Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Heavy Metals in Municipal Solid Waste Dumpsite in Harar City, Harari Regional State, Ethiopia

: This study was conducted on municipal solid waste dumping sites at Selate and Kile in Harar City, Harari Regional State, Ethiopia, to investigate concentration of heavy metals in soil. Three soil sampling points were purposively selected for fresh, intermediate and old wastes dumping areas. A composite soil samples were also collected from control areas near the dumping sites where wastes were not dumped separately with similar depths with from dumping sites. Results showed that the mean concentrations of these metals in the domestic municipal solid waste were higher in decreasing order of Zn>Mn>Cu>F>Pb>Co>Cd>Ni>Cr and Zn>Fe> Mn>Cu>Pb>Cd>Ni>Co>Cr at Selate and Kile dumping sites, respectively. The pH values ranged from 8.1-8.1 and 7.7-8.1 for soil from decomposed and intermediate dumping respectively at Selate municipal solid waste dumping site. It was also slightly similar at Kile site. Concentrations of heavy metals were higher in soils from decomposed and intermediate waste dumping areas at 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm depth compare to control sites. At both dumping sites concentration of heavy metals were below the acceptable levels of deferent standards. The statistic correlation analysis indicated that pH of the soil had close relationship with most of heavy metals. Even though the concentrations of heavy metals were below the acceptable levels of different standards, rule and regulation of waste treatment system and recycling of waste should be applied for sustainable use of resources and environmental quality. in to the food chain though soil to plant system. plant a of to via the of metals the compost of the into the into the use of these solid wastes as manure may be the for transferring heavy metals to human serious concentration of in compost is 65, ˂ 100, 70 and 150 mg/kg for Netherlands super clean compost, Netherlands compost, EU-Range, USA standards and German Standards, respectively In decomposed maximum concentration of was and the mean was 4.12 for both which were below the limit standards set by those continuous accumulation of this heavy metal contaminate soil and ground water. Cadmium concentration is 0.7, 1, 0.7-10, 39 and 3 mg/kg for Netherlands super clean compost, Netherlands compost, EU-Range, USA standards and German Standards, respectively The maximum and mean values of Cd concentrations were 1.3 and 0.89 mg/kg, respectively, which are greater than Netherlands, super clean compost but for other standards below the accepted ranges.
Anopheline occurrence and the risk of urban malaria in the city of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Urban populations are growing rapidly, particularly in West Africa and this has a major implication for the risk and control of malaria. In the city of Ouagadougou, knowledges about malaria transmission and its vector ecology is not sufficient for appropriate vector control measures. Three districts of the city of Ouagadougou were selected using a geographical approach that took into account the city heterogeneity. This approach was based on the analysis of the level of urbanization leading to urban and peri-urban sites. Timely adult mosquitoes and larva collection were done. Collected mosquitoes were identified and sorted by physiological status and genus. Blood meals sources and Plasmodium circumsprozoite Protein were assessed for anopheline mosquitoes. In total, 10158 mosquitoes including 7555 adults and 2603 larvae were caught. The population was composed of 71.9% of Culex spp. , 22.2% of Aedes spp. , 5.7% of Anopheles spp. and 0.2% of Mansonia spp. The majority of Anopheles specimens were caught in periurban area (66.7% for Yamtenga and 17.5% for Zongo); while only few anophelines were found in urban setting (Dapoya, 15.8%). Puddles and metal dishes were found to be the productive breeding sites for anopheline mosquitoes. The most important part of blood meal source were human (66.7%) with some being mixed blood meal. A large amount of undetermined sources (21.1%) were found in peri-urban area leading to some animals sources not recognized in our antigen set. Plasmodium infection rate was 08.05% with the infectious mosquitoes found to be more prevalent in peri-urban setting (91.7%) compared to urban area (8.3%). These data are crucial to assess the risk of malaria transmission in the city of Ouagadougou.
Ethylmalonic Encephalopathy ETHE1 R163W/R163Q Mutations Alter Protein Stability and Redox Properties of the Iron Centre

ETHE1 is an iron-containing protein from the metallo β-lactamase family involved in the mitochondrial sulfide oxidation pathway. Mutations in ETHE1 causing loss of function result in sulfide toxicity and in the rare fatal disease Ethylmalonic Encephalopathy (EE). Frequently mutations resulting in depletion of ETHE1 in patient cells are due to severe structural and folding defects. However, some ETHE1 mutations yield nearly normal protein levels and in these cases disease mechanism was suspected to lie in compromised catalytic activity. To address this issue and to elicit how ETHE1 dysfunction results in EE, we have investigated two such pathological mutations, ETHE1-p.Arg163Gln and p.Arg163Trp. In addition, we report a number of benchmark properties of wild type human ETHE1, including for the first time the redox properties of the mononuclear iron centre. We show that loss of function in these variants results from a combination of decreased protein stability and activity. Although structural assessment revealed that the protein fold is not perturbed by mutations, both variants have decreased thermal stabilities and higher proteolytic susceptibilities. ETHE1 wild type and variants bind 1±0.2 mol iron/protein and no zinc; however, the variants exhibited only ≈10% of wild-type catalytically activity. Analysis of the redox properties of ETHE1 mononuclear iron centre revealed that the variants have lowered reduction potentials with respect to that of the wild type. This illustrates how point mutation-induced loss of function may arise via very discrete subtle conformational effects on the protein fold and active site chemistry, without extensive disruption of the protein structure or protein-cofactor association.
Tumor dormancy and cell signaling. II. Antibody as an agonist in inducing dormancy of a B cell lymphoma in SCID mice

Tumor dormancy can be induced in a murine B cell lymphoma (BCL1) by immunizing BALB/c mice with the tumor immunoglobulin (Ig) before tumor cell challenge. In this report, we have investigated the immunological and cellular mechanisms underlying the induction of dormancy. BCL1 tumor cells were injected into SCID mice passively immunized with antibody against different epitopes on IgM or IgD with or without idiotype (Id)-immune T lymphocytes. Results indicate that antibody to IgM is sufficient to induce a state of dormancy. Antibodies against other cell surface molecules including IgD and CD44 (Pgp1) had no effect on tumor growth. Id-immune T cells by themselves also had no effect on tumor growth in SCID mice. However, simultaneous transfer of anti-Id and Id-immune T cells enhanced both the induction and duration of the dormant state. In vitro studies indicated that antibody to IgM induced apoptosis within several hours and cell cycle arrest by 24 h. Hyper cross-linking increased apoptosis. The Fc gamma RII receptor played little or no role in the negative signaling. Antibodies that did not negatively signal in vitro did not induce dormancy in vivo. The results suggest that anti-IgM plays a decisive role in inducing tumor dormancy to BCL1 by acting as an agonist of IgM-mediated signal transduction pathways.
Was acupuncture developed by Han Dynasty Chinese anatomists?

Anatomical dissection has begun to reveal striking similarities between gross anatomical structures and the system of nomenclature used in traditional Chinese acupuncture. This paper argues that acupuncture point nomenclature is rooted in systematic anatomical investigation of cadaveric specimens, and that acupuncture points and meridians are purposefully named to reflect observable physical form. Two types of evidence are compared: observations of physical structures based on anatomical dissection, and translation and analysis of original Chinese texts. Evidence is contextualized through in‐depth practical understanding of acupuncture. Points designated as 天 tian (heavenly/superior), 下 xia (below/inferior), 髎 liao (bone‐hole), 飛 fei (flying), 委 wei (bend), and 谿 xi (mountain stream/ravine) are investigated. These acupuncture point names: (a) specify position; (b) reflect function and/or form; (c) indicate homologous structures; (d) mark unusual structures; and/or (e) describe the physical appearance of a deep (dissected) structure by likening it to a homologous everyday object. Results raise intriguing possibilities for developing an understanding of acupuncture points and meridians firmly based in the material and functional anatomy of the human body. Such an understanding has the potential to open new fields of thought about functional anatomy. It also has implications for future investigations into the mechanisms of acupuncture, and gives some insights into the possible origins of this iconic area of Chinese medicine. Anat Rec, 299:643–659, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Linear Programming Bounds for Entanglement-Assisted Quantum Error-Correcting Codes by Split Weight Enumerators

Linear programming approaches have been applied to derive upper bounds on the size of classical and quantum codes. In this paper, we derive similar results for general quantum codes with entanglement assistance by considering a type of split weight enumerator. After deriving the MacWilliams identities for these enumerators, we are able to prove algebraic linear programming bounds, such as the Singleton bound, the Hamming bound, and the first linear programming bound. Our Singleton bound and Hamming bound are more general than the previous bounds for entanglement-assisted quantum stabilizer codes. In addition, we show that the first linear programming bound improves the Hamming bound when the relative distance is sufficiently large. On the other hand, we obtain additional constraints on the size of Pauli subgroups for quantum codes, which allow us to improve the linear programming bounds on the minimum distance of quantum codes of small length. In particular, we show that there is no $[[27, 15, 5]]$ or $[[28, 14, 6]]$ stabilizer code. We also discuss the existence of some entanglement-assisted quantum stabilizer codes with maximal entanglement. As a result, the upper and lower bounds on the minimum distance of maximal-entanglement quantum stabilizer codes with length up to 20 are significantly improved.
On the Relationship between the Energy Dissipation Rate of Surface-Breaking Waves and Oceanic Whitecap Coverage

Wave breaking is the most important mechanism that leads to the dissipation of oceanic surface wave energy. A relationship between the energy dissipation rate associated with breaking wave whitecaps and the area of whitecap foam per unit area ocean surface is expected, but there is a lack of consensus on what form this relationship should take. Here, mathematical representations of whitecap coverage and growth-phase whitecap coverage are derived, and an energy-balance approach is used to formulate and in terms of . Both and are found to be linearly proportional to but also inversely proportional to the bubble plume penetration depth during active breaking. Since this depth can vary for breaking waves of different scales and slopes, there is likely no unique relationship between and either or as bubble plume penetration depth must also be specified. Whitecap observations from the North Atlantic are used to estimate bubble plume penetration depth as a function of wind speed and then used with measurements to compute . An estimate of the relative magnitude of to the rate of energy input from the wind to the waves is made. Above wind speeds of about 12 m s−1, is largely balanced by . At lower wind speeds the ratio quickly drops below unity with decreasing wind speed. It is proposed that sea-state-driven variability in both and bubble plume penetration depth are significant causes of variation in whitecap coverage datasets and parameterizations.
Identification and characterization of a serine-like proteinase of the murine coronavirus MHV-A59

Gene 1 of the murine coronavirus, MHV-A59, encodes approximately 800 kDa of protein products within two overlapping open reading frames (ORFs 1a and 1b). The gene is expressed as a polyprotein that is processed into individual proteins, presumably by virus-encoded proteinases. ORF 1a has been predicted to encode proteins with similarity to viral and cellular proteinases, such as papain, and to the 3C proteinases of the picornaviruses (A. E. Gorbalenya, A. P. Donchenko, V. M. Blinov, and E. V. Koonin, FEBS Lett. 243:103-114, 1989; A. E. Gorbalenya, E. V. Koonin, A. P. Donchenko, and V. M. Blinov, Nucleic Acids Res. 17:4847-4861, 1989). We have cloned into a T7 transcription vector a cDNA fragment containing the putative 3C-like proteinase domain of MHV-A59, along with portions of the flanking hydrophobic domains. The construct was used to express a polypeptide in a combined in vitro transcription-translation system. Major polypeptides with molecular masses of 38 and 33 kDa were detected at early times, whereas polypeptides with molecular masses of 32 and 27 kDa were predominant after 30 to 45 min and appeared to be products of specific proteolysis of larger precursors. Mutations at the putative catalytic histidine and cysteine residues abolished the processing of the 27-kDa protein. Translation products of the pGpro construct were able to cleave the 27-kDa protein in trans from polypeptides expressed from the noncleaving histidine or cysteine mutants. The amino-terminal cleavage of the 27-kDa protein occurred at a glutamine-serine dipeptide as previously predicted. This study provides experimental confirmation that the coronaviruses express an active proteinase within the 3C-like proteinase domain of gene 1 ORF 1a and that this proteinase utilizes at least one canonical QS dipeptide as a cleavage site in vitro.
Minicircle DNA vectors for gene therapy: advances and applications

Introduction: Nucleic-acid-based biopharmaceuticals enclose a remarkable potential for treating debilitating or life-threatening diseases that currently remain incurable. This promising area of research envisages the creation of state-of-the-art DNA vaccines, pluripotent cells or gene-based therapies, which can be used to overcome current issues. To achieve this goal, DNA minicircles are emerging as ideal nonviral vectors due to their safety and persistent transgene expression in either quiescent or actively dividing cells. Areas covered: This review focuses on the characteristics of minicircle DNA (mcDNA) technology and the current advances in their production. The possible modifications to further improve minicircle efficacy are also emphasized and discussed in light of recent advances. As a final point, the main therapeutic applications of mcDNA are summarized, with a special focus on pluripotent stem cells production and cancer therapy. Expert opinion: Achieving in-target and persistent transgene expression is a challenging issue that is of critical importance for a successful therapeutic outcome. The use of miniaturized mcDNA cassettes with additional modifications that increase and prolong expression may contribute to an improved generation of biopharmaceuticals. The unique features of mcDNA render it an attractive alternative to overcome current technical issues and to bridge the significant gap that exists between basic research and clinical applications.
Role of Serum Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Central N-Acetylaspartate for Clinical Response under Antidepressive Pharmacotherapy

Background: The predictive therapeutic value of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its changes associated with the use of specific antidepressants are still unclear. In this study, we examined BDNF as a peripheral and NAA as a central biomarker over the time course of antidepressant treatment to specify both of their roles in the response to the medication and clinical outcome. Methods: We examined serum BDNF (ELISA kit) in a sample of 76 (47 female and 29 male) depressed patients in a naturalistic setting. BDNF was assessed before medication and subsequently after two, four and six weeks of antidepressant treatment. Additionally, in fifteen patients, N-acetylaspartate (NAA) was measured in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Over a time course of six weeks BDNF and NAA were also examined in a group of 41 healthy controls. Results: We found significant lower serum BDNF concentrations in depressed patients compared to the sample of healthy volunteers before and after medication. BDNF and clinical symptoms decreased significantly in the patients over the time course of antidepressant treatment. Serum BDNF levels at baseline predicted the symptom outcome after eight weeks. Specifically, responders and remitters had lower serum BDNF at baseline than the nonresponders and nonremitters. NAA was slightly decreased but not significantly lower in depressed patients when compared with healthy controls. During treatment period, NAA showed a tendency to increase. Limitations: A relative high drop-out rate and possibly, a suboptimal observation period for BDNF. Conclusion: Our data confirm serum BDNF as a biomarker of depression with a possible role in response prediction. However, our findings argue against serum BDNF increase being a prerequisite to depressive symptom reduction.
Inflammatory Response in Preterm and Very Preterm Newborns with Sepsis

The response of the adaptive immune system is usually less intense in premature neonates than term neonates. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether immunological parameters vary between preterm (PT) neonates (≥32 weeks of gestational age) and very preterm (VPT) neonates (<32 weeks of gestational age). A cross-sectional study was designed to prospectively follow PT and VPT neonates at risk of developing sepsis. Plasma concentrations of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-4, and IL-10 were detected using flow cytometry. C-reactive protein (C-RP) and the complex SC5b-9 were detected in the plasma using commercial kits. A total of 83 patients were included. The laboratory results and clinical histories showed that 26 patients had sepsis; 14 were VPT, and 12 were PT. The levels of C-RP, SC5b-9 (innate immune response mediators), and IL-10 or IL-4 (anti-inflammatory cytokines) were elevated during sepsis in both groups. IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-6 (proinflammatory cytokines) were differentially elevated only in PT neonates. The VPT neonates with sepsis presented increases in C-RP, SC5b-9, and anti-inflammatory cytokines but not in proinflammatory cytokines, whereas PT neonates showed increases in all studied mediators of inflammation.
Optimization of particle bombardment parameters for DNA delivery into the male flowers of banana

The possibility of increasing the efficiency of banana transformation was investigated by particle bombardment of the male flowers of banana plants for constitutive expression of gfp gene. The effects of particle bombardment parameters, such as acceleration pressure, bombardment distance, chamber vacuum pressure, gold microcarrier size, gold quantity, DNA quantity, number of bombardments and pre-culture were examined. Single cauliflower-like bodies (CLBs) clusters, induced from meristemic parts of Musa sapientum cv. Nangka (AAB) male flowers, were bombarded by pCambia1304 plasmid carrying gfp gene driven by the CaMV 35S promoter. Optimal transient expression of green-fluorescent protein (GFP) was obtained when the three-day old cultured tissues were bombarded two times at 1100 psi helium pressure. However, the highest GFP expression was observed when 9 cm was applied as bombardment distance with 28 mmHg chamber vacuum pressure. Gold particle with 1 μm diameter at 60 μg/μL concentrations coated with 1.5 μg/μL of DNA have been used as the optimum bombardment parameter since GFP expression was significantly different compared to other conditions. Application of optimized condition proved effective for the generation of stable transgenic banana plants. PCR and southern blot analyses confirmed the presence and integration of gfp gene in genomic DNA of transformed plants. Transformation frequency achieved with the optimized protocol was 7.5% which was significantly higher than the conventional protocol.
Prehospital Characteristics in the North East Department of Haiti: A Cross-sectional Study from a Low-income Setting Without Prehospital Systems

Abstract Introduction Although prehospital care is recognized as key in health systems development, it has been largely neglected in Haiti. The North East Department is one of the poorest areas of Haiti, and is a region where no data on out-of-hospital health care exists. This research assessed prehospital characteristics in the North East Department with the aim of providing baseline data to inform prehospital systems development. Methods In this observational study, data were collected from patients presenting at the Fort Liberté Hospital, the public regional referral health center in the North East Department. Data were accrued from April 2, 2012 through June 5, 2012. All patients accessing acute care at the hospital were eligible for enrollment. After obtaining consent, data on demographics, health needs, and prehospital information were gathered via a standardized questionnaire administered by hospital staff trained in study protocols. Results Data were collected from 441 patient visits. The median age was 24 years, with 62% of the population being female. Medical complaints comprised 75% of visits, with fever and gastrointestinal complaints being the most common reasons for presentation. Traumatic injuries accounted for 25% of encounters, with an equal distribution of blunt and penetrating events. Extremity injuries were the most common traumatic subclassification. The majority of patients (67.2%) were transported by motorcycle taxi and paid transport fees. Trauma patients were more likely to be transported without charge (OR = 9.10; 95% CI, 2.19-37.76; P < .001). Medical patients were most commonly brought from home (78.5%) and trauma patients from a road/street setting (42.9%). Median time to presentation was 240 minutes (IQR = 120-500) and 65 minutes (IQR = 30-150) for medical and trauma complaints, respectively (P < .001). Eleven percent of patients reported receiving care prior to arrival. As compared with medical patients, trauma victims were less likely to have received prehospital care. Conclusions Assessing prehospital care in this low-income setting that lacks surveillance systems was feasible and required minimal resources. Motorcycle taxi drivers function as the primary emergency transport mechanism and may represent an access point for prehospital interventions in the North East Department of Haiti. Out-of-hospital care is nearly nonexistent in the region and its development has the potential to yield public health benefits. AluisioAR, GoreR, DecomeI, De WulfA, BloemC. Prehospital characteristics in the North East Department of Haiti: a cross-sectional study from a low-income setting without prehospital systems. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(3):1-7 .
A Caveat on the Isomorphism Conjecture in L-theory

The Isomorphism Conjecture of Farrell and Jones for L-theory (5) has only been formulated for Ly and in this formulation been proved for a large class of groups, for in- stance for discrete cocompact subgroups of a virtually connected Lie group. The question arises whether the corresponding conjecture is true for L e for the decorations ea p; h; s . W e give examples showing that it fails for any of the decorations ea p; h; s. The groups involved are of the shape Z 2 F for finite F.