Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computer vision analysis captures atypical attention in toddlers with autism

To demonstrate the capability of computer vision analysis to detect atypical orienting and attention behaviors in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder. One hundered and four toddlers of 16–31 months old (mean = 22) participated in this study. Twenty-two of the toddlers had autism spectrum disorder and 82 had typical development or developmental delay. Toddlers watched video stimuli on a tablet while the built-in camera recorded their head movement. Computer vision analysis measured participants’ attention and orienting in response to name calls. Reliability of the computer vision analysis algorithm was tested against a human rater. Differences in behavior were analyzed between the autism spectrum disorder group and the comparison group. Reliability between computer vision analysis and human coding for orienting to name was excellent (intra-class coefficient 0.84, 95% confidence interval 0.67–0.91). Only 8% of toddlers with autism spectrum disorder oriented to name calling on >1 trial, compared to 63% of toddlers in the comparison group (p = 0.002). Mean latency to orient was significantly longer for toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (2.02 vs 1.06 s, p = 0.04). Sensitivity for autism spectrum disorder of atypical orienting was 96% and specificity was 38%. Older toddlers with autism spectrum disorder showed less attention to the videos overall (p = 0.03). Automated coding offers a reliable, quantitative method for detecting atypical social orienting and reduced sustained attention in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder.
Model predictive control for flexible power consumption of large-scale refrigeration systems

A model predictive control (MPC) scheme is introduced to directly control the electrical power consumption of large-scale refrigeration systems. Deviation from the baseline of the consumption is corresponded to the storing and delivering of thermal energy. By virtue of such correspondence, the control method can be employed for regulating power services in the smart grid. The proposed scheme contains the control of cooling capacity as well as optimizing the efficiency factor of the system, which is in general a nonconvex optimization problem. By introducing a fictitious manipulated variable, and novel incorporation of the evaporation temperature set-point into optimization problem, the convex optimization problem is formulated within the MPC scheme. The method is applied to a simulation benchmark of large-scale refrigeration systems including several medium and low temperature cold reservoirs.
Fos expression in brain stem nuclei of pregnant rats after hydralazine-induced hypotension

Curtis, Kathleen S. , J. Thomas Cunningham, and Cheryl M. Heesch. Fos expression in brain stem nuclei of pregnant rats after hydralazine-induced hypotension. Am. J. Physiol. 277 (Regulatory Integrative Comp. Physiol. 46): R532–R540, 1999. —Fos and dopamine b-hydroxylase immunoreactivity were evaluated in the brain stems of 21-day pregnant and virgin female rats injected with either hydralazine (HDZ; 10 mg/kg iv) or vehicle. HDZ produced significant hypotension in both groups, although baseline blood pressure was lower in pregnant rats (96 6 2.5 mmHg) than in virgin female rats (121 6 2.8 mmHg). There were no differences in Fos immunoreactivity in the brain stems of pregnant and virgin female rats after vehicle treatment. HDZ-induced hypotension significantly increased Fos expression in both groups; however, the magnitude of the increases differed in the caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVL), the area postrema (AP), and the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVL). Fos expression after HDZ in pregnant rats was augmented in noncatecholaminergic neurons of the CVL but was attenuated in the AP and in noncatecholaminergic neurons in the RVL. These results are consistent with differences in the sympathetic response to hypotension between pregnant and virgin female rats and indicate that the central response to hypotension may be different in pregnant rats.
Inflammation Level after Decompression Surgery for a Rat Model of Chronic Severe Spinal Cord Compression and Effects on Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Delayed neurological deterioration in the absence of direct spinal cord insult following surgical decompression is a severe postoperative complication in patients with chronic severe spinal cord compression (SCC). The spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) has been verified as a potential etiology of the complication. However, the exact pathophysiologic mechanisms of the decompression-related IRI remain to be defined. In this study, we developed a practical rat model of chronic severe SCC. To explore the underlying role of inflammation in decompression-related IRI, immunoreactivity of pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) before and after decompression were measured. In addition, expression level of TNF-α and IL-1β was examined with Western blot. Immunohistochemical staining showed negative result in gray matters in the sham group and sham-decompression group. In the severe compression group, strong positive staining of TNF-α and IL-1β were found, suggesting a dramatic infiltration of inflammatory cells in gray matters. Furthermore, the severe compression group showed a significant increase in expression level of TNF-α and IL-1β as compared with the sham group (p < 0.05). In the severe compression-decompression group, both immunostaining and Western blot showed significant increase of TNF-α and IL-1β levels in the spinal cord compared with the severe compression group (p < 0.05). The results demonstrated that surgical decompression plays a stimulative role in inflammation through increasing the expression of inflammatory cytokines in the rat model of chronic severe SCC injury. Inflammation may be one of the important pathological mechanisms of decompression-related IRI of chronic ischemia.
Carbohydrate Counting in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

Carbohydrate counting (CC) is a meal-planning tool for patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) treated with a basal bolus insulin regimen by means of multiple daily injections or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. It is based on an awareness of foods that contain carbohydrates and their effect on blood glucose. The bolus insulin dose needed is obtained from the total amount of carbohydrates consumed at each meal and the insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio. Evidence suggests that CC may have positive effects on metabolic control and on reducing glycosylated haemoglobin concentration (HbA1c). Moreover, CC might reduce the frequency of hypoglycaemia. In addition, with CC the flexibility of meals and snacks allows children and teenagers to manage their T1D more effectively within their own lifestyles. CC and the bolus calculator can have possible beneficial effects in improving post-meal glucose, with a higher percentage of values within the target. Moreover, CC might be integrated with the counting of fat and protein to more accurately calculate the insulin bolus. In conclusion, in children and adolescents with T1D, CC may have a positive effect on metabolic control, might reduce hypoglycaemia events, improves quality of life, and seems to do so without influencing body mass index; however, more high-quality clinical trials are needed to confirm this positive impact.
The Effect of Water Content on the Damage Concrete Ultrasonic Detection

The ultrasonic velocity was detected in order to research the relation between the ultrasonic velocity of the damage concrete and the water content,the result showed that the effect was little when the water content below 1.5%;and the effect increased obviously with the increment of water content when the water content was above 1.5%,and the effect increased when the damage level increased.
Adjustments in energy expenditure and substrate utilization during late pregnancy and lactation.

BACKGROUND Metabolic adjustments occur during pregnancy and lactation to support fetal growth and milk synthesis; however, the effect of body composition and hormonal milieu on these changes is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that energy metabolism changes during pregnancy and lactation to support fetal growth and milk synthesis, and that body composition and hormonal milieu influence these alterations. DESIGN We measured energy expenditure, body composition, and hormone, metabolite, and catecholamine concentrations in 76 women (40 lactating, 36 nonlactating) at 37 wk gestation and 3 and 6 mo postpartum. Total energy expenditure (TEE), basal metabolic rate (BMR), sleeping metabolic rate (SMR), and minimal SMR (MSMR) were measured with room calorimetry. Fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass were estimated with a 4-component model. RESULTS TEE, BMR, SMR, and MSMR were 15-26% higher during pregnancy than postpartum after being adjusted for FFM, fat mass, and energy balance. TEE, SMR, and MSMR were higher in lactating than in nonlactating women. Fasting serum insulin, insulin-like growth factor I, fatty acids, and leptin, and 24-h urinary free norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine correlated positively with TEE, BMR, SMR, and MSMR. In nonlactating women, the respiratory quotient decreased over time, carbohydrate oxidation decreased, and fat oxidation increased. Substrate utilization was not influenced by body composition, fasting serum hormones, or 24-h urinary catecholamines. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate increased energy expenditure and preferential use of carbohydrates during pregnancy and lactation. Elevated respiratory quotient and carbohydrate utilization during pregnancy continue during lactation, consistent with preferential use of glucose by the fetus and mammary gland.
Differential effects of EGF on repair of cellular functions after dichlorovinyl-l-cysteine-induced injury.

This study examined the repair of renal proximal tubule cellular (RPTC) functions following sublethal injury induced by the nephrotoxicant S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-l-cysteine (DCVC). DCVC exposure resulted in 31% cell death and loss 24 h following the treatment. Monolayer confluence recovered through migration/spreading but not proliferation after 6 days. Basal, uncoupled, and ouabain-sensitive oxygen consumption (Qo 2) decreased 47, 76, and 62%, respectively, 24 h after DCVC exposure. Na+-K+-ATPase activity and Na+-dependent glucose uptake were inhibited 80 and 68%, respectively, 24 h after DCVC exposure. None of these functions recovered over time. Addition of epidermal growth factor (EGF) following DCVC exposure did not prevent decreases in basal, uncoupled, and ouabain-sensitive Qo 2 values and Na+-K+-ATPase activity but promoted their recovery over 4-6 days. In contrast, no recovery of Na+-dependent glucose uptake occurred in the presence of EGF. These data show that: 1) DCVC exposure decreases mitochondrial function, Na+-K+-ATPase activity, active Na+ transport, and Na+-dependent glucose uptake in sublethally injured RPTC; 2) DCVC-treated RPTC do not proliferate nor regain their physiological functions in this model; and 3) EGF promotes recovery of mitochondrial function and active Na+ transport but not Na+-dependent glucose uptake. These results suggest that cysteine conjugates may cause renal dysfunction, in part, by decreasing RPTC functions and inhibiting their repair.
Primary and adaptive changes of A-type K+ currents in sympathetic neurons from hypertensive rats.

The A-type K+ current ( I A) of superior cervical ganglion neurons acutely isolated from spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats was compared under whole cell voltage clamp. Activation parameters were similar in each strain. Steady-state inactivation was shifted approximately -6 mV in SHR, where one-half inactivation occurred at -81 mV vs. -75 mV in WKY rats. The shift was not present in prehypertensive SHR but remained in adult enalapril-treated SHR and, therefore, may represent a primary alteration of I A properties. I A amplitudes evoked from physiological potentials were similar, despite inactivation of a greater fraction of the current in the SHR. Comparing maximal I A densities revealed that current density is elevated in the SHR, which compensates for the inactivation shift. Current density decreased with age in WKY neurons but did not significantly decline in SHR neurons unless hypertension was prevented with enalapril. Thus adult SHR neurons may retain a high I Adensity as an adaptive response to offset potential hyperexcitability resulting from the hyperpolarized I A inactivation.
An independent, inverse association of high-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol concentration with nonadipose body mass.

BACKGROUND Increasing body mass index (BMI) is associated with progressively lower serum HDL-cholesterol concentrations, although the underlying body-composition compartment accounting for this unfavorable lipid change remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE Because growing evidence favors a role of lean tissue in HDL homeostasis, the hypothesis was tested that non-adipose tissue components of body mass explain the inverse association of HDL cholesterol and BMI. DESIGN Fasting serum lipid concentrations and body composition [total, subcutaneous, and visceral adipose tissue; adipose tissue-free mass (ATFM); and skeletal muscle by whole-body magnetic resonance imaging and body cell mass by 40K counting) were evaluated in healthy adults. Body-composition compartments were expressed as height2-normalized indexes. RESULTS An inverse correlation was observed between serum HDL cholesterol and BMI in women (n = 68; R2 = 0.08, P = 0.023) and men (n = 61; R2 = 0.07, P = 0.046). Significant inverse correlations (P = 0.005-0.02) were also observed between HDL cholesterol and nonadipose components (ie, ATFM, skeletal muscle, and body cell mass) but not between HDL cholesterol and any adipose tissue component. The association between HDL cholesterol and ATFM remained significant after serum triacylglycerol was controlled for. When BMI was entered into the HDL cholesterol-ATFM regression model, BMI was not a significant independent variable. The strongest correlate of serum triacylglycerol was visceral adipose tissue (P = 0.002 for both women and men). CONCLUSIONS Lean tissues and body cell mass appear to account in part for the long-observed inverse association of HDL cholesterol and BMI. These observations suggest a link between nonadipose tissue compartments and the greater cardiovascular risk associated with high BMI.
Folate and arsenic metabolism: a double-blind, placebo-controlled folic acid-supplementation trial in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND Populations in South and East Asia and many other regions of the world are chronically exposed to arsenic-contaminated drinking water. To various degrees, ingested inorganic arsenic (InAs) is methylated to monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) via folate-dependent one-carbon metabolism; impaired methylation is associated with adverse health outcomes. Consequently, folate nutritional status may influence arsenic methylation and toxicity. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that folic acid supplementation of arsenic-exposed adults would increase arsenic methylation. DESIGN Two hundred adults in a rural region of Bangladesh, previously found to have low plasma concentrations of folate (</=9 nmol/L) were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled folic acid-supplementation trial. Plasma concentrations of folate and homocysteine and urinary concentrations of arsenic metabolites were analyzed at baseline and after 12 wk of supplementation with folic acid at a dose of 400 microg/d or placebo. RESULTS The increase in the proportion of total urinary arsenic excreted as DMA in the folic acid group (72% before and 79% after supplementation) was significantly (P < 0.0001) greater than that in the placebo group, as was the reduction in the proportions of total urinary arsenic excreted as MMA (13% and 10%, respectively; P < 0.0001) and as InAs (15% and 11%, respectively; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that folic acid supplementation to participants with low plasma folate enhances arsenic methylation. Because persons whose urine contains low proportions of DMA and high proportions of MMA and InAs have been reported to be at greater risk of skin and bladder cancers and peripheral vascular disease, these results suggest that folic acid supplementation may reduce the risk of arsenic-related health outcomes.
Health aspects of partially defatted flaxseed, including effects on serum lipids, oxidative measures, and ex vivo androgen and progestin activity: a controlled crossover trial.

BACKGROUND Currently there is considerable interest in the potential health benefits of oil seeds, such as soy and flaxseed, especially in relation to cardiovascular disease and cancer. OBJECTIVE We therefore evaluated health aspects of partially defatted flaxseed in relation to serum lipids, indicators of oxidative stress, and ex vivo sex hormone activities. DESIGN Twenty-nine hyperlipidemic subjects (22 men and 7 postmenopausal women) completed two 3-wk treatment periods in a randomized, crossover trial. Subjects were given muffins that contributed approximately 20 g fiber/d from either flaxseed (approximately 50 g partially defatted flaxseed/d) or wheat bran (control) while they consumed self-selected National Cholesterol Education Program Step II diets. Both muffins had similar macronutrient profiles. Treatment phases were separated by > or = 2 wk. RESULTS Partially defatted flaxseed reduced total cholesterol (4.6+/-1.2%; P = 0.001), LDL cholesterol (7.6+/-1.8%; P < 0.001), apolipoprotein B (5.4+/-1.4%; P = 0.001), and apolipoprotein A-I (5.8+/-1.9%; P = 0.005), but had no effect on serum lipoprotein ratios at week 3 compared with the control. There were no significant effects on serum HDL cholesterol, serum protein carbonyl content, or ex vivo androgen or progestin activity after either treatment. Unexpectedly, serum protein thiol groups were significantly lower (10.8+/-3.6%; P = 0.007) at week 3 after the flaxseed treatment than after the control, suggesting increased oxidation. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that partially defatted flaxseed is effective in lowering LDL cholesterol. No effects on lipoprotein ratios, ex vivo serum androgen or progestin activity, or protein carbonyl content were observed. The significance of increased oxidation of protein thiol groups with flaxseed consumption requires further investigation.
Vascular and glomerular expression of endothelin-1 in normal human kidney.

To understand better the function of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in renal physiology, we examined vascular and glomerular expression of ET-1 in normal human kidney and in lupus nephritis. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that renal endothelium of glomeruli, arteries, veins, and capillaries expressed ET-1. Endothelial cells were the principal source of glomerular ET-1; positive immunostaining was detected only rarely in mesangial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells from normal kidney. However, mesangial staining for ET-1 was elevated in patients with lupus nephritis, suggesting that under certain conditions mesangial cells elaborate ET-1. Indeed cultured human mesangial cells from normal subjects secreted ET-1 peptide. ET-1 secretion was augmented by the protein kinase C activator phorbol ester and by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), a cytokine implicated in the development of glomerulosclerosis. Transient transfection of cultured mesangial cells with a preproET-1 reporter construct showed that the preproET-1 promoter is transcriptionally active in mesangial cells and is stimulated by TGF-β1, phorbol ester, or ectopic expression of protein kinase β1. Cultured human mesangial cells have both ETA and ETB receptors that contribute to ET-1-stimulated mitogenesis. Taken together, these results demonstrate that ET-1 is expressed at sites where paracrine or autocrine signaling by ET-1 might control renal vasoconstriction, glomerular filtration rate, and remodeling of the glomerulus in renal disease.
Plasma S-adenosylhomocysteine is a more sensitive indicator of cardiovascular disease than plasma homocysteine.

BACKGROUND Although plasma total homocysteine has been identified as an independent risk factor for vascular disease in a multitude of studies, there is a considerable overlap in values between patients at risk and control subjects. The difference in values can be used to distinguish statistically between the 2 groups, provided each group is large enough; however, discriminating between individual patients at risk and control subjects is difficult. OBJECTIVE We investigated whether the precursor of homocysteine, S-adenosylhomocysteine, is a more sensitive indicator of risk. DESIGN We measured plasma total homocysteine, S-adenosylhomocysteine, S-adenosylmethionine, creatinine, folate, and vitamin B-12 in 30 patients with proven cardiovascular disease and 29 age- and sex-matched control subjects. RESULTS The homocysteine values (+/-SD) were 12.8 +/- 4.9 (95% CI: 11.0, 14.7) micromol/L for patients and 11.0 +/- 3.2 (9.8, 12.2) micromol/L for control subjects. The S-adenosylhomocysteine values were 40.0 +/- 20.6 (32.3, 47.7) nmol/L for patients and 27.0 +/- 6.7 (24.5, 30.0) nmol/L for control subjects (P = 0.0021). The S-adenosylmethionine values were 121.8 +/- 42.9 (105.8, 137.8) nmol/L for patients and 103.9 +/- 21.8 (95.6, 112.2) nmol/L for control subjects (P = 0.0493). The creatinine values were 110 +/- 27 (97, 120) micromol/L for patients and 97 +/- 9 (80, 100) micromol/L for control subjects (P = 0.0025). Values for folate and vitamin B-12 did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSIONS Plasma S-adenosylhomocysteine appears to be a much more sensitive indicator of the difference between patients with cardiovascular disease and control subjects than is homocysteine. Both plasma total homocysteine and S-adenosylhomocysteine are significantly correlated with plasma creatinine in patients.
Plant sterol intakes and colorectal cancer risk in the Netherlands Cohort Study on Diet and Cancer.

BACKGROUND Plant sterols in vegetable foods might prevent colorectal cancer. OBJECTIVE The objective was to study plant sterol intakes in relation to colorectal cancer risk in an epidemiologic study. DESIGN The study was performed within the framework of the Netherlands Cohort Study on Diet and Cancer in 120852 subjects who completed a baseline questionnaire in 1986. After 6.3 y of follow-up, 620 colon and 344 rectal cancer cases were detected. A case-cohort approach was used to calculate confounder-adjusted rate ratios (RRs) and their 95% CIs for quintiles of plant sterol intake. RESULTS The total mean (+/-SD) intake of campesterol, stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol, campestanol, and beta-sitostanol was 285 +/- 97 mg/d. Major contributors to plant sterol intake were bread (38%), vegetable fats (26%), and fruit and vegetables (21%). For men, there was no clear association between intake of any of the plant sterols and colon cancer risk when age, smoking, alcohol use, family history of colorectal cancer, education level, and cholecystectomy were controlled for. Adjustment for energy did not alter the result. For rectal cancer, adjustment for energy resulted in positive associations between risk and campesterol and stigmasterol intakes. For women, there was no clear association between intake of any of the plant sterols and colorectal cancer risk. CONCLUSION A high dietary intake of plant sterols was not associated with a lower risk of colon and rectal cancers in the Netherlands Cohort Study on Diet and Cancer.