Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation of the Perceived Stigmatization Questionnaire for Brazilian adult burn patients

Currently, there is no questionnaire to assess perceived stigmatization among people with visible differences in Brazil. The Perceived Stigmatization Questionnaire (PSQ), developed in the United States, is a valid instrument to assess the perception of stigmatizing behaviours among burn survivors. The objective of this cross-sectional and multicentre study was to assess the factor structure, reliability and validity of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the PSQ in burn patients. A Brazilian version of the 21-item PSQ was answered by 240 adult burn patients, undergoing rehabilitation in two burns units in Brazil. We tested its construct validity by correlating PSQ scores with depression (Beck Depression Index-BDI) and self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale-RSE), as well as with two domains of the Revised Burn Specific Health Scale—BSHS-R: affect and body image, and interpersonal relationships. We used Confirmatory Item Factor Analysis (CIFA) to test whether the data fit a measurement model involving a three-factor structure (absence of friendly behaviour; confusing/staring behaviour; and hostile behaviour). We conducted Exploratory Factor Analyses (EFA) of the subscale in a 50% random sample of individuals (training split), treating items as ordinal categorical using unweighted least squares estimation. To assess discriminant validity of the Brazilian version of the PSQ we correlated PSQ scores with known groups (sex, total body surface area burned, and visibility of the scars) and assessed its reliability by means of Cronbach's alpha and using test-retest. Goodness-of-fit indices for confirmatory factor analysis were satisfactory for the PSQ, but not for the hostile behaviour subscale, which was modified to improve fit by eliminating 3 items. Cronbach’s alphas for the PSQ refined version (PSQ-R) ranged from 0.65 to 0.88, with test-retest reliability 0.87 for the total score. The PSQ-R scores correlated strongly with depression (0.63; p < 0.001), self-esteem (-0.57; p < 0.001), body image (-0.63; p < 0.001), and interpersonal relationships (-0.55; p < 0.001). PSQ-R total scores were significantly lower for patients with visible scars (effect size = 0.51, p = 0.029). The PSQ-R showed reliability and validity comparable to the original version. However, the cross-cultural structure of the subscale “hostile behaviour” and sensitivity to change of the PSQ should be further evaluated.
Resin pressure and resin flow inside tapered laminates during zero-bleeding and bleeding processes

Resin pressure greatly influences resin flow, void defect, and fiber distribution inside the laminates, especially inside the composite with complex geometry. Thus, obtaining a fundamental understanding on the resin pressure inside laminates with complex shapes can provide an important guidance to control these qualities. This article is mainly focused on the resin pressure inside the composite laminates with tapered thickness and its effect on the compaction of fiber bed. The resin pressure variations inside carbon fiber fabric/epoxy resin prepreg stacks during zero-bleeding and bleeding processes were investigated by means of an on-line monitoring method. It is demonstrated that significant differences are found between the two cases. The resin pressure inside tapered stack under zero-bleeding condition evenly distributes throughout the whole cycle and leads to even distribution of fiber content. In the case of bleeding condition, the application of bleeder materials results in through-thickness and in-plane resin pressure gradients, which provide driving forces for resin flow, and it directly results in different level of fiber compaction at different regions. These results provide a basic understanding on the resin pressure characteristic inside tapered laminate during autoclave process.
Immigration, Family Responsibilities and the Labor Supply of Skilled Native Women

Abstract We investigate the effect of immigration on the labor supply of skilled women, using data on Spain’s large recent immigration wave. We adopt a spatial correlations approach and instrument for current immigration using ethnic networks. We find that female immigration increases the local availability of household services and reduces their price. It also increases the labor supply of skilled native women, by allowing them to return to work earlier after childbirth, and to continue working while caring for elderly dependents. Immigration can account for one third of the recent increase in the employment rate of college-educated women providing child or elderly care.
Chronic Morbidity Among Older Children and Adolescents at Diagnosis of HIV Infection

Background:Substantial numbers of children with HIV present to health care services in older childhood and adolescence, previously undiagnosed. These “slow-progressors” may experience considerable chronic ill health, which is not well characterized. We investigated the prevalence of chronic morbidity among children aged 6–15 years at diagnosis of HIV infection. Methods:A cross-sectional study was performed at 7 primary care clinics in Harare, Zimbabwe. Children aged 6–15 years who tested HIV positive following provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling were recruited. A detailed clinical history and standardized clinical examination was undertaken. The association between chronic disease and CD4 count was investigated using multivariate logistic regression. Results:Of the 385 participants recruited [52% female, median age 11 years (interquartile range 8–13)], 95% were perinatally HIV infected. The median CD4 count was 375 (interquartile range 215–599) cells per cubic millimeter. Although 78% had previous contact with health care services, HIV testing had not been performed. There was a high burden of chronic morbidity: 23% were stunted, 21% had pubertal delay, 25% had chronic skin disease, 54% had a chronic cough of more than 1 month-duration, 28% had abnormal lung function, and 12% reported hearing impairment. There was no association between CD4 count of <500 cells per cubic millimeter or <350 cells per cubic millimeter with WHO stage or these chronic conditions. Conclusions:In children with slow-progressing HIV, there is a substantial burden of chronic morbidity even when CD4 count is relatively preserved. Timely HIV testing and prompt antiretroviral therapy initiation are urgently needed to prevent development of chronic complications.
Joint Traffic Splitting, Rate Control, Routing, and Scheduling Algorithm for Maximizing Network Utility in Wireless Mesh Networks

The existence of multiple gateways, as is a common case in wireless mesh networks (WMNs), brings the possibility to improve network performance. However, previous studies, including both heuristic-based works and theory-driven cross-layer design works, cannot guarantee an optimal exploitation of multiple gateways. In this paper, we focus on exploiting multiple gateways optimally to achieve maximum network utility. We first extend the current framework of cross-layer design and formulate a network utility maximization (NUM) problem under WMNs with multiple gateways as a constrained optimization problem. Then, by solving this optimization problem, we propose a novel joint traffic splitting, rate control, routing, and scheduling algorithm called cross-layer control with dynamic gateway selection (CLC_DGS), which splits and distributes network traffic into multiple gateways in an optimal way. We prove that CLC_DGS can achieve maximum network utility. Finally, we run extensive simulations to demonstrate that, compared with the previous methods, CLC_DGS significantly improves the performance of WMNs under various network environments, including gateway heterogeneity, link heterogeneity, and different interference models.
Inhibition of WNT-CTNNB1 signaling upregulates SQSTM1 and sensitizes glioblastoma cells to autophagy blockers

ABSTRACT WNT-CTNN1B signaling promotes cancer cell proliferation and stemness. Furthermore, recent evidence indicates that macroautophagy/autophagy regulates WNT signaling. Here we investigated the impact of inhibiting WNT signaling on autophagy in glioblastoma (GBM), a devastating brain tumor. Inhibiting TCF, or silencing TCF4 or CTNNB1/β-catenin upregulated SQSTM1/p62 in GBM at transcriptional and protein levels and, in turn, autophagy. DKK1/Dickkopf1, a canonical WNT receptor antagonist, also induced autophagic flux. Importantly, TCF inhibition regulated autophagy through MTOR inhibition and dephosphorylation, and nuclear translocation of TFEB, a master regulator of lysosomal biogenesis and autophagy. TCF inhibition or silencing additionally affected GBM cell proliferation and migration. Autophagy induction followed by its blockade can promote cancer cell death. In agreement with this notion, halting both TCF-CTNNB1 and autophagy pathways decreased cell viability and induced apoptosis of GBM cells through a SQSTM1-dependent mechanism involving CASP8 (caspase 8). In vivo experiments further underline the therapeutic potential of such dual targeting in GBM.
Wnt/Wingless Pathway Activation Is Promoted by a Critical Threshold of Axin Maintained by the Tumor Suppressor APC and the ADP-Ribose Polymerase Tankyrase

Wnt/β-catenin signal transduction directs metazoan development and is deregulated in numerous human congenital disorders and cancers. In the absence of Wnt stimulation, a multiprotein “destruction complex,” assembled by the scaffold protein Axin, targets the key transcriptional activator β-catenin for proteolysis. Axin is maintained at very low levels that limit destruction complex activity, a property that is currently being exploited in the development of novel therapeutics for Wnt-driven cancers. Here, we use an in vivo approach in Drosophila to determine how tightly basal Axin levels must be controlled for Wnt/Wingless pathway activation, and how Axin stability is regulated. We find that for nearly all Wingless-driven developmental processes, a three- to fourfold increase in Axin is insufficient to inhibit signaling, setting a lower-limit for the threshold level of Axin in the majority of in vivo contexts. Further, we find that both the tumor suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and the ADP-ribose polymerase Tankyrase (Tnks) have evolutionarily conserved roles in maintaining basal Axin levels below this in vivo threshold, and we define separable domains in Axin that are important for APC- or Tnks-dependent destabilization. Together, these findings reveal that both APC and Tnks maintain basal Axin levels below a critical in vivo threshold to promote robust pathway activation following Wnt stimulation.
12-1-2017 Feasibility and Acceptability of Two Incentive-Based Implementation Strategies for Mental Health Therapists Implementing Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy : A Pilot Study to Inform a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Informed by our prior work indicating that therapists do not feel recognized or rewarded for implementation of evidence-based practices, we tested the feasibility and acceptability of two incentive-based implementation strategies that seek to improve therapist adherence to cognitive-behavioral therapy for youth, an evidence-based practice. Methods: This study was conducted over 6 weeks in two community mental health agencies with therapists (n = 11) and leaders (n = 4). Therapists were randomized to receive either a financial or social incentive if they achieved a predetermined criterion on adherence to cognitive-behavioral therapy. In the first intervention period (block 1; 2 weeks), therapists received the reward they were initially randomized to if they achieved criterion. In the second intervention period (block 2; 2 weeks), therapists received both rewards if they achieved criterion. Therapists recorded 41 sessions across 15 unique clients over the project period. Primary outcomes included feasibility and acceptability. Feasibility was assessed quantitatively. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with therapists and leaders to assess acceptability. Difference in therapist adherence by condition was examined as an exploratory outcome. Adherence ratings were ascertained using an established and validated observational coding system of cognitivebehavioral therapy. Results: Both implementation strategies were feasible and acceptable—however, modifications to study design for the larger trial will be necessary based on participant feedback. With respect to our exploratory analysis, we found a trend suggesting the financial reward may have had a more robust effect on therapist adherence than the social reward. Conclusions: Incentive-based implementation strategies can be feasibly administered in community mental health agencies with good acceptability, although iterative pilot work is essential. Larger, fully powered trials are needed to compare the effectiveness of implementation strategies to incentivize and enhance therapists’ adherence to evidencebased practices such as cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Pictures or pellets? Comparing camera trapping and dung counts as methods for estimating population densities of ungulates

Across the northern hemisphere, land use changes and, possibly, warmer winters are leading to more abundant and diverse ungulate communities causing increased socioeconomic and ecological consequences. Reliable population estimates are crucial for sustainable management, but it is currently unclear which monitoring method is most suitable to track changes in multi‐species assemblages. We compared dung counts and camera trapping as two non‐invasive census methods to estimate population densities of moose Alces alces and roe deer Capreolus capreolus in Northern Sweden. For camera trapping, we tested the random encounter model (REM) which can estimate densities without the need to recognize individual animals. We evaluated different simplification options of the REM in terms of estimates of detection distance and angle (raw data vs. modelled) and of daily movement rate (camera trap based vs. telemetry based). In comparison to density estimates from camera traps, we found that, dung counts appeared to underestimate population density for roe deer, but not for moose. Estimates of detection distance and angle from modelled versus raw camera data resulted in nearly identical outcomes. The telemetry‐derived daily movement rate for moose and roe deer resulted in much higher density estimates than the camera trap‐derived estimates. We suggest that camera trapping may be a robust complement to dung counts when monitoring ungulate communities, particularly when similarities between dung pellets from sympatric deer species make unambiguous assignment difficult. Moreover, we show that a simplified use of the REM method holds great potential for large‐scale citizen science‐based programmes (e.g. involving hunters) that can track the rapidly changing European wildlife landscape. We suggest to include camera trapping in management programmes, where the analysis can be verified via web‐based applications.
Demethylation of miR-9-3 and miR-193a Genes Suppresses Proliferation and Promotes Apoptosis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Lines

Background: MicroRNAs miR-9-3 and miR-193a have recently been found to be hypermethylated in a variety of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and primary human tumors. The objectives of this study were to investigate the role of demethylation of miR-9-3 and miR-193a genes in regulating proliferation and apoptosis in NSCLCs, and to decipher the potential mechanisms underlying the properties. Methods: MTT and population doubling time by flow cytometry were used to assess cell proliferation. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and caspase-3 activity assay were employed to evaluate apoptosis. Real-time RT-PCR and Western blot were used to quantify gene expression at mRNA and protein levels, respectively. Methylation-specific PCR was utilized to assess methylation status. Results: We found that demethylation agent 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-AzaC) reduced cell numbers and prolonged population doubling time (PDT), and promoted doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in seven NSCLC cell lines with different methylation statuses on miR-9-3 and miR-193a promoter regions: NCI-H1993/NCI-H1915 (miR-9-3+/miR-193a+), NCI-H1975/NCI-H200 (miR-9-3+/miR-193a-), A427/NCI-H2073 (miR-9-3-/miR-193a+), and NCI-H1703 (miR-9-3-/miR-193a-). Treatment with 5-AzaC concomitantly upregulated expression of miR-9-3 and miR-193a, and downregulated their respective target genes NF-κB and Mcl-1. The effects of 5-AzaC were abolished by concomitant knockdown of miR-9-3 and miR-193a using the complex antisense technique, whereas forced ectopic expression of miR-9-3 and miR-193a mimicked the effects of 5-AzaC. We further observed that the strength of proliferation inhibition and apoptosis promotion elicited by 5-AzaC was in the order of NCI-H1993/NCI-H1915 > A427/NCI-H2073 > NCI-H1975/NCI-H200 > NCI-H1703. Conclusions: Methylation-silencing of miR-9-3 and miR-193a may be an important epigenetic mechanisms favoring NSCLC cell growth and survival for carcinogenesis and cancer progression, and demethylation to reactivate expression of miR-9-3 and miR-193a genes contributes, at least partially, to the anti-cancer properties of 5-AzaC and thereby may be worthy of future studies for the possibility of being a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of human NSCLCs.
Effect of the composition of the shielding gas and design of the non-consumable cathode on the penetrating capacity of the arc and formation of welded joints

Processing features of a d.c. arc in helium and its mixtures with argon are considered, using non-consumable electrodes of three types, i.e. with conic grinding of the working area, butt end cavity, and bi-metal composite. Influence of the electrode working area construction and shielding gas composition on the depth, width, and penetration shape ratio, as well as on the weld seam formation quality, is investigated.
ITT analysis of randomized encouragement design studies with missing data

In this paper, we considered a missing outcome problem in causal inferences for a randomized encouragement design study. We proposed both moment and maximum likelihood estimators for the marginal distributions of potential outcomes and the local complier average causal effect (CACE) parameter. We illustrated our methods in a randomized encouragement design study on the effectiveness of flu shots. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Platelet mitochondrial membrane potential in Parkinson's disease

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD), which has been reported not to be restricted to striatal neurons. However, studies that analyzed mitochondrial function at the level of selected enzymatic activities in peripheral tissues have produced conflicting data. We considered the electron transport chain as a complex system with mitochondrial membrane potential as an integrative indicator for mitochondrial fitness.
Kinetics study on recombinant alkaline phosphatase and correlation with the generated fluorescent signal

ABSTRACT Alkaline phosphatase (AP) (EC 3.1.3.1) is one of the most commonly used enzymes in immunoassays. In VIDAS® assays (bioMérieux, Marcy l’Etoile, France), AP catalyzes the hydrolysis of 4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate (4-MUP) in 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU) producing a fluorescent signal. This work introduces an original method of characterization of the kinetic parameters Km, Vmax, and Kcat of AP embedded in VIDAS® assays. Assessment of such constants allows us to predict the fluorescent signal generated for given amounts of enzyme and its associated substrate; in the particular case of VIDAS®, it has been estimated that 0.06 nmol/L of AP produces 3144 Relative Fluorescent Values (RFV). Abbreviations: 4-MUP, 4-Methylumbelliferyl phosphate; 4-MU, 4-Methylumbelliferone; RFV, Relative Fluorescent Values; RFU, Relative Fluorescent Units; QDs, Quantum Dots; LoD, Limit of Detection
Supplementary Materials for Identification of the Tau phosphorylation pattern that drives its aggregation

Supplementary Materials for Identification of the Tau phosphorylation pattern t hat drives its aggregation. Clément Despres, Cillian Byrne, Haoling Qi, Françoi s-Xavier Cantrelle, Isabelle Huvent, Béatrice Chambraud, Etienne-Emile Baulieu*, Yves Ja cquot, Isabelle Landrieu, Guy Lippens,* Caroline Smet-Nocca* correspondence to: glippens@insa-toulouse.fr; etienne.baulieu@inserm.fr ; caroline.smet@univ-lille1.fr
Physiological responses to heat stress in two genetically distinct chicken inbred lines

Abstract High ambient temperature is one of the most important environmental factors negatively impacting poultry production and health. Genetics is an important contributor in mitigating the stress response to heat. Two genetically distinct highly inbred lines of similar body size (Leghorn and Fayoumi) were characterized for phenotypic differences in response to heat. At 14 days of age, birds were exposed to 38°C with 50% humidity for 4 hours, then 35°C until the conclusion of the experiment. Non‐treated individuals were kept at 29.4°C for the first week and then 25°C throughout the experiment. Birds in the heat‐stress group were inoculated at day (d) 21 with Newcastle disease virus (NDV) La Sota strain to investigate the effects of heat stress and NDV infection. Thirteen blood parameters were measured using the iSTAT blood analyzer at three stages: 4 h, 6 d, and 9 d post heat‐stress treatment, representing acute heat (AH) exposure, chronic heat (CH1) exposure, and chronic heat exposure after virus infection (CH2), respectively. Most blood parameters were significantly changed with heat stress in Leghorns at AH and in Fayoumis at CH1 and CH2. The Leghorn line had significant acute responses with disrupted acid‐base balance and metabolic disorders. The heat‐resilient Fayoumis maintained a relatively well‐balanced acid‐base balance. The current study provides the comprehensive profile of biomarker signatures in blood associated with heat tolerance and suggests that PO2, TCO2, HCO3, and base excess can be served as potential biomarkers that can be used to genetically improve heat tolerance in poultry.
Cooperation between cAMP signalling and sulfonylurea in insulin secretion

Although glucose is physiologically the most important regulator of insulin secretion, glucose‐induced insulin secretion is modulated by hormonal and neural inputs to pancreatic β‐cells. Most of the hormones and neurotransmitters evoke intracellular signals such as cAMP, Ca2+, and phospholipid‐derived molecules by activating G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs). In particular, cAMP is a key second messenger that amplifies insulin secretion in a glucose concentration‐dependent manner. The action of cAMP on insulin secretion is mediated by both protein kinase A (PKA)‐dependent and Epac2A‐dependent mechanisms. Many of the proteins expressed in β‐cells are phosphorylated by PKA in vitro, but only a few proteins in which PKA phosphorylation directly affects insulin secretion have been identified. On the other hand, Epac2A activates the Ras‐like small G protein Rap in a cAMP‐dependent manner. Epac2A is also directly activated by various sulfonylureas, except for gliclazide. 8‐pCPT‐2′‐O‐Me‐cAMP, an Epac‐selective cAMP analogue, and glibenclamide, a sulfonylurea, synergistically activate Epac2A and Rap1, whereas adrenaline, which suppresses cAMP production in pancreatic β‐cells, blocks activation of Epac2A and Rap1 by glibenclamide. Thus, cAMP signalling and sulfonylurea cooperatively activate Epac2A and Rap1. This interaction could account, at least in part, for the synergistic effects of incretin‐related drugs and sulfonylureas in insulin secretion. Accordingly, clarification of the mechanism of Epac2A activation may provide therapeutic strategies to improve insulin secretion in diabetes.