Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Barriers to antiretroviral therapy initiation for HIV-positive children aged 2–18 months in Swaziland

Although early antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces HIV-related mortality in children by up to 75%, almost half of HIV-positive children younger than 1 year old in Swaziland do not initiate ART. This study was conducted to identify barriers to early ART initiation among HIV-positive infants. This was a case-control study among HIV-positive infants, aged 2 to 18 months, who either did not initiate ART (cases), or initiated ART (controls), during 18 months after testing. Multivariable logistic regression showed that infants who visited the clinic every month, or every 2 months, were 5.78 and 6.20 times more likely to initiate ART than those who visited less often (OR 5.78, 95% CI 1.82–18.33 and OR 6.20, 95% CI 1.30–29.60 respectively). Children who lived ≤30 and 31–60 minutes from the nearest clinic were 84% and 79% less likely respectively to initiate ART (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.03–0.78 and OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.04–0.98) compared with those who lived more than 60 minutes away. Children who received immunisation after 6 months were 22.59 times more likely to initiate ART (OR 22.59, 95% CI 7.00–21.72) than those who did not. Infants of caregivers who had excellent or good relationships with their healthcare provider were 4.32 times more likely to initiate ART (OR 4.32, 95% CI 1.01–18.59) than those of caregivers who had average or poor relationships with healthcare providers. The significant predictors of ART initiation identified in this study should be regarded as priority areas for intervention among HIV-positive women in Swaziland.
Mechanisms of blood pressure control following acute exercise in adolescents: Effects of exercise intensity on haemodynamics and baroreflex sensitivity

What is the central question of this study? What are the autonomic and vascular components of the baroreflex during hypotension following different exercise intensities in adolescents? What is the main finding and its importance? Hypotension after high‐intensity exercise lasted 60 min, whereas following moderate‐intensity exercise, blood pressure was restored after 20 min. Stroke volume and peripheral resistance responses were different between intensities. Post both exercise intensities, baroreflex sensitivity was lowered mainly due to the autonomic component, which returned to baseline 60 min post‐exercise. The different haemodynamic stimuli indicate potential differences in cardiovascular health benefits of exercise intensity in healthy adolescents.
Myocardial Scar and Mortality in Severe Aortic Stenosis

Background: Aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis is timed primarily on the development of symptoms, but late surgery can result in irreversible myocardial dysfunction and additional risk. The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of focal myocardial scar preoperatively was associated with long-term mortality. Methods: In a longitudinal observational outcome study, survival analysis was performed in patients with severe aortic stenosis listed for valve intervention at 6 UK cardiothoracic centers. Patients underwent preprocedural echocardiography (for valve severity assessment) and cardiovascular magnetic resonance for ventricular volumes, function and scar quantification between January 2003 and May 2015. Myocardial scar was categorized into 3 patterns (none, infarct, or noninfarct patterns) and quantified with the full width at half-maximum method as percentage of the left ventricle. All-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality were tracked for a minimum of 2 years. Results: Six hundred seventy-four patients with severe aortic stenosis (age, 75±14 years; 63% male; aortic valve area, 0.38±0.14 cm2/m2; mean gradient, 46±18 mm Hg; left ventricular ejection fraction, 61.0±16.7%) were included. Scar was present in 51% (18% infarct pattern, 33% noninfarct). Management was surgical AVR (n=399) or transcatheter AVR (n=275). During follow-up (median, 3.6 years), 145 patients (21.5%) died (52 after surgical AVR, 93 after transcatheter AVR). In multivariable analysis, the factors independently associated with all-cause mortality were age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.50; 95% CI, 1.11–2.04; P=0.009, scaled by epochs of 10 years), Society of Thoracic Surgeons score (HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.03–1.22; P=0.007), and scar presence (HR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.40–4.05; P=0.001). Scar independently predicted all-cause (26.4% versus 12.9%; P<0.001) and cardiovascular (15.0% versus 4.8%; P<0.001) mortality, regardless of intervention (transcatheter AVR, P=0.002; surgical AVR, P=0.026 [all-cause mortality]). Every 1% increase in left ventricular myocardial scar burden was associated with 11% higher all-cause mortality hazard (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.05–1.17; P<0.001) and 8% higher cardiovascular mortality hazard (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.01–1.17; P<0.001). Conclusions: In patients with severe aortic stenosis, late gadolinium enhancement on cardiovascular magnetic resonance was independently associated with mortality; its presence was associated with a 2-fold higher late mortality.
Crystal structure of the tetramethyl(phenethyl)cyclopentadienylmolybdenumtricarbonyl dimer

The structure of the dimer bis{tricarbonyl[η5-tetramethyl(phenethyl)cyclopentadienyl]molybdenum}(Mo—Mo), [Mo2(C17H21)2(CO)6], at 102 K has triclinic (P ) symmetry. The Mo—Mo bond length is 3.2773 (3) Å, a value slightly above the mean value for all [CpMo(CO)3]2 compounds listed in the CSD and slightly below the mean for [Cp*Mo(CO)3]2 complexes.
Modeling of Diabetes and Its Clinical Impact

Understanding all aspects of diabetes treatment is hindered by the complexity of this chronic disease and its multifaceted complications and comorbidities, including social and financial impacts. In vivo studies as well as clinical trials provided invaluable information for unraveling not only metabolic processes but also risk estimations of, for example, complications. These approaches are often time- and cost-consuming and have frequently been supported by simulation models. Simulation models provide the opportunity to investigate diabetes treatment from additional viewpoints and with alternative objectives. This review presents selected models focusing either on metabolic processes or risk estimations and financial outcomes to provide a basic insight into this complex subject. It also discusses opportunities and challenges of modeling diabetes.
Anti-NXP2-antibody-positive immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy associated with acute myeloid leukemia

Rationale: Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies have been extensively reported associated with malignancy. Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), however, has rarely been connected with malignancy including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Patient concerns: A 65-year-old woman was diagnosed with AML and received regular chemotherapy. After the 5th cycle chemotherapy, she achieved complete remission but developed severe muscle weakness and myalgia with dramatic increasing creatine kinase (CK). Diagnosis: The positivity of antinuclear matrix protein 2 antibody (anti-NXP2 Ab) and muscle biopsy in together confirmed the diagnosis of IMNM. Intervention: Methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin was administered. Outcomes: This treatment resulted in a dramatic clinical and laboratory improvement within 1 month. CK and lactate dehydrogenase levels dropped sharply to normal. Anti-NXP2 Ab was shown to disappear in a repeated test afterwards. Lessons: The IMNM is also closely related to malignancy. We here report a case of IMNM associated with AML for the first time. Anti-NXP2 Ab may be utilized as both diagnostic and prognostic markers of paraneoplastic IMNMs.
Posttraumatic stress severity is associated with coping motives for alcohol use among in-patient and community recruited adolescents

ABSTRACT Background and Objectives: A growing body of work suggests individuals with more severe post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are at higher risk for developing problematic alcohol use outcomes. Extending work from the adult literature, the present study was the first to examine the extent to which PTSS is related to drinking motives for alcohol use in both clinical and non-clinical samples of adolescents. Design: Hierarchical regression analyses were used to predict coping motives for alcohol use from PTSS, above and beyond demographic variables, alcohol use frequency, and other alcohol use motives. Methods: Trauma-exposed adolescents before entering treatment (Sample 1 n = 41) and recruited from the local community (Sample 2 n = 55) self-reported on PTSS and alcohol use motives. Results: PTSS positively predicted coping motives for alcohol use after controlling for age, gender, and alcohol use frequency. Conclusions: The current study highlights the need to consider both PTSS severity, as well as underlying cognitive mechanisms (e.g., motives), to better understand the etiology of problematic alcohol use among trauma-exposed youth. Future work focused on clarifying the trajectory of alcohol use motives and problems as a function of PTSS is needed.
The Association between Shelter Rules and Psychosocial Outcomes among Homeless Youth Residing in Family Shelters

Despite growing numbers of homeless youth living in shelters with caregivers, little research has explored the impact of the shelter environment on emotional well-being. As such, this study assesses the relationship between shelter rules and two psychosocial outcomes among youth in New York City family shelters. Additionally, the direct effect of trauma and the moderating effect of difficulty following shelter rules on psychosocial outcomes was assessed. Youth with difficulty following shelter rules reported significantly more depressive symptoms, but less substance use. Trauma was found to be associated with increased depression and substance use. Difficulty following shelter rules was found to moderate the association between trauma and substance use. Recommendations for future interventions and the creation of shelter policies are discussed.
The effect of chronic and acute stressors, and their interaction, on testes function: an experimental test during testicular recrudescence

ABSTRACT Organisms are expected to invest less in reproduction in response to a stressor, but theory predicts that this effect should depend on the frequency and duration of stressors in the environment. Here, we investigated how an acute stressor affected testes function in a songbird, and how chronic stressors influenced the acute stress response. We exposed male dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis) either to chronic or minimal (control) disturbance during testicular recrudescence, after which we measured baseline testosterone, testosterone after an acute handling stressor, and capacity to produce testosterone after hormonal stimulation. In a 2×2 design, we then killed males from the two chronic treatment groups either immediately or after an acute stressor to investigate the effect of long- and short-term stressors on the testicular transcriptome. We found that chronically disturbed birds had marginally lower baseline testosterone. The acute stressor suppressed testosterone in control birds, but not in the chronic disturbance group. The ability to elevate testosterone did not differ between the chronic treatments. Surprisingly, chronic disturbance had a weak effect on the testicular transcriptome, and did not affect the transcriptomic response to the acute stressor. The acute stressor, on the other hand, upregulated the cellular stress response and affected expression of genes associated with hormonal stress response. Overall, we show that testicular function is sensitive to acute stressors but surprisingly robust to long-term stressors, and that chronic disturbance attenuates the decrease in testosterone in response to an acute stressor. Summary: Exposure to an acute stressor downregulated testosterone production, but this effect was absent in chronically disturbed birds. The acute stressor had a strong effect on the testicular transcriptome, whereas chronic disturbance had a negligible effect.
Cloacal and Ocular Microbiota of the Endangered Australian Northern Quoll

The Australian northern quoll is an important predatory marsupial carnivore that is currently endangered due to inappropriate fire regimes, predation, and the spread of invasive cane toads. The microbiota of Australian marsupials has not been extensively studied, but is thought to play a role in their health. This study provides an initial characterization of the cloacal microbiota of the northern quoll, as well as other marsupials including possums and kangaroos which were opportunistically sampled. The northern quoll cloaca microbiota was dominated by Enterococcus and Lactobacillus and had a relatively high proportion of members of the Proteobacteria phylum, which has been observed in other carnivorous marsupials. The diversity and structure of the microbiota was not influenced by presence of Chlamydiales which are intracellular bacteria and potential pathogens. The microbiota of the other marsupials was quite varied, which may be related to their health status. Characterization of the northern quoll microbiota will help to better understand the biology of this endangered animal.
The molecular era of protein S-acylation: spotlight on structure, mechanisms, and dynamics

Abstract S-Acylation (commonly referred to as S-palmitoylation) is a post-translational modification consisting in the covalent attachment of an acyl chain to a cysteine residue of the target protein. The lability of the resulting thioester bond gives S-acylation an essential characteristic: its reversibility. S-acylation dynamically regulates different aspects in the life of a protein (including stability, localization, interactome, and function) and, thus, plays critical roles in cellular physiology. For long, the reversibility of S-acylation has been neglected and thereby its potential as a regulatory mechanism for protein function undervalued. Thanks to technological advances, the field has now entered its golden era. A great diversity of interesting targets is being identified, the physio-pathological importance of the modification is starting to be revealed, structural information on the enzymes is becoming available, and the regulatory dynamics are gradually being understood. Here we will review the most recent literature in the S-acylation field, with a special focus on the molecular aspects of the modification, its regulation, and its consequences.
Protecting contacts against privacy leaks in smartphones

Due to recent developments in technologies associated with the Internet of Things (IoT), a large number of people now regularly use smart devices, such as smartwatches and smartphones. However, these devices are prone to data leaks because of security vulnerabilities. In particular, Android devices use permission-based security, which allows users to directly approve permissions requested by an app when installing it. As a result, many malicious apps can obtain and leak private user data by requesting more permissions than are needed. However, it is difficult to identify malicious apps based solely on the requested permissions. A system is hence needed to accurately identify malicious apps and protect private data from them. In this paper, we propose a system for hiding data related to a user’s contacts or providing virtual data according to preconfigured policies when an Android app requests access to them. By hiding data related to the contacts, the proposed system can protect them from malicious apps. By using virtual data, it can even detect malicious apps that leak private data. The system requires less storage and provides faster access to user contacts than prevalent solutions to similar problems.
Adaptive sonar call timing supports target tracking in echolocating bats

ABSTRACT Echolocating bats dynamically adapt the features of their sonar calls as they approach obstacles and track targets. As insectivorous bats forage, they increase sonar call rate with decreasing prey distance, and often embedded in bat insect approach sequences are clusters of sonar sounds, termed sonar sound groups (SSGs). The bat's production of SSGs has been observed in both field and laboratory conditions, and is hypothesized to sharpen spatiotemporal sonar resolution. When insectivorous bats hunt, they may encounter erratically moving prey, which increases the demands on the bat's sonar imaging system. Here, we studied the bat's adaptive vocal behavior in an experimentally controlled insect-tracking task, allowing us to manipulate the predictability of target trajectories and measure the prevalence of SSGs. With this system, we trained bats to remain stationary on a platform and track a moving prey item, whose trajectory was programmed either to approach the bat, or to move back and forth, before arriving at the bat. We manipulated target motion predictability by varying the order in which different target trajectories were presented to the bats. During all trials, we recorded the bat's sonar calls and later analysed the incidence of SSG production during the different target tracking conditions. Our results demonstrate that bats increase the production of SSGs when target unpredictability increases, and decrease the production of SSGs when target motion predictability increases. Furthermore, bats produce the same number of sonar vocalizations irrespective of the target motion predictability, indicating that the animal's temporal clustering of sonar call sequences to produce SSGs is purposeful, and therefore involves sensorimotor planning. Summary: Echolocating bats increase production of temporally clustered sonar calls when tracking targets with unpredictable trajectories, providing evidence that bats control sonar signal timing for increased spatiotemporal resolution and sensorimotor planning.
Effects of genistein on insulin pathway-related genes in mouse differentiated myoblast C2C12 cell line: evidence for two independent modes of action.

INTRODUCTION Genistein (plant isoflavone) is a well-known anti-cancer drug with estrogenic-like properties. Genistein also regulates sugar and lipid metabolism; thus, it has anti-diabetic properties. The aim of the study was to evaluate in vitro effects of genistein on glucose transport, fatty acids oxidation, activation of PKB, and expression of genes related to insulin pathway in differentiated myoblast C2C12 mouse cell line. MATERIAL AND METHODS Differentiated myoblast C2C12 mouse cell line was used to assess the effects of different genistein concentrations on glucose transport and fatty acids oxidation measured by radioactivity technique, activation of PKB, and expression of selected genes related to insulin signaling pathway (IR-a, IR-b, IRS-1, PKB, GLUT-4, PP2A, SH-PTP2) at the mRNA and protein levels. Cells were incubated with various concentrations of genistein under standard conditions for 0-48 hours. RESULTS Genistein in low concentrations (0.1-1 μM) significantly increased glucose transport and decreased fatty acids oxidation in C2C12 cells after 48 h of incubation. High concentration of genistein (50 μM) had the opposite effect. Genistein stimulated PKB phosphorylation during the first 5-10 minutes of incubation. There was no significant impact on the protein expression of selected genes (IR-a, IR-b, IRS-1, PKB, GLUT-4, PP2A-Ca, ER-a and ER-b) after 48 h treatment. We observed inverse correlation between genistein concentration and the expression of SH-PTP2 protein. Genistein affected the expression pattern of mRNAs for genes related to the insulin pathway, however, not the expression of the encoded proteins. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study showed that depending on the concentration and time of incubation genistein significantly affects glucose and lipid metabolism and at low concentration modifies expression pattern of a few genes in C2C12 cells.
Obstruction of ventricular Ca2+‐dependent arrhythmogenicity by inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate‐triggered sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release

Augmented inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3) receptor (IP3R2) expression has been linked to a variety of cardiac pathologies. Although cardiac IP3R2 function has been in the focus of research for some time, a detailed understanding of its potential role in ventricular myocyte excitation–contraction coupling under pathophysiological conditions remains elusive. The present study focuses on mechanisms of IP3R2‐mediated sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR)‐Ca2+ release in ventricular excitation–contraction coupling under IP3R2‐overexpressing conditions by studying intracellular Ca2+ events. We report that, upon IP3R2 overexpression in ventricular myocytes, IP3‐induced Ca2+ release (IP3ICR) modulates the SR‐Ca2+ content via “eventless” SR‐Ca2+ release, affecting the global SR‐Ca2+ leak. Thus, IP3R2 activation could act as a SR‐Ca2+ gateway mechanism to escape ominous SR‐Ca2+ overload. Our approach unmasks a so far unrecognized mechanism by which “eventless” IP3ICR plays a protective role against ventricular Ca2+‐dependent arrhythmogenicity.
Oxidative stress and atrial fibrillation: an update

Abstract Atrial remodelling involves electrophysiological and structural abnormalities that promote the development and perpetuation of atrial fibrillation. Experimental and clinical data indicate that oxidative stress is implicated in the pathophysiology of atrial remodelling. The mechanistic links between atrial remodelling and oxidative stress are complex with several underlying diseases and conditions may affect these pathways. Therefore, the development of antioxidant interventions in this setting remains difficult. Besides classical antioxidant compounds, several agents with pleiotropic effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, have been tested in experimental and clinical settings with variable results. Strategies applying conventional antioxidants in specific situations such as postoperative atrial fibrillation show beneficial effects, especially the two-step regimen of antioxidants combination. Of note, there are limited data on the development of strategies that target specific sources of reactive oxygen species implicated in atrial remodelling. Lifestyle, diet, and risk factors modification is a complementary promising approach. This updated review provides a concise and critical overview of all available data regarding oxidative stress and its modulation in atrial fibrillation. Future directions on this exciting field are also discussed.