Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Homozygous deletions may be markers of nearby heterozygous mutations: The complex deletion at FRA16D in the HCT116 colon cancer cell line removes exons of WWOX

Homozygous deletions in cancer cells have been thought to harbor tumor suppressor genes. We show that the 25 and 50 kb homozygous deletions in WWOX in the colon cancer cell line HCT116 result from a complex set of heterozygous deletions, some of which overlap to give homozygous loss. One of the heterozygous deletions has removed exons 6–8 of one allele of WWOX, and there is also a third copy of the distal region of WWOX in an unbalanced translocation. The exon 6–8 deletion results in allele‐specific expression of a deleted transcript, which seems likely to be the main biological consequence of the deletions, since similar transcripts are found in other tumors. We show that such a complex set of deletions could form in a single exchange event between two homologous chromosomes, so that the selective advantage of such rearrangements need not be within the homozygous deletion. We conclude that homozygous deletions can be markers of complex rearrangements that have targets outside the homozygous deletion itself and that the target of deletions in the FRA16D region is indeed WWOX, the common outcome being the removal of particular WWOX exons. This article contains supplementary material available at http://www.interscience. wiley.com/jpages/1045‐2257/suppmat. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Outbreak of Zika Virus Infection, Chiapas State, Mexico, 2015, and First Confirmed Transmission by Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes in the Americas.

BACKGROUND After decades of obscurity, Zika virus (ZIKV) has spread through the Americas since 2015 accompanied by congenital microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Although these epidemics presumably involve transmission by Aedes aegypti, no direct evidence of vector involvement has been reported, prompting speculation that other mosquitoes such as Culex quinquefasciatus could be involved. METHODS We detected an outbreak of ZIKV infection in southern Mexico in late 2015. Sera from suspected ZIKV-infected patients were analyzed for viral RNA and antibodies. Mosquitoes were collected in and around patient homes and tested for ZIKV. RESULTS Of 119 suspected ZIKV-infected patients, 25 (21%) were confirmed by RT-PCR of serum collected 1-8 days after the onset of signs and symptoms including rash, arthralgia, headache, pruritus, myalgia, and fever. Of 796 mosquitoes collected, A. aegypti yielded ZIKV detection by RT-PCR in 15 of 55 pools (27.3%). No ZIKV was detected in C. quinquefasciatus ZIKV sequences derived from sera and mosquitoes showed a monophyletic relationship suggestive of a point source introduction from Guatemala. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the continued, rapid northward progression of ZIKV into North America with typically mild disease manifestations, and implicate A. aegypti for the first time as a principal vector in North America.
Evaluation of Community Action Against Asthma: A Community Health Worker Intervention to Improve Children's Asthma-Related Health by Reducing Household Environmental Triggers for Asthma

This article describes the evaluation of a community-based participatory research (CBPR) community health worker (CHW) intervention to improve children's asthma-related health by reducing household environmental triggers for asthma. After randomization to an intervention or control group, 298 households in Detroit, Michigan, with a child, aged 7 to 11, with persistent asthma symptoms participated. The intervention was effective in increasing some of the measures of lung function (daily nadir Forced Expiratory Volume at one second [p = .03] and daily nadir Peak Flow [p = .02]), reducing the frequency of two symptoms (“cough that won't go away,” “coughing with exercise”), reducing the proportion of children requiring unscheduled medical visits and reporting inadequate use of asthma controller medication, reducing caregiver report of depressive symptoms, reducing concentrations of dog allergen in the dust, and increasing some behaviors related to reducing indoor environmental triggers. The results suggest a CHW environmental intervention can improve children's asthma-related health, although the pathway for improvement is complex.
Optimized computing of parameters for functional regression in data mining

The present article deals with the issue of training models in data mining for numeric attributes. It is focused mainly on optimization techniques for training, used in cluster infrastructure. The approach taken in the paper use gradient optimization techniques from numerical mathematics, to train the model, whose structure can be defined generally. This approach is advantageous because it is not limited by particular structure of the model. Applying this approach with different structures of models to the same specific data, we can observe significant changes of model quality, expressed by several numerical characteristics. All the numerical characteristics of quality are strictly defined in the first part of the article, which also gives a brief overview of predictions in data mining. The article also presents several parallelization techniques of this approach. Numerical prediction can be applied in various sectors - meteorology, hydrology, ecology, chemical and physical processes, industry, and many other areas.
Longitudinal study of effects of patient characteristics on direct costs in Alzheimer disease

Objectives: To estimate long-term trajectories of direct cost of caring for patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) and examine the effects of patients’ characteristics on cost longitudinally. Methods: The sample is drawn from the Predictors Study, a large, multicenter cohort of patients with probable AD, prospectively followed up annually for up to 7 years in three university-based AD centers in the United States. Random effects models estimated the effects of patients’ clinical and sociodemographic characteristics on direct cost of care. Direct cost included cost associated with medical and nonmedical care. Clinical characteristics included cognitive status (measured by Mini-Mental State Examination), functional capacity (measured by Blessed Dementia Rating Scale [BDRS]), psychotic symptoms, behavioral problems, depressive symptoms, extrapyramidal signs, and comorbidities. The model also controlled for patients’ sex, age, and living arrangements. Results: Total direct cost increased from approximately $9,239 per patient per year at baseline, when all patients were at the early stages of the disease, to $19,925 by year 4. After controlling for other variables, a one-point increase in the BDRS score increased total direct cost by 7.7%. One more comorbid condition increased total direct cost by 14.3%. Total direct cost was 20.8% lower for patients living at home compared with those living in an institutional setting. Conclusions: Total direct cost of caring for patients with Alzheimer disease increased substantially over time. Much of the cost increases were explained by patients’ clinical and demographic variables. Comorbidities and functional capacity were associated with higher direct cost over time.
Influence of Nucleation Seeding on the Hydration Mechanisms of Tricalcium Silicate and Cement

The fundamental chemical hydration process of portland cement and its main mineral component, tricalcium silicate, was studied by investigating the effects of various additives. A relatively small amount (1−4 wt %) of well-dispersed calcium silicate hydrate (C−S−H), a pure form of the main hydration product, significantly increases both the early hydration rate and the total amount of hydration during the early nucleation and growth period (the first ∼24 h), as measured by calorimetry. This is attributed to a seeding effect whereby the C−S−H additive provides new nucleation sites within the pore space away from the particle surfaces. This mechanism is verified by a digital simulation of the hydration process that reproduces key features of the hydration kinetics. The results provide strong evidence that the hydration process is autocatalytic such that the C−S−H gel product stimulates its own formation. The seeding effect of C−S−H also provides a new explanation of the hydration-accelerating effects of var.
Obesity and diet affect glucose dynamics and insulin sensitivity in Thoroughbred geldings.

Insulin resistance is considered a risk factor in obesity, laminitis, exertional rhabdomyolysis, and osteochondrosis. The objective was to use the minimal model to estimate glucose effectiveness (Sg) and insulin sensitivity (Si) in nonobese to obese horses initially adapted to forage only, then adapted to forage plus supplements rich in starch and sugar (SS) or fiber and fat (FF). Ten Thoroughbred geldings, with BCS of 5 (nonobese), 6 (moderately obese), and 7 to 8 (obese), were adapted to pasture and hay, allocated to two groups, and fed SS or FF in a switch-back design with 8 wk of adaptation. Modified frequent-sampling i.v. glucose tolerance tests were applied after adaptation to forage, SS, and FF. For the tolerance tests, horses were kept in stalls overnight and provided hay, and venous catheters were placed the next morning. Baseline samples were collected, 0.3 g of glucose/kg of BW was given i.v. , and blood was sampled at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 19 min. At 20 min, 30 mU of insulin/kg of BW was given, followed by sampling at 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 30, 35, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 150, and 180 min. Plasma was analyzed for glucose and insulin, and Si, Sg, acute insulin response to glucose, and the disposition index were calculated. Normality was tested using the Shapiro-Wilk statistic. Body condition effects were analyzed using a mixed model with repeated measures. Diet effects were analyzed using a Wilcoxon signed rank test. The Sg was higher in obese than nonobese (P = 0.003) and moderately obese (P = 0.007) horses; Si was lower in obese than nonobese (P = 0.008) horses, and acute insulin response to glucose was higher in obese than nonobese (P = 0.039) horses. Effects of diet were likely confounded by body condition, but horses had lower Si (P = 0.066) when fed SS compared with FF, especially when nonobese. In conclusion, the minimal model effectively estimated Sg, Si, acute insulin response to glucose, and disposition index in horses. Obese geldings were insulin-resistant and seemed to rely primarily on Sg for glucose disposal. Feeding a diet rich in sugar and starch decreased insulin sensitivity of horses. Maintenance of body condition and avoidance of grain-based meals rich in sugar and starch would be beneficial to decrease the risk of developing insulin resistance and associated metabolic syndromes in horses, especially for horses at risk for these syndromes.
RNA nucleotide methylation

Methylation of RNA occurs at a variety of atoms, nucleotides, sequences and tertiary structures. Strongly related to other posttranscriptional modifications, methylation of different RNA species includes tRNA, rRNA, mRNA, tmRNA, snRNA, snoRNA, miRNA, and viral RNA. Different catalytic strategies are employed for RNA methylation by a variety of RNA‐methyltransferases which fall into four superfamilies. This review outlines the different functions of methyl groups in RNA, including biophysical, biochemical and metabolic stabilization of RNA, quality control, resistance to antibiotics, mRNA reading frame maintenance, deciphering of normal and altered genetic code, selenocysteine incorporation, tRNA aminoacylation, ribotoxins, splicing, intracellular trafficking, immune response, and others. Connections to other fields including gene regulation, DNA repair, stress response, and possibly histone acetylation and exocytosis are pointed out. WIREs RNA 2011 2 611–631 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.79
A Novel Dual Three-Phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor With Asymmetric Stator Winding

Although three-phase permanent magnet (PM) motors are dominant in industry, multi-phase PM synchronous motors present higher torque-to-weight ratios, better efficiency, and low torque ripple compared with three-phase conventional PM motors. These features make fault-tolerant multi-phase PM motors become attractive for safety-critical applications. In this paper, a novel PM multi-phase motor design with a dual three-phase asymmetric stator winding is proposed. The winding structure of the proposed motor is unconventional due to selected slot-pole combinations. Therefore, an asymmetric winding is needed. The detailed finite-element analysis of the proposed motor and a performance comparison between the conventional integer-slot (72-slot/12-pole motor) with symmetric winding and the unconventional fractional-slot (78-slot/12-pole motor) PM motors with asymmetric windings is performed to see the benefits of the proposed motor. It was shown that the novel unconventional multi-phase PM motor has excellent torque quality and slightly higher torque density levels.
[Avoidable Hospital Admissions for Heart Failure, Spain].

OBJECTIVE The avoidable hospital admissions for heart failure are a problem for health systems worldwide, as they waste resources, generate additional morbidities and high mortality. The objective of this study was to determine the risk factors in patients hospitalized for heart failure. METHODS A group of medical from Hospital and Primary Care was established. We realized an audit of a sample of 110 patients from Aljarafe towns with highest hospital admissions for heart failure. The analysis used Student T test and Mann Whitney for quantitative variables; Chi-square test and Fisher exact test for qualitative variables. RESULTS Patients admitted for HF had a mean age of 78.1 years (SD: 9.56); 73 (66.4%) were women; Barthel Index was 45.0 on average; 53.5% had New York Health Association (NYHA) class III and 17 (15.5%) were institutionalized, 70% had between 3 and 5 comorbidities, mainly hypertension (87.3%), dyslipidemia (60.0%), diabetes (57.3%), chronic kidney disease (56.4%), anemia (53.2% ) or atrial fibrillation (52.7%). During hospitalization, 23 patients (20.9%) died. They were mostly women, elderly, had a previous admission and without beta-blockers treatment. The admission in the last 12 months was associated with identification of the primary caregiver; ischemic HF; re-vascularization; inclusion in the COMPARTE Program; treatment change decompensation. CONCLUSIONS The hospital admissions were more frequently an aging population with multiple diseases (hypertension, diabetes, COPD, renal disease) and low capacity for basic activities of daily life. The hospital mortality associated with elderly, women, less use of beta-blockers and the non-inclusion of the patient in the care process.
Factors Related to the Onset and Persistence of Chronic Back Pain in the Community: Results From a General Population Follow-up Study

Introduction. We compared the prevalence of chronic back pain (CBP) at two points 4 years apart and examined socio-demographic, health, and pain-related factors associated with its onset and persistence. Method. A random population sample of 2,184 adults was surveyed in 1996 and resurveyed in 2000. The questionnaire included chronic pain case definition questions (pain for 3 months or longer); the cause (1996) or site (2000) of any chronic pain; the Chronic Pain Grade questionnaire; the Level of Expressed Need (LEN) questionnaire; the SF-36 general health questionnaire; and demographic questions. Those with CBP in 1996 and 2000 had “persistent” CBP; those with CBP in 1996 but not 2000 had “recovered” CBP; those with CBP in 2000 but not 1996 had “new” CBP. Results. Corrected response rates were 82.3% (1996) and 83.0% (2000). The sample prevalence of CBP was 16% (1996) and 27% (2000). Factors in 1996 independently associated with “persistent” compared with “recovered” CBP were preexisting arthritis, high LEN, poor mental health, and not living alone. Factors independently predicting “new” CBP compared with no previous CBP were previous chronic pain elsewhere and poor physical health. “Persistent” CBP was associated with more severe pain, higher LEN, and poorer general health than “new” CBP. Discussion. CBP is a common and lasting problem, whose persistence and onset are predicted by clinical (especially pain) and help-seeking behavior factors, rather than socio-demographic. Prevention should focus on these factors.
Evaluation of body weight in androgenized female rats.

PURPOSE To evaluate the body weight of androgenized female rats or of rats in persistent estrus since these conditions mimic states of chronic anovulation in adult animals. METHODS Forty-four Wistar-Hannover female rats were divided at random into two groups: control group (n = 17) which received only vehicle (0.1 ml corn oil) by the subcutaneous route on the second day of life, and experimental group (n = 27) which was similarly treated with 1.25 mg testosterone propionate diluted in 0.1 ml corn oil. The animals were weighed weekly from the fourth to the 12th week of life. Data were analyzed statistically by analysis of variance and by the Tukey-Kramer multiple comparisons test (p < 0.05). RESULTS The experimental rats (androgenized or in persistent estrus) presented a significant increase in body weight starting on the fifth week of life compared to control rats. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that androgenized rats present a significant increase in body weight, thus representing an interesting biological model for the study of diseases associated with excess weight and polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Patterns of medical practice in cystic fibrosis: Part II. Use of therapies

This report describes the prescribing pattern of therapeutic interventions in the management of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), as observed in the Epidemiologic Study of Cystic Fibrosis (ESCF). Use of 20 therapies by 12,622 patients was recorded from each health care encounter (53,024 outpatient visits and 8,561 hospitalizations) during a 1‐year period (1995), and analyzed by gender, age, severity of lung disease, and presence of any Pseudomonas species in the respiratory tract.
Preventing Fall-Related Vertebral Fractures: Effect of Floor Stiffness on Peak Impact Forces During Backward Falls

Study Design. In vivo biomechanical study of 11 male volunteers. Objective. To measure the peak forces applied to the buttocks in a backward fall from standing, and to determine whether this force is lowered by reductions in floor stiffness. Summary of Background Data. Fall-related vertebral fractures are common and backward falls result in impact to the buttocks. Compliant flooring may reduce impact force and risk for vertebral fracture during a fall. However, we have little knowledge of the peak forces applied to the body during a backward fall, or how floor stiffness affects this force. Methods. Eleven males, mean age 25 ± 5 (SD) years, were suddenly released from a backward lean of 15°, falling backward onto the ground which was covered with 4.5, 7.5, or 10.5 cm of ethylene vinyl acetate foam rubber. We measured 3-dimensional impact forces applied to the buttocks at 960 Hz with a force plate. We used repeated measures analysis of variance and post hoc t tests to compare peak forces between conditions. We also modeled peak vertical force for falls onto a bare floor. Results. There was a significant difference in peak vertical force between falls onto the 10.5 cm foam condition compared with the 7.5 cm (P = 0.002) and 4.5 cm (P < 0.001) conditions. Peak vertical force (N) was (mean ± SD) 5099 ± 868, 4788 ± 702, and 4544 ± 672 for the 4.5, 7.5, and 10.5 cm foam conditions, respectively, and estimated at 6027 ± 988 for the rigid (bare floor) condition. Compared with the bare floor, these foam floors provided, on average, 24, 20, and 15% force attenuation respectively. Conclusion. In a backward fall onto the buttocks, peak impact forces are 6.4 to 9.0 times body weight in a fall onto a bare floor. Reducing floor stiffness using even a thin (4.5 cm) layer of foam may provide 15% vertical force attenuation during a fall onto the buttocks.
Robotic Compensation of Biological Motion to Enhance Surgical Accuracy

Robotic technologies provide new ways to compensate quasi-periodic biological motion, enabling higher surgical accuracy without invasive measures such as cardiopulmonary bypass. This paper describes current research in robotic compensation of hand tremor, respiratory motion, and heartbeat during surgical procedures. An analysis of each physiological motion pattern is provided, as well as a description of novel compensation techniques
Gonadotropin-Inhibitory Hormone Is a Hypothalamic Peptide That Provides a Molecular Switch between Reproduction and Feeding

Objective: Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH)-3 is a neuropeptide that plays a major role in the regulation of reproduction and feeding in mammals. Materials and Methods: We measured endocrine and behavioural parameters of reproduction in sheep, and sexual behaviour in sheep, mice and cynomolgus monkeys. In addition, GnIH gene expression (in situ hybridization) was examined in ewes, and effects of GnIH-3 on food intake and energy expenditure were measured in various species. GnIH-3 was infused (i.v.) into ewes after an i.m. injection of estradiol benzoate to determine whether the peptide blocks the surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion. Results: GnIH gene expression was reduced in the preovulatory period in ewes. Infusion (i.v.) of GnIH-3 blocked the estrogen-induced LH surge (in ewes). Intracerebroventricular infusion had no effect on female or male sexual behaviour in each of the three species, but increased food intake. There were no effects on energy expenditure in sheep or rats. GnIH increased fos protein (immunohistochemistry) was seen in orexigenic neurons (in sheep and rats), but also in anorexigenic neurons (in sheep). Conclusions: GnIH-3 reduces reproductive hormone levels and increases food intake in mammals without reducing energy expenditure. There is minimal effect on reproductive behaviour. The dual effect on reproduction and feeding suggests that GnIH-3 provides a molecular switch between these two functions. Blockade of the positive feedback effect of estrogen with parenteral infusion indicates that this peptide may have utility as a blocker of reproductive function in mammals.