Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tuberculosis diagnostics: which target product profiles should be prioritised?

To the Editor: Globally, a third of all tuberculosis (TB) cases are not notified and many patients do not receive drug susceptibility testing (DST) [1]. New diagnostics can contribute to increased case detection, shorter diagnostic delay and reduced TB transmission. While the Xpert MTB/RIF assay (Cepheid Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA) is a much needed breakthrough [2], it may not reach lower tiers of the healthcare system [3] and doesn’t meet all needs ( e.g. cannot detect resistance against multiple drugs). Several promising diagnostics are under development and companies are showing interest in TB products, inspired by the success of Xpert MTB/RIF [4]. But which new TB diagnostics should they invest in, and what is the potential market size for these products? Stakeholders have expressed a need for different products, including a test for childhood TB [5], a simple point-of-care-test for active pulmonary TB [6], a molecular smear replacement test [7], DST for expected new drug regimens [8], predictive biomarkers for latent TB infection (LTBI) [9], and treatment monitoring [10]. Given the variety of these needs, it is important for product developers to have access to: 1) a clearly identified list of diagnostics that are considered high priority by the TB community; 2) well developed, detailed target product profiles (TPPs) for priority diagnostics; and 3) up-to-date market size estimates for the priority TPPs. These issues are being addressed by ongoing activities, supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (Seattle, WA, USA) and other partners [3, 7, 11]. TPPs are useful to align the end-users needs …
Integrity of the NS5A (amino acid 2209 to 2248) region in hepatitis C virus 1b patients non-responsive to interferon therapy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS In hepatitis C virus-1b, it has been suggested that an amino acid stretch (aa 2209-2248) of the carboxy terminal half of the non-structural 5A (NS5A) region participates in the response to interferon treatment. We tested the hypothesis that absence of mutations in the NS5A (aa 2209-2248) sequence is required for interferon resistance. We also investigated the importance of different HCV-1b isolates in interferon response in France. METHODS We determined the NS5A sequences of 70 patients with chronic hepatitis C before IFN therapy and then compared them with HCV-J prototype sequence. The isolates were determined by NS5B sequencing, the "gold standard" method for genotyping and subtyping. Pre-therapeutic viral load was also measured. RESULTS No sustained virological response was observed in the patients without amino acid substitutions in the NS5A (aa 2209-2248) sequence, and in the patients with HCV-J isolates. Viral load was significantly higher in the patients with no amino acid substitutions in the NS5A (aa 2209-2248) sequence. CONCLUSIONS In HCV-lb infected patients, an HCV-J strain with no amino acid substitution in the NS5A (aa 2209 2248) region indicates a poor prognosis for response to IFN therapy. The low interferon response rate in HCV-lb infection in Europe is probably not due to a difference between isolates.
The cost of favoritism in network-based markets

This paper presents evidence showing that favoritism of close peers severely limits the ability of social networks to allocate a new agricultural technology. I use a three-year field experiment where a new and profitable seed variety was first delivered to a random subset of farmers in 82 Indian villages. The diffusion between farmers is then compared with demand that was revealed experimentally one year later. I find a large gap between adoption from neighbors and demand and this gap is largest for farmers that are the most socially distant from the original seed recipients. Applying an estimate of the causal impact of the technology to this adoption gap shows the costliness of caste-based favoritism. Specifically, the cost to the average farmer over the three-year period where diffusion was tracked is equivalent to about 20 days of casual work.
Effects of Trp- and Arg-Containing Antimicrobial-Peptide Structure on Inhibition of Escherichia coli Planktonic Growth and Biofilm Formation

ABSTRACT Biofilms are sessile microbial communities that cause serious chronic infections with high morbidity and mortality. In order to develop more effective approaches for biofilm control, a series of linear cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with various arginine (Arg or R) and tryptophan (Trp or W) repeats [(RW)n-NH2, where n = 2, 3, or 4] were rigorously compared to correlate their structures with antimicrobial activities affecting the planktonic growth and biofilm formation of Escherichia coli. The chain length of AMPs appears to be important for inhibition of bacterial planktonic growth, since the hexameric and octameric peptides significantly inhibited E. coli growth, while tetrameric peptide did not cause noticeable inhibition. In addition, all AMPs except the tetrameric peptide significantly reduced E. coli biofilm surface coverage and the viability of biofilm cells, when added at inoculation. In addition to inhibition of biofilm formation, significant killing of biofilm cells was observed after a 3-hour treatment of preformed biofilms with hexameric peptide. Interestingly, treatment with the octameric peptide caused significant biofilm dispersion without apparent killing of biofilm cells that remained on the surface; e.g., the surface coverage was reduced by 91.5 ± 3.5% by 200 μM octameric peptide. The detached biofilm cells, however, were effectively killed by this peptide. Overall, these results suggest that hexameric and octameric peptides are potent inhibitors of both bacterial planktonic growth and biofilm formation, while the octameric peptide can also disperse existing biofilms and kill the detached cells. These results are helpful for designing novel biofilm inhibitors and developing more effective therapeutic methods.
Breast Cancer Risk Factors According to Menopausal Status

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. The incidence and mortality rate is increasing in developing countries as compare to developed countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the breast cancer risk factors in premenopausal and post-menopausal women. METHODOLOGY: In the present study, two hundred breast cancer patients and one hundred age matched controls were taken to study breast cancer risk factors. The odd Ratio (ORs) at 95% confidence interval (CIs) was computed to study significance of risk factor on menopausal status. RESULTS: The mean age for menopause was 46.52±4.72 for breast cancer cases and 45.9±4.29 for control group was observed. The marital status, parity, age at menarche at =13 years was found to be associated with breast cancer risk in premenopausal age group. Early age at first full term pregnancy, number of children more than three and lactation duration of more than one year were observed to be protective factors in both pre and postmenopausal age groups A history of spontaneous abortion had no significant effect on the risk of breast cancer diagnosed before or after menopause. The positive association of breast cancer was observed for Height, weight and body mass index (BMI) in postmenopausal women. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, present results suggest that changes in reproductive pattern, menstruation and anthropometric measurements contribute to the risk of breast cancer in both pre and post-menopausal women. Further genetic and hormonal relationship based studies have been suggested using a large cohort.
A 501mW 7.6lGb/s integrated message-passing detector and decoder for polar-coded massive MIMO systems

This work presents the first integration of a message-passing detector (MPD) and a polar decoder. A soft-output MPD, which is essential to approach the channel capacity, is first proposed. Compared to the state-of-the-art design, the proposed MPD achieves a 6.9x higher throughput with 49% lower energy, despite the soft outputs. The proposed polar decoder achieves a 1.35x higher throughput with comparable energy. The chip delivers a throughput of 7.61Gb/s for massive MIMO systems with up to 128 antennas and 32 users.
Correlation between total blood lead values and peripheral blood counts in workers occupationally exposed to urban stressors

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between occupational exposure to airborne lead (Pb) and alterations in peripheral blood counts in workers of the Municipal Police assigned to different types of outdoor tasks. Then, 337 both male and female subjects were enrolled and divided on the basis of sex, cigarette smoking habit and kind of task. Exposure to airborne Pb, dosage of total blood Pb and peripheral blood count were carried out. A significant positive correlation was detected between the values of total blood Pb and values of plasma reticulocytes (%RET) both in the total sample and for all the classes of the subdivision except for police drivers. Some statistically significant correlations were present but discontinuous for other variables of peripheral blood counts. Results suggest that occupational exposure to low doses of airborne Pb is able to influence lines of the hematopoietic system in exposed workers, with special reference to %RET.
Infancia de la inmigración y educación: la visión de las familias

En este articulo estudiamos la importancia que las familias inmigrantes conceden a la educacion de sus hijos. Despues de analizar los principales problemas que afectan a la escolarizacion de la infancia de la inmigracion, presentamos los resultados de una investigacion en la que se conto con una muestra de 111 familias inmigrantes cuyos hijos cursan la ensenanza obligatoria. Nuestro objetivo fue averiguar si la procedencia etnico-cultural de la familia incide o no en la relevancia otorgada a determinados aspectos de la educacion. Con tal proposito realizamos un estudio comparativo entre las familias marroquies (n=22) y las latinoamericanas (n=73). Los resultados permiten afirmar que la procedencia etnico-cultural no constituye una variable de gran peso en la relevancia que los progenitores conceden a la educacion. Se enfatiza, finalmente, la necesidad de explorar otros factores que puedan afectar a la relevancia que los padres inmigrantes otorgan a la educacion de sus hijos.
Emotional Intelligence, Core-Self Evaluation, and Life Satisfaction

In this study it is aimed to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence, core self evaluation and life satisfaction of college students and to determine whether emotional intelligence and core self evaluation predict life satisfaction or not. Study was carried out in accordance with relational survey model. The study group contains the students with age ranges vary from 17 to 21. The study group includes the university students of Duzce University’s (Turkey) different classes of Faculty of Education, Health Faculty, Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Management whose ages range from 17 to 21, 101 of whom are males (31.7%), 218 of whom are females (68.3%), 319 in total, selected with cluster sampling method randomly, and participate in the study voluntarily. In the study, The Life Satisfaction Scale, Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-SF and The Core-Self Evaluation Scale was used. In the consequence of the analysis, it was observed that, there were significant relations between emotional intelligence, core-self evaluation and life satisfaction. Emotional intelligence and core-self evaluation clarify 34% of variance in life satisfaction.
Predict recovery of consciousness in post-acute severe brain injury: The role of EEG reactivity

Objective: This study tested the hypothesis of electroencephalographic reactivity (EEG-R) as a reliable tool for the prognostic evaluation of consciousness recovery in post-acute brain injury. Methods: EEG was recorded in 50 unconscious patients. All patients had a GCS ≤8 and LCF score ≤2. They suffered from traumatic brain injury, cerebrovascular disease or anoxia. EEG was classified according to Synek classification (1988) as benign, malignant and ‘uncertain significance’. EEG-R to painful stimuli was tested. Results: Twenty per cent of patients fulfilled the criteria for benign prognosis, 38% for malignant prognosis, while 42% of them were included in the ‘uncertain’ category, preventing them from stating a prognosis. EEG-R was detected in 48% of patients classified ‘uncertain’ and 92% of them recovered consciousness within 5 months from EEG recording. Multivariable analysis indicates that an unconscious patient admitted to the Rehabilitation Unit within 2 months from brain injury, with a LCF score equal to 2 and the presence of EEG-R has a probability of recovery of consciousness higher than 97%. Conclusion: EEG-R is a good positive factor for the prognosis of recovery of consciousness in the post-acute phase of brain injury, with a high specificity (88.9%). Nevertheless, its absence is not invariably associated with a poor prognosis.
The Cdk5‐p35 kinase associates with the Golgi apparatus and regulates membrane traffic

We show here that an active Cdk5‐p35 kinase is present in Golgi membranes, where it associates with a detergent‐insoluble fraction containing actin. In addition, Cdk5‐p35‐dependent phosphorylation of α‐PAK immunoreactive protein species was detected in Golgi membranes, as well as an interaction with the small GTPase, Cdc42. Moreover, antisense oligonucleotide suppression of Cdk5 or p35 in young cultured neurons, as well as inhibition of Cdk5 activity with olomoucine, blocks the formation of membrane vesicles from the Golgi apparatus. Taken together, these results show a novel subcellular localization of this kinase and suggest a role for Cdk5‐p35 in membrane traffic during neuronal process outgrowth.
Bimolecular fluorescence complementation analysis system for in vivo detection of protein–protein interaction in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay has been widely accepted for studying in vivo detection of protein–protein interactions in several organisms. To facilitate the application of the BiFC assay to yeast research, we have created a series of plasmids that allow single‐step, PCR‐based C‐ or N‐terminal tagging of yeast proteins with yellow fluorescent protein fragments for BiFC assay. By examination of several interacting proteins (Sis1–Sis1, Net1–Sir2, Cet1–Cet1 and Pho2–Pho4), we demonstrate that the BiFC assay can be used to reliably analyse the occurrence and subcellular localization of protein–protein interactions in living yeast cells. The sequences for the described plasmids were submitted to the GenBank under Accession Nos: EF210802, pFA6a‐VN‐His3MX6; EF210803, pFA6a‐VC‐His3MX6; EF210804, pFA6a‐VN‐TRP1; EF210807, pFA6a‐VC‐TRP1; EF210808, pFA6a‐VN‐kanMX6; EF210809, pFA6a‐VC‐kanMX6; EF210810, pFA6a‐His3MX6‐PGAL1‐VN; EF210805, pFA6a‐His3MX6‐PGAL1‐VC; EF210806, pFA6a‐TRP1‐PGAL1‐VN; EF210811, pFA6a‐TRP1‐PGAL1‐VC; EF210812, pFA6a‐kanMX6‐PGAL1‐VN; EF210813, pFA6a‐kanMX6‐PGAL1‐VC; EF521883, pFA6a‐His3MX6‐PCET1‐VN; EF521884, pFA6a‐His3MX6‐PCET1‐VC; EF521885, pFA6a‐TRP1‐PCET1‐VN; EF521886, pFA6a‐TRP1‐PCET1‐VC; EF521887, pFA6a‐kanMX6‐PCET1‐VN; EF521888, pFA6a‐kanMX6‐PCET1‐VC. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Documented bites by a yellow sac spider (Cheiracanthium punctorium) in Italy: a case report

In Italy reports of human envenomations by yellow sac spiders have been sporadic. Since increasing clinical information would improve understanding of the danger of yellow sac spiders to humans, we report the case of a 7-year-old child and her father bitten by a documented Cheiracanthium punctorium. They developed acute persistent pain with local skin signs and numbness, and required emergency treatment. The father recovered completely within 1 to 2 hours and the child within 3 to 4 days after treatment, probably as a result of spontaneous evolution. Clinicians should be aware of the risks and immediate management of spider bites.
Distribution Channel Network and Relational Performance: The Intervening Mechanism of Adaptive Distribution Flexibility

Network theories argue that organizations can enjoy information and control benefits from the network in which they are embedded. Focusing on distribution channel networks with strong, prominent, and central ties, this article argues that distribution flexibility, composed of logistics and relationship flexibility, is a response to environmental uncertainty that mediates the effect of channel network embeddedness on relationship performance. Results show that logistics flexibility and relationship flexibility fully mediate the effect of channel network embeddedness on relationship satisfaction, but that only relationship flexibility mediates the effect of channel network embeddedness on long-term relationship orientation. Furthermore, not only is the effect of tie strength on logistics flexibility stronger in an uncertain environment, but relationship flexibility also decreases as the congruence between uncertainty and tie strength increases, suggesting a complex higher-order contingency model.
Direct torque and reactive power control of Grid Connected Doubly Fed Induction Generator for the wind energy conversion

The purpose of this paper is to show the performance of the direct torque and reactive power control technique (DTRPC), combined with fuzzy logic algorithms, applied to a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) driven by a wind turbine, taking into account the variation of wind allowing the three modes (Sub, Super and synchronous) operation, with a particular focus on synchronous mode, well as the possibility of management and the active-reactive power control. Especially, operation as a local reactive power compensator. This analysis is treated by taking account some constraints that reflect the real operation of a wind driven, such as the pursuit of the references and the influence of the system physical state. The captured wind energy is optimized to extract the maximum power using the MPPT algorithm. The studied system control is tested and validated through numerical simulation. The obtained results show the effectiveness of the control strategy leading to best performances.
Of the origin, characteristics and behavior of thyroid cancer.

HISTORICALLY, positive identification of thyroid cancer has been characterized by a struggle with the pleomorphism of the tumors. Malignant neoplasms of the thyroid can resemble benign neoplasms or even normal thyroid architecture so closely that for many years the “benign” metastasizing goiter of Cohnheim (1876) (1) was believed to be a definite entity. This appeared to defy the laws of biologic behavior of malignant neoplasms. A modification of this concept occurred when Langhans in 1907 (2) described the condition as “proliferating goiter,” thus at least side-stepping a contradiction in terms. The confusion has been perpetuated by the relative infrequency of occurrence of thyroid cancer and by the long natural history of the less malignant phase of the disease. These two factors have contrived to limit observations on a sufficiently large number of patients over a period of time long enough to relate any of the histologic patterns (except the Group III cancers) with predictable behavior and prognosis.
Diabetes Is Associated With Decreased Limb Survival in Patients With Critical Limb Ischemia: Pooled Data From Two Randomized Controlled Trials

OBJECTIVE Although never assessed prospectively, diabetes mellitus (DM) is assumed to negatively affect the outcomes of critical limb ischemia (CLI). DM was highly prevalent in two recently conducted randomized controlled trials in CLI patients, the PADI (Percutaneous Transluminal Balloon Angioplasty [PTA] and Drug Eluting Stents for Infrapopliteal Lesions in Critical Limb Ischemia) and JUVENTAS (Rejuvenating Endothelial Progenitor Cells via Transcutaneous Intra-Arterial Supplementation) trials. To determine the implications of DM in a population of patients with infrapopliteal CLI, clinical outcomes were compared in patients with and without DM. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Individual data from patients with CLI (Rutherford category ≥4) were pooled. Patients were considered to have DM when this diagnosis was reported in the hospital electronic medical records. Rates of major amputation (above ankle level) and major events (major amputation or death) were compared between CLI patients with and without DM. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated. RESULTS Of a total of 281 patients, DM was present in 49.1%. The major amputation rate at 5 years of follow-up was higher in patients with DM than in patients without DM (34.1% vs. 20.4%, P = 0.015). The major event and death rate did not differ. The unadjusted HR of DM for the major amputation risk was 1.87 (95% CI 1.12–3.12). Model factors with significant HRs in the multivariate analysis were baseline Rutherford category (HR 1.95; 95% CI 1.24–3.06) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) >1.4 (HR 2.78; 95% CI 1.37–5.64). CONCLUSIONS CLI patients with DM are at a significantly higher risk of major amputation than CLI patients without DM. This increased risk is associated with a higher prevalence of baseline ABI >1.4 and more severe ischemia at initial presentation in patients with DM.
Transient brain activity used in magnetic resonance imaging to detect functional areas

FUNCTIONAL areas were detected with short stimuli eliciting transient brain activity using the method of ‘transient’ regions of interest (ROIs) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This method was validated by comparing the results with sustainedly activated areas identified conventionally. Eighty-eight and 89% of the total areas of transient ROIs derived from 0.2 and 2 s stimulation, respectively, were identified at 5–7 s and 5–9 s, respectively, after stimulus onset. Eighty-eight and 76%, respectively, of these areas overlapped ‘conventional’ ROIs derived from 20 s stimulation. These results suggest that the delineation of transient ROIs, by targeting a period ∼7 s after transient neural activity, can be useful for fMRI studies of cognitive functions.
Self-Efficacy as a Predictor to PFMT Adherence in a Prevention of Urinary Incontinence Clinical Trial

Past research suggests a positive correlation between self-efficacy (SE) and adherence to behavioral interventions. Less is known about SE and adherence in behavioral programs that are preventive in nature and specific to urinary incontinence (UI). Using treatment-group data from a previously reported randomized controlled trial, the authors assess the role of SE in predicting adherence to pelvic-floor muscle training (PFMT) for UI prevention in a sample of postmenopausal women. Results indicate that at 12 months follow-up, nearly 70% of participants reported medium or high adherence, performing the recommended PFMT regimen 2 to 3 times per week or more. Summary scores of both Task SE, β = . 25, SE (β) = . 08, p < . 01, and Regulatory SE, β = . 43, SE (β) = . 06, p < . 0001, predict adherence. Also, the authors found a modest decline in self-efficacy scores over time. These findings highlight the importance of SE in sustained behavioral change.