Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Human Sequence Homologue of Staufen Is an RNA-Binding Protein That Is Associated with Polysomes and Localizes to the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

ABSTRACT In the course of a two-hybrid screen with the NS1 protein of influenza virus, a human clone capable of coding for a protein with high homology to the Staufen protein from Drosophila melanogaster (dmStaufen) was identified. With these sequences used as a probe, cDNAs were isolated from a λ cDNA library. The encoded protein (hStaufen-like) contained four double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-binding domains with 55% similarity and 38% identity to those of dmStaufen, including identity at all residues involved in RNA binding. A recombinant protein containing all dsRNA-binding domains was expressed in Escherichia coli as a His-tagged polypeptide. It showed dsRNA binding activity in vitro, with an apparentKd of 10−9 M. Using a specific antibody, we detected in human cells a major form of the hStaufen-like protein with an apparent molecular mass of 60 to 65 kDa. The intracellular localization of hStaufen-like protein was investigated by immunofluorescence using a series of markers for the cell compartments. Colocalization was observed with the rough endoplasmic reticulum but not with endosomes, cytoskeleton, or Golgi apparatus. Furthermore, sedimentation analyses indicated that hStaufen-like protein associates with polysomes. These results are discussed in relation to the possible functions of the protein.
Paediatric caudal anaesthesia

Caudal anaesthesia (CA) is epidural anaesthesia of the cauda equina roots in the sacral canal, accessed through the sacral hiatus. CA is a common paediatric regional technique that is quick to learn and easy to perform, with high success and low complication rates. CA provides high quality intraoperative and early postoperative analgesia for sub-umbilical surgery. In children, CA is most effectively used as adjunct to general anaesthesia and has an opioid-sparing effect, permitting faster and smoother emergence from anaesthesia. INDICATIONS FOR CAUDAL ANAESTHESIA The indications for single shot CA are abdominal, urologic or orthopaedic surgical procedures located in the sub-umbilical abdominal, pelvic and genital areas, or the lower limbs, where postoperative pain does not require prolonged strong analgesia. Examples of appropriate surgery include inguinal or umbilical herniorrhaphy, orchidopexy, hypospadias and club foot surgery. CA is useful for day case surgery, but opioid additives to the local anesthetic agent should be avoided in this setting. When CA is used, requirement for mild or intermediate systemic analgesia must be anticipated to prevent pain resurgence at the end of caudal block. Catheter insertion can extend the indications to include surgical procedures located in the high abdominal or thoracic areas, and to those requiring prolonged effective analgesia.
Patient Experiences With Information in a Hospital Setting: A Multilevel Approach

Background. Patients tend to be critical of poor communication and the provision of information from health professionals. One explanation may be related to organizational aspects characterizing the hospital unit. Studies have indicated quality of contact with nursing staff to be a major determinant of patients’ experiences with information. Yet many studies do not simultaneously analyze the effects of patient and unit characteristics. Objective. To explore the extent to which variation in patients’ experiences with the provision of information from hospital staff are associated with differences between patients, and the extent to which they are associated with differences between hospital wards. Research Design. Cross-sectional study of patients nested within hospital wards including hospital administrative data and survey data on patients’ experiences with hospital care and nurses’ assessments of working conditions and job satisfaction. Results. Multilevel regression analysis indicated low intraward correlation and high within ward variability. In explaining variability in experiences with information, patients’ sense of coherence was the most important patient-level characteristic. The percentage of nurses satisfied with their work contributed to an additional proportional reduction in variance between hospital wards. Conclusions. This study has illustrated the use of multilevel methods in analyzing patient perceptions of hospital care. Ward-level factors are at most modestly related to patients’ experiences with information. The effect of hospital, department, and ward characteristics is likely to be mediated through the existence of microunits within hospital wards. Quality of contact with nursing staff may be a characteristic of the microunit rather than an organizational characteristic related to hospital wards.
Flunarizine v. Placebo in Childhood Migraine. A Double-Blind Study

Successful migraine prophylaxis with flunarizine has been reported in adults by several authors. We used flunarizine in a double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized trial in childhood migraine. Twenty-four children with classical or common migraine were followed by a 12-week flunarizine treatment period. Each patient took 5 mg/day of the drug before going to sleep. Twenty-four children with similar clinical characteristics were assigned to placebo treatment. Efficacy of flunarizine versus placebo was assessed on the basis of the reduction of headache frequency and duration. A statistical comparison was performed between values reported in the treatment period and those in the three months before. Children treated with flunarizine experienced a statistically significant reduction in headache (66%) and duration (51%). These results were statistically superior to those observed in the placebo group. Sixteen patients on flunarizine therapy experienced an improvement of more than 50% of both parameters. We found flunarizine is an effective agent in children's migraine prophylaxis. Moreover it is suitable for the low incidence of mild side effects.
Clinical evaluation of a compomer and an amalgam primary teeth class II restorations: a 2-year comparative study.

PURPOSE This study was performed to compare the clinical performance between the compomer F2000 and amalgam Dispersalloy in Class II restorations in primary molars over a 2-year period. METHODS Seventy-five amalgam and 75 compomer restorations were placed in 75 children based on a split-mouth design. The restorations were evaluated after 1 week and after 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of oral function. The evaluation consisted of a clinical assessment according to modified Ryge criteria, a radiographic examination using bite-wing radiographs, and an observation of epoxy casts under scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS The results showed statistically significant differences in the marginal adaptation and anatomic form between amalgam and compomer restorations. A higher number of compomer restorations were rated as Bravo, while a higher number of amalgam restorations were rated as Alpha at 24 months. Significant differences in the failure of the restoration and development of secondary caries were not found between the materials. CONCLUSIONS The use of compomer F2000 in Class II resorations in primary molars, although it presents a significantly higher number of restorations rated as Bravo regarding the marginal adaptation and anatomic form vs the amalgam, does not increase the risks of developing secondary caries and failure of the restoration over a period of 2 years.
Perceptions of Mexican American Clients Receiving Genetic Services in South Texas

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the perceptions among medically indigent Mexican American clients in South Texas receiving genetic services, and the effects of these perceptions on the utilization of genetic services. Methods: Using a qualitative ethnographic approach, 16 caretakers of children with genetic conditions and 7 prenatal clients were interviewed. Interview data were analyzed using the NUD*IST 4 computer program. Results: Clients reported challenges with understanding and utilizing genetic services due to language and communication barriers, poverty, cultural differences, and system issues. Conclusion: Client perceptions of genetic services were influenced by experiences with other biomedical providers and traditional healers, and by anxieties precipitated by unfamiliar concepts and approaches to medical care. Recommendations are made to improve provision of genetic services.
Adaptive fuzzy output-feedback control for a class of nonlinear pure-feedback systems with time delays

ABSTRACT This paper investigates observer-based adaptive fuzzy control for a class of delayed nonlinear systems in pure-feedback form. We first proposed a linear observer to get the estimation of the system's state. And then utilise fuzzy logic systems to model those nonlinearities. Further, adaptive fuzzy approach and backstepping technique are combined to develop the desired controller via Lyapunov analysis. The suggested adaptive fuzzy control scheme ensures that all the signals of the resulting nonlinear system converge to a small neighbourhood of the origin. Then a real simulation is used to illustrated the effectiveness of our results.
Plasma Transfusion in Calves with Failure of Passive Colostral Transfer

Plasma administration was studied in newborn calves with failure of passive colostral transfer (FPCT). Eighteen sick Holstein calves with FPCT (Experimental group) and 6 healthy Holstein calves known to have consumed colostrum (Control group) were used as a materials. Failure of passive colostral transfer was confirmed by a negative gluteraldehyde coagulation test (GACT). Calves with FPCT were weighed on presentation and were randomly divided in to three groups (each group consisted of 6 calves) in those treatment was designed as follows; Experimental group I (EG I) calves were treated with antimicrobials, fluids, various supportive measures, and plasma transfusion was given at the dose of 30 ml/kg body weight. Experimental group II (EG II) calves were treated with antimi- crobials, fluids, various supportive measures, and plasma transfusion was given at the dose of 40 ml/kg body weight. Experimental group III (EG III) calves were treated with antimicrobials, fluids and various supportive measures. The mean concentrations of serum total protein were significantly greater in calves of control group as compared to calves of EGI, EGII and EGIII (p 0.05). The result of the study showed that plasma transfusion at the dose of 40 ml/kg body weight could restore protective levels of Ig and could provide considerable recovery in calves with severe FPCT.
Dynamics of Salmonella small RNA expression in non-growing bacteria located inside eukaryotic cells

Small non-coding regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) have been studied in many bacterial pathogens during infection. However, few studies have focused on how intracellular pathogens modulate sRNA expression inside eukaryotic cells. Here, we monitored expression of all known sRNAs of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) in bacteria located inside fibroblasts, a host cell type in which this pathogen restrains growth. sRNA sequences known in S. Typhimurium and Escherichia coli were searched in the genome of S. Typhimurium virulent strain SL1344, the subject of this study. Expression of 84 distinct sRNAs was compared in extra- and intracellular bacteria. Non-proliferating intracellular bacteria upregulated six sRNAs, including IsrA, IsrG, IstR-2, RyhB-1, RyhB-2 and RseX while repressed the expression of the sRNAs DsrA, GlmZ, IsrH-1, IsrI, SraL, SroC, SsrS(6S) and RydC. Interestingly, IsrH-1 was previously reported as an sRNA induced by S. Typhimurium inside macrophages. Kinetic analyses unraveled changing expression patterns for some sRNAs along the infection. InvR and T44 expression dropped after an initial induction phase while IstR-2 was induced exclusively at late infection times (> 6 h). Studies focused on the Salmonella-specific sRNA RyhB-2 revealed that intracellular bacteria use this sRNA to regulate negatively YeaQ, a cis-encoded protein of unknown function. RyhB-2, together with RyhB-1, contributes to attenuate intracellular bacterial growth. To our knowledge, these data represent the first comprehensive study of S. Typhimurium sRNA expression in intracellular bacteria and provide the first insights into sRNAs that may direct pathogen adaptation to a non-proliferative state inside the host cell.
Effect of Salinity on Grain Yield and Quality of Wheat and Genetic Relationships among Durum and Common Wheat (THE 1st INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ARID LAND (ICAL 1) "DESERT TECHNOLOGY X (DT X)")

Salinity is a big constraint to crop quality and production. In the major wheat growing region of the world, wheat growth, yield and quality are affected by salinity. To solve this problem it is necessary to breed tolerant varieties through selection and breeding techniques. The objective of the present study was to determine the salinity impact on grain yield, protein content and thousand kernel weight (TKW) among 55 varieties and accessions of common and durum wheat (16 winter wheat varieties and 39 spring wheat accessions). The results showed that salt treatment (100 mM of NaCl solution) depressed growth and yield production in 45 common and durum wheat varieties. While 6 varieties of durum wheat, 3 accessions of durum wheat and 1 accession of common wheat were insignificantly affected by salinity. Among them were Chryssodur from Greece, Saragolla, Silur and Dakter from Italy, Sculptur from France, Karim from Tunisia, Algeria 70-2 from Algeria, Ethiopia 201 and Ethiopia 229 from Ethiopia, and finally the Morocco 85 accession of common wheat from Morocco. The decrease in grain yield might be caused by the salinity, which induced reduction of photosynthetic capacity leading to less starch synthesis and accumulation in the grain. In addition the results showed that winter wheat is more tolerant to salt stress then spring wheat and that durum type of wheat showed more tolerance than common wheat. Moreover it appeared that salt accumulation increased protein content in five varieties and one accession of durum wheat. This variation maybe related to the relatively stable nitrogen metabolism under salt stress, which might contribute to the higher protein concentration. TKW also decreased in all 10 varieties and accessions regardless of the species. Also the variation in response to salt of the varieties and accessions was closely related to genetic diversity among these species. Indeed Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers showed the presence of two groups, African-European complex and African-Asian complex of wheat.
Nomograms for predicting recurrence and survival of invasive pathological stage IA non-small cell lung cancer treated by video assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy.

BACKGROUND A considerable portion of pathological stage (p-stage) IA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients suffered from death and recurrence after video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy. The purpose of our study was to develop nomograms to predict which subgroup patients were more likely to suffer from recurrence or death. METHODS Data of invasive p-stage IA NSCLC patients who underwent VATS lobectomy at Peking University People's Hospital from September 2006 to April 2014 were analyzed. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression was used to develop nomograms. The performance of the nomograms was evaluated by Harrell's concordance index (C-index), calibration plots and risk group stratification. RESULTS A total of 422 patients with NSCLC of invasive p-stage IA were included in the study. The median follow-up time was 40 months. Age [hazards ratio (HR) =1.067, 95% confidential interval (CI): 1.006-1.131], lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (HR=4.062, 95% CI: 1.278-12.912) and differentiation (HR =5.747, 95% CI: 2.151-15.353) were independent prognostic factors to predict overall survival (OS). Tumor diameter (HR =3.299, 95% CI: 1.814-6.001), LVI (HR =3.260, 95% CI: 1.221-8.708) and differentiation (HR =3.607, 95% CI: 1.776-7.327) were independent predictors of recurrence free survival (RFS). The nomogram for predicting OS demonstrated stronger discriminatory power than the 7th and 8th T stage systems (C-index: 0.894 for the nomogram, 0.700 for the 7th T stage and 0.742 for the 8th T stage). Likewise, the C-index of the nomogram for predicting RFS was higher than that of the 7th and 8th T stage systems (0.838 for the nomogram, 0.670 for the 7th T stage and 0.723 for the 8th T stage). CONCLUSIONS We developed nomograms that could predict individual accurate prognosis for invasive p-stage IA NSCLC patients after VATS lobectomy. Risk stratification by the nomograms might guide further adjuvant chemotherapy and follow-up.
Whole‐body muscle magnetic resonance imaging in SEPN1‐related myopathy shows a homogeneous and recognizable pattern

Introduction: The aim of this study was to delineate the spectrum of muscle involvement in patients with a myopathy due to mutations in SEPN1 (SEPN1‐RM). Methods: Whole‐body magnetic resonance imaging (WBMRI) was used in 9 patients using T1‐weighted turbo spin–echo (T1‐TSE) sequences and short tau inversion recovery (STIR) in 5 patients. Results: Analysis of signal and volume abnormalities by T1‐TSE sequences in 109 muscles showed a homogeneous pattern characterized by a recognizable combination of atrophy and signal abnormalities in selected muscles of the neck, trunk, pelvic girdle, and lower limbs. Severe wasting of sternocleidomastoid muscle and atrophy of semimembranosus were detected. Selective paraspinal, gluteus maximus, and thigh muscle involvement was also observed. The lower leg was less constantly affected. Conclusions: WBMRI scoring of altered signal and atrophy in muscle can be represented by heatmaps and is associated with a homogeneous, recognizable pattern in SEPN1‐RM, distinct from other genetic muscle diseases. Muscle Nerve 52: 728–735, 2015
Gene Expression Profiles and Transcription Factors Involved in Parathyroid Hormone Signaling in Osteoblasts Revealed by Microarray and Bioinformatics*

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) binds to its receptor PTH1R (parathyroid hormone 1 receptor) in osteoblastic cells to regulate bone remodeling and calcium homeostasis. While prolonged exposure to PTH causes increased bone resorption, intermittent injections of PTH have an anabolic effect on bone. The molecular mechanisms regulating these processes are still largely unknown. Here, we present our results on gene expression profile changes in the PTH-treated osteoblastic cell line, UMR 106-01, using DNA microarray analysis. A total of 125 known genes and 30 unknown expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were found to have at least 2-fold expression changes after PTH treatment at 4, 12, and 24 h. 14 genes were previously known to be PTH-regulated but many were unknown to be regulated by PTH prior to our experiments. Real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR confirmed that 90 and 50% of the genes are regulated more than 2-fold by PTH in UMR 106-01 and rat primary osteoblastic cells, respectively. Most genes belong to the following protein families: hormones, growth factors, and receptors; signal transduction pathway proteins; transcription factors; proteases; metabolic enzymes; structural and matrix proteins; transporters; etc. These results provide a comprehensive and deeper knowledge about PTH regulation of osteoblastic gene expression. Next, we designed a computational method to extract information about transcription factors likely involved in regulating these genes. These factors include those previously known to be involved in PTH signaling (AP-1 and the cAMP response element-binding protein), those that were identified by microarray data (C/EBP), and some novel transcription factors (AP-2, AP-4, SP1, FoxD3, etc.). Our results suggest that a reliable bioinformatics approach can be easily applied for other systems.
An assessment of gait analysis in the rehabilitation of children with walking difficulties

Purpose: To assess the current status of computerized gait analysis techniques in the management of children with cerebral palsy or spina bifida who have significant walking disorders. Method: Synthesis of available data from a review of the literature, drawing on MEDLINE, EMBASE, PRE-MEDLINE, HealthStar and PsychInfo. Other information was obtained from persons with expertise in computerized gait analysis. Cost data were obtained from Canadian rehabilitation centres and the provincial health ministry. Results: This technology seems helpful in detecting gait changes. However, available evidence is insufficient to draw conclusions about the influence of computerized gait analysis on treatment outcomes. Part of the rationale for use of the technology is that costs of gait analysis (of the order of $CAN 2,000 per examination) would be offset by a decrease in followup surgical procedures and associated hospital care. There could also be a major influence on children's independence and quality of life. However, there are as yet no convincing data to support these propositions. Conclusions: Computerized gait analysis is a potentially useful technology in the management of children with walking disabilities, but its efficacy is not established. It should be regarded as a developing technology and its clinical application linked to systematic collection and assessment of outcomes data.
Power allocation in cognitive radio networks using distributed machine learning

In cognitive radios systems, the sparse assigned frequency bands are opened to secondary users, provided that the aggregated interferences induced by the secondary transmitters on the primary receivers are negligible. In this paper, a decentralized Q-learning power allocation algorithm is proposed to maximize the Signal on Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR) at the secondary receivers while meeting the primary protection constraint. Numerical simulations allow to compare the performance of the proposed algorithm with the performance of the optimal centralized power allocation scheme in the scenario of multiple independent secondary cells located on the border of a primary network protection contour. The impact of the definition of the learning algorithm cost function on the secondary user fairness and the system performance is discussed. The optimal execution frequency of the algorithm is obtained and different strategies for the exploration of new solutions are compared.
Oxygen-Carrying Properties of a Simple Synthetic System

An iridium compound, chloro-carbonyl-bis(triphenylphosphine)-iridium, in solution, takes up molecular oxygen—one molecule per metal atom—which is subsequently recovered by reducing the pressure. The adduct is photosensitive but otherwise stable at ambient temperatures. It is a monomeric molecular complex and probably contains a peroxo group with both oxygens bonded to the same metal atom.
Analysing the Effects of Reward Shaping in Multi-Objective Stochastic Games

The majority of Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning (MARL) implementations aim to optimise systems with respect to a single objective, despite the fact that many real world problems are inherently multi-objective in nature. Research into multi-objective MARL is still in its infancy, and few studies to date have dealt with the issue of credit assignment. Reward shaping has been proposed as a means to address the credit assignment problem in single-objective MARL, however it has been shown to alter the intended goals of the domain if misused, leading to unintended behaviour. Two popular shaping methods are Potential-Based Reward Shaping and difference rewards, and both have been repeatedly shown to improve learning speed and the quality of joint policies learned by agents in single-objective problems. In this work we discuss the theoretical implications of applying these approaches to multi-objective problems, and evaluate their efficacy using a new multi-objective benchmark domain where the true Pareto optimal system utilities are known. Our work provides the first empirical evidence that agents using these shaping methodologies can sample true Pareto optimal solutions in multi-objective Stochastic Games.