Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Native Outer Membrane Proteins Protect Mice against Pulmonary Challenge with Virulent Type A Francisella tularensis

ABSTRACT Francisella tularensis is a gram-negative intracellular bacterium and the causative agent of the zoonotic disease tularemia. F. tularensis is a category A select agent and thus a potential agent of bioterrorism. Whereas an F. tularensis live, attenuated vaccine strain (LVS) is the basis of an investigational vaccine, this vaccine is not licensed for human use because of efficacy and safety concerns. In the present study, we immunized mice with isolated native outer membrane proteins (OMPs), ethanol-inactivated LVS (iLVS), or purified LVS lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and assessed the ability of each vaccine preparation to protect mice against pulmonary challenge with the virulent type A F. tularensis strain SchuS4. Antibody isotyping indicated that both Th1 and Th2 antibody responses were generated in mice after immunization with OMPs or iLVS, whereas LPS immunization resulted in only immunoglobulin A production. In survival studies, OMP immunization provided the greatest level of protection (50% survival at 20 days after infection with SchuS4), and there were associated 3-log reductions in the spleen and liver bacterial burdens (compared to nonvaccinated mice). Cytokine quantitation for the sera of SchuS4-challenged mice indicated that OMP and iLVS immunizations induced high levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, whereas only OMP immunization induced high levels of IL-10 production. By comparison, high levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including RANTES, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, IL-6, IL-1α, IL-12p40, and KC, in nonvaccinated mice indicated that these cytokines may facilitate disease progression. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate the potential utility of an OMP subunit (acellular) vaccine for protecting mammals against type A F. tularensis.
A case of cervical metastases from temporal bone carcinoid

Carcinoids are neuroendocrine tumors that typically occur in the gastrointestinal tract and lung and less frequently in the head and neck region. Whereas the metastatic potential of laryngeal carcinoid is well documented, only one case of metastasis of temporal bone carcinoid to the cervical lymph nodes has been reported. We present the case of a 55‐year‐old woman with cervical metastases almost 3 years after a primary diagnosis of temporal bone carcinoid.
Canadian Society of Nephrology commentary on the 2012 KDIGO clinical practice guideline for the management of blood pressure in CKD.

The KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) 2012 clinical practice guideline for the management of blood pressure (BP) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) provides the structural and evidence base for the Canadian Society of Nephrology (CSN) commentary on this guideline's relevancy and application to the Canadian health care system. While in general agreement, we provide commentary on 13 of the 21 KDIGO guideline statements. Specifically, we agreed that nonpharmacological interventions should play a significant role in the management of hypertension in patients with CKD. We also agreed that the approach to the management of hypertension in elderly patients with CKD should be individualized and take into account comorbid conditions to avoid adverse outcomes from excessive BP lowering. In contrast to KDIGO, the CSN Work Group believes there is insufficient evidence to target a lower BP for nondiabetic CKD patients based on the presence and severity of albuminuria. The CSN Work Group concurs with the Canadian Hypertension Education Program (CHEP) recommendation of a target BP for all non-dialysis-dependent CKD patients without diabetes of ≤140 mm Hg systolic and ≤90 mm Hg diastolic. Similarly, it is our position that in diabetic patients with CKD and normal urinary albumin excretion, raising the threshold for treatment from <130 mm Hg systolic BP to <140 mm Hg systolic BP could increase stroke risk and the risk of worsening kidney disease. The CSN Work Group concurs with the CHEP and the Canadian Diabetic Association recommendation for diabetic patients with CKD with or without albuminuria to continue to be treated to a BP target similar to that of the overall diabetes population, aiming for BP levels < 130/80 mm Hg. Consistent with this, the CSN Work Group endorses a BP target of <130/80 mm Hg for diabetic patients with a kidney transplant. Finally, in the absence of evidence for a lower BP target, the CSN Work Group concurs with the CHEP recommendation to target BP<140/90 mm Hg for nondiabetic patients with a kidney transplant.
In vitro activities of penciclovir and acyclovir against herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2

Penciclovir (PCV) and acyclovir are acyclic guanine analogs which inhibit herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA polymerase. Their 50% infective doses were 0.5 to 0.8 microgram/ml for clinical isolates of HSV-1 and 1.3 to 2.2 micrograms/ml for HSV-2. Furthermore, HSV-infected cultures receiving 2-h pulses of PCV had 2- to 50-fold less HSV than acyclovir-treated cultures, consistent with the prolonged intracellular half-life of PCV triphosphate.
Three-dimensional head kinematics and clinical outcome of patients with neck injury treated with spinal manipulative therapy: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE Finite helical axis parameters (FHAP) of the cervical spine and clinical measures were obtained to evaluate neck function and the clinical effects of spinal manipulative therapy in patients with "whiplash" (WL) type neck injury. DESIGN Descriptive case series, 1 yr follow-up. SETTING Three private chiropractic practices. SUBJECTS Ten consecutive new patients with a history of neck injury, nine asymptomatic, volunteer controls. INTERVENTIONS A 6-wk regimen of short lever manually assisted adjustments with an Activator Instrument, while acute, four patients received interferential electrotherapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Cervical FHAP during normal movements, neck pain (visual analogue scale), active cervical range of motion and follow-up questionnaire. RESULTS Based on six patients, the FHAPs appeared to mirror the clinical condition, being markedly deviant from the patterns observed in the control group for at least one or more of the tracking tasks for all but one of the patients. Mean pain scores decreased from 44.1 to 10.5 (t = 4.93; p < .0001) and mean total range of motion increased from 234 to 297 degrees (t = 5.68; p < .0001). At 1 yr, seven respondents noted stability of their symptoms at or near the level reported immediately after the 6-wk treatment period. CONCLUSIONS Based on these preliminary data: a) FHAPs may aid in diagnosing and monitoring treatment of neck dysfunction, b) spinal manipulative therapy may be beneficial to some patients with neck injury and future study is warranted as a means to promote recovery of patients with neck injuries.
UROPATHOGENS FROM DIABETIC PATIENTS WITH ASYMPTOMATIC BACTERIURIA AND URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS.

Urinary tract infections occur more frequently in diabetic than in non-diabetic patients and have been proven to be the primary cause of renal failure in diabetics. This study was to investigate the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) and urinary tract infections (UTIs) in clinically diagnosed patients with diabetes and to determine the uropathogens responsible for ASB and UTIs as well as their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. One hundred and twenty five diabetic patients comprising 69 (55.2%) females and 56 (44.8%) males attending the Buea and Limbe Regional Hospital Diabetic Clinics, South West Region, Cameroonwere studied. Midstream urine samples were collected from the study participants. The midstream urine samples were examined macroscopically, microscopically, and culturally using standard techniques on different agar cultures. Uropathogens isolated included E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, candida albicans, Streptococcus pyogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Isolates were tested against commonly used antibiotics and antifungals. Asymptomatic bacteriuria had a prevalence of 47.2% and urinary tract infections a prevalence of 34.4%. Isolates showed high resistance to ciprofloxacin (61.3%), ceftriaxone (70.1%), amoxicillin (96.2%), nystatin (72.3%) and ketoconazole (51.8%). Improvement on personal hygiene and the appropriate use of duly prescribed antibiotic/antifungals would reduce prevalence of ASB and UTIs and hence prevent renal complications.
Analysis of picornavirus 2A(pro) proteins: separation of proteinase from translation and replication functions

The poliovirus (PV) genome was manipulated by replacing its 2A-encoding sequence with the corresponding sequence of coxsackie B4 virus (CBV4) or human rhinovirus type 2 (HRV2). In vitro translation of the resulting chimeric PV genomes revealed a normal cis-cleavage activity for both heterologous 2A(pro) proteinases in the chimeric PV polyproteins. However, only the genome containing the 2A-encoding sequence of CBV4 (PV/CBV4-2A) yielded viable virus in transfected cells, producing a mixture of large and small plaques on HeLa cell monolayers. The large-plaque variants were found to contain single-amino-acid mutations at a specific site near the C terminus of the CBV4 2A(pro) protein. When the same single-amino-acid mutations were directly introduced into the parental PV/CBV4-2A genome, chimeric viruses with a large-plaque phenotype and a wild-type PV-like growth pattern were obtained upon transfection, an observation demonstrating that these point mutations alone had a drastic effect on the growth of the PV/CBV4 chimeric virus. On the other hand, the chimeric genome containing the 2A-encoding sequence of HRV2 (PV/HRV2-2A) produced a null phenotype in transfected HeLa cells, although low-level replication of this chimeric genome was evident. We conclude that only 2A(pro) of the more closely related enterovirus CBV4 is able to functionally substitute for that of PV in vivo, and a subtle genetic modification of the CBV4 2A(pro) protein results in a drastic improvement in the growth of the chimeric PV/CBV4-2A virus. In addition, this chimeric cDNA approach enabled us to dissect multiple biological functions encoded by the 2A(pro) proteins.
The comic as a binary language. An hypothesis on comic structure*

Abstract This article uses some simple non-parametric statistical methods to study the structure of comics. By reducing the sequence of vignettes in a comic to a sequence of binary symbols using the run theory, an explanatory hypothesis is proposed on the relation between the number of runs in the sequence and the number that might be expected under perfect randomness. The hypothesis is tested experimentally by means of an unexpected empirical regularity that the former actually explains. Finally, its possible relevance to the study of the structure of language is briefly considered.
Accuracy analysis of kinect depth data

Abstract. This paper presents an investigation of the geometric quality of depth data obtained by the Kinect sensor. Based on the mathematical model of depth measurement by the sensor a theoretical error analysis is presented, which provides an insight into the factors influencing the accuracy of the data. Experimental results show that the random error of depth measurement increases with increasing distance to the sensor, and ranges from a few millimetres up to about 4 cm at the maximum range of the sensor. The accuracy of the data is also found to be influenced by the low resolution of the depth measurements.
Dietary Pattern and Bone Density Changes in Elderly Women: A Longitudinal Study

Objective: Few data are available on the effect of the diet in general on bone health. The objective of this study was to identify dietary patterns and to evaluate the association between such patterns and bone mineral density (BMD) changes over time. Methods: We analyzed a sample of women aged ≥65 years participating in the InCHIANTI Study. BMD was evaluated using computed tomography of the tibia and nutritional intake using the EPIC questionnaire. We used a cluster analysis to identify patterns of dietary intake. The clusters were compared with respect to nutritional intake; risk factors for osteoporosis; comorbidity; total, trabecular, and cortical BMD; and BMD changes over 6 years. Results: The sample size was 434, with a mean age of 75.2 years (SD, 7.01 years; range, 65–94 years). Based on dietary variables, 2 clusters were identified with a marked difference in energy intake (30 kcal/kg of ideal body weight [IBW] in cluster 1 vs 44 kcal/kg IBW in cluster 2). We found no meaningful differences between clusters with regard to nondietary risk factors for osteoporosis, BMD measured at baseline, and changes in BMD over the 6-year follow-up; cluster 2 showed a greater increase in cortical BMD (+30.2 mg/cm3 vs +16.7 mg/cm3). Members of cluster 2 were less likely to have a lower cortical BMD increase (adjusted odds ratio, 0.452; 95% confidence interval, 0.215–0.950). Conclusions: Cortical BMD increases more in participants eating a diet exceeding the RDA for macronutrients. Cortical BMD may be more sensitive to diet and dietary interventions than trabecular bone.
Improving ICSI: A review from the spermatozoon perspective

ABSTRACT Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is the most frequently applied method for fertilization making the process of identifying the perfect spermatozoon fundamental. Herein we offer a critical and thorough presentation on the techniques reported regarding (i) handling and preparing semen samples, (ii) identifying and ‘fishing’ spermatozoa, and (iii) improving key factors, such as motility for a successful ICSI practice. These approaches are suggested to make the process easier and more effective especially in atypical and challenging circumstances. Furthermore, we present an epigrammatic opinion-where appropriate-based upon our collective experience. Techniques such as intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection, hyaluronic binding, polarized light microscopy, and annexin V agent identification for comparing sperm cells and their chromatin integrity are analyzed. Moreover, for the demanding cases of total sperm immotility the use of the hypoosmotic swelling test, methylxanthines, as well as the option of laser assisted immotile sperm selection are discussed. Finally, we refer to the employment of myoinositol as a way to bioreactively improve ICSI outcome for oligoasthenoteratozoospermic men. The diversity and the constant development of novel promising techniques to improve ICSI from the spermatozoon perspective, is certainly worth pursuing. The majority of the techniques discussed are still a long way from being established in routine practices of the standard IVF laboratory. In most cases an experienced embryologist could yield the same results. Although some of the techniques show great benefits, there is a need for large scale multicenter randomized control studies to be conducted in order to specify their importance before suggesting horizontal application. Taking into consideration the a priori invasive nature of ICSI, when clinical application becomes a possibility we need to proceed with caution and ensure that in the pursuit for innovation we are not sacrificing safety and the balance of the physiological and biological pathways of the spermatozoon’s dynamic. Abbreviations: ICSI: intracytoplasmic sperm injection; IVF: in vitro fertilization; PGD: reimplantation genetic diagnosis; IVM: in vitro maturation; HCV/HIV: hepatitis C virus/human immunodeficiency virus; IMSI: intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection; DGC: density gradient centrifugations; S-U: swim-up; ART: assisted reproduction technology; IUI: intrauterine insemination; PVP: polyvinylpyrrolidone; HA: hyaluronic acid; MSOME: motile sperm organelle morphology examination; ZP: zona pellucida; MACS: magnetic activation cell sorting; HOST: hypo-osmotic swelling test; TESE: testicular sperm extraction; MMP: mitochondrial membrane potential; OAT: oligoasthenoteratozoospermic
In Adrenal Medulla Synaptophysin (Protein p38) Is Present in Chromaffin Granules and in a Special Vesicle Population

Abstract: We have analyzed the properties and subcellular localization of synaptophysin (protein p38) in bovine adrenal medulla. In one‐dimensional immunoblotting the adrenal antigen appears identical to synaptophysin of rat synaptic vesicles. In two‐dimensional immunoblotting it migrates as a heterogeneous band varying in pI from 4.5 to 5.8. Subcellular fractionation by various sucrose gradients revealed that synaptophysin was present in two different cell particles. More than half of the antigens present in adrenal medulla were confined to special membranes that sedimented both with the “large granules” and with microsomal elements. These membranes could be removed from the large granule sediment by washing. In gradients it equilibrated in regions of low sucrose density. These membranes did not contain any markers for chromaffin granules. Less than half of the amount of synaptophysin present in adrenal medulla copurified with chromaffin granules. Despite several variations in the fractionation scheme synaptophysin could not be removed from chromaffin granules. After washing of granule membranes with alkaline solution synaptophysin still cosedimented in gradients with typical granule markers. The concentration of synaptophysin in membranes of chromaffin granules is low (<10%) when compared with synaptic vesicles. It is concluded that in adrenal medulla synaptophysin is present in special membranes, probably in high concentration, and in membranes of chromaffin granules, either in a low concentration in all or in a higher concentration in some of them.
Parasites, haematology and morphological changes in tissues of a migratory Bubulcus Ibis

Cattle egret having been used in the control of flies and other insects on cattle also has been implicated in the transmission of different diseases including parasites. This migratory bird was studied to see the type of parasites it carries and its hematologic status as an indicator of health. The bird was found, caught and brought to the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology of the University for Routine Helminth Ova and Protozoan cyst screening using parasitological techniques. Also, tissues were harvested for histopathological examination. Haematologic and clinical chemistry analysis was carried out. Clinically, the bird showed emaciation, dissipation and inability to fly. No helminth ova or protozoan cysts were recovered from faecal examination, however, Heterakis gallinarum and Echinostoma species were recovered as adults from the posterior guts. Grossly, most of the organs were within the normal textural and conformational limits, except for the liver, which showed moderate congestion and enlargement. Microscopically, the liver revealed congestion of the venules, moderate distortion of the hepatic plates, swollen hepatocytes and obliteration of the sinusoid. The presence of the nematode, Heterakis gallinarum, has an implication on disease transmission to domestic birds while Echinostoma species are zoonotic thus humans can be predisposed to infection from these migratory birds. The haematology report is an indication of poor health due to its lower margin of normal values. An understanding of the parasites and lesions in the bird would aid evaluating the health status of the migratory bird and the public health implication of its presence.
Serostatus disclosure, sexual communication and safer sex in HIV-positive men

This study assessed HIV-positive men's sexual behaviours with partners at risk for infection, and examined the extent to which safer sex was associated with interpersonal communication variables, namely, (1) disclosure of one's seropositive status and (2) specific communication with partners about safer-sex practices. A total of 105 HIV-positive men (43% homosexual, 38% bisexual, 19% heterosexual), randomly sampled at an HIV outpatient clinic in Los Angeles, completed a behavioural questionnaire assessing events in their most recent sexual encounter with an HIV-negative or unknown serostatus partner. Results indicated that men who disclosed their seropositive status and explicitly discussed the topic of safer sex with their at-risk partners had a significantly higher prevalence of protected anal or vaginal intercourse than did men who disclosed only. The findings suggest that post-test counselling regarding the importance of disclosing one's seropositive status to sex partners should be augmented by behavioural interventions that enhance seropositive persons' skills in communicating explicitly with partners about safer sex to help reduce transmission of HIV.
Comparative evaluation of clindamycin phosphate 1% and clindamycin phosphate 1% with nicotinamide gel 4% in the treatment of acne vulgaris.

Eighty patients with moderate acne vulgaris were enrolled from out-patient department for the comparative evaluation of clindamycin phosphate 1% and clindamycin phosphate 1% with nicotinamide gel 4%. In group I forty patients were given clindamycin phosphate 1% alone.ln group II forty patients were given clindamycin phosphate 1% and nicotinamide gel 4% in combination. The study did not show any added advantage of clindamycin phosphate 1% in combination with nicotinamide gel 4% over clindamycin phosphate 1% alone.
The Potential of West Nile Virus Transmission Regarding the Environmental Factors Using Geographic Information System (GIS), West Azerbaijan Province, Iran

Background: West Nile fever, as an expanding zoonotic disease, has been reported from different creatures involved in the disease from Iran. In addition to biological mosquito-associated factors, various elements such as their activities, distribution, behavior and vectorial capacity could be affected by environmental factors. We determined the distribution of West Nile virus (WNV) vectors, the environmental factors affecting WNV transmission and the high-risk areas across West Azerbaijan Province (Northwestern Iran), regarding the potential of WNV transmission using Geographical Information System (GIS). Methods: Mosquitoes’ larvae and adults were collected from different habitats of the province in 2015 and identified using standard morphological keys. The data regarding the distribution of mosquitoes across the studied area were organized in ArcMap databases. Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation analysis was conducted on the data of synoptic stations to find climatic variables in the collection sites of different mosquito species. Layers of transmission-related environmental factors were categorized and weighed based on their effects on disease transmission. Results: Overall, 2813 samples of different mosquito species from different regions of the province were collected and identified. According to the GIS analysis, areas in the northeastern province, which have lower altitudes and slopes with higher temperatures and more water bodies, were found to have better condition for the activity of mosquitoes (as high-risk areas: hot spots). Conclusion: The precision of our results was proven to be in line with previous study results that identified high-risk areas, where WNV-infected vectors were captured from these same areas.