Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimating the wider societal benefits of changes in health

There is renewed interest in the wider societal benefits of health interventions. Estimation of these effects should relate to changes in health rather than cross-sectional differences. We consider the impact of health on net State contributions, which include contributions to tax revenues and receipt of benefits. We subject cross-sectional differences in net contributions across health states to a more rigorous longitudinal analysis using the 1991-2008 British Household Panel Survey. We estimate the effects of 12 self-reported health problems on tax contributions and benefits received, controlling for several confounding factors and individual heterogeneity. We find cross-sectional differences in tax contributions and benefit receipts are substantially larger than those associated with changes in health. Changes in depression have the largest impact on net contributions. Estimates of net resource contributions should be based on longitudinal analysis to avoid overstating the wider societal benefits of health interventions.
Case report: chromatid exchange and predivision of chromatids as other sources of abnormal oocytes detected by preimplantation genetic diagnosis of translocations

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis of translocations can be performed on first polar bodies (PB) at metaphase stage using FISH with whole‐chromosome painting DNA probes. Here we report the use of this method in a couple in which the female was a carrier of a balanced translocation 46, XX, t(11;16)(q21;q22). This case was unusual in that two polar bodies showed recombination events between the homologue chromosomes of 11 and 16 pairs, resulting in M‐II oocytes with monovalent chromosomes having a normal and a derivative chromatid. For this type of case, PGD analysis on polar bodies cannot give a useful result, because, at the second meiotic division, either of these chromatids could remain in the oocyte, resulting in a normal, balanced or unbalanced embryo. PGD analysis on blastomeres can provide a solution. 11 previous cases of PGD of translocations performed by metaphase PB analysis are reviewed. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SOX9 Regulates Prostaglandin D Synthase Gene Transcription in Vivo to Ensure Testis Development*

In mammals, male sex is determined by the Y-chromosomal gene Sry (sex-determining region of Y chromosome). The expression of Sry and subsequently Sox9 (SRY box containing gene 9) in precursors of the supporting cell lineage results in the differentiation of these cells into Sertoli cells. Sertoli cells in turn orchestrate the development of all other male-specific cell types. To ensure that Sertoli cells differentiate in sufficient numbers to induce normal testis development, the early testis produces prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), which recruits cells of the supporting cell lineage to a Sertoli cell fate. Here we show that the gene encoding prostaglandin D synthase (Pgds), the enzyme that produces PGD2, is expressed in Sertoli cells immediately after the onset of Sox9 expression. Promoter analysis in silico and in vitro identified a paired SOX/SRY binding site. Interestingly, only SOX9, and not SRY, was able to bind as a dimer to this site and transactivate the Pgds promoter. In line with this, a transgenic mouse model showed that Pgds expression is not affected by ectopic Sry expression. Finally, chromatin immunoprecipitation proved that SOX9 but not SRY binds to the Pgds promoter in vivo.
Comprehensive Evaluation of Tamoxifen Sequential Biotransformation by the Human Cytochrome P450 System in Vitro: Prominent Roles for CYP3A and CYP2D6

We performed comprehensive kinetic, inhibition, and correlation analyses in human liver microsomes and experiments in expressed human cytochromes P450 (P450s) to identify primary and secondary metabolic routes of tamoxifen (TAM) and the P450s catalyzing these reactions at therapeutically relevant concentrations. N-Desmethyl-TAM formation catalyzed by CYP3A4/5 was quantitatively the major primary metabolite of TAM; 4-hydroxy-TAM formation catalyzed by CYP2D6 (and other P450s) represents a minor route. Other minor primary metabolites include α -, 3-, and 4′-hydroxyTAM and one unidentified metabolite (M-I) and were primarily catalyzed by CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP2B6/2C19, and CYP3A4, respectively. TAM secondary metabolism was examined using N-desmethyl- and 4-hydroxy-TAM as intermediate substrates. N-Desmethyl-TAM was predominantly biotransformed to α-hydroxy N-desmethyl-, N-didesmethyl-, and 4-hydroxy N-desmethyl-TAM (endoxifen), whereas 4-hydroxy-TAM was converted to 3,4-dihydroxyTAM and endoxifen. Except for the biotransformation of N-desmethyl-TAM to endoxifen, which was exclusively catalyzed by CYP2D6, all other routes of N-desmethyl- and 4-hydroxy-TAM biotransformation were catalyzed predominantly by the CYP3A subfamily. TAM and its primary metabolites undergo extensive oxidation, principally by CYP3A and CYP2D6 to metabolites that exhibit a range of pharmacological effects. Variable activity of these P450s, brought about by genetic polymorphisms and drug interactions, may alter the balance of TAM effects in vivo.
TGF-beta in human milk is associated with wheeze in infancy.

BACKGROUND Cytokines secreted in human milk might play important roles in newborn health and in the development of infant immune responses. We investigated the relationship of the concentration and dose of cytokines in human milk to infant wheeze at 1 year of age. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to test whether the cytokines in milk could account for some of the apparent protective effect of breast-feeding against wheeze in the first year of life. METHODS Data on breast-feeding and infant wheeze were collected prospectively from birth to 1 year from 243 mothers participating in the Infant Immune Study in Tucson, Arizona. Breast milk samples obtained at a mean age of 11 days postpartum were assayed by means of ELISA for concentrations of TGF-beta1, IL-10, TNF-alpha, and the soluble form of CD14. The dose of each cytokine was assessed for a relationship with wheeze in bivariate and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS Increasing duration of breast-feeding was significantly associated with a decreased prevalence of wheeze (P =.039). There was wide variability in levels of each cytokine in milk, as well as variability between women in the amount of each cytokine produced. There was a significant inverse association between the dose of TGF-beta1 received through milk with the percentage of wheeze (P =.017), and the relationship was linear (P =.006). None of the other cytokines showed a linear relationship with wheeze. In multivariate analyses the risk of wheeze was significantly decreased (odds ratio, 0.22; 95% CI 0.05-0.89; P =.034) with increasing TGF-beta1 dose (long breast-feeding and medium-high TGF-beta1 level compared with short breast-feeding and low TGF-beta. CONCLUSION This analysis shows that the dose of TGF-beta1 received from milk has a significant relationship with infant wheeze, which might account for at least some of the protective effect of breast-feeding against wheeze.
Real-time color correction for a photo-based augmented reality system

This report proposes methods for correcting the color tone of photographic images in a photo-based augmented reality (AR) system in real time to suit the user's environment. Photo-based AR systems achieve AR by selecting a specific photographic image, which was shot in advance, to suit user's camera position and “pasting” it onto the camera view. Unlike conventional systems, this system does not require a 3D model, so no model rendering, which reduces the rendering load, is necessary. The approach should be effective in terminals with small battery capacities such as smartphones. However, this system becomes problematic if the photograph of the object selected does not fit well with the background lighting conditions when the photograph was shot, because the AR may vary. Thus, the proposed method facilitates more natural AR by correcting the color tone of the photographic image.
Analysis of Spectrum Sensing Data Falsification ( SSDF ) Attack in Cognitive Radio Networks : A Survey A .

The spectrum sensing data falsification (SSDF) attack in the literature is one of the key adversaries to the success of cognitive radio networks (CRNs). The SSDF attack is also known as Byzantine attack. In the past years, the research on the Byzantine attack and defense strategies has gained worldwide increasing attention. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive survey on the recent advances in the Byzantine attack and defense for CSS in CRNs. Specifically; we first briefly present the CSS techniques for general readers, including signal detection techniques, hypothesis testing, and data fusion. Second, we analyze the Byzantine attack and defense from three aspects: the vulnerability of CSS to attack, the obstacles in CSS to defense, and the game between attack and defense. Then, we propose a taxonomy of the existing Byzantine attack behaviors and elaborate on the corresponding attack parameters, which determine where, who, how, and when to launch attacks. Next, from the perspectives of homogeneous or heterogeneous scenarios, we classify the existing Byzantine defense schemes, and provide an in-depth study of byzantine defense commonly known as robust or secure CSS in the literature. Finally, we highlight the unsolved research challenges and render the future research directions.
Clinical Measures Associated With Dynamic Balance and Functional Movement

Abstract Teyhen, DS, Shaffer, SW, Lorenson, CL, Greenberg, MD, Rogers, SM, Koreerat, CM, Villena, SL, Zosel, KL, Walker, MJ, and Childs, JC. Clinical measures associated with dynamic balance and functional movement. J Strength Cond Res 28(5): 1272–1283, 2014—Decreased balance and impaired functional movement have been linked with increased injury risk. The purpose of our study was to determine the association between specific measures of power, strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance compared with more global measures of dynamic balance, using the Y-Balance Test (YBT), and functional movement, using the functional movement screen (FMS), in healthy soldiers. Our participants (n = 64; 53 men, 11 women) were healthy active duty service members (25.2 ± 3.8 years, 25.1 ± 3.1 kg·m−2). Seventeen tests with 38 associated measures of strength, power, flexibility, endurance, balance, and functional measures were assessed. A significant Pearson product moment correlation (r > 0.2 and p < 0.01) was used to narrow the number of variables of interest. Two hierarchical stepwise regression analyses were performed to determine the most parsimonious set of variables associated with the YBT and FMS performance scores. Our results included a 4 variable model (F = 13.4, p < 0.001) that was associated with YBT scores (R = 0.72, R2 = 0.51). Superior performance on the YBT was associated with better performance on the FMS lunge and upper trunk mobility tests, decreased number of hops during a 6-m hop test, and greater gastrocnemius flexibility. A second 4 variable model (F = 11.813, p < 0.001) was associated with FMS scores (R = 0.70, R2 = 0.50). Superior performance on the FMS was associated with greater anterior reach on the YBT, greater distance on the crossover hop test, increased hamstring flexibility, and higher levels of self-reported function through the lower-extremity functional scale. Physical fitness leaders and clinicians could use these models to inform decision making when developing and assessing the outcomes of a personalized intervention program for those with low FMS and YBT scores.
"Context-aware access control and presentation for linked data" by Luca Costabello with Prateek Jain as coordinator

Luca Costabello is a postdoctoral fellow in the Fujitsu Linked Data Research Team in Galway, Ireland. His research interests span linked data consumption, the ubiquitous web of data, and access control for graph stores. He obtained a PhD in computer science from the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, working at the French Institute for Research in Computer Science (Inria) under the supervision of Fabien Gandon and Ivan Herman. He received an MSc and a BSc in computer engineering from the Polytechnic University in Turin, where he also worked as a research engineer at Telecom Italia. He is the author of publications in international conferences, such as ISWC, ECAI, WWW, Hypertext, and ESWC. A PDF of Luca's dissertation is available at: https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00934617/document
Choosing the Optimal Monophasic and Biphasic Waveforms for Ventricular Defibrillation

Optimal Monophasic and Biphasic Waveforms. Introduction: The truncated exponential waveform from an implantable cardioverter defibrillator can be described by three quantities: the leading edge voltage, the waveform duration, and the waveform time coastant (τs). The goal of this work was to develop and test a mathematical model of defibrillation that predicts the optimal durations for monophasic and the first phase of biphasic waveforms for different τs values. In 1932, Blair used a parallel resistor‐capacitor network as a model of the cell membrane to develop an equation that describes stimulation using square waves. We extended Blair's model of stimulation, using a resistor‐capacitor network time constant (τm), equal to 2.8 msec, to explicitly account for the waveform shape of a truncated exponential waveform. This extended model predicted that for monophasic waveforms with τs of 1.5 msec, leading edge voltage will be constant for waveforms 2 msec and longer; for τs of 3 msec, leading edge voltage will be constant for waveforms 3 msec and longer; for τs of 6 msec, leading edge voltage will be constant for waveforms 4 msec and longer. We hypothesized that the best phase 1 of a biphasic waveform is the best monophasic waveform. Therefore, the optimal first phase of a biphasic waveform for a given τs is the same as the optimal monophasic waveform.
Locating Large-Scale Gene Duplication Events through Reconciled Trees: Implications for Identifying Ancient Polyploidy Events in Plants

Recent analyses of plant genomic data have found extensive evidence of ancient whole genome duplication (or polyploidy) events, but there are many unresolved questions regarding the number and timing of such events in plant evolutionary history. We describe the first exact and efficient algorithm for the Episode Clustering problem, which, given a collection of rooted gene trees and a rooted species tree, seeks the minimum number of locations on the species tree of gene duplication events. Solving this problem allows one to place gene duplication events onto nodes of a given species tree and potentially detect large-scale gene duplication events. We examined the performance of an implementation of our algorithm using 85 plant gene trees that contain genes from a total of 136 plant taxa. We found evidence of large-scale gene duplication events in Populus, Gossypium, Poaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Solanaceae, Fabaceae, and near the root of the eudicot clade that are consistent with previous genomic evidence. However, a lack of phylogenetic signal within the gene trees can produce erroneous evidence of large-scale duplication events, especially near the root of the species tree. Although the results of our algorithm should be interpreted cautiously, they provide hypotheses for precise locations of large-scale gene duplication events with data from relatively few gene trees and can complement other genomic approaches to provide a more comprehensive view of ancient large-scale gene duplication events.
Effect of oral hygiene maintenance on HbA1c levels and peri-implant parameters around immediately-loaded dental implants placed in type-2 diabetic patients: 2 years follow-up.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present 2-year follow-up study was to assess the effect of oral hygiene maintenance on hemoglobin Alc (HbA1c) levels and peri-implant parameters around immediately-loaded dental implants placed in type-2 diabetic patients with varying glycemic levels. MATERIAL AND METHODS Ninety-one individuals were divided into three groups. In group 1, 30 systemically healthy individuals were included (HbA1c < 6%). Patients in group 2 and 3, comprised of 30 patients with T2DM (HbA1c 6.1-8%); and 31 patients with T2DM (HbA1c 8.1-10%) respectively. In all groups, patients received immediately loaded bone level implants. All participants were enrolled in a 6 monthly periodontal/peri-implant maintenance program. Peri-implant bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), and marginal bone loss (MBL) were measured at 6, 12, and 24 months of follow-up. RESULTS Mean preoperative HbA1c levels in patients in groups 1, 2, and 3 were 4.5%, 6.8%, and 8.7% respectively. In group-1, there was no significant difference in HbA1c levels at all follow-up durations. Among patients in groups 2 and 3, there was a significant decrease in HbA1c levels at 24-months follow-up than 6-months follow-up. At 6 months follow-up, BOP, PD, and MBL were significantly higher among patients in group-3 than group-1. At 12 and 24 months follow-up, there was no significant difference in BOP, PD, and MBL in all groups. CONCLUSIONS Oral hygiene maintenance reduces hyperglycemia and peri-implant inflammatory parameters around immediately loaded dental implants placed in type 2 diabetic patients.
Early onset periodontitis in the United States of America.

A National Survey of the Oral Health of U.S. children aged 5 to 17 was conducted by the National Institute of Dental Research during the 1986-87 school year. Eleven thousand and seven adolescents aged 14 to 17 years received a periodontal assessment. Their patterns of loss of periodontal attachment as assessed by probing at mesial sites were used to classify adolescents as cases of early onset periodontitis. Approximately 0.53% of adolescents nation-wide were estimated to have localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP), 0.13% to have generalized juvenile periodontitis (GJP), and 1.61% to have incidental loss of attachment (LA) (greater than or equal to 3 mm on 1 or more teeth). The total number of adolescents affected were not trivial. Close to 70,000 adolescents in the U.S. were estimated to have LJP in 1986-87. More destructive GJP affected an estimated 17,000 adolescents. Another 212,000 adolescents were estimated to have incidental LA. Blacks were at much greater risk for all forms of early onset periodontitis than whites. Males were clearly more likely (4.3 to 1) to have GJP than females when other variables were statistically controlled. Gender associations were more complicated for LJP because gender interacted with race. Black males were 2.9 times as likely to have LJP as black females. In contrast, white females were more likely than white males to have the disease by about the same odds. When interactions among demographic variables exist, caution must be taken in comparing results from different studies.
Long-Term Intensive Therapy of IDDM Patients With Clinically Overt Autonomic Neuropathy: Effects on Hypoglycemia Awareness and Counterregulation

To test the hypothesis that hypoglycemia unawareness and impaired counterregulation are reversible after meticulous prevention of hypoglycemia in IDDM patients with diabetic autonomic neuropathy (DAN), 21 patients (8 without DAN [DAN−]; 13 with DAN [DAN+]; of the latter, 7 had orthostatic hypotension [DAN+PH+] and 6 did not [DAN+PH−]) and 15 nondiabetic subjects were studied during stepped hypoglycemia (plateau plasma glucose decrements from 5.0 to 2.2 mmol/l) before and 6 months after prevention of hypoglycemia (intensive therapy). After 6 months, frequency of mild hypoglycemia decreased from ∼20 to ∼2 episodes/patient-month while HbA1c increased from 6.2 ± 0.3 to 6.9 ± 0.2% (P < 0.05). Responses of adrenaline improved more in DAN− patients (from 1.17 ± 0.12 to 2.4 ± 0.22 nmol/l) than in DAN+PH− (from 0.75 ± 0.25 to 1.56 ± 0.23 nmol/l) and DAN+PH+ patients (from 0.80 ± 0.24 to 1.15 ± 0.27 nmol/l, P < 0.05) but remained lower than in nondiabetic subjects (4.9 ± 0.37 nmol/1, P < 0.05), whereas glycemic thresholds normalized only in DAN−, not DAN+. Autonomic symptoms of hypoglycemia improved but remained lower in DAN− (6.2 ± 0.6) than in nondiabetic subjects (8.1 ± 1.1) and lower in DAN+PH+ (4 ± 0.8) than in DAN+PH− subjects (5.1 ± 0.8, P < 0.05), whereas neuroglycopenic symptoms normalized (NS). Cognitive function deteriorated less before than after prevention of hypoglycemia (P < 0.05). Thus, intensive therapy with emphasis on preventing hypoglycemia reverses hypoglycemia unawareness in DAN+ patients despite marginal improvement of adrenaline responses, results in low frequency of hypoglycemia despite impaired counterregulation, and maintains HbA1c in the range of intensive therapy. We conclude that DAN, long IDDM duration per se, and antecedent recent hypoglycemia contribute to different extents to impaired adrenaline responses and hypoglycemia unawareness.
Characterization of the glnK-amtB Operon of Azotobacter vinelandii

ABSTRACT To determine whether in Azotobacter vinelandii the PII protein influences the regulation of nifgene expression in response to fluxes in the ammonium supply, the gene encoding PII was isolated and characterized. Its deduced translation product was highly similar to PII proteins from other organisms, with the greatest degree of relatedness being exhibited to the Escherichia coli glnK gene product. A gene designated amtB was found downstream of and was cotranscribed with glnK as in E. coli. The AmtB protein is similar to functionally characterized ammonium transport proteins from a few other eukaryotes and one other prokaryote.glnK and amtB comprise an operon. Attempts to isolate a stable glnK mutant strain were unsuccessful, suggesting that glnK, like glnA, is an essential gene in A. vinelandii. amtB mutants were isolated, and although growth on limiting amounts of ammonium was similar in the mutant and wild-type strains, the mutants were unable to transport [14C]methylammonium.
New T‐lymphocytic cell lines for studying cell infectability by human immunodeficiency virus

Abstract: We identified five human T‐lymphoid cell lines (PB‐1, Sez‐4, C19PL, HUT 102B and ATL‐2) which highly express CD4 in addition to CXCR4 and CCR5. In order to evaluate if these cells are infectabile by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and could be employed as a model in HIV research we exposed these cell lines to X4 (T‐cell tropic) and R5 (macrophage tropic) and subsequently tried to correlate their infectability with (i) level of chemokine coreceptor (CXCR4 and CCR5) expression, (ii) coreceptor functionality (calcium flux, chemotaxis and phosphorylation of MAPK p42/44 and AKT) and (iii) endogenous expression and secretion of HIV‐related chemokines which compete with the virus for binding to CXCR4 (SDF‐1/CXCL12) or CCR5 (MIP‐1β/CCL4, MIP‐1α/CCL3, RANTES/CCL5, MCP‐2/CCL8, MCP‐3/CCL7 and MCP‐4/CCL13). We demonstrated that while PB‐1 cells are infectable by both X4 and R5 HIV, Sez‐4, C91PL, HUT 102B and ATL‐2 cells were infected by X4 HIV only. Moreover, we noticed that the susceptibility of these cells to HIV did not correspond either with the level of surface expression or with the functionality of CXCR4 or CCR5; however, it was modulated to some degree by the endogenously secreted HIV‐related chemokines. Thus all five mature T‐cell lines described here may provide useful new models for studying various aspects of HIV infection. In addition we demonstrate that the infectability of cells by HIV is modulated by so far unidentified intrinsic factors as well as some already known endogenously secreted chemokines. The identification of these factors may be important for developing new strategies to protect cells from HIV infection.