Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical Evaluation of the Cartridge-Based GeneXpert Human Papillomavirus Assay in Women Referred for Colposcopy

ABSTRACT High-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing is now being introduced as a potential primary screening test for improved detection of cervical precancer and cancer. Current U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved tests are batch tests that take several hours to complete. A rapid, non-batch test might permit point-of-care (POC) testing, which can facilitate same-day screen and management strategies. For a non-batch, random-access platform (GeneXpert; Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA), a prototype hrHPV assay (Xpert) has been developed where testing for 14 hrHPV types can be completed in 1 h. In the first clinical evaluation, Xpert was compared to two validated hrHPV tests, the cobas HPV test (cobas, Roche Molecular Systems) and Hybrid Capture 2 (hc2, Qiagen), and to histologic outcomes using specimens from colposcopy referral populations at 7 clinical sites in the United States (n = 697). The sensitivity of Xpert for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or more severe diagnoses (CIN2+) (n = 141) was equal to that of cobas (90.8% versus 90.8%, P = 1) and greater than that of hc2 (90.8% versus 81.6%, P = 0.004). Xpert was more specific than cobas (42.6% versus 39.6%, P = 0.02) and less specific than hc2 (42.6% versus 47.7%, P < 0.001). Similar results were observed for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 or higher (CIN3+) (n = 91). HPV16 detection by Xpert identified 41.8% of the CIN2+ specimens with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 54.6%. By comparison, HPV16 detection by cobas identified 42.6% of the CIN2+ specimens with a PPV of 55.0%. hrHPV detection by the Xpert demonstrated excellent clinical performance for identifying women with CIN2+ and CIN3+ that was comparable to that of currently available clinically validated tests.
Characterization of human epidermal growth factor receptor and c‐Src interactions in human breast tumor cells

In C3H/10T1/2 murine fibroblasts, overexpression of both c‐Src and the human epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor 1 (HER1) is required for detection of stable complexes between the two molecules and results in hyperactivation of the receptor and synergistic increases in tumor formation in nude mice, as compared with cells that overexpress only one of the pair. Elevated levels or activities of c‐Src and HER1 also occur in a subset of later‐stage breast cancers, suggesting that interactions between these two molecules could contribute to a more aggressive clinical course. To determine whether stable complexes between c‐Src and HER1 occur in human breast cancers under the same conditions as in murine fibroblasts and whether the appearance of such complexes correlates with enhanced signaling through the EGF receptor and increased tumor growth, human breast tumor cell lines and tumor tissues were analyzed for a number of c‐Src/HER1–mediated signaling events and tumorigenicity. In a panel of 14 cell lines, 10 overexpressed c‐Src, and of these, five contained elevated levels of HER1 and exhibited an EGF‐dependent association between HER1 and c‐Src. This association was also present in a HER1/c‐Src–overexpressing tumor sample from a breast cancer patient. Further analysis of signaling events revealed that phosphorylation of the HER1 substrate, Shc, and its downstream effector, mitogen‐activated protein kinase, was increased in EGF‐stimulated MDA‐MB‐468, MDA‐MB‐231, and BT‐549 cells (which overexpress both c‐Src and HER1) as compared with MCF7 and ZR‐75‐1 cells (which only overexpress c‐Src). Furthermore, MDA‐MB‐468 and MDA‐MB‐231 cells displayed increased tumorigenicity in nude mice. These results support the hypothesis that c‐Src/HER1 interactions contribute to tumor progression in certain late‐stage breast tumor cells. Mol. Carcinog. 21:261–272, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Teacher Educators and Student Teachers Attitude towards Teacher Education Programmes in Universities: A Case of Selected Private and Public Universities in Kenya

Attitudes vary at different times of one’s life and are usually determined by several factors such as work environment, job satisfaction and status of the profession. Both student-teachers’ and teacher-educators’ attitudes may affect the quality of teacher preparation program and finally quality of the teacher either positively or negatively. This paper is a focus on the attitude of teacher educators and student teachers towards teacher education programmes in universities. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The study sample consisted of Bachelor of Education fourth year students drawn from three Public universities and three Private universities, Teacher Educators and Heads of Departments from the faculty of Education. Stratified random sampling was used to select the universities, student-teachers and Teacher Educators. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedules, observation checklists and documents analysis. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study found that a large percentage of the respondents portrayed a negative attitude of teacher education programmes. This may be to the fact that most student teachers and teacher educators enrolled in these programmes, do not have teaching as their professional interest thus join by circumstance. The study recommends the need to conduct screening of individuals before admission in teacher education programmes so as to ensure that only those who are interested and committed to teaching as a profession are enrolled.
[Study on the distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in patients visiting one methadone maintenance clinic in Wuhan].

OBJECTIVE To study the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and characteristics on molecular biology related to HCV among patients who were enrolled in a Methadone maintenance clinic in Wuhan. METHODS Serum samples from 332 injection drug users (IDUs) were obtained and anti-HCV IgG was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbrent assay(ELISA), together with 86 anti-HCV positive specimens genotyped. A reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-nPCR) assay using conserved primers deduced from the core-envelopel (C-E1) region of the HCV genome was employed to amplify a 474 bp fragment. Phylogenetic analysis of the C-E1 sequences was conducted by direct sequencing of the RT-nPCR products and alignment with determined by nucleotide sequencing followed by composition of a phylogenetic tree. RESULTS There were 313 cases (94.3%) appeared positive anti-HCV IgG in the 332 patients from a Methadone maintenance clinic in Wuhan. It was demonstrated that there were four different subtypes of HCV in that clinic in Wuhan, including 6a--71 cases (82.5%), 3b--7 cases (8.2%), 1a--5 cases (5.8%) and 1b--3 cases (3.5%). CONCLUSION Infection of 6a genotype HCV was predominant in patients from the Methadone maintenance clinic in Wuhan, followed by HCV 3b, 1a and 1b.
Improved Survival after Resuscitation with Norepinephrine in a Murine Model of Uncontrolled Hemorrhagic Shock

Background:Recent studies have challenged current guidelines on fluid resuscitation. However, studies on resuscitation using norepinephrine in uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock are lacking. The authors examined the effects of norepinephrine in combination with saline infusion in uncontrolled hemorrhage in rats. Methods:Rats subjected to a 15-min controlled hemorrhage (withdrawal of 3 ml blood/100 g body mass) followed by a 60-min uncontrolled hemorrhage (75% tail amputation) were randomly assigned to one of several treatment groups (10 rats/group) receiving different doses of norepinephrine (0 [NE0], 5 [NE5], 50 [NE50], or 500 [NE500] &mgr;g · 100 g−1 · h−1). In the four hypotensive resuscitation groups (n = 40), mean arterial pressure was not allowed to fall below 40 mmHg by titrated infusion of normal saline. In the four normotensive resuscitation groups (n = 40), it was not allowed to fall below 80 mmHg. The endpoint was survival at 210 min. Results:There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in survival rate among groups. Among the hypotensive rats, 6 (60%) survived in the NE0 and NE5 dose groups, 9 (90%) survived in the NE50 dose group, and none survived in the NE500 dose group. Among the normotensive rats, none survived in the NE0 group, 4 (40%) survived in the NE5 dose group, all 10 (100%) survived in the NE50 group, and none survived in the NE500 group. Conclusions:The early use of norepinephrine in uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock in rats significantly improved survival when infused at a rate of 50 &mgr;g · 100 g−1 · h−1 in normotensive and hypotensive resuscitation strategies.
The N-Methyl-d-aspartate Receptor Inhibitory Potencies of Aromatic Inhaled Drugs of Abuse: Evidence for Modulation by Cation-π Interactions

Benzene and several close structural analogs are inhaled drugs of abuse with general anesthetic activity. By virtue of their π electron clouds, they may engage in attractive electrostatic interactions with cationic atomic charges on protein targets. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that inhaled drugs of abuse inhibit human N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors with potencies that correlate with their abilities to engage in cation-π interactions. Electrophysiological techniques were used to define the NR1/NR2B NMDA receptor inhibitory concentrations of volatile benzene analogs, and computer modeling was used to quantify their abilities to engage in cation-π interactions and their molecular volumes. In addition, each compound's octanol/gas partition coefficient (a measure of hydrophobicity) was quantified. All 18 compounds inhibited human NR1/NR2B NMDA receptors reversibly and in a concentration-dependent manner. NMDA receptor inhibitory potency correlated strongly with the ability to engage in cation-π interactions, weakly with hydrophobicity, and was independent of molecular volume. This is consistent with the hypothesis that cation-π interactions enhance the binding of inhaled drugs of abuse to the NMDA receptor and suggests that the receptor binding site(s) for these drugs possesses significant cationic character.
Multivariate characterization of elements accumulated in King Bolete Boletus edulis mushroom at lowland and high mountain regions

Based on ICP-MS, ICP-OES, HG-AAS, CV-AAS and elementary instrumental analysis of King Bolete collected from four sites of different soil bedrock geochemistry considered could be as mushroom abundant in certain elements. King's Bolete fruiting bodies are very rich in K (> 20 mg/g dry weight), rich in Ca, Mg, Na, Rb and Zn (> 100 μg/g dw), and relatively also rich in Ag, Cd, Cs, Cu, Fe, Mn and Se (> 10 μg/g dw). The caps of King Bolete when compared to stipes around two-to three-fold more abundant are in Ag, Cd, Cs, Cu, Hg, K, Mg, Mo, N, Rb, Se and Zn. King Bolete collected at the lowland and mountain sites showed Ag, Ba, Co, Cr, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo and Na in caps in comparable concentrations, and specimens from the mountain areas accumulated more Cd and Sb. Elements such as Al, Pb and Rb occurred at relatively elevated concentration in King Bolete picked up at the metal ores-rich region of the Sudety Mountains. Because of high bioconcentration potential King Bolete at the background sites accumulate in fruiting bodies great concentrations of problematic elements such as Cd, Pb and Hg, i.e. up to nearly 20, 3 and 5 μg/g dw, on the average, respectively. The interdependence among determined mineral elements examined were using the principal components analysis (PCA) method. The PCA explained 56% of the total variance. The metals tend to cluster together (Ba, Cd, Cs, Cr, Ga, Rb, Se, Sr and V; K and Mg; Cu and Mo). The results provided useful environmental and nutritional background level information on 26 minerals as the composition of King Bolete from the sites of different bedrock soil geochemistry.
Can Reforms Promoting Growth Increase Financial Fragility?: An Empirical Assessment

Certain growth-promoting policies can have negative side-effects by increasing the vulnerability of economies to financial crises. Typical examples are greater openness to financial flows or more liberalised financial markets. This paper investigates whether the growth benefits of policy reforms in these growth-enhancing areas, and others such as trade openness, exceed the possible costs of occasional, albeit potentially severe, crises for a sample of 100 developed and emerging economies from 1970 to 2010. The results suggest that the pro-growth effects of greater capital account openness outweigh the negative effects of a higher propensity to twin crises. Greater domestic financial liberalisation is associated with faster growth, but also with a higher propensity to systemic banking and twin crises. A free floating exchange rate and greater openness to trade, by reducing the likelihood of currency crises, are associated with higher growth. While pro-competitive product market regulations and lower corporate taxes are associated with higher growth, they do not seem to influence financial fragility via higher probability of crises. Les reformes visant a promouvoir la croissance augmentent-elles la fragilite financiere? : Un bilan empirique Certaines politiques visant a favoriser la croissance peuvent avoir un impact negatif en augmentant la vulnerabilite des economies aux crises financieres. Une plus grande ouverture aux flux financiers ou des marches financiers plus liberalises en sont des exemples types. Cet article examine si les avantages des reformes des politiques de croissance dans ces domaines, et d'autres tels que l'ouverture au commerce international, depassent les couts eventuels et potentiellement severes des crises financieres pour un echantillon de 100 pays developpes et economies emergentes sur la periode allant de 1970 a 2010. Les resultats suggerent que les effets positifs sur la croissance d'une plus grande ouverture du compte de capital l'emportent sur les effets negatifs d'une plus forte propension des crises jumelles. La liberalisation financiere est associee a une croissance plus rapide, mais aussi a une plus forte propension a des crises bancaires systemiques et aux crises jumelles. Un taux de change flottant et une plus grande ouverture au commerce stimulent la croissance en reduisant la probabilite des crises de change. Alors que la reglementation du marche des produits favorables a la concurrence et des impots des societes plus faibles sont associes a une plus forte croissance, ils ne semblent pas influer sur la fragilite financiere par l'intermediaire d'une probabilite plus elevee aux crises.
Collective levels of stigma and national suicide rates in 25 European countries

Aims. There is substantial diversity in national suicide rates, which has mainly been related to socio-economic factors, as well as cultural factors. Stigma is a cultural phenomenon, determining the level of social acceptance or rejection of persons with mental illness in a society. In this study, we explore whether national suicide rates are related to the degree of mental illness stigma in that country. Methods. We combine the data on country-level social acceptance (Eurobarometer) with the data on suicide rates and socio-economic indicators (Eurostat) for 25 European countries. Results. In a linear regression model controlling for socio-economic indicators, the social acceptance of someone with a significant mental health problem in 2010 was negatively correlated with age standardised national suicide rates in the same year (β −0.46, p = 0.014). This association also held true when combining national suicide rates with death rates due to events of undetermined intent. Conclusions. Stigma towards persons with mental health problems may contribute to differences in suicide rates in a country. We hypothesise possible mechanisms explaining this link, including stigma as a stressor and social isolation as a consequence of stigma.
Human infections caused by thiamine- or menadione-requiring Staphylococcus aureus

Stable dwarf forms of Staphylococcus aureus have been identified in clinical specimens as the sole or predominant isolate in eight cases. These organisms have been shown to be menadione or thiamine dependent, i.e., cultivation in the presence of one of these agents has permitted growth of colonies which appear typical of S. aureus. In vitro resistance to aminoglycosides was overcome by cultivation in the presence of menadione or thiamine. Menadione- or thiamine-requiring S. aureus can be considered as causative agents in severe human infections. Special care must be taken if they are to be identified in pathological specimens. Their antibiotic sensitivity testing should be done comparatively on supplemented and nonsupplemented media.
Rapid Movement of Water and Cryoprotectants in Pig Expanded Blastocysts via Channel Processes: Its Relevance to Their Higher Tolerance to Cryopreservation1

ABSTRACT Pig oocytes and embryos are highly sensitive to cryopreservation; however, tolerance to cryopreservation increases in embryos at the expanded blastocyst stage. This increased tolerance may be attributed to a decrease in cytoplasmic lipid droplets at this stage. We previously showed that an increase in the permeability of the plasma membrane in mouse oocytes to water and cryoprotectants, caused by the artificial expression of aquaporin 3, an aquaglyceroporin, enhanced tolerance to cryopreservation. In the present study, we investigated whether membrane permeability was also involved in the tolerance of pig embryos to cryopreservation. The permeability of oocytes and morulae to water and glycerol was low, whereas that of expanded blastocysts was high. Activation energy for permeability to water, glycerol, ethylene glycol, and dimethyl sulfoxide was markedly lower for expanded blastocysts than for oocytes. This suggests that water and these cryoprotectants move through expanded blastocysts predominantly by facilitated diffusion and through oocytes predominantly by simple diffusion. Aquaporin 3 mRNA was expressed in expanded blastocysts abundantly, but less so in oocytes. On the other hand, the permeability of expanded blastocysts to propylene glycol was as low as that of oocytes, and activation energy for its permeability was similar to that of oocytes, which suggests that propylene glycol moves through oocytes and embryos predominantly by simple diffusion. These results suggest that the higher tolerance of pig expanded blastocysts to cryopreservation is also related to high membrane permeability due to the expression of water/cryoprotectant channels, in addition to the decrease in cytoplasmic lipid droplets.
Salmonella isolates serotypes and susceptibility to commonly used drugs at a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION Resistance of Salmonella to therapeutic agents currently being used for treatment of Salmonella infections is emerging as a global problem. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Salmonella serotypes and their susceptibility patterns to commonly used drugs for treatment of Salmonella infections including quinolones. Correlation between nalidixic acid susceptibility of these isolates and their ciprofloxacin minimum inhibitory concentrations was also sought. METHODOLOGY Salmonella isolates (n=213) were collected between January 2007 and May 2009 at King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The isolates were serotyped and their susceptibilities to commonly used first-line anti-Salmonella drugs (ampicillin, ceftriaxone, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin) were determined using the automated Microscan system, the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, and E-test. RESULTS The most frequently detected serotype was D1 (37%) followed by the serotypes, B (24%) and C1 (11%). Non-typable Salmonella isolates detected using available conventional Salmonella anti-sera were (11%). Overall resistance rates to nalidixic acid, ampicillin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and ceftriaxone were 99/213 (46%), 43/213 (20%), 34/213 (16%) and 7/213 (3%), respectively. Of the total isolates, 117 (55%) had a ciprofloxacin MIC of <0.125 µg/ml and among these 105 (90%) were susceptible to nalidixic acid. The remaining 96 (45%) isolates had a ciprofloxacin MIC of ≥ 0.125 µg/ml and among them, 83 (86.5%) were resistant to nalidixic acid. CONCLUSIONS The majority of Salmonella isolates in this study were non-typhi serotypes. Significantly higher proportions of Salmonellae were resistant to nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin and a vast majority of nalidixic acid resistant organisms exhibited decreased susceptibility to ciprofloxacin.
Two Approaches to Improving Mental Health Care: positivist/quantitative versus skill-based/qualitative

The quality improvement model currently used in medicine and mental health was adopted from industry, where it developed out of early 20th-century efforts to apply a positivist/quantitative agenda to improving manufacturing. This article questions the application of this model to mental health care. It argues that (1) developing "operational definitions" for something as value-laden as "quality" risks conflating two realms, what we measure with what we value; (2) when measurements that are tied to individuals are aggregated to establish benchmarks and goals, unwarranted mathematical assumptions are made; (3) choosing clinical outcomes is problematic; (4) there is little relationship between process measures and clinical outcomes; and (5) since changes in quality indices do not relate to improved clinical care, management's reliance on such indices provides an illusory sense of control. An alternative model is the older, skill-based/qualitative approach to knowing, which relies on "implicit/ expert" knowledge. These two approaches offer a series of contrasts: quality versus excellence, competence versus expertise, management versus leadership, extrinsic versus intrinsic rewards. The article concludes that we need not totally dispense with the current quality improvement model, but rather should balance quantitative efforts with the older qualitative approach in a mixed methods model.
Subvenciones, préstamos y desgravaciones a la I+D: ¿cuál es su impacto en las empresas catalanas?

El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar el impacto de las ayudas publicas a la I+D privada desde una triple vertiente. Primero, presenta las caracteristicas de las empresas catalanas que se beneficiaron de las ayudas publicas a la I+D. Segundo, determina si las ayudas publicas cumplen el principio de adicionalidad y estimulan el esfuerzo innovador de las empresas catalanas. Y tercero, analiza si el apoyo publico afecta a la composicion de las inversiones privadas en I+D. Para abordar estas cuestiones, disponemos de la informacion suministrada por los cuestionarios del Community Innovative Survey (CIS) que, para una muestra de 3.410 empresas catalanas, indican las ayudas percibidas durante el periodo 2010-2012. Durante el desarrollo econometrico se aplica un modelo Heckman bietapico que corrige los sesgos de seleccion muestral habituales en estos ejercicios. Entre los resultados obtenidos destacan dos. Por un lado, que las ayudas publicas provocan un efecto positivo sobre el esfuerzo innovador de las empresas catalanas. Por otro lado, que el apoyo gubernamental modifica la composicion de las inversiones en I+D de las empresas innovadoras catalanas al favorecer, especialmente, a las partidas de gasto de menor riesgo y mas cercanas al mercado. The aim of the study is to analyze the impact of public support on RD and on the other, government support alters the composition of the R&D investments of innovative Catalan firms in favour of the investments with lower risk and closer to the market.