Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New point of care test is highly specific but less sensitive for influenza virus A and B in children and adults

The importance of rapid diagnosis of influenza has increased with the availability of neuraminidase inhibitors, which need to be commenced within 48 hr of symptom onset. Furthermore, the recent development of influenza‐like clinical syndromes with novel aetiologies (severe acute respiratory syndrome, SARS) has increased the need for rapid and accurate near‐patient diagnosis. A new, modified point of care (POC) diagnostic test (ZstatFlu) was assessed on 469 nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) and 260 nose/throat swabs (TS) taken from children and adults. The test was specific (77–98%) for all specimen types for influenza virus A and B, depending upon incubation conditions. However, it was less sensitive, detecting 65–77% of specimens confirmed as positive on culture, direct immunofluorescence or PCR testing. A positive test is useful, for both directing initiation of therapy in the clinician's office, and making a positive diagnosis of influenza in patients with influenza‐like clinical syndromes. J. Med. Virol. 74:127–131, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High resolution microscopic survey of third metacarpal articular calcified cartilage and subchondral bone in the juvenile horse: Possible implications in chondro‐osseous disease

The aim was to survey articular calcified cartilage (ACC) and subchondral bone in the palmar and dorsal regions of the condyles of the third metacarpal bone (Mc3) of young horses with minimal or no signs of musculo‐skeletal abnormality. Back‐scattered electron scanning electron microscopy (BSE SEM) was conducted on polymethyl methacrylate‐embedded mediolateral slices and macerated wedges of the right distal Mc3 from seven each of trained and untrained 2‐year‐old Thoroughbred horses. Furrows or grooves visible to the naked eye in the mineralizing front (MF) of ACC are the commonest “lesion” and are most common in the palmar portions of the medial and lateral condylar grooves. Cracks running predominantly in the parasagittal plane that infill with hypercalcified matrix are found in the same domain. Common to all these defects are deficiencies or absence of the ACC MF. Other anomalies include local excrescences or depressed areas of the MF. More important condylar lesions show displaced fragmented hypermineralized ACC with underlying excess resorption in the bone domain, leaving a thin ACC layer with cavernous space beneath it. The fragments may dislodge and displace to the joint space. Obvious although small lesions are present in horses that have undertaken little or no training. The nature and sites of the lesions indicate that they are possibly the earliest morphological evidence of changes that may lead to specific joint abnormalities. The lesions appear unlikely to be solely due to functional traumatic forces, and developmental influences are likely to be important in their initiation. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Actinomycin D enhances killing of cancer cells by immunotoxin RG7787 through activation of the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis

Significance Because effective cancer therapy usually requires a combination of drugs, we searched for clinically used anticancer agents that would enhance the activity of immunotoxin RG7787 so they could be combined in humans. We show here that actinomycin D activates the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis and acts synergistically with RG7787 to kill a variety of cancer cell lines and cause striking tumor regression in mice. These data indicate that combining immunotoxins like RG7787 that kill cells by inhibiting protein synthesis with actinomycin D is a useful strategy to enhance their antitumor activity in humans. RG7787 is a mesothelin-targeted immunotoxin designed to have low-immunogenicity, high-cytotoxic activity and fewer side effects. RG7787 kills many types of mesothelin-expressing cancer cells lines and causes tumor regressions in mice. Safety and immunogenicity of RG7787 is now being assessed in a phase I trial. To enhance the antitumor activity of RG7787, we screened for clinically used drugs that can synergize with RG7787. Actinomycin D is a potent transcription inhibitor that is used for treating several cancers. We report here that actinomycin D and RG7787 act synergistically to kill many mesothelin-positive cancer cell lines and produce major regressions of pancreatic and stomach cancer xenografts. Analyses of RNA expression show that RG7787 or actinomycin D alone and together increase levels of TNF/TNFR family members and NF-κB–regulated genes. Western blots revealed the combination changed apoptotic protein levels and enhanced cleavage of Caspases and PARP.
Targeted disruption of the PU.1 gene results in multiple hematopoietic abnormalities.

PU.1 is a member of the ets family of transcription factors and is expressed exclusively in cells of the hematopoietic lineage. Mice homozygous for a disruption in the PU.1 DNA binding domain are born alive but die of severe septicemia within 48 h. The analysis of these neonates revealed a lack of mature macrophages, neutrophils, B cells and T cells, although erythrocytes and megakaryocytes were present. The absence of lymphoid commitment and development in null mice was not absolute, since mice maintained on antibiotics began to develop normal appearing T cells 3–5 days after birth. In contrast, mature B cells remained undetectable in these older mice. Within the myeloid lineage, despite a lack of macrophages in the older antibiotic‐treated animals, a few cells with the characteristics of neutrophils began to appear by day 3. While the PU.1 protein appears not to be essential for myeloid and lymphoid lineage commitment, it is absolutely required for the normal differentiation of B cells and macrophages.
Evaluation of a well-being campaign following a natural disaster in Christchurch, New Zealand

Abstract The All Right? campaign, was developed as an over-arching mental health promotion campaign following the 2010-2011 earthquake sequence (Christchurch, New Zealand). To our knowledge this campaign is unique in promoting population wide psychosocial well-being following a disaster. Mixed methods were used for data collection. The campaign has achieved a wide reach within the affected population (70%) and high levels of agreement from those surveyed who were aware of the campaign that the messages were helpful (84%). Success factors included: strong relationships between key agencies prior to a disaster, local research to inform the use of appropriate language for translating evidence based well-being messages into a local setting, not being marketed as a government message whilst maintaining strong relationships with key agencies. In addition to the mass appeal of the All Right? campaign, targeted campaigns from the inception would have been beneficial, in particular, to reach Māori and Pacific communities. As a result of the evaluation findings, this more specifically focused messaging has been developed. There would be value in the replication of the campaign particularly in the post disaster context in other high income countries, this would need to be tailored on the basis of local research and need.
A heterogeneous defense method using fuzzy decision making

Denial of service flood attacks are among the most common and powerful attacks which abuse the computational resources and the bandwidth of a network. In this paper, a heterogeneous defense method is proposed based on a combination of the Software Defined controller and fuzzy decision making. Numerical results show that the proposed method has a lower computational load and response time compared to the traditional methods centralized in the controller.
Developmentally regulated proteoglycans and glycoproteins of the plant cell surface

The review focuses on recent evidence that two classes of cell‐surface protein, one consisting largely of proteoglycans and the other of glycoproteins, may function during plant development. One class, the arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs), includes some of the extracellular proteoglycans in plant secretions, as well as related molecules that are found at the outer face of the plasma membrane where they present an array of complex carbohydrate structures to the extracellular matrix (cell wall). Recent evidence implicates cell‐surface AGPs in the control of cell proliferation and morphogenesis. For example, immunodetection methods have shown that the developmentally regulated appearance of carbohydrate epitopes in these proteoglycans correlates with the formation of anatomical patterns. Likewise, the members of a second class, the hydroxyproline‐rich glycoproteins (HRGPs, or extensins) of the cell wall, are developmentally regulated and their occurrence also correlates with changes in anatomy. Recent observations suggest that HRGP‐like domains are present in plasma membrane proteins that bridge the wall and cytoskeleton. The roles of oxidative cross‐linking and wall protein insolubilization during development and defense responses are also discussed, with particular reference to the roles of hydrogen peroxide, oxidases, and HRGPs in the processes. The survey emphasizes the value of monoclonal antibodies for revealing molecular and developmental changes in AGPs and HRGPs at the plant cell surface. —Knox, J. P. Developmentally regulated proteoglycans and glycoproteins of the plant cell surface. FASEB J. 9, 1004‐1012 (1995)
“And Still We Rise…”: Microaggressions and Intersectionality in the Study Abroad Experiences of Black Women

The Black female is assaulted in her tender years by all those common forces of nature at the same time she is caught in the tripartite crossfire of masculine prejudice, white illogical hate and Black lack of power. The fact that the adult American Negro female emerges a formidable character is often met with amazement, distaste and even belligerence. It is seldom accepted as an inevitable outcome of the struggle won by survivors and deserves respect if not enthusiastic admiration.
EBUS‐TBNA in mediastinal/hilar lymphadenopathies and/or masses: an Italian case series

Introduction: Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is an established method to diagnose hilar/mediastinal lymphadenopathies and/or masses. Real‐time endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) is a method that involves TBNA, and has been shown to increase the diagnostic yield in this context.
Immunotoxicity of Trenbolone Acetate in Japanese Quail

Trenbolone acetate is a synthetic androgen that is currently used as a growth promoter in many meat-exporting countries. Despite industry laboratories classifying trenbolone as nonteratogenic, data showed that embryonic exposure to this androgenic chemical altered development of the immune system in Japanese quail. Trenbolone is lipophilic, persistent, and released into the environment in manure used as soil fertilizer. This is the first study to date to assess this chemical's immunotoxic effects in an avian species. A one-time injection of trenbolone into yolks was administered to mimic maternal deposition, and subsequent effects on the development and function of the immune system were determined in chicks and adults. Development of the bursa of Fabricius, an organ responsible for development of the humoral arm of the immune system, was disrupted, as indicated by lower masse, and smaller and fewer follicles at day 1 of hatch. Morphological differences in the bursas persisted in adults, although no differences in either two measures of immune function were observed. Total numbers of circulating leukocytes were reduced and heterophil–lymphocyte ratios were elevated in chicks but not adults. This study shows that trenbolone acetate is teratogenic and immunotoxic in Japanese quail, and provides evidence that the quail immune system may be fairly resilient to embryonic endocrine-disrupting chemical-induced alterations following no further exposure posthatch.
Sex Differences in Aerobic Fitness in Top-Class Soccer Referees

Abstract Castagna, C, Bizzini, M, D'Ottavio, S, and Araújo Póvoas, SC. Sex differences in aerobic fitness in top-class soccer referees. J Strength Cond Res 32(11): 3216–3221, 2018—The aim of this study was to assess the aerobic-fitness differences between male and female top-class soccer field referees (FRs). This with the purpose to provide cutoff values useful for training prescription in female FRs. Forty female top-class FRs (age 34.18 ± 3.50 years and 5 ± 3.9 years international refereeing experience) and 52 male FRs (age 38.4 ± 3.3 years and 5 ± 3.5 years international refereeing experience) candidates in the preliminary open list developed by the FIFA Refereeing Department for the 2014 and 2015 World Cup Tournaments, participated in the study. The FRs were tested for aerobic fitness under laboratory conditions with a progressive speed treadmill test until exhaustion. Female FRs showed to possess, on average, lower (large effect) levels of aerobic fitness and performance compared with their male counterparts. The female FRs' V[Combining Dot Above]O2max (48.1 ± 4.4 ml·kg−1·min−1) was 7% (large effect) lower than the male FRs (51.9 ml·kg−1·min−1). Peak treadmill speed was 11% lower (large effect) in female FRs (16.27 ± 0.94 vs. 14.64 ± 0.96 km·h−1). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis enabled cutoff values (47.8 ml·kg−1·min−1 for V[Combining Dot Above]O2max) that may be used as preliminary cues to guide physiological selection and training prescription in female FRs aiming to officiate male-soccer matches. Only 2.5% of the female FRs showed V[Combining Dot Above]O2max higher than the mean values of male FRs when using the scaled notation (0.68). Female FRs aiming to officiate male competitions should consider training intensities at anaerobic threshold speed (13 km·h−1, 95% heart rate max) when developing aerobic fitness. Given the very large sex differences in aerobic performance, strength/power training should be proposed to perspective female top-class FRs.
Two Slow Calcium-Activated Afterhyperpolarization Currents Control Burst Firing Dynamics in Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons release GnRH in a pulsatile manner to control fertility in all mammals. The mechanisms underlying burst firing in GnRH neurons, thought to contribute to pulsatile GnRH release, are not yet understood. Using minimally invasive, dual electrical–calcium recordings in acute brain slices from GnRH-Pericam transgenic mice, we find that the soma/proximal dendrites of GnRH neurons exhibit long-duration (∼10 s) calcium transients that are perfectly synchronized with their burst firing. These transients were found to be generated by calcium entry through voltage-dependent L-type calcium channels that was amplified by inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor-dependent store mechanisms. Perforated-patch current- and voltage-clamp electrophysiology coupled with mathematical modeling approaches revealed that these broad calcium transients act to control two slow afterhyperpolarization currents (sIAHP) in GnRH neurons: a quick-activating apamin-sensitive sIAHP that regulates both intraburst and interburst dynamics, and a slow-onset UCL2077-sensitive sIAHP that regulates only interburst dynamics. These observations highlight a unique interplay between electrical activity, calcium dynamics, and multiple calcium-regulated sIAHPs critical for shaping GnRH neuron burst firing.
Identification and properties of chlamydial polypeptides that bind eucaryotic cell surface components

An electroblotting technique was used to identify proteins of Chlamydia that bound surface-radioiodinated and Triton X-100-solubilized HeLa cell extracts. Two proteins, with apparent molecular masses of 18 and 32 kilodaltons (kDa), that bound HeLa cell surface components were identified on Chlamydia trachomatis L2 elementary bodies (EBs). Radioiodinated heparin, which disrupts chlamydial association with cultured cells, was also bound by these proteins. These two proteins were found on EBs but were absent or were present in reduced amounts on the noninfectious reticulate bodies. All C. trachomatis strains tested displayed two such proteins, although the apparent molecular weight of the larger protein varied with serotype in correlation with biotype and the disease that it caused. Two Chlamydia psittaci strains examined displayed only a single binding protein in the range of 17 to 19 kDa. All of the binding proteins stained intensely and distinctively on silver-stained sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels and displayed an unusual sensitivity to reducing agents. The 32-kDa protein was not seen and did not bind 125I-labeled HeLa cell components if the EBs were solubilized in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol. The 32-kDa protein was not affected by dithiothreitol, however. Similar to the effect of 2-mercaptoethanol, the 32-kDa protein was not visualized after treatment of EBs with the protease inhibitors tosyl-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK) or tosyl-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK). TPCK and TLCK also abolished infectivity as did the alkylating agents N-ethylmaleimide and iodoacetamide, yet the latter two agents did not affect the appearance of the 32-kDa protein. These proteins were not detected in immunoblots with either rabbit antisera to C. trachomatis L2 EBs or by serum from a patient with lymphogranuloma venereum. The role of these proteins in the interaction of chlamydiae with host cells is not clear, but the binding of eucaryotic cell surface components and heparin, presence only during the infectious stage of the life cycle, variation between serotypes in correlation with disease, and sensitivity to reducing agents or protease inhibitors, collectively, suggest a role for these proteins in parasite-host interactions.
Integrin α8 Is Abundant in Human, Rat, and Mouse Trophoblasts

Objective: Integrins exert regulatory functions in placentogenesis. Null mutation of certain integrin α subunits leads to placental defects with subsequent fetal growth restriction or embryonic lethality in mice. So far, the placental role of α8 integrin remains to be determined. Methods: Localization of α8 integrin and its ligands, fibronectin (FN) and osteopontin (OPN), was studied by immunohistochemistry in human, rat, and mouse placenta. The vascularization of the placental labyrinth layer of α8 integrin-deficient mice was determined by CD31 staining. In humans, α8 integrin expression was assessed via real-time polymerase chain reaction in healthy placentas, in the placental pathologies such as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), preeclampsia, and HELLP-syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count), as well as in primary extravillous trophoblasts (EVT) and villous trophoblasts. Results: In humans, α8 integrin was detected in first and third trimester syncytiotrophoblast and EVT. Although OPN showed the same localization, FN was observed in EVT only. No expressional changes in α8 integrin were detected in the placental pathologies studied. Rodent placenta showed α8 integrin expression in giant cells and in the labyrinth layer. The localization of OPN and FN, however, showed species-specific differences. Knockout of α8 integrin in mice did not cause IUGR, despite some reduction in labyrinth layer vascularization. Conclusion: α8 Integrin is expressed in functional placental compartments among its ligands, OPN and/or FN, across species. Although this may point to a regulatory role in trophoblast function, our data from α8 integrin-deficient mice indicated only mild placental pathology. Thus, the lack of placental α8 integrin seems to be largely compensated for.
A Suggested Medical Classification of Handicapped Children

Considerable attention is being given at the present time to the problems of handicapped children. A session at the Annual Meeting of the British Medical Association (1956) and an entire issue of a medical journal (Practitioner, April, 1955) have been devoted to this problem. Every help possible should be given to these children for humanitarian reasons. By helping them to develop to the full such faculties as they possess there should be a reduced demand upon the community when they reach adult life. A recent survey (Carnegie Trust, 1956) showed that the provisions for handicapped children throughout the country were very patchy. A more extensive study of the problem is now being made under the auspices of the Carnegie Trust. A handicap is a relative condition and its definition is difficult. Children may be considered to be handicapped, if, mentally or physically, they lag behind their contemporaries, or if they require special care, or if they have to make special adjustments in educational, emotional or social spheres. Whatever definition is used there will always be a number of borderline cases. Handicapped children are usually grouped according to the cause of the handicap. There are those with deficiencies of the special senses, the blind and the deaf; those with locomotor difficulties, the cerebral palsied and the paralysed; those with chronic illness, the cardiac invalids, the asthmatics and the diabetics; those who are emotionally disturbed, and those who are mentally retarded. This method of grouping gives no indication of the child's functional disability. For example, a child labelled 'spastic' may have abnormal reflexes in one limb but no functional disability, whilst another 'spastic' may be immobilized with quadriplegia. Quibell (1956), dealing with severely physically handicapped children, found that the anatomical diagnosis alone was inadequate, and discussed a method of functional assessment suitable for this group. During a current study of the problems of mentally retarded children a classification was devised which indicated functional disability. This classification, somewhat expanded, is presented below as it is thought that its application to all handicapped children might be useful.
Structural Analysis of Histo-Blood Group Antigen Binding Specificity in a Norovirus GII.4 Epidemic Variant: Implications for Epochal Evolution

ABSTRACT Susceptibility to norovirus (NoV), a major pathogen of epidemic gastroenteritis, is associated with histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs), which are also cell attachment factors for this virus. GII.4 NoV strains are predominantly associated with worldwide NoV epidemics with a periodic emergence of new variants. The sequence variations in the surface-exposed P domain of the capsid protein resulting in differential HBGA binding patterns and antigenicity are suggested to drive GII.4 epochal evolution. To understand how temporal sequence variations affect the P domain structure and contribute to epochal evolution, we determined the P domain structure of a 2004 variant with ABH and secretor Lewis HBGAs and compared it with the previously determined structure of a 1996 variant. We show that temporal sequence variations do not affect the binding of monofucosyl ABH HBGAs but that they can modulate the binding strength of difucosyl Lewis HBGAs and thus could contribute to epochal evolution by the potentiated targeting of new variants to Lewis-positive, secretor-positive individuals. The temporal variations also result in significant differences in the electrostatic landscapes, likely reflecting antigenic variations. The proximity of some of these changes to the HBGA binding sites suggests the possibility of a coordinated interplay between antigenicity and HBGA binding in epochal evolution. From the observation that the regions involved in the formation of the HBGA binding sites can be conformationally flexible, we suggest a plausible mechanism for how norovirus disassociates from salivary mucin-linked HBGA before reassociating with HBGAs linked to intestinal epithelial cells during its passage through the gastrointestinal tract.