Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential Regulation of l-Arginine Metabolism through Arginase 1 during Infection with Leishmania mexicana Isolates Obtained from Patients with Localized and Diffuse Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

l-Arginine metabolism through arginase 1 (Arg-1) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) constitutes a fundamental axis for the resolution or progression of leishmaniasis. Infection with Leishmania mexicana can cause two distinct clinical manifestations: localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) and diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL). In this work, we analyzed in an in vivo model the capacity of two L. mexicana isolates, one obtained from a patient with LCL and the other from a patient with DCL, to regulate the metabolism of l-arginine through Arg-1 and NOS2. ABSTRACT l-Arginine metabolism through arginase 1 (Arg-1) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) constitutes a fundamental axis for the resolution or progression of leishmaniasis. Infection with Leishmania mexicana can cause two distinct clinical manifestations: localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) and diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL). In this work, we analyzed in an in vivo model the capacity of two L. mexicana isolates, one obtained from a patient with LCL and the other from a patient with DCL, to regulate the metabolism of l-arginine through Arg-1 and NOS2. Susceptible BALB/c mice were infected with L. mexicana isolates from both clinical manifestations, and the evolution of the infection as well as protein presence and activity of Arg-1 and NOS2 were evaluated. The lesions of mice infected with the DCL isolate were bigger, had higher parasite loads, and showed greater protein presence and enzymatic activity of Arg-1 than the lesions of mice infected with the LCL isolate. In contrast, NOS2 protein synthesis was poorly or not induced in the lesions of mice infected with the LCL or DCL isolate. The immunochemistry analysis of the lesions allowed the identification of highly parasitized macrophages positive for Arg-1, while no staining for NOS2 was found. In addition, we observed in lesions of patients with DCL macrophages with higher parasite loads and stronger Arg-1 staining than those in lesions of patients with LCL. Our results suggest that L. mexicana isolates obtained from patients with LCL or DCL exhibit different virulence or pathogenicity degrees and differentially regulate l-arginine metabolism through Arg-1.
Characteristics Associated with Trust in and Disclosure of Sexual Behavior to Primary Care Providers Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in the United States.

Purpose: Characteristics associated with having a primary care provider (PCP), patient-provider trust, and sexual behavior disclosure were examined among men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: MSM (N = 4239) were surveyed regarding demographic, behavioral, and medical characteristics. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used. Results: Among 86.3% of MSM with a PCP, characteristics associated with lower patient-provider trust included younger age, Asian, bisexual, HIV-negative-not-on-pre-exposure prophylaxis, HIV-unknown, and lower medical literacy; with nondisclosure: Asian, bisexual, straight, HIV-negative, HIV-unknown, fewer partners, recruitment source, lower medical literacy, and lower patient-provider trust. Conclusion: Medical literacy and patient-provider trust are promising points of intervention to improve health outcomes among MSM.
Macrophage Effects on Mesenchymal Stem Cell Osteogenesis in a Three-Dimensional in vitro Bone Model.

As musculoskeletal disorders continue to increase globally, there is an increased need for novel, in vitro models to efficiently study human bone physiology in the context of both healthy and diseased conditions. For these models, the inclusion of innate immune cells is critical. Specifically, signaling factors generated from macrophages play key roles in the pathogenesis of many musculoskeletal processes and diseases, including fracture, osteoarthritis, infection, etc. In this study, we aim to engineer three-dimensional (3D) and macrophage-encapsulated bone tissues in vitro, to model cell behavior, signaling, and other biological activities in vivo, in comparison to current two-dimensional (2D) models. We first investigated and optimized 3D culture conditions for macrophages, and then co-cultured macrophages with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) which were induced to undergo osteogenic differentiation to examine the effect of macrophage on new bone formation. Seeded within a 3D hydrogel scaffold fabricated from photocrosslinked methacrylated gelatin, macrophages maintained high viability and were polarized toward an M1 or M2 phenotype. In co-cultures of macrophages and human MSCs, MSCs displayed immunomodulatory activities by suppressing M1 and enhancing M2 macrophage phenotypes. Lastly, addition of macrophages, regardless of polarization state, increased MSC osteogenic differentiation, compared to MSCs alone, with pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages enhancing new bone formation most effectively. In summary, this study illustrates the important roles that macrophage signaling and inflammation play in bone tissue formation.
Agent based modeling of viral infections: an investigation across several spatio-temporal scales

Disclaimer/Complaints regulations If you believe that digital publication of certain material infringes any of your rights or (privacy) interests, please let the Library know, stating your reasons. In case of a legitimate complaint, the Library will make the material inaccessible and/or remove it from the website. Please Ask the Library: https://uba.uva. nl/en/contact, or a letter to: Library of the University of Amsterdam, Secretariat, Singel 425, 1012 WP Amsterdam, The Netherlands. You will be contacted as soon as possible.
Upfront autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with high-risk stage III to IV Hodgkin lymphoma: a multicenter retrospective cohort study

ABSTRACT Background/Objective: Nearly 30% of patients with advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) are not cured. We should better control tumors with initial treatment for patients with advanced stage HL whose interim positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was positive. The objective of our study was to confirm the superiority of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) therapy in these patients. Methods: Eighty-nine HL patients with stage III-IV, international prognostic score (IPS) ≥3 and Deauville more than 3° at the interim PET/CT were analyzed. Forty five patients received ASCT. The other 44 patients received two cycles DHAP chemotherapy. Results: The 3-year overall survival (OS) of patients who received ASCT was 91.1%, and for the patients who received chemotherapy, it was 72.7% (P = 0.025). The 3-year progression free survival (PFS) of patients in the ASCT group was 88.9%, but for patients in the chemotherapy group, it was only 70.5%(P = 0.017). No patient died of toxicity from ASCT. Additionally, there was no difference in the rates of secondary malignancies between the ASCT and chemotherapy groups. Extranodal and bone marrow involvement were poor prognostic factors, while ASCT was a good prognostic factor. Conclusion: The use of ASCT as a first-line consolidation treatment could improve outcome of patients with advanced-stage high risk HL whose interim PET/CT was positive.
Insulin-like growth factor-1 polymorphism and its association with economic traits in Kadaknath and its crossbred birds

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) gene polymorphism has been investigated by PCR-RFLP method on 80 unrelated female birds each of Kadaknath and its crossbred selected randomly from Department of Poultry Science of the University. The 3 different RFLP patterns revealed restriction fragment of 621, 364 and 257 bp sizes in Kadaknath and Kadaknath crossbred birds. This indicated presence of 2 restriction sites at 621 bp (site A) and 364, 257 bp (site B) position in 621bp amplicon. Genotypic frequencies in Kadaknath and Kadaknath crossbred birds were found to be 0.41 and 0.35 for AA genotype, 0.37 and 0.38 for AB genotype and 0.21 and 0.27 for BB genotype, respectively, whereas the allelic frequencies in Kadaknath and Kadaknath crossbred birds were 0.60 and 0.54 for A allele and 0.40 and 0.46 for B allele respectively. The Kadaknath population was in Hardy Weinberg equilibrium, however Kadaknath crossbred population under study was not in Hardy Weinberg equilibrium. The differences between least squares means of various genotypes for age at sexual maturity and adult body weight at 20, 40 and 52 weeks were nonsignificant (P>0.05). Genotype BB was superior for body weight at 20, 40 and 52 weeks in Kadaknath and Kadaknath crossbred birds. Significant breed × genotype interaction was found for egg production at 40 weeks of age and higher egg production was recorded for AA genotype in Kadaknath and AB genotype in Kadaknath crossbred birds. Genotype AA was superior for egg weight at 40 and 52 weeks in Kadaknath and Kadaknath crossbred birds.
A systematic review of therapeutic options for non-conductive olfactory dysfunction

Background: Olfactory dysfunction affects a significant proportion of the population but appears to be more common in the elderly population (>20% of adults over 60 years old). Unfortunately, many sufferers face an apparent lack of therapeutic options when consulting with medical professionals. Method: We searched various electronic medical databases for the treatment of non-conductive olfactory dysfunction. After careful review of the abstracts and the full articles, we included publications that fulfilled our inclusion criteria and analysed the results. Results: A total of 38 publications were included in our review including 6 randomised control trials, 14 cohort studies and 18 observational studies. Conclusion: Olfactory training appears to improve non-conductive olfactory dysfunction irrespective of the aetiology. Steroids appear to have some benefit, but this may be aetiology dependent and Vitamin A and sodium citrate have shown some promise. High quality randomised control trials are still required to determine their place in managing this patient population.
GAMBARAN PERILAKU PENDERITA TB PARU DALAM PENCEGAHAN PENULARAN TB PARU DI KABUPATEN KLATEN

Disease of pulmonary tuberculosis in klaten regency has increased from year 2014- 2017. Efforts to the prevention of disease pulmonary tuberculosis is an important thing to reduce the rate of death caused by disease pulmonary tuberculosis. This Research aims to understand the description about the behavior of TB patients pulmonary in prevent transmission of pulmonary tuberculosis in Klaten regency. The kind of research used is descriptive with the approach cross-sectional study. The population is a whole tb patients lungs in 3 working areas of public health service in klaten regency. The sample of the 50 respondents tb patients pulmonary a total of sampling in accordance with set criteria. Data analysis using analysis univariat the research results show characteristics of respondents pulmonary tuberculosis 26 % was 46-55 years, 70 % men, 46 % senior high school education, 34 % work laborers, 94 % income less than Rp 1.660. 000. Variable knowledge 62% good , 66 % good attitude , the availability of medicines 76 % available , accessibility of to health facilities 56 % difficult , the facilities and infrastructures 66 % enough. Variable family encouragement, support health workers, and support friend each of 54 % good. Behavior variable prevent transmission of pulmonary tuberculosis 62 % good.
Differential cytokine expression profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of endometritic buffaloes

The aim of present study was to elucidate the relative mRNA expression of certain cytokines, viz. interleukin- 1ß (IL-1ß), IL-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) and IL-4 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of endometritic buffaloes. Out of 15 buffaloes, 9 buffaloes were diagnosed positive for endometritis whereas 6 buffaloes having no symptoms of endometritis were considered as healthy control. The blood samples were collected from each animal during diagnosis of endometritis and PBMCs were separated from collected blood samples by density gradient centrifugation. Total RNA was extracted from the cultured PBMCs isolates, reverse transcribed to synthesize the cDNA and amplified in real time PCR system. The relative fold of expression was estimated using 2-∆∆Ct method. An up-regulation in all 3 pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-8 and TNFa) mRNA, ranging from 1.92 to 3.27 fold was observed in buffaloes with endometritis as compared to healthy. However, no alteration was detected in anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-4 expression. Thus, it is concluded that certain cytokines expressed differentially in PBMCs in buffaloes with endometritis, that is first ever information in this species. Nevertheless, further research in respect to threshold level of each target cytokine in peripheral circulation involving more number of animals is required to establish these potential marker gene(s) for diagnosis of endometritis and for monitoring of new therapeutic approaches.
Habitat selection and breeding ecology of three species of waders in the Western Isles of Scotland

The habitat requirements and population dynamics of Redshank, Dunlin and Ringed Plover on internationally important breeding grounds in the Western Isles of Scotland were studied from 1985 to 1987 using individually colour-ringed birds. Twenty-six habitat types were recognised at four study-sites on South Uist. The temporal and spatial use of the habitats by the three species were quantified. Redshank used a wide variety of pasture, marsh and water's-edge habitats and occurred mainly on "blackland" areas. Dunlin were largely confined to areas of old fallow machair and machair marsh. Ringed Plover occurred almost exclusively on the areas of machair used for cultivation. Redshank did not defend breeding territories and individuals ranged over wide areas. Dunlin and Ringed Plover held breeding territories within which most of their activities were confined. Late in the breeding season the seashore was an important feeding habitat for Dunlin and Ringed Plover. Breeding densities varied markedly between major habitat divisions and appeared to be mainly determined by the availability and quality of potential nest-sites as indicated by their conspicuousness to avian predators. Adults, especially males, nearly always returned to their previous year's nest-site or to close by. Young males bred significantly closer to their natal site than young females. Most birds settled within 4 km of their natal site. Breeding success, first-year and adult survival, and the age of first’ breeding were evaluated. The data were used to predict population trends, which were compared to results from large-scale population surveys. It is concluded that Redshank and Dunlin numbers are approximately stable but that Ringed Plover are decreasing. Avian predation was the main factor limiting productivity. Both early season and well concealed/camouflaged nests were more likely to be successful.The conservation of these birds is discussed and some measures suggested that might increase their productivity.
Voluntary and Mandatory Social Distancing: Evidence on COVID-19 Exposure Rates from Chinese Provinces and Selected Countries

This paper considers a modification of the standard Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) model of epidemic that allows for different degrees of compulsory as well as voluntary social distancing. It is shown that the fraction of population that self-isolates varies with the perceived probability of contracting the disease. Implications of social distancing both on the epidemic and recession curves are investigated and their trade off is simulated under a number of different social distancing and economic participation scenarios. We show that mandating social distancing is very effective at flattening the epidemic curve, but is costly in terms of employment loss. However, if targeted towards individuals most likely to spread the infection, the employment loss can be somewhat reduced. We also show that voluntary self-isolation driven by individual's perceived risk of becoming infected kicks in only towards the peak of the epidemic and has little or no impact on flattening the epidemic curve. Using available statistics and correcting for measurement errors, we estimate the rate of exposure to COVID-19 for 21 Chinese provinces and a selected number of countries. The exposure rates are generally small, but vary considerably between Hubei and other Chinese provinces as well as across countries. Strikingly, the exposure rate in Hubei province is around 40 times larger than the rates for other Chinese provinces, with the exposure rates for some European countries being 3-5 times larger than Hubei (the epicenter of the epidemic). The paper also provides country-specific estimates of the recovery rate, showing it to be about 21 days (a week longer than the 14 days typically assumed), and relatively homogeneous across Chinese provinces and for a selected number of countries.
Tracking the COVID-19 crisis with high-resolution transaction data

Payments systems generate vast amounts of naturally occurring transaction data rarely used for constructing official statistics. We consider billions of transactions from card data from a large bank, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, as an alternative source of information for measuring consumption. We show, via validation against official consumption measures, that transaction data complements national accounts and consumption surveys. We then analyse the impact of COVID-19 in Spain, and document: (i) strong consumption responses to business closures, but smaller effects for capacity restrictions; (ii) a steeper decline in spending in rich neighbourhoods; (iii) higher mobility for residents of lower-income neighbourhoods, correlating with increased disease incidence.
Viscoelastic Effect in the Non-Isothermal Melt Spinning Processes

Fiber spinning process is an important industrial process for synthetic polymers. The study on the dynamics of the melt spinning process is quite important industrially as well as academically because it is closely related to reachability of final velocity and also its theoretical analysis involves the fundamental understanding of the nonlinear dynamics of the process. This study is an attempt to pay more attention to understand the viscoelastic effect in the non-isothermal melt spinning processes and investigate the reachability of the final velocity. The Maxwell-Oldroyd model is used to describe the rheology of the polymer, the fiber is made of. It has been found that the non-isothermal Maxwell-Oldroyd model has an upper bound for the final velocity. The upper bound value depends on the parameters such as the air velocity, the air temperature and characteristic relaxation time as well as the temperature profile of the process. Mathematics Subject Classification: 65L10, 76A05, 76A10
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Poor Quality of Sleep among Prisoners in Mettu Town Prison, Oromia, South West Ethiopia, 2019

Sleep is one of the basic needs of human beings and is important to their health; sleeping problem has a wide range of causes, including medical and psychological. However, evidence on the burden of sleep problems in low-income countries is lacking. When compared to the general population, the risks of having poor sleep quality are substantially higher in prisoners. However, the prevalence of poor sleep quality among prisoners at national level is not known. To assess the prevalence and associated factors of poor quality of sleep among prisoners in Mettu town prison, 2019. A cross-sectional study design was employed with 310 prisoners selected by a systematic random sampling method. Data was collected by a face to face interview using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20. The study revealed that 77.1% (n= 239) of participants had poor sleep quality. Marital status: single (AOR=0.11, 95%CI=0.05, 0.26), widowed and divorced (AOR=0.11, 95%CI=0.03, 0.37), history of previous incarceration (AOR=4.8, 95%CI=2.0, 11.79), urban residence (AOR=2.65, 95%CI=1.12, 6.27), unable to read and write and read (AOR=6.10, 95%CI=1.43, 25.9) and lifetime alcohol use (AOR=8.45, 95%CI=3.88, 18.36) had significant association with poor sleep quality. This study has shown that the prevalence of poor sleep quality among prisoners was very high. Marital status: single, widowed and divorced, history of previous incarceration, urban residence, cannot write and read and lifetime alcohol use found to have an impact on the prevalence of poor sleep quality.
Scanning Electron Microscopy of the scale morphology in Cyprinid fish, Rutilus frisii kutum Kamenskii, 1901 (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae)

s The normal and lateral line cycloid scales of a cyprinid fish Rutilus frisii kutum Kamenskii, 1901 have been subjected to scanning electron microscopy technique to study their detailed structure. The scales have the general morphological characteristics of the cycloid scales. In the normal scale located below the dorsal fin, the focus lies on the anterior region with few mucous pores. There is a clear-cut demonstration between the anterior and posterior region. In the posterior part, the scale has several rows of pigmented granules (tubercles) with different shapes of round to oval, semi-oval and even oblong structure. On the dorsal side, some circuli bear teeth-like structures called lepidonts can be seen which help the scale in firm attachment to the skin. The circuli may also have calcium projections. The lateral line scale has a canal which characteristically lies along the anterior-posterior axis with anterior and posterior openings. The anterior opening is wider than the posterior one and is hidden by an evelike extension cantilevered over it. Based on the obtained results it could be concluded that the shape and size of lepidonts on the circuli crest, the position, shape and size of tubercles and the presence of both anterior and posterior radii may provide reliable taxonomic tools. Changes in the circuli pattern, breakage of the circuli, loss of lepidonts and tubercles may be used to access the habitat condition of this carp especially habitat pollution.
Preserving Condorcet Winners under Strategic Manipulation

Condorcet extensions have long held a prominent place in social choice theory. A Condorcet extension will return the Condorcet winner as the unique winner whenever such an alternative exists. However, the definition of a Condorcet extension does not take into account possible manipulation by the voters. A profile where all agents vote truthfully may have a Condorcet winner, but this alternative may not end up in the set of winners if agents are acting strategically. Focusing on the class of tournament solutions, we show that many natural social choice functions in this class, such as the well-known Copeland and Slater rules, cannot guarantee the preservation of Condorcet winners when agents behave strategically. Our main result in this respect is an impossibility theorem that establishes that no tournament solution satisfying a very weak decisiveness requirement can provide such a guarantee. On the bright side, we identify several indecisive but otherwise attractive tournament solutions that do guarantee the preservation of Condorcet winners under strategic manipulation for a large class of preference extensions.