Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multinodular polymyositis in a patient with human immunodeficiency and hepatitis C virus coinfection

We report a patient who developed multiple inflammatory muscle masses and generalized polymyositis in the setting of combined human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of muscles showed patchy edema which was particularly intense within the nodular masses. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed no evidence of either virus within muscle. This report reviews earlier literature on muscle nodules associated with myositis and discusses the differential diagnosis of muscle masses in HIV infection. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 24: 433–437, 2001
Survival of bacteria during aerosolization

One form of commercial application of microorganisms, including genetically engineered microorganisms is as an aerosol. To study the effect of aerosol-induced stress on bacterial survival, nonrecombinant spontaneous antibiotic-resistant mutants of four organisms, Enterobacter cloacae, Erwinia herbicola, Klebsiella planticola, and Pseudomonas syringae, were sprayed in separate experiments in a greenhouse. Samples were collected over a distance of 15 m from the spray site for enumeration. Spores of Bacillus subtilis were used as tracers to estimate the effects of dilution on changes in population over distance. Viable counts of P. syringae, Enterobacter cloacae, and K. planticola decreased significantly over a distance of 15 m. Erwinia herbicola showed no significant decline in counts over the same distance. The degree of survival of P. syringae during aerosolization was dependent on ambient environmental conditions (i.e., temperature, relative humidity), droplet size of the aerosol, and prior preparative conditions. Survival was greatest at high relative humidities (70 to 80%) and low temperatures (12 degrees C). Survival was reduced when small droplet sizes were used. The process of washing the cells prior to aerosolization also caused a reduction in their survival. Results from these experiments will be useful in developing sound methodologies to optimize enumeration and for predicting the downwind dispersal of airborne microorganisms, including genetically engineered microorganisms.
Oral Health and Risk of Arthritis in the Scottish Population: Results from the Scottish Health Survey

ABSTRACT Objectives To investigate the link between self-reported oral health and arthritis in the Scottish population using data from the Scottish Health Survey. Material and Methods Data were available from 2008 to 2013 on self-reported arthritis, oral health conditions and oral hygiene habits from the Scottish Health Survey. Arthritis was defined in this survey by self-reported long standing illness, those who reported having arthritis, rheumatism and/or fibrositis. Oral conditions were defined by self-reported bleeding gums, toothache, biting difficulties and/or edentulousness. Oral hygiene habits were defined by self-reported brushing teeth and/or using dental floss on daily basis. Logistic regression was used for statistical analysis adjusted for age, gender, qualification, smoking and body mass index. Results Prevalence of self-reported arthritis was 9.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 9.03 to 9.57). Those who reported having bleeding gums (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.63; 95% CI = 1.35 to 1.96), toothache (OR = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.16 to 1.5), biting difficulties (OR = 1.95; 95% CI = 1.62 to 2.34), and being edentulous (OR = 1.22; 95% CI = 1.08 to 1.37) had an increased risk of arthritis. Brushing teeth (OR = 1.25; 95% CI = 0.74 to 2.12), and using dental floss (OR = 1.11; 95% CI = 0.89 to 1.39) were not associated with arthritis. Conclusions Self-reported oral conditions were associated with increased risk of self-reported arthritis. Oral hygiene habits were not associated with self-reported arthritis. Further investigation is required to assess the causal association between oral hygiene, oral disease and arthritis.
Stability in informal insurances: an approach by networks and overlapping coalitions

Based on empirical facts, we build a model of informal insurance institutions and study their stability. In our setting, risk sharing groups are overlapping homogenous coalitions, originating from networks of historical trust relationships. We derive a general folk theorem that works in an environment of uncertainty and we identify the determinants of stability which are robust to social norms. Our results provide theoretical explanations for empirical findings, including the puzzle that rich families in rural economies in developing countries consume less. Our approach bridges the two traditional approaches of clubs and bilateral agreements.
Structure and Function of Flavivirus NS 5 Methyltransferase

The plus-strand RNA genome of flavivirus contains a 5 terminal cap 1 structure (mGpppAmG). The flaviviruses encode one methyltransferase, located at the N-terminal portion of the NS5 protein, to catalyze both guanine N-7 and ribose 2 -OH methylations during viral cap formation. Representative flavivirus methyltransferases from dengue, yellow fever, and West Nile virus (WNV) sequentially generate GpppA 3 mGpppA 3 mGpppAm. The 2 -O methylation can be uncoupled from the N-7 methylation, since mGpppA-RNA can be readily methylated to mGpppAm-RNA. Despite exhibiting two distinct methylation activities, the crystal structure of WNV methyltransferase at 2.8 Å resolution showed a single binding site for S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM), the methyl donor. Therefore, substrate GpppA-RNA should be repositioned to accept the N-7 and 2 -O methyl groups from SAM during the sequential reactions. Electrostatic analysis of the WNV methyltransferase structure showed that, adjacent to the SAM-binding pocket, is a highly positively charged surface that could serve as an RNA binding site during cap methylations. Biochemical and mutagenesis analyses show that the N-7 and 2 -O cap methylations require distinct buffer conditions and different side chains within the K61-D146-K182-E218 motif, suggesting that the two reactions use different mechanisms. In the context of complete virus, defects in both methylations are lethal to WNV; however, viruses defective solely in 2 -O methylation are attenuated and can protect mice from later wild-type WNV challenge. The results demonstrate that the N-7 methylation activity is essential for the WNV life cycle and, thus, methyltransferase represents a novel target for flavivirus therapy.
LANGUAGE-DRIVEN SPATIOTEMPORAL CAUSAL INTEGRATION IN THE PREFRONTAL AND PREMOTOR CORTICES

La bibliografia conductual ha reportado diferencias entre los procesos de percepcion causal y procesos superiores de razonamiento causal. El desarrollo de nuevas tecnologias como la resonancia magnetica nuclear funcional, la perspectiva teorica de la linguistica cognitiva y los disenos experimentales conductuales han propiciado nuevas hipotesis y abierto nuevas posibilidades para abordar la diferencia entre percepcion causal y razonamiento causal. En este articulo discutimos e integramos los recientes avances biologicos y psicolinguisticos sobre las representaciones perceptuales y linguisticas de la causalidad que desafian la vision modular del conocimiento causal en el humano. Sugerimos que las representaciones linguisticas y sensorio-perceptuales de eventos causales podrian coexistir e interactuar en el cerebro. En este sentido, mientras trabajos anteriores proponen que las areas posteriores del cerebro detectan automaticamente la estructura espacio-temporal de los eventos causales visuales y que areas frontales integran esa informacion en una representacion causal, los resultados de nuestro programa de investigacion sugieren que este proceso es modulado por el lenguaje. Las representaciones semanticas de dos estructuras linguisticas diferentes (lexica y perifrastica) podrian influir en los mecanismos de control cognoscitivo, los recursos de memoria y las respuestas motoras preparatorias cuando los participantes evaluan la naturaleza causal de los eventos visuales.
Finite Time Stability and Robust Control Synthesis of Uncertain Switched Systems

Stability analysis is developed for uncertain nonlinear switched systems. While being asymptotically stable and homogeneous of degree q < 0, these systems are shown to approach the equilibrium point in finite time. Restricted to second order systems, this feature is additionally demonstrated to persist regardless of inhomogeneous perturbations. Based on this fundamental property, switched control algorithms are then developed to globally stabilize uncertain minimum phase systems of uniform m-vector relative degree (2,.,2)T. The controllers constructed do not rely on the generation of sliding motions while providing robustness features similar to those possessed by their sliding mode counterparts. The proposed synthesis procedure is illustrated via application to a friction servo-motor.
Sample size and the detection of a hump-shaped relationship between biomass and species richness in Mediterranean wetlands

Abstract Questions: What is the observed relationship between biomass and species richness across both spatial and temporal scales in communities of submerged annual macrophytes? Does the number of plots sampled affect detection of hump-shaped pattern? Location: Doñana National Park, southwestern Spain. Methods: A total of 102 plots were sampled during four hydrological cycles. In each hydrological cycle, the plots were distributed randomly along an environmental flooding gradient in three contrasted microhabitats located in the transition zone just below the upper marsh. In each plot (0.5 m × 0.5 m), plant density and above- and below-ground biomass of submerged vegetation were measured. The hump-shaped model was tested by using a generalized linear model (GLM). A bootstrap procedure was used to test the effect of the number of plots on the ability to detect hump-shaped patterns. Result: The area exhibited low species density with a range of 1 - 9 species and low values of biomass with a range of 0.2–87.6 g-DW / 0.25 m2. When data from all years and all microhabitats were combined, the relationships between biomass and species richness showed a hump-shaped pattern. The number of plots was large enough to allow detection of the hump-shaped pattern across microhabitats but it was too small to confirm the hump-shaped pattern within each individual microhabitat. Conclusion: This study provides evidence of hump-shaped patterns across microhabitats when GLM analysis is used. In communities of submerged annual macrophytes in Mediterranean wetlands, the highest species density occurs in intermediate values of biomass. The bootstrap procedure indicates that the number of plots affects the detection of hump-shaped patterns. Abbreviations: AIC = Akaikes information criterion; GLM = Generalized linear model. Nomenclature: Valdés et al. 1987; Corillion 1961 and Wood & Imahori (1965) for charophytes.
Recommended Dietary Pattern to Achieve Adherence to the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC) Guidelines: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

In 2013, the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology published the “Guideline on Lifestyle Management to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk,” which was based on a systematic review originally initiated by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The guideline supports the American Heart Association’s 2020 Strategic Impact Goals for cardiovascular health promotion and disease reduction by providing more specific details for adopting evidence-based diet and lifestyle behaviors to achieve those goals. In addition, the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans issued updated evidence relevant to reducing cardiovascular risk and provided additional recommendations for adopting healthy diet and lifestyle approaches. This scientific statement, intended for healthcare providers, summarizes relevant scientific and translational evidence and offers practical tips, tools, and dietary approaches to help patients/clients adapt these guidelines according to their sociocultural, economic, and taste preferences.
The Human Cytomegalovirus IE2 and UL112-113 Proteins Accumulate in Viral DNA Replication Compartments That Initiate from the Periphery of Promyelocytic Leukemia Protein-Associated Nuclear Bodies (PODs or ND10)

ABSTRACT During human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection, the periphery of promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML)-associated nuclear bodies (also known as PML oncogenic domains [PODs] or ND10) are sites for both input viral genome deposition and immediate-early (IE) gene transcription. At very early times after infection, the IE1 protein localizes to and subsequently disrupts PODs, whereas the IE2 protein localizes within or adjacent to PODs. This process appears to be required for efficient viral gene expression and DNA replication. We have investigated the initiation of viral DNA replication compartment formation by studying the localization of viral IE proteins, DNA replication proteins, and the PML protein during productive infection. Localization of IE2 adjacent to PODs between 2 and 6 h after infection was confirmed by confocal microscopy of human fibroblasts (HF cells) infected with both wild-type HCMV(Towne) and with an IE1-deletion mutant HCMV(CR208) that fails to disrupt PODs. In HCMV(Towne)-infected HF cells at 24 to 48 h, IE2 also accumulated in newly formed viral DNA replication compartments containing the polymerase processivity factor (UL44), the single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB; UL57), the UL112-113 accessory protein, and newly incorporated bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). Double labeling of the HCMV(CR208)-infected HF cells demonstrated that formation of viral DNA replication compartments initiates within granular structures that bud from the periphery of some of the PODs and subsequently coalesce into larger structures that are flanked by PODs. In transient DNA transfection assays, both the N terminus (codons 136 to 290) and the C terminus (codons 379 to 579) of IE2 exon 5, but not the central region between them, were found to be necessary for both the punctate distribution of IE2 and its association with PODs. Like IE2, the UL112-113 accessory replication protein was also distributed in a POD-associated pattern in both DNA-transfected and virus-infected cells beginning at 6 h. Furthermore, when all six replication core machinery proteins (polymerase complex, SSB, and helicase-primase complex) were expressed together in the presence of UL112-113, they also accumulated at POD-associated sites, suggesting that the UL112-113 protein (but not IE2) may play a role in recruitment of viral replication fork proteins into the periphery of PODs. These results show that (i) subsequent to accumulating at the periphery of PODs, IE2 is incorporated together with the core proteins into viral DNA replication compartments that initiate from the periphery of PODs and then grow to fill the space between groups of PODs, and (ii) the UL112-113 protein appears to have a key role in assembling and recruiting the core replication machinery proteins in the initial stages of viral replication compartment formation.
Micropapillary variant of mucinous breast carcinoma: A distinct subtype

Invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast is a subtype with high malignant potential characterized by lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and a predilection for axillary lymph node (AXLN) metastases. In contrast, pure mucinous breast carcinoma (MBC) is relatively indolent with low metastatic potential. Recent studies have described a histologic variant of breast cancer that displays combined mucinous and micropapillary patterns, ie, micropapillary variant of mucinous carcinoma (MpVMBC). This underrecognized variant is, as yet, incompletely characterized clinicopathologically. Extant reports suggest a more aggressive lesion than pure MBC with greater propensity for both LVI and AXLN metastases. Here we present our institution's experience with MpVMBCs including clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses. Greater awareness and recognition of this variant could positively contribute to patient care by (1) avoiding underestimation of malignant potential for individuals whose tumors may have been diagnosed as simply “MBC, not otherwise specified”, and (2) recommending a postsurgical adjuvant approach emphasizing the hormone receptor targets, even perhaps in younger women presenting with AXLN positive disease.
Neo-sex chromosomes and adaptive potential in tortricid pests

Changes in genome architecture often have a significant effect on ecological specialization and speciation. This effect may be further enhanced by involvement of sex chromosomes playing a disproportionate role in reproductive isolation. We have physically mapped the Z chromosome of the major pome fruit pest, the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (Tortricidae), and show that it arose by fusion between an ancestral Z chromosome and an autosome corresponding to chromosome 15 in the Bombyx mori reference genome. We further show that the fusion originated in a common ancestor of the main tortricid subfamilies, Olethreutinae and Tortricinae, comprising almost 700 pest species worldwide. The Z–autosome fusion brought two major genes conferring insecticide resistance and clusters of genes involved in detoxification of plant secondary metabolites under sex-linked inheritance. We suggest that this fusion significantly increased the adaptive potential of tortricid moths and thus contributed to their radiation and subsequent speciation.
Improved protective efficacy of a chimeric Staphylococcus aureus vaccine candidate iron‐regulated surface determinant B (N126–P361)‐target of RNAIII activating protein in mice

The pathogen Staphylococcus aureus causes a wide range of serious infections, necessitating urgent development of a vaccine against this organism. However, currently developed vaccines are relatively ineffective because of the limited antigenic component that is contained in the vaccine formulations. To develop an effective S. aureus candidate vaccine, overlapping PCR was used to add the truncated immunodominant antigen iron‐regulated surface determinant B (IsdB)(N126–P361) (tIsdB) to the N‐terminal of intact antigen target of RNAIII activating protein (TRAP) and thus construct a tIsdB‐TRAP chimera. The humoral and cellular immune responses against tIsdB‐TRAP were compared with those against single or combined formulations. tIsdB‐TRAP elicited significantly stronger humoral responses in mice (P < 0.05). As to cellular immune responses in mice, the tIsdB‐TRAP group resulted in a greater IL‐4 response than did other groups (P < 0.05). Greater amounts of IL‐2 and IFN‐γ were found in the tIsdB‐TRAP group. Mouse challenge also showed that tIsdB‐TRAP provided better protection against S. aureus than did the control groups. These results suggest that this chimeric protein may be a promising pathogen target for further vaccine development.
Introduction of a novel teaching paradigm for head and neck anatomy.

INTRODUCTION Didactic head and neck anatomy teaching has been replaced by a novel self-directed, multimodal, and multidisciplinary approach at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry (SSMD). OBJECTIVES To describe the use of a novel teaching paradigm at SSMD and to enable readers to determine how this methodology may benefit medical students at other academic institutions and disciplines. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. METHODS The paradigm consists of multimedia learning modules to guide independent anatomy learning. Students received a case-based assignment based on the content of the learning modules to guide them through cadaveric dissections facilitated by a multidisciplinary team of surgeons and anatomists. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES PRIMARY OUTCOME Postcourse survey and mean scores comparison. The survey collected data, including demographics and previous anatomic and computer-assisted learning (CAL) experiences, and focused on measuring student perception of the proposed paradigm. Secondary outcome: Correlation of demographics. RESULTS The paradigm was successfully implemented and warmly received, but it still requires further development. Although CAL allows increased individual engagement, students still enjoy and value lectures. In addition, students view instruction by surgeons in laboratories as the most valuable component of their anatomy teaching as it not only deepened the students' understanding of anatomic structures but also provided them with the clinical relevance. Technological innovations were welcomed by the students but have not replaced their appreciation of dissection and lecures.
Visual form discrimination by echolocating bats.

Two species of echolocating Microchiroptera were behaviorally conditioned to visually discriminate between various pairs of simple, equal area patterns presented simultaneously as silhouettes against a diffusely trans-illuminated background. These were Carollia perspicillata (frugivouous) and Anoura geoffroyi (nectivorous). Data suggest that visual form discrimination in bats such as Anoura geoffroyi is comparable or superior to that demonstrated in pigmented laboratory rats. Pattern vision may supplement or replace acoustic orientation in the detection of relatively large distant objects where the propagation losses of ultrasonic cries seriously reduce the echo intensity. Vision may be an important aid to navigation of bats on feeding or migratory flights.