Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cytomegalovirus in the intensive care unit: pathogen or passenger?

Several herpesviruses have been reported to reactivate in non-immunocompromised patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) including herpes simplex virus (HSV), human herpesvirus 6, and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Shedding of HSV has been associated with reduced survival in non-immunocompromised patients on ventilators in some studies [1]; however, at present it is not known whether this is due to a general impairment in host defense mechanisms that occurs in patients in the ICU or whether the virus is a direct cause of morbidity and mortality. Human herpesvirus 6 has also been reported to reactivate in non-immunocompromised patients admitted to the ICU; however, the virus was not been associated with increased severity of disease or mortality in these patients [2].
A Volume Integral Formulation Based on Facet Elements for Nonlinear Magnetostatic Problems

This paper presents a novel and useful 3-D nonlinear magnetostatic integral formulation for volume integral method. Like every other integral formulation, its main advantage is that it does not require air-region mesh, only ferromagnetic regions being discretized. The formulation is based on magnetic flux density interpolation on facet elements. Special care is taken to accurately compute the singularity of Green's kernel. The application of an equivalent circuit approach allows preserving the solenoidality of magnetic induction. It is shown that the formulation is very accurate even if it is associated with coarse meshes. Thus, computation time can be very competitive. Computed results for the TEAM workshop problem 13 and for a multi-connected regions case-test are reported.
Departures from Axisymmetric Balance Dynamics during Secondary Eyewall Formation

AbstractDepartures from axisymmetric balance dynamics are quantified during a case of secondary eyewall formation. The case occurred in a three-dimensional mesoscale convection-permitting numerical simulation of a tropical cyclone, integrated from an initial weak mesoscale vortex in an idealized quiescent environment. The simulation exhibits a canonical eyewall replacement cycle. Departures from balance dynamics are quantified by comparing the azimuthally averaged secondary circulation and corresponding tangential wind tendencies of the mesoscale integration with those diagnosed as the axisymmetric balanced response of a vortex subject to diabatic and tangential momentum forcing. Balance dynamics is defined here, following the tropical cyclone literature, as those processes that maintain a vortex in axisymmetric thermal wind balance.The dynamical and thermodynamical fields needed to characterize the background vortex for the Sawyer–Eliassen inversion are obtained by azimuthally averaging the relevant quan.
Nutrient-dependent and Insulin-stimulated Phosphorylation of Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 on Serine 302 Correlates with Increased Insulin Signaling*

Ser/Thr phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate IRS-1 regulates insulin signaling, but the relevant phosphorylated residues and their potential functions during insulin-stimulated signal transduction are difficult to resolve. We used a sequence-specific polyclonal antibody directed against phosphorylated Ser302 to study IRS-1-mediated signaling during insulin and insulin-like growth factor IGF-I stimulation. Insulin or IGF-I stimulated phosphorylation of Ser302 in various cell backgrounds and in murine muscle. Wortmannin or rapamycin inhibited Ser302 phosphorylation, and amino acids or glucose stimulated Ser302 phosphorylation, suggesting a role for the mTOR cascade. The Ser302 kinase associates with IRS-1 during immunoprecipitation, but its identity is unknown. The NH2-terminal c-Jun kinase did not phosphorylate Ser302. Replacing Ser302 with alanine significantly reduced insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and p85 binding and reduced insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of p70S6K, ribosomal S6 protein, and 4E-BP1; however, this mutation had no effect on insulin-stimulated Akt or glycogen synthase kinase 3β phosphorylation. Replacing Ser302 with alanine reduced insulin/IGF-I-stimulated DNA synthesis. We conclude that Ser302 phosphorylation integrates nutrient availability with insulin/IGF-I signaling to promote mitogenesis and cell growth.
Potential microbiological contamination of effluents in poultry and swine abattoirs

Health risks in the effluents of seven swine abattoirs and of seven poultry abattoirs were evaluated with regard to environment degradation and to dissemination of pathogenic microorganisms during the rainy and dry seasons. Supply-water samples from affluents and effluents of the treatment systems at different sites within the abattoir processing system were analysed. Similarly, water samples from the three recipient sites (emission point, 100 m upstream, 100 m downstream) were also analysed. Temperature, free residual chlorine (FRC), total coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli, enterococci, identification and serotyping of salmonellae were assessed. Scalding is the most significant stage in the slaughtering chain (P<0·05) when temperature is taken into account. Temperatures at effluents and at the sampled sites in the water bodies accorded to state and federal legislation standards. Supply waters did not meet the standards for FRC and microbial count standards according to the Ministry of Health and within limits imposed by the Industrial and Sanitary Inspection Regulations for Animal Products. Feather plucking and evisceration in poultry slaughter and the cleansing of carcasses and facilities in poultry and swine slaughtering had the highest contamination impact. The three loci at the water bodies were above the microbiological standards for classes II and III sites, in conformity with Law 8468 of the state of São Paulo, Brazil and Conama. Salmonella was found at several sites during slaughter, at both types of abattoirs, including in the effluent treatment system. This showed that these sites were the dissemination sources of the microorganism.
Who receives prescriptions for smoking cessation medications? An association rule mining analysis using a large primary care database

Aims To use association rule mining methods to investigate prescribing of smoking cessation medication in the UK primary care and to identify the characteristics of numerically important groups of patients who typically do, or do not, receive cessation therapy. Design An association rule mining study using The Health Improvement Network Database. Settings and participants 282 433 patients aged 16 years and over from 419 UK general practices, who were registered with the practice throughout 2008 and recorded as a current smoker during that year. Outcome Prescription for any type of smoking cessation medications in 2008 (nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion or varenicline). Variables Age, gender, lifestyle indicators and co-morbidity. Results Of the current smokers, 37 731 (13.4%) were given prescriptions for smoking cessation treatment during 2008. Prescriptions were particularly likely to be given to women, those aged 31–60 years, and people with diagnoses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and depression. On the contrary, of patients with dementia, with alcohol intake over recommended levels, atrial fibrillation or chronic kidney disease was extremely unlikely to be prescribed a smoking cessation medication. However, the largest group of patients who did not receive therapy was young and otherwise healthy individuals. Conclusions This novel approach identified sizeable and easily definable groups of patients who are systematically failing to receive support for smoking cessation in primary care. Association rule mining can be used to identify key numerically important groups at high or low risk of receiving treatment and hence potentially to improve healthcare delivery.
Growth, differentiation and death of Vibrio shiloi in coral tissue as a function of seawater temperature

The coral pathogen Vibrio shiloi was present during the summer in the tissues of all of its host corals, Oculina patagonica, which were bleached. During the winter, when seawater temper- atures dropped below 20°C, V. shiloi could not be detected in either healthy or bleached corals, even when the corals were placed in aquaria and the temperature was slowly increased to 28°C. Using specific anti-V. shiloi antibodies to enumerate the bacterium, it was shown that 99 to 99.99% of V. shiloi inside coral tissues were in a viable-but-not-culturable (VBNC) state. All attempts to culture VBNC V. shiloi in liquid or on solid media were unsuccessful. However, it was demonstrated that VBNC V. shiloi was infectious, i.e., it adhered to, penetrated into and multiplied inside corals. Labo- ratory aquaria experiments indicated that when corals were infected with V. shiloi at 28°C and then shifted slowly to their winter in situ temperature (16°C), the bacteria died and lysed. Since the bacte- ria remain viable under the same temperature shifts outside the coral, either in growth media or sea- water, it follows that the coral must have a host-defense mechanism for killing intracellular bacteria. The rapid killing of intracellular V. shiloi at 16°C and their absence from corals during the winter sug- gest that bleaching of O. patagonica in the Mediterranean Sea requires a fresh infection each spring, rather than the activation of dormant intracellular bacteria. The lessons learned from the V. shiloi/ O. patagonica model systems are discussed in terms of the general problem of the coral bleaching disease.
Comparison of the cardiopulmonary effects of anesthesia maintained by continuous infusion of romifidine, guaifenesin, and ketamine with anesthesia maintained by inhalation of halothane in horses.

OBJECTIVE To compare cardiopulmonary responses during anesthesia maintained with halothane and responses during anesthesia maintained by use of a total intravenous anesthetic (TIVA) regimen in horses. ANIMALS 7 healthy adult horses (1 female, 6 geldings). PROCEDURE Each horse was anesthetized twice. Romifidine was administered IV, and anesthesia was induced by IV administration of ketamine. Anesthesia was maintained for 75 minutes by administration of halothane (HA) or IV infusion of romifidine, guaifenesin, and ketamine (TIVA). The order for TIVA or HA was randomized. Cardiopulmonary variables were measured 40, 60, and 75 minutes after the start of HA orTIVA. RESULTS Systolic, diastolic, and mean carotid arterial pressures, velocity time integral, and peak acceleration of aortic blood flow were greater, and systolic, diastolic, and mean pulmonary arterial pressure were lower at all time points for TIVA than for HA. Pre-ejection period was shorter and ejection time was longer for TIVA than for HA. Heart rate was greater for HA at 60 minutes. Minute ventilation and alveolar ventilation were greater and inspiratory time was longer for TIVA than for HA at 75 minutes. The PaCO2 was higher at 60 and 75 minutes for HA than forTIVA. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Horses receiving a constant-rate infusion of romifidine, guaifenesin, and ketamine maintained higher arterial blood pressures than when they were administered HA. There was some indication that left ventricular function may be better during TIVA, but influences of preload and afterload on measured variables could account for some of these differences.
[Study on the population-genetics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from Sichuan Basin in China].

OBJECTIVE To explore the population-genetics characteristics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) prevailing at the Sichuan basin of China. METHODS A total of 413 MTB strains collected from Sichuan basin were genotyped by large sequence polymorphism (LSP) and 15 loci variable number tandem repeat (VNTR). Difference between the distribution of lineage population was analyzed by χ(2)-test and the discriminatory ability of each VNTR locus was evaluated under the Hunter-Gaston Discriminatory Index (HGI). Both phylogeny on population level and genetic structure were demonstrated through N-J tree and the Minimal Spanning Tree (MST). Genetic differentiation of different lineage strains was analyzed by Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA). Time of the Most Recent Common Ancestor (TMRCA) was calculated based on the Bayesian model. RESULTS Four hundred and thirteen MTBs were divided into two major lineages, in which the Beijing lineage accounted for 56.2% (232/413) and the Euro-American lineage for 43.8% (181/413). There was no significant difference of population distribution between the two lineages (P > 0.05). The N-J tree of Beijing lineage MTB presented distinctly "star-like" and 72.4% strains were grouped to one clonal complex in MST. The Euro-American lineages MTB presented "branch-like" in N-J tree and were grouped into multiple clonal complexes in MST. There was significant genetic differentiation in Beijing lineage MTBs between Chongqing and Sichuan (FST = 0.018 91, P < 0.05), but not in the Euro-American lineage MTB (FST = 0.005 19, P > 0.05). TMRCA of the largest clonal complex in Euro-American lineage MTB appeared to be 723 (95% CI: 517-946) years. CONCLUSION Both Beijing lineage and Euro-American lineage MTBs were competitively prevalent in the Sichuan basin. There was some difference noticed between the two lineages referring to genetic differentiation. The invasion of Euro-American lineages MTB to the basin area might be associated with a war occurred in this area about 720 years ago.
Intradialytic Hypoxemia in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients

When kidney failure occurs, patients are at risk for fluid overload states, which can cause pulmonary edema, pleural effusions, and upper airway obstruction. Kidney disease is also associated with impaired respiratory function, as in central sleep apnea or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Hence, respiratory and renal diseases are frequently coexisting. Hypoxemia is the terminal pathway of a multitude of respiratory pathologies. The measurement of oxygen saturation (SO2) is a basic and commonly used tool in clinical practice. Both arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) and central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) can be easily obtained in hemodialysis (HD) patients, SaO2 from an arteriovenous access and ScvO2 from a central catheter. Here, we give a brief overview of the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system, and the different technologies that are currently available to measure oxygen status in dialysis patients. We then focus on literature regarding intradialytic SaO2 and ScvO2. Lastly, we present clinical vignettes of intradialytic drops in SaO2 and ScvO2 in association with different symptoms and clinical scenarios with an emphasis on the pathophysiology of these cases. Given the fact that in the general population hypoxemia is associated with adverse outcomes, including increased mortality, cardiac arrhythmias and cardiovascular events, we posit that intradialytic SO2 may serve as a potential marker to identify HD patients at increased risk for morbidity and mortality.
Sampled-data H8 state-feedback control of systems with state delays

In the present paper, we adopt the second approach to the ® nite horizon sampled-data state-delay H 1 -control problem. Note that in the case of state-delays the lifting technique leads to complicated discrete system with in® nite-dimensional state variable. We obtain the piecewise-constant state-feedback controllers by solving coupled RPDEs between sampling and updating the terminal conditions at the sampling instants. We derive an asymptotic approximation to the solution of these RPDEs by expanding it in the powers of the largest delay. The resulting approximation is obtained by solving uncoupled low-order partial diA erential equations. The performance of the system with the controller that has been obtained using the zero approximation (the one that corresponds to zero delay) is analysed when the open-loop system possesses a non-zero delay. Bounded real lemmas for systems with state delays and jumps are obtained. 2. Problem formulation
Prevalence of nickel allergy and longitudinal evaluation of periodontal abnormalities in orthodontic allergic patients.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of nickel allergy in a sample of orthodontic patients and longitudinally compare the clinical periodontal status of these individuals with that of a group of nonallergic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS The initial sample consisted of 96 patients selected randomly from a databank of patients who sought orthodontic care at a teaching institution. Following the selection and beginning of treatment, periodontal status was assessed over a 12-month period (one evaluation every 3 months-T(1), T(2,) T(3,) T(4)) using the Loe index. The evaluations were performed blindly by a single, calibrated examiner and were followed by prophylaxis and orientation regarding oral hygiene. The prevalence of nickel allergy was determined by the patch test 9 months after the beginning of treatment and occurred in 16 individuals (17.2%). Two groups were then established: the allergic group (AG, n = 16) and the age-paired nonallergic control group (NAG, n = 16). Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U-test and Friedman's analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests (P < or = .05). RESULTS Significant differences were present between groups at the T(3) and T(4) evaluations for the LOE index (P = .045 and .009), with allergic individuals showing higher mean values than nonallergic individuals (hyperplasia, change in color, and bleeding). No significant differences were found in the intragroup evaluations between the four evaluations (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS The results suggest a cumulative effect from nickel throughout orthodontic treatment associated with clinically significant periodontal abnormalities in allergic individuals over time.
A Systematic Review and Qualitative Analysis to Determine Quality Indicators forHealth Professions Education Blogs and Podcasts.

BACKGROUND Historically, trainees in undergraduate and graduate health professions education have relied on secondary resources, such as textbooks and lectures, for core learning activities. Recently, blogs and podcasts have entered into mainstream usage, especially for residents and educators. These low-cost, widely available resources have many characteristics of disruptive innovations and, if they continue to improve in quality, have the potential to reinvigorate health professions education. One potential limitation of further growth in the use of these resources is the lack of information on their quality and effectiveness. OBJECTIVE To identify quality indicators for secondary resources that are described in the literature, which might be applicable to blogs and podcasts. METHODS Using a blended research methodology, we performed a systematic literature review using Google Scholar, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and ERIC to identify quality indicators for secondary resources. A qualitative analysis of these indicators resulted in the organization of this information into themes and subthemes. Expert focus groups were convened to triangulate these findings and ensure that no relevant quality indicators were missed. RESULTS The literature search identified 4530 abstracts, and quality indicators were extracted from 157 articles. The qualitative analysis produced 3 themes (credibility, content, and design), 13 subthemes, and 151 quality indicators. CONCLUSIONS The list of quality indicators resulting from our analysis can be used by stakeholders, including learners, educators, academic leaders, and blog/podcast producers. Further studies are being conducted, which will refine the list into a form that is more structured and stratified for use by these stakeholders.
Combined Multilocus Short-Sequence-Repeat and Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Unit-Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Typing of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Isolates

ABSTRACT Short-sequence-repeat (SSR) sequencing was applied to 127 Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis isolates typed by mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable-number tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTR) and IS900 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Combined MIRU-VNTR and SSR typing followed by secondary IS900 RFLP typing is an improved approach to high-resolution genotyping of this pathogen.
Incidence of ocular melanoma in Australia from 1990 to 1998

Routinely collected incidence data have often lacked specific identification of ocular melanoma in the past and with increasing diagnosis and management of this disease by noninvasive techniques may now underestimate the true incidence. We attempted to accurately measure the incidence of ocular melanoma in Australia from 1990 to 1998 using 2 population‐based sources, cancer registries and ophthalmologists. We examined the distribution across the continent, by latitude and in subpopulations, and evaluated the extent of nonnotification to cancer registries. One‐half (51%) of the incident cases from 1996 to 1998 were diagnosed clinically and had no tissue diagnosis. An estimated 20% of melanomas, mainly those lacking a tissue diagnosis, were not notified to Australian cancer registries, but only 1.3% were not notified by ophthalmologists. Expert reviewers agreed that a high proportion (95%) of clinically diagnosed lesions were probable or possible melanomas. Incidence was significantly higher in men than in women, especially at older ages, relatively uniform across the Australian states with only weak evidence of a latitude gradient, and higher in rural than in urban areas. The incidence of ocular melanoma in people born in Southern Europe was half and in those born in Asia only 20% of the rate in people born in Australia and New Zealand. We concluded that it was possible to identify a high proportion of cases by surveying relevant sources additional to cancer registries and to be reasonably confident of the accuracy of the clinical diagnoses. The higher incidence in older men, who probably have higher sun exposure, than in older women and in residents of rural areas, where outdoor work is more prevalent, than in urban areas; the low incidence in dark‐eyed populations, who may have a lower sensitivity to or less transmission of solar radiation to the choroid; and the preferential location of ocular melanomas in ocular sites known to receive the highest exposure to solar radiation all support a role for solar radiation in the aetiology of ocular melanoma. The absence of a strong latitude gradient in incidence does not argue against such a role because exposure of the eye to solar UV is probably determined most by the horizon sky, where ambient solar UV is less affected by latitude. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.