Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NAAT–Identified and Self-Reported Gonorrhea and Chlamydial Infections: Different At-Risk Population Subgroups?

Background Information on the characteristics and behaviors of persons at high risk for gonorrhea and chlamydial infection has typically been derived from studies of sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic populations. The Baltimore STD and Behavior Survey (BSBS) used urine-based nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) to assess the prevalence and behavioral correlates of gonorrhea and chlamydial infection in a population-based cross-sectional survey of adults in Baltimore, Maryland. Goal The goal of this study was to examine the demographic characteristics and behavioral markers of gonorrhea and chlamydial infection as reported by adults with a self-reported history of gonorrhea and chlamydial infection and to compare these to the characteristics and behaviors of individuals with current NAAT-identified gonorrhea and/or chlamydial infection. Study Design A probability sample of adults aged 18 to 35 years residing in Baltimore was evaluated with collection of urine specimens and administration of a health and behavior survey. Data and specimens were collected between January 1997 and September 1998. Results Respondents with NAAT-detected gonorrhea and/or chlamydial infection (7.9%) did not report a history of high-risk behaviors or more recent occurrences of those behaviors, and the majority were asymptomatic. However, adults in our study who self-reported a history of infection (26.0%) were more likely than those with no history of infection to report multiple partners, paid sex, partners with prior STDs, and STD symptoms—a pattern consistent with findings described in previous clinic-based reports. Conclusion The risk profile generated from studies of clinic populations, with a focus on symptomatic disease, may not characterize the broader population with current, untreated, largely asymptomatic infection.
Neuromuscular partitioning, architectural design, and myosin fiber types of the M. vastus lateralis of the llama (Lama glama)

The llama (Lama glama) is one of the few mammals of relatively large body size in which three fast myosin heavy chain isoforms (i.e., IIA, IIX, IIB) are extensively expressed in their locomotory muscles. This study was designed to gain insight into the morphological and functional organization of skeletal musculature in this peculiar animal model. The neuromuscular partitioning, architectural design, and myosin fiber types were systematically studied in the M. vastus lateralis of adult llamas (n = 15). Four nonoverlapping neuromuscular partitions or compartments were identified macroscopically (using a modified Sihler's technique for muscle depigmentation), although they did not conform strictly to the definitions of “neuromuscular compartments. ” Each neuromuscular partition was innervated by primary branches of the femoral nerve and was arranged within the muscle as paired partitions, two in parallel (deep‐superficial compartmentalization) and the other two in‐series (proximo‐distal compartmentalization). These neuromuscular partitions of the muscle varied in their respective architectural designs (studied after partial digestion with diluted nitric acid) and myosin fiber type characteristics (identified immunohistochemically with specific anti‐myosin monoclonal antibodies, then examined by quantitative histochemistry and image analysis). The deep partitions of the muscle had longer fibers, with lower angles of pinnation, and higher percentages of fast‐glycolytic fibers than the superficial partitions of the muscle. These differences clearly suggest a division of labor in the whole M. vastus lateralis of llamas, with deep partitions exhibiting features well adapted for dynamic activities in the extension of stifle, whereas superficial portions seem to be related to the antigravitational role of the muscle in preserving the extension of the stifle during standing and stance phase of the stride. This peculiar structural and functional organization of the llama M. vastus lateralis does not confirm the generalized idea that deep muscles or the deepest portions within the same muscles somehow develop postural and/or low‐intensity isometric functions. Rather, it suggests a primacy of architecture over intramuscular location in determining fiber type composition and hence division of labor within the muscle. A compartmentalization in the distribution of the three fast‐subtype fibers (IIA, IIX, and IIB) also occurred, and this could also be relevant functionally, since these fiber types differed significantly in size (IIA < IIX < IIB), oxidative capacity (IIA > IIX > IIB), and capillarization (IIA = IIX > IIB). Furthermore, a typical spatial pattern in fiber type distribution was encountered in llama muscle (i.e., fiber types were consistently ranked in the order I → IIA → IIX → IIB from the center to the periphery of fascicles), suggesting again peculiar and not well understood functional adaptations in this species. J. Morphol. 262:667–681, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rationalizable Irrationalities of Choice

Although seemingly irrational choice abounds, the rules governing these mis-steps that might provide hints about the factors limiting normative behavior are unclear. We consider three experimental tasks, which probe different aspects of non-normative choice under uncertainty. We argue for systematic statistical, algorithmic, and implementational sources of irrationality, including incomplete evaluation of long-run future utilities, Pavlovian actions, and habits, together with computational and statistical noise and uncertainty. We suggest structural and functional adaptations that minimize their maladaptive effects.
Representative photo selection for restaurants in food blogs

Nowadays, people write comments of restaurants and upload related photos to food blogs after visiting there. Developing a mobile application which enables the user to effectively search restaurants from data in these blogs becomes an emerging need. Besides reading the comments, most people will give a glance at food photos of a restaurant and then decide whether to go or what to eat. Therefore, we propose a system to analyze and select representative photos for each restaurant based on blog-platform media. A strong food detection model is trained to retrieve food photos and an aesthetic quality assessment method is utilized to select representative photos. Based on these representative photos, users can more easily have the impression of the restaurant and review the blog in an organized way. The experimental results show that our system can generate better representative photos (i.e. much closer to the users' preferences) than existing blog platforms.
Silencing of a viral RNA silencing suppressor in transgenic plants.

High expression levels of the helper component proteinase (HC(pro)), a known virus suppressor of RNA silencing, were attained in Nicotiana benthamiana transformed with the HC(pro) cistron of Potato virus A (PVA, genus Potyvirus). No spontaneous silencing of the HC(pro) transgene was observed, in contrast to the PVA coat protein (CP)-encoding transgene in other transgenic lines. HC(pro)-transgenic plants were initially susceptible to PVA and were systemically infected by 14 days post-inoculation (p.i.) but, 1 to 2 weeks later, the new expanding leaves at positions +6 and +7 above the inoculated leaf showed a peculiar recovery phenotype. Leaf tips (the oldest part of the leaf) were chlorotic and contained high titres of PVA, whereas the rest of the leaf was symptomless and contained greatly reduced or non-detectable levels of viral RNA, CP and transgene mRNA. The spatial recovery phenotype suggests that RNA silencing is initiated in close proximity to meristematic tissues. Leaves at position +8 and higher were symptomless and virus-free but not completely resistant to mechanical inoculation with PVA. However, they were not infected with the virus systemically transported from the lower infected leaves, suggesting a vascular tissue-based resistance mechanism. Recovery of the HC(pro)-transgenic plants from infection with different PVA isolates was dependent on the level of sequence homology with the transgene. Methylation of the HC(pro) transgene followed recovery. These data show that the transgene mRNA for a silencing suppressor can be silenced by a presumably 'strong' silencing inducer (replicating homologous virus).
SEQUENCING BATCH REACTOR: A PROMISING TECHNOLOGY IN WASTEWATER TREATMENT

Discharge of domestic and industrial wastewater to surface or groundwater is very dangerous to the environment. Therefore treatment of any kind of wastewater to produce effluent with good quality is necessary. In this regard choosing an effective treatment system is important. Sequencing batch reactor is a modification of activated sludge process which has been successfully used to treat municipal and industrial wastewater. The process could be applied for nutrients removal, high biochemical oxygen demand containing industrial wastewater, wastewater containing toxic materials such as cyanide, copper, chromium, lead and nickel, food industries effluents, landfill leachates and tannery wastewater. Of the process advantages are single-tank configuration, small foot print, easily expandable, simple operation and low capital costs. Many researches have been conducted on this treatment technology. The authors had been conducted some investigations on a modification of sequencing batch reactor. Their studies resulted in very high percentage removal of biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total kjeldahl nitrogen, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and total suspended solids respectively. This paper reviews some of the published works in addition to experiences of the authors.
Performance evaluation and sensitivity analysis of a novel rectenna system for deep implanted devices

We examine the performance of an implantable antenna combined with a rectifier circuit (Rectenna) in terms of polarization stability, effect of surrounding tissue electrical properties and implantation depth. A single-layer Planar Inverted F-Antenna (PIFA) that exhibits dual-resonance for data telemetry (MedRadio band, 402 MHz) and power transfer (ISM band, 915 MHz) is employed. Antenna polarization is investigated through axial ratio computations. Further, we consider nine tissue-dielectric scenarios comprising ±5% and ±10% variations in the initial tissue permittivity and conductivity. Subsequently, the antenna implantation depth is, also, altered. Indeed, proposed implantable antenna is robust with regards to reliability of wireless link, resonance response and radiation performance. Finally, an improved, previously presented, rectifier system is presented. As shown, its efficiency reaches almost 40% (20% increase) for an optimum load Rl=9.5 kOhm at a reference power level Pr=−16 dBm.
IMPROVEd quality of life and lower cost with an endovascular strategy for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms - impact on daily practice.

This editorial refers to ‘Endovascular strategy or open repair for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm: one-year outcomes from the IMPROVE randomized trial’[†][1], by IMPROVE Trial Investigators, on page 2061 There has been considerable debate regarding the role of endovascular repair to treat ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms.1–3 Meta-analysis of cohort data demonstrated some encouraging short-term survival benefits compared with open repair, but these studies were influenced by selection and publication bias.4–6 The Immediate Management of Patients with Rupture: Open Versus Endovascular repair (IMPROVE) randomized trial was designed to provide a robust comparison of the two treatment strategies.7 The trial was constructed to be inclusive and to consider whether availability of an endovascular service would improve the outcome of all patients with rupture, not just those with anatomy suitable for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). The authors should be congratulated on the pragmatic design and the conduct of the multicentre study, which provides as close a reflection of clinical reality as possible. The trial included all patients suspected to have a ruptured aneurysm and was large enough to include an intention to treat analysis of 316 patients having endovascular strategy and … [1]: #fn-2
Comparison of the virulence of O:9,12 and O:4,5,12 Salmonella typhimurium his+ transductants for mice

The purpose of these experiments was to determine whether qualitative differences in the O repeat unit of the lipopolysaccharide of pathogenic Salmonella species affected virulence for mice. O:4,5,12 and O:9,12 sister his+ transductants were derived from a virulent Salmonella typhimurium. Fermentation markers were introduced by transduction to differentiate these strains, and the strains were used as mixed challenge to CF1 and C57B1/6J mice. Liver and spleen cultures of the mice of various intervals after challenge indicated that the O:4,5,12 member of the nearly isogenic pair regularly multiplied to a greater extent than the O:9,12 after intraperitoneal challenge for both strains of mice. After oral challenge, there was little difference in the amount of multiplication of the O:4,5,12 and O:9,12 strains in CF1 mice, but the O:4,5,12 was the predominant strain recovered in 8 of 10 instances in the C57B1/6J mice.
In Vitro Efficacy, Resistance Selection, and Structural Modeling Studies Implicate the Malarial Parasite Apicoplast as the Target of Azithromycin*

Azithromycin (AZ), a broad-spectrum antibacterial macrolide that inhibits protein synthesis, also manifests reasonable efficacy as an antimalarial. Its mode of action against malarial parasites, however, has remained undefined. Our in vitro investigations with the human malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum document a remarkable increase in AZ potency when exposure is prolonged from one to two generations of intraerythrocytic growth, with AZ producing 50% inhibition of parasite growth at concentrations in the mid to low nanomolar range. In our culture-adapted lines, AZ displayed no synergy with chloroquine (CQ), amodiaquine, or artesunate. AZ activity was also unaffected by mutations in the pfcrt (P. falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter) or pfmdr1 (P. falciparum multidrug resistance-1) drug resistance loci, as determined using transgenic lines. We have selected mutant, AZ-resistant 7G8 and Dd2 parasite lines. In the AZ-resistant 7G8 line, the bacterial-like apicoplast large subunit ribosomal RNA harbored a U438C mutation in domain I. Both AZ-resistant lines revealed a G76V mutation in a conserved region of the apicoplast-encoded P. falciparum ribosomal protein L4 (PfRpl4). This protein is predicted to associate with the nuclear genome-encoded P. falciparum ribosomal protein L22 (PfRpl22) and the large subunit rRNA to form the 50 S ribosome polypeptide exit tunnel that can be occupied by AZ. The PfRpl22 sequence remained unchanged. Molecular modeling of mutant PfRpl4 with AZ suggests an altered orientation of the L75 side chain that could preclude AZ binding. These data imply that AZ acts on the apicoplast bacterial-like translation machinery and identify Pfrpl4 as a potential marker of resistance.
Temporal trends of incident human immunodeficiency virus infection in a cohort of injecting drug users in Baltimore, Md.

OBJECTIVE To measure the temporal trends in the incidence of infection with human immunodeficiency virus in a cohort of injecting drug users in Baltimore, Md, between 1988 and 1992. DESIGN Study subjects were screened for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and confirmed with Western blot. They were followed up at 6-month intervals with repeated serologic screening and comprehensive interviews for human immunodeficiency virus risk factors. SETTING Special study clinic. PARTICIPANTS A cohort of 2960 participants were recruited and screened between February 1988 and March 1989. Recruitment criteria included an age of 18 years or older, a history of illicit drug injection since 1978, and the absence of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; subjects were subsequently tested for human immunodeficiency virus antibodies. Most subjects (85%) were not receiving methadone treatment at baseline and were recruited by word of mouth. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Human immunodeficiency virus seroconversion. RESULTS Of the 2247 seronegative participants at baseline, 1532 were followed up, and 188 (12.3%) had seroconverted by December 1992. The incidence of human immunodeficiency virus infection over time among users declined somewhat, especially among women; the overall incidence was 1.90 per 100 person-semesters, or 3.80% annually. The incidence, adjusted for gender, was higher in younger (< 35 years) than older (> or = 35 years) subjects (relative incidence, 1.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.29 to 2.38) and in women compared with men, adjusted for age (relative incidence, 1.29; 95% confidence interval, 0.95 to 1.80). The relative incidence among active compared with inactive drug users adjusted for age and gender was 1.58 (95% confidence interval, 1.06 to 2.35). CONCLUSIONS Although the incidence of human immunodeficiency virus infection in this cohort of injecting drug users in Baltimore declined somewhat during the 4 years of follow-up, especially among women, the persistent annual incidence of nearly 4% during 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 years of observation suggests the need for additional strategies for prevention of infection, especially among those who continue injecting drugs. Newer methods of prevention, such as provision of sterile injection equipment, an effective human immunodeficiency virus vaccine, and wider availability of effective treatment or prevention of drug addiction, are urgently needed in these high-risk populations.
In vivo administration of fucoidan from Turbinaria decurrens protects shrimps from white spot syndrome virus

Fucoidan was extracted from the brown seaweed Turbinaria decurrens by hot water extraction and characterized with HPLC, FTIR, NMR and GPC to study the impact against the White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), bacteria and fungi. Fucoidan was fed for shrimps along with the diet (before and after WSSV infection). In the end of the study, the survival percentage of shrimp was 51% (in the case of 5-8 g) and 97% (in the case of 12-15 g), respectively. Among the 10 bacterial pathogens and 7 fungal pathogens, fucoidan inhibited 2 bacterial pathogen such as S. aureus (0.26±0.02 mm) and E. faecalis (1.3±0.1 mm) and A. Niger (0.84 ± 0.03 mm) in fungal pathogens with clear zone of inhibition.
Collision-free path generation for a mobile robot by an artificial transformation of obstacle spaces

SUMMARY This paper presents a new method to generate a smooth collision-free path of a mobile robot. The path is generated as follows: First, the obstacle spaces are artificially contracted to obtain an initial collision-free path which leads the mobile robot from the start point to the goal; then the path is iteratively modified to avoid the obstacle spaces which are gradually restored (this is carried out in consideration of the index introduced to evaluate the correctness of the path), in the final step, all the obstacle spaces are fully restored and the obtained path becomes a desirable collision-free one. The proposed method is effectively applied to an example of planning planar movements of a mobile robot.
Anti-VEGF therapy for glaucoma

Purpose of review The role of antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents in treating various ophthalmic diseases is currently being investigated. There have been many advances in the understanding of how anti-VEGF agents work and speculation on when to implement them clinically for neovascular glaucoma. Recent studies exploring the utility of anti-VEGF agents for wound modulation after trabeculectomy reveal promising results. Recent findings Anti-VEGF agents have been shown to be beneficial in treating neovascular glaucoma. Their use leads to regression of both iris and angle neovascularization, intraocular pressure control when the angle remains open and, in many cases, prompts symptomatic improvement. In addition, research on the wound modulatory properties of anti-VEGF agents has revealed a dose-dependent inhibition of fibroblast proliferation. Studies exploring the use of anti-VEGF agents at time of trabeculectomy or in bleb revision procedures suggest a beneficial effect on bleb survival and subsequent improvement in intraocular pressure control. Prospective randomized clinical trials are still needed. Summary The recent use of anti-VEGF agents for neovascular glaucoma as well as wound modulation after trabeculectomy has shown great promise. Through future research, the antiangiogenic and antifibroblastic properties of anti-VEGF agents may prove to be beneficial in patients being treated for various forms of glaucoma.
Specific Role of the SR Protein Splicing Factor B52 in Cell Cycle Control in Drosophila

ABSTRACT E2F and retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein pRB are important regulators of cell proliferation; however, the regulation of these proteins in vivo is not well understood. In Drosophila there are two E2F genes, an activator, de2f1, and a repressor, de2f2. The loss of de2f1 gives rise to the G1/S block accompanied by the repression of E2F-dependent transcription. These defects can be suppressed by mutation of de2f2. In this work, we show that the de2f1 mutant phenotype is rescued by the loss of the pre-mRNA splicing factor SR protein B52. Mutations in B52 restore S phase in clones of de2f1 mutant cells and phenocopy the loss of the de2f2 function. B52 acts upstream of de2f2 and plays a specific role in regulation of de2f2 pre-mRNA splicing. In B52-deficient cells, the level of dE2F2 protein is severely reduced and the expression of dE2F2-dependent genes is deregulated. Reexpression of the intronless copy of dE2F2 in B52-deficient cells restores the dE2F2-mediated repression. These results uncover a previously unrecognized role of the splicing factor in maintaining the G1/S block in vivo by specific regulation of the dE2F2 repressor function.
Nicotine Craving and Cue Exposure Therapy by Using Virtual Environments

Smokers who are exposed to cues associated with smoking show cardiovascular reactivity and an increase in smoking urges as compared to when they are presented with neutral cues. Cue exposure therapy (CET), which refers to the repeated exposure to drug-related cues in order to extinguish this learned association, has increasingly been proposed as a potential treatment of addictive behaviors, including tobacco smoking. The result of our pilot study suggests that a cue elicited using a virtual environment (VE) is more effective than other cue exposure devices. The VE was composed of craving environments (virtual bar) and objects (an alcoholic drink, a packet of cigarettes, a lighter, an ashtray, a glass of beer, and advertising posters) that are likely to trigger craving, a smoking avatar, and an audio environment that included the noisy sound and music of a restaurant. Sixteen late-adolescent males who smoked at least 10 cigarettes a day were recruited to participate in the VE-CET study. The CET virtual bar program consisted of six sessions, and the participants were exposed repeatedly to each session using different questions and procedures. Although the effects of CET did not yield significant reductions in all of the dependent variables, the craving for cigarettes was gradually decreased during the course of the sessions. This tendency was closely related to the reduction in the smoking count between the morning before the experiment and the start of the experiment. Based on these preliminary results, it appears that VE-CET maybe a useful tool to use in treatment programs to help reduce craving in those who are nicotine dependent.