Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does systemic low-grade inflammation associate with fat accumulation and distribution? A 7-year follow-up study with peripubertal girls.

CONTEXT Knowledge about the interrelationship between adiposity and systemic low-grade inflammation during pubertal growth is important in detecting early signs of obesity-related metabolic disorders. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to evaluate the developmental trajectories of fat mass (FM) and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels and factors that could explain the relationship between FM and hsCRP in girls from prepuberty to early adulthood. DESIGN This was a 7.5-year longitudinal study. SETTING The study was conducted at the University of Jyväskylä Sports and Health Science laboratory. PARTICIPANTS Three hundred ninety-six healthy Finnish girls aged 11.2 ± 0.8 years participated in the study. METHODS Body composition was assessed by a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and serum concentrations of hsCRP, adipokines, and sex hormones by ELISA. RESULTS Both FM and hsCRP increased with age and had similar trajectories but different inter- and intravariance patterns. A joint analysis of fat distribution and hsCRP indicated that the linkage probabilities across different trajectory subgroups between regional FM and the corresponding hsCRP levels varied from 16% to 53%. In a longitudinal regression model, the common predictor for both FM and hsCRP was T (β = .065, P < 0.01, and β = -.213, P < 0.05, respectively) before menarche. Other factors predicting FM before menarche were SHBG (β = -.196, P < 0.01) and leptin (β = .381, P < .01); and after menarche hsCRP (β = .048, P < 0.01), T (β = .089, P < .01), leptin (β = .340, P < .01), and adiponectin (β = -.086, P < .05). Of the factors assessed, only FM was associated with hsCRP both before and after menarche (β =1.058, P < .01 and β =1.121, P < .01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The differences in regional body fat depots and hsCRP levels in adulthood are largely established early in childhood. However, the intra- and interindividual variances differed between FM and hsCRP. FM explained the variance of hsCRP during pubertal growth, but the reverse was not true, which suggests that FM contributes to low-grade inflammation and not vice versa.
Impacto da artroplastia total de quadril sobre a qualidade de vida em idosos portadores de artrose incapacitante

Introducao: quando acometido por doenca articular degenerativa, como a artrose incapacitante, o idoso vai, pouco a pouco, perdendo suas capacidades funcionais e sofrendo limitacoes, o que acarreta perda da qualidade de vida. A artroplastia e uma opcao de tratamento que visa desenvolver a qualidade de vida. Objetivo: esta pesquisa teve como objetivo caracterizar o impacto da artroplastia total de quadril sobre a qualidade de vida em pacientes idosos portadores de artrose de quadril incapacitante. Pacientes: participaram da pesquisa idosos acima de 65 anos de idade, que realizaram a cirurgia de artroplastia total de quadril por artrose incapacitante no municipio de Passo Fundo RS, no periodo de setembro de 2005 a janeiro de 2006, sendo excluidos do estudo os idosos que realizaram esta cirurgia por qualquer outro fator. Metodo: para a realizacao deste trabalho foi utilizado como instrumento de medida a Versao Brasileira do questionario generico de qualidade de vida SF-36. Este questionario foi aplicado no paciente no periodo pre-operatorio e reaplicado apos 60 a 70 dias de pos-operatorio, sendo entao comparados os resultados obtidos. Resultados: no periodo pre-artroplastia observou-se menor media nos componentes capacidade funcional, aspectos fisicos e dor. Ja no periodo pos artroplastia, as medias desses componentes apresentaram um aumento, em relacao ao mesmo componente do periodo pre operatorio, sendo esta diferenca estatisticamente significativa na comparacao pre e pos-artroplastia (p≤0,001). Comparando os resultados obtidos observa-se que com excecao do componente estado geral de saude, todos os outros componentes apresentaram medias maiores no periodo pos-artroplastia. Conclusao: apesar da artroplastia total de quadril ser uma cirurgia de grande porte, e, assim, oferecer riscos, contribui para a melhora da qualidade de vida do idoso acometido por doenca articular degenerativa incapacitante.
Use of an objective tool to assess platelet inhibition prior to off-pump coronary surgery to reduce blood usage.

BACKGROUND The current standard of care is to delay coronary surgery 5-7 days after clopidogrel exposure to prevent bleeding complications. We sought to determine the utility of an objective tool (ie, the VerifyNow assay) to measure platelet inhibition (PI) in patients receiving preoperative clopidogrel prior to off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (OPCABG). PATIENTS AND METHODS Between June 2007 and July 2009, a total of 482 isolated OPCABG procedures were performed at our institution. In 160 patients, the VerifyNow assay results were used to determine timing of the OPCABG. These patients were compared to the remaining 322 patients. We divided the cohort into 4 subgroups: Group 1 patients (n = 205) were not taking clopidogrel; Group 2 patients (n = 117) were taking clopidogrel, but the test was not performed; Group 3 patients (n = 122) were taking clopidogrel and had a preoperative PI result of ≤20%; and Group 4 patients (n = 38) had ≥21% preoperative PI. RESULTS Demographic and clinical factors were compared in all groups. The median waiting time for surgery from the last dose of clopidogrel was 6 days for the control groups and 3 days for the groups where the test was performed (P<.001). Reoperation for bleeding occurred most often in Group 4 (7.9%; P=.003). Blood utilization was lower in Group 1 (24.4%) than in Groups 2 (34.2%), 3 (40.2%), or 4 (55.3%) (P<.001). Major complications and postoperative length of stay were similar in all groups. CONCLUSIONS Utilization of a PI tool in the preoperative assessment of OPCABG patients exposed to clopidogrel can provide valuable information to guide the timing of coronary surgery and may lead to a decrease in reoperation for bleeding and blood usage.
Synthesis and muscarinic activities of quinuclidin-3-yltriazole and -tetrazole derivatives.

The synthesis of 15 methyl or unsubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles, 1,2,4-triazoles, and tetrazoles additionally substituted with a 1-azabicyclo[2.2. 2]octan-3-yl group is described. The potency and efficacy of these compounds as muscarinic ligands were determined in radioligand binding assays using [3H]oxotremorine and [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate. Potency and efficacy were found in compounds in which the azole moiety was attached to the azabicyclic ring either through a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom. Electrostatic potential maps of both the C-linked and the novel N-linked series of compounds were calculated. A relationship between position and depth of the electrostatic minima relative to the azabicyclic ring and the potency and efficacy of the compounds was determined.
Effect of baseline cannabis use and working‐memory network function on changes in cannabis use in heavy cannabis users: A prospective fMRI study

Theoretical models of addiction suggest that a substance use disorder represents an imbalance between hypersensitive motivational processes and deficient regulatory executive functions. Working‐memory (a central executive function) may be a powerful predictor of the course of drug use and drug‐related problems. Goal of the current functional magnetic resonance imaging study was to assess the predictive power of working‐memory network function for future cannabis use and cannabis‐related problem severity in heavy cannabis users. Tensor independent component analysis was used to investigate differences in working‐memory network function between 32 heavy cannabis users and 41 nonusing controls during an N‐back working‐memory task. In addition, associations were examined between working‐memory network function and cannabis use and problem severity at baseline and at 6‐month follow‐up. Behavioral performance and working‐memory network function did not significantly differ between heavy cannabis users and controls. However, among heavy cannabis users, individual differences in working‐memory network response had an independent effect on change in weekly cannabis use 6 months later (ΔR2 = 0.11, P = 0.006, f2 = 0.37) beyond baseline cannabis use (ΔR2 = 0.41) and a behavioral measure of approach bias (ΔR2 = 0.18): a stronger network response during the N‐back task was related to an increase in weekly cannabis use. These findings imply that heavy cannabis users requiring greater effort to accurately complete an N‐back working‐memory task have a higher probability of escalating cannabis use. Working‐memory network function may be a biomarker for the prediction of course and treatment outcome in cannabis users. Hum Brain Mapp 35:2470–2482, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Peer Reviewed Title: Mislocalization of the Drosophila centromere-specific histone CID promotes formation of functional ectopic kinetochores

The centromere-specific histone variant CENP-A (CID in Drosophila) is a structural and functional foundation for kinetochore formation and chromosome segregation. Here, we show that overexpressed CID is mislocalized into normally non-centromeric regions in Drosophila tissue culture cells and animals. Analysis of mitoses in living and fixed cells reveals that mitotic delays, anaphase bridges, chromosome fragmentation, and cell and organismal lethality are all direct consequences of CID mislocalization. In addition, proteins that are normally restricted to endogenous kinetochores assemble at a subset of ectopic CID incorporation regions. The presence of microtubule motors and binding proteins, spindle attachments, and aberrant chromosome morphologies demonstrate that these ectopic kinetochores are functional. We conclude that CID mislocalization promotes formation of ectopic centromeres and multicentric chromosomes, which causes chromosome missegregation, aneuploidy, and growth defects. Thus, CENP-A mislocalization is one possible mechanism for genome instability during cancer progression, as well as centromere plasticity during evolution.
Spatial resolution of a noninvasive measurement of the arterial and venous input function using a wrist monitor

The current method for measuring the input function of a PET tomograph is by withdrawing arterial blood from a patient's wrist In this study, the possibility of making a noninvasive measurement of the arterial blood is explored to determine the feasibility of using a planar set of detectors situated around the wrist. The arterial measurement was simulated using a peristaltic pump and an anatomically correct wrist phantom with attenuation. A step function was used to measure the activity flowing through arterial and venous tubing in the phantom. The detector was tested for spatial resolution and counting efficiency. The results showed the detector was able to discriminate the arterial and venous flows from noise when using planar coincidence images.
Extraction sous contraintes d'ensembles de cliques homogènes

Nous proposons une methode de fouille de donnees sur des graphes ayant un ensemble d'etiquettes associe a chaque sommet. Une application est, par exemple, d'analyser un reseau social de chercheurs co-auteurs lorsque des etiquettes precisent les conferences dans lesquelles ils publient.Nous definissons l'extraction sous contraintes d'ensembles de cliques tel que chaque sommet des cliques impliquees partage suffisamment d'etiquettes. Nous proposons une methode pour calculer tous les Ensembles Maximaux de Cliques dits Homogenes qui satisfont une conjonction de contraintes fixee par l'analyste et concernant le nombre de cliques separees, la taille des cliques ainsi que le nombre d'etiquettes partagees. Les experimentations montrent que l'approche fonctionne sur de grands graphes construits a partir de donnees reelles et permet la mise en evidence de structures interessantes.
Abatacept modulates proinflammatory macrophage responses upon cytokine-activated T cell and Toll-like receptor ligand stimulation

Objectives We investigated whether Abatacept might reduce proinflammatory cytokine production by macrophages upon contact with cytokine activated T cells and/or stimulation with TLR ligands. Methods Macrophages and cytokine stimulated T cells (Tck) were added together in the presence of Abatacept or a control Ig, with or without TLR ligands. The production of cytokines was determined by luminex. Results Abatacept reduced Tck-induced production of TNFa by macrophages. Tck and TLR ligands synergistically induced the production of proinflammatory cytokines by macrophages, especially IL-12p70. The production of IL-12p70 coincided with the production of IFNg, which were both reduced in the presence of Abatacept. Conclusions Tck induce the production of TNFa by macrophages and facilitate the highly increased production of proinflammatory cytokines in the presence of TLR ligands. Abatacept was shown to potently suppress these pathways suggesting that its role may extend beyond antigen specific T cell mediated effector function.
Measurement of cell density and necrotic fraction in human melanoma xenografts by diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging

The aim of this study was to investigate whether apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) could be used as measures of cell density and necrotic fraction of tumors. Tumors of four human melanoma xenograft lines were subjected to diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI). ADCs were calculated from the images and related to cell density and necrotic fraction, as determined from histological sections. A significant correlation was found between the ADC of the viable tissue and cell density, regardless of whether tumors of different lines or different regions within individual tumors were considered. Necrosis was found in two of the lines. A single region of massive necrosis that could be differentiated from the viable tissue in ADC maps was found in one line, whereas a number of smaller necrotic regions that could not be identified in ADC maps were found in the other line. Tumor ADC was significantly correlated with the necrotic fraction of the former, but not of the latter line. Our results suggest that ADCs can be used as measures of cell density and necrotic fraction of some but not of all tumors, depending on whether the individual necrotic regions are large enough to be differentiated from the viable tissue with the obtained spatial resolution of the DW images. Magn Reson Med 43:828–836, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
User Modeling for Modeling and Simulation Application Development

As modeling and simulation (M&S) applications and real-world systems become increasingly complex and automated, more reliance will be placed upon the computer system to assist and direct the human operator in the operation, use, and manipulation of the system. To acquire and utilize the information included in a M&S environment that is an accurate portrayal of even a modest real-world operational environment surpasses current M&S system abilities and computing resources. One promising technology for addressing this shortfall within the M&S community is the employment of behavioral and cognitive modeling, or user modeling. The need for user modeling pervades M&S applications; although not overt, user modeling is a critical to most modeling and simulation systems under development, especially those with intelligent agents. To realize the required capabilities for future M&S systems, they must incorporate the ability to effectively model the user and user needs within the environment. This paper addresses this requirement by motivating the need for and describing the benefits of user modeling in selected M&S applications.
Speech and Voice Physiology of Children Who Are Hard of Hearing

Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the nature and frequency of deviant speech and voice physiology in children who are hard of hearing (HH). Design: Ten HH children (age, 5 to 15 yrs) participated. Their hearing losses ranged in severity from moderate to severe. The following speech/voice physiological measures were examined: frequency of occurrence of negative intraoral air pressure (−Po), magnitude of Po, phonatory air flow, nasal air flow, voice onset time (VOT), and fundamental frequency (F0). Findings were compared with data previously collected from 56 children with normal hearing and 7 children with cochlear implants (Higgins, McCleary, Carney, & Schulte, 2003). Results: Five of the 10 HH children exhibited deviant speech/voice behaviors. Only one showed deviancy on more than one measure. In addition, 8 HH children had some borderline-deviant speech behavior. The frequency and degree of speech/voice deviancy for the children in the present study was far less than what we previously had observed for children who underwent cochlear implantation after 5 yrs of age (Higgins et al., 2003). This was the case even for a child with a cochlear implant from our earlier study who eventually achieved speech perception scores that were as good as or better than some of the HH children in the present investigation. Conclusions: Deviant speech/voice physiology occurs to a limited extent for some HH children. Of the measures that we examined, those related to vocal fold tension and vocal fold articulation appeared to be most sensitive to the effects of diminished auditory input and feedback that occurs for HH children. Data from this and other studies suggest that abnormally high F0 occurs for about 20% of HH children and may be associated with poor speech perception skills. Future studies should examine whether earlier implantation can help deaf children to produce speech that is at least as normal as that of HH children.
The Water Content of Maple Stems. II. Apparent Changes in the Water Content of Maple Stems and the Physiology of Maple Sap Flow.

6. GIBBS, R. D. Studies in tree physiology. III. The effect of the method of cutting on the water content of twigs. A note on a paper by McDermott. Can. Jour. of Research 20: 236-240. 1942. 7. HUBER, B. Die Gefasslietung. In: Encyclopedia of Plant Physiology. III. Water relations of plants. Pp. 563. Springer-Verlag, Berlin 1956. 8. JONES, C. H. and BRADLEE, J. L. The carbohydrate contents of the maple tree. Vermont Agr. Expt. Sta. , Bull. 358: 1-147. 1933. 9. MARVIN, J. W. Investigations of the sugar content and flow mechanism of maple sap. Tappi 40: 209216. 1957. 10. MARVIN, J. W. and ERICKSON, R. 0. A statistical evaluation of some of the factors responsible for the flow of sap from the sugar maple. Plant Physiol. 31: 57-61. 1956. 11. McDERMOTT, J. J. The effect of the method of cutting on the moisture content of samples from tree branches. Amer. Jour. Bot. 28: 506-508. 1941. 12. MCMILLEN, J. M. Methods of determining the moisture content of wood. U. S. Forest Products Lab. R-1649. 8 pp. 1950. 13. MITCHELL, J., JR. Determination of moisture in native and processed cellulose. Ind. Eng. Chem., Anal. Ed. 12: 390-391. 1940. 14. MITCHELL, J., JR. and SMITH, D. M. Aquametry. Pp. 1444. Interscience Publishers, New York 1947. 15. STEWART, C. M. Status of cambial chemistry. Tappi 40: 244-256. 1957.
Emotion Selection in a Multi-Personality Conversational Agent

Conversational agents and personal assistants represent an historical and important application field in artificial intelligence. This paper presents a novel approach to the problem of humanizing artificial characters by designing believable and unforgettable characters who exhibit various salient emotions in conversations. The proposed model is based on a multi-personality architecture where each agent implements a facet of its identity, each one with its own pattern of perceiving and interacting with the user. In this paper we focus on the emotion selection principle that chooses, from all the candidate responses, the one with the most appropriate emotional state. The experiment shows that a conversational multipersonality character with emotion selection performs better in terms of user engagement than a neutral mono-personality one.
Power spectral density estimation via overlapping nonlinear averaging

This paper proposes a new method for accurate estimation of power spectral density (psd) of noisy signals. The major drawback caused by the tradeoff between spectral resolution and variance is examined. The main aim of this paper is to show how the accuracy of the periodogram can be improved by adopting nonlinear averaging techniques of partially overlapped sampled data. In addition, the effects of the taper function and the percentage overlap are investigated with respect to the computational cost and the achievable improvements. The derived expressions for the bias and variance indicate the better performance of this method with respect to the previous ones. Finally, experimental validation of such results is shown.
Combined PCR-Heteroduplex Mobility Assay for Detection and Differentiation of Influenza A Viruses from Different Animal Species

ABSTRACT Transfer of influenza A viruses from animal hosts to man may lead to the emergence of new human pandemic strains. The early detection and identification of such events are therefore paramount in the surveillance of influenza viruses. To detect and partially characterize influenza A viruses from different animal species, a combined reverse transcription (RT)-PCR heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA) was designed. This M gene RT-PCR was shown to be sensitive and specific for the detection of human, avian, and swine influenza A viruses. PCR amplicons from human, avian, and swine viruses of 15 different subtypes, with between 1.9 and 21.4% nucleotide divergence, were differentiated by HMA. Sequencing of the amplicons showed that the heteroduplex mobility patterns correlated with the sequence divergence between test and reference DNA. The application of the RT-PCR HMA method for rapid screening of samples was assessed with a reference panel of viruses of human, avian, and swine origin. The avian H9N2 virus A/HongKong/1073/99, which crossed the species barrier to humans, was screened against the reference panel. It was found to be most closely related to the avian A/Quail/HongKong/G1/97 H9N2 reference PCR product. Sequence analysis showed a nucleotide divergence of 1.1% between the A/Quail/HongKong/G1/97 and A/HongKong/1073/99 amplicons. From the results of our work, we consider the RT-PCR HMA method described to offer a rapid and sensitive means for screening for novel or unusual influenza viruses.