Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Socio-economic status and smoking in Canada, 1999-2006: has there been any progress on disparities in tobacco use?

OBJECTIVES Comprehensive tobacco control policies implemented in Canada have succeeded in lowering overall smoking prevalence; however, the extent to which they have impacted socio-economic disparities in tobacco use is not known. This study examined smoking rates and related measures across socio-economic groups over a 7-year period in Canada. METHODS Regression analyses tested associations between smoking-related outcomes (prevalence, frequency, consumption, quit intentions and attempts, quit ratios), education level and time, using data from adults 25 years and older who completed the 1999 to 2006 waves of the Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey (CTUMS), a repeated cross-sectional survey with nationally representative samples (n = 86,971). RESULTS Between 1999 and 2006, smoking prevalence, daily smoking, and cigarette consumption decreased, while the proportion of smokers who planned to quit increased, as did the proportion of ever-smokers who had quit. However, significant educational differences were observed: Canadians with less education had greater odds of current smoking (prevalence approximately doubled between the most and least educated groups) and daily smoking, and consumed more cigarettes, compared to university graduates. Highly-educated ever-smokers were also more likely to have quit smoking. These disparities remained stable over the time period studied. Intentions and attempts to quit were not consistently associated with education. CONCLUSIONS The decline in smoking among Canadians between 1999 and 2006 represents a major public health achievement. However, considerable smoking-related disparities exist between socio-economic groups, and have changed very little. Therefore, while recent programs and policies have succeeded in reducing overall tobacco use, they have not addressed socio-economic disparities.
Food Allergen-induced IgE Response Mouse Model Created by Injection of in vitro Differentiated Th2 Cell Culture and Oral Antigen Intake

Immunoglobulin (Ig) E is a mediator of food allergic reaction; however, the mechanisms of its production in response to an ingested antigen are not fully understood. For analysis of IgE production, here we propose an IgE response mouse model created by injection of a Th2 cell culture and feeding of an egg white diet. According to this manipulation, total and ovalbumin specific IgE production were elevated in this model. We think our model enables us to analyze IgE induction by Th2 cells in food allergy and can contribute to the development of a treatment for food allergy.
Biogeographic Ancestry in the African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study (ADAGES): Association With Corneal and Optic Nerve Structure.

PURPOSE We determined if quantitative measurements of biogeographic ancestry (BGA) correlate with variations in optic disc area, corneal thickness (CCT), and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. METHODS Data were obtained from 656 participants in the African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study (ADAGES) cohort who consented to BGA testing. Data for CCT, optic disc area, and RNFL thickness were obtained from subjects in the ADAGES study who also had participated in the current substudy. A total of 31 ancestry informative markers (AIMs) with large allele frequencies differences between populations was used to calculate admixture proportion (implemented in STRUCTURE). Correlations with BGA adjusted for diagnosis, age, and sex for CCT and optic disc area using the whole group and RNFL thickness adjusted for age and sex for the normal study participants were determined. RESULTS The mean percentage of African admixture was 79.6% in the self-described African Descent (AD) group and 3.5% in the European Descent (ED) group. Percent African ancestry was significantly correlated with CCT (ρ = -0.27, P < 0.0001) and disc area (ρ = 0.15, P < 0.0001), but only marginally associated with RNFL thickness (ρ = 0.20, P = 0.092) in adjusted models. CONCLUSIONS The BGA correlates with variation in ocular features that significantly differ across racial groups and that have been associated with the development of glaucoma. While BGA can provide an objective measurement of the biologic component of self-described race for ocular research, for most nongenetic epidemiologic studies, self-described race may adequately describe the associations with these ocular characteristics. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00221923.).
Spectral analysis of metal ejection from NGC3311

Abell 1060 (Hydra I cluster, z = 0.0114) is an X-ray bright cluster of galaxies and is as an archetype of relaxed systems. There are two elliptical galaxies in the center, NGC 3311 as a central cD galaxy and NGC 3309. Previous X-ray observations with ROSAT and ASCA have shown that A1060 has circularly symmetric surface brightness, show an isothermal distribution of the intra-cluster medium (ICM) of 3.3 keV, a constant abundance of 0.3 solar, with the X-ray luminosity LX = 2 × 1043 erg/s. More recently, Chandra observation of the central region of the A1060 cluster of galaxies resolved X-ray emission from two giant elliptical galaxies, NGC 3311 and NGC 3309. It is reported that the emission from these galaxies consists of two components, namely, the hot interstellar medium (ISM) and the low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs). In this work, we focus on jet-like X-ray emission from NGC 3311. Spectral analysis shows that Northeast and Southwest regions have the metalicity values of 0.8 solar and 0.4 solar, respectively. Northeast region is enriched by chemical abundances due to supernova explosions at NCG 3311.
Knock-in fibroblasts and transgenic blastocysts for expression of human FGF2 in the bovine β-casein gene locus using CRISPR/Cas9 nuclease-mediated homologous recombination

Summary Many transgenic domestic animals have been developed to produce therapeutic proteins in the mammary gland, and this approach is one of the most important methods for agricultural and biomedical applications. However, expression and secretion of a protein varies because transgenes are integrated at random sites in the genome. In addition, distal enhancers are very important for transcriptional gene regulation and tissue-specific gene expression. Development of a vector system regulated accurately in the genome is needed to improve production of therapeutic proteins. The objective of this study was to develop a knock-in system for expression of human fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) in the bovine β-casein gene locus. The F2A sequence was fused to the human FGF2 gene and inserted into exon 3 of the β-casein gene. We detected expression of human FGF2 mRNA in the HC11 mouse mammary epithelial cells by RT-PCR and human FGF2 protein in the culture media using western blot analysis when the knock-in vector was introduced. We transfected the knock-in vector into bovine ear fibroblasts and produced knock-in fibroblasts using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 system. Moreover, the CRISPR/Cas9 system was more efficient than conventional methods. In addition, we produced knock-in blastocysts by somatic cell nuclear transfer using the knock-in fibroblasts. Our knock-in fibroblasts may help to create cloned embryos for development of transgenic dairy cattle expressing human FGF2 protein in the mammary gland via the expression system of the bovine β-casein gene.
Fraction of inspired oxygen in relation to cerebrospinal fluid hyperintensity on FLAIR MR imaging of the brain in children and young adults undergoing anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hyperintensity has been described on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging in anesthetized patients who underwent MR imaging without apparent subarachnoid abnormality. The purpose of our study was to delineate likely causes for this hyperintensity. Specifically, we sought to determine whether a high inspired oxygen fraction given as part of the anesthetic was responsible for the CSF hyperintensity seen on FLAIR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective study was conducted using anesthetic records and brain MR images of 70 children and young adults who had a FLAIR sequence while undergoing general anesthesia. Information about inspired oxygen fraction, oxygen saturation, and type of anesthetic agents preceding the FLAIR sequence was obtained from the anesthetic record. A pediatric neuroradiologist who was unaware of the inspired oxygen fraction and anesthetic agent ascertained the presence of CSF hyperintensity in the basilar cisterns and cerebral sulcal subarachnoid space. RESULTS Twenty-one patients received an inspired oxygen fraction less than or equal to 0.60, and 49 received an inspired oxygen fraction greater than 0.60. Inspired oxygen fraction greater than 0.60 was significantly associated with the presence of CSF hyperintensity in the basilar cisterns (p < 0.001) and in the cerebral sulcal subarachnoid space (p = 0.03). The type of anesthetic agent, patient's sex, or status (based on the American Society of Anesthesiology physical status and classification system), and presence of cardiopulmonary disease or seizure disorder were not associated with CSF hyperintensity. CONCLUSION High inspired oxygen fraction during anesthesia is associated with CSF hyperintensity in the basilar cisterns and the cerebral sulcal subarachnoid space on FLAIR imaging in children and young adults. Physicians should be aware of this finding to avoid misinterpreting this artifact as an abnormality.
The added value of quantitative analysis of on‐therapy impedance‐pH parameters in distinguishing refractory non‐erosive reflux disease from functional heartburn

Background By analysis of symptom‐reflux association, endoscopy‐negative refractory heartburn can be related to acid/non‐acid refluxes with impedance‐pH monitoring. Unfortunately, patients frequently do not report symptoms during the test. We aimed to assess the contribution of quantitative analysis of impedance‐pH parameters added to symptom‐reflux association in evaluating patients with endoscopy‐negative heartburn refractory to high‐dose proton pump inhibitor therapy.
Parametrizations for Daubechies wavelets.

Two parametrizations are presented for the Daubechies wavelets. The first one is based on the correspondence between the set of multiresolution analysis with compact support orthonormal basis and the group ${\mathrm{SU}}_{\mathit{I}}$(2,openC[z,${\mathit{z}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$]) developed by Pollen. In the second parametrization, emphasis is put on the regularity condition of the Daubechies wavelets and a solitonic cellular automaton algorithm is introduced to solve the orthonormality conditions characterizing the Daubechies wavelets.
Knockdown Resistance Mutations in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) From Puerto Rico

Abstract Permethrin resistance is widespread in Aedes aegypti (L.), the main dengue, zika, and chikungunya virus vector in Latin America and the Caribbean. A common mechanism of resistance to pyrethroids—knockdown resistance (kdr)—is conferred through mutations in the insect's voltage-dependent sodium channel. In this mosquito, around 10 replacement substitutions in the voltage-gated sodium channel gene (vgsc) have been reported in pyrethroid-resistant strains. Two of these mutations, named Ile1,016 and Cys1,534, are widespread in mosquito populations from Latin America and the Caribbean. This study assessed the levels of permethrin resistance and the frequency of two kdr mutations in eight Ae. aegypti populations collected in Puerto Rico in 2013. Permethrin resistance factors ranged from 33–214-fold relative to the New Orleans reference strain. The frequency of kdr mutation Ile1,016 ranged from 0.65 to fixation (1.0), and for Cys1,534 frequencies varied from 0.8 to fixation. Alarmingly, two populations—Carolina and Caguas—reached fixation at both loci. Our results suggest that permethrin effectiveness for Ae. aegypti control is compromised in these collections from Puerto Rico.
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) for Clinical Trials: More Pitfalls than Promises?

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the main and most significant polyphenol in green tea, has shown numerous health promoting effects acting through different pathways, as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic agent, showing gene expression activity, functioning through growth factor-mediated pathways, the mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent pathway, the ubiquitin/proteasome degradation pathway, as well as eliciting an amyloid protein remodeling activity. However, epidemiological inferences are sometimes conflicting and in vitro and in vivo studies may seem discrepant. Current knowledge on how to enhance bioavailability could be the answer to some of these issues. Furthermore, dose levels, administration frequency and potential side effects remain to be examined.
Analysis of GIDL-Induced off-State Breakdown in High-Voltage Depletion-Mode nMOSFETs

A gate-induced-drain-leakage-induced off-state breakdown is examined in our high-voltage depletion-mode n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors. By increasing the dosage in the n-region, a bell-shaped trend between the off-state breakdown voltage and the dosage in the n-region is observed. Such a bell-shaped trend is found to result from two competing factors: an electric field in the gate edge and an electric field associated with the drain-bulk junction. The latter electric field is responsible for the falling part in the bell-shaped trend. Our model can explain the data of the slightly bell-shaped trend between off-state and implant energy in the n-region. Additionally, the effect of Si recess variation on off-state variation can be understood from our model. According to our model, approaches to improve off-state and the effect of Si recess variation on variation are proposed.
Combination of Convolutive Blind Signal Separation and Wavelet Decomposition to Extract the Atrial Activity in Atrial Fibrillation

In order to use the ECG as a tool for the characterization of atrial fibrillation (AF), we need to dissociate atrial activity (AA) from ventricular activity. On the other hand, the reduced number of leads recorded from a Holter system limits the necessary spatial diversity required by Blind Source Separation (BSS) techniques to accurately extract the AA. In this work, we propose a new method, the Convolutive Multiband Blind Separation (CMBS), to solve the problem of reduced number of leads by combining the Wavelet transform with the convolutive BSS algorithm Infomax. Our analysis shows up that CMBS improves the extraction performance of AA from Holter systems in comparison with previous extraction methods. This improvement is accomplished in two different scenarios, one for synthetic signals and another one for real signals. A high accuracy of the estimated AA for synthetic and real AF ECG episodes is reached in both scenarios. In addition, results prove that CMBS preserves the original AA spectral parameters.
HIGH-ALTITUDE CHAMPIONS : BIRDS THAT LIVE AND 1 MIGRATE AT ALTITUDE 2 3

8 High altitude is physiologically challenging for vertebrate life for many reasons, 9 including hypoxia (low environmental oxygen); yet, many birds thrive at altitude. 10 Compared to mammals, birds have additional enhancements to their oxygen transport 11 cascade, the conceptual series of steps responsible for acquiring oxygen from the 12 environment and transporting it to the mitochondria. These adaptations have allowed 13 them to inhabit a number of high-altitude regions. Waterfowl are a taxon prolific at 14 altitude. This mini-review explores the physiological responses of high-altitude 15 waterfowl (geese and ducks), comparing the strategies of lifelong high-altitude residents 16 to those of transient high-altitude performers, providing insight into how birds champion 17 high-altitude life. In particular, this review highlights and contrasts the physiological 18 hypoxia responses of bar-headed geese (Anser indicus), birds that migrate biannually 19 through the Himalayas (4,500-6,500 m), and Andean geese (Chloephaga melanoptera), 20 lifelong residents of the Andes (4,000-5,500m). These two species exhibit markedly 21 different ventilatory and cardiovascular strategies for coping with hypoxia: bar-headed 22 geese robustly increase convective oxygen transport elements (i.e. heart rate and total 23 ventilation) whereas Andean geese rely predominantly on enhancements that are likely 24 morphological in origin (i.e. increases in lung oxygen diffusion and cardiac stroke 25 volume). The mini-review compares the shortand long-term cardiovascular and 26 ventilatory trade-offs of these different physiological strategies and offers hypotheses 27 surrounding their origins. It also draws parallels to high-altitude human physiology and 28 research, and identifies a number of areas of further research. The field of high-altitude 29 avian physiology offers a unique and broadly applicable insight into physiological 30 enhancements in hypoxia. 31 32 Articles in PresS. J Appl Physiol (August 24, 2017). doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00110. 2017 Copyright © 2017 by the American Physiological Society. by 10.0. 33.3 on A uust 4, 2017 http://jaysiology.org/ D ow nladed fom
Stenosis of the larynx and trachea: diagnostics and treatment.

36 cases (26 males and 10 females aged 19-69, average age 40.3) of larynx and trachea stenosis (23/36 i.e. 64%) and occlusion (13/36 i.e. 36%) were observed between 1990-1999. The cause of larynx and trachea lesion was the prolonged intubation in 17 (47%) cases, tracheostomy--in 13 (36%) (in 12 cases performed outside our centre), external trauma in 5 cases (14%) and burns of the upper airway in 1 patient (3%). For the diagnosis endoscopic, radiologic and spirometric examinations were performed. Length of the constricted or occluded section was estimated at 5-65 mm. Patients were treated applying three methods: endoscopy, splitting of the larynx and/or trachea and "end to end" anastomosis. In most cases surgical proceeding was multistaged. The best result was obtain after "end to end" anastomosis (all patients were deccanulated).
Evaluation of the muscle atrophies occurring after open surgical tenotomy and percutaneous tenotomy

The trial was designed to compare the atrophies occurring after open surgical tenotomy and percutaneous tenotomy using the experimental model that we established. Fourty Ross-800 hybrid chickens were divided into two equal groups. The first and the second group underwent open surgical tenotomy and percutaneous tenotomy of the Achilles tendon, respectively. The animals were sacrificed after eight weeks, and the wet weight, volume, height, diameter, rate of biomechanical elongations and strength of muscles were measured by precision measurement instruments. H & E staining was performed for the histo-pathological assessment of the muscles. In addition, the preparations were photographed and the rate of fatty infiltration and the muscles were assessed by the pixel counting method. All the data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney u test.The morphological evaluation showed that loss of muscle diameter in the surgical tenotomy group was statistically significantly different to that of the percutaneous tenotomy group (p <0.05). The results of the histo-pathological evaluation and the counting process showed that there were significant results supporting the morphological findings and objectively showing the increase in the fatty tissue in Group 1 (p <0.05). The decrease in the amount of elongation of the muscle at the time of the rupture and an increase in the power that was applied in Group 2 after the biomechanical study support the presence of atrophy and fibrosis and were found to be statistically significant (p <0.05). In this experimental study, atrophy was created in both groups at the end of eight weeks. The amount of atrophy in Group 1 was found to be higher than that of Group 2. The histo-pathological findings and the pure muscle tissue were assessed objectively with a new method called the pixel counting method.
3D hybrid computations for streamer discharges and production of runaway electrons

We introduce a 3D hybrid model for streamer discharges that follows the dynamics of single electrons in the region with strong field enhancement at the streamer tip while approximating the many electrons in the streamer interior as densities. We explain the method and present first results for negative streamers in nitrogen. We focus on the high electron energies observed in the simulation.
Surgical management of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

This thesis gives an overview of the surgical management and prognosis of patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET). A systematic review including 2600 studies, was performed on complications and survival after different surgical procedures for pNETs. The overall pancreatic fistula rate after enucleation was high (45%) compared to standard resections. The 5-year survival of resected pNETs without resected liver metastases was 85%. In our own patient data, we analyzed the diagnostic value of chromogranin A and a Octreoscan. In patients with small tumors without suspicious metastases on CT scan, an additional Octreoscan is not mandatory. Chromogranin A was elevated in only 27% of patients preoperatively. Further analysis revealed that the overall complication rate and the need for re-interventions/readmissions was not lower for enucleation compared to other resections. In addition, investigating 832 patients with different types of pancreatic pathology, a pNET was not a risk factor for the development of pancreatic fistula. Interestingly, in our operated patients, the incidence of lymph node metastasis after pancreatoduodenectomy was high, even for small tumors. Risk factors for recurrent disease after curative resection were identified: tumor size >2cm, positive lymph nodes and perineural invasion. Based on these risk factors we developed a nomogram to predict tumor recurrence in order to identify patients, which could benefit from adjuvant treatment and to adjust follow-up programs. In a nationwide study on the outcome after laparoscopic or open distal pancreatectomy, we found laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy to be safe, especially after structured surgical training.
The role of the chest x‐ray in the evaluation of chronic severe heart failure: Things are not always as they appear

The chest x‐ray has become a standard clinical test to aid in the evaluation of patients with chronic severe heart failure. To evaluate just how useful this tool is in the routine assessment of pulmonary venous hypertension secondary to heart failure, we compared the radiologist's interpretation of the chest x‐ray with hemodynamic data obtained from right heart catheterization in a group of patients undergoing protocol evaluation of an experimental treatment for heart failure. Of 23 patients with pulmonary venous hypertension (pulmonary capillary wedge pressure > 20 mmHg) and a complete data base, only 11 had chest x‐rays showing evidence of pulmonary venous congestion or interstitial or alveolar edema. The sensitivity of the chest x‐ray in selecting patients with a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure over 20 mmHg in this setting was only 48%. In other studies, where the radiologist was aware that his or her reading was being compared to hemodynamic assessments, the sensitivity of the chest film has approached 85%. We feel our analysis more closely parallels routine clinical practice. Clinicians should be aware that the chest x‐ray may not be a very sensitive tool for the assessment of pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with severe heart failure.