Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of a 4-hour sleep delay on slow wave activity in twins discordant for chronic fatigue syndrome.

OBJECTIVES Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has been associated with altered amounts of slow wave sleep, which could reflect reduced delta electroencephalograph (EEG) activity and impaired sleep regulation. To evaluate this hypothesis, we examined the response to a sleep regulatory challenge in CFS. DESIGN The first of 3 consecutive nights of study served as laboratory adaptation. Baseline sleep was assessed on the second night. On the third night, bedtime was delayed by 4 hours, followed by recovery sleep. Total available sleep time was held constant on all nights. SETTING A research sleep laboratory. PARTICIPANTS 13 pairs of monozygotic twins discordant for CFS. INTERVENTIONS N/A. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Power spectral analysis quantified slow wave activity (SWA) in the 0.5-3.9 Hz band in successive NREM periods (stage 2, 3, or 4) on each night. To ensure comparability, analyses were restricted to the first 4 NREM periods on each night. Data were coded for NREM period and twin pair. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) contrasted sleep delay effects across NREM periods between twin pairs. A second ANOVA calculated the SWA in each NREM period in recovery sleep relative to baseline SWA. The 2 groups of twins were similar on baseline SWA power. After sleep delay, CFS twins exhibited significantly less SWA power in the first NREM period of recovery sleep and accumulated a smaller percentage of SWA in the first NREM period than their co-twins. CONCLUSIONS CFS is associated with a blunted SWA response to sleep challenge, suggesting that the basic sleep drive and homeostatic response are impaired.
A simplified model for elastic thin shells

We introduce a simplified model for the minimization of the elastic energy in thin shells. This model is not obtained by an asymptotic analysis. The nonlinear simplified model admits always minimizers by contrast with the original one. We show the relevance of our approach by proving that the rescaled minimum of the simplified model and the rescaled infimum of the full model have the same limit as the thickness tends to 0. The simplified energy can be expressed as a functional acting over fields defined on the mid-surface of the shell and where the thickness remains as a parameter.
Alternative inclusion of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 exon IIIc in Dunning prostate tumors reveals unexpected epithelial mesenchymal plasticity

In epithelial cells, alternative splicing of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) transcripts leads to the expression of the FGFR2(IIIb) isoform, whereas in mesenchymal cells, the same process results in the synthesis of FGFR2(IIIc). Expression of the FGFR2(IIIc) isoform during prostate tumor progression suggests a disruption of the epithelial character of these tumors. To visualize the use of FGFR2 exon IIIc in prostate AT3 tumors in syngeneic rats, we constructed minigene constructs that report on alternative splicing. Imaging these alternative splicing decisions revealed unexpected mesenchymal–epithelial transitions in these primary tumors. These transitions were observed more frequently where tumor cells were in contact with stroma. Indeed, these transitions were frequently observed among lung micrometastases in the organ parenchyma and immediately adjacent to blood vessels. Our data suggest an unforeseen relationship between epithelial mesenchymal plasticity and malignant fitness.
The deification of historical figures and the emergence of priesthoods as a solution to a network coordination problem

ABSTRACT Why do historical figures sometimes become the object of religious worship? Here, we propose that, above a certain group-size threshold, maintaining a belief in the continued existence of authority figures after their death preserves group coordination efficiency. That is, we argue that coordination activities in larger groups become more effective when they center on symbolic (although formerly real) bearers of authority; for smaller groups, we claim the opposite occurs. Our argument is pursued by way of a collective action model that makes anthropologically plausible assumptions about human sociality. One key finding is the existence of a group-size threshold that marks the difference between the two different collective action regimes, one with and one without the presence of a deified historical figure. Another is that, in larger groups, priest-like castes naturally emerge as a consequence of the benefits of personally identifying with the deified agent.
Peptides reproducibly released by in vivo digestion of beef meat and trout flesh in pigs

Characterisation and identification of peptides (800 to 5000 Da) generated by intestinal digestion of fish or meat were performed using MS analyses (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time of flight and nano-liquid chromatography electrospray-ionisation ion trap MS/MS). Four pigs fitted with cannulas at the duodenum and jejunum received a meal exclusively made of cooked Pectoralis profundus beef meat or cooked trout fillets. A protein-free meal, made of free amino acids, starch and fat, was used to identify peptides of endogenous origin. Peptides reproducibly detected in digesta (i.e. from at least three pigs) were evidenced predominantly in the first 3 h after the meal. In the duodenum, most of the fish- and meat-derived peptides were characteristic of a peptic digestion. In the jejunum, the majority of peptides appeared to result from digestion by chymotrypsin and trypsin. Despite slight differences in gastric emptying kinetics and overall peptide production, possibly in relation to food structure and texture, six and four similar peptides were released after ingestion of fish or meat in the duodenum and jejunum. A total of twenty-six different peptides were identified in digesta. All were fragments of major structural (actin, myosin) or sarcoplasmic (creatine kinase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and myoglobin) muscle proteins. Peptides were short ( < 2000 Da) and particularly rich in proline residues. Nineteen of them contained bioactive sequences corresponding mainly to an antihypertensive activity. The present work showed that after fish or meat ingestion, among the wide variety of peptides produced by enzymic digestion, some of them can be reproducibly observed in intestinal digesta.
Expression of cancer-testis antigens (MAGE-A1, MAGE-A3/6, MAGE-A4, MAGE-C1 and NY-ESO-1) in primary human uveal and conjunctival melanoma

Aim Metastatic disease in ocular melanoma remains untreatable, is associated with late detection and is resistant to conventional systemic therapies. Many tumours including cutaneous melanoma express specific cancer-testis (CT) antigens and vaccines targeting these antigens can induce T-cell-mediated and humoural immune responses. The authors examined primary uveal and conjunctival melanomas for expression of CT antigens to assess their potential as targets for ocular melanoma immunotherapy. Methods Paraffin-embedded uveal (n=32) and conjunctival (n=15) melanomas were assessed by immunohistochemistry for melanocyte differentiation antigens (gp100, Melan-A/MART-1 and tyrosinase), and CT antigens (MAGE-A1, MAGE-A3/6, MAGE-A4, MAGE-C1 and NY-ESO-1). Results Melanoma differentiation antigens, gp100, Melan-A/MART1 and tyrosinase, were expressed in >75% of tumour cells in all uveal and conjunctival melanomas tested. Expression of all five CT antigens tested was low in uveal melanomas, and when present, stained <25% of the tumour cells. MAGE-A1, MAGE-A4 and NY-ESO-1 were expressed in <10% of tumour cells in conjunctival melanomas, while MAGE-C1 and MAGE-A3/6 were expressed in ∼20% and ∼35% of tumour cells in this malignancy, respectively, with variable expression levels. Conclusions Uveal and conjunctival melanomas consistently expressed high levels of the differentiation antigens (gp100, Melan-A/MART1 and tyrosinase). However, compared with other tumours, including cutaneous melanoma, only low levels of CT antigens were found in ocular melanomas. These observations suggest that immunotherapy directly targeting the CT antigens studied may not be effective for ocular melanoma.
Antibacterial Effect of Flavonoids Extracted from Seeds of Silybum marianum against Common Pathogenic Bacteria

This research was carried out to evaluate the antibacterial effect of Silybum marianum flavonoids extracted from seeds on pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and detect the bioactive compounds found in the seed extract. Different methods were used to tech the aims of the study. Agar well diffusion method and mixed up the extract with agar media were used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the flavonoids extracted from seeds of S. marianum. The chemical analysis to seeds showed that it contained several antibicrobial compounds such as terpenoids, flavonoids and tannins. The cold alcoholic extract of milk thistle did not appear significant antibacterial activity against the bacterial isolates when agar well diffusion method was used, while mixing the seed extracts with agar media showed antibacterial activity (1500-2900 µg/ml) against S. sprophyticus, E. coli, K. pneumoniae and S. aureus.
Noticing and Text-Based Chat

This study examined the capacity of text-based online chat to promote learners’ noticing of their problematic language productions and of the interactional feedback from their interlocutors. In this study, twelve ESL learners formed six mixed-proficiency dyads. The same dyads worked on two spot-thedifference tasks, one via online chat and the other through face-to-face conversation. Stimulated recall sessions were held subsequently to identify instances of noticing. It was found that text-based online chat promotes noticing more than face-to-face conversations, especially in terms of learners’ noticing of their own linguistic mistakes.
Understanding of MYB Transcription Factors Involved in Glucosinolate Biosynthesis in Brassicaceae

Glucosinolates (GSLs) are widely known secondary metabolites that have anticarcinogenic and antioxidative activities in humans and defense roles in plants of the Brassicaceae family. Some R2R3-type MYB (myeloblastosis) transcription factors (TFs) control GSL biosynthesis in Arabidopsis. However, studies on the MYB TFs involved in GSL biosynthesis in Brassica species are limited because of the complexity of the genome, which includes an increased number of paralog genes as a result of genome duplication. The recent completion of the genome sequencing of the Brassica species permits the identification of MYB TFs involved in GSL biosynthesis by comparative genome analysis with A. thaliana. In this review, we describe various findings on the regulation of GSL biosynthesis in Brassicaceae. Furthermore, we identify 63 orthologous copies corresponding to five MYB TFs from Arabidopsis, except MYB76 in Brassica species. Fifty-five MYB TFs from the Brassica species possess a conserved amino acid sequence in their R2R3 MYB DNA-binding domain, and share close evolutionary relationships. Our analysis will provide useful information on the 55 MYB TFs involved in the regulation of GSL biosynthesis in Brassica species, which have a polyploid genome.
Purification and Characterization of an Extracellular Acid Proteinase from the Ectomycorrhizal Fungus Hebeloma crustuliniforme

Hebeloma crustuliniforme produced an extracellular acid proteinase in a liquid medium containing bovine serum albumin as the sole nitrogen source. The proteinase was purified 26-fold with 20% activity recovery and was shown to have a molecular weight of 37,800 (as indicated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) and an isoelectric point of 4.8 ± 0.2. The enzyme was most active at 50°C and pH 2.5 against bovine serum albumin and was stable in the absence of substrates at temperatures up to 45°C and pHs between 2.0 and 5.0. Pepstatin A, diazoacetyl-dl-norleucine methylester, metallic ions Fe2+ and Fe3+, and phenolic acids severely inhibited the enzyme activity, while antipain, leupeptin, N-α-p-tosyl-l-lysine chloromethyl ketone, and trypsin inhibitor inhibited the activity moderately. The proteinase hydrolyzed bovine serum albumin and cytochrome c rapidly compared with casein and azocasein but failed to hydrolyze any of the low-molecular-weight peptide derivatives tested.
Genetic Variants of GPX1 and SOD2 and Breast Cancer Risk at the Ontario Site of the Breast Cancer Family Registry

There are several genes that code for enzymes, including various forms of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, that protect the cell against oxidative damage that, in turn, can lead to carcinogenesis. There are a few common genetic polymorphisms in these genes that lead to altered proteins. Three that have been identified are SOD2 Val-9Ala, GPX1 Pro198Leu, and the GPX1 GCG repeat (three alleles with four, five, or six repeats). The SOD2 variant has been associated with increased breast cancer risk in two studies. The GPX1 variants have not been studied with respect to breast cancer, but Pro198Leu has been associated with lung cancer. We conducted a case-control study of these three polymorphisms in incident, invasive breast cancer in Caucasian women under 55. There were 399 cases and 372 controls genotyped, of whom 488 were premenopausal, 208 postmenopausal, and 75 of unknown menopausal status. We were unable to replicate the previously observed association with SOD2 Val-9Ala and also found no association between breast cancer and GPX1 Pro198Leu. However, the allele of GPX1 containing four GCG repeats was significantly associated with breast cancer risk in premenopausal women (odds ratio, 1.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–2.30 for carriers versus noncarriers). There is a significant trend of increasing risk with increasing number of alleles with four GCG repeats (P = 0.03). This variant has not previously been reported to be associated with breast cancer.
The Centrality of Communication and Media in Fostering Community Resilience

A community is resilient if it is able to “bounce forward” after an adverse event. Community resilience is generally considered a process that is indicated by community adaptation following a disaster or crisis. In this article, we employ media and communication perspectives (communication ecology, public relations, and strategic communication) to review the community resilience literature and propose a revised community resilience model. Our proposed model includes four components: communication systems and resources, community relationships, strategic communication processes, and community attributes. Each of these components includes several elements that are described. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Variations in eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) sex-ratios from three Virginia estuaries: protandry, growth and demographics

Oyster population reproductive capacity and dynamics are controlled at the most basic level by the observed sex-ratios. Since oysters are sequential, protandric hermaphrodites the population sex-ratio is related to the demographics (shell length, age, and biomass). Oysters were collected from June through to August 2008 at twelve bars in the James, Rappahannock and Great Wicomico Rivers, Virginia, USA. Bars were aggregated into five groups on the basis of similar age–length relationships. Sex-ratios (fraction female), age–length, and biomass–length relationships were determined for each group. The fraction female increased within increasing shell length, age, and biomass at all sites. Simultaneous hermaphrodites were rarely observed. Group specific differences in shell length (SL, mm) and age (yr) for the timing of the protandric shift were observed with the earliest shift from male to female occurring at ~60 mm SL and ~1.6 yr. The proportion of females observed in the larger or older individuals was at least 70–80%. Sex-ratios from summer 2008 were used to develop sex–length, sex–age, and sex–biomass keys that were applied to autumn-survey data from 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. In these years, sex-ratios by shell length and age were strongly biased towards males while the sex-ratio by biomass was strongly biased towards females. Disease mortality compounds natural and fishing mortality resulting in age/size specific cropping yielding truncated population demographics and an earlier protandric shift in populations on the extremes of the range examined. Regardless of location, market (>76 mm SL) oysters are predominantly female.
Gastrointestinal dysfunction in idiopathic Parkinsonism: A narrative review

Currently, gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunctions in Parkinson's disease (PD) are well-recognized problems and are known to be the initial symptoms in the pathological process that eventually results in PD. Many types of PD-associated GI dysfunctions have been identified, including weight loss, nausea, hypersalivation, dysphagia, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, intestinal pseudo-obstruction, constipation, defecatory dysfunction, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. These symptoms can influence on other PD symptoms and are the second most significant predictor of the quality of life of these patients. Recognition of GI symptoms requires vigilance on the part of clinicians. Health-care providers should routinely ask direct questions about GI symptoms during office visits so that efforts can be directed at appropriate management of these distressing manifestations. Multiple system atrophy (MSA) and progressive supranuclear palsy are two forms of neurodegenerative Parkinsonism. Symptoms of autonomic dysfunctions such as GI dysfunction are common in patients with parkinsonian disorders. Despite recent progress in the recognition of GI dysfunctions, there are a few reviews on the management of GI dysfunction and GI symptoms in idiopathic Parkinsonism. In this review, the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, and treatment of each GI symptom in PD, MSA, and prostate-specific antigen will be discussed.
Bending moments and types of failure of zirconia and titanium abutments with internal implant-abutment connections: a laboratory study.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to examine the bending moments and fracture patterns of different zirconia abutments with internal implant-abutment connections after static loading and to compare their bending moments to those of internally connected titanium abutments. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three types of customized zirconia abutments (Straumann CARES abutments/Straumann BL implants [T1], Astra ZirDesign abutments/Astra Micro Thread OsseoSpeed implants [T2], Zirabut prototype abutments/Straumann SP implants [T3]) and one type of customized titanium abutment (control group, Straumann CARES abutments/Straumann BL implants [C]) were included. All abutments were one-piece abutments with an internal implant-abutment connection and were customized to the same shape but featured different implant-abutment connection designs. For each group, 20 identical copies of a master abutment were fabricated and fixed on their corresponding implants. Half of the abutments in each group were left unrestored, and the other 10 received glass-ceramic crowns. Static loading was applied at a 30-degree angle to the palatal surface until failure, and bending moments were calculated. The type of failure was characterized visually by dismounting the abutments and by examination of cross-sections of the embedded specimens. The results were analyzed statistically. RESULTS The mean range of bending moments was higher for the unrestored groups (158.2 to 678.2 Ncm) than for the restored groups (117.9 to 419.4 Ncm). The highest mean bending moments were seen in the control group, both restored and unrestored (419.4/678.2 Ncm). Unrestored, T1 and T2 exhibited significantly higher bending moments than T3. This was also observed in the restored groups. CONCLUSION Both the abutment material and the implant-abutment connection design affected the bending moments of abutments after static loading. Internally connected zirconia abutments with horizontal mismatch to the implant exhibited significantly higher bending moments compared to those without horizontal mismatch.
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP OF TIME TO RECRUITMENT INTERVIEW DECISION MAKING.

This study focuses on the relationship between time and recruiter decision making in the initial job interview. The authors formulate the following four research hypotheses: 1) interviewers make decisions about candidates for employment during the interview rather than before or afterwards; 2) Interviewers more quickly arrive at negative decisions about candidates than positive decisions: 3) There is no appreciable difference between interview length or elapsed decision time for positively terminated and negatively terminated interviews; and 4) Interviewer decisions are unrelated to the time of day the interview takes place. The authors draw the following conclusions, challenging recent research findings: 1) In general, the majority of interviewers tend to make recruitment decisions during the second half of the interview; 2) In general, there is no appreciable difference at the point in time when either negative or positive decisions are made; 3) Generally, interviewers take about the same interview time.
Safety and Immunogenicity of Salmonella Typhi Vi conjugate vaccine (Peda TyphTM) in children upto five years

Background: Conjugate typhoid vaccine can prevent increasing cases of typhoid in younger children. Commercially available conjugate vaccine has limited studies to support its use. Aims: To study the safety and immunogenicity of Vi conjugate typhoid vaccine (PedaTyph TM ). Materials and Methods: Four hundred children with age <5 years were randomised to receive either one dose (Group A) or two doses (Group B) of vaccine. Adverse effects were monitored and paired blood samples were collected for immunogenicity. Due to inadequate funding analyses of group B could not be done. Results: Adverse events occurred in 17% and 21% of children after first and second doses respectively. These events were not severe and recovered within 48 hours. Single dose of vaccine increased mean antibody titers by nine fold and seroconversion was seen in 83% of children. An 11-fold rise in mean antibody titers and seroconversion rate of 89% were noted in children below two years while six fold rise in titers and 73% seroconversion rate were recorded in children above two years. Conclusions: Vi conjugate typhoid vaccine is safe and immunogenic. Immunogenicity is better in children below two years. Single dose is not enough for seroconversion in all individuals.
[A case of Nasal septum abscess].

INTRODUCTION Abscess of the nasal septum is a rare and serious infection, because of the complications which it can generate. The authors report a new case of nasal septum abscess probably of dental origin. OBSERVATION A 47-year-old man consulted for bilateral nasal obstruction and rhinorrhea for 3 days with fever. The clinical examination as well as TDM imagery revealed a septal abscess. The patient underwent surgical drainage associated to triple antibiotherapy, with a good evolution at the end of 10 days. The etiologic assessment suggested dental infection. CONCLUSION This is a rare and serious infection of the nasal septum. This new case of rare abscess of the nasal septum gives us the opportunity to describe out the various etiologies, their management, and to insist on the preventive treatment of this infection.