Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitative genetics of allogamous F2: an origin of randomly fertilized populations

The quantitative genetic properties are derived for the bulk F2 originating from random fertilization (RF) amongst hybrid (F1) individuals. Only its mean appears to have been derived previously, and that definition is confirmed (by another method). New general equations are found also for all genotype frequencies, allele frequencies, inbreeding coefficient, the genotypic, additive-genetic and dominance variances, and broad-sense and narrow-sense heritabilities. The assumption that such an F2 is a classical RF population is shown to be correct. Indeed, the allogamous F2 is a natural origin for the RF population. The relationships are given between precedent RF populations (parents) and subsequent RF populations following hybridization (allogamous F2). The allogamous F2 is generally inbred with respect to its parental F1, the degree depending on the hybrid’s parents’ allele frequencies. At the same time, it is outbred with respect to those original parents, and not inbred at all with respect to the equivalent RF population. The genotypic variance is generally more than in the F1, and likewise for heritabilities. These findings make it possible to evaluate the genetic advance from selection and hybridization. The results depend on the allele frequencies of the original parents and the degree of overdominance, but generally, selection is more advantageous than hybrid vigour.
Mirror Image Video Artifact: An Under-Reported Digital Video-EEG Artifact

Abstract Synchronous video recording can be helpful in EEG recordings, especially in recognition of seizures and in rejection of artifacts. However, video recordings themselves are also subject to the risk of contamination by artifacts. We report a unique case in which a digital video artifact was identified, occurring during synchronous video-EEG recording, albeit independently of the EEG tracing itself. A synchronous digital video-EEG recording was performed on a 67-year-old male who presented in focal motor status epilepticus. During the initial review of the data, right-sided abnormalities on EEG apparently corresponded with (ipsilateral) right arm motor activity on video, suggesting a nonsensical anatomical localization. However, review of the patient’s chart and discussion with the EEG technologist led to the recognition that the video data recorded a mirror image of the true findings of left arm motor activity. Review of the software settings led to the discovery that the video recording was inverted along the vertical axis, leading to mirror image video artifact. Recognition of this video artifact allowed for accurate interpretation of the study—that right hemispheric EEG abnormalities correlated appropriately with (contralateral) left arm twitching. Effective communication between the EEG reading physician, the treating team, and the EEG technologist is critical for recognition of such artifacts, for proper EEG interpretation, and for appropriate patient management. Mirror image video artifact affirms that bedside evaluation, astute technologists, and attentive EEG reading physicians remain important, even in the presence of video recording.
A new multiple sclerosis spasticity treatment option: effect in everyday clinical practice and cost–effectiveness in Germany

Sativex® (GW Pharmaceuticals PLC, Porton Down, UK; Laboratorios Almirall, SA, Barcelona, Spain), a cannabinoid oromucosal spray containing a 1:1 ratio of 9-δ-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, has been licensed in Germany since July 2011 as add-on therapy for moderate-to-severe multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment-resistant spasticity symptoms. The ‘MOVE 2’ study evaluated clinical outcomes, treatment satisfaction, quality of life (QoL) and provision of care in MS patients with spasticity receiving Sativex in everyday clinical practice. Data from 300 patients were collected from 42 specialized MS centers across Germany and were available for this analysis. Assessments, including the MS spasticity 0–10 numerical rating scale, modified Ashworth scale, patients’ and physicians’ clinical impressions, and QoL scales were rated at baseline and at 1 and 3 months after starting treatment with Sativex. Sativex provided relief of MS-related spasticity in the majority of patients who were previously resistant to treatment. In addition, clear improvements were noted in MS spasticity-associated symptoms (e.g., sleep quality, bladder function and mobility), activities of daily living and QoL. Sativex was generally well tolerated. The majority of patients (84%) reported no adverse events, and there was only a limited risk of serious adverse reactions. Furthermore, based on data from Sativex clinical trials, a Markov model-based analysis has shown that Sativex is a cost-effective treatment option for patients with MS spasticity in Germany.
Primed low‐frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and constraint‐induced movement therapy in pediatric hemiparesis: a randomized controlled trial

The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility and efficacy of five treatments of 6 Hz primed, low‐frequency, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with constraint‐induced movement therapy (CIMT) to promote recovery of the paretic hand in children with congenital hemiparesis.
Humanitarian Cash Transfers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Evidence from Unicef's Arcc II Programme

From March 2013 to September 2015, UNICEF and three partner organizations (Concern Worldwide, Mercy Corps, and Solidarités International), collaborated to deliver what was at the time the single-largest unconditional cash transfer programme for humanitarian response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Funded primarily by UKaid from the United Kingdom government, UNICEF’s Alternative Responses for Communities in Crisis (ARCC II) programme reached 23,480 displaced families, host families, and returning displaced families in eastern DRC. Based on an analysis of extensive quantitative and qualitative data collected by the ARCC partners, as well as additional qualitative data collection in the field, AIR and UNICEF used evaluation methods to investigate the effects of the ARCC II programme. The theory behind the ARCC approach is that conflict-affected families in the DRC confront a wide variety of needs depending on the specific events they have experienced, the geography of their place of refuge or return area, the use of adaptive coping mechanisms, and individual family circumstances. ARCC also believes that markets in eastern DRC have adapted to the ongoing crisis and are dynamic and responsive in providing communities access to basic needs. As such, flexible cash-based response can be an effective alternative to in-kind based humanitarian relief programming. The ARCC approach is based on the hypothesis that families who receive unconditional voucher and cash assistance will make purchases that will increase access to basic goods, services, and livelihood opportunities, ultimately enhancing their well-being and resilience. We find evidence to support this hypothesis. Using detailed analysis of participant families purchasing patterns, this paper shows that cash was used by recipients in line with ARCC II objectives. Furthermore, drawing from quasi-experimental methods, we show that ARCC has contributed significantly across the board to improvements in well-being, reductions in vulnerabilities and use of negative coping mechanisms, and ultimately to increased resiliency at the household level.
Latent Membrane Protein 1 Is a Novel Determinant of Epstein-Barr Virus Genome Persistence and Reactivation

Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is a constitutively active oncogenic signaling protein encoded by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Despite monoclonal infection in cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), it has been difficult to reconcile the heterogeneous LMP1 protein levels detected in tumor cells. The LMP1 protein is a pleiotropic signaling protein with oncogenic potential. Findings from this study are consistent with the hypothesis that LMP1 has a role distinct from that of oncogenesis that facilitates the viral life cycle by promoting an unstable but productive infection in differentiating epithelia. ABSTRACT Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous gammaherpesvirus that persistently infects humans, with nearly 95% seropositivity in adults. Infection in differentiating epithelia is permissive, but EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) tumors harbor a clonal and nonproductive latent infection. However, in explanted NPC cultures and epithelial cell lines, episomal EBV genomes are frequently lost. The resulting unstable infection has hampered efforts to study the determinants of EBV persistence and latency in epithelial oncogenesis. The EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) protein is required for tethering EBV episomes to cellular DNA and for mitotic segregation to daughter cells. Expression of EBNA1 does not ensure faithful partitioning of EBV episomes or replicons, suggesting that additional regulatory mechanisms have yet to be elucidated. The EBV latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is an oncogenic signaling protein expressed in latent and lytic cycles. This study identified that LMP1 contributes to the loss of EBV genomes in latently infected cells and promotes differentiation-induced lytic replication in a polarized air-liquid interface (ALI) culture model. Deletion of LMP1 in recombinantly infected 293 cells promoted the retention of EBV genomes in passaged cells, which was in part localized to a conserved PXQXT motif in the C-terminal signaling domain (CTAR1). Additionally, knockdown of LMP1 in the recombinantly infected NPC cell line HK1 resulted in decreased induction of lytic proteins and infectious EBV titers. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that in epithelial infections, regulation of LMP1 mechanisms may be a determinant of infection outcome and a potential risk factor for EBV persistence in preneoplastic cells. IMPORTANCE Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is a constitutively active oncogenic signaling protein encoded by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Despite monoclonal infection in cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), it has been difficult to reconcile the heterogeneous LMP1 protein levels detected in tumor cells. The LMP1 protein is a pleiotropic signaling protein with oncogenic potential. Findings from this study are consistent with the hypothesis that LMP1 has a role distinct from that of oncogenesis that facilitates the viral life cycle by promoting an unstable but productive infection in differentiating epithelia.
Epigenetic Regulation of HIV-1 Latency in Astrocytes

ABSTRACT HIV infiltrates the brain at early times postinfection and remains latent within astrocytes and macrophages. Because astrocytes are the most abundant cell type in the brain, we evaluated epigenetic regulation of HIV latency in astrocytes. We have shown that class I histone deacetylases (HDACs) and a lysine-specific histone methyltransferase, SU(VAR)3-9, play a significant role in silencing of HIV transcription in astrocytes. Our studies add to a growing body of evidence demonstrating that astrocytes are a reservoir for HIV.
Hospital-Based Palliative Care with Medicare Claims: Evidence From Colorado

Background: The prevalence of hospital-based palliative care has been largely anecdotal as an increasing service being provided and there is a need to understand what trends can be analyzed with Medicare data. Objective: To compare 2 methods of identifying hospital-based palliative care in the Medicare population in Colorado. Study Design: Through Medicare claims data and phone surveys, we ascertained the presence of hospital-based palliative care services, number of patients receiving palliative care, and number of care visits provided during the previous year. Data Sources/Study Setting: Data were collected from every Medicare-certified hospital in Colorado during 2008 and 2013. Measurements: We measured the presence of hospital-based palliative care teams and their average number of consultations through a phone survey and cross-referenced using a v-code modifier of Medicare claims indicating a palliative care consult visit. Results: The number of hospital-based palliative care consultations increased five-fold from 2008-2013, and Medicare claims under-counted the number of these consultations compared to phone surveys. Conclusion: The systematic measurement of palliative care nationally is a key priority. More evidence is needed from other states to better understand the usefulness of Medicare claims in this effort.
NGF involvement in pain induced by chronic constriction injury of the rat sciatic nerve

CHRONIC constriction injury (CCI) of the rat sciatic nerve, which within 3 days induces thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia, is used as a model for pain resulting from nerve injury. Involvement of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the development of this hyperalgesia is suggested by the increase in the level of mRNA encoding NGF in cells in the injured area and in dorsal root ganglia at the level of the lesion and the greatly increased NGF levels (determined by ELISA) in the ganglia ipsilateral to the CCI. Application of antiserum to NGF at the site of CCI delayed the appearance of hyperalgesia, whereas pre-immune serum appeared to enhance it. These results are consistent with the view that NGF is an important factor in the appearance of hyperalgesia associated with unilateral mononeuropathy.
Respiration of turions and winter apices in aquatic carnivorous plants

Basic respiration characteristics were measured in turions of six aquatic plant species differing greatly in their ecological and overwintering characteristics both before and after overwintering, i.e., in dormant and non-dormant state: non-carnivorous Hydrocharis morsus-ranae and Caldesia parnassifolia and carnivorous Aldrovanda vesiculosa, Utricularia australis, U. ochroleuca, and U. bremii, and in non-dormant winter apices of three Australian (sub)tropical populations of Aldrovanda and of two temperate North American Utricularia species, U. purpurea and U. radiata. Respiration rate of autumnal (dormant) turions at 20°C ranged from 0.36 to 1.3 µmol O2 kg−1 (FM) s−1 and, except for U. bremii, increased by 11–114% after overwintering. However, this increase was statistically significant only in two species. Respiration Q10 in dormant turions ranged within 1.8–2.6 and within 2.3–3.4 in spring (non-dormant) turions. Turions of aquatic plants behave as typical storage, overwintering organs with low respiration rates. No relationship was found between respiration rate of turions and overwintering strategy. In spite of their low respiration rates, turions can usually survive only from one season to another, due to their limited reserves of respiratory substrates for long periods. Contrary to true turions, respiration rates in non-dormant winter apices both in Australian Aldrovanda populations and temperate U. radiata and U. purpurea, in sprouting turions, and growing shoot apices of Aldrovanda were high and ranged from 2.1 to 3.1 µmol kg−1 (FM) s−1, which is comparable to that in aquatic plant leaves or shoots.
Primary hyperoxaluria: Simultaneous combined liver and kidney transplantation from a living related donor

Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is a rare inherited metabolic disorder in which deficiency of the liver enzyme AGT leads to renal failure and systemic oxalosis. Timely, combined cadaveric liver‐kidney transplantation (LKT) is recommended for end‐stage renal failure (ESRF) caused by PH1; however, the shortage of cadaveric organs has generated enthusiasm for living‐related transplantation in years. Recently, successful sequential LKT from the same living donor has been reported in a child with PH1. We present a sister‐to‐brother simultaneous LKT in a pediatric patient who suffered from PH1 with ESRF. Twelve months after transplantation, his daily urine oxalate excretion was decreased from 160 mg to 19.5 mg with normal liver and renal allograft functions. In addition to the well‐known advantages of living organ transplantation, simultaneous LKT may facilitate early postoperative hemodynamic stability and may induce immunotolerance and allow for low‐dose immunosuppression.
Integrins in platelet activation

Summary. Heterodimeric receptors of the β1 and β3 integrin families mediate platelet adhesion and aggregation in hemostasis and thrombosis. In resting platelets, integrins are expressed in a low‐affinity state but they shift to a high‐affinity state and efficiently bind their ligands in response to cellular activation. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the functional regulation and (patho‐) physiological significance of individual platelet integrins with a special focus on studies in genetically modified mice. It is now recognized that β1 and β3 integrins have partially redundant roles in the adhesion process and that their activation is regulated by similar mechanisms, involving Ca2+‐dependent and ‐independent signaling events and essential functions of talin‐1 and kindlin‐3 in the terminal activation step.
The Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Gene Expression Related to Inflammation, Insulin, and Lipids in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

ABSTRACT Background: Limited data are available assessing the effects of probiotic supplementation on gene expression related to inflammation, insulin, and lipids in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Objectives: The current study was conducted to assess the effects of probiotic supplementation on gene expression related to inflammation, insulin, and lipids in patients with MS. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed among 40 patients with MS. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups to receive either a probiotic capsule containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Lactobacillus fermentum (2 × 109 colony-forming units/g each; n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) for 12 weeks. Gene expression related to inflammation, insulin, and lipids was quantified in blood samples of patients with MS with the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. Results: We found that compared with placebo, probiotic supplementation down-regulated gene expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8; p < 0.001) and tumor necrosis factor–alpha (TNF-α) mRNA (p < .001) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with MS. We did not observe any significant effect of probiotic supplementation on gene expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), or oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with MS. Conclusions: Overall, probiotic supplementation for 12 weeks in patients with MS significantly improved gene expression of IL-8 and TNF-α but did not influence IL-1, PPAR-γ, or LDLR.
The effect of low‐dose ritonavir monotherapy on fasting serum lipid concentrations

Ritonavir (RTV) at doses of 400 mg twice a day (bid) or higher adversely affects serum lipids. However, the effect of RTV 100 mg bid on serum lipids is unknown. We conducted a study to evaluate the effect of RTV 100 mg bid on fasting serum lipid profiles in HIV‐negative healthy volunteers.
En opplyst samtale : Om rettsvitenskapens oppgaver i kriminalpolitikken

English title: Title in English: An enlightened public discourse: On the tasks of legal research regarding criminal politicsWhat are the primary tasks of legal research regarding the politics of crime? Political decisions on crime are decided and executed by politicians, the courts and administrators. Researchers should not avoid politically hot issues, but must take care not to let their political sympathies influence their statements when they give opinions qua legal experts. Academic freedom implies a duty for researchers to take part in enlightened public debates.
Is Obesity an Oral Bacterial Disease?

The world-wide explosion of overweight people has been called an epidemic. The inflammatory nature of obesity is widely recognized. Could it really be an epidemic involving an infectious agent? In this climate of concern over the increasing prevalence of overweight conditions in our society, we focus on the possible role of oral bacteria as a potential direct contributor to obesity. To investigate this possibility, we measured salivary bacterial populations of overweight women. Saliva was collected from 313 women with a body mass index between 27 and 32, and bacterial populations were measured by DNA probe analysis. Levels in this group were compared with data from a population of 232 healthy individuals from periodontal disease studies. The median percentage difference of 7 of the 40 bacterial species measured was greater than 2% in the saliva of overweight women. Classification tree analysis of salivary microbiological composition revealed that 98.4% of the overweight women could be identified by the presence of a single bacterial species (Selenomonas noxia) at levels greater than 1.05% of the total salivary bacteria. Analysis of these data suggests that the composition of salivary bacteria changes in overweight women. It seems likely that these bacterial species could serve as biological indicators of a developing overweight condition. Of even greater interest, and the subject of future research, is the possibility that oral bacteria may participate in the pathology that leads to obesity.
Socialisation of new graduate nurses to practising nurses.

AIMS The aim of this study was to explore the socialisation experiences of new graduate baccalaureate nurses to practising nurses. BACKGROUND How nurses contend with the stress of their professional role has been of interest to both researchers and healthcare administrators over the past 30 years. Work stress of clinical nurses comes mainly from organisational and professional factors. However, few studies have explored the professional and organisational socialisation experiences of new graduate nurses. DESIGN A qualitative descriptive approach was adopted. METHODS Participants were graduates of a baccalaureate nursing programme and employed full time at four medical centres in Taiwan, their first full-time work experience. Data were collected through semi-structured, open-ended, in-depth interviews, which were transcribed verbatim and analysed by content analysis. Three themes were identified: overwhelming chaos, learning by doing and being an insider. RESULTS Although the professional socialisation process was hard for the new graduate nurses, they needed much time to increase their knowledge and clinical skills to fulfil clinical needs. However, the hardest work was the organisational socialisation process, which involved fitting into the bureaucratic system, such as maintaining interpersonal relationships with colleagues and familiarising themselves with the ward rules and culture. Neophyte nurse participants were also frustrated by the conflict between professional and organisational values. CONCLUSIONS The study findings show that the transition from new graduate nurse to practising nurse was stressful for these participants, particularly due to the clash between the professional value of patient-oriented nursing care and the organisational value of task-oriented nursing. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Senior clinical nurses can consider this study's descriptions of new graduate nurses' experiences to help them become insiders and provide quality care.