Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Isolation and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Bacteria from Otitis Media Infections in Children in Rabat Morocco

An inflammation of the middle ear by bacteria, viruses or champignons is called otitis media. The objective of this study was to determine the microbial etiology of otitis media in children in Rabat, and susceptibility pattern commonly prescribed antibiotics. Samples of ear swabs were collected from patients at the pediatric hospital, CHU Ibn Sina Rabat, during the period between February 2012 and March 2013. The total number of isolates was 67 (66 bacteria and Candida spp 1). Of these 66 bacteria spp, Streptococcus pneumoniae was the highest number (27) followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16), Staphylococcus aureus (15), Escherichia coli (3), Klebsiella spp (3), Proteus species (2), and candida spp (1). This study out showed that the peak incidence was found in the age group 0-5 years (62,69%), followed by the group 5-10 years (20.90%), by cons, the group age 10-16 years was a rate of 16.41%. All bacteria were resistant to penicillin. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp were resistant to certain antibiotics such as ofloxacin, amoxicillin, amoxicillin+clavulanic-acid, levofloxacin and cefuroxime. All strains of streptocoques pneumoniae were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, but all resistant to amoxicillin, cefuroxime and penicillin. All strains of Proteus spp were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin, only resistant to amoxicillin. Accordingly, sufficient knowledge of the antibacterial susceptibility of bacteria, the judicious use of antibiotics and the periodic evaluation of the resistance profile of antibiotic sensitivity in the region is very important in order to avoid failure in the treatment of otitis media in children. Keywords: Otitis media, bacteria, antibacterial susceptibility, resistance, children
Prevention of crystalline silica-induced inflammation by the anti-malarial hydroxychloroquine

Abstract Objectives: Inhalation of crystalline silica (cSiO2) remains a significant occupational hazard and may lead to the development of silicosis. When cSiO2 particles are phagocytized by alveolar macrophages, they cause disruption of the lysosomal membrane which results in cell death. There are currently no pharmaceutical treatments directed at this mechanism of disease; however, many existing pharmaceuticals, such as hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), become sequestered in the lysosome through an ion-trapping mechanism. The objective of this research was to determine whether HCQ can prevent cSiO2-induced toxicity by blocking LMP in alveolar macrophages. Materials and methods: This study assessed the ability of in vitro treatment with HCQ to block toxicity and lysosomal membrane permeability in cSiO2-exposed mouse bone-marrow derived macrophages. Additionally, C57Bl/6 mice were treated with HCQ by oral gavage before cSiO2 exposure, and the ability of HCQ to prevent lung injury and inflammation was assessed. Results: In vitro studies demonstrated that HCQ attenuated activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and blocked LMP. Mice treated with HCQ in vivo showed a modest trend towards decreased cSiO2-induced toxicity. Ex vivo culture of alveolar macrophages collected from cSiO2-treated mice showed significantly less NLRP3 inflammasome activation after in vivo exposure to HCQ. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that hydroxychloroquine blocks LMP and can significantly decrease cSiO2-induced toxicity in vitro. HCQ may be a promising treatment for prevention of cSiO2-induced lung damage.
Eradication of Hepatitis C Virus Is Associated With Reduction in Hematologic Malignancies: Major Differences Between Interferon and Direct‐Acting Antivirals

It is unclear whether eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) leads to a reduction in the risk of hematologic malignancies. We aimed to determine the impact of sustained virologic response (SVR) induced by either direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) or interferon (IFN) on the risk of hematologic malignancies. We identified 69,581 patients who initiated antiviral treatment in the Veterans Affairs national health care system from January 1, 1999, to December 31, 2015, including 40,410 (58%) IFN‐only regimens, 4,546 (6.5%) DAA + IFN regimens, and 24,625 (35%) DAA‐only regimens. We retrospectively followed patients to identify incident cases of hematologic malignancies or monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS), a premalignant precursor of multiple myeloma. Among patients treated with IFN, SVR was significantly associated with a reduction in the risk of lymphoma (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51‐0.97), multiple myeloma (AHR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.20‐0.77), MGUS (AHR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.42‐0.99), or all hematologic malignancies and MGUS combined (AHR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.53‐0.84) over a mean follow‐up of 10.6 years. In contrast, among patients treated with DAA, SVR was not associated with the risk of lymphoma, multiple myeloma, MGUS, or all hematologic malignancies and MGUS combined (AHR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.66‐1.78) during a mean follow‐up of 2.9 years. Neither IFN‐induced SVR nor DAA‐induced SVR was associated with risk of colon cancer or prostate cancer, which were chosen a priori as comparison/control malignancies. Conclusion: We describe novel strong associations between IFN‐induced SVR and lymphoma, multiple myeloma, MGUS, and all hematologic malignancies combined. Surprisingly, these associations were not observed with DAA‐induced SVR.
Stressing Out from the Flu: A Case of Influenza A-associated Transient Cardiomyopathy

Influenza infections are prevalent and have a large impact on our health system. They are associated with multiorgan complications that can have significant morbidity and mortality. Although influenza is a known etiology of myopericarditis, only a few case reports have documented influenza as a cause of takotsubo cardiomyopathy or stress-induced cardiomyopathy. We present a patient who developed a new left bundle branch block with positive cardiac markers, nonobstructive coronary arteries and a new cardiomyopathy that reversed within 48 hours of diagnosis of influenza A infection. This case highlights a rarer cardiovascular complication of influenza; one that would dictate medication changes, require close follow-up, and have a possibility of recurring.
Discordant Grading of Aortic Stenosis Severity: New Insights from an In Vitro Study

ABSTRACT Background : Low gradient (mean gradient, < 40 mmHg) aortic stenosis (AS) may occur in conjunction with a small valve effective orifice area (EOA) < 1 cm2. This discordant grading in AS severity raises challenges from both a diagnostic and therapeutic standpoint. We sought to identify echocardiographic markers of severe AS in normal and low flow conditions in vitro. Methods : In an in vitro mock circulatory system, we tested 6 degrees of AS severity (3 severe and 3 nonsevere), and 3 levels of stroke volume (30, 50, 70 ml), heart rate (60, 80, 100 bpm), and mean arterial pressure (100, 120, 140 mmHg). MG and EOA were measured by Doppler-echocardiography. Results : In normal flow conditions, a MG of 40 mmHg corresponded to an EOA of 0.85 cm2, and an EOA of 1.0 cm2 to a MG of 28 mmHg. The presence of EOA < 0.85 cm2 and MG between 24 and 40 mmHg in the low-flow condition yielded a 100% specificity for severe AS. In normal flow conditions, these thresholds were respectively < 0.9 cm2 and > 36 mmHg. Conclusion : Low gradient AS may occur in severe AS in both low and normal flow conditions. The presence of a valve EOA < 0.85 cm2 with an MG ≥ 25 mmHg may be used as a criteria to confirm severe AS in presence of low flow. In patients with normal-flow, a MG ≥ 37 mmHg is generally suggestive of severe AS. Abbreviations: AS: aortic stenosis; EOA: effective orifice area; HR: heart rate; LFLG: low-flow low-gradient; LVEF: left ventricular ejection fraction; MAP: mean arterial pressure; MG: mean gradient; NFLG: normal-flow low-gradient; SV: stroke volume
Comparison of overall survival in gallbladder carcinoma at academic versus community cancer centers: An analysis of the National Cancer Data Base

Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) has a poor prognosis. Studies demonstrated that teaching facilities may provide a lower risk of mortality in patients undergoing pancreatic and colon resection vs nonteaching facilities. We hypothesized that survival rates are higher in academic cancer centers (ACCs) vs community cancer centers (CCCs).
Online and In­person Evaluations: A Literature Review and Exploratory Comparison

There has been rapid expansion of online degree programs over the past decade; with increases of asynchronous computer based instruction tripling between 1995 and 1997 and similar increases reported through the 2001 reporting period by the National Center for Education Statistics (nces.ed.go v). Many institutions of higher education have been philosophically and technically struggling with if and how to transition some, if not all, in­person classes and processes into an appropriate online modality. Skeptics of online coursework have challenged the ability of programs to maintain the same level of quality as the in­person classes. Student evaluations of the class and course instructor are one tool to assess the quality of courses and faculty. This article compares in­person and online evaluations for adjunct faculty in one graduate program.
The Phylogenetic Perspective. (Book Reviews: Phylogeny, Ecology, and Behavior. A Research Program in Comparative Biology.)

"The merits of this work are many. A rigorous integration of phylogenetic hypotheses into studies of adaptation, adaptive radiation, and coevolution is absolutely necessary and can change dramatically our collective 'gestalt' about much in evolutionary biology. The authors advance and illustrate this thesis beautifully. The writing is often lucid, the examples are plentiful and diverse, and the juxtaposition of examples from different biological systems argues forcefully for the validity of the thesis. Many new insights are offered here, and the work is usually accessible to both the practiced phylogeneticist and the naive ecologist". --Joseph Travis, Florida State University "[ "Phylogeny, Ecology, and Behavior" ] presents its arguments forcefully and cogently, with ample . support. Brooks and McLennan conclude as they began, with the comment that evolution is a result, not a process, and that it is the result of an interaction of a variety of processes, environmental and historical. Evolutionary explanations must consider all these components, else they are incomplete. As Darwin's explanations of descent with modification integrated genealogical and ecological information, so must workers now incorporate historical and nonhistorical, and biological and nonbiological, processes in their evolutionary perspective". --Marvalee H. Wake, "Bioscience" "This book is well-written and thought-provoking, and should be read by those of us who do not routinely turn to phylogenetic analysis when investigating adaptation, evolutionary ecology and co-evolution". --Mark R. MacNair, "Journal of Natural History"
PREOPERATIVE PREDICTIVE VALUE OF ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS IN POSTOPERATIVE ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Objective:Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common arrhythmia in patients after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). With a reported incidence between 10% and 40%, it is associated with an increased morbidity, mortality and prolonged hospitalization which is very often
Compliance and Effectiveness in Cervical Headgear

Abstract Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between headgear wear duration and correction of skeletal and dental Class II malocclusion in preadolescent patients. Materials and Methods: The study material consisted of pre and post treatment lateral cephalograms, and actual headgear wear hours calculated from data recorded monthly by Compliance Science System and Affirm smart headgear modules, (Compliance Science System (CSS) and Affirm smart headgear modules, Ortho Kinetics, Vista, California, USA) of 30 patients (14 female and 16 male) treated with cervical headgear for 12 months. The mean age was 10.43 ± 1.07 years. Initial and progress cephalograms were analyzed according to skeletal and dental landmarks to evaluate treatment effect of the appliance. The actual number of hours of appliance wear was calculated by data from timer modules collected every monthly visit. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS 24.0. Results: Results showed that a restriction of sagittal growth of maxilla was achieved in the group using the cervical headgear over 12 hours, while a sagittal growth was observed in the group using the headgear for less than 12 hours daily. Conclusion: The cervical headgear is still used in orthodontics to restrict the forward growth of maxilla in Class II division 1 patients with a normal or low angle profile. By means of objective data for monthly appliance usage, this study showed that in order to achieve the targeted results the cervical headgear should be used at least 12 hours daily. Ozet Amac: Bu calismanin amaci, genc bireylerde, servikal headgear kullanim suresi ile iskeletsel ve dental Sinif II malolu zy onun tedavi sonucu ile arasindaki iliskinin degerlendirilmesidir. Materyal ve Metod: Calisma materyali , s ervikal headgear ile tedavi olan ortalama yas araligi 10.43 ± 1.07 olan 30 hastanin (14 kiz and 16 erkek) tedavi oncesi ve tedavi sonrasi lateral sefalometrik radyografileri ve Compliance Science System and Affirm smart headgear modul, (Compliance Science System (CSS) and Affirm smart headgear modules, Ortho Kinetics, Vista, California, USA) ile kaydedilen aylik aparey kullanma surelerini gosteren verilerden olusmustur. Apareyin tedavi uzerindeki etkinligi hastalarin tedavi oncesi ve sonrasi laterakl sefalamoterik radyografilerinin uzerinde belirlenen iskeletsel ve dental noktalar ile yapilan olcumler ile belirlenmistir. Aparey kullanma sureleri her ay kontrol randevusunda modullerin okutulmasi ile edlde edilmistir. Istatistiksel analizler SPSS 24.0 programi kullanilara yapilmistir. Bulgular: Apareyi 12 saatten fazla kullanan grupta maksillanin sagittal yon buyumesinin frenlendigi gozlenirken, aparey, 12 saatten daha az kullanan hastalarda sagittal yonde maksillar buyumenin oldugu gozenmistir. Sonuc: Servikal headgear Sinif II bolum 1 malokluzyon tedavisinde maksillar buyumeyi frenlemek amaci ile kullanilan bir apareydir. Servikal headgear kullaniminda istenilen hedefe erisilmesi icin apareyin gunde en az 12 saat kullanilmasi gerektigi objektif veriler kullanilarak ortaya konulmustur.
Interlingual Rendition: A Vehicle for Self-Expression in English among College Students

Founded on the concepts of direct and interlingual rendition writing methods, this experimental study sought to determine the effectiveness of interlingual rendition as a method of self-expression in English essay writing among college students; direct writing means writing an essay directly in English while interlingual rendition refers to writing first in Filipino then decoding it in English. Participants were 60 first year English 2 students composed of 30 high performing (with GPA of 87-93) and 30 low performing (with GPA of 75-79) based on their performances in English 1. These two categories were divided into pairs of 15 high performing and 15 low performing creating four (4) groups in all. Assignment of which group will be using which writing method was carried out through drawing of lots. One high performing and one low performing groups used the direct method, and the remaining groups wrote their essays using the interlingual rendition. Codes were assigned to conceal participants’ identities. All groups had the same essay topic, limited to 250 words. Three qualified raters were invited to assess the essays using a validated rubric. Criteria included focus on topic, support for topic, sequencing, introduction and conclusion. The highest rating is 4, and the lowest is 1. The consistencies of the scores/ratings were tested using the Bivariate and Multiple Correlation Coefficient. Resulting correlational coefficients at 0.01 level of significance implied consistency on the scores. Scores were simplified and summarized using means, standard deviation and two-way ANOVA. All hypotheses were tested at 0.10 level of significance. Findings showed that while high performing students have the same quality of writing regardless of the method, the low performing groups’ scores revealed that those who used the interlingual rendition executed better. These lead one to conclude that the use of interlingual rendition is one effective means of helping low performing students write essays well.
A sociodemographic profile of the participants in the Croatian Islands' Birth Cohort Study (CRIBS)

U radu je predstavljen sociodemografski profil sudionica u Kohortnoj studiji rođenih na istočnojadranskim otocima (CRIBS), prvoj longitudinalnoj studiji u Hrvatskoj koja prati trudnice i njihovu djecu do navršene dvije godine života. Uzorak čini 286 trudnica (145 s otoka Brača i Hvara te 141 trudnica s kopna). Cilj je ove studije: 1) opisati glavna obilježja CRIBS uzorka, 2) usporediti uzorak s općom hrvatskom populacijom, 3) analizirati razlike među sudionicama u projektu CRIBS s obzirom na mjesto stanovanja (otoci vs. kopno) i tip obitelji u kojoj žive (nuklearna vs. proširena obitelj). U usporedbi s ženama s kopna otočanke su češće višerotkinje i češće završavaju samo srednju školu, dok većina žena na kopnu ima fakultetsko obrazovanje. Prevladavanje različitih tipova obitelji značajno se razlikuje između otoka i kopna, otočanke žive u proširenim obiteljima i imaju niže prosječne prihode kućanstava.
Diagnostic test of urine sample, vaginal smear and combination of urine with vaginal smear to identify Neisseria gonorrhoeae with polymerase chain reaction method

Background: Gonorrhoea is a disease caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae that is transmitted through sexual contact. There are several examinations performed on gonorrhoea infection, one of them is Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The objective is to determine the diagnostic test of urine samples, vaginal smear and combination of urine and vaginal smear in identifying Neisseria gonorrhoeae using the PCR method.Methods: This study is a diagnostic test with a cross-sectional design involving 58 female sex workers (FSW). All FSWs are carried out of history and physical examination. Urine sampling, vaginal smear, combination of urine and vaginal smear, and endocervical smear were obtained for identifying Neisseria gonorrhoeae using PCR method, then a diagnostic test analysis of each sample was performed.Results: The diagnostic test of PCR for Neisseria gonorrhoeae from urine samples was found sensitivity 44.4%, specificity 20.0%, positive predictive value (PPV) 83.3%, negative predictive value (NPV) 3.8% and accuracy 42.0%. From vaginal smear, we obtained sensitivity 34.0%, specificity 66.7%, PPV 88.2%, NPV 12.1% and accuracy 38.0%. And from combination of urine and vaginal smear, we obtained sensitivity 51.1%, specificity 20.0%, PPV 85.2%, NPV 4.3% and accuracy 48.0%. Conclusions: From these results the researchers suggested that urine, vaginal and combination of urine and vaginal smear could not be used as an alternative to examine the sensitivity and specificity of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, so the endocervical sample remained the reference sample for examination of nucleic acid amplification tests for Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Relationship Between The Predicted Birth Weight And Actual Birth Weight of Newborn

Background: Fetal weight estimation is important in modern obstetrics. Certain conditions like diabetic pregnancy, vaginal birth after caesarean section and breech presentation is guided by predicted fetal weight. In developing countries perinatal mortality was high when compared to developed countries. An extensive proportion of this problem was primarily due to birth weight which considered to be the most important parameter which determines the neonatal survival. Aim: This study was aimed to identify the relationship between predicted birth weight and actual birth weight of newborn. Subjects and Methods: The study was conducted among antenatal mothers at term in selected hospital of Puducherry who fulfill the inclusion criteria. Sample size was 35, selected through purposive sampling. The approach used was quantitative approach and design was descriptive research design. The researcher used Dare`s formula (SFH X AG) to predict the fetal weight and it is compared with actual birth weight of newborn. Result: Correlation coefficient was used to correlate the predicted birth weight with actual birth weight of new born. The value of correlation coefficient (r) was 0.85 which indicated that there was significant relationship between predicted birth weight and actual birth weight of newborn. Conclusion: The study revealed that Dare`s formula was a good indicator to predict the fetal weight. It is simple, easy and convenient method. This method can be used by the obstetrician and nurses in low resource setting where ultrasound facilities are not available and refer the patient to the tertiary level hospitals.
Immunohistochemical evidence of antioxidant stress in Alzheimer's disease

Membrane and cytoskeletal structures are known targets of oxidative injury. Brains from patients with Alzheimer's disease have cytoskeletal abnormalities and platelet and possible neuronal membrane lesions. The authors have recently demonstrated that superoxide anion is a powerful inducer of heat-shock protein synthesis, and have also shown that in response to oxidative stress or hyperthermia, intracellular levels of antioxidant enzymes increase to several folds. Whether the aforementioned mechanisms play a role in Alzheimer's disease has been suggested but is not totally established. While exploring this possibility, tissue sections from five brains with Alzheimer's disease and five neuropathologically normal age-matched controls were immunostained with polyclonal antibodies against superoxide dismutase (CuZn- and Mn- forms) and catalase. A standard avidin-biotin-peroxidase method was used for antigen detection. A subgroup of neurofibrillary tangles (15-25%) and senile plaques (50%) showed immunoreactivity for both enzymes with a staining pattern similar (but not identical) to that usually observed with antibodies against ubiquitin. Senile plaques displayed a granular pattern of immunostaining. Amyloid cores in mature classical plaques remained unstained. In addition, occasional elements with features consistent with reactive glial cells were strongly immunostained. Tangle-free neurons in both diseased and control brains showed weak to absent intracytoplasmic immunoreactivity. The immunoreactivity was totally abolished by preincubation of the primary antibodies with the corresponding purified antigens. These findings support the hypothesis that oxidative stress may be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.