Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reptile-associated salmonellosis in children aged under 5 years in South West England

Objective To determine the proportion of Salmonella cases in children aged <5 years that were reptile-associated salmonellosis (RAS) and to compare the severity of illness. Design To analyse all cases of salmonellosis reported to public health authorities in children aged under 5 years in the South West of the UK from January 2010 to December 2013 for reptile exposure, age, serotype, hospitalisation and invasive disease. Results 48 of 175 (27%) Salmonella cases had exposure to reptiles. The median age of RAS cases was significantly lower than non-RAS cases (0.5 vs 1.0 year). RAS cases were 2.5 times more likely to be hospitalised (23/48) compared with non-RAS cases (25/127; p=0.0002). This trend continued in cases aged under 12 months, with significantly more RAS cases hospitalised (19/38) than non-RAS cases (8/42; p=0.003). Significantly more RAS cases had invasive disease (8/48: 5 bacteraemia, 2 meningitis, 1 colitis) than non-RAS cases (4/127: 3 bacteraemia, 1 meningitis). Conclusions Reptile exposure was found in over a quarter of all reported Salmonella cases in children under 5 years of age. RAS is associated with young age, hospitalisation and invasive disease.
Neighbors, Strangers, Witches, and Culture-Heroes: Ritual Powers of Smith/Artisans in Tuareg Society and Beyond

Preface Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1 Tezma Power and Tuareg Inaden Smith/Artisans Chapter 2 Inaden Origins, Histories, and Professional Practices Chapter 3 Powers, Tensions, and Mediations Chapter 4 Q'alb Power and Amhara Buda/Tayb Smith/Artisans Chapter 5 Echar Power and Bidan M'Allemin Smith/Artisans Chapter 6 Beshengu Power and Kapsiki Rerhe Smith/Artisans Chapter 7 Nyama Power and Mande Nyamakala Smith/Artisans Conclusions Bibliography Index Author Biography
Comparison of the effects of three surgical techniques on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement in a rat model.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of corticotomy and corticision, with and without a full mucoperiosteal flap, on the rate of tooth movement and alveolar response in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty male, 6-week-old Wistar rats were divided into five groups based on surgical procedure, as follows: control (no tooth movement), orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) only, corticotomy, corticision, and corticision with full mucoperiosteal flap (corticision + flap). A force of 10-15g was applied from the maxillary left first molar to the maxillary incisors using nickel-titanium springs. Surgery was performed at the time of appliance placement (day 0), and tooth movement occurred for 21 days. Micro-computed tomography was performed on day 21 to evaluate the amount of tooth movement and alveolar bone parameters. Histomorphometry, including tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining, was performed to quantify the osteoclast parameters at day 21. RESULTS No statistical differences in the amount of OTM, bone volume fraction, and tissue density and the osteoclast parameters were found among all experimental groups. CONCLUSIONS Corticotomy and corticision, with or without a full mucoperiosteal flap, did not show a significant effect on either the OTM magnitude or alveolar bone response.
High Potential But Limited Evidence: Using Voice Data From Smartphones to Monitor and Diagnose Mood Disorders

Objective: This article evaluates the potential of smartphone audio data to monitor individuals recovering from mood disorders. Method: A comprehensive literature review was conducted based on searches in 9 bibliographic databases. Results: Seven articles were identified that used smartphone audio data to monitor participants with bipolar disorder from 4 to 14 weeks. The studies captured audio data in various contexts (e.g., in-person daily conversations, phone calls) and used common audio features (e.g., pitch and volume) to ascertain clinically relevant outcomes, including mood and social rhythm. Findings suggest that the utility of audio data in clinical and research contexts remains relatively unexplored and presents some challenges. For example, information on adherence and engagement among individuals recovering from bipolar disorder were often insufficient to gauge the generalizability of findings. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: Despite growing interest, additional research is required to confirm clinical utility of smartphone audio data for mood disorders.
Cross-Layer Design and Performance Analysis of Tactical Radio Networks

In this paper, we investigate the performance of tactical radio networks, particularly for communication scenarios where multihop relaying along with spatial reuse techniques are applied. The tactical scenarios of concern have a diverse range of reliability and/or delay requirements. We first employ cross-layer protocol architecture with integrated time-division-multiple-access-based fast packet forwarding and automatic-repeat-request-based multihop error control to support tactical applications with a diverse range of reliability and/or delay requirements. Then, we develop analytical models to study the link-level and network-wide behaviors of the tactical radio networks. The developed models capture the effects of end-to-end channel memory due to multihop relays, interference due to spatial reuse, uneven interslot delays due to fast packet forwarding, and jamming attack in hostile network environment. It is shown that the protocol architecture with proposed fast packet forwarding and multihop error control mechanisms can significantly improve communication performance and support delay-sensitive applications. In addition, it is demonstrated that cross-layer adaptivity, where different network environments require different logical topologies and radio modes, is needed to achieve best performance tradeoffs among throughput, efficiency, delivery ratio, and transport capacity.
Suppression of Meiotic Recombination by CENP-B Homologs in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Meiotic homologous recombination (HR) is not uniform across eukaryotic genomes, creating regions of HR hot- and coldspots. Previous study reveals that the Spo11 homolog Rec12 responsible for initiation of meiotic double-strand breaks in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is not targeted to Tf2 retrotransposons. However, whether Tf2s are HR coldspots is not known. Here, we show that the rates of HR across Tf2s are similar to a genome average but substantially increase in mutants deficient for the CENP-B homologs. Abp1, which is the most prominent of the CENP-B family members and acts as the primary determinant of HR suppression at Tf2s, is required to prevent gene conversion and maintain proper recombination exchange of homologous alleles flanking Tf2s. In addition, Abp1-mediated suppression of HR at Tf2s requires all three of its domains with distinct functions in transcriptional repression and higher-order genome organization. We demonstrate that HR suppression of Tf2s can be robustly maintained despite disruption to chromatin factors essential for transcriptional repression and nuclear organization of Tf2s. Intriguingly, we uncover a surprising cooperation between the histone methyltransferase Set1 responsible for histone H3 lysine 4 methylation and the nonhomologous end joining pathway in ensuring the suppression of HR at Tf2s. Our study identifies a molecular pathway involving functional cooperation between a transcription factor with epigenetic regulators and a DNA repair pathway to regulate meiotic recombination at interspersed repeats.
Acute effects of atrial natriuretic peptide on left ventricular diastolic function. a pulsed wave Doppler study in man.

Doppler echocardiographic indices of diastolic function and systemic haemodynamics were studied in response to infusions of atrial natriuretic peptide (0.5, 1, 2, 5 pmol.kg-1.min-1) and placebo (0.9% (w/v) saline) in ten normal male subjects. Compared with placebo, atrial natriuretic peptide infusion produced a significant and dose-related reduction in the isovolumic relaxation time [(mean and 95% CI) -5.9 (-9.2 to -2.6) ms (P < 0.01) at 5 pg.kg-1 min-1] and a significant increase in the ratio between early and late transmitral peak velocities [0.46 (0.02 to 0.89) (P < 0.05) at 5 pg.kg-1 min-1]. No significant changes in heart rate, blood pressure or aortic stroke distance were observed with infusion of atrial natriuretic peptide compared with placebo. These data suggest that pathophysiological plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide improve diastolic function by increasing the rate of myocardial relaxation.
Does coronary calcium score predict future cardiac function? Association of subclinical atherosclerosis with left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction at MR imaging in an elderly cohort.

PURPOSE To evaluate subclinical atherosclerosis measured by using coronary artery calcium (CAC) as a predictor of future left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function in asymptomatic elderly participants. MATERIALS AND METHODS The institutional review boards of the University of Southern California and the Harbor University of California Los Angeles Research and Education Institute (where the South Bay Heart Watch study was initially conducted) approved this HIPAA-compliant study of 386 participants (mean age, 75.2 years) from among the original 1461 participants in the longitudinal South Bay Heart Watch prospective investigation of subclinical atherosclerosis. CAC at computed tomography was correlated with LV ejection fraction (LVEF), regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMAs), and peak filling rate (PFR) assessed a mean of 11.4 years ± 0.6 (standard deviation) later with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Analysis of variance and covariance testing was performed with the Wald test, testing for trends across the CAC groups. Covariates included age, level of total cholesterol, level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, use of lipid-lowering medication, and smoking status. RESULTS Mean LVEF was 60.3% ± 9.9, with 11 (2.8%) of 386 participants having an LVEF of less than 40%. Forty-six (11.9%) of 386 participants had RWMAs. Higher CAC scores were associated with slightly lower LVEF (P for trend = .04) and a greater percentage of participants with decreased PFR (P for trend = .47) and RWMAs (P for trend = .01). After age- and risk factor-adjustment, only RWMA (P = .05) was associated with higher CAC. RWMAs were associated with significantly (P < .001) lower mean LVEF and PFR. Nineteen (41%) of 46 participants with RWMAs had documented Q-wave myocardial infarction, and three (7%) underwent coronary revascularization. CAC scores of 100 or greater were associated with a 2.2-fold (95% confidence interval: 1.30, 3.75) increase in RWMA (P < .001). CONCLUSION Subclinical atherosclerosis assessed by using CAC is associated with an increased future likelihood of RWMA, as a marker of previous and possible subclinical coronary artery disease.
Brainstem system of hippocampal theta induction: The role of the ventral tegmental area

This article summarizes the results of studies concerning the influence of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) on the hippocampal theta rhythm. Temporary VTA inactivation resulted in transient loss of the hippocampal theta. Permanent destruction of the VTA caused a long‐lasting depression of the power of the theta and it also had some influence on the frequency of the rhythm. Activation of glutamate (GLU) receptors or decrease of GABAergic tonus in the VTA led to enhancement of dopamine release and increased hippocampal theta power. High time and frequency cross‐correlation was detected for the theta band between the VTA and hippocampus during paradoxical sleep and active waking. Thus, the VTA may belong to the broad network involved in theta rhythm regulation. This article also presents a model of brainstem–VTA–hippocampal interactions in the induction of the hippocampal theta rhythm. The projections from the VTA which enhance theta rhythm are incorporated into the main theta generation pathway, in which the septum acts as the central node. The neuronal activity that may be responsible for the ability of the VTA to regulate theta probably derives from the structures associated with rapid eye movement (sleep) (REM) sleep or with sensorimotor activity (i.e., mainly from the pedunculopontine and laterodorsal tegmental nuclei and also from the raphe). Synapse 69:553–575, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Head-to-body delivery by “two-step” approach: effect on cord blood hematocrit

Abstract Background: There is no study to support a relationship between placental transfusion and active management techniques of the second stage of labor. Objective: To examine the association between head-to-body delivery by a “two-step” approach (which includes waiting for the next contraction to deliver the shoulders) and its effect on the amount of blood that remains in the infant’s circulation at birth. Study design: Observational study on 500 consecutive, singleton, and at term deliveries from January to June 2012 in Policlinico Abano Terme, Abano Terme, Italy. Umbilical artery hematocrit (Htc) was evaluated in reference to contemporary tested pH values, involving neonates vaginally delivered by the “two-step” approach and by cesarean section, respectively. Results: Head-to-body delivery by the “two-step” approach significantly increased Htc values with respect to cesarean delivery (50.16% versus 47.24%, p < 0.001) and at the same time reduced pH (7.31 ± 0.09 versus 7.33 ± 0.06, p = 0.007) in umbilical artery. In addition, Htc levels for this group were significantly negatively correlated with umbilical artery pH (r = −0.137, p < 0.018). Conclusion: Head-to-body delivery by the “two-step” approach increases the red cell mass in term infants without any clinical risk of neonatal acidemia.
Electrostatics, structure prediction, and the energy landscapes for protein folding and binding

While being long in range and therefore weakly specific, electrostatic interactions are able to modulate the stability and folding landscapes of some proteins. The relevance of electrostatic forces for steering the docking of proteins to each other is widely acknowledged, however, the role of electrostatics in establishing specifically funneled landscapes and their relevance for protein structure prediction are still not clear. By introducing Debye‐Hückel potentials that mimic long‐range electrostatic forces into the Associative memory, Water mediated, Structure, and Energy Model (AWSEM), a transferable protein model capable of predicting tertiary structures, we assess the effects of electrostatics on the landscapes of thirteen monomeric proteins and four dimers. For the monomers, we find that adding electrostatic interactions does not improve structure prediction. Simulations of ribosomal protein S6 show, however, that folding stability depends monotonically on electrostatic strength. The trend in predicted melting temperatures of the S6 variants agrees with experimental observations. Electrostatic effects can play a range of roles in binding. The binding of the protein complex KIX‐pKID is largely assisted by electrostatic interactions, which provide direct charge‐charge stabilization of the native state and contribute to the funneling of the binding landscape. In contrast, for several other proteins, including the DNA‐binding protein FIS, electrostatics causes frustration in the DNA‐binding region, which favors its binding with DNA but not with its protein partner. This study highlights the importance of long‐range electrostatics in functional responses to problems where proteins interact with their charged partners, such as DNA, RNA, as well as membranes.
Neat1 in hematopoietic stem cells

Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) generate blood and immune cells through a hierarchical process of differentiation. Genes that regulate this process are of great interest for understanding normal and also malignant hematopoiesis. Surprisingly, however, very little is known about long-non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) in HSCs. Neat1 is a lncRNA that plays a major role in the formation of sub-nuclear structures called paraspeckles, and was reported to regulate proliferation and differentiation in other cells types. We detected Neat1 expression using RNA-seq data and RT-qPCR in HSCs, progenitors and effector immune cells, by specific detection of its isoforms. Neat1 is highly expressed in stem and progenitor cells, yet it shows significant reduction in granulocytes. Microscopically, Neat1 is detected as sharp nuclear foci. Paraspeckle proteins NONO and PSPC1 are detected as aggregated nuclear foci in fresh primary hematopoietic cells, and in cultured cells. Induction of differentiation in vitro was found to enhance Neat1 expression. Taken together, our data demonstrate for the first time the expression of Neat1 and paraspeckles formation in HSCs and along hematopoiesis.
Rituximab combination therapy in relapsing multiple sclerosis

In multiple sclerosis (MS), the presence of B cells, plasma cells and excess immunoglobulins in central nervous system lesions and in the cerebrospinal fluid implicate the humoral immune system in disease pathogenesis. However, until the advent of specific B-cell-depleting therapies, the critical role of B cells and their products in MS was unproven. Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody that depletes B cells by targeting the CD20 molecule, has been shown to effectively reduce disease activity in patients with relapsing MS as a single agent. Our investigator-initiated phase II study is the only published clinical trial in which rituximab was used as an add-on therapy in patients with relapsing MS who had an inadequate response to standard injectable disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). The primary endpoint, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gadolinium-enhanced (GdE) lesion number before versus after rituximab, showed significant benefit of rituximab (74% of post-treatment MRI scans being free of GdE lesions compared with 26% free of GdE lesions at baseline; p < 0.0001). No differences were noted comparing patients on different DMTs. Several secondary clinical endpoints, safety and laboratory measurements (including B- and T-cell numbers in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), serum and CSF chemokine levels, antibodies to myelin proteins) were assessed. Surprisingly, the decline in B-cell number was accompanied by a significant reduction in the number of T cells in both the peripheral blood and CSF. Rituximab therapy was associated with a significant decline of two lymphoid chemokines, CXCL13 and CCL19. No significant changes were observed in serum antibody levels against myelin proteins [myelin basic protein (MBP) and myelin/oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)] after treatment. These results suggest that B cells play a role in MS independent from antibody production and possibly related to their role in antigen presentation to T cells or to their chemokine/cytokine production.
A Review of Comorbidity: Major Mental Illness and Problematic Substance Use

Objective: The aim of this paper is to critically review the literature on major mental illness and problematic substance use in order to provide clinicians and policymakers with evidence to support proposed directions for management of the above. Method: The available literature was accessed using computerised databases and manual searching. Results: The predominantly North American-based literature is largely descriptive. Those studies which attempt empirical evaluation are limited by methodological weaknesses which include small sample sizes, short follow-up periods, inadequate measurement of substance use, lack of experimental design, and treatment drift over time. However, there is consensus among most studies regarding prevalence rates and treatment. Conclusions: Problematic substance use is the most common comorbid condition among people with a major mental illness and is associated with poorer patient outcomes. There is evidence to suggest that the integration of mental health and drug and alcohol services will result in improved detection, assessment and management of comorbidity. Integration refers to the provision of comprehensive services by a single service with staff who are competent in both mental health and drug and alcohol skills. A tolerant, non-confrontational approach to substance use is most appropriate for people with a major mental illness. Treatment programs need to recognise the longitudinal nature of substance abuse and dependence. More research needs to be conducted in this field in order to establish guidelines for effective management.
Racial differences in motivators and barriers to blood donation among blood donors.

CONTEXT Nationally, African Americans are underrepresented in community blood donation programs. To increase blood donation by African Americans, differences between motivators and barriers to blood donation between races should be investigated. OBJECTIVE To investigate motivators and barriers to blood donation in African American and white blood donors. DESIGN An 18-item, anonymous, self-administered questionnaire regarding demographics and motivators and barriers to donation was completed by blood donors at a predominately African American and a predominately white fixed donation site. RESULTS A total of 599 participants (20% African American, 75% white, and 5% other) completed the survey. The most commonly reported reasons to donate included: "because it is the right thing to do" (45% African Americans and 62% white) and "because I want to help save a life" (63% African Americans and 47% white). Unpleasant experiences did not differ as a barrier to continue donation between African Americans and whites. African Americans placed more importance on donating blood to someone with sickle cell disease, convenience of blood donation, treatment of donor center staff, and level of privacy during the screening process. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that in a large metropolitan area, reasons for donation among African American and white donors differ. To retain and increase donation frequency of African American donors, these factors should be considered in creating an African American donor recruitment and retention program.
Sobre la dislocación a la derecha en español

El proposito de este articulo es demostrar que la es tructura conocida como “dislocacion a la derecha” (DD) (Lo vi ayer, a Juan) si se da en espanol y cumple una funcion topicalizadora, lo cual significa que la entidad que aparece en el ex tremo derecho de la construccion (Juan), y que remite anaforicamente a un constituyente previo (Lo), es presentada como el topico de la oracion, i.e., como la entidad sobre la que trata el resto de la oracion. La investigacion se justifica por que hasta ahora no existen trabajos sobre la dislocacion a la derecha en nuestro idioma y nisiquiera menciones a la misma. En el articulo se demuestra el empleo topicalizador de la DD del espanol recurriendo a corpus de habla y, sobre todo, a un corpus escrito, lo que abre el camino a nuevas investigaciones.