Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diversity of VanA Glycopeptide Resistance Elements in Enterococci from Humans and Nonhuman Sources

ABSTRACT Elements mediating VanA glycopeptide resistance in 106 diverse enterococci from humans and nonhuman sources were compared with the prototype VanA transposon, Tn1546, in Enterococcus faecium BM4147. The isolates included 64 from individual patients at 15 hospitals in the United Kingdom (isolated between 1987 and 1996) and 42 from nonhuman sources in the United Kingdom (27 from raw meat, 7 from animal feces, and 8 from sewage). VanA elements were assigned to 24 groups (designated groups A to X) with primers that amplified 10 overlapping fragments of Tn1546. Ten groups of elements were found only in human enterococci, eight groups of elements were unique to nonhuman strains, and six groups of elements were common in enterococci from all sources. Elements indistinguishable from Tn1546 (group A) were observed more frequently in enterococci from nonhuman sources (34 versus 9%) but were identified in enterococci that caused outbreaks in hospital patients between 1987 and 1995. The most common group found in human enterococci (group H; 33%) was rarely observed in enterococci from other sources (5%). Group H elements differed from Tn1546 in three regions and included a novel insertion sequence, designated IS1542, between orf2 and vanR. The VanA elements of 14 other groups had a similar insertion at this position and/or distinct insertions at other positions. We conclude that VanA elements in enterococci are heterogeneous, although all show regions of homology with Tn1546. Furthermore, the elements most common among the human and nonhuman enterococci studied were different. This approach may be useful for monitoring the evolution of VanA resistance and may also be applicable in local “snapshot” epidemiological studies. However, as transposition events involving insertion sequences accounted for the differences observed between several groups, the stability of the elements must be assessed before their true epidemiological significance can be determined.
Obese subjects carrying the 11482G>A polymorphism at the perilipin locus are resistant to weight loss after dietary energy restriction.

CONTEXT Dietary treatment of obesity could be improved if predictive information about the individual's genetic response to diet was available. Adipose tissue has been the focus of efforts to identify candidate genes. Perilipin is a major protein found in adipocytes, and perilipin knockout mice are lean and resistant to diet-induced obesity. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to examine the association of several polymorphisms at the perilipin (PLIN) locus with obesity and weight reduction in response to a low-energy diet in obese patients. DESIGN This study was a 1-yr randomized (depending on the PLIN genotype) trial with three follow-up evaluations. SETTING The study was conducted at a university research center. SUBJECTS One hundred fifty obese patients (body mass index, 42 +/- 8 kg/m2) at baseline and 48 patients who completed the dietary follow-up treatment for weight loss participated in the study. INTERVENTIONS Subjects completed a 1-yr low-energy diet. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASUREMENTS Body weight (BW) at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months was measured. RESULTS The minor A-allele at the PLIN 11482G>A polymorphism was associated with lower baseline BW. Moreover, we found a gene-diet interaction (P = 0.015) between this polymorphism and weight loss in patients that completed the 1-yr dietary treatment. Diet resulted in significant decreases in BW (from 114.3 +/- 3.9 kg at baseline to 105.5 +/- 3.5 kg at 1 yr; P lineal trend, 0.020) in GG patients (n = 33). Conversely, carriers of the minor A allele (n = 15) did not show significant changes in BW (from 105.0 +/- 4.6 kg at baseline to 104.3 +/- 4.4 kg at 1 yr; P lineal trend, 0.985). This gene-diet interaction remained statistically significant, even after adjustment for differences in BW at baseline and for other potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS PLIN11482A carriers were resistant to weight loss, suggesting that this polymorphism may predict outcome of BW reduction strategies based on low-energy diets.
Effect of liver cirrhosis on long-term outcomes after acute respiratory failure: A population-based study

AIM To assessed the effect of liver cirrhosis (LC) on the poorly understood long-term mortality risk after first-ever mechanical ventilation (1-MV) for acute respiratory failure. METHODS All patients in Taiwan given a 1-MV between 1997 and 2013 were identified in Taiwan’s Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000. Each patient with LC was individually matched, using a propensity-score method, to two patients without LC. The primary outcome was death after a 1-MV. RESULTS A total of 16653 patients were enrolled: 5551 LC-positive (LC[Pos]) patients, including 1732 with cryptogenic LCs and 11102 LC-negative (LC[Neg]) controls. LC[Pos] patients had more organ failures and were more likely to be admitted to medical department than were LC[Neg] controls. LC[Pos] patients had a significantly lower survival rate (AHR = 1.38, 95%CI: 1.32-1.44). Moreover, the mortality risk was significantly higher for patients with non-cryptogenic LC than for patients with cryptogenic LC (AHR = 1.43, 95%CI: 1.32-1.54) and patients without LC (AHR = 1.56, 95%CI: 1.32-1.54). However, there was no significant difference between patients with cryptogenic and without LC (HR = 1.05, 95%CI: 0.98-1.12). CONCLUSION LC, especially non-cryptogenic LC, significantly increases the risk of death after a 1-MV.
Phytochemical screening of ten Nigerian medicinal plants.

The purpose of the present study is to show the quantity and quality of ten Nigerian medicinal plant used in Nigeria and African for both tradition Alternative medicine and also, serves as an encouragement for the production of new antibiotics locally and the importance of natural endowed gift of nature. The ten medicinal plant are Pseudocedrela kotschyi, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Terminalia glaucescens, Garcina kola, Zanthoxylun Lessmamul, Sarcorcephalus latiolia, Olax subcorpidica, Alchornea laxiflora, Spondia mombin and Morinda Lucida. It was observed that all ten plant contains the important phytochemical like Alkaloids, Phenols, Flavonoids, Saponins, Essential oil and Tannins at appreciable quantity and quality. The use of medicinal plant should be encouraged.
Assessing the value of a new pharmaceutical. A feasibility study of contingent valuation in managed care.

OBJECTIVES The authors assessed the feasibility and construct validity of the contingent valuation method for measuring the monetary value to healthy enrollees in a health maintenance organization of a new drug, filgrastim, as prophylaxis against febrile neutropenia after chemotherapy treatment for cancer. METHODS A random sample of 220 enrollees from a closed-panel staff-model health maintenance organization who did not have cancer were interviewed. Chemotherapy, febrile neutropenia and filgrastim were described by video and decision board. Questions were asked in two different scenarios: (1) User-based: Assuming they were at the point of consumption and about to receive chemotherapy, what is the maximum they would be willing to pay to receive filgrastim? and (2) Insurance-based: Given they were at risk of cancer in the future, what is the maximum they would be willing to pay in additional monthly insurance premiums to add filgrastim to the plan? In a second insurance scenario where respondents were told that filgrastim was covered, what is the minimum reduction in premium that persons were willing to accept to relinquish coverage of the drug? A 2 x 2 factorial design was used to contrast two bidding algorithms to test for starting point bias and two 5-yearly prior risks of cancer, 1/200 versus 1/100. Main effects were tested by ANCOVA controlling for age, sex, health, and income. RESULTS Demographics of experimental cells were similar. No evidence was found of significant starting point bias. For user-based questions, as expected, willingness-to-pay increases with febrile neutropenia risk reduction, but at a declining marginal rate. Despite careful presentation of information to respondents, willingness-to-pay for insurance was higher in the lower prior risk group. Consistent with previous contingent valuation studies, the authors of the present study found evidence that willingness-to-accept exceeds willingness-to-pay for coverage of the same benefit. CONCLUSIONS An insurance-based contingent valuation study is feasible in a health maintenance organization. Construct validation evidence was encouraging, with the exception of the test for prior risk of cancer; however, this was a between-person contrast and may have been confounded by other factors.
Major epiplasmic proteins of ciliates are articulins: cloning, recombinant expression, and structural characterization

The cytoskeleton of certain protists comprises an extensive membrane skeleton, the epiplasm, which contributes to the cell shape and patterning of the species-specific cortical architecture. The isolated epiplasm of the ciliated protist Pseudomicrothorax dubius consists of two major groups of proteins with molecular masses of 78-80 kD and 11- 13 kD, respectively. To characterize the structure of these proteins, peptide sequences of two major polypeptides (78-80 kD) as well as a cDNA representing the entire coding sequence of a minor and hitherto unidentified component (60 kD; p60) of the epiplasm have been determined. All three polypeptides share sequence similarities. They contain repeated valine- and proline-rich motifs of 12 residues with the consensus VPVP--V-V-V-. In p60 the central core domain consists of 24 tandemly repeated VPV motifs. Within the repeat motifs positively and negatively charged residues, when present, show an alternating pattern in register with the V and P positions. Recombinant p60 was purified in 8 M urea and dialyzed against buffer. Infrared spectroscopic measurements indicate 30% beta-sheet. Electron microscopy reveals short filamentous polymers with a rather homogenous diameter (approximately 15-20 nm), but variable lengths. The small polymers form thicker filaments, ribbons, and larger sheets or tubes. A core domain similar to that of P. dubius p60 is also found in the recently described epiplasmic proteins of the flagellate Euglena, the so-called articulins. Our results show that the members of this protein family are not restricted to flagellates, but are also present in the distantly related ciliates where they are major constituents of the epiplasm. Comparison of flagellate and ciliate articulins highlights common features of this novel family of cytoskeletal proteins.
Evaluations of Landscape Locations along Trails Based on Walking Experiences and Distances Traveled in the Akasawa Forest Therapy Base, Central Japan

Forest planners are interested not only in forest spaces that visitors prefer but also in the preferred spatial arrangements of landscape features. In this study, we aimed to clarify walkers’ evaluations of four landscape locations composed of various scenic features in various spatial arrangements along forest walking routes. We also analyzed the trends, differences, and common features associated with different walking distances and experiences. The results are summarized as follows: (1) The walkers’ evaluations changed depending on the elements of the scene they observed and the spatial arrangements of those elements. The visitors preferred silent environments in forest spaces to the sounds of a stream. Meanwhile, they appreciated a good view in an open area. (2) The length of a walk prior to visiting a location on a route affected walkers’ evaluations of that location. For example, a special landscape feature was more positively rated by the respondents who visited the location late in their walks than those in the early and middle walking stages. However, the early-passage walkers were more pleased by touching natural objects such as rocks and large trees than those later in their walks. (3) Analysis revealed that the ratings of certain parameters differed according to the route taken to a location, whereas other ratings remain unchanged. Consequently, we must consider the effects of spatial properties of scenic factors on people’s perceptions in forest planning. (4) Walkers provided similar ratings on three parameters within forest landscapes—“Open feeling”, “Regular landscape” and “Natural” feel—even in the middle and near the end of their walks. Conversely, locations with water elements led to variations in parameter ratings that were maintained until the end of a person’s walk. Based on these results, we suggest that positive walking experiences can be maintained by considering the open feeling, regularity, and natural landscape in all three passage stages in planning walking routes.
Effect of aerial O2 partial pressure on bimodal gas exchange and air-breathing behaviour in Trichogaster leeri

SUMMARY The effects of experimental alterations of aerial O2 partial pressure (PO2,air) on bimodal gas exchange and air-breathing behaviour were investigated in the aquatic air-breathing fish Trichogaster leeri in normoxic water. Fish responded to increasing PO2,air by decreasing air-breathing frequency, increasing aerial O2 consumption rate (V̇O2), increasing mean O2 uptake per breath (V̇O2/breath) and decreasing aquatic V̇O2 to maintain a constant total V̇O2. The rate of oxygen uptake from the air-breathing organ (ABO) during apnoea (V̇O2,ap) was derived on a breath-by-breath basis from VO2/breath and apnoea duration. V̇O2,ap and estimates of ABO volume were used to calculate the PO2 in the ABO at the end of apnoea. This increased with increasing PO2,air, suggesting that ABO-PO2 is not regulated at a constant level by internal chemoreceptors. Furthermore, mean V̇O2,ap increased with increasing PO2,air, indicating that the observed increase in V̇O2/breath with increasing PO2,air was facilitated not only by an increase in apnoea duration but also by an increase in the air–blood PO2 gradient.
Estimation of Utilities for Chronic Hepatitis C from SF-36 Scores

OBJECTIVES:Utilities are the recommended health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measure for cost-effectiveness studies. The aim of this study was to estimate utilities for chronic hepatitis C health states from published studies reporting Short Form-36 (SF-36) quality-of-life scores.METHODS:A systematic review of published studies was undertaken. Articles were eligible for review if direct HRQOL assessment using the SF-36 in a chronic hepatitis C population was reported. SF-36 data were grouped according to hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment status at baseline, stage of liver disease, association with comorbidity, and HCV treatment response. The SF-36 scores were then transformed into utilities using three different methods.RESULTS:Using Nichol's method, the estimated SF-36 mean utilities were 0.87 for sustained virological response (SVR) to interferon-based treatment, 0.82 for untreated chronic hepatitis C, 0.81 for precirrhosis, 0.76 for compensated cirrhosis, 0.69 for decompensated cirrhosis, 0.67 for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and 0.77 for liver transplant. Other methods showed differences across comparison groups (e.g., treated vs untreated) but absolute scores differed substantially by translation method. SF-36 utilities for different stages of liver disease varied considerably from expert estimates but comparable to direct patient-elicited utilities.CONCLUSIONS:Application of SF-36 translation methods facilitate use of large existing datasets to generate community-weighted utilities for cost-effectiveness analyses, an important consideration in the absence of large studies of direct patient-elicited utilities in chronic hepatitis C.
Rho-Associated Protein Kinases Play an Important Role in the Differentiation of Rat Adipose-Derived Stromal Cells into Cardiomyocytes In Vitro

Adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) represent a readily available abundant supply of mesenchymal stem cells and have the ability to differentiate into cardiomyocytes in mice and human, making ADSCs a promising source of cardiomyocytes for transplantation. However, there has been no report of differentiation of rat ADSCs into cardiomyocytes. In addition, signaling pathways in the differentiation process from ADSCs to cardiomyocytes are unknown. In this study, we first demonstrated that rat ADSCs spontaneously differentiated into cardiomyocytes in vitro, when cultured on a complete medium formulation MethoCult GF M3534. These differentiated cells possessed cardiomyocyte phenotype and expressed cardiac markers. Moreover, these cells showed open excitation-contracting coupling and Ca2+ transient and contracted spontaneously. The role of Rho-associated protein kinases (ROCKs) in the differentiation process was then studied by using ROCK-specific inhibitor Y-27632 and ROCK siRNAs. These agents changed the arrangement of cytoskeleton and diminished appearance of cardiomyocyte phenotype, accompanied by inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation and promotion of Akt phosphorylation. Collectively, this is the first study to demonstrate that rat ADSCs could spontaneously differentiate into cardiomyocytes in vitro and ROCKs play an important role in the differentiation of ADSCs into beating cardiomyocytes in conjunction of the PI3K/Akt pathway and the JNK pathway.
Chronic angiotensin IV treatment reverses endothelial dysfunction in ApoE-deficient mice.

AIMS Endothelial dysfunction is considered a surrogate marker for cardiovascular disease. Angiotensin II, the principal hormone of the renin angiotensin system, is known to promote atherogenesis. However, other angiotensin peptide fragments such as angiotensin IV possess biological activity that may in fact counter-regulate the actions of angiotensin II. Therefore, we investigated the role of angiotensin IV on the development of endothelial dysfunction in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice. METHODS AND RESULTS In contrast to their wild-type control, ApoE-/- mice that were fed a high-fat diet had exacerbated endothelial dysfunction, evidenced by impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Chronic infusion of angiotensin IV (1.44 mg/kg per day) in ApoE-/- mice for 2 weeks resulted in significant improvements in endothelial function. Angiotensin IV treatment markedly decreased superoxide levels (dihydroethidium staining fluorescence and L-012 chemiluminescence) and increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression (immunoreactivity and western blotting) in aortic tissue. Co-treatment of angiotensin IV with either AT4 receptor antagonist divalinal-Ang IV or AT2 receptor antagonist PD123319 attenuated these changes, indicating involvement of both the AT4 and the AT2 receptors. CONCLUSION Chronic angiotensin IV treatment in ApoE-/- mice evoked a marked vasoprotective effect that appeared to be mediated by improved NO bioavailability as a result of AT4 and/or AT2 receptor stimulation.
Organizational controls as enablers and constraints in successful knowledge management systems implementation

Many current implementations of organizational knowledge management, although based on the most advanced information technologies, are hobbled by the pervading organizational controls. Such information systems related organizational controls could spell the success or failure of organizational management initiatives despite application of latest groupware and collaboration software. Often, such failures of knowledge management systems implementations arise from incorrect understanding and misapplication of the notion of ‘controls. ’ Hence, it is critical to develop a better understanding of information systems related organizational controls so that they can facilitate the success of knowledge management systems implementations. This paper fills the critical void of incomplete and often incorrect interpretations of organizational controls by developing a better theoretical and conceptual understanding of organizational controls and their pragmatic implications. The paper also proposes an organic model of organizational controls for design of knowledge management systems that can effectively enable creation of new knowledge, renewal of existing knowledge and knowledge sharing.
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Outcomes in Acute Respiratory Distress Treatment: Case Study in a Chinese Referral Center

Background No definitive conclusions have been drawn from the available data about the utilization of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to treat severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The aim of this study was to review our center’s experience with ECMO and determine predictors of outcome from our Chinese center. Material/Methods We retrospectively analyzed a total of 23 consecutive candidates who fulfilled the study entry criteria between January 2009 and December 2015. Detailed clinical data, ECMO flow, and respiratory parameters before and after the introduction of ECMO were compared among in-hospital survivors and nonsurvivors; factors associated with mortality were investigated. Results Hemodynamics and oxygenation parameters were significantly improved after ECMO initiation. Thirteen patients survived to hospital discharge. Univariate correlation analysis demonstrated that APACHE II score (r=−0.463, p=0.03), acute kidney injury (r=−0.574, p=0.005), membrane oxygenator replacement (r=−0.516, p=0.014) and total length of hospital stay (r=0.526, p=0.012) were significantly correlated with survival to hospital discharge, and that the evolution of the levels of urea nitrogen, platelet, and fibrinogen may help to determine patient prognosis. Sixteen patients referred for ECMO from an outside hospital were successfully transported to our institution by ambulance, including seven transported under ECMO support. The survival rate of the ECMO-transport group was comparable to the conventional transport or the non-transport group (both p=1.000). Conclusions ECMO is an effective alternative option for severe ARDS. APACHE II score on admission, onset of acute kidney injury, and membrane oxygenator replacement, and the evolution of levels of urea nitrogen, platelet, and fibrinogen during hospitalization may help to determine the in-hospital patient prognosis. By establishing a well-trained mobile ECMO team, a long-distance, inter-hospital transport can be administered safely.