Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phylogenetic polymorphisms in antibiotic resistance genes of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.

OBJECTIVES Sequence analysis of known antibiotic resistance genes of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) is increasingly being used to infer phenotypic resistance to a variety of antibiotics. However, a clear understanding of the genotype-phenotype relationship is required to interpret genotypic susceptibility results accurately. In this context, it is particularly important to distinguish phylogenetically informative neutral polymorphisms from true resistance-conferring mutations. METHODS Using a collection of 71 strains that encompasses all major MTBC genotypes, we mapped the genetic diversity in 18 genes that are known to be involved or were previously implicated in antibiotic resistance to eight current as well as two novel antibiotics. This included bedaquiline, capreomycin, ethambutol, fluoroquinolones, isoniazid, PA-824, para-aminosalicylic acid, prothionamide, rifampicin and streptomycin. Moreover, we included data from one of our prior studies that focused on two of the three known pyrazinamide resistance genes. RESULTS We found 58 phylogenetic polymorphisms that were markers for the genotypes M. tuberculosis Beijing, Haarlem, Latin American-Mediterranean (LAM), East African Indian (EAI), Delhi/Central Asian (CAS), Ghana, Turkey (Tur), Uganda I and II, Ural and X-type, as well as for Mycobacterium africanum genotypes West African I (WA I) and II (WA II), Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacterium caprae, Mycobacterium pinnipedii, Mycobacterium microti and Mycobacterium canettii. CONCLUSIONS This study represents one of the most extensive overviews of phylogenetically informative polymorphisms in known resistance genes to date, and will serve as a resource for the design and interpretation of genotypic susceptibility assays.
Forgiveness and the appraisal-coping process in response to relationship conflicts: Implications for depressive symptoms

The present investigation assessed the mediating role of appraisal-coping processes in the relation between forgiveness and depressive symptoms associated with intimate relationship conflicts. Study 1 assessed the role of forgiveness in the context of a severe relationship stressor, namely women experiencing dating abuse, along with the appraisal-coping responses and depressive symptoms associated with such a stressor. Study 2 evaluated the function served by forgiveness among men and women in response to non-abusive relationship stressors, including the dissolution of the relationship, and also assessed the relations among forgiveness, appraisal-coping processes, and depressive symptoms. Women who encountered dating abuse were less likely to forgive their partners, and this was linked to higher levels of depressive symptoms. The relation between forgiveness and lower depressive symptoms was partially mediated by lower threat appraisals, secondary appraisals of the effectiveness of emotion-focused coping, and the reduced endorsements of this coping strategy (Study 1). Appraisal-coping processes similarly mediated the relation between forgiveness and depressive symptoms among men and women reporting conflict in an ongoing (non-abusive) relationship or a relationship break-up (Study 2). It is suggested that the relation between forgiveness and diminished distress operates primarily by guiding individuals' appraisals of the conflict and by diminishing the reliance on emotion-focused coping.
The preventive surgical site infection bundle in colorectal surgery: an effective approach to surgical site infection reduction and health care cost savings.

IMPORTANCE Surgical site infections (SSIs) in colorectal surgery are associated with increased morbidity and health care costs. OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of a preventive SSI bundle (hereafter bundle) on SSI rates and costs in colorectal surgery. DESIGN Retrospective study of institutional clinical and cost data. The study period was January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2012, and outcomes were assessed and compared before and after implementation of the bundle on July 1, 2011. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Academic tertiary referral center among 559 patients who underwent major elective colorectal surgery. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was the rate of superficial SSIs before and after implementation of the bundle. Secondary outcomes included deep SSIs, organ-space SSIs, wound disruption, postoperative sepsis, length of stay, 30-day readmission, and variable direct costs of the index admission. RESULTS Of 559 patients in the study, 346 (61.9%) and 213 (38.1%) underwent their operation before and after implementation of the bundle, respectively. Groups were matched on their propensity to be treated with the bundle to account for significant differences in the preimplementation and postimplementation characteristics. Comparison of the matched groups revealed that implementation of the bundle was associated with reduced superficial SSIs (19.3% vs 5.7%, P < .001) and postoperative sepsis (8.5% vs 2.4%, P = .009). No significant difference was observed in deep SSIs, organ-space SSIs, wound disruption, length of stay, 30-day readmission, or variable direct costs between the matched groups. However, in a subgroup analysis of the postbundle period, superficial SSI occurrence was associated with a 35.5% increase in variable direct costs ($13,253 vs $9779, P = .001) and a 71.7% increase in length of stay (7.9 vs 4.6 days, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The preventive SSI bundle was associated with a substantial reduction in SSIs after colorectal surgery. The increased costs associated with SSIs support that the bundle represents an effective approach to reduce health care costs.
Age-Associated Memory Impairment of Logical Memory and Visual Reproduction

The standardization sample from the WMS-III (weighted N = 1250) (The Psychological Corporation, 1997; Tulsky & Ledbetter, 2000), which varied in age from 16 to 89, was used to determine whether storage of verbal and spatial information was affected by normal aging. A previous study with the same sample using an analysis of variance approach showed that the age-associated deterioration for Logical Memory (LM) and Visual Reproduction (VR) delayed recall and recognition were comparable and largely explained by poor immediate recall. This led to the conclusion that age-associated memory impairment was due primarily to encoding deficits. However, that study did not control for the age-associated deterioration in immediate recall in order to ensure that the small age-associated effects for delayed recall and recognition were not confounded by the fact that the elderly had less to remember on the delayed recall and recognition trials. The current study used covariance analysis to statistically adjust the dependent measures, LM and VR delayed recall and recognition, based on immediate recall scores. These analyses showed that the age-associated changes in these measures were statistically significant, but the effect sizes were very small. Partial η2 for the main effect of age for LM was 0.06 with weak effect sizes for the interaction of recall type and age (0.02). The partial η2 for the main effect of age for VR was 0.09, and the interaction of recall type and age (0.04). This pattern of findings shows that after adjustment for immediate recall, LM and VR recall and recognition demonstrated comparable, slight declines with age suggesting that normal aging produced minimal changes in the ability to store new information when age-associated changes in initial encoding and retrieval were statistically controlled.
Predisposing factors for musculoskeletal symptoms in intensive care unit nurses.

INTRODUCTION Intensive care unit nurses have more ergonomic risks than nurses working in other units in hospital. BACKGROUND Although musculoskeletal disorders are common among intensive care nurses, studies on the prevalence of symptoms, as well as associated factors, are scarce. AIM This is a cross-sectional study to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and associated factors in intensive care nurses. METHODS The study population comprised 1515 nurses working in the intensive care units of public, private and university hospitals in Turkey. The study sample included 323 nurses selected by stratified random sampling. Data were obtained by a tailored data collection form, a workplace observation form and a Rapid Upper Limb Assessment tool to delineate ergonomic risks. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 21.0 software was used in the statistical analysis. RESULTS The highest prevalence for the musculoskeletal symptoms of the nurses was in the legs, lower back and back. Most of the nurses had encountered musculoskeletal pain or discomfort related to the previous month. The risky body movements that were frequently performed by the nurses during a shift were 'turning the patient' and 'bending down'. DISCUSSION The final Rapid Upper Limb Assessment score for the patient turning movement was found to be higher than for the bending down movement. CONCLUSIONS Musculoskeletal symptoms, which may occur in any region of the body, are mainly associated with organizational factors, such as type of hospital, type of shift work and frequency of changes in work schedule, rather than with personal factors. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY Nursing administrators should determine the ergonomic risks of intensive care unit nurses by using Rapid Upper Limb Assessment tool. Health policy makers should develop occupational health teams, and 'ergonomic risk prevention programs' should be implemented throughout the units.
Characterization of Two Cerebellar Binding Sites of[3H]Ro 15‐4513

Abstract: Ro 15‐4513 (ethyl‐8‐azido‐5,6‐dihydro‐5‐methyl‐6‐oxo‐4H‐imidazo[1,5‐a][1,4]benzodiazepine‐3‐carboxylate), a partial inverse agonist of central benzodiazepine receptors, binds to two distinct sites in the cerebellum. The binding to diazepam‐sensitive (DZ‐S) sites is displaced by different benzodiazepine receptor ligands, whereas the other site is insensitive to benzodiazepine agonists [diazepam‐insensitive (DZ‐IS)]. The binding of [3H]Ro 15‐4513 was studied in pig cerebellar membranes and in receptors solubilized and purified from these. Micromolar concentrations of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) decreased DZ‐S binding at both 0 and 37°C, whereas it had no effect on DZ‐IS binding at 0°C and was stimulatory at 37°C. The pH profiles of [3H]Ro 15‐4513 binding were quite similar in both binding sites in the pH range of 5.5‐10.5 but differed at acidic pH values from those reported for flunitrazepam and Ro 15‐1788 (flumazenil; ethyl‐8‐fluoro‐5,6‐dihydro‐5‐methyl‐6‐oxo‐4H‐imidazo[1,5‐a][1,4]benzodiazepine‐3‐carboxylate) binding in DZ‐S sites, suggesting that [3H]Ro 15‐4513 does not interact with a histidine residue apparently present in the binding site. Zn2+, Cu2+, Co2+, and Ni2+ enhanced the binding to DZ‐S sites, and the first three mentioned also enhanced the binding to DZ‐IS sites. [3H]Ro 15‐4513 binding activity was solubilized by various detergents. All detergents tested were more efficient in solubilizing DZ‐S binding activity. High ionic strength improved especially the solubility of DZ‐IS binding activity. Cerebellar GABAA receptors were purified by benzodiazepine affinity chromatography using Ro 7‐1986 [1‐(2‐aminoethyl)‐7‐chloro ‐ 5 ‐ (o ‐ fluorophenyl) ‐1,3 ‐ dihydro ‐ 2H ‐1,4 ‐benzodiazepin‐2‐one] or 1012‐S as immobilized ligands. Only DZ‐S binding sites were purified by the procedure used. Because these two binding sites were differentially solubilized and they were not copurified, the results suggest a predominance of the binding sites in distinct isooligomeric receptors. Different coupling of the sites with GABA binding sites suggests that these two receptor subtypes are differently modulated by benzodiazepine receptor ligands.
Refractive error changes in cortical, nuclear, and posterior subcapsular cataracts

Aims: To determine the effect of the three main morphological types of cataract on refractive error. Methods: Data were prospectively collected from 77 subjects (age 67 (SD 8) years) with one morphological type of cataract. 34 had cortical, 21 had nuclear, and 21 had posterior subcapsular cataract. 22 subjects with clear lenses (60 (7) years) were recruited as controls. The spherical equivalent and astigmatic vector change between spectacle correction and optimal refraction were calculated. Results: The cortical cataract group showed a significant astigmatic change of 0.71 (0.67) D (mean (1 SD)) compared to the control group (0.24 (0.20) D), with 24% outside the 95% confidence limit (0.63 D). The nuclear cataract group showed a significant myopic shift of −0.38 (0.60) D compared to the control group (+0.02 (0.21) D), with 52% beyond the minus 95% confidence limit (−0.39 D). Conclusion: A quarter of subjects with cortical cataract showed larger changes in astigmatism than subjects with clear lenses. This is probably because of the localised refractive index changes along cortical spoke opacities within the pupillary area. The well known myopic shift of nuclear cataract was also demonstrated.
The Battle of Framing on you Tube: Exploring How Citizen Journalists Covered The Dispersal of Muslim Brotherhood Sit-ins in Egypt.

قامت هذه الدراسة بتحليل مضمون عينة من مقاطع اليوتيوب المنتجة من قبل المواطن للتعرف على الأطر المستخدمة بهذه المقاطع واتجاهاتها ومدى موضوعيتها وذلك لتغطية عملية فض اعتصام الاخوان المسلمين بالقاهرة . تشير النتائج ان أجواء الاستقطاب السياسى الشديد دفعت صحافة المواطن لتكرار "نموذج الاحتجاج" المنتشر بوسائل الاعلام التقليدية وذلك بالتركيز على النواحى السلبية لفض الاعتصام. بالرغم من استخدام الأطر الموضوعية فى معظم الأحيان، الا ان عدد الأطر الغامضة لا يمكن تجاهلها.
In vitro susceptibility of Mycobacterium avium complex to the new fluoroquinolone sparfloxacin (CI-978; AT-4140) and comparison with ciprofloxacin

We tested the activity of the new fluoroquinolone sparfloxacin (CI-978; AT 4140) against 30 strains of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) isolated from patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome. MICs of sparfloxacin (range, less than or equal to 0.06 to 4 micrograms/ml) were lower than MICs of ciprofloxacin for all 30 strains, and MBCs for acid-fast bacteria were lower for 28 of the 30 strains. In synergism experiments using 10 strains of MAC, fractional inhibitory concentration indices revealed that the combination of sparfloxacin plus ethambutol was synergistic against 9 strains, and the three-drug combination of sparfloxacin plus ethambutol plus rifampin was synergistic against all strains. In the absence of ethambutol, the combination of sparfloxacin plus rifampin appeared to be antagonistic against three of the MAC strains.
Quality of Alternate Reality Experience and Its QoE Influencing Factors

This paper has identified three types of alternate reality experiences, namely, spatial immersion, emotional immersion, and social immersion, by providing their definitions, application scenarios and the QoE influencing factors. These QoE influencing factors include system factors, contextual factors, design factors, experiential factors, user factors, and media factors. Finally, we conclude by briefly discussing the rationale of formulating these QoE influencing factors in alternate reality experiences.
Regulon of the N-Acetylglucosamine Utilization Regulator NagR in Bacillus subtilis

ABSTRACT N-Acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) is the most abundant carbon-nitrogen biocompound on earth and has been shown to be an important source of nutrients for both catabolic and anabolic purposes in Bacillus species. In this work we show that the GntR family regulator YvoA of Bacillus subtilis serves as a negative transcriptional regulator of GlcNAc catabolism gene expression. YvoA represses transcription by binding a 16-bp sequence upstream of nagP encoding the GlcNAc-specific EIIBC component of the sugar phosphotransferase system involved in GlcNAc transport and phosphorylation, as well as another very similar 16-bp sequence upstream of the nagAB-yvoA locus, wherein nagA codes for N-acetylglucosamine-6-phosphate deacetylase and nagB codes for the glucosamine-6-phosphate (GlcN-6-P) deaminase. In vitro experiments demonstrated that GlcN-6-P acts as an inhibitor of YvoA DNA-binding activity, as occurs for its Streptomyces ortholog, DasR. Interestingly, we observed that the expression of nag genes was still activated upon addition of GlcNAc in a ΔyvoA mutant background, suggesting the existence of an auxiliary transcriptional control instance. Initial computational prediction of the YvoA regulon showed a distribution of YvoA binding sites limited to nag genes and therefore suggests renaming YvoA to NagR, for N-acetylglucosamine utilization regulator. Whole-transcriptome studies showed significant repercussions of nagR deletion for several major B. subtilis regulators, probably indirectly due to an excess of the crucial molecules acetate, ammonia, and fructose-6-phosphate, resulting from complete hydrolysis of GlcNAc. We discuss a model deduced from NagR-mediated gene expression, which highlights clear connections with pathways for GlcNAc-containing polymer biosynthesis and adaptation to growth under oxygen limitation.
When Back of Pack Meets Front of Pack: How Salient and Simplified Nutrition Labels Affect Food Sales in Supermarkets

Back-of-package (BOP) nutrition information appears ineffective against increasing obesity rates. Therefore, federal agencies increasingly promote front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labels. Despite the public attention the topic has received in recent years, research is still short of evidence about the effectiveness of FOP nutrition labels in real-life settings. To add to extant literature, this study uses individual-level purchase data to analyze the impact of adding simplified FOP nutrition labels when BOP information is already available. Consumers reduced the number of calories contained in their purchases for products that started carrying a simplified FOP nutrition label. Furthermore, results show a long-term (short-term) decrease in price (promotion) sensitivity for these products after label introduction. These findings suggest that simplified FOP nutrition labels can induce healthier purchases in supermarkets compared with when only BOP nutrition information is available.
Clinical Investigation of Asmofilcon A Silicone Hydrogel Lenses

Purpose. To investigate the clinical and subjective performance of asmofilcon A, a new third generation silicone hydrogel contact lens during 6-night extended wear (EW) over 6 months. Methods. A prospective, randomized, single-masked study was conducted. Sixty experienced daily wear soft contact lens wearers were randomly assigned to wear either asmofilcon A or senofilcon A contact lenses bilaterally for 6 months on an EW basis. Evaluations were conducted at contact lens delivery and after 1 week, 4 weeks, 3 and 6 months of EW. Results. Fifty subjects (83%) successfully completed the study. Two subjects experienced adverse events; one unilateral red eye with asmofilcon A and one asymptomatic infiltrate with senofilcon A. There were no significant differences in high or low contrast distance visual acuity between asmofilcon A and senofilcon A; however, low contrast distance visual acuity decreased significantly over time with both contact lens types (p < 0.05). The two lens types did not vary significantly with respect to any of the objective and subjective measures assessed (p > 0.05). Superior palpebral conjunctival injection showed a statistically significant increase over time with both lens types (p < 0.05). Both lens types were rated highly with respect to overall comfort, with subjects reporting 14 or 15 h of comfortable lens wearing time per day at each of the study visits (p > 0.05). Overall satisfaction ratings were also very high at all visits, with median scores of 95 (86 to 99) for asmofilcon A and 90 (85 to 96) for senofilcon A at 6 months (p > 0.05). Conclusions. Over 6 months of EW, the asmofilcon A contact lens performed in a similar manner to senofilcon A with respect to visual acuity, ocular health, and contact lens performance measures. Longer-term EW studies are required to investigate the changes over time observed with both lens types.
CHWs Get Credit: A 10-Year History of the First College-Credit Certificate for Community Health Workers in the United States

Community health workers have become increasingly important in the U.S. health care system, playing a significant role in basic health promotion and care coordination; however, their status and visibility have not kept pace with their wider use. A major impediment has been the absence of systematic preparation—the field needs standardized education in programs that emphasize the actual skills and knowledge used by community health workers, programs that attract and retain nontraditional students from underserved communities and that foster professional advancement. This article chronicles the 10-year history of the first college credit-bearing community health worker certificate program in the country to address this need. Systematic research resulted in a program centered on the core competencies universally practiced by community health workers regardless of their topical focus. The certificate program combines performance-based methods with popular education into an innovative pedagogical approach that teaches skills, while solidifying, contextualizing, and enhancing crucial experiential knowledge. Program outcomes validate the approach.
Learning by exporting: The case of Mozambican manufacturing

In this paper, we aim to analyse the learning by exporting hypothesis in the Mozambican context. Due to the presence of the born-global phenomenon among exporters, we address the endogeneity introduced by self-selection by combining a generalized BO approach with results from traditional matching techniques. Our results show that very few manufacturing firms export and that export participation is highly persistent. There is also evidence supporting the learning by exporting hypothesis and the results suggest a significant export premium of between 15 and 24 per cent, controlling for differences in observable characteristics between exporters and non-exporters. Finally, qualitative information on non-exporters seeking new markets suggests that 'lack of knowledge of potential markets' is the most serious constraint to international market entry. We conclude that the Mozambican Export Promotion Institute could play an important role in overcoming this information deficit for potential Mozambican exporters.