Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Global DNA methylation measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: analytical technique, reference values and determinants in healthy subjects

Abstract Background: Alterations in global DNA methylation are implicated in various pathobiological processes. We describe a liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method for determination of cytosine and 5-methylcytosine in DNA. Methods: DNA was hydrolyzed using formic acid. Cytosine and 5-methylcytosine were separated by gradient-elution reversed-phase chromatography with a mobile phase containing nonafluoropentanoic acid (NFPA) as ion-pairing reagent and quantified using stable isotope dilution LC-ESI-MS/MS. The method was applied to DNA isolated from leukocytes of healthy volunteers. Results: Linear calibration curves were obtained in the range 0.111–4.422 ng/μL [mean correlation co-efficient 0.9983 (SD=0.0011), n=9] for cytosine and 0.0048–0.1936 ng/μL [mean correlation coefficient 0.9991 (SD=0.0010), n=9] for 5-methylcytosine. The intra- and inter-assay CVs for the 5-methylcytosine/total cytosine ratio (mCyt/tCyt) was 1.7% (n=9) and 3.5% (n=8) for calf thymus DNA (mean mCyt/tCyt ratio 6.5%), and 4.5% (n=6) and 6.5% (n=14), respectively for pBR322 DNA (mean mCyt/tCyt ratio 0.48%). The limit of detection (signal-to-noise ratio 3) was 2 pg on-column for cytosine and 5-methylcytosine. In healthy subjects (n=109), the mCyt/tCyt ratio varied from 2.6% to 4.8% (median 4.1%). DNA methylation was negatively correlated to age, but only in subjects with the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677 TT genotype (p=0.046). No association with B-vitamin status was observed. Conclusions: This LC-ESI-MS/MS method is easy to perform and offers reproducibility, selectivity and sensitivity for studying DNA methylation. The method allows a sample throughput of approximately 200 samples/week. The MTHFR C677T genotype influences age-related changes in DNA methylation. Clin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:903–11.
Planar CP RFID R/W antennas based on EM Coupling

This paper presents the new approach to design planar circularly polarized (CP) antennas for RFID read/write (R/W) applications in UHF band. The objective of this work has been to design an RFID R/W antenna having simple unobstructed layout and single feeding port yet demonstrating good CP performance. Two RHCP antennas utilizing the principle of EM coupling from dipole element to the parasitic structure have been realized. The first design is the loop coupled dipole antenna (LCDA) where the pair of rectangular loops is placed in close vicinity of a dipole element. The second one is the dipole coupled dipole antenna (DCDA) which includes a pair of parasitic strips coupled to a dipole element. The operational principle of producing the CP radiation has been analyzed and illustrated in the detail. Both simulations and prototype measurements data demonstrating the required impedance characteristics and CP axial ratio have been obtained.
A Survey of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Amplification Studies of Unicellular Protists Using Single‐Cell PCR

ABSTRACT. We surveyed a variety of studies that have used single‐cell polymerase chain reaction (SC‐PCR) to examine the gene sequences of a diversity of unicellular protists. Representatives of all the Super‐Groups of eukaryotes have been subjected to SC‐PCR with ciliates and dinoflagellates being most commonly examined. The SC‐PCR was carried out either by directly amplifying a single lysed cell or by first extracting DNA and following this with amplification of the DNA extract. Cell lysis methods included heating, freezing, mechanical rupture, and enzyme digestion. Cells fixed or preserved with ethanol, methanol, and Lugol's have also been used successfully. Heminested or seminested PCR might follow the initial PCR, whose products were then directly sequenced or cloned and then sequenced. The methods are not complicated. This should encourage protistologists to use SC‐PCR in the description of new or revised taxa, especially rare and unculturable forms, and it should also enable the probing of gene expression in relation to life history stages.
Uneven Influence of Credit and Savings Deposits on the Dynamics of Technology Decisions and Poverty Traps

Using numerical approximations of infinite-horizon, dynamic, stochastic models of farm-household behavior, we investigate the influence of several dimensions of financial development in overcoming poverty traps, through the sustained adoption of advanced production technologies. We explore decisions for both adopting and abandoning higher-productivity technologies, under different scenarios of inclusion into the credit and the savings deposits markets, for different levels of credit rationing (limits on loan size), and different degrees of financial deepening.The results show that the influence on technology choices of the inclusion into markets for just loans or just deposits is not uniform. Unless loan-size limits are sufficiently nonrestrictive, deposit facilities are a superior intervention to boost rates of technology adoption and prevent its abandonment. While sustained rates of adoption increase with less non-interest credit rationing (larger loan-size limits), they are insensitive to declining loan interest rates. Thus, in cases of non-interest credit rationing, most likely among the poor, subsidized credit would not encourage adoption. In contrast, adoption rates increase and abandonment rates decline with higher interest rates on deposits. The paper also shows that transitioning from an economy with scant financial development to another with full financial development (namely, reducing the gap between loan and deposit interest rates) increases the sustained adoption of advanced production technologies, from 14 to 62 percent of household-farms, under the parameters of the simulation.
Predicting Bankruptcy: Evidence from Israel

In this study, we conducted an empirical investigation of whether it is possible to rely on two versions of the Altman Model (1968) to predict financial failure of publicly traded companies in Israel between 2000 and 2007. The findings of the study indicated that given the sample and the study term, the preferable model for predicting financial failure of Israeli companies is the Ingbar version of the Altman Model with a critical value of 1 and with the addition of the gray area. In particular, a survival index above 1 predicts a high likelihood of survival, while a lower index predicts low likelihood of survival. According to our study, the model is able to predict bankruptcy of companies with a 95% accuracy rate one year prior to bankruptcy and with an 85% accuracy rate two years prior to bankruptcy.
Programmable electro magnetic field system for biomedical applications

A low cost, user friendly low frequency pulsed EMF generator based on Arduino has been developed for biomedical research applications [1]. This can be programmed for different parameters such as frequency and duty cycle. Further, the LCD and matrix keypad interface allow users to operate the generator with great ease. The waveform generator is capable of producing ELF in the range 1Hz-100Hz of varying duty cycle from 1% to 99%. The coil driver circuit has been designed to produce current in the range of 0.2A to 1A and is used to drive the Helmholtz coil. Finally, the field generated by Helmholtz coil has been tested by the LUTRON EMF Tester-828 and has been shown to produce a spatially uniform magnetic field. It has further been observed that with increase in input frequency (30- 100Hz), the load current decreases which in turn reduce the magnetic flux density B from 0.567mT to 0.2 mT.
Characteristics of Patients with Large-Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Lung.

OBJECTIVES Neuroendocrine tumors of the lungs are a clearly different group of tumors with definite ultrastructural, immunohistochemical, and molecular features. We reported and analyzed the incidence, clinicopathological features, surgery rates, responses to first-line therapy, and survival outcomes of this rare condition according to our lung cancer patient database. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively collected the data of 62 patients who were histopathologically diagnosed with large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of lung (LCNEC) between January 2010 and January 2016. RESULTS The patients were predominantly (95%) men (male:female=59:3) with their average age being 60.3±8.6 years. Diagnosis was made by the fine-needle aspiration biopsy (NAB) in 7 patients, bronchoscopic transbronchial biopsy in 13, and surgery in 42. Nearly 43.5% of the patients presented with the tumor in the right upper lobe. Additionally, tumors of 46.8% patients could be observed in peripheral locations. Sixteen patients presented with stage 1, 17 with stage 2, 15 with stage 3, and 14 with stage 4. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 29 months (SE: 12.2) (95% CI, 5.2-52.8 months). Progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly better in patients with low N, M0, early stage, p63 positive, and TTF-1 positive across the entire cohort. Overall survival (OS) was significantly better in patients with comparatively lower N, M0, low stage, and peripheral location. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated a single-center experience with clinicopathologic factors and survival outcomes of LCNEC patients.
Bone mass and metabolism in Whipple's disease: the role of hypogonadism.

BACKGROUND Whipple's disease, like other malabsorption syndromes, ought to predispose to osteopenia. We therefore evaluated bone mass and mineral metabolism in a cohort of patients with this condition. METHODS Twelve male patients with Whipple's disease and 36 male age-matched healthy subjects took part in the study. None of the patients complained of diarrhea at the time of the study. Bone mineral density at the lumbar and femoral level and serum levels of indices of bone and mineral metabolism and of gonadal function were measured. RESULTS Bone mineral density at the total femur and femoral neck were significantly lower in patients with Whipple's disease than in healthy volunteers, whereas no significant difference was found at the lumbar level. In patients with Whipple's disease serum levels of type-I collagen teleopeptide (ICTP) and sex-hormone-binding globulin were significantly higher, whereas serum levels of testosterone and luteinizing hormone were significantly lower than in healthy volunteers. Moreover, testosterone correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with lumbar bone mineral density (r(s) = 0.64) and serum ICTP levels (r(s) = -0.63). CONCLUSIONS In patients with previously treated Whipple's disease and without any current symptoms of malabsorption, bone loss is generally moderate and linked to the presence of hypogonadism.
Predisposing factors and prevalence of fractured anterior teeth among 12 and 16 years old school Malaysian children.

OBJECTIVE This study reports on the predisposing factors and prevalence of fractured anterior teeth among 12 and 16 years-old school children in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, West Malaysia. STUDY DESIGN A cross-sectional study was performed, involving 488 school children aged 12 and 16 years old and two calibrated dentists on the use of the World Health Organization (WHO) modification of Andreasen's 1999 classification. An oral examination was performed and all the necessary information was collected using a specified data collection sheet. The data was analyzed using the SPSS version 12. RESULTS The response rate was 98.8%. The prevalence of fractured anterior teeth was 11.2% at the age of 12 and 13.4% at the age of 16. Boys experienced more fractures than girls (p < 0.05) among 12 year-olds but there was no gender predilection among 16 year olds. Most children could not remember the cause of fracture (> 53.6%). Over 80% of dental injuries were of minor type (enamel fracture not involving the dentin). The maxillary central incisor was the most affected (> 60%) tooth. Children at the age of 12 years with over jet greater than 3 mm, incompetent and short lip were predisposed to dental injuries (p < 0.05). There was no association between molar relationship and fractures (p > 0.05) in both age groups. CONCLUSION The present study assessed the prevalence of dental injuries in 12 and 16 year old children and determined the risk factors that predispose to dental injuries. The possible causes and consequences of such tooth fractures must be highlighted to ensure esthetics and tooth longevity.
The ABC of handover: a qualitative study to develop a new tool for handover in the emergency department

Objectives This study identifies best practice for shift handover and introduces a new tool used to hand over clinical and operational issues at the end of a shift in the emergency department (ED). Methods Literature review, semi-structured interviews and observations of handover were used to develop a standardised process for handover. Participants were ED middle grades, consultants and senior nurses. Interviews were used to identify agreed best practice and derive a tool to classify the information into relevant sections. Results Interviews identified a variety of perceived current deficits in handover including a lack of standardised practice and structure. Participants provided examples of poor handover that were thought to have led to adverse events; these included delay in investigations and treatment for patients who were handed over with brief or inaccurate information. There was wide variation in the understanding of the meaning and purpose of shift handover, and differences were apparent according to the level of experience of the middle grades interviewed. The experts' responses were used to reach a unifying ‘best practice’ for the content of handover. This was then grouped under ABCDE headings to develop the ABC of handover tool. Conclusions A simple tool was developed to provide the basis for medical shift handover, which includes clinical and operational information necessary for efficiency and organisation of the next shift. The ABC of handover classifies shift information to be handed over under the ABCDE headings, which are easy to remember and highly relevant to emergency medicine.
18F labeling for immuno-PET: where speed and contrast meet.

In the report by Cai et al. ( [1][1] ) on pages [304–310][2] of this issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, an important milestone was achieved in the race to develop optimal immuno-PET agents, namely, the demonstration that small antibody fragments, in this case, diabodies, can be labeled with
System-Level Analysis and Optimization of Cellular Networks With Simultaneous Wireless Information and Power Transfer: Stochastic Geometry Modeling

In this paper, a new mathematical approach for the analysis and optimization of cellular-enabled low-energy mobile devices with simultaneous wireless information and power transfer capabilities is introduced. The proposed methodology relies on modeling the locations of the base stations as points of a spatial Poisson point process, and it leverages stochastic geometry for system-level analysis. The tradeoffs emerging from simultaneous wireless information and power transfer transmission are characterized through the concept of “feasibility regions” and are quantified through the joint cumulative distribution function of harvested power and rate. To gain insight on the achievable performance, in addition, an upper bound is proposed, and its accuracy is discussed. The system model encompasses a realistic channel model that accounts for line-of-sight (LOS) and non-LOS (NLOS) links, different cell association criteria, practical receivers based on time switching and power splitting schemes, and directional beamforming. The analysis shows that optimal values for the time switching and power splitting ratios exist and that directional beamforming and network densification are capable of enhancing system performance. More specifically, high directional antennas lead cellular networks to operate in the noise-limited regime, which is proved to provide optimal performance, and because of the existence of LOS and NLOS links, an optimal deployment density for the base stations is proven to exist for typical system setups.
Securities Auctions under Moral Hazard: Theory and Experiments

We study, both theoretically and in the lab, the performance of open outcry debt and equity auctions in the presence of both private information and hidden e¤ort in an independent private value setting. We characterize symmetric equilibrium bidding strategies and show that these lead to e¢ cient allocation. More interestingly, the revenue ranking between the debt and equity auctions depends on the returns to entrepreneurial e¤ort. When returns are either very low or vary high, the equity auction leads to higher expected revenues to the seller than does the debt auction. When the returns to e¤ort are intermediate, we show that debt auctions can outperform equity auctions. We then test these predictions in a controlled laboratory setting and nd broad support for the comparative predictions of the model.
Self-configuration and smart binding control on IOT applications

The rapid development of wireless communication technology facilitates the realization of the Internet of Things (IOT). Self-configuration and smart connection system have become relative important issue in accordance with extensive applications of IOT, and the energy saving concepts. Therefore, this work presents the integration of `Self-configuration and Wisdom Connection System' with Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), IOT and ZigBee technology, to actualize self-configuration based on a received signal strength indicator Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), lighting auto-configuration area, regional allocation, and sub-areas. The proposed `Self-configuration and Wisdom Connection System' automatically configures different lightings to the same position within in the range -3dBm when the RSSI value varies only slightly. The system is configured to the same lighting site within the experimental environment when the sub-area range set -3dBm. This study presents a significant contribution to new configuration of objects in IOT, context awareness control, and optimization of network control platform.
Prepregnancy body mass index, weight gain during pregnancy, and perinatal outcome in a rural black population.

Relationships between body mass index (BMI) and weight gain with perinatal outcome and birthweight were examined. BMI was calculated on 582 consecutive pregnant women who delivered at or >37 weeks gestational age. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square tests, analysis of variance, and multiple logistic regression. Of those studied, 13% were underweight, 39% normal, 13% overweight, and 35% obese. Obesity was associated with increasing age (P < .01), multiparity (P < .01), previous cesarean delivery (P < .01), previous macrosomia (P = .01), previous fetal death (P = .03), hypertensive disorders (P < .01), gestational diabetes (P = .02), cesarean delivery (P = .03), and neonatal intensive care unit admission (NICU) (P = .01). The underweight group had the most low birthweight (LBW) infants and the lowest mean birthweight. Ideal weight gain occurred in 31%, inadequate weight gain in 34%, and excessive weight gain in 35%. Inadequate weight gain had increased asthma (P < .05), and hyperemesis (P = .03). Women with ideal weight gain had less smokers (P < .01), fetal distress (P < .05), cesarean delivery (P = .02), and preeclampsia (P < .001). The mean birthweight was highest in the excessive weight gain (P < .01). With multivariate analysis, previous LBW, BMI, and tobacco use were significant predictors of LBW. Normal BMI and ideal weight gain in pregnancy is associated with decreased perinatal complications and an optimum birthweight.
The prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder: a population-based survey

Background. Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a highly distressing and impairing disorder characterized by a preoccupation with imagined or slight physical defects in appearance. Well designed studies on its prevalence and on base rates for diagnostic criteria are rare. Therefore this study aimed to reveal prevalence rates of BDD in the general population and to examine clinical features associated with BDD. Method. Of 4152 selected participants 2552, aged 14–99 years, participated in this German nationwide survey. Participants were carefully selected to ensure that the sample was representative; they were visited by a study assistant who provided instructions and help if needed. Participation rate was 62·3%. DSM-IV criteria for BDD, as well as subthreshold features (e.g. individuals who consider some part(s) of their body as ugly or disfigured, but do not fulfill all BDD criteria) were examined. We also assessed suicidal ideation associated with the belief of having an ugly body part, as well as the desire for cosmetic surgery. Furthermore, somatization symptoms were assessed. Results. The prevalence of current BDD was 1·7% (CI 1·2–2·1%). Individuals with BDD reported higher rates of suicidal ideation (19% v. 3%) and suicide attempts due to appearance concerns (7% v. 1%) than individuals who did not meet criteria for BDD. Somatization scores were also increased in individuals with BDD, relative to those without. BDD was associated with lower financial income, lower rates of living with a partner, and higher rates of unemployment. Conclusions. Our study shows that self-reported BDD is relatively common and associated with significant morbidity.
Pericardial Trauma and Adhesions in Relation to Reoperative Cardiac Surgery

In an attempt to appreciate the changes that favour adhesion formation we compared the morphological and fibrinolytic changes that occur in human primary and reoperative pericardium. Ten patients undergoing primary elective open heart surgery and ten undergoing first time reoperative open heart surgery were studied. Pericardial samples were taken at four time points. At 0 (time A) and 30 (time B) minutes from the time of pericardiotomy (before the commencement of CPB), 30-50 minutes (time C) after the commencement of CPB, and then finally 10 minutes (time D) after the patient had been rewarmed. The fibrinolytic activity, as measured by the plasminogen activating activity (PAA), in the pericardial samples of the ten primary cases was compared with that in 5 of the reoperative cases. For the primary group, the PAA after 30 minutes of exposure (median 6.65 IU/cm2, range 3.85-11.89 IU/cm2, p = 0.14, n = 10) was not significantly reduced when compared to the initial activity (median 8.74 IU/cm2, range 2.22-17.68 IU/cm2, n = 10). After 30-50 minutes CPB the PAA was significantly reduced (median 3.93 IU/cm2, range 1.5-13.24 IU/cm2, p = 0.028, n = 10) and still reduced after rewarming for 10 minutes (median 3.12 IU/cm2, range 0.88-19.93 IU/cm2, p = 0.047, n = 10). The simultaneous plasma tissue-type plasminogen activator activity showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase after 30-50 minutes bypass with a later decline. The changes in the reoperative pericardial PAA were similar. In addition, the degree of PAA in reoperative pericardium was consistently lower than that observed in primary tissue. The extent of primary pericardial mesothelial damage at times B, C, and D compared with that at time A showed a significant (p < 0.01 for times B, C, and D) increase. Similarly there was a significant worsening of the degree of inflammation. Compared with primary pericardium, the reoperative samples showed a significant (p < 0.01 for times A, B, and C) preponderance of damaged mesothelium at the earlier stages of the operation. It appears that, following the initial bypass surgery, the processes that cause pericardial and mesothelial healing with recovery of PAA compete with those leading to pericardial adhesions and fibrosis. The histological and biochemical outcome seen in reoperative pericardium is the result of these competitive actions.