Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Declining serum total cholesterol levels among US adults. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.

OBJECTIVE To examine the secular trend in serum total cholesterol levels of the US adult population. DESIGN Nationally representative cross-sectional surveys with both an in person interview and a medical examination that included the measurement of blood lipid levels. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Between 6000 and 13,000 adults aged 20 through 74 years examined in each of four separate national surveys during 1960 through 1962, 1971 through 1974, 1976 through 1980, and 1988 through 1991. RESULTS Mean serum total cholesterol levels in US adults aged 20 through 74 years have consistently declined over the time period 1960 through 1991. More than half of the decline occurred during the time period 1976 through 1991. This decline occurred across the entire distribution of serum cholesterol levels and in all age-sex groups. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels have not changed, suggesting that the decline in total cholesterol levels is due to a decline in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. CONCLUSIONS These results document a continuing and substantial decline in serum cholesterol levels among US adults. They suggest that public health programs, designed to reduce cholesterol levels, are proving successful. The observed downward trend in serum cholesterol levels has coincided with a continuing decline in coronary heart disease mortality. These observations suggest that the Healthy People 2000 goal of reducing the mean serum cholesterol level of US adults to no more than 200 mg/dL (5.17 mmol/L) is attainable.
Taxonomic and functional aspects of the patterning of enamel thickness distribution in extant large-bodied hominoids.

One of the few uncontested viewpoints in studies of enamel thickness is that the molars of the African apes, Pan and Gorilla, possess "thin" enamel, while Pongo and modern humans possess varying degrees of "thick" enamel, even when interspecific differences in overall body or tooth size are taken into account. Such studies focus primarily on estimates of the total volume of enamel relative to tooth size (i.e., "relative" enamel thickness), as this is thought to bear directly on questions concerning dietary proclivities and phylogenetic relationships. Only recently have studies shifted focus to examining differences in the distribution of enamel across the tooth crown, i.e., the patterning of enamel thickness, as this may contribute to more refined models of tooth function and dietary adaptations in extant hominoids. Additionally, this feature has been suggested to be a reliable indicator of taxonomic affinity in early hominins, though no study has specifically addressed whether species-specific patterns exist among known phena. The aims of this paper were to test more explicitly whether enamel thickness patterning provides valuable taxonomic, functional, and/or phylogenetic information for maxillary molars of large-bodied extant hominoids. A series of seven linear enamel thickness measurements was recorded in the plane of the mesial cusps in cross sections of a total of 62 maxillary molars of P. troglodytes, G. gorilla, P. pygmaeus, and H. sapiens to estimate the patterning of enamel thickness distribution. Results from a discriminant function analysis reveal that, overall, this trait reclassifies extant hominoid maxillary molars with 90% accuracy: 100% of extant Homo, 75. 0% of Pongo, 83.3% of Pan, and 66.7% of Gorilla are reclassified correctly, indicating that this feature possesses a strong taxonomic signal. Furthermore, differences in the structure of the enamel cap are evident among hominoids: modern humans differ from Pongo in possessing proportionally thicker enamel in areas of the crown associated with shearing activity; Pan molars are better designed than those of Gorilla for generating a greater component of crushing/grinding loads. Thus, African ape molars are structurally dissimilar, even though they are both considered to belong to a morphologically homogeneous "thin-enameled" group. Simple developmental mechanisms can be invoked to explain the sometimes subtle differences in the achievement of adult morphology. For instance, human and orangutan molar cusps possess a similar degree of enamel thickness, but the possibility exists that despite similarities in morphology, each species follows a different sequence of secretory activity of enamel to achieve the final, albeit similar, degree of enamel thickness. Such a finding would suggest that the shared possession of "thick" or "thin" enamel among species may be phylogenetically uninformative, as it would not represent a developmental synapomorphy.
Molecular Dissection of VirB, a Key Regulator of the Virulence Cascade of Shigella flexneri *

The VirB protein is a key regulator of virulence gene expression in the facultative enteroinvasive pathogenShigella flexneri. While genetic evidence has shown that it is required for activation of transcription of virulence genes located on a 230-kb plasmid in this bacterium, hitherto, evidence that VirB is a DNA-binding protein has been lacking. Although VirB shows extensive homology to proteins involved in plasmid partitioning, it does not resemble any known conventional transcription factor. Here we show for the first time that VirB binds to the promoter regions of the virulence genes in vivo. We also show that VirB forms dimeric and higher oligomeric structures both in vivo andin vitro and that this property is independent of DNA binding. The oligomerization activity of VirB is distributed over two domains: a leucine zipper-like motif and a carboxyl-terminal domain likely to form triple coiled structures. VirB possesses a helix-turn-helix motif, which is required for DNA binding. The amino-terminal domain of the protein is also required for DNA binding and virulence gene activation. The possibility that VirB requires a co-factor for specific interaction with target promoters in vivo is discussed.
A compatible low-noise multi-phase voltage-controlled-oscillator

A compatible low-noise multi-phase voltage controlled oscillator is demonstrated in this paper. A compatible current steers are used to reduce the gain of VCO. The cascade structure of inverter is used to suppress the intrinsic noise and power supply noise. By increasing the output resistance of current steers with the cascade structure, the supply noise is suppressed. A modified inverter delay stage is designed to reduce the intrinsic noise of VCO. The simulation results of VCO would achieve 108.6dBc/Hz@1MHz.
A maximum-likelihood approach to single-particle image refinement.

The alignment of single-particle images fails at low signal-to-noise ratios and small particle sizes, because noise produces false peaks in the cross-correlation function used for alignment. A maximum-likelihood approach to the two-dimensional alignment problem is described which allows the underlying structure to be estimated from large data sets of very noisy images. Instead of finding the optimum alignment for each image, the algorithm forms a weighted sum over all possible in-plane rotations and translations of the image. The weighting factors, which are the probabilities of the image transformations, are computed as the exponential of a cross-correlation function. Simulated data sets were constructed and processed by the algorithm. The results demonstrate a greatly reduced sensitivity to the choice of a starting reference, and the ability to recover structures from large data sets having very low signal-to-noise ratios.
New function of vitamin B12: cobamide-dependent reduction of epoxyqueuosine to queuosine in tRNAs of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium

Queuosine (Q), 7-[(4,5-cis-dihydroxy-2-cyclopentene-1-yl)-amino)methyl)-7- deazaguanosine, and Q derivatives usually replace guanosine in the anticodon of tRNAs(GUN) of eubacteria and of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial tRNAs of lower and higher eucaryotes except yeasts. Q appears to be synthesized de novo exclusively in eubacteria, and the free-base queuine serves as a nutrient factor for eucaryotes. Recently, a Q derivative, oQ, containing a 2,3-epoxy-4,5-dihydroxycyclopentane ring, has been identified in Escherichia coli tRNA(Tyr). Here we show that oQ is formed when E. coli or Salmonella typhimurium is grown in glucose-salt medium. The formation of oQ was independent of molecular oxygen, and oQ-tRNAs were converted to Q-tRNAs by adding cobalamin to the growth medium. Under strictly anaerobic conditions, considerable amounts of Q were present in E. coli and S. typhimurium tRNAs when the bacteria were grown in the presence of cobalt ions with glycerol as the carbon source and fumarate as the electron acceptor. Under these conditions, the biosynthesis of cobalamin was induced. The results suggest that oQ is derived from ribose and that oQ is finally reduced to Q by a cobamide-dependent enzyme.
Roles of MRP2 and oatp1 in Hepatocellular Export of Reduced Glutathione

Transport of reduced glutathione (GSH) into the extracellular space is the initial and perhaps limiting step in the turnover of the tripeptide in all mammalian cells; however, the transport system or systems that mediate GSH efflux remain obscure. In the liver, a major site of GSH synthesis, GSH is released at high rates into both blood plasma and bile. Nearly half of the GSH released by rat hepatocytes is transported across the canalicular membrane into bile, with biliary GSH concentrations reaching 8 to 10 mM. GSH transport into bile functions as a driving force for bile secretion and plays an important role in hepatic detoxification of drugs, metals, and other reactive compounds of both endogenous and exogenous origin. The remainder of the GSH is released across the sinusoidal membrane into blood plasma for delivery to other tissues. The molecular mechanisms of GSH efflux have not been identified for any cell type, although recent studies provide important insight into possible mechanisms. In particular, oatp1, the sinusoidal organic solute transporter, was recently shown to function as a GSH/organic solute exchanger. This finding identifies both the energy coupling mechanism for oatp1 and a pathway for GSH release into blood plasma. However, oatp probably only accounts for a fraction of the total GSH released into sinusoidal blood. A candidate canalicular GSH transport mechanism has also recently been described. Canalicular GSH efflux may be mediated by the adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-dependent organic solute transport protein MRP2 (also termed cMOAT or cMRP). MRP2 is a member of the multidrug resistance-associated family of proteins (MRP) whose preferred substrates include glutathione S-conjugates. Recent studies suggest that MRP can also transport GSH itself. This report summarizes the evidence documenting a role for oatp1 and MRP2 in GSH efflux from hepatocytes, and their possible contribution to hepatic GSH homeostasis.
TWO LEVELS FUSION DECISION FOR MULTISPECTRAL IMAGE PATTERN RECOGNITION

Abstract. Major goal of multispectral data analysis is land cover classification and related applications. The dimension drawback leads to a small ratio of the remote sensing training data compared to the number of features. Therefore robust methods should be associated to overcome the dimensionality curse. The presented work proposed a pattern recognition approach. Source separation, feature extraction and decisional fusion are the main stages to establish an automatic pattern recognizer. The first stage is pre-processing and is based on non linear source separation. The mixing process is considered non linear with gaussians distributions. The second stage performs feature extraction for Gabor, Wavelet and Curvelet transform. Feature information presentation provides an efficient information description for machine vision projects. The third stage is a decisional fusion performed in two steps. The first step assign the best feature to each source/pattern using the accuracy matrix obtained from the learning data set. The second step is a source majority vote. Classification is performed by Support Vector Machine. Experimentation results show that the proposed fusion method enhances the classification accuracy and provide powerful tool for pattern recognition.
BRIEF OCCLUSION OF THE MAIN PANCREATIC DUCT RAPIDLY INITIATES SIGNALS WHICH LEAD TO INCREASED DUCT CELL PROLIFERATION IN THE RAT

In the course of investigating the signals associated with pancreas regeneration, we have developed a method to initiate pancreatic duct cell proliferation by brief occlusion of the main pancreatic duct. The resulting duct cell proliferation, induced by temporary partial main duct occlusion, was compared to that induced by firmly tying a cellophane strip around the head of the pancreas for longer periods of time. Both methods stimulated a biphasic increase in duct cell proliferation, with proliferation maxima at 3 and 14 days post operation. The short duration of temporary main duct occlusion (60s) that was needed to stimulate duct cell proliferation, and the similar duct cell proliferation profiles that were observed after both the temporary and the longer term main duct occlusion, led us to conclude that the signals which initiate proliferation occur rapidly at the beginning of each procedure.
Pregnancy outcome in women with PCOS and in controls matched by age and weight.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare the pregnancy outcome, especially the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), in a group of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), with a group of healthy weight-matched women. METHODS Retrospectively, we evaluated the pregnancies of 66 women with PCOS, who had been treated for infertility and who delivered at our department. These were compared with a group of 66 age- and weight-matched controls. RESULTS We did not find any significant differences in the prevalence of pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes mellitus, pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and premature deliveries between the group of PCOS patients and the controls. CONCLUSION When differences in age and weight between PCOS patients and controls are negligible, PCOS is not associated with a higher risk of pregnancy complications.
Ms Pac-Man versus ghost-team competition

Ms. Pac-Man is a challenging and interesting game that is usually viewed form the perspective of the Ms. Pac-Man agent. The game is also provides an excellent environment for testing multi-agent strategies for controlling the team of ghosts, with the aim either of optimising the playability of the game, or simply to minimise the score obtained by the agent. It is this latter more measurable objective that provides the focus of this competition. For this purpose an efficient simulator of the game has been developed with simple software interfaces with which to connect your controllers. The screenshot below shows a game in progress on the simulator. You can enter an agent controller or a ghost-team controller (or even both). The aim of the Ms. Pac-Man agent is to score as many points as possible. The aim of the ghost team controller is to prevent this!
Within-Site Variation of Growth Rates and Terminal Sizes in Mytilus californianus Along Wave Exposure and Tidal Gradients

Mytilus californianus is a foundation species of rocky shores of western North America. Its dominance depends on rapid growth to large sizes, which confers an advantage in size-dependent species interactions. Initial rates of growth and final (terminal) sizes of the mussels depend on environmental factors. Prior comparisons of growth made over large spatial scales (tens of meters to hundreds of kilometers) indicate that temperature, submergence time, and wave exposure affect growth. However, there are few studies quantifying variation in temperature, wave force, and mussel growth parameters at small scales within local populations—that is, meter-level increments. Such measures are necessary to better understand the consequences of the complex spatial mosaic of physical factors in the intertidal zone. We measured variation in temperature, wave force, size-specific shell growth, and terminal size at 3–4-m intervals along horizontal contours within two mussel beds separated by 15 ds of latitude. Both mussel beds showed the same general trends: growth rates attenuated along gradual clines from low and wave-exposed to high shore and sheltered. For example, young adults from low and wave-exposed microhabitats grew 9- and 6-fold higher than those from high-shore-wave-sheltered points. While higher flow may promote growth by enhancing feeding, it also appears to exert a positive effect by moderating energetically costly temperature stress. Consistent with the growth rate findings, cumulative degree-hours explained 83% and 69% of the variation of terminal sizes in regressions for the two locations.
The Reliability of Nipple Aspirate and Ductal Lavage in Women at Increased Risk for Breast Cancer—a Potential Tool for Breast Cancer Risk Assessment and Biomarker Evaluation

Purpose: Ductal lavage, a technique used to sample epithelial cells from breast ducts, has potential use in risk assessment and biomarker evaluation among women at increased risk for breast cancer. However, little is known about the reliability of the procedure. Methods: We evaluated the reliability of nipple aspirate (NAF) and ductal lavage at two time points 6 months apart in women at increased risk for breast cancer. Eligible women had a 5-year Gail risk ≥1.66% or lifetime risk of >20%, and/or a family history or personal history of breast cancer. All ducts that produced NAF were cannulated. The κ statistic was used to evaluate reliability of NAF production, cellular yield, and cytologic diagnosis. Results: Sixty-nine women (mean age, 47 years) were enrolled over 35 months. Forty-seven returned for a second visit. At baseline, 65% of premenopausal and 41% of postmenopausal women produced NAF (P = 0.05), of which 72% underwent successful lavage of at least one duct. Samples of inadequate cellular material for diagnosis were significantly more likely in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women (P = 0.04). Of the women who returned for a second visit, 18 of 24 who produced NAF had at least one duct successfully cannulated. Twenty-four ducts in 14 women were lavaged twice. Among these ducts, cellular yield for the two time points was inconsistent (κ = 0.33 ± 0.13), and only fair cytologic agreement was observed (κ = 0.32 ± 0.15). Ductal lavage was associated with moderate discomfort. Conclusion: Currently, the use of ductal lavage is limited by technical challenges in duct cannulation, inconsistent NAF production, a high rate of inadequate cellular material for diagnosis, fair cytologic reproducibility, and low participant return rates. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(5):950–55)
Prediction of spontaneous preterm birth in women with cervical insufficiency: Comprehensive analysis of multiple proteins in amniotic fluid

The purpose of this study is to determine whether proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in amniotic fluid (AF), alone or in combination with clinical risk factors, can predict spontaneous preterm delivery (SPTD) at < 34 weeks in women with cervical insufficiency.
Acute upper airway muscle and inspiratory flow responses to transcranial magnetic stimulation during sleep in apnoeic patients

• What is the central question of this study? Peripheral hypoglossal nerve stimulation is a novel therapeutic approach aimed at recruiting lingual muscles electrically and thus relieving pharyngeal airflow obstruction during sleep but the effects of corticomotor stimulation of upper airway muscles during sleep are unknown. • What is the main finding and its importance? Using transcranial magnetic stimulation, we show that corticobulbar excitability of the submental muscles is decreased during sleep in apnoeic patients. Furthermore, we demonstrate that transcranial magnetic stimulation briefly recruits submental muscles and increases maximal inspiratory flow as well as the inspiratory volume of flow‐limited respiratory cycles without arousing patients from sleep. We suggest that this central neurostimulation approach is capable of improving upper airway mechanics in sleep apnoea patients.
Percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus: A multiinstitutional registry comparing multiple devices

Background: There are no guidelines and multiple devices available now for closure of PDA. Objective: We sought to determine which devices are used and their outcomes. Methods: Prospectively collected data on closure of PDA at 12 US catheterization labs was entered into the MAGIC data registry between November 2005 and September 2008. Results: PDA closure was accomplished in 357 of 359 attempted closures during the study period. Mean age, weight, and minimum ductal diameter were 4.3 ± 6.8 years, 18.7 ± 18.4 kg, and 2.1 ± 1.4 mm, respectively. Devices used were Gianturco coils (161/359), Amplatzer Duct Occluder (ADO, 174/359), Flipper coils (18/359), and other devices (6/359). Gianturco coils had the least fluoroscopy and contrast exposure (8.7 ± 7.5 min, P = 0.00001, 2.6 ± 1.4 cm3 kg−1, P = 0.00001). Immediate angiographic success rates were 96.9% (156/161) for Gianturco coils, 89.7% (156/174) for the ADO, 100% (18/18) for Flipper coils, and 66.7% (4/6) for other devices. Major complication rates were 0.6% for Gianturco coils (1/161), 1.7% for ADO (3/174), and 83.3% for other devices (4/6). Minor complication rates by device were 1.9% for Gianturco coils (3/161), 2.3% for ADO (4/174), and 16.7% (1/6) for other devices. Conclusions: Gianturco coils, the ADO and Flipper coils were immediately successful with low complication profiles. The ADO and Gianturco coils were the predominate devices. The ADO was the device of choice for PDA > 3 mm with good success. In PDA < 3 mm, the Gianturco coil is as effective and safe as the ADO with less cost, less radiation, and less contrast exposure. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Compression of medical images using MRP with bi-directional prediction and histogram packing

Medical imaging technology has become essential for the improvement of medical practice. This led to advances in the technology, namely in image sampling resolutions, pixel bit-depth and inter slice resolution. Additionally, common use of medical images, the life expectancy of patients and legal restrictions led to increasing storage costs. Therefore, efficient compression of medical image data is in high demand, for archiving and transmission. In this work we propose to improve the compression efficiency of the Minimum Rate Predictors lossless encoder, by adding bi-directional prediction support and a histogram packing technique. The results show that the proposed method presents a higher compression efficiency than state-of-the-art HEVC encoder. The compression efficiency is improved by 20%, on average, when compared to HEVC and by 46.1% when compared with the original MRP algorithm.