Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physical and genetic map of the Serpulina hyodysenteriae B78T chromosome

A combined physical and genetic map of the Serpulina hyodysenteriae B78T genome was constructed by using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and DNA blot hybridizations. The S. hyodysenteriae genome is a single circular chromosome about 3.2 Mb in size. The physical map of the chromosome was constructed with the restriction enzymes BssHII, EclXI, NotI, SalI, and SmaI. The physical map was used to constructed a linkage map for genes encoding rRNA, flagellum subunit proteins, DNA gyrase, NADH oxidase, and three distinct hemolysins. Several flaB2-related loci, encoding core flagellum subunit proteins, were detected and are dispersed around the chromosome. The rRNA gene organization in S. hyodysenteriae is unusual. S. hyodysenteriae has one gene each for 5S (rrf), 16S (rrs), and 23S (rrl) rRNAs. The rrf and rrl genes are closely linked (within 5 kb), while the rrs gene is about 860 kb from the other two rRNA genes. Using a probe for the S. hyodysenteriae gyrA gene, we identified a possible location for the chromosomal replication origin. The size and genetic organization of the S. hyodysenteriae chromosome are different from those of previously characterized spirochetes.
Effect of socioemotional stress on the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation during advanced life support in a randomized manikin study*

Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate whether socioemotional stress affects the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation during advanced life support in a simulated manikin model. Design:A randomized crossover trial with advanced life support performed in two different conditions, with and without exposure to socioemotional stress. Setting:The study was conducted at the Stavanger Acute Medicine Foundation for Education and Research simulation center, Stavanger, Norway. Subjects:Paramedic teams, each consisting of two paramedics and one assistant, employed at Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway. Interventions:A total of 19 paramedic teams performed advanced life support twice in a randomized fashion, one control condition without socioemotional stress and one experimental condition with exposure to socioemotional stress. The socioemotional stress consisted of an upset friend of the simulated patient who was a physician, spoke a foreign language, was unfamiliar with current Norwegian resuscitation guidelines, supplied irrelevant clinical information, and repeatedly made doubts about the paramedics' resuscitation efforts. Aural distractions were supplied by television and cell telephone. Measurements and Main Results:The primary outcome was the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation: chest compression depth, chest compression rate, time without chest compressions (no-flow ratio), and ventilation rate after endotracheal intubation. As a secondary outcome, the socioemotional stress impact was evaluated through the paramedics' subjective workload, frustration, and feeling of realism. There were no significant differences in chest compression depth (39 vs. 38 mm, p = .214), compression rate (113 vs. 116 min−1, p = .065), no-flow ratio (0.15 vs. 0.15, p = .618), or ventilation rate (8.2 vs. 7.7 min−1, p = .120) between the two conditions. There was a significant increase in the subjective workload, frustration, and feeling of realism when the paramedics were exposed to socioemotional stress. Conclusion:In this advanced life support manikin study, the presence of socioemotional stress increased the subjective workload, frustration, and feeling of realism, without affecting the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Inequalities in smoking profiles in Morocco: the role of educational level.

BACKGROUND Cigarette smoking is increasingly associated with lower socio-economic status, indicated by lower educational levels. This association has never been investigated in Morocco. OBJECTIVE The MARTA survey was undertaken to assess tobacco use in the Moroccan population according to level of education and other socio-demographic characteristics. METHODS A cross-sectional survey based on a representative sample of the Moroccan population was conducted in 2005-2006. The survey questionnaire gathered socio-demographic information, educational level and smoking status. chi(2) analyses were performed to determine whether the smoking outcome variables differed significantly between different educational levels in relation to demographic variables. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the adjusted odds ratio for smoking status according to educational level. RESULTS A total of 9195 subjects were included in the study; 52% were men and 17.9% illiterate. The overall prevalence of current smoking was 18.0% (95%CI 17.2-18.8): 31.5% (95%CI 30.2-32.9) in males and 3.3% (95%CI 2.8-3.8) in females. The prevalence of current smoking was inversely associated with level of education in men and increased with educational level in women. Illiterate males tended to have a higher probability of being current smokers than males with university-level education (OR 1.93, 95%CI 1.51-2.46). CONCLUSION These results indicate a need for tobacco control to reach all sectors of society, and especially the illiterate population.
Cell invasion and intracellular fate of Encephalitozoon cuniculi (Microsporidia)

Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasites that utilize a unique mechanism to infect host cells, which is one of the most sophisticated infection mechanisms in biology. Microsporidian spores contain a long coiled polar tube that extrudes from the spores and penetrates the membranes of new host cells. We have initiated a study to investigate the invasive process and intracellular fate of the microsporidium Encephalitozoon cuniculi. Here we show that relatively few cells were infected through the traditional penetration of the polar tube from outside. Rather, phagocytosis of spores occurred at least 10 times more frequently than injection of sporoplasms. Some spores extruded their polar tube inside the cells following phagocytosis. Membranes of the vacuoles surrounding the internalized spores were positive for late endosomal and lysosomal markers. Spores that remained inside these compartments disappeared within 3 days. Thus, our studies demonstrate that in addition to the unique way in which microsporidia infect host cells, E. cuniculi spores can also gain access to host cells by phagocytosis. The presence of intracellular spores that have extruded their polar tube shows that some spores germinate after phagocytosis, thus escaping from the phagosomes that mature into lysosomes.
The influence of visual and auditory information on the perception of speech and non‐speech oral movements in patients with left hemisphere lesions

Patients with lesions of the left hemisphere often suffer from oral‐facial apraxia, apraxia of speech, and aphasia. In these patients, visual features often play a critical role in speech and language therapy, when pictured lip shapes or the therapist's visible mouth movements are used to facilitate speech production and articulation. This demands audiovisual processing both in speech and language treatment and in the diagnosis of oral‐facial apraxia. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in audiovisual perception of speech as compared to non‐speech oral gestures. Bimodal and unimodal speech and non‐speech items were used and additionally discordant stimuli constructed, which were presented for imitation. This study examined a group of healthy volunteers and a group of patients with lesions of the left hemisphere. Patients made substantially more errors than controls, but the factors influencing imitation accuracy were more or less the same in both groups. Error analyses in both groups suggested different types of representations for speech as compared to the non‐speech domain, with speech having a stronger weight on the auditory modality and non‐speech processing on the visual modality. Additionally, this study was able to show that the McGurk effect is not limited to speech.
The use of intraocular corticosteroids

Background: Diabetic macular edema (DME), cystoid macular edema (CME), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal vascular occlusion (RVO) and uveitis are responsible for severe visual impairment worldwide. In some patients with these conditions, treatment with intraocular corticosteroids may be beneficial. Although off-label use of these agents has occurred for many years, novel agents including preservative-free and sustained-release intravitreal implants are currently being studied in clinical trials (CTs). Objective: To review the use of intraocular corticosteroids. Methods: Literature review. Results: Used alone, intravitreal corticosteroids may benefit disorders such as DME, RVO and uveitis compared with standard therapy or observation. Patients with AMD may benefit more from combination treatment with photodynamic therapy, intravitreal corticosteroid and intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. Intraoperative use of these agents may assist in visualization and manipulation of fine retinal structures. Sustained-release intraocular implants have been approved for severe posterior uveitis, and have shown benefits in ongoing CTs. Conclusion: Although intraocular corticosteroid injections have a limited duration of action requiring frequent re-treatment, and significant side effects including cataract and glaucoma development, intraocular injections may be of benefit in certain ocular disorders. Corticosteroid implants are emerging as potential treatments for macular edema due to uveitis, DME or RVO.
A large subgroup of mild-to-moderate asthma is persistently noneosinophilic.

RATIONALE Airway eosinophilia is typical of asthma, and many controller treatments target eosinophilic disease. Asthma is clinically heterogeneous, however, and a subgroup of people with asthma do not have airway eosinophilia. The size of this subgroup is uncertain because prior studies have not examined repeated measures of sputum cytology to determine when people with asthma have intermittent versus persistent sputum eosinophila and when they are persistently noneosinophilic. OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of the noneosinophilic asthma phenotype. METHODS We analyzed sputum cytology data from 995 subjects with asthma enrolled in clinical trials in the Asthma Clinical Research Network where they had undergone sputum induction and measures of sputum cytology, often repeatedly, and assessment of responses to standardized asthma treatments. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS In cross-sectional analyses, sputum eosinophilia (≥2% eosinophils) was found in only 36% of subjects with asthma not taking an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and 17% of ICS-treated subjects with asthma; an absence of eosinophilia was noted frequently, even in subjects with asthma whose disease was suboptimally controlled. In repeated measures analyses of people with asthma not taking an ICS, 22% of subjects had sputum eosinophilia on every occasion (persistent eosinophilia); 31% had eosinophilia on at least one occasion (intermittent eosinophilia); and 47% had no eosinophilia on every occasion (persistently noneosinophilic). Two weeks of combined antiinflammatory therapy caused significant improvements in airflow obstruction in eosinophilic asthma, but not in persistently noneosinophilic asthma. In contrast, bronchodilator responses to albuterol were similar in eosinophilic and noneosinophilic asthma. CONCLUSIONS Approximately half of patients with mild-to-moderate asthma have persistently noneosinophilic disease, a disease phenotype that responds poorly to currently available antiinflammatory therapy.
Cellular expression of bovine herpesvirus 1 gD inhibits cell-to-cell spread of two closely related viruses without blocking their primary infection.

Alphaherpesviral glycoprotein D (gD) is a critical component of the cell membrane penetration system. Cells that express gD of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1), pseudorabies virus (PRV), or bovine herpesvirus type 1.1 (BHV1.1) resist infection by the homologous virus due to interference with viral entry at the level of penetration. BHV1.1 gD interferes with the distantly related viruses HSV1 and PRV despite only a 30-40% sequence similarity and the complete absence of antigenic cross-reactivity among the three gDs. The six cysteines that form three intrachain disulfide bonds in HSV1 are also present in PRV and BHV1.1 gD, suggesting structural similarities among the gD homologs. Functional similarities were postulated to be responsible for cross-interference. To test this hypothesis, we constructed a BHV1.1 gD-expressing cell line (MDBKgD) and assessed its resistance to the homologous BHV1.1 and two closely related viruses, BHV1.2 and BHV5. The gDs of these viruses share 98. 3% and 86% amino acid identity with BHV1.1 gD and bound monoclonal antibodies directed against all five neutralizing epitopes mapped on BHV1.1 gD. MDBKgD cells were resistant to BHV1.1 but fully susceptible to BHV1.2 and BHV5 infection as measured by plaque numbers and single cycle growth kinetics. However, all three viruses, but not vesicular stomatitis virus, made smaller plaques on MDBKgD cells than on control cells. These data suggest that gD-mediated interference is expressed both at the level of initial infection and at the level of cell-to-cell spread and that these two levels can be distinguished by using closely related viruses.
Laparoscopic-assisted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: insertion of a skin-level device using a tear-away sheath.

BACKGROUND This study describes our experience with the placement of a skin-level gastrostomy device (MIC-KEY) in a single procedure. METHODS We identified infants, children and young adults who underwent laparoscopic-assisted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (LAPEG) tube insertion between October 2009 and June 2013. The steps of this procedure include upper endoscopy, single-port laparoscopy, gastropexy via percutaneous T-fasteners and placement of a skin-level gastrostomy device (MIC-KEY) using a "push" technique with a tear-away sheath. RESULTS We included 92 patients in our study. Mean age was 3.7 years (range 3 wk-5 yr), and mean weight was 11.2 (range 2.8-54) kg. Median procedural time was 20 (range 12-76) minutes. Total median duration for the most recent 25 procedures was lower than that of the first 25 (62 v. 79 min, p = 0.004). There were no intraoperative complications or conversions to open surgery. Postoperative complications were observed in 6 (6.5%) patients. Three retained T-fasteners were assessed endoscopically (n = 1) or removed via local excision (n = 2). Two patients experienced early dislodged feeding tubes that were replaced via interventional radiology (n = 1) or repeat LAPEG (n = 1). There was also 1 intra-abdominal fluid collection that was drained percutaneously but ultimately required a laparotomy and washout. There were no major complications in the most recent 50 procedures. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that LAPEG is a safe, minimally invasive procedure for infants, children and young adults. This approach allows for immediate use of a skin-level gastrostomy device without the need for postoperative tube exchanges.
Anticipation of Coincidence, Gender, and Sports Classification

This study investigated the effects of sport classification and gender on anticipation of coincidence. 102 undergraduate male and female students from open skills, closed skills, and nonathletic groups were tested on the Bassin Anticipation Timer. The dependent measures of absolute error, constant error, and variable error were analyzed in a 2 (gender) × 3 (sport classification) × 4 (speeds) design. Men had lower absolute and constant error scores than women. Open skills athletes were less variable in their responses while male open skills athletes were more accurate and less variable at the faster speeds. Performance on the Bassin Anticipation Timer may not be representative of athletic skills.
Windows of given area with minimal heat diffusion

For a bounded Lipschitz domain Ω, we show the existence of a measurable set D ⊂ ∂ Ω of given area such that the (cid:12)rst eigenvalue of the Laplacian with Dirichlet conditions on D and Neumann conditions on ∂ Ω \ D becomes minimal. If Ω is a ball, D will be a spherical cap.
Prognosis and weaning of elderly multiple organ dysfunction syndrome patients with invasive mechanical ventilation

Background Elderly multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation have poor prognosis in intensive care units (ICUs). We studied the usefulness of four commonly used severity scores and extrapulmonary factors that affected weaning to predict outcome of such patients. Methods Clinical data of 197 patients on admission to ICUs (from January 2009 to June 2012) were used retrospectively. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, APACHE III, Sample Acute Physiological Score (SAPS) II and MODS scores were calculated. All the patients were grouped into survivors and nonsurvivors according to the prognosis. Patients, who weaned from ventilator (n=154), were subdivided into a successful weaning group and a failed weaning group. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Logistic regression was used for prognostic and weaning assessment. Results Based on the outcomes, the areas under the ROC of APACHE II, APACHE III, SAPS II, and MODS were 0.837, 0.833, 0.824, and 0.837, respectively. The Logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds ratio (OR) of underlying lung diseases, serum albumin and creatinine, and the number of organ failures was 2.374, 0.920, 1.003, and 1.547. APACHE II scores on admission performed excellent (ROC: 0.921) on the weaning assessments. Conclusions APACHE II and MODS systems were marginally better for evaluating the prognosis of elderly MODS patients who received invasive mechanical ventilation. Underlying lung diseases, serum albumin, serum creatinine and the number of organ failures were independent prognostic factors. Using the APACHE II scores on admission before weaning may increase the likelihood of successful weaning. (ClinicalTrial.gov identifier NCT01802983).
Mental health of refugee children: comparative study

In 2002, over 110 000 people entered Britain to seek asylum—a 250% increase in five years.1 Children, who comprise at least a quarter of asylum seekers, are exposed to numerous risk factors for psychological disturbance, including exposure to violence, forced displacement, and multiple losses. 2 The rates of mental health problems in refugee children are uncertain, but the few studies that have been done suggest that refugee children incur significant morbidity.2 We examined the rates of psychological disturbance in a sample of UK children who were refugees and compared them with a group of children who were from an ethnic minority but were not refugees and a group of indigenous white children. ### Participants, methods, and results The six schools in Oxford with the largest number of refugee children agreed to participate. At these schools, all 115 children who were refugees or seeking asylum were identified, …
Cycloheximide and heat shock induce new polypeptide synthesis in Neurospora crassa

Treatment of Neurospora crassa with 0.1 microgram of cycloheximide per ml, a concentration which inhibited protein synthesis by about 70%, resulted in the greatly enhanced synthesis of at least three polypeptide bands with estimated molecular weights of 88,000, 30,000, and 28,000. A temperature shift from 25 to 37 degrees C resulted in the appearance of a single new polypeptide band of 70,000 daltons, the same size as the major heat shock-induced proteins observed in species of Drosophila and Dictyostelium. Synthesis of the cycloheximide-stimulated polypeptide bands was on cytoplasmic ribosomes rather than on mitochondrial ribosomes, as incorporation of isotope into the polypeptide bands was inhibited by 1.0 microgram of cycloheximide per ml but not by 1 mg of chloramphenicol per ml. In a mutant with cycloheximide-resistant ribosomes, 0.1 microgram of cycloheximide per ml failed to alter the pattern of protein synthesis from that of the controls. It is suggested that the new synthesis of the polypeptide bands reflects specific mechanisms of adaptation to different kinds of environmental stress, including inhibition of protein synthesis and temperature increases.
Pulse Corticosteroid Therapy for Alopecia Areata: Study of 139 Patients

Background/Aim: Recent reports of pulse corticosteroid therapy for alopecia areata (AA) show its efficacy for patients with a history of ≤1 year but not for recalcitrant cases or alopecia totalis/universalis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pulse corticosteroid therapy for recent-onset AA patients. Method: A total of 139 severe AA patients aged >15 years were included in this study. The duration from the onset of active hair loss was within 12 months for 125 (89.9%) of those patients. Results: Of the patients, 72.7% had hair loss on >50% of their scalp area. Among the recent-onset group (duration of AA ≤6 months), 59.4% were good responders (>75% regrowth of alopecia lesions), while 15.8% with >6 months duration showed a good response. Recent-onset AA patients with less severe disease (≤50% hair loss) responded at a rate of 88.0%, but only 21.4% of recent-onset patients with 100% hair loss responded. No serious adverse effects were observed.
Endothelin-1 Stimulates Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression in Ovarian Cancer Cells Through Multiple Signaling Pathways: Evidence for Involvement of Transactivation of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor

Ovarian carcinoma cells release high amounts of endothelin-1 and exhibit increased expression of endothelin-A receptor. Engagement of the endothelin-A receptor triggers tumor growth, survival, neoangiogenesis and invasion. Cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 are enzymes involved in the production of prostaglandins and play a role in the regulation of tumor progression in several malignancies, including ovarian carcinomas. Endothelin-1 significantly increases the expression of cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA and protein, the activity of the cyclooxygenase- 2 promoter, and the release of prostaglandin E2 from two ovarian carcinoma cell lines, HEY and OVCA 433. The cyclooxygenase- 2 inhibitor, NS-398 drastically decreased the endothelin- 1-induced prostaglandin E2 production and vascular endothelial growth factor upregulation, indicating a role for cyclooxygenase-2 in endothelin-1-induced vascular endothelial growth factormediated angiogenesis. In this study we demonstrated that endothelin-1-induced cyclooxygenase-2 and related prostaglandin E2 release were dependent upon the activation of endothelin-A receptor and of multiple mitogen-activated protein kinase signal pathways, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 kinase, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and the transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor. In human ovarian xenografts, the levels of cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression were significantly reduced following treatment with the endothelin-A receptor selective antagonist, atrasentan, compared with untreated mice. These results suggest that the pharmacological blocking of endothelin-A receptor is an attractive strategy to control the cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression in ovarian carcinoma.