Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MEFV mutations are increased in Behçet's disease (BD) and are associated with vascular involvement.

OBJECTIVE A high prevalence of Behçet's disease (BD) among familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients has been described recently and a weak association of BD and certain MEFV gene mutations, originally linked to FMF, has been reported in an ethnically mixed population from France. We further investigated the presence of MEFV mutations in BD patients from Turkey, a country with a high prevalence of both disorders. METHODS The frequencies of three FMF-related MEFV mutations (M694V, M680I and V726A) were investigated in BD patients (n = 57) by molecular genetic studies using a polymerase chain reaction with the ARMS method. All patients fulfilled the International Study Group Criteria for the diagnosis of BD and patients with FMF-like symptoms or a chronic inflammatory disease were excluded. RESULTS Fifteen BD patients were found to carry one single MEFV mutation (26%), compared to 9.1% in the control group (p = 0.003, OR: 3.5, 95% CI: 1.6-7.6). Among 20 BD patients with vascular involvement, 11 (55%) had MEFV mutations compared to 4 patients (11%) in the non-vascular group (p = 0.001, OR: 10, 95% CI: 2.5-39.3). M694V was the dominant mutation in our study group (11 out of 15 patients with mutated alleles). Six out of 7 female patients with vascular involvement carried MEFV mutations in contrast to 5 out of 13 male patients (85.7% versus 38.4%, p = 0.07, OR: 0.1, 95% CI: 0.009-1.14). No association with other clinical manifestations was observed. CONCLUSION MEFV mutations, originally linked to FMF, may act as a genetic susceptibility factor for other inflammatory disorders such as vascular BD.
Countervailing Modulation of Ih by Neuropeptide Y and Corticotrophin-Releasing Factor in Basolateral Amygdala As a Possible Mechanism for Their Effects on Stress-Related Behaviors

Stress and anxiety-related behaviors controlled by the basolateral amygdala (BLA) are regulated in vivo by neuropeptide Y (NPY) and corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF): NPY produces anxiolytic effects, whereas CRF produces anxiogenic effects. These opposing actions are likely mediated via regulation of excitatory output from the BLA to afferent targets. In these studies, we examined mechanisms underlying the effects of NPY and CRF in the BLA using whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology in rat brain slices. NPY, even with tetrodotoxin present, caused a dose-dependent membrane hyperpolarization in BLA pyramidal neurons. The hyperpolarization resulted in the inhibition of pyramidal cells, despite arising from a reduction in a voltage-dependent membrane conductance. The Y1 receptor agonist, F7P34 NPY, produced a similar membrane hyperpolarization, whereas the Y1 antagonist, BIBO3304 [(R)-N-[[4-(aminocarbonylaminomethyl)-phenyl]methyl]-N2-(diphenylacetyl)-argininamide trifluoroacetate], blocked the effect of NPY. The NPY-inhibited current was identified as Ih, which is active at and hyperpolarized to rest. Responses to NPY were occluded by either Cs+ or ZD7288 (4-ethylphenylamino-1,2-dimethyl-6-methylaminopyrimidinium chloride), but unaffected by the GIRK-preferring blockers Ba2+ and SCH23390 [(R)-(+)-7-chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-l-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine hydrochloride]. Application of CRF, with or without TTX present, depolarized NPY-sensitive BLA pyramidal neurons, resulting from an increase in Ih. Electrophysiological and immunocytochemical data were consistent with a major role for the HCN1 subunit. Our results indicate that NPY, via Y1 receptors, directly inhibits BLA pyramidal neurons by suppressing a postsynaptic Ih, whereas CRF enhances resting Ih, causing an increased excitability of BLA pyramidal neurons. The opposing actions of these two peptides on the excitability of BLA output cells are consistent with the observed behavioral actions of NPY and CRF in the BLA.
Multifocal Electroretinography Assisted Comparison of Macular Photocoagulation versus Macular Photocoagulation and Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection in Diabetic Macular Edema

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of intraviteral bevacizumab (IVB) in diabetic macular edema (DME), using multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) Methods: Sixty-four eyes of 32 patients with bilateral symmetric clinically significant macular edema (CSME) were included in the study. After taking a baseline mfERG, macular photocoagulation (MPC) was done in all eyes. After 7 days, 1.25 mg of bevacizumab was randomly injected in one eye of each patient and the other eye assigned for sham injection. mfERG was repeated 8 weeks after injection, and changes in visual acuity and mfERG compared in two groups. Results: The mean best corrected visual acuities (BCVAs) at baseline were 0.55 in IVB group and 0.51 in control group and at 8 th week were 0.41 and 0.53 respectively, also the amplitude and implicit time showed significant improvement in mfERG. Significant improvement in visual acuity and amplitude of waves of mfERG were observed compared with sham group. Conclusion: IVB injection can augment the effect of MPC in DME and can be used as an adjunctive treatment in these cases.
Preference Completion from Partial Rankings

We propose a novel and efficient algorithm for the collaborative preference completion problem, which involves jointly estimating individualized rankings for a set of entities over a shared set of items, based on a limited number of observed affinity values. Our approach exploits the observation that while preferences are often recorded as numerical scores, the predictive quantity of interest is the underlying rankings. Thus, attempts to closely match the recorded scores may lead to over-fitting and impair generalization performance. Instead, we propose an estimator that directly fits the underlying preference order, combined with nuclear norm constraints to encourage low-rank parameters. Besides (approximate) correctness of the ranking order, the proposed estimator makes no generative assumption on the numerical scores of the observations. One consequence is that the proposed estimator can fit any consistent partial ranking over a subset of the items represented as a directed acyclic graph (DAG), generalizing standard techniques that can only fit preference scores. Despite this generality, for supervision representing total or blockwise total orders, the computational complexity of our algorithm is within a log factor of the standard algorithms for nuclear norm regularization based estimates for matrix completion. We further show promising empirical results for a novel and challenging application of collaboratively ranking of the associations between brain-regions and cognitive neuroscience terms.
ANTIMICROBIAL PHENOTYPES OF GEOGRAPHICALLY MATCHED Staphylococcus aureus ISOLATED FROM BUFFALO’S MILK AND CLINICAL HUMAN CASES IN EGYPT: POTENTIAL ZOONOTIC RISKS

Global emergence of antibiotic-resistant food-borne pathogens is a major public health problem. This study aimed to determine the potential zoonotic risk of Staphylococcus aureus in buffalo's milk in Egypt. A total of 102 raw buffalo’s milk samples and 51 human nasal swabs were collected at Kafrelsheikh city, Egypt. All samples were examined for occurrence of S. aureus . Detected isolates were characterised based on DNase activity, mecA gene acquisition, and antibiotic resistance patterns. S. aureus was detected in 33.3% of buffalo's milk samples and29.4% of human nasal swabs. Multiple drug-resistant S.aureus (MDRSA) represented 88.2% and 90% of buffalo and human S. aureus isolates, respectively. Buffalo and human S. aureus isolates showed highest resistance rate for erythromycin (100%), and lowest resistance rate for gentamicin (22.2%). Interestingly, there was no significant difference in resistance patterns between methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) ( P< 0.46 - 0.97). One-third of the detected S. aureus phenotypes (5/15, 33.3%) were identical between buffalo and human isolates. Moreover, there was no significant difference in antibiotic resistance patterns between buffalo and human isolates ( P< 0.1 - 0.97). This study highlights the potential public health risk of MDRSA transmission via buffalo's milk. Key words: buffalo’s milk, S. aureus , DNase , mecA , antibiogram, zoonotic risk
Skill networks and measures of complex human capital

Significance The relationship between worker human capital and wages is a question of considerable economic interest. Skills are usually characterized using a one-dimensional measure, such as years of training. However, in knowledge-based production, the interaction between a worker’s skills is also important. Here, we propose a network-based method for characterizing worker skill sets. We construct a human capital network, wherein nodes are skills and two skills are connected if a worker has both or both are required for the same job. We then illustrate the method by analyzing an online freelance labor market, showing that workers with diverse skills earn higher wages and that those who use their diverse skills in combination earn the highest wages of all. We propose a network-based method for measuring worker skills. We illustrate the method using data from an online freelance website. Using the tools of network analysis, we divide skills into endogenous categories based on their relationship with other skills in the market. Workers who specialize in these different areas earn dramatically different wages. We then show that, in this market, network-based measures of human capital provide additional insight into wages beyond traditional measures. In particular, we show that workers with diverse skills earn higher wages than those with more specialized skills. Moreover, we can distinguish between two different types of workers benefiting from skill diversity: jacks-of-all-trades, whose skills can be applied independently on a wide range of jobs, and synergistic workers, whose skills are useful in combination and fill a hole in the labor market. On average, workers whose skills are synergistic earn more than jacks-of-all-trades.
IL-10 and NOS2 Modulate Antigen-Specific Reactivity and Nerve Infiltration by T Cells in Experimental Leprosy

Background Although immunopathology dictates clinical outcome in leprosy, the dynamics of early and chronic infection are poorly defined. In the tuberculoid region of the spectrum, Mycobacterium leprae growth is restricted yet a severe granulomatous lesion can occur. The evolution and maintenance of chronic inflammatory processes like those observed in the leprosy granuloma involve an ongoing network of communications via cytokines. IL-10 has immunosuppressive properties and IL-10 genetic variants have been associated with leprosy development and reactions. Methodology/Principal Findings The role of IL-10 in resistance and inflammation in leprosy was investigated using Mycobacterium leprae infection of mice deficient in IL-10 (IL-10−/−), as well as mice deficient in both inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2−/−) and IL-10 (10NOS2−/−). Although a lack of IL-10 did not affect M. leprae multiplication in the footpads (FP), inflammation increased from C57Bl/6 (B6)<IL-10−/−<NOS2−/−<10NOS2−/−. While IL-10−/− mice exhibited modest FP induration compared to B6, NOS2−/− and 10NOS2−/− mice developed markedly enlarged FP marking distinct phases: early (1 month), peak (3–4 months), and chronic (8 months). IFN-γ-producing CD4+CD44+ cells responding to M. leprae cell wall, membrane, and cytosol antigens and ML2028 (Ag85B) were significantly increased in the evolved granuloma in NOS2−/− FP compared to B6 and IL-10−/− during early and peak phases. In 10NOS2−/− FP, CD4+CD44+ and especially CD8+CD44+ responses were augmented even further to these antigens as well as to ML0380 (GroES), ML2038 (bacterioferritin), and ML1877 (EF-Tu). Moreover, fragmented nerves containing CD4+ cells were present in 10NOS2−/− FP. Conclusions/Significance The 10NOS2−/− strain offers insight on the regulation of granuloma formation and maintenance by immune modulators in the resistant forms of leprosy and presents a new model for investigating the pathogenesis of neurological involvement.
Baroreceptor reflex‐linked changes in catechol metabolism in the rat rostral ventrolateral medulla.

1. Using in vivo voltammetry, this study relates catecholamine metabolism within the rat rostral ventrolateral medulla to the level of mean arterial pressure (MAP) under halothane anaesthesia. 2. A vasopressor region was circumscribed with electrical stimulations in an area located 1000‐1700 microns rostral to the obex. A catechol signal was then ascertained within this area. The recording site was surrounded with phenyl‐N‐methyl‐ethanolamine transferase immuno‐positive cell bodies. 3. Three levels of decrease of arterial pressure were induced with nitroprusside infusion: ‐15, ‐35 and ‐55 mmHg (n = 5 in each group) from baseline for 30 min. This led to increases in the catechol signal which were inversely related to the degree of hypotension (P < 10(‐4) vs. saline for the 35 and 55 mmHg groups, P < 0.05 for the 35 mmHg group as compared to the 15 and 55 mmHg groups following recovery from hypotension). 4. Following sino‐aortic deafferentation, nitroprusside‐induced hypotension (‐35 mmHg) did not lead to any change in the catechol signal in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (n = 5). Furthermore, controlled hypotension induced in intact rats did not evoke any change in the catechol signal recorded in a dopaminergic area of the midbrain, the ventral tegmental area (A10 area; n = 5). 5. An infusion of phenylephrine increased MAP by 35 mmHg from a baseline pressure of 105 mmHg for 30 min and evoked a non‐significant decrease in the catechol signal (n = 5). In another group of rats a lower baseline pressure (80 mmHg) was stabilized (n = 5) with a higher concentration of halothane. An identical increment in pressure was then produced by a phenylephrine infusion and led to a significant reduction in the catechol signal (P < 0.05 vs. saline under similar conditions; n = 5). 6. The new findings of this study are that the level of activity of the metabolism of catecholamine in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (i) is continuously related to the level of arterial pressure, (ii) functions close to its resting level under baseline conditions and is primarily engaged during hypotension and (iii) is baroreflex linked. 7. Given the lack of direct evidence for a link between unit activity and catechol metabolism, these changes in catechol activity, recorded continuously in vivo next to adrenergic cell bodies, may represent the biochemical‐specific counterpart of changes in the level of electrical unitary activity of presumed adrenergic cardiovascular medullospinal sympathoexcitatory neurons. Therefore, it provides evidence that adrenaline‐synthesizing neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla respond to baroreceptor inputs.
Implementasi Penilaian Autentik: Model Perangkat Pembelajaran dan Penilaian Matematika Dengan Pendekatan CTL Berbasis Budaya Islam

This study aims at implementing authentic assessments in mathematics learning in the classroom by developing mathematical learning and assessment tools with Islamic culture based Contextual Teaching and Learning approach that meet valid, practical, and effective requirements. The research procedure adopted the 4-D Development model, those are Defining, Planning, Developing and distributing stages. The instrument used to assist the research process consisted of (1) device validation sheet, (2) practicality questionnaire from the teacher, (3) student response questionnaire, (4) Instrument of student motivation and learning outcomes. The validity quality of learning devices meets valid criteria based on the average score of the syllabus which reaches 4.18, lesson plan 4.18, textbook 4.28, and the instrument meets the valid index based on the aikens formula. The practicality quality of learning devices meets practical criteria based on the assessment of practicality of the teacher in which the average score reaches 4.75, and the response questionnaire assessment of students is 493. Based on the result of Manova test, it can be concluded that the use of Mathematics learning and assessment model with Islamic culture based Contextual Teaching and Learning approaches is effective in terms of learning outcomes and student motivation.
Petrosal sinus sampling for diagnosis of Cushing's disease: evidence of false negative results

OBJECTIVE While inferior petrosal sinus (IPS) sampling correctly diagnoses pituitary‐dependent Cushing's syndrome if a significant ratio of plasma ACTH between the IPS and the peripheral blood is demonstrated, little has been said about the significance of a negative ratio in Cushing's disease (e.g. a false‐negative result). This study evaluates the results of IPS sampling in patients with Cushing's disease, and compares them with both imaging findings and transsphenoidal examination.
Bandpass Shielding Enclosure Design Using Multipole-Slot Arrays for Modern Portable Digital Devices

In this paper, we reveal a design approach for a bandpass shielding enclosure (BPSE) that uses multipole-slot arrays applicable to modern portable digital devices having wireless communication functions. The BPSE is a conductive, airtight box etched with the apertures of a periodic multipole-slot array on its top and bottom surfaces. The BPSE is designed to achieve the design objectives of high transmittance in the specified wireless-signal band and high shielding effectiveness outside this band, and to have little influence on the radiation characteristics of an internal antenna located inside the enclosure. Three representative kinds of multipole-slot arrays: slot arrays, tripole-slot arrays, and cross-slot arrays, were considered in this study. In addition, these arrays may or may not have end loading. A prototype of the BPSE was created and studied. Simulated and measured results were obtained to validate the design. Based on these results, a detailed performance comparison among all the considered arrays is given. The comparison demonstrated that only the BPSE with a cross-slot array and full end loading can simultaneously meet all the design objectives.
Surgical management of aortic root in type A acute aortic dissection: a propensity-score analysis.

OBJECTIVES Surgical management of the aortic root in type A acute aortic dissection (TAAAD) is controversial. This study compares short- and long-term outcomes of root replacement (RR) versus conservative root management (CR). METHODS Between 1999 and 2014, 296 patients with TAAAD were treated in our department. The mean age was 63.7 years. Of the total, 69% were male. Ten patients (3%) presented with Marfan syndrome or bicuspid aortic valve. RR was performed in 119 (40%) patients, whereas CR in 177 (60%). Pre- and intraoperative data were stratified according to root management, and treatment bias was addressed by propensity-score (PS) analysis. Independent predictors of hospital and long-term mortality and proximal aortic reoperation were identified using multivariable logistic and Cox regression models. RESULTS Using PS analysis, we obtain two groups of 82 patients. The matched cohort hospital mortality rate was 21% in the CR group and 26% in the RR group (P = 0.45). The unadjusted comparison showed no statistical difference in early and long-term mortality between the groups. This result was confirmed after standard logistic regression and propensity-adjusted logistic regression. Freedom from proximal aortic reintervention was higher in the RR group (at 7 years RR: 96 ± 3% vs CR: 80 ± 6%, log-rank P = 0.02) and remained high in the matched cohort of patients (at 7 years RR: 98 ± 2 vs CR: 86 ± 6, log-rank P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS Conservative and aggressive root management in acute aortic dissection provided similar results for early and late mortality. Nevertheless, a more extensive root intervention appeared to be protective against aortic reintervention.
Interferon Induction and Resistance to Virus Infection in Mice Infected with Brucella abortus

Induction of circulating interferon and protection against vaccinia virus infection in mice by injection of Brucella abortus were studied. It was demonstrated that morphologically intact brucellae (either live or killed by heat or exposure to NaOH) induce high and prolonged levels of circulating interferon in mice. In each instance, the inducing principle remained associated with the bacterial particle. Disruption of brucellae by mechanical means destroyed the interferon-inducing capacity. However, by alkalinization of the water extract of disrupted bacilli, an interferon inducer could be rescued. On intravenous injection, this inducer caused a typical endotoxin type of interferon response with a peak value at 2 hr. Mice pretreated with cycloheximide showed an enhanced interferon response to the brucella extract, but a reduced reaction to live brucellae. The significance of these data, in relation to the triggering of de novo interferon synthesis by brucella, is discussed. It was also observed that small doses of brucellae protected mice for at least 1 month against vaccinia virus infection. High doses of heat-or alkali-killed brucellae protected the animals for only a short time, and disrupted brucellae did not afford any protection. Thus, there was a good correlation between interferon-inducing capacity and short-term protective activity. Long-term protection, on the other hand, seemed to be related to multiplication of brucellae in the body.
Do personal characteristics and cultural values that promote innovation, quality, and efficiency compete or complement each other?

This study examines whether the same personal and contextual characteristics that enhance innovation could also contribute to quality and efficiency. Three hundred and forty-nine engineers and technicians in 21 units of a large R&D company participated in the study. Using CFA and HLM models, we demonstrated that people have the ability to both be creative and pay attention to detail, and that an innovative culture does not necessarily compete with a culture of quality and efficiency. Yet, to reach innovative performance creative people need to take the initiative in promoting their ideas, with the possible corresponding price of low performance quality. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Specific Interaction of Small Molecule Entry Inhibitors with the Envelope Glycoprotein Complex of the Junín Hemorrhagic Fever Arenavirus*

Arenaviruses are responsible for acute hemorrhagic fevers worldwide and are recognized to pose significant threats to public health and biodefense. Small molecule compounds have recently been discovered that inhibit arenavirus entry and protect against lethal infection in animal models. These chemically distinct inhibitors act on the tripartite envelope glycoprotein (GPC) through its unusual stable signal peptide subunit to stabilize the complex against pH-induced activation of membrane fusion in the endosome. Here, we report the production and characterization of the intact transmembrane GPC complex of Junín arenavirus and its interaction with these inhibitors. The solubilized GPC is antigenically indistinguishable from the native protein and forms a homogeneous trimer in solution. When reconstituted into a lipid bilayer, the purified complex interacts specifically with its cell-surface receptor transferrin receptor-1. We show that small molecule entry inhibitors specific to New World or Old World arenaviruses bind to the membrane-associated GPC complex in accordance with their respective species selectivities and with dissociation constants comparable with concentrations that inhibit GPC-mediated membrane fusion. Furthermore, competitive binding studies reveal that these chemically distinct inhibitors share a common binding pocket on GPC. In conjunction with previous genetic studies, these findings identify the pH-sensing interface of GPC as a highly vulnerable target for antiviral intervention. This work expands our mechanistic understanding of arenavirus entry and provides a foundation to guide the development of small molecule compounds for the treatment of arenavirus hemorrhagic fevers.