Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reduced positive selection in vector-borne RNA viruses.

RNA viruses evolve at greatly elevated rates compared with their DNA counterparts. This is principally due to the high mutation rate associated with RNA polymerase, which introduces approximately one error per genome during each round of viral replication, a rate some two orders of magnitude higher than observed in DNA viruses (Drake et al. 1998). The potential for rapid evolutionary change is thought to provide RNA viruses with unparalleled adaptability (Domingo and Holland 1997), so that a solution can quickly be found to any evolutionary problem, such as those posed by antiviral therapy. Conversely, studies of long-term rates of nucleotide substitution suggest that certain aspects of viral biology, particularly transmission mode, may impose constraints on RNA virus evolution. In particular, reduced rates of nonsynonymous substitution have been recorded in some RNA viruses transmitted by arthropod vectors (Jenkins et al. 2002), suggesting that the requirement to replicate in disparate hosts, like mammals and invertebrates, imposes greater selective constraints than on viruses that only infect phylogenetically similar species (Scott, Weaver, and Mallampalli 1994; Weaver et al. 1999). However, this theory remains controversial, as reiterated by experimental studies of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) in cell culture which showed that alternate replication in insect and mammalian cells did not reduce the rate at which mutations appeared or limit fitness increases (Novella et al. 1999). To determine whether vector-borne RNA viruses evolve in the same manner as viruses transmitted by other routes (including blood-borne, fecal-oral, respiratory, sexual, and vertical), and to investigate the nature of selection in viruses in general, we analyzed selection pressures in a wide variety of viruses that infect human populations. The sequences of surface structural (envelope glycoprotein or outer capsid) and internal structural (core capsid or nucleoprotein) genes were collected from all human-associated viruses available on GenBank or the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the case of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) (http:// www.hiv.lanl.gov). In the case of the surface genes, sufficiently large intraspecific data sets were available from 45 viruses (18 vector-borne, 27 nonvector-borne). Of
The Pseudomonas putida Crc global regulator is an RNA binding protein that inhibits translation of the AlkS transcriptional regulator

The Crc protein is a global regulator that controls the hierarchical assimilation of carbon sources in Pseudomonads by inhibiting expression of several catabolic pathways. Crc does not bind DNA and its mechanism of action has remained elusive. Among other genes, Crc inhibits expression of alkS, the transcriptional activator of the Pseudomonas putida OCT plasmid alkane degradation pathway. AlkS activates expression of its own gene. In the presence of saturating AlkS levels, translational fusions of alkS to the lacZ reporter gene were responsive to Crc, but transcriptional fusions were not. In translational fusions, the first 33 nt of alkS mRNA, which includes up to position +3 relative to the translation start site, were sufficient to confer an efficient response to Crc. In vitro, purified Crc could bind specifically to an alkS mRNA fragment spanning positions +1 to +43, comprising the translation initiation region. We have previously shown that Crc has little effect on the stability of alkS mRNA. We conclude that Crc modulates AlkS levels by binding to the translation initiation region of alkS mRNA, thereby inhibiting translation. Because AlkS is an unstable protein present in limiting amounts, reducing its levels leads to decreased expression of all genes in the pathway.
Identification and quantification of full‐length BK channel variants in the developing mouse cochlea

Maxi‐K+ (BK) channel diversity is attributed to alternative splicing in the kcnma1 gene. The resultant variants manifest themselves in different cell types, tissues, and functions, such as excitation, metabolism, and signaling. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed immunogold particle labeling of BK in apical and basal regions of inner and outer hair cells, respectively. Additional labeling occurs in Deiters' cells and the inner mitochondrial membrane. Identification of full‐length sequences reveals 27 BK variants from embryonic and postnatal mouse inner ear, per classification by tail motif, VYR, DEC, and ERL, and by exon usage. Three predicted start codons are found encoding MAN, MSS, and MDA, of which MDA shows the greatest expression through all stages in development, whereas MAN is undetectable. Complex splice sites occur between exons 9 and 10 and between 21 and 23. Spliced‐in/out exons between 8 and 10 reveal a short fragment composed of exons 8 + 10, detectable on postnatal day (PD) 14 and PD30, and a longer fragment composed of exons 8 + 9 + 10 that is upregulated on embryonic day (ED) 14. Spliced‐in exons 22 or 23 are expressed on ED14 but decrease over time; however, exon 22 increases again on PD34. Using tail‐specific primers, qRT‐PCR from ED14, PD4, ‐14, and ‐30 shows that BK‐VYR and ‐ERL dominate expression on ED14, whereas DEC dominates after birth in all cochlear regions. The localization of BK and the changes in expression of its exons and tail types, by alternative splicing during development, may contribute to cochlear organization, acquisition of hearing, and intracellular signaling. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of various techniques for the detection of Nocardia species in clinically evident cases of pulmonary and extra- pulmonary tuberculosis

To determine the risk factors, microbiological features, clinical features and other epidemiological characteristics of Nocardia asteroides, we evaluated 500 patients with suspected pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis seen over a period of 18 months. Samples were subjected to microscopy and culture using standard protocols. Out of 500 samples, 5 (1%) were found to be positive for Nocardia asteroids on the basis of growth characteristics and biochemical reactions. All the 5 (100%) cases were detected by McClung's Carbon free broth by paraffin baiting technique. Paraffin baiting technique had significantly higher efficacy (p<0.0001) as compared to Nutrient agar, Sabouraud's dextrose agar, Lowenstein-Jensen medium, paraffin agar and Gelatin agar. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done by disk diffusion method in blood agar and Mueller-Hinton agar plates, as recommended by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. Amikacin and imipenem showed the 100% sensitivity. A diagnosis of nocardiosis may have direct benefits to the patient and physician by providing a clinical diagnosis and limiting extensive diagnostic evaluations. It may also reduce the use of empirical therapy, which could be ineffective and potentially harmful.
Effect on Emotional Behavior and Stress by Inhalation of the Essential oil from Chamaecyparis obtusa

Various effects have been reported in the literature for the essential oil from Chamaecyparis obtusa (EOCO), such as antibacterial and antifungal activity. In this study, we examined the effect of EOCO on emotional behavior and stress-induced biomarkers. Male ICR mice, aged 5 weeks at the start of each experiment, were individually housed in cages for 1 week. After placing each mouse in a glass container and exposing it to EOCO for 90 min, we then investigated the influence on emotional behavior using the elevated-plus maze (EPM) test, which is one of the evaluation methods for anxiolytic-like behavior. Significant anxiolytic-like effects were observed for the 7.0 mg/L air EOCO (P<0.05). After the EPM test, mice were dissected and changes in the stress-induced biomarkers within the brain were investigated by examining the amounts of fast nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) and activity regulated cytoskeletal-associated protein (Arc) gene expression, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and galactokinase 1 (GLK1) protein expression. Significant increases were observed in the amount of NGFR after inhalation of 7.0 mg/L air EOCO (P<0.05). These results indicate that EOCO has both anxiolytic-like and stress mitigation effects.
Comparison of plasma exchange with plasma infusion in the treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Canadian Apheresis Study Group.

BACKGROUND Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is an uncommon disease with a high mortality rate even with current treatment. The cause of the syndrome and its optimal treatment are unknown. Although both plasma exchange and plasma infusion have been useful treatments, it is not clear which is superior. In this report we describe a prospective randomized trial comparing plasma exchange with plasma infusion for the treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. METHODS One hundred two patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura were randomly assigned to receive either plasma exchange or plasma infusion with fresh-frozen plasma on seven of the first nine days after entry into the trial. The total volume of plasma received by patients undergoing plasma exchange was three times that received by patients undergoing plasma infusion. All the patients also received aspirin and dipyridamole. The outcomes in the two groups were compared at the end of the first treatment cycle (day 9) and after six months. RESULTS At the end of the first treatment cycle patients receiving plasma exchange had a higher rate of response as defined by an increase in the platelet count (24 of 51 patients) than those who received plasma infusion (13 of 51, P = 0.025). Of the 51 patients treated with plasma exchange, 2 died, whereas 8 of the 51 patients who received plasma infusion died (P = 0.035). After six months the outcome in the plasma-exchange group was still superior, with a response observed in 40 of 51 patients, whereas 25 of 51 patients in the plasma-infusion group responded (P = 0.002). Eleven patients in the plasma-exchange group died, as did 19 patients in the plasma-infusion group (P = 0.036). The overall mortality was 29 percent. CONCLUSIONS Plasma exchange is more effective than plasma infusion in the treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Effectiveness of an Advanced Practice Nurse–Led Preoperative Telephone Assessment

The purpose of this project was to determine the effectiveness of an advanced practice nurse–led preoperative telephone assessment in reducing day-of-surgery cancellations of patients at an ambulatory surgery center. We concluded that a good history obtained by a trained and experienced advanced practice nurse or registered nurse can reduce day-of-surgery cancellations. Patients who were identified at high risk for preoperative complications during the telephone assessment were referred to the preoperative evaluation clinic for further evaluation.
The association between sleeping patterns, eating habits, obesity, and quality of life among Israeli adolescents

Abstract The aims of the study were to examine the association between self-reported sleep patterns, daytime sleep-related behaviors (DSRB), daytime sleepiness, depressed mood, eating habits, body mass index (BMI), and quality of life among Israeli adolescents. Method: Participants (844 adolescents; 457 females) completed several demographic and clinical (sleep–wake pattern, DSRB, eating habits, and quality of life) questionnaires. Results and conclusion: The average weekday and weekend sleep duration was 7.87 h; 17.8% of participants slept 7 h or less, and 12% slept an average of 9 h or more. Weekday and mean nighttime sleep duration was found to correlate with unhealthy eating habits, sleep behaviors, social and school performance, and quality of life measures (statistically significant). A linear association emerged between the percentage of students with BMI > 25 and weekday sleep duration only for females in 11–12th graders (after adjustment for gender and grade). BMI correlated with psychosocial and total quality of life (statistically significant). Future research should use objective tools to examine BMI categories and sleep duration.
Hormonal Treatment in Young People With Gender Dysphoria: A Systematic Review

In this review, we examine the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial effects of common hormonal interventions used to treat GD in young transgender individuals. CONTEXT: Hormonal interventions are being increasingly used to treat young people with gender dysphoria, but their effects in this population have not been systematically reviewed before. OBJECTIVE: To review evidence for the physical, psychosocial, and cognitive effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRHa), gender-affirming hormones, antiandrogens, and progestins on transgender adolescents. DATA SOURCES: We searched Medline, Embase, and PubMed databases from January 1, 1946, to June 10, 2017. STUDY SELECTION: We selected primary studies in which researchers examined the hormonal treatment of transgender adolescents and assessed their psychosocial, cognitive, and/or physical effects. DATA EXTRACTION: Two authors independently screened studies for inclusion and extracted data from eligible articles using a standardized recording form. RESULTS: Thirteen studies met our inclusion criteria, in which researchers examined GnRHas (n = 9), estrogen (n = 3), testosterone (n = 5), antiandrogen (cyproterone acetate) (n = 1), and progestin (lynestrenol) (n = 1). Most treatments successfully achieved their intended physical effects, with GnRHas and cyproterone acetate suppressing sex hormones and estrogen or testosterone causing feminization or masculinization of secondary sex characteristics. GnRHa treatment was associated with improvement across multiple measures of psychological functioning but not gender dysphoria itself, whereas the psychosocial effects of gender-affirming hormones in transgender youth have not yet been adequately assessed. LIMITATIONS: There are few studies in this field and they have all been observational. CONCLUSIONS: Low-quality evidence suggests that hormonal treatments for transgender adolescents can achieve their intended physical effects, but evidence regarding their psychosocial and cognitive impact are generally lacking. Future research to address these knowledge gaps and improve understanding of the long-term effects of these treatments is required.
A comparative study of cisapride and ranitidine at controlling oesophageal acid exposure in erosive oesophagitis

Background: The severity of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease is generally considered to be related to the extent of oesophageal acid exposure. Current therapies include antisecretory and prokinetic agents. We compared two of these, ranitidine and cisapride, in their ability to lower oesophageal acid exposure in patients with erosive oesophagitis.
Genes of major histocompatibility complex class II influence chronic C hepatitis treatment with interferon in hemodialysis patients

The prevalence of anti-HCV among patients on hemodialysis is consistently higher than in the general population, indicating that patients on hemodialysis programs are at risk of acquiring HCV infection. The response to interferon alpha 2b (IFN -α 2b) therapy in chronic C hepatitis depends on viral and host factors. We treated 22 chronic C hepatitis uremic patients with IFN- α 2b (3 MU three times a week) and compared interferon responsive and unresponsive patients with regard to HLA II genes. HLA II genes were investigated by PCR-SSP low resolution, anti-HCV with ELISA II and HCV-RNA with reverse transcriptase “nested” PCR. Findings: HLA DRB1*13 is 50% positive in the non-responder group (four women, four men, mean age; 28.8±11.9 years) and 7% in the responder group (five women, nine men, mean age; 32.2±7.8 years) (p<0.05). There was no difference with respect to HLA genes between controls (six women, eight men, mean age; 29.5 ± 12.8 years) and patients (nine women, 13 men, mean age; 31.0 ± 9.3 years) (HLA DRB1*13 is 28% and 22% positive, respectively). We conclude that major histocompatibility complex class II genes influence the outcome of chronic C hepatitis treatment with IFN -α 2b.
Kinematics of a Total Arthroplasty of the Ankle: Comparison to Normal Ankle Motion

Although the concept of a total ankle arthroplasty has been advanced as a method for treating severe ankle arthritis, the clinical experience with all of the models developed has been discouraging. Both the constrained designs, which maximize joint contact area by restricting the available motion, and the unconstrained designs, which allow more normal motion at the expense of higher contact stresses, uniformly result in implant loosening, pain, and clinical failure in 2 to 7 years. This has led to the recommendation against the use of a total ankle arthroplasty except in very low-demand patients. Failure of ankle implants can be ascribed to either anatomic considerations (e.g. -the talus is too small to accommodate the stress transfers of a prosthesis), or mechanical etiologies. Abnormal 3-dimensional motion of the ankle following arthroplasty would fall into the latter category. This study examined the motion that occurs after implantation of an unconstrained-type total ankle arthroplasty. Using previously validated methodology, axially loaded ankle specimens were cycled through an arc of plantarflex/dorsiflexion while measuring the resulting coupled internal/external and varus/valgus rotations. The average coupled motions in prosthetic ankles were not significantly different than their intact controls. There was, however, a significantly increased amount of hysteresis (defined as the difference between the upper and lower pathways of coupled motion at any given sagittal position) that occurred as the ankle was dorsiflexed and plantar flexed. The increased hysteresis was seen in both the axial and coronal planes. This indicates that there was a greater permitted envelop of motion in the prosthetic ankles compared to normal ankles. It is hypothesized that this subtle change in ankle kinematics caused by the arthroplasty leads to abnormal stress transfer at the prosthesis-bone interface, thereby promoting early implant failure.
Evaluation of a multiprofessional rehabilitation programme for persistent musculoskeletal-related pain: economic benefits of return to work.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the economic consequences of an 8-week multiprofessional rehabilitation programme for patients with persistent pain. SUBJECTS A group of 67 patients following the programme and a comparison group of 322 patients. METHODS The effect on return to work was estimated using 3 different methods: (i) a matched sample approach; (ii) regression analysis; and (iii) propensity score matching. The economic benefit of the programme was estimated as a reduction in production losses due to sick-leave. This benefit was compared with the actual cost of the programme. RESULTS The benefit of the programme was estimated to be euro3,799-7,515 per treated patient and year. The total cost of the programme was estimated to be euro5,406 per patient. Based on these figures the total cost of the programme, including costs for patients remaining on sick-leave, had been recovered when the successfully rehabilitated patients had worked for 9-17 months. Any additional work after that yielded net economic benefits. CONCLUSION Since other studies indicate that a large proportion of the patients working after one year also work after 3 and 6 years, we conclude that this multiprofessional rehabilitation programme for patients with persistent pain most likely generates substantial net economic gains.
Creative Activities and Students’ Higher Order Thinking Skills

This study investigated the effects of creative activities on high school chemistry students’ higher order thinking skills. Sixty (60) students were assigned randomly into Instruction with Creative Activities (ICA) group and Instruction with No Creative Activities (INCA) group. Various creative activities were incorporated into fourteen lessons of the ICA group in the intervention which lasted for ten weeks. The group exposed to the ICA was expected to have a higher mean score in the Chemistry Test for Higher Order Thinking Skills (ChemTHOTS). However, no significant difference was found between the mean posttest scores of the ICA and INCA in the ChemTHOTS. Moreover, no significant difference was found between the mean gain score from pretest to posttest of the two groups.
Combating shadowing effects for systems with transmitter diversity by using collaboration among mobile users

In the current wireless, cellular systems, each mobile station (MS) independently communicates with a base station (BS). In this article we investigate collaboration among MSs where an MS retransmits a signal from the BS to a nearby MS that is in a shadowing or deep fading region relative to the BS. We develop a formula for the outage probability of a non-collaborative system with two transmit antennas and one receive antenna in a lognormal shadowing environment, and compare it with a formula developed for the outage probability of the collaborative system, in which the second transmit antenna is indeed located on another MS. Results of simulating a real system with practical parameters are also presented and compared with the theoretical results. The outage probability of the proposed system is reduced by an order of magnitude over that of the non-collaborative system.
Health-related quality of life in a population-based sample of people with multiple sclerosis in Stockholm County

The aim of this descriptive, cross-sectional study was to analyse health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a population-based sample of people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) in Stockholm County, with respect to disease-related and sociodemographic factors and coping capacity. A further aim was to compare our results on HRQoL - collected by face-to-face interviews at home-visits - with the results from a study with a mail-surveyed sample of PwMS in Stockholm. Home visits were made to 166 PwMS with clinically definite MS. Data were obtained from structured interviews using the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) and the Sense of Coherence Scale. HRQoL was widely affected, especially in home management, walking and recreation. Self-rated HRQoL was worse in PwMS, including those with milder disease and shorter disease duration, than in the general population. Factors that were independently associated with large impact on HRQoL were disease severity, work status and coping capacity. The EQ-5D score of PwMS was more favourable when assessed by face-to face interviews at home in our study than in the study using mailed questionnaires. The study gives detailed information on HRQoL and will contribute to the base needed for organizing health care services aimed at improving HRQoL of PwMS in Stockholm.
Improving students’ knowledge and attitude with regard to HIV

Dear Sir, Khorvash et al. have reported the results of an insightful study conducted among students of nursing and midwifery school on the association between the students’ knowledge and their tendency to take care of HIV patients. [1] It is no exaggeration to state that the results are rather worrying. Students had an inadequate knowledge of HIV infection and some were unwilling to care for affected patients. The authors have correctly said that further medical education on this subject is needed; however, it is worth pausing to consider what format would be most appropriate.
Hardware design of an NTT-based polynomial multiplier

This paper presents the design of a parameterizable n-coefficient polynomial multiplier based on an n-point NTT-core, which uses a systolic array. The designed NTT-based polynomial multiplier is described in generic structural VHDL; synthesized on the Stratix EP4SGX230KF40C2 using Quartus II V. 13; verified using Modelsim; and performs the product of two polynomials of degree 4095 in 95.64 μs. The hardware synthesis and performance results show that the designed polynomial multiplier presents a good area-time trade-off and it is suitable for hardware implementations of lattice-based cryptosystems.