Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Witchcraft Beliefs and the Erosion of Social Capital: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa and Beyond

This paper examines the relationship between witchcraft beliefs, a deep-rooted cultural phenomenon, and various elements of social capital. Using novel survey data from nineteen countries in Sub-Saharan Africa we establish a robust negative association between the prevalence of witchcraft beliefs and multiple measures of trust which holds after accounting for country fixed effects and potential confounding factors at the individual, regional, and ethnic-group levels. This finding extends to other metrics of social capital, namely charitable giving and participation in religious group activities. Such coexistence of witchcraft beliefs and antisocial attitudes stands in stark contrast to a well-explored alternative cultural equilibrium characterized by religious prosociality. Evidence from societies beyond Africa shows that in preindustrial communities where witchcraft is believed to be an important cause of illness, mistrust and other antisocial traits are inculcated since childhood. Furthermore, second-generation immigrants in Europe originating from countries with widespread witchcraft beliefs are generally less trusting.
Complications and discomfort of bronchoscopy: a systematic review

Objective To identify bronchoscopy-related complications and discomfort, meaningful complication rates, and predictors. Method We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed on 8 February 2016, using a search strategy including the PICO model, on complications and discomfort related to bronchoscopy and related sampling techniques. Results The search yielded 1,707 hits, of which 45 publications were eligible for full review. Rates of mortality and severe complications were low. Other complications, for instance, hypoxaemia, bleeding, pneumothorax, and fever, were usually not related to patient characteristics or aspects of the procedure, and complication rates showed considerable ranges. Measures of patient discomfort differed considerably, and results were difficult to compare between different study populations. Conclusion More research on safety aspects of bronchoscopy is needed to conclude on complication rates and patient- and procedure-related predictors of complications and discomfort.
Human Symbionts Use a Host-Like Pathway for Surface Fucosylation

The mammalian intestine harbors a beneficial microbiota numbering approximately 1012 organisms per gram of colonic content. The host tolerates this tremendous bacterial load while maintaining the ability to efficiently respond to pathogenic organisms. In this study, we show that the Bacteroides use a mammalian-like pathway to decorate numerous surface capsular polysaccharides and glycoproteins with l-fucose, an abundant surface molecule of intestinal epithelial cells, resulting in the coordinated expression of this surface molecule by host and symbiont. A Bacteroides mutant deficient in the ability to cover its surface with l-fucose is defective in colonizing the mammalian intestine under competitive conditions.
National assessment of early biliary complications following liver transplantation: Incidence and outcomes

Despite improved overall liver transplant outcomes, biliary complications remain a significant cause of morbidity. A national data set linking transplant registry and Medicare claims data for 17,012 liver transplant recipients was used to identify all recipients with a posttransplant biliary diagnosis code within the first 6 months after transplantation. Patients were further categorized as follows: a diagnosis without a procedure, a diagnosis and an associated radiological or endoscopic procedure, or a diagnosis treated with surgery. Overall, 15.0% had a biliary diagnosis, 11.2% required a procedure, and 2.2% had a surgical revision. Factors independently associated with biliary complications included donation after cardiac death (DCD), donor age, recipient age, split grafts, and long cold ischemia times. Graft loss was significantly more common for patients with biliary diagnoses [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.89, confidence interval (CI) = 1.63‐2.19], interventions (aHR = 2.08, CI = 1.77‐2.44), and surgical procedures (aHR = 1.80, CI = 1.31‐2.49). Mortality after transplantation was also markedly increased for patients with biliary diagnoses (aHR = 2.18, CI = 1.97‐2.40), procedures (aHR = 2.21, CI = 1.99‐2.46), and surgeries (aHR = 1.77, CI = 1.41‐2.23). In stratified analyses, the impact of early biliary complications was greater for DCD liver recipients, but they remained highly significant for recipients of allografts from brain‐dead donors as well. Reducing biliary complications should improve posttransplant survival and reduce graft loss. Liver Transpl 20:446‐456, 2014. © 2014 AASLD.
Physiology and Pathophysiology of α‐Synuclein: Cell Culture and Transgenic Animal Models Based on a Parkinson's Disease‐associated Protein

Abstract: The 15–20 kDa synuclein (SYN) phosphoproteins are abundantly expressed in nervous tissue. Members of the family include α‐ and β‐SYN, and the more distantly related γ‐SYN and synoretin. SYN genes have been identified in Torpedo, canary, and several mammalian species, indicating an evolutionary conserved role. Expression of α‐SYN was found to be modulated in situations of neuronal remodeling, namely, songbird learning and after target ablation of dopaminergic striatonigral neurons in the rat. The presynaptic localization of α‐SYN is further supportive of a direct physiological role in neuronal plasticity. The extensive synaptic co‐localization of α‐ and β‐SYN might indicate functional redundancy of these highly homologous synucleins. However, α‐SYN was the only family member identified in Lewy bodies and cytoplasmic inclusions characteristic for multiple system atrophy. Moreover, α‐SYN was genetically linked to familial Parkinson's disease. The two Parkinson's disease‐associated mutations accelerated the intrinsic aggregation property of α‐SYN in vitro. Post‐translational modifications, such as phosphorylation and proteolysis, and/or interaction with other proteins, might regulate α‐SYN fibril formation in vivo. Cytoskeletal elements and signal transduction intermediates have been recently identified as binding partners for α‐SYN. Preliminary data available from transgenic mice suggest that (over)expressed human α‐SYN proteins are less efficiently cleared from the neuronal cytosol. Thus, Parkinson's disease‐associated mutations might perturb axonal transport, leading to somal accumulation of α‐SYN and eventually Lewy body formation.
Insomnia associated with thalamic involvement in E200K Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease

BackgroundInsomnia with predominant thalamic involvement and minor cortical and cerebellar pathologic changes is not characteristic of familial Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) but is a hallmark of fatal familial insomnia. ObjectiveTo report a 53-year-old woman with intractable insomnia as her initial symptom of disease. MethodsThe authors characterized clinical, pathologic, and molecular features of the disease using EEG, polysomnography, neurohistology, Western blotting, protein sequencing, and prion protein (PrP) gene (PRNP) analysis. ResultsThe patient developed dysgraphia, dysarthria, bulimia, myoclonus, memory loss, visual hallucinations, and opisthotonos, as well as pyramidal, extrapyramidal, and cerebellar signs. Polysomnographic studies showed an absence of stages 3 and 4, and REM. She died 8 months after onset. On neuropathologic examination, there was major thalamic involvement characterized by neuronal loss, spongiform changes, and prominent gliosis. The inferior olivary nuclei exhibited chromatolysis, neuronal loss, and gliosis. Spongiform changes were mild in the neocortex and not evident in the cerebellum. PrP immunopositivity was present in these areas as well as in the thalamus. PRNP analysis showed the haplotype E200K-129M. Western blot analysis showed the presence of proteinase K (PK)–resistant PrP (PrPsc) with the nonglycosylated isoform of approximately 21 kd, corresponding in size to that of type 1 PrPsc. N-terminal protein sequencing demonstrated PK cleavage sites at glycine (G) 82 and G78, as previously reported in CJD with the E200K-129 M haplotype. ConclusionsInsomnia may be a prominent early symptom in cases of CJD linked to the E200K-129M haplotype in which the thalamus is severely affected.
Circulating levels of the anti‐angiogenic thrombospondin 2 are elevated in pre‐eclampsia

An imbalance of maternal circulating pro‐ and anti‐angiogenic factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of pre‐eclampsia. Thrombospondin 2 (TSP‐2) is a protein expressed mainly by activated endothelial cells, which acts as a potent anti‐angiogenic agent. Our aim was to determine whether serum TSP‐2 levels are altered in pre‐eclampsia. We enrolled 35 pre‐eclamptic patients and 35 healthy pregnant women in the study. Thrombospondin 2 levels were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, while soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFlt‐1) and placental growth factor (PlGF) concentrations were determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. In patients with PE, we demonstrated 1.7‐fold higher TSP‐2 [13.2 (9.4–18.1) vs. 7.9 (7.2–11.2) ng/ml, p<0.001], 3.8‐fold higher sFlt‐1 and 4.3‐fold lower PlGF levels compared with the control group. There were no associations between TSP‐2 and sFlt‐1 or PlGF concentrations. We suggest that circulating TSP‐2 levels may contribute to the pathogenesis of PE via its anti‐angiogenic properties, but in a distinct way from sFlt‐1 and PlGF.
Technology for Development: Understanding Influences on use of Rural Telecenters in India

In recent years, there has been an increasing use of information and communication technology as a means of improving the income and capabilities of farmers. Many large agri-business organizations, governments, and independent private firms have created telecenters to meet these goals. However, use of telecenter facilities has not met its potential. We use the technology adoption and diffusion frameworks of Rogers (adoption/diffusion, 2003) and Davis (technology adoption model – TAM, [(1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319–339]) to understand factors that influence adoption and use of information technology by farmers. Based on a five-state sample of 280 farmers and agricultural workers, we identify adoption/diffusion factors that increase use of telecenters. Bivariate results support the dimensions suggested by Rogers: relative advantage, compatibility, low complexity, and observability, while also supporting the TAM factors of usefulness and ease of use. Logistic regression findings identify the most important Rogers' dimensions. Binary-independent variables of North–South telecenter location and telecenter business-independent ownership indicate North–South location influences both the models of adoption/diffusion and TAM factors, while telecenter ownership influences the model of TAM factors. The practical and government policy implications are examined.
Metabolic Flux Control at the Pyruvate Node in an Anaerobic Escherichia coli Strain with an Active Pyruvate Dehydrogenase

ABSTRACT During anaerobic growth of Escherichia coli, pyruvate formate-lyase (PFL) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) channel pyruvate toward a mixture of fermentation products. We have introduced a third branch at the pyruvate node in a mutant of E. coli with a mutation in pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH*) that renders the enzyme less sensitive to inhibition by NADH. The key starting enzymes of the three branches at the pyruvate node in such a mutant, PDH*, PFL, and LDH, have different metabolic potentials and kinetic properties. In such a mutant (strain QZ2), pyruvate flux through LDH was about 30%, with the remainder of the flux occurring through PFL, indicating that LDH is a preferred route of pyruvate conversion over PDH*. In a pfl mutant (strain YK167) with both PDH* and LDH activities, flux through PDH* was about 33% of the total, confirming the ability of LDH to outcompete the PDH pathway for pyruvate in vivo. Only in the absence of LDH (strain QZ3) was pyruvate carbon equally distributed between the PDH* and PFL pathways. A pfl mutant with LDH and PDH* activities, as well as a pfl ldh double mutant with PDH* activity, had a surprisingly low cell yield per mole of ATP (YATP) (about 7.0 g of cells per mol of ATP) compared to 10.9 g of cells per mol of ATP for the wild type. The lower YATP suggests the operation of a futile energy cycle in the absence of PFL in this strain. An understanding of the controls at the pyruvate node during anaerobic growth is expected to provide unique insights into rational metabolic engineering of E. coli and related bacteria for the production of various biobased products at high rates and yields.
Detection of beer spoilage organisms by polymerase chain reaction technology

A sensitive detection and identification method for beer spoilage organisms was developed. The procedure involves the electrophoretic analysis of DNA fragments amplified by the pqlymerase chain reaction. When genomic DNA of Lactobacillus brevis was amplified, using a set of primers, to give a 117-base pair fragment encompassing the 5S rRNA gene (rDNA) and then electrophoretically analyzed, a single cell of L. brevis was detected. When various populations of L. brevis were added to 250-ml volumes of pasteurized beers, collected by a membrane filter, and then analyzed by this method, the detection limit was about 30 cells. It was expected that these primers could specifically be used to detect lactic acid bacteria. Another set of primers encompassing the 100-base pair fragment of 5S rDNA of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was synthesized, and using the two sets of primers in mixtures, L. brevis and 5. cerevisiae were detected and distinguished. These results suggested that the detection and identification of beer spoilage organisms can be done at the same time using suitable primers.
FROM QUALITY TO COMPETITION : THE ROLE OF ECONOMIC FACTORS TO EXPLAIN THE RIGIDITY OF DIGITAL PRICES

This paper proposes and validates a research model to examine different theories of price rigidity and to predict what variables can explain the observed empirical regularities and variations in price adjustment patterns of Internet-based retailers. We specify and test a model using more than 3 million daily observations on 385 books, 118 DVDs and 154 CDs, sold by 22 Internetbased retailers that were collected over a 676-day period from March 2003 to February 2005. We obtained a number of interesting findings from the estimation of our logit model. First, quality seems to play a role—we find that both price levels as proxies for store quality, and information on the quality of a product consumers have, affect online price rigidity. Second, greater competition (i.e., less industry concentration) leads to less price rigidity (i.e., more price changes) on the Internet. We also find that Internet-based sellers more frequently change the prices of popular products, and the sellers with broader product coverage change prices less frequently, which seem due to economic forces faced by these Internet-based sellers.
Age-Dependent Physiological Changes in the Histoarchitecture of the Articular Cartilage of the Rabbit Mandibular Condyle: A Morphological and Morphometric Study

Mandibular condyle articular cartilage participates in condylar postnatal growth and is responsible for adaptations to anatomical and/or biomechanical alterations throughout life. In a preliminary study in rabbits, differences were observed in the thickness of the layers of articular cartilage in control animals at 5 and 6 months (generally considered adults for this purpose). This study aimed to describe sagittally sectioned condylar cartilages stained with Picrosirius-hematoxylin in rabbits at 40 days and 5, 6, 8, 13, and 18 months to determine when histological maturity is reached. At 40 days, 5 layers were seen: fibrous, proliferative, transition, maturation, and hypertrophic. Older animals (5–18 months) lacked the transition layer. Fibrous, proliferative, and hypertrophic regions were considered for morphometric analysis. The thickness of the fibrous region did not change during the analyzed period (p = 0.1899). When proliferative and hypertrophic regions and the total thickness of the cartilage were compared, a difference was detected (p < 0.001). The thickness of the proliferative region was greatest at 40 days and decreased at 5 months; however, it increased at 6 months, when it was significantly thicker than at 5, 8, 13, and 18 months. Both the hypertrophic region and the total thickness were thickest at 40 days, intermediate at 5, 6, and 8 months, and thinnest at 13 and 18 months. In summary, our data suggest a physiological period of increased cartilage growth at 6 months. Additionally, rabbits at this age should be avoided in experiments involving condylar cartilage. Finally, 13-month-old rabbits have reached histological maturity of the condylar cartilage.
The Large Marseillevirus Explores Different Entry Pathways by Forming Giant Infectious Vesicles

ABSTRACT Triggering the amoebal phagocytosis process is a sine qua non condition for most giant viruses to initiate their replication cycle and consequently to promote their progeny formation. It is well known that the amoebal phagocytosis process requires the recognition of particles of >500 nm, and most amoebal giant viruses meet this requirement, such as mimivirus, pandoravirus, pithovirus, and mollivirus. However, in the context of the discovery of amoebal giant viruses in the last decade, Marseillevirus marseillevirus (MsV) has drawn our attention, because despite its ability to successfully replicate in Acanthamoeba, remarkably it does not fulfill the >500-nm condition, since it presents an ∼250-nm icosahedrally shaped capsid. We deeply investigated the MsV cycle by using a set of methods, including virological, molecular, and microscopic (immunofluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy) assays. Our results revealed that MsV is able to form giant vesicles containing dozens to thousands of viral particles wrapped by membranes derived from amoebal endoplasmic reticulum. Remarkably, our results strongly suggested that these giant vesicles are able to stimulate amoebal phagocytosis and to trigger the MsV replication cycle by an acidification-independent process. Also, we observed that MsV entry may occur by the phagocytosis of grouped particles (without surrounding membranes) and by an endosome-stimulated pathway triggered by single particles. Taken together, not only do our data deeply describe the main features of MsV replication cycle, but this is the first time, to our knowledge, that the formation of giant infective vesicles related to a DNA virus has been described. IMPORTANCE Triggering the amoebal phagocytosis process is a sine qua non condition required by most giant viruses to initiate their replication cycle. This process requires the recognition of particles of >500 nm, and many giant viruses meet this requirement. However, MsV is unusual, as despite having particles of ∼250 nm it is able to replicate in Acanthamoeba. Our results revealed that MsV is able to form giant vesicles, containing dozens to thousands of viral particles, wrapped in membranes derived from amoebal endoplasmic reticulum. Remarkably, our results strongly suggest that these giant vesicles are able to stimulate phagocytosis using an acidification-independent process. Our work not only describes the main features of the MsV replication cycle but also describes, for the first time to our knowledge, the formation of huge infective vesicles in a large DNA viruses.
Chronic cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibition blunts low sodium‐stimulated renin without changing renal haemodynamics

Background Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the inducible isoform of cyclooxygenase, is found in the macula densa of the renal cortex and is upregulated by dietary sodium restriction. Because of this discrete cortical localization, we hypothesized that COX-2 plays a role in the chronic stimulation of renin via the macula densa pathway. Methods We examined the effect of the selective COX-2 inhibitor NS 398 in male Sprague–Dawley rats. Results A low sodium diet (0.02% NaCl) for 14 days elevated plasma–renin activity (PRA) nine-fold, from 6.1 ± 2.0 to 54.9 ± 6.5 ng angiotensin I (Ang I)/ml per h (P < 0.0001). Selective COX-2 inhibition with NS 398 had no effect on PRA in animals on normal sodium (5.1 ± 1.3 ng Ang I/ml per h), but decreased PRA by 41% in sodium-restricted rats, to 33.3 ± 3.6 ng Ang I/ml per h (P < 0.05). Chronic treatment with NS 398 did not decrease renal renin content (31.8 ± 1.8 versus 33.5 ± 2.6 ng Ang I/mg per h, with NS 398 versus controls), nor did it influence systemic blood pressure or renal haemodynamics. Neither urinary sodium excretion nor prostaglandin (PG)E2 excretion was altered in rats given NS 398. Chronic treatment with the non-selective COX inhibitor indomethacin during sodium restriction over 5 days reduced PRA by 35%, from 29.36 ± 4.81, to 19.13 ± 2.88 ng Ang I/ml per h (P < 0.05). Indomethacin had no effect on blood pressure or renal blood flow but reduced urinary PGE2 excretion by 70%. Conclusions One component of the chronic stimulation of PRA by dietary sodium restriction via the macula densa pathway appears to involve the induction of COX–2.
A lophotrochozoan twist gene is expressed in the ectomesoderm of the gastropod mollusk Patella vulgata

SUMMARY The twist gene is known to be involved in mesoderm formation in two of the three clades of bilaterally symmetrical animals: viz. deuterostomes (such as vertebrates) and ecdysozoans (such as arthropods and nematodes). There are currently no data on the spatiotemporal expression of this gene in the third clade, the lophotrochozoans (such as mollusks and annelids). To approach the question of mesoderm homology across bilaterians, we decided to analyze orthologs of this gene in the gastropod mollusk Patella vulgata that belongs to the lophotrochozoans. We present here the cloning, characterization, and phylogenetic analysis of a Patella twist ortholog, Pv‐twi, and determine the early spatiotemporal expression pattern of this gene. Pv‐twi expression was found in the trochophore larva in a subset of the ectomesoderm, one of the two sources of mesoderm in Patella. These data support the idea that twist genes were ancestrally involved in mesoderm differentiation. The absence of Pv‐twi in the second mesodermal source, the endomesoderm, suggests that also other genes must be involved in lophotrochozoan mesoderm differentiation. It therefore remains a question if the mesoderm of all bilaterians is homologous.
Oxidative stress may enhance the malignant potential of human hepatocellular carcinoma by telomerase activation

Background/Aims: Continuous oxidative stress (OS) plays an important role in the progression of chronic liver diseases and hepatocarcinogenesis through telomere shortening in hepatocytes. However, it has not been established how the OS influences the progression of human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). We examined the correlations of OS with telomere length of cancer cells, telomerase activity and other clinicopathological factors in 68 HCCs.
Investigation of the periodic magnetic field modulation in LHC superconducting dipoles

The windings of high-field accelerator magnets are usually made of Rutherford-type superconducting cables. The magnetic field distribution along the axis of such magnets exhibits a periodic modulation with a wavelength equal to the twist pitch length of the cable used in the winding. This effect, resulting from quasipersistent currents, was investigated with a Hall probe array inserted inside the aperture of the LHC superconducting dipoles, both in short models and full-scale prototypes. The amplitude and the time dependence of this periodic field oscillation have been studied as a function of the magnet current history. The origin and, the impact on the LHC dipole stability of the nonuniform current redistribution producing such a field modulation are discussed.