Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of anthropogenic and demographic factors on patterns of parasitism in African small mammal communities

SUMMARY Habitat disturbance often results in alterations in community structure of small mammals. Additionally, the parasites harboured by these small mammals may be impacted by environmental changes or indirectly affected by changes in available hosts. To improve our understanding of this interplay, we examined the patterns of parasitism in small mammal communities from a variety of habitats in forested Uganda. Small mammals were collected from areas experiencing variable habitat disturbance, host density and species richness. The analysis focused on 3 most abundant rodent species, Lophuromys aquilus, Praomys jacksoni and Hylomyscus stella, and a diverse group of parasites they harbour. The impact of various habitat and host community factors on parasite prevalence was examined using linear regression and Spearman's rank-order correlation. We further investigated the parasite communities associated with each individual using correspondence analysis. We determined that, parasite prevalence and richness may be occasionally influenced by community and habitat factors, but taxonomy is a driving force in influencing the parasite community harboured by an individual host. Ultimately, applying general principles across a broad range of disturbance levels and diverse host communities needs to be approached with caution in complex communities.
Laparoscopic pyeloplasty using the postanastomotic dismemberment method: technique and results.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Despite excellent results, widespread acceptance of the laparoscopic dismembered Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty (AH) is hampered by its steep learning curve. Laparoscopic nondismembered pyeloplasty techniques, although simpler, have not matched the results of AH. We have been using a technical modification of AH to combine its excellent outcome with technical ease of nondismembered pyeloplasties. We describe the procedure and results of laparoscopic postanastomotic dismemberment (PAD) pyeloplasty for primary ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS PAD technique involves an initial partial division of the dilated pelvis and ureteral spatulation without dismembering the UPJ. Both layers of ureteropelvic anastomosis are completed before dismemberment and pelvic reduction. Forty-one PAD procedures in 40 patients with UPJ obstruction and follow-up of at least 3 months were evaluated. Mean age was 37.2 years (range 2-82 years) with 22 patients younger than 15 years. The UPJ was dependent in 31 and had high insertion in 10 (24.4%). The stenotic segment was long (> or =1.5 cm) in 18 (43.9%). Crossing vessels and secondary calculi were observed in six (14.6%) and seven (17.1%) units. RESULTS Mean (+/- SD) blood loss, hospital stay, convalescence, and analgesia requirement were 68.1 +/- 37.6 mL, 3.8 +/- 1.1 days, 11.4 +/- 3.9 days, and 204.8 +/- 60.5 mg diclofenac, respectively. The mean operative time was 97.6 +/- 22.1 minutes. There was one intraoperative complication in the form of injury to a renal vein tributary, with no transfusions or conversions. Postoperative complications included pain after stent removal, persistent drainage, and pyelonephritis in 1, 2, and 4 patients, respectively. Mean follow-up was 19.5 months (range 3-58 months), with a success rate of 95.1%. Failures were not attributable to UPJ configuration, length of stenosis, or age. CONCLUSIONS The PAD technique has several practical advantages with a shorter operative time compared with other historical series of laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP). It combines the ease of nondismembered LP with the excellent outcome of dismembered techniques.
The dopamine transporter is decreased in the striatum of subjects with restless legs syndrome.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Prior studies, all using SPECT techniques, failed to find any differences for dopamine transporter (DAT) in restless legs syndrome (RLS) subjects. The distinct pharmacokinetic properties associated with SPECT-determined DAT along with rapid biodynamic changes in DAT may, however, have missed membrane-bound DAT differences. The current studies assessed real-time DAT binding potentials (BP) in striatum of RLS patients using (11)C-methylphenidate and PET techniques. DESIGN RLS medications were stopped at least 11 days prior to the PET study. Clinical severity of RLS was also assessed. PET scans were performed at 2 different times of day (starting at 08:30 and 19:30) in separate groups of subjects. The primary outcome measure was total striatal DAT BP. PARTICIPANTS Thirty-six patients with primary RLS and 34 age- and gender-matched controls. RESULTS RLS subjects had significantly lower DAT binding in the striatum compared to controls on both the Day and the Night scans. DAT was decreased in putamen and caudate but not the ventral striatum of RLS subjects. There were no diurnal differences in DAT for the total group or for control and RLS separately. DAT BP did not correlate with any clinical measures of RLS. CONCLUSION The current study found a significant decrease in DAT BP in two independent studies. These results when viewed along with prior RLS SPECT and autopsy studies of DAT, and cell culture studies with iron deficiency and DAT, suggest that membrane-bound striatal DAT, but not total cellular DAT, may be decreased in RLS.
Why American Sign Language Gloss Must Matter

Responding to an article by Grushkin on how deaf children best learn to read, published, along with the present article, in an American Annals of the Deaf special issue, the authors review American Sign Language gloss. Topics include how ASL gloss enables deaf children to learn to read in their own language and simultaneously experience a transition to written English, and what gloss looks like and how it underlines deaf children’s learning and mastery of English literacy through ASL. Rebuttal of Grushkin’s argument includes data describing a deaf child’s engagement in reading aloud (entirely in ASL) with a gloss text, which occurred without the breakdown implied by Grushkin. The authors characterize Grushkin’s argument that deaf children need to learn to read through a conventional ASL writing system as limiting, asserting that ASL gloss contributes more by providing a path for learning and mastering English literacy.
A Comparison of the Effects of Bipolar Plasma Kinetic and Monopolar Transurethral Resection on the Incidence of Transurethral Resection Syndrome

Academia Anesthesiologica International, Vol (1), Issue (1) Page 10 A Comparison of the Effects of Bipolar Plasma Kinetic and Monopolar Transurethral Resection on the Incidence of Transurethral Resection Syndrome Dilsen Ornek1, Cihan Doger3, Kadriye Kahveci2, Kemal Oskay4, İsmail Aytaç1, Aysun Postacı1,Semih Başkan1, Kaan Aktaş5, Serkan Gökkaya5 1Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Ankara, Turkey. 2Ulus State Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Ankara, Turkey. 3Ankara Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Ankara, Turkey. 4Gazi Mustafa Kemal State Hospital, Department of Urology, Ankara, Turkey. 5Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Department of Urology, Ankara, Turkey.
In70 of Plasmid pAX22, ablaVIM-1-Containing Integron Carrying a New Aminoglycoside Phosphotransferase Gene Cassette

ABSTRACT An Achromobacter xylosoxydans strain showing broad-spectrum resistance to β-lactams (including carbapenems) and aminoglycosides was isolated at the University Hospital of Verona (Verona, Italy). This strain was found to produce metallo-β-lactamase activity and to harbor a 30-kb nonconjugative plasmid, named pAX22, carrying ablaVIM-1 determinant inserted into a class 1 integron. Characterization of this integron, named In70, revealed an original array of four gene cassettes containing, respectively, theblaVIM-1 gene and three different aminoglycoside resistance determinants, including an aacA4allele, a new aph-like gene named aphA15, and an aadA1 allele. The aphA15 gene is the first example of an aph-like gene carried on a mobile gene cassette, and its product exhibits close similarity to the APH(3′)-IIa aminoglycoside phosphotransferase encoded by Tn5 (36% amino acid identity) and to an APH(3′)-IIb enzyme fromPseudomonas aeruginosa (38% amino acid identity). Expression of the cloned aphA15 gene in Escherichia coli reduced the susceptibility to kanamycin and neomycin as well as (slightly) to amikacin, netilmicin, and streptomycin. Characterization of the 5′ and 3′ conserved segments of In70 and of their flanking regions showed that In70 belongs to the group of class 1 integrons associated with defective transposon derivatives originating from Tn402-like elements. The structure of the 3′ conserved segment indicates the closest ancestry with members of the In0-In2 lineage. In70, with its array of cassette-borne resistance genes, can mediate broad-spectrum resistance to most β-lactams and aminoglycosides.
Pavement Friction and Skid Resistance Measurement Methods: A Literature Review

Driving safety is of significance in the automobile industry and transportation systems. Pavement skid resistance has long been recognized as the most important parameter in reducing traffic accidents especially in wet conditions. The knowledge of the friction coefficient and skid resistance is very valuable information for safety enhancement of roads. Thus, it is important to find proper methods for measuring skid resistance and frictional properties of the pavement surface. There is a wide range of measurement methods and devices for measuring skid resistance. This paper presents a review on the research studies that have been done on characterization of the frictional properties of the pavement surface and discussed methods used for measurement and evaluation of texture characteristics and the strengths and weaknesses of these methods. Finally, some ideas have been suggested to develop new methods for better and proper measurement of skid resistance.
Ovine placental steroid 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C-17,20-lyase, aromatase and sulphatase in dexamethasone-induced and natural parturition.

Parturition in the sheep is preceded by an abrupt alteration in placental steroid metabolism causing a shift from progesterone to oestrogen production. This change is believed to be a consequence of the preparatum rise in cortisol in the fetal circulation and involves increases in activities of the enzymes steroid 17 alpha-hydroxylase (cytochrome P-450(17) alpha), steroid C-17,20-lyase, and possibly aromatase and steroid sulphatase. The activity levels have been determined of steroid 17 alpha-hydroxylase, aromatase and steroid sulphatase in placental microsomes in late pregnancy, dexamethasone-induced labour and in natural labour at term. Over the gestational period of 118-140 days, basal levels of placental aromatase were relatively constant (mean value (+/- S.E.M.) of 5.6 +/- 0.5 pmol/min per mg microsomal protein (n = 10]. Pregnenolone and progesterone 17 alpha-hydroxylase activities were undetectable (less than 0.5 pmol/min per mg microsomal protein (n = 7]. In six animals in labour induced with infusion of dexamethasone into the fetus, placental aromatase activity increased to a value of 14.0 +/- 1.0 pmol/min per mg protein; placental pregnenolone 17 alpha-hydroxylase, measured in four of the animals, also increased to 453 +/- 77 pmol/min per mg microsomal protein. In five animals in natural spontaneous labour with vaginal delivery, aromatase activity was 26.7 +/- 5.2 pmol/min per mg microsomal protein and pregnenolone 17 alpha-hydroxylase activity was 141 +/- 14 pmol/min per mg microsomal protein. Steroid sulphatase activity was barely detectable (less than 1.5 pmol/min per mg microsomal protein) during late pregnancy, dexamethasone-induced labour or natural parturition. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Obliterative bronchiolitis after lung transplantation

Despite marked improvements in early survival, long-term outcome after lung transplantation is still threatened by obliterative bronchiolitis (OB). Thought to be a manifestation of chronic allograft rejection, OB affects up to 65% of patients at 5 years after surgery and produces a relentless airflow obstruction. Early and late acute rejection are the primary risk factors for OB, but cytomegalovirus infection and airway ischemia may also play a role. In most patients, OB responds poorly to augmented immunosuppression and eventually leads to infectious complications and terminal respiratory failure. Because early diagnosis is associated with better prognosis, every effort should be made to detect OB in a preclinical stage. This may be best achieved by combining several techniques, such as surveillance transbronchial biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage, measurements of ventilation distribution and exhaled nitric oxide, and expiratory computed tomography.
The Course of Schizophrenia Over 13 Years

Background This paper describes the 13 year course of illness in an epidemiologically defined and representative cohort of patients selected when they were experiencing their first episode of schizophrenia. Method In a 13-year follow-up study of 67 patients with ICD–9 schizophrenia, identified in Nottingham in 1978–80, the course of illness (symptoms, disability and hospitalisation) was assessed using standardised instruments, applied at onset 1, 2, and 13 years. Time to first relapse and first readmission were calculated and plotted as survival curves and patients were assigned to the course types described by Ciompi. Results The survival curves show that first relapses and first readmissions occur during the first five years. The amount of time spent in psychotic episodes and in hospital is greatest in the first year of follow-up, but stable thereafter. Social adjustment improves from entry to the study to the first follow-up year, but there is a small deterioration in social adjustment between 2 and 13 years. Conclusions The findings reported suggest that after the initial episode the course of schizophrenia is relatively stable. The data support neither concepts of progressive deterioration nor progressive amelioration. There was no evidence of a ‘late recovery’.
Comparison of cerebral pharmacokinetics of buprenorphine and norbuprenorphine in an in vivo sheep model

The pharmacokinetics and time course of blood–brain equilibration of buprenorphine (BUP) and norbuprenorphine (norBUP) in sheep were characterized. Sheep were administered 0.04 mg kg−1 BUP or 0.6 mg kg−1 norBUP as 4-min i.v. infusions. The cerebral kinetics were inferred from arterio-sagittal sinus concentration gradients and changes in cerebral blood flow. These data were fitted to physiologically based pharmacokinetic models. BUP cerebral kinetics were best described by a membrane-limited model with a large equilibration delay (half-life of 20 min) between brain and blood due to intermediate permeability (47 ml min−1) and a large cerebral distribution volume (595 ml). Significant limitation in permeability (6 ml min−1) characterized the cerebral kinetics of norBUP with a cerebral distribution volume (157 ml) giving a blood–brain equilibration half-life (21 min) similar to that for BUP. The logD of BUP and norBUP were 3.93 ± 0.08 and 1.18 ± 0.04 (mean ± SD), respectively. Both compounds revealed slow cerebral equilibration with variations in degree of permeability and distribution volume reflecting the difference in lipophilicity. It is possible that norBUP contributes to the central effects seen after chronic BUP administration as this study demonstrated its entry into the brain.
Seeking a Second Opinion in Pediatric Oncology

Objectives: The goal of this study was to identify second opinion consultations by physicians and to determine patient and family factors that appeared to contribute to a second opinion being sought. Methods: One hundred and fifty consecutive parents of children with cancer recently treated in our Department of Pediatric Hematology Oncology were interviewed by telephone. The questionnaire included epidemiological data, details about the disease, timing of the second opinion consultation, reasons for seeking a second opinion, and the outcome of the consultation. Results: Thirty-seven (24.7%) parents sought a second opinion. Advice was sought from other physicians in the hospital or at other clinics. There was a correlation to a higher socioeconomic status (P = .003) and to the number of educational years (P = .001). Most of the parents sought a second opinion because they wanted confirmation about the treatment protocol and the professional level of the hematologist oncologist/surgeon and the institution. Conclusions: Second opinion consultations were not uncommon and were mainly secondary to the desire for reassurance. Pediatric oncologists should ensure that patients and their families feel comfortable requesting a second opinion consultation.
Adrenocorticotropin Acutely Regulates Pregnenolone Sulfate Production by the Human Adrenal In Vivo and In Vitro

Background Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is the most abundant steroid in human circulation, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is considered the major regulator of its synthesis. Pregnenolone sulfate (PregS) and 5-androstenediol-3-sulfate (AdiolS) have recently emerged as biomarkers of adrenal disorders. Objective To define the relative human adrenal production of Δ5-steroid sulfates under basal and cosyntropin-stimulated conditions. Methods Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to quantify three unconjugated and four sulfated Δ5-steroids in (1) paired adrenal vein (AV) and mixed venous serum samples (21 patients) and (2) cultured human adrenal cells both before and after cosyntropin stimulation, (3) microdissected zona fasciculata (ZF) and zona reticularis (ZR) from five human adrenal glands, and (4) a reconstituted in vitro human 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase/(P450 17A1) system. Results Of the steroid sulfates, PregS had the greatest increase after cosyntropin stimulation in the AV (32-fold), whereas DHEAS responded modestly (1.8-fold). PregS attained concentrations comparable to those of DHEAS in the AV after cosyntropin stimulation (AV DHEAS/PregS, 24 and 1.3 before and after cosyntropin, respectively). In cultured adrenal cells, PregS demonstrated the sharpest response to cosyntropin, whereas DHEAS responded only modestly (21-fold vs 1.8-fold higher compared with unstimulated cells at 3 hours, respectively). Steroid analyses in isolated ZF and ZR showed similar amounts of PregS and 17α-hydroxypregnenolone in both zones, whereas DHEAS and AdiolS were higher in ZR (P < 0.05). Conclusion Our studies demonstrated that unlike DHEAS, PregS displayed a prominent acute response to cosyntropin. PregS could be used to interrogate the acute adrenal response to ACTH stimulation and as a biomarker in various adrenal disorders.
Modulation of clinical expression of plaque-induced gingivitis. III. Response of "high responders" and "low responders" to therapy.

AIM The aim of the present study was to characterize the subject-based clinical behavior of the gingiva in response to a tooth-cleaning regimen in two subpopulations, "high-responder" (HR) and "low-responder" (LR) groups, presenting a different inflammatory response to plaque accumulation. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study population comprised of 96 systemically and periodontally healthy subjects, 46 males and 50 females, non-smokers, enrolled in an experimental gingivitis trial. At completion of the experimental gingivitis period (day 21), all subjects were prescribed the same 21-day treatment regimen of amine/stannous fluoride (AmF/SnF(2))-containing toothpaste and mouthrinse. Plaque index (PlI), gingival index (GI), gingival crevicular fluid volume (GCF), and angulated bleeding score (AngBS) were recorded on three selected teeth. Treatment efficacy was evaluated in the overall population as well as in HR and LR groups, separately. RESULTS A statistically significant decrease of PlI was observed after treatment (p<0.001), with PlI reversing to baseline levels. Changes in PlI revealed the same trend in both HR and LR groups, without differences between groups. Treatment also resulted in a significant decrease of all gingivitis parameters (p<0.001 for all comparisons). After treatment, GI, AngBS, and GCF were comparable with baseline condition. However, when the two groups were compared, day 42-GCF was significantly higher in the HR group than the LR group. CONCLUSIONS A treatment regimen based on mechanical plaque control supplemented with AmF/SnF(2)-containing toothpaste and mouthrinse is effective in reducing plaque accumulation and re-establishing healthy gingival conditions after experimentally induced gingivitis, even in subjects with different inflammatory response to plaque accumulation.
Faecal genetic analysis to determine the presence and distribution of elusive carnivores: design and feasibility for the Iberian lynx

Noninvasive methods using genetic markers have been suggested as ways to overcome difficulties associated with documenting the presence of elusive species. We present and assess a novel, reliable and effective molecular genetic technique for the unequivocal genetic identification of faeces from the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). From mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome b and D‐loop region sequences, we designed four species‐specific primers (for products 130–161 bp long) that were considered to be likely to amplify degraded DNA. We compared two DNA extraction methods, various DNA amplification conditions and the robustness and specificity of the primer pairs with 87 lynx samples from 5 potentially different lynx populations and with 328 samples of other carnivore species. The utility of the identification technique was tested with faeces of different ages, with faeces from controlled field experiments, and with faeces collected from locales with possible lynx populations from throughout the state of Andalusia, Spain (8052 km2). Faecal mtDNA extraction was more efficient using PBS wash of the faeces instead of a faeces homogenate. Our assay increased from 92.6 to 99% efficiency with a second amplification and a reduction in template concentration to overcome polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibition. Our assay never produced false positives, and correctly identified all lynx faeces. Of 252 faeces samples of unknown species collected throughout Andalusia, 26.6% (from three different areas) were classified as Iberian lynx, 1.4% showed evidence of PCR inhibition and 1.2% were of uncertain origin. This method has proven to be a reliable technique that can be incorporated into large‐scale surveys of Iberian lynx populations and exemplifies an approach that can easily be extended to other species.