Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Baculovirus Infection Induces a DNA Damage Response That Is Required for Efficient Viral Replication

ABSTRACT Several mammalian viruses have been shown to induce a cellular DNA damage response during replication, and in some cases, this response is required for optimal virus replication. However, nothing is known about whether a DNA damage response is stimulated by DNA viruses in invertebrates. Cell cycle arrest and apoptosis are two of the downstream effects of the DNA damage response, and both are stimulated by baculovirus infection, suggesting a possible relationship between baculoviruses and the DNA damage response. In the study described in this report, we found that replication of the baculovirus Autographa californica M nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) in the cell line Sf9, derived from the lepidopteran insect Spodoptera frugiperda, stimulated a DNA damage response, as indicated by an increased abundance of the S. frugiperda P53 protein (SfP53) and phosphorylation of the histone variant protein H2AX. Stimulation of the DNA damage response was dependent on viral DNA replication. Inhibition of the DNA damage response prevented both the increase in SfP53 accumulation and H2AX phosphorylation and also caused a 10- to 100-fold reduction in virus production, along with decreased viral DNA replication and late gene expression. However, silencing of Sfp53 expression by RNA interference did not significantly affect AcMNPV replication or induction of apoptosis by a mutant of AcMNPV lacking the antiapoptotic gene p35, indicating that these processes are not dependent on SfP53 in Sf9 cells.
Social support, neuropsychological performance, and depression in HIV infection

The present study was designed to examine the impact of neuropsychological performance on the relationships between stress, social support, and depression in 217 HIV-infected men. Using path analysis, the contributions of four domains of cognitive functioning (memory, attention, executive function, and psychomotor speed), IQ, and relevant psychosocial variables to depression were evaluated. In the model which best fit the data, cognitive domains did not contribute directly to depression, but contributed significantly to psychosocial variables which affected levels of depression. Attention and executive function contributed to reduced illness-related disability; while higher IQ was associated with fewer stressful life events. Number of stressful life events and level of illness-related disability were associated with depressive symptoms. Higher IQ led to greater numbers of social contacts, which was associated with fewer reported symptoms of depression. These findings suggest that better neuropsychological performance may lead to reduced stress and perceived disability, and more available social contacts. By these multiple paths, different domains of cognitive ability contribute indirectly to ameliorating depression in HIV-infected men. (JINS, 2002, 8, 436–447.)
The Coordination of Prostaglandin E2 Production by Sphingosine-1-phosphate and Ceramide-1-phosphate

The ability of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) to induce the major inflammatory mediator prostaglandin (PG) E2 depends on the activation of two rate-limiting enzymes, phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). PLA2 acts to generate arachidonic acid, which serves as the precursor substrate for COX-2 in the metabolic pathway leading to PGE2 production. However, less is known about the mechanisms that coordinate the regulation of these two enzymes. We have provided prior evidence that sphingosine kinase 1 and its bioactive lipid product sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) mediate the effects of cytokines on COX-2 induction, whereas ceramide kinase and its distinct product, ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P), are required for the activation and translocation of cPLA2 (FASEB J 17:1411-1421. 2003; J Biol Chem 278:38206-38213, 2003; J Biol Chem 279:11320-11326, 2004). Herein, we show that these two pathways are independent but coordinated, resulting in synergistic induction of PGE2. Moreover, the combination of both S1P and C1P recapitulates the temporal and spatial activation of cPLA2 and with COX-2 seen IL-1β. Taken together, the results provide, for the first time, a mechanism that assures the coordinate expression and activation in time and space of COX-2 and cPLA2, assuring maximal production of PGE2.
Running head : Changes of tendon mechanical properties post stroke

Spasticity, contracture, and muscle weakness are commonly observed post stroke in muscles crossing the ankle. However, it is not clear how biomechanical properties of the Achilles tendon change post stroke, which may affect functions of the impaired muscles directly. Biomechanical properties of the Achilles tendon including the length and cross-sectional area in the impaired and unimpaired sides of 10 hemiparetic stroke survivors were evaluated using ultrasonography. Elongation of the Achilles tendon during controlled isometric ramp-and-hold and ramping up then down contractions was determined using a block-matching method. Biomechanical changes in stiffness, Young’s modulus, and hysteresis of the Achilles tendon post stroke were investigated by comparing the impaired and unimpaired sides of the 10 patients. The impaired side showed increased tendon length (6%, P=0.04), decreased stiffness (43%, P<0.001), decreased Young’s modulus (38%, P=0.005), and increased mechanical hysteresis (1.9 times higher, P<0.001) compared to the unimpaired side, suggesting Achilles tendon adaptations to muscle spasticity, contracture, and/or disuse post stroke. In vivo quantitative characterizations of the tendon biomechanical properties may help us better understand changes of the calf muscle-tendon unit as a whole and facilitate development of more effective treatments.
Nonlinear interaction of radiation belt electrons with electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves

The rapid loss of radiation belt electrons in the main phase of geomagnetic storms is believed to be aided by EMIC waves, and is usually analyzed with quasi‐linear theory. However, even moderate EMIC wave intensities easily cause resonant electrons to respond nonlinearly, with drastically different results. We map out the region of nonlinear behavior with a single parameter, and show that both the direction and magnitude of scattering can be estimated by analytical expressions. The nonlinear interactions typically lead to advection toward large pitch angles, rather than diffusion toward the loss cone. This is expected to reduce the overall loss rate and greatly affect the distribution of trapped electrons.
Synthesis and Surface Modification of Poly (dimethylsiloxane) - Gold Nanocomposite Films for Biosensing Applications

Gold – poly(dimethylsiloxane) (Au – PDMS) nanocomposite freestanding films were prepared and used to study the binding of Human Serum Albumin (HSA) to polyclonal anti-HSA. A new method of synthesis was developed for sensing application when most of the gold nanoparticles have to be localized in the surface layer. The localized surface plasmon resonance band in gold nanoparticles is used to monitor the binding reaction. SEM and AFM images as well as the UV- Visible spectrum have shown that incubating the PDMS film in a diluted solution of chloroauric acid for 18 hours results in a good dispersion of gold nanoparticles on the polymer surface, without aggregation. The kinetics of the formation of Au-PDMS is studied by UV-Visible spectroscopy. Biosensing experiments carried out with the Au-PDMS composite showed a good sensitivity allowing the detection of 2.5 mg of antigen. Compared to the previous methods of fabrication, the present technique has the advantage of simplicity; the structures can be prepared under mild conditions and without using an external capping agent. The method is suitable for microfluidic sensing applications for a variety of biomolecules.
Being the Parent of a Ventilator-Assisted Child

The number of medically fragile children cared for at home is increasing; however, there are few studies about the professional support these families receive in their homes. The aim of the study was to understand the meanings that parents had about the support they received from health care professionals who offered care for their ventilator-assisted child in the family home. A phenomenological-hermeneutic method was used. Data included the narratives of five mother–father couples living in Sweden who were receiving professional support for their ventilator-assisted child. The findings indicate that receiving professional support meant being at risk of and/or exposed to the exercise of control over family privacy. The professional support system in the families’ homes worked more by chance than by competent and sensible planning. In good cases, caring encounters were characterized by a mutual relationship where various occupational groups were embraced as a part of family life. The findings are discussed in light of compassionate care, exercise of power, and the importance of holistic educational programs.
The role of the charge nurse manager: a descriptive exploratory study.

AIM To explore the charge nurse manager role. BACKGROUND Management in nursing is increasingly challenging. Restructuring of organizations has had an impact on the scope of the charge nurse manager role that has expanded so that managers are now expected to be leaders. If role preparation is inadequate, potential for role confusion and role stress increases, undermining role effectiveness in this key senior nursing position. METHOD This descriptive exploratory study investigated the experiences of charge nurse managers. Twelve nurse managers from an acute care hospital in New Zealand were interviewed. Data were analysed thematically. RESULTS Three themes, role ambiguity, business management deficit and role overload emerged. It was evident that charge nurse managers were appointed into a management role with clinical expertise but without management skills. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that role preparation should include postgraduate education and business management training. Role induction requires a formal organizational management trainee programme and ongoing supportive clinical supervision. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT New approaches to charge nurse manager role development are needed. Organizations must provide formal structural support to facilitate management development. The profession needs to promote succession planning that would reduce these longstanding problems.
Medication beliefs predict medication adherence in ambulatory patients with decompensated cirrhosis

AIM To investigate the impact of medication beliefs, illness perceptions and quality of life on medication adherence in people with decompensated cirrhosis. METHODS One hundred adults with decompensated cirrhosis completed a structured questionnaire when they attended for routine outpatient hepatology review. Measures of self-reported medication adherence (Morisky Medication Adherence Scale), beliefs surrounding medications (Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire), perceptions of illness and medicines (Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire), and quality of life (Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire) were examined. Clinical data were obtained via patient history and review of medical records. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and stepwise backwards regression techniques were used to construct the multivariable logistic regression model. Statistical significance was set at alpha = 0.05. RESULTS Medication adherence was “High” in 42% of participants, “Medium” in 37%, and “Low” in 21%. Compared to patients with “High” adherence, those with “Medium” or “Low” adherence were more likely to report difficulty affording their medications (P < 0.001), lower perception of treatment helpfulness (P = 0.003) and stronger medication concerns relative to medication necessity beliefs (P = 0.003). People with “Low” adherence also experienced greater symptom burden and poorer quality of life, including more frequent abdominal pain (P = 0.023), shortness of breath (P = 0.030), and emotional disturbances (P = 0.050). Multivariable analysis identified having stronger medication concerns relative to necessity beliefs (Necessity-Concerns Differential ≤ 5, OR = 3.66, 95%CI: 1.18-11.40) and more frequent shortness of breath (shortness of breath score ≤ 3, OR = 3.87, 95%CI: 1.22-12.25) as independent predictors of “Low”adherence. CONCLUSION The association between “Low” adherence and patients having strong concerns or doubting the necessity or helpfulness of their medications should be explored further given the clinical relevance.
Monosymptomatic and non-monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis: a clinical evaluation.

BACKGROUND Nocturnal enuresis is divided into monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) and non-monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (NMNE). This study reviews clinical and ultrasonography (US) findings in enuretic children, and compares the organic and functional pathologies of the lower urinary tract (LUT) in children with MNE to those who have NMNE. METHODS We enrolled 111 neurologically normal children with chief complaints of enuresis in this study. Participants included 60 boys and 51 girls, aged 5 - 17 years. There were 43 (38.8%) patients diagnosed with MNE and 68(61.2)% with NMNE. Urine analysis, urine culture and kidney-bladder US were performed for patients. Some patients underwent a voiding cystoureterography (VCUG), urodynamic study (UDS), or both. RESULTS Patients were divided into three groups: i) MNE, ii) NMNE without daytime incontinence (NMNE - daytime incontinence), and iii) NMNE plus daytime incontinence (NMNE + daytime incontinence). Constipation (P = 0.011), encopresis (P = 0.003) and urge incontinence (P = 0.001) were significantly more frequent in patients with NMNE +daytime incontinence. Bladder wall thickness (BWT) was the most common US finding. One patient with MNE and 9 with NMNE+ daytime incontinence had vesicoureteral reflux (VUR; P = 0.016). Posterior urethral valve (PUV) was reported in one patient with NMNE. Evidence of bladder dysfunction was noted in about half of the patients who underwent UDS, with a higher prevalence in cases that had NMNE +daytime incontinence (P = 0.297). Bowel symptoms and VUR were significantly more prevalent in cases with NMNE + daytime incontinence. CONCLUSION We recommend VCUG in enuretic children who have daytime incontinence. In addition our study has revealed that symptoms suggestive of an overactive bladder (OAB) are not good indicators for bladder dysfunction.
A benchmark for evaluation of algorithms for identification of cellular correlates of clinical outcomes

The Flow Cytometry: Critical Assessment of Population Identification Methods (FlowCAP) challenges were established to compare the performance of computational methods for identifying cell populations in multidimensional flow cytometry data. Here we report the results of FlowCAP‐IV where algorithms from seven different research groups predicted the time to progression to AIDS among a cohort of 384 HIV+ subjects, using antigen‐stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples analyzed with a 14‐color staining panel. Two approaches (FlowReMi.1 and flowDensity‐flowType‐RchyOptimyx) provided statistically significant predictive value in the blinded test set. Manual validation of submitted results indicated that unbiased analysis of single cell phenotypes could reveal unexpected cell types that correlated with outcomes of interest in high dimensional flow cytometry datasets. © 2015 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Cellular radiosensitivity

As a group, 40 MS patients exhibited significantly more cellular sensitivity to ionizing (γ) radiation than 30 age- and sex- matched controls (p < 0.000l), as measured by radiation-induced chromosome aberrations. Studies of phytohemagglutinin-stimulated T lymphocytes, B lymphoblastoid cell lines, and fibroblasts indicated that the cellular radiosensitivity was a general property of the cells of an individual. Patterns of cellular radiosensitivity among the unaffected first-degree relatives of some MS patients suggested autosomal dominant inheritance. Cellular radiosensitivity may be due to mutations of DNA-processing that predispose to MS.
Direct off-air detection, transmission, and tunable bandpass filtering using self-pulsating lasers and substrate antennae

This paper reports for the first time direct off-air detection and transmission from the radio frequency through to the optical domain using a substrate antenna and a self-pulsating laser. The injection-locking property of self-pulsating lasers is exploited and used to lock onto a 1.393-GHz carrier amplitude shift key modulated with 155-Mb/s pseudorandom data. Tunable selection of carriers at 1.409 and 1.630 GHz is demonstrated, with the resultant injection-locked signals being amplified by /spl sim/20 dB.
The role of type I hypersensitivity reaction and IgE-mediated mast cell activation in acute interstitial nephritis.

BACKGROUND Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) presents with acute kidney injury, with evidence of interstitial inflammation and tubulitis on histology, and the presence of fever, rash, and eosinophiluria. Although the pathogenesis of this disease is not well understood, cell-mediated immunity is thought to play a major role. We hypothesized that IgE mediated mast cell activation is also involved in the pathogenesis of renal injury in AIN. METHODS 28 patients, with biopsy proven AIN over a 5-year period, were included in this study. Clinical data, including renal outcomes and the etiologies of AIN, were evaluated in all patients. Available tissues (renal biopsy) from 26 of the patients were stained for β-tryptase (marker for mast cell degranulation), IgE, IL-16, and CD3. A negative control for immunostaining was included. RESULTS Samples from all 26 individuals stained positive for β-tryptase (mean of 11.16 cells/high power field), IgE (mean average of 0.68 cells/HPF), IL-16 (28% of the interstitium), and CD3 (33% of the interstitium). Acute interstitial nephritis was due to medication in 73%, systemic disease in 15%, and unknown (idiopathic) in 12% of the cases. 86% of patients were treated with corticosteroids. 18% required acute inpatient dialysis, with 7% remaining on dialysis longterm. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that IgE and mast cell activation may play a role in the pathogenesis of AIN.
4D deformation modeling of cortical disease progression in Alzheimer's dementia

This work describes the development of a model of cerebral atrophic changes associated with the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Linear registration, region‐of‐interest analysis, and voxel‐based morphometry methods have all been employed to elucidate the changes observed at discrete intervals during a disease process. In addition to describing the nature of the changes, modeling disease‐related changes via deformations can also provide information on temporal characteristics. In order to continuously model changes associated with AD, deformation maps from 21 patients were averaged across a novel z‐score disease progression dimension based on Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. The resulting deformation maps are presented via three metrics: local volume loss (atrophy), volume (CSF) increase, and translation (interpreted as representing collapse of cortical structures). Inspection of the maps revealed significant perturbations in the deformation fields corresponding to the entorhinal cortex (EC) and hippocampus, orbitofrontal and parietal cortex, and regions surrounding the sulci and ventricular spaces, with earlier changes predominantly lateralized to the left hemisphere. These changes are consistent with results from post‐mortem studies of AD. Magn Reson Med 46:661–666, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of Radioimmunoprecipitation With Luciferase Immunoprecipitation for Autoantibodies to GAD65 and IA-2β

OBJECTIVE To compare the sensitivity and specificity of luciferase immunoprecipitation (LIPS) with radioimmunoprecipitation (RIP) for the measurement of autoantibodies to the type 1 diabetes autoantigens glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) and insulinoma-associated protein (IA)-2β. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Sera from 49 type 1 diabetic patients and 100 nondiabetic control subjects from Diabetes Antibody Standardization Program 2007 were used to screen for autoantibodies to GAD65. An additional 200 type 1 diabetic patients and 200 nondiabetic control subjects were used to validate the GAD65 results and screen for autoantibodies to IA-2β. RESULTS LIPS showed equal sensitivity and specificity to RIP for detecting autoantibodies to GAD65 and IA-2β. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis revealed that the detection of autoantibodies to GAD65 and IA-2β by LIPS and RIP were not statistically different. CONCLUSIONS The LIPS assay does not require the use of radioisotopes or in vitro transcription/translation and is a practical alternative at the clinical level for the RIP assay.
Posture used by anaesthetists during laryngoscopy.

BACKGROUND There is little advice on the posture to be used when intubating the trachea. Does the stance used depend on experience? METHODS Twenty-six subjects with varying experience of intubation were photographed during laryngoscopy of an intubation training mannequin. Posture was measured from the photographs and the data were analysed with the Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS The less experienced group had shallower lines of sight, levered more, and stood with their face closer to the mannequin (P=0.037, 0.018 and 0.06 respectively). CONCLUSIONS Novice anaesthetists should be given explicit instructions on correct trolley height and should be taught to intubate with a straight back.
A polynomial-time algorithm for designing digital filters with power-of-two coefficients

An algorithm is presented for designing digital filters with coefficients expressible as sums of signed power-of-two (SPT) terms. For each filter gain, the time complexity of the algorithm is a second-order polynomial in the filter order and is a first-order polynomial in the filter wordlength. Unlike conventional methods where each coefficient is allocated a fixed number of SPT terms, the author's method allows the number of SPT terms for each coefficient to vary subject to the number of SPT terms for the entire filter. This provides the possibility of finding a better filter without increasing the number of adders, which determines the realization cost for a given filter length. Application of the algorithm to finite impulse response (FIR) filter designs shows that it achieves up to 8.9 dB improvement over simulated annealing and mixed integer linear programing on the normalized peak ripples of example filters. <<ETX>>
Condom use amongst out of school youths in a local government area in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Reported low condom use amongst out of school requires studying the context in which condom use occurs. METHODS A cross sectional study of 350 out-of-school youth aged 15-24 years in a local government area of Nigeria was enrolled using cluster sampling. RESULTS Those who had ever had sexual intercourse were 74.9%. Of these, 56.5% used no protection while 29.0% used condoms. Up to 78.6% have had sex within the preceding 12 months with 38.9% condom use. The commonest reason for non-condom use was that it reduces sexual enjoyment. Those who believed a single unprotected sexual exposure may result in HIV infection reported more condom use than those who believed otherwise (42% vs 27.2%, P<0.05). Those who had prior discussion with their partners on HIV/AIDS reported more condom use compared to those who had not (50% vs 25%, P<0.05). Also, those who had sexual intercourse occurring as a spontaneous event reported less condom use compared to those who have previously discussed about the possibility of having sex (68.0% vs 51.8%, P<0.05). CONCLUSION Condom use is likely to occur within relationships where opportunity exists for discussion on sexual matters. Thus, further studies are needed on communication and condom use within sexual partnerships.