Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of overweight and obesity in a provincial population of Canadian preschool children

Background: More and more school-aged children in Canada and elsewhere are becoming overweight or obese. Many countries are now reporting a similar trend among preschool children. However, little information is available on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among preschool children in Canada. In addition, available data are based on reported rather than measured heights and weights. We conducted this study to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity, using measured heights and weights, in the 1997 cohort of children aged 3–5 years born in Newfoundland and Labrador. Methods: We calculated the body mass indices (BMIs) using heights and weights measured by public health nurses during the province-wide Preschool Health Check Program conducted between October 2000 and January 2003. Descriptive data on the children's BMIs and prevalence estimates were generated and analyzed by sex and age with the use of the classification system recommended by the International Obesity Task Force. Results: Data were available for 4161 of the 5428 children born in 1997; boys and girls were equally represented (50.1% and 49.9% respectively). Overall, 25.6% of the preschool children in the cohort were overweight or obese. The rates did not differ significantly by sex or age group Interpretation: These results indicate that a high proportion of children aged 3–5 years in Newfoundland and Labrador are overweight or obese. It appears that prevention measures should begin before the age of 3 years.
Superconducting pairing mediated by spin fluctuations from first principles

We present the derivation of an ab-initio and parameter free effective electron-electron interaction that goes beyond the screened RPA and accounts for superconducting pairing driven by spin-fluctuations. The construction is based on many body perturbation theory and relies on the approximation of the exchange-correlation part of the electronic self-energy within time dependent density functional theory. This effective interaction is included in an exchange correlation kernel for superconducting density functional theory, in order to achieve a completely parameter free superconducting gap equation. First results from applying the new functional to a simplified two-band electron gas model are consistent with experiments.
A Novel Serine/Threonine Kinase Binding the Ras-related RhoA GTPase Which Translocates the Kinase to Peripheral Membranes (*)

We previously reported the cloning of a serine/threonine kinase, PAK (for p21 (Cdc42/Rac)-activated kinase), which binds to the Ras-related GTPases Cdc42Hs and Rac1 (Manser, E., Leung, T., Salihuddin, H., Zhao, Z-s., and Lim, L.(1994) Nature 367, 40-46). These p21 proteins together with RhoA comprise the Rho subfamily of proteins that are involved in morphological events. We now report the isolation of a rat cDNA encoding a 150-kDa protein, which specifically binds RhoA in its GTP form and contains an N-terminal serine/threonine kinase domain highly related to the human myotonic dystrophy kinase and a cysteine-rich domain toward the C terminus. The RhoA binding domain is unrelated to other p21 binding domains. Antibody raised against the kinase domain of the predicted protein, termed ROKα (for ROKα, RhoA-binding kinase), recognized a ubiquitous 150-kDa protein. The brain p150 purified by affinity chromatography with RhoA exhibited serine/threonine kinase activity. In cultured cells, immunoreactive p150 was recruited to membranes upon transfection with dominant positive RhoA mutant and was localized with actin microfilaments at the cell periphery. These results are consistent with a role for the kinase ROKα as an effector for RhoA.
Mortality and Its Determinants in People With Psychotic Disorder

Objective We investigated mortality and its determinants in people with psychotic disorder. Methods A nationally representative two-stage cluster sample of 8028 persons aged 30 years or older from Finland was selected for a comprehensive health survey conducted from 2000 to 2001. Participants were screened for psychotic disorder, and screen-positive persons were invited for a Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. The diagnostic assessment of DSM-IV psychotic disorders was based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, case records from mental health treatments, or both. Mortality was followed up until September 2009 and analyzed using Cox proportional hazards model. Results People with schizophrenia (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.03; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.93–4.77) and other nonaffective psychoses (HR = 1.84; 95% CI = 1.17–2.91) had elevated mortality risk, whereas people with affective psychoses did not (HR = 0.61; 95% CI = 0.24–1.55). Antipsychotic medication use was associated with increased mortality (HR = 2.34; 95% CI = 1.86–2.96). There was an interaction between antipsychotic medication use and the presence of a psychotic disorder: antipsychotic medication use was only associated with elevated mortality in persons who were using antipsychotics and did not have primary psychotic disorder. In persons with psychotic disorder, mortality was predicted by smoking and Type 2 diabetes at baseline survey. Conclusions Schizophrenia and nonaffective psychoses are associated with increased mortality risk, whereas affective psychoses are not. Antipsychotic medication use increases mortality risk in older people without primary psychotic disorder, but not in individuals with schizophrenia. Smoking and Type 2 diabetes are important predictors of elevated mortality risk in persons with psychotic disorder.
Effect of serum and serum globulin of patients with myasthenia gravis on neuromuscular transmission

THE ETIOLOGY OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS has recently been suggested to be due to autoimmunity.lI2 This suggestion has been supported by observations that the IgG fraction of the serum of 18 to 68% of patients with myasthenia gravis binds with cross striations of skeletal muscle, as demonstrated by the immunoffuorescence m e t h ~ d . ~ l l The globulin fraction also reacts with the nuclei of various cells, cytoplasm of the epithelial cells of the thymus, and saline extract and ribonucleoprotein of skeletal muscle.5JOJl The striations of skeletal muscle obtained by biopsy contained the globulin in some patients with myasthenia gravis,l2-l4 and the globulin was found in the skeletal muscle of the rat following intra-arterial injection of the serum of myasthenic patients.14 Preliminary studies in this laboratory had failed to demonstrate any neuromuscular blocking activity of the serum and serum globulin obtained from myasthenic patients when these were injected intra-arterially into rats in v iv0 . ~0J~ However, Parkes and McKinna16 have reported that the serum or serum globulin of their myasthenic patients did produce, when injected intra-arterially into rats, neuromuscular block which was reversible by neostigmine. In the present study, observations have been made on the effect of the serum and serum globulin of myasthenic patients on neuromuscular transmission in the rat and in patients with myasthenia gravis. The neuromuscular junction of myasthenic patients is believed to be most sensitive to circulating neuromuscular blocking substance if such a substance is the cause of myasthenia gravis. METHODS
PAC Learning with Generalized Samples and an Applicaiton to Stochastic Geometry

An extension of the standard probably approximately correct (PAC) learning model that allows the use of generalized samples is introduced. A generalized sample is viewed as a pair consisting of a functional on the concept class together with the value obtained by the functional operating on the unknown concept. It appears that this model can be applied to a number of problems in signal processing and geometric reconstruction to provide sample size bounds under a PAC criterion. A specific application of the generalized model to a problem of curve reconstruction is considered, and some connections with a result from stochastic geometry are discussed. >
Ethnic inequalities in stroke: improvements not fast enough for everyone.

AIM: Studies of ethnic differences in stroke survival have produced inconsistent findings. As treatment becomes more effective, inequalities may increase. We examine time trends in ischaemic stroke case fatality in New Zealand. METHOD: The 30-day case fatality rate (CFR) of ischaemic stroke in New Zealand was calculated from routinely collected data for two 5-year periods (2000–2004 and 2010–2014) in Māori, Pacific, Asian and European people. A Poisson regression model tested ethnic inequalities between Europeans and people of other ethnicities in each time period. RESULTS: From 2000–2004 to 2010–2014, the age-sex standardised CFR in Europeans fell from 13.4% (95% CI 13.0 to 13.9%) to 10.7% (10.3 to 11.1%). In Pacific and Asian people, the CFR rose between the two periods, and in Māori there was a drop from 18.2% to 16.2%; neither of these differences were statistically significant. After controlling for socio-demographic variables, service factors and comorbidities, the CFR was higher for Māori than Europeans in 2000–2004, and for all ethnic groups compared with Europeans in 2010–2014. CFR ethnic inequality rose over that time—the change being statistically significant for Pacific (p=0.033) and Asian (p=0.010), and of borderline significance for Māori (p=0.053). CONCLUSIONS: Ethnic inequalities in 30-day ischaemic stroke survival have increased significantly in the last 10 years. This may be due to differences in severity at presentation, or in access and utilisation of the increasingly effective acute and hyper-acute stroke interventions. Ethnic differences in incidence and mortality from ischaemic stroke have been well documented both in New Zealand1-4 and elsewhere.5-7 Some of this excess can be explained by a higher prevalence of cerebrovascular risk factors, including obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.8 There is little evidence, however, that socially-disadvantaged ethnic groups have worse stroke survival or functional outcomes.9 In the US, case fatality rates (CFRs) for stroke in blacks are similar to those in whites.10 The evidence for ethnic differences in stroke survival is mixed and inconclusive for New Zealand. Results from prospective studies conducted in Auckland in 1981–82, 1991–92, 2002–03 and 2011–12 have noted that ethnic-specific 28-day stroke CFRs have declined over time in all ethnic groups.1 A previous report from the Auckland Regional Community Stroke (ARCOS) studies found that CFRs were similar for Māori, Pacific, and European people, but noted that Māori were the only ethnic group with no significant trend in CFR reduction over time.11 Other analyses of these studies reported higher CFRs for Māori at 28 days,12 and at 9 months,13 but the differences were not statistically significant. Here we analyse routinely collected data from the whole of New Zealand to
Hyperammonemia with severe methanol intoxication.

betes mellitus who has a history of many bacterial infections. The exposure of a chronic plantar ulcer to sand at a bathhouse infested with non-O V cholerae is the probable mechanism of entry that led to necrotizing fasciitis and septic shock. The history of pain out of proportion to physical findings suggested a deeper infection of the fascia that spread rapidly and resulted in septic shock. The inability to control necrotizing fasciitis despite surgical intervention often leads to amputation of extremities or death with involvement of abdominal or chest wall fascia. An aggressive medical-surgical team approach is necessary for the survival of the patient.
Pharmacological Screening of Trachyspermum ammi for Antihyperlipidemic Activity in Triton X-100 Induced Hyperlipidemia Rat Model

Background: Mortality rate is increasing due to cardiovascular problems throughout the world. These cardiac problems are directly associated with dyslipidemia. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antihyperlipidemic effect of aqueous extract and methanol extract of Trachyspermum ammi at 1 g/kg, 3 g/kg, and 5 g/kg dose levels in rats. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, 45 male albino rats were used and randomly divided into nine equal groups (n = 5). The lipid levels were increased after 24 h of single intraperitoneal injection of Triton X-100 (100 mg/kg) in rats. Aqueous and methanol extracts equivalent to 1 g/kg, 3 g/kg, and 5 g/kg were administered orally to the rats for 21 days. Atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) was used as standard drug. Blood samples were collected at 0, 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd day by a direct cardiac puncture in Vacuette® heparin tubes. Serum was separated and then analyzed for lipid profile, liver function test (LFT), and renal function test (RFT) using standard diagnostic kits. Results: Results showed that extracts at 3 g/kg and 5 g/kg decreased the levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein and increased high-density lipoprotein concentration in serum. T. ammi also decreased LFT and RFT parameters at the end of the study. Conclusion: T. ammi possessed antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic activities along with hepato- and nephro-protective effects. Aqueous and methanol extracts of T. ammi were administered orally at 1-, 3-, and 5 g/kg doses to hyperlipidemic rats (Triton X-100 induced hyperlipidemia) and atorvastatin (10 mg/kg, orally) was used as standard drug. Methanol extract at 5 g/kg showed antihyperlipidemic effect that is identical to that of standard drug.
FtsK‐dependent and ‐independent pathways of Xer site‐specific recombination

Homologous recombination between circular chromosomes generates dimers that cannot be segregated at cell division. Escherichia coli Xer site‐specific recombination converts chromosomal and plasmid dimers to monomers. Two recombinases, XerC and XerD, act at the E.coli chromosomal recombination site, dif, and at related sites in plasmids. We demonstrate that Xer recombination at plasmid dif sites occurs efficiently only when FtsK is present and under conditions that allow chromosomal dimer formation, whereas recombination at the plasmid sites cer and psi is independent of these factors. We propose that the chromosome dimer‐ and FtsK‐dependent process that activates Xer recombination at plasmid dif also activates Xer recombination at chromosomal dif. The defects in chromosome segregation that result from mutation of the FtsK C‐terminus are attributable to the failure of Xer recombination to resolve chromosome dimers to monomers. Conditions that lead to FtsK‐independent Xer recombination support the hypothesis that FtsK acts on Holliday junction Xer recombination intermediates.
Confirmation of the presence of Mycoplasma bovis in Hungarian cattle with pneumonia resembling pleuropneumonia

Cattle from several farms in Hungary were investigated for the presence of mycoplasmal infections after the discovery of pulmonary lesions in some animals at slaughter. The pneumonic lesions, which resembled those of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (cBPP) macroscopically and histologically were found to be caused by Mycoplasma bovis and not Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides (Mmmsc) which is the causative agent of CBPP. No other bacterial pathogens were isolated. Negative results in complement fixation tests also showed that there was no serological evidence of CBPP. PCR tests for the detection of the M mycoides cluster and specifically for MmmSc were also negative. However, PCR and bacteriological culture detected cases of M bovis and the pneumonias may therefore be attributed to this mycoplasma.
Component-Based Method for the Modeling and Control of Modular Production Systems

Control software systems for manufacturing plants reveal common system architectural elements. This suggests taking advantage of a development paradigm based on reusable components. Creating and upgrading a repository of reusable components suitable for many systems that share common characteristics present a challenge for engineers, especially if composition mechanisms must be founded on control theories of discrete event systems and if formal synthesis tools must be integrated into well-accepted component-based software development processes. This paper explores a component model and a pragmatic method for the development of control software systems. The method, along with the underlying component model, fills the gap between a hierarchical control theory and component-based software engineering. A detailed case study developed around a Festo didactic learning modular production system demonstrates the relevance of the proposed approach to industrial application.
Interleukin-6 and its relationships to acute phase proteins in serous effusion differentiation.

The aim of the study was to assess the discriminative power of cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6) between transudative and exudative pleural and peritoneal effusions, and to compare IL-6 with common acute phase proteins in serous effusion differentiation. One hundred and forty-five consecutive patients with pleural or peritoneal effusion underwent diagnostic parecentesis. Patients were categorized in three groups. Malignant effusion (group A) 56 patients, non-malignant effusion (group B) 46 patients and transudate (group C) 43 patients. Serum and effusion levels of IL-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha2-macroglobuline (alpha2-MG), alpha1-antitrypsin (alpha1-AT) and alpha1-acid glycoprotein (alpha1-AG) were determined. Serum IL-6 levels were significantly higher in groups A and B in comparison to group C (p<0.001 and 0.001, respectively). In addition, serum IL-6 levels were higher in group A compared to group B (p<0.001), while the studied acute phase proteins were not significantly different. All the studied parameters were higher in the effusions of groups A and B compared to group C. At a cut-off value of 72.1 fmol/ml IL-6 had a sensitivity of 82.6-89.3%, specificity of 88.4-90.7% and positive predictive value of 90.7-94.6% among the three groups. Our results suggest that IL-6 at levels > or =72.1 fmol/ml, alpha1-AT at > or =170 mg/dl and alpha1-AG at > or =52.3 mg/ml give strong evidences for malignancy in exudates.
demonstrating the dispensability of the E 3 genes for in vitro replication [

Gene delivery vectors based on Adenoviral (Ad) vectors have enormous potential for the treatment of both hereditary and acquired disease. Detailed structural analysis of the Ad virion, combined with functional studies has broadened our knowledge of the structure/function relationships between Ad vectors and host cells/tissues and substantial achievement has been made towards a thorough understanding of the biology of Ad vectors. The widespread use of Ad vectors for clinical gene therapy is compromised by their inherent immunogenicity. The generation of safer and more effective Ad vectors, targeted to the site of disease, has therefore become a great ambition in the field of Ad vector development. This review provides a synopsis of the structure/function relationships between Ad vectors and host systems and summarizes the many innovative approaches towards achieving Ad vector targeting.
Learning Partially Known Stochastic Dynamics with Empirical PAC Bayes

We propose a novel scheme for fitting heavily parameterized non-linear stochastic differential equations (SDEs). We assign a prior on the parameters of the SDE drift and diffusion functions to achieve a Bayesian model. We then infer this model using the well-known local reparameterized trick for the first time for empirical Bayes, i.e. to integrate out the SDE parameters. The model is then fit by maximizing the likelihood of the resultant marginal with respect to a potentially large number of hyperparameters, which prohibits stable training. As the prior parameters are marginalized, the model also no longer provides a principled means to incorporate prior knowledge. We overcome both of these drawbacks by deriving a training loss that comprises the marginal likelihood of the predictor and a PAC-Bayesian complexity penalty. We observe on synthetic as well as real-world time series prediction tasks that our method provides an improved model fit accompanied with favorable extrapolation properties when provided a partial description of the environment dynamics. Hence, we view the outcome as a promising attempt for building cutting-edge hybrid learning systems that effectively combine first-principle physics and data-driven approaches.
Targeting RAS signaling pathway as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of colorectal cancer

The V‐Ki‐ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) is frequently dysregulated in colorectal cancer (CRC). It is involved in the modulation of several downstream effectors, that include: Raf/Mek/Erk, PI3K/Akt, RalGDS/p38MAPK, and Rac/Rho, and thereby influences tumorigenesis, the invasive behaviors of tumor cell, and resistance to therapy. There is growing evidence exploring the use of drugs that target these pathways in the treatment of CRC. Cetuximab has been approved for CRC patients without a KRAS mutation, or for EGFR‐expressing metastatic CRC, although some of the patients have a mutation of KRAS and NRAS. This review summarizes the recent knowledge about the therapeutic potential of targeting RAS with particular emphasis on recent preclinical and clinical studies in treatment of CRC.
Why Bananas Matter: An introduction to the history of banana domestication

The multi-disciplinary contributions to this volume are all dedicated to the history of banana (Musa spp.) domestication and its significance. Wild bananas of the genus Musa have undergone a complex domestication history that has only been partially unravelled and remains to be fully elucidated. This volume is the first attempt to synthesise the latest ‘state of the art’ research across a range of disciplines (either in combination or separately), including contributions from archaeobotany, genetics, linguistics and phytogeography. Bananas are a key domesticate of subsistence farmers across the wet tropics and subtropics, including today the Americas, Africa, South Asia, mainland and Island Southeast Asia, Melanesia and the Pacific. Although bananas are one of the most important commercial crops in the world, it is estimated that 87% of banana production is for local food consumption (Bioversity International 2008). Apart from the hundreds of fully domesticated banana varieties, of which many are grown outside their natural range, an uncertain number of varieties cultivated today are still in various stages of domestication, because they are still inter-fertile with wild surrounding populations that continually introduce new genetic material into cultivated stock.