Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Real-Time PCR Protocols for Differential Laboratory Diagnosis of Amebiasis

ABSTRACT Specific identification of Entamoeba spp. in clinical specimens is an important confirmatory diagnostic step in the management of patients who may be infected with Entamoeba histolytica, the species that causes clinical amebiasis. Distinct real-time PCR protocols have recently been published for identification of E. histolytica and differentiation from the morphologically identical nonpathogenic Entamoeba dispar. In this study, we compared three E. histolytica real-time PCR techniques published by December 2004. The limits of detection and efficiency of each real-time PCR assay were determined using DNA extracted from stool samples spiked with serially diluted cultured E. histolytica trophozoites. The ability of each assay to correctly distinguish E. histolytica from E. dispar was evaluated with DNA extracted from patients' stools and liver aspirates submitted for confirmatory diagnosis. Real-time PCR allowed quantitative analysis of the spiked stool samples, but major differences in detection limits and assay performance were observed among the evaluated tests. These results illustrate the usefulness of comparative evaluations of diagnostic assays.
FLIM FRET Technology for Drug Discovery: Automated Multiwell-Plate High-Content Analysis, Multiplexed Readouts and Application in Situ**

A fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) technology platform intended to read out changes in Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) efficiency is presented for the study of protein interactions across the drug-discovery pipeline. FLIM provides a robust, inherently ratiometric imaging modality for drug discovery that could allow the same sensor constructs to be translated from automated cell-based assays through small transparent organisms such as zebrafish to mammals. To this end, an automated FLIM multiwell-plate reader is described for high content analysis of fixed and live cells, tomographic FLIM in zebrafish and FLIM FRET of live cells via confocal endomicroscopy. For cell-based assays, an exemplar application reading out protein aggregation using FLIM FRET is presented, and the potential for multiple simultaneous FLIM (FRET) readouts in microscopy is illustrated.
Effective interactions and shell model studies of heavy tin isotopes

We present results from large-scale shell model calculations of even and odd tin isotopes from {sup 134}Sn to {sup 142}Sn with a shell model space defined by the 1f{sub 7/2}, 2p{sub 3/2}, 0h{sub 9/2}, 2p{sub 1/2}, 1f{sub 5/2}, and 0i{sub 13/2} single-particle orbits. An effective two-body interaction based on modern nucleon-nucleon interactions is employed. The shell model results are in turn analyzed for their pairing content using a generalized seniority approach. Our results indicate that a pairing model picture captures a great deal of the structure and the correlations of the lowest lying states for even and odd isotopes.
MAGIC upper limits to the VHE gamma-ray flux of 3C 454.3 in high emission state

Aims. We report upper limits to the very high energy flux (E > 100 GeV) of the flat spectrum radio quasar 3C454.3 (z = 0.859) derived by the Cherenkov telescope MAGIC during the high states of July/August and November/December 2007. We compare the upper limits derived in both time slots with the available quasi-simultaneous MeV-GeV data from the AGILE gamma-ray satellite and interpret the observational results in the context of leptonic emission models. Methods. The source was observed with the MAGIC telescope during the active phases of July-August 2007 and November-December 2007 and the data were analyzed with the MAGIC standard analysis tools. For the periods around the ends of July and November, characterized by the most complete multifrequency coverage, we constructed the spectral energy distributions using our data together with nearly simultaneous multifrequency (optical, UV, X-ray and GeV) data. Results. Only upper limits can be derived from the MAGIC data. The upper limits, once corrected for the expected absorption by the extragalactic background light, together with nearly simultaneous multifrequency data, allow us to constrain the spectral energy distribution of 3C 454.3. The data are consistent with the model expectations based on inverse Compton scattering of the ambient photons from the broad line region by relativistic electrons, which robustly predicts a sharp cut-off above 20-30 GeV.
Catalase Deficiency and Type 2 Diabetes Readers may use this article as long as the work is properly cited, the use is educational and not for profit, and the work is not altered. See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ for details.

Recent data suggest that at low concentrations hydrogen peroxide acts as a cellular messenger in insulin signaling, whereas at high concentrations it is toxic, particularly in pancreatic cells, which are catalase poor. Erythrocyte catalase is the main regulator of hydrogen peroxide metabolism; any inherited or acquired deficiencies in erythrocyte catalase may cause increased hydrogen peroxide concentrations with both toxic and physiological effects. Examination of 23,150 Hungarian subjects detected 2 acatalasemic homozygotes and 63 hypocatalasemic heterozygotes. The two acatalasemic subjects and five of the hypocatalasemic subjects had type 2 diabetes, and one hypocatalasemic subject had type 1 diabetes. The 11% frequency of type 2 diabetes among the 65 catalase-deficient subjects was significantly different ( P < 0.005) from the 0% frequency among their normocatalasemic relatives and the 1.75% frequency …
2-Aminoethoxydiphenyl Borate Is a Common Activator of TRPV1, TRPV2, and TRPV3*

The transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily contains a large number of proteins encoding cation permeable channels that are further divided into TRPC (canonical), TRPM (melastatin), and TRPV (vanilloid) subfamilies. Among the six TRPV members, TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPV3, and TRPV4 form heat-activated cation channels, which serve diverse functions ranging from nociception to osmolality regulation. Although chemical activators for TRPV1 and TRPV4 are well documented, those for TRPV2 and TRPV3 are lacking. Here we show that in the absence of other stimuli, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2APB) activates TRPV1, TRPV2, and TRPV3, but not TRPV4, TRPV5, and TRPV6 expressed in HEK293 cells. In contrast, 2APB inhibits the activity of TRPC6 and TRPM8 evoked by 1-oleolyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol and menthol, respectively. In addition, low levels of 2APB strongly potentiate the effect of capsaicin, protons, and heat on TRPV1 as well as that of heat on TRPV3 expressed in Xenopus oocytes. In dorsal root ganglia neurons, supra-additive stimulations were evoked by 2APB and capsaicin or 2APB and acid. Our data suggest the existence of a common activation mechanism for TRPV1, TRPV2, and TRPV3 that may serve as a therapeutic target for pain management and treatment for diseases caused by hypersensitivity and temperature misregulation.
A Phase II Trial Evaluating the Safety of Rapid Infusion of Ofatumumab in Patients with Previously Treated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Lessons Learned. Ofatumumab infusion reactions can be diminished by escalating the dose rate in individual patients in sequential infusions. Background. Ofatumumab (OFA) is a fully humanized, anti‐CD20 antibody approved for use in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The recommended administration requires long infusion times. We evaluated an accelerated infusion regimen of 2 hours. Methods. The first dose of OFA (300 mg) was given on week 1 day 1 starting at 3.6 mg/hour and doubling every 30 minutes until a rate of 240 mg/hour was reached. If tolerated, the second dose (1,000 mg) was given on week 1 day 3 starting at 50 mg/hour and doubling every 30 minutes until a rate of 800 mg/hour was reached. If tolerated, the third dose (2,000 mg) was given on week 2 day 1 at 800 mg/hour over the first 30 minutes and, if tolerated, at 1,068 mg/hour over the next 90 minutes (goal infusion time: 120 minutes). Subsequent OFA infusions were administered weekly in the same manner for 8 weeks, and then monthly for 4 months. Results. Thirty‐four patients were treated. Most infusion‐related reactions occurred during the first and second infusion. Eighty‐seven percent (87%) of patients finished the third infusion within 15 minutes of the planned 2 hours and only one had an infusion reaction. Conclusion. Using this stepped‐up dosing regimen, a rapid infusion of OFA is safe and well tolerated.
RhoA–ROCK and p38MAPK-MSK1 mediate vitamin D effects on gene expression, phenotype, and Wnt pathway in colon cancer cells

The active vitamin D metabolite 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) inhibits proliferation and promotes differentiation of colon cancer cells through the activation of vitamin D receptor (VDR), a transcription factor of the nuclear receptor superfamily. Additionally, 1,25(OH)2D3 has several nongenomic effects of uncertain relevance. We show that 1,25(OH)2D3 induces a transcription-independent Ca2+ influx and activation of RhoA–Rho-associated coiled kinase (ROCK). This requires VDR and is followed by activation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and mitogen- and stress-activated kinase 1 (MSK1). As shown by the use of chemical inhibitors, dominant-negative mutants and small interfering RNA, RhoA–ROCK, and p38MAPK-MSK1 activation is necessary for the induction of CDH1/E-cadherin, CYP24, and other genes and of an adhesive phenotype by 1,25(OH)2D3. RhoA–ROCK and MSK1 are also required for the inhibition of Wnt–β-catenin pathway and cell proliferation. Thus, the action of 1,25(OH)2D3 on colon carcinoma cells depends on the dual action of VDR as a transcription factor and a nongenomic activator of RhoA–ROCK and p38MAPK-MSK1.
HTTP-based Solutions to The Extension of the NCS Brain Simulator

The NCS brain simulator is a tool that allows neuroscientists to create biologicallyrealistic simulations of neurons and neural networks. NCS, while powerful, is written in C++/CUDA, and by itself would not be easy or desirable for a neuroscientist with hardly any programming experience to create a model in this kind of low-level environment. To facilitate the use of less-technical means of interacting with the simulator, some kind of intermediary is needed to interact with the brain simulator and turn high-level concepts neuroscientists are familiar with into a lower-level format that the simulator can use. To do this, we have created a service that interacts with external programs and services using a RESTful HTTP interface. This service handles the operation of the NCS simulator, access control, session management, data storage and retrieval, and other functions related to the operation of the brain simulator. Implementing the service as a RESTful interface allows for the easy integration of other technologies such as Javascript and Python. Using this interface, we have created a suite of browser-based tools, as well as a Python client library to work with the simulator. These tools provide a higher-level method of building, reporting, and visualizing simulations, which are critical for neuroscientists to be able to effectively use the simulator.
Does Erythropoietin Regulate TRPC Channels in Red Blood Cells?

Background: Cation channels play an essential role in red blood cells (RBCs) ion homeostasis. One set of ion channels are the transient receptor potential channels of canonical type (TRPC channels). The abundance of these channels in primary erythroblasts, erythroid cell lines and RBCs was associated with an increase in intracellular Ca<sup>2+</sup> upon stimulation with Erythropoietin (Epo). In contrast two independent studies on Epo-treated patients revealed diminished basal Ca<sup>2+</sup> concentration or reduced phosphatidylserine exposure to the outer membrane leaflet. Methods: To resolve the seemingly conflicting reports we challenged mature human and mouse RBCs of several genotypes with Epo and Prostaglandin E<sub>2</sub> (PGE<sub>2</sub>) and recorded the intracellular Ca<sup>2+</sup> content. Next Generation Sequencing was utilised to approach a molecular analysis of reticulocytes. Results/Conclusions: Our results allow concluding that Epo and PGE<sub>2</sub> regulation of the Ca<sup>2+</sup> homeostasis is distinctly different between murine and human RBCs and that changes in intracellular Ca<sup>2+</sup> upon Epo treatment is a primary rather than a compensatory effect. In human RBCs, Epo itself has no effect on Ca<sup>2+</sup> fluxes but inhibits the PGE<sub>2</sub>-induced Ca<sup>2+</sup> entry. In murine mature RBCs functional evidence indicates TRPC4/C5 mediated Ca<sup>2+</sup> entry activated by Epo whereas PGE<sub>2</sub> leads to a TRPC independent Ca<sup>2+</sup> entry.
How Do Gifted Girls Perceive the Meaning of Life?

This paper explores gifted girls' perceptions on the meaning of life. Ninety-five gifted sixth-grade students completed tests on moral reasoning (DIT) and spiritual sensitivity. Two illustrative cases of girls who had either high or low scores in the tests are presented with phenomenological analysis of their perceptions on the meaning of life. The cases of Jean and Susan show that students with similar academic profiles can have very different world-views and orientations in life. These differences are reflected in their spiritual sensitivity and moral judgment. Furthermore, the world-views can guide gifted girls in their career choices more than their academic strengths. The main challenge to teachers and counsellors is to guide gifted girls to make career choices that make them happy. The counsellors need to show gifted girls that their professional choices can suit their personal life orientations. In this process educators should be aware of the world-views of gifted girls.
Role Model has an Impact on Fan’s Social view, Political view, Educational level, Motivation and Thoughts

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of role model upon fan’s social view, political view, educational level, motivation and thoughts. Results of this study are drawn through a survey where Fatima Bhutto is taken as a role model and her fans are included in the survey. Research results proves that an ideal personality changes our thoughts, believes and ideas regarding our social, political, educational and motivational decisions.
La nouveauté d'un genre ancien : Louis Henry et la fondation de la démographie historique

Pourquoi Louis Henry a-t-il cree une discipline scientifique, la demographie historique, qui domine l’histoire des populations des annees 1950 aux annees 1980, en remontrant meme a l’ecole des Annales? Au-dela de l’historiographie et de l’histoire des theories demographiques, la reponse suppose une histoire de l’Etat, des politiques publiques, des institutions demographiques et des politiques de population. Apres 1945, les organisations internationales, notamment la Division de la population a l’Onu, donnent a la demographie analytique a la Lotka une assise planetaire. Elles s’interessent particulierement a la fecondite. Le baby-boom des pays riches remet en cause l’idee de previsions demographiques, la notion de transition demographique, et menace les systemes d’allocations familiales. L’expansion de la population mondiale souleve la question du controle des naissances dans les pays en developpement. Les demographes souhaitent determiner la « fecondite naturelle », qui serait celle de populations ne pratiquant pas la contraception, mais butent sur les problemes d’enregistrement statistique dans le Tiers-Monde. Pour Henry, les registres paroissiaux de l’Ancien Regime permettent de les surmonter. L’actualite du probleme est telle qu’Alfred Sauvy a l’Ined accepte de financer ses etudes, et que les grands demographes de son epoque comme Notestein, Glass ou Hajnal sont d’emblee convaincus que la demographie historique apporte une contribution majeure a la demographie theorique.
Independent Prospective Multicenter Validation of Biochemical Markers (Fibrotest–Actitest) for the Prediction of Liver Fibrosis and Activity in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C: The Fibropaca Study

OBJECTIVES:Fibrotest (FT) and Actitest (AT) are biochemical markers of fibrosis and activity for use as a non-invasive alternative to liver biopsy in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). The aim of this study was to perform an external validation of FT and AT and to study the discordances between FT/AT and liver biopsy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.METHODS:A total of 519 consecutive patients with chronic HCV were prospectively included in five centers, with liver biopsy and biochemical markers taken at the same day. Fifteen patients were excluded because their biopsies could not be interpreted. Diagnostic accuracies were assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.RESULTS:Median biopsy size was 15 mm (range: 2–58), with 9 portal tracts (1–37) and 1 fragment (1–12). 46% (230/504) were classified F2–F4 in fibrosis and 39% A2–A3 in activity. FT area under ROC curve for diagnosis of activity (A2–A3), significant fibrosis (F2–F4), and severe fibrosis (F3–F4) were 0.73 [0.69–0.77], 0.79 [0.75–0.82], and 0.80 [0.76–0.83], respectively. Among the 92 patients (18%) with 2 fibrosis stages of discordance between FT and biopsy, the discordance was attributable to FT in 5% of cases, to biopsy in 4%, and undetermined in 9%. CONCLUSIONS:This prospective independent and multicenter study confirms the diagnostic value of FT and AT found in the princeps study and suggests that FT and AT can be an alternative to biopsy in most patients with chronic HCV.
Chromosome and Linear Plasmid Sequences of a 2015 Human Isolate of the Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever Spirochete, Borrelia turicatae

ABSTRACT The sequences of the complete linear chromosome and 7 linear plasmids of the relapsing fever spirochete Borrelia turicatae are presented in this report. The 925,547 bp of chromosome and 380,211 bp of plasmid sequence were predicted to contain a total of 1,131 open reading frames, with an average G+C content of 29.7%.
Adaptive behavior and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Adaptive Behavior is a construct originally invented as a prong for diagnosing Mental Retardation, but it has come to also play a role in diagnosing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). In this paper, we: (a) describe the meaning and measurement of adaptive behavior, including the need for improved measures (b) illustrate clinical and research uses of the construct, in establishing the diagnosis and behavioral profile of people who have FASD and (c) discuss the forensic uses of adaptive behavior for people with FASD in establishing a mitigation case in criminal proceedings, including possible extension of Atkins (death penalty exemption) protection for people with organic impairments who function just as if they have mental retardation in spite of possessing IQ scores in the borderline range.
Improving antibiotic prescribing in acute respiratory tract infections: cluster randomised trial from Norwegian general practice (prescription peer academic detailing (Rx-PAD) study)

Objective To assess the effects of a multifaceted educational intervention in Norwegian general practice aiming to reduce antibiotic prescription rates for acute respiratory tract infections and to reduce the use of broad spectrum antibiotics. Design Cluster randomised controlled study. Setting Existing continuing medical education groups were recruited and randomised to intervention or control. Participants 79 groups, comprising 382 general practitioners, completed the interventions and data extractions. Interventions The intervention groups had two visits by peer academic detailers, the first presenting the national clinical guidelines for antibiotic use and recent research evidence on acute respiratory tract infections, the second based on feedback reports on each general practitioner’s antibiotic prescribing profile from the preceding year. Regional one day seminars were arranged as a supplement. The control arm received a different intervention targeting prescribing practice for older patients. Main outcome measures Prescription rates and proportion of non-penicillin V antibiotics prescribed at the group level before and after the intervention, compared with corresponding data from the controls. Results In an adjusted, multilevel model, the effect of the intervention on the 39 intervention groups (183 general practitioners) was a reduction (odds ratio 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.61 to 0.84) in prescribing of antibiotics for acute respiratory tract infections compared with the controls (40 continuing medical education groups with 199 general practitioners). A corresponding reduction was seen in the odds (0.64, 0.49 to 0.82) for prescribing a non-penicillin V antibiotic when an antibiotic was issued. Prescriptions per 1000 listed patients increased from 80.3 to 84.6 in the intervention arm and from 80.9 to 89.0 in the control arm, but this reflects a greater incidence of infections (particularly pneumonia) that needed treating in the intervention arm. Conclusions The intervention led to improved antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections in a representative sample of Norwegian general practitioners, and the courses were feasible to the general practitioners. Trial registration Clinical trials NCT00272155.
“I feel I mean something to someone”: solution-focused brief therapy support groups for bullied schoolchildren

The aim of this study was to investigate how bullied schoolchildren experience solution-focused brief therapy support groups, and to examine how members of the support group experience their participation in the group. An explorative qualitative design, with individual and focus group interviews, was used. The sample consisted of 19 schoolchildren, aged 12–13 years, three of whom were bullied. Six individual interviews were conducted with the bullied children and three focus group interviews were held with the support groups. The bullied children reported that the bullying stopped after they received help from the support group and the improvements remained after three months. Their daily lives at school changed and they felt safer and happier and made friends. Members of the support groups reported that they were doing a meaningful job in helping the victims. It is important that school nurses, educational psychologists and teachers, together with parents, follow up bullied children, to prevent further bullying.
An Automatic Classification of Lung Tissue Using Density Based Approach

The main objective is to develop a technique for classifying the lung tissue as well as finding lung cancer and ranking its severity. To classify the lung tissue the existing system is used. In the existing system Sparse based features are used for classification. In proposed system the lung cancer is detected and segmented. To do this the bee colony technique is used. Before applying the bee colony pre-processing techniques are considered to remove the noise and contrast enhancement. After segmentation the next step is to ranking the severity of the cancer tissues. To perform this process the density based approach is used. Keywords—Gabor LBP,labeling,multi-coordinate HOG, patch adaptive, Rotation Invariant, bee colony.
Third Gender: A Qualitative Study of the Experience of Individuals Who Identify as Being Neither Man nor Woman

SUMMARY The lives and experiences of 30individuals (ages 29to 77, from across the U.S.) who experience themselves as neither man nor woman, but “more like a third gender,” were explored using in-depth interviews and qualitative content analysis based on Grounded Theory. This group exhibited a high degree of resilience, courage, compassion and creativity developed through lifelong struggles with identity and authenticity issues, and by facing ostracism, pressures to conform, and actual or threatened violence. Parallels suggested by third-gendered roles of non-Western cultures include a significant number (93%) reporting experiences of transcendent spiritual events or unusual abilities. Other parallels include considerable numbers of artists, healers, and acting in mediating and leadership roles.