Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role for the histone-like protein H-NS in growth phase-dependent and osmotic regulation of sigma S and many sigma S-dependent genes in Escherichia coli

The sigma S subunit of RNA polymerase (encoded by the rpoS gene) is the master regulator in a complex regulatory network that controls stationary-phase induction and osmotic regulation of many genes in Escherichia coli. Here we demonstrate that the histone-like protein H-NS is also a component of this network, in which it functions as a global inhibitor of gene expression during the exponential phase of growth. On two-dimensional gels, at least 22 sigma S-controlled proteins show increased expression in an hns mutant. H-NS also inhibits the expression of sigma S itself by a mechanism that acts at the posttranscriptional level. Our results indicate that relief of repression by H-NS plays a role in stationary-phase induction as well as in hyperosmotic induction of rpoS translation. Whereas certain sigma S-dependent genes (e.g., osmY) are only indirectly regulated by H-NS via its role in the control of sigma S expression, others are also H-NS-regulated in a sigma S-independent manner. (For this latter class of genes, rpoS hns double mutants show higher levels of expression than mutants deficient in rpoS alone.) In addition, we demonstrate that the slow-growth phenotype of hns mutants is suppressed in hns rpoS double mutants and that many second-site suppressor mutants that spontaneously arise from hns strains carry lesions that affect the expression of sigma S.
Continuous positive airway pressure therapy improves hypoadiponectinemia in severe obese men with obstructive sleep apnea without changes in insulin resistance.

BACKGROUND Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with several conditions that could facilitate the onset of cardiovascular and metabolic dysfunctions. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy has been shown to improve cardiovascular morbidity and mortality related to OSA, but the mechanisms underlying this association are not fully understood. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether sleep apnea contributes to insulin resistance and inflammatory marker alterations and to evaluate the benefits of nasal CPAP therapy in severe obese patients with OSA. METHODS Plasma inflammatory cytokines and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR, Insulin Sensitivity Index [ISI]) were measured in severe obese male with OSA (n = 16) and compared with body mass index (BMI)-matched male controls without OSA (n = 13). Seven patients with severe sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea index >30 events/h) were reevaluated after 3 months of nasal CPAP therapy. RESULTS OSA patients had a significantly lower adiponectin levels than obese controls (8.7 +/- 1.18 ng/mL vs. 15.0 +/- 2.55 ng/mL, P = 0.025). HOMA-IR, ISI, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were not different between groups. Although insulin resistance index and BMI values did not change after 3 months of nCPAP therapy, adiponectin levels increased (P = 0.036) and the levels of TNF-alpha tended to decrease (P = 0.065). Changes in adiponectin levels during nCPAP therapy were positively correlated with an improvement in minimum oxygen saturation (r = 0.773; P = 0.041) and negatively correlated with changes in TNF-alpha levels (r = -0.885; P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS nCPAP therapy reverses hypoadiponectinemia levels present in obese men with OSA, probably through reductions in hypoxia and inflammation activity.
Factors of patient satisfaction with medical services: the case of G.P. practices in the U.K.

This paper investigates whether factors previously identified in the literature are also important in the U.K. primary healthcare system. In a survey based on the SERVQUAL scale, 182 patients were personally interviewed. The analysis shows that the demographic variable age and gender are of little importance in determining satisfaction with G.P. services but the fundholding-non-fundholding divide is. For nearly every aspect of G.P. services the results clearly show that patients from fundholding surgeries are happier than patients from nonfundholding surgeries.
A Discussion of Techniques Used in the Teaching of the Passe Compose/Imparfait Distinction in French.

RESULTS OF AN INFORMAL POLL taken recently of teachers of high school French show that one of the most difficult points of French grammar to teach to native speakers of English is the distinction between the passe compose and the imparfait.1 Students are confused because no neat equivalent distinction exists in English. The same can be said, however, for many, perhaps most aspects of the French language. Why then the extraordinary confusion experienced by students faced with this particular structure? I belive that most of their troubles are the result of vague, incomplete, contradictory, and generally poor explanations found in most beginning textbooks. The aim of this article is to point out the harm in these textbook explanations and then to propose a simple yet complete alternative which eliminates most of the confusion. The traditional portion of the article is of necessity longer than the non-traditional proposal, as I must break down the complex traditional explanations and discuss the problems with each point. (These are not always immediately obvious except in the fact that they do not work well.) Data for this study were taken from twelve current beginning and intermediate level college textbooks.2 The non-traditional explanation then proposed is in fact found in many of these books, but always mixed in with and lost among other explanations. It is a simple statement of the basic difference between Imperfective and Perfective aspect, a difference that is taught in graduate linguistic classes (hence my introduction to it) and has been discussed in linguistic articles (see Pulgram; Comrie 3, 70; Klein 98-100). I have been using the linguistic explanation exclusively in my college French classes for the past five years, with consistently excellent results. All of the beginning French texts examined introduce the passe compose, by giving a blanket definition of that tense, and then in subsequent chapters add sub-explanations, precisions and exceptions. This practice is unsound, confusing the student by giving him false impressions, leading him to believe one thing and then telling him just the opposite later on. It would be preferable to provide the student with one clear explanation at the outset, which holds in all cases. An example of a totally useless general definition of the passe compose which is found in many textbooks is that the passe compose is used to "indicate that an
Patterning behavior of gravitationally modulated supercritical Marangoni flow in liquid layers.

The objective of the present analysis is the investigation of hybrid convection induced by the joint influence of imposed vibrations (g-jitters) of desired amplitude and frequency and surface-tension-induced forces in a nonisothermal liquid layer. This study may be regarded as the natural extension of an earlier work [V. M. Shevtsova, I. Nepomnyashchy, and J. C. Legros, Phys. Rev. E 67, 066308 (2003)10.1103/PhysRevE.67. 066308], where the focus was on convection driven by interacting thermocapillarity and steady gravity. As in that work, conditions are considered for which the unperturbed (vibrationless) Marangoni flow would be characterized by the emergence and propagation of a classical hydrothermal wave, namely, a supercritical thermofluidynamic disturbance propagating continuously in the upstream direction. A number of numerical results are analyzed and discussed. Regimes of quasistationary rolls, standing waves, traveling waves, and modulated (pulsotraveling) disturbances are identified in the considered space of parameters. Most interestingly, it is observed that traveling waves can reverse their direction of propagation in some specific regions of the phase space.
[Epidemic characteristics and viral antibody level among healthy people of Japanese B encephalitis in Henan province in 2010].

OBJECTIVE To understand the epidemic characteristics and viral antibody level among healthy people of Japanese B encephalitis (JE) in Henan province in 2010. METHODS A total of 433 selected JE cases in Henan province in 2010 were analyzed by descriptive epidemiological method. Xinyang and Luoyang were selected as survey sites in 2010.12 administrative villages were randomly selected from both cities. As the investigation objects, 519 healthy people from the two cities were randomly selected by eight age groups:less than one year old, 1 - 2 years old, 3 - 4 years old, 5 - 6 years old, 7 - 14 years old, 15 - 19 years old, 20 - 59 years old, and above 60 years old. A total of 1008 samples of blood specimens were collected both in May and November, and JE viral antibody was detected by micro-cytopathic effect neutralization test. RESULTS The incidence rate of JE was 0.46/100 000 (433/94 130 434) in Henan province in 2010.97. 69% (423/433) of the patients were found between July and September, and 81.06% (351/433) were distributed in Nanyang, Xinyang, Luoyang, Zhumadian and Zhoukou city. Children aged 0 to 14 years were the primarily affected group (82.22%, 356/433), the people above 15 years old accounted for 17.78% (77/433) of whole cases in Henan province, but the same group accounted for 65.79% (50/76) of whole cases in Luoyang city, which obviously higher than the percentage in Henan province (χ(2) = 79.57, P < 0.05). Most patients were scattered children in Henan province, accounting for 58.89% (255/433). In Luoyang city, most patients were peasants, accounting for 44.74% (34/76). The antibody positive rate of JE among health people above 15 years old in Luoyang city was 48.94% (46/94), which was lower than it in Xinyang city at 97.78% (88/90). The difference showed statistical significance (χ(2) = 55.42, P < 0.05). The antibody positive rate among healthy people under vaccination was 50.41% (61/121), which was obviously higher than that among people without vaccination, at 16.67% (6/36) in Luoyang city. The difference showed statistical significance (χ(2) = 12.92, P < 0.05). The antibody positive rate among healthy people under vaccination was 67.11% (51/76) in Xinyang city, which was obviously higher than that among people without vaccination, at 46.39% (45/97). The difference showed statistical significance (χ(2) = 7.40, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The incidence of JE showed seasonal and regional characteristics, there were differences among ages and occupations. The difference was consistent with the difference in viral antibody level among health people in Henan province and Luoyang city.
[Neurolytic block of the lumbar sympathetic trunk in advanced stages of peripheral arterial occlusive disease].

UNLABELLED Neurolytic blocks of the lumbar sympathetic trunk enable a less invasive sympathetic denervation if compared to standard surgical procedures. METHODS 34 patients undergoing chemical lumbar sympathectomy (CLS) for advanced arterial occlusive disease were prospectively studied. An actual indication for reconstructive vascular surgical intervention had been excluded in all patients. The sympatholytic efficacy, different haemodynamic variables, the relief of rest pain and the effect on ischaemic ulcers were quantified before, 3 and 21 days after CLS. RESULTS The mean intensity of rest pain, as assessed on a visual analogue scale (0-100 mm), significantly decreased from 60 mm to 31 and 34 mm, respectively. 9 of 12 patients with ischaemic ulcers showed partial or complete remission within the study period. Overall, in 88% of patients sympathetic denervation could be demonstrated by ablation of the sympatho-galvanic skin response. The mean difference in skin temperature between the treated and the untreated leg significantly increased from -0.73 degrees C to +0.34 and +0.39 degrees C, respectively. Doppler-sonographic measurements of the ankle-pressure-index showed a minor increase from 0.34 to 0.36 and 0.42; however, these changes did not reach significance. Neither changes of the different physiologic variables nor data of the patient history could predict the relief of rest pain after CLS. The only side effect of CLS was transient neuralgia of the genitofemoral nerve occurring in 19% of patients. CONCLUSION Considering the relatively short follow-up period, the results of this study support evidence of the therapeutic efficacy of CLS for rest pain and ischaemic ulcers in patients with advanced arterial disease. The prognostic value of standard variables for estimation of sympathetic reactivity and skin blood flow, however, could not be confirmed.
Surface expression of CC‐ and CXC‐chemokine receptors on leucocyte subsets in inflammatory joint diseases

Chemokine receptors play a crucial role in the recruitment of leucocyte subsets into inflamed tissue. Using FACS analysis we have studied the surface expression of different CC‐ and CXC‐chemokine receptors on synovial fluid (SF) and peripheral blood leucocytes from 20 patients with various forms of arthritis. In the SF the majority T cells stained positive for CCR5 (93%) and CCR2 (57%), compared to the peripheral blood (36% and 25%). In addition, most of the T cells expressed CXCR4 in both compartments, with a somewhat higher percentage in the SF (90%) versus peripheral blood (83%). To date little information is available on chemokine receptor expression on monocytes in arthritis. We report a marked increase of CCR5+ monocytes in the SF (87%) compared to the peripheral blood (22%). In contrast, the frequency of CXCR1+, CXCR2+, CXCR4+ and CCR1+ monocytes was considerably lower in the SF than in the peripheral blood. Moreover, we report the expression CXCR4 on neutrophils in the SF. Approximately 60% of neutrophils stained positive for CXCR4 in the SF, while in the peripheral blood the number of CXCR4+ neutrophils was low (24%). Surface expression of CXCR1 and CXCR2 was significantly reduced on SF neutrophils (53% and 68%) compared to the peripheral blood. Chemokine receptors are differentially expressed on leucocyte subsets in arthritis. The identification of their pattern of expression might help to identify suitable targets for therapeutic intervention.
Coinheritance of hemoglobin D-Punjab and β0-thalassemia 3.4 kb deletion in a Thai girl

Hemoglobin (Hb) D-Punjab [β 121(GH4) Glu→ln; HBB: C.364G>C] and β0-thalassemia 3.4 kb deletion are very rare in the Thai population. For the first time, the coinheritance of HbD-Punjab with β0-thalassemia 3.4 kb deletion was reported in a 7-year-old Thai girl. She had mild anemia (Hb 115.0 g/L and mean corpuscular hemoglobin 18.1 pg) with red blood cell microcytosis (mean corpuscular volume 52.5 fL). By capillary electrophoresis (CE), HbD-Punjab was found at a migration position of 180 s with the value of 81.9% while the level of HbA2was 7.3%. Based on the elevated HbA2, the molecular analysis for detection of β0-thalassemia mutations was performed. The 490 bp amplified fragments from β0-thalassemia 3.4 kb deletion was observed. Thus, the coinheritance of HbD-Punjab with β0-thalassemia can be found in the Thai population. The HbA2measured on CE is a reliable parameter for differentiating the homozygote of HbD-Punjab and compound heterozygote of HbD-Punjab and β0-thalassemia.
Initial reliability and validity of a new retrospective measure of child abuse and neglect.

OBJECTIVE This report presents initial findings on the reliability and validity of a new retrospective measure of child abuse and neglect, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. METHOD Two hundred eighty-six drug- or alcohol-dependent patients were given the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire as part of a larger test battery, and 40 of these patients were given the questionnaire again after an interval of 2 to 6 months. Sixty-eight of the patients were also given a structured interview for child abuse and neglect, the Childhood Trauma Interview, that was developed by the authors. RESULTS Principal-components analysis of responses on the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire yielded four rotated orthogonal factors: physical and emotional abuse, emotional neglect, sexual abuse, and physical neglect. Cronbach's alpha for the factors ranged from 0.79 to 0.94, indicating high internal consistency. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire also demonstrated good test-retest reliability over a 2- to 6-month interval (intraclass correlation = 0.88), as well as convergence with the Childhood Trauma Interview, indicating that patients' reports of child abuse and neglect based on the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire were highly stable, both over time and across type of instruments. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide strong initial support for the reliability and validity of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire.
Novel FBN1 mutations associated with predominant ectopia lentis and marfanoid habitus in Chinese patients.

PURPOSE To identify mutations in the fibrillin-1 gene (FBN1) and provide further information about genotype-phenotype correlations in Chinese patients with predominant ectopia lentis (EL) and marfanoid habitus. METHODS Patients from seven Chinese families underwent complete physical, ophthalmic, and cardiovascular examination. Genomic DNA was extracted from leukocytes of peripheral blood from the patients. The 65 exons and flanking intronic sequences of FBN1 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and screened for mutation by direct DNA sequencing. RESULTS Three novel mutations, c.203G>T in exon 2, c.502T>C in exon 5, and c.2096G>C in exon 16 as well as four known mutations, c.364C>T in exon 4, c.1633C>T in exon 13, c.1879C>T in exon 15, and c.4588C>T in exon37, were identified in FBN1. CONCLUSIONS We identified three novel mutations and four known mutations in FBN1 and found cysteine substitution highly related to EL. These results expand the mutation spectrum in FBN1 and enrich our knowledge of genotype-phenotype correlations due to FBN1 mutations. To our knowledge, this is the first report of cysteine residue loss in the unique NH2-terminal domain of fibrillin-1.
Influences on students' career decisions concerning general practice: a focus group study.

BACKGROUND Despite concerns about recruitment to UK general practice, there has been no concerted educational intervention to address them. AIM To better understand how medical students' perceptions of their experiences of their undergraduate curriculum may affect choosing general practice as a career. DESIGN AND SETTING Qualitative study comprising focus groups of a total of 58 students from a range of medical schools across the UK. METHOD A range of UK medical schools students were invited by email to participate in focus groups and return a questionnaire detailing their current career choice to facilitate sampling students with varied career preferences. Students late in their studies were sampled as they were likely to be considering future careers. Focus group discussions were audiotaped, transcribed, and anonymised for both school and participant, then thematically analysed. Perceived differences in medical school culture, curriculum philosophy, design, and intent were explored. RESULTS Six focus groups (58 students) were convened. Some student participants' career aspirations were strongly shaped by family and home, but clinical placements remained important in confirming or refuting these choices. High-quality general practice attachments are a powerful attractor to general practice and, when they reflect authentic clinical practice, promote general practice careers. GP tutors can be powerful, positive role models. Students' comments revealed conflicting understandings about general practice. CONCLUSION Attracting rather than coercing students to general practice is likely to be more effective at changing their career choices. Early, high-quality, ongoing and, authentic clinical exposure promotes general practice and combats negative stereotyping. It is recommended that increasing opportunities to help students understand what it means to be a 'good GP' and how this can be achieved are created.
Single nucleotide polymorphism of hsa-miR-124a affects risk and prognosis of osteosarcoma.

OBJECTIVE To study the correlation between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of hsa-miR-124a and risk and prognosis of osteosarcoma (OS). METHODS OS patients (n = 174) hospitalized at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from January 2010 to March 2012 were selected as case group by inclusion and exclusion criteria, and healthy people (n = 150) receiving physical examination at the same duration were recruited as control group. Polymerase chain reaction-ligase detection reaction (PCR-LDR) was performed for genotyping of hsa-miR-124a rs531564. RESULTS There were significant differences in the frequency distribution of genotypes and alleles of hsa-miR-124a rs531564 in the case and control group (all P < 0.05); the individuals carrying with CG + GG genotype showed significantly decreased risk for OS. The clinical pathological characteristics were significantly different in the patients with CC genotype and CG + GG genotype, including tumor size, tumor differentiation grading, Enneking staging, operation manner, time of chemotherapy and metastasis (all P < 0.05). The 5-year survival rate of the cases with CC genotype was significantly lower than that of the ones with CG + GG genotype (P < 0.05). CG + GG genotype, Enneking staging and operation manner were independent risk factors for prognosis of OS (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS CG +$ GG genotype of hsa-miR-124a rs531564 had decreased risk for OS and affected prognosis of OS.
Trajectories to seeking demedicalised assistance in suicide: a qualitative in-depth interview study

Background In the Netherlands, people can receive (limited) demedicalised assistance in suicide (DAS)—an option less well known than physician-assisted dying (PAD). Aim This study explores which trajectories people take to seek DAS, through open-coding and inductive analysis of in-depth interviews with 17 people who receive(d) DAS from counsellors facilitated by foundation De Einder. Results People sought DAS as a result of current suffering or as a result of anticipating possible prospective suffering. People with current suffering were unable or assumed they would be unable to obtain PAD. For people anticipating possible prospective suffering, we distinguished two trajectories. In one trajectory, people preferred PAD but were not reassured of help by the physician in due time and sought DAS as a backup plan. In the other trajectory, people expressed a preference for DAS mainly as a result of emphasising self-determination, independence, taking their own responsibility and preparing suicide carefully. In all trajectories, dissatisfaction with physician–patient communication—for instance about (a denied request for) PAD or fearing to discuss this—influenced the decision to seek DAS. Conclusions While PAD is the preferred option of people in two trajectories, obtaining PAD is uncertain and not always possible. Dissatisfaction with physician–patient communication can result in the physician not being involved in DAS, being unable to diagnose diseases and offer treatment nor offer reassurance that people seem to seek. We plea for more mutual understanding, respect and empathy for the limitations and possibilities of the position of the physician and the patient in discussing assistance in dying.