Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determinants of low birth weight: methodological assessment and meta-analysis.

43 determinants of low birth weight were analyzed from 895 published papers in the English and French literature from 1970-1984. The assessment was limited to singleton births of women living at sea level with no chronic illness; rare factors and complications of pregnancy were excluded. The 43 factors were categorized as genetic and constitutional, demographic and psychosocial, obstetric, nutritional, maternal morbidity during pregnancy, toxic exposure and antenatal care. The existence and magnitude of a causal effect on birth weight, gestational age, prematurity and intrauterine growth retardation were determined by a set of methodological standards. In developed countries, the most important factor was cigarette smoking, followed by nutrition and pre-pregnancy weight. In developing countries the major determinants were racial origin, nutrition, low pre-pregnancy weight, short maternal stature, and malaria. Pre-pregnancy weight, prior premature birth or miscarriage, diethylstilbestrol exposure and smoking were major determinants of gestational duration, but the majority of prematurity was unexplained in both developed and developing countries. There is a need for future research on the effect of maternal work, prenatal care, and certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies on intrauterine growth, and the effect of genital tract infection, prenatal care, maternal employment, stress and anxiety on prematurity.
Salivary carriage of periodontal pathogens in generalized aggressive periodontitis families.

BACKGROUND Generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAP) is a multifactorial disease that shows a specific microbial profile and a familial aggregation. AIM This study evaluated the salivary microbial profile of families with a history of GAP and compared them with healthy families. DESIGN Fifteen families with parents presenting periodontal health and 15 with parents with a history of GAP were selected. Each family had a child aged 6-12 years. Stimulated saliva was collected from all subjects, and Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Tannerella forsythia (Tf), and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) amounts were determined. RESULTS Children of GAP families showed higher detection of Aa (90%) than children of healthy families (45%) (P < 0.05). Parents with GAP showed a Pg salivary concentration statistically higher than that of healthy parents (P < 0.05). Children of GAP families, however, exhibited similar Pg concentration than healthy children (P > 0.05). Tf amounts did not differ either in parents or in children (P > 0.05) The infection risk calculation indicates that children who have one parent who is positive for Aa have 16.3 times (95% CI 3.1-87.2) more risk of being infected with Aa (P < 0.05) than children from an Aa-negative family. CONCLUSION It may be concluded that children of parents with aggressive periodontitis have higher levels and higher risk of Aa infection.
Joining feature-based and similarity-based pattern description paradigms for object detection

In pattern recognition, two of the main paradigms for describing objects are the feature-based and the (dis)similarity-based one. The former aims at encoding tangible features that characterize the object per-se. The latter gives a relational description of the object, considering the similarities with other reference entities. In this paper, we propose the marriage between these two philosophies: this is possible by considering an object as described by its local parts. Actually, object parts can be described by features, and structural information can be extracted considering the similarities between parts. We cast our intuition in an object detection framework, where we select HOG as feature and simple euclidean distances for the similarity computation. The results show how this hybrid representation outperforms the single paradigms, demonstrating their complementarity.
Clients’ perspectives on HIV/AIDS care and treatment and reproductive health services in South Africa

Abstract Qualitative research was conducted with HIV-positive women and men of reproductive age attending HIV/AIDS care and treatment services at a public health clinic in Cape Town, South Africa. Focus group discussions were held with women (n = 4) and men (n = 4), and in-depth interviews were held with four men to explore perceptions and experiences of HIV/AIDS care and treatment and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care. Respondents praised their HIV/AIDS care and treatment, reflected on how it improved their quality of life and contrasted this with suboptimal care at other public health facilities, including SRH services. Women wanted integrated services, especially for contraception and to reduce stigma. HIV-positive men's lack of experience with SRH services and antipathy towards attending “women's” health services were highlighted. Challenges to involving men in HIV/AIDS care and treatment and SRH services and measures to address this were identified.
Proteome‐wide analysis of temporal phosphorylation dynamics in lysophosphatidic acid‐induced signaling

Most growth factor receptors trigger phosphorylation‐based signal transduction to translate environmental stimuli into defined biological responses. In addition to comprehensive and reliable assessment of growth factor‐induced phosphoregulation, temporal resolution is needed to gain insights into the organizing principles of the cellular signaling machinery. Here, we introduce a refined experimental design for MS‐based phosphoproteomics to reconcile the need for high comprehensiveness and temporal resolution with the key requirement of monitoring biological reproducibility. We treated SILAC‐labeled SCC‐9 cells with the seven transmembrane receptor ligand lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and identified more than 17 000 phosphorylation sites. Filtering for biological replicate quantification yielded five‐time point profiles for 6292 site‐specific phosphorylations, which we analyzed for statistically significant regulation. Notably, about 30% of these sites changed significantly upon LPA stimulation, indicating extensive phosphoproteome regulation in response to this growth factor. Analysis of time series data identified distinct temporal profiles for different kinase substrate motifs, likely reflecting temporal orchestration of cellular kinase activities. Our data further indicated coordinated regulation of biological processes and phosphoprotein networks upon LPA stimulation. Finally, we detected regulation of functionally characterized phosphorylation sites not yet implicated in LPA signaling, which may foster a better understanding how LPA regulates cellular physiology on the molecular level.
Ion Velocity and Plasma Potential Measurements of a Cylindrical Cusped Field Thruster

Measurements of the most probable time-averaged axial ion velocities and plasma potential within the acceleration channel and in the plume of a straight-channeled cylindrical cusped field thruster operating on xenon are presented. Ion velocities for the thruster are derived from laser-induced fluorescence measurements of the 5d[4]7/2-6p[3]5/2 xenon ion excited state transition centered at λ=834.72nm. Plasma potential measurements are made using a floating emissive probe with a thoriated-tungsten filament. The thruster is operated in a power matched condition with 300 V applied anode potential for comparison to previous krypton plasma potential measurements, and a low power condition with 150 V applied anode potential. Correlations are seen between the plasma potential drop outside of the thruster and kinetic energy contours of the accelerating ions.
A Fast and Sensitive Molecular Detection of Streptococcus mutans and Actinomyces viscosus from Dental Plaques

Pol comparison with conventional method for the detection of cariogenic bacteria (Streptococcus mutans and Actinomyces viscosus) in dental plaque samples taken from two different teeth sites, a crowned tooth (tooth with crown restoration) and a natural tooth. Nested Polymerase chain reaction (N- PCR) was performed on genomic DNA which was isolated directly from plaque samples and it revealed the presence of Streptococcus bacteria and Streptococcus mutans species using two sets of 16s rDNA specific primers. Actinomyces viscosus isolates were detected also by using conventional PCR. The plaque samples were recorded negative for the presence of cariogenic bacteria, depending on conventional microbiological methods. But the same samples were recorded positive for the presence of those bacteria depending on molecular approach. This finding demonstrates that the sensitivity and specifity of the PCR techniques in the detection of the cariogenic bacteria in plaque samples are higher than the conventional culture method. ymerase chain reaction was used in this study in ﺔﻳﺪﻴﻠﻘﺘﻟا قﺮﻄﻟا ﻊﻣ ةﺮﻤﻠﺒﻤﻟا ﺔﻠﺴﻠﺴﻟا ﻞﻋﺎﻔﺗ ﺔﻧرﺎﻘﻣ ﺔﺳارﺪﻟا ﻩﺬه ﻲﻓ ﺖﻤﺗ
Nonaffective motivation modulates the sustained LPP (1,000-2,000 ms).

Past work has demonstrated that the sustained late positive potential (LPP) is modulated by motivational demands of affective content. The current experiment sought to investigate how motivational demands in nonaffective tasks would modulate the sustained LPP. Using a modified oddball paradigm, participants either counted the number of appearances of a nonaffective target or determined the duration length of the target. Results showed that targets in both the counted and duration tasks produced larger LPPs in the early window (400-1,000 ms) than the neutral standard. Only the duration target produced larger LPPs in the late time window (1,000-2,000 ms) than the neutral standard. These results suggest that the late LPP is a measure of persistent motivated attentional processing and can be modulated by nonaffective motivation.
Ah méfiance, quand tu tiens la France...

Personne n’a souligne avec plus de verve que Pierre Daninos combien les Francais peuvent etre mefiants. Certes, Les carnets du major Thompson remontent a une epoque longtemps revolue. L’ouvrage s’est cependant vite etabli comme un classique du vingtieme siecle et continue a attirer de nombreux lecteurs qui se feront, lors de leur lecture, certaines representations de la langue-culture francaise et de ses valeurs culturelles. La question se pose de savoir si la mefiance identifiee par Daninos comme un trait particulierement francais est une valeur a laquelle les Francais restent attaches, s’il s’agit plutot d’un defaut, ou si elle a cesse de jouer dans le quotidien des Francais le role (positif ou negatif) qu’elle y jouait il y a soixante ans. Nous avancons l’hypothese qu’au debut du troisieme millenaire la mefiance reste une attitude profondement francaise, une qualite souvent mal comprise au-dela des frontieres de l’Hexagone. Nous attirerons l’attention sur la saillance et la valorisation de la mefiance dans la langue-culture francaise, d’abord en reproduisant quelques temoignages explicites a ce sujet, ensuite en rappelant l’ubiquite du theme de la mefiance dans les titres de presse, de librairie et de chanson, a la television, et dans des campagnes de sensibilisation. Dans un effort de montrer que la langue elle-meme fournit des indications sur les valeurs culturelles francaises, nous passerons ensuite a une corroboration linguistique des merites de la mefiance axee surtout sur les tournures courantes, les proverbes et les expressions imagees qui soulignent l’importance de la mefiance dans la langue-culture francaise.
[Preliminary analysis of the psychometric properties of the French version of an international questionnaire measuring the quality of life: the MOS SF-36 (version 1.1)].

The International Quality of Life Assessment (IQOLA) Project is a 4 year project initiated in 1991 to translate and adapt the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 item Health Survey (SF-36) in at least 15 countries. This paper reports on the preliminary psychometric assessment of the SF-36 in French (version 1.1). The validation data come from two studies: a phase IV study of 121 patients with arthritis and a phase IV study of 159 patients with angina. In both cases, the patients were surveyed using the SF-36 and a disease specific module. The main objective of this analysis was to determine how well the scaling assumptions (summated rating or Likert type scaling construction) of the SF-36 were satisfied. Item convergent validity was supported as items-scale correlation range from 0.47-0.87. Item discriminant validity was supported as all items were more correlated with their hypothesised scales than with scales measuring other concepts. Our data support the assumption that the items measuring the same concept had approximately equal variance. Items in a given scale contained about the same proportion of information about the concept being measured, as most items of any given dimension had approximately the same correlation with that dimension. The Cronbach alpha coefficient ranged between 0.79 and 0.95. The correlation between two scales was less than the reliability coefficient for those scales, and these correlations adjusted for attenuation were less than 1. These preliminary results are encouraging. They indicate that the items are linearly related to the underlying concept being measured. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Towards complete and accurate reporting of studies of diagnostic accuracy: the STARD initiative

Abstract Objective: To improve the accuracy and completeness of reporting of studies of diagnostic accuracy, to allow readers to assess the potential for bias in a study, and to evaluate a study's generalisability. Methods: The Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy (STARD) steering committee searched the literature to identify publications on the appropriate conduct and reporting of diagnostic studies and extracted potential items into an extensive list. Researchers, editors, and members of professional organisations shortened this list during a two day consensus meeting, with the goal of developing a checklist and a generic flow diagram for studies of diagnostic accuracy. Results: The search for published guidelines about diagnostic research yielded 33 previously published checklists, from which we extracted a list of 75 potential items. At the consensus meeting, participants shortened the list to a 25 item checklist, by using evidence, whenever available. A prototype of a flow diagram provides information about the method of patient recruitment, the order of test execution, and the numbers of patients undergoing the test under evaluation and the reference standard, or both. Conclusions: Evaluation of research depends on complete and accurate reporting. If medical journals adopt the STARD checklist and flow diagram, the quality of reporting of studies of diagnostic accuracy should improve to the advantage of clinicians, researchers, reviewers, journals, and the public. The Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy (STARD) steering group aims to improve the accuracy and completeness of reporting of studies of diagnostic accuracy. The group describes and explains the development of a checklist and flow diagram for authors of reports
Numerical Analysis of Passively Mode-Locked Quantum-Dot Lasers With Absorber Section at the Low-Reflectivity Output Facet

In this paper, we present a theoretical study on the optimization of passively mode-locked quantum dot lasers based on an alternative cavity design. In particular, we investigate a geometry in which the saturable absorber is located near the low reflection facet of the chip (output facet). The investigation is carried out by means of a time-domain traveling wave numerical model for quantum-dot active medium for both the gain and absorbing sections. The analysis shows superior performance in terms of pulsewidth and peak power of devices based on the new geometry compared to devices based on the conventional geometry, where the saturable absorber is placed near the high reflectivity facet. The optimization relies on the enhanced bleaching of the saturable absorber when the latter is located near the output facet, which prevents the generation of colliding or self-colliding pulse effects.
Characterization of a psychrotrophic Clostridium causing spoilage in vacuum‐packed cooked pork: description of Clostridium algidicarnis sp. nov.

A Clostridium species causing spoilage of vacuum‐packed refrigerated pork was isolated and characterized. The unknown organism differed phenotypically from other clostridial species usually associated with spoilage. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that the psychrotroph represents a distinct line of descent within the genus Clostridium. It is proposed that the organism be classified as a new species of the genus Clostridium, Clostridium algidicarnis.
VisBio: A Computational Tool for Visualization of Multidimensional Biological Image Data

New laser scanning microscopy techniques enable biologists to acquire larger, more complex image datasets. Emerging imaging modalities such as multispectral, harmonic, and fluorescence lifetime can generate data with six or more dimensions; however, existing software is not well suited to the visualization or analysis of such data. To address these concerns, we have developed VisBio, an application and toolkit for visualization and analysis of multidimensional, biological image data of any dimensionality.
The association between childhood autistic traits and adolescent psychotic experiences is explained by general neuropsychiatric problems

Studies suggest associations between childhood autistic traits and adolescent psychotic experiences. However, recent research suggests that a general neuropsychiatric problems factor predicts adverse outcomes better than specific diagnostic entities. To examine if the alleged association between autistic traits and psychotic experiences could rather be explained by a general neuropsychiatric problems factor comprising symptoms of ADHD, tic disorder, developmental coordination disorder, and learning disorder, we conducted a prospective cohort study based on the Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden. In addition, we examined the genetic and environmental influences on the associations. A total of 9,282 twins with data on childhood autistic traits and other neuropsychiatric problems, and follow‐up data on psychotic experiences at ages 15 and/or 18 years were included. First, psychotic experiences were regressed on autistic traits and second, the general neuropsychiatric problems factor was added to the model. Auditory hallucinations were analyzed separately from the other psychotic experiences. Finally, twin analyses were employed to disentangle genetic from environmental influences in the observed associations. Replicating prior research, significant associations were found between autistic traits in childhood and auditory hallucinations at ages 15 and 18. However, after controlling for the general neuropsychiatric problems factor, the associations between autistic traits and auditory hallucinations disappeared, whereas the association between the general neuropsychiatric problems factor and auditory hallucinations persisted after controlling for autistic traits. Twin analyses revealed that the association between the general neuropsychiatric problems factor and auditory hallucinations was driven by shared genetic influences. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hypoxia-induced expression of vascular endothelial growth factor by retinal cells is a common factor in neovascularizing ocular diseases.

BACKGROUND It is generally assumed that unwarranted, excessive neovascularization of the retina and iris is a direct response to a hypoxic retinal environment. Prompted by our previous findings that the potent angiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), is hypoxia-inducible, we used in situ hybridization techniques to examine the thesis that VEGF functions as the link between retinal ischemia and a pathologic, intraocular, angiogenic response. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN To gain molecular access to human material representing progressive stages of angiogenic eye diseases, in situ hybridization analysis was carried out on sections of whole globes enucleated at the time of ongoing neovascularization. This methodology identified cells that have up-regulated VEGF expression during natural progression of the indicated diseases. A rabbit model was also used to determine whether experimentally induced retinal ischemia leads to up-regulation of VEGF expression. RESULTS Proliferation of vascular elements in proliferative diabetic retinopathy and neovascularization of the retina and/or iris secondary to central retinal vein occlusion, retinal detachment, and intraocular tumors were always accompanied by induction of retinal VEGF expression. Furthermore, in each case, expression of VEGF was induced only in a particular layer of the retina (either the outer nuclear layer, the inner nuclear layer, or the ganglion cell layer), matching the zones affected by impaired perfusion. In a rabbit model simulating retinal vein occlusion, elevated levels of VEGF mRNA were detected within a few days of experimental induction of retinal ischemia, exclusively in the ischemic region. CONCLUSIONS VEGF may be one of the long anticipated factors linking retinal ischemia and intraocular angiogenesis. Irrespective of the cause of retinal ischemia, sustained overproduction of VEGF by ischemic retinal cells may promote retinal and iris neovascularization in a number of neovascular eye diseases.
A Secreted Aminopeptidase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Using leucine-p-nitroanilide (Leu-pNA) as a substrate, we demonstrated aminopeptidase activity in the culture filtrates of several Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. The aminopeptidase was partially purified by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and found to be heat stable. The apparent molecular mass of the enzyme was ∼56 kDa; hence, it was designated AP56. Heating (70 °C) of the partially purified aminopeptidase preparations led to the conversion of AP56 to a ∼28-kDa protein (AP28) that retained enzyme activity, a reaction that depended on elastase (LasB). The pH optimum for Leu-pNA hydrolysis by AP28 was 8.5. This activity was inhibited by Zn chelators but not by inhibitors of serine- or thiol-proteases, suggesting that AP28 is a Zn-dependent enzyme. Of several amino acidp-nitroanilide derivatives examined, Leu-pNA was the preferred substrate. The sequences of the first 20 residues of AP56 and AP28 were determined. A search of theP. aeruginosa genomic data base revealed a perfect match of these sequences with positions 39–58 and 273–291, respectively, in a 536-amino acid residue open reading frame predicted to encode an aminopeptidase. A search for sequence similarities with other proteins revealed 52% identity with Streptomyces griseusaminopeptidase, ∼35% identity with Saccharomyces cerevisiae aminopeptidase Y and a hypothetical aminopeptidase from Bacillus subtilis, and 29–32% with Aeromonas caviae, Vibrio proteolyticus, and Vibrio cholerae aminopeptidases. The residues potentially involved in zinc coordination were conserved in all these proteins. Thus, P. aeruginosa aminopeptidase may belong to the same family (M28) of metalloproteases.