Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prospective evaluation of topical antibiotics for preventing infections in uncomplicated soft-tissue wounds repaired in the ED.

OBJECTIVE To determine differences in infection rates among uncomplicated, repaired wounds managed with: topical bacitracin zinc (BAC); neomycin sulfate, bacitracin zinc, and polymyxin B sulfate combination (NEO); silver sulfadiazine (SIL); and petrolatum (PTR). METHODS This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted at a military community hospital with an emergency medicine residency program. Patients were enrolled if they: presented to the ED within 12 hours of injury and did not have puncture wounds, allergies to the agents used, or a history of immunocompromise; were not receiving antibiotics, chemotherapy, or steroids at the time of presentation; had not taken antibiotics within the preceding seven days; did not have an underlying fracture; and were not pregnant as determined by history. Local anesthetics without epinephrine and high-pressure irrigation with normal saline were used for all patients. Wound scrubbing, débridement, and polyglactin subcutaneous (SQ) suture placement were carried out when necessary. Interrupted simple sutures using a monofilament, nonabsorbable material were used for skin closure. Numbered, randomized vials were given to all patients, with standardized instructions to inspect, clean, and redress their wounds three times a day. The wounds were evaluated for clinical infection at the time of follow-up. RESULTS Among the groups, there was no difference in patient ages; gender; wound location, type, length, or depth; time elapsed from injury to ED treatment; number of wounds scrubbed or necessitating débridement; number of SQ and cutaneous sutures used; and rate of compliance with returning the used vial of dispensed topical agent. The wound infection rates for the treatment groups were: BAC, six of 109 (5.5%); NEO, five of 110 (4.5%); SIL, 12 of 99 (12.1%); and PTR, 19 of 108 (17.6%) (p = 0.0034). CONCLUSION The use of topical antibiotics resulted in significantly lower infection rates than did the use of a petrolatum control. BAC and NEO had the lowest wound infection rates.
Amyloid Burden, Neuronal Function, and Cognitive Decline in Middle-Aged Adults at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract The relative influence of amyloid burden, neuronal structure and function, and prior cognitive performance on prospective memory decline among asymptomatic late middle-aged individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is currently unknown. We investigated this using longitudinal cognitive data from 122 middle-aged adults (21 “Decliners” and 101 “Stables”) enrolled in the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention who underwent multimodality neuroimaging [11C-Pittsburgh Compound B (PiB), 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), and structural/functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)] 5.7 ± 1.4 years (range = 2.9–8.9) after their baseline cognitive assessment. Covariate-adjusted regression analyses revealed that the only imaging measure that significantly distinguished Decliners from Stables (p = .027) was a Neuronal Function composite derived from FDG and fMRI. In contrast, several cognitive measures, especially those that tap episodic memory, significantly distinguished the groups (p's<.05). Complementary receiver operating characteristic curve analyses identified the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R) Total (.82 ± .05, p < .001), the BVMT-R Delayed Recall (.73 ± .06, p = .001), and the Reading subtest from the Wide-Range Achievement Test-III (.72 ± .06, p = .002) as the top three measures that best discriminated the groups. These findings suggest that early memory test performance might serve a more clinically pivotal role in forecasting future cognitive course than is currently presumed. (JINS, 2014, 20, 1–12)
Cellular expression of mRNAs encoding monoamine oxidases A and B in the rat central nervous system

Monoamine oxidases A and B (MAO‐A and MAO‐B) oxidatively deaminate neurotransmitter and xenobiotic amines The cellular localization of these isoenzymes in the central nervous system (CNS) differs markedly and only partly reflects the distribution of their presumed natural substrates. In the present study, by using in situ hybridization with 35S‐labelled oligonucleotide probes, we examined the distribution of mRNAs encoding MAO‐A and MAO‐B in the rat CNS. Probes for tyrosine hydroxylase, histidine decarboxylase, and tryptophan hydroxylase mRNAs were used to demonstrate the catecholaminergic, histaminergic, or serotoninergic nature of some cell populations in adjacent sections. The radioligands [3H]‐Ro 41‐1049 and [3H]lazabemide (reversible and selective inhibitors of MAO‐A and MAO‐B, respectively) were used to reveal the protein distribution by enzyme radioautography. The distribution and abundance of transcripts for both isoenzymes in the tissues investigated differed markedly but, in general, correlated with the protein distribution. MAO‐A mRNA and protein were most abundant in noradrenergic neurons. However, moderate levels of transcript expression and protein were also detected in the serotoninergic neurons, and low but significant levels were detected in the dopaminergic neurons. An unexpectedly remarkable degree of hybridization signal was apparent in nonaminergic cell populations, e. g. , in the cerebral cortices, the hippocampal formation (CA1–3, dentate gyrus), the cerebellar granule cell layer, and the spinal cord motoneurons. In contrast, MAO‐B mRNA and protein were most abundant in serotoninergic and histaminergic neurons, Bergmann glial cells, and circumventricular organs, including the ependyma. MAO‐B transcripts were also weakly expressed in nonaminergic cells, e. g. , in the hippocampal formation (CA1‐2). A further nonneuronal localization of MAO‐B transcripts was also resolved, e. g. , in the glia limitans, the olfactory nerve layer, and the cerebellar peduncle. These findings reveal further the potential of various cell populations to synthesize the isoenzymes, and homologous (aminergic) and heterologous (nonaminergic) patterns of expression as well as coexpression of MAO mRNAs are described. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dysfunction of the longitudinal muscles of the oesophagus in eosinophilic oesophagitis

Background: Oesophageal motility, as measured by manometry, is normal in the majority of patients with eosinophilic oesophagitis (EO). However, manometry measures only the circular muscle function of the oesophagus. The goal of the present study was to assess circular and longitudinal muscle function during peristalsis in patients with EO. Methods: Ultrasound imaging and manometry were simultaneously acquired during swallow-induced peristalsis in patients with EO and controls to measure the longitudinal muscle and circular muscle contraction, respectively. A probe with an ultrasound transducer was positioned 2 cm and then 10 cm above the lower oesophageal sphincter and five, 5 ml water swallows were recorded before and after edrophonium. Results: There is no difference in the incidence of swallow-induced peristalsis and manometric pressures (a marker of circular muscle contraction) between controls and patients with EO. However, changes in the muscle thickness (a marker of longitudinal muscle contraction) are markedly diminished in patients with EO, at both 2 and 10 cm above the lower oesophageal sphincter. The longitudinal muscle response to edrophonium is markedly blunted in patients with EO. Normal subjects demonstrate synchrony between the circular and longitudinal muscle contraction during peristalsis that is affected by edrophonium. On the other hand, patients with EO demonstrate mild asynchrony of circular and longitudinal muscle contraction during swallow-induced contractions that is not altered by edrophonium. Conclusions: In patients with EO, there is selective dysfunction of the longitudinal muscle contraction during peristalsis. It is proposed that the longitudinal muscle dysfunction in EO may contribute to dysphagia.
Active and total myeloperoxidase in coronary artery disease and relation to clinical instability

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between serum total and active myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels and the presence of coronary artery disease in consecutive patients evaluated by coronary angiography and to correlate the levels of the enzyme with instability. Methods and results Prospective analysis of serum samples of patients before coronary angiography. Total and active MPO concentrations were assessed by the sandwich Elisa and SIEFED® methods. Stable and unstable patients were separated into two groups. Diff erences between groups were analysed using the Student t test, chi square test or Fisher exact test, as appropriate. The relationship between total and active MPO was assessed using linear and curvilinear regression. Two hundred and twenty patients were included (age 66 ± 11 years, 67% male) in the study. Among these, 62% presented signifi cant coronary artery disease. Twenty-four patients (11%) presented unstable coronary syndrome. Mean active and total MPO levels in the population were 50.1 ± 63.5 and 147.6 ± 223.3 ng.mL–1, respectively. In stable patients, mean active MPO was 47.1 ± 47.9 ng.mL–1 and in unstable patients 75.1 ± 135.2 ng.mL–1 (P = 0.04). Mean total MPO was 146.3 ± 224.7 ng.mL–1 in the stable patients and 158.2 ± 215.8 ng.mL–1 in the unstable patients (P = 0.8). Unstable patients had a signifi cantly higher level of active MPO than stable patients but there was no signifi cant diff erence between unstable and stable patients regarding total MPO. Conclusion A correlation was observed between active MPO and clinical instability but not with total MPO. These results suggest that this marker could be a powerful indicator of instability and could have a prognostic impact.
Activation of transcription initiation by Spx: formation of transcription complex and identification of a Cis‐acting element required for transcriptional activation

The Spx protein of Bacillus subtilis interacts with RNA polymerase (RNAP) to activate transcription initiation in response to thiol‐oxidative stress. Protein–DNA cross‐linking analysis of reactions containing RNAP, Spx and trxA (thioredoxin) or trxB (thioredoxin reductase) promoter DNA was undertaken to uncover the organization of the Spx‐activated transcription initiation complex. Spx induced contact between the RNAP σA subunit and the −10 promoter sequence of trxA and B, and contact of the ββ′ subunits with core promoter DNA. No Spx–DNA contact was detected. Spx mutants, SpxC10A and SpxG52R. , or RNAP α C‐terminal domain mutants that impair productive Spx–RNAP interaction did not induce heightened σ and ββ′ contact with the core promoter. Deletion analysis and the activity of hybrid promoter constructs having upstream trxB DNA fused at positions −31, −36 and −41 of the srf (surfactin synthetase) promoter indicated that a cis‐acting site between −50 and −36 was required for Spx activity. Mutations at −43 and −44 of trxB abolished Spx‐dependent transcription and Spx‐induced cross‐linking between the σ subunit and the −10 region. These data are consistent with a model that Spx activation requires contact between the Spx/RNAP complex and upstream promoter DNA, which allows Spx‐induced engagement of the σ and large subunits with the core promoter.
Influenza virus contamination of common household surfaces during the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic in Bangkok, Thailand: implications for contact transmission.

BACKGROUND Rational infection control guidance requires an improved understanding of influenza transmission. We studied households with an influenza-infected child to measure the prevalence of influenza contamination, the effect of hand washing, and associations with humidity and temperature. METHODOLOGY We identified children with influenza and randomly assigned their households to hand washing and control arms. Six common household surfaces and the fingertips of the index patient and symptomatic family members were swabbed. Specimens were tested by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR), and specimens with positive results were placed on cell culture. A handheld psychrometer measured meteorological data. RESULTS Sixteen (17.8%) of 90 households had influenza A-positive surfaces by rRT-PCR, but no viruses could be cultured. The fingertips of 15 (16.6%) of the index patients had results positive for influenza A, and 1 virus was cultured. Index patients with seasonal influenza infections shed more virus than did patients with pandemic influenza infection. Control households had a higher prevalence of surface contamination (11 [24.4%] of 45) than did hand washing households (5 [11.1%] of 45); prevalence risk difference (PRD), 13.3%; [95% confidence interval {CI}, −2.2% to 28.9%]; P = . 09). Households in which the age of the index patient was ≤8 years had a significantly higher prevalence of contamination (PRD ,19.1%; 95% CI, 5.3% -32.9%; P = .02). Within the strata of households with secondary infections, an effect of lower absolute humidity is suggested (P = .07). CONCLUSIONS We documented influenza virus RNA contamination on household surfaces and on the fingertips of ill children. Homes with younger children were more likely than homes of older children to have contaminated surfaces. Lower absolute humidity favors surface contamination in households with multiple infections. Increased hand washing can reduce influenza contamination in the home.
Effect of analytical quality on establishing common reference intervals and their use

In the Nordic Reference Interval Project (NORIP), reference intervals were established for 25 common clinical biochemical quantities. In the project, samples from more than 3000 reference individuals collected in the 102 participating laboratories from all five Nordic countries were analysed locally. In order to maintain a high level of analytical quality and to document this quality, a common calibrator/reference preparation (CAL) and a number of control samples were analysed together with the reference samples. All these materials were serum pools of unprocessed serum from many donors in order to obtain commutable materials. The CAL was used to harmonize the many different analytical procedures and calibrations by simple recalibration by the factor T/M where T is the target value based on reference methods and M is the mean of 10 replicate measurements of CAL in each laboratory. The analytical quality specifications (analytical goals) were based on specifications created directly for the purpose of sharing common reference intervals and only the bias criteria were used because bias is the dominating problem in transfer of reference intervals. These specifications were different for the evaluation of reference values to create common reference intervals and for the laboratories to use these common reference intervals (when established). An interesting outcome was that it was only for the biologically well‐regulated quantities serum‐sodium and serum‐calcium that the selection of the best laboratories gave considerably narrower reference intervals.
Surveillance of HIV infection and related risk behaviour in European prisons. A multicentre pilot study.

BACKGROUND In order to demonstrate the feasibility of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and related risk behaviour surveillance in European prisons, a multicentre pilot study was undertaken. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was carried out in six European prisons (France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Scotland and Sweden). Inmates were invited to complete a self-administered and anonymous questionnaire and to give a saliva sample in order to test for HIV antibodies. RESULTS Eight hundred and forty-seven out of 1,124 inmates participated in the survey (response rate 75%). Saliva from 817 inmates (73%) was collected and processed for HIV antibodies. Twenty-seven per cent reported that they had ever injected drugs and 49% of these reported they had injected whilst in prison. Eighteen per cent of inmates reported that they had been tattooed whilst in prison, which was found to be higher among injecting drug users (IDUs). One and sixteen per cent reported that they had ever had homosexual and heterosexual intercourse in prison respectively. The HIV prevalence among IDUs was 4% (versus 1% among non-IDUs) (p = 0.02). The proportions of inmates previously tested for hepatitis C and vaccinated against hepatitis B were 24 and 16% respectively. CONCLUSION This survey demonstrates the feasibility of cross-sectional surveys in European prison inmates and highlights the importance of surveillance of HIV prevalence and related risk behaviour among inmates. The continuing high HIV prevalence and potential for HIV spread in prisons should encourage decision makers in implementing or enhancing harm reduction and education programmes and substance abuse treatment services in prison.
PNC‐28, a p53‐derived peptide that is cytotoxic to cancer cells, blocks pancreatic cancer cell growth in vivo

PNC‐28 is a p53 peptide from its mdm‐2‐binding domain (residues 17–26), which contains the penetratin sequence enabling cell penetration on its carboxyl terminal end. We have found that this peptide induces necrosis, but not apoptosis, of a variety of human tumor cell lines, including several with homozygous deletion of p53, and a ras‐transformed rat acinar pancreatic carcinoma cell line, BMRPA1. Tuc3. On the other hand, PNC‐28 has no effect on untransformed cells, such as rat pancreatic acinar cells, BMRPA1, and human breast epithelial cells and no effect on the differentiation of human stem cells. In this study, we now test PNC‐28 in vivo for its ability to block the growth of BMRPA1. Tuc3 cells. When administered over a 2‐week period in the peritoneal cavities of nude mice containing simultaneously transplanted tumors, PNC‐28 causes complete destruction of these tumors. When delivered concurrently with tumor explantation at a remote site, PNC‐28 causes a complete blockade of any tumor growth during its 2‐week period of administration and 2 weeks posttreatment, followed by weak tumor growth that plateaus at low tumor sizes compared with tumor growth in the presence of a control peptide. When administered after tumor growth has occurred at a site remote from the tumor, PNC‐28 causes a decrease in tumor size followed by a slow increase in tumor growth that is significantly slower than growth in the presence of control peptide. These results suggest that PNC‐28 may be effective in treating cancers especially if delivered directly to the tumor. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fak/Src signaling in human intestinal epithelial cell survival and anoikis: Differentiation state‐specific uncoupling with the PI3‐K/Akt‐1 and MEK/Erk pathways

Human intestinal epithelial cell survival and anoikis are distinctively regulated according to the state of differentiation. In the present study, we analyzed the roles of focal adhesion kinase (Fak)/Src signaling to the PI3‐K/Akt‐1 and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular regulated kinases (Erk) pathways, within the context of such differentiation‐state distinctions. Anoikis was induced by inhibition of β1 integrins (antibody blocking), inhibition of Fak (pharmacologic inhibition or overexpression of dominant negative mutants), or by maintaining cells in suspension. Activation parameters of Fak, Src, Akt‐1, and Erk1/2 were analyzed. Activities of Src, Akt‐1, or Erk1/2 were also blocked by pharmacological inhibition or by overexpression of dominant‐negative mutants. We report that: (1) the loss or inhibition of β1 integrin binding activity causes anoikis and results in a down‐activation of Fak, Src, Akt‐1, and Erk1/2 in both undifferentiated, and differentiated cells; (2) the inhibition of Fak likewise causes anoikis and a down‐activation of Src, Akt‐1, and Erk1/2, regardless of the differentiation state; (3) Src, PI3‐K/Akt‐1, and MEK/Erk contribute to the survival of differentiated cells, whereas MEK/Erk does not play a role in the survival of undifferentiated ones; (4) the inhibition/loss of β1 integrin binding and/or Fak activity results in a loss of Src engagement with Fak, regardless of the state of differentiation; and (5) Src contributes to the activation of both the PI3‐K/Akt‐1 and MEK/Erk pathways in undifferentiated cells, but does not influence PI3‐K/Akt‐1 in differentiated ones. Hence, Fak/Src signaling to the PI3‐K/Akt‐1 and MEK/Erk pathways undergoes a differentiation state‐specific uncoupling which ultimately reflects upon the selective engagement of these same pathways in the mediation of intestinal epithelial cell survival. J. Cell. Physiol. 212:717–728, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fluidity of Bound Hydration Layers

We have measured the shear forces between solid surfaces sliding past each other across aqueous salt solutions, at pressures and concentrations typical of naturally occurring systems. In such systems the surface-attached hydration layers keep the compressed surfaces apart as a result of strongly repulsive hydration forces. We find, however, that the bound water molecules retain a shear fluidity characteristic of the bulk liquid, even when compressed down to films 1.0 ± 0.3 nanometer thick. We attribute this to the ready exchange (as opposed to loss) of water molecules within the hydration layers as they rub past each other under strong compression.
Spectroscopic elucidation of energy transfer in hybrid inorganic–biological organisms for solar-to-chemical production

Significance Solar-powered chemical production from CO2 promises to alleviate petrochemical consumption. Hybrid systems of an inorganic semiconductor light harvester and a microbial catalyst offer a viable way forward. Whereas a number of such systems have been described, the semiconductor-to-bacterium electron transfer mechanism remains largely unknown, limiting rational approaches to improving their performance. In this work, we look at how a semiconductor nanoparticle-sensitized bacterium transforms CO2 and sunlight into acetic acid, a known precursor for fuels, food, pharmaceuticals, and polymers. Using time-resolved spectroscopy and biochemical analysis, we conclude that multiple pathways facilitate electron and light energy transfer from semiconductor to bacterium. This foundational study enables future investigation, understanding, and improvement of complex biotic–abiotic hybrid systems. The rise of inorganic–biological hybrid organisms for solar-to-chemical production has spurred mechanistic investigations into the dynamics of the biotic–abiotic interface to drive the development of next-generation systems. The model system, Moorella thermoacetica–cadmium sulfide (CdS), combines an inorganic semiconductor nanoparticle light harvester with an acetogenic bacterium to drive the photosynthetic reduction of CO2 to acetic acid with high efficiency. In this work, we report insights into this unique electrotrophic behavior and propose a charge-transfer mechanism from CdS to M. thermoacetica. Transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy revealed that photoexcited electron transfer rates increase with increasing hydrogenase (H2ase) enzyme activity. On the same time scale as the TA spectroscopy, time-resolved infrared (TRIR) spectroscopy showed spectral changes in the 1,700–1,900-cm−1 spectral region. The quantum efficiency of this system for photosynthetic acetic acid generation also increased with increasing H2ase activity and shorter carrier lifetimes when averaged over the first 24 h of photosynthesis. However, within the initial 3 h of photosynthesis, the rate followed an opposite trend: The bacteria with the lowest H2ase activity photosynthesized acetic acid the fastest. These results suggest a two-pathway mechanism: a high quantum efficiency charge-transfer pathway to H2ase generating H2 as a molecular intermediate that dominates at long time scales (24 h), and a direct energy-transducing enzymatic pathway responsible for acetic acid production at short time scales (3 h). This work represents a promising platform to utilize conventional spectroscopic methodology to extract insights from more complex biotic–abiotic hybrid systems.