Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Messenger RNA Expression of IL-8, FOXP3, and IL-12β Differentiates Latent Tuberculosis Infection from Disease1

Differentiation of active from latent tuberculosis (TB) is a major challenge in the control of TB. In this study, PBMC from latent TB-infected subjects, TB patients, and tuberculin skin test-negative donors stimulated with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)-specific Ag, early secretory antigenic target 6, and mRNA for 45 immune-related genes was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Univariate analysis showed significant differences in the expression of 10 genes (IFN-γ, FOXP3, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12α, IL-12β, and IL-24) in PBMC from TB patients vs latent TB-infected subjects (p < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression and classification and regression tree analyses revealed that expression of three genes, IL-8, FOXP3, and IL-12β, is predictive for TB vs latent Mtb infection. Thus, measurement of Ag-specific expression of these three genes may offer a specific and noninvasive means of differentiating between latent Mtb infection and TB.
Performance of the Conduction‐Cooled LDX Levitation Coil

The Levitated Dipole Experiment (LDX) was developed to study plasma confinement in a dipole magnetic field. Plasma is confined in the magnetic field of a 680‐kg Nb3Sn Floating Coil (F‐coil) that is electromagnetically supported at the center of a 5‐m diameter by 3‐m tall vacuum chamber. The Levitation Coil (L‐coil) is a 2800‐turn, double pancake winding that supports the weight of the F‐coil and controls its vertical position within the vacuum chamber. The use of high‐temperature superconductor (HTS) Bi‐2223 for the L‐coil minimizes the electrical and cooling power needed for levitation. The L‐coil winding pack and support plate are suspended within the L‐coil cryostat and cooled by conduction to a single‐stage cryocooler rated for 25‐W heat load at approximately 20 K. The coil current leads consist of conduction‐cooled copper running from room temperature to 80 K and a pair of commercially‐available, 150‐A HTS leads. An automatically filled liquid‐nitrogen reservoir provides cooling for the coil’s radiat.
Glucagon‐like peptide‐1(7–36) amide is a new incretin/enterogastrone candidate

Cloning and sequence analysis of cDNAs and DNA fragments from genomic libraries has led to a dramatic increase in understanding of the glucagon-related peptides in recent years. The primary structure of the biosynthetic precursor of glucagon (preproglucagon) has been elucidated. The complex structural connec- tions between the multiple molecular forms of the glucagon-like peptides in tissues and in the circulation have been determined [ 1,2]. Mammalian proglucagon consists of 160 amino acid residues and is synthesized in the islets of Langerhans, intestine and brain. An exciting recent finding is that in addition to glucagon the preproglucagon gene in mammals encodes two additional peptides with struc- tural similarity to glucagon, termed glucagon-like peptide-1 and -2 (GLP-I and GLP-2). The truncated form of GLP-1, GLP-1(7-36) amide, which is secreted by the mammalian intestine, strongly stimulates insu- lin secretion and inhibits gastric acid secretion. This review focuses mainly on the truncated form of GLP-1. since a rapidly increasing number of reports indicate a remarkable interest of investigators in this particular hormone, which actually fulfills the classical role of an ‘enterogastrone’ and ‘incretin’ hormone. The purpose here is to describe what is known so far about the origin, processing, organ distribution and actions of this peptide and to search for promising future direc- tions of further investigations.
Light Random Regression Forests for automatic multi-organ localization in CT images

Classic Random Regression Forests (RRFs) used for multi-organ localization describe the random process of multivariate regression by storing the histograms of offset vectors along each bounding wall direction per leaf node. On the one hand, the RAM and storage requirements of classic RRFs may become exorbitantly high when such a RRF consists of many leaf nodes, but on the other hand, a large number of leaf nodes are required for better localization. We introduce Light Random Regression Forests (LRRFs) which eliminate the need to describe the random process by formulating the localization prediction based on the random variables that describe the random process. Consequently, LRRFs with the same localization capabilities require less RAM and storage space compared to classic RRFs. LRRF comprising 4 trees with 17 decision levels is approximately 9 times faster, takes 10 times less RAM, and uses 30 times less storage space compared to a similar classic RRF.
Religion and the Shadow Economy

Religion is increasingly acknowledged to be a cultural dimension which affects economic outcomes in different regards. This contribution focuses on religion's possible impact on the shadow economy. Different dimensions of the religious markets are taken into account. These dimensions refer to the overall degree of religiosity, the specific impact of different religions, religious competition or the proximity between religion and the state. The empirical test makes use of the largest available cross-section on the size of the shadow economy and matches this dataset with numerous religious indicators. Summary measures of general religiosity or indicators of religious competition do not have a measurable impact. However, robust differences emerge across religions. Countries dominated by Islam or Eastern religions are associated with smaller shadow economies compared to Christian countries. Furthermore, the proximity between state and religion matters. Close ties between both are typical for smaller shadow economies. This is in line with the view that religion uses its normative influence to protect state interests if there is a mutually beneficial relationship.
Occurrence and Decontamination of Mycotoxins in Swine Feed

Contamination of agricultural crops by mycotoxins results in significant economic losses for grain producers and, when consumed, it can cause reduced growth and health in a wide range of animal species. Hundreds of mycotoxin producing molds exist, however each has a different frequency and pattern of occurrence, as well as differences in the severity of the diseases (mycotoxicoses) they cause. Among the mycotoxins considered to be major contaminates are aflatoxin, deoxynivalenol, fumonisin, ochratoxin, and zearalenone. Although a multitude of species can be harmed by consumption of these mycotoxins, swine appear to be the most commonly affected commodity species. The swine industry can thus experience great losses due to the presence of mycotoxin contamination in feeds. Subsequently, recognition and prevention of mycotoxicoses is extremely important and dependent on adequate grain sampling and analysis methods pre-harvest, as well as effective strategies post-harvest to reduce consumption by animals. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the major mycotoxin contaminants in grains, to describe methods of analysis and prevention to reduce mycotoxicoses in swine and other animals, and finally to discuss how mycotoxins directly affect swine production. (
Uterine Stretch Regulates Temporal and Spatial Expression of Fibronectin Protein and Its Alpha 5 Integrin Receptor in Myometrium of Unilaterally Pregnant Rats1

Abstract The adaptive growth of the uterus during pregnancy is a critical event that involves increased synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and dynamic remodeling of smooth muscle cell (SMC)-ECM interactions. We have previously found a dramatic increase in the expression of the mRNAs that encode fibronectin (FN) and its alpha5-integrin receptor (ITGA5) in pregnant rat myometrium near to term. Since the myometrium at term is exposed to considerable mechanical stretching of the uterine wall by the growing fetus(es), the objective of the present study was to examine its role in the regulation of FN and ITGA5 expression at late gestation and during labor. Using myometrial tissues from unilaterally pregnant rats, we investigated the temporal changes in Itga5 gene expression in gravid and empty uterine horns by Northern blotting and real-time PCR, in combination with immunoblotting and immunofluorescence analyses of the temporal/spatial distributions of the FN and ITGA5 proteins. In addition, we studied the effects of early progesterone (P4) withdrawal on Itga5 mRNA levels and ITGA5 protein detection. At all time-points examined, the Itga5 mRNA levels were increased in the gravid uterine horn, compared to the empty horn (P < 0.05). Immunoblot analysis confirmed higher ITGA5 and FN protein levels in the myometrium, associated with gravidity (P < 0.05). Immunodetection of ITGA5 was consistently high in the longitudinal muscle layer, increased with gestational age in the circular muscle layer of the gravid horn, and remained low in the empty horn. ITGA5 and FN immunostaining in the gravid horn exhibited a continuous layer of variable thickness associated directly with the surfaces of individual SMCs. In contrast to the effects of stretch, P4 does not appear to regulate ITGA5 expression. We speculate that the reinforcement of the FN-ITGA5 interaction: 1) contributes to myometrial hypertrophy and remodeling during late pregnancy; and 2) facilitates force transduction during the contractions of labor by anchoring hypertrophied SMCs to the uterine ECM.
Documentation and Phytochemical Screening of Traditional Beauty Products Used in Missenyi District of Tanzania

Background Information: The concept of beauty and cosmetics is as old as mankind and civilization. Raw materials for beauty products are dominated by petroleum and synthetic products. In recent years, there has been an increase of natural product-based cosmetics along with creating beauty from the inside by consumption of nutraceuticals. Tanzania traditional beauty products are still in use especially rural areas, but the documentation is lacking. Objectives: This work aimed at documenting traditional beauty products in Kagera region as an effort to avoid loss of useful information and available useful traditional findings for safe utilization in beauty products. Meth-odology: Information was obtained from knowledgeable people in Missenyi district by focus group discussion. Collected materials were identified in Botany and Zoology Departments at the University of Dar es Salaam followed by literature search and phytochemical screening. Results: This study afforded to record 13 plants, 4 animal products, mineral and other organic products. Most products are used for skin care (57%) followed by hair care (22%). Literature search supported the use of some of the products and plants subjected to qualitative analysis showed presence of phytochemicals relevant to beautification. Discussion: Some of the recorded plant and animal products are incorporated in natural based cosmetic products. Hazardous practice of using skin lightening plant products and dry cell powders was noted. Conclusion: The use of products which are already incorporated in the cosmetic products especially in countries where these products are well regulated should be promoted. Products reported for the first time require scientific studies to establish their effectiveness and safety. Since this study recorded the use of some dangerous materials, people need to be educated through media.
Evidence of positive selection acting at the human dopamine receptor D4 gene locus

Associations have been reported of the seven-repeat (7R) allele of the human dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene with both attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and the personality trait of novelty seeking. This polymorphism occurs in a 48-bp tandem repeat in the coding region of DRD4, with the most common allele containing four repeats (4R) and rarer variants containing 2–11. Here we show by DNA resequencing/haplotyping of 600 DRD4 alleles, representing a worldwide population sample, that the origin of 2R–6R alleles can be explained by simple one-step recombination/mutation events. In contrast, the 7R allele is not simply related to the other common alleles, differing by greater than six recombinations/mutations. Strong linkage disequilibrium was found between the 7R allele and surrounding DRD4 polymorphisms, suggesting that this allele is at least 5–10-fold “younger” than the common 4R allele. Based on an observed bias toward nonsynonymous amino acid changes, the unusual DNA sequence organization, and the strong linkage disequilibrium surrounding the DRD4 7R allele, we propose that this allele originated as a rare mutational event that nevertheless increased to high frequency in human populations by positive selection.
A Mixed-Methods Study of Teachers of the Deaf Learning to Integrate Computers Into Their Teaching

A mixed-methods study was conducted of 47 teachers of the deaf in seven urban and suburban programs around the country as they participated in an online training program. The goal of the training program was to encourage the teachers to integrate technology into their teaching of children who were deaf or hard of hearing. In their evaluation of the project, the researchers sought to identify factors that supported the success of the program. Data used in the evaluation of the project were drawn from responses to formal questionnaires, information on retention in the program, and an analysis of comments during online asynchronous discussions. Anxiety about using technology, access to technology, and initial expertise did not determine whether teachers were retained in the program; however, the degree of local support for participants did differentiate those who continued in the program from those who dropped out.
Recurrent Clostridium difficile-Associated Diarrhea and Colitis Treated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Baker's Yeast) in Combination with Antibiotic Therapy: A Case Report

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea is common in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and 15% to 20% of the cases are caused by Clostridium difficile. 1 Al­ though antibiotic therapy with metronidazole or other agents is effective for most patients with C difficile-associated diarrhea, approximately 10% to 20% of patients receiving treatment for C difficile infection will experience a relapse following dis­ continuation of initial therapy,2 and relapses are often multiple. This clinical problem can be fre­ quent and frustrating. C difficile-associated diarrhea is thought to occur when an alteration of the normal bacterial flora of the intestinal tract permits proliferation of toxi­ genic strains of C difficile. Various microorganisms have been used therapeutically to repopulate the intestinal flora to enhance resistance against C dif ficile. A randomized placebo-controlled trial has shown that the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii is ef­ fective for the treatment of recurrent C difficile disease. 3 This biotherapeutic agent, however, is not available as a pharmaceutical preparation in the United States. We report herein a case of C difficile­ associated diarrhea with multiple relapses that re­ sponded to treatment with antibiotics together with a commercial baker's yeast (Fleischmann's Yeast), which contains the closely related species Saccharo­ myces cerevisiae at a concentration of organisms at 1 o to/g.
Lipid profile and socioeconomic status in healthy middle aged women in Sweden.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and full lipid profile in middle aged healthy women. PARTICIPANTS: These comprised 300 healthy Swedish women between 30 and 65 years who constitute the control group of the Stockholm female coronary risk study, a population based, case-control study of women with coronary heart disease (CHD). The age matched control group, drawn from the census register of greater Stockholm, was representative of healthy Swedish women aged 30-65 years. Five measures of SES were used; educational level, occupation, decision latitude at work, annual income, and size of house or apartment. MAIN RESULTS: Swedish women with low decision latitude at work, low income, low educational level, blue collar jobs, and who were living in small houses or apartments had an unhealthy lipid profile, suggesting an increased risk of CHD. Part of this social gradient in lipids was explained by an unhealthy lifestyle, but the lipid gradients associated with decision latitude at work and annual income were independent of these factors. Decision latitude, educational level, and annual income had the strongest associations with lipid profile. These associations were independent of age, menopausal status, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol consumption, obesity, excess abdominal fat, and unhealthy dietary habits. Of the lipid variables, low high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) levels were most consistently associated with low SES. CONCLUSIONS: Decision latitude at work was the strongest SES predictor of HDL levels in healthy middle aged Swedish women, after simultaneous adjustment for other SES measures, age, and all lifestyle factors in the multivariable regression model.
Dynamic modelling of suspended sediment transport in streams as a function of sediment supply

Sediment supplies and stream discharge together_ determine the patterns , over time, of suspended sediment loads in small streams . Most of the uncertainty in empirical streamflow-sediment relationships can be attributed to changing supplies . Our transport model utilizes a power function of th e form c = aQb , where C and Q are sediment concentration and stream discharge , respectively . This expression was augmented with a variable S representin g sediment storage in the channel system . The resulting supply-based model was calibrated to concentration and streamflow time series data from four stor m events in a small, forested watershed in coastal Oregon . We also calibrated the model to data from -a controlled reservoir release in Utah, during whic h streamflow was held constant for an extended period . In all cases, th e supply-based model followed observed concentration time series mor e accurately than did a transport model based on Q alone . We further enhanced performance of the supply-based model by distributing sediment supplies S among several compartments which were accessed at different levels of stream discharge . Both the single-compartment and distributed models demonstrat e that a knowledge of sediment supplies can improve predictions of suspende d sediment concentrations during storm runoff .
Stratégies comparées de l’exploitation des plans d’eau lagunaire de Côte‑d’Ivoire

Le systeme lagunaire ivoirien se compose d’Est en Ouest des quatre lagunes que sont les lagunes Aby, Ebrie, Grand-Lahou et N’Gni de Fresco. Ces lagunes representent de vastes espaces ou les populations riveraines exercaient preferentiellement leurs activites economiques. L’interet porte a ces plans d’eau a conduit a une appropriation des eaux lagunaires par les riverains qui en tiraient l’essentiel de leur revenu. Toutefois, avec l’avenement de l’economie de plantation et l’apparition de nouvelles speculations plus rentables, les familles autochtones riveraines de certaines lagunes ont abandonne leur droit aux mains de la Chefferie traditionnelle qui s’est trouve dans la position d’organiser et de reglementer l’acces a l’eau. Sur les quatre lagunes, on identifie trois principaux systemes d’exploitation. En lagunes N’Gni de Fresco et en lagune Ebrie, le systeme le plus repandu est la gestion exclusive de l’acces a l’eau par la Chefferie villageoise. En lagune de Grand-Lahou, la gestion est mixte et implique la Chefferie et les familles riveraines. En Lagune Aby, le systeme de gestion est caracterise par une collaboration etroite entre la Chefferie traditionnelle et l’administration des Peches. Les systemes d’exploitation mis en œuvre presentent sans aucun doute un interet economique pour les organisations traditionnelles mais presentent egalement des avantages pour la protection de l’environnement lagunaire. Il convient cependant de relever que ces systemes, dont l’objectif est le plus souvent d’ameliorer les revenus des riverains, ne respectent pas toujours les normes de developpement durable, seuls gages d’une perennite de l’exploitation des plans d’eau lagunaire.
In vivo localization of centrin in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

The green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has been used as a model system to study flagellar assembly, centriole assembly, and cell cycle events. These processes are dynamic. Therefore, protein targeting and protein-protein interactions should be evaluated in vivo. To be able to study dynamic processes in C. reinhardtii in vivo, we have explored the use of the green fluorescent protein (GFP). A construct containing a fusion of centrin and GFP was incorporated into the genome as a single copy. The selected clone shows expression in 25-50% of the cells. Centrin-GFP was targeted in vivo to the nuclear basal body connectors and the distal connecting fibers. At the electron microscopic level, it was also localized to the flagellar transitional regions. EM data of transformants indicate that there are some abnormalities in the centrin-containing structures. The transitional region consists of only the transverse septum or has lesions in the H-piece. The distal connecting fibers are thinner and their characteristic crossbands seem to be incomplete. Deflagellation is not affected since more than 95% of the cells deflagellate. Also basal body segregation is not affected since cells with an abnormal flagellar number were not detected. Functional studies of the centrin-GFP fusion show the characteristic calcium-induced mobility shift in SDS-PAGE. Immunofluorescence revealed that during cell division, centrin-GFP remains associated with the basal bodies. In vivo localization of the fusion protein during cell division shows that in metaphase centrin-GFP appears as two opposing spots located close to the spindle poles. The distance between the spots increases as the cells progress through anaphase and then decreases during telophase. GFP is a useful tool to study dynamic processes in the cytoskeleton of C. reinhardtii.
Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in clinically isolated syndromes and multiple sclerosis

A panel of three cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers for clinically isolated syndromes (CIS) and multiple sclerosis (MS), based on SDS‐PAGE, 2‐D maps, and immunoblot results, is here proposed. No individual marker has any specificity, though, since they appear in a number of other neurological diseases. However the set of three, with the respective modulation sign (up‐regulated or maintained at constant level), appears to be unique for MS. These proteins are: tau protein (levels remaining constant and undistinguishable from controls, contrary to up‐ and downregulation in other neurological disorders); 14‐3‐3 protein (strong upregulation of distinct isoforms) and cystatin C (changing in accordance to disease stage and progression). As an additional evidence, one can rely in the pattern of isoforms of 14‐3‐3, as obtained by 2‐D maps and Western blot analysis: this pattern further distinguishes the variation of this protein from other neurological syndromes, notably sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (sCJD), motor neuron diseases and other dementias. In contrast, a similar qualitative and quantitative upregulation of 14‐3‐3 is observed in Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS), a demyelinating condition affecting the peripheral nervous system. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time in which such a panel of biomarkers is reported in MS.