ophthalmic pathologists in a masked fashion. Specimens were evaluated for malignant, premalignant, and other changes including differences in levels of pigmentation, degrees of cellularity, inflammation, vascular abnormalities, and changes in the iris pigment epithelium. RESULTS Specimens were received from 449 patients with a history of latanoprost treatment and 142 patients who had no history of treatment with latanoprost or other prostaglandin analogues. No evidence of malignant or premalignant changes was found. In latanoprost-treated irides, the prevalence of iris freckles was higher (P = .001) than in control irides, as was the combined number of stromal fibroblasts and melanocytes (P<.001). In a subgroup of specimens received through June 2002, there was no significant difference in mean melanocyte counts (P=.35) obtained by immunohistochemical staining techniques between the latanoprost-treated and control groups. CONCLUSIONS These findings support previous studies indicating that latanoprost-induced eye color changes are due to an increased amount of melanin within the iris stromal melanocytes. The increased numbers of freckles may be a focal manifestation of this effect.
Does omega-3 supplement enhance the therapeutic results of methylphenidate in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder patients?

Background: Although most of the ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) patients respond to stimulant drugs very well, alternative drugs are required for non respondents. It has been revealed that subgroups of patients with ADHD have omega-3 fatty acid deficiency. So, the present study was planned to illustrate the effect of omega-3 supplementation, as an add-on to methylphenidate, on ADHD patients. Materials and Methods: In this double-blind RCT, ADHD children without any co morbidity, who had been diagnosed by a child and adolescent psychiatrist in child and adolescent university clinic, participated and were randomly divided into 2 groups. The experimental group methylphenidate plus omega-3 capsule (2000mg/d), while control group took methylphenidate plus placebo. Severity of ADHD symptoms were assessed by ADHD rating scale at the baseline and after 2, 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Results: 69 patients (experimental = 36, control = 33) aged 7 to 15 participated. A significant reduction of both parent's and teacher's ADHD rating scale scores in both groups was observed. Bu t it couldn’t show any difference between two groups. Difference score of parent's at baseline was 1.86+- (5/40), Pv 0.262, after 2 weeks -. 70+- (4/30), Pv 0.668,4 weeks. 19+- (5/60), Pv 0.902 and 8 weeks. 30+- (4/42), Pv 0.845. Difference score of Teacher's at baseline was -1.56+- (3/45), Pv 0.541, after 2 weeks -. 46+- (6/24), Pv 0.888, 4 weeks. 45+- (5/41), 0.868 and 8 weeks. 73+- (4/18), Pv 0.748. Conclusion: Omega-3 did not enhance the therapeutic results of methylphenidate in ADHD patients.
Occupations and British Wage Inequality, 1970s–2000s

Although there was a ‘massive rise’ in British wage inequality, relatively little is known about the relationship between occupations and growing British wage inequality. Since sociologists traditionally have tended to place a great deal of emphasis on occupations, we might expect them to play a key role in accounting for trends in overall British wage inequality. More recent strands of stratification theory, however, have challenged the idea that occupations structure economic inequalities as well as they once did, and argue that the link between occupations and wages might have been weakening; instead predicting that growing wage inequality mostly occurs within occupations. We decompose trends in British wage inequality into between-occupation and within-occupation components and show that, although most wage inequality is within occupations, it is inequality between occupations that accounts for the lion's share of growing wage inequality. Trends in between-occupation inequality cannot be ‘explained away’ by fundamental labour market changes such as rising educational attainment and the decline in collective bargaining, indicating occupations really did structure the ‘massive rise’ in wage inequality. We also demonstrate what the rise in between-occupation inequality can be more or less described as growing between-class inequality.
PHYSICAL WORKLOAD AS A RISK FACTOR FOR SYMPTOMS IN THE NECK AND UPPER LIMBS : EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT AND ERGONOMIC INTERVENTION

The aims of this study were to investigate work related and individual factors as predictors of insident neck pain among video display unit (VDU) workers, to assess the effects of an ergonomic intervention and education on musculoskeletal symptoms, and to study the repeatability and validity of an expert assessment method of VDU workstation ergonomics. A method to assess the risk factors for upper limb disorders was developed, and its validity and repeatability were studied. The annual incidence of neck pain was 34.4%. A poor physical work environment and placement of the keyboard were work-related factors increasing the risk of neck pain. Among the individual factors, female sex was a strong predictor. The randomized intervention study included questionnaire survey, a diary of discomfort, and ergonomic rating of the workstations. The subjects (n=124) were allocated into three groups. The intensive and the education groups had less musculoskeletal discomfort than the control group at the 2-month followup. After the intervention, the level of ergonomics was distinctly higher in the intensive ergonomic group than in the education or control group. Two experts in ergonomics analyzed and rated the ergonomics of workstations before and after intervention. The validity of the assessment method was rated against the technical measurements, assessment of tidiness and space, and work chair ergonomics. The intraclass correlation coefficient between ratings of the two experts was 0.74. Changes in the location of the input devises and the screen, as well as the values of tidiness and space and work chair ergonomics showed a significant association with the ratings of both experts. The method to assess the loads imposed on the upper limbs was validated against the expert observations from the video, continuous recordings of myoelectric activity of forearm muscles, and wrist posture, measured with goniometers. Inter-observer repeatability and validity were good or moderate. Both intensive ergonomics approach and education in ergonomics have effects in reducing discomfort in VDU work. In attemps to improve the ergonomics of VDU workstation, the best result will be achieved with cooperative palaning in which both workers and pratitioners are actively invoved. The assessment methods for VDU work ergonomics and upper limb load studied here can be utilized in a repeatable manner.
Trace elements in blood and serum of Swedish adolescents: relation to gender, age, residential area, and socioeconomic status.

The influence of gender, age, residential area, and socioeconomic status on the blood and serum levels of 13 trace elements was studied in boys and girls living in two Swedish cities with different socioeconomic and environmental characters. The same groups of adolescents were sampled twice, at ages 15 (n=372) and 17 (n=294) years. All the investigated factors were shown to be of importance. Age was important for most elements; e.g., copper levels in both blood and serum increased in girls, and selenium increased in serum from both genders. Lead decreased approximately 10% in blood from the first to the second sampling, and cadmium increased in blood, however not in nonsmokers. The age factor may also reflect temporal changes in environmental exposure, especially for nonessential elements. Girls had higher levels of cobalt and copper, while lead in blood was higher in boys. Smoking girls had higher copper levels than nonsmoking girls. Residential area influenced all elements. The teenagers with university-educated mothers had higher levels of cadmium in blood than those with only primary school-educated mothers.
The role of intravenous coronary thrombolysis for patients with acute myocardial infarction in different treatment strategies.

OBJECTIVE To examine acute-phase outcomes in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) according to different initial treatments. PATIENTS AND METHODS This retrospective study involved 405 patients with AMI who had undergone coronary angiography during the acute phase. The patients were retrospectively examined by dividing into groups according to treatment received: intravenous coronary thrombolysis (IVCT) (n=83), intracoronary thrombolysis (ICT) (n=62), and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (n=221). RESULTS TIMI 3 flow at the initial angiography was higher in the IVCT group (P<0.05) at 32.5% in the IVCT group and 21.7% in the non-IVCT group. The time from onset to initiation of treatment was shorter in the IVCT group (P<0.001) at 227 min in the IVCT group, 337 min in the ICT group, and 479 min in the PCI group. The acute-phase mortality was lower in the IVCT group (P<0.05) at 2.4% in the IVCT group, 3.2% in the ICT group, and 11.8% in the PCI group. According to sub-analysis, the restenosis rate during the chronic phase after PCI did not differ with or without antecedent administration of a thrombolytic agent. CONCLUSION IVCT as an initial treatment for AMI enabled the fastest reperfusion at TIMI > or = 2 flow, resulting in a good acute-phase outcome.
Maternal perceptions of alcohol use by adolescents who drink alcohol.

OBJECTIVE This research examines correlates of mothers' misperceptions of their adolescent children's regular alcohol consumption. Theories of adolescent autonomy, attribution processes, and stereotypes were used to make predictions about the biasing effects on attribution accuracy of maternal age, relationship satisfaction, and supervision of one's adolescent, as well as the adolescent's age, gender, physical development level, and peers. METHOD The present research used a nationally representative sample of approximately 20,000 parent-adolescent dyads from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Add Health is a school-based sample of 20,745 adolescents in Grades 7-12. Mothers indicated their perceptions of their adolescent children's alcohol use, and adolescents reported their actual use of alcohol. RESULTS There was a tendency for mothers to underestimate alcohol use, sometimes substantially so. Maternal attributions followed a correlational pattern consistent with the scientific literature. There was evidence, however, that mothers may overgeneralize the applicability of these correlates, resulting in misattributions. CONCLUSIONS Our analyses have important practical implications for parent-based intervention programs aimed at preventing adolescent alcohol use. First, programs should alert parents to the cues that signify adolescent alcohol consumption. Second, intervention programs should appropriately sensitize parents to identifying adolescent alcohol use in cases in which the child may not fit the stereotype of an adolescent drinker. Third, intervention messages should emphasize firm and consistent parental actions that minimize alcohol use independent of the particular cues that an adolescent is projecting.