Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic Characterization of Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 in Mozambique: Transcontinental Lineages Drive the HTLV-1 Endemic

Background Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 (HTLV-1) is the etiological agent of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). It has been estimated that 10–20 million people are infected worldwide, but no successful treatment is available. Recently, the epidemiology of this virus was addressed in blood donors from Maputo, showing rates from 0.9 to 1.2%. However, the origin and impact of HTLV endemic in this population is unknown. Objective To assess the HTLV-1 molecular epidemiology in Mozambique and to investigate their relationship with HTLV-1 lineages circulating worldwide. Methods Blood donors and HIV patients were screened for HTLV antibodies by using enzyme immunoassay, followed by Western Blot. PCR and sequencing of HTLV-1 LTR region were applied and genetic HTLV-1 subtypes were assigned by the neighbor-joining method. The mean genetic distance of Mozambican HTLV-1 lineages among the genetic clusters were determined. Human mitochondrial (mt) DNA analysis was performed and individuals classified in mtDNA haplogroups. Results LTR HTLV-1 analysis demonstrated that all isolates belong to the Transcontinental subgroup of the Cosmopolitan subtype. Mozambican HTLV-1 sequences had a high inter-strain genetic distance, reflecting in three major clusters. One cluster is associated with the South Africa sequences, one is related with Middle East and India strains and the third is a specific Mozambican cluster. Interestingly, 83.3% of HIV/HTLV-1 co-infection was observed in the Mozambican cluster. The human mtDNA haplotypes revealed that all belong to the African macrohaplogroup L with frequencies representatives of the country. Conclusions The Mozambican HTLV-1 genetic diversity detected in this study reveals that although the strains belong to the most prevalent and worldwide distributed Transcontinental subgroup of the Cosmopolitan subtype, there is a high HTLV diversity that could be correlated with at least 3 different HTLV-1 introductions in the country. The significant rate of HTLV-1a/HIV-1C co-infection, particularly in the Mozambican cluster, has important implications for the controls programs of both viruses.
Premature discontinuation of patients: a potential bias in COPD clinical trials

Premature discontinuation from clinical trials may bias results against effective therapies. In the present study mortality rates were retrospectively reviewed in a 6-month, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in which tiotropium 18 μg daily was shown to decrease chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations. Patients participated for 6 months even if trial medication was prematurely discontinued. Exposure-adjusted incidence rates (IRs) were calculated for randomisation–end trial, randomisation–end trial drug (0–ED) and end trial drug–end trial (ED–ET). Of 1,829 patients (forced expiratory volume in one second 1.04 L (36% predicted), mean age 68 yrs, 99% male), 16% tiotropium and 27% placebo patients prematurely stopped trial medication. The number of fatal events for the entire cohort was: 62 all cause, including 16 cardiac and 16 lower respiratory. IRs for fatal events per 100 patient-yrs were higher in the discontinued period: 1.9 (0–ED) versus 23.0 (ED–ET) in the tiotropium group and 1.8 versus 19.0 in the placebo group. Respective IRs for fatal cardiac events were 0.7 versus 2.8 (tiotropium) and 0.5 versus 6.2 (placebo); for fatal lower respiratory events were 0.7 versus 2.8 (tiotropium) and 0.8 versus 5.4 (placebo). Rate ratios (tiotropium/placebo) for fatal events were lower in the discontinued period: 1.4 versus 0.5 for cardiac and 0.9 versus 0.5 for lower respiratory. Higher incidence rates of fatal events occurred following premature discontinuation of study medication. Incomplete information from rate ratios occurs as a result of failure to consider outcomes of patients who discontinue early from clinical trials.
Is there a uniform basal endometrial gene expression profile during the implantation window in women who became pregnant in a subsequent ICSI cycle?

BACKGROUND To understand which genes are really involved in the implantation process, we planned to study the gene basal expression profile during the window of implantation (WOI) of patients who became pregnant in a subsequent ICSI cycle. METHODS Women attending their first ICSI cycle at ANDROS Day Surgery for severe male factor infertility were included in the study. An endometrial biopsy was performed during the WOI, in one of the last two cycles before the ICSI cycle. Forty-seven selected gene profiles were analyzed using Low Density Array technology. Only biopsies from women who subsequently became pregnant were evaluated, to exclude any bias regarding embryo viability and embryo transfer difficulties. RESULTS Fifteen patients were included in the analysis as they became pregnant after ICSI procedure. Four of 47 selected genes were excluded from the analysis. Of the 43 genes analyzed, only 6 genes (VEGFA, PLA2G2A, ALPL, LIF, NNMT and STC1) showed a statistically uniform expression among patients who subsequently became pregnant. For all the other genes analyzed there were considerable differences in their expression levels amongst women who subsequently became pregnant. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that very few genes, which change their expression level during the WOI, show a quantitative homogeneous expression in endometrially-receptive patients. In conclusion, in this study only six genes showed a homogeneous expression, and are probably involved in embryo implantation mechanisms.
Giant Muscle Fibres in Pigs with Different Ryr1 Genotype

This study examined the frequency, morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of the giant fibres in the longissimus muscle of local Krško polje pigs with different Ryr1 genotypes. Giant fibres were round‐shaped and had significantly increased cross‐sectional area compared with normal muscle fibres. Only fast‐twitch glycolytic fibres were affected, usually showing enhanced succinate dehydrogenase activity. On the ultrastructural level, the dilation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, swelling of mitochondria and destruction of myofilaments was observed. The incidence of giant fibres was the highest in Ryr1 dimutant pigs (Ryr1 nn), which also exhibited lower muscle pH1 than heterozygous (Ryr1 Nn) or pigs with the wild Ryr1 gene (Ryr1 NN). However, the giant fibres were also present in pigs free of Ryr1 gene mutation. Our results suggest that the giant fibre syndrome depends mostly upon the rate and intensity of early post‐mortem glycolysis, which results in acidity of muscle tissue. We suppose that the giant fibre formation is a result of excessive intracellular lactate accumulation in some fast‐twitch glycolytic fibres. This process could also explain the ultrastructural alterations and the consequent changes in the oxidative enzymes and myofibrillar ATPase staining pattern observed in our and some previous studies.
Eddy correlation measurements of oxygen fluxes in permeable sediments exposed to varying current flow and light

Based on noninvasive eddy correlation measurements at a marine and a freshwater site, this study documents the control that current flow and light have on sediment‐water oxygen fluxes in permeable sediments. The marine sediment was exposed to tidal‐driven current and light, and the oxygen flux varied from night to day between −29 and 78 mmol m−2 d−1. A fitting model, assuming a linear increase in oxygen respiration with current flow, and a photosynthesis‐irradiance curve for light‐controlled production reproduced measured fluxes well (R2 = 0.992) and revealed a 4‐fold increase in oxygen uptake when current velocity increased from ∼ 0 to 20 cm s−1. Application of the model to a week‐long measured record of current velocity and light showed that net ecosystem metabolism varied substantially among days, between −27 and 31 mmol m−2 d−1, due to variations in light and current flow. This variation is likely typical of many shallow‐water systems and highlights the need for long‐term flux integrations to determine system metabolism accurately. At the freshwater river site, the sediment‐water oxygen flux ranged from −360 to 137 mmol m−2 d−1. A direct comparison during nighttime with concurrent benthic chamber incubations revealed a 4.1 times larger eddy flux than that obtained with chambers. The current velocity during this comparison was 31 cm s−1, and the large discrepancy was likely caused by poor imitation by the chambers of the natural pore‐water flushing at this high current velocity. These results emphasize the need for more noninvasive oxygen flux measurements in permeable sediments to accurately assess their role in local and global carbon budgets.
The trajectory of palliative care costs over the last 5 months of life: a Canadian longitudinal study

Objective: This study aimed to highlight the trajectory of palliative care costs over the last five months of life in five urban centres across Canada. Subjects: The study sample was comprised of 160 terminally ill patients and their main informal caregivers. Research Design: A first interview took place in the patient’s home, and subsequent follow-up interviews were conducted by telephone at two week intervals until the patient’s passing. Measures: Participants were asked to provide information on the goods and services they used related to the patients’ health condition, and on informal caregiving time. Results: The overall costs of care gradually increased from the fifth to the last month of the patients’ life. A large part of this cost increase was attributable to inpatient care. Among outpatient care costs the largest increase was observed for home care. Informal care costs were particularly high over the last 3 months of life. Conclusions: The knowledge gained from this study would be useful to policy makers when developing policies that could help families caring for a terminally ill loved one at home.
MicroRNA-22 Induces Endothelial Progenitor Cell Senescence by Targeting AKT3

Objectives: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an important role in postnatal neovascularization. The number and function of EPCs declines as part of aging-associated senescence, thereby potentially contributing to vascular pathologies. Here, we investigated the significance and molecular mechanisms of microRNA-22 (miR-22) governing EPC senescence. Methods: EPCs were isolated from human circulating mononuclear cells from healthy young and aged volunteers. Cell senescence, proliferation, migration and tube formation ability were detected by SA-β-gal staining assay, MTT assay, transwell assay and Matrigel-based angiogenesis assay. Gene and protein expression were analyzed by qRT-PCR and Western blot respectively. Results: We found that miR-22 was upregulated in aged EPCs. Overexpression of miR-22 in young EPCs induced cell senescence, decreased proliferation and migration, and impaired angiogenesis in vitro. Conversely, silencing of endogenous miR-22 led to decreased cell senescence, increased proliferation and migration, and improved angiogenesis. AKT3 was identified as a direct target of miR-22, and restoration of AKT3 expression attenuated the effects of miR-22 in young EPCs. Conclusion: Our results indicate that miR-22 induces EPC senescence by downregulating AKT3 expression, providing a potential novel target for the reversal of EPC dysfunction in angiogenesis.
A numerical study of red–green colour opponent properties in the primate retina

It remains an important question whether neural function is mediated entirely by its tailored circuitry. A persistent debate in retinal colour vision is whether the centre and the surround of a ganglion cell receptive field receive dominant inputs either from L or M cones in an antagonistic manner (the selective wiring model) or mixed inputs (the mixed wiring model). Despite many anatomical, physiological and psychophysical experiments, a decisive conclusion has not been reached. An in‐depth examination of what the pure mixed wiring mechanisms predicts is therefore important. These two models make different predictions both for the fovea and for the peripheral retina. Recently, a dynamic cellular model of the primate fovea was developed [ Momiji et al. (2006 ) Vis. Res., 46, 365–381]. Unlike earlier models, it explicitly incorporates spatial non‐uniformities, such as the random arrangement of L and M cones. Here, a related model is developed for the peripheral retina by incorporating anatomically reasonable degrees of convergence between cones, bipolar cells and ganglion cells. These two models, in which selective wiring mechanisms are absent, are applied to describe both foveal and peripheral colour vision. In numerical simulations, peripheral ganglion cells are less colour sensitive than foveal counterparts, but none‐the‐less display comparative sensitivities. Furthermore, peripheral colour sensitivity increases with temporal frequency, relative to foveal sensitivity. These results are congruent with recent physiological experiments.
The Nature and Measurement of Intuition: Cognitive and Behavioral Interests, Personality, and Experiences

In recent times, there are many areas of daily functioning when intuition is thought to serve a useful function, especially in regard to decision making and business. However, scientific research on the construct is sparse. This study aims to advance our understanding of the concept and measurement of intuition and to compare responses on 2 different types of measures of intuition in determining intuition from interests, personality, and experiences. Fifty-three first year psychology students completed the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI) and the Accumulated Clues Task (ACT) to estimate their intuitive traits and ability. Participants also completed an intuitive interests measure and an intuitive experiences questionnaire. The 2 intuition measures were not related, suggesting that they may measure different dimensions of intuition or even different constructs. In general, intuitive interests, personality, and experiences predicted scores on MBTI Intuition but not ACT Intuition. Scores on the MBTI Intuition were correlated with personality (Openness and Extraversion) and were predicted by interests in Artistic, Unconventional, Adventure-Seeking, Innovation, Exploration, and Discovery; scores on ACT Intuition were predicted by an interest in adventure-seeking activities but were not predicted by personality, cognitive interest components, or the majority of behavioral interest components. High MBTI intuitive individuals reported that they had had premonitions about the future that had come true, and that they used intuition frequently, when there was uncertainty and the facts were limited. Suggestions are made for future research into this elusive construct.
Effect on work ability after team evaluation of functioning regarding pain, self-rated disability, and work ability assessment

To evaluate the effect of a 1–2 week multiprofessional team assessment, without a real rehabilitation effort, 60 patients suffering from long-standing pain and on long-lasting time on sick leave were studied. A questionnaire concerning their daily activities, quality of life, pain intensity, sick-leave level, and their work state was filled out by all patients before starting the assessment and at a 1-year follow-up. The results from the assessment period and the multiprofessional team decision of the patient’s working ability were compared with the actual working rate after 1 year. The follow-up showed a significant reduction of sick leave and a higher level of activity (P < 0.001). One year after the initial evaluation, 40% showed a reduction in sickness benefit level and 12% resumed full-time work. However, the team evaluation of the patient’s work ability did not correlate to predict the actual outcome. The patient’s pain intensity, life satisfaction, gender, age, ethnic background, and time absent from work before the start of the evaluation showed no correlation to reduction on time on sickness benefit level. These parameters could not be used as predictors in this study.
Body iron stores and the risk of coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND Recent studies have suggested an association between higher body iron stores and the risk of coronary heart disease. To assess these findings, we examined the association between transferrin saturation and the risk of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, overall mortality, and mortality from cardiovascular causes in a large population. METHODS We studied a total of 4518 men and women from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-up Study, using a multivariate Cox proportional-hazards model. Base-line data were collected from 1971 to 1974, with follow-up through 1987. Transferrin saturation (serum iron concentration divided by total iron-binding capacity) was used as a measure of the amount of circulating iron available to tissues. RESULTS The risk of coronary heart disease was not related to transferrin-saturation levels in white men or women. Estimates of the relative risk of coronary heart disease for the fifth quintile of transferrin saturation as compared with the first quintile were 0.72 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.51 to 1.00) for men and 0.85 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.60 to 1.21) for women. The results were similar for myocardial infarction. A significant inverse association with transferrin saturation was found for overall mortality and for mortality from cardiovascular causes in white men and women. Transferrin saturation was not associated with any of the clinical outcomes in blacks, possibly owing to the small sample. CONCLUSIONS Higher transferrin-saturation levels were not associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease or myocardial infarction. On the contrary, the results indicate that there may be an inverse association of iron stores with overall mortality and with mortality from cardiovascular causes.
The Anti-deficit Approach: Reassessing the Notion of Pasifika Academic Achievement

ii Dedication . iii Acknowledgements . iv Glossary . ix Abbreviations . x Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 Context . 2 Aims and objectives . 4 Rationale . 4 Methodology. 5 Theoretical approach . 6 Research questions . 7 Chapter overview. 8 Chapter 2: Literature Review . 9 Introduction . 9 Success: what does it mean to Pasifika people? 10 Theorising achievement and “underachievement” . 10 Findings within the school. 10 Streaming . 11 Curriculum . 12 Inclusion in the curriculum . 12 Pacific languages in the curriculum . 14 Teachers . 14 Counsellors, mentors, and other institutional support . 16 Pedagogy . 17 Findings inside the home and community . 17 Parents and the transmission of cultural identity . 17 Families and their attitudes towards education . 18 Supportive home environment . 19 Peers and community . 19 Conclusion . 20 Chapter 3: Background of research on Pasifika students’ academic achievement . 22 Introduction . 22 The curriculum poses challenges for Pasifika learners . 23 Pacific languages and worldviews are excluded in the education of Pasifika . 25 At school I’ve got a chance: a vignette of exclusion . 26 Pasifika students’ cultural identities and academic achievement . 27
Sex dependency and genetic modulation of emotional processing and memory : a behavioural and imaging study

Emotional processing and episodic memory are topics of great interest in neuroscience research. It is known that both of these two cognitive processes can be influenced by a variety of factors. The scope of this thesis is to highlight the importance and describe the role of two of these factors, namely sex and genetics. Our investigation on this topic consists of results that have been reported in five peer-reviewed publications, where methods from different disciplines like neuroimaging, psychoneuroendocrinology, and epigenetics were combined. In order to assess sex-dependent differences in emotional processing and episodic memory, we conducted (in our first publication) behavioural and imaging analyses within a large sample of healthy young subjects. Our results point to differences between the sexes in emotional appraisal as well as setting-dependent differences in memory performance of pictorial information, which seem to be independent of each other. We additionally investigated the modulatory character of endogenous testosterone levels on emotional processing and memory (in the second publication). The results may suggest a role of testosterone in enhancing memory performance for neutral stimuli by increasing the biological salience of this information, as indicated by increased arousal ratings and amygdala reactivity to these stimuli. To further investigate the genetic modulation of emotional processing and episodic memory we focused on the role of three genes (neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor type 2 (NTRK2), protein kinase C alpha (PRKCA) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)). We provided (in out third publication) evidence for a role of a NTRK2 variant in the emotion processing of positive stimuli in healthy young subjects and additionally found NTRK2- dependent differences in white matter measures as well as methylation levels. In reference to episodic memory, we found (in the fourth publication) that PRKCA plays a role in memory performance of healthy subjects and is also associated with specific symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as the risk to develop PTSD in genocide survivors. Finally (in the fifth publication), by combining original data with meta-analytic techniques, we found no association between a genetic variant of the BDNF gene and hippocampal volumes in our original data and show that the weak association in the meta- analysis is moderated by measuring techniques, publication year and sample size. Taken together, these results support the presence of sex-dependent differences in emotional processing as well as episodic memory and emphasize the role of specific genes in these processes.
SETTING THE AGENDA ON ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS IN NORWAY

This paper contributes to the understanding of the developing relationships between non-governmental organisations (NGOs), journalists and environmental issues in general, and climate change in particular. It follows 17 Norwegian NGOs over a period of 10 years, evaluating their ability to set the agenda for public debate on environmental issues in Norway, about the types of organisations that have succeeded in setting the agenda in Norwegian print media over the last 10 years. What role does the emergence of climate change as a dominating global environmental issue play in the agenda-setting capacity of Norwegian NGOs? The results do not support earlier findings that highlight an increasing media focus on sensation and identification and a lack of depth and quality. By contrast, the “winners” found in this investigation are generally those organisations that focus on producing knowledge, and not those that focus on supposedly media-friendly activism. The results also stand in contrast to existing literature on the “success” of Greenpeace. Greenpeace and similar organisations found it hard to compete for media attention as the media interest turned from pollution, roads, dams and local issues to the very complex matter of global climate change. These findings are, finally, used to reflect on how journalists employ journalistic norms.