Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antireflux Surgery in Children With Neurological Impairment: Caregiver Perceptions and Complications

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to report caregiver perceptions to antireflux surgery and gastrostomy in children with severe neurological impairment and to report the complications of the surgery. Methods: Children were identified from a clinic database and clinical information and surgical complications were extracted from the database and hospital medical records. A cross-sectional questionnaire addressing severity of symptoms was administered to parents/caregivers and scored with a 5-point Likert scale (1 is much better to 5, much worse). Results: A total of 122 children, median age 74 months (interquartile range 29–124), 63% spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, had antireflux surgery. Laparoscopic surgery was performed in 77 of 122 (63%) and 117 of 122 (96%) had gastrostomy insertion. Questionnaire was completed by 89 of 122 (73%) children; median duration of time from fundoplication to questionnaire was 77 months (43–89). The majority of caregivers indicated that surgery improved or greatly improved weight gain, chest infections, vomiting, and feeding tolerance. Only 2 caregivers reported that they regretted consenting to surgery. Serious surgical complications occurred in 10%. Conclusions: Serious complications were uncommon in this series of antireflux surgery in neurologically impaired children. Although gagging and retching were common following surgery, a high percentage of caregivers reported improved nutrition, reflux-related symptoms, and high levels of satisfaction.
MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF MALARIAL PARASITES IN CAPTIVE PASSERINE BIRDS

Seven of 28 passerine birds that died in captivity were positive for malarial parasites by polymerase chain reaction targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytB) and apicoplast ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. Each bird was infected with a single parasite lineage having a unique genotype. Apicoplast rRNA sequences were present both in Haemoproteus spp. and Plasmodium spp. and had typically high adenosine + thymidine content. Phylogenies for cytB and apicoplast rRNA sequences were largely congruent and supported previous studies that suggest that Plasmodium–Haemoproteus spp. underwent synchronous speciation with their avian hosts, interrupted by sporadic episodes of host switching. Apicoplast phylogeny further indicated that Haemoproteus spp. are ancestral to Plasmodium spp. All the 7 infected passerine birds had histologic lesions of malaria, and malarial parasites may have contributed to the death of at least 4 animals. These findings provide new genetic data on passerine hematozoa, including initial sequences of apicoplast DNA, and emphasize the relevance of parasite prevalence, evolutionary relationships, and host switching to modern management and husbandry practices of captive birds.
Recovery of phosphorus from dairy manure: a pilot-scale study

Phosphorus was recovered from dairy manure via a microwave-enhanced advanced oxidation process (MW/H2O2-AOP) followed by struvite crystallization in a pilot-scale continuous flow operation. Soluble phosphorus in dairy manure increased by over 50% after the MW/H2O2-AOP, and the settleability of suspended solids was greatly improved. More than 50% of clear supernatant was obtained after microwave treatment, and the maximum volume of supernatant was obtained at a hydrogen peroxide dosage of 0.3% and pH 3.5. By adding oxalic acid into the supernatant, about 90% of calcium was removed, while more than 90% of magnesium was retained. As a result, the resulting solution was well suited for struvite crystallization. Nearly 95% of phosphorus in the treated supernatant was removed and recovered as struvite.
Patient-Centered Approach to Building Problem Solving Skills Among Older Primary Care Patients: Problems Identified and Resolved

This article describes problems identified by older primary care patients enrolled in Problem Solving Therapy (PST), and explores factors associated with successful problem resolution. PST patients received 1 to 8, 45-min sessions with a social worker. Patients identified problems in their lives and directed the focus of subsequent sessions as consistent with the steps of PST. The 107 patients identified 568 problems, 59% of which were resolved. Most commonly identified problems included health related issues such as need for exercise or weight loss activities, medical care and medical equipment needs, home and garden maintenance, and gathering information on their medical condition. Problems identified by patients were 2.2 times more likely to be solved than those identified by a health care professional. Using PST in primary care may facilitate patients in addressing key health and wellness issues.
Spectroscopic studies on the oxidative decomposition of Malachite Green using ozone

Spectroscopic studies on the oxidative decomposition of Malachite Green (MG) using ozone were investigated. Parameters such as color removal, initial dye concentration, COD reduction, reaction temperature and pH were studied to determine optimum conditions for complete MG decomposition. Complete removal of MG color was achieved within 10 min of reaction with ozone. The ozone oxidation reaction time increased as concentration of MG increases, inferring, there would be increase in MG removal as concentration decreases. COD reduction was observed as reaction time increases and the rate of reaction monotonically increased as temperature increases. From the spectroscopic analysis of the intermediates and the by-products of MG reaction with ozone, a tentative mechanistic approach of MG decomposition was postulated. It was also observed that after five minutes of ozone oxidation, color removal rate in the wastewater containing Malachite Green obtained from a small scale local dyeing industry reached almost 90%.
Strain specificity of spontaneous and adrenergically induced HSV-1 ocular reactivation in latently infected rabbits.

Spontaneous ocular shedding and adrenergic induction of ocular shedding were examined in rabbits infected with ten strains of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1): McKrae, KOS, F, Rodanus, 17 Syn+, RE, E-43, SC-16, MacIntyre, and CGA-3. All ocular inoculations were with 50 microliter of HSV-1 with titers between 1-10 X 10(6) PFU/ml. All corneas, except those that received the McKrae strain, were scarified. Acute ocular infection was determined by slit-lamp biomicroscopy. Dendritic keratitis or geographic ulcers developed in all eyes of all rabbits within 10 days after ocular inoculation. All eyes of all surviving rabbits were swabbed for 20 consecutive days during days 20-39 postinoculation (PI). On PI day 19, no active lesions were present as judged by slit-lamp biomicroscopy. Ocular tear film was collected on a Dacron-tipped swab and placed on primary rabbit kidney cell monolayers. The cell monolayers were monitored for cytopathic effects consistent with HSV-1 infection. Spontaneous HSV-1 shedding was detected in some eyes from all groups of latently infected rabbits, except those infected with CGA-3. Spontaneous shedding (positive swabs/total swabs) of the other nine strains ranged from 0.7% to 15.7%. After PI day 42, the rabbit eyes received 6-hydroxydopamine by iontophoresis, followed for 5 days by topical application of 2% epinephrine. This procedure results in induced HSV-1 ocular shedding for a duration of 3-5 days in rabbits infected with the McKrae strain. In rabbits latently infected with KOS, F, RE, MacIntyre, and CGA-3, no induced HSV-1 shedding was detected. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Blind subjects construct conscious mental images of visual scenes encoded in musical form

Blind (previously sighted) subjects are able to analyse, describe and graphically represent a number of high–contrast visual images translated into musical form de novo. We presented musical transforms of a random assortment of photographic images of objects and urban scenes to such subjects, a few of which depicted architectural and other landmarks that may be useful in navigating a route to a particular destination. Our blind subjects were able to use the sound representation to construct a conscious mental image that was revealed by their ability to depict a visual target by drawing it. We noted the similarity between the way the visual system integrates information from successive fixations to form a representation that is stable across eye movements and the way a succession of image frames (encoded in sound) which depict different portions of the image are integrated to form a seamless mental image. Finally, we discuss the profound resemblance between the way a professional musician carries out a structural analysis of a musical composition in order to relate its structure to the perception of musical form and the strategies used by our blind subjects in isolating structural features that collectively reveal the identity of visual form.
Relative stabilities of triple helices composed of combinations of DNA, RNA and 2'-O-methyl-RNA backbones: chimeric circular oligonucleotides as probes.

Described is a systematic study of the effects of varied backbone structure on the stabilities of pyr.pur. pyr triple helices. The effects were measured using six circular 34 base oligonucleotides containing DNA (D), RNA (R) and/or 2'-O-methyl-RNA (M) residues designed to bind a complementary single-stranded purine target strand by triple helix formation. Eighteen different backbone combinations were studied at pH 5.5 and 7.0 by optical melting experiments and the results compared with the stabilities of the corresponding Watson-Crick duplexes. When the target purine strand is DNA, all circles form pH-dependent triple helical complexes which are considerably stronger than the duplexes alone. When RNA is the target, five of the nine complexes studied are of the pH-dependent triplex type and the other four complexes are not significantly stronger than the corresponding duplexes. The results are useful in the design of the highest affinity ligands for single- and double-stranded DNAs and RNAs and also point out novel ways to engender DNA- or RNA-selective binding.
Use of Ultrasound Contrast Agent Microbubbles in Preclinical Research: Recommendations for Small Animal Imaging

AbstractUltrasound contrast imaging techniques represent a real opportunity to improve efficiency in the preclinical drug discovery and development process. Ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) combined with specific ultrasound contrast detection modes provide real-time, high spatial resolution of both organ and lesion blood perfusion, the so-called dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging. With the advent of targeted UCA, ultrasound molecular imaging is gaining momentum in molecular imaging, particularly because of the simultaneous real-time anatomical and functional/molecular imaging capabilities. In preclinical research, contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging, with either nontargeted or targeted UCA, is a fast-growing imaging modality that has not yet been standardized compared with other imaging modalities. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging is an operator-dependent imaging modality, requiring adherence to rigorous step-by-step protocols. In this article, which is intended for advanced, hands-on researchers, we report key factors that can lead to variability in preclinical results and recommend some preventive methods to limit or cancel their effect on the final results. Standardized procedures are a prerequisite for acceptance of new contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging methods to eliminate factors that could distort results, improve the reproducibility between different centers and studies, and, therefore, allow translation to clinical application.
Muscle Analysis by Measurement of Maximal Isometric Grip Force: New Reference Data and Clinical Applications in Pediatrics

Skeletal muscle development is one of the key features of childhood and adolescence. Determining maximal isometric grip force (MIGF) using a hand-held Jamar dynamometer is a simple method to quantify one aspect of muscle function. Presently available reference data present MIGF as a function of chronological age. However, muscle force is largely determined by body size, and many children undergoing muscle performance tests in the clinical setting suffer from growth retardation secondary to a chronic disorder. Reference data were established from simple regressions between age or log height and log MIGF in a population of 315 healthy children and adolescents aged 6 to 19 y (157 girls). These data were used to calculate age- or height-dependent SD scores (SDS) for MIGF in three pediatric patient groups. In renal graft recipients (n = 14), the age-dependent MIGF SDS was markedly decreased (−2.5 ± 1.9; mean ± SD). However, these patients had short stature (height SDS, −2.5 ± 1.2), and the height-dependent MIGF SDS was close to normal (−0.4 ± 1.5). Similarly, in cystic fibrosis patients (n = 13) age-dependent MIGF SDS was −1.6 ± 1.6, but height-dependent MIGF SDS was −0.5 ± 1.1. Children with epilepsy who were taking anticonvulsant therapy (n = 34) had normal stature, and consequently age- and height-dependent MIGF SDS were similar (0.4 ± 1.0 and 0.4 ± 0.8, respectively). In conclusion, MIGF determination provides information on an important aspect of physical development. Height should be taken into account to avoid misinterpretation.
Roles of Catalytic Domain Residues in Interfacial Binding and Activation of Group IV Cytosolic Phospholipase A2 *

Group IV cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) has been shown to play a critical role in eicosanoid biosynthesis. cPLA2 is composed of the C2 domain that mediates the Ca2+-dependent interfacial binding of protein and the catalytic domain. To elucidate the mechanism of interfacial activation of cPLA2, we measured the effects of mutations of selected ionic and hydrophobic residues in the catalytic domain on the enzyme activity and the membrane binding of cPLA2. Mutations of anionic residues located on (Glu419 and Glu420) or near (Asp436, Asp438, Asp439, and Asp440) the active site lid enhanced the affinity for cPLA2 for anionic membranes, implying that the electrostatic repulsion between these residues and the anionic membrane surface might trigger the opening of the active site. This notion is further supported by a biphasic dependence of cPLA2 activity on the anionic lipid composition of the vesicles. Mutations of a cluster of cationic residues (Lys541, Lys543, Lys544, and Arg488), while significantly enhancing the activity of enzyme, abrogated the specific activation effect by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2). These data, in conjunction with cell activity of cPLA2 and mutants transfected into HEK293 cells, suggest that the cationic residues form a specific binding site for PtdIns(4,5)P2 and that the specific PtdIns(4,5)P2 binding is involved in cellular activation of cPLA2. Also, three hydrophobic residues at the rim of the active site (Ile399, Leu400, and Leu552) were shown to partially penetrate the membrane, thereby promoting membrane binding and activation of cPLA2. Based on these results, we propose an interfacial activation mechanism for cPLA2 which involves the removal of the active site lid by nonspecific electrostatic repulsion, the interdomain hinge movement induced by specific PtdIns(4,5)P2 binding, and the partial membrane penetration by catalytic domain hydrophobic residues.
Ecological determinants of mating system within and between three Fagus sylvatica populations along an elevational gradient

Studies addressing the variation of mating system between plant populations rarely account for the variability of these parameters between individuals within populations, although this variability is often non‐negligible. Here, we propose a new direct method based on paternity analyses (Mixed Effect Mating Model) to estimate individual migration (mi) and selfing rates (si) together with the pollen dispersal kernel. Using this method and the KINDIST approach, we investigated the variation of mating system parameters within and between three populations of Fagus sylvatica along an elevational gradient. Among the mother trees, si varied from 0% to 48%, mi varied from 12% to 86% and the effective number of pollen donors (Nepi) varied from 2 to 364. The mating patterns differed along the gradient, the top population showing higher m and lower s, and a trend to higher Nep than the bottom populations. The phenological lag shaped long‐distance pollen flow both within population (by increasing mi at mother‐tree level) and between populations (by increasing m at high elevation). Rather than the mate density, the canopy density was detected as a major mating system determinant within population; it acted as a barrier to pollen flow, decreasing the proportion of long‐distance pollen flow and increasing si. Overall, the effects of ecological factors on mating system were not the same within vs. between populations across the gradient, and these factors also differed from those traditionally found to shape variation at range‐wide scale, highlighting the interest of multiscale approaches.
Maternal serotonin transporter genotype affects risk for ASD with exposure to prenatal stress

Stress exposure during gestation is implicated in several neuropsychiatric conditions, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Previous research showed that prenatal stress increases risk for ASD with peak exposure during the end of the second and the beginning of the third trimester. However, exposures to prenatal stress do not always result in ASD, suggesting that other factors may interact with environmental stressors to increase ASD risk. The present study examined a maternal genetic variation in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5‐HTTLPR) affecting stress tolerance and its interaction with the effect of environmental stressors on risk for ASD. Two independent cohorts of mothers of ASD children recruited by the University of Missouri and Queen's University were surveyed regarding the prenatal environment and genotyping on 5‐HTTLPR was performed to explore this relationship. In both samples, mothers of children with ASD carrying the stress susceptible short allele variant of 5‐HTTLPR experienced a greater number of stressors and greater stress severity when compared to mothers carrying the long allele variant. The temporal peak of stressors during gestation in these mothers was consistent with previous findings. Additionally, increased exposure to prenatal stress was not reported in the pregnancies of typically developing siblings from the same mothers, regardless of maternal genotype, suggesting against the possibility that the short allele might increase the recall of stress during pregnancy. The present study provides further evidence of a specific maternal polymorphism that may affect the risk for ASD with exposure to prenatal stress. Autism Res 2016, 9: 1151–1160. © 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Social support and pregnancy outcome

Summary. A total of 509 women with a history of a low‐birthweight (LBW, <2500 g) baby were recruited from the antenatal booking clinics of four hospitals and randomized to receive either a social support intervention in pregnancy in addition to standard antenatal care (the intervention group) or standard antenatal care only (the control group). At recruitment to the study, mean gestational age was 6 weeks, mean maternal age was 28.0 years, 86% of the women had one previous LBW baby, 11% had two and 2% had had three or more. The study population was socially disadvantaged: 77% of the women were working class, 18% had unemployed partners and 41% were smoking at booking. Social support was given by four research midwives in the form of 24‐h contact telephone numbers and a programme of home visits, during which the midwives provided a listening service for the women to discuss any topic of concern to them, gave practical information and advice when asked, carried out referrals to other health professionals and welfare agencies as appropriate, and collected social and medical information. Pregnancy outcomes were assessed using obstetric case‐note data (obtained for 507 women) and a postal questionnaire sent to all mothers 6 weeks after delivery (94% replied). Babies of intervention group mothers had a mean birthweight 38 g higher than that of control group babies; there were fewer very low‐birthweight babies in the intervention group. The number of hospital antenatal clinic visits was the same in the two groups (mean 5‐1) but more women in the control group (52%) than in the intervention group (41%) were admitted to hospital in pregnancy. Spontaneous onset of labour and spontaneous vaginal delivery were more common in the intervention group, who also used less epidural anaesthesia. The numbers of babies resuscitated at birth and babies admitted to the neonatal unit were similar in the two groups but the babies in the intervention group required less invasive methods for resuscitation and less intensive and special neonatal care. Intervention group mothers and babies were significantly healthier in the early weeks than those in the control group as judged by reported physical and psychosocial health and use of health services. Women's attitudes to the social support intervention were very positive, 80% of those who filled in the postnatal questionnaire singling out that the fact that the midwife ‘listened’ was important.
Ryanodine Receptor Type III (Ry3R) Identification In Mouse Parotid Acini

Immunoblot analysis and [3H]ryanodine binding were used to characterize and identify ryanodine receptors (RyRs) in nonexcitable mouse parotid acini. Western analysis revealed ryanodine receptor type III (Ry3R) to be the only detectable isoform in parotid microsomal membranes. Binding of [3H]ryanodine to microsomal fractions was dependent on Ca2+, salt, pH, and temperature. At 23 °C, and in the presence of 0.5 m KCl and 100 μm Ca2+, [3H]ryanodine bound specifically to membranes with high affinity (K d = 6 nm); maximum binding capacity (B max) was 275 fmol/mg protein. Mg2+ and ruthenium red inhibited [3H]ryanodine binding (IC50 = 1.4 mm and 0.5 μm, respectively). 4-Chloro-3-ethylphenol enhanced the binding of [3H]ryanodine 2.5-fold; whereas ATP and caffeine were much less efficacious toward activating Ry3R (56% and 18% maximal enhancement, respectively). Bastadin, a novel modulator of the 12-kDa FK506 binding protein·RyR complex, increased [3H]ryanodine binding 3–4-fold by enhancingK d . The immunosuppressant FK506 enhanced [3H]ryanodine receptor occupancy at >100 μm and antagonized the action of bastadin, suggesting that an immunophilin modulates Ry3R in parotid acini. These results suggest that Ry3R may play an important role in Ca2+ homeostasis in mouse parotid acini.