Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Gag protein PEG10 binds to RNA and regulates trophoblast stem cell lineage specification

Peg10 (paternally expressed gene 10) is an imprinted gene that is essential for placental development. It is thought to derive from a Ty3-gyspy LTR (long terminal repeat) retrotransposon and retains Gag and Pol-like domains. Here we show that the Gag domain of PEG10 can promote vesicle budding similar to the HIV p24 Gag protein. Expressed in a subset of mouse endocrine organs in addition to the placenta, PEG10 was identified as a substrate of the deubiquitinating enzyme USP9X. Consistent with PEG10 having a critical role in placental development, PEG10-deficient trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) exhibited impaired differentiation into placental lineages. PEG10 expressed in wild-type, differentiating TSCs was bound to many cellular RNAs including Hbegf (Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor), which is known to play an important role in placentation. Expression of Hbegf was reduced in PEG10-deficient TSCs suggesting that PEG10 might bind to and stabilize RNAs that are critical for normal placental development.
Hepatitis B vaccination status and associated factors among undergraduate students of Makerere University College of Health Sciences

Background Hepatitis B is a global health problem. Trainees in the health-related fields are exposed to occupational risk of Hepatitis B Virus. In Uganda, there is scarcity of information on vaccination among students in health-care. The objective of this study was to assess hepatitis B vaccination status of the students and factors associated. Methods and findings This was a cross sectional study, conducted at Makerere University College of Health Sciences among undergraduate students who were eligible. A self-report on Hepatitis B vaccination status and various characteristics were collected on each participant, using a standardized structured self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were computed, bivariate and multivariate analysis were done using Stata 14. Results Out of 760 participants, 44.3% (95% CI 35.2–52.8) reported full vaccination. Vaccination was associated with gender, course, year of study and student’s sponsorship. Males were less likely to be vaccinated, Prevalence Ratio (PR) 0.79; P-value <0.001, while self-sponsored students were also most likely to be vaccinated, PR 2.08; P-value <0.001. About 37% reported an accidental needle injury during their training. Conclusion Full vaccination was low and given the high prevalence of needle injuries, it raises a safety concern. Vaccination should be mandatory for all students prior to clinical exposure. There is need for targeted interventions to increase uptake.
Pedestrian risky behavior and safety at zebra crossings in a Ghanaian metropolitan area

Abstract Objective: This article assesses pedestrian behavior and safety at zebra crossings in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Method: A mix of a naturalistic exploratory and descriptive study was conducted using both primary and secondary data. The primary data included an observational study of over 6,000 pedestrians using zebra crossings in the metropolis. The secondary data were obtained from the national road traffic crashes (RTCs) database at the Building and Road Research Institute covering information on pedestrian crashes between 2007 and 2016 in the metropolis. Analyses were conducted using frequencies and percentages with Pearson’s chi-square correlation used to establish the relationship between independent and dependent variables. Results: The findings showed that the majority of the 328 pedestrian crashes between 2007 and 2016 resulted in either fatalities or serious injuries and occurred at locations away from a junction. Most of the pedestrians observed used the zebra crossing were alone and engaged in talking or using mobile phone. Age group, pedestrian status, and the location of the zebra crossings influenced pedestrians’ risky behaviors. Conclusion: The majority of the pedestrian crashes in the metropolis resulted in injuries resulting in hospitalization or fatalities and occurred at a midblock. Pedestrians largely exhibited risky behaviors predisposing the occurrence of RTCs at zebra crossings despite the fact that they are a pedestrian right-of-way. There is therefore the need for the National Road Safety Commission to carry out campaigns to educate pedestrians on the safer use of zebra crossings.
Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibition Ameliorates Inflammation and Experimental Pulmonary Hypertension.

RATIONALE Inflammation and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypic switching are causally linked to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) pathogenesis. Carbonic anhydrase inhibition (CAI) induces mild metabolic acidosis and exerts protective effects in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (PH). Carbonic anhydrases and metabolic acidosis are further known to modulate immune cell activation. OBJECTIVE To evaluate if CAI modulates macrophage activation, inflammation, and VSMC phenotypic switching in severe experimental PH. METHODS PH was assessed in Sugen 5416/hypoxia (SU/Hx) rats after treatment with acetazolamide or ammonium chloride (NH4Cl). We evaluated pulmonary and systemic inflammation and characterized the effect of CAI and metabolic acidosis in alveolar and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). We further evaluated the treatment effects on VSMC phenotypic switching in pulmonary arteries (PAs) and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC) and corroborated some of our findings in lungs and PAs of PAH patients. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Both idiopathic PAH patients and SU/Hx rats had increased expression of lung inflammatory markers and signs of PASMC de-differentiation in PAs. Acetazolamide and NH4Cl ameliorated SU/Hx-induced PH and blunted pulmonary and systemic inflammation. Expression of CA isoform 2 (Car2, CA2) was increased in alveolar macrophages from SU/Hx animals, classically (M1) and alternatively (M2) activated BMDMs, and PAH patient lungs. CAIs and acidosis had distinct effects on M1 and M2 markers in BMDMs. Inflammatory cytokines drove PASMC de-differentiation and this was inhibited by acetazolamide and acidosis. CONCLUSION The protective anti-inflammatory effect of acetazolamide in PH is mediated by a dual mechanism of macrophage CAI and systemic metabolic acidosis.
Effect of Products and Services Alliances on the Performance of Microfinance Institutions in Rwanda

in the Rwandan workforce, targeted value-added clusters, grow tax base, industrial technical resource R&D Strategic significant Abstract: In today’s world of cutthroat competition, considerable attention has been devoted to the formation of strategic alliances. Different organizations form alliance with other partners with different motivation. Some of the cited motivations for alliances include pooling resources, increasing capabilities; improve product development and service delivery, among others. Due to these varying alliances, there are various forms of alliances that organizations can engage in. However, research has shown that not all alliances end up with gaining the intended benefits. This research investigated the effect of product and service alliance on firm performance in microfinance institutions. Primary data was obtained using structured questionnaire distributed to a sample of 220 managers/CEO selected from a total of 419 MFIs. Data was analyzed using STATA 16.1 and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) used to test the research hypothesis. The results showed that the model was significant at 10% ( (cid:2031) (cid:2870) = 21.576 , p<0.1). It also revealed that product and service alliance is positively and significantly related to firm performance with a coefficient of 0.072 (p<0.05). This being the first study of the kind, here in Rwanda, among the MFIs, it is recommended that MFIs should embrace alliance as way of improving their resource base and their product innovation and service delivery as well as their financial performance.
A New Species of Zygantroides (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida) from Amakusa, Japan

We describe a new species of ilyplanid polyclad, Zygantroides serpulidicola sp. nov., from Amakusa, Kumamoto, Japan. This is the third member of Zygantroides Faubel, 1983 and the first record of the genus from the Pacific Ocean. Zygantroides serpulidicola sp. nov. is characterized by i) the mouth opening near the common gonopore, ii) the sperm ducts separately entering a pear-shaped seminal vesicle, iii) an elongated Lang’s-vesicle duct, and iv) the horseshoe-shaped Lang’s vesicle located posterior to the common gonopore. We provide a partial sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene (712 bp) as a DNA barcode for the species. Our phylogenetic analyses based on concatenated sequences of the 16S, 18S, and 28S ribosomal DNA and COI indicate that Z. serpulidicola sp. nov. is nested in a clade comprised of Discocelidae and Ilyplanidae; the latter does not appear to be monophyletic.
HER2 Positivity Predicts Unresponsiveness to EGFR-Targeted Treatment in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND HER2 amplification is detected in 3% of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), making tumors in the metastatic setting vulnerable to double pharmacological HER2 blockade. Preclinical findings show that it also might impair response to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) treatment. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Patients with KRAS exon 2 wild-type metastatic CRC underwent molecular screening of HER2 positivity by HERACLES criteria (immunohistochemistry 3+ or 2+ in ≥50% of cells, confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization). A sample of consecutive HER2-negative patients was selected as control. A regression modeling strategy was applied to identify predictors explaining the bulk of HER2 positivity and the association with response to previous anti-EGFR treatment. RESULTS From August 2012 to April 2018, a total of 100 HER2-positive metastatic CRC tumors were detected out of 1,485 KRAS exon 2 wild-type screened patients (6.7%). HER2-positive patients show more frequently lung metastases (odds ratio [OR], 2.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-3.61; p = .014) and higher tumor burden (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.10-2.01; p = .011), and tumors were more likely to be left sided (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.22-1.11; p = .088). HER2-positive patients who received treatment with anti-EGFR agents (n = 79) showed poorer outcome (objective response rate, 31.2% vs. 46.9%, p = .031; progression-free survival, 5.7 months vs. 7 months, p = .087). CONCLUSION Testing for HER2 should be offered to all patients with metastatic CRC because the occurrence of this biomarker is unlikely to be predicted based on main clinicopathological features. Patients with HER2-amplified metastatic CRC are less likely to respond to anti-EGFR therapy. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Patients with HER2-amplified/overexpressed metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) harbor a driver actionable molecular alteration that has been shown in preclinical models to hamper efficacy of the anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeted therapies. The present study confirmed that this molecular feature was associated with worse objective tumor response and shorter progression-free survival in response to previous anti-EGFR therapies. Moreover, it was found that the occurrence of this biomarker is unlikely to be predicted based on main clinicopathological features. Therefore, HER2 status assessment should be included in the molecular diagnostic workup of all mCRC for speedy referral to clinical trials encompassing HER2-targeted double blockade independently of previous anti-EGFR treatment.
AIM2 promotes non‐small‐cell lung cancer cell growth through inflammasome‐dependent pathway

The human absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) is considered as a DNA recognizer. AIM2 has been described as a tumor suppressor gene in the early years. But recent studies suggested that it functions as an oncogene in several cancers. However, its roles in non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain unclear. Here we reported that AIM2 highly expressed in NSCLC cells and exhibited a tumor‐promoting property both in vitro and in vivo. Besides, AIM2 short hairpin RNA (shRNA)‐mediated suppression of cell proliferation was triggered by the accumulation of cells at the G2/M phase. Knockdown of AIM2 reduced the inflammasome formation, while overexpression of AIM2 or stimulation by poly(dA:dT) induced the inflammasome formation. Interestingly, blockade of the inflammasome by caspase‐1 inhibitor VX‐765 or ASC small interfering RNA (siRNA) abolished the effects brought by AIM2 shRNA and AIM2 plasmid. In summary, our results revealed that AIM2 functioned as an oncogene in NSCLC in an inflammasome‐dependent way.
Validity and Reproducibility of a Food Frequency Questionnaire for Estimating Macro- and Micronutrient Intakes Among Pregnant Women in Jordan

Abstract Objectives: Assessing the relationship between maternal diet and pregnancy outcomes is a crucial issue that requires valid dietary assessment tools in this critical period. This study aimed to develop and assess the validity and reproducibility of a culture-specific quantitative food frequency questionnaire (QFFQ) to evaluate the dietary intake of macro- and micronutrients from food in a sample of Jordanian pregnant women. Methods: A QFFQ was validated against three repeated 24-hour dietary recalls (24-hr recalls). The QFFQ was administered twice one month apart. A total of 131 Jordanian pregnant women participated in the validation study. Thirty women took part in the reproducibility phase, which was repeated in a time frame of one month. Results: The intra-class correlation coefficients of QFFQ1 and QFFQ2 for energy were 0.79 and for macronutrients ranged from −0.27 for insoluble fiber to 0.81 for dietary fiber, indicating adequate (0.51) reproducibility. The intra-class correlation coefficients between two QFFQs for micronutrients ranged from 0.19 for selenium to 0.85 for vitamin C. The average of correlation coefficient was 0.58 for micronutrients. Energy-adjusted and de-attenuated Pearson correlation coefficients between QFFQ1 and 24-hr dietary recall for macronutrients ranged from 0.13 for soluble fiber and trans fat to 0.90 for cholesterol and for micronutrients from 0.01 for sodium to 0.78 for magnesium. Conclusions: The newly developed QFFQ could facilitate the assessment of the nutrient intake among Jordanian pregnant women. Using this QFFQ will help in evaluating the nutritional status of pregnant women, aiming at improving maternal and newborn health.
Adoption of Spices Cultivation Technology by the Growers in Shibganj Upazila under Bogura District of Bangladesh

Traditionally, spices are important components used for preparation of everyday menu, especially for Bangladeshi. In this connection, Spices Research Center under Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) has been releasing new spices varieties but there is dearth of research on the adoption of these newly released spices varieties. Therefore, the present study aimed at to examine the extent of adoption of spices cultivation technology by the growers in Shibganj upazila under Bogura district. Data were collected from 90 household heads selected following proportionate random using a structured interview schedule. Major cultivating spices varieties which are noticed in the study area are BARI piaz1, BARI ada2, BARI holud5. Under the three major spices variety, 43.3 percent area was covered by small scale spices cultivation, 42.2 percent by medium scale and 14.5 percent was covered by large scale area of spices cultivation. Findings revealed that huge majority (80.0%) of the respondents had medium adoption of BARI piaz1 whereas almost all (93.3%) of them had medium adoption of BARI ada2. On the other hand, more than half (53.3%) of the respondents had low adoption of BARI holud5 whereas 40.0 percent of them had medium and 6.7 percent had high adoption of the same. Vital perceived benefits that attracted the respondents in spices cultivation were higher price, yield and quality of the technologies than those of previous. BARI holud5 was found more profitable (BCR 1.7) than BARI piaz1 (BCR 1.3) and BARI ada2 (BCR 1.3). Respondent farmers’ education, farm size, innovativeness, extension contact, knowledge on spices cultivation and annual family income showed significant and positive relationship with their adoption of spices technology.
Biologically inspired synthesis route to three-dimensionally structured inorganic thin films

Inorganic thin films (hydroxide, oxide, and phosphate materials) that are textured on a submicron scale have been prepared from aqueous metal salt solutions at room temperature using vapor-diffusion catalysis. This generic synthesis approach mimics the essential advantages of the catalytic and structure-directing mechanisms observed for the formation of silica skeletons of marine sponges. Chemical composition, crystallinity, and the three-dimensional morphology of films prepared by this method are extremely sensitive to changes in the synthesis conditions, such as concentrations, reaction times, and the presence and nature of substrate materials. Focusing on different materials systems, the reaction mechanism for the formation of these thin films and the influence of different reaction parameters on the product are explained.
Model distortions in Bayesian MAP reconstruction

The Bayesian approach and especially the maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimator is most widely used to solve various problems in signal and image processing, such as denoising and deblurring, zooming, and reconstruction. The reason is that it provides a coherent statistical framework to combine observed (noisy) data with prior information on the unknown signal or image which is optimal in a precise statistical sense. This paper presents an objective critical analysis of the MAP approach. It shows that the MAP solutions substantially deviate from both the data-acquisition model and the prior model that underly the MAP estimator. This is explained theoretically using several analytical properties of the MAP solutions and is illustrated using examples and experiments. It follows that the MAP approach is not relevant in the applications where the data-observation and the prior models are accurate. The construction of solutions (estimators) that respect simultaneously two such models remains an open question.
The Effect of Teach-Back Training on Self-Care and Readmission of Patients with Heart Failure

Background: Teach-back training is one of the interactive teaching methods that assess the learner's understanding by asking questions and provide a proper educational context for behavior change. Involving patients with heart failure in treatment is a top priority. Objectives: Accordingly, the present study aimed to explore the effect of teach-back training on self-care and readmission of patients with heart failure. Methods: The present quasi-experimental study was conducted on 80 patients with heart failure in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) and Post Coronary Care Unit (PCCU) of teaching hospitals affiliated to Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in southeastern Iran in 2019. The patients were selected via the convenience sampling method and randomly placed into two intervention and control groups. In the intervention group, self-care training was performed individually using the teach-back method in four sessions, each lasting 30 to 60 minutes. In contrast, the participants in the control group conventionally received self-care training. The instruments used to collect the data were the demographic information form and the European Heart Failure Self Care Behavior (EHFSCB). The EHFSCB was completed by the participants in the two groups in two stages before and three months after the intervention. The number of readmissions and the number of visits to the doctor at the end of the third month after discharge were recorded for all patients by directly asking the patients. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS-22 software, the independent samples t-test, paired-samples t-test, and chi-square test at a significant level of P < 0.05. Results: After three months, the mean scores of total self-care behaviors during the intervention were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.001). Besides, the average number of readmissions due to heart disease three months after the intervention showed the positive effect of the intervention in reducing readmissions in patients in the intervention group (P = 0.002). Conclusions: This study showed that teach-back training could affect self-care behaviors positively and reduce the number of readmissions of patients with heart failure. Therefore, it is recommended that nurses use this training method to teach self-care behaviors to heart patients.
Mechanical Properties of Hydrogen Free Diamond-Like Carbon Thin Films Deposited by High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering with Ne

Hydrogen-free diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin films are attractive for a wide range of industrial applications. One of the challenges related to the use of hard DLC lies in the high intrinsic compressive stresses that limit the film adhesion. Here, we report on the mechanical and tribological properties of DLC films deposited by High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HiPIMS) with Ne as the process gas. In contrast to standard magnetron sputtering as well as standard Ar-based HiPIMS process, the Ne-HiPIMS lead to dense DLC films with increased mass density (up to 2.65 g/cm3) and a hardness of 23 GPa when deposited on steel with a Cr + CrN adhesion interlayer. Tribological testing by the pin-on-disk method revealed a friction coefficient of 0.22 against steel and a wear rate of 2 × 10−17 m3/Nm. The wear rate is about an order of magnitude lower than that of the films deposited using Ar. The differences in the film properties are attributed to an enhanced C ionization in the Ne-HiPIMS discharge.
Multi-scale models and data for infectious diseases: A systematic review

The observed dynamics of infectious diseases are driven by processes across multiple scales. First is within-host, that is how an infection progresses inside a single individual (for instance viral and immune dynamics). Second is how the infection is transmitted between multiple individuals of a host population. The dynamics of each of these may be influenced by the other, particularly across evolutionary time. Thus understanding each of these scales, and the links between them, is necessary for a wholistic understanding of the spread of infectious diseases. One approach to combining these scales is through mathematical modeling. We conducted a systematic review of the published literature on multi-scale mathematical models of disease transmission to determine the extent to which mathematical models are being used to understand across-scale transmission, and the extent to which these models are being confronted with data. Following the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews, we identified 19 of 139 qualifying papers across 30 years that include both linked models at the within and between host levels and that used data to parameterize/calibrate models. We find that the approach that incorporates both modeling with data is under-utilized, if increasing. This highlights the need for better communication and collaboration between modelers and empiricists to build well-calibrated models that both improve understanding and may be used for prediction.