Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In Vivo Transcriptional Profiling of Listeria monocytogenes and Mutagenesis Identify New Virulence Factors Involved in Infection

Listeria monocytogenes is a human intracellular pathogen able to colonize host tissues after ingestion of contaminated food, causing severe invasive infections. In order to gain a better understanding of the nature of host–pathogen interactions, we studied the L. monocytogenes genome expression during mouse infection. In the spleen of infected mice, ≈20% of the Listeria genome is differentially expressed, essentially through gene activation, as compared to exponential growth in rich broth medium. Data presented here show that, during infection, Listeria is in an active multiplication phase, as revealed by the high expression of genes involved in replication, cell division and multiplication. In vivo bacterial growth requires increased expression of genes involved in adaptation of the bacterial metabolism and stress responses, in particular to oxidative stress. Listeria interaction with its host induces cell wall metabolism and surface expression of virulence factors. During infection, L. monocytogenes also activates subversion mechanisms of host defenses, including resistance to cationic peptides, peptidoglycan modifications and release of muramyl peptides. We show that the in vivo differential expression of the Listeria genome is coordinated by a complex regulatory network, with a central role for the PrfA-SigB interplay. In particular, L. monocytogenes up regulates in vivo the two major virulence regulators, PrfA and VirR, and their downstream effectors. Mutagenesis of in vivo induced genes allowed the identification of novel L. monocytogenes virulence factors, including an LPXTG surface protein, suggesting a role for S-layer glycoproteins and for cadmium efflux system in Listeria virulence.
VALVULAR AND STRUCTURAL HEART DISEASES Original Studies Sex Differences in Postprocedural Aortic Regurgitation and Mid-Term Mortality after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Background: The impact of female sex on mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is controversial. Post-procedural aortic regurgitation (AR) 2 has been associated with poor outcomes. Whether sex differences in post-procedural AR 2 could contribute to a mortality difference between women and men is not known. Methods: Six hundred fifty-six patients, women (53.1%), men (46.9%), with aortic stenosis underwent TAVI with the CoreValve system (92.8%) or the Edwards SAPIEN valve system (7.2%). AR was graded semiquantitatively as 0 5 none, 1 5 trivial, 2 5 mild, 3 5 moderate, and 4 5 severe. The incidence of post-procedural AR 2 was reported. Results: Procedural success was similar in women as compared to men (97.9 vs 96.7%, P 5 0.32). Post-procedural AR 2 occurred less frequently in women than in men (20.9 vs 29.6%, P 5 0.01). After a median follow-up of 434 days, all-cause mortality tended to be lower in women than in men (20.7 vs 26.6%, logrank P 5 0.10), and was significantly higher in patients with AR 2 than in those without (34.8 vs 19.7%, logrank P < 0.001). AR 2 [hazard ratio (HR) 1.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22–2.43, P 5 0.002], but not female sex (P 5 0.17) was an independent predictor of all-cause death at multivariable Cox regression. The predictive value of AR 2 was restricted to men (HR 2.96, P < 0.001 among men; HR 0.86, P 5 0.60 among women; P for interaction 5 0.002). Conclusions: Women, as compared to men, present a trend toward lower mortality. A significant lower incidence of post-procedural AR 2 among women contributes to this finding. Female sex, however, was not a significant independent predictor of death. VC 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lay Health Advisor Activity Levels: Definitions from the Field

One type of lay health advisor model assumes that an effective mechanism for reaching the underserved is through informal advice-givers called natural helpers. Despite the growing use of this approach, few programs have defined what an active lay health advisor does within the natural helping process. To explore perceptions and definitions of lay health advisors’ activity, we conducted semistructured, in-person interviews with four field staff who coordinate the advisors’ activities in a breast cancer screening program. These staff viewed lay health advisor activity as fluctuating over the course of a year, occurring along a continuum of participation (inactive, moderately active, active, and superactive), and reflecting varying degrees of proactivity and participation in multiple activities. These results suggest an empirical process for refining the definition of an active lay health advisor, improving advisors’productivity in achieving outreach objectives, and managing and monitoring their ongoing activities.
Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of artesunate in experimental colitis.

BACKGROUND Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic and idiopathic gastrointestinal inflammation mediated by disregulated immune responses. Artemisinin (a chemical from a traditional Chinese herbal medicine Artemisia annua L.) and its derivatives have been proven to exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis with low side-effects. This study is aimed to evaluate the potential therapeutic value of artesunate for inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS Murine colitis was induced by either oral administration of dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS) or intrarectal delivery of 2,4,6- trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) or oxazolone. Mice were treated with artesunate (150mg/kg/day). Peritoneal macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence or absence of artesunate. Changes in cytokines or proteins of interests were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or SDS-PAGE/Western blot. RESULTS Artesunate significantly ameliorated DSS colitis and TNBS colitis (but not oxazolone colitis), including reduced weight loss and disease activity, as well as macroscopic and microscopic colonic injury. The expression of NF-κBp65 and p-IκB-α were reduced in artesunate treated TNBS colitis compared with untreated. The levels of IFN-γ, IL-17, and TNF-α were significantly decreased in artesunate treated TNBS colitis or DSS colitis. Furthermore, in vitro artesunate treatment significantly inhibited TNF-α production by LPS-activated macrophages. CONCLUSIONS Artesunate suppresses TNF-α expression in vitro and in vivo as well as T-helper (Th)1/Th17 responses in TNBS colitis model. Our data suggest a novel clinical application of artesunate as a potential therapy for Crohn's disease.
Combination therapy for COPD: emerging evidence from recent clinical trials

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous syndrome encompassing the clinical presentations of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Moderate-to-severe COPD is estimated to affect 80 million people worldwide. The diagnosis of COPD is made using spirometry, demonstrating the presence of obstruction that does not completely reverse with the administration of an inhaled bronchodilator. Treatment of COPD is titrated to severity, and in stage II–IV disease, combinations of different classes of bronchodilators, and bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory combinations, are recommended. Treatment of COPD is multimodal, including pharmacologic therapy, long-term oxygen therapy, smoking cessation, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (including breathing retraining) and disease education. This article focuses on pharmacologic therapies, and more specifically the evidence for combination pharmacologic therapy that has emerged over the past few years. Prominent human clinical trials are reviewed and results are summarized with a focus on the steps required to change clinical practice. Finally, a perspective on future changes in the field of COPD pharmacotherapy is provided in light of recent changes.
Protostellar Feedback Halts the Growth of the First Stars in the Universe

Simulations suggest that most of the first stars in the universe might have been less massive than previously thought. The first stars fundamentally transformed the early universe by emitting the first light and by producing the first heavy elements. These effects were predetermined by the mass distribution of the first stars, which is thought to have been fixed by a complex interplay of gas accretion and protostellar radiation. We performed radiation-hydrodynamics simulations that followed the growth of a primordial protostar through to the early stages as a star with thermonuclear burning. The circumstellar accretion disk was evaporated by ultraviolet radiation from the star when its mass was 43 times that of the Sun. Such massive primordial stars, in contrast to the often-postulated extremely massive stars, may help explain the fact that there are no signatures of the pair-instability supernovae in abundance patterns of metal-poor stars in our galaxy.
In defence of the case study methodology for research into strategy practice

Abstract This paper aims to illustrate how the case study methodology may be used in novel and productive ways for research into strategy practice. Instigated by the quest for a research design that could target the ‘practice’ of strategic information systems planning (SISP), a review of the strategy-as-practice (SAP) literature uncovered parallels with the SISP domain from a methodological standpoint. A SAP perspective was employed in conjunction with the case study methodology to investigate SISP (the strategy practice) on the part of senior managers (the practitioners) at the meso level (the level of praxis). Ultimately, this approach was found to offer original insights and uncover valuable new directions for future academic enquiry.
Hoffmann’s syndrome and pituitary hyperplasia in an adolescent secondary to Hashimoto thyroiditis

Abstract Background: Diffuse muscle hypertrophy is a rare complication of acquired hypothyroidism. When accompanied by stiffness, weakness, and painful muscle cramps, the condition is known as Hoffmann’s syndrome (HS). HS is usually seen in young adults due to long-standing untreated primary hypothyroidism. We report a very rare case of HS with muscle hypertrophy and pituitary hyperplasia complicating hypothyroidism in an adolescent. Case: A 12-year-old male admitted with muscle pain, headache, and fatigue. He had marked hypertrophy of both calf and shoulder muscles. Laboratory tests indicated elevated muscle enzymes and lipids with an elevated thyrotropin and low thyroxine levels. Hashimoto thyroiditis was confirmed on thyroid studies. He had also papilledema bilaterally and magnetic resonance imaging showed an enlargement of the pituitary gland. Treatment with thyroid hormone resulted in complete improvement of symptoms within 3 months. Conclusions: HS is a rare but treatable form of acquired myopathies and can be seen in children due to untreated hypothyroidism. All patients with an acquired myopathy and muscular pseudohypertrophy should be screened regarding thyroid hormones.
Natural co-occurrence of aflatoxin B1, fumonisin B1 and ochratoxin A in barley and corn foods from Korea

A survey for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), fumonisin B1 and ochratoxin A (OTA) was conducted on 127 samples that included 30 food-grade barley, 32 barley foods, 18 food-grade corn and 47 corn foods, randomly collected during 1998–99 in Seoul, Korea. The presence of mycotoxins was analysed by direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and most of the positive samples from ELISA were confirmed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Recoveries of AFB1 and OTA spiked at 10 ng g-1 and FB1 spiked at 50 ng g-1 were 106, 87 and 105a% by ELISA, whereas those by HPLC were 80, 79 and 84%, respectively. Detection limits by ELISA for AFB1, FB1 and OTA were 1, 5 and 5 ng g-1, and those by HPLC were 0.6, 35 and 1 ng g-1. Naturally occurring AFB1, FB1 and OTA were found in 4/32 (12%), 2/32(6%) and 4/32 (12%) samples of barley foods with an average of 26, 16 and 9 ng g-1, respectively. AFB1 and FB1 in corn foods were detected in 4/47 (8%) and 9/47 (19%) samples with the average being 20 and 74 ng g-1, while no OTA was found in any corn foods samples. No AFB1, FB1 or OTA was detected in any of food-grade barley and corn samples. This is the first report on the natural co-occurrence of AFB1 and FB1 in barley and corn foods as well as on surveillance of OTA in Korea.
Reemergence of Stroke Deficits With Midazolam Challenge

Background and Purpose— Patients who have sustained a neurological injury and then improved may experience transient reemergence of their syndromes when given benzodiazepines. As a step toward assessing whether neurotransmitter systems underlie poststroke clinical improvement, we selected midazolam, a &ggr;-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) agonist, for systemic administration to measure general or stroke-specific effects in patients. Methods— Eight patients with image-verified stroke (5 with left-sided and 3 with right-sided cerebral lesions) participated. The strokes had occurred from 7 days to 6 years earlier, with patients showing clinical improvement from their initial syndromes. Each patient underwent baseline testing for motor function, aphasia, and left hemispatial neglect, after which intravenous midazolam was delivered until mild drowsiness was detected. Patients were tested during this period and again after 2 hours when sedation had dissipated. Results— After the administration of midazolam, the 5 patients with left hemisphere stroke demonstrated reemergence or worsening of their initial right hemiparesis and aphasia but showed no left neglect. The 3 patients with right cerebral stroke showed reemergence of left hemiparesis and left visual field neglect but no aphasia. All patients returned to baseline after 2 hours. Conclusions— Under conditions of light sedation, patients whose initial stroke syndrome had substantially improved clinically showed transient reemergence of their initial focal syndrome. These data suggest a possible role for GABAA-mediated neurochemical mechanisms in poststroke improvement and sensitivity to medication effects.
The Mouse B‐Cell Antigen Receptor: Definition and Assembly of the Core Receptor of the Five Immunoglobulin Isotypes

We have shown that the core antigen receptor of all five isotypes is composed of immunoglobulin in association with a common heterodimeric alpha/beta sheath. The stoichiometry of the association is unknown although preliminary evidence points to it being an IgH2L2 [alpha/beta]2 association. Studies with chimaeric molecules indicate that much of the immunoglobulin-sheath interaction must occur through the carboxyterminal end of the molecule with particular importance being given to the linker-transmembrane region. The glycosylation of the alpha chain differs according to the isotype with which it is associated. There are two sites for N-linked glycosylation on the alpha chain (Asn-30 and Asn-40); both sites are used. Mutation of Asn-30 alone decreases but does not abolish surface expression of the antigen receptor complex. Mutation of both sites prevents expression of the surface IgM[alpha/beta] complex but not of a surface IgD[alpha/beta] complex. Moreover, the pattern of alpha glycosylation is considerably affected by changes in the linker region between C mu 4 and the transmembrane, giving further support to the importance of this region in immunoglobulin-sheath interaction. Unlike IgM, IgD and IgG2b do not require alpha/beta for transport to the cell surface and can be expressed on the surface without either sheath or glycosyl phosphatidylinositol anchor. This finding may reflect that the IgD transmembrane region is significantly less hydrophobic than that of IgM; however, it should be noted that is not clear whether naked IgD exists in vivo. In fact, we have found that the alpha/beta sheath is necessary in order to facilitate efficient internalization and presentation of antigen by membrane immunoglobulin. The sheath presumably also plays a major role in potentiating transmembrane signalling. However, mutant receptors that do not associate with the alpha/beta sheath are nevertheless able to trigger phosphorylation of cellular proteins on tyrosine residues following cross-linking. Also, in addition to the alpha/beta sheath, other transmembrane proteins associate with the B-cell antigen receptor although they are not required in order to potentiate surface transport. It may be interaction with one of these other associated transmembrane proteins or, alternatively, interaction between the immunoglobulin cytoplasmic tail and, say, the cytoskeleton, that enables antigen receptors lacking the alpha/beta sheath to give rise to cellular signalling.
Automating Inequality: How High-Tech Tools Profile, Police, and Punish the Poor

Naomi Klein: "This book is downright scary. "Ethan Zuckerman, MIT: "Should be required reading. "Dorothy Roberts, author of Killing the Black Body: "A must-read. "Astra Taylor, author of The People's Platform: "The single most important book about technology you will read this year. "Cory Doctorow: "Indispensable. "A powerful investigative look at data-based discriminationand how technology affects civil and human rights and economic equity The State of Indiana denies one million applications for healthcare, foodstamps and cash benefits in three yearsbecause a new computer system interprets any mistake as failure to cooperate. In Los Angeles, an algorithm calculates the comparative vulnerability of tens of thousands of homeless people in order to prioritize them for an inadequate pool of housing resources. In Pittsburgh, a child welfare agency uses a statistical model to try to predict which children might be future victims of abuse or neglect. Since the dawn of the digital age, decision-making in finance, employment, politics, health and human services has undergone revolutionary change. Today, automated systemsrather than humanscontrol which neighborhoods get policed, which families attain needed resources, and who is investigated for fraud. While we all live under this new regime of data, the most invasive and punitive systems are aimed at the poor. In Automating Inequality, Virginia Eubanks systematically investigates the impacts of data mining, policy algorithms, and predictive risk models on poor and working-class people in America. The book is full of heart-wrenching and eye-opening stories, from a woman in Indiana whose benefits are literally cut off as she lays dying to a family in Pennsylvania in daily fear of losing their daughter because they fit a certain statistical profile. The U.S. has always used its most cutting-edge science and technology to contain, investigate, discipline and punish the destitute. Like the county poorhouse and scientific charity before them, digital tracking and automated decision-making hide poverty from the middle-class public and give the nation the ethical distance it needs to make inhumane choices: which families get food and which starve, who has housing and who remains homeless, and which families are broken up by the state. In the process, they weaken democracy and betray our most cherished national values. This deeply researched and passionate book could not be more timely.
Healthy ageing from the perspective of older people: A capability approach to resilience

A policy focus on healthy ageing has been critiqued for homogenising, oppressing and neglecting the physical realities of older age. Current healthy ageing discourse places responsibility on individuals for achieving good physical health and ignores their broader circumstances. Sen’s capability approach provides a basis for including the physical changes of ageing and the social environment by focusing on what older people themselves value in regards to healthy ageing. Accounts of desired living standards in 145 interviews with people aged 63–93 years in New Zealand were subjected to a thematic analysis which revealed six commonly valued ‘functionings’: physical comfort, social integration, contribution, security, autonomy and enjoyment. The capability to achieve the valued functionings was of high importance regardless of physical health status while this capability was often limited by social and material circumstances. The importance of an environment supportive of valued functionings provides a framework for understanding health for older adults, whatever their present physical abilities. We suggest that health psychology is in a good position to reflect critically on the impact of discourses promoting healthy ageing in the lives of older adults, and consider broader models that include understandings of resilience and capability.
Adolescents with or at ultra‐high risk for bipolar disorder exhibit erythrocyte docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid deficits: a candidate prodromal risk biomarker

Mood disorders are associated with low levels of the long‐chain omega‐3 (LCn‐3) fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). This study investigated LCn‐3 fatty acid biostatus in youth with or at varying risk for developing mania to assess its utility as a prodromal risk biomarker.
Substance abuse education in schools of nursing: a national survey.

A concern whether the expansion of knowledge in substance abuse nursing and the contemporary prevalence of substance use disorders had influenced current educational offerings in schools of nursing provided an impetus for this national survey. The purpose of the study was to obtain information about current curricular offerings in substance abuse by schools of nursing. A total of 1,035 questionnaires were mailed to schools of nursing. Respondents included 336 schools representing a 36% return rate. The sample included 154 baccalaureate (46%), 126 associate degree (38%), and 56 diploma (17%) programs. All but one state (Alaska) of the U.S. were part of the sample. The questionnaire used for this study was adapted from one developed for a survey of alcohol and drug abuse content taught in medical schools (Pokorney & Solomon, 1983). Modifications were limited to placing questions in a nursing context. All responding schools included substance abuse in curricular offerings with the largest number (N = 192; 57%) reporting the teaching of alcohol and drug content in a combined manner. The number of required hours of instruction reported most frequently was one to five (N = 242; 72%), which did not differ significantly for the three types of programs. The relatively small number of required hours of instruction would seem disproportionate to the scope and prevalence of substance abuse problems present in patient populations.
Cooperative organizations and members’ role: A new perspective

The theoretical structure and management of a cooperative organization have not changed much during the last decades. Most importantly, the role of the members’ council in corporate governance remains neglected in the contemporary cooperative literature. In this paper, we offer a new perspective on how cooperative organizations can cope with future challenges by re-establishing the role of the members’ council and the members in cooperative organizations