Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Strain-Dependent Induction of Human Enterocyte Apoptosis by Blastocystis Disrupts Epithelial Barrier and ZO-1 Organization in a Caspase 3- and 9-Dependent Manner

Blastocystis is an emerging protistan parasite colonizing the human intestine. It is frequently reported to cause general intestinal symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. We recently demonstrated that Blastocystis rearranged cytoskeletal proteins and induced intestinal epithelial barrier compromise. The effect of Blastocystis on enterocyte apoptosis is unknown, and a possible link between microbially induced enterocyte apoptosis and increased epithelial permeability has yet to be determined. The aim of this study is to assess if Blastocystis induces human enterocyte apoptosis and whether this effect influences human intestinal epithelial barrier function. Monolayers of polarized human colonic epithelial cell-line Caco-2 were incubated with Blastocystis subtype 7 and subtype 4. Assays for both early and late markers of apoptosis, phosphatidylserine externalization, and nuclear fragmentation, respectively, showed that Blastocystis ST-7, but not ST-4, significantly increased apoptosis in enterocytes, suggesting that Blastocystis exhibits host specificity and strain-to-strain variation in pathogenicity. ST-7 also activated Caco-2 caspases 3 and 9 but not 8. ST-7 induced changes in epithelial resistance, permeability, and tight junction (ZO-1) localization. Pretreatment of Caco-2 monolayers with a pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk significantly inhibited these changes. This suggests a role for enterocyte apoptosis in Blastocystis-mediated epithelial barrier compromise in the human intestine.
Colocalization of synaptophysin with transferrin receptors: implications for synaptic vesicle biogenesis

We have reported previously that the synaptic vesicle (SV) protein synaptophysin, when expressed in fibroblastic CHO cells, accumulates in a population of recycling microvesicles. Based on preliminary immunofluorescence observations, we had suggested that synaptophysin is targeted to the preexisting population of microvesicles that recycle transferrin (Johnston, P. A., P. L. Cameron, H. Stukenbrok, R. Jahn, P. De Camilli, and T. C. Sudhof. 1989. EMBO (Eur. Mol. Biol. Organ.) J. 8:2863-2872). In contrast to our results, another group reported that expression of synaptophysin in cells which normally do not express SV proteins results in the generation of a novel population of microvesicles (Leube, R. E., B. Wiedenmann, and W. W. Franke. 1989. Cell. 59:433-446). We report here a series of morphological and biochemical studies conclusively demonstrating that synaptophysin and transferrin receptors are indeed colocalized on the same vesicles in transfected CHO cells. These observations prompted us to investigate whether an overlap between the distribution of the two proteins also occurs in endocrine cell lines that endogenously express synaptophysin and other SV proteins. We have found that endocrine cell lines contain two pools of membranes positive for synaptophysin and other SV proteins. One of the two pools also contains transferrin receptors and migrates faster during velocity centrifugation. The other pool is devoid of transferrin receptors and corresponds to vesicles with the same sedimentation characteristics as SVs. These findings suggest that in transfected CHO cells and in endocrine cell lines, synaptophysin follows the same endocytic pathway as transferrin receptors but that in endocrine cells, at some point along this pathway, synaptophysin is sorted away from the recycling receptors into a specialized vesicle population. Finally, using immunofluorescent analyses, we found an overlap between the distribution of synaptophysin and transferrin receptors in the dendrites of hippocampal neurons in primary cultures before synapse formation. Axons were enriched in synaptophysin immunoreactivity but did not contain detectable levels of transferrin receptor immunoreactivity. These results suggest that SVs may have evolved from, as well as coexist with, a constitutively recycling vesicular organelle found in all cells.
Detecting postnatal depression in Chinese women

Background We evaluated the utility of the Chinese version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and measured the prevalence of major depression six weeks after confinement among Chinese women in Hong Kong. Method A prospective cohort of 145 women completed the EPDS, the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) six weeks after giving birth. They were then assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM–III–R, non-patient version (SCID–NP) to establish psychiatric diagnosis. The criterion validity of EPDS was tested against this clinical diagnosis, and the concurrent validity against the GHQ and BDI scores was also evaluated. The internal consistency of the scales was measured by Cronbach's α coefficient. Results The Chinese EPDS had satisfactory psychometric properties and a cut-off score of 9/10 is recommended for screening depressive illness in a general postnatal population. At six weeks postpartum, 5.5% of the study population suffered from major depression. Conclusions The Chinese EPDS will be useful for screening for postnatal depression.
Single Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction To Detect Diverse Loci Associated with Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli

We developed and tested a single multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that detects enterotoxigenic, enteropathogenic, enteroinvasive, and Shiga-toxin–producing Escherichia coli. This PCR is specific, sensitive, and rapid in detecting target isolates in stool and food. Because of its simplicity, economy, and efficiency, this protocol warrants further evaluation in large, prospective studies of polymicrobial substances.
Space-time variations in child mortality in a rural South African population with high HIV prevalence (2000–2014)

Objective The aim of the study was to identify the key determinants of child mortality ‘hot-spots’ in space and time. Methods Comprehensive population-based mortality data collected between 2000 and 2014 by the Africa Centre Demographic Information System located in the UMkhanyakude District of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, was analysed. We assigned all mortality events and person-time of observation for children <5 years of age to an exact homestead of residence (mapped to <2m accuracy as part of the DSA platform). Using these exact locations, both the Kulldorff and Tango spatial scan statistics for regular and irregular shaped cluster detection were used to identify clusters of childhood mortality events in both space and time. Findings Of the 49 986 children aged < 5 years who resided in the study area between 2000 and 2014, 2010 (4.0%) died. Childhood mortality decreased by 80% over the period from >20 per 1000 person-years in 2001–2003 to 4 per 1000 person-years in 2014. The two scanning spatial techniques identified two high-risk clusters for child mortality along the eastern border of the study site near the national highway, with a relative risk of 2.10 and 1.91 respectively. Conclusions The high-risk communities detected in this work, and the differential risk factor profile of these communities, can assist public health professionals to identify similar populations in other parts of rural South Africa. Identifying child mortality hot-spots will potentially guide policy interventions in rural, resource-limited settings.
On (Un)Soundness of Unravelings

We revisit (un)soundness of transformations of conditional into unconditional rewrite systems. The focus here is on so-called unravelings, the most simple and natural kind of such transformations, for the class of normal conditional systems without extra variables. By a systematic and thorough study of existing counterexamples and of the potential sources of unsoundness we obtain several new positive and negative results. In particular, we prove the following new results: Confluence, non-erasingness and weak left-linearity (of a given conditional system) each guarantee soundness of the unraveled version w.r. t. the original one. The latter result substantially extends the only known sufficient criterion for soundness, namely left-linearity. Furthermore, by means of counterexamples we refute various other tempting conjectures about sufficient conditions for soundness.
Effect of electrode surface roughness on breakdown in nitrogen/SF6 mixtures

Breakdown voltages in uniform-field and coaxial-electrode systems have been calculated for nitrogen/SF6 mixtures at pressures up to 5 bar for smooth electrodes, and for electrodes whose surface roughness is represented by a hemispherical protrusion. The calculations show that the addition of nitrogen to SF6 reduces sensitivity to electrode surface condition. For practical systems, having values of the product (pressure × roughness) of 50-500 bar μm, this tends to offset the loss of dielectric strength predicted for smooth electrodes with the addition of nitrogen. With a 30μm protrusion, for example, the breakdown voltage at 4 bar of a 70 mm/220 mm coaxial system containing 70% nitrogen by volume exceeds that for pure SF6. The results of the calculations are compared with uniform-field measurements with an artificial cathode protrusion and with published data for a.c. and impulse breakdown in a coaxial-electrode system.
The Impact of Technology Change in Malaysian Smart Schools on Islamic Education Teachers and Students

technology change in Malaysian Smart Schools on Islamic Education teachers and students. This study is trying to understand all aspects of the change process in Smart Schools and to understand the problems of students and teachers as they endeavour to improve learning and teaching in Smart Schools. Following the implementation of the Smart School pilot projects in the Malaysian secondary schools, this study is aimed at suggesting an approach that can be used to incorporate the use of computers and ICT in Islamic Education by taking into consideration the views, experiences, expectations and needs of the teachers and the students themselves. In examining the new initiative of Smart Schools, a grounded theory approach was used in the early phase of the study as this approach is suitable for this relatively new field where little research has been done. This research began with the use of focus groups as a means to gain knowledge of respondents' views, perceptions and attitudes about Smart Schools. This study found that the use of computers was the core feature of the change phenomenon in Smart Schools. Islamic Education teachers and students were hardly coping with the task of incorporating the use of new technology in their teaching and learning. Many barriers and obstacles in using new technology were reported by Islamic Education teachers and students. The most important barriers identified in this study are the lack of computers and available resources, lack of training, shortage of time and the pressure of a heavy syllabus and examination-centred learning.
CD40 Ligand-Induced Apoptosis is Fas-Independent in Human Multiple Myeloma Cells

We and others previously demonstrated that human multiple myeloma (MM) cells express CD40 and have an active CD40-growth regulatory pathway. This study characterizes the growth outcome of soluble (gp39) or membrane-bound recombinant human CD40-ligand (rCD4()L) and its relationship with Fas-dependent apoptosis. Contrary to the moderate growth-stimulatory effect of the CD40-MAb G28.5, gp39 inhibited 3H-thymidine uptake of the plasma dyscrasia lines ARH-77, U266, and HS-Sultan in a dose-dependent fashion by up to 82%. By comparison, RPMI 8226 cells were resistant to CD40L-growth modulation, which may be attributable to a single base substitution (TCA→TTA, serine→leucine) at the 3rd cysteine-rich extramembrane region of CD40. Gp39 similarly reduced myeloma clono-genic colony (MCC) formation in patient primary bone marrow cultures by 50% (40-76%; n=6). Studies using transfectant L cells that constitutively expressed CD40L showed that membrane-bound CD40L inhibited the growth of ARH-77, U266, and HS-Sultan cells (66%, 63%, and 32%. respectively), whereas untransfected L cells did not. Growth inhibition by gp39 or CD40L+ L cells was neutralized by coincubation with the CD40L antibodies 5c8 or LL48. CD40L-treatment increased apoptotic activity of MM cells, as defined by oligonucleo-somal DNA fragmentation and an increased binding to annexin V (16-28%). All three untreated CD40-responsive MM lines expressed the Fas/Apo-1/CD95 antigen (65-92% CD95+). However, only ARH-77 cells responded to the growth inhibitory effect of the CD95-agonistic antibody CH-II. CD95 expression was not affected significantly by gp39 treatment, and growth inhibition by CH-11 was additive to gp39 (from 42% to 64% decrease in H-thmidine uptake). Conversely, the CD95 antagonist antibody ZB4 reversed the Fas-dependent growth inhibitory process but did not significantly alter gp39-mediated growth outcome. Gp39 treatment lowered the expression of TNFR-associated factors TRAF4 and TRAF6 by 38% and 32%, respectively, whereas detectable levels of TRAF1,2,3, and 5 levels remained unchanged. Our observations indicate that the CD40L-binding inhibits human MM cell growth and increases its apoptotic activity. This growth inhibitory effect corresponds to lower levels of cytoplasmic TRAF signaling elements, and appears independent of the Fas-signaling pathway. CD40 receptor mutation may lead to unresponsiveness to CD40 growth modulation in multiple myeloma cells.
Using immunohistochemistry to assess the accuracy of histomorphologic diagnosis of aspergillosis and mucormycosis.

BACKGROUND Data on the accuracy of conventional histomorphologic diagnosis are limited, especially in mucormycosis. We therefore investigated the accuracy of histomorphologic diagnosis of mucormycosis and aspergillosis, using immunohistochemistry (IHC) tests for mucormycosis and aspergillosis. METHODS Patients enrolled met the modified criteria for proven and probable mucormycosis (during a 22-year period) or invasive aspergillosis (during a 6-year period) and had formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues available. We first tested the diagnostic performance of IHC for mucormycosis and aspergillosis in proven cases. Then we determined the accuracy of histomorphologic diagnosis of probable cases, using the IHC tests. RESULTS In 7 proven cases of mucormycosis, the sensitivity and specificity of mucormycosis IHC were 100% (95% confidence interval, 65%-100%) and 100% (68%-100%), respectively. In 8 proven cases of aspergillosis, and the sensitivity and specificity of aspergillosis IHC staining were 87% (53%-98%) and 100% (65%-100%), respectively. Of 23 probable mucormycosis cases, 20 (87%) were positive with mucormycosis IHC, 2 (9%) were positive with aspergillosis IHC (including 1 positive for both), and 2 were negative with both. Of 16 probable aspergillosis cases, 10 (63%) were positive with aspergillosis IHC, 4 (25%) were positive with mucormycosis IHC, and 2 (13%) were negative with both tests. CONCLUSIONS Aspergillosis and mucormycosis seem not to be correctly diagnosed morphologically, because some of the probable cases showed either test with both antibodies or failure to stain with the homologous antibody. In the absence of fungal culture results, the IHC tests seem helpful in differentiating between aspergillosis and mucormycosis.
The effects of low level laser irradiation on gingival inflammation.

OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to analyze the effects of low level laser irradiation treatment and conservative treatment on gingival inflammation. BACKGROUND It is widely accepted today that the primary etiological factor for the onset of periodontitis is dental plaque, although the exact mechanism of damage remains unknown. Inflammation is a basic response of periodontal tissue to damage and serves as a fast first line of defense against damage and infections. The treatment of gingivitis and periodontitis has gone through various stages: from the simplest, classical treatment methods, through improved radical interventions, to a new era marked by laser technology. Low level laser irradiation has an anti-inflammatory effect, both general and local. MATERIALS AND METHODS The research was done on patients who had chronic periodontal disease (mild periodontitis) with expressed clinical symptoms of gingival inflammation. All patients in the study underwent conservative treatment. After conservative therapy, the patients from the experimental group were subjected to 10 low level laser treatment sessions. Both groups underwent regular follow-up visits 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment, which involved only clinical examination using plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and bleeding on probing index (BOP index). RESULTS A considerable decrease in all three indexes after the application of both therapies was noticed. The follow-up visits revealed the difference in index values. With laser therapy, the values of indexes decreased steadily, whereas with conservative therapy they increased up to a certain point, but did not reach the pre-therapy values. CONCLUSIONS A general conclusion can be drawn that low level laser irradiation (semiconductor, 670 nm) can be used as a successful physical adjuvant method of treatment, which, together with traditional periodontal therapy, leads to better and longer-lasting therapeutic results.
Association of Survivin Gene Polymorphism With Endometrial Cancer

Objective Survivin is an inhibitor of apoptosis protein, which is up-regulated in endometrial cancer (EC). A promoter region polymorphism (−31G/C) in the survivin gene has been reported as a modulator of gene expression. The aim of this study was to explore the frequency of survivin −31G/C polymorphism in tumor tissues from patients with EC in an Iranian population compared to that of healthy controls. Materials and Methods Paraffin-embedded tissue sections from patients diagnosed with EC (n = 31) and healthy controls (n = 30) were examined. Genotyping for survivin −31G/C polymorphism was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Results The presence of allele C was found to be significantly increased in EC tissues compared to the healthy tissues (GG vs GC + CC, P = 0. 01; OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.1–11.9). Conclusion Our data are in keeping with a previous finding regarding the role of survivin gene polymorphism in malignancies. This finding highlights the role of survivin in pathogenesis of various carcinomas, which might have therapeutic implications.
The DEAH-box Helicase Dhr1 Dissociates U3 from the Pre-rRNA to Promote Formation of the Central Pseudoknot

In eukaryotes, the highly conserved U3 small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) base-pairs to multiple sites in the pre-ribosomal RNA (pre-rRNA) to promote early cleavage and folding events. Binding of the U3 box A region to the pre-rRNA is mutually exclusive with folding of the central pseudoknot (CPK), a universally conserved rRNA structure of the small ribosomal subunit essential for protein synthesis. Here, we report that the DEAH-box helicase Dhr1 (Ecm16) is responsible for displacing U3. An active site mutant of Dhr1 blocked release of U3 from the pre-ribosome, thereby trapping a pre-40S particle. This particle had not yet achieved its mature structure because it contained U3, pre-rRNA, and a number of early-acting ribosome synthesis factors but noticeably lacked ribosomal proteins (r-proteins) that surround the CPK. Dhr1 was cross-linked in vivo to the pre-rRNA and to U3 sequences flanking regions that base-pair to the pre-rRNA including those that form the CPK. Point mutations in the box A region of U3 suppressed a cold-sensitive mutation of Dhr1, strongly indicating that U3 is an in vivo substrate of Dhr1. To support the conclusions derived from in vivo analysis we showed that Dhr1 unwinds U3-18S duplexes in vitro by using a mechanism reminiscent of DEAD box proteins.
High-Fat Diet Reduces the Formation of Butyrate, but Increases Succinate, Inflammation, Liver Fat and Cholesterol in Rats, while Dietary Fibre Counteracts These Effects

Introduction Obesity is linked to type 2 diabetes and risk factors associated to the metabolic syndrome. Consumption of dietary fibres has been shown to have positive metabolic health effects, such as by increasing satiety, lowering blood glucose and cholesterol levels. These effects may be associated with short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly propionic and butyric acids, formed by microbial degradation of dietary fibres in colon, and by their capacity to reduce low-grade inflammation. Objective To investigate whether dietary fibres, giving rise to different SCFAs, would affect metabolic risk markers in low-fat and high-fat diets using a model with conventional rats for 2, 4 and 6 weeks. Material and Methods Conventional rats were administered low-fat or high-fat diets, for 2, 4 or 6 weeks, supplemented with fermentable dietary fibres, giving rise to different SCFA patterns (pectin – acetic acid; guar gum – propionic acid; or a mixture – butyric acid). At the end of each experimental period, liver fat, cholesterol and triglycerides, serum and caecal SCFAs, plasma cholesterol, and inflammatory cytokines were analysed. The caecal microbiota was analysed after 6 weeks. Results and Discussion Fermentable dietary fibre decreased weight gain, liver fat, cholesterol and triglyceride content, and changed the formation of SCFAs. The high-fat diet primarily reduced formation of SCFAs but, after a longer experimental period, the formation of propionic and acetic acids recovered. The concentration of succinic acid in the rats increased in high-fat diets with time, indicating harmful effect of high-fat consumption. The dietary fibre partly counteracted these harmful effects and reduced inflammation. Furthermore, the number of Bacteroides was higher with guar gum, while noticeably that of Akkermansia was highest with the fibre-free diet.
Online Learning: Stochastic and Constrained Adversaries

Learning theory has largely focused on two main learning scenarios. The first is the classical statistical setting where instances are drawn i.i. d. from a fixed distribution and the second scenario is the online learning, completely adversarial scenario where adversary at every time step picks the worst instance to provide the learner with. It can be argued that in the real world neither of these assumptions are reasonable. It is therefore important to study problems with a range of assumptions on data. Unfortunately, theoretical results in this area are scarce, possibly due to absence of general tools for analysis. Focusing on the regret formulation, we define the minimax value of a game where the adversary is restricted in his moves. The framework captures stochastic and non-stochastic assumptions on data. Building on the sequential symmetrization approach, we define a notion of distribution-dependent Rademacher complexity for the spectrum of problems ranging from i.i. d. to worst-case. The bounds let us immediately deduce variation-type bounds. We then consider the i.i. d. adversary and show equivalence of online and batch learnability. In the supervised setting, we consider various hybrid assumptions on the way that x and y variables are chosen. Finally, we consider smoothed learning problems and show that half-spaces are online learnable in the smoothed model. In fact, exponentially small noise added to adversary's decisions turns this problem with infinite Littlestone's dimension into a learnable problem.