Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A study of Culicoides in Rondônia, in the Brazilian Amazon: species composition, relative abundance and potential vectors

There is very little information available about Culicoides species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in the western Brazilian Amazon. However, studies of the fauna of this region are essential to knowledge of the species and potential vectors within it. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the abundance, richness and composition of Culicoides species in rural areas in the state of Rondônia, Brazil. Culicoides specimens were collected in forest and pasture environments in the municipality of Porto Velho, using light traps. A total of 1708 individuals (1136 females and 572 males) belonging to 33 species were collected; 28 of these samples represent new records for the state of Rondônia and include the first record of Culicoides contubernalis in Brazil. Culicoides insignis was the most abundant species (86.1%). Species richness was greater in forest areas (32 species, 96.96%), whereas pastures presented the greatest number of Culicoides captured (n = 1540, 90.1%). This study shows that Culicoides populations differ between forest and pasture environments and indicates that the abundance of C. insignis is an important factor in epidemiological vigilance studies in the region.
EARLY STRUCTURAL CHANGES OF AORTIC WALL IN SINOAORTIC‐DENERVATED RATS

1 The present work was designed to observe the early structural changes in the aortic wall in Sprague‐Dawley rats 1, 2 and 4 weeks after sinoaortic denervation (SAD). 2 Rats were examined 1, 2 and 4 weeks after SAD. Blood pressure (BP) was recorded in the conscious state. The thoracic aortas were taken for investigations, including: light microscopy, electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labelling (TUNEL). 3 Blood pressure variability (BPV) was significantly increased in the SAD groups 1, 2 and 4 after the operation when compared with the sham‐operated ones. 4 Two weeks after SAD the percentage proportion of smooth muscle cell density (SMC%) was obviously increased. 5 Four weeks after SAD: the SMC%, percentage proportion of collagen density (CD%) and aortic wall thickness (WT) were obviously increased with vascular smooth muscle cells blebbing concomitantly. Endothelial cells showed degenerative changes and swelling with blebbing of the cell membrane and increased condensation of peripheral nuclear chromatin and cytoplasmic vacuolization. It was also found that the number of apoptotic endothelial cells was increased and expression of eNOS was reduced. 6 This is the first study that shows the time‐course of aortic wall and endothelial cell changes induced by SAD. Increased BPV might be the priming factor in the development of organ damage induced by SAD.
Effects of Tracheal Instillation of Natural Surfactant in Premature Lambs. I. Clinical and Autopsy Findings

Summary: Ten pairs of twin lambs 118–122 days of gestation were given cither natural surfactant or diluent endotracheally before the first breath. By using the premature twin lamb model, we have been able to show that instillation of natural surfactant produced 100% survival for the duration of the study period (2 hr); stable blood gases on room air; lungs that became increasingly compliant while on the respirator; generally well aerated lungs at autopsy; good lung pressure-volume relationships; normal lung surface tension measurements; and histologic evidence of good alveolar expansion with large amounts of free intraluminal phospholipid, no epithelial damage, and no hyaline membranes. It is concluded that tracheal instillation of natural surfactant into the premature lamb protects the lungs from developing many features characteristic of the respiratory distress syndrome.Speculation: The success of these experiments is possibly due to the use of “whole” natural surfactant rather than some of its component chemicals. The precise biochemistry and physical chemistry of surfactant is very controversial, and for therapeutic purposes, it might be best for the moment to concentrate on the natural biologic product.
Clear cell ovarian cancers with microsatellite instability: A unique subset of ovarian cancers with increased tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and PD-1/PD-L1 expression

ABSTRACT Clear cell ovarian carcinoma (CCOC) represents a distinct histologic subtype of ovarian cancer associated with significantly worse prognosis across all stages and no effective therapeutic options. Here, we report a rare but clinically important cohort of CCOCs with microsatellite instability (MSI) (MSI-CCOCs), which are highly immunogenic and may thus be very responsive to immune checkpoint blockade. CCOCs with MSI exhibit a significantly higher number of CD8+ TILs, higher CD8+/CD4+ ratio, and higher PD-1+ TILs compared with microsatellite stable (MSS) CCOCs and compared with high grade serous ovarian cancers, which are the most common histologic subtype of ovarian cancer. Of note, PD-L1 expression in tumor cells or immune cells was noted in all cases of CCOCs with MSI. These observations open an alternative therapeutic avenue for a fraction of patients with CCOC and argue for the routine testing of CCOCs for MSI, a test that is not currently routinely performed.
Does colour affect the quality or quantity of children’s stories elicited by pictures?

The current study investigated the effect of colour vs. black-and-white pictures on the stories children told using the pictures as stimuli. Participants were 22 preschool children aged 4—6 (M = 59.98, SD = 7.52) attending day-care centres in a Western Canadian city. Two story sets of five pictures each, depicting stories with similar structure, were used as stimuli. Two versions of each story were made, one in colour and one in black and white. Each child was presented with one of the stories in colour and the other in black and white; versions and stories were counterbalanced across children. Stories were analysed for differences in content using story grammar, in amount using total number of words used in telling the story, and in vocabulary variety using number of different words used. Children were also asked which of the two stories they had preferred and why they preferred that story. Results indicated that stories children told did not differ on any of the variables; children told stories that were similar in content, length, and word variety regardless of whether the pictures used to elicit stories were in colour or black and white. When asked which story they preferred, roughly equal numbers of children expressed a preference for each version; when asked why that story was preferred, only four children ascribed it to colour, while the majority of children gave content-related reasons for their preference. We conclude that colour or lack thereof in picture stimuli does not appear to affect stories told by preschool children who are typically developing.
PspB and PspC of Yersinia enterocolitica are dual function proteins: regulators and effectors of the phage‐shock‐protein response

The phage‐shock‐protein (Psp) stress‐response system is conserved in many bacteria and has been linked to important phenotypes in Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica and also Yersinia enterocolitica, where it is essential for virulence. It is activated by specific extracytoplasmic stress events such as the mislocalization of secretin proteins. From studies of the Psp system in E. coli, the cytoplasmic membrane proteins PspB and PspC have only been proposed to act as positive regulators of psp gene expression. However, in this study we show that PspB and PspC of Y. enterocolitica are dual function proteins, acting both as regulators and effectors of the Psp system. Consistent with the current model, they positively control psp gene expression in response to diverse inducing cues. PspB and PspC must work together to achieve this regulatory function, and bacterial two‐hybrid (BACTH) analysis demonstrated a specific interaction between them, which was confirmed by in vivo cross‐linking. We also show that PspB and PspC play a second role in supporting growth when a secretin protein is overexpressed. This function is independent from their role as regulators of psp gene expression. Furthermore, whereas PspB and PspC must work together for their regulatory function, they can apparently act independently to support growth during secretin production. This study expands the current understanding of the roles played by PspB and PspC, and demonstrates that they cannot be considered only as positive regulators of psp gene expression in Y. enterocolitica.
Clinical, Virologic, and Immunologic Response to Efavirenz-or Protease Inhibitor–Based Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in a Cohort of Antiretroviral-Naive Patients With Advanced HIV Infection (EfaVIP 2 Study)

Objective:To compare the clinical, immunologic, and virologic outcomes of efavirenz (EFV)-based versus protease inhibitor (PI)–based highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in severely immunosuppressed HIV-1–infected patients. Design:Retrospective observational cohort study. Methods:Responses were analyzed according to the intent-to-treat principle among antiretroviral-naive patients with <100 CD4 cells/μL who started EFV (n = 92) or a PI (n = 218) plus 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. The primary end point was time to treatment failure. Secondary end points were percentage of patients with a viral load <400 copies/mL, time to virologic failure, time to CD4 lymphocyte count >200 cells/μL, and incidence of opportunistic events or death. Results:The median baseline CD4 cell count and viral load were 34 cells/μL and 5.54 log10 copies/mL (EFV group) and 38 cells/μL and 5.40 log10 copies/mL (PI group). Time to treatment failure was shorter with a PI-based regimen than with an EFV-based regimen (adjusted relative hazard [RH] = 2.19, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23–3.89). After 12 months of therapy, a significantly higher proportion of patients receiving EFV reached a viral load <400 copies/mL (69.4 vs. 45.1%; P < 0.05). The probability of virologic failure was higher with a PI than with EFV (adjusted HR = 2.52, 95% CI: 1.14–5.61; P = 0.024). There was no difference in time to CD4 cell count >200 cells/μL or in incidence of opportunistic events or death. Conclusion:In severely immunosuppressed, antiretroviral-naive, HIV-1–infected patients, treatment with an EFV-based regimen compared with a nonboosted PI-based regimen resulted in a superior virologic response with no difference in immunologic or clinical effectiveness.
Senile Dementia and Parietal Lobe Dysfunction

RUIH, hl (14PU) l ' hc d~ilgnoys of dcmcntiain latcand middlc life. S t 1 m k a . B. (19841 Cornmcntary on 'Is Ahhcirnrr's disease In The Epidemioiogy OJ Demenriu, (Eds J. A. Morlirner & .nhcriled? " by Folstcin and PoweU Inregro~iw h y r h i u r r , ~ . 2, I. hl. Schuman). Oxford: Oxford University Press. 170-171. ST HEN^, V . W . D. (1955) FoIia Aychiurrica el Nmroiopics S k e l . ~ u ~ R u n ~ m ~ , hi. & JONES. S. {l9&4) Nominal dysphasia and Nwrlund, c~tcd by Cnrullis, J. A. N. & Mcycr, A. (1959) Aspffls the severity of senile dementia. Btiiish Journal of Psychiclfry. or ncuroparhology in relation to mental disease. In Recenr 145. 168-171. Progres ~n Psychio~ry, (eds G . W. T. H. Reming & A . Walk. Vol. 3 . London: Churchill.
Decision-feedback detection for block differential space-time modulation

Time variation on fading channels hinders accurate channel estimation in differential space-time modulation and deteriorates the performance. Decision-feedback differential detection is studied for block differential space-time modulation, and compared with conventional differential space-time modulation. It is observed that the proposed scheme does not suffer effective fading bandwidth expansion, as does the conventional scheme. An improved effective signal-to-noise ratio approach is proposed for analyzing the performance of the proposed scheme in time-varying flat Rayleigh fading. Theoretical analysis and simulations show the improved performance of the proposed scheme over the conventional scheme.
The RNA‐binding protein MARTA2 regulates dendritic targeting of MAP2 mRNAs in rat neurons

Dendritic targeting of mRNAs encoding the microtubule‐associated protein 2 (MAP2) in neurons involves a cis‐acting dendritic targeting element. Two rat brain proteins, MAP2‐RNA trans‐acting protein (MARTA)1 and MARTA2, bind to the cis‐element with both high affinity and specificity. In this study, affinity‐purified MARTA2 was identified as orthologue of human far‐upstream element binding protein 3. In neurons, it resides in somatodendritic granules and dendritic spines and associates with MAP2 mRNAs. Expression of a dominant‐negative variant of MARTA2 disrupts dendritic targeting of endogenous MAP2 mRNAs, while not noticeably altering the level and subcellular distribution of polyadenylated mRNAs as a whole. Finally, MAP2 transcripts associate with the microtubule‐based motor KIF5 and inhibition of KIF5, but not cytoplasmic dynein function disrupts extrasomatic trafficking of MAP2 mRNA granules. Thus, in neurons MARTA2 appears to represent a key trans‐acting factor involved in KIF5‐mediated dendritic targeting of MAP2 mRNAs.
The Goal Circuit Model: A Hierarchical Multi-Route Model of the Acquisition and Control of Routine Sequential Action in Humans

Human control of action in routine situations involves a flexible interplay between (a) task-dependent serial ordering constraints; (b) top-down, or intentional, control processes; and (c) bottom-up, or environmentally triggered, affordances. In addition, the interaction between these influences is modulated by learning mechanisms that, over time, appear to reduce the need for top-down control processes while still allowing those processes to intervene at any point if necessary or if desired. We present a model of the acquisition and control of goal-directed action that goes beyond existing models by operationalizing an interface between two putative systems-a routine and a non-routine system-thereby demonstrating how explicitly represented goals can interact with the emergent task representations that develop through learning in the routine system. The gradual emergence of task representations offers an explanation for the transfer of control with experience from the non-routine goal-based system to the routine system. At the same time it allows action selection to be sensitive both to environmental triggers and to biasing from multiple levels within the goal system.
Partial differential equation models in macroeconomics

The purpose of this article is to get mathematicians interested in studying a number of partial differential equations (PDEs) that naturally arise in macroeconomics. These PDEs come from models designed to study some of the most important questions in economics. At the same time, they are highly interesting for mathematicians because their structure is often quite difficult. We present a number of examples of such PDEs, discuss what is known about their properties, and list some open questions for future research.
Return to Play Issues in Upper Extremity Injuries

Objective:The purpose of this paper is to outline general treatment and return to play (RTP) strategies as they pertain to athletes with various upper extremity injuries. It is not intended to be a comprehensive review of these injuries. Data Sources/Synthesis:A review of the literature plus expert opinion served as the basis for recommendations made regarding management strategies for returning the athlete to play after upper extremity injury. A Medline search was performed using the following key words: upper extremity injury, return to play, glenohumeral dislocation, acromioclavicular joint sprains, elbow dislocation, scaphoid fracture, metacarpal fracture, finger dislocation, tendon injury, hand, mallet finger, and jersey finger. These and other related terms were crossed using the Medline database from 1966 to 2005. Results:Review of book chapters, articles generated from the Medline search, and expert opinion led to the recommendations that are presented here. There is general agreement regarding the treatment of many of the injuries discussed, but controversies do exist. RTP guidelines are largely dependent on the severity of initial injury, rates of healing, and return of strength. Conclusions:Each athlete with a particular injury to the upper extremity needs to be approached as an individual as no single set of treatment or RTP guidelines applies to all injuries or all individuals. Factors such as age, injury severity, hand dominance, type of sport participation, method of treatment, and chronicity of injury are among the many issues that must be considered when developing a treatment and RTP strategy for a particular athlete.
Transition to adulthood and antiretroviral adherence among HIV-positive young Black men who have sex with men.

OBJECTIVES We conducted a qualitative study of HIV-positive young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) to explore their experiences of living with HIV and adhering to antiretroviral medications (ARVs) within the developmental context of their transition to adulthood. METHODS We conducted life history interviews with 20 HIV-positive YBMSM in Atlanta, Georgia, engaged in outpatient HIV care. We addressed these questions: (1) How do YBMSM living with HIV experience the transition to adulthood? and (2) What are the important sociocontextual influences on ARV adherence for YBMSM? RESULTS Successful transition to adulthood and optimal ARV adherence were inextricably linked. HIV's detrimental impact on development was moderated by the degree of physical illness at diagnosis. Many participants described resilient trajectories while coping with HIV. Adherence problems occurred primarily among participants who were not meeting their developmental goals. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support the need for early diagnosis and linkage to care, as well as the need to develop holistic, resilience-based interventions focusing on transition to adulthood. These findings have implications for individual clinical outcomes as well as ARV-based prevention efforts among YBMSM.
Wage Differentials between Native and Immigrant Women in Spain: Accounting for Differences in the Supports

The objective of the study is to quantify the wage gap between native and immigrant women in Spain taking into account differences in their characteristics and the need to control for common support. Using the microdata from the Social Security Records (MCVL) and with a matching procedure of Nopo (2008) we analysed the decomposition of the wage gap. The advantage of this procedure is that we can simultaneously estimate the common support and the mean counterfactual wage for the women on the common support. In addition, we can describe not only differences at the mean, but along the entire wage distribution. The results obtained indicate that, on average, immigrants women earn less than native in the Spanish labour market. This wage gap is bigger when we analyse the developing countries, but our main finding is that part of this wage gap is related to difference in common supports, i.e. immigrant women have different characteristics than native women that make them less attractive in the labour market. If the need to control for common support is neglected, estimates of the wage gap will be biased.
Oxidative Stress and Bronchial Asthma in Children—Causes or Consequences?

Bronchial asthma is one of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases of the airways. In the pathogenesis of this disease, the interplay among the genes, intrinsic, and extrinsic factors are crucial. Various combinations of the involved factors determine and modify the final clinical phenotype/endotype of asthma. Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species and the capacity of antioxidant defense mechanisms. It was shown that oxidative damage of biomolecules is strongly involved in the asthmatic inflammation. It is evident that asthma is accompanied by oxidative stress in the airways and in the systemic circulation. The oxidative stress is more pronounced during the acute exacerbation or allergen challenge. On the other hand, the genetic variations in the genes for anti-oxidative and pro-oxidative enzymes are variably associated with various asthmatic subtypes. Whether oxidative stress is the consequence of, or the cause for, chronic changes in asthmatic airways is still being discussed. Contribution of oxidative stress to asthma pathology remains at least partially controversial, since antioxidant interventions have proven rather unsuccessful. According to current knowledge, the relationship between oxidative stress and asthmatic inflammation is bidirectional, and genetic predisposition could modify the balance between these two positions—oxidative stress as a cause for or consequence of asthmatic inflammation.
[Study on the genotyping of human papillomavirus using a new DNA liquid chip in women of high-risk group of Shandong province].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the diagnostic applicability of human papillomavirus (HPV) liquid chip assay which is based on Luminex XMAP System, and perform a HPV epidemiologic study with the liquid chip in women of Shandong province. METHODS To detect HPV genotypes on a 96-well plate with the liquid chip which can simultaneously detect and identify 26 common HPV genotypes in a total of 2925 cervical scrapes obtained from gynecological outpatients as well as to analyze the relationship between HPV types and different cervical diseases by studying the distribution of HPV genotypes and pathologic diagnosis. RESULTS Among 639 cases who performed pathologic/cytological and histological diagnoses, 184 cases are in group of normal cytology, 266 cases in group of, 77 cases in group of cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN) I, 7 cases in group of CIN I - II, 46 cases in group of CIN I - II, 46 cases in group of CIN I - II and 13 cases in group of cervical cancer. The overall incidence of HPV in our samples is 36.0% (1054/2925) and 23 types of all 26 types on liquid chip are found. The most common genotypes found are HPV-16 (26.75%), HPV-52 (25.75%), HPV-58 (10.47%), HPV-18 (8.87%) and HPV-11 (6.94%). Among all the positive types, 87.32% are high-risk HPV and 13.68% are low-risk HPV genotypes. Both single and multiple types are easily identified, showing 66.22% ( n = 698) single type and 33.78% ( n = 356) multiple types. Of all the 1054 HPV-positive cases, 261 (24.8%) is occupied by women 21 to 25 years of age and progressively lower by older age groups, reaching 4.9% by women between 51 to 67 years old. The incidence of HPV in our samples is 23.37%, 33.08%, 54.54%, 57.14%, 82.61%, 91.30% and 100% for normal cytology, inflammation,CIN I ,CIN I - II, CIN II ,CIN III, and carcinomas specimens, respectively. Infections with more that one virus are common, accounted for 4.89%, 7.14%, 18.18%, 28.57%, 41.30%, 43.37% and 38.46% for normal cytology, inflammation, CIN I, CIN I - II, CIN II, CIN III, and carcinomas specimens, respectively. Based on the criteria of histology and pathology, the sensitivity, specificity, positive-predictive value and negative-predictive value of HPV liquid chip assay for detecting all cases of CIN II, III are 88.57%, 76.63%, 68.89% and 92.16% respectively. Conclusion The common types of HPV infection are 16, 52, 58, 18, 11, 6, 56 and 31. The HPV-positive rate increased along with the increase of grading on cervical lesions. There are more younger women among all the HPV-positive ones. Multiplex HPV genotyping by liquid chip appears to be highly suitable for diagnostic screening as well as the conduction of large-scale epidemiological studies.