Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Standardization of a spinal cord lesion model and neurologic evaluation using mice

OBJECTIVE: To standardize a spinal cord lesion mouse model. METHODS: Thirty BALB/c mice were divided into five groups: four experimental groups and one control group (sham). The experimental groups were subjected to spinal cord lesion by a weight drop from different heights after laminectomy whereas the sham group only underwent laminectomy. Mice were observed for six weeks, and functional behavior scales were applied. The mice were then euthanized, and histological investigations were performed to confirm and score spinal cord lesion. The findings were evaluated to prove whether the method of administering spinal cord lesion was effective and different among the groups. Additionally, we correlated the results of the functional scales with the results from the histology evaluations to identify which scale is more reliable. RESULTS: One mouse presented autophagia, and six mice died during the experiment. Because four of the mice that died were in Group 5, Group 5 was excluded from the study. All the functional scales assessed proved to be significantly different from each other, and mice presented functional evolution during the experiment. Spinal cord lesion was confirmed by histology, and the results showed a high correlation between the Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan Locomotor Rating Scale and the Basso Mouse Scale. The mouse function scale showed a moderate to high correlation with the histological findings, and the horizontal ladder test had a high correlation with neurologic degeneration but no correlation with the other histological parameters evaluated. CONCLUSION: This spinal cord lesion mouse model proved to be effective and reliable with exception of lesions caused by a 10-g drop from 50 mm, which resulted in unacceptable mortality. The Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan Locomotor Rating Scale and Basso Mouse Scale are the most reliable functional assessments, and but the horizontal ladder test is not recommended.
Patient experiences with care across various types of mental health care: Questionnaire development, measurement invariance, and patients' reports

To describe the development, validation, and findings of a patient experience questionnaire across 7 types of residential and ambulatory mental health care services. Thirty‐five items were hypothesized to cover information, participation, therapeutic relationship, personalized care, organization and collaboration, safety, patient rights, outcomes of care, and discharge preparation and after‐care. Also included were 2 overall rating items (scoring and recommending the organization). This Dutch questionnaire was applied in 79 organizations in Belgium (N patients = 5,168). Exploratory structural equation modelling was conducted on a random split‐half sample to examine dimensionality. Confirmatory factor analysis and multiple group confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on the holdout sample to confirm dimensionality and assess measurement invariance across type of service and patient characteristics. Multilevel logistic regression models linking subscale top box scores to overall rating items were used to assess criterion validity. The hypothesized dimensionality was partly confirmed, and configural and scalar invariance were demonstrated across types of organizations and patient characteristics. Subscale scores were significantly associated with overall ratings. Process evaluation showed that participating organizations strongly support continued use of this questionnaire. This validated patient experience questionnaire supports comparison across organizations from different types of services to improve the quality of mental health care.
Metabolic syndrome in the 1982 Pelotas cohort: effect of contemporary lifestyle and socioeconomic status.

OBJECTIVES Describe the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, and its association with contemporary lifestyle factors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS In 2004-2005, 4,296 subjects of the 1982 Pelotas Birth Cohort were evaluated, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) was assessed in 3,599 according to the NCEP-ATP III and IDF criteria. RESULTS Prevalence of MetS was 5.9% and 6.7% for NCEP-ATPIII and IDF, respectively. Smoking, alcohol intake, and physical activity were not associated with MetS. Among men, the body mass index (BMI) was associated with MetS - overweight [RR: 3.14 (95% CI, 1.97-5.00)] and obese subjects [RR: 17.41 (95% CI, 11.85-25.60)]. In women, family income and schooling were inversely associated with MetS, overweight increased the risk of MetS 7.73 (95% CI, 3.65-16.38) times and obesity 40.67 (95% CI, 20.85-79.33) times. CONCLUSIONS MetS was more prevalent among men according to NCEP-ATP III criteria, and obesity was the main risk factor.
Alcohols as Surface Disinfectants in Healthcare Settings

Isopropyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol have been used as low-level disinfectants in healthcare settings for many years. Recent studies have found that ethyl alcohol inhibits protein synthesis in Escherichia coli by direct effects on ribosomes and RNA polymerase and that 60%–70% solutions have in vitro efficacy against murine norovirus, Ebola virus, and several coronaviruses. Alcohol prep pads or towelettes containing isopropyl or ethyl alcohol and water have been used primarily for disinfection of small noncritical items due to a concern regarding their rapid evaporation rates and associated short contact times. Sterile alcohol solutions are used mostly for disinfection of compounding pharmacies and controlled areas. One new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)–registered cleaner/disinfectant formulation differs from other alcohol-based disinfectants by virtue of having a 30-second contact time for multiple pathogens and a toxicity rating of category IV. Multiple disinfectants containing ethyl alcohol and/or isopropyl alcohol combined with other active agents such as quaternary ammonium or phenolic compounds are widely used for disinfecting environmental surfaces in healthcare facilities. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:323–328
Preparation and characterization of BaMgAl_(10)O_(17)∶Eu phosphor coated with MgF_2 by sol-gel process

In order to prevent BaMgAl_(10)O_(17)∶Eu (BAM) phosphor from thermal degradation, MgF_2-coatings on the surface of BAM were prepared by a sol-gel process. The coatings were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicate that BAM is successfully coated with homogenous, close MgF_2 coatings. The photoluminescence and anti-thermal degradation properties of coated BAM were investigated under 254 and 147 nm excitations. The optimum anti-thermal degradation properties are obtained at the mass ratio of MgF_2 to BAM 0.2% under 254 nm excitation and 0.5% under 147 nm excitation, respectively. It is considered that trace MgO formed after baked would cause different optimum coating thicknesses under 254 and 147 nm excitations.
Longevity of Mass-Produced Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae) Held without Food or Water

ABSTRACT The sterile insect technique is used to manage or control fruit flies throughout the world. The technique relies on large scale production before delivery to release managers. As part of the mass production phase, there are many quality control tests to demonstrate and maintain high quality pupae and flies. One highly desirable characteristic is adults with a long life so that these adults can reach sexual maturity and sterile males mate with wild fertile flies in the field and thus produce no viable offspring. Originally longevity was assessed allowing adults to have unlimited access to food and water. As quality and longevity increased, this methodology added significantly to workload and space demands and many facilities moved to testing longevity under stress where no food or water was provided. Here we examined >27,000 Queensland fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) from 160 weekly production batches from July 2004 to October 2009 where flies were not provided food or water. The mean longevity was 54.4 ± SE hours. Longevity was significantly shorter from August to March, and the longevity was significantly longer in June. Longevity was not related to pupal weight, contrary to expectations. Weights were significantly lower in June and highest in summer.
Blood Lactate Levels Cutoff and Mortality Prediction in Sepsis—Time for a Reappraisal? a Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract The objective of this study was to identify the initial value of blood lactate that best correlates with 28-day mortality in resuscitated septic shock patients. This was a retrospective cohort study including 443 patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with severe sepsis or septic shock from the emergency department. A receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to obtain the best cutoff value for initial blood lactate associated with 28-day mortality. Patients were then dichotomized according to the chosen lactate cutoff, and sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated. Baseline blood lactate level more than 2.5 mmol/L showed the largest area under the ROC curve to predict 28-day mortality (ROC area, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.62–0.79), with sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value of 67.4%, 61.7%, and 94.2%, respectively. Mortality at 28 days was 16.9% (31/183) in patients with initial lactate more than 2.5 mmol/L and 5.8% (15/260) in patients with initial lactate at most 2.5 mmol/L (relative risk, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.63–5.28; P < 0.001). Initial blood lactate levels more than 2.5 mmol/L (hazard ratio [HR], 2.86; 95% CI, 1.53–5.33; P = 0.001) and Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment score at ICU admission (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.09–1.27; P < 0.001) were associated with increased 28-day mortality in the adjusted Cox regression. In this retrospective cohort study, a lactate level more than 2.5 mmol/L was the best threshold to predict 28-day mortality among severe sepsis and septic shock patients. Further prospective studies should address the impact on morbidity and mortality of this threshold as a trigger to resuscitation in this population of critically ill patients.
The Representation of Prediction Error in Auditory Cortex

To survive, organisms must extract information from the past that is relevant for their future. How this process is expressed at the neural level remains unclear. We address this problem by developing a novel approach from first principles. We show here how to generate low-complexity representations of the past that produce optimal predictions of future events. We then illustrate this framework by studying the coding of ‘oddball’ sequences in auditory cortex. We find that for many neurons in primary auditory cortex, trial-by-trial fluctuations of neuronal responses correlate with the theoretical prediction error calculated from the short-term past of the stimulation sequence, under constraints on the complexity of the representation of this past sequence. In some neurons, the effect of prediction error accounted for more than 50% of response variability. Reliable predictions often depended on a representation of the sequence of the last ten or more stimuli, although the representation kept only few details of that sequence.
Results CATaDa produces chromatin accessibility profiles comparable to that of ATAC and FAIRE-seq in Drosophila eye discs

During development eukaryotic gene expression is coordinated by dynamic changes in chromatin structure. Measurements of accessible chromatin are used extensively to identify genomic regulatory elements. Whilst chromatin landscapes of pluripotent stem cells are well characterised, chromatin accessibility changes in the development of somatic lineages are not well defined. Here we show that cell-specific chromatin accessibility data can be produced via ectopic expression of E. coli Dam methylase in vivo, without the requirement for cell-sorting (CATaDa). We have profiled chromatin accessibility in individual cell-types of Drosophila neural and midgut lineages. Functional cell-type-specific enhancers were identified, as well as novel motifs enriched at different stages of development. Finally, we show global changes in the accessibility of chromatin between stem-cells and their differentiated progeny. Our results demonstrate the dynamic nature of chromatin accessibility in somatic tissues during stem cell differentiation and provide a novel approach to understanding gene regulatory mechanisms underlying development. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.32341. 001
Physiological profile of caged layers during one production year, molt, and postmolt: egg production, egg shell quality, liver, femur, and blood parameters.

A longitudinal study of a flock of Single Comb White Leghorn pullets was initiated at 19 weeks of age (preproduction) and continued through a production year, a forced molt, and for 4 months of postmolt production. A representative sample of hens was obtained at 12-week intervals during the first year and at subsequent selected times. Liver lipid, femur weight, femur volume, femur density, egg weight, shell weight, percent shell, milligrams shell/square centimeter of shell surface area, serum calcium, serum phosphorus, and serum alkaline phosphatase were determined. Percent hen-day production peaked at 90% and then declined by . 6 to . 7% each week during the first production year. After molting, percent hen-day egg production peaked at 80% and declined . 9% per week over the subsequent 20 weeks. Egg weight increased continually during the first production year. Shell weight was greatest immediately postmolt; thereafter it declined. Shell thickness was greatest at 31 weeks of age and declined throughout the first year. After molting, the shell thickness of 83-week-old hens was similar to values of hens about 37 weeks of age. Serum calcium and phosphorus of laying hens were influenced by age, feed intake and environmental temperature. The lowest values occurred during hot weather. Liver lipid was lowest in nonlaying hens (17 to 20%) and was approximately 42% of dry weight in laying hens. Femur density was greater in laying than nonlaying hens.
Hyperglycosylated hCG and Placenta Accreta Spectrum

Abstract Objective We aimed to evaluate the relationship between hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG-H) and placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Study Design This was a case–control study of PAS and controls. hCG-H was measured in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy in women with pathologically confirmed cases of PAS and in gestational age-matched controls without PAS. We compared serum hCG-H levels in cases and controls, calculated summary statistics for diagnostic accuracy, and used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to define an optimal cut-point for diagnosis of PAS using hCG-H. Results Thirty case samples and 30 control samples were evaluated for hCG-H. Mean hCG-H was lower in the case compared with control group (7.8 ± 5.9 μg/L vs. 11.8 ± 8.8 μg/L, p = 0.03). At an optimal cut-point for hCG-H of ≤7.6 μg/L, the sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratios, negative likelihood ratios, and area under the ROC curve were 66.7%, 69.7%, 2.20%, 0.48%, and 0.68%, respectively. Conclusion Hyperglycosylated hCG levels in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy were lower in patients with PAS than in controls, but hCG-H showed only modest capability as a diagnostic test for PAS.
A Systematic Review of Tests Assessing Stroke Knowledge

Background: Accurate assessment of stroke knowledge (SK) is fundamental to the successful understanding of, monitoring of, and intervening to improve the SK of patients and the public. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to perform a systematic review of the existing SK tests and appraise their conceptual basis, feasibility, and psychometric properties. We conducted 2-step searching of MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus electronic databases from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2014, to identify relevant SK tests for the appraisal. Results: Our study found 59 SK tests, out of a total of 93 articles, with full content available that had been referred to in the published literature. Ten of them had been used in more than 1 study, and 2 (the Stroke Knowledge Test and the Stroke Action Test) of them have had at least 1 of their psychometric properties validated. Only 1 test (the Stroke Knowledge Test) was developed using rigorous methodology, covers a wide range of concepts, and met all feasibility criteria; however, its limitations include no articulated conceptual basis, inadequate internal consistency reliability (&agr; = .65), and lack of some validated psychometric properties. Conclusions: Our study revealed that current available tools are not sufficiently able to accurately and reliably assess SK to promote stroke prevention and management. Clinical Implications: This study highlights the attention of applying current SK tests and need for revising existing tests or developing a new test.
Effect of dietary ingredients on monensin toxicity in chicks.

A corn-soybean (CS) diet and diets containing medium or high levels of animal protein (AP) calculated to contain the same concentrations of the main nutrients promoted essentially the same growth rate and feed utilization in 20-day-old chicks. Supplementation with monensin sodium (100 or 120 mg/kg) depressed growth rate of the chicks fed all three diets. However, effect of the drug was much more severe in chicks fed the diets containing AP. This interaction resulted in significant (P < .05) differences in body weights between chicks fed the CS diet and PA diets. Moreover, feed-to-gain ratio was significantly (P < .05) adversely affected by monensin only in chicks fed the AP diets. Supplementation of the high AP diet with extra vitamin E, a mixture of arginine and tryptophan, or a mixture of silicon, chromium, and molybdenum failed to prevent the growth depression caused by monensin. These studies demonstrate that ingredient composition of diets for broiler chicks affects the magnitude of growth depression caused by monensin supplementation.
Flight of Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)-a Spatio-Temporal Analysis With Pheromone Trapping and Population Genetics.

The flight of the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), near grain storages and at distances from them, was investigated to assess the potential of these beetles to infest grain and spread insecticide resistance genes. We caught R. dominica in pheromone-baited flight traps (and blank controls) set at storages, in fields away from storages, and in native vegetation across a 12-mo period. A functional set of highly polymorphic microsatellite markers was developed, enabling population genetic analyses on the trapped beetles. Pheromone-baited traps caught just as many R. dominica adults at least 1 km from grain storages as were caught adjacent to grain storages. Samples of beetles caught were genetically homogeneous across the study area (over 7,000 km2) in South Queensland, Australia. However, a change in genetic structure was detected at one bulk storage site. Subsequent analysis detected a heterozygous excess, which indicated a population bottleneck. Only a few beetles were caught during the winter months of June and July. To assess the mating status and potential fecundity of dispersing R. dominica females, we captured beetles as they left grain storages and quantified offspring production and life span in the laboratory. Nearly all (95%) of these dispersing females had mated and these produced an average of 242 offspring. We demonstrated that R. dominica populations in the study area display a high degree of connectivity and this is a result of the active dispersal of mated individuals of high potential fecundity.
The effect of transcendental meditation on self-efficacy, perceived stress, and quality of life in mothers in Uganda

ABSTRACT Vulnerable women living in poverty in Uganda, who are primarily single, illiterate mothers, face high levels of physical and psychological stress. Our study assessed the impact of the Transcendental Meditation® (TM®) technique on self-efficacy, perceived stress, and mental and physical quality of life of these women. This single-blind controlled study involved 81 women who were assigned to either practice of the Transcendental Meditation program (n = 42) or wait-list (delayed start) control group (n = 39). Participants learned the Transcendental Meditation program over five sessions, then practiced at home for 20 minutes twice a day, and attended twice monthly group meetings over a 3-month period. The primary outcome measure was self-efficacy using the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). Perceived stress using Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale, and physical and mental quality of life using subscales of the Medical Outcomes Survey (MOS, HIV version) were secondary outcome measures. Significant improvements were shown in self-efficacy (p < .001), perceived stress (p < .010), and mental and physical well-being (p < .010). Compliance with TM home practice was >88%. This is the first controlled study to demonstrate the effect of TM in the daily lives of mothers living in impoverished conditions. Further questionnaires were administered to participants at 8 months and at 36 months with questions about changes they may have experienced in their daily life since starting TM. “Yes,” “No” self-reported answers suggested that the women experienced improved health, improved relationships with others, and increased employment rates. These findings taken as a whole have important implications for developing self-efficacy, improving mental and physical quality of life, and reducing stress in the lives of these vulnerable women.
RNA Interference (RNAi) Screening in Drosophila

In the last decade, RNA interference (RNAi), a cellular mechanism that uses RNA-guided degradation of messenger RNA transcripts, has had an important impact on identifying and characterizing gene function. First discovered in Caenorhabditis elegans, RNAi can be used to silence the expression of genes through introduction of exogenous double-stranded RNA into cells. In Drosophila, RNAi has been applied in cultured cells or in vivo to perturb the function of single genes or to systematically probe gene function on a genome-wide scale. In this review, we will describe the use of RNAi to study gene function in Drosophila with a particular focus on high-throughput screening methods applied in cultured cells. We will discuss available reagent libraries and cell lines, methodological approaches for cell-based assays, and computational methods for the analysis of high-throughput screens. Furthermore, we will review the generation and use of genome-scale RNAi libraries for tissue-specific knockdown analysis in vivo and discuss the differences and similarities with the use of genome-engineering methods such as CRISPR/Cas9 for functional analysis.