Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of atypical Aeromonas salmonicida: inter‐laboratory evaluation and harmonization of methods

The atypical isolates of Aeromonas salmonicida are becoming increasingly important as the frequency of isolation of bacteria belonging to this group continues to rise. The primary object of this study was to compare and evaluate the results obtained in various laboratories concerning the biochemical identification of atypical Aer. salmonicida before and after standardization of media and methods. Five laboratories examined 25 isolates of Aer. salmonicida from diverse fish species and geographical locations including the reference strains of Aer. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida (NCMB 1102) and Aer. salmonicida subsp. achromogenes (NCMB 1110). Without standardization of the methods, 100% agreement was obtained only for two tests: motility and ornithine decarboxylase. The main reason for the discrepancies found was the variation of the incubation time prior to reading the biochemical reactions. After standardization, improvement was obtained with the identification; however, disagreement was still observed between the different laboratories. These findings demonstrate the difficulties involved in a proper identification of atypical Aer. salmonicida and also that data presented in the literature on various strains of Aer. salmonicida are not readily comparable. This paper seems to be the first on standardization of microbiological tests for identification of fish pathogens and the results obtained show the need for standardization of methods both within and between laboratories.
On geochemical prospecting; I

The first type of geochemical prospecting, that of searching for and recognizing visible oil and gas seeps, is one of the oldest methods of prospecting for petroleum deposits. A second type of geochemical prospecting, that of soil gas analysis, has been of record in the literature for some ten years, and depends upon the microanalysis, for hydrocarbons, of “underground” or interstitial soft air. A third type of geochemical prospecting is described, that of soil analysis, which has been recently developed and depends upon the separation, identification and quantitative determination of significant constituents which are entrained, occluded and adsorbed by the soil particles. These significant constituents exhibit a wide range of molecular weights, from hydrogen through gaseous, liquid and solid hydrocarbons and their derivatives. All these constituents tend to show the same significant patterns, which in general fall into two classes, the narrow elongated pattern characteristic of faulting, and the localiz.
Pre-industrial to end 21st century projections of tropospheric ozone from the Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate Model Intercomparison Project (ACCMIP)

Abstract. Present day tropospheric ozone and its changes between 1850 and 2100 are considered, analysing 15 global models that participated in the Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate Model Intercomparison Project (ACCMIP). The ensemble mean compares well against present day observations. The seasonal cycle correlates well, except for some locations in the tropical upper troposphere. Most (75 %) of the models are encompassed with a range of global mean tropospheric ozone column estimates from satellite data, but there is a suggestion of a high bias in the Northern Hemisphere and a low bias in the Southern Hemisphere, which could indicate deficiencies with the ozone precursor emissions. Compared to the present day ensemble mean tropospheric ozone burden of 337 ± 23 Tg, the ensemble mean burden for 1850 time slice is ~30% lower. Future changes were modelled using emissions and climate projections from four Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs). Compared to 2000, the relative changes in the ensemble mean tropospheric ozone burden in 2030 (2100) for the different RCPs are: −4% (−16%) for RCP2.6, 2% (−7%) for RCP4.5, 1% (−9%) for RCP6.0, and 7% (18%) for RCP8.5. Model agreement on the magnitude of the change is greatest for larger changes. Reductions in most precursor emissions are common across the RCPs and drive ozone decreases in all but RCP8.5, where doubled methane and a 40–150% greater stratospheric influx (estimated from a subset of models) increase ozone. While models with a high ozone burden for the present day also have high ozone burdens for the other time slices, no model consistently predicts large or small ozone changes; i.e. the magnitudes of the burdens and burden changes do not appear to be related simply, and the models are sensitive to emissions and climate changes in different ways. Spatial patterns of ozone changes are well correlated across most models, but are notably different for models without time evolving stratospheric ozone concentrations. A unified approach to ozone budget specifications and a rigorous investigation of the factors that drive tropospheric ozone is recommended to help future studies attribute ozone changes and inter-model differences more clearly.
Record of seafloor CaCO3 dissolution in the central equatorial Pacific

Shell weights for Globigerina sacculifer, Pulleniatina obliquiloculata, and Neogloboquadrina dutertrei from cores raised from a depth of 4.36 km (at 2°S, 140°W) reveal large dissolution‐related shifts at Termination I and at the marine isotope stage 5‐4 boundary. These shifts suggest that the carbonate ion concentration at this depth was ∼27 μmol kg−1 higher during glacial time than during marine isotope stages 1 and 5 and that the boundaries separating these regimes were quite sharp (in other words, the dissolution chronology has a rectangular character). However, when compared to results for a much shallower core, there are disconcerting aspects to this data set. One is that the initial shell wall thickness may depend on growth conditions. Hence the estimates of paleocarbonate ion concentrations presented here remain tentative.
Poor outcome in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is associated with high percentage of bcl-2 and Ki 67-positive tumor cells.

BACKGROUND/AIM Newly diagnosed patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) tretaed with immunochemotherapy have durable remission and improved overall survival. It is important to identify high risk patients who may benefit from even more effective therapies. METHODS In a group of 50 newly diagnosed patients with DLBCL, treated with CHOP/R-CHOP (cyclophosphemide doxorubicine, vincristine, prednisone with or without rituximab) regimen, we analyzed the prognostic value of the expression of Ki67 and bcl-2 at diagnosis as well as other standard clinical parameters: International Prognostic Index (IPI), bulky disease, extranodal distribution and lactat dehydrogenase (LDH). Significance was tested according to response rate and overall survival. RESULTS Univariate survival analysis showed that high IPI had a statistically significant negative influence on overall and event free survival time (log rank, p < 0.01). The log rank test analysis signified that patients with a high proliferative fraction (Ki-67 > 60%) had a worse overall survival rate (OS5y) of 40% compared to those with low proliferation (Ki-67 < 60%) with OS5y of 80% (p < 0.01). There was a clear difference between bcl-2 positivity (treshold 50%) and the achievement of complete remission (66% vs 86% in patients with bcl-2 high and low levels respectively, p < 0.05). In survival analysis, patients with low bcl-2 expression had significantly higher OS5y - 68% compared to those with high bcl-2+ with OS5y 37% (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis performed by Cox model revealed that IPI > 3, high Ki-67+, bcl-2 positivity had a significant independent prognostic value concerning overall survival (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION An initial high IPI score associated with high Ki-67+ and bcl2+ could represent possible predictive factors of poor prognosis, which would help to identify a high risk subgroup of newly diagnosed DLBCL.
Topological Structure of Quantum Algorithms

We use a categorical topological semantics to examine the Deutsch-Jozsa, hidden subgroup and single-shot Grover algorithms. This reveals important structures hidden by conventional algebraic presentations, and allows novel proofs of correctness via local topological operations, giving for the first time a satisfying high-level explanation for why these procedures work. We also investigate generalizations of these algorithms, providing improved analyses of those already in the literature, and a new generalization of the single-shot Grover algorithm.
Zika virus induces massive cytoplasmic vacuolization and paraptosis‐like death in infected cells

The cytopathic effects of Zika virus (ZIKV) are poorly characterized. Innate immunity controls ZIKV infection and disease in most infected patients through mechanisms that remain to be understood. Here, we studied the morphological cellular changes induced by ZIKV and addressed the role of interferon‐induced transmembrane proteins (IFITM), a family of broad‐spectrum antiviral factors, during viral replication. We report that ZIKV induces massive vacuolization followed by “implosive” cell death in human epithelial cells, primary skin fibroblasts and astrocytes, a phenomenon which is exacerbated when IFITM3 levels are low. It is reminiscent of paraptosis, a caspase‐independent, non‐apoptotic form of cell death associated with the formation of large cytoplasmic vacuoles. We further show that ZIKV‐induced vacuoles are derived from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and dependent on the PI3K/Akt signaling axis. Inhibiting the Sec61 ER translocon in ZIKV‐infected cells blocked vacuole formation and viral production. Our results provide mechanistic insight behind the ZIKV‐induced cytopathic effect and indicate that IFITM3, by acting as a gatekeeper for incoming virus, restricts virus takeover of the ER and subsequent cell death.
Trend Following Algorithms for Technical Trading in Stock Market

Trend following (TF) is a rule-based trading mechanism that taps on the movements of long-term market trend instead of relying on any forecast or external information to decide when to buy and when to sell a stock. Its simple operation is in contrast to complicated prediction methods which typically would try to predict a future trend by analyzing the historical data and may be other factors. TF makes no prediction and it is well known for its simplicity. Although TF is a popular strategy in finance and was implemented in some commercial trading system decades ago, there have not been many studies of TF in computer science. Hence the objective of this paper is to develop a computer simulator in which TF is implemented as a variety of algorithms. Through the algorithms, readers will see how different parameters are chosen, and how these TF strategies perform in a simulation with real-life data. The simulation results show that TF algorithm can gain an average profit of 75.63% of return-of-investment monthly. However, we observed that TF degrades in performance in proportion to the amount of fluctuation of the market trend. This finding is important to the design of technical trading systems. It implies that the fluctuation of market trend should be monitored; when it exceeds a certain threshold the TF trading should be paused to prevent loss.
Length-weight relationship of fishes caught in the Itaipu Reservoir, Parana, Brazil

Parameters and related statistics of the length-weight relationship of the form W=aL super(b) are presented for 72 species of fish caught in the area of the Itaipu Reservoir in Parana, Brazil. The b values varied between 2.34 and 3.35, with the mean b=2.986 (s.d.=0.230) not significantly different from 3.0 (df=7, p=0.05).
PHARMACOECONOMIC EVALUATION AND AN AUDIT OF QUALITY OF LIFE IN HYPERTENSIVE AND DIABETICS IN A RURAL TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Absract Introduction: Healthcare budget pressure, justification of current expenditures and investments in public health care/individul are flattering a priority in chronic diseases. Hence, this study was carried out with the objective to evaluate the cost of illness in Diabetic Mellitus (DM) and Hypertension (HTN) and their Quality of life (QOL). Method: It was a prospective and Interventional study conducted in patients over a period of 9 months. The data were subjected to a descriptive statistical method. Results: Among 110 patients, 60 % was males. 41.8 % were 41-60 years & 52.7 % were former. Only 1.8 % were obese. 37.3 % had a previous diabetes history . 74.5 % of the patient's hospital stay was 6-10 days. The medication history showed 44.5 % was taking insulin therapy. 35.1 % were taking calcium channel blockers. The direct medical cost mean + SD, was INR 3668.70 + 3326.49 ($59.36 + 53.8). In which medicine cost was Uppermost. Direct non-medical cost mean + SD, was INR 405.78 + 455.18 ($6.56 + 7.36), in which food cost was the highest followed by travel expenses. The total direct cost mean + SD, INR was 4074.48 + 3627.506 ($65.9+ 58.68). The overall Quality of life (SF 6 version) results showed improved (p: ≤ 0.05) Conclusion: This study showed that Quality of life assessment and simultaneous cost estimation will helps to understand the treatment pattern & drugs cost minimization. Hence, Pharmaco economic research studies are essential in minimizing the cost, enhancing the quality of life.
Novel action of gastric proton pump inhibitor on suppression of Helicobacter pylori induced angiogenesis

Background: Although activation of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) by Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with induction of host angiogenesis, which may contribute to H pylori associated gastric carcinogenesis, the strategy for its prevention has not been identified. As we previously reported a strong inhibitory action of gastric proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on MAPK extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 phosphorylation, we investigated whether PPIs could suppress the H pylori induced angiogenesis via inhibition of MAPK ERK1/2. Methods: To address the relationship between H pylori infection and angiogenesis, comparative analysis of density of CD34+ blood vessel was performed in tissues obtained from 20 H pylori positive gastritis and 18 H pylori negative gastritis patients. Expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was tested by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and secretion of interleukin 8, and VEGF was measured by ELISA. To evaluate the direct effect of H pylori infection on the tubular formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), an in vitro angiogenesis assay was employed. Activation of MAPK and nuclear factor κB (NFκB) was detected by immunoblotting. Results:H pylori positive gastritis patients showed a higher density of CD34+ blood vessels (mean 40.9 (SEM 4.4)) than H pylori negative gastritis patients (7.2±0.8), which was well correlated with expression of HIF-1α. Conditioned media from H pylori infected gastric epithelial cells directly induced tubular formation of HUVEC and the increase of in vitro angiogenesis was suppressed by PPI treatment. Infection of H pylori significantly upregulated expression of HIF-1α and VEGF in gastric epithelial cells and expression of proangiogenic factors was mediated by MAPK activation and partially responsible for NFκB activation. PPIs effectively inhibited the phosphorylation of MAPK ERK1/2 that is a principal signal for H pylori induced angiogenesis. Conclusions: The fact that PPIs could downregulate H pylori induced angiogenesis indicates that antiangiogenic treatment using a PPI could be a promising protective therapeutic approach for H pylori associated carcinogenesis.
Obesity and the Role of Short Duration Submaximal Work on Cardiovascular and Cerebral Hemodynamics

The objective of this study was to compare gas exchange, cardiac and cerebral hemodynamic responses between 10 non-obese and 10 obese men during submaximal work. With the increasing prevalence of obesity, there is a need to understand the impact of obesity on work-induced responses. Participants completed a step-wise incremental cycling until they reached 60% of their age-predicted maximum heart rate. Gas exchange, cardiac and pre-frontal cortex hemodynamic responses were simultaneously measured during rest, work, and recovery. The non-obese group reached ~43% of their predicted maximal aerobic capacity as compared to ~34% in the obese group, with the non-obese working at a relatively higher workload and for more duration than the obese. The obese had elevated baseline heart rate and reduced whole-body oxygen uptake per body weight at baseline and task termination. Other cardiac and cerebral responses, although increased from baseline, were similar between groups during submaximal effort. In the obese, during recovery oxygen uptake and heart-rate recovery were slowest; cardiac output and rate pressure product were greatest, and left ventricle ejection time was shortest. However, both groups exhibited similar cerebral hemodynamics during recovery. These finding imply that, irrespective of their low aerobic fitness, obesity does not impair myocardial performance and cerebrovascular function during graded submaximal work, however, recovery from a short duration of work was influenced by their fitness level. Since a majority of activities of daily living are performed at individual’s submaximal level, understanding influence of obesity on submaximal work is critical.
Towards an Understanding of Risk Behavior: An AIDS Risk Reduction Model (ARRM)

This report presents a three-stage model (ARRM) that characterize people's efforts to change sexual behaviors related to HIV transmission. ARRM focuses on social and psychological factors hypothesized to influence (1) labeling of high risk behaviors as problematic, (2) making a commitment to changing high risk behaviors, and (3) seeking and enacting solutions directed at reducing high risk activities. The proposed model integrates important concepts from prior behavioral medicine and human sexuality stud ies, specifies their differential import to achieving the goals associated with each stage of the model, and denotes factors hypothesized to influence people's motivation to con tinue the change process over time. Current findings are discussed within this three-stage model and directions for further research are suggested. Recent findings from our ongoing studies of gays and heterosexuals in San Francisco are presented.
Community respiratory viruses as a cause of lower respiratory tract infections following suppressive chemotherapy in cancer patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Community respiratory viruses are an important cause of respiratory disease in the immunocompromised patients with cancer. To evaluate the occurrence and clinical significance of respiratory virus infections in hospitalized cancer patients at National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, during anticancer treatment, we studied cases that developed episodes of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty patients with LRTI were studied clinically, radiologically, and microbiologically. Sputum cultures were done and an immunofluorescence search for IgM antibodies of influenza A and B, parainfluenza serotypes 1, 2 and 3, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, Legionella pneumophila, Coxiella burnettii, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae were performed on serum samples of patients. RESULTS The main presenting symptom was cough and expectoration. Hematologic malignancy was the underlying disease in 86.6% of cases. Blood cultures were positive in 11 patients (36.6%) only. Sputum cultures revealed a bacterial pathogen in 13 cases and fungi in 3; whereas viral and atypical bacterial IgM antibodies were detected in 13 and 4 patients; respectively. Influenza virus was the commonest virus detected, being of type B in 4 cases, type A in one case and mixed A and B in another 5 cases; followed by RSV in 5 patients. Taken together, bacteria were identified as a single cause of LRTI in 10 cases, viruses in 6, fungi in 3 and mixed causes in 7. Still, there were 4 undiagnosed cases. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that respiratory viruses are common in LRTI, either as a single cause or mixed with bacterial pathogens, in hospitalized cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Diagnostic tests for respiratory viruses should be incorporated in the routine diagnostic study of patients with hematologic malignancies. Also, it must be emphasized that early CT chest is crucial as a base-line prior to initiation of anti-fungal or anti-viral therapy. In cancer patients with a febrile episode and LRTI, tailored therapy is recommended according to the clinical findings of the patient.
Stepwise algorithm combining HPV high-risk DNA-based assays and RNA-based assay for high grade CIN in women with abnormal smears referred to colposcopy.

BACKGROUND The detection of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA provides higher sensitivity but lower specificity than cytology for the identification of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to combine DNA- and RNA-based assays in order to improve the detection of advanced disease (CIN2+). METHODS 107 ASCUS+ women were included in Marseilles (France) between March 2007 and June 2008. Up to five tests were carried out on a liquid PreservCyt sample: Hybrid Capture 2 (HCII) (Digene), Papillocheck (Greiner), Abbott RealTime HR HPV (RT HR HPV) (Abbott), Linear Array (Roche), and EasyQ HPV (Biomérieux). RESULTS 36 (34%) women had CIN2+ histology; among them 6 (6%) had CIN3+ histology. For CIN2+ detection, all tests had comparable sensitivities except EasyQ HPV test: HCII 94%, Papillocheck and LA 92%, RT HR HPV 89%, and NucliSENS EasyQ HPV 75% (P not significant). On the other hand, EasyQ HPV had a higher specificity than the other assays (except RT HR HPV assay). Combining DNA-based and RNA-based assay would allow to reduce the need of colposcopies to be performed among patients HPV positive with DNA-based assay: 32% (7/22) colposcopies not needed in < 30 years old patients, and 29% (14/49) colposcopies not needed in ≥ 30 years patients. CONCLUSIONS All tests had comparable diagnostic values for CIN2+ detection, but DNA-based tests seemed to be more sensitive and RNA-based assay more specific. The combined use of DNA- and RNA-based assays considerably reduces the number of colposcopies to be performed, and provides better diagnostic accuracy for CIN2+ disease.
Wernicke's encephalopathy following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Wernicke's encephalopathy is caused by thiamine deficiency, and is characterized by acute mental confusion, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia. It is also a rare neurologic complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, because of its rare incidence, Wernicke's encephalopathy can easily be overlooked in HSCT patients, and a few misleading steps in the early stage of the disease may result in permanent neurologic disability or even mortality. We recently encountered a case of Wernicke's encephalopathy in a patient who underwent allogeneic HSCT. Based on our own experience and previously published documents, we suggest early radiologic surveillance and treatment for patients with findings compatible with Wernicke's encephalopathy following HSCT.