Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical, Microbiological, and Genetic Characteristics of Heteroresistant Vancomycin-Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia in a Teaching Hospital

The emergence of vancomycin intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) and heterogeneous VISA (hVISA) is of major concern worldwide. Our objective was to investigate the prevalence, phenotypic and molecular features of hVISA strains isolated from bacteremic patients and to determine the clinical significance of the hVISA phenotype in patients with bacteremia. A total of 104 S. aureus blood isolates were collected from a teaching hospital of Argentina between August 2009 and November 2010. No VISA isolate was recovered, and 3 out of 92 patients (3.3%) were infected with hVISA, 2 of them methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) (4.5% of MRSA). Macro Etest and prediffusion method detected 3/3 and 2/3 hVISA respectively. Considering the type of bacteremia, the three cases were distributed as follows: two patients had suffered multiple episodes of bacteremia (both hVISA strains recovered in the second episode), while only one patient had suffered a single episode of bacteremia with hVISA infection. MRSA bloodstream isolates exhibiting the hVISA phenotype were related to HA-MRSA Cordobes clone (ST5-SCCmec I-spa t149) and MRSA Argentinean pediatric clone (ST100-SCCmec IVNV-spa t002), but not to CA-MRSA-ST30-SCCmec IV-spa t019 clone that was one of the most frequent in our country. Although still relatively infrequent in our hospital, hVISA strains were significantly associated with multiple episodes of bacteremia (p=0.037) and genetically unrelated.
Does Optimal Distinctiveness Contribute to Group Polarization

Group polarization occurs when group members have more extreme views after learning others in the group have similar attitudes. This effect has been found in numerous studies (e.g., Stoner, 1969; Mackie, 1986). Several theories, such as self-categorization theory and social comparison theory have been used to explain the phenomenon of group polarization. In the current research, an alternative framework based on optimal distinctiveness theory was proposed as a way to predict group polarization. This theory claims that individuals have two conflicting needsthe need to belong and the need to be distinct. When one of these needs is unmet, people act in specific ways so that the need can be addressed. Because these are conflicting needs, it can be difficult to achieve a balance where both needs are satisfied. There are many different strategies, depending on the context, that people use to establish equilibrium. One goal of the current study is to see if people in groups alter their attitudes as a way to establish optimal distinctiveness. To see if optimal distinctiveness plays a role in group polarization, specific experimental conditions were created where optimal distinctiveness would predict a particular pattern of results that differed from what existing explanations would expect. In moderate group norm condition, optimal distinctiveness and other explanations would predict polarization when needs are unmet. In extreme group norm condition, only optimal distinctiveness would predict less extreme attitudes when the need to be distinct is high. To activate particular needs and explore the role of optimal distinctiveness, a 2 (Group
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Curvularin-Type Metabolites from a Marine-Derived Fungal Strain Penicillium sp. SF-5859 in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced RAW264.7 Macrophages

Chemical study on the extract of a marine-derived fungal strain Penicillium sp. SF-5859 yielded a new curvularin derivative (1), along with eight known curvularin-type polyketides (2–9). The structures of these metabolites (1–9) were established by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry (MS). In vitro anti-inflammatory effects of these metabolites were evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Among these metabolites, 3–9 were shown to strongly inhibit LPS-induced overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) with IC50 values ranging from 1.9 μM to 18.1 μM, and from 2.8 μM to 18.7 μM, respectively. In the further evaluation of signal pathways involved in these effects, the most active compound, (10E,15S)-10,11-dehydrocurvularin (8) attenuated the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, compound 8 was shown to suppress the upregulation of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines via the inhibition of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, but not through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Based on the comparisons of the different magnitude of the anti-inflammatory effects of these structurally-related metabolites, it was suggested that the opening of the 12-membered lactone ring in curvularin-type metabolites and blocking the phenol functionality led to the significant decrease in their anti-inflammatory activity.
Circulating Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Levels Are Closely Associated with Hepatic Fat Content: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Aims Fibroblasts growth factor 21 (FGF21), a liver-secreted endocrine factor involved in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, has been shown to be elevated in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to evaluate the quantitative correlation between serum FGF21 level and hepatic fat content. Methods A total of 138 subjects (72 male and 66 female) aged from 18 to 65 years with abnormal glucose metabolism and B-ultrasonography diagnosed fatty liver were enrolled in the study. Serum FGF21 levels were determined by an in-house chemiluminescence immunoassay and hepatic fat contents were measured by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Results Serum FGF21 increased progressively with the increase of hepatic fat content, but when hepatic fat content increased to the fourth quartile, FGF21 tended to decline. Serum FGF21 concentrations were positively correlated with hepatic fat content especially in subjects with mild/moderate hepatic steatosis (r = 0.276, p = 0.009). Within the range of hepatic steatosis from the first to third quartile, FGF21 was superior to any other traditional clinical markers including ALT to reflect hepatic fat content. When the patients with severe hepatic steatosis (the fourth quartile) were included, the quantitative correlation between FGF21 and hepatic fat content was weakened. Conclusions Serum FGF21 was a potential biomarker to reflect the hepatic fat content in patients with mild or moderate NAFLD. In severe NAFLD patients, FGF21 concentration might decrease due to liver inflammation or injury.
Contribution of body movements on the heart rate variability during high intensity running

We studied the association between the heart rate variability (HRV) and the subject's movement during high intensity running. HRV is affected by movement, and this phenomena is known as cardiolocomotor coupling (CLC). Characterization of movement related components on the HRV spectrogram is a principal step toward meaningful interpretation of autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. According to the literature, the aliases of the first and second harmonics of the cadence frequency are the main contributors affecting HRV. Instead, we found out that there is another aliasing component containing significant power in the HRV spectrogram. The source of this component might be the arm swings, torso movement or any other mechanical movement along the horizontal axis, orthogonal to the cadence direction. Our results show that in 13 out of 22 subjects the spectral HRV component arising from the alias of the second harmonic of cadence frequency (vertical acceleration) accommodates significantly less energy than the component related to the alias of the first harmonic of horizontal acceleration. Therefore, neglecting this component and/or considering the second harmonic of the cadence frequency as more dominant one is not always a valid assumption.
[Barriers in the access to senile cataract treatment at Altino Ventura Foundation].

PURPOSE To identify the barriers in the access to treatment of senile cataract and to evaluate the patient's costs in this process. METHODS A survey of 101 patients who would undergo cataract surgery at Altino Ventura Foundation was performed using a questionnaire. The economical and social aspects of the whole process of treatment were evaluated. RESULTS The principal barriers of cataract treatment were: fear of surgery, patient's low income, the need for preoperative examinations and the number of times the patient had to return to the service (3.2 +/- 1.5), as well as the waiting time between the first examination and the surgery (3.2 +/- 2.6 months - Mean +/- SEM). The examination costs varied from 5 to 170 reais (16.6 +/- 2.7 - Mean +/- SEM). DISCUSSION The main reasons for not seeking for cataract treatment, as the fear to undergo surgery and the lack of financial resources had been similar to other Brazilian institutions. The number of times that the patient had to return to the service increased the expenses of the patient and the difficulties faced by him. Altino Ventura Foundation mainly takes care of the poorest population of the State, therefore, the expenses of the patients with transportation and examinations become obstacles to the treatment of cataract. CONCLUSIONS The fear of surgery and the patient's low income and the social level of the institution's users were the principal barriers in the access to cataract treatment in this study. The need for preoperative examinations, sometimes unnecessary, contributes to a lower efficiency of the medical services offered to individuals of low income and social conditions. The surgery carried out at the same day of the cataract diagnosis makes the solution of the illness quickly possible, diminishing the number of times necessary for the patient's return to health service from three or more, to only one.
TETROBOT modular robotics: prototype and experiments

TETROBOT is a modular system for the design, implementation, and control of a class of highly redundant parallel robotic mechanisms. This paper describes new experimental results based on evaluation of prototype configurations with up to 18 nodes, 48 links and 15 actuators. TETROBOT is an actuated robotic structure which may be reassembled into many different configurations while still being controlled by the same hardware and software architecture. Implementations of a double octahedral platform, a tetrahedral arm and a six-legged walker, constructed from the same set of parts, are described. The TETROBOT system addresses the needs of application domains, such as space, undersea, mining, and construction, where adaptation to unstructured and changing environments and custom design for rapid implementation are required.
A Di-leucine Motif and an Upstream Serine in the Interleukin-6 (IL-6) Signal Transducer gp130 Mediate Ligand-induced Endocytosis and Down-regulation of the IL-6 Receptor (*)

The interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor complex is composed of two different subunits, the IL-6 binding protein (IL-6R, gp80) and the signal transducing component gp130. Our previous studies revealed that the 10-amino acid sequence TQPLLDSEER within the intracellular domain of gp130 is crucial for the efficient internalization of IL-6. Since this sequence contains a putative di-leucine internalization motif, we further analyzed this region by constructing two additional deletions and a series of point mutants. Analyses of these mutants showed that the di-leucine pair (Leu-145 and Leu-146) is essential for ligand internalization, with leucine 145 being less resilient to exchanges. Furthermore, when a chimeric protein (Tac-STQPLL) composed of the Tac antigen fused to the hexapeptide STQPLL of gp130 was studied, we found that this sequence is sufficient to mediate endocytosis and lysosomal targeting of the chimera. Mutational analysis of three serine residues upstream of the di-leucine motif revealed that mutation of serine 139 to an alanine reduces the initial internalization rate by 50%. This finding suggests that a serine phosphorylation may be important for rapid endocytosis.
WS-HFS: A Heterogeneous Feature Selection Framework for Web Services Mining

With the development of Service Computing and Big Data research, more and more heterogeneous data generated in the process of Service Computing attracts our attention. Combining correlated data sources may help improve the performance of a given task. For example, in service recommendation, one can combine (1) user profile data (e.g. Genders, age, etc.), (2) user log data (e.g., Click through data, service invocation records, etc.), (3) QoS data (e.g. Response time, cost, etc.), (4) service functional description (e.g., Service name, WSDL document, etc.) and (5) service tagging data (i.e., Tags annotated by users) to build a recommendation model. All these data sources provide informative but heterogeneous features. For instance, user profile and QoS data usually have nominal features reflecting users' background and services' qualities, log data provides term-based features about users' historical behaviors, and service functional description and tagging data have term-based features reflecting services' functionalities and users' collective opinions. Given multiple heterogeneous data sources, one important challenge is to find a unified feature subspace to capture the knowledge from all data sources. To handle this problem, in this paper, we propose a Heterogeneous Feature Selection framework, named as WS-HFS, in which the consensus and the weight of different sources are both considered. Moreover, we apply the proposed framework to Web service clustering as a case study, and compare it with the state of the art approaches. The comprehensive experiments based on real data demonstrate the effectiveness of WS-HFS.
SOCIO-CULTURAL ATTITUDES TO TA'AROF AMONG IRANIAN IMMIGRANTS IN CANADA

This thesis examines the adaptation of Iranian Canadians (immigrants from Iran in Canada) to the new cultural environment with a special focus on a paradigm shift in their lingua-cultural attitudes. More specifically, it examines the attitudes of Iranian Canadians to ta’arof, an important politeness phenomenon in Farsi that has attracted the attention of many scholars of linguistics and anthropology. The actual use of ta’arof as well as attitudes to its use are compared for two groups of first generation Canadian Iranians (60 participants total), with long and short periods of exposure to Canadian culture. All the participants come from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. This thesis is informed by linguistic relativity, acculturation and politeness theories. The study employs a questionnaire survey as its methodology, commonly used in sociolinguistic studies (e.g. Makarova & Hudyma, 2015; Clement, 1986). The questionnaire contains questions about the respondents' use of ta’arof in different situations, and their attitudes to ta’arof. In addition, it included some sociocultural questions aimed at evaluating the respondents’ level of acculturation. The goal of this study is to describe the use of ta’arof and attitudes to its use among first generation Canadian Iranians, as well as to examine whether social variables such as length of stay in Canada, gender, education and English proficiency contribute to a change in attitudes to ta’arof among first generation Iranian immigrants in Canada. The results show that all the social variables in this study, namely age, gender, education, English proficiency, length of stay in Canada and acculturation can be either positively or negatively correlated with the participants’ use of ta’arof and their attitudes to ta’arof. The results also indicate that “ethnic self-identification,” in terms of “Canadian,” “Iranian,” or “Iranian Canadian,” is positively correlated with “the length of stay in Canada. ” The Iranian immigrants with longer duration of stay in Canada are more likely to identify themselves as “Iranian Canadian” than as “Iranian. ” Other findings suggest that the Iranian immigrants who have lived for a long perid of time in Canada provide higher acculturation-level responses and use ta’arof less in their interactions with Iranians and non-Iranians in Canada, as compared to immigrants who have lived in Canada for a short period of time. The latter group yields lower acculturation-level responses, and their attitudes to ta’arof are significantly more positive. Overall, even though the Iranian Canadian participants report the use ta’arof in Canada not only in communication within the Iranian diaspora, but also sometimes in communication with members of other Canadian ethnic groups, they dislike the pressures imposed by ta’arof, do not want to teach it to their children, and have overall rather negative attitudes towards ta’arof and its use. With the increase of the duration of stay in Canada, the attitudes to ta’arof become significantly more negative.
Development and Potential Utility of a New Scoring Formula for Prediction of Malignant Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm of the Pancreas

Objective A simple system is needed to determine whether surgery is indicated in cases of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). Methods We conducted a retrospective study to identify factors predictive of malignant IPMN and thus simplify the treatment decision-making process. Ninety-six consecutive patients treated surgically for IPMN at Kyorin University Hospital (Tokyo, Japan) between 1994 and 2014 were included. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify preoperative factors predictive of malignancy. A simple scoring formula was derived from the regression equation. Results Twenty-two (23%) of the IPMNs were malignant, and 74 (77%) were benign. Pancreatic head tumor, cyst diameter of 47 mm or greater, and mural nodule diameter of 9 mm or greater were identified as significant predictors of malignant IPMN. The following scoring formula was developed: 4 × tumor location (pancreatic head, 1; pancreatic body or tail, 0) + 3 × cyst diameter (≥47 mm, 1; <47 mm, 0) + 6 × mural nodule diameter (≥9 mm, 1; <9 mm, 0); the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.970. At a cutoff of 8 points, the diagnostic accuracy was excellent (sensitivity, 90.9%; specificity, 95.9%; accuracy, 94.8%). Conclusions Our scoring system has potential as a simple screening tool for the identification of malignant IPMN.
Early histological features of small intestinal injury induced by indomethacin

The early histological features of indomethacin‐induced jejunal injury in the rat are described in tissues preserved by perfusion‐fixation with 10% formolsaline. After an oral dose of indomethacin (15 mg/kg, known to cause severe multifocal ulceration of the rat jejunum), groups of rats were anaesthetized with subsequent perfusion‐fixation of the gastrointestinal tract at 1, 2, 3, 6 and 48 h after dosing. Using routine light microscopic techniques, we have observed a sequence of four distinct stages, in time, of small intestinal injury. The earliest histological features were shortening of the villi, epithelial stratification, basal lamina degeneration, eosinophil degranulation and infiltration of the epithelium prior to infiltration of the mucosa by neutrophils. We consider that these earliest changes, seen at 1, 2 and 3 h, represent a distinct histological entity termed Type 1 change or villous ‘tufting’. Type 2 change includes all of the features of Type 1 change plus the subsequent infiltration of the mucosa by neutrophils at 2, 3 and 6 h. Type 3 change includes necrosis of the upper‐third of the villi and was mainly seen at 3 and 6 h. Type 4 change describes extreme injury to more than one‐third of the mucosa with severe, acute inflammation and perforation of the bowel wall by 48 h. Although a small number of neutrophils had appeared to infiltrate the mucosa as early as 2 h after dosing, they were only significantly increased at 3, 6 and 48 h. Possible pathogenic mechanisms involved in shortening of villi as a result of smooth muscle contraction and the role of mucosal eosinophils in NSAID‐induced jejunal injury in the rat are discussed.
Felicidad subjetiva y autoeficacia docente en profesorado de República Dominicana y España

This study examines the relationship between subjective happiness levels and teacher selfefficacy in a sample of 454 teachers at all educational levels (from kindergarten to University) of Dominican Republic and Spain. To do this, we used the Subjective Happiness Scale (Lyubomirsky & Lepper, 1999), which assesses the general happiness, and Teachers’ Sense of Teacher Efficacy Scale (Tschannen-Moran & Woolfolk, 2001), which measures three dimensions: Efficacy in Student Engagement, Efficacy in Instructional Practices, and Efficacy in Classroom Management. The results show significant and positive correlations between subjective happiness scores and the three dimensions of teacher efficacy. Also, the Dominican population obtains higher scores than the Spanish population in all constructs analyzed. Depending on the results found, which corroborate previous research in the field of positive psychology (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000), we propose the incorporation of emotional education training plans for teachers, since subjective happiness as part of individual emotions, is a factor with high positive implications for successfully carrying out professional challenges posed by the task of education.
Stress-induced testicular hyposensitivity to gonadotropin in rats. Role of the pituitary gland.

The time course of stress-induced testicular hyposensitivity to gonadotropins was studied in hypophysectomized or naloxone-treated rats exposed to various periods of immobilization. Blood was collected from a chronically indwelling intra-atrial catheter every hour for luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) measurement. Eight hours of immobilization completely suppressed T secretion without significant effect on LH. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, 5 IU/rat, i.m.) induced a marked increase in plasma T levels in normal control groups 3 h post-injection while in immobilized rats the response was completely abolished, even after only 30 min of stress. In hypophysectomized rats, as expected, plasma T levels were undetectable, but, contrary to results obtained in normal animals, hCG induced a similar increase of plasma T levels both in control and stressed rats. Immobilization stress failed to inhibit plasma T values in hypophysectomized rats pretreated for 4 days with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) + hCG, while it did so in similarly treated normal animals. Naloxone induced a rise of plasma LH and T levels in control rats, but did not antagonize the stress-induced fall of plasma T concentration. In all groups, steroid testicular content mimicked variations of plasma T values. In particular, in stressed animals the lack of accumulation of testicular 17-hydroxyprogesterone probably reflected a normal activity of 17-20 lyase. These results indicate that stress induces very rapidly a state of Leydig cell hyposensitivity to gonadotropins and a blockade of T biosynthesis. The causal relationship between the two effects is presently not clear but these events seem to be due to stress-induced release of an inhibitory factor of pituitary origin other that endorphin.