Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of chosen polymorphisms in FoxP3 gene in children and adolescents with autoimmune thyroid diseases

Abstract Introduction: Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) is an important regulatory factor for the development and function of T regulatory (Treg) cells. Moreover, it has been established that deficiency of the Foxp3 gene in Treg cells suppresses their regulatory function leading to the development of autoimmune diseases especially autoimmune thyroid diseases. The aim of our study was to estimate the association of three polymorphism of FOXP3 gene with the predisposition to Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) in children and adolescents. Materials and methods: The study was performed in the group consisting of 145 patients with GD (mean age, 16.5 ± 2 years), 87 patients with HT (mean age, 15.2 ± 2.2 years) sequentially recruited from the endocrinology outpatient clinic and 161 healthy volunteers (mean age, 16.3 ± 3 years). DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood leukocytes using a classical salting-out method. The three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs3761549 (−2383C/T), rs3761548 (−3279G/T) and rs3761547 (−3499T/C) in the FOXP3 gene were genotyped by TaqMan SNP genotyping assay using the real-time PCR method. The levels of thyroid hormones, TSH and anti-thyroid autoantibody were determined using chemiluminescence method. Results: In our study, rs3761549G/A genotype was more frequent in female patients with GD in comparison to healthy female (15% vs. 7%, p = 0.033) with OR = 2.15 and 95% confidence interval for OR: 1.07–4.63. We have also observed rs3761547T/C to be more frequent in females with GD in comparison to control females, and this difference was close to statistically important (13% vs. 7%, p = 0.066) with OR = 1.99 and 95% confidence interval for OR: 0.96–4.48. There were no significant differences in males in analyzed SNPs and in females with rs3761548 SNP. Conclusion: In conclusion, these results may suggest that rs3761549G/A polymorphism in Foxp3 gene could contribute to GD development in females.
Positive Research on Perception Drivers' Influence on Customer Equity

Composed of cross purchase and reputation publicizing, perception drives as well as its influence on customer equity are analyzed in this paper, in addition to which the view that neglect of cross purchase will result in underestimate of customers' total purchase and ignoring reputation publicizing will bring about two completely different result is accepted in this paper. Positive reputation publicizing can aggrandize customers' purchase and customer amount, and negative reputation publicizing just stands oppositely. Since a mature firm will try its best to play down negative reputation publicizing, ignoring reputation publicizing will systematically underestimate customer amount and purchase and further result in systematic underestimation of customer equity. In order to testify this view, taking a mobile communication firm as research object, and basing on the three-dimension formation model and four-dimension formation model of customer equity's drivers, this paper measured the customer equity of this firm with the principal component analysis as method and advanced return on marketing model as analysis tool. Through the comparison of the measurement result, the conclusion that neglect of perception drivers actually results in systematic underestimation of customer equity is acquired.
Novel Nonlinear Prediction Based Features for Spoofed Speech Detection

Several speech synthesis and voice conversion techniques can easily generate or manipulate speech to deceive the speaker verification (SV) systems. Hence, there is a need to develop spoofing countermeasures to detect the human speech from spoofed speech. System-based features have been known to contribute significantly to this task. In this paper, we extend a recent study of Linear Prediction (LP) and Long-Term Prediction (LTP)-based features to LP and Nonlinear Prediction (NLP)-based features. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed countermeasure, we use the corpora provided at the ASVspoof 2015 challenge. A Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM)-based classifier is used and the % Equal Error Rate (EER) is used as a performance measure. On the development set, it is found that LP-LTP and LP-NLP features gave an average EER of 4.78 % and 9.18 %, respectively. Score-level fusion of LP-LTP (and LP-NLP) with Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC) gave an EER of 0.8 % (and 1.37 %), respectively. After score-level fusion of LP-LTP, LP-NLP and MFCC features, the EER is significantly reduced to 0.57 %. The LP-LTP and LP-NLP features have found to work well even for Blizzard Challenge 2012 speech database.
Induction of cellular resistance against Kupffer cell–derived oxidant stress: A novel concept of hepatoprotection by ischemic preconditioning

Ischemic preconditioning (IP) triggers protection of the liver from prolonged subsequent ischemia. However, the underlying protective mechanisms are largely unknown. We investigated whether and how IP protects the liver against reperfusion injury caused by Kupffer cell (KC)‐derived oxidants. IP before 90 minutes of warm ischemia of rat livers in vivo significantly reduced serum alanine aminotransferase (AST) levels and leukocyte adherence to sinusoids and postsinusoidal venules during reperfusion. This protective effect was mimicked by postischemic intravenous infusion of glutathione (GSH), an antioxidative strategy against KC‐derived H2O2. Interestingly, no additional protection was achieved by infusion of GSH to preconditioned animals. These findings and several additional experiments strongly suggest IP mediated antioxidative effects: IP prevented oxidant cell injury in isolated perfused rat livers after selective KC activation by zymosan. Moreover, IP prevented cell injury and pertubations of the intracellular GSH/GSSG redox system caused by direct infusion of H2O2 (0.5 mmol/L). IP‐mediated resistance against H2O2 could neither be blocked by the adenosine A2a antagonist DMPX nor mimicked by A2a agonist CGS21680. In contrast, H2O2 resistance was abolished by the p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) inhibitor SB203580, but induced when p38 MAPK was directly activated by anisomycin. In conclusion, we propose a novel concept of hepatoprotection by IP: protection of liver cells by enhancing their resistance against KC‐derived H2O2. Activation of p38 MAPK and preservation of the intracellular GSH/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) redox system, but not adenosine A2a receptor stimulation, seems to be pivotal for the development of H2O2 resistance in preconditioned livers.
Social adjustment in victims of sexual assault.

This study investigated the social adjustment of rape victims for 1 year following their assaults. Ninety-three rape victims were seen approximately 2 weeks after the assault and at 1,2, 4, 8, and 12 months postrape. A matched control group of nonvictims was seen at the same intervals. To control for the effects of repeated testing, three additional groups of victims were assessed only once at either 2, 4, or 8 months postrape. All participants completed a social adjustment scale, which yielded a total adjustment score as well as subscale scores for five areas of adjustment: work; economic; social and leisure; marital, parental, and family unit; and extended family. Victims exhibited disruption in overall social adjustment and most of the subscale roles for the first few months following their assaults. By 4 months postrape, most of the subscales had stabilized at levels similar to the nonvictims'. Work adjustment continued to be affected through 8 months postrape. Single-testing control victims appeared to have more problems in social adjustment, particularly with regard to relationships with relatives.
Perceived insecurity, mental health and urbanization: Results from a multicentric study

Aims: This article aims to (1) explore the levels of perceived insecurity in a sample of patients with mood or anxiety disorders and (2) assess whether living in ‘big cities’ can influence the levels of patients’ perceived insecurity and social contacts compared to living in a non-urbanized context. Methods: A total of 24 Italian mental health centers (MHCs) have been invited to participate. Twenty patients consecutively accessing the MHC have been recruited. All patients have been assessed using validated assessment tools. Results: The sample consisted of 426 patients, mostly female, with a mean age of 45 years. Globally, 52.2% of patients had a diagnosis of mood disorders, and 37.8% had anxiety disorders. Half of the sample declared that the main feeling toward life is uncertainty; higher levels of pessimistic views toward life have been detected in patients living in urban areas. A positive association between negative attitudes toward life and higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms, poor social functioning and higher levels of perceived psychological distress has been found. Conclusion: Our findings confirm the presence of a common sense of perceived uncertainty among our sample. Such attitude toward life can have a detrimental impact on patients’ psychological and physical well-being, contributing to high levels of distress.
An Improved Body Mass Dataset for the Study of Marsupial Brain Size Evolution

data is expected to be small, as the brain sizes of several adult specimens and their body masses are typically recorded, and thus the body mass range of individualbased body mass data is expected to approximate that of the averages of the literature. It is therefore not surprising that studies of body mass versus brain sizes have successfully used both literature-based [Isler and Van Schaik, 2009] and individual-based body mass data [e.g. Eisenberg and Wilson, 1981]. In a recent study on marsupial endocranial volumes (considered to proxy brain weight), Ashwell [2008] preferred the use of individual body mass data which were, however, mostly unavailable from museum collections. Instead, he estimated individual body mass based on a frequently used body mass estimation formula specifically for marsupials, which is based on mandible length [Myers, 2001]. In this note, we point out that although many of the body mass estimates from Ashwell [2008] provide a good fit to individual museum records, there are some issues that suggest to us that body mass averages from the literature reflect specimen body mass more accurately. In particular, mandibular length estimates appear to have underestimated body mass in many species, particularly those with a feeding ecology that favours short snouts. In a few instances, the body masses of comThe scaling of vertebrate (particularly mammalian and avian) brain size relative to body mass has received much attention and its precise nature has been the subject of long-standing debate [Jerison, 1973; van Dongen, 1998; Weisbecker and Goswami, 2011]. Virtually all studies of vertebrate brain size evolution are conducted in the framework of assessing brain size relative to body mass [but see Deaner et al., 2007], mostly through the use of brain size residuals on a logarithmic regression of brain size against body mass. While body mass data are essential for the meaningful analysis of brain size, the choice of an appropriate proxy of body mass is not straightforward. Two avenues, each with their merits, have been used in the past: first, the recording of body mass along with brain measurement of specimens, and second, the use of literaturebased mass averages. The fact that brain size/body mass scaling differs within as well as between species [e.g. Kruska, 2005] might suggest that the use of individualbased brain sizes would give greater precision. However, it can also be argued that the use of literature-based body mass better acknowledges the error inherent to the use of a single species value, as it represents the statistical mean of a species-specific ‘cloud’ of data points. In most cases, the difference between literature averages and individual Published online: April 24, 2013
Feline immunodeficiency virus diagnosis after vaccination

Abstract Prior to the widespread use of vaccination for the control of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection, diagnosis was made by the detection of antibodies against FIV. A number of commercial animal side tests perform quite well for this determination, with positive predictive values between 91 and 100% and negative predictive values between 96 and 100%. Furthermore, results of these tests could be confirmed by western blot analysis of FIV test-positive sera. Currently, a killed whole virus FIV vaccine has been made available to practitioners. Vaccinated cats seroconvert by ELISA and western blot, making presently available diagnostic tests, which rely on antibody detection, useless in cats after vaccination. The advisory panels of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and Academy of Feline Medicine both recommend testing for feline leukemia virus antigen and FIV antibody before vaccination.
Surpassing the standard quantum limit in an atom interferometer with four-mode entanglement produced from four-wave mixing

We theoretically investigate a scheme for atom interferometry that surpasses the standard quantum limit. A four-wave mixing scheme similar to the recent experiment performed by Pertot et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 200402 (2010)] is used to generate subshotnoise correlations between two modes. These two modes are then interfered with the remaining two modes in such a way as to surpass the standard quantum limit, whilst utilizing all of the available atoms. Our scheme can be viewed as using two correlated interferometers. That is, the signal from each interferometer when looked at individually is classical, but there are correlations between the two interferometers that allow for the standard quantum limit to be surpassed.
SERCA2a gene therapy in heart failure: an anti‐arrhythmic positive inotrope

Therapeutic options that directly enhance cardiomyocyte contractility in chronic heart failure (HF) therapy are currently limited and do not improve prognosis. In fact, most positive inotropic agents, such as β‐adrenoreceptor agonists and PDE inhibitors, which have been assessed in HF patients, cause increased mortality as a result of arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. Cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase2a (SERCA2a) is a key protein involved in sequestration of Ca2+ into the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) during diastole. There is a reduction of SERCA2a protein level and function in HF, which has been successfully targeted via viral transfection of the SERCA2a gene into cardiac tissue in vivo. This has enhanced cardiac contractility and reduced mortality in several preclinical models of HF. Theoretical concerns have been raised regarding the possibility of arrhythmogenic adverse effects of SERCA2a gene therapy due to enhanced SR Ca2+ load and induction of SR Ca2+ leak as a result. Contrary to these concerns, SERCA2a gene therapy in a wide variety of preclinical models, including acute ischaemia/reperfusion, chronic pressure overload and chronic myocardial infarction, has resulted in a reduction in ventricular arrhythmias. The potential mechanisms for this unexpected beneficial effect, as well as mechanisms of enhancement of cardiac contractile function, are reviewed in this article.
Complete mitochondrial genome of the pink clownfish Amphiprion perideraion (Pisces: Perciformes, Pomacentridae)

Abstract In this study the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of the pink clownfish Amphiprion perideraion was obtained by using eight consensus primer pairs with a long PCR technique. The circular mtDNA molecule was 16,579 bp in size and the overall nucleotide composition of the H-strand was 29.37% A, 25.50% T, 15.68% G and 29.45% C, with an A + T bias. The complete mitogenome contained 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNAs, 22 tRNAs and a control region, and the gene order was typical of vertebrate mitogenomes. The complete mitochondrial genome of A. perideraion is a representative of the subgenus Phalerebus for mitogenomes database of anemonefishes, which can be used to unveil taxonomic problems and phylogenetic relationships in Amphiprioninae.
Development of next generation apparatus for measurement of curve degree in idiopathic scoliosis

This paper presents a new measurement device and evaluation system for idiopathic scoliosis. In order to prevent idiopathic scoliosis, one of the most important methods is to find the sign of scoliosis in early stage. Moiré topography system is widely used for the above purpose. However, no more alternative parts of the system are produced, and difficult to implement an evaluation system on the conventional system. In this paper, laser displacement sensor is used to measure the three-dimensional surface of the human back. The laser sensor moves on XY planes to scan the back of interest by robot cylinders. The measurement results are compared to Moiré topography image. The device is evaluated compared to Moiré topography system. Moreover, the effectiveness of positioning device is examined experimentally. The possibilities of the prototype device as a group examination device are discussed. The main purpose of the prototype device is to reduce the workload of medical specialist in diagnostic process.
A Misunderstanding Regarding the Duty to Report Suspected Abuse

Confusion exists among professionals as to the circumstances under which a mandatory child abuse reporter must file a report. A review of the literature reveals that professionals sometimes feel obligated to make reports, even though they harbor no suspicion that abuse actually occurred. For example, some individuals believe that they must report abuse allegations made by other individuals, even if the mandatory reporter does not suspect abuse. The authors found that the mandatory reporting statutes of 49 states and the District of Columbia do not require reports unless the reporter has a suspicion of abuse. New York may be an exception. The authors conclude that mandatory reporters generally are not required to report abuse allegations if they themselves do not suspect that abuse occurred. This article encourages mandatory reporters to report abuse as required by the law, but not make unnecessary reports out of confusion or misinformation.
Luminosity measurements for the R scan experiment at BESIII *

: By analyzing the large-angle Bhabha scattering events e + e (cid:0) ! ( (cid:13) )e + e (cid:0) and diphoton events e + e (cid:0) ! ( (cid:13) ) (cid:13)(cid:13) for the data sets collected at center-of-mass (c.m.) energies between 2.2324 and 4.5900 GeV (131 energy points in total) with the upgraded Beijing Spectrometer (BESIII) at the Beijing Electron-Positron Collider (BEPCII), the integrated luminosities have been measured at the di(cid:11)erent c.m. energies, individually. The results are important inputs for the R value and J = resonance parameter measurements.
Melatonin attenuates antipsychotic metabolic effects: an eight‐week randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group, placebo‐controlled clinical trial

Second‐generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are among the first‐line treatments for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, but have a tendency to generate metabolic disturbances. These features resemble a metabolic syndrome for which a central autonomic imbalance has been proposed that may originate from the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nuclei. In a clinical trial, we hypothesized that melatonin, a hormone that regulates the suprachiasmatic nucleus, could attenuate SGA‐induced adverse metabolic effects.
An African swine fever virus gene with similarity to the proto-oncogene bcl-2 and the Epstein-Barr virus gene BHRF1

An open reading frame, LMW5-HL, in the African swine fever virus genome displays a high degree of similarity to the proto-oncogene bcl-2 and, to a lesser degree, the Epstein-Barr virus gene BHRF1. A highly conserved central region is found in all three proteins. LMW5-HL encodes a protein of 18 kDa that is present in infected porcine macrophages at both early and late times postinfection. The similarity of LMW5-HL to bcl-2 and BHRF1 suggests a role for it in cell maintenance during productive or persistent viral infection.
In vivo imaging xenograft models for the evaluation of anti‐brain tumor efficacy of targeted drugs

Molecular‐targeted drugs are generally effective against tumors containing driver oncogenes, such as EGFR, ALK, and NTRK1. However, patients harboring these oncogenes frequently experience a progression of brain metastases during treatment. Here, we present an in vivo imaging model for brain tumors using human cancer cell lines, including the EGFR‐L858R/T790M‐positive H1975 lung adenocarcinoma cells, the NUGC4 hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)‐dependent gastric cancer cells, and the KM12SM colorectal cancer cells containing the TPM3‐NTRK1 gene fusion. We investigated the efficacy of targeted drugs by comparison with their effect in extracranial models. In vitro, H1975 cells were sensitive to the third‐generation epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor osimertinib. Moreover, HGF stimulated the proliferation of NUGC4 cells, that was inhibited by crizotinib, which has anti‐MET activity. KM12SM cells were sensitive to the tropomyosin‐related kinase‐A inhibitors crizotinib and entrectinib. In in vivo H1975 cell models, osimertinib inhibited the progression of both brain and subcutaneous tumors. Furthermore, in in vivo NUGC4 cell models, crizotinib remarkably delayed the progression of brain tumors, and that of peritoneal carcinomatosis. Interestingly, in in vivo KM12SM cell models, treatment with crizotinib delayed the progression of liver metastases, but not that of brain tumors. Conversely, treatment with entrectinib discernibly delayed the progression of both tumor types. Thus, the effect of targeted drugs against brain tumors can differ from the one reported in extracranial tumors. Moreover, the same multikinase inhibitory drug can display different efficacies in brain tumor models containing different drivers. Therefore, our in vivo imaging model for brain tumors may prove useful for preclinical drug screening against brain metastases.