Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Discrete Distribution Based on Compound Sum to Model Dental Caries Count Data

Methods for analysing dental caries and associated risk indicators have evolved considerably in recent decades. The use of zero-inflated or hurdle models is increasing so as to take account of the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) distribution, which is positively skewed and has a high proportion of zero scores. However, there is a need to develop new statistical models that involve pragmatic biological considerations on dental caries in epidemiological surveys. In this paper, we show that the zero-inflated and the hurdle models can both be expressed as a compound sum. Using the same compound sum, we then present the generalized negative binomial (GNB) distribution for dental caries count data, and provide a numerical application using the data of the EPIPAP study. The GNB model generates the best score functions while handling the lifetime dental caries disease process better. In conclusion, the GNB model suits the nature of some count data, in particular when structural zeros are unlikely to occur and when several latent spells can lead to new countable events. For these reasons, the use of the GNB distribution appears to be relevant for the modelling of dental caries count data.
Metabolic Reprogramming Supports IFN-γ Production by CD56bright NK Cells

Human NK cells can be classified into phenotypically and functionally distinct subsets based on levels of CD56 receptor. CD56dim cells are generally considered more cytotoxic, whereas the CD56bright cells are potent producers of IFN-γ. In this study, we define the metabolic changes that occur in peripheral blood NK cells in response to cytokine. Metabolic analysis showed that NK cells upregulate glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation in response to either IL-2 or IL-12/15 cytokine combinations. Despite the fact that both these cytokine combinations robustly upregulated mammalian Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 in human NK cells, only the IL-2–induced metabolic changes were sensitive to mammalian Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 inhibition by rapamycin. Interestingly, we found that CD56bright cells were more metabolically active compared with CD56dim cells. They preferentially upregulated nutrient receptors and also differed substantially in terms of their glucose metabolism. CD56bright cells expressed high levels of the glucose uptake receptor, Glut1 (in the absence of any cytokine), and had higher rates of glucose uptake compared with CD56dim cells. Elevated levels of oxidative phosphorylation were required to support both cytotoxicity and IFN-γ production in all NK cells. Finally, although elevated glycolysis was not required directly for NK cell degranulation, limiting the rate of glycolysis significantly impaired IFN-γ production by the CD56bright subset of cells. Overall, we have defined CD56bright NK cells to be more metabolically active than CD56dim cells, which supports their production of large amounts of IFN-γ during an immune response.
Bacterial transposases and retroviral integrases

Transposable genetic elements have adopted two major strategies for their displacement from one site to another within and between genomes. One involves passage through an RNA intermediate prior to synthesis of a DNA copy while the other is limited uniquely to DNA intermediates. For both types of element, recombination reactions involved in integration are carried out by element‐specific enzymes. These are called transposases in the case of DNA elements and integrases in the case of the best‐characterized RNA elements, the retroviruses and retrotransposons. In spite of major differences between these two transposition strategies, one step in the process, that of insertion, appears to be chemically identical. Current evidence suggests that the similarities in integration mechanism are reflected in amino acid sequence similarities between the integrases and many transposases. These similarities are particularly marked in a region which is thought to form part of the active site, namely the DDE motif. In the light of these relationships, we attempt here to compare mechanistic aspects of retroviral integration with transposition of DNA elements and to summarize current understanding of the functional organization of integrases and transposases.
Set-size and Frequency-of-occurrence Judgements in Young and Older Adults: The Role of the Availability Heuristic

Two experiments examined the cognitive processes underlying judgements of set size and judgements of frequency of occurrence in young (Experiments 1 and 2) and older (Experiment 2) adults. Previous research has implicated the availability heuristic in set-size judgements, whereas an automatic processing mechanism has been implicated in judgements of frequency of occurrence. In the current experiments, path analysis was employed to investigate the role of an availability bias in performance on the judgement tasks. In Experiments 1 and 2, both types of judgement were influenced by repetition frequency of words independent of the availability (recall) of specific exemplars. Experiment 2 extended the investigation to include age differences. Although older adults’ recall performance was poorer overall, the availability bias was age invariant, and there were no age differences in either set-size or frequency-of-occurrence judgements. Our results indicate that both set-size and frequency-of-occurrence judgements are independent of the availability bias evident in recall, and they support the notion that an automatic processing mechanism underlies both types of judgement.
Assessment of CD8+ T cell immune activation markers to monitor response to antiretroviral therapy among HIV‐1 infected patients in Côte d’Ivoire

Because of the paucity of plasma HIV RNA viral load (VL) tests in resource‐poor settings, the CD4+ T cell count is often used as the sole laboratory marker to evaluate the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV‐infected patients. In untreated patients, the level of activated T cells is positively correlated with VL and represents a prognostic marker of HIV infection. However, little is known about its value to predict early drug failure, taking into account the relatively high non‐specific immune activation background observed in many resource‐limited tropical countries. We assessed the use of immune activation markers (expression of CD38 and/or human leucocyte antigen‐DR on CD8+ lymphocytes) to predict virological response to ART in a cohort of HIV‐1 infected patients in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Correlations between VL, absolute CD4+ T cell counts and immune activation levels were examined in 111 HIV patient samples at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of therapy. The percentage of CD38+ CD8+ T cells appeared to be the best correlate of VL. In contrast, changes in CD4+ T cell counts provided a poor correlate of virological response to ART. Unfortunately, CD38+ CD8+ percentages lacked specificity for the determination of early virological drug failure and did not appear to be reliable surrogates of RNA viral load. CD38+ CD8+ T cell percentages may, rather, provide a sensitive estimate of the overall immune recovery, and be a useful extra laboratory parameter to CD4 counts that would contribute to improve the clinical management of HIV‐infected people when VL testing facilities are lacking.
Efficacy and Safety of Once-Daily Inhaled Umeclidinium in Asian Patients with COPD: Results from a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study

Purpose Previous studies demonstrating efficacy and safety of once-daily umeclidinium (UMEC) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have included few Asian patients. This study evaluated efficacy and safety of UMEC 62.5 mcg versus placebo in Asian patients with COPD. Patients and Methods A Phase III, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study. Patients (aged ≥40 years with COPD, pre-, and post-albuterol forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1]/forced vital capacity ratio <0.70 and low risk of exacerbations) were randomized 2:1 to once-daily UMEC 62.5 mcg or placebo via the ELLIPTA inhaler for 24 weeks. Primary endpoint was change from baseline (CFB) in trough FEV1 on Day 169. Secondary endpoints were weighted mean FEV1 over 0–6 hrs post-dose on Day 1 and CFB in Transition Dyspnea Index (TDI) focal score on Day 168. Results A total of 306 patients were included in the modified intent-to-treat population (UMEC: 205; placebo: 101). UMEC versus placebo provided a statistically significant improvement in least squares (LS) mean trough FEV1 between baseline and Day 169 (154 mL [95% confidence interval (CI): 113, 194]; p<0.001). A clinically meaningful difference of 125 mL in favor of UMEC (95% CI: 103, 147; p<0.001) was also seen in LS weighted mean FEV1 0–6 hrs post-dose on Day 1. A LS mean treatment difference in TDI focal score of 0.9 units in favor of UMEC was seen on Day 168 (95% CI: 0.3, 1.5; p=0.004). Incidence of on-treatment adverse events (AEs) was lower in the placebo (55%) versus UMEC arm (60%); non-fatal serious AEs, drug-related AEs, and AEs leading to withdrawal were similar with UMEC and placebo. Conclusion Once-daily UMEC 62.5 mcg resulted in statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in lung function and dyspnea, compared with placebo, in Asian patients with COPD, with no new safety concerns observed.
[Rare anatomical variation of absence of the sciatic nerve: completely substituted by the tibial and common fibular nerve].

INTRODUCTION There are several reports of sciatic nerve anatomical variations. Some are associated with clinical entities, such as piriformis syndrome. We aim to report a rare anatomical variation of this nerve. CASES REPORT Two leucodermic, 74 and 78-year-old male subjects, deceased of natural causes, without lower limb relevant medical history. In both subjects, the right sciatic nerve was absent, with an independent origin and course of the tibial and common fibular nerves. The contralateral sciatic nerve had the common anatomical presentation. DISCUSSION After the analysis of the available data indexed in Medline, we conclude that we are reporting two cases of a rare anatomical variation (the absence of sciatic nerve, with an independent origin and course of the tibial and common fibular nerve). This anatomical variation may have clinical importance, as it may be, for example, a risk factor to unsuccessful sciatic nerve popliteal blocks and to the pyriformis syndrome.
Role of Platelets and Leukocytes in Modulation of Vascular Tone a

Activated platelets and leukocytes release potent vasoactive factors that may modulate vascular tone. Activation of normal platelets produces dilatation of normal arteries. Vasodilatation is mediated by adenosine diphosphate (ADP), which releases endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) from endothelium. In atherosclerotic arteries, activation of platelets produces constriction and perhaps spasm. The constrictor response of atherosclerotic arteries is related in part to profound changes in vascular function: endothelial dysfunction with impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilator responses to ADP, and augmented vasoconstrictor responses to serotonin. In addition, hypercholesterolemia has a direct effect on platelets, resulting in impaired vasodilator responses. Thus, abnormal platelets and altered vascular function may both predispose to spasm of atherosclerotic arteries. Activation of leukocytes has little effect on resistance of large arteries in normal monkeys. In contrast, activation of leukocytes produces pronounced vasoconstriction in atherosclerotic monkeys. Possible mediators of vasoconstriction include prostaglandin E2, oxygen radicals, thromboxane, and a peptide (perhaps angiotensin II). In addition, leukocytes also alter vascular responses to platelets, in part by ADPase on the leukocyte membrane, which degrades ADP released by activated platelets. Leukocytes also release oxygen radicals, which may inactivate EDRF, thereby impairing ADP-mediated, endothelium-dependent vasodilator responses. Abnormal responses to platelets and leukocytes are largely reversed when atherosclerotic lesions regress in monkeys.
Post-traumatic stress symptom clusters in acute whiplash associated disorder and their prediction of chronic pain-related disability

Introduction: The presence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms has been found to be associated with an increased risk of persisting neck pain and disability in motor vehicle crash (MVC) survivors with whiplash injuries. The findings are mixed as to which PTSD symptom(s) best predicts recovery in this population. Objectives: The aims were (1) to explore the factor structure of the Post-traumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale (PDS) in a sample of acute whiplash-injured individuals following a MVC and (2) to identify the PTSD-symptom clusters that best predict long-term neck pain-related disability in this population as measured by the Neck Pain Disability Index (NDI). Methods: A sample (N = 146) of whiplash-injured individuals completed the NDI and the PDS at baseline (<1 month) and at 6 months follow-up. Results: Principal component analyses generated 2 symptom clusters: re-experiencing/avoidance and hyperarousal/numbing. Nine trauma-related PTSD symptoms loaded exclusively on the re-experiencing/avoidance cluster and 7 nonspecific PTSD symptoms loaded exclusively on the hyperarousal/numbing cluster. One PTSD symptom (ie, inability to recall an important aspect of the trauma) had no salient loading on either clusters. Structural equation modelling analysis indicated that there was a significant positive relationship between the hyperarousal/numbing symptom cluster and long-term neck pain-related disability, while no significant relationship was found between the re-experiencing/avoidance symptom cluster and long-term neck pain-related disability. Conclusion: Given that only the hyperarousal/numbing symptom cluster predicted long-term neck pain-related disability, this finding may have implications in terms of diagnosis, assessment, and management of the psychological impact of whiplash-injured individuals following a MVC.
Epitope specificity, cytokine production profile and diabetogenic activity of insulin‐specific T cell clones isolated from NOD mice

T cells are known to play an important role in beta cell destruction in the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse model of Type I diabetes and islet‐specific T cell clones have been demonstrated to be capable of adoptive transfer of diabetes. One important issue involves the identity of beta cell antigens that are recognized by nominally islet cell‐specific T cell clones. We have previously reported that insulin‐specific T cells are a predominant component of islet‐specific T cells isolated from islet infiltrates of pre‐diabetic NOD mice. In this report we examine six independently derived insulin‐specific T cell clones established from islet infiltrates of pre‐diabetic NOD mice in detail. All six clones were found to be specific to a region of the insulin molecule defined by a synthetic peptide encompassing residues 9–23 of the B chain. Despite this restricted specificity, each member of this panel exhibited a distinct receptor specificity defined either by Vβ usage or antigen fine specificity. Five clones produced interferon (IFN)‐γ but not interleukin (IL)‐4, placing them in the T helper type 1 (TH1)‐like category whereas one clone produced both IL‐4 and IFN‐γ, a characteristic of TH0 cells. All six clones were capable of either acceleration of diabetes in young NOD mice or adoptive transfer to NODscid mice. Taken together, these results suggest that spontaneously arising insulin‐specific T cells participate in beta cell destruction during development of diabetes in NOD mice.
Interassociation consensus statement on cardiovascular care of college student-athletes

Cardiovascular evaluation and care of college student-athletes is gaining increasing attention from both the public and medical communities. Emerging strategies include screening of the general athlete population, recommendations of permissible levels of participation by athletes with identified cardiovascular conditions and preparation for responding to unanticipated cardiac events in athletic venues. The primary focus has been sudden cardiac death and the usefulness of screening with or without advanced cardiac screening. The National Collegiate Athletic Association convened a multidisciplinary task force to address cardiovascular concerns in collegiate student-athletes, and to develop consensus for an interassociation statement. This document summarises the task force deliberations and follow-up discussions, and includes available evidence on cardiovascular risk, preparticipation evaluation and the recognition of and response to cardiac arrest. Future recommendations for cardiac research initiatives, education and collaboration are also provided.
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

IDDM is characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the pancreatic islets and T lymphocyte-mediated destruction of insulinproducing I cells (1). In both humans and diabetes-prone nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, genes that map to the major histocompatibility complex are important in the disease process (2). Studies of NOD mice have mapped at least 12 other susceptibility genes to specific chromosomal locations (3, 4). In humans, markers near the insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) loci are associated with IDDM (5). Recently, a genomewide scan found evidence for up to 18 human chromosomal regions linked to disease loci (6); however, the significance of many of these was questioned by a subsequent analysis (7) that concluded that genome scans for linkage require maximized lod (logarithm of the odds ratio for linkage) score (MLS) values higher than those demonstrated. Other susceptibility loci have been mapped by either genomewide scans or tests of candidate genes to human chromosomes 2q, 6, 1 1, and 15 (8-10). We adopted a different strategy, restricting our search to potential human homologs of NOD susceptibility genes. Given the map location of these genes, and the known synteny relations of the mouse and human genomes, we identified chromosomal regions most likely to contain the corresponding human homologs. We now describe the search on human chromosome 2q for susceptibility genes corresponding to ldd5, which affects infiltration of lymphocytes into islets (4). Idd5 is located on proximal mouse chromosome 1 (4). We estimated that the corresponding location in the human genome
Investigation of user RT-service generation system design

In this research, we propose the robot technology (RT) Ontology for Interactive Human-Space Design and Intelligence to make robot provide appropriate services according to situations. For this, we propose to define that "Main task" as a task that the user requests and "Tsuide task" as an essential task accompanied with the "Main task" to complete it. We focus on the development of the system for identifying and defining "Tsuide task" that is changed by the intention of user and the main task. We name the proposing technique as "RT Ontology" which can be used for the infrastructure technology for structuring space information. In this paper, we describe the outline of RT Ontology and experiments.
KaPPA-View. A Web-Based Analysis Tool for Integration of Transcript and Metabolite Data on Plant Metabolic Pathway Maps1[w]

The application of DNA array technology and chromatographic separation techniques coupled with mass spectrometry to transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses in plants has resulted in the generation of considerable quantitative data related to transcription and metabolism. The integration of “omic” data is one of the major concerns associated with research into identifying gene function. Thus, we developed a Web-based tool, KaPPA-View, for representing quantitative data for individual transcripts and/or metabolites on plant metabolic pathway maps. We prepared a set of comprehensive metabolic pathway maps for Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and depicted these graphically in Scalable Vector Graphics format. Individual transcripts assigned to a reaction are represented symbolically together with the symbols of the reaction and metabolites on metabolic pathway maps. Using quantitative values for transcripts and/or metabolites submitted by the user as Comma Separated Value-formatted text through the Internet, the KaPPA-View server inserts colored symbols corresponding to a defined metabolic process at that site on the maps and returns them to the user's browser. The server also provides information on transcripts and metabolites in pop-up windows. To demonstrate the process, we describe the dataset obtained for transgenic plants that overexpress the PAP1 gene encoding a MYB transcription factor on metabolic pathway maps. The presentation of data in this manner is useful for viewing metabolic data in a way that facilitates the discussion of gene function.
CXCR6 is expressed on T cells in both T helper type 1 (Th1) inflammation and allergen‐induced Th2 lung inflammation but is only a weak mediator of chemotaxis

Summary Numerous chemokine receptors are increased in number on T cells in inflamed tissues. Our objective was to examine CXCR6 expression on lymphocytes during immune and inflammatory reactions and its potential for mediating T‐cell recruitment. The cDNA for rat CXCR6 was cloned and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to CXCR6 were developed. CXCR6 was present on 4–6% of CD4 and CD8 T cells in blood, normal lymph nodes (LNs) and the spleen, primarily on memory T cells. In vitro antigen re‐stimulation of LN T cells from animals with autoimmune arthritis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) increased the proportion of CXCR6+ T cells to 35–50% and anti‐T‐cell receptor (TCR) activation to 60–80%. In vivo, after antigen challenge of LNs there was only a small increase in CXCR6+ T cells on the lymphoblasts in the LNs, and a much higher percentage of T cells were CXCR6+ in virus‐induced peritoneal exudates (∼47%) and in allergen‐induced lung inflammation (33%). Chemotaxis of CXCR6‐expressing inflammatory T cells to CXCL16 was poor, but that to CXCL10 was robust. We conclude that few T cells in normal and antigen‐challenged LNs are CXCR6+, whereas a high proportion of in vitro activated T cells and T cells from inflammatory sites are CXCR6+, but these cells migrate poorly to CXCL16. This suggests that CXCR6 may contribute to T‐cell positioning and activation, rather than recruitment. CXCR6 is also expressed on T cells not only in T helper type 1 (Th1) inflammation (arthritis and EAE) but also, as shown here, in Th2 inflammation, where it is increased after allergen challenge.
Sex differences in social cognition: The case of face processing

Several studies have demonstrated that women show a greater interest for social information and empathic attitude than men. This article reviews studies on sex differences in the brain, with particular reference to how males and females process faces and facial expressions, social interactions, pain of others, infant faces, faces in things (pareidolia phenomenon), opposite‐sex faces, humans vs. landscapes, incongruent behavior, motor actions, biological motion, erotic pictures, and emotional information. Sex differences in oxytocin‐based attachment response and emotional memory are also mentioned. In addition, we investigated how 400 different human faces were evaluated for arousal and valence dimensions by a group of healthy male and female University students. Stimuli were carefully balanced for sensory and perceptual characteristics, age, facial expression, and sex. As a whole, women judged all human faces as more positive and more arousing than men. Furthermore, they showed a preference for the faces of children and the elderly in the arousal evaluation. Regardless of face aesthetics, age, or facial expression, women rated human faces higher than men. The preference for opposite‐ vs. same‐sex faces strongly interacted with facial age. Overall, both women and men exhibited differences in facial processing that could be interpreted in the light of evolutionary psychobiology. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.