Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF ISOSPOROID COCCIDIA (ISOSPORA AND ATOXOPLASMA SPP.) IN PASSERINE BIRDS

Prevalence and disease caused by isosporoid coccidia in passerine birds are well recognized, but confusion about the life cycles of the parasites has led to taxonomic inconsistencies. In this study, we characterized segments of the chromosomal small and large-subunit ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes of coccidial parasites from 23 species of passerine birds, as well as heat shock protein 70, apicoplast rRNA, and chromosomal 5.8s rRNA genes from a subgroup of these animals, and we correlated genetic data with morphologic findings for different parasite developmental stages, host phylogeny, and overall taxonomic relations within the phylum Apicomplexa. Our findings indicate that isosporoid coccidia of passerine birds are monophyletic but exhibit substantial diversity, with most avian species having one or several unique parasite lineages that underwent synchronous speciation with their hosts, interrupted by sporadic episodes of lateral transmission across species and families. Molecular analyses support a homoxenous life cycle, with sexual forms occurring chiefly in the intestines and asexual merozoites present systemically. Rarely, extraintestinal sexual stages can occur. The passerine coccidia are genetically most closely related to species of Eimeria rather than Isospora. We suggest that these parasites, whether identified from blood merozoite stages or fecal oocysts, be provisionally grouped as a homogeneous clade of individual species in a single taxon and formally named when reliable criteria allowing reclassification of related genera in the suborder Eimeriina are clarified.
The threshold of bone mineral density for vertebral fractures in female patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is one of the causal diseases that induce secondary osteoporosis. Although patients with pHPT have reduced bone mineral density (BMD) especially at the cortical bone, there have been controversies about risk of fracture. Moreover, no reports have been available about the threshold of BMD for fractures in pHPT patients. METHODS BMD values were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at lumbar spine, femoral neck and distal one third of radius. Various indices were compared in 116 female pHPT patients and 716 control subjects. Moreover, we analyzed relationship between the cut-off values of BMD and the prevalence of vertebral fractures in pHPT and control subjects. RESULTS The prevalence of subjects with vertebral fractures was lower in pHPT patients, compared with that of control subjects. Age and body height were significantly higher and lower in pHPT women with vertebral fractures, respectively. Lumbar spine BMD was significantly lower in pHPT women with vertebral fractures, presumably due to their increased age. There were no differences in femoral neck and radius BMD or in bone metabolic indices between pHPT women with and without vertebral fractures. On the other hand, age-matched BMD was not significantly different between both groups at any measured site. Cut-off values of BMD at lumbar spine and femoral neck were lower in postmenopausal pHPT patients, compared with those of the postmenopausal control group. Moreover, cut-off values of BMD at radius was much lower in postmenopausal pHPT patients, compared with those of the postmenopausal control group (pHPT vs control (g/cm(2)): 0.670 vs 0.706 at lumbar spine; 0.549 vs 0.570 at femoral; 0.394 vs 0.474 at radius). Sensitivity and specificity of vertebral fractures was lower in pHPT patients, compared with those in control group. CONCLUSIONS The present cross-sectional study demonstrated that thresholds of BMD for vertebral fractures were lower especially at radial bone in female patients with pHPT, compared with those in the control group.
Comparison of three commercially available assays for HCV RNA using the international unit standard: implications for management of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection in clinical practice

OBJECTIVES:The present study was performed to evaluate the impact of the international unit standard for measuring HCV RNA in the management of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.METHODS:The three assays used were Amplicor Monitor PCR, the National Genetics Institute PCR assay, and branched chain DNA. HCV RNA was measured at four time points (baseline, 3 months after the start of therapy, at the end of treatment, and 6 months after discontinuation of therapy) in 106 consecutive patients who received interferon and ribavirin for chronic HCV.RESULTS:The mean age of the patients was 44 yr. Of the patients, 62% were male, 24% were African American, 38% had bridging fibrosis or cirrhosis, and 75% were HCV genotype 1. Of the 424 samples analyzed, 82–89% of values were within 1 log unit and 85–92% were within 2 log units by the various assays. This variability was not dependent upon HCV genotype. HCV RNA was undetectable in 1.4–6.8% of samples when virus was detected by another assay. The mean HCV RNA in these discordant samples was 1.47–6.33 log IU/ml (30–2,100,000 IU/ml). CONCLUSIONS:These data demonstrate that approximately 90% of serum values for HCV RNA were within 1 log unit by the international unit standard regardless of which virological assay was used. However, false positive and false negative results as well as variations in the HCV RNA level of more than 1 to 2 log units can occur with any of the assays, and these results may have an impact upon the management of patients receiving interferon therapy. It is therefore unwise in clinical practice to base important treatment decisions upon a single HCV RNA determination.
Immunomagnetic selection of purified monocyte and lymphocyte populations from peripheral blood mononuclear cells following cryopreservation

Cryopreservation is a method commonly used to store human blood samples. We sought to determine if cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) could be separated effectively into distinct populations by using monoclonal antibodies and immunomagnetic microspheres. PBMC obtained from healthy blood donors and from human immunodeficiency virus-infected subjects were cryopreserved for as long as 18 months. Recovered cells were separated into CD14+ monocytes and CD4+ T-cell subsets by immunomagnetic selection. Flow cytometry analysis indicated >95% depletion of monocytes from PBMC following immunomagnetic selection with anti-CD14. A highly enriched population of CD4+ T cells was obtained from the CD14-depleted cell fraction by using an anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody and detachable immunomagnetic beads. The CD4+ T cells were subsequently separated into CD4+ CD45RO and CD4+ CD45RA fractions. Each fraction contained >90% enrichment for the respective subpopulation and <5% of the reciprocal subpopulation. No significant differences in cell surface expression of leukocyte markers, in efficiency of selection of PBMC subpopulations, or in mitogen-induced proliferation were detected in freshly isolated or cryopreserved cells. Efficient recovery of cryopreserved specimens means that targeted assays can be performed on selected, prospectively stored samples once clinical endpoints have been achieved.
Label‐free analysis of human cerebrospinal fluid addressing various normalization strategies and revealing protein groups affected by multiple sclerosis

The aims of the study were to: (i) identify differentially regulated proteins in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) between multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and non‐MS controls; (ii) examine the effect of matching the CSF samples on either total protein amount or volume, and compare four protein normalization strategies for CSF protein quantification. CSF from MS patients (n = 37) and controls (n = 64), consisting of other noninflammatory neurological diseases (n = 50) and non neurological spinal anesthetic subjects (n = 14), were analyzed using label‐free proteomics, quantifying almost 800 proteins. In total, 122 proteins were significantly regulated (p < 0.05), where 77 proteins had p‐value <0.01 or AUC value >0.75. Hierarchical clustering indicated that there were two main groups of MS patients, those with increased levels of inflammatory response proteins and decreased levels of proteins involved in neuronal tissue development (n = 30), and those with normal protein levels for both of these protein groups (n = 7). The main subgroup of controls clustering with the MS patients showing increased inflammation and decreased neuronal tissue development were patients suffering from chronic fatigue. Our data indicate that the preferable way to quantify proteins in CSF is to first match the samples on total protein amount and then normalize the data based on the median intensities, preferably from the CNS‐enriched proteins.
Potent and synergistic neutralization of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 primary isolates by hyperimmune anti-HIV immunoglobulin combined with monoclonal antibodies 2F5 and 2G12

Three antibody reagents that neutralize primary human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) isolates were tested for magnitude and breadth of neutralization when used alone or in double or triple combinations. Hyperimmune anti-HIV immunoglobulin (HIVIG) is derived from the plasma of HIV-1-infected donors, and monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) 2F5 and 2G12 bind to distinct regions of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein. The antibodies were initially tested against a panel of 15 clade B HIV-1 isolates, using a single concentration that is achievable in vivo (HIVIG, 2,500 microg/ml; MAbs, 25 microg/ml). Individual antibody reagents neutralized many of the viruses tested, but antibody potency varied substantially among the viruses. The virus neutralization produced by double combinations of HIVIG plus 2F5 or 2G12, the two MAbs together, or the triple combination of HIVIG, 2F5, and 2G12 was generally equal to or greater than that predicted by the effect of individual antibodies. Overall, the triple combination displayed the greatest magnitude and breadth of neutralization. Synergistic neutralization was evaluated by analyzing data from dose-response curves of each individual antibody reagent compared to the triple combination and was demonstrated against each of four viruses tested. Therefore, combinations of polyclonal and monoclonal anti-HIV antibodies can produce additive or synergistic neutralization of primary HIV-1 isolates. Passive immunotherapy for treatment or prophylaxis of HIV-1 should consider mixtures of potent neutralizing antibody reagents to expand the magnitude and breadth of virus neutralization.
Teacher Quality and Minority Achievement Gaps

In this paper we summarize the findings from five separate papers, with the goal of providing a more complete picture than is normally possible in a single paper, of the extent to which the variation in teacher characteristics contributes to minority achievement gaps. All five papers are based on a rich administrative data set that includes information on all students and all teachers in North Carolina. We document the extent to which students in North Carolina are segregated by race not only across schools but also across classrooms within schools; the extent to which teachers with stronger qualifications are overrepresented not only in schools serving more advantaged students, but also in the classrooms serving such students within such schools; the extent to which various teacher characteristics affect student achievement, and finally, the extent to which North Carolina’s relatively sophisticated school-based accountability program has exacerbated the challenges that low-performing schools face in retaining teachers. Together our findings clearly implicate the unequal distribution of teachers, as defined by their characteristics, as one of many factors that contribute to minority achievement gaps. Of particular importance is the uneven distribution of novice teachers across schools and classrooms.
Mating behaviour of Echinostoma trivolvis and E. paraensei in concurrent infections in hamsters

Young adults of Echinostoma trivolvis and E. paraensei were recovered from hamsters previously infected with metacercarial cysts. Some worms of each species were exposed for 1 h to 3-H-tyrosine to label sperm and transplanted singly to uninfected hamsters with several unlabelled worms of the same or opposite species or both species. After 5 days, recovered worms were processed for paraffin sectioning and autoradiography. The resulting slides were observed for the location of radioactive sperm in the seminal receptacles of donor (labelled) and recipient (unlabelled) worms. When E. trivolvis was the donor with the recipient E. paraensei, self-insemination took place, but only one interspecies mating occurred out of 72 possible recipient worms. When E. paraensei served as the donor, self-insemination again occurred, but no cross-insemination was observed among the 59 E. trivolvis recipient worms. When single donor worms had a choice of either species of recipient worms, no interspecies mating took place, but both self- and cross-insemination occurred in the normal, unrestricted behaviour found in single species mating studies. Rates of both self- and cross-insemination were higher in concurrent infections of both recipient species than in single species mating studies. After transplant, both species localized in their natural habitat within the small intestine, with 1/3 overlapping in the duodenum, making interspecies mating a possibility. The correlation between mating and electrophoretic studies on the genetic relationship between 37-collar-spined echinostomes is discussed.
Combined treatment approach to chronic anal fissure with associated anal fistula

Anal fistula in association with chronic anal fissure (fissure‐fistula) is infrequently described. Recognizing this association and managing both components may help prevent some treatment failures seen with chronic anal fissure. This study aims to report on the outcomes of 20 consecutive patients with fissure‐fistula managed with fistulotomy and injection of botulinum A toxin.
Cilostazol is anti‐inflammatory in BV2 microglial cells by inactivating nuclear factor‐kappaB and inhibiting mitogen‐activated protein kinases

Background and purpose: Cilostazol is a specific inhibitor of 3′‐5′‐cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) phosphodiesterase, which is widely used to treat ischemic symptoms of peripheral vascular disease. Although cilostazol has been shown to exhibit vasodilator properties as well as antiplatelet and anti‐inflammatory effects, its cellular mechanism in microglia is unknown. In the present study, we assessed the anti‐inflammatory effect of cilostazol on the production of pro‐inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated murine BV2 microglia.
Intra-African trade of timber: the Cameroon-Chad case in 2015

L'importance et les moyens mis en oeuvre pour importer des sciages au Tchad en provenance du Cameroun demeurent tres peu documentes. Deux enquetes ont ete realisees pour dresser le diagnostic actuel de cette filiere. D'une part, un suivi des flux de sciages a ete fait a N'Djamena et a Moundou de juillet a decembre 2015. D'autre part, des entretiens ont ete conduits avec 16 personnes ressources pour caracteriser les processus suivis pour importer et dedouaner le bois provenant du Cameroun. Selon nos enquetes, le volume de sciages arrivant au Tchad a partir des frontieres camerounaises s'etablit a 79 000m3 sur la periode d'enquete, soit probablement environ 150 000m3 par an. C'est un doublement de l'activite par rapport aux estimations realisees en 2009 sur la base d'un suivi de ce commerce a partir du nord Cameroun. 60% de ce bois est consomme a N'Djamena et n'est pas reexporte vers d'autres pays. Les villes du sud du pays sont egalement des points importants de consommation. Presque la totalite des sciages importes au Tchad est constitue de "bois blancs" et ils sont produits avec des moyens artisanaux. Les camions livrant ces sciages au Tchad portent des volumes moyens compris entre 50 et 70m3 chacun. Seulement 25% de ce volume est enregistre par les douanes tchadiennes. Les procedures officielles d'importation sont longues et couteuses au Tchad. Les acteurs de la filiere ont donc mis en place une "filiere courte" de dedouanement du bois, qui se caracterise par une sous-declaration des volumes importes et le versement de pots-de-vin. Ce systeme parallele est aujourd'hui completement institutionnalise, notamment car il diminue le cout de dedouanement de 28% par rapport au cout de la procedure legale. Cette pratique engendre un manque a gagner fiscal autour de 2 milliards de F.CFA pour l'Etat tchadien, mais elle produit des benefices importants aux officiers des douanes, aux transitaires, aux commercants et aux consommateurs finals de sciages. Le Tchad a donc peu d'interet economique ou politique a changer rapidement ces pratiques informelles d'importation du bois du Cameroun. Toutefois une evolution peut etre envisagee en developpant des incitations financieres a appliquer la reglementation au Tchad et en reduisant les sources de bois illegal au Cameroun. Au Cameroun, cela requiert de (1) verifier les possibilites reelles de production de bois dans les forets communautaires, (2) controler effectivement la legalite des documents de transport du bois dans les villes de Ngaoundere et de Kousseri, et (3) fournir aux douanes tchadiennes la liste des documents demontrant specifiquement la legalite des produits forestiers provenant du Cameroun. (Resume d'auteur)
Interleukin 1: an inhibitor of luteinizing hormone receptor formation in cultured rat granulosa cells

We have shown that interleukin 1 (IL 1) suppresses follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH)‐induced progesterone secretion and 125I‐labeled human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) binding (a measurement of LH receptors) in cultured rat granulosa cells. The present study was designed to examine if the reduction of FSH‐stimulated 125I‐labeled hCG binding by IL 1 was caused by a decline in the binding capacity or by an alteration in the affinity of the LH receptor and, further, to determine the minimum period of exposure of the granulosa cells to IL 1 necessary to suppress 125I‐labeled hCG binding. IL 1 produced a dose‐dependent inhibition of 125I‐labeled hCG binding in FSH‐stimulated granulosa cells. Scatchard analysis revealed that this effect resulted from a reduction of the binding capacity of the LH receptor with no change in affinity. Also, a minimum of 12‐24 h of exposure to IL 1 is necessary to significantly inhibit FSH‐induced LH receptor formation. These results suggest that IL 1 decreases the number of LH receptors and that protein synthesis may be necessary for IL 1's action. However, a physiological/pathological role for IL 1 in ovarian regulation has yet to be established. —Gottschall, P. E. ; Katsuura, G. ; Hoffmann, S. T; Arimura, A. Interleukin 1: an inhibitor of luteinizing hormone receptor formation in cultured rat granulosa cells. FASEB J. 2: 2492‐2496; 1988.
Go-with-the-Flow: Tracking, Analysis and Sonification of Movement and Breathing to Build Confidence in Activity Despite Chronic Pain

Chronic (persistent) pain (CP) affects 1 in 10 adults; clinical resources are insufficient, and anxiety about activity restricts lives. Technological aids monitor activity but lack necessary psychological support. This article proposes a new sonification framework, Go-with-the-Flow, informed by physiotherapists and people with CP. The framework proposes articulation of user-defined sonified exercise spaces (SESs) tailored to psychological needs and physical capabilities that enhance body and movement awareness to rebuild confidence in physical activity. A smartphone-based wearable device and a Kinect-based device were designed based on the framework to track movement and breathing and sonify them during physical activity. In control studies conducted to evaluate the sonification strategies, people with CP reported increased performance, motivation, awareness of movement, and relaxation with sound feedback. Home studies, a focus group, and a survey of CP patients conducted at the end of a hospital pain management session provided an in-depth understanding of how different aspects of the SESs and their calibration can facilitate self-directed rehabilitation and how the wearable version of the device can facilitate transfer of gains from exercise to feared or demanding activities in real life. We conclude by discussing the implications of our findings on the design of technology for physical rehabilitation.
Three essays on corporate boards

This paper explores how board composition influences the conflict of interest between principals and agents, the production of information for monitoring and advice, and the board’s effectiveness as a decision-maker. Paying particular attention to the board’s independence, information production, and diversity, we exploit unusually rich data from an unexplored institutional environment to estimate models that control for endogeneity. We find that the firm’s performance is higher when its directors own equity in the firm, have wide information networks to other firms, and when the board has low gender diversity, no employee directors, and small size. No association is found between performance and independence. Board mechanisms are often endogenously determined, both by each other and by the firm’s performance. These characteristics of value-creating boards are consistent with theoretical predictions and the limited evidence from other institutional regimes, but lend no support to popular opinion and the current politics of corporate governance.
Foreign Direct Investment and International Competitiveness of Trade in Services:Evidence from 77 Countries

In recent years,the effect of FDI on international competitiveness of trade in services has been studied by many scholars,but the results are totally different.In order to research the effects in a general sense,this paper chooses a panel of 77 countries over 1980-2008,and selects lnRXA and RC indexes as the measures of international competitiveness of trade in services,then empirical analysis is taken based on all sample countries,levels of economic development and FDI restrictions in services.The results show that:FDI inflows have no positively aggregate effects on competitiveness of service trade,but have different effects on countries with different levels of economic development and FDI restrictions in services;GDP increases in services also have no positive effects on competitiveness of service trade,but country with high level of FDI restrictions in services is an except;exports of services and goods respectively have significantly positive and negative effects.Besides,different index measuring international competitiveness of service trade will cause significant difference in effects of FDI inflows.
Children's Classroom Peer Relationships and Subsequent Educational Outcomes

Used children's peer relationships (social preference, aggression, and withdrawal) to predict educational outcomes in a 10-year longitudinal study of 524 students in Grades 3 to 5. Consistent with prior research, lower social preference and elevated aggression and withdrawal were each associated with lower graduation rates; however, only aggression uniquely predicted outcomes. Ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES) predicted educational outcomes and moderated the association between peer acceptance and outcomes. Social preference predicted educational outcomes of Caucasian and middle SES students but not African American and low SES students; when ethnicity and SES were included in the same model, only the moderating effect of SES was a significant predictor of educational outcome. Ethnicity also interacted with social withdrawal such that withdrawal predicted more negative educational outcomes for African American but not Caucasian students. When academic achievement scores and being over-age for grade were included in our model, only peer-rated aggression significantly added to the prediction of educational outcomes.