Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of comparative genomic hybridisation in prenatal diagnosis

The aims of this study were to assess the feasibility of using comparative genomic hybridisation instead of conventional cytogenetics in prenatal diagnosis and to determine the size of DNA loss that can be detected. Using comparative genomic hybridisation, six cases with standard aneuploidies were diagnosed correctly. This technique clearly identified a partial duplication of the long arm of chromosome 1 but was not capable of detecting the associated inversion. A small interstitial deletion on short arm of chromosome 10 also was detected precisely. Although the current comparative genomic hybridisation resolution is similar to the sensitivity of the highest resolution G banding, the latter is not a routine strategy in prenatal diagnosis. Comparative genomic hybridisation can allow full chromosome assessment equal to the highest resolution cytogenetic studies without the need for cell culture.
Specific amplification of Ehrlichia platys DNA from blood specimens by two-step PCR

A two-step PCR method for diagnosis of canine infectious cyclic thrombocytopenia was established. Three primers derived from the 16S and rRNA gene sequence were used to amplify genomic DNA specifically from Ehrlichia platys. Two-round amplification with DNA templates prepared from E. platys-infected blood specimens produced 742- and 385-bp fragments, but these products were not found when an Ehrlichia canis-infected blood sample and Escherichia coli were used. This method, for which the minimum detectable copy number in the blood specimen was estimated to be five ehrlichia inclusion within platelets, is more sensitive than single PCR amplification. These results demonstrate that this two-step PCR is highly sensitive and efficient for detecting the etiologic agent of canine infectious cyclic thrombocytopenia in blood. The same technique was applied to blood specimens collected from a dog inoculated with E. platys. Amplification of the target DNA fragments was observed with blood collected on the fifth day after inoculation, which indicates that this method is also feasible for early diagnosis of E. platys infection.
Rapid and mild silylation of β-amino alcohols at room temperature mediated by N-methylimidazole for enhanced detectability by gas chromatography/electron ionization mass spectrometry.

RATIONALE In this work, we expand the use of in situ activation of chloro(dimethyl)phenylsilane using N-methylimidazole (NMI) for the effective derivatization of β-aminoethyl alcohols. Due to its enhanced nucleophilic character, NMI is expected to act as an efficient activator in these reactions. METHODS The derivatization of a panel of β-aminoethyl alcohols was accomplished by reacting the analyte with chloro(dimethyl)phenylsilane in the presence of either NMI or pyridine. After the addition of chloro(dimethyl)phenylsilane, the vials were gently tumbled for 1 h at ambient temperature. The phenyldimethylsilyl derivatives were identified using gas chromatography/electron ionization mass spectrometry (GC/EI-MS). RESULTS A total of ten β-aminoethyl alcohols were successfully derivatized via in situ activation of chloro(dimethyl)-phenylsilane with NMI. Derivatization with NMI was significantly more efficient than with pyridine by a factor of 3-6 for the studied alcohols. The derivatizations in the presence of NMI were found to occur in just 1 h and were conveniently executed at ambient temperature. CONCLUSIONS The use of the nitrogenous base NMI in order to activate chloro(dimethyl)phenylsilane for the efficient silylation of a panel of β-aminoethyl alcohols has been demonstrated. The present work shows that NMI is an efficient base for the smooth derivatization of these types of alcohols. Furthermore, the installation of the bulky PDMS group onto these alcohols adds to the certainty that this is a viable approach for the installation of the more commonly employed, trimethylsilyl group. Published in 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Relation between a career and family life for English hospital consultants: qualitative, semistructured interview study

Abstract Objective: To explore the relation between work and family life among hospital consultants and their attitude towards the choices and constraints that influence this relation. Design: Qualitative study of consultants' experiences and views based on tape recorded semistructured interviews. Setting: Former South Thames health region in southeast England. Participants: 202 male and female NHS hospital consultants aged between 40 to 50 years representing all hospital medical specialties. Results: Three types of relation between work and family life (career dominant, segregated, and accommodating) were identified among hospital consultants. Most consultants had a segregated relation, although female consultants were more likely than male consultants to have a career dominant or an accommodating relation. Many male consultants and some female consultants expressed considerable dissatisfaction with the balance between their career and family life. A factor influencing this dissatisfaction was the perceived lack of choice to spend time on their personal or family life, because of the working practices and attitudes within hospital culture, if they wanted a successful career. Conclusions: Consultants are currently fitting in with the profession rather than the profession adapting to enable doctors to have fulfilling professional and personal lives. Current government policies to increase the medical workforce and promote family friendly policies in the NHS ought to take account of the need for a fundamental change in hospital culture to enable doctors to be more involved in their personal or family life without detriment to their career progress.
Impact of Alternative Land Management Options on Soil Fertility and Erosion in Uganda

Abstract Using a data set collected in eight districts of Uganda, this study investigates how investment in soil fertility management (SFM) and conservation practices may affect natural resource outcomes, particularly the extent and level of soil erosion and soil nutrient loss. The study used ordered probit models and the results suggest that investment in SFM and conservation practices greatly improves soil fertility and reduces soil erosion. From a policy perspective, public investment to encourage use of SFM and conservation technologies would help the country achieve sustainable agricultural production.
Peripheral purinergic receptor modulation influences the trigeminal ganglia nitroxidergic system in an experimental murine model of inflammatory orofacial pain

ATP plays an important role as an endogenous pain mediator generating and/or modulating pain signaling from the periphery to the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of peripheral purinergic receptors in modulation of the nitroxidergic system at a trigeminal ganglia level by monitoring changes in nitric oxide synthase isoforms. We also evaluated Fos‐positive neurons in brainstem (spinal trigeminal nucleus) and pain‐related behavior. We found that local administration of the P2 purinergic receptor antagonist pyridoxalphosphate‐6‐azophenyl‐2′,4′‐disulphonic acid (PPADS) decreased face‐rubbing activity, nitric oxide synthase isoform expression in trigeminal ganglia, and Fos expression in spinal trigeminal nucleus after subcutaneous injection of formalin. These results suggest a role for peripheral P2 purinergic receptors in orofacial pain transmission through modulation of the nitroxidergic system. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bancroftian filariasis in an irrigation project community in southern Ghana

Summary An epidemiological study to document the endemicity and transmission characteristics of bancroftian filariasis was conducted in an irrigation project community in southern Ghana. In a 50% random sample of the population, the prevalence of microfilaraemia was 26.4% and the geometric mean microfilarial intensity among positives was 819 microfilariae/ml of blood. Hydrocoele was found in 13.8% of the males aged >18 years, and 1.4% of the residents examined, all females, had lymphoedema/elephantiasis. Detailed monitoring of the microfilarial intensity in 8 individuals over a 24‐h period confirmed its nocturnal periodicity with a peak at approximately 0100 hours. The most important vector was Anopheles gambiae s.l. , followed by An. funestus. The abundance of these mosquitoes and their relative importance as vectors varied considerably between the wet and the dry season. Opening of the irrigation canals late in the dry season resulted in a remarkable increase in the population of An. gambiae (8.3% of which carried infective filarial larvae) to levels comparable to those seen during the wet season, suggesting that the irrigation project is responsible for increased transmission of lymphatic filariasis in the community.
Predator shadows: complex life histories as generators of spatially patterned indirect interactions across ecosystems

Ecological coupling by material exchanges or dispersal between spatially distinct communities has important impacts on ecological processes, such as diversity–stability relationships, ecosystem function, and food web dynamics. One important mode of coupling between ecosystems occurs via organisms with complex life histories, which often switch between distinct ecosystems during their life cycle, and so can be channels of material exchanges between these ecosystems. Some organisms with complex life histories (e.g. frogs, dragonflies) can be abundant and effective predators during one or more life stages, and so provide conduits for strong direct and indirect interactions across ecosystem boundaries, linking the dynamics of discrete and often quite dissimilar community types. We present simple models and a case study (tailored to pond ecosystems), to explore how interactions within larval habitats can indirectly impact ecological interactions in adult habitats. Using our case study as a springboard, we propose that cohorts of predators emerging from natal habitats (e.g. ponds) cast ‘predation shadows’ on the surrounding adult (e.g. terrestrial) landscape. Trophic interactions within ponds, and the distribution of ponds on the landscape, can thus affect the spatial pattern in the strength of these predation shadows, creating strong spatial patterning in terrestrial trophic cascades. Our findings emphasize the importance of organisms with complex life histories as generators of strong links across ecosystem boundaries, and as potential sources of spatial variation in the strength and indirect impacts of interspecific interactions.
Influenza B Virus BM2 Protein Is Transported through the trans-Golgi Network as an Integral Membrane Protein

ABSTRACT A bicistronic mRNA transcribed from the influenza B virus RNA segment 7 encodes two viral proteins, matrix protein M1 and uncharacterized small protein BM2. In the present study, we focused on the cytoplasmic transport and cellular membrane association of BM2. Immunofluorescence studies of virus-infected cells indicated that BM2 accumulated at the Golgi apparatus immediately after synthesis and then was transported to the plasma membrane through the trans-Golgi network. Localization of a set of BM2 deletion mutants revealed that the N-terminal half of BM2 (residues 2 to 50) was crucial for its transport; in particular, the deletion of residues 2 to 23, deduced to be a transmembrane domain, resulted in diffused distribution of the protein throughout the entire cell. Sucrose gradient flotation and biochemical analyses of the membrane showed that BM2 was tightly associated with cellular membranes as an integral membrane protein. Oligomerization of BM2 was demonstrated by coprecipitation of differentially epitope-tagged BM2 proteins. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that BM2 is integrated into the plasma membrane at the N-terminal hydrophobic domain as fourth membrane protein, in addition to hemagglutinin, neuraminidase, and NB, of the influenza B virus.
Study on protocol and required bandwidth for 5G mobile fronthaul in C-RAN architecture with MAC-PHY split

We propose the use of Small Cell Forum application program interface mapped over Radio over Ethernet frames to realize a transport interface for mobile fronthaul where the function of the base stations is split between MAC and PHY layers for 5G mobile with a centralized radio access network configuration. We confirmed that this approach successfully reduced the bandwidth required for the fronthaul to less than 10 Gbit/s by numerical simulation when the wireless system bandwidth was 600 Mbit/s for 16 streams per access point, owing to the statistical multiplexing effect described in our proposal.
A Structural Model for Bax∆2-Mediated Activation of Caspase 8-Dependent Apoptosis

Bax∆2 is a pro-apoptotic anti-tumor protein in the Bax family. While most of the Bax family causes cell death by targeting mitochondria, Bax∆2 forms cytosolic aggregates and activates caspase 8-dependent cell death. We previously showed that the Bax∆2 helix α9 is critical for caspase 8 recruitment. However, the interaction between these two proteins at the structural level is unknown. In this in silico study, we performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and protein–protein docking on Bax∆2 variants. The results suggest that the Bax∆2 variants have different stable states. Mutating the Baxα mitochondria-targeting signal [L26P/L27P] appears to introduce a kink into helix α1. Protein–protein docking suggests that helices α9 of both wild-type Bax∆2 and Bax∆2 caspase 8 binding-deficient mutant [L164P] can fit in the same caspase 8 binding site, but the mutant is unable to fit as well as wild-type Bax∆2. Together, these data point to a structural basis for explaining Bax∆2 function in caspase 8-dependent cell death.
FDA will not regulate most mobile medical apps

The US Food and Drug Administration will leave most mobile medical applications unregulated while it focuses its oversight on apps that present the greatest risk of harming patients should they not work as intended, the agency said on Monday 23 September. “Some mobile apps carry minimal risks to consumers or patients, but others can carry significant risks if they do not operate correctly,” said Jeffrey Shuren, director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, in a …
Sparse pallidal connections shape synchrony in a network model of the basal ganglia

Neural synchrony in the basal ganglia, especially in the beta frequency band (13–30 Hz), is a hallmark of Parkinson's disease and considered as antikinetic. In contrast, the healthy basal ganglia show low levels of synchrony. It is currently unknown where synchrony and oscillations arise in the parkinsonian brain and how they are transmitted through the basal ganglia, as well as what makes them dependent on dopamine. The external part of the globus pallidus has recently been identified as a hub nucleus in the basal ganglia, possessing intrinsic inhibitory connections and possibly also gap junctions. In this study, we show that in a conductance‐based network model of the basal ganglia, the combination of sparse, high‐conductance inhibitory synapses and sparse, low‐conductance gap junctions in the external part of the globus pallidus could effectively desynchronize the whole network. However, when gap junction coupling became strong enough, the effect was impeded and activity synchronized. In particular, sustained periods of beta coherence occurred between some neuron pairs. As gap junctions can change their conductance with the dopamine level, we suggest pallidal gap junction coupling as a mechanism contributing to the development of beta synchrony in the parkinsonian basal ganglia.
Estrogen receptor: methodology matters.

The estrogen receptor (ER) has been our most important biomarker in breast cancer for more than 30 years, largely because of its role in indicating the potential of patients to benefit from endocrine therapy. The substantial survival benefit from tamoxifeninER-positivebutnotER-negativetumors, 1 andtheextension of this benefit with aromatase inhibitors in postmenopausal patients, has made treatment with one of these well-tolerated endocrine agents mandatory in ER-positive disease; therefore, ER measurement has been rendered essential for all invasive primary breast carcinomas. ER-positive tumors have a better prognosis in the early years after diagnosis, which is at least partly due to their slower proliferation, although it has become clear that recurrencefree survival curves come together after about 15 years, 1 which
Rotation Averaging and Strong Duality

In this paper we explore the role of duality principles within the problem of rotation averaging, a fundamental task in a wide range of computer vision applications. In its conventional form, rotation averaging is stated as a minimization over multiple rotation constraints. As these constraints are non-convex, this problem is generally considered challenging to solve globally. We show how to circumvent this difficulty through the use of Lagrangian duality. While such an approach is well-known it is normally not guaranteed to provide a tight relaxation. Based on spectral graph theory, we analytically prove that in many cases there is no duality gap unless the noise levels are severe. This allows us to obtain certifiably global solutions to a class of important non-convex problems in polynomial time. We also propose an efficient, scalable algorithm that outperforms general purpose numerical solvers and is able to handle the large problem instances commonly occurring in structure from motion settings. The potential of this proposed method is demonstrated on a number of different problems, consisting of both synthetic and real-world data.
Comparative Analysis of Extracellular and Intracellular Proteomes of Listeria monocytogenes Strains Reveals a Correlation between Protein Expression and Serovar

ABSTRACT Listeria monocytogenes, the etiologic agent of listeriosis, remains a serious public health concern, with its frequent occurrence in food environments coupled with a high mortality rate. Among the 13 serovars, human listeriosis is mostly associated with the serovar 4b, 1/2b, and 1/2a strains. To investigate the diversity of L. monocytogenes, the intracellular and extracellular proteins of 12 strains were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. These strains had different origins, belonged to different serovars (4b, 1/2a, and 1/2b), and presented with different levels of virulence in chicken embryos. The clustering of the strains in two groups based on proteomic patterns is in agreement with the L. monocytogenes phylogenetic lineages. Statistical analysis did not allow for identification of proteins specific to the isolate origin or the virulence level of the strains, but 26 and 21 protein spots were shown to be significantly overexpressed and underexpressed, respectively, in the six strains of serovar 1/2a (lineage II) compared to strains of serovar 1/2b or 4b. Moreover, a penicillin-binding protein was specific for serovar 1/2b and two protein spots identified as a serine protease were specific to serovar 4b. These protein spots, identified through peptide mass fingerprinting using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, were essentially found in the extracellular proteome and may have uses as potential markers for serotyping and risk analysis.
Can existing mobile apps support healthier food purchasing behaviour? Content analysis of nutrition content, behaviour change theory and user quality integration

Abstract Objective To assess the quality of nutrition content and the integration of user quality components and behaviour change theory relevant to food purchasing behaviour in a sample of existing mobile apps. Design Descriptive comparative analysis of eleven mobile apps comprising an assessment of their alignment with existing evidence on nutrition, behaviour change and user quality, and their potential ability to support healthier food purchasing behaviour. Setting Mobile apps freely available for public use in GoogePlay were assessed and scored according to agreed criteria to assess nutrition content quality and integration of behaviour change theory and user quality components. Subjects A sample of eleven mobile apps that met predefined inclusion criteria to ensure relevance and good quality. Results The quality of the nutrition content varied. Improvements to the accuracy and appropriateness of nutrition content are needed to ensure mobile apps support a healthy behaviour change process and are accessible to a wider population. There appears to be a narrow focus towards behaviour change with an overemphasis on behavioural outcomes and a small number of behaviour change techniques, which may limit effectiveness. A significant effort from the user was required to use the mobile apps appropriately which may negatively influence user acceptability and subsequent utilisation. Conclusions Existing mobile apps may offer a potentially effective approach to supporting healthier food purchasing behaviour but improvements in mobile app design are required to maximise their potential effectiveness. Engagement of mobile app users and nutrition professionals is recommended to support effective design.
Fiber type-specific distribution of M-band proteins in chicken muscle.

The functions of two myofibrillar proteins, myomesin (Mr 185,000) and M-protein (Mr 165,000), associated with the M-band are as yet unknown. To extend our knowledge of these proteins, we have examined chicken striated muscles with fast and slow contractile properties, e.g., pectoralis major, PLD, ALD, medial adductor, and lateral adductor, to determine the expression and isoform composition of myomesin and M-protein in various muscles and fiber types. The high molecular weight M-band proteins were characterized and quantitated using monoclonal antibodies in immunoblotting and double-antibody sandwich ELISA. Fiber specificity was determined by immuno- and enzyme histochemistry. In addition to the previously reported Mr 195,000 and 190,000 isoforms of myomesin in heart [Grove et al. (1985): J Cell Biol 101:1431], the Mr 185,000 myomesin in skeletal muscles may represent different isoforms in fast and slow muscles on the basis of distinctive degradation patterns. M-protein has the same molecular weight in striated chicken muscles and degradation patterns indicate only one isoform. The low quantities of M-protein in slow muscles were shown to be due to the absence of M-protein in two of the generally recognized slow fiber types, types I and III. Thus, M-protein was present only in fast type II fibers, whereas myomesin was ubiquitous in all fiber types. Whatever the causal relationship, M-protein appears to function in fast motor units composed of type II fibers.
Variable-Body-Factor SOI MOSFET With Ultrathin Buried Oxide for Adaptive Threshold Voltage and Leakage Control

This paper describes a new device concept [a variable-body-factor fully depleted silicon-on-insulator (SOI) MOSFET], where the body factor is modulated by the substrate bias. The buried oxide in the SOI substrate is extremely thin. The operation principle, simulation result, measurement data of dc characteristics, and measurement data of ring oscillators are described, and the low-power/high-speed characteristics of this new device concept is discussed. It is also shown that the device concept is applicable to multiple-gate structures such as a FinFET.