Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Different Regions of Plasmodium falciparum Erythrocyte-Binding Antigen 175 Induce Antibody Responses to Infection of Varied Efficacy.

BACKGROUND Increasing evidence suggests that antibodies against merozoite proteins involved in Plasmodium falciparum invasion into the red blood cell play an important role in clinical immunity to malaria. Erythrocyte-binding antigen 175 (EBA-175) is the best-characterized P. falciparum invasion ligand, reported to recognize glycophorin A on the surface of erythrocytes. Its protein structure comprises 6 extracellular regions. Whereas region II contains Duffy binding-like domains involved in the binding to glycophorin A, the functional role of regions III-V is less clear. METHODS We developed a novel cytometric bead array for assessment of antigen-specific antibody concentration in plasma to evaluate the efficacy of immune responses to different regions of EBA-175 and associations between antibody levels with protection from symptomatic malaria in a treatment-reinfection cohort study. RESULTS We found that while antibodies to region II are highly abundant, circulating levels as low as 5-10 µg/mL of antibodies specific for region III or the highly conserved regions IV-V predict strong protection from clinical malaria. CONCLUSIONS These results lend support for the development of conserved regions of EBA-175 as components in a combination of a malaria vaccine.
Can the difference in ageing across cities explain the divergence of human capital across cities in Korea?

ABSTRACT This article uses Korean census data to investigate the divergence of human capital levels across cities in Korea and the role of ageing in explaining the divergence. Our analysis shows that the proportion of adults with a college degree has increased more in cities with a higher initial schooling level in Korea. This finding is consistent with what Berry and Glaeser (2005) and others found for the USA. However, if we control for the difference in ageing across cities, the relationship between the initial schooling level and the proportion of adults with a college degree does not hold any longer. It is argued that the difference in ageing across cities can largely account for the divergence of human capital levels across cities in Korea.
Lack of association of poultry and eggs intake with risk of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma: a meta‐analysis of observational studies

&NA; We carried out a meta‐analysis to explore the association between poultry and eggs consumption and non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) risk according to the published observational studies. A search of databases was performed in MEDLINE and EMBASE from their inception to March 2015. We derived meta‐analytic estimates using random‐effects models, and assessed between‐study heterogeneity using the Cochran's Q and I2 statistics. We identified a total of nine case‐control and three prospective cohort studies, including 11,271 subjects with NHL. The summary relative risks for high vs. low analyses were 1.04 (95% confidence intervals [CIs]: 0.86‐1.27; pheterogeneity <.001, I2 = 84.0%) for poultry consumption and 1.15 (95% CIs: 0.87‐1.51; pheterogeneity <.001, I2 = 85.3%) for egg consumption. Meta‐regression analysis showed that study locations, study quality, type of Food Frequency Questionnaire and confounders adjusted for total energy intake contributed to the high heterogeneity among the studies on poultry consumption, whereas no significant factors were responsible for the high heterogeneity among the studies on eggs consumption. Limited data suggested a null association between consumption of poultry and eggs and NHL subtypes. Findings from our meta‐analysis indicate that consumption of poultry and eggs may be not related to NHL risk.
Modifiers of prion protein biogenesis and recycling identified by a highly parallel endocytosis kinetics assay

The cellular prion protein, PrPC, is attached by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane. Its misfolded isoform PrPSc is the causative agent of prion diseases. Conversion of PrPC into PrPSc is thought to take place at the cell surface or in endolysosomal organelles. Understanding the intracellular trafficking of PrPC may, therefore, help elucidate the conversion process. Here we describe a time-resolved fluorescence energy transfer (FRET) assay reporting membrane expression and real-time internalization rates of PrPC. The assay is suitable for high-throughput genetic and pharmaceutical screens for modulators of PrPC trafficking. Simultaneous administration of FRET donor and acceptor anti-PrPC antibodies to living cells yielded a measure of PrPC surface density, whereas sequential addition of each antibody visualized the internalization rate of PrPC (Z′ factor >0.5). RNA interference assays showed that suppression of AP2M1 (AP-2 adaptor protein), RAB5A, VPS35 (vacuolar protein sorting 35 homolog), and M6PR (mannose 6-phosphate receptor) blocked PrPC internalization, whereas down-regulation of GIT2 and VPS28 increased PrPC internalization. PrPC cell-surface expression was reduced by down-regulation of RAB5A, VPS28, and VPS35 and enhanced by silencing EHD1. These data identify a network of proteins implicated in PrPC trafficking and demonstrate the power of this assay for identifying modulators of PrPC trafficking.
Interleukin 1β polymorphism and serum level are associated with pediatric asthma

Interleukin‐1 is a pro‐inflammatory cytokine found in two forms (α and β). The α form is mainly cell‐bound, whereas IL‐1β is primarily secreted by macrophages in response to immune system stimulation. We hypothesized that polymorphic variants of interleukin 1 genes may play a role in childhood asthma risk. The aim of this study was to investigate if IL‐1α and β polymorphism is associated with asthma in a pediatric population and if the genotype affects its serum level.
Environmental Surfaces in Healthcare Facilities are a Potential Source for Transmission of Candida auris and Other Candida Species

Contaminated surfaces have been implicated as a potential route for dissemination of the emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen Candida auris. In laboratory testing, C. auris and other Candida species persisted for 7 days on moist or dry surfaces. Candida species were recovered frequently from the hospital environment, particularly from moist surfaces. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:1107–1109
Self-rated health disparities among disadvantaged older adults in ethnically diverse urban neighborhoods in a Middle Eastern country

ABSTRACT Objectives: This paper examines differentials in self-rated health (SRH) among older adults (aged 60+ years) across three impoverished and ethnically diverse neighborhoods in post-conflict Lebanon and assesses whether variations are explained by social and economic factors. Design: Data were drawn from the Older Adult Component (n = 740) of the Urban Health Survey, a population-based cross-sectional study conducted in 2003 in a formal community (Nabaa), an informal settlement (Hey El-Sellom), and a refugee camp for Palestinians (Burj El-Barajneh) in Beirut, Lebanon. The role of the social capital and economic security constructs in offsetting poor SRH was assessed using multivariate ordinal logistic regression analyses. Results: Older adults in Nabaa fared better in SRH compared to those in Hey El-Sellom and Burj El-Barajneh, with a prevalence of good, average, and poor SRH being respectively, 41.5%, 37.0%, and 21.5% in Nabaa, 33.3%, 23.9%, and 42.7% in Hey El-Sellom, and 25.2%, 31.3%, and 43.5% in Burj El-Barajneh. The economic security construct attenuated the odds of poorer SRH in Burj El-Barajneh as compared to Nabaa from 2.57 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.89–3.79) to 1.42 (95% CI: 0.96–2.08), but had no impact on this association in Hey El-Sellom (odds ratio, OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.39–3.24). The incorporation of the social capital construct in the fully adjusted model rendered this association insignificant in Hey El-Sellom (OR: 1.49, 95% CI: 0.96–2.32), and led to further reductions in the magnitude of the association in Burj El-Barajneh camp (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 0.80–1.76). Conclusions: The social context in which older adults live and their financial security are key in explaining disparities in SRH in marginalized communities. Social capital and economic security, often overlooked in policy and public health interventions, need to be integrated in dimensions of well-being of older adults, especially in post-conflict settings.
Impact of Nicotine Exposure on Hair Cell Toxicity and Embryotoxicity During Zebrafish Development

Objectives Nicotine has various adverse effects including negative impacts associated with maternal exposure. In the current study, we examined nicotine-induced damage of hair cells and embryotoxicity during zebrafish development. Methods Zebrafish embryos were exposed to nicotine at several concentrations (5, 10, 20, and 40 μM) and embryotoxicity were evaluated at 72 hours, including hatching rate, mortality, teratogenicity rate, and heart rate. Hair cells within the supraorbital (SO1 and SO2), otic (O1), and occipital (OC1) neuromasts were identified at 120 hours. Apoptosis and mitochondrial damage of hair cells were analyzed using TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling) and DASPEI (2-[4-(dimethylamino)styryl]-N-ethylpyridinium iodide) assays, respectively, and changes of ultrastructure were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Results The control group without nicotine appeared normal with overall mortality and teratogenicity rate <5%. The hatching rate and mortality rate was not significantly different according to nicotine concentration (n=400 each). The abnormal morphology rate (n=400) increased and heart rate (n=150) decreased with increasing nicotine concentration (P<0.05). Nicotine-induced hair cell damage significantly increased as nicotine concentration increased. A significantly greater number of TUNEL-positive cells (P<0.01) and markedly smaller DASPEI area (P<0.01) were shown as nicotine concentration increased. Conclusion The current results suggest that nicotine induces dose-dependent hair cell toxicity in embryos by promoting apoptosis and mitochondrial and structural damage.
Francisella tularensis Modulates a Distinct Subset of Regulatory Factors and Sustains Mitochondrial Integrity to Impair Human Neutrophil Apoptosis

Tularemia is a disease characterized by profound neutrophil accumulation and tissue destruction. The causative organism, Francisella tularensis, is a facultative intracellular bacterium that replicates in neutrophil cytosol, inhibits caspase activation and profoundly prolongs cell lifespan. Here, we identify unique features of this infection and provide fundamental insight into the mechanisms of apoptosis inhibition. Mitochondria are critical regulators of neutrophil apoptosis. We demonstrate that F. tularensis significantly inhibits Bax translocation and Bid processing during 24-48 h of infection, and in this manner sustains mitochondrial integrity. Downstream of mitochondria, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) inhibit caspase-9 and caspase-3 by direct binding. Notably, we find that PCNA disappeared rapidly and selectively from infected cells, thereby demonstrating that it is not essential for neutrophil survival, whereas upregulation of calpastatin correlated with diminished calpain activity and reduced XIAP degradation. In addition, R-roscovitine is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor developed for the treatment of cancer; it also induces neutrophil apoptosis and can promote the resolution of several infectious and inflammatory disorders. We confirm the ability of R-roscovitine to induce neutrophil apoptosis, but also demonstrate that its efficacy is significantly impaired by F. tularensis. Collectively, our findings advance the understanding of neutrophil apoptosis and its capacity to be manipulated by pathogenic bacteria.
Reconstructing human pancreatic differentiation by mapping specific cell populations during development

Information remains scarce on human development compared to animal models. Here, we reconstructed human fetal pancreatic differentiation using cell surface markers. We demonstrate that at 7weeks of development, the glycoprotein 2 (GP2) marks a multipotent cell population that will differentiate into the acinar, ductal or endocrine lineages. Development towards the acinar lineage is paralleled by an increase in GP2 expression. Conversely, a subset of the GP2+ population undergoes endocrine differentiation by down-regulating GP2 and CD142 and turning on NEUROG3, a marker of endocrine differentiation. Endocrine maturation progresses by up-regulating SUSD2 and lowering ECAD levels. Finally, in vitro differentiation of pancreatic endocrine cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells mimics key in vivo events. Our work paves the way to extend our understanding of the origin of mature human pancreatic cell types and how such lineage decisions are regulated. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.27564. 001
The ‘Big Bang’ in Public and Private Faculty Salaries

The gap between average faculty salaries at public and private institutions has been growing wider over the past 40 years, yet little is known about the nature and causes of the gap. This study uses data on more than 1,000 institutions to examine institutional average faculty salaries and how they have changed for public and private institutions. We found that the current average salary disadvantage for public institutions is primarily concentrated in research-intensive institutions and the average salary gaps between public and private research institutions have continued to increase between 2001 and 2011 even after controlling for selected factors including financial resources.
Mr-Proadm Elevation Upon Icu Admission Predicts the Outcome of Septic Patients and is Correlated with Upcoming Fluid Overload

Background: Among septic patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), early recognition of those with the highest risk of death is of paramount importance. We evaluated the prognostic value of Procalcitonin (PCT), mid regional-proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM), copeptine and CT-proendothelin 1 (CT-ProET 1) concentrations. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study, which included 173 septic patient admitted to one ICU. Blood samples for biomarker measurements were obtained upon admission and on day 5. The predictive value of each biomarker regarding the risk of death at day 28 was assessed. The fluid balance was evaluated from admission to day 5. Results: All cause ICU mortality was 36.4%. All the biomarkers except CT-ProET-1 were significantly more elevated in the non-survivors than in the survivors upon day 1. This was especially true for MR-proADM (8.6 [5.9] vs. 4.4 [3.9] nmol/L; P < 0.0001) and for the CT-proET-1/MR-proADM ratio (52.9 [22.4] vs. 31.3 [26.6] arbitrary units; P < 0.0001). The best AUROCC values on day 1 were obtained with MR-ProADM and the CT-proET-1/MR-proADM ratio as well (0.75 [0.67–0.85] and 0.82 [0.75–0.89]; 95% CI, respectively). An improved accuracy was achieved on day 5. Moreover, MR-ProADM baseline levels and fluid balance over the 5-day period following ICU admission were strongly correlated (Rho = 0.41; P < 0.001). Conclusions: In patients admitted to the ICU with sepsis, MR-ProADM on admission was the best predictor of short-term clinical outcome if compared with others. This could be related to its ability to predict fluid sequestration.
Pilot Study Evaluating the Impact of Otology Surgery Videos on Otolaryngology Resident Education.

OBJECTIVES Use of videos as educational tools is not a novel concept; however, there is a paucity of high-quality video resources available to otolaryngology trainees. We hypothesized that residents would deem surgical-videos using a multimedia-style format more valuable as preparatory tools. Aims of this study: 1) develop portfolio of otology/neurotology videos overviewing key steps, anatomy, and pearls by a senior surgeon; 2) have residents rate the effectiveness of the videos as a preoperative tool. STUDY DESIGN Prospective study. METHODS A video-library of procedures at (https://www.youtube.com/user/cisurgeon) was formatted via time-stamping to coincide expert level narration with closed captioning, critical procedural steps, relevant instrumentation, radiographic pictures, orientation cues, and anatomical highlights. Otolaryngology trainees of postgraduate years 2 through 5 (n = 13) watched a minimum of three videos and completed an assessment addressing: current resource identification/usefulness comparison, self-efficacy, impact on preparation time, and prioritization of resources. RESULTS The videos rated as highly useful compared with current resources (p = 0.002) and capable of promoting self-efficacy. Residents reported moderate-high prioritization of our multi-media formatted resource (scores >6) among their current preoperative regimen. CONCLUSION The varied videos were rated highly in terms of usefulness, promoting self-efficacy and as a high-priority for a resident's surgical preparation. Multimedia-formatted training videos should be further explored for this generation of electronic-learners. Future studies with a larger cohort, objective approaches, and multidisciplinary involvement are needed to determine the full impact of this education medium on surgical-training.
Three Randomized Effectiveness Trials — One Question: Can Callous-Unemotional Traits in Children Be Altered?

Children with conduct problems and callous-unemotional (CU) traits are at risk for multiple problems. Outcome research and mediation analyses testing for mechanisms of change in CU traits have been limited. We examined whether parent training—in a short-term (Brief Parent Training; BPT) or a comprehensive format (Parent Management Training, Oregon Model; PMTO)—or child-directed social skills training (Individual Social Skills Training [ISST]) produced positive effects on CU traits. In mediation models we tested parenting practices as mechanisms of change for CU traits. We pooled data from three randomized effectiveness trials, and 551 families were included in this study. Families had children between 3 and 12 years of age and displayed emerging or present conduct problems at home, day care, or school (BPT M age = 7.28, 31.9% girls; PMTO M age = 8.56, 36.5% girls; ISST M age = 7.64, 19.7% girls). Assessments were completed preintervention, postintervention, and at follow-up (6 months following intervention). Both BPT (d = .32) and PMTO (d = .39) had positive effects on CU traits at posttest, whereas ISST did not (d = –.06). At follow-up, only PMTO produced a significant effect (d = .48) on CU traits. A significant indirect effect on CU traits emerged by positive parenting. Both parent training conditions outperformed ISST. Only PMTO maintained its effects at follow-up. The findings suggest that PMTO can reduce CU traits and that improved positive parenting is associated with positive outcomes for children’s CU traits.
Social Networking Behind Student Lines in Japan

In a cross-cultural educational context of TEFL in Japan, the author sought to enhance the integrative motivation of students toward the target language community through a supplementary online dimension. The social networking site (SNS), Mixi, was selected because it is familiar to most college students in Japan. The Mixi Japanese language interface is illustrated in this chapter, describing functions possibly applicable to education. A YouTube video that introduces Mixi in English, made in authentic collaboration with students, is also referenced as a representative CALL 2.0 classroom activity. More importantly, joining Mixi presented an opportunity to go behind the lines into student territory. Teachers and students, whether foreign or Japanese, customarily maintain their social distance in terms of separate affiliations. Social networking with Japanese students further involves issues of online technological proficiency, biliteracy, and the necessity of an invitation. The author negotiated with three 2007-08 classes on networking through Mixi, with varying outcomes extending beyond the classroom and the school year. Metaphors of lines and perspectives including “technoscapes” (Appadurai, 1990) are proposed to interpret the results, but Japanese socioculture may be most salient to account for the particulars. Student attitudes are probed as to a possible ambivalence in valuing their free expression in Mixi versus the integrative motivation of social involvement with a teacher. One prediction was that results would differ as to whether or not a teacher was welcome in a student community depending on how students were approached for an invitation. Social networking is proposed as a Web 2.0 educational approach that is authentic, collaborative, and immersive in cutting through power hierarchies and positively blurring the distinction between the classroom and the real life of students and teachers, which nowadays includes a virtual dimension.
Labor Market Segmentation: A Cluster Analysis of Job Groupings and Barriers to Entry*

Real expenditures on public assistance programs have increased substantially in the past two decades as has real per capita income. Investments in a variety of education programs have risen, and a number of "jobs" programs have been tried. Although there have been some gains -for example, a decline in the percentage of the population "in poverty" [31,474] -a number of disparities persist. Unemployment remains at record levels, and the prospect for sizable reductions in the unemployment rate seems quite small. There are persistent differences between the mean household incomes of blacks and whites that have not narrowed at all during the past two decades [15]. There is also a widespread perception that a disadvantaged segment of the U.S. population has no effective access to "good" jobs, and, if such persons get them, they do not stay employed for long. This means that many such adults are caught in a cycle of unemployment, welfare dependency, "bad" jobs, and intermittent employment. Whereas there is nearly universal agreement that the persistent disparities in well-being are undesirable, there is considerable disagreement on what to do about this. In part, the disagreement stems from ignorance about the facts. For example, rigorous operational definitions of "good" and "bad" jobs have not been developed. The notion that some persons do not have access to the good jobs is primarily based on anecdotes. Fortunately, longitudinal data bases are now available that permit more rigorous empirical analysis of such issues.