Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nasopharyngeal Carriage of Haemophilus haemolyticus in Otitis-Prone and Healthy Children

ABSTRACT Haemophilus haemolyticus is often incorrectly categorized as nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) upon culture. PCR analyses of 266 NTHI-like nasopharyngeal isolates from children with and without recurrent acute otitis media (rAOM) revealed that 11.7% were H. haemolyticus and 9.4% gave equivocal results. Children with rAOM were more likely to carry H. haemolyticus.
Bioavailability of milk protein-derived bioactive peptides: a glycaemic management perspective

Abstract Milk protein-derived peptides have been reported to have potential benefits for reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. However, what the active components are and whether intact peptides exert this bioactivity has received little investigation in human subjects. Furthermore, potentially useful bioactive peptides can be limited by low bioavailability. Various peptides have been identified in the gastrointestinal tract and bloodstream after milk-protein ingestion, providing valuable insights into their potential bioavailability. However, these studies are currently limited and the structure and sequence of milk peptides exerting bioactivity for glycaemic management has received little investigation in human subjects. The present article reviews the bioavailability of milk protein-derived peptides in human studies to date, and examines the evidence on milk proteins and glycaemic management, including potential mechanisms of action. Areas in need of advancement are identified. Only by establishing the bioavailability of milk protein-derived peptides, the active components and the mechanistic pathways involved can the benefits of milk proteins for the prevention or management of type 2 diabetes be fully realised in future.
What to do with the rectal stump during sphincter preserving rectal cancer resection with end colostomy: a collaborative snapshot study

Low Hartmann's resection (LHR) and intersphincteric abdominoperineal excision (iAPR) are both feasible options in the treatment of rectal cancer when restoration of bowel continuity is not desired. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of pelvic abscess and associated need for re‐intervention and readmission after LHR and iAPR.
The Continuous Evolution of Continuous Auditing: Insights and Issues from the Outside In

Introduction The emergence of e-commerce and electronic data interchange (EDI), growth of financial reporting using the Internet, hardware and software developments and improved user data analysis capabilities have made traditional reporting redundant in many circumstances. Traditional financial reporting takes place periodically and is essentially retrospective, offering limited relevance to users. Yet until recently, real-time reporting has been considered too costly, and in many cases, impossible. Demands for real-time reporting create demand for continuous auditing (CA). CA is " a comprehensive electronic audit process that allows auditors to provide some degree of assurance on continuous information simultaneous with, or shortly after, the disclosure of the information " (Rezaee, Ahmad, Elam & McMickle, 2002, p. 150). The concept of CA is by no means a new concept. However, the demand for and viability of CA can no longer be ignored. Discussions regarding continuous auditing began in the early 1970s with the development of electronic data processing (EDP) and research followed in the late 1980s (Groomer & Murthy, 1989). Continuous auditing provides unique implications, problems and opportunities for internal and external auditors, and members of the audit profession discuss these implications frequently. This paper intends primarily to review existing literature on CA and to provide suggestions for future research from what can be labelled as an " outside in " perspective, being the writer a sort of newcomer to the field. The remainder of this paper is organised as follows: the next three sections outline the benefits of CA, developments in information technology (IT), and obstacles in undertaking CA as identified by members of the accounting and audit profession. The fifth section summarises some of the institutional efforts towards CA. Research regarding the economic and technical feasibility of CA is provided in sections six and seven, and section eight 1 S. Zambon, University of Ferrara provides some suggestions for future research based on the gaps and limitations of existing research. Benefits of CA CA offers numerous benefits to all stakeholders. The potential benefits of CA include improved audit efficiency through reduced time and cost, and improved audit effectiveness through continuous monitoring and increased internal control focus (Rezaee et al., 2002). In addition, CA has been suggested to reduce agency costs (Kogan, Sudit & Vasarhelyi, 1999) and the cost of capital (Botosan, 1997). Improved audit efficiency and effectiveness DeWayne & Woodroof (2003) claim that CA offers the elimination of the following " audit wastes …
Intracranial Aneurysm Parameters for Predicting a Future Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Long‐Term Follow‐up Study

BACKGROUND: Retrospective studies have suggested that aneurysm morphology is a risk factor for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether various morphological indices of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) predict a future rupture. METHODS: A total of 142 patients with UIAs diagnosed between 1956 and 1978 were followed prospectively until SAH, death, or the last contact. Morphological UIA indices from standard angiographic projections were measured at baseline and adjusted in multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses for established risk factors for SAH. RESULTS: During a follow‐up of 3064 person‐years, 34 patients suffered from an aneurysm rupture. In multivariable analyses, aneurysm volume, volume‐to‐ostium area ratio, and the bottleneck factor separately as continuous variables predicted aneurysm rupture. All the morphological indices were higher (P < .01) after the rupture than before. In final multivariable analyses, current smoking (adjusted hazard ratio 2.50, 95% CI 1.03–6.10, P = .044), location in the anterior communicating artery (4.28, 1.38–13.28, P = .012), age (inversely; 0.95 per year, 0.91–1.00, P = .043), and UIA diameter ≥7 mm at baseline (2.68, 1.16–6.21, P = .021) were independent risk factors for a future rupture. Aneurysm growth during the follow‐up was associated with smoking (P < .05) and SAH (P < .001), but not with the aneurysm indices. CONCLUSION: Of the morphological indices, UIA volume seems to predict a future rupture. However, as volume correlates with the maximum diameter of the aneurysm, it seems to add little to the predictive value of the maximum diameter. Retrospective studies using indices that are measured after rupture are of little value in risk prediction.
PER, a Circadian Clock Component, Mediates the Suppression of MMP-1 Expression in HaCaT Keratinocytes by cAMP

Skin circadian clock system responds to daily changes, thereby regulating skin functions. Exposure of the skin to UV irradiation induces the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and causes DNA damage. It has been reported both DNA repair and DNA replication are regulated by the circadian clock in mouse skin. However, the molecular link between circadian clock and MMP-1 has little been investigated. We found PERIOD protein, a morning clock component, represses the expression of MMP-1 in human keratinocytes by using a PER-knockdown strategy. Treatment with siPer3 alleviated the suppression of MMP-1 expression induced by forskolin. Results revealed PER3 suppresses the expression of MMP-1 via cAMP signaling pathway. Additionally, we screened for an activator of PER that could repress the expression of MMP-1 using HaCaT cell line containing PER promoter-luciferase reporter gene. Results showed Lespedeza capitate extract (LCE) increased PER promoter activity. LCE inhibited the expression of MMP-1 and its effect of LCE was abolished in knockdown of PER2 or PER3, demonstrating LCE can repress the expression of MMP-1 through PER. Since circadian clock component PER can regulate MMP-1 expression, it might be a new molecular mechanism to develop therapeutics to alleviate skin aging and skin cancer.
MODULATORY EFFICACY OF PHYLLANTHUS EMBLICA L. FRUIT EXTRACT IN COMBINATION WITH CISPLATIN ON XENOBIOTIC METABOLIZING ENZYMES STATUS AGAINST ORAL CARCINOGENESIS MODEL

Objective: The aim of our current study is to evaluate the modulatory efficacy of combined therapy on xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes against oral cancer model. Methods: Buccal pouch carcinoma was induced in hamsters by painting with DMBA (0.5% in mineral oil) on the left buccal pouch three times a week for 10 weeks. Results: The results showed that depleted activities of phase II enzymes and significant elevation was observed in the levels of phase I enzymes (cytochrome P450 and b5) in DMBA group of buccal pouch. After supplementation with combination therapy significantly brought back the status to near normal. Conclusion: The data obtained in this study clearly indicate that amla fruit extract shows therapeuti effect against DMBA-induced oral carcinogenesis.
Bioaccumulation of heavy metals by Vibrio alginolyticus isolated from wastes of Iron and Steal Factory, Helwan, Egypt

The isolation of bacteria resistant to heavy metals is a topic of interest in the field bioremediation of contaminated water, soil and sediments. We report here the isolation of bacteria that is resistant to high concentration of a mixture of heavy metals namely cadmium, cupper, lead and zinc. The bacterial isolate was obtained from a site receiving heavy metal waste from the iron and steal factory; a major factory located in El-tebeen, south Helwan. The isolate was identified as Vibrio alginolyticus using the API system. The maximum tolerable concentration was 2.5 mM, 4 mM, 2.5 mM and 3.5 mM for cadmium, copper, lead and zinc respectively. Transmission electron micrograph of Vibrio alginolyticus grown in nutrient broth containing a mixture of the four tested heavy metals, showed bioaccumulation of heavy metal(s) on the bacterial cell wall. At the same time, there was an over all reduction in the concentration of heavy metals in culture supernatant; the percentage reduction was 20% for cadmium, 31% for cupper 40% for lead and 45%for zinc. The reduction occurred after 4 hrs incubation at 30°C for all metals, cupper, lead, and zinc while cadmium required 24 hrs incubation were required to achieve maximum reduction. This isolate could be used to accelerate the in situ bioremediation of sites contaminated by loads of mixed metals.
Intake of bean fiber, beans, and grains and reduced risk of hormone receptor‐negative breast cancer: the San Francisco Bay Area Breast Cancer Study

High dietary fiber intake has been associated with reduced breast cancer risk, but few studies considered tumor subtypes defined by estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status or included racial/ethnic minority populations who vary in their fiber intake. We analyzed food frequency data from a population‐based case–control study, including 2135 breast cancer cases (1070 Hispanics, 493 African Americans, and 572 non‐Hispanic Whites (NHWs)) and 2571 controls (1391 Hispanics, 557 African Americans, and 623 NHWs). Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for breast cancer associated with fiber intake were calculated using unconditional logistic regression. Breast cancer risk associated with high intake (high vs. low quartile) of bean fiber (p‐trend = 0.01), total beans (p‐trend = 0.03), or total grains (p‐trend = 0.05) was reduced by 20%. Inverse associations were strongest for ER‐PR‐ breast cancer, with risk reductions associated with high intake ranging from 28 to 36%. For bean fiber, risk was reduced among foreign‐born Hispanics only, who had the highest fiber intake, whereas for grain intake, inverse associations were found among NHWs only. There was no evidence of association with fiber intake from vegetables and fruits or total intake of vegetables and fruits. A high dietary intake of bean fiber and fiber‐rich foods such as beans and grains may lower the risk of ER‐PR‐ breast cancer, an aggressive breast cancer subtype for which few risk factors have been identified.
A note on age differences in mood-congruent vs. mood-incongruent emotion processing in faces

This article addresses four interrelated research questions: (1) Does experienced mood affect emotion perception in faces and is this perception mood-congruent or mood-incongruent? (2) Are there age-group differences in the interplay between experienced mood and emotion perception? (3) Does emotion perception in faces change as a function of the temporal sequence of study sessions and stimuli presentation, and (4) does emotion perception in faces serve a mood-regulatory function? One hundred fifty-four adults of three different age groups (younger: 20–31 years; middle-aged: 44–55 years; older adults: 70–81 years) were asked to provide multidimensional emotion ratings of a total of 1026 face pictures of younger, middle-aged, and older men and women, each displaying six different prototypical (primary) emotional expressions. By analyzing the likelihood of ascribing an additional emotional expression to a face whose primary emotion had been correctly recognized, the multidimensional rating approach permits the study of emotion perception while controlling for emotion recognition. Following up on previous research on mood responses to recurring unpleasant situations using the same dataset (Voelkle et al., 2013), crossed random effects analyses supported a mood-congruent relationship between experienced mood and perceived emotions in faces. In particular older adults were more likely to perceive happiness in faces when being in a positive mood and less likely to do so when being in a negative mood. This did not apply to younger adults. Temporal sequence of study sessions and stimuli presentation had a strong effect on the likelihood of ascribing an additional emotional expression. In contrast to previous findings, however, there was neither evidence for a change from mood-congruent to mood-incongruent responses over time nor evidence for a mood-regulatory effect.
Optical imaging in an Alzheimer’s mouse model reveals amyloid-β-dependent vascular impairment

Abstract. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and cerebrovascular disease are often comorbid conditions, but the relationship between amyloid-β and in vivo vascular pathophysiology is poorly understood. We utilized a multimodal, multiscale optical imaging approach, including spatial frequency domain imaging, Doppler optical coherence tomography, and confocal microscopy, to quantify AD-dependent changes in a triple transgenic mouse model (3xTg-AD) and age-matched controls. From three months of age (naïve) to 20 months (severe AD), the brain tissue concentration of total and oxy-hemoglobin (Total Hb, ctO2Hb) decreased 50 and 70%, respectively, in 3xTg-AD mice. Compared to age-matched controls, significant differences in brain hemoglobin concentrations occurred as early as eight months (Total Hb: 126±5 μM versus 108±4 μM; ctO2Hb: 86±5 μM versus 70±3 μM; for control and AD, respectively). These changes were linked to a 29% vascular volume fraction decrease and 35% vessel density reduction in the 20-month-old 3xTg-AD versus age-matched controls. Vascular reduction coincided with increased brain concentration of amyloid-β protein, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) at eight and 20 months compared to the three-month baseline. Our results suggest that amyloid-β blocks the normally reparative effects of upregulated VEGF and eNOS, and may accelerate in vivo vascular pathophysiology in AD.
Mislocalization of Sensory Information in People With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Preliminary Investigation

Objectives:The purpose of this study was to establish if people with chronic low back pain (CLBP) demonstrate impairments in the ability to localize sensory information delivered to the back more than pain-free controls and determine whether any sensory abnormalities are related to pain-related variables. Methods:Vision was occluded and participants were stimulated using light touch or pinprick over a number of body areas in random order. To assess for mislocalizations participants were asked to nominate the location of each stimulus in reference to a marked body chart. To assess referred sensations participants who were asked whether they experienced any sensations elsewhere during stimulation. If referred sensations were reported, testing was repeated with visualization of the stimulated area. Results:Although a small number of CLBP patients demonstrated referral of sensations, this was not statistically different from what was observed in a pain-free control group (P=0.381). In contrast, mislocalizations were very common in the patient sample and statistically more common than we found in controls (P=0.034). No statistically significant associations were detected between sensory function and the measured pain-related variables (all P>0.05). Discussion:These data add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that disturbed self-perception is a feature of CLBP. It is plausible that altered self-perception is maladaptive and contributes to the maintenance of the problem and may represent a target of treatment for CLBP.
The influence of the biological pump on ocean chemistry: implications for long‐term trends in marine redox chemistry, the global carbon cycle, and marine animal ecosystems

The net export of organic matter from the surface ocean and its respiration at depth create vertical gradients in nutrient and oxygen availability that play a primary role in structuring marine ecosystems. Changes in the properties of this ‘biological pump’ have been hypothesized to account for important shifts in marine ecosystem structure, including the Cambrian explosion. However, the influence of variation in the behavior of the biological pump on ocean biogeochemistry remains poorly quantified, preventing any detailed exploration of how changes in the biological pump over geological time may have shaped long‐term shifts in ocean chemistry, biogeochemical cycling, and ecosystem structure. Here, we use a 3‐dimensional Earth system model of intermediate complexity to quantitatively explore the effects of the biological pump on marine chemistry. We find that when respiration of sinking organic matter is efficient, due to slower sinking or higher respiration rates, anoxia tends to be more prevalent and to occur in shallower waters. Consequently, the Phanerozoic trend toward less bottom‐water anoxia in continental shelf settings can potentially be explained by a change in the spatial dynamics of nutrient cycling rather than by any change in the ocean phosphate inventory. The model results further suggest that the Phanerozoic decline in the prevalence ocean anoxia is, in part, a consequence of the evolution of larger phytoplankton, many of which produce mineralized tests. We hypothesize that the Phanerozoic trend toward greater animal abundance and metabolic demand was driven more by increased oxygen concentrations in shelf environments than by greater food (nutrient) availability. In fact, a lower‐than‐modern ocean phosphate inventory in our closed system model is unable to account for the Paleozoic prevalence of bottom‐water anoxia. Overall, these model simulations suggest that the changing spatial distribution of photosynthesis and respiration in the oceans has exerted a first‐order control on Earth system evolution across Phanerozoic time.
Skeletal muscle depletion predicts survival of patients with advanced biliary tract cancer undergoing palliative chemotherapy

Background No prior study has investigated the dynamics of body weight with body muscle mass as a prognostic factor in advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC) patients undergoing palliative chemotherapy. We investigated whether low skeletal muscle mass affects survival in patients with BTC, with a co-analysis of body weight loss and body mass index (BMI). Results By multivariate analysis, low skeletal muscle mass at diagnosis and decreased SMI during chemotherapy (p = 0.008 and p < 0.001, respectively) were poor prognostic factors for overall survival (OS). Subgroup analysis revealed that low skeletal muscle mass patients who were overweight or obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) showed worse OS (p < 0.001). Additionally, patients with both decreased BMI and SMI during chemotherapy had worse OS (p < 0.001). Furthermore, patients with decreased SMI had shorter survival regardless of change in BMI. However, for patients with SMI maintained during chemotherapy, decreased BMI had no effect on survival (p = 0.576). Materials and Methods We consecutively enrolled 524 patients with advanced BTC who received palliative chemotherapy between 2003 and 2013. Total muscle cross-sectional area (cm2) at the L3 level assessed by computed tomography was analyzed. We defined low skeletal muscle mass as a skeletal muscle index (SMI) < 48.5 cm2/m2 (men) and < 39.5 cm2/m2 (women) using ROC curves. Conclusions Low skeletal muscle mass, obesity and muscle depletion during palliative chemotherapy are meaningful prognostic factors in advanced BTC. Considering muscle depletion with weight change could help to more accurately predict prognoses of patients with BTC.
Detecting early warning signals of tree mortality in boreal North America using multiscale satellite data

Increasing tree mortality from global change drivers such as drought and biotic infestations is a widespread phenomenon, including in the boreal zone where climate changes and feedbacks to the Earth system are relatively large. Despite the importance for science and management communities, our ability to forecast tree mortality at landscape to continental scales is limited. However, two independent information streams have the potential to inform and improve mortality forecasts: repeat forest inventories and satellite remote sensing. Time series of tree‐level growth patterns indicate that productivity declines and related temporal dynamics often precede mortality years to decades before death. Plot‐level productivity, in turn, has been related to satellite‐based indices such as the Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Here we link these two data sources to show that early warning signals of mortality are evident in several NDVI‐based metrics up to 24 years before death. We focus on two repeat forest inventories and three NDVI products across western boreal North America where productivity and mortality dynamics are influenced by periodic drought. These data sources capture a range of forest conditions and spatial resolution to highlight the sensitivity and limitations of our approach. Overall, results indicate potential to use satellite NDVI for early warning signals of mortality. Relationships are broadly consistent across inventories, species, and spatial resolutions, although the utility of coarse‐scale imagery in the heterogeneous aspen parkland was limited. Longer‐term NDVI data and annually remeasured sites with high mortality levels generate the strongest signals, although we still found robust relationships at sites remeasured at a typical 5 year frequency. The approach and relationships developed here can be used as a basis for improving forest mortality models and monitoring systems.