Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A foodborne outbreak of Cryptosporidium hominis infection

SUMMARY Foodborne outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis are uncommon. In Denmark human cases are generally infrequently diagnosed. In 2005 an outbreak of diarrhoea affected company employees near Copenhagen. In all 99 employees were reported ill; 13 were positive for Cryptosporidium hominis infection. Two analytical epidemiological studies were performed; an initial case-control study followed by a cohort study using an electronic questionnaire. Disease was associated with eating from the canteen salad bar on one, possibly two, specific weekdays [relative risk 4·1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2·1–8·3]. Three separate salad bar ingredients were found to be likely sources: peeled whole carrots served in a bowl of water, grated carrots, and red peppers (in multivariate analysis, whole carrots: OR 2·1, 95% CI 1·1–4·0; grated carrots: OR 2·1, 95% CI 1·2–3·9; peppers: OR 3·3, 95% CI 1·7–6·6). We speculate that a person excreting the parasite may have contaminated the salad buffet.
&agr;1-Antichymotrypsin Gene (SERPINA3) A/T Polymorphism as a Risk Factor for Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose— The member 3 of clade A of serine proteinase inhibitors (SERPINA3), known previously as the &agr;1-antichymotrypsin, is an acute phase protein, the levels of which increase in acute and chronic inflammation. The A/T polymorphism of the SERPINA3 gene influences expression of SERPINA3 protein. SERPINA3 can be related to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) by influencing inflammation or by regulating cathepsin G activity. We studied the significance of SERPINA3 A/T polymorphism in patients with aneurysmal SAH compared with healthy controls. Methods— A total of 180 patients with aneurysmal SAH and 263 healthy controls were genotyped for the SERPINA3 A/T polymorphism. Aneurysmal SAH was diagnosed by cranial computed tomography or lumbar puncture and digital subtraction angiography. SERPINA3 polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction amplification and restriction enzyme digestion. Results— The SERPINA3 genotype distribution in patients with aneurysmal SAH (AA-29 16.1%; AT-108 60.0%; TT-43 23.9%) differed significantly from controls (AA-70 26.6%; AT-123 46.8%; TT-70 26.6%; P=0.009). A logistic regression model showed that the presence of genotype with T allele (AT+TT; odds ratio [OR], 2.01; 95% CI, 1.19 to 3.38; P=0.009) or AA genotype (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.30 to 0.84; P=0.009) of the SERPINA3 influences the risk for aneurysmal SAH independently from smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and hypertension. Conclusion— The A/T polymorphism of SERPINA3 gene is associated with the risk factor for aneurysmal SAH.
The epidemiology of, and risk factors for, mortality from severe sepsis and septic shock in a tertiary-care university hospital setting

SUMMARY This study investigated the clinical characteristics of, and outcomes and risk factors for hospital mortality of 390 patients admitted with severe sepsis or septic shock in an intensive care unit (ICU). Prospectively collected data from patients collected between 1 July 2004 and 30 June 2006 were analysed. Overall hospital mortality was 49·7% and comorbidities were found in 40·3% of patients, the most common of which was haematological malignancy. The respiratory tract was the most common site of infection (50%). Hospital-acquired infections accounted for 55·6% of patients with Gram-negative bacteria predominant (68%). Multivariate analysis showed that acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary artery catheter placement, comorbidities, hospital-acquired infection, APACHE II score and maximum LOD score, were independent risk factors for hospital mortality. In conclusion, severe sepsis and septic shock are common causes of ICU admission. Patients with risk factors for increased mortality should be carefully monitored and aggressive treatment administered.
Giardia and Cryptosporidium infections in sheep and goats: a review of the potential for transmission to humans via environmental contamination

SUMMARY The public health significance of giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis in sheep is currently unclear. Some research suggests that they are probably not an important zoonotic reservoir, whilst other research indicates this potential exists, and some outbreaks have also been associated with infections in sheep. Actions to limit water supply contamination by sheep have sometimes been severe, occasionally creating problems between farming and public health communities. Here our knowledge on these parasites in both sheep and goats is reviewed; although direct evidence of transmission to humans via water supply contamination is limited, the data accrued indicate that this is a real possibility. As cryptosporidiosis in sheep is generally more prevalent than giardiasis, and species/genotypes of Cryptosporidium infections in sheep are likely to be infectious to humans, this parasite may be considered the greater threat. Nevertheless, geographical variation in prevalence and genotypic distribution is extensive and as measures to limit sheep grazing can have a highly negative impact, it is important that cases are judged individually. If water contamination from a particular population of sheep/goats is suspected, then suitable investigations should be instigated, investigating both prevalence and species/genotype, before precautionary measures are imposed.
Clinical trials with thiazolidinediones in subjects with Type 2 diabetes – is pioglitazone any different from rosiglitazone?

The thiazolidinediones, rosiglitazone and pioglitazone are used in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Both have been shown to decrease glycated haemoglobin levels, fasting plasma glucose, insulin, and free fatty acids levels in subjects with T2DM. However, these agents have markedly different effects on lipids. Rosiglitazone increases total, low- and high-density lipoprotein (LDL and HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides, whereas pioglitazone has no effect on total or LDL cholesterol, increases HDL cholesterol and decreases triglycerides. Both rosiglitazone and pioglitazone decrease inflammatory markers. Furthermore, both rosiglitazone and pioglitazone may cause a small decrease in blood pressure, improve endothelial function and reduce restenosis. Microalbuminuria is also reduced by both rosiglitazone and pioglitazone. Despite the improvements in surrogate end points, there is little clear evidence that either rosiglitazone or pioglitazone cause major improvements in cardiovascular outcomes. Thus, rosiglitazone has no effect or may even increase cardiovascular outcomes, whereas, in high-risk subjects, pioglitazone has a marginal ability to decrease cardiovascular outcomes. Unless the thiazolidinediones are shown to improve cardiovascular or other outcomes (e.g., renal) in the next few years, their continued use in T2DM should be questioned.
Enterobius vermicularis infection in schoolchildren: a large-scale survey 6 years after a population-based control

SUMMARY Pinworm infection remains prevalent in children in many parts of the world. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of this infection in schoolchildren in Taiwan after the termination of the 15-year population-based control project in 2001. Our results showed that 2·4% of 118 190 children in 385 primary schools were found to have enterobiasis by two-consecutive-day adhesive cellophane perianal swabs. The prevalences were significantly different in the 25 counties/cities surveyed (0·6–6·6%). A significantly higher prevalence was found in boys (2·6%) than in girls (2·2%) and the prevalence decreased by grade from 3·8% in grade 1 to 1·0% in grade 6. In the primary schools, 9·1% had positive rates ⩾10%. In addition, pinworm infection was found to be significantly associated with the socioeconomic status, personal hygiene and sanitary conditions of the children. The results indicate that the overall prevalence of enterobiasis remains at a low level after the control programme was transferred to the local governments.
The occurrence of spotted fever rickettsioses and other tick-borne infections in forest workers in Poland.

The presence of antibodies to Rickettsia conorii, R. helvetica, R. felis, R. slovaca, R. sibirica, and R. massiliae in sera of 129 forest workers from northeastern and southern Poland was assayed by indirect immunofluorescence. Previous environmental studies revealed presence of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae in ticks collected from these areas. Additionally, the workers were examinated for the presence of antibodies specific to other tick-borne bacteria: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella spp. , and B. burgdorferi. The results of the studies have shown the presence of specific SFG rickettsiae antibodies in 14.7% of tested forest workers, among them 78.9% had species-specific antibodies to R. massiliae. Contrary to previous detection R. helvetica and R. slovaca in ticks collected in the environment of the examined area, no species-specific antibodies to these species were detected in studied workers. Antibodies to B. burgdorferi (44%) were found in forest workers more often than antibodies to other tested pathogens. B. burgdorferi was also the main component of coinfections. The most frequent confirmed serologically coinfections were simultaneous infections with B. burgdorferi and Bartonella spp. found in 10% of tested individuals. So far, SFG rickettsiae infections have not been diagnosed in Poland; however, the presence of the bacteria in ticks and presence of specific antibodies in humans exposed to arthropods show the need for monitoring the situation. The list of tick-borne pathogens is increasing, but knowledge about the possibility of humans acquiring multipathogens infections after tick bite still needs evaluation.
Detection of osteoarthritis in knee and hip joints by fast field‐cycling NMR

It is known that in the early stages of osteoarthritis, the concentration of glycan proteins decreases in articular cartilage. This phenomenon is under active research to develop a means to characterize osteoarthritis accurately in the early stages of the disease, when still reversible. However, no method of quantification has yet shown clear success in this area. In this article, we propose a novel approach to detect glycan depletion using fast field‐cycling NMR. This technique was previously reported to allow noninvasive measurement of protein concentration via the 14N quadrupolar relaxation in certain amide groups. We have demonstrated that the articular cartilage exhibits clear quadrupolar peaks that can be measured by a benchtop fast field‐cycling NMR device and which changes significantly between normal and diseased tissues (P < 0.01). This signal is probably glycan specific. The method may have potential for early evaluation of osteoarthritis in patients on fast field‐cycling‐MRI scanners currently under evaluation in the authors' laboratory. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Risk factors for preterm birth and small-for-gestational-age births among Canadian women.

BACKGROUND Preterm births (PTB) and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) births are distinct but related pregnancy outcomes, with differing aetiologies and short and long-term morbidities. Few studies have compared a broad array of predictors among these two outcomes. The purpose of this study was to compare risk factors for PTB and SGA births using a national sample of Canadian women. METHODS We analysed data from the Canadian Maternity Experiences Survey (n = 6421). Mothers were ≥ 15 years of age, gave birth to a singleton infant and were living with their infant at the time of the interview (between 5 and 14 months post-partum). Backward stepwise multivariable logistic regression models were constructed for each outcome. RESULTS Risk profiles for the two outcomes had both differences and similarities. Risk factors specific to PTB were education less than high school, having a previous medical condition, developing a new medical condition or health problem during pregnancy, being a primigravida, or being a multigravida with a previous PTB or a previous miscarriage or abortion. Risk factors unique to SGA were low pre-pregnancy body mass index (<18 kg/m(2) ), smoking during pregnancy and being a recent immigrant. Risk factors for both outcomes included low weight gain during pregnancy (<9.1 kg), short stature (<155 cm) and reporting life as 'very stressful' in the year prior to birth of the baby. CONCLUSION A greater understanding of the risk factors related to PTB and SGA may help to reduce the prevalence of these conditions and the associated risk of infant mortality and morbidity.
Experimental system for detecting lung nodules by chest x-ray image processing

This paper describes a system for automatic detection of lung nodules by means of digital image-processing techniques. The objective of the system is to help chest physicians to improve their accuracy of detection. For detecting lung nodules in chest x-ray images, the authors developed the directional contrast filter for nodules (DCF-N), which consists of three concentric circles. The DCF-N is effective for detecting patterns with obscure peripheries, such as lung cancer. The filter was evaluated using 192 lung cancer cases, and a detection ratio of 88.5% with false-positive foci was obtained. The authors also developed a rule-based system for eliminating these false-positive foci. The rule-base contains six rules that were heuristically developed according to a common method of diagnosis used by chest physicians. By using the rule-base, the authors succeeded in eliminating 63.3% of false-positive foci without increasing the number of false-negatives significantly (5.0%). In addition to the rule- base, a logic was developed for discriminating between lung nodules and false-positive foci by using the nine measured values on each shadow. The discrimination was tested by using 192 lung cancer cases and 74 normal control cases. As a result, figures of 92.2% and 71.6% were obtained for the sensitivity and specificity of the system, respectively. To evaluate the logic by using external data, 30 cases of lung cancer and 78 control cases were collected. As a result of the evaluation, the authors obtained figures of 71.3%, 76.7%, and 69.2% for the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the system, respectively.
Association of HIV transmission categories with sociodemographic, viroimmunological and clinical parameters of HIV-infected patients

SUMMARY To analyse sociodemographic, viroimmunological and clinical parameters in different HIV-transmission categories at baseline and during treatment, 3039 patients were followed up for 12 months after the initiation of a nelfinavir-based regimen. Multiple baseline parameters were significantly different in the diverse categories, including CD4 counts (P<0·0001) and viral load (P=0·02). There were differences in the groups regarding the CD4 response (P=0·01), but not the virological response (P=0·4), to therapy over time. Multivariate analyses revealed that transmission categories were significantly related to baseline CD4 counts (P=0·01), viral load at 12 months (P=0·0006), poorer adherence to therapy of injecting drug users (IDUs) vs. each of the other groups (P<0·001) and failure to complete the 12-month evaluation of IDU vs. heterosexual (P=0·003) and men who have sex with men (MSM) groups (P=0·02). We conclude that transmission categories had a significant influence on several baseline parameters and viroimmunological outcomes following highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), as well as on adherence to therapy and to medical appointments.
Fully adiabatic 31P 2D‐CSI with reduced chemical shift displacement error at 7 T — GOIA‐1D‐ISIS/2D‐CSI

A fully adiabatic phosphorus (31P) two‐dimensional (2D) chemical shift spectroscopic imaging sequence with reduced chemical shift displacement error for 7 T, based on 1D‐image‐selected in vivo spectroscopy, combined with 2D‐chemical shift spectroscopic imaging selection, was developed. Slice‐selective excitation was achieved by a spatially selective broadband GOIA‐W(16,4) inversion pulse with an interleaved subtraction scheme before nonselective adiabatic excitation, and followed by 2D phase encoding. The use of GOIA‐W(16,4) pulses (bandwidth 4.3–21.6 kHz for 10–50 mm slices) reduced the chemical shift displacement error in the slice direction ∼1.5–7.7 fold, compared to conventional 2D‐chemical shift spectroscopic imaging with Sinc3 selective pulses (2.8 kHz). This reduction was experimentally demonstrated with measurements of an MR spectroscopy localization phantom and with experimental evaluation of pulse profiles. In vivo experiments in clinically acceptable measurement times were demonstrated in the calf muscle (nominal voxel volume, 5.65 ml in 6 min 53 s), brain (10 ml, 6 min 32 s), and liver (8.33 ml, 8 min 14 s) of healthy volunteers at 7 T. High reproducibility was found in the calf muscle at 7 T. In combination with adiabatic excitation, this sequence is insensitive to the B1 inhomogeneities associated with surface coils. This sequence, which is termed GOIA‐1D‐ISIS/2D‐CSI (goISICS), has the potential to be applied in both clinical research and in the clinical routine. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Direct imaging of hyperpolarized 129Xe alveolar gas uptake in a mouse model of emphysema

MRI of hyperpolarized 129Xe dissolved in pulmonary tissues, and blood has the potential to offer a new tool for regional evaluation of pulmonary gas exchange and perfusion; however, the extremely short T 2* and low magnetization density make it difficult to acquire the image. In this study, an ultrashort echo‐time sequence was introduced, and its feasibility to quantitatively assess emphysema‐like pulmonary tissue destruction by a combination of dissolved‐ and gas‐phase 129Xe lung MRI was investigated. The ultrashort echo‐time has made it possible to acquire dissolved 129Xe images with reasonably high spatial resolution of 0.625 × 0.625 mm2 and to obtain T 2* of 0.67 ± 0.30 ms in a spontaneously breathing mouse at 9.4 T. The regional dynamic alveolar gas uptake as well as subsequent transport by pulmonary blood flow was also visualized. The ratio of 129Xe magnetization that diffused into the septa relative to the gas‐phase magnetization F was regionally evaluated. The mean F value of elastase‐treated mice was 2.28 ± 0.46%, which was significantly reduced from that of control mice 3.41 ± 0.48% (P = 0.0052). This reflects the reduced uptake efficiency due to alveolar tissue destruction and is correlated with the histologically derived alveolar surface‐to‐volume ratio. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Perspectives on risk for older people with dementia in extra care housing in the UK: Findings from a longitudinal study

This paper discusses the findings from a qualitative, longitudinal study into the suitability of extra care housing for people with dementia. Particular attention is paid to the perceptions and responses of care professionals to risk management in relation to the specific needs of people with dementia Extra care housing is widely promoted as a popular option for older people with dementia, largely because it can maximize independence and offer a homely alternative to other forms of housing with care. At the same time, older people with dementia are often perceived as one of society's most vulnerable and 'at risk' groups who are in particular need of protection. This paper explores the potential paradox between managing risk and at the same time supporting independence in the extra care housing setting. Conclusions drawn suggest that care staff adopt a guarded approach to managing risk, shaped by social and organizational preoccupations and policies that overemphasize risk elimination. This leads to the undermining of attempts to support independence and choice for tenants with dementia. The paper recommends the development of comprehensive risk-assessment processes and strategies for supporting behaviors that staff experience as anxiety provoking and difficult to manage. These developments should be based on a person-centered approach to identifying the needs, preferences, and values of individuals to maintain safety while promoting independence.
Multi‐slice myelin water imaging for practical clinical applications at 3.0 T

Myelin water imaging is a promising, noninvasive technique for evaluating white matter diseases such as multiple sclerosis and other leukoencephalopathies (LE), and monitoring myelination in early childhood. Unfortunately, poor image quality and a long acquisition time are major obstacles to practical clinical applications. In this study, a novel postprocessing method with an efficient multi‐slice acquisition scheme, called T2 spectrum analysis using a weighted regularized non‐negative least squares algorithm and nonlocal mean filter (T2SPARC), is presented to overcome these obstacles and achieve a shorter acquisition time, higher image quality, and large volume coverage. In vivo results from healthy volunteers and a patient with LE showed that the T2SPARC method can generate robust and high‐quality myelin water fraction maps of 10 slices within 11 min. This method also yields some useful byproducts such as intra‐ and extracellular water fraction and long T2 tissue water fraction maps, which can quantify lesions in different brain diseases. Magn Reson Med 70:813–822, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Molecular typing of adenovirus circulating in a Colombian paediatric population with acute respiratory infection

SUMMARY Human adenoviruses (HAdV) cause a broad spectrum of diseases including acute respiratory infection (ARI), and are responsible for 5% of cases requiring hospitalization in children aged <5 years in Colombia; however, little is known about the circulating types, partly due to the lack of reliable typing tests. In order to evaluate a VA gene PCR-sequencing approach for identification of HAdV circulating types in a Colombian population, 52 nasopharyngeal aspirates/swabs from children with ARI were processed. After a BLAST analysis, matches with species B (41/48, 85·42%), C (6/48, 12·5%), and D (1/48, 2·08%) were found; and at the type level, type 3 (22/48, 45·83%) was the most frequent. This initial effort to expand our knowledge about the molecular epidemiology of HAdV circulating in Bogota, Colombia, showed that HAdV-B was the predominant circulating species in the study period and reports, for the first time in Colombia, the presence of HAdV-D in a respiratory sample.
The effectiveness of outreach testing for hepatitis C in an immigrant Pakistani population

SUMMARY In Scotland, an estimated 1% of the population is infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). There is ethnic diversity in Scotland, with a large Pakistani sub-population. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of HCV in an immigrant Pakistani population and effectiveness of an outreach testing intervention. We arranged a series of HCV awareness meetings at the mosques and Pakistani Women's centre in the city of Dundee. Thereafter short-term outreach HCV testing clinics were set up in the same venues. Venous blood samples were obtained and tested for HCV IgG and HbsAg. A short questionnaire was also completed. In total, 177 individuals volunteered for testing, out of an estimated 250 who attended meetings and a total Pakistani population in Dundee of 1723. Of those tested 170 were Scottish Pakistanis (159 first generation, 11 second generation). There were 145 (85·2%) men. The mean age was 45·11 (±s.d. 16·7) years. Seven (4·1%) individuals in the cohort were anti-HCV positive. Five (2·9%) were found to have HCV RNA by PCR. Only one patient had chronic hepatitis B infection. All patients with positive results were seen in the liver clinic for consideration of treatment. We have demonstrated that immigrant Pakistanis retain a higher prevalence of HCV compared to the population of their adopted country. Outreach targeted testing in this group can be achieved using religious and cultural gatherings, with only modest investment in staff time.