Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gangs and a global sociological imagination

Across the globe, the phenomenon of youth gangs has become an important and sensitive public issue. In this context, an increasing level of research attention has focused on the development of universalized definitions of gangs in a global context. In this article, we argue that this search for similarity has resulted in a failure to recognize and understand difference. Drawing on an alternative methodology we call a ‘global exchange’, this article suggests three concepts—homologies of habitus, vectors of difference and transnational reflexivity—that seek to re-engage the sociological imagination in the study of gangs and globalization.
Exposure to PCB and p, p'-DDE in European and Inuit populations: impact on human sperm chromatin integrity.

BACKGROUND Persistent organochlorine pollutants (POP), such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p, p'-DDE), are widely found in the environment and considered potential endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDC). Their impact on male fertility is still unknown. METHODS To explore the hypothesis that POP is associated with altered sperm chromatin integrity, a cross-sectional study involving 707 adult males (193 Inuits from Greenland, 178 Swedish fishermen, 141 men from Warsaw, Poland, and 195 men from Kharkiv, Ukraine) was carried out. Serum levels of 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153), as a proxy of the total PCB burden, and of p,p'-DDE were determined. Sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) was used to assess sperm DNA/chromatin integrity. RESULTS We found a strong and monotonically increasing DNA fragmentation index with increasing serum levels of CB-153 among European but not Inuit men, reaching a 60% higher average level in the highest exposure group. No significant associations were found between SCSA-derived parameters and p, p'-DDE serum concentrations. CONCLUSION These results suggest that human dietary PCB exposure might have a negative impact on the sperm chromatin integrity of adult males but additional issues, including differences in the genetic background and lifestyle habits, still need to be elucidated.
Origins of fibrosis: pericytes take centre stage

Pericytes are ubiquitous perivascular cells that have recently attracted interest as potential myofibroblast precursors. In turn, myofibroblasts are the major source of extracellular matrix components that accumulate during tissue fibrosis. Given the worldwide burden of fibrotic disease and paucity of therapeutic options available to halt its progression, elucidating the origins of myofibroblasts is of prime importance. The advent of genetic strategies that permit fate-mapping of specific cell populations through permanent and heritable expression of reporter proteins has begun to shed light on the source of the fibrogenic myofibroblast. Here we discuss recent studies in multiple organs that highlight the central role of pericytes in the origins of fibrosis.
Identifying commercially relevant Echinacea species by AFLP molecular markers.

The rising interest in medicinal plants has brought several species of the genus Echinacea to the attention of many scientists. Echinacea angustifolia, E. pallida, and E. purpurea are the most important for their immunological properties, well known and widely used by the native Americans. The three species are easily distinguishable on the basis of their morphological characteristics, but it would be difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish them in commercial preparations of ground, dry plant parts of E. purpurea (the most valuable species for chemotherapeutic properties) mixed with the other two species. Species-specific molecular markers could be useful to address this issue. In the present work, using fresh material collected from cultivated Echinacea spp. , AFLP analysis was used to discriminate the three species and to detect species-specific DNA fragments. By using 14 primer combinations it was possible to detect a total of 994 fragments, of which 565 were polymorphic. Overall, 89 fragments were unique to E. purpurea, 32 to E. angustifolia, and 26 to E. pallida. E+CAC/M+AAT or E+CAC/M+AGC alone provided 13, 9, and 4 or 7, 5, and 5 specific fragments for E. purpurea, E. angustifolia, and E. pallida, respectively. A validation trial to confirm the results was carried out on bulked samples of 23 accessions covering most of the genetic diversity of the three species. The results are discussed in terms of practical applications in the field of popular medicine, detecting frauds, and implications for the genus Echinacea.
Responding effectively to civil emergencies: The role of transactive memory in the performance of multiteam systems

Motivation Many of today? s most significant organizational challenges require the effective collaboration of collectives of various teams. Nowhere is the performance of such multiteam systems more important than in responding to civil emergencies. Research approach This field study analyses the determinants of performance among multiteam systems responding to civil emergencies in training exercises. Findings Transactive memory ? meta-knowledge of other? s expertise ? is critical for team and system performance, operating at both the level of individual component teams and the wider multiteam systems. Different forms of training exercise can yield differential outcomes in terms of transactive memory. Research implications We discuss the implications for research on multiteam systems and for the design of training interventions designed to develop transactive memory among emergency responders. Originality/value This is the first study to examine empirically the role of transactive memory in the performance of multiteam systems.
Tongue pressure as a novel biomarker of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy

Objective: This study aimed to explore the reliability and validity of tongue pressure measurement as a quantitative evaluation of swallowing function in patients with spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA). Methods: This study enrolled 47 genetically confirmed patients with SBMA and 38 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. In both groups we measured tongue pressure using an intraoral pressure probe and assessed questionnaires that evaluated swallowing functions. We then analyzed the relationship between tongue pressure, functional scales, and the muscle weakness of other regions. Results: Levels of tongue pressure were decreased in patients with SBMA within 3 years from the onset of the disease compared to healthy controls (SBMA 15.3 ± 6.4 kPa; healthy controls 37.3 ± 9.6 kPa; p < 0.001). Test-retest analysis showed a high reliability in patients with SBMA (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.986). Tongue pressure showed a strong correlation with bulbar-related functional scales. Decrease of tongue pressure was detected in patients who reported no subjective dysphagia, and repetition of swallowing compensated for tongue weakness in such subjects. In patients with SBMA, tongue pressure more strongly correlates with the strength of pharyngeal, neck, and upper limb musculatures than with that of the lower limbs. Conclusion: Tongue pressure measurement is reliable and reflects swallowing function in patients with SBMA. The muscle strength of the tongue appears to decrease in SBMA before the awareness of subjective dysphagia, suggesting that tongue pressure measurement is a novel biomarker of SBMA and is applicable to early-stage detection.
Contrasting response of stream detritivores to long‐term nutrient enrichment

We examined growth and production responses of two dominant stream detritivores (chironomids and Tallaperla spp. stoneflies) at opposite ends of the “slow‐fast” life‐history continuum and with distinct feeding characteristics (i.e., consumption of fine particulate organic matter vs. leaf litter) to a 2‐yr experimental nutrient enrichment of a headwater stream. Enrichment had large positive effects (∼50% increase) on chironomid growth rates but no effects on those of Tallaperla spp. On an areal basis, enrichment had a large positive effect on chironomid production (∼183% increase) but no detectable effect on the production of Tallaperla spp. When production data were examined on a per gram food basis, enrichment had an apparent positive effect on the production of both chironomids and Tallaperla spp. Together, these results suggest that nutrient‐induced changes to organic matter quality had consistent and substantial positive effects on short‐lived chironomids, but effects were limited for longer‐lived stoneflies. The lack of a system‐wide effect on Tallaperla spp. may have been due to nutrient‐induced reductions in leaf litter quantity, despite increases in litter quality. Our results indicate that species‐specific characteristics such as life span and dominant food type may be important in determining population‐ and community‐level responses of consumers to nutrient enrichment of detritus‐based aquatic ecosystems.
Air-pulse corneal applanation signal curve parameters for the characterisation of keratoconus

Aims To test the use of parameters obtained from the ocular response analyser (ORA) to distinguish between normal and keratoconic eyes, to determine the severity of keratoconus (KC), and to evaluate changes after treatment with cross-linking (CXL) and intrastromal corneal ring (ICR) implantation. Methods In total, 42 parameters were derived from the ORA's applanation response curve. Data on 119 subjects were included in the study. We determined the power of discrimination between control subjects (n=48) and KC patients (stages I and II, n=54) using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. We then tested the correlation between all KC stages (n=71) and the ORA parameters. Finally, we evaluated the changes at 4 months after CXL (n=22) and ICR (n=39). Results The ROC curves for 12 parameters showed excellent results; 24 parameters generated moderate results and six parameters generated poor results. The correlations between the KC stages and 14 parameters were significant, with good to moderate results. The corneal resistance factor and the area under the second peak of the signal curve produced the best results in distinguishing between normal and KC eyes. Two parameters after CXL (p2area and time1) and six parameters after ICR implantation (aplhf, uslope11, w11, path11, time1 and deltatime) showed significant differences with respect to the preoperative conditions. Conclusion Most of the new waveform parameters demonstrated good ability to distinguish between KC and normal eyes. The changes in the parameter values after CXL and ICR treatments were smaller than expected.
A multicenter randomized clinical trial of chemoradiotherapy plus hyperthermia versus chemoradiotherapy alone in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer

Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of whole pelvic hyperthermia (HT) added to standard chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in locally advanced cervical cancer (CC), by investigating the clinical response and survival of patients treated with cisplatin-based CRT vs. CRT with HT (CRT+HT). Materials and Methods This study was conducted at five hospitals in Japan between September 2001 and March 2015 in patients with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IB (bulky)–IVA CC undergoing definitive CRT. After giving a written informed consent, patients were randomly allocated to two treatment groups: CRT and CRT+HT group. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), local relapse-free survival (LRFS), complete response (CR) rate, and tolerability were evaluated. Results In total, 101 patients were treated. Patient characteristics, total dose of cisplatin and radiotherapy were similar for both groups. Although not statistically significant, the 5-year OS, DFS, and LRFS in the CRT+HT group (77.8%, 70.8%, and 80.1%, respectively) were better than those in the CRT group (64.8%, 60.6%, and 71.0%, respectively). CR was significantly more likely to be achieved in patients in the CRT+HT group than in the CRT group (88% versus 77.6%; adjusted odds ratio, 3.993; 95% confidence interval, 1.018–15.67; P = .047). JU ST A CC EP TE D D ow nl oa de d by [ W ei ll C or ne ll M ed ic al C ol le ge ] at 1 9: 50 2 3 Ju ly 2 01 6 CRT+HT was well tolerated and caused no additional acute or long-term toxicity compared with CRT alone. Conclusions HT combined with CRT improved the CR rate of CRT in patients with locally advanced CC, however, could not improve survival outcomes. Further studies in larger samples are warranted.
Combined cognitive bias modification treatment for social anxiety disorder: a pilot trial

Background: Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) is a promising treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). However, previous randomized trials have not systematically examined the combination of CBM for attention (CBM‐A) and interpretation (CBM‐I) or the credibility and acceptability of these protocols. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial (N = 32) to examine the efficacy of a CBM treatment called Attention and Interpretation Modification (AIM) for SAD. AIM comprised eight, twice weekly computer sessions with no therapist contact. During AIM, participants (1) completed a dot probe task in which probes always followed neutral faces when paired with a disgust face, thereby directing attention away from threat and (2) completed a word–sentence association task in which they received positive feedback for making benign interpretations of word–sentence pairs and negative feedback for making negative interpretations. We also assessed participants' perceived credibility of and satisfaction with AIM. Results: Participants receiving AIM reported significantly reduced self‐reported (Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale) symptoms of social anxiety relative to the placebo. These gains were also evident on a behavioral measure (performance on an impromptu speech). AIM met our benchmarks for credibility and acceptability in this community sample, although credibility ratings were modest. Participants reported that CBM‐I was more helpful than CBM‐A. Conclusions: A combined CBM treatment produced medium‐to‐large effects on social anxiety. Participants rated AIM as moderately credibly and acceptable. Should these findings be replicated in larger samples, AIM has the potential to be a widely accessible and efficacious treatment for SAD. Depression and Anxiety, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Productivity, embryo and eggshell characteristics, and contaminants in bald eagles from the Great Lakes, USA, 1986 to 2000

Chlorinated hydrocarbon concentrations in eggs of fish‐eating birds from contaminated environments such as the Great Lakes of North America tend to be highly intercorrelated, making it difficult to elucidate mechanisms causing reproductive impairment, and to ascribe cause to specific chemicals. An information‐ theoretic approach was used on data from 197 salvaged bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) eggs (159 clutches) that failed to hatch in Michigan and Ohio, USA (1986–2000). Contaminant levels declined over time while eggshell thickness increased, and by 2000 was at pre‐1946 levels. The number of occupied territories and productivity increased during 1981 to 2004. For both the entire dataset and a subset of nests along the Great Lakes shoreline, polychlorinated biphenyls (ΣPCBs, fresh wet wt) were generally included in the most parsimonious models (lowest‐Akaike's information criterion [AICs]) describing productivity, with significant declines in productivity observed above 26 µg/g ΣPCBs (fresh wet wt). Of 73 eggs with a visible embryo, eight (11%) were abnormal, including three with skewed bills, but they were not associated with known teratogens, including ΣPCBs. Eggs with visible embryos had greater concentrations of all measured contaminants than eggs without visible embryos; the most parsimonious models describing the presence of visible embryos incorporated dieldrin equivalents and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE). There were significant negative correlations between eggshell thickness and all contaminants, with ΣPCBs included in the most parsimonious models. There were, however, no relationships between productivity and eggshell thickness or Ratcliffe's index. The ΣPCBs and DDE were negatively associated with nest success of bald eagles in the Great Lakes watersheds, but the mechanism does not appear to be via shell quality effects, at least at current contaminant levels, while it is not clear what other mechanisms were involved. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:1581–1592. © 2010 SETAC
Response of Fiber Quality to Temperature Degree and Lint Cotton Grade in Two Long Staple Varieties

This study was carried out at Plant Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture (Saba Basha), Alexandria University, Egypt, during 2016/2017 season to investigate the effect of conditioning temperature degrees and lint grades on cotton fiber properties of two long staple varieties. Three lint cotton grades; namely, Good to Fully Good (G/FG), Good (G) and Fully Good Fair to Good (FGF/G) belong to Egyptian long staple cotton varieties; Giza 86 and Giza 94 were used. Four conditioning temperature degrees were used; i.e., 21 C, 23 C, 25 C and 27 C. Results showed that Good to Fully Good (G/FG) cotton grade surpassed the other two cotton grades and gave the highest mean values of spinning consistency index (SCI), length uniformity index (%), fiber bundle strength, maturity index (%), micronaire reading and fiber reflectance degree (Rd %). Conversely, this grade registered the lowest values for short fiber index (%), yellowness degree (+b), trash count and trash area (%). Upper half mean length, spinning consistency index, fiber bundle strength, fiber elongation (%) and micronaire reading were the highest with temperature degree 21 C, but this temperature degree produced the lowest mean value of short fiber index. The highest mean values for length uniformity index, short fiber index, fiber bundle strength, maturity index and micronaire reading were registered for Giza 86 cotton variety as compared to Giza 94 cotton variety. Best fiber quality properties over all studied cotton varieties and grades were achieved at 21C conditioning temperature.
Overexpression of PTK 6 predicts poor prognosis in bladder cancer patients

Protein tyrosine kinase 6 (PTK6) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase and works as an oncogene in various cancers. Recently, PTK6 has been used as a therapeutic target for breast cancer patients in a clinical study. However, the prognostic value of PTK6 in bladder cancer (BC) remains vague. Therefore, we retrieved 3 independent investigations of Oncomine database and found that PTK6 is highly expressed in BC tissues compared with corresponding normal controls. Similar results were also observed in clinical specimens at both mRNA and protein levels. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that PTK6 overexpression was highly related to the T classification, N classification, grade, recurrence, and poor prognosis of BC patients. Furthermore, we demonstrated that when PTK6 expression was knocked down by siRNAs, cell proliferation and migration were considerably inhibited in BC cell lines T24 and EJ. By these approaches, we are intended to elucidate PTK6 may be a reliable therapeutic target in BC and might benefit from PTK6 inhibitors in the future.
The effects of shear flow on protein structure and function

Protein molecules are subjected to potentially denaturing fluid shear forces during processing and in circulation in the body. These complex molecules, involved in numerous biological functions and reactions, can be significantly impaired by molecular damage. There have been many studies on the effects of hydrodynamic shear forces on protein structure and function. These studies are reviewed and the implications to bioprocessing and pathophysiology of certain diseases are discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 95: 733‐745, 2011.
Central role of the Na+-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (Na+-NQR) in sodium bioenergetics of Vibrio cholerae

Abstract Vibrio cholerae is a Gram-negative bacterium that lives in brackish or sea water environments. Strains of V. cholerae carrying the pathogenicity islands infect the human gut and cause the fatal disease cholera. Vibrio cholerae maintains a Na+ gradient at its cytoplasmic membrane that drives substrate uptake, motility, and efflux of antibiotics. Here, we summarize the major Na+-dependent transport processes and describe the central role of the Na+-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (Na+-NQR), a primary Na+ pump, in maintaining a Na+-motive force. The Na+-NQR is a membrane protein complex with a mass of about 220 kDa that couples the exergonic oxidation of NADH to the transport of Na+ across the cytoplasmic membrane. We describe the molecular architecture of this respiratory complex and summarize the findings how electron transport might be coupled to Na+-translocation. Moreover, recent advances in the determination of the three-dimensional structure of this complex are reported.
Twelve new polymorphic microsatellite loci and PCR multiplexing in the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci

Twelve new dinucleotide microsatellite loci of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, were obtained from enriched genomic libraries. Three polymerase chain reaction multiplex sets comprising three, five and four loci were optimized and characterized across 133 B. tabaci females from Israeli rearings and natural populations collected in four Mediterranean countries (Tunisia, France, Spain and Morocco). There were three to 24 alleles per locus and the observed heterozygosity was from 0.084 to 0.420. Deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was detected at four loci associated with significant heterozygote deficiencies due to null alleles and presence of subpopulations that were mostly in the Tunisian sample. The 12 loci carried independent information.
A Role for Sphingomyelin-Rich Lipid Domains in the Accumulation of Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-Bisphosphate to the Cleavage Furrow during Cytokinesis

ABSTRACT Cytokinesis is a crucial step in the creation of two daughter cells by the formation and ingression of the cleavage furrow. Here, we show that sphingomyelin (SM), one of the major sphingolipids in mammalian cells, is required for the localization of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) to the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis. Real-time observation with a labeled SM-specific protein, lysenin, revealed that SM is concentrated in the outer leaflet of the furrow at the time of cytokinesis. Superresolution fluorescence microscopy analysis indicates a transbilayer colocalization between the SM-rich domains in the outer leaflet and PIP2-rich domains in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. The depletion of SM disperses PIP2 and inhibits the recruitment of the small GTPase RhoA to the cleavage furrow, leading to abnormal cytokinesis. These results suggest that the formation of SM-rich domains is required for the accumulation of PIP2 to the cleavage furrow, which is a prerequisite for the proper translocation of RhoA and the progression of cytokinesis.