Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Socio-economic, Behavioural and Environmental Factors on Taenia spp. Transmission in Western Kenya: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Survey in Humans and Pigs

Taenia spp. infections, particularly cysticercosis, cause considerable health impacts in endemic countries. Despite previous evidence of spatial clustering in cysticercosis and the role of environmental factors (e.g. temperature and humidity) in the survival of eggs, little research has explored these aspects of Taenia spp. epidemiology. In addition, there are significant gaps in our understanding of risk factors for infection in humans and pigs. This study aimed to assess the influence of socio-economic, behavioural and environmental variables on human and porcine cysticercosis. A cross-sectional survey for human taeniasis (T. solium and T. saginata), human cysticercosis (T. solium) and pig cysticercosis (T. solium) in 416 households in western Kenya was carried out. These data were linked to questionnaire responses and environmental datasets. Multi-level regression was used to examine the relationships between covariates and human and porcine cysticercosis. The HP10 Ag-ELISA sero-prevalence (suggestive of cysticercosis) was 6.6% for humans (95% CI 5.6%–7.7%), and 17.2% for pigs (95% CI 10.2%–26.4%). Human taeniasis prevalence, based on direct microscopic observation of Taenia spp. eggs (i.e. via microscopy results only) was 0.2% (95% CI 0.05%–0.5%). Presence of Taenia spp. antigen in both humans and pigs was significantly associated with a range of factors, including positive correlations with land cover. The presence of HP10 antigen in humans was correlated (non-linearly) with the proportion of land within a 1 km buffer that was flooding agricultural land and grassland (odds ratio [OR] = 1.09 and 0.998; p = 0.03 and 0.03 for the linear and quadratic terms respectively), gender (OR = 0.58 for males compared to females, p = 0.02), level of education (OR = 0.62 for primary level education versus no formal education, p = 0.09), use of well water for drinking (OR = 2.76 for those who use well water versus those who do not, p = 0.02) and precipitation (OR = 0.998, p = 0.02). Presence of Taenia spp. antigen in pigs was significantly correlated with gender and breeding status of the pig (OR = 10.35 for breeding sows compared to boars, p = 0.01), and the proportion of land within a 1 km buffer that was flooding agricultural land and grassland (OR = 1.04, p = 0.004). These results highlight the role of multiple socio-economic, behavioural and environmental factors in Taenia spp. transmission patterns. Environmental contamination with Taenia spp. eggs is a key issue, with landscape factors influencing presence of Taenia spp. antigens in both pigs and humans.
Structure and Reaction Mechanism of Phosphoethanolamine Methyltransferase from the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum

Background: In the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, a phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase (PfPMT) is critical for membrane biogenesis. Results: Structures and mutagenesis of PfPMT suggest Tyr-19 and His-132 as a catalytic dyad. Conclusion: The reaction sequence of PfPMT likely involves structural changes with the Tyr-19-His-132 forming an active site latch. Significance: This is the first structure of an enzyme essential for the survival of the malaria parasite. In the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum, a multifunctional phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase (PfPMT) catalyzes the methylation of phosphoethanolamine (pEA) to phosphocholine for membrane biogenesis. This pathway is also found in plant and nematodes, but PMT from these organisms use multiple methyltransferase domains for the S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) reactions. Because PfPMT is essential for normal growth and survival of Plasmodium and is not found in humans, it is an antiparasitic target. Here we describe the 1.55 Å resolution crystal structure of PfPMT in complex with AdoMet by single-wavelength anomalous dispersion phasing. In addition, 1.19–1.52 Å resolution structures of PfPMT with pEA (substrate), phosphocholine (product), sinefungin (inhibitor), and both pEA and S-adenosylhomocysteine bound were determined. These structures suggest that domain rearrangements occur upon ligand binding and provide insight on active site architecture defining the AdoMet and phosphobase binding sites. Functional characterization of 27 site-directed mutants identifies critical active site residues and suggests that Tyr-19 and His-132 form a catalytic dyad. Kinetic analysis, isothermal titration calorimetry, and protein crystallography of the Y19F and H132A mutants suggest a reaction mechanism for the PMT. Not only are Tyr-19 and His-132 required for phosphobase methylation, but they also form a “catalytic” latch that locks ligands in the active site and orders the site for catalysis. This study provides the first insight on this antiparasitic target enzyme essential for survival of the malaria parasite; however, further studies of the multidomain PMT from plants and nematodes are needed to understand the evolutionary division of metabolic function in the phosphobase pathway of these organisms.
Prediction of Equiaxed Crystal Ratio in Continuously Cast Steel Slab by Simplified Columnar-to-Equiaxed Transition Model

A simplified prediction model of the equiaxed crystal ratio (ECR) in continuously cast slabs of ferritic stainless steel was investigated based on the columnar to equiaxed transition (CET) model proposed by J. D. Hunt. The present model assumes that CET occurs when a parameter G/V1/2 at a solid fraction of 0.3 is smaller than a critical value, CET. This model can explain comparatively well the effects of the casting speed, melt superheat, steel composition, intensity and position of the electromagnetic stirring (EMS), and secondary cooling intensity on measured ECR. The calculated results also show that an optimum EMS position and casting speed for maximizing ECR exist. Moreover, it was found that there is a proportional relationship between the best-fit values of CET and N01/3C01/2 calculated from measured data. This means that the simplified Hunt model is applicable to predict ECR in continuously cast slabs. The mechanism by which equiaxed crystal bands are generated is also discussed in relation to the behavior of G/V1/2.
Glutamate, GABA and Acetylcholine Signaling Components in the Lamina of the Drosophila Visual System

Synaptic connections of neurons in the Drosophila lamina, the most peripheral synaptic region of the visual system, have been comprehensively described. Although the lamina has been used extensively as a model for the development and plasticity of synaptic connections, the neurotransmitters in these circuits are still poorly known. Thus, to unravel possible neurotransmitter circuits in the lamina of Drosophila we combined Gal4 driven green fluorescent protein in specific lamina neurons with antisera to γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamic acid decarboxylase, a GABAB type of receptor, L-glutamate, a vesicular glutamate transporter (vGluT), ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors, choline acetyltransferase and a vesicular acetylcholine transporter. We suggest that acetylcholine may be used as a neurotransmitter in both L4 monopolar neurons and a previously unreported type of wide-field tangential neuron (Cha-Tan). GABA is the likely transmitter of centrifugal neurons C2 and C3 and GABAB receptor immunoreactivity is seen on these neurons as well as the Cha-Tan neurons. Based on an rdl-Gal4 line, the ionotropic GABAA receptor subunit RDL may be expressed by L4 neurons and a type of tangential neuron (rdl-Tan). Strong vGluT immunoreactivity was detected in α-processes of amacrine neurons and possibly in the large monopolar neurons L1 and L2. These neurons also express glutamate-like immunoreactivity. However, antisera to ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors did not produce distinct immunosignals in the lamina. In summary, this paper describes novel features of two distinct types of tangential neurons in the Drosophila lamina and assigns putative neurotransmitters and some receptors to a few identified neuron types.
Identification of a mouse cytoskeleton‐associated protein, CKAP2, with microtubule‐stabilizing properties

Microtubule dynamics is an important factor in cell proliferation and one of the main targets of cancer chemotherapy. Since microtubule‐associated proteins (MAPs) are known to influence microtubule stability, study of MAPs may contribute both to knowledge of cancer cell biology and to the production of new anti‐cancer drugs. In this study, we identified a new mouse gene which is a homolog of human cytoskeleton‐associated protein, CKAP2 gene, by differential display analysis. The level of expression of mouse CKAP2 (mCKAP2) was significantly higher in NIH3T3 cells expressing RET with a multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) 2A or MEN2B mutation than in parental NIH3T3 cells. Immunocytochemical analysis showed that mCKAP2 protein is localized in cytoplasm with a fibrillar appearance, and is co‐localized with microtubules throughout the cell cycle. Furthermore, overexpression of mCKAP2 in cells appeared to stabilize microtubules against treatment with nocodazole, a microtubule‐depolymerizing agent. In addition, levels of human CKAP2 were increased in some human tumor cell lines examined. These findings suggest that CKAP2 is a new MAP with microtubule‐stabilizing properties and may represent a new molecular target for cancer chemotherapy.
Analgesic efficacy and safety of nefopam vs. propacetamol following hepatic resection*

In order to compare the morphine‐sparing effect, analgesic efficacy and tolerance of nefopam and propacetamol given at their highest recommended doses, 120 patients undergoing elective hepatic resection were randomly assigned to receive postoperative intravenous patient‐controlled analgesia with morphine alone, or in combination with nefopam (20 mg.4 h‐1) or propacetamol (2 g.6 h‐1). Compared with the control group (43 [7–92] mg), median [range] cumulative morphine consumption for 24 h after the study started was halved in the nefopam group (21 [3–78] mg, p <0.001) and 20% lower in the propacetamol group (35 [6–84] mg, p = 0.15). Analgesia was superior in the nefopam group despite the lower morphine consumption. Adverse effects were comparable in the three groups, except for significantly more nausea in the control group (39% vs. 17 and 26% in the nefopam and propacetamol groups, respectively) and more sweating in the nefopam group (17% vs. 0 and 3% in the control and propacetamol groups, respectively). Overall patient satisfaction was better (p < 0.001) in patients given nefopam (97%) than those receiving morphine alone (82%) or propacetamol (74%).
Ka-band high gain low noise amplifier by Stacked-GCPW transmission line

A high gain Ka-band CMOS Low-Noise-Amplifier is proposed in this paper. The CMOS LNA based on 4 stages common source structure. In each stage was connected by Stacked-Grounded-Coplanar-Waveguide transmission line structure in a 0.18-μm CMOS technology to reduce the loss from silicon substrate. The design of two stages noise matching increases the noise isolation between the gain matching stages and noise matching stages. The power gain of the LNA is higher than 20dB from 30GHz to 34GHz with 4GHz band width. The measured noise about 7dB from 30Ghz-34GHz. The power consumption of the LNA is only 40 mW.
Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for Behçet’s disease with pulmonary involvement: analysis after 5 years of follow up

Background: Myeloablative chemotherapy and autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) may provide a therapeutic option in severe Behçet’s disease (BD) with pulmonary involvement. Case reports: Two patients with BD with pulmonary involvement refractory to conventional immunosuppressive treatment underwent HSCT 1999. Stem cells were mobilised with cyclophosphamide (2 and 4 g/m2) and subsequently enriched ex vivo for CD34+ cells. The conditioning regimen used was melphalan (200 mg/m2). Outcome was measured by improvement of clinical features, function of affected organs, serological markers, need for immunosuppressive chemotherapy after transplant, and relapse. In both cases HSCT was successful, with good response and without serious complications. After 5 years of follow up one patient is in complete remission without immunosuppressive drugs and one has partial remission, needing low dose corticosteroids (8 mg/day). Conclusion: In these two patients myeloablative chemotherapy, followed by HSCT could be performed safely with marked improvement. In comparison with other observational studies the duration of more than 5 years of remission is remarkable, and its full duration is still unknown.
The distribution of some hydrolytic enzymes in the semen of the domestic fowl, Gallus domesticus.

The distribution of some hydrolytic enzymes in fowl semen was studied. Washed spermatozoa and seminal plasma were examined for the following enzymes: acid phosphatase, sulphatase, N-acetyl-\g=b\-dglucosaminidase, \g=b\-glucuronidase,phospholipase A, trypsin-like enzyme and neuraminidase. Only a trypsin-like enzyme, N-acetyl-\g=b\-d-glucosaminidase and acid phosphatase were detected in the semen. Most of the acid phosphatase activity occurred in particulate material in the seminal plasma, whereas virtually all the trypsin-like activity was in the spermatozoa. The N-acetyl-\g=b\-d-glucosaminidaseactivity in semen occurred both in the spermatozoa and the seminal plasma; the proportion of the activity in whole semen contributed by the spermatozoa was less than that contributed by the seminal plasma but the concentration of activity was greater in the spermatozoa. A slightly inhibitory action of seminal plasma on the activity of the trypsin-like enzyme was indicated. A preliminary examination was made of the semen of different strains of fowl and revealed between-strain differences in the activity of enzymes, particularly acid phosphatase.
Saturated fat intake predicts biochemical failure after prostatectomy

Previous reports show that obesity predicts biochemical failure after treatment for localized prostate cancer. Since obesity is associated with increased fat consumption, we investigated the role that dietary fat intake plays in modulating obesity‐related risk of biochemical failure. We evaluated the association between saturated fat intake and biochemical failure among 390 men from a previously described prostatectomy cohort. Participants completed a food frequency questionnaire collecting nutrient information for the year prior to diagnosis. Because fat and energy intake are highly correlated, the residual method was used to adjust fat (total and saturated) intakes for energy. Biochemical‐failure‐free‐survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Crude and adjusted effects were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. During a mean follow‐up of 70.6 months, 78 men experienced biochemical failure. Men who consumed high‐ saturated fat (HSF) diets were more likely to experience biochemical failure (p = 0.006) and had significantly shorter biochemical‐failure‐free‐survival than men with low saturated fat (LSF) diets (26.6 vs. 44.7 months, respectively, p = 0.002). After adjusting for obesity and clinical variables, HSF‐diet patients were almost twice as likely to experience biochemical failure (hazard ratio = 1.95, p = 0.008) compared to LSF diet patients. Men who were both obese and consumed HSF diets had the shortest biochemical‐failure‐free‐survival (19 months), and nonobese men who consumed LSF diets had the longest biochemical‐failure‐free‐survival (46 months, p < 0.001). Understanding the interplay between modifiable factors, such as diet and obesity, and disease characteristics may lead to the development of behavioral and/or targeted interventions for patients at increased risk of progression. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The distribution of ‘‘sense of coherence’’ among Swedish adults: A quantitative cross-sectional population study

Background: Antonovsky’s concept of ‘‘sense of coherence’’ (SOC) has been shown to be related to health. The aim of this study was to describe the distribution of SOC scores and their components in an adult Swedish population aged 20—80 years. Methods: A random sample of 910 individuals from Jönköping, Sweden, aged 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 years, of which 589 agreed to participate in an oral health examination. The participants answered Antonovsky’s 13-item version of ‘‘the life orientation questionnaire scale’’. The response to the items and the distribution of the three components of comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness were analyzed for different age groups and genders using mean values and standard deviations, Student’s t-test and ANOVA. Results: A total of 526 individuals, 263 men and 263 women, answered all 13 questions and constituted the final material for the study (response rate 89%). The individual SOC score increased with age. The 20 year olds had a statistically significantly lower SOC score compared with the other age groups and 55% of them had a low SOC (≤66 points) compared with 17% of the 80 year olds. Men in the 60 and 70 year age groups had a statistically significantly higher SOC score compared with women of the same age. Conclusions: The individual distribution of SOC varied with age and gender. Twenty year olds had a significantly lower SOC score compared with elderly age groups. Elderly men had a statistically significantly higher SOC score compared with women of the same age.
The Influence of Flame, Corona and Atmospheric Plasma Treatments on Surface Properties and Digital Print Quality of Extrusion Coated Paper

Polymer and paper structures have been successfully utilized in several fields, especially in the packaging industry. Together with barrier properties, printability is an important property in packaging applications. From the point of view of printing, the dense and impervious structure of extrusion coatings is challenging. Flame, corona and atmospheric plasma treatments were used to modify the surface of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) and the influence of these surface modifications on print quality, i.e., toner adhesion and visual quality was studied. The traditional surface treatment methods, i.e., flame and corona treatments, increased the surface energy by introducing oxygen containing functional groups on the surfaces of LDPE and PP more than helium and argon plasma treatments. Only in the case of flame treatment, the higher surface energy and oxidation level led to better print quality, i.e., toner adhesion and visual quality, than the plasma treatments. The morphological changes observed on LDPE surface after flame treatment are partly responsible for the improved print quality. Atmospheric plasma treatments improved the print quality of LDPE and PP surfaces more than corona treatment. The electret phenomenon observed on LDPE and PP surfaces only after corona treatment is the most likely reason for the high print mottling and low visual quality of corona treated surface.
Three origins of ΦX174 am3 revertants in transgenic cell culture

Transgenic systems for measuring mammalian mutagenesis often use recoverable viral vectors. We hypothesize that mutations in these transgenic systems can arise from three different origins of DNA damage and replication errors and that these three origins of mutations (in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro) can be differentiated in the ΦX174 am3, cs70 single burst assay (SBA) on the basis of burst size (BS). In vivo mutations are fixed in the animal, ex vivo mutations are fixed in bacterial cells during recovery of the phage, and in vitro revertants arise during the first replications of nonmutant phages under selective conditions. PX‐2 cells, derived from a homozygous embryo of a ΦX174 transgenic mouse, were treated with vehicle or N‐ethyl‐N‐nitrosourea (ENU). An algorithm was developed to estimate the BS that resulted in the highest induced revertant frequency; the estimate was 56. In vivo revertants were defined as having BS >55, ex vivo revertants as having a BS of 13–56, and in vitro revertants as having a BS of <14. The frequencies of in vivo revertants at 0, 100, and 200 mg/kg ENU were 0.06, 0.36, and 4.10 × 10−6 (dose response, P = 0.004); ex vivo revertants were 0.36, 0.46, and 0.41 × 10−6 (P = 0.37), and in vitro revertants were 0.39, 0.46, and 0.41 × 10−6 (P = 0.55), respectively. These results show that only in vivo revertants reflect mutagen treatment. They also provide a basis for identifying ΦX174 am3 revertants induced in vivo and may increase the sensitivity of the assay for in vivo mutation. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 42:258–273, 2003. Published 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence, risk factors, and predictors of pelvic organ prolapse: a community-based study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in a village in East Lebanon and to evaluate related risk factors and clinical predictors. MethodsFive hundred four ever-married women, aged 15 to 60 years, were interviewed and underwent physical and pelvic examinations and laboratory testing. Prolapse was determined according to a simplified version of the POP quantification system. ResultsTwo hundred fifty-one (49.8%) women had clinically significant POP. When stratified by life decade, POP prevalence was 20.4% for women aged 20 to 29 years, 50.3% for women aged 30 to 39 years, 77.2% for women aged 40 to 49 years, and 74.6% for women aged 50 to 59 years, suggesting a plateau in prevalence in the decade after menopause. Clinically significant POP was found in 3.6% of nulliparous, 6.5% of primiparous, 22.7% of secondiparous, 32.9% of triparous, and 46.8% of tetraparous women. Increasing age, increasing vaginal parity, and a body mass index higher than 24 kg/m2 were found to be significant risk factors for POP, with relative risks of 1.09 (P < 0.001), 2.31 (P < 0.0001), and 1.62 (P = 0.048) respectively. Combined clinical symptoms of pelvic heaviness, urinary disturbances, and a feeling of bulge in the vagina were predictive of POP. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that cost-efficient interventions to reduce the burden of POP in this and similar remote communities include the following: family planning awareness campaigns focusing on the risks of grand multiparity; nutritional education and weight management programs to help reduce the progression of POP before the age of menopause; and consideration of symptom-based screening to identify affected women who might benefit from a referral to specialty care at a tertiary care center.