Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal Life-History Strategy Differs between Philopatric and Dispersing Individuals in a Metapopulation

Abundant empirical evidence for dispersal syndromes contrasts with the rarity of theoretical predictions about the evolution of life-history divergence between dispersing and philopatric individuals. We use an evolutionary model to predict optimal differences in age-specific reproductive effort between dispersing and philopatric individuals inhabiting the same metapopulation. In our model, only young individuals disperse, and their lifelong reproductive decisions are potentially affected by this initial event. Juvenile survival declines as density of adults and other juveniles increases. We assume a trade-off between reproduction and survival, so that different patterns of age-specific reproductive effort lead to different patterns of aging. We find that young immigrant mothers should allocate more resources to reproduction than young philopatric mothers, but these life-history differences vanish as immigrant and philopatric individuals get older. However, whether the higher early reproductive effort of immigrants results in higher fecundity depends on the postimmigration cost on fecundity. Dispersing individuals have consequently a shorter life span. Ultimately, these life-history differences are due to the fact that young dispersing individuals most often live in recently founded populations, where competition is relaxed and juvenile survival higher, favoring larger investment in offspring production at the expense of survival.
Psoriasis: ‘the badge of shame’. A case report of a psychological intervention to reduce and potentially clear chronic skin disease

The psychological effects of skin disorders have long been established. Most research on psychological interventions for people with skin disorders has focused predominantly on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT); however, CBT is not appropriate for everyone. We assessed the benefits of a psychological intervention, using the principles of systemic family therapy (SFT). The key to SFT is the understanding of problems in the context of family and social relationships, and how reciprocal dynamics influence problems. Problems thus have a dual construction; they do not exist only within individuals but rather are a product of the interactions between people and wider systems, such as communities and cultures. This report focuses on the importance of practice‐based evidence and the need for more research. A 46‐year‐old female with a 40‐year history of psoriasis was referred for psychological therapy for feelings of shame and low self‐esteem. Many medications, including biologics, had been tried previously with no success. Initially, the patient attended therapy alone; later, her husband and other family members joined her. Issues around her past, relationships, and personal beliefs/assumptions were explored. Over ten 50‐min sessions, she was able to view her dynamics and relationships in a more helpful way. Her psoriasis cleared, reinforcing that it may have been caused by underlying psychological difficulties. Dermatologists need to work in a more holistic way to provide quality care to patients, meeting their psychological and dermatological needs. There is also a need to develop a broader evidence base and interventions for people with skin disorders.
MAP kinase activation in cells exposed to a 60 Hz electromagnetic field

This research provides evidence that mitogen‐activated protein kinase or extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) is activated in HL‐60 human leukemia cells, MCF‐7 human breast cancer cells, and rat fibroblast 3Y1 cells exposed to a 60 Hertz (Hz), 1 Gauss (G) electromagnetic field (EMF). The effects of EMF exposure were compared to those observed using 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbal‐13‐acetate (TPA) treatment. The level of MAPK activation in cells exposed to EMF was approximately equivalent to that in cells treated with 0.1–0.5 ng/ml of TPA. A role for protein kinase C (PKC) in the process leading to MAPK activation in EMF exposed cells is also suggested by the results. MAPK activation is negated by an inhibitor to PKCα, but not PKCδ inhibitors, in cells subjected to EMF exposure or TPA treatment. Thus, similarities between the effects of EMF exposure and TPA treatment are supported by this investigation. This provides a possible method for revealing other participants in EMF–cell interaction, since the TPA induction pathway is well documented. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Children of currently depressed mothers: a STAR*D ancillary study.

OBJECTIVE To assess the current and lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorders among children of currently depressed mothers and to assess the association of clinical features of maternal depression (i.e., severity, chronicity, and clinical features) with child psychopathology. Mothers were participants in the STAR*D (Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression) multisite trial, designed to compare effectiveness and acceptability of different treatment options for outpatients with non-psychotic major depressive disorder (MDD). METHOD Treatment-seeking mothers with a current DSM-IV diagnosis of MDD and with at least 1 child 7 to 17 years old were assessed during a major depressive episode (MDE). For each mother, 1 child was assessed (if a mother had more than 1 child, 1 was randomly selected). Maternal features assessed for this study were history of MDEs, severity of current MDE, comorbid conditions, depressive symptom features, and social functioning. Children were assessed for selected psychiatric diagnoses (Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version [K-SADS-PL]), psychopathologic symptoms and social functioning (Child Behavior Checklist), and global functioning (Children's Global Assessment Scale). Data were gathered from December 2001 to April 2004. RESULTS A large proportion (72%) of mothers were severely depressed (17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score >/= 22). About a third (34%) of children had a current psychiatric disorder, including disruptive behavior (22%), anxiety (16%), and depressive (10%) disorders. Nearly half (45%) had a lifetime psychiatric disorder, including disruptive behavior (29%), anxiety (20%), and depressive (19%) disorders. Atypical depressive features in the mother were associated with a 3-fold increase in the odds of having a child with depressive (OR = 3.3 [95% CI = 1.2 to 9.5]; p = .02) or anxiety (OR = 2.6 [95% CI = 1.1 to 6.9]; p = .03) disorders. A history of maternal suicide attempts and the presence of comorbid panic disorder with agoraphobia were associated with a 3-fold increase and an 8-fold increase in the odds of depressive disorders in the offspring, respectively. The final model showed significant associations (p </= .05) between the following characteristics of maternal depression and offspring disorders: maternal comorbid panic disorder with agoraphobia and offspring depressive and anxiety disorders, maternal irritable depression and offspring disruptive behavior disorders and any disorder, and maternal substance use disorders and any disorder. CONCLUSIONS Children of mothers in the midst of a current MDE are at high risk for disruptive behavior and anxiety disorders. The elevated risk of psychopathology among children of depressed mothers may recommend assessment of these children when clinically suggested. Children of depressed mothers with comorbid panic disorder with agoraphobia are at high risk for depressive and anxiety disorders and deserve special attention from clinicians.
Determinants of Macromolecular Specificity from Proteomics-Derived Peptide Substrate Data

Background: Recent advances in proteomics methodologies allow for high throughput pro-filing of proteolytic cleavage events. The resulting substrate peptide distributions provide deep insights in the underlying macromolecular recognition events, as determinants of biomolecular specificity identi-fied by proteomics approaches may be compared to structure-based analysis of corresponding protein-protein interfaces. Method: Here, we present an overview of experimental and computational methodologies and tools ap-plied in the area and provide an outlook beyond the protein class of proteases. Results and Conclusion: We discuss here future potential, synergies and needs of the emerging over-lap disciplines of proteomics and structure-based modelling.
ANTIGENICITY OF PASSIVELY ACQUIRED MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY ANTIGENS ON T CELLS

T cell blasts and lines passively acquire MHC molecules in vitro. To determine the role of these molecules in immunoregulatory reactions, we examined whether T cell lines grown on irradiated F1 spleen cells were able to supply allogeneic MHC antigens for the stimulation of T cell proliferation. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrates that autoreactive T cell lines grown with irradiated F1 spleen cells acquire allogeneic class II molecules and subsequently lose the MHC molecules within 4 days of coculture with syngeneic cells. The proliferative response of (H-2k·H-2d)F1 T cells stimulated by a T cell line grown on (H-2k·H-2d)F1 cells is inhibited by the addition of hybridoma-culture supernatants containing anti-IAd as well as anti-IEk antibodies. The proliferation of the F1 T cells to the T cell line grown on H-2k spleen cells is only affected by supernatants containing anti-IEk antibodies. To investigate the role of acquired class I MHC antigens, we examined their ability to serve as antigens for cytotoxic cells. Anti-H-2k cytotoxic T cells are generated when H-2b T cells are cultured with an H-2b-derived T cell line, only if the line has been grown on (H-2k·H-2b)F1 cells. An H-2b-derived T cell line exposed to (H-2k·H-2b)F1 cells can be lysed by anti-H-2k cytotoxic T cells from a primary MLR. Similarly, an H-2k anti-H-2b cytotoxic T cell clone will kill an H-2k-derived T cell clone grown on (H-2kxH-2b)F1 spleen cells. These results demonstrate that passively acquired class I molecules can stimulate the generation of cytotoxic T cells that lyse cells expressing the class I antigens and that passively acquired class I molecules expressed on T cells serve as the target for cytotoxic T cells.
Role of endogenous somatostatin in postprandial hypersecretion of neurotensin in patients after gastrectomy.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this report is to elucidate the mechanism of the hypersecretion of neurotensin (NT) after gastrectomy. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA NT secretion induced by fat ingestion is increased after pancreatoduodenectomy or distal gastrectomy. The hypersecretion of NT in the patients undergoing resection of the upper gastrointestinal tract is suppressed by an exogenous somatostatin (SST) analog. METHODS We observed simultaneously the secretion of NT and SST in the same patients before and after gastrectomy (n = 7). We also observed the secretion of these hormones induced by intraduodenal (ID) fat infusion in the normal volunteers (n = 6). RESULTS The response of plasma NT to fat ingestion was significantly increased after gastrectomy compared with that before gastrectomy. The response of plasma SST after gastrectomy was significantly suppressed. The response of plasma NT and SST after ID fat infusion in the normal volunteers was similar to the gastrectomized state. CONCLUSION Diminution of SST secretion, probably caused by the lack of SST cells in the distal part of the stomach, may play a role in augmenting NT secretion after gastrectomy.
Comparative efficacy of long-acting muscarinic antagonists in preventing COPD exacerbations: a network meta-analysis and meta-regression

Background: We hypothesized a class effect of currently available long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs; i.e. tiotropium as a dry powder inhaler or a soft mist inhaler, aclidinium bromide, and glycopyrronium) in preventing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations. The hypothesis was tested with a network meta-analysis. Methods: Several databases and manufacturer’s websites were searched for relevant clinical trials. Randomized, controlled trials, of at least 12 weeks duration, comparing a LAMA with placebo or another LAMA were included. Moderate-to-severe and severe exacerbations were chosen as the outcome assessment criteria. The data were pooled using network meta-analysis. Results: A total of 27 studies with 48,140 subjects were included. All LAMAs reduced moderate-to-severe exacerbations compared with placebo. However, there were no statistically significant differences in preventing moderate-to-severe or severe exacerbations among LABAs. In a subgroup analysis restricting studies to those that had a minimum of 6 months of treatment, glycopyrronium was associated with the least-effective strategy and aclidinium was associated with the greatest probability of being the best therapy in preventing severe exacerbations. Our meta-regression analysis suggested that the prevention of COPD exacerbations were less effective in studies which allowed concomitant use of a long-acting beta agonist (LABA). Conclusion: All LAMAs were equally effective in preventing moderate-to-severe exacerbations. Aclidinium was associated with the lowest risk for severe exacerbations when treatment duration was 6 months or longer. The concomitant use of LABA may not enhance the efficacy of LAMAs in preventing COPD exacerbations. More studies are needed to further examine above findings.
Costing: Non traditional data stores versus traditional DBMS technologies

Storage in large scale data centers is changing dramatically. The move from high cost enterprise class storage systems, to storage nodes that are part application, part storage and part service is pervasive. These nodes make up new technology plays, like hadoop, hbase, mongodb, and cloud storage. This paper talks about real world use cases for building out these environments, the business drivers, the successes and failures. It provides details on the cost models, the changes of the paradigm and when and why this new paradigm should be used.
L'impact des pesticides sur la santé humaine

Face a la crainte suscitee par les produits phytopharmaceutiques, un etat des lieux sur ces produits et leur impact sur la sante humaine s'imposait.Les pesticides sont nombreux et leurs modes d'action varies, afin de combattre la grande diversite des ennemis des cultures. Leur consommation en France est tres importante, placant le pays au 1er rang des consommateurs europeens et au 4eme rang mondial. Toutefois, il apparait que ces produits chimiques ne sont pas anodins, ils sont parmi les plus encadres par la legislation quant a leur mise sur le marche. Le recours aux notions de dose maximale d'utilisation, limite de residus sur les denrees alimentaires, et dose journaliere admissible par le consommateur s'impose, afin de proteger l'applicateur et le consommateur.Les problemes de sante lies a l'utilisation des produits phytopharmaceutiques sont, malgre tout, une realite : on recense a la fois des intoxications aigues consecutives a l'utilisation de ces produits (maux de tete, vertiges, troubles hepato-digestifs, problemes cutanes) et des intoxications chroniques suite a l'exposition repetee a des faibles doses, aboutissant a des pathologies plus graves, telles que cancers du sang, du cerveau, de la prostate, de la peau, de l'estomac, maladie de Parkinson, troubles neuro-comportementaux, et atteintes de la reproduction. De nombreuses etudes de cohorte ou etudes cas-temoins se sont penchees sur le lien entre pesticides et ces pathologies ; leurs resultats sont tres variables, du fait de la difficulte pour les mettre en place. Le lien avere entre une pathologie et unesubstance chimique n'est donc pas facilement identifiable.Il est donc imperatif d'envisager une protection de l'utilisateur par un equipement de protection individuel. Il existe egalement des solutions alternatives a l'emploi des pesticides, qui devraient etre integrees dans les systemes de culture afin d'optimiser ceux-ci. Enfin face aux dangers des pesticides, la prevention est essentielle, celle-ci etant grandement assuree par les professionnels de sante comme la Mutualite Sociale Agricole.
Exploring the Role of the School Principal in Cultivating a Professional Learning Climate

This case study was initiated to gain a deeper understanding of the learning journey of one principal in a rural, secondary school. Three findings emerged from the data: (1) creating a shared vision tor learning emerged as the principal worked to cultivate a sense of possibility for change in the school; (2) a more personal approach to learning was important for creating a climate of hope and trust among the teachers; and (3) modeling a commitment to publically shared professional learning was a key element in cultivating a learning climate among teachers. Attending to complexities of particular cases of school leadership adds new layers of description to the current understanding about the role of the school principal in leading learning communities.
Immediate Effect of Hold-Relax Stretching of Iliopsoas Muscle on Transversus Abdominis Muscle Activation in Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain with Lumbar Hyperlordosis.

OBJECTIVE To determine the immediate effect of hold-relax (HR) stretching of the iliopsoas muscle on pain, transversus abdominis (TrA) activation capacity, lumbar stability level, lumbar lordosis angle and iliopsoas muscle length in chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) with lumbar hyperlordosis. MATERIAL AND METHOD Participants aged from 30-55 years with CNSLBP with lumbar hyperlordosis were divided in two groups: (Group 1) Intervention group received 10-second isometric contraction ofthe iliopsoas muscle (HR), 10-second rest, 20-second static stretch, 5 repetitions. (Group 2) control group received 15 minutes resting in supine lying. The visual analog scale, prone test with the pressure biofeedback unit, modified isometric stability test, aflexible ruler and modified Thomas test were usedforpre- and post-test. Two-way ANOVA was used for within and between-group comparisons. RESULTS The present study consisted of 20 participants. Significant differences were found in pain, TrA activation capacity, lumbar lordosis angle and iliopsoas muscle length between intervention and control groups and between pre- and post-test for intervention group (p<0.05). Lumbar stability level showed no significant difference in within and between-group comparisons. CONCLUSION The HR of the iliopsoas muscle reduced pain and lumbar lordosis angle, enhanced TrA activation, and increased length of hip flexor in CNSLBP with lumbar hyperlordosis.
Prevalence and Dissemination of oqxAB in Escherichia coli Isolates from Animals, Farmworkers, and the Environment

ABSTRACT OqxAB has recently been identified as one of the mechanisms of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR). Compared to what is observed for other PMQR determinants, there is a paucity of data with regard to the prevalence and epidemiology of OqxAB and its contribution to resistance to different antimicrobials. In this study, the prevalence and dissemination of oqxAB and other PMQR genes in Escherichia coli isolates from animals, farmworkers, and the environment in 2002 in China were investigated. Of the 172 E. coli isolates, 39.0% carried oqxA, while only 4.1%, 2.9%, and 0.6% carried qnr (1 qnrB6 isolate, 5 qnrS1 isolates, and 1 qnrD isolate), qepA, and aac(6′)-Ib-cr, respectively. Among the 33 isolates from farmworkers, 10 (30.3%) were positive for oqxA. oqxAB was associated with IS26 and was carried on the 43- to 115-kb IncF transferable plasmid. Transconjugants carrying oqxAB showed 4- to 16-fold increases in the MICs of quinolones, 16- to 64-fold increases in the MICs of quinoxalines, 8- to 32-fold increases in the MICs of chloramphenicol and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and 4- to 8-fold increases in the MICs of florfenicol compared to the levels for the recipient. The pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis showed that the high levels of prevalence and dissemination of oqxAB in E. coli in animal farms were primarily due to the transmission of plasmids carrying oqxAB, although clonal transmission between human and swine E. coli isolates was observed. It is concluded that oqxAB was widespread in animal farms in China, which may be due to the overuse of quinoxalines in animals. This study warrants the prudent use of quinoxalines in food animals.
A Mutation in the Arabidopsis HYL1 Gene Encoding a dsRNA Binding Protein Affects Responses to Abscisic Acid, Auxin, and Cytokinin

Both physiological and genetic evidence indicate interconnections among plant responses to different hormones. We describe a pleiotropic recessive Arabidopsis transposon insertion mutation, designated hyponastic leaves (hyl1), that alters the plant’s responses to several hormones. The mutant is characterized by shorter stature, delayed flowering, leaf hyponasty, reduced fertility, decreased rate of root growth, and an altered root gravitropic response. It also exhibits less sensitivity to auxin and cytokinin and hypersensitivity to abscisic acid (ABA). The auxin transport inhibitor 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid normalizes the mutant phenotype somewhat, whereas another auxin transport inhibitor, N-(1-naphthyl)phthalamic acid, exacerbates the phenotype. The gene, designated HYL1, encodes a 419–amino acid protein that contains two double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) binding motifs, a nuclear localization motif, and a C-terminal repeat structure suggestive of a protein–protein interaction domain. We present evidence that the HYL1 gene is ABA-regulated and encodes a nuclear dsRNA binding protein. We hypothesize that the HYL1 protein is a regulatory protein functioning at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level.
The effect of visual and haptic feedback on computer-assisted needle insertion

Objective: We present a study evaluating the effects of visual and haptic feedback on human performance in a needle insertion task. Materials and Methods: A one-degree-of-freedom needle insertion simulator with a three-layer tissue model (skin, fat and muscle) was used in perceptual experiments. The objective of the 14 subjects was to detect the puncture of each tissue layer using varying haptic and visual cues. Performance was measured by overshoot error—the distance traveled by the virtual needle after puncture. Results: Without force feedback, real-time visual feedback reduced error by at least 87% in comparison to static image overlay. Force feedback, in comparison to no force feedback, reduced puncture overshoot by at least 52% when visual feedback was absent or limited to static image overlay. A combination of force and visual feedback improved performance, especially for tissues with low stiffness, by at least 43% with visual display of the needle position, and by at least 67% with visual display of layer deflection. Conclusion: Real-time image overlay significantly enhances controlled puncture during needle insertion. Force feedback may not be necessary except in circumstances where visual feedback is limited.