Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Survey of protective behaviour practiced against HIV/AIDS in adult TB patients at Almata Zonal Hospital.

OBJECTIVES To assess the level of protective behaviour against the spread of HIV infection and TB transmission in a health facility setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study involving 190 adult TB patients on anti-TB treatment was conducted at Alamata Zonal hospital, Southern Tigray, in September 2001. RESULTS The study showed that among the study population 83% knew TB is a communicable disease, 124 (65.2%) correctly knew the mode of its transmission but only 26 (16.6%) practiced the appropriate preventive measures. Of the study population 99 (52%) had previous history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and 120 (63%) had multiple sexual partners among whom 94 (78%) had not used condom because 34 (39%) did not know the role of condom. Similarly, 64 (34%) were not volunteer to use condom, and 25 (13%) did not know what condom is, in spite of the fact that 181 (95%) have heard of HIV/AIDS and 169 (89%) knew unprotected sex as its usual route of transmission. One hundred sixty nine (89%) knew that HIV is preventable and the perceived preventive measures were mainly 1:1 sexual partner in 140 (74%) and use of condom in 98 (52%) whereas 14 (7%) had no idea about HIV prevention methods. The majority, 167 (88%) considered HIV a real national problem. CONCLUSION The study population's level of protective behaviour against HIV and TB transmission is very low. Measures need to be taken to ensure 100% condom availability. Massive campaigns are required to make condom use socially acceptable. Health education on prevention of HIV and TB transmission should be strengthened to achieve an acceptable level of protective behaviour against these diseases.
Practical considerations for designing IPT system for EV battery charging

The paper proposes a hands-free Inductive Power Transfer system for charging the batteries of an Electrical Vehicle. A typical system comprises a power supply, a transfer pad on the ground, a receiving pad on the vehicle together and a power regulator. This paper describes the design of the power regulator which must ensure continuous power flow at high efficiency despite wide separation between the charging pads as a result of variation in the vehicle to ground heights. The paper also discusses the need to meet new and stringent electromagnetic field exposure regulations. Measurements show good efficiency across various separations and emissions compliance providing the pad is placed underneath the vehicle.
No need for pain.

In an attempt to promote as pain free an experience as possible for patients and to improve how pain is managed in all settings, this 500-bed teaching hospital embarked on a hospital-wide quality improvement (QI) initiative. Initial measurement of clinicians' knowledge and attitudes related to pain and surveys on patient satisfaction identified improvement opportunities. Highlights of these findings and the major interventions taken are described. Education of all clinical staff on the major principles of pain management became the primary focus. Major outcomes realized to date have been: (a) a significant increase (p = .01) in physicians and nurses discussing with their patients the importance of managing their pain, (b) development of processes for documenting pain as the fifth vital sign, and (c) a 26% decrease in the use of meperidine. The next steps will be comprehensive monitoring of the effectiveness of pain management by clinical service, increased patient and family education on pain, and development of a formalized pain management competency program for clinical staff.
Influence of serum leptin on weight and body fat growth in children at high risk for adult obesity.

OBJECTIVE Our objective was to examine serum leptin prospectively as a predictor of weight and body fat growth in children at high risk for adult obesity. We hypothesized that leptin measurements would be positively associated with increased growth of adipose tissue because children with high baseline leptin for their body fat mass have greater leptin resistance and thus would have greater susceptibility to weight gain. METHODS Children ages 6-12 yr at high risk for adult obesity because of early-onset childhood overweight and/or parental overweight were recruited from 1996-2004. Growth in body mass index (BMI) was studied in 197 children, and growth in total body fat mass was examined in 149 children over an average follow-up interval of 4.4 yr (range, 1-8 yr). Longitudinal analyses accounted for sex, race, socioeconomic status, initial body composition, age, skeletal age, and physical activity and included all available interim visits for each individual so that a total of 982 subject visits were included in the analysis. RESULTS At baseline, 43% of children studied were overweight (BMI > or = 95th percentile); during follow-up, an additional 14% became overweight. Independent of initial body composition, baseline leptin was a statistically significant positive predictor of increased BMI (P = 0.0147) and increased total body fat mass (P < 0.007). CONCLUSIONS High serum leptin, independent of body fat, may be an indicator of increased leptin resistance, which predisposes children at high risk for adult obesity to somewhat greater growth in weight and body fat during childhood.
Maximizing Multicast Call Acceptance Rate in Multi-Channel Multi-Interface Wireless Mesh Networks

In this paper, we consider the problem of constructing bandwidth-guaranteed multicast tree in multi-channel multi-interface wireless mesh networks. We focus on the scenario of dynamic multicast call arrival, where each call has a specific bandwidth requirement. A call is accepted if a multicast tree with sufficient bandwidth on each link can be constructed. Intuitively, if the carried load on both the most-heavily loaded channel and the most-heavily loaded node is minimized, the traffic load in the network will be balanced. If the network load is balanced, more room will be available for accommodating future calls. This would maximize the call acceptance rate in the network. With the above notion of load balancing in mind, an Integer Linear Programming (ILP) formulation is formulated for constructing bandwidth-guaranteed tree. We show that the above problem is NP-hard, and an efficient heuristic algorithm called Largest Coverage Shortest-Path First (LC-SPF) is devised. Simulation results show that LC-SPF yields comparable call acceptance rate as the ILP formulation, but with much shorter running time.
Effect of mechanical closure of dead space on seroma formation after Breast surgery

Seroma, a collection of serous fluid, is the most common problem after breast surgery. The aim of this study was to review the effect of mechanical closure of dead space on seroma formation after breast surgery. There are two mechanical methods for closure of the dead space beneath skin flaps: compression by external pressure, and fixation of the flaps with sutures. There is no evidence to suggest that the routine use of a pressure garment or compression dressing is beneficial. However, it appears that suture flap fixation does reduce seroma formation, simplify postoperative care and dressing, and thus allow early removal of drains and discharge. Drains are helpful for mechanical closure of dead space, but in breastconserving surgery this technique may preclude the use of a drain. However, previous studies have often been small in scale and poor in quality. Further studies should examine the effect of this technique on quality of life, cosmesis, and medical economics.
Classification of combined motions in human joints through learning of individual motions based on muscle synergy theory

This paper proposes a novel method of pattern classification for user motions to create input signals for human-machine interfaces from electromyograms (EMGs) based on muscle synergy theory. The method can be adopted to represent non-trained combined motions (e.g., wrist flexion during hand grasping) using a recurrent neural network by combining synergy patterns of EMG signals preprocessed by the network. This approach allows combined motions (i.e., unlearned motions) to be classified through learning of individual motions (such as hand grasping and wrist flexion) only, meaning that the number of motions can be increased without increasing the number of learning samples or the learning time needed to control devices such as prosthetic hands. The effectiveness of the proposed method was demonstrated through motion classification tests and prosthetic hand control experiments with six subjects (including a forearm amputee). The results showed that 18 motions (12 combined and 6 single) could be classified sufficiently with learning for just 6 single motions (average rate: 89.2 ± 6.33%), and the amputee was able to control a prosthetic hand using single and combined motions at will.
Activation of autophagy in human skeletal muscle is dependent on exercise intensity and AMPK activation

In humans, nutrient deprivation and extreme endurance exercise both activate autophagy. We hypothesized that cumulating fasting and cycling exercise would potentiate activation of autophagy in skeletal muscle. Well‐trained athletes were divided into control (n = 8), low‐intensity (LI, n = 8), and high‐intensity (HI, n = 7) exercise groups and submitted to fed and fasting sessions. Muscle biopsy samples were obtained from the vastus lateralis before, at the end, and 1 h after a 2 h LI or HI bout of exercise. Phosphorylation of ULK1Ser317 was higher after exercise (P< 0.001). In both the fed and the fasted states, LC3bII protein level and LC3bII/I were decreased after LI and HI (P < 0.05), while p62/ SQSTM1 was decreased only 1 h after HI (P < 0.05), indicating an increased autophagic flux after HI. The autophagic transcriptional program was also activated, as evidenced by the increased level of LC3b, p62/ SQSTM1, GabarapL1, and Cathepsin L mRNAs observed after HI but not after LI. The increased autophagic flux after HI exercise could be due to increased AMP‐activated protein kinase α (AMPKα) activity, as both AMPKαThr72 and ACCSer79 had a higher phosphorylation state after HI (P < 0.001). In summary, the most effective strategy to activate autophagy in human skeletal muscle seems to rely on exercise intensity more than diet. — Schwalm, C. , Jamart, C. , Benoit, N. , Naslain, D. , Prémont, C. , Prévet, J., Van Thienen, R. , Deldicque, L. , Francaux, M. Activation of autophagy in human skeletal muscle is dependent on exercise intensity and AMPK activation. FASEB J. 29, 3515‐3526 (2015). www.fasebj. org
PsTRXh1 and PsTRXh2 Are Both Pea h-Type Thioredoxins with Antagonistic Behavior in Redox Imbalances12

Thioredoxins (TRXs) are small ubiquitous oxidoreductases involved in disulfide bond reduction of a large panel of target proteins. The most complex cluster in the family of plant TRXs is formed by h-type TRXs. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), nine members of this subgroup were described, which are less well known than their plastidial counterparts. The functional study of type-h TRXs is difficult because of the high number of isoforms and their similar biochemical characteristics, thus raising the question whether they have specific or redundant functions. Type-h TRXs are involved in seed germination and self incompatibility in pollen-pistil interaction. Their function as antioxidants has recently been proposed, but further work is needed to clarify this function in plants. In this study, we describe two new h-type TRXs from pea (Pisum sativum; stated PsTRXh1 and PsTRXh2). By functional complementation of a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) trx1Δ trx2Δ double mutant, we demonstrate that PsTRXh1 is involved in the redox-imbalance control, possibly through its interaction with peroxiredoxins. In contrast, PsTRXh2 provokes a phenotype of hypersensitivity to hydrogen peroxide in the yeast mutant. Furthermore, we show differential gene expression and protein accumulation of the two isoforms, PsTRXh1 protein being abundantly detected in vascular tissue and flowers, whereas PsTRXh2 gene expression was hardly detectable. By comparison with previous data of additional PsTRXh isoforms, our results indicate specific functions for the pea h-type TRXs so far described.
Comparison of penetration and scatter effects on defect contrast for GE and Siemens LEHR collimators in myocardial perfusion SPECT-a simulation study

The goal of this paper was to evaluate the effects of collimator penetration and scatter on myocardial SPECT image quality. We chose two designs: a LEHR collimator for GE Millennium VG with a longer bore and thicker septa, and a LEHR collimator for Siemens E.CAM with a shorter bore and thinner septa. These two collimators have similar resolution properties, but very different penetration fractions. In particular, the Siemens collimator has higher detection efficiency. We used Monte Carlo (MC) simulation to simulate projection data from the three-dimensional (3-D) NCAT phantom. For each collimator, we generated three sets of projection data: the first one included only the geometric components of the collimator response, the second one included both the geometric and penetration components, and the third one included geometric, penetration and collimator scatter components. The resulting projections were reconstructed with the OSEM algorithm including attenuation and geometric response compensation. For each collimator and reconstruction, we computed the defect contrast in a short-axis slice. We found very small differences in defect contrast between the two collimators with and without penetration and collimator-scattered photons. Since the collimator with higher penetration had greater detection efficiency and showed little loss in defect contrast, a collimator with higher penetration fraction may be acceptable for use in Tc-99 m myocardial perfusion imaging.
F1-ATPase conformational cycle from simultaneous single-molecule FRET and rotation measurements

Significance The major source of ATP in life is ATP synthase, and its catalytic part is known to be the F1 rotary motor. F1’s structure and function have been characterized in spectacular detail by crystallography and single-molecule techniques, respectively. However, despite more than two decades of intense research, the correspondence of the observed functional states and crystal structures is uncertain. To match structures and states, we perform single-molecule fluorescence-based distance measurements and simultaneous rotary angle measurements on F1-ATPase, and then exploit the wealth of structural data in their analysis. The resulting comprehensive view of the F1’s ATPase cycle reveals the functional principles in the coupling of chemical reactions, stator conformations, and rotary angles for efficient ATP synthesis. Despite extensive studies, the structural basis for the mechanochemical coupling in the rotary molecular motor F1-ATPase (F1) is still incomplete. We performed single-molecule FRET measurements to monitor conformational changes in the stator ring-α3β3, while simultaneously monitoring rotations of the central shaft-γ. In the ATP waiting dwell, two of three β-subunits simultaneously adopt low FRET nonclosed forms. By contrast, in the catalytic intermediate dwell, two β-subunits are simultaneously in a high FRET closed form. These differences allow us to assign crystal structures directly to both major dwell states, thus resolving a long-standing issue and establishing a firm connection between F1 structure and the rotation angle of the motor. Remarkably, a structure of F1 in an ε-inhibited state is consistent with the unique FRET signature of the ATP waiting dwell, while most crystal structures capture the structure in the catalytic dwell. Principal component analysis of the available crystal structures further clarifies the five-step conformational transitions of the αβ-dimer in the ATPase cycle, highlighting the two dominant modes: the opening/closing motions of β and the loosening/tightening motions at the αβ-interface. These results provide a new view of tripartite coupling among chemical reactions, stator conformations, and rotary angles in F1-ATPase.
Bayesian Analysis of an Admixture Model With Mutations and Arbitrarily Linked Markers

We introduce here a Bayesian analysis of a classical admixture model in which all parameters are simultaneously estimated. Our approach follows the approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) framework, relying on massive simulations and a rejection-regression algorithm. Although computationally intensive, this approach can easily deal with complex mutation models and partially linked loci, and it can be thoroughly validated without much additional computation cost. Compared to a recent maximum-likelihood (ML) method, the ABC approach leads to similarly accurate estimates of admixture proportions in the case of recent admixture events, but it is found superior when the admixture is more ancient. All other parameters of the admixture model such as the divergence time between parental populations, the admixture time, and the population sizes are also well estimated, unlike the ML method. The use of partially linked markers does not introduce any particular bias in the estimation of admixture, but ML confidence intervals are found too narrow if linkage is not specifically accounted for. The application of our method to an artificially admixed domestic bee population from northwest Italy suggests that the admixture occurred in the last 10–40 generations and that the parental Apis mellifera and A. ligustica populations were completely separated since the last glacial maximum.
Root-Associated Bacteria Contribute to Mineral Weathering and to Mineral Nutrition in Trees: a Budgeting Analysis

ABSTRACT The principal nutrient source for forest trees derives from the weathering of soil minerals which results from water circulation and from plant and microbial activity. The main objectives of this work were to quantify the respective effects of plant- and root-associated bacteria on mineral weathering and their consequences on tree seedling growth and nutrition. That is why we carried out two column experiments with a quartz-biotite substrate. The columns were planted with or without pine seedlings and inoculated or not with three ectomycorrhizosphere bacterial strains to quantify biotite weathering and pine growth and to determine how bacteria improve pine growth. We showed that the pine roots significantly increased biotite weathering by a factor of 1.3 for magnesium and 1.7 for potassium. We also demonstrated that the inoculation of Burkholderia glathei PML1(12) significantly increased biotite weathering by a factor of 1.4 for magnesium and 1.5 for potassium in comparison with the pine alone. In addition, we observed a significant positive effect of B. glathei PMB1(7) and PML1(12) on pine growth and on root morphology (number of lateral roots and root hairs). We demonstrated that PML1(12) improved pine growth when the seedlings were supplied with a nutrient solution which did not contain the nutrients present in the biotite. No improvement of pine growth was observed when the seedlings were supplied with all the nutrients necessary for pine growth. We therefore propose that the growth-promoting effect of B. glathei PML1(12) mainly resulted from the improved plant nutrition via increased mineral weathering.
Laparoscopic assisted radical cystoprostatectomy with Y-shaped orthotopic ileal neobladder constructed with non-absorbable titanium staples through a 5 cm Pfannensteil incision.

INTRODUCTION We performed a laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy followed by constructing a Y-shaped reservoir extra-corporeally with titanium staples through a 5-cm muscle-splitting Pfannenstiel incision. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE Upon completion of the extirpative part of the operation, the surgical specimen was entrapped and removed intact through a 5-cm Pfannenstiel incision. Through the extraction incision, the distal ileum was identified and a 40 cm segment isolated. With the aid of the laparoscope, the ureters were brought outside the abdominal cavity and freshened and spatulated for approximately 1.5-cm. Bilateral double J ureteral stents were then inserted up to the renal pelvis and the ureters were directly anastomosed to the open ends of the limbs of the neobladder. Following this, the isolated intestinal segment was arranged in a Y shape with two central segments of 14 cm and two limbs of 6 cm. The two central segments were brought together and detubularized, with two sequential firings of 80 x 3.5 mm and 60 x 3.5 mm non-absorbable mechanical stapler (Multifire GIA--US Surgical) inserted through an opening made at the lowest point of the neobladder on its anti-mesenteric border. The neobladder was reinserted inside the abdominal cavity and anastomosed to the urethra with intracorporeal laparoscopic free-hand suturing. CONCLUSION Although this procedure is feasible and the preliminary results encouraging, continued surveillance is necessary to determine the lithiasis-inducing potential of these titanium staples within the urinary tract.
hsp110 Protects Heat-denatured Proteins and Confers Cellular Thermoresistance*

The 110-kDa heat shock protein (hsp110) has long been recognized as one of the primary heat shock proteins in mammalian cells. It belongs to a recently described protein family that is a significantly diverged subgroup of the hsp70 family and has been found in organisms as diverse as yeast and mammals. We describe here the first analysis of the ability of hsp110 to protect cellular and molecular targets from heat damage. It was observed that the overexpression in vivo of hsp110 conferred substantial heat resistance to both Rat-1 and HeLa cells. In vitro heat denaturation and refolding assays demonstrate that hsp110 is highly efficient in selectively recognizing denatured proteins and maintaining them in a soluble, folding-competent state and is significantly more efficient in performing this function than is hsc70. hsp110-bound proteins can then be refolded by the addition of rabbit reticulocyte lysate or hsc70 and Hdj-1, whereas Hdj-1 does not itself function as a co-chaperone in folding with hsp110. hsp110 is one of the principal molecular chaperones of mammalian cells and represents a newly identified component of the primary protection/repair pathway for denatured proteins and thermotolerance expression in vivo.
Physicochemical characterization of cytostatic factors released from human monocytes

Cultured human monocytes released cytostatic activity upon in vitro activation with lymphokines and lipopolysaccharide. This activity was mainly due to the presence of two different cytostatic factors, termed CstF I and II, which were separated by ion-exchange chromatography. At neutral pH, CstF I bound to the weak anion exchanger DEAE-Sephacel but not to the weak cation exchanger CM-Sepharose, whereas CstF II bound to CM-Sepharose but not to DEAE-Sephacel. The molecular weights of CstF I and II as determined by gel filtration were 55,000 and 40,000, respectively. Upon chromatofocusing, CstF I behaved as if it had an isoelectric point of 5.3. Neither CstF I nor CstF II bound specifically to concanavalin A-Sepharose, indicating the absence of carbohydrate residues containing alpha-D-mannopyranosyl, alpha-D-glucopyranosyl, or sterically related components. Both factors were susceptible to inactivation by proteinase K, demonstrating their protein nature. CstF II was purified more than 3,000-fold upon chromatography on CM-Sepharose and Sephacryl S-200. Ion-exchange chromatography and chromatofocusing of CstF I removed 97% of the proteins in the monocyte supernatant, but only 15% of the activity was recovered, resulting in a fivefold purification of CstF I.