Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative evaluation of the conventional tube test and column agglutination technology for ABO antibody titration in healthy individuals: a report from India

Abstract Determination of accurate anti-A/-B titers is important for treatment selection in ABO-incompatible stem cell and solid-organ transplants. The standard method for ABO antibody titration is the conventional tube test (CTT). Dithiothreitol (DTT) is commonly used to inactivate the IgM antibody component. The aim of this study was to compare six different methods for ABO antibody titration and to observe the effectiveness of DTT on antibody estimation. A total of 90 healthy voluntary blood donors were enrolled in this study, including 30 each for blood groups A, B, and O. Antibody titrations were performed and tested using the CTT-immediate spin (IS), CTT-antihuman globulin (AHG) with and without DTT, column agglutination technology (CAT)-IS, and CAT-AHG with and without DTT methods. Bead-CAT was used, and the positive cutoff value was set to 1+ for each method to determine the endpoint of the titer. The median values of anti-A/-B titers by IS were found to be higher than those values by AHG in CTT and CAT among group B and A individuals, whereas no statistically significant differences were observed in values from group O individuals for IS and AHG anti-A/-B titers, estimated by each method. Although there was positive correlation between the anti-A/-B titer results obtained using the CTT and CAT in all blood groups, testing using AHG showed poor agreement with and without DTT pretreatment (kappa value of 0.11 and 0.20, respectively). Moderate agreement was observed between CTT-IS and CAT-IS (kappa value of 0.46). Median anti-A/-B AHG titers were reduced by the use of DTT in all blood group samples. Significant differences in the interpretability of anti-A/-B titers were observed among different methods. A uniform approach for selecting the method for ABO antibody titration is highly recommended, and DTT pretreatment of plasma to neutralize IgM activity should be considered to obtain precise values of IgG anti-A/-B titers. Immunohematology 2021;37:25–32 .
Hippocampal subfield‐specific Homer1a expression is triggered by learning‐facilitated long‐term potentiation and long‐term depression at medial perforant path synapses

Learning about general aspects, or content details, of space results in differentiated neuronal information encoding within the proximodistal axis of the hippocampus. These processes are tightly linked to long‐term potentiation (LTP) and long‐term depression (LTD). Here, we explored the precise sites of encoding of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus that are mediated by information throughput from the perforant path. We assessed nuclear Homer1a‐expression that was triggered by electrophysiological induction of short and long forms of hippocampal synaptic plasticity, and compared it to Homer1a‐expression that was triggered by LTP and LTD enabled by different forms of spatial learning. Plasticity responses were induced by patterned stimulation of the perforant path and were recorded in the dentate gyrus (DG) of freely behaving rats. We used fluorescence in situ hybridization to detect experience‐dependent nuclear encoding of Homer1a in proximodistal hippocampal subfields. Induction of neither STP nor STD resulted in immediate early gene (IEG) encoding. Electrophysiological induction of robust LTP, or LTD, resulted in highly significant and widespread induction of nuclear Homer1a in all hippocampal subfields. LTP that was facilitated by novel spatial exploration triggered similar widespread Homer1a‐expression. The coupling of synaptic depression with the exploration of a novel configuration of landmarks resulted in localized IEG expression in the proximal CA3 region and the lower (infrapyramidal) blade of the DG. Our findings support that synaptic plasticity induction via perforant path inputs promotes widespread hippocampal information encoding. Furthermore, novel spatial exploration promotes the selection of a hippocampal neuronal network by means of LTP that is distributed in an experience‐dependent manner across all hippocampus subfields. This network may be modified during spatial content learning by LTD in specific hippocampal subfields. Thus, long‐term plasticity‐inducing events result in IEG expression that supports establishment and/or restructuring of neuronal networks that are necessary for long‐term information storage.
RT‐PCR/MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry‐based detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 in saliva specimens

As severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infections continue, there is a substantial need for cost‐effective and large‐scale testing that utilizes specimens that can be readily collected from both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals in various community settings. Although multiple diagnostic methods utilize nasopharyngeal specimens, saliva specimens represent an attractive alternative as they can rapidly and safely be collected from different populations. While saliva has been described as an acceptable clinical matrix for the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2, evaluations of analytic performance across platforms for this specimen type are limited. Here, we used a novel sensitive RT‐PCR/MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry‐based assay (Agena MassARRAY®) to detect SARS‐CoV‐2 in saliva specimens. The platform demonstrated high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity when compared to matched patient upper respiratory specimens. We also evaluated the analytical sensitivity of the platform and determined the limit of detection of the assay to be 1562.5 copies/ml. Furthermore, across the five individual target components of this assay, there was a range in analytic sensitivities for each target with the N2 target being the most sensitive. Overall, this system also demonstrated comparable performance when compared to the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in saliva by the cobas® 6800/8800 SARS‐CoV‐2 real‐time RT‐PCR Test (Roche). Together, we demonstrate that saliva represents an appropriate matrix for SARS‐CoV‐2 detection on the novel Agena system as well as on a conventional real‐time RT‐PCR assay. We conclude that the MassARRAY® system is a sensitive and reliable platform for SARS‐CoV‐2 detection in saliva, offering scalable throughput in a large variety of clinical laboratory settings.
NO effect on mitochondrial oxygen kinetics at low oxygen

Erich Gnaiger in cooperation with Jeannette E Doller, David Kraus, Scruti Shiva, Paul S Brookes, Victor M Darley-Usmar 1 Medical University of Innsbruck, D. Swarovski Research Laboratory, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria 2 Oroboros Instruments, High-resolution respirometry, Schöpfstr 18, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. erich.gnaiger@oroboros.at; www.oroboros.at 3 Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham AL 35294-1170, USA 4 Department of Pathology and Center for Free Radical Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
Microvesicles and exosomes released by amnion epithelial cells under oxidative stress cause inflammatory changes in uterine cells

Abstract Extracellular vesicles play a crucial role in feto-maternal communication and provide an important paracrine signaling mechanism in pregnancy. We hypothesized that fetal cells-derived exosomes and microvesicles (MVs) under oxidative stress (OS) carry unique cargo and traffic through feto-maternal interface, which cause inflammation in uterine cells associated with parturition. Exosomes and MVs, from primary amnion epithelial cell (AEC) culture media under normal or OS-induced conditions, were isolated by optimized differential centrifugation method followed by characterization for size (nanoparticle tracking analyzer), shape (transmission electron microscopy), and protein markers (western blot and immunofluorescence). Cargo and canonical pathways were identified by mass spectroscopy and ingenuity pathway analysis. Myometrial, decidual, and cervical cells were treated with 1 × 107 control/OS-derived exosomes/MVs. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured using a Luminex assay. Statistical significance was determined by paired T-test (P < 0.05). AEC produced cup-shaped exosomes of 90–150 nm and circular MVs of 160–400 nm. CD9, heat shock protein 70, and Nanog were detected in exosomes, whereas OCT-4, human leukocyte antigen G, and calnexin were found in MVs. MVs, but not exosomes, were stained for phosphatidylserine. The protein profiles for control versus OS-derived exosomes and MVs were significantly different. Several inflammatory pathways related to OS were upregulated that were distinct between exosomes and MVs. Both OS-derived exosomes and MVs significantly increased pro-inflammatory cytokines (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and IL-8) in maternal cells compared with control (P < 0.05). Our findings suggest that fetal-derived exosomes and MVs under OS exhibited distinct characteristics and a synergistic inflammatory role in uterine cells associated with the initiation of parturition. Summary sentence Oxidative stress-induced fetal membrane cells produce exosomes and MVs with distinct properties and cargo and may function as paracrine signalers at the feto-maternal interface during pregnancy and parturition. Graphical Abstract
The nature of hybrid governance: A case study of a large and well-established European international school

The number of international schools is growing rapidly and existing data points to great diversity of their governance structure. The nature of hybrid governance, in which a board comprises both elected and appointed governors, was investigated through a case study of an international school in western Europe and triangulated with interviews with nine experts in international schooling. Hybrid governance was found to offer the advantages of both elected and appointed boards: elections foster transparency and representation of stakeholders, while appointments allow the board to be populated with particular skills. A model for governance was presented in which the hybrid structure is underpinned by recruitment and training practices that ensure governors complement the existing skillset of the board, have desirable motivations for serving, and understand their role. This model may be useful for informing international school improvement efforts, although its compatibility with the diverse landscape of international schools remains to be determined.
Fathers’ Coping Strategies and Children’s Temperament as Predictors of Parental Attitudes among Polish Fathers

Over the last few decades, perceptions of fatherhood have changed significantly and expectations regarding fathers’ involvement in childcare have risen. Parenting is undoubtedly the source of many positive experiences, however, it can also be a stressful challenge. Thus, the way in which fathers deal with everyday life stress can significantly affect their parental attitudes. There is significant evidence that a child’s predisposition can modify parental attitudes and therefore relate to stress coping strategies. In the current study we tested a model of the reciprocal relationships between a father’s coping strategies, his parental attitudes, and his child’s individual traits (temperament and gender). The first model assumes that the father’s stress coping strategies and the child’s individual traits determine parental attitudes independently; the second model, assumes that parental attitudes will be influenced by coping strategies and that individual traits of the child will modify this relationship. A total of 176 Polish fathers (Mfather’s age = 35.07, SD = 5.71) of only children of preschool age (Mchildren’s age = 5.6, SD = .21; 88 girls, 88 boys) participated in the study. The following research tools were used: the Parental Attitudes Scale, to measure fathers’ attitudes towards their children; the Brief COPE, to evaluate fathers’ coping strategies; the EAS Temperament Questionnaire – Parental Ratings, to assess children’s temperaments. The results indicate that fathers had the highest scores for Inconsequent and Demanding parental attitudes and the lowest for Overprotective and Autonomy attitudes. Moreover, their attitudes towards daughters and sons were consistent, except for Autonomy. Furthermore, mediation analyses show that the child’s temperamental traits do not significantly modify the relation between a father’s coping strategies and parental attitudes. However, the results indicate that a father’s coping strategies and his child’s temperament affect the father’s parental attitudes independently. Differences depending on the child’s gender were also found.
‘I am not beholden to anyone… I consider myself to be an officer of the court’: A comparison of the intermediary role in England and Wales and Northern Ireland

Intermediaries were first introduced by the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act (1999) to facilitate communication between individuals with communication needs and the criminal justice system. Yet, despite increased academic attention into this new criminal justice actor, the content of the role remains unclear. Findings from 31 interviews with intermediaries in England and Wales and Northern Ireland as well as judges in Northern Ireland indicate that two distinct systems of intermediaries have emerged between the jurisdictions. The picture is complicated by an inequality in intermediary provision between witnesses and defendants. In England and Wales, the statutory intermediary scheme covers only witnesses whereas the ‘unitary’ system in Northern Ireland covers both witnesses and defendants. Drawing on the data collected, this article highlights key themes which underpin differences in intermediary practice and suggests that lessons can be learned in how we conceptualise the role and its work.
Measuring the Influence of Communication Planning Towards Construction Project Performance

Abstract Effective communication is necessary for the success of construction project performance. Due to its nature, effective communication is required to coordinate all parties involved in construction projects such as owners, project managers, engineers, subcontractors, etc. Few previous studies have addressed the issues of construction project communication, particularly in the communication planning stage. This paper aimed to investigate how far the communication planning has been effectively implemented in several construction projects in Jakarta and measure how big the influence to project performance. It adopts a quantitative method by distributing questionnaire surveys to contractors and consultants in Jakarta. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data which presents that communication planning has been implemented by 78.02 % of the responses and significantly impact the project performances. This paper offers useful implications for practitioners on how construction project teams (from contractors and consultants) should carefully manage the communication process particularly during its planning stage.
Physicochemical Characteristics of Carboxymethyl Chitosan from Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) Pupa

Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) is one of chitosan derivatives which is able to give health benefits as well as antioxidant source. Instead crustacean, silkworm pupa is also an alternative source of chitosan. This experimental study was carried out to find the optimum molarity of NaOH (5 M, 10 M, and 15 M) on alkalization process in CMC silkworm pupa production based on its physicochemical characteristics. The best CMC characteristics were yield about 113.79 % - 115.94 %, alkalinity levels about 4.01 - 4.22, moisture contents about 10.80 % - 11.99 %, ash contents about 0.04 % - 0.37 %, nitrogen totals about 4.06 % - 4.76 %, solubility about 93.39 % - 99.28 % and viscosity about 14.22 - 106.92 mPa.s. These CMC characteristic proved that CMC made from silkworm pupa was high quality which was produced by applying NaOH 10 M in alkalization process.
Breast Milk Iron Concentrations may be Lower than Previously Reported: Implications for Exclusively Breastfed Infants

Objective: Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) is the most common technique for detecting iron in human milk. Quantifying the iron in human milk is essential for determining the amount of dietary iron available to the exclusively breastfed infant. To determine whether more sensitive procedures for iron analyses would yield different values than those obtained using the AAS, flame atomic absorption, we investigated and compared three different analytical techniques using AAS. Methods: The present experiment was conducted as part of a larger study on the iron supplementation of 77 exclusively breast-fed infants. Breastmilk samples were collected from 10 mothers of full-term infants at one and 3½ months of age. Each sample was analyzed with a Perkin-Elmer 2380 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer by the following analytical methods: flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS), direct sample analysis with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GFAAS) and the method-of-standard-additions with GFAAS. Results: While all values were within reported ranges, there was significant inter-method variability. The decrease in iron concentration between 1-month and 3.5-month milk samples found in the present study is in agreement with a previous report. GFAAS methods produced consistently lower values than did FAAS: 1 month: direct GFAAS, 0.50 (0.33-0.86) μg/ml; method-of-addition GFAAS, 0.45 (0.31-0.66) μg/ml; FAAS 0.76 (0.25-1.60 μg/ml), mean (range): 3.5-month: direct GFAAS, 0.29 (0.13-0.46 μg/ml; method-of-addition GFAAS, 0.29 (0.11-0.44 μg/ml); FAAS method 0.78 (0.19-1.64) μg/ml. There was no difference between the two GFAAS methods at either time point. Conclusion: The findings obtained from this study suggest that much of the variability seen in the reported values of human milk iron concentrations could be due to the use of different analytical procedures. GFAAS results are consistently lower than those determined by FAAS suggesting that the exclusively breastfed infant consumes less iron than previously thought.
Post‐activation potentiation induced by concentric contractions at three speeds in humans

What is the central question of this study? Is the degree of in human muscle affected by different shortening velocities, or contraction type? What are the main findings and their importance? The PAP response following maximal concentric contractions was independent of velocity. Slow and moderate velocity maximal contractions produced PAP responses like those from maximal isometric contractions when matched for contraction duration. Despite contraction type differences in cross‐bridge and Ca2+ kinetics, maximal contractions, regardless of contraction modality, likely generate sufficient Ca2+ to induce maximal PAP.
The physical and mental health for the medical staff caring for patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital: A structural equation modeling

Background: Early in the epidemic of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Chinese government had recruited a portion of military healthcare workers to support the designated hospital (Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital) to relieve the front-line workload in Wuhan, China. It was reported that the majority of the front-line medical staff (FLMS) suffered from adverse effects, but their physical and psychological health status and its relationship were still unknown. Hence, a structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to establish and test the latent relationship among variables.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Totally 115 convenience samples of military medical staff from Xinqiao Hospital in Chongqing were enrolled during February 17th to February 29th, 2020. The medical staff assisting in Huoshenshan Hospital were selected as experimental group(n=55), the other medical staff were control group(n=60). Self-reported sleep status, fatigue status, resilience status and anxiety status were examined.Results: During COVID-19, the medical staff underwent some impairments of physical and psychological health. The anxiety score of experimental group was (42.84±9.44), the fatigue score was (52.85±9.33), and the resilience score was (67.58±11.75). And the score of anxiety, fatigue, resilience of control group were (46.27±9.94), (49.33±11.20), (65.42±14.54) respectively. For experimental group, we found the different working duration and different attitude to work in Wuhan both had significant differences in fatigue scores (P<0.05); As for resilience scores and anxiety scores, only different current perceived health status of participants showed a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). The SEM results indicated the direct path from resilience to fatigue (β=-0.129, P=0.032) and anxiety (β=-0.026, P=0.043) were both significant, it revealed that resilience were negatively associated with the level of fatigue and anxiety, and the indirect path showed fatigue had a significant mediating effect between resilience and anxiety (β=-0.146, P=0.039) of the Huoshenshan Hospital medical staff.Conclusion: During an explosive pandemic, motivating the effect of individual’s internal resilience and making use of proper external interventions is a promising way to protect the physical and mental health of the front-line medical staff.
Bactericidal Action of Dapsone Against Mycobacterium leprae

Dapsone (4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone), incorporated into the mouse chow in a concentration of 0.1 g/100 g of diet, was administered for 1 week to mice in which Mycobacterium leprae had multiplied to the level of 106 organisms/ footpad. M. leprae were harvested from these and also from control mice, diluted serially, and inoculated into additional mice. The organisms recovered from untreated mice multiplied in passage with a mean doubling time of 12.2 days, and 35% or more of the inoculated organisms were viable, i.e., capable of infecting mice. Growth curves of M. leprae recovered from dapsone-treated animals lagged behind those of organisms from control animals by an average of 78 days, equivalent to 98.8% killing. Foot-by-foot harvests showed that only 0.2% of the M. leprae recovered from treated mice were viable, suggesting that treatment of mice with dapsone had been accompanied by killing of 99.4% of the viable M. leprae.