Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection in Young Men: What we Need to Know?

Chlamydia trachomatis infections are the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infections worldwide. Because Chlamydia trachomatis infections are asymptomatic in approximately 50% of infected men and 70% of infected women, there is a high risk for reproductive tract sequelae and high diffusion of the disease. Recently, some studies improved the comprehension of this infection and its natural history highlighting the fact that severe complications can be avoided only by a proper early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. We reviewed the literature relating to the new findings in the treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in sexually active young men. Articles from 1960–2014 were identified through a Medline search using the keyword “Chlamydia trachomatis” combined with “urethritis”, “epididymitis”, “prostatitis”, “treatment”, or “management”. Several studies highlighted that Chlamydia are only metabolically active in the host cell and therefore only targeted intracellularly by antibiotics. However, even if the standard therapy includes intracellulary-accumulated antibiotics such as tetracyclines or macrolides, recent evidences highlight the role of quinolones. In particular, recent studies highlight the role of prulifloxacin in the treatment of chronic prostatitis patients for improving patient’s quality of life and decreasing the IL-8 level. However, there is a need for future studies and to diffuse the knowledge about Chlamydia trachomatis especially in urological clinical practice, in order to reduce the risk for failure diagnosis.
Self-Concept, Self-Esteem, Gender, Race, and Information Technology Use

This research addressed two fundamental questions regarding self-concept, self-esteem, gender, race, and information technology use. First, is technology use related to dimensions of self-concept and/or to self-esteem? Second, are there gender and/or race differences in self-concept, self-esteem, and technology use? Five hundred youth, average age 12 years old, one third African American and two thirds Caucasian American, completed multidimensional measures of self-concept, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, and measures of frequency of Internet use, Internet use for communication (e-mail and instant messaging), video game playing, and cell phone use. Findings indicated that technology use predicted dimensions of self-concept and self-esteem, with video game playing having a negative influence and Internet use having a positive influence on self-concept dimensions. Gender differences were observed on several self-concept dimensions, but contrary to expectations, girls did not score higher than boys in social self-concept. Only one race difference was observed: African Americans had lower behavioral self-concept than did Caucasian Americans. Implications of the benefits and liabilities of youth's current and projected technology use are discussed.
Legal Considerations in Providing Special Education Services in Parochial Schools

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires public school districts to provide special education and related services to students with disabilities enrolled in private schools. When the private school is a parochial school this issue may be complicated because of the First Amendment's separation of church and state doctrine. Until recently, providing most on-site special education services was prohibited. A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision lifted the ban, and the 1997 amendments to IDEA have helped to clarify a school district's obligation for providing services to parochial school students. In this article the authors summarize and analyze the major court decisions concerned with the provision of special education and related services to parochial school students and discuss their implications for providing on-site special education services at parochial schools. In particular, two questions are addressed: Must private school students with disabilities be provided with the same level of services as their public school peers? Are school districts required to provide parochial school students with on-site special education services?
SPARC–Dependent Cardiomyopathy in Drosophila

Background—The Drosophila heart is an important model for studying the genetics underpinning mammalian cardiac function. The system comprises contractile cardiomyocytes, adjacent to which are pairs of highly endocytic pericardial nephrocytes that modulate cardiac function by uncharacterized mechanisms. Identifying these mechanisms and the molecules involved is important because they may be relevant to human cardiac physiology. Methods and Results—This work aimed to identify circulating cardiomodulatory factors of potential relevance to humans using the Drosophila nephrocyte–cardiomyocyte system. A Kruppel-like factor 15 (dKlf15) loss-of-function strategy was used to ablate nephrocytes and then heart function and the hemolymph proteome were analyzed. Ablation of nephrocytes led to a severe cardiomyopathy characterized by a lengthening of diastolic interval. Rendering adult nephrocytes dysfunctional by disrupting their endocytic function or temporally conditional knockdown of dKlf15 led to a similar cardiomyopathy. Proteomics revealed that nephrocytes regulate the circulating levels of many secreted proteins, the most notable of which was the evolutionarily conserved matricellular protein Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine (SPARC), a protein involved in mammalian cardiac function. Finally, reducing SPARC gene dosage ameliorated the cardiomyopathy that developed in the absence of nephrocytes. Conclusions—The data implicate SPARC in the noncell autonomous control of cardiac function in Drosophila and suggest that modulation of SPARC gene expression may ameliorate cardiac dysfunction in humans.
A web-based genotyping resource for viral sequences

The Genotyping tool at the National Center for Biotechnology Information is a web-based program that identifies the genotype (or subtype) of recombinant or non-recombinant viral nucleotide sequences. It works by using BLAST to compare a query sequence to a set of reference sequences for known genotypes. Predefined reference genotypes exist for three major viral pathogens: human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). User-defined reference sequences can be used at the same time. The query sequence is broken into segments for comparison to the reference so that the mosaic organization of recombinant sequences could be revealed. The results are displayed graphically using color-coded genotypes. Therefore, the genotype(s) of any portion of the query can quickly be determined. The Genotyping tool can be found at: http://www.ncbi. nih.gov/projects/genotyping/formpage.cgi.
ROCK1 induces ERK nuclear translocation in PDGF‐BB‐stimulated migration of rat vascular smooth muscle cells

It has been known that Rho‐associated protein kinase (ROCK) signaling regulates the migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). However, the isoform‐specific roles of ROCK and its underlying mechanism in VSMC migration are not well understood. The current study thus aimed to investigate the roles of ROCK1/2 and their relationship to the MAPK signaling pathway in platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF)‐induced rat aorta VSMC migration by manipulating ROCK gene expression. The results revealed that ROCK1 small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) rather than ROCK2 siRNA decreased PDGF‐BB‐generated VSMC migration, and upregulation of ROCK1 expression via transfection of constructed pEGFP‐C1/ROCK1 plasmid further increased the migration of PDGF‐BB‐treated VSMCs. In PDGF‐treated VSMCs, ROCK1 siRNA did not affect the phosphorylation levels of ERK and p38 in the cytoplasm, but decreased the level of ERK phosphorylation in the nucleus. These findings demonstrate that activated ROCK1 can promote VSMC migration through facilitating phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of ERK protein. © 2011 IUBMB Life,, 2011.
Brain Regions Related to Tool Use and Action Knowledge Reflect Nicotine Dependence

In addition to reward- and craving-related processes, habitual mechanisms play an important role in addiction. While the dorsal striatum has been proposed to code for the motivational state of habitual drug-seeking actions, the neural underpinnings of the corresponding drug-taking skills and action knowledge remain poorly understood. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and a behavioral orientation affordance paradigm to investigate the neural and behavioral correlates of automatized drug-taking actions in nicotine dependence. Smokers exhibited higher fMRI activations than nonsmokers when viewing smoking-related but not when viewing control images. These group differences in fMRI activations were located not only in brain regions associated with craving and habitual learning (left ventral and dorsal striatum, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, insula, uncus, medial frontal gyrus, right subcallosal gyrus, and bilateral parahippocampal gyrus), but also in a network of brain regions which has been strongly implicated in the encoding of action knowledge and tool use skills (bilateral premotor cortex, left superior parietal lobule, and right lateral cerebellum). A behavioral affordance reaction-time task indicated that smokers, but not nonsmokers, showed an automatized responsiveness to smoking paraphernalia similar to everyday objects. Moreover, smokers showed strong intercorrelations between fMRI activations in tool use-related brain regions, behavioral responsiveness to smoking-related cues, and severity of nicotine dependence. Apparently smoking-related action representations in smokers are stored in brain regions typically representing tool use skills and action knowledge. Most importantly, cortical and behavioral correlates of the respective drug-taking skills vary with the individual degree of nicotine dependence.
Single-cell multiplex gene detection and sequencing with microfluidically generated agarose emulsions.

Genetic assays, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), typically report on multiple cells or mixtures of genomic DNA. As a result, they cannot properly characterize the genetic heterogeneity of a cell population or detect the co-occurrence of different mutations within a single cell, which are key to understanding the development, progression, and treatment of cancers. [1,2] In particular, since initial mutagenesis occurs inherently at the single-cell level, the detection and characterization of carcinogenesis will be dramatically facilitated by analytical techniques with single cell resolution.
Conservation of 5-HT1A receptor-mediated autoinhibition of serotonin (5-HT) neurons in mice with altered 5-HT homeostasis

Firing activity of serotonin (5-HT) neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) is controlled by inhibitory somatodendritic 5-HT1A autoreceptors. This autoinhibitory mechanism is implicated in the etiology of disorders of emotion regulation, such as anxiety disorders and depression, as well as in the mechanism of antidepressant action. Here, we investigated how persistent alterations in brain 5-HT availability affect autoinhibition in two genetically modified mouse models lacking critical mediators of serotonergic transmission: 5-HT transporter knockout (Sert-/-) and tryptophan hydroxylase-2 knockout (Tph2-/-) mice. The degree of autoinhibition was assessed by loose-seal cell-attached recording in DRN slices. First, application of the 5-HT1A-selective agonist R(+)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin showed mild sensitization and marked desensitization of 5-HT1A receptors in Tph2-/- mice and Sert-/- mice, respectively. While 5-HT neurons from Tph2-/- mice did not display autoinhibition in response to L-tryptophan, autoinhibition of these neurons was unaltered in Sert-/- mice despite marked desensitization of their 5-HT1A autoreceptors. When the Tph2-dependent 5-HT synthesis step was bypassed by application of 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-HTP), neurons from both Tph2-/- and Sert-/- mice decreased their firing rates at significantly lower concentrations of 5-HTP compared to wildtype controls. Our findings demonstrate that, as opposed to the prevalent view, sensitivity of somatodendritic 5-HT1A receptors does not predict the magnitude of 5-HT neuron autoinhibition. Changes in 5-HT1A receptor sensitivity may rather be seen as an adaptive mechanism to keep autoinhibition functioning in response to extremely altered levels of extracellular 5-HT resulting from targeted inactivation of mediators of serotonergic signaling.
Multiple transcription-factor genes are early targets of phytochrome A signaling

The phytochrome family of sensory photoreceptors directs adaptational changes in gene expression in response to environmental light signals. Using oligonucleotide microarrays to measure expression profiles in wild-type and phytochrome A (phyA) null-mutant Arabidopsis seedlings, we have shown that 10% of the genes represented on the array are regulated by phyA in response to a continuous far-red light signal. Strikingly, 44% of the genes responding to the signal within 1 h are predicted to encode multiple classes of transcriptional regulators. Together with previous data, this observation suggests that phyA may regulate seedling photomorphogenesis by direct targeting of light signals to the promoters of genes encoding a master set of diverse transcriptional regulators, responsible in turn for orchestrating the expression of multiple downstream target genes in various branches of a phyA-regulated transcriptional network.
Student Attrition from Newfoundland and Labrador's Public College

Educators, administrators, and government officials alike are interested in reducing the rate of student withdrawal at Canadian postsecondary institutions. Aside from the loss of financial resources, there are other negative effects associated with early departure from community college or university. This article outlines research into first-semester student withdrawal from engineering technology programs at a campus of the College of the North Atlantic in St. John's, Newfoundland. The research was designed to investigate various aspects of withdrawal of first-semester students enrolled in Engineering Technology programs at the College. The research design incorporated focus groups, interviews, and the collection and statistical analysis of quantitative data. Results of this study showed that 24.9% of first-semester Engineering Technology students withdrew before the winter 2000 semester, and that students' academic difficulties play a significant role in their decisions to withdraw or persist at the College. These results were consistent with Tinto's (1993) Student Integration Model.
El Casc Antic de Barcelona: actuación urbanística o "limpieza social"?

En la presente comunicacion propongo poner de manifiesto como el Ayuntamiento y las empresas asociadas a el para la Rehabilitacion del Casc Antic ( en el caso que me ocupa, el distrito oriental del mismo) estan ocupadas en cumplir un doble objetivo: rehabilitar "gentrificando" el barrio con el fin de destinarlo a nuevos usos , asociados a nuevos grupos sociales y economicos; objetivo este que para poder cumplirse, requiere no solo "limpiar" y recuperar urbanistica e historicamente el barrio, sino tambien "limpiarlo socialmente", reemplazar a sus habitantes, estigmatizados como inmigrantes, pobres o marginales, por una poblacion "mas adecuada" al nuevo modelo de ciudad que se pretende imponer oficialmente desatendiendo las necesidades y los deseos de sus legitimos vecinos. Estas actuaciones estan desarticulando las redes sociales vigentes, tan imprescindibles especialmente en el caso de los vecinos inmigrantes.
A Learning Apprentice For Browsing

This paper describes the task of browsing and an agent we have developed to improve the speed and success rate of browsing. The agent is a learning apprentice: it monitors the user’s normal browsing actions and learns a measure of "relevance" to the user interests. It searches the library being browsed, uses the learned measure to evaluate items and presents to the user those that are most relevant. The paper discusses the main issues raised during the development of the browsing agent. These are of general interest not only because browsing is of considerable practical importance but also because it represents a prototypical task for learning apprentice research.
Two affected siblings with nuclear cataract associated with a novel missense mutation in the CRYGD gene.

PURPOSE To identify the disease locus for nuclear congenital cataract in a nonconsanguineous family with two affected members. METHODS One family with two affected members with congenital cataract and 170 normal controls were examined. DNA from leukocytes and bucal swabs was isolated to analyze the CRYGA-D cluster genes and microsatellite markers D2S325, D2S2382, and D2S126, and to discard paternity through gene scan with several highly polymorphic markers. RESULTS DNA sequencing analysis of the CRYGA-D cluster genes of the two affected members showed a novel heterozygous missense mutation c.320A > C within exon 3 of the CRYGD gene. This transversion mutation resulted in the substitution of glutamic acid 107 by an alanine (E107A). Analysis of the two unaffected members of the family and the normal parents showed a normal sequence of the CRYGA-D cluster genes. This mutation was not found in a group of 170 unrelated controls. We consider that it is unlikely that this abnormal allele represents a rare polymorphism. DNA analysis showed no evidence for non-paternity while genotyping indicated that the haplotype of the mother co-segregated with the disease. CONCLUSIONS In this study we describe the mutation c.320A > C (E107A) in the CRYGD gene associated with nuclear congenital cataract. Haplotype analysis strongly suggests that the origin of the mutation was transmitted through the mother.
A Role for Na+,K+-ATPase α1 in Regulating Rab27a Localisation on Melanosomes

The mechanism(s) by which Rab GTPases are specifically recruited to distinct intracellular membranes remains elusive. Here we used Rab27a localisation onto melanosomes as a model to investigate Rab targeting. We identified the α1 subunit of Na+,K+-ATPase (ATP1a1) as a novel Rab27a interacting protein in melanocytes and showed that this interaction is direct with the intracellular M4M5 loop of ATP1a1 and independent of nucleotide bound status of the Rab. Knockdown studies in melanocytes revealed that ATP1a1 plays an essential role in Rab27a-dependent melanosome transport. Specifically, expression of ATP1a1, like the Rab27a GDP/GTP exchange factor (Rab3GEP), is essential for targeting and activation of Rab27a to melanosomes. Finally, we showed that the ability of Rab27a mutants to target to melanosomes correlates with the efficiency of their interaction with ATP1a1. Altogether these studies point to a new role for ATP1a1 as a regulator of Rab27a targeting and activation.
Genetic influences on beef longissimus palatability in charolais- and limousin-sired steers and heifers.

Random matings of 10 Charolais sires and eight Limousin sires to crossbred cows produced 392 steers and heifers that were used to evaluate genetic influences on beef palatability. Longissimus lumborum steaks were measured for shear force at 1, 4, 7, 14, 21, and 35 d postmortem and for taste panel attributes at 14 d postmortem. Longer postmortem aging periods resulted in lower (P < .05) shear force values for progeny from all 18 sires. Shear force variation among sires did not diminish during postmortem aging; however, shear force variation among progeny within a sire decreased during postmortem aging. Median within-breed heritability estimates from Method-R were . 33 for shear force, . 49 for 24-h calpastatin activity, and . 18 for marbling score. All taste panel attribute heritability estimates were very low. Solid evidence existed for a very high within-breed genetic correlation between calpastatin activity and shear force. However, the across-breed genetic correlation between marbling and shear force seemed to be higher than the correlation between calpastatin activity and shear force. Very few antagonistic genetic relationships existed between production/carcass traits and palatability traits.
Ahmed valve implantation for neovascular glaucoma after 23-gauge vitrectomy in eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

AIM To report on the outcome of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation for the management of neovascular glaucoma (NVG) after 23-gauge vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS Twelve medically uncontrolled NVG with earlier 23-gauge vitrectomy for PDR underwent AGV implantation. The control of intraocular pressure (IOP), preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity, the development of intraoperative and postoperative complications were evaluated during the follow-up. RESULTS The mean follow-up was 15.4±4.3 months (9-23 months). Mean preoperative IOP was 49.4±5.1mmHg and mean postoperative IOP at the last visit was 17.5±1.6mmHg. The control of IOP was achieved at the final follow-up visits in all patients, however, 8 of 12 patients still needed anti-glaucoma medication (mean number of medications, 0.8±0.7). The visual acuity improved in nine eyes, and the visual acuity unchanged in three eyes at the final follow-up visits. The complications that occurred were minor hyphema in three eyes, choroid detachment in two eyes, and the minor hyphema and choroid detachments were reabsorbed without any surgical intervention. CONCLUSION AGV implantation is a safe and effective procedure that enables successful IOP control and vision preservation in the NVG patients with the history of earlier 23-gauge vitrectomy for PDR.
Psychosocial response in emergency situations--the nurse's role.

BACKGROUND It is critical to ensure that nurses have the skills and knowledge to respond effectively and to contribute to the psychosocial recovery of survivors of emergencies, particularly as an increasing proportion of the population is at risk of being exposed to a catastrophe. Over a decade ago it was reported that 16% of the world's population was at risk of experiencing some kind of catastrophic event. That has now risen with a total of 16% vulnerable to flood alone worldwide (Ministry of Health 2005). In the first semester of 2005, there were 174 natural disasters affecting 86 countries, resulting in the deaths of 5967 people, affecting a total of 60 million with an estimated damage of $6.3 billion (US$) (Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters 2005). AIM To describe the nursing contribution to the psychosocial recovery of survivors of emergencies during the emergency preparedness and planning stage and in promoting recovery over the longer term. METHODS Data for this article was sourced from relevant literature including World Health Organization policy and guidelines regarding mental health in emergencies. IMPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATION, TRAINING AND PRACTICE: It is vital that nurses realize they are too vulnerable to the effects of an emergency situation and that steps can be taken to protect nurses from enduring psychosocial effects.