Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of 1-year outcomes for the Chhabra and Codman-Hakim Micro Precision shunt systems in Uganda: a prospective study in 195 children.

OBJECT The author investigated the 1-year outcomes for shunt treatment of hydrocephalic children in Uganda, comparing the results using the inexpensive Chhabra shunt ($35 US dollars), widely used in East Africa, with those using the Codman-Hakim Micro Precision Valve shunt ($650). METHODS The results in 195 consecutive children (mostly infants) in whom shunts were placed were studied prospectively. In Group 1, 90 patients randomly received either the Chhabra or Codman shunt as primary treatment for hydrocephalus. In Group 2, 105 patients received the Chhabra shunt when endoscopic third ventriculostomy could not be performed or had failed. The end points of the study were shunt malfunction, shunt migration, wound complication, death, or no problem at 1 year. Of all patients, 9.7% were lost to follow up and 15.9% died before 1 year. The occurrence of complications in all patients were infection (9.7%), migration/disconnection (6.3%), wound complication (5.7%), valve malfunction (3.4%), ventricular catheter obstruction (2.8%), and peritoneal catheter obstruction (1.1%). There was no statistically significant difference in any outcome category for patients receiving the Codman or Chhabra shunt (p = 0.2463-1.0000). CONCLUSIONS Ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion for treatment of hydrocephalus can be performed in a developing country with results similar to those reported in developed countries. No difference in outcome was noted between the two shunt types. No advantage was found in using a shunt system that, in this setting, is prohibitively expensive.
Identification of deregulated miRNAs and their targets in hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM To identify the differentially expressed miRNAs and their targets in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Six hundred and sixty seven human miRNAs were quantitatively analyzed by Taqman low-density miRNA array (TLDA) in HBV-HCC tissues. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were used to analyze the significant function and pathway of the differentially expressed miRNAs in HBV-HCC. TargetScan software was used to predict the targets of deregulated miRNAs. Western blotting and luciferase assay were performed to verify the targets of these miRNAs. RESULTS Ten up-regulated miRNAs (miR-217, miR-518b, miR-517c, miR-520g, miR-519a, miR-522, miR-518e, miR-525-3p, miR-512-3p, and miR-518a-3p) and 11 down-regulated miRNAs (miR-138, miR-214, miR-214#, miR-199a-5p, miR-433, miR-511, miR-592, miR-483-3p, miR-483-5p, miR-708 and miR-1275) were identified by Taqman miRNAs array and confirmed quantitatively by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in HCC and adjacent non-tumor tissues. GO and KEGG pathway analysis revealed that "regulation of actin cytoskeleton" and "pathway in cancer" are most likely to play critical roles in HCC tumorigenesis. MiR-519a and ribosomal protein S6 kinase polypeptide 3 (RPS6KA3) were predicted as the most significant candidates by miRNA-mRNA network. In addition, cyclin D3 (CCND3) and clathrin heavy chain (CHC), usually up-regulated in HCC tissues, were validated as the direct target of miR-138 and miR-199a-5p, respectively. CONCLUSION Our data suggest an importance of miR-138 and miR-199a-5p as well as their targets CCND3 and CHC in HCC tumorigenesis, and may provide more evidence for reliability of integrative bioinformatics analysis.
Aggression, suicidality, and serotonin.

Studies from several countries, representing diverse cultures, have reported an association between violent suicide attempts by patients with unipolar depression and personality disorders and low concentrations of the major serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Related investigations have documented a similar inverse correlation between impulsive, externally directed aggressive behavior and CSF 5-HIAA in a subgroup of violent offenders. In these individuals, low CSF 5-HIAA concentrations are also associated with a predisposition to mild hypoglycemia, a history of early-onset alcohol and substance abuse, a family history of type II alcoholism, and disturbances in diurnal activity rhythm. These data are discussed in the context of a proposed model for the pathophysiology of a postulated "low serotonin syndrome. "
Human IgGFc Binding Protein (FcγBP) in Colonic Epithelial Cells Exhibits Mucin-like Structure*

Cloning a cDNA for human IgGFc binding protein (FcγBP) from human colonic epithelial cells reveals an mRNA and coding region of 17 and 16.2 kilobases, respectively. The predicted amino acid sequence contains 12 occurrences of a 400-amino acid cysteine-rich unit resembling that found in mucin. A motif (CGLCGN) in FcγBP is conserved in MUC2 and prepro-von Willebrand factor. The N-terminal 450-amino acid sequences are necessary and sufficient to confer IgG Fc binding activity. FcγBP mRNA is expressed only in placenta and colonic epithelial cells. These results suggest that FcγBP may play an important role in immune protection and inflammation in the intestines of primates.
Test of the virulence and live-vaccine efficacy of auxotrophic and galE derivatives of Salmonella choleraesuis

Aromatic compound-dependent (aro) derivatives of three mouse-virulent strains of Salmonella choleraesuis (Salmonella cholerae-suis) were constructed and shown to be nonvirulent for mice (intraperitoneal [i.p.] 50% lethal dose [LD50], greater than 5 X 10(6) CFU). A pur derivative, and a thy derivative, each of a different virulent parent, remained moderately virulent (i.p. LD50S for BALB/c mice, ca. 10(5) and 5 X 10(4) CFU, respectively). Tested as live vaccines i.p., the aro strains were ineffective in salmonella-susceptible BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice but were somewhat effective in salmonella-resistant CBA/J mice and in outbred CD-1 mice. The pur and thy strains were effective as live vaccines in BALB/c mice when given in sublethal doses. Two previously isolated nonvirulent galE derivatives of S. choleraesuis (i.p. LD50 in BALB/c mice, greater than 10(6) CFU) were also ineffective as live vaccines in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. The main antigenic difference between S. choleraesuis (O-6,7) and S. typhimurium (O-4,12) is in O-antigen character, thought to largely determine the specificity of protection in salmonellosis. Paired, nearly isogenic O-6,7 and O-4,12 derivatives were constructed from an aro S. typhimurium strain of proven efficacy as a live vaccine. Used as live vaccines, the O-4,12 member protected BALB/c mice against challenge with virulent S. typhimurium, whereas the O-6,7 member did not protect against virulent S. choleraesuis. However, BALB/c mice vaccinated with the O-6,7 member and mice vaccinated with an aro S. choleraesuis strain were protected against challenge with a moderately virulent (LD50, 5 X 10(4) CFU) O-6,7 derivative of an S. typhimurium strain.
Categorical perception of facial expressions of emotion: Evidence from multidimensional scaling

Recent studies have shown that the perception of facial expressions of emotion fits the criteria of categorical perception (CP). The present paper tests whether a pattern of categories emerges when facial expressions are examined within the framework of multidimensional scaling. Blends of five “pure” expressions (Angry, Sad, Surprised, Happy, Neutral) were created using computerised “morphing”, providing the stimuli for four experiments. Instead of attempting to identify these stimuli, subjects described the proximities between them, using two quite different forms of data: similarity comparisons, and sorting partitions. Multidimensional scaling techniques were applied to integrate the resulting ordinal-level data into models which represent the interstimulus similarities at ratio level. All four experiments yielded strong evidence that the expressions were perceived in distinct categories. Adjacent pairs in the models were not spaced at equal intervals, but were clustered together as if drawn towards a “perceptual magnet”; within each category. We argue that spatial representations are compatible with CP effects, and indeed are a useful tool for investigating them.
Monitoring campaign of 1RXS J171824.2-402934, the low-mass X-ray binary with the lowest mass accretion rate

An X-ray monitoring campaign with Chandra and Swift confirms that 1RXS J171824.2–402934 is accreting at the lowest rate among the known persistently accreting low-mass X-ray binaries. A thermonuclear X-ray burst was detected with the all-sky monitor on RXTE. This is only the second such burst seen in 1RXS J171824.2–402934 in more than 20 Ms of observations done over 19 years. The low burst recurrence rate is in line with the low accretion rate. The persistent nature and low accretion rate can be reconciled within accretion disk theory if the binary system is ultracompact. An unprecedentedly short orbital period of less than ≈7 min would be implied. An ultracompact nature, together with the properties of the type I X-ray burst, suggests, in turn, that helium-rich material is accreted. Optical follow-up of the Chandra error region does not reveal an unambiguous counterpart.
Viral Takeover of the Host Ubiquitin System

Like the other more well-characterized post-translational modifications (phosphorylation, methylation, acetylation, acylation, etc.), the attachment of the 76 amino acid ubiquitin (Ub) protein to substrates has been shown to govern countless cellular processes. As obligate intracellular parasites, viruses have evolved the capability to commandeer many host processes in order to maximize their own survival, whether it be to increase viral production or to ensure the long-term survival of latently infected host cells. The first evidence that viruses could usurp the Ub system came from the DNA tumor viruses and Adenoviruses, each of which use Ub to dysregulate the host cell cycle (Scheffner et al., 1990; Querido et al., 2001). Today, the list of viruses that utilize Ub includes members from almost every viral class, encompassing both RNA and DNA viruses. Among these, there are examples of Ub usage at every stage of the viral life cycle, involving both ubiquitination and de-ubiquitination. In addition to viruses that merely modify the host Ub system, many of the large DNA viruses encode their own Ub modifying machinery. In this review, we highlight the latest discoveries regarding the myriad ways that viruses utilize Ub to their advantage.
Endochondral Ossification Is Dependent on the Mechanical Properties of Cartilage Tissue and on Intracellular Signals in Chondrocytes a

ABSTRACT: Skeletal elements are formed either by replacing a preformed cartilagenous matrix template in a process called endochondral ossification or directly from mesenchyme by a process known as membranous ossification. Longitudinal growth of bones is achieved by growth plates where calcified cartilage is converted into bone. To investigate the role of extracellular matrix as well as intracellular signaling pathways in the formation and growth of bone, the genes coding for type II collagen and cyclic guanosine 3′,5′‐monophosphate (cGMP)‐dependent protein kinase (cGK) II, were disrupted. It is demonstrated that loss of Col2a1 or cGKII led to abnormal endochondral ossification and skeletal development. In cGKII −/− mice, bones derived by membranous ossification developed normally while bones derived by endochondral ossification were shortened. This growth defect was not associated with a general metabolic disturbance. In Col2a1 knockout mice, endochondral ossification was completely absent, whereas membraneous ossification was not affected. Despite the defects in bone formation, invasion of blood vessels into bone cavities and formation of bone marrow occurred in Col2a1‐null mice. Taken together, the phenotypes of these two knockout mice show that chondrocytes need a well‐functioning extracellular matrix scaffold and a normal cGMP‐signaling system for endochondral ossification to form a normal skeleton.
Polypropylene fibers fabricated via a needleless melt-electrospinning device for marine oil-spill cleanup

Ultrafine polypropylene (PP) fibers as oil sorbents were fabricated via a needleless melt-electrospinning device and were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and contact-angle analysis. PP fibers of various diameters and porosities were obtained by the manipulation of the applied electrical field. The effects of the fiber diameter and porosity on the oil-sorption capacity and oil-retention behavior were investigated. The experimental results demonstrate that for fiber diameter on the microscale, the porosity played a paramount role in determining the oil-sorption capacities. The maximum oil-sorption capacity of the resulting PP fibers with regard to motor oil and peanut oil were 129 and 80 g/g, respectively; these values were approximately six to seven times that of commercial PP nonwoven fabricated through the melt-blown method. In addition, even after seven sorption/desorption cycles, the oil-sorption capacity of the chosen sample was still maintained around 80 g/g, and above 97%, oil could be recovered. This indicated excellent reusability and recoverability. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40080.
Virulence Effect of Enterococcus faecalis Protease Genes and the Quorum-Sensing Locus fsr in Caenorhabditis elegans and Mice

ABSTRACT The expression of two Enterococcus faecalis extracellular virulence-related proteins, gelatinase (GelE) and serine protease (SprE), has been shown to be positively regulated by the fsr quorum-sensing system. We recently developed a novel system for studying E. faecalis pathogenicity that involves killing of the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans and showed that an E. faecalis fsrB mutant (strain TX5266) exhibited attenuated killing. We explore here the role of the fsr/gelE-sprE locus in pathogenicity by comparing results obtained in the nematode system with a mouse peritonitis model of E. faecalis infection. Insertion mutants of fsrA (TX5240) and fsrC (TX5242), like fsrB (TX5266), were attenuated in their ability to kill C. elegans. A deletion mutant of gelE (TX5264) and an insertion mutant of sprE (TX5243) were also attenuated in C. elegans killing, although to a lesser extent than the fsr mutants. Complementation of fsrB (TX5266) with a 6-kb fragment containing the entire fsr locus restored virulence in both the nematode and the mouse peritonitis models. The fsr mutants were not impaired in their ability to colonize the nematode intestine. These data show that extracellular proteases and the quorum-sensing fsr system are important for E. faecalis virulence in two highly divergent hosts: nematodes and mice.
Autism spectrum disorder and psychopathy: shared cognitive underpinnings or double hit?

Background. We measured psychopathic traits in boys with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) selected for difficult and aggressive behaviour. We asked (i) whether psychopathic tendencies can be measured in ASD independent of the severity of autistic behaviour; (ii) whether individuals with ASD with callous–unemotional (CU) traits differ in their cognitive profile from those without such traits; and (iii) how the cognitive data from this study compare with previous data of youngsters with psychopathic tendencies. Method. Twenty-eight ASD boys were rated on psychopathic tendencies, autistic traits and a range of cognitive measures assessing mentalizing ability, executive functions, emotion recognition and ability to make moral–conventional distinction. Results. Our results indicate that psychopathic tendencies are not related to severity of ASD. In addition, such tendencies do not seem to be related to core autistic cognitive deficits, specifically in ‘mind-reading’ or executive function. Boys with co-occurring ASD and CU tendencies share some behaviours and aspects of cognitive profile with boys who have psychopathic tendencies alone. Conclusions. Callous/psychopathic acts in a small number of individuals with ASD probably reflect a ‘double hit’ involving an additional impairment of empathic response to distress cues, which is not part and parcel of ASD itself.
CAROTENOID PIGMENT ADMINISTRATION and DELAY IN DEVELOPMENT OF UV‐B‐INDUCED TUMORS

—The results of two studies are reported. In the first study, the carotenoid pigments, β‐carotene. canthaxanthin and phytoene were administered to mice after one UV‐B‐induced skin tumor had developed, to see if carotenoid administration would delay the development of subsequent tumors. Canthaxanthin significantly delayed the development of subsequent tumors. In the second study, the same pigments were administered starting 10 weeks before, and for 24 weeks after, exposure to a large single fluence (8 × 104J/m2) of UV‐B radiation, to determine the effect of the pigments on tumor development. Phytoene significantly prevented the development of tumors to this fluence of radiation.
Migration of photoinitiators from cardboard into dry food: evaluation of Tenax® as a food simulant

ABSTRACT Photoinitiators are widely used to cure ink on packaging materials used in food applications such as cardboards for the packaging of dry foods. Conventional migration testing for long-term storage at ambient temperature with Tenax® was applied to paperboard for the following photoinitiators: benzophenone (BP), 4,4ʹ-bis(diethylamino)benzophenone (DEAB), 2-chloro-9H-thioxanthen-9-one (CTX), 1-chloro-4-propoxy-9H-thioxanthen-9-one (CPTX), 4-(dimethylamino)benzophenone (DMBP), 2-ethylanthraquinone (EA), 2-ethylhexyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoate (EDB), ethyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoate (EDMAB), 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4-HBP), 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (HMBP), 2-hydroxy-4ʹ-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-2-methylpropiophenone (HMMP), 2-isopropyl-9H-thioxanthen-9-one (ITX), 4-methylbenzophenone (MBP) and Michler’s ketone (MK). Test conditions (10 days at 60°C) were according to Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 and showed different migration patterns for the different photoinitiators. The results were compared with the migration in cereals after a storage of 6 months at room temperature. The simulation with Tenax at 60°C overestimated actual migration in cereals up to a maximum of 92%. In addition, the effect of a lower contact temperature and the impact of the Tenax pore size were investigated. Analogous simulation performed with rice instead of Tenax resulted in insufficiently low migration rates, showing Tenax is a much stronger adsorbent than rice and cereals.
Mechanisms of iron and haem transport by Listeria monocytogenes

Abstract Listeria monocytogenes, the causative agent of listeriosis, is a virulent foodborne Gram-positive bacterial pathogen, with 20–30% mortality. It has a broad ability to transport iron, either in the form of ferric siderophores, or by extracting it from mammalian iron binding proteins. In this review we focus on the mechanisms of ferric siderophore and haem transport into the listerial cell. Despite the fact that it does not synthesize siderophores, L. monocytogenes transports ferric siderophores in the wild environment by the actions of cytoplasmic membrane ABC-transporter systems. The bacterium acquires haem, on the other hand, by two mechanisms. At low (nanomolar) concentrations, sortase B-dependent, peptidoglycan-anchored proteins scavenge the iron porphyrin in human or animal tissues, and transfer it to the underlying ABC-transporters in the cytoplasmic membrane for uptake. At concentrations at or above 50 nM, however, haem transport becomes sortase-independent, and occurs by direct interactions of the iron porphyrin with the same ABC-transporter complexes. The architecture of the Gram-positive cell envelope plays a fundamental role in these mechanisms, and the haem acquisition abilities of L. monocytogenes are an element of its ability to cause infectious disease.
Acute Administration of Non-Classical Estrogen Receptor Agonists Attenuates Ischemia-Induced Hippocampal Neuron Loss in Middle-Aged Female Rats

Background Pretreatment with 17β-estradiol (E2) is profoundly neuroprotective in young animals subjected to focal and global ischemia. However, whether E2 retains its neuroprotective efficacy in aging animals, especially when administered after brain insult, is largely unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings We examined the neuroprotective effects of E2 and two agonists that bind to non-classical estrogen receptors, G1 and STX, when administered after ischemia in middle-aged rats after prolonged ovarian hormone withdrawal. Eight weeks after ovariectomy, middle-aged female rats underwent 10 minutes of global ischemia by four vessel occlusion. Immediately after reperfusion, animals received a single infusion of either E2 (2.25 µg), G1 (50 µg) or STX (50 µg) into the lateral ventricle (ICV) or a single systemic injection of E2 (100 µg/kg). Surviving pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal CA1 were quantified 1 week later. E2 and both agonists that target non-classical estrogen receptors (G1 and STX) administered ICV at the time of reperfusion provided significant levels of neuroprotection, with 55–60% of CA1 neurons surviving vs 15% survival in controls. A single systemic injection of a pharmacological dose of E2 also rescued approximately 50% of CA1 pyramidal neurons destined to die. To determine if E2 and G1 have similar mechanisms of action in hippocampal neurons, we compared the ability of E2 and G1 to modify CA1 pyramidal neuron responses to excitatory inputs from the Schaffer collaterals recorded in hippocampal slices derived from female rats not subjected to global ischemia. E2 and G1 (10 nM) significantly potentiated pyramidal neuron responses to excitatory inputs when applied to hippocampal slices. Conclusions/Significance These findings suggest (1) that middle-aged female rats retain their responsiveness to E2 even after a long period of hormone withdrawal, (2) that non-classical estrogen receptors may mediate the neuroprotective actions of E2 when given after ischemia, and (3) that the neuroprotective efficacy of estrogens may be related to their modulation of synaptic activity in hippocampal slices.
Rural-Urban Differences in Obstetric Care, 2002–2010, and Implications for the Future

Background:Approximately 15% of the 4 million annual US births occur in rural hospitals. Objective:To (1) measure differences in obstetric care in rural and urban hospitals, and to (2) examine whether trends over time differ by rural-urban hospital location. Research Design and Subjects:This was a retrospective analysis of hospital discharge records for all births in the 2002–2010 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, which constitutes 20% sample of US hospitals (N=7,188,972 births: 6,316,743 in urban hospitals, 837,772 in rural hospitals). Measures:Rates of low-risk cesarean (full-term, singleton, vertex pregnancies; no prior cesarean), vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), nonindicated cesarean, and nonindicated labor induction were estimated. Results:In 2010, low-risk cesarean rates in rural and urban hospitals were 15.5% and 16.1%, respectively, and nonindicated cesarean rates were 16.9% and 17.8%, respectively. VBAC rates were 5.0% in rural and 10.0% in urban hospitals in 2010. Between 2002 and 2010, rates of low-risk cesarean and nonindicated cesarean increased, and VBAC rates decreased in both rural and urban hospitals. Nonindicated labor induction was less frequent in rural versus urban hospitals in 2002 [adjusted odds ratio=0.79 (0.78–0.81)], but increased more rapidly in rural hospitals from 2002 to 2010 [adjusted odds ratio=1.05 (1.05–1.06)]. In 2010, 16.5% of rural births were induced without indication (12.0% of urban births). Conclusions:From 2002 to 2010, cesarean rates rose and VBAC rates fell in both rural and urban hospitals. Nonindicated labor induction rates rose disproportionately faster in rural versus urban settings. Tailored clinical and policy tools are required to address differences between rural and urban hospitals.