Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Faculty Expectations and the Adult Learner: Some Implications for Reference

Summary In addition to the normal difficulties encountered when returning to the academic environment, adult students are expected to use a library that may be very different from the one they have used earlier. While some teaching faculty recognize that these students may need additional help to effectively use the library, others do not. This study investigated faculty expectations for adult students and the academic library. The majority of faculty surveyed believe students need instruction to develop familiarity with library resources and technology. Furthermore, the faculty are willing to work with librarians to ensure students gain these skills.
Antioxidant Activities in vitro of Water and Liposoluble Extracts Obtained by Different Species of Edible Insects and Invertebrates

A new global interest in entomophagy, the practice of eating insects, and invertebrates, arise from the impellent necessity of preserving agriculture resources and to obtain a drastic reduction of the ecological impact of animal food on the planet. The composite nutritional content, direct consequences of a plant-based feeding, associated with the undoubtedly ecological properties, suggest for insects a role as sustainable and functional foods. We aim to investigate the ability of water and liposoluble extracts, obtained by 12 commercially available edible insects and two invertebrates, to display an antioxidant effect in vitro. Results show that water-soluble extracts of grasshoppers, silkworm, and crickets display the highest values of antioxidant capacity (TEAC), 5-fold higher than fresh orange juice, while evening cicada, giant water bugs, Thai zebra tarantula, and black scorpions have negligible values. Grasshoppers, African caterpillars, and crickets have the highest levels of reducing power (FRAP), double than fresh orange juice. Grasshoppers, black ants, and mealworms contain the highest levels of total polyphenols, while Thai zebra tarantula, black scorpions, and giant water bugs are positioned at the bottom of the ranking. The liposoluble fraction of silkworm, evening cicada, and African caterpillars shows highest level of TEAC, twice than olive oil, while Thai zebra tarantula, palm worm, and black ants are placed at the bottom of the ranking. Edible insects and invertebrates represent a potential source of antioxidant ingredients with an efficiency related to their taxonomy and eating habits. More evidences are needed in order to understand if the practice of eating insects and invertebrates might contribute to modulate oxidative stress in humans.
NLRP3, NLRP12, and IFI16 Inflammasomes Induction and Caspase-1 Activation Triggered by Virulent HSV-1 Strains Are Associated With Severe Corneal Inflammatory Herpetic Disease

The crosstalk between the host's inflammasome system and the invading virulent/less-virulent viruses determines the outcome of the ensuing inflammatory response. An appropriate activation of inflammasomes triggers antiviral inflammatory responses that clear the virus and heal the inflamed tissue. However, an aberrant activation of inflammasomes can result in a harmful and overwhelming inflammation that could damage the infected tissue. The underlying host's immune mechanisms and the viral virulent factors that impact severe clinical inflammatory disease remain to be fully elucidated. In this study, we used herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), the causative agent of corneal inflammatory herpetic disease, as a model pathogen to determine: (i) Whether and how the virulence of a virus affects the type and the activation level of the inflammasomes; and (ii) How triggering specific inflammasomes translates into protective or damaging inflammatory response. We showed that, in contrast to the less-virulent HSV-1 strains (RE, F, KOS, and KOS63), corneal infection of B6 mice with the virulent HSV-1 strains (McKrae, 17 or KOS79): (i) Induced simultaneous expression of the NLRP3, NLRP12, and IFI16 inflammasomes; (ii) Increased production of the biologically active Caspase-1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18; (iii) Heightened recruitment into the inflamed cornea of CD45highLy6C+Ly6G−F4/80+CD11b+CD11c− inflammatory monocytes and CD45highCD11b+F4/80−Ly6GhiLy6Cmed neutrophils; and (iv) This intensified inflammatory response was associated with a severe corneal herpetic disease, irrespective of the level of virus replication in the cornea. Similarly, in vitro infection of human corneal epithelial cells and human monocytic THP-1 cells with the virulent HSV-1 strains triggered a synchronized early expression of NLRP3, NLRP12 and IFI16, 2 h post-infection, associated with formation of single and dense specks of the adapter molecule ASC in HSV(+) cells, but not in the neighboring bystander HSV(−) cells. This was associated with increased cleavages of Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18. These findings suggest a previously unappreciated role of viral virulence in a synchronized early induction of the NLRP3, NLRP12, and IFI16 inflammasomes that lead to a damaging inflammatory response. A potential role of common virus virulent factors that stimulate this harmful inflammatory corneal disease is currently under investigation.
Preoperative ureteral stenting prior to ureteroscopy for management of urolithiasis does not impact the postoperative return for unplanned care

Introduction: Return for unplanned postoperative care is an important quality metric in the United States. Most of our postoperative return visits occur after ureteroscopy. Routine preoperative ureteral stenting is not recommended by the American Urological Association due to its impact on the quality of life, despite its proposed operative advantages. We evaluated the association between preoperative ureteral stenting and the resulting perioperative outcomes in the context of quality measures such as return to the emergency department (ED) and readmission rates. Materials and Methods: After the Institutional Review Board approval, a retrospective review of patients undergoing ureteroscopy from February 2014 to present was conducted. Patient's demographics and perioperative outcomes were compared based on the presence or absence of a ureteral stent before ureteroscopy. Details and rates of nurse calls, returns to the ED, and readmissions within 90 days were also compared. Results: A total of 421 instances of ureteroscopy, 278 prestented ureteroscopy (psURS), and 143 direct ureteroscopy (dURS) were included for analysis. Preoperative demographics were similar. The psURS cohort was more likely to undergo flexible ureteroscopy, utilized an access sheath more often (P < 0.0001), and had less ureteral dilation (P < 0.0001). Prestenting did not influence operative time (P = 0.8534) or stone-free rates (P = 0.2241). dURS patients were more likely to call the nurse; however, psURS versus dURS yielded no difference in return to the ED or readmission within 90 days. Conclusions: In this study, preoperative stenting offered few operative advantages and did not meaningfully influence returns to the ED and readmissions within 90 days after ureteroscopy.
Finite element model updating approach to damage identification in beams using particle swarm optimization

The use of vibration-based techniques in damage identification has recently received considerable attention in many engineering disciplines. While various damage indicators have been proposed in the literature, those relying only on changes in the natural frequencies are quite appealing since these quantities can conveniently be acquired. Nevertheless, the use of natural frequencies in damage identification is faced with many obstacles, including insensitivity and non-uniqueness issues. The aim of this article is to develop a viable damage identification scheme based only on changes in the natural frequencies and to attempt to overcome the challenges typically encountered. The proposed methodology relies on building a finite element model (FEM) of the structure under investigation. An improved particle swarm optimization algorithm is proposed to facilitate updating the FEM in accordance with experimentally determined natural frequencies in order to predict the damage location and extent. The method is tested on beam structures and was shown to be an effective tool for damage identification.
Assessing knowledge, attitude, and practices of health-care providers toward pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reaction reporting at a comprehensive cancer center in Jordan

Background and Objective: Cancer patients are more likely to experience adverse drug reactions (ADRs) than other patients, because of both the complexity of the treatment regimens and the severity of disease. The objectives of this study were to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice of health-care providers toward pharmacovigilance and ADR reporting, barriers to ADR reporting, and the association between the demographics of health-care providers and their knowledge and attitude toward reporting. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at the King Hussein Cancer Center. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to dispensary pharmacists, clinical pharmacists, physicians, and nurses. Descriptive analysis was used, with testing for associations between variables. Results: Of the 373 questionnaires, 306 were returned (response rate, 82%). Pharmacists and nurses were more knowledgeable than physicians; however, all participants had a highly positive attitude toward pharmacovigilance and ADR reporting, with a mean score of 3.87 out of 5. The main knowledge gaps were filling in an ADR reporting form, assessing the severity of ADRs, and differentiating between ADRs and adverse events. The main barriers to ADR reporting (37.5% of responses) were considered to be lack of training and of understanding reporting rules. No associations were found with age, gender, years of experience, attitude, or knowledge. Conclusion and Recommendations: Understanding of pharmacovigilance and ADR reporting could further be improved among health-care providers at our center.
Correlation of selected stress associated factors with vitamin D deficiency in Jordanian men and women

Background: To identify stress associated factors for vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in healthy Jordanian people based on serum 25(OH)D levels. Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: Three hundred and seventy-one Jordanian men and women aged 17–52 years, who were identified as VD deficient 25(OH)D <30 ng/mL, were eligible to participate in the study. Serum vitamin 25(OH) D was measured using chemiluminescent immunoassay. Cortisol, parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphate, fasting lipid profile, and blood glucose were also analyzed. Questionnaires were used to collect lifestyles parameters. Anthropometric parameters including: body mass index (BMI), waist (W) and hip (H) circumferences, W/H ratio (WHR) were also calculated. Results: The vast majority (91%) of the participants had vitamin D deficiency (25- (OH) D <30 ng/mL). Positive correlations were observed between vitamin D deficiency and the following anthropometric parameters in all study sample; gender (P=0.010), height (P=0.22), height/hip ratio (P=0.015) and waist/hip ratio (P=0.013). Lifestyle parameters that indicated very weak positive correlations with VDD were number of family members (P=0.011) and insufficient exposure to sunlight (P=0.023). The following clinical parameters showed weak or very weak correlations with VDD; serum cortisol (r=0.318), low density lipoprotein (r=0.246) and total cholesterol (r=0.133). Skin color and water pipe tobacco smoking were added to the multivariable stepwise regression analyses as they have been weakly correlated with VDD. These predictors together explained only 12.2% of the variance in serum cortisol levels in the VDD study sample. Conclusion: A weak positive association between VDD and elevated serum cortisol was observed in this study. Subcutaneous changes may be involved in that association but further studies are needed to clarify a potential role for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
Efficacy of humanized single large doses of caspofungin on the lethality and fungal tissue burden in a deeply neutropenic murine model against Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis

Background Echinocandins are the first-line therapy for treatment of invasive Candida infections, but the mortality rate remains high, calling for novel strategies. Giving single larger echinocandin doses infrequently is an alternative regimen. Our aim was to test this novel approach in a neutropenic murine model. Materials and methods We compared the in vivo efficacy of single 10 and 40 mg/kg of caspofungin (2.5× and 10× the normal humanized dose) to that of the same cumulative doses of daily 2 and 8 mg/kg doses for 5 days against 2 each of wild-type C. albicans and C. dubliniensis as well as echinocandin resistant C. albicans. As a comparator, we tested daily 1 mg/kg amphotericin B. Results In lethality experiments, all caspofungin and amphotericin B regimens improved survival against wild-type C. albicans and C. dubliniensis clinical isolates (P<0.0001) and decreased the mean fungal kidney burdens of both species compared to controls. However, fungal kidney burden decreases were not always statistically significant, especially with single 10 or 40 mg/kg caspofungin doses. Amphotericin B was the least active drug against wild-type C. albicans. Against echinocandin-resistant strains, monodose 40 mg/kg caspofungin and 1 mg/kg of daily amphotericin B were effective in lethality experiments. Although, significant kidney CFU decreases were never found, except for amphotericin B against one of the isolates (p<0.05 at day 3 and p<0.001 at day 6). Conclusion Single 40 mg/kg caspofungin and 1 mg/kg amphotericin B proved to be effective in the lethality experiments against wild-type and echinocandin-resistant C. albicans and wild-type C. dubliniensis. This was not always shown regarding fungal tissue burdens. Single caspofungin doses used in mice in this study are attainable in humans as well, suggesting a potential place of this dosing strategy not only in prevention but also in curative treatment of evolved invasive Candida infections.
The effects of resveratrol feeding and exercise training on the skeletal muscle function and transcriptome of aged rats

This study investigated the effects of resveratrol feeding and exercise training on the skeletal muscle function and transcriptome of aged rats. Male SD rats (25 months old) were divided into the control group (Old), the daily exercise training group (Trained), and the resveratrol feeding group (Resveratrol). After 6 weeks of intervention, the body mass, grip strength, and gastrocnemius muscle mass were determined, and the muscle samples were analyzed by transcriptome sequencing. The differentially expressed genes were analyzed followed by GO enrichment analysis and KEGG analysis. The Old group showed positive increases in body mass, while both the Trained and Resveratrol groups showed negative growth. No significant differences in the gastrocnemius muscle index and absolute grip strength were found among the three groups. However, the relative grip strength was higher in the Trained group than in the Old group. Only 21 differentially expressed genes were identified in the Trained group vs. the Old group, and 12 differentially expressed genes were identified in the Resveratrol group vs. the Old group. The most enriched GO terms in the Trained group vs. the Old group were mainly associated with RNA metabolic processes and transmembrane transporters, and the significantly upregulated KEGG pathways included mucin-type O-glycan biosynthesis, drug metabolism, and pyrimidine metabolism. The most enriched GO terms in the Resveratrol group vs. the Old group were primarily associated with neurotransmitter transport and synaptic vesicle, and the upregulated KEGG pathways included synaptic vesicle cycle, nicotine addiction, retinol metabolism, insulin secretion, retrograde endocannabinoid signaling, and glutamatergic synapse. Neither exercise training nor resveratrol feeding has a notable effect on skeletal muscle function and related gene expression in aged rats. However, both exercise training and resveratrol feeding have strong effects on weight loss, which is beneficial for reducing the exercise loads of the elderly.
Mitochondrial unfolded protein response gene CLPP changes mitochondrial dynamics and affects mitochondrial function

Mitochondrial dynamics is associated with mitochondrial function, which is associated with diabetes. Although an important indicator of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response, to the best of our knowledge, CLPP and its effects on mitochondrial dynamics in islet cells have not been studied to date. We analyzed the effects of CLPP on mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial function in the mice islet β-cell line Min6 under high glucose and high fat conditions. Min6 cells were assigned to: Normal, HG, HG+NC, HG+siCLPP, HF, HF+NC and HF+ siCLPP groups. High glucose and high fat can promote the mRNA and protein expression of CLPP in mitochondria. The increase of mitochondrial fission, the decrese of mitochondrial fusion, and the damage of mintocondrial ultrastructure were significant in the siCLPP cell groups as compared to no-siCLPP treated groups. Meanwhile, mitochondrial functions of MIN6 cells treated with siCLPP were impaired, such as ATP decreased, ROS increased, mitochondrial membrane potential decreased. In addition, cell insulin secretion decreased and cell apoptosis rate increased in siCLPP groups. These results revealed that mitochondrial unfolded protein response geneCLPP alleviated high glucose and high fat-induced mitochondrial dynamics imbalance and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Psychoactive drug prescription and urine colonization with extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae

Background The worldwide dissemination of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae has become a major health concern. Previous studies have shown that psychoactive drugs have intrinsic antimicrobial activity and may play a role in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance. The objective of this study was to assess the association between prescriptions for psychoactive drug and urine colonization with ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Subjects Ninety-five patients were included; 19 cases (urine colonization with an ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae) and 76 controls (urine colonization with non ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae); and were matched for age and gender. Methods A retrospective 1:4 matched case–control study design was used. All patients colonized with an Enterobacteriaceae isolate in Nantes University Hospital from March to November 2014, were screened before inclusion in the study. Prescriptions data for psychoactive drugs were collected from the electronic medical records. Univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression analyses were performed. Results Thirty-seven patients (38.9%) were treated with psychoactive drugs, of whom 10 (52.6%) were in the ESBL-producing group and 27 (35.5%) were in the non-ESBL group. Mean (SD) age was 71.2 (23.1) years. In multivariate analyses, previous antimicrobial therapy within 6 months (OR=7.12, 95% CI 1.15–44.18; p=0.035) and previous colonization with an ESBL-producing organism (OR=44.87, 95% CI 1.26–1594.19; p=0.037) were associated with urine colonization with ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Conclusions Our findings revealed that a history of previous antimicrobial therapy and previous colonization with ESBL-producing organisms are important risk factors in an elderly population. Psychoactive drugs were not associated with urinary carriage of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Further studies are required to explore the relationship between psychoactive drugs and colonization with ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae.
Assessment of Quality of Obturation, Instrumentation Time and Intensity of Pain with Pediatric Rotary File (Kedo-S) in Primary Anterior Teeth: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

ABSTRACT Aim The purpose of this study was to clinically compare and evaluate the efficiency of pediatric rotary file kedo-S with hand K files and ProTaper rotary files during root canal preparation of primary anterior teeth. Materials and methods Forty-five children requiring pulpectomy in any one of the vital primary anterior teeth were included. The children were randomly assigned to one of the three groups (15 per group), where the instrumentation was done using hand files in group 1, ProTaper rotary files in group 2 and Kedo-S rotary files in group 3. The instrumentation time, pain perception and the quality of obturation was assessed, and the statistical analysis was done using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software. Results Statistically decreased instrumentation time was observed with the use of Kedo-S rotary file system (p < 0.05) when compared to the other two file systems. The intensity of pain experienced during instrumentation was also lesser with Kedo-S rotary file (p < 0.05). No significant difference was noted in the obturation quality with the exclusive pediatric rotary file when compared with the other two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion Kedo-S rotary files decrease the instrumentation time and intensity of the pain perception during canal instrumentation which positively influences the cooperation of the children. Clinical significance Use of exclusive pediatric rotary files (Kedo-S) for root canal preparation in primary teeth reduces the fatigue of both the children and the dentists. Also, influences the behavior of the children in a more positive way thereby instilling a positive dental attitude. How to cite this article Govindaraju L, Jeevanandan G, Subramanian EMG, Vishawanathaiah S. Assessment of Quality of Obturation, Instrumentation Time and Intensity of Pain with Pediatric Rotary File (Kedo-S) in Primary Anterior Teeth: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent, 2018;11(6):462-467.
Clinical outcomes and risk factors of secondary extraintestinal manifestation in ulcerative colitis: results of a multicenter and long-term follow-up retrospective study

Background Extraintestinal manifestations (EIM) are common in ulcerative colitis (UC). In Shanghai, China, data on the incidence rate and risk factors of EIM in UC patients remain scarce. Methods The study population consisted of UC patients who were identified from a prospectively maintained, institutional review board-approved database at our institutes from June 1986 to December 2018. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the study participants were analyzed. The study included secondary EIM in UC patients and follow-up, while primary EIM was excluded. The diagnosis of EIM was based on clinical, radiological, endoscopic, and immunologic examination and histological findings. Results In total, 271 eligible patients were included in the current study, with a median follow-up time of 13.0 years (interquartile range, 9.0–17.0), and including 31 cases (11.4%) that developed EIM. EIM was associated with clinical outcomes in UC patients and the following factors were identified as contributing factors for the development of EIM: a disease duration of >5 years (odds ratio (OR), 3.721; 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.209–11.456]), age at diagnosis >40 years (OR, 2.924, 95% CI [1.165–7.340]), refractory clinical symptoms (OR, 4.119; 95% CI [1.758–9.650]), and moderate or severe anemia (OR, 2.592; 95% CI [1.047–6.413]). Conclusion In this study, approximately 11.4% UC patients go on to develop at least one EIM. Clinicians should prioritize early control of the disease and treatment of anemia in UC in order to prevent the development of EIM and improve disease prognosis.