Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a commercially available second-generation immunoglobulin G enzyme immunoassay for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection

We evaluated a commercially available second-generation anti-H. pylori immunoglobulin G enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (Cobas Core Anti-Helicobacter pylori EIA; Roche S. A., Basel, Switzerland) for serodiagnosis of H. pylori infection. The results of the assay were assessed in relation to the results of bacterial culture, urease testing, and histological Giemsa stain of gastric biopsy specimens from 1,134 patients with a variety of symptoms relating to the upper gastrointestinal tract. H. pylori was detected in biopsy specimens from 660 (58.2%) patients: 6 had a normal mucosa, 123 had chronic gastritis only, and 531 were found to have chronic active gastritis by histology; endoscopy showed duodenal and gastric ulcers in 137 and 64 patients of the last two groups, respectively. The test was evaluated with different age and ethnic groups. The prevalence, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were, respectively, (i) for Belgian patients between 18 and 40 years old, 34, 93, 95, 91, and 96%; (ii) for Belgian patients more than 40 years old, 53, 96, 91, 93, and 95%; and (iii) the Mediterranean patients more than 17 years old, 87, 94, 70, 95, and 64%. All sera showing discordant immunoassay results compared with the results of histology and culture of biopsy specimens, as well as those with borderline immunoassay results, were tested further by immunoblotting. Among the EIA results considered false negative, we demonstrated an absence of seroconversion in 14 of 19 patients tested by immunoblotting. Among the EIA results considered false positive, immunoblotting showed the presence of specific antibodies in 28 of 37 patients tested. Among the borderline results obtained in the first assay with 22 patients' sera, a second assay showed positive results in 10 patients (8 were positive by immunoblotting) and negative reactions in 10 patients (9 were negative by immunoblotting), whereas 2 remained borderline. These data indicate that sera showing borderline immunoassay results must be tested again. In conclusion, this commercially available second-generation EIA, which is easy and quick to perform, was found highly reliable for the serodiagnosis of H. pylori infection.
Evidence-Based Practice as a Potential Solution to Burnout in University Counseling Center Clinicians

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of changes in perceptions about patient volume and severity of clinical presentations in university counseling centers (UCCS) on burnout. It was hypothesized that perceptions of increased workload and severity of conditions treated would be positively correlated with burnout. It was also hypothesized that self-reported use of evidence-based practice (EBP) would be negatively correlated burnout. Counseling center clinicians (n = 80) completed the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), the Evidence-Based Practice Attitudes Scale (EPBAS), and reported on factors that have been shown to impact burnout. In this sample, the following percent of respondents were at or above a level indicating potential burnout on each scale: Personal 19%, Work 15.2%, and Client 2.5%. Years of work was correlated with Client Burnout (r = .25, p < .05). Perceived increases in severity were correlated with each CBI Scale: Personal (r = .33, p < .001), Work (r = .32, p < .001), and (Client r = .33, p < .001). Self-reported use of evidence-based practice was negatively correlated with Client burnout (r = −.30, p < .001). The EBPAS Divergence Scale, which measures perception that one’s usual practice is different than research based practices, was also correlated with burnout (r = .27, p < .05) and Divergence was negatively correlated with self-reported use of EBP (r = −.25, p < .05). Respondents were also asked if they treat PTSD and obsessive–compulsive disorder and which therapies they use for these diagnoses. Findings suggest that dissemination and implementation of EBPS may be beneficial for UCCS.
Somatization and the vocabulary of everyday bodily experiences and concerns: a community study of adolescents.

OBJECTIVE To describe the frequency of everyday bodily experiences and health concerns in a general population of adolescents 12 to 16 years of age in Ontario and to explore whether the concept of "somatization," identified from those youths with many of these symptoms, is meaningful and related to other variables. METHOD A representative sample of the population was obtained by stratified random sampling. Children with a chronic medical condition were excluded. Parents and their adolescent children filled out a series of questionnaires to measure health concerns, complaints, and more dramatic losses of function. Information was also collected on certain background factors, psychiatric problems, and impairments in adaptive functioning. RESULTS Parents and youths endorsed the items with the same rank order of frequency, but there was virtually no agreement between parents and youths on the presence or absence of individual somatic symptoms. Users of medical services did not tend to have many more health concerns than others, and there was a weak relationship between the number of health concerns reported by a youth and both impairment in adaptive functioning and psychiatric problems. CONCLUSION These data suggest that the concept of somatization has limited general value over and above a relationship with other psychiatric problems.
A dynamic Brownian bridge movement model to estimate utilization distributions for heterogeneous animal movement.

1. The recently developed Brownian bridge movement model (BBMM) has advantages over traditional methods because it quantifies the utilization distribution of an animal based on its movement path rather than individual points and accounts for temporal autocorrelation and high data volumes. However, the BBMM assumes unrealistic homogeneous movement behaviour across all data. 2. Accurate quantification of the utilization distribution is important for identifying the way animals use the landscape. 3. We improve the BBMM by allowing for changes in behaviour, using likelihood statistics to determine change points along the animal's movement path. 4. This novel extension, outperforms the current BBMM as indicated by simulations and examples of a territorial mammal and a migratory bird. The unique ability of our model to work with tracks that are not sampled regularly is especially important for GPS tags that have frequent failed fixes or dynamic sampling schedules. Moreover, our model extension provides a useful one-dimensional measure of behavioural change along animal tracks. 5. This new method provides a more accurate utilization distribution that better describes the space use of realistic, behaviourally heterogeneous tracks.
Effect of initial salt concentrations on cell performance and distribution of internal resistance in microbial desalination cells

Microbial desalination cells (MDCs) are modified microbial fuel cells (MFCs) that concurrently produce electricity and desalinate seawater, but adding a desalination compartment and an ion-exchange membrane may increase the internal resistance (Ri), which can limit the cell performance. However, the effects of a desalination chamber and initial NaCl concentrations on the internal resistances and the cell performances (i.e. Coulombic efficiency (CE), current and power density) of MDCs have yet to be thoroughly explored; thus, the cell performance and Ri distributions of MDCs having different initial concentrations and an MFC having no desalination chamber were compared. In the MDCs, the current and power density generation increased from 2.82 mA and 158.2 mW/m2 to 3.17 mA and 204.5 mW/m2 when the initial NaCl concentrations were increased from 5 to 30 g/L, as a consequence of the internal resistances decreasing from 2432.0 to 2328.4 Ω. And even though the MFC has a lower Ri than the MDCs, lower cell performances (current: 2.59 mA; power density: 141.6 mW/m2 and CE: 62.1%) were observed; there was no effect of improved junction potential in the MFC. Thus, in the MDCs, the higher internal resistances due to the addition of a desalination compartment can be offset by reducing the electrolyte resistance and improving the junction potential at higher NaCl concentrations.
Prevention and elimination of upper respiratory colonization of mice by group A streptococci by using a bacteriophage lytic enzyme

Bacteriophage lytic enzymes quickly destroy the cell wall of the host bacterium to release progeny phage. Because such lytic enzymes specifically kill the species in which they were produced, they may represent an effective way to control pathogenic bacteria without disturbing normal microflora. In this report, we studied a murein hydrolase from the streptococcal bacteriophage C1 termed lysin. This enzyme is specific for groups A, C, and E streptococci, with little or no activity toward several oral streptococci or other commensal organisms tested. Using purified lysin in vitro, we show that 1,000 units (10 ng) of enzyme is sufficient to sterilize a culture of ≈107 group A streptococci within 5 seconds. When a single dose of lysin (250 units) is first added to the oral cavity of mice, followed by 107 live group A streptococci, it provides protection from colonization (28.5% infected, n = 21) compared with controls without lysin (70.5% infected, n = 17) (P < 0.03). Furthermore, when lysin (500 units) was given orally to 9 heavily colonized mice, no detectable streptococci were observed 2 h after lysin treatment. In all, these studies show that lysin represents a unique murein hydrolase that has a rapid lethal effect both in vitro and in vivo on group A streptococci, without affecting other indigenous microorganisms analyzed. This general approach may be used to either eliminate or reduce streptococci from the upper respiratory mucosal epithelium of either carriers or infected individuals, thus reducing associated disease.
Energy-Efficient User Association and Power Control in the Heterogeneous Network

We consider a heterogeneous network (HetNet) containing primary users (PUs) and secondary users (SUs). Ordinary cellular users are characterized as PUs, while SUs are the unlicensed users, sensors, or some other Internet of Things equipments. The PUs occupy all the channels in the HetNet and the SUs try to reuse the channels of PUs. We consider two transmission modes for SUs, i.e., the SU can associate with the base station (BS) directly or through the help of its cooperative relay. The optimization of energy efficiency (EE) of SUs is considered. Particularly, we focus on user association (BS selection, channel allocation, and mode selection) and power control to optimize the uplink EE of the communication between the SU and the BS. The original problem is formulated as a non-convex and mixed-integer optimization problem. To get a tractable solution, we propose an iterative optimization algorithm. The alterative optimization method decomposes the original problem into three subproblems. In each iteration, the three subproblems are solved by using the sum-of-ratios programming algorithm, the parametric Dinkelbach algorithm, and convex optimization. Then, the proposed scheme repeats the iteration until convergence. Numerical results confirm that the proposed method can improve the uplink EE performance for SUs.
Factors Impacting Rural Pacific Island Veterans’ Access to Care: A Qualitative Examination

Pacific Island veterans suffer from greater severity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared with Caucasian veterans but face substantial barriers to mental health care. However, the factors that may dissuade or facilitate veterans in the Pacific Islands from seeking mental health care are not known. The main aim of this study was to identify how internal and external factors interact to impact wounded warriors’ access to and use of mental health services. Veterans residing in 5 rural Pacific Island locations were mailed recruitment materials. Other veterans were made aware of the project by key stakeholders in their communities. Thirty-seven male veterans (across 5 focus groups) and 1 female veteran (via individual interview) participated. The study utilized an analytic design in which taped focus group discussions were transcribed verbatim and coded for major themes. Results indicated that most veterans identified Veterans Affairs (VA) as a positive source for health care. However, common concerns acknowledged were as follows: (a) difficulty navigating the VA system, (b) time associated with receiving care, (c) family stigma, (d) community stigma, (e) cultural differences, and (f) a lack of knowledge about VA services and benefits. Facilitators of care included the following: (a) individual knowledge and self-efficacy, (b) networking with other veterans, (c) family support, and (d) rural community support. All factor levels interacted in subtle ways to ultimately impact access to care. Next steps are described, including projects designed to better meet the needs of rural Pacific Island veterans.
Joint modeling of lithosphere and mantle dynamics elucidating lithosphere‐mantle coupling

We provide new insights into the lithosphere‐mantle coupling problem through a joint modeling of lithosphere dynamics and mantle convection and through comparison of model results with the high resolution velocity gradient tensor model along the Earth's plate boundary zones. Using a laterally variable effective viscosity lithosphere model, we compute depth integrated deviatoric stresses associated with both gravitational potential energy (GPE) differences and deeper mantle density buoyancy‐driven convection. When deviatoric stresses from horizontal basal tractions, associated with deeper density buoyancy‐driven convective circulation of the mantle, are added to those from GPE differences, the fit between the model deviatoric stress field and the deformation indicators improves dramatically in most areas of continental deformation. We find that the stresses induced by the horizontal tractions arising from deep mantle convection contribute approximately 50% of the magnitude of the Earth's deviatoric lithospheric stress field. We also demonstrate that lithosphere‐asthenosphere viscosity contrasts and lateral variations within the lithospheric plate boundary zones play an important role in generating the right direction and magnitude of tractions that yield an optimal match between deviatoric stress tensor patterns and the deformation indicators.
Weight gain following treatment with valproic acid: pathogenetic mechanisms and clinical implications

In the last years, a growing body of literature indicates an association between valproic acid therapy and weight gain. Weight gain during valproate treatment can be observed within the first 3 months of therapy and women seem to be more susceptible than men. The mechanism through which valproic acid may induce a weight gain is still controversial. The scope of this paper is to investigate the possible causal link between treatment and weight gain in epileptic patients. Systematic review of published epidemiological studies has been done in order to evaluate the real extent of this side effect of valproic acid and its clinical implications, such as an increased risk of insulin resistance and other secondary metabolic abnormalities. The knowledge of the potential of valproic acid to cause significant changes in body weight will help in appropriate selection and modification of antiepileptic therapy to minimize the risk for weight abnormalities. Measurements of body weight before initiation of valproic acid therapy should be done as part of the monitoring of patients with epilepsy to detect changes before there are serious adverse consequences; an increase of 2 kg of body weight after 1 month of treatment should imply considerations to change antiepileptic drug therapy.
ACCLIMATION, CROSS‐GENERATION EFFECTS, AND THE RESPONSE TO SELECTION FOR INCREASED COLD RESISTANCE IN DROSOPHILA

The way populations respond to selection can be altered when populations are acclimated prior to selection. To examine this possibility, the responses of replicate lines of Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans to selection for increased resistance to cold were compared. Flies were selected without hardening or after they had been hardened by holding them at 4°C for one hour. The selection response in both species was much greater when flies were not cold‐hardened. Cold resistance in both sets of selected lines reached a plateau after a few generations. Surprisingly, continued selection for increased resistance resulted in decreasing levels of resistance. This decrease was no longer evident after selection had been relaxed for a generation, suggesting cross‐generation effects. The magnitude of the cross‐generation effects increased with additional generations of selection. Cross‐generation effects were also detected for fitness components. Relaxing selection for a generation increased fecundity, weight, viability, and development time. Comparisons of relaxed lines and control lines indicated that only fecundity was influenced by selection. Both sets of selected lines had a lower fecundity than control lines. Crosses between control and selected lines and among replicate selected lines indicated that this decrease in fecundity was not associated with inbreeding. The direct and correlated responses to selection for cold resistance can therefore be influenced by acclimation and cross‐generation effects.
A quantitative genetic analysis of schizotypal personality traits

Background. Previous twin studies investigating the heritability of schizotypy have often had limited power and have failed to measure the disorganization/social anxiety component. Method. Seven hundred and thirty-three female twin pairs, drawn from the Institute of Psychiatry Volunteer Twin Register, completed the Oxford–Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences and the Peters et al. Delusions Inventory. Structural equation modelling was carried out on scores for MZ and DZ twin pairs. Results. The best fitting models for all scales comprised additive genetic and unique environmental effects. Heritability was estimated at approximately 50% for most scales, although it was lower at 37% for the PDI scale. Multivariate structural equation model fitting revealed a best-fitting model in which additive genetic and unique environmental influences act through a single common pathway for Cognitive Disorganization, Unusual Experiences and the PDI, and through a separate common pathway for Cognitive Disorganization and Introvertive Anhedonia. Conclusions. The various components of schizotypy are moderately heritable. Multivariate model fitting indicates that at least two latent factor structures are required to account for the covariation between the various components of schizotypy. The positive and negative components of schizotypy are relatively genetically independent, although each in turn may be related to Cognitive Disorganization.
Apoptosis induction by eIF5A1 involves activation of the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway

The regulatory role of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A1 (eIF5A1) in apoptosis was examined using HT‐29 and HeLa S3 cells. eIF5A is the only known protein to contain the unusual amino acid, hypusine, and eIF5A1 is one of two human eIF5A family members. Two observations indicated that eIF5A1 is involved in apoptosis. First, siRNA‐mediated suppression of eIF5A1 resulted in inhibition of apoptosis induced by various apoptotic stimuli, and second, adenovirus‐mediated over‐expression of eIF5A1 strongly induced apoptotic cell death. A mutant of eIF5A1 incapable of being hypusinated also induced apoptosis when over‐expressed indicating that unhypusinated eIF5A1 is the pro‐apoptotic form of the protein. Over‐expression of eIF5A1 or of the mutant resulted in loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, translocation of Bax to the mitochondria, release of cytochrome c, caspase activation, up‐regulation of p53, and up‐regulation of Bim, a pro‐apoptotic BH3‐only Bcl‐2 family protein. In addition, BimL and BimS, the pro‐apoptotic alternative spliced forms of Bim, were induced in response to over‐expression of eIF5A1. Thus eIF5A1 appears to induce apoptosis by activating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Proteomic analyses indicated that, of 1,899 proteins detected, 131 showed significant changes in expression (P ≤ 0.05, expression ratio ≥1.5) within 72 h of eIF5A1 up‐regulation. Among these are proteins involved in translation and protein folding, transcription factors, proteins mediating proteolysis, and a variety of proteins known to be directly involved in apoptosis. These observations collectively indicate that unhypusinated eIF5A1 plays a central role in the regulation of apoptosis. J. Cell. Physiol. 223:798–809, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genome-wide association study for the level of serum electrolytes in Italian Large White pigs.

Calcium, magnesium and phosphorus are essential electrolytes involved in a large number of biological processes. Imbalance of these minerals in blood may indicate clinically relevant conditions and are important in inferring acute or chronic pathologies in humans and animals. In this work, we carried out a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for the level of these three electrolytes in the serum of 843 performance-tested Italian Large White pigs. All pigs were genotyped with the Illumina PorcineSNP60 BeadChip, and GWAS was carried out using genome-wide efficient mixed-model association. For the level of Ca(2+) , eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were significant, considering a false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05, and another eight were above the moderate association threshold (Pnominal value < 5.00E-05). These SNPs are distributed in four porcine chromosomes (SSC): SSC8, SSC11, SSC12 and SSC13. In particular, a few putative different signals of association detected on SSC13 and one on SSC12 were in genes or close to genes involved in calcium metabolism (P2RY1, RAP2B, SLC9A9, C3orf58, TSC22D2, PLCH1 and CACNB1). Only one SNP (on SSC7) and six SNPs (on SSC2 and SSC7) showed moderate association with the level of magnesium and phosphorus respectively. The association signals for these two latter minerals might identify genes not known thus far for playing a role in their biological functions and regulations. In conclusion, our GWAS contributed to increased knowledge on the role that calcium, magnesium and phosphorus may play in the genetically determined physiological mechanisms affecting the natural variability of mineral levels in mammalian blood.