Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Potential value of urine lateral-flow lipoarabinomannan (LAM) test for diagnosing tuberculosis among severely acute malnourished children

Background Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious co-morbidity among children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and TB diagnosis remains particularly challenging in the very young. We explored whether, in a low HIV-prevalence setting, the detection of mycobacterial lipoarabinomannan (LAM) antigen in urine may assist TB diagnosis in SAM children, a pediatric population currently not included in LAM-testing recommendations. To that end, we assessed LAM test-positivity among SAM children with and without signs or symptoms of TB. Methods A cross-sectional assessment (February 2016-August 2017) included children <5 years with SAM from an Intensive-Therapeutic-Feeding-Centre in Madaoua, Niger. Group 1: children with signs or symptoms suggestive of TB. Group 2: children without any sign or symptom of TB. Urine-specimens were subjected to DetermineTM TB-LAM lateral-flow-test (using a 4-grade intensity scale for positives). LAM-results were used for study purposes and not for patient management. Programmatic TB-diagnosis was primarily based on patients’ clinical symptoms and TB contact history with no systematic access to X-ray or microbiological reference testing. Results 102 (Group 1) and 100 children (Group 2) were included (median age 18 months, 59.4% male, 1.0% HIV-positive). In Group 1, 22 (21.6%) children were started on TB-treatment (probable TB) and none of the children in Group 2. LAM-positivity was 52.0% (53/102) and 37.0% (37/100) in Group 1 and 2, respectively. Low-intensity (Grade 1) LAM test-positivity was similarly high in both Groups (37.3% and 36.0%, respectively), while Grade 2 or 3-positives were mainly detected in Group 1 (Group 1: 14.7%, Group 2: 1.0%, p<0.001). When considering only Grades >1 as positive, LAM-testing detected 22.7% (95%CI: 7.8, 45.4) among probable TB cases, while 99% (95%CI: 94.6, 99.9) of unlikely TB cases (Group 2) tested negative. Conclusion These findings suggest the potential utility of LAM urine testing in HIV-negative children with SAM. Determine LAM-positivity with Grades >1 may identify HIV-negative SAM children that are eligible for rapid TB-treatment initiation, though low-intensity (Grade 1) LAM-positive results may not be helpful in this way. Further studies in this specific pediatric population are warranted, including evaluations of new generation LAM tests.
Role of the Cell Asymmetry Apparatus and Ribosome-Associated Chaperones in the Destabilization of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae Prion by Heat Shock

Self-perpetuating protein aggregates (prions) cause diseases in mammals. Yeast prions are heritable in cell divisions. Howie et al. demonstrate that the cellular apparatus responsible for the asymmetry of cell division controls destabilization of a yeast prion. Self-perpetuating transmissible protein aggregates, termed prions, are implicated in mammalian diseases and control phenotypically detectable traits in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Yeast stress-inducible chaperone proteins, including Hsp104 and Hsp70-Ssa that counteract cytotoxic protein aggregation, also control prion propagation. Stress-damaged proteins that are not disaggregated by chaperones are cleared from daughter cells via mother-specific asymmetric segregation in cell divisions following heat shock. Short-term mild heat stress destabilizes [PSI+], a prion isoform of the yeast translation termination factor Sup35. This destabilization is linked to the induction of the Hsp104 chaperone. Here, we show that the region of Hsp104 known to be required for curing by artificially overproduced Hsp104 is also required for heat-shock-mediated [PSI+] destabilization. Moreover, deletion of the SIR2 gene, coding for a deacetylase crucial for asymmetric segregation of heat-damaged proteins, also counteracts heat-shock-mediated destabilization of [PSI+], and Sup35 aggregates are colocalized with aggregates of heat-damaged proteins marked by Hsp104-GFP. These results support the role of asymmetric segregation in prion destabilization. Finally, we show that depletion of the heat-shock noninducible ribosome-associated chaperone Hsp70-Ssb decreases heat-shock-mediated destabilization of [PSI+], while disruption of a cochaperone complex mediating the binding of Hsp70-Ssb to the ribosome increases prion loss. Our data indicate that Hsp70-Ssb relocates from the ribosome to the cytosol during heat stress. Cytosolic Hsp70-Ssb has been shown to antagonize the function of Hsp70-Ssa in prion propagation, which explains the Hsp70-Ssb effect on prion destabilization by heat shock. This result uncovers the stress-related role of a stress noninducible chaperone.
Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in Professional Dementia Caregivers Burnout

ABSTRACT Objectives To implement and assess the efficacy of a 6-week Acceptance and Commitment Therapy intervention to reduce anxiety and burnout in healthcare professionals working with dementia, and to increase their psychological flexibility and life satisfaction. Methods A total of 105 workers from the CSSV Ricard Fortuny Hospital were randomly assigned to an intervention group (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) or a wait list control group. Psychological Flexibility (AAQ-II), Life Satisfaction (SWLS), Anxiety (STAI-T), and Burnout (MBI) were measured before and after the intervention. Follow-up data were collected 3 months and 12 months post-intervention. Split-plot analyses were performed following intention to treat approach. Results No significant differences were found in baseline outcome measures. No time effects were found in wait list control group in any variable. In the intervention group, pre-post comparison showed a significant decrease in levels of MBI emotional exhaustion (p = .001) and anxiety (p < .001), and an increase in life satisfaction levels (p < .001) and MBI personal accomplishment (p < .001). These results were maintained at the 3- and 12-month follow-up periods. No significant intervention effects were observed in pre-post flexibility scores; however, data suggest slight progressive increase in flexibility at follow-up. Conclusions Acceptance and Commitment Therapy showed positive effects in healthcare professionals working with dementia by reducing anxiety and burnout. Clinical implications The implementation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy could help to increase the psychological well-being of healthcare professionals working with dementia.
Mental well‐being and social support perceptions of nurses working in a Covid‐19 pandemic hospital

Abstract Purpose This study was conducted to determine the mental well‐being and social support perceptions of nurses working in a Covid‐19 pandemic hospital. Design and Methods This study used a cross sectional design. The sample included 333 volunteer nurses. Findings Based on the marital and income statuses of the nurses, there was a significant difference between the multidimensional scale of perceived social support family subscale (p < 0.05). There was a positive, weakly significant relationship between the nurses' mental well‐being and their perception of social support (r = 0.381; p < 0.05). Practice Implications In conclusion, protective measures must be increased and social networks must be promoted to increase the mental well‐being and social support levels of nurses.
Perturbation of the peptidoglycan network and utilization of the signal recognition particle-dependent pathway enhances the extracellular production of a truncational mutant of CelA in Escherichia coli

Abstract Caldicellulosiruptor bescii is the most thermophilic, cellulolytic bacterium known and has the native ability to utilize unpretreated plant biomass. Cellulase A (CelA) is the most abundant enzyme in the exoproteome of C. bescii and is primarily responsible for its cellulolytic ability. CelA contains a family 9 glycoside hydrolase and a family 48 glycoside hydrolase connected by linker regions and three carbohydrate-binding domains. A truncated version of the enzyme (TM1) containing only the endoglucanase domain is thermostable and actively degrades crystalline cellulose. A catalytically active TM1 was successfully produced via the attachment of the PelB signal peptide (P-TM1), which mediates post-translational secretion via the SecB-dependent translocation pathway. We sought to enhance the extracellular secretion of TM1 using an alternative pathway, the signal recognition particle (SRP)-dependent translocation pathway. The co-translational extracellular secretion of TM1 via the SRP pathway (D-TM1) resulted in a specific activity that was 4.9 times higher than that associated with P-TM1 overexpression. In batch fermentations, the recombinant Escherichia coli overexpressing D-TM1 produced 1.86 ± 0.06 U/ml of TM1 in the culture medium, showing a specific activity of 1.25 ± 0.05 U/mg cell, 2.7- and 3.7-fold higher than the corresponding values of the strain overexpressing P-TM1. We suggest that the TM1 secretion system developed in this study can be applied to enhance the capacity of E. coli as a microbial cell factory for the extracellular secretion of this as well as a variety proteins important for commercial production.
Psychological Distress, Relationship Quality, and Well-Being Among Malaysian Couples During the COVID-19 Pandemic

With the imposition of the Movement Control Order (MCO) or lockdown due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there are drastic changes in the movement and activity among Malaysians: increased psychological distress due to perception of COVID-19 as a health threat, increased time spent with families, and decreased time away from home could either intensify relationship problems or draw families closer to each other. This study aimed to examine the perceived psychological distress and relationship quality among couples before and during MCO in Malaysia and factors predictive of participants' well-being. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, Perceived Relationship Quality Component Inventory, and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale were disseminated through the snowball sampling technique. The study found that the participants (N = 124) perceived significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress during MCO compared with before MCO. However, no significant differences between the couples were found before and during MCO in relationship quality, except in the trust subscale. Trust on the couple was higher during MCO. Multiple regression results showed that depression and stress predicted participants' well-being negatively during MCO. In contrast, total relationship quality, sexual relationship quality, satisfaction, and trust predicted participants' well-being positively.
Reduced kinase D‑interacting substrate of 220 kDa (Kidins220) in pancreatic cancer promotes EGFR/ERK signalling and disease progression.

Kidins220 is a transmembrane scaffold protein involved in several types of cancer. The aim of the present study was to examine the role of Kidins220 in tumorigenesis and disease progression of pancreatic cancer. The relevant signalling pathways including EGFR, EMT, and MMP were also investigated. The expression of Kidins220 was examined at the transcript and protein level. The Kidins220 knockdown cell model was established and its influence on cellular functions was determined. Involvement of Kidins220 in tumorigenesis and metastasis was examined in CD1 mice, respectively. The results showed that, reduced Kidin220 expression was associated with tumorigenesis, metastasis, and overall survival of pancreatic cancer. Knockdown of Kidins220 promoted proliferation, colony formation and tumorigenic capacity of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Kidins220 regulated pancreatic cancer cell migration through the EGFR/AKT/ERK signalling pathway. Furthermore, enhanced EMT was observed in the pancreatic cancer cell lines with the knockdown of Kidins220, underlying EGFR regulation. Kidins220 also affected cell invasion via MMP1. A reduced expression of Kidins220 was observed in pancreatic cancer, which is associated with disease progression, distant metastasis and poor prognosis. The loss of Kidins220 in pancreatic cancer may contribute to disease progression through the upregulation of EGFR and downstream signalling.
Safety Planning With Marginalized Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: Challenges of Conducting Safety Planning Intervention Research With Marginalized Women

Intimate partner violence (IPV) disproportionately affects marginalized women in the United States. This calls for effective safety planning strategies to reduce the risk for future revictimization and address safety needs of survivors from marginalized groups. This review identified types of interventions that incorporated safety planning and were successful in reducing the risk for future revictimization among IPV survivors from diverse groups, examined elements of safety planning in effective interventions, and described challenges or limitations in safety planning intervention research with marginalized women. A systematic search of five databases was performed. The search resulted in inclusion of 17 studies for synthesis. The included studies were quantitative, U.S.-based, evaluated interventions with a safety planning component, and had an outcome of change in IPV. Effective interventions that incorporated safety planning were empowerment and advocacy focused. Elements included were comprehensive assessments of survivors’ unique needs and situations, educating them about IPV, helping them identify threats to safety, developing a concrete safety plan, facilitating linkage with resources, providing advocacy services as needed, and conducting periodic safety check-ins. For survivors with mental and behavioral health issues, effective interventions included psychotherapeutic approaches along with safety planning to address survivors’ co-occurring health care needs. Although most studies reported positive findings, there were limitations related to designs, methods, adequate inclusion, and representation of marginalized women and cultural considerations. This calls for additional research using rigorous and culturally informed approaches to establish an evidence base for effective interventions that specifically address the safety planning needs of marginalized survivors of IPV.
DISSIPATION PATTERN OF PROFENOPHOS IN TOMATO

Field experiment was carried out during kharif, 2012 to evaluate the dissipation pattern of most commonly used insecticide profenophos 50 EC @ 1000 g a.i. ha-1 with two sprays of insecticide, first given after fruit initiation and the second spray 10 days later and collecting the fruits at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 days after last spray, and analysed for residues using the validated QuEChERS method. The initial deposits of 1.16 mg kg-1 profenophos detected on tomato sprayed with profenophos @ 1000 g a.i. ha-1 were dissipated by 42.24% (0.67 mg kg-1) by 1st day, 56% (0.51 mg kg-1) by 3rd day, 73.25% (0.31 mg kg-1) by 5th day and below determination level (0.05 mg kg-1) by 7th day. A safe waiting period of 1 day is recommended considering Maximum Residues Limits (10 mg kg-1) of Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC).
The Mitral INsufficiency Echocardiographic score: A severity classification of myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs

Abstract Background There is no commonly shared severity score for myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) based on routinely acquired echocardiographic variables. Hypothesis/Objectives To propose an easy‐to‐use echocardiographic classification of severity of MMVD in dogs. Animals Five hundred and sixty dogs with MMVD. Methods This was a retrospective, multicenter, observational study. The proposed Mitral INsufficiency Echocardiographic (MINE) score was based on 4 echocardiographic variables: left atrium‐to‐aorta ratio, left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter normalized for body weight, fractional shortening, and E‐wave transmitral peak velocity. Specific echocardiographic cutoffs were defined based on previous prognostic studies on MMVD, and severity scores were assigned as follows: mild (score: 4‐5), moderate (score: 6‐7), severe (score: 8‐12), late stage (score: 13‐14). Results Median survival time was significantly different (P < .05) between the proposed severity classes: mild (2344 days, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1877‐2810 days), moderate (1882 days, 95% CI 1341‐2434 days), severe (623 days, 95% CI 432‐710 days), and late stage (157 days, 95% CI 53‐257 days). A MINE score >8 was predictive of cardiac death (area under the curve = 0.85; P < .0001; sensitivity 87%, specificity 73%). In the multivariable analysis, all the echocardiographic variables of the MINE score were independent predictors of death because of heart disease (P < .001). Conclusions and Clinical Importance The MINE score is a new easy‐to‐use echocardiographic classification of severity of MMVD, which has been proven to be clinically effective as it is associated with survival. This classification provides prognostic information and could be useful for an objective echocardiographic assessment of MMVD.
Neuromuscular taping treatment of diabetic foot: a concept analysis.

Objective The definition of neuromuscular taping (NMT) has yet to be clearly analysed as a possible treatment for diabetic foot. Case studies, theoretical analysis and results of existing research may lead to varying perceptions on the definition of NMT and its possible effects on diabetic foot. This article aims to analyse the definition of the NMT concept and furthermore as a basis for future research development on diabetic foot. Methods The procedure for reference source search include the principal data bases using "neuromuscular taping" and "diabetic foot" keywords for the period of 2010-2019. The concept analysis uses an 8-step approach with the Walker and Avant's method. Conclusions NMT is a decompression application of an elastic tape on the skin on the diabetic foot that has the effect of reducing the inflammatory response, improving vascularity and neuromusculoskel-etal function. It aims to improve neuromusculoskeletal and lymphatic system functioning due to the presence of wrinkles, indicating dila-tion, with local effects on the sensorimotor and proprioceptive senses in conditions of care, rehabilitation and injury. Results Analysis of the NMT concept on diabetic foot obtained attributes of elastic tape, skin, pain, edema, injury, sensorimotor, circulation, drainage, relaxation, local, proprioceptive, motion func-tion, strength, contraction, stabilisation, reflex, rehabilitation, care, musculoskeletal, nerve, muscles, tendons, fascia, joints, lymphatic, longitudinal, wrinkles. There were four groups of attributes, namely inflammatory response, vascularity, neuromusculoskeletal function and musculoskeletal system. NMT application benefits for diabetic foot can be attributed to improving walking function, leg position, decreasing pain response, improving body function index, improving leg muscle strength and motor function, increasing range of movement (ROM), maintaining stability of leg joint function, preventing injury, increas-ing strength and improving position of ankle joints, reducing stiffness, reducing edema and helping wound healing processes.
Trial for use nanoselenium particle with different dietary regime in Oreochromis niloticus and Mugil cephalus polyculture ponds: Growth efficiency, haematological, antioxidant, immunity and transcriptional analysis

Abstract Background Fish farming is one of the most productive economies in the world. One of the essential goals in fish production is to minimize processing costs while maintaining and increasing the vital functions, weight and immunity of fish. Objective We conducted this study to explore nanoselenium (Nano‐Se) particles in various feeding schemes. Material and Method Nano‐Se particles incorporated in the basal diet at (0.5 mg/kg diet), and the fish was divided into six groups after adaptation as the follows: The first group was feed daily with a diet containing Nano‐Se (0.5 mg/kg diet); the second group was exposed to a feeding programme in which it has day feeding followed by day of starvation with a diet containing Nano‐Se (0.5 mg/kg diet); the third group was day feeding followed by 2 days of starvation; the fourth group served as a negative control group in which this group was continuous feeding with a basal diet without Nano‐Se; the fifth group was day feeding with the basal diet followed by a day of starvation; and the sixth group was day feeding with basal diet followed by 2 days of starvation. Result Our result revealed that Group 2 showed significant improvement in haematological parameters, red blood cells and haemoglobin with a substantial increase in total protein (p < 0.05) as well as lysosomal and phagocytic activity with considerable upregulation of growth hormone and insulin growth factor 1 in addition to markedly increase in the pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Finally, this study offers the first‐time dietary regime with Nano‐Se supplementation that saves the feeding cost and increases fish welfare and growth.
Both frontal and temporal cortex exhibit phonological and semantic specialization during spoken language processing in 7‐ to 8‐year‐old children

A previous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study by Weiss et al. (Weiss et al., Human Brain Mapping, 2018, 39, 4334–4348) examined brain specialization for phonological and semantic processing of spoken words in young children who were 5 to 6 years old and found evidence for specialization in the temporal but not the frontal lobe. According to a prominent neurocognitive model of language development (Skeide & Friederici, Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2016, 17, 323–332), the frontal lobe matures later than the temporal lobe. Thus, the current study aimed to examine if brain specialization in the frontal lobe can be observed in a slightly older cohort of children aged 7 to 8 years old using the same experimental and analytical approach as in Weiss et al. (Weiss et al., Human Brain Mapping, 2018, 39, 4334–4348). One hundred and ten typically developing children were recruited and were asked to perform a sound judgment task, tapping into phonological processing, and a meaning judgment task, tapping into semantic processing, while in the MRI scanner. Direct task comparisons showed that these children exhibited language specialization in both the temporal and the frontal lobes, with the left posterior dorsal inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) showing greater activation for the sound than the meaning judgment task, and the left anterior ventral IFG and the left posterior middle temporal gyrus (MTG) showing greater activation for the meaning than the sound judgment task. These findings demonstrate that 7‐ to 8‐year‐old children have already begun to develop a language‐related specialization in the frontal lobe, suggesting that early elementary schoolers rely on both specialized linguistic manipulation and representation mechanisms to perform language tasks.