Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perturbations to engulfment trigger a degradative response that prevents cell–cell signalling during sporulation in Bacillus subtilis

During sporulation in Bacillus subtilis, the mother cell membranes migrate around the forespore in a phagocytic‐like process called engulfment. Developmental gene expression requires the successful completion of this key morphological event. Here we show that perturbations to engulfment block the accumulation of proteins secreted into the space between the mother cell and forespore membranes. Our data support a model in which engulfment defects cause the proteolytic clearance of these secreted proteins. Importantly, we show that this degradative response is reversible; once proper engulfment is restored, secreted proteins again accumulate. In particular, we have found that the forespore signalling protein SpoIVB fails to accumulate when engulfment is impaired and, as a result, late mother cell gene expression under the control of σK is blocked. If engulfment is restored, SpoIVB accumulates and cell–cell signalling resumes. Thus, this degradative pathway functions like a developmental checkpoint ensuring that mother cell gene expression does not commence unless morphogenesis proceeds normally.
Intensive-Phase Treatment Outcomes among Hospitalized Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Patients: Results from a Nationwide Cohort in Nigeria

Background Nigeria is faced with a high burden of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Treatment outcomes among MDR-TB patients registered across the globe have been poor, partly due to high loss-to-follow-up. To address this challenge, MDR-TB patients in Nigeria are hospitalized during the intensive-phase(IP) of treatment (first 6–8 months) and are provided with a package of care including standardized MDR-TB treatment regimen, antiretroviral therapy (ART) and cotrimoxazole prophylaxis (CPT) for HIV-infected patients, nutritional and psychosocial support. In this study, we report the end-IP treatment outcomes among them. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed the patient records of all bacteriologically-confirmed MDR-TB patients admitted for treatment between July 2010 and October 2012. Results Of 162 patients, 105(65%) were male, median age was 34 years and 28(17%) were HIV-infected; all 28 received ART and CPT. Overall, 138(85%) were alive and culture negative at the end of IP, 24(15%) died and there was no loss-to-follow-up. Mortality was related to low CD4-counts at baseline among HIV-positive patients. The median increase in body mass index among those documented to be underweight was 2.6 kg/m2 (p<0.01) and CD4-counts improved by a median of 52 cells/microL among the HIV-infected patients (p<0.01). Conclusions End-IP treatment outcomes were exceptional compared to previously published data from international cohorts, thus confirming the usefulness of a hospitalized model of care. However, less than five percent of all estimated 3600 MDR-TB patients in Nigeria were initiated on treatment during the study period. Given the expected scale-up of MDR-TB care, the hospitalized model is challenging to sustain and the national TB programme is contemplating to move to ambulatory care. Hence, we recommend using both ambulatory and hospitalized approaches, with the latter being reserved for selected high-risk groups.
Wess-Zumino-Witten term on the lattice

We construct the Wess-Zumino-Witten (WZW) term in lattice gauge theory by using a Dirac operator which obeys the Ginsparg-Wilson relation. Topological properties of the WZW term known in the continuum are reproduced on the lattice as a consequence of a non-trivial topological structure of the space of admissible lattice gauge fields. In the course of this analysis, we observe that the gauge anomaly generally implies that there is no basis of a Weyl fermion which leads to a single-valued expectation value in the fermion sector. The lattice Witten term, which carries information of a gauge path along which the gauge anomaly is integrated, is separated from the WZW term and the multivaluedness of the Witten term is shown to be related to the homotopy group ? 2n+1(G). We also discuss the global SU(2) anomaly on the basis of the WZW term.
Mst1 Directs Myosin IIa Partitioning of Low and Higher Affinity Integrins during T Cell Migration

Chemokines promote T cell migration by transmitting signals that induce T cell polarization and integrin activation and adhesion. Mst1 kinase is a key signal mediator required for both of these processes; however, its molecular mechanism remains unclear. Here, we present a mouse model in which Mst1 function is disrupted by a hypomorphic mutation. Microscopic analysis of Mst1-deficient CD4 T cells revealed a necessary role for Mst1 in controlling the localization and activity of Myosin IIa, a molecular motor that moves along actin filaments. Using affinity specific LFA-1 antibodies, we identified a requirement for Myosin IIa-dependent contraction in the precise spatial distribution of low and higher affinity LFA-1 on the membrane of migrating T cells. Mst1 deficiency or Myosin inhibition resulted in multipolar cells, difficulties in uropod detachment and mis-localization of low affinity LFA-1. Thus, Mst1 regulates Myosin IIa dynamics to organize high and low affinity LFA-1 to the anterior and posterior membrane during T cell migration.
A Matched Cohort Comparison of the Outcome of Twin Versus Singleton Pregnancies in Flanders, Belgium

Abstract To compare perinatal outcome of singleton versus twin pregnancies a matched cohort study was performed in Flanders, Belgium. All twins delivered in the region of Flanders during 1998–1999 were compared to singletons, matched for gestational age, fetal sex and maternal parity, resulting in 4384 infants in each group. Above 32 weeks of gestation, birthweight was significantly lower in twins (2095 ± 364 g versus 2315 ± 523 g; p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval 193 to 246 g). Perinatal mortality was also significantly lower in twins (1.98% versus 1.26%; odds ratio for twins 0.63; 95% confidence interval 0.53–0.75; p < 0.001 ), this was mostly due to fetal and not to early neonatal mortality. Congenital malformations occurred less frequently in twins (2.5% versus 3.7%; odds ratio for twins 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.69–0.92; p = 0.001). From gestational age of 32 weeks on, respiratory distress syndrome was less frequent in twins (6.7% versus 8.0%; odds ratio for twins 0.81; 95% confidence interval 0.68–0.97; p = 0.011 ). No significant differences were noted with regard to intraventricular haemorrhage, neonatal infections and retinopathy of prematurity. Although twins have a lower birthweight, their outcome is more favorable compared to singletons, when matched for gestational age.
Response of faults to climate-driven changes in ice and water volumes on Earth’s surface

Numerical models including one or more faults in a rheologically stratified lithosphere show that climate-induced variations in ice and water volumes on Earth’s surface considerably affect the slip evolution of both thrust and normal faults. In general, the slip rate and hence the seismicity of a fault decreases during loading and increases during unloading. Here, we present several case studies to show that a postglacial slip rate increase occurred on faults worldwide in regions where ice caps and lakes decayed at the end of the last glaciation. Of note is that the postglacial amplification of seismicity was not restricted to the areas beneath the large Laurentide and Fennoscandian ice sheets but also occurred in regions affected by smaller ice caps or lakes, e.g. the Basin-and-Range Province. Our results do not only have important consequences for the interpretation of palaeoseismological records from faults in these regions but also for the evaluation of the future seismicity in regions currently affected by deglaciation like Greenland and Antarctica: shrinkage of the modern ice sheets owing to global warming may ultimately lead to an increase in earthquake frequency in these regions.
Social class and schizophrenia in a Dutch cohort

Synopsis Recent data from a 2-year follow-up of functional non-affective psychosis, and particularly schizophrenia, favoured social selection rather than social causation theory. Data concerning the cohort were compared with inter- and intra-generational mobility in a random Dutch sample. The results indicate that the educational and occupational mobility of patients, relative to their fathers, was greater than expected. Although patients were better educated than the random sample, they fared less well occupationally. An analysis of patterns of occupational mobility before and after the onset of psychosis also showed that social selection played a major role in achieving social status. The outcome of patients' occupational career at follow-up was poor, and only a minority succeeded in obtaining or keeping a regular job.
Differentiation of ovarian endometriomas from hemorrhagic cysts at MR imaging: utility of the T2 dark spot sign.

PURPOSE To determine sensitivity and specificity of the T2 dark spot sign in helping to distinguish endometriomas from other hemorrhagic adnexal lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS This HIPAA-compliant, institutional review board-approved retrospective study, with informed consent waived, included 56 women (mean age, 38.8 years; range, 18-66 years). With a radiology database search of pelvic magnetic resonance images from December 16, 2002, to July 24, 2012, 74 cystic hemorrhagic adnexal lesions with hyperintense signal on T1-weighted images were identified. Lesions were excluded if they had solid enhancing components. Final diagnosis was established with pathologic analysis for all endometriomas and neoplasms. Hemorrhagic cysts were diagnosed with pathologic analysis (n = 7), follow-up imaging (n = 13), or prior ultrasonography (n = 5). Two radiologists independently reviewed cases and recorded the presence or absence of T2 shading and T2 dark spots. T2 dark spots were defined as discrete, well-defined markedly hypointense foci within the adnexal lesion on T2-weighted images. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the T2 dark spot sign in distinguishing endometriomas from nonendometrioma hemorrhagic lesions were calculated. RESULTS Sixteen of 45 endometriomas (36%), zero of 25 hemorrhagic cysts, and two of four neoplasms (50%) (all serous cystadenomas) demonstrated T2 dark spots. Forty-two of 45 endometriomas (93%), 12 of 25 hemorrhagic cysts (48%), and four of four neoplasms (100%) demonstrated T2 shading. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of T2 dark spots for differentiating endometriomas from other hemorrhagic cystic ovarian masses were 36% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 19.8, 51.3), 93% (95% CI: 83.9, 100), 89% (95% CI: 63.9, 98.1), and 48% (95% CI: 34.8, 61.8), respectively, and for T2 shading, they were 93% (95% CI: 84.0, 100), 45% (95% CI: 27.8, 61.9), 72% (95% CI: 58.9, 83.0), and 81% (95% CI: 53.7, 95.0), respectively. CONCLUSION The T2 dark spot sign has high specificity for chronic hemorrhage and is useful to differentiate endometriomas from hemorrhagic cysts. The T2 shading sign is sensitive but not specific for endometriomas. Online supplemental material is available for this article.
Study on flow electrification hazards with ester oils

Mineral oils are commonly used for cooling and electrical insulation purposes in electrical power transformers. Nevertheless, these oils are especially problematic for the environment in the case of burning and leakage. Thanks to their higher fire point and excellent biodegradability, ester oils could be a good candidate to replace mineral oils. Thus, some transformer manufacturers have launched investigations by filling medium power transformers with ester oils and especially natural ester oils.
Rigid fixation improves outcomes of spinal fusion for C1-C2 instability in children with skeletal dysplasias.

BACKGROUND Upper cervical instability is common in many skeletal dysplasias, and surgical treatment can be difficult because of small, fragile osseous elements. In this study of children with skeletal dysplasia and upper cervical instability, we compared fusion rates and complications between (1) patients treated with no instrumentation or with wiring techniques and (2) those who underwent rigid cervical spine instrumentation. We also sought to characterize the presentation and common parameters of upper cervical instability in this population. METHODS A multicenter study identified twenty-eight children with skeletal dysplasia who underwent surgery from 2000 through 2011 for C1-C2 instability and were followed for a minimum of two years. Fourteen children were treated with no instrumentation or with instrumentation with wires or cables (nonrigid-fixation group) and fourteen were treated with screws (or hooks) and rods (rigid-fixation group). All patients received autograft, and twenty (twelve in the nonrigid group and eight in the rigid group) were treated with a halo-body jacket. RESULTS Fourteen children had C1-C2 fusion, and fourteen had occipitocervical fusion. Eleven (39%) underwent spinal cord decompression. The nonunion rate was significantly higher in the nonrigid-fixation group (six of fourteen) than in the rigid-fixation group (zero of fourteen; p = 0.0057). Complications, including nonunion, occurred in nine patients in the nonrigid group and one patient in the rigid group. However, two of the complications in the nonrigid-fixation group were vertebral artery bleeding episodes that actually occurred during an attempt at rigid fixation (the fixation was subsequently done with wiring). No new neurologic deficits were observed. Five of the seven children with a preoperative neurologic deficit showed at least partial recovery, with significant improvement in the Japanese Orthopaedic Association upper-extremity score (p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS The nonunion rate is relatively high after patients undergo spinal fusion for C1-C2 instability with nonrigid instrumentation, even if a halo-body jacket is applied. Rigid fixation with screws and rods improves fusion rates.
Refusal to Treat Patients Does Not Work in Any Country—Even If Misleadingly Labeled “Conscientious Objection”

We would like to point out some serious problems and contradictions in the study “Regulation of Conscientious Objection to Abortion: An International Comparative Multiple-Case Study,” by Wendy Chavkin, Laurel Swerdlow, and Jocelyn Fifield (Health and Human Rights Journal, vol. 19, no. 1, 2017). The study purports to show that it is possible to accommodate health care providers’ “conscientious objection” (CO) to legal abortion while assuring that women with an unwanted pregnancy have access to health care services. The researchers examined four countries—England, Italy, Portugal, and Norway—all Western democracies with laws that allow CO for abortion. They conclude that England, Norway, and Portugal are able to permit CO by law and still provide and fund abortion care. Italy is the major exception, where access to legal abortion is seriously compromised due to a very high number of objectors. However, significant information is omitted from the study, the choice of countries and interviewed stakeholders are selective and unrepresentative, and the findings are interpreted in a biased way. The study does not lend weight to the acceptance of CO for abortion in any country, including the four studied. Instead, the results confirm that refusing to provide basic health care cannot and should not be “accommodated” with patient needs—not even if the treatment refusal is misleadingly called “conscientious objection. ” In the introduction, the authors explain that CO was introduced into law “out of political compromise or pragmatic necessity,” but they omit the obvious reasons for this unprecedented intrusion of personal beliefs into medical regulation. Individuals are allowed to boycott a democratically decided law because of society’s deference to religious beliefs and traditional views that assign women to a childbearing role. This points to an inappropriate and unethical basis for CO in reproductive health care—one that has little in common with the military CO it is dishonestly named after. Indeed, many people have argued against the exercise of CO in health care, but the authors never mention this opposing view.1 The study’s selection of four countries that allow CO is biased and rather puzzling. At least 22 countries allow CO through regulation, so why did the authors exclude most of them? They cite the four countries’ ratification of various international human rights agreements as one apparent reason. However, ratified agreements are no guarantee of compliance and have limited relevance to the utility of CO regulation. They also state that the four countries meeting their requirements are those with CO clauses in statute, legal abortion, and funded health care, and are “all high-income Western European countries with liberal
Comparison of bactericidal activity of five antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus.

Ten volunteers were given each of five antibiotics, sequentially, until steady state was reached. Peak and trough sera were then drawn, and bactericidal titers were determined to two different isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, both sensitive in vitro to all antibiotics tested. The antibiotics were cephalexin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMZ), clindamycin, dicloxacillin, and ciprofloxacin. Mean peak serum bactericidal titers (SBT) were significantly higher for cephalexin than for dicloxacillin, ciprofloxacin, and TMP/SMZ (P less than .05). The difference between cephalexin and clindamycin did not achieve statistical significance. Dicloxacillin, clindamycin, and ciprofloxacin were not statistically different from each other. Mean SBT for TMP/SMZ was less than 1:2, significantly less than that achieved by the other antibiotics. Only clindamycin achieved a trough SBT greater than 1:2. This was statistically significant compared with each of the other antibiotics.
Pathogenic microbes, the microbiome, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD)

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the leading cause of cognitive and behavioral impairment in industrialized societies. The cause of AD is unknown and the major risk factor for AD is age. About 5% of all AD cases have a genetic or familial cause however the vast majority of all AD cases (~95%) are of sporadic origin. Both the familial and the sporadic forms of AD share a common disease phenotype involving at least eight characteristic features including (i) evidence of uncontrolled oxidative stress; (ii) up-regulated pro-inflammatory signaling; (iii) changes in innate-immune signaling; (iv) the progressive accumulation of lesions including neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) and amyloid beta (Aβ)-containing senile plaques (SP); (v) significant synaptic signaling deficits; (vi) neurite and brain cell atrophy; (vii) progressively altered gene expression patterns that are different from healthy brain aging; and (viii) progressive cognitive impairment and dementia in the host. There is currently no cure or adequate clinical treatment for AD, and it remains unclear how AD originates and propagates throughout the brain and central nervous system (CNS). Results from recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) indicate that a significant portion of AD-relevant gene signals are not located within gene coding regions suggesting the contribution of epigenetic or environmental factors to AD risk. The potential contribution of pathogenic microbes to aging and AD is becoming increasingly recognized (Miklossy, 2011; Cho and Blaser, 2012; Bhattacharjee and Lukiw, 2013; Poole et al., 2013; Heintz and Mair, 2014; Huang et al., 2014; Mancuso et al., 2014). Importantly, most of the changes seen in AD, such as inflammation, brain cell atrophy, immunological aberrations, amyloidogenesis, altered gene expression and cognitive deficits are also seen as a consequence of microbial infection (Cho and Blaser, 2012; Yatsunenko et al., 2012; Bhattacharjee and Lukiw, 2013; Foster and McVey Neufeld, 2013; Kim et al., 2013; Heintz and Mair, 2014; Mancuso et al., 2014). This brief communication will review some recent observations on the potential contribution of pathogens to neurological dysfunction, with specific reference to AD wherever possible.
Therapeutic potential of Phyllanthus emblica (amla): the ayurvedic wonder

Medicinal plants are nature's gift to human beings to promote a disease free healthy life. Many medicinal plants are present in a group of herbal preparations of the Indian traditional health care system (Ayurveda) named Rasayana proposed for their interesting antioxidant activities. Phyllanthus emblica Linn. (syn. Emblica officinalis), commonly known as Indian gooseberry or amla, family Euphorbiaceae, is an important herbal drug used in unani (Graceo - arab) and ayurvedic systems of medicine. The plant is used both as a medicine and as a tonic to build up lost vitality and vigor. Phyllanthus emblica is highly nutritious and could be an important dietary source of vitamin C, amino acids, and minerals. The plant also contains phenolic compounds, tannins, phyllembelic acid, phyllembelin, rutin, curcum-inoids, and emblicol. All parts of the plant are used for medicinal purposes, especially the fruit, which has been used in Ayurveda as a potent rasayana and in traditional medicine for the treatment of diarrhea, jaundice, and inflammation. Various plant parts show antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, antibacterial, antioxidant, antiulcerogenic, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, and chemopreventive properties. Here we discuss its historical, etymological, morphological and pharmacological aspects.
Comparisons of the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra of cashmere, guard hair, wool and other animal fibres

Abstract Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), identifies chemical bands related to chemical bonds including amino acid groups. The potential for FTIR to differentiate animal fibres from different origins was investigated using cashmere (Chinese, Australian, Iranian), wool (Chinese, Australian), bison wool, qiviut from Musk-ox, vicuña and guard hairs present in these raw fibre samples. Cashmere from a controlled nutrition experiment with known amino acid composition was included in the study. While the intensity of FTIR spectra were moderately correlated with the content of some of the amino acids in cashmere, this investigation did not detect any significant systematic effects of nutritional manipulation of cashmere goats on the FTIR spectra of their cashmere. Significant differences were detected in the intensity of FTIR spectra between cashmere and wool, cashmere from different origins, white and coloured cashmere, and between cashmere and hair. The FTIR spectra of cashmere and wool overlapped with those of bison, qiviut and vicuña. The intensity of FTIR spectra were not correlated with the mean fibre diameter of samples but the intensity of most spectra bands were positively correlated with the fibre curvature of the samples (r = 0.27–0.38). Based on these results it does not seem likely that FTIR spectra offer a reliable method to distinguish between pure cashmere and blends of cashmere with wool or other animal fibre for diagnostic tests to determine the fibre composition in finished textiles.
Intermediate models of Prikry generic extensions

We prove that if V ⊆ V[h] is a generic extension by Prikry forcing then every transitive intermediate model M of ZFC , where V $ M ⊆ V[h] , is again a Prikry generic extension of V . Moreover the family of intermediate models is parametrised by P(ω)/finite. The result is proved by studying V-constructibility degrees of sets in V[h] using parameters in V .