Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of increasing inoculum sizes of pathogenic filamentous fungi on MICs of antifungal agents by broth microdilution method

Inoculum size is a critical variable in development of methods for antifungal susceptibility testing for filamentous fungi. In order to investigate the influence of different inoculum sizes on MICs of amphotericin B, 5-fluorocytosine, itraconazole, and miconazole, 32 clinical isolates (8 Aspergillus fumigatus, 8 Aspergillus flavus, 5 Rhizopus arrhizus, 8 Pseudallescheria boydii, and 3 Fusarium solani isolates) were studied by the broth microdilution method. Four inoculum sizes were studied: 1 x 10(2) to 5 x 10(2), 1 x 10(3) to 5 x 10(3), 1 x 10(4) to 5 x 10(4), and 1 x 10(5) to 5 x 10(5) CFU/ml. The National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards reference method for antifungal susceptibility testing in yeasts was modified and applied to filamentous fungi. The inoculum was spectrophotometrically adjusted, and all tests were performed in buffered medium (RPMI 1640) at pH 7.0 with incubation at 35 degrees C for 72 h. MICs were read at 24, 48, and 72 h. Amphotericin B showed a minimum effect of inoculum size on MICs for all species with the exception of P. boydii (P < 0.05). A significant effect of inoculum size on MICs was observed with 5-fluorocytosine, for which there was an increase of more than 10-fold in MICs against all Aspergillus spp. between inoculum concentrations of 10(2) and 10(4) CFU/ml (P < 0.001). For itraconazole, the results showed a more species-dependent increase of MICs, most strikingly for R. arrhizus and P. boydii. Miconazole, which was tested only with P. boydii, did not demonstrate a significant effect of inoculum size on MICs. In summary, the effect of inoculum size on MICs for filamentous fungi was dependent upon the organism and antifungal compound tested. Thus, among antifungal compounds, itraconazole and 5-fluorocytosine demonstrated significant inoculum effects, while amphotericin B and miconazole showed comparatively minimum inoculum effects against pathogenic filamentous fungi. Moreover, among filamentous fungi, P. boydii and R. arrhizus exhibited the greatest inoculum effect.
HDAC6 mutations rescue human tau-induced microtubule defects in Drosophila

Neurons from the brains of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related tauopathy patients contain neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Tau normally stabilizes microtubules (MTs); however, tau hyperphosphorylation leads to loss of this function with consequent MT destabilization and neuronal dysfunction. Accordingly, MT-stabilizing drugs such as paclitaxel and epothilone D have been shown as possible therapies for AD and related tauopathies. However, MT-stabilizing drugs have common side effects such as neuropathy and neutropenia. To find previously undescribed suppressors of tau-induced MT defects, we established a Drosophila model ectopically expressing human tau in muscle cells, which allow for clear visualization of the MT network. Overexpressed tau was hyperphosphorylated and resulted in decreased MT density and greater fragmentation, consistent with previous reports in AD patients and mouse models. From a genetic screen, we found that a histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) null mutation rescued tau-induced MT defects in both muscles and neurons. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of the tubulin-specific deacetylase activity of HDAC6 indicates that the rescue effect may be mediated by increased MT acetylation. These findings reveal HDAC6 as a unique potential drug target for AD and related tauopathies.
Bridging the divide: preclinical research discrepancies between triple-negative breast cancer cell lines and patient tumors

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most refractory subtype of breast cancer and disproportionately accounts for the majority of breast cancer related deaths. Effective treatment of this disease remains an unmet medical need. Over the past several decades, TNBC cell lines have been used as the foundation for drug development and disease modeling. However, ever-mounting research demonstrates striking differences between cell lines and clinical TNBC tumors, disconnecting bench research and actual clinical responses. In this review, we discuss the limitations of cell lines and the importance of using patients’ tumors for translational research, and highlight the usage of patient-derived xenograft (PDXs) models that have emerged as a clinically relevant platform for preclinical studies. PDX tumors possess tumor heterogeneity with similar cellular, molecular, genetic and epigenetic properties akin to those found within patients’ tumors. Moreover, PDX and clinical tumors possess abnormal vasculature with higher blood vessel permeability, a feature that is not always demonstrated in in vivo cell line xenografts. Development of clinically relevant, novel drug-nanoparticles capable of accumulating in PDX tumors through the enhanced permeability and retention effect in tumor vasculature may lead to new and effective TNBC treatments.
2‐Amino‐7‐Phosphonoheptanoic Acid Inhibits Insulin‐Induced Convulsions and Striatal Aspartate Accumulation in Rats with Frontal Cortical Ablation

Abstract: Pretreatment of rats with the excitatory amino acid antagonist 2‐amino‐7‐phosphonoheptanoic acid (2‐APH; 0.5 mmol/kg, i.p.) protected against insulin‐induced clonic seizures. Complete protection was observed in 38% of the rats and partial protection in an additional 50%. Le‐sioning of the corticostriatal pathway by frontal cortical ablation caused decreases in the striatal levels of aspartate (‐28%) and glutamate (‐18%), an increase in striatal glutamine level (45%), and decreased high‐affinity uptake of D‐[3H]aspartate (‐27%) in the lesioned dorsal neostriatum. Insulin‐induced hypoglycemia caused a predicted sharp increase in aspartate level (165%) and decreased glutamate (‐20%) and glutamine (‐38%) levels in the intact striatum. Pretreatment of rats with 2‐APH significantly reversed the insulin‐induced changes in striatal aspartate, glutamate, and glutamine levels, especially in the intact hemisphere. In normoglycemic control rats, the “metabolic”, i.e., concentration in the lesioned hemisphere, aspartate pool constituted 72% and the “synaptic”, i.e., the concentration difference between the intact and lesioned hemispheres, 28% of the total striatal aspartate pool. 2‐APH had no effect on the level of “metabolic” aspartate in the striata of normoglycemic rats but caused an almost complete suppression of “synaptic” aspartate. Following insulin‐induced hypoglycemia, the “metabolic” aspartate pool doubled, whereas the “synaptic” aspartate pool increased 3.5‐fold in the absence of 2‐APH. The insulin‐induced rise in “synaptic” aspartate level was almost completely blocked by 2‐APH (a 5% rise instead of a 3.5‐fold rise). The turnover of “metabolic” aspartate was also affected by 2‐APH, but to a lesser extent (a 25% rise in the presence vs. a 94% rise in the absence of 2‐APH). The striatal changes in levels of dicarboxylic acids after systemic 2‐APH administration can be most simply explained in terms of an action of 2‐APH in the cortex blocking excitatory inputs to the corticostriatal pathway.
Use of case-based exams as an instructional teaching tool to teach clinical reasoning

Background: It is a very well-known fact that examinations drive learning to a great extent. The examination program is actually the ‘hidden curriculum’ for the students. In order to improve teaching and learning one option is to strategically use of exams. Aims: This report of the strategic use of an innovative assessment tool in clinical problem solving domain, presents the design, format, content, students’ results and evaluation of one year test results of instructive case-based exams for 6th year medical students. Method: Using a hybrid form of the OSCE, PMP and KFE formats, we developed a case-based stationary exam. Students were treated as advanced beginners in medical career and forced to an inquiry to use their clinical knowledge in the cases. Case discussions and question-answer sessions followed the exams. Six exams were held in 2000–2001 and 382 students participated in the study. One or two problems were used for each exam and the mean duration was 27 minutes for 7–11 stations. 17–19 observers contributed to each exam. Exams were evaluated by questionnaire based feedbacks of the students and oral feedbacks of the staff members. Results: The exams were well received and rated ‘fair’ by the students and the format was found highly ‘relevant for learning’ while the content was ‘instructive’ and ‘not difficult’. The total non-satisfactory performance rate was 2.36%. Students asked to take a similar test weekly. Although it was labor intensive, staff members appreciated the collaborative working process. Conclusions: Instructive case-based exams and the following case discussions seemed a high potential and motivating teaching tool in the clinical problem solving domain for 6th year students.
Factors Affecting Female Students’ Career Choices and Aspirations: A Zimbabwean Example

Abstract The study sought to investigate the factors affecting female students’ career choices and aspirations in selected Zimbabwean schools. The study adopted a qualitative approach and used focus group interviews with a convenient and purposive sample size of 20 high school girls. Data were analysed through content analysis as emerging key issues led to themes that guided the analysis and discussion. The study revealed that career choices and aspirations for girls are influenced by a whole range of factors most notable of which are gender role socialization, parental expectations, teacher attitudes, the gender-typing of school subjects studied as well as the gendered occupational landscape in which they exist. The study concluded that there is a strong need for significant others, especially parents and teachers, to help girls and females by deconstructing the gender-role stereotypes or perceptions of roles society considers appropriate for girls or boys. The researchers thus recommend that female students be empowered to aspire for a stake in occupations or careers traditionally regarded as male-domains. The school curriculum, teachers, parents and older siblings need to be supportive of the need to minimize gender stereotypes in school subjects and career choices.
Cognitive Styles and Design Strategies of Engineeri ng Students During a Hands-on Model-Building Design Task

Design is a fundamental aspect of engineering and is important in preparing students for industrial demands [4]. There has been a growing interest in the relationship between design strategy and cognitive style. Cognitive style describes the way individuals solve problems, think, perceive, and remember information [6]. Investigating if a particular cognitive style results in a more efficient engineering design process (EDP) is important in order to implement effective teaching of design courses.
Effectiveness and sustainability of the ViSC Social Competence Program to prevent cyberbullying and cyber-victimization: Class and individual level moderators.

We investigated whether the general anti-bullying program ViSC sustainably prevents cyberbullying and cyber-victimization. A longitudinal randomized control group design was used to examine (i) program effectiveness immediately after a 1 year implementation phase and (ii) sustainable program effects 6 months later taking several moderators on the class level (class climate and ethnic diversity) and on the individual level (gender, age, internet usage, traditional bullying/victimization) into account. Effectiveness (e.g., the change between waves 2 and 1) was examined in 2,042 students (47.6% girls), aged 11.7 years (SD = 0.88) enrolled in 18 schools and 103 classes. Sustainability (e.g., the change between waves 3 and 2) was examined in a sub-sample of 6 schools and 35 classes comprising 659 students. The self-assessment multiple-item scales showed longitudinal and multiple group invariance. Factor scores were extracted to compute difference scores for effectiveness (Posttest minus Pretest) and sustainability (Follow-up test minus Posttest) for cyberbullying and cyber-victimization. Multilevel Modeling was applied to examine (i) the effectiveness and (ii) the sustainability of the ViSC intervention controlling for several individual and class level variables. Controlling for covariates, it was demonstrated that the ViSC program is effective in preventing cyberbullying and cyber-victimization and that the effects are sustainable after 6 months. The consequences for cyberbullying prevention are discussed.
Changes in insomnia subtypes in early Parkinson disease

Objective: To examine the development of factors associated with insomnia in a cohort of originally drug-naive patients with incident Parkinson disease (PD) during the first 5 years after diagnosis. Methods: One hundred eighty-two drug-naive patients with PD derived from a population-based incident cohort and 202 control participants were assessed for insomnia before treatment initiation and were repeatedly examined after 1, 3, and 5 years. Insomnia was diagnosed according to the Stavanger Sleepiness Questionnaire. The Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale was used to differentiate sleep initiation problems from problems of sleep maintenance. Generalized estimating equation models were applied for statistical measures. Results: The prevalence of insomnia in general was not higher in patients with PD compared to controls at the 5-year follow-up. There were changes in the prevalence of the different insomnia subtypes over the 5-year follow-up. The prevalence of solitary problems in sleep maintenance increased from 31% (n = 18) in the drug-naive patients at baseline to 49% (n = 29) after 1 year and were associated with the use of dopamine agonists and higher Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale scores. The prevalence of solitary sleep initiation problems decreased continuously from 21% (n = 12) at baseline to 7.4% (n = 4) after 5 years; these were associated with less daytime sleepiness. Conclusions: The prevalence rates of the different insomnia subtypes changed notably in patients with early PD. The frequency of sleep maintenance problems increased, and these problems were associated with dopamine agonist use and depressive symptoms, while the total number of patients with insomnia remained stable. Our findings reflect the need for early individual assessments of insomnia subtypes and raise the possibility of intervention to reduce these symptoms in patients with early PD.
Analyzing nasal septal deviations to develop a new classification system: a computed tomography study using MATLAB and OsiriX.

IMPORTANCE Accurately characterizing nasal septal deviations is valuable for surgical planning, classifying nasal septal deviations, providing a means to accurately perform outcomes research, and understanding the causes of chronic conditions. OBJECTIVE To determine and quantify regions of septal deformity that can be used to develop a comprehensive classification system. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A retrospective case series study was conducted at an academic tertiary care hospital. Sixty-four participants were selected based on a convenience sample of computed tomography (CT) scans of the paranasal sinuses and midface available between June 29, 2011, and August 16, 2012. Exclusion criteria consisted of incomplete or inadequate CT series. The most recent CT scans were chosen for analyses regardless of the indication for imaging. Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine format bitmap file–formatted data were obtained and analyzed using MATLAB and OsiriX. The line to curve ratio, deviation area, and root mean square (RMS) values of the septal contour vs the ideal straight septum fit were calculated. Analysis was performed to detect significant differences (P < .05) using the 3 measures.MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Quantitative analysis of nasal septal deviation.RESULTS The population consisted of 50 male and 14 female patients aged 3 to 83 years(mean, 42 years). Mean line to curve ratios, areas, and RMS values were highest in contours that intersected the perpendicular plate–vomer junction, with a mean line to curve ratio of1.04 and mean deviated area of 627.16 arbitrary units (P = .02). Maximal deviation areas were also seen midway from the perpendicular plate–vomer junction to the nasal spine with a mean area of 577.31 arbitrary units (P = .01). The RMS values were significantly elevated along the crista galli and perpendicular plate–vomer junction (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Maximum septal deviation is seen at the perpendicular plate–vomer junction and in the regions near the crista galli and anterior nasal spine.Deviation area and RMS values are important measures to characterize septal deviations.Understanding septal deviations can aid in developing a functional classification system of nasal septal deviations for clinical use and a means to better record and compare surgical outcomes.
Neuropsychological, impulsive personality, and cerebral oxygenation correlates of undergraduate polysubstance use

While the relationship between cognitive deficits and impulsive-sensation seeking has been acknowledged in prior research, the impact of impulsive personality style on substance-related cognitive deficits has not been completely elucidated. The present study explored factors related to decision making and executive functioning in 23 polysubstance-using undergraduates and 23 healthy normal controls. Participants' cerebral oxygenation was measured using near-infrared spectroscopy. Polysubstance users performed worse on the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), and N-Back than did personality-matched controls. They also displayed less dorsolateral prefrontal oxygenation during the IGT. The polysubstance group reported more antisocial characteristics and lower positive affect; controlling for these variables eliminated group differences on the N-Back reaction time. Results suggest that cognitive decrements can be observed in polysubstance-using undergraduates without a lifetime burden of substance use, even after accounting for impulsivity. Results also highlight the importance of considering the contribution of positive mood and antisocial characteristics on executive functioning in polysubstance use.
Susceptibility of Four Species of Turfgrass-Infesting Scarabs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) to Bacillus thuringiensis Serovar japonensis Strain Buibui

Abstract Bacillus thuringiensis serovar japonensis strain Buibui experimental formulations containing Cry8Ca1 δ-endotoxin were evaluated in the field for the control of oriental beetle, Anomala orientalis Waterhouse; Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman; Asiatic garden beetle, Maladera castanea (Arrow); and European chafer, Rhizotrogus majalis (Razoumowsky) larvae infesting turfgrasses. In 17 fall applications, control of A. orientalis and P. japonica was achieved at rates as low as 100 g of toxin per ha; however, rates of 301 or 593 g/ha were consistently more effective. A. orientalis larvae were the most susceptible followed by P. japonica, R. majalis, and M. castanea. Two spring applications of 120 g of toxin per ha were not effective against oriental or Japanese beetles.
Evaluation of serum concentrations of biochemical markers of bone metabolism and insulin-like growth factor I associated with treadmill exercise in young horses.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate changes in serum concentrations of biochemical markers of bone metabolism and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) associated with treadmill exercise in young horses. ANIMALS 12 two-year-old Thoroughbred mares. PROCEDURE During a 20-week study period, 6 horses were exercised on a treadmill 3 times a week (exercise group) and 6 horses received walking exercise 6 days a week (controls). Serum concentrations or activity of biochemical markers and IGF-I were assessed biweekly. Bone mineral density and content of the first phalanx were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorbiometry (DEXA) on completion of the study. RESULTS Compared with values in controls, bone mineral density and content were higher and serum concentrations of osteocalcin (a marker of bone formation) and the carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (a marker of bone resorption; ICTP) were lower in exercised horses. Serum concentration and activity of the bone formation markers carboxy-terminal propeptide of type I collagen and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) were not different between the 2 groups. Serum IGF-I concentration was lower in the exercise group, compared with control values; there was a significant correlation between change in IGF-I values and changes in osteocalcin, ICTP, and BAP values at the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Treadmill exercise over 20 weeks induced adaptive changes in bones of 2-year-old Thoroughbreds; training appears to increase bone mineral density, thereby enhancing mechanical strength of bone, but decreases bone turnover. Results indicated an association between changes in serum IGF-I concentration and bone cell activity in horses.
Effects of storage time on hatchability of artificially incubated Greater Rhea (Rhea americana) eggs

1. A study was conducted to determine the effects of the length of the storage period on the hatchability of artificially incubated Greater Rhea eggs. Hatchability was evaluated in eggs gathered daily from a captive population and in eggs collected less frequently from a semi-captive population. 2. Eggs form both sites were either immediately incubated after being collected or were stored for 1 to 9 d prior to incubation. 3. The maximum number of days for which an egg could be stored without depressing hatchability (with respect to non-stored eggs) was longer in the eggs collected daily. 4. Eggs collected daily and stored for 4 d or more showed total hatchability (28%) and fertile hatchability (43%) which was approximately 30% lower than non-stored eggs or eggs stored for 3 d or less. In the semi-captive population, the total and fertile hatchability of non-stored eggs and of eggs stored for one day were 40% greater than of eggs stored for 2 to 9 d (20 and 34%, respectively). 5. The period for which Greater Rhea eggs could be stored without depressing hatchability varied depending on the frequency of egg collection: non-daily egg collection reduces the possible period of storage.
Supporting better formative feedback in task-oriented portfolio assessment

Task-oriented portfolio assessment is an innovative teaching and learning system that aims to support, encourage, and reward students in engaging in deep approaches to learning. Within this teaching and learning system, the need for teaching staff to provide frequent formative feedback is essential. In this paper, we reflect upon the use of task-oriented portfolio assessment in supporting introductory programming units, and propose some methods to measure and improve quality, as well as decrease time required to provide formative feedback. Furthermore, we explore how the Doubtfire Learning Management system is currently supporting this approach, and provide prospective improvements & research for such systems.