Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Smear Conversion, Treatment Outcomes and the Time of Default in Registered Tuberculosis Patients on RNTCP DOTS in Puducherry, Southern India.

BACKGROUND Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) in India has achieved improved cure rates. OBJECTIVES This study describes the achievements under RNTCP in terms of conversion rates, treatment outcomes and pattern of time of default in patients on directly observed short-course treatment for Tuberculosis in Puducherry, Southern India. SETTINGS Retrospective cohort study; Tuberculosis Unit in District Tuberculosis Centre, Puducherry, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cohort analysis of patients of registered at the Tuberculosis Unit during 1(st) and 2(nd) quarter of the year 2011. Details about sputum conversion, treatment outcome and time of default were obtained from the tuberculosis register. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Kaplan-Meier plots & log rank tests. RESULTS RNTCP targets with respect to success rate (85.7%), death rate (2.7%) and failure rate (2.1%) in new cases have been achieved but the sputum conversion rate (88%) and default rate (5.9%) targets have not been achieved. The overall default rate for all registered TB patients was 7.4%; significantly higher in category II. In retreatment cases registered as treatment after default, the default rate was high (9%). The cumulative default rate; though similar in the initial two months of treatment; was consistently higher in category II as compared to that in category I. Nearly 40% of all defaulters interrupted treatment between the second and fourth month after treatment initiation. CONCLUSION Defaulting from treatment is more common among the retreatment cases and usually occurs during the transition phase from intensive phase to continuation phase.
Angiotensin II Captopril Cotreatment Augments Angiogenesis in Abdominal Skin Flap in Rats

The effect of captopril, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, on angiogenesis in several reports remained unclear. Its effect on neovascularization in rat abdominal skin flaps was investigated. Flap elevation, based on the right superficial inferior epigastric artery was performed with or without the administration of captopril (10 mg/kg/d), Ang II (100 μg/kg/d), or captopril and Ang II cotreatment. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), microangiography, capillary density measurement, necrosis area determination, laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF), AT1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunostaining were used to evaluate the effects of captopril and the interaction between captopril and Ang II on the angiogenesis. Ang II and captopril cotreatment improved angiogenesis more than Ang II or captopril alone. The reduction of necrosis, enhancement of vascular network formation, capillary density, VEGF immunostaining, and local blood flow were evident in the cotreated group. We suggest that Ang II and captopril cotreatment improves ischemia-induced angiogenesis and increased viability and vascularity of skin flap in rats.
Protein trafficking to the plastid of Plasmodium falciparum is via the secretory pathway

The plastid of Plasmodium falciparum (or ‘apicoplast’) is the evolutionary homolog of the plant chloroplast and represents a vestige of a photosynthetic past. Apicoplast indispensability indicates that it still provides essential functions to parasites. Similar to plant chloroplasts, the apicoplast is dependent on many nucleus‐encoded genes to provide these functions. The apicoplast is surrounded by four membranes, two more than plant chloroplasts. Thus, protein targeting to the apicoplast must overcome additional membrane barriers. In P.falciparum we have analyzed apicoplast targeting using green fluorescent protein (GFP). We demonstrate that protein targeting is at least a two‐step process mediated by bipartite N‐terminal pre‐sequences that consist of a signal peptide for entry into the secretory pathway and a plant‐like transit peptide for subsequent import into the apicoplast. The P.falciparum transit peptide is exceptional compared with other known plastid transit peptides in not requiring serine or threonine residues. The pre‐sequence components are removed stepwise during apicoplast targeting. Targeting GFP to the apicoplast has also provided the first opportunity to examine apicoplast morphology in live P.falciparum.
Cellular uptake and subcellular distribution of roxithromycin and erythromycin in phagocytic cells.

The intracellular accumulation and subcellular distribution of 14C-labelled roxithromycin and erythromycin has been studied in macrophages and polymorphonuclear neutrophils of both human and animal origin. Roxithromycin was consistently and significantly more accumulated than erythromycin, reaching intracellular/extracellular concentration ratios between 14 (in polymorphonuclear neutrophils) and 190 (in alveolar macrophages from smokers). Uptake was reversible, insensitive to anaerobiosis and to the presence of an aminoglycoside, but inhibited by acid pH. Upon subcellular fractionation by isopycnic centrifugation in sucrose gradients. , half the roxithromycin or erythromycin recovered in cell homogenates was found associated with the lysosomes in macrophages, and about one third with azurophil granules in polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Inasmuch as cellular uptake is a necessary, albeit not sufficient, condition for antimicrobials to kill or inhibit the growth of intracellular bacteria the properties of roxithromycin may give it a distinct advantage over other antimicrobial agents.
Board competence and bank performance in China

We incorporate econometrics approach into panel data methods to examine the impact of the board competence on the performance in Chinese banks. By investigating the biographical background of directors in the 20 largest banks during the period 2008 to 2016, our estimate shows that the board of directors play a prominent role in the performance. Especially, both the education background and the management experience have negative impact on the performance.
Phosphorylation stabilizes Nanog by promoting its interaction with Pin1

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can undergo unlimited self-renewal and retain the pluripotency to differentiate into all cell types in the body, thus holding great promise as a renewable source of cells for human therapy. The mechanisms that maintain self-renewal of ESCs remain unclear. Here we show that Nanog, a transcription factor crucial for the self-renewal of ESCs, is phosphorylated at multiple Ser/Thr-Pro motifs. This phosphorylation promotes the interaction between Nanog and the prolyl isomerase Pin1, leading to Nanog stabilization by suppressing its ubiquitination. Inhibition of Pin1 activity or disruption of Pin1–Nanog interaction in ESCs suppresses their capability to self-renew and to form teratomas in immunodeficient mice. Therefore, in addition to the stringent transcriptional regulation of Nanog, the expression level of Nanog is also modulated by posttranslational mechanisms.
Expression of PTEN and FHIT is involved in regulating the balance between apoptosis and proliferation in lung carcinomas.

BACKGROUND The lung carcinoma is a major cause of cancer-related death, but molecular aspects of its genesis and progression remain unclear. The present study aimed to clarify the roles of FHIT and PTEN expression. MATERIALS AND METHODS Expression of FHIT and PTEN was examined using tissue microarrays (TMAs) of lung carcinoma (n = 155) and normal lung samples (n =40) by immunohistochemistry and compared with clinicopathological parameters of tumors, including expression of CPP32 and Ki-67, as well as survival time of patients. RESULTS PTEN was positively expressed in the nuclei of stratified squamous and alveolar epithelial cells, and FHIT in the cytoplasm of stratified squamous and type II alveolar epithelial cells. Both were more frequently expressed in normal lung tissues than lung carcinomas (p<0.05). Immunohistochemically, PTEN expression gradually decreased from small cell carcinomas (SCCs), through large cell carcinomas (LCCs) and adenocarcinomas (ADs) to squamous (SQ) cell carcinomas (p <0.05), whereas FHIT was more highly expressed in ADs and LCCs, compared with SQs and SCCs (p <0.05). PTEN expression was negatively linked to lymphatic and venous invasion of tumors (p<0.05), but positively to CPP32 expression (p<O0.05). FHIT expression was higher in females than males (p<0.05), and negatively related to Ki-67 expression (p<0.05). Kaplan-Merier analysis indicated that expression of PTEN, but not FHIT, was positively correlated with a high cumulative survival rate for patients with lung carcinomas even after stratified analysis of the histological classification (p<0.05). CONCLUSION PTEN and FHIT may contribute to regulation of the balance between apoptosis and proliferation in physiological events in normal lung and during development of lung carcinoma. Down-regulated PTEN appears closely linked to frequent lymphoangiogenic invasion and low FHIT expression, and could provide a molecular basis for differences in genetic sensitivity between men and women to lung carcinogens. PTEN could be a good prognostic factor for lung carcinomas, regardless of the histological types.
Transcriptional activity and nucleolar ultrastructure of embryonic rabbit nuclei after transplantation to enucleated oocytes

Changes in the level of transcriptional activity in 32‐cell stage morula nuclei were studied after blastomere electrofusion to enucleated oocytes. Nuclear transplant recipients were pulse labelled with 3H‐uridine during cultivation in vitro, embryos were then fixed and processed for autoradiography and electron microscopy. Transcriptional activity substantially decreased after 4.5 hr and was completely inhibited at last 15 hr after fusion. Transcription resumed thereafter in two‐cell stage embryos and could be detected in both nuclei from 70% of the embryos analyzed. Transcription activity rapidly increased at the eight 16‐cell stages, reaching the level typical for 32‐cell stage nuclei used for the transfer.
Aerobic Plus Resistance Training Improves Bone Metabolism and Inflammation in Adolescents who Are Obese

Abstract Campos, RMS, de Mello, MT, Tock, L, Silva, PL, Masquio, DCL, de Piano, A, Sanches, PL, Carnier, J, Corgosinho, FC, Foschini, D, Tufik, S, and Dâmaso, AR. Aerobic plus resistance training improves bone metabolism and inflammation in adolescents who are obese. J Strength Cond Res 28(3): 758–766, 2014—Obesity is a worldwide epidemic with a high prevalence of comorbidities, including alterations in bone mineral metabolism. The purpose of this yearlong study was to evaluate the role of 2 types of exercise training (aerobic and aerobic plus resistance exercise) on adipokines parameters and bone metabolism in adolescents who are obese. This was a clinical trial study with interdisciplinary weight loss therapy. Forty-two postpubertal adolescents who are obese were subjected to interdisciplinary weight loss therapy with physical exercise, medical monitoring, nutritional intervention, and psychological intervention. Data were collected from serum analyses of leptin, ghrelin, adiponectin, glucose, and insulin. Anthropometric measurements of body composition, bone mineral density, visceral, and subcutaneous fat were also performed. Statistical tests were applied using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Correlations were established using the Pearson test, and dependencies of variables were established using simple linear regression test. Both training types promoted reductions in body mass index, total central, visceral and subcutaneous fat, insulin concentration, and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, but only aerobic plus resistance training showed statistical improvements in the bone mineral content, adiponectin concentration, and lean tissue. Effective reduction in the visceral/subcutaneous ratio, central/peripheral ratio, and leptin concentration was observed. Insulin and the HOMA-IR index were negative predictors of bone mineral content in the combined training group. Moreover, fat distribution was a negative predictor for bone mineral density in both groups. Aerobic plus resistance training promotes a protective role in bone mineral content associated with an improvement in adiponectin and leptin concentrations, favoring the control of the inflammatory state related to obesity in adolescents. Aerobic plus resistance training combined with interdisciplinary interventions provides important strategies to approach obesity, and these strategies may contribute to clinical practice.
Distinct roles of the Y1 and Y2 receptors on neuropeptide Y‐induced sensitization to sedation

Intracranial injection of neuropeptide Y (NPY) increases the sensitivity to sodium pentobarbital and ketamin sedation and has similar properties as GABA agonists on sleep. Mice sensitive to sedation have increased levels of NPY in many brain regions and Y1−/− mice show a marked resistance to barbiturates. Here we characterized the role of the NPY Y receptors in anesthetic‐induced sedation. We show that Y1 and Y2, but not Y5, receptors participate in the modulation of sedation. Administration of a Y1 agonist increased the sodium pentobarbital‐induced sedation and Y1−/− mice were less sensitive to this anesthetic. However, Y2−/− mice display increased sensitivity, showing that Y2 modulates GABAergic induced sedation both pharmacologically and physiologically and has a functionally opposing role to the Y1 receptor. Analysis of Y1−/−/Y2−/− double mutant mice show that increased sensitivity by Y1 occurs independent of the Y2 receptor, while the decreased sensitivity mediated by Y2 depend on an intact Y1 receptor. In contrast to sodium pentobarbital, both Y1 and Y2 receptors increase the sensitivity in a collaborative fashion to NMDA antagonist‐induced sedation. These data demonstrate the physiological and pharmacological impact of the Y1 and Y2 receptors on sedation.
Diversity in the college curriculum : overview of the literature

The colleges and universities in the United States that have adopted a proactive commitment to diversity in the curriculum have done so because they understand how their central mission is linked with the future of a diverse society. They are aware that, in the new millennium, most new jobs in the economy require a postsecondary education, and women and racial/ethnic minorities compose a majority of the workforce. One result of this awareness is the transformation taking place at many institutions that links diversity in the curriculum with the development of new teaching practices and learning practices. This review of the literature explores the research and current developments in the general education curriculum transformation. It attempts to provide an insight into what these changes seek to accomplish and what they mean for today's college students. It concludes with the consideration that higher education efforts to address diversity issues in the general education curriculum are fostering intellectual development, cultural knowledge, and interracial understanding among all college students. This open access graduate research paper is available at UNI ScholarWorks: https://scholarworks.uni. edu/grp/487 Diversity in the College Curriculum: A Review of the Literature Ruben J. Carrion Professor Freedman April 29, 2000 This Research Paper by: Ruben J. Carrion
THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGICAL READINESS IN THE GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS OF SERBIAN ECONOMY

Technological readiness is an important determinant of the economic and social development in recent decades. Therefore, technological readiness has a substantial impact on the global competitiveness of national economies in the contemporary business environment. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the level of Serbian economy competitiveness in terms of technological readiness and to identify the critical factors for its further development. The analysis is based on the data published by World Economic Forum in annual The Global Competitiveness Reports in the period from 2013 to 2017. The research is conducted through comparative analysis and benchmarking method. The results show significant deviations and negative trend of technological readiness of Serbia in comparison not only with European countries but even with Balkan countries. The conclusions of this research may serve as the directions for technological readiness policy makers in Serbia and other Balkan countries.
Cytochrome P450 catalyzed oxidative hydroxylation of achiral organic compounds with simultaneous creation of two chirality centers in a single C-H activation step.

Regio- and stereoselective oxidative hydroxylation of achiral or chiral organic compounds mediated by synthetic reagents, catalysts, or enzymes generally leads to the formation of one new chiral center that appears in the respective enantiomeric or diastereomeric alcohols. By contrast, when subjecting appropriate achiral compounds to this type of C-H activation, the simultaneous creation of two chiral centers with a defined relative and absolute configuration may result, provided that control of the regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivity is ensured. The present study demonstrates that such control is possible by using wild type or mutant forms of the monooxygenase cytochrome P450 BM3 as catalysts in the oxidative hydroxylation of methylcyclohexane and seven other monosubstituted cyclohexane derivatives.
Lactating Women Restricting Milk Are Low on Select Nutrients

Objective: Currently there are no recommendations for vitamin/mineral supplementation for lactating women but supplementation may be important, particularly for those women who choose to restrict milk intake during lactation. The objective of this study was to assess nutrient adequacy for lactating women and compare their dietary intake, including supplements, between those who restrict milk and those who do not. Methods: A cohort of 175 healthy exclusively breast-feeding women (19–45 yrs) recruited from prenatal classes were divided into milk restrictors (RS) defined as milk intake ≤250 ml/day and non-restrictors (NRS) (>250 ml/day) and followed for six months postpartum. Participants provided repeated 24-hr dietary recalls, detailed use of vitamin/mineral supplements and reasons for restricting milk. Statistical Analyses: Observed intakes were adjusted to remove day-to-day variability. Nutrient intakes were estimated for macronutrients and vitamins C, D, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and minerals, calcium and zinc, with and without vitamin/mineral supplements. Chi-square was used to compare the number of RS and NRS with intakes less than the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR). Results: Milk restriction was practiced by 23% of the sample. Sixty per cent of RS reported protein intakes <EAR compared to 38% of NRS (χ2 = 6.22, p < 0.05). Prior to supplementation, mean levels of calcium and vitamin D intakes for RS were below the adequate intake level (AI) and lower than NRS estimated intakes (p < 0.05). Following supplementation, mean levels of these nutrients reached AI for both groups. RS remained lower than NRS. RS had lower energy intakes than NRS (p < 0.05) but no difference in weight loss at 6 months was noted. A higher proportion of RS were below the EAR for thiamin, riboflavin and zinc. Conclusions: Milk restriction compromised protein and nutrient intakes in lactating women who restricted milk to <250 mL. Vitamin/mineral supplements helped exclusively breastfeeding milk restrictors improve their vitamin D and calcium intakes. Milk restriction is not recommended during lactation and where unavoidable, nutrients provided by milk should be compensated for by other foods or supplements.
Novel GALNT3 mutations causing hyperostosis-hyperphosphatemia syndrome result in low intact fibroblast growth factor 23 concentrations.

CONTEXT Hyperostosis-hyperphosphatemia syndrome (HHS) is a rare metabolic disorder characterized by hyperphosphatemia and localized hyperostosis. HHS is caused by mutations in GALNT3, which encodes UDP-N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosamine:polypeptide N- acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 3. Familial tumoral calcinosis (TC), characterized by ectopic calcifications and hyperphosphatemia, is caused by mutations in the GALNT3 or fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) genes. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to identify mutations in FGF23 or GALNT3 and determine serum FGF23 levels in an HHS patient. DESIGN Mutation detection in FGF23 and GALNT3 was performed by DNA sequencing, and serum FGF23 concentrations were measured by ELISA. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS A 5-year-old French boy with HHS and his family members participated. RESULTS The patient presented with painful cortical lesions in his leg. Radiographs of the affected bone showed diaphyseal hyperostosis. The lesional tissue comprised trabeculae of immature, woven bone surrounded by fibrous tissue. Biochemistry revealed elevated phosphate, tubular maximum rate for phosphate reabsorption per deciliter of glomerular filtrate, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels. The patient was a compound heterozygote for two novel GALNT3 mutations. His parents and brother were heterozygous for one of the mutations and had no biochemical abnormalities. Intact FGF23 level in the patient was low normal, whereas C-terminal FGF23 was elevated, a pattern similar to TC. CONCLUSION The presence of GALNT3 mutations and elevated C-terminal, but low intact serum FGF23, levels in HHS resemble those seen in TC, suggesting that HHS and TC are different manifestations of the same disorder. The absence of biochemical abnormalities in the heterozygous individuals suggests that one normal allele is sufficient for secretion of intact FGF23.
Prenatal diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis with a polymerase-chain-reaction test on amniotic fluid.

BACKGROUND Congenital infection with Toxoplasma gondii can produce serious sequelae. However, there is little consensus about screening during pregnancy, and the tests used to establish a prenatal diagnosis of toxoplasmosis are complex and slow. We evaluated a simpler approach that is based on a polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) test. METHODS Prenatal diagnostic tests, including ultrasonography, amniocentesis, and fetal-blood sampling, were performed in 2632 women with T. gondii infection acquired during pregnancy. In 339 consecutive women, a competitive PCR test for T. gondii was performed on amniotic fluid, and its results were compared with those of conventional diagnostic tests. The PCR test targets the B1 gene of T. gondii, uses an internal control, and can be completed in a day. Positive tests were confirmed by serologic testing of newborns or by autopsy in terminated pregnancies. RESULTS Overall, the risk of fetal infection was 7.4 percent, but it increased sharply with gestational age. Congenital infection was demonstrated in 34 of 339 fetuses by conventional methods, and the PCR test was positive in all 34. In three other fetuses, only the PCR test gave positive results, and follow-up testing confirmed the presence of congenital toxoplasmosis. The PCR test gave one false negative result but no false positive results. The PCR test performed better than conventional parasitologic methods (sensitivity, 97.4 vs. 89.5 percent; negative predictive value, 99.7 vs. 98.7 percent). CONCLUSIONS For the prenatal diagnosis of congenital T. gondii infection, an approach based on a PCR test performed on amniotic fluid is rapid, safe, and accurate.