Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Carriage Rates and Characterization of Students in a Texas University

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the carriage rates of Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a university student population and describe risk factors associated with the carriage of each. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study (N = 203). Institutional Review Board approval was obtained from Texas State University-San Marcos. SETTING: Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, TX. PARTICIPANTS: Two-hundred and three university student samples were collected from December 2007 to July 2008. INTERVENTIONS: None indicated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The sample set was screened for S. aureus and MRSA identification by standard microbiological techniques and confirmed by use of a Vitek 2 per manufacturer recommendation. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted on each MRSA isolate by Vitek 2. A questionnaire was conducted with each student to acquire demographic and risk factor information. Demographic data is shown by raw numbers, percentages, mean, and median where applicable. The compiled data was screened and analyzed by chi square (p values) and odds ratio (OR) with confidence interval (CI) to determine significance. RESULTS: Of the 203 participants who were screened, 60 (29.6%) carried S. aureus. Univariate analysis found that only hospitalization in the past 12 months was significantly associated with the risk of being a S. aureus carrier (OR=3.0, 95% CI 1.28-7.03). Of the 60 participants that carried S. aureus, 15 were identified as MRSA. This relates to a 7.4% MRSA carriage rate among generally healthy university students. Univariate analysis found that hospitalization in the past 12 months (OR = 4.2, 95% CI 1.29-13.36) and recent skin infection (OR = 4.4, 95% CI 1.07-18.24) were significantly associated with the risk of being a MRSA carrier. No unique antibiotic susceptibility patterns were identified with the MRSA isolates. CONCLUSIONS: The carriage rate of S. aureus is consistent with similar studies. MRSA carriage in this university study appears high as compared to the general population. Although this study did not confirm a variety of risk factors for carriage of MRSA previously identified by others, university healthcare personnel should be aware of the changing epidemiology of MRSA and preventive measures needed to avoid outbreaks. ABBREVIATIONS: MRSA= Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus; CA-MRSA=Community-associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus; HA-MRSA=Healthcare-associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus; CLS = Clinical Laboratory Science; OR = Odds Ration; CI = Confidence Interval.
Mecillinam resistance in Escherichia coli is conferred by loss of a second activity of the AroK protein

Mecillinam, a beta-lactam antibiotic specific to penicillin-binding protein 2 (PBP 2) in Escherichia coli, blocks cell wall elongation and, indirectly, cell division, but its lethality can be overcome by increased levels of ppGpp, the nucleotide effector of the stringent response. We have subjected an E. coli K-12 strain to random insertional mutagenesis with a mini-Tn10 element. One insertion, which was found to confer resistance to mecillinam in relA+ and relA strains, was mapped at 75.5 min on the E. coli map and was located between the promoters and the coding sequence of the aroK gene, which codes for shikimate kinase 1, one of two E. coli shikimate kinases, both of which are involved in aromatic amino acid biosynthesis. The mecillinam resistance conferred by the insertion was abolished in a delta relA delta spoT strain completely lacking ppGpp, and it thus depends on the presence of ppGpp. Furthermore, the insertion increased the ppGpp pool approximately twofold in a relA+ strain. However, this increase was not observed in relA strains, although the insertion still conferred mecillinam resistance in these backgrounds, showing that mecillinam resistance is not due to an increased ppGpp pool. The resistance was also abolished in an ftsZ84(Ts) strain under semipermissive conditions, and the aroK::mini-Tn10 allele partially suppressed ftsZ84(Ts); however, it did not increase the concentration of the FtsZ cell division protein. The insertion greatly decreased or abolished the shikimate kinase activity of AroK in vivo and in vitro. The two shikimate kinases of E. coli are not equivalent; the loss of AroK confers mecillinam resistance, whereas the loss of Arol, does not. Furthermore, the ability of the aroK mutation to confer mecillinam resistance is shown to be independent of polar effects on operon expression and of effects on the availability of aromatic amino acids or shikimic acid. Instead, we conclude that the AroK protein has a second activity, possibly related to cell division regulation, which confers mecillinam sensitivity. We were able to separate the AroK activities mutationally with an aroK mutant allele lacking shikimate kinase activity but still able to confer mecillinam sensitivity.
"Non-dipper" hypertensive patients and progressive renal insufficiency: a 3-year longitudinal study.

Patients with a blunted or absent nocturnal blood pressure (BP) drop may be subject to increased risk for target organ damage. In this 3-year longitudinal case-control study we tested the hypothesis that an association exists between a reduced or absent night-time fall in BP and a future decline of kidney function in renal hypertensive patients. The case subjects were 48 hypertensives with renal insufficiency, divided into two groups according to the presence (dippers: n 20) or absence (non-dippers: n 28) of a nocturnal diastolic BP decline greater than 10% of daytime values, detected by ambulatory BP monitoring. At the baseline evaluation the two groups did not differ with respect to age, sex, body weight, office systolic and diastolic BP, mean daytime ambulatory BP, creatinine clearance, 24 h proteinuria. In the ambulatory BP profiles over a 3-year follow-up the nocturnal reductions of systolic and diastolic BP in the dippers were 14% and 15%, respectively, vs 7% and 5% in the non-dippers (p = 0.002/0.003). The non-dippers had a faster rate of creatinine clearance decline than the dippers (0.37 +/- 0.26 vs 0.27 +/- 0.09 ml/min/month; p = 0.002). Urinary protein excretion increase was higher in the non-dipper group than in the dipper group (993 +/- 438 vs 691 +/- 222 mg/24 h; p = 0.009). This longitudinal study suggests that the non-dipping pattern of ambulatory BP can be associated with a faster progression of renal insufficiency in renal hypertensives and that a proper nocturnal BP control is an additional aim of antihypertensive therapy.
Predictors of anemia in women of reproductive age: Biomarkers Reflecting Inflammation and Nutritional Determinants of Anemia (BRINDA) project

Background: Anemia in women of reproductive age (WRA) (age range: 15–49 y) remains a public health problem globally, and reducing anemia in women by 50% by 2025 is a goal of the World Health Assembly. Objective: We assessed the associations between anemia and multiple proximal risk factors (e.g., iron and vitamin A deficiencies, inflammation, malaria, and body mass index) and distal risk factors (e.g., education status, household sanitation and hygiene, and urban or rural residence) in nonpregnant WRA. Design: Cross-sectional, nationally representative data from 10 surveys (n = 27,018) from the Biomarkers Reflecting Inflammation and Nutritional Determinants of Anemia (BRINDA) project were analyzed individually and pooled by the infection burden and risk in the country. We examined the severity of anemia and measured the bivariate associations between anemia and factors at the country level and by infection burden, which we classified with the use of the national prevalences of malaria, HIV, schistosomiasis, sanitation, and water-quality indicators. Pooled multivariate logistic regression models were constructed for each infection-burden category to identify independent determinants of anemia (hemoglobin concertation <120 g/L). Results: Anemia prevalence was ∼40% in countries with a high infection burden and 12% and 7% in countries with moderate and low infection burdens, respectively. Iron deficiency was consistently associated with anemia in multivariate models, but the proportion of anemic women who were iron deficient was considerably lower in the high-infection group (35%) than in the moderate- and low-infection groups (65% and 71%, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, inflammation, vitamin A insufficiency, socioeconomic status, and age were also significantly associated with anemia, but malaria and vitamin B-12 and folate deficiencies were not. Conclusions: The contribution of iron deficiency to anemia varies according to a country’s infection burden. Anemia-reduction programs for WRA can be improved by considering the underlying infection burden of the population and by assessing the overlap of micronutrient deficiencies and anemia.
Mothers' mental illness and child behavior problems: cause-effect association or observation bias?

OBJECTIVE A number of studies have consistently found that a mother's mental health (particularly her level of depression) is a strong predictor of mental health problems experienced by her child(ren). However, the validity of this finding is in doubt because the majority of these studies have relied on maternal reports as indicators of children's behavior. METHOD This prospective, longitudinal study examines data on the mental health of the mother from prior to the birth of her child to when the child reaches 14 years of age. Child behavior is measured at 14 years of age using reports from mother and child. Mother and child responses are compared to provide an indication of the possible magnitude of maternal observation bias in the reporting of child behavior problems. RESULTS Anxious and/or depressed mothers tend to report more cases of child behavior problems than do their mentally healthy counterparts or children themselves. Differences between mothers and youths in reporting behavior problems appear to be related to the mothers' mental health. CONCLUSIONS Current maternal mental health impairment appears to have a substantial effect on the reporting of child behavior problems by the mother, thereby raising questions about the validity of reports of child behavior by persons who are currently emotionally distressed.
Testing Hypotheses About the Person-Response Function in Person-Fit Analysis

The person-response function (PRF) relates the probability of an individual's correct answer to the difficulty of items measuring the same latent trait. Local deviations of the observed PRF from the expected PRF indicate person misfit. We discuss two new approaches to investigate person fit. The first approach uses kernel smoothing to estimate continuous PRF estimates. Graphical displays of PRFs were used to localize and diagnose misfit. The second approach approximates the PRF by a logistic regression model. Hypothesis tests on the regression parameters were used to detect certain types of misfit. A simulation study was conducted to investigate the Type I error rates and the detection rates of the regression approach.
Specific occupant and collision characteristics are associated with motor vehicle collision-related blunt cerebrovascular artery injury.

BACKGROUND Blunt cerebrovascular artery injury (BCI) remains difficult to diagnose but is recognized with increasing frequency after motor vehicle collisions (MVCs). Failure to detect this injury in a timely fashion can be devastating. Criteria that can be used to heighten the suspicion of this injury have been suggested; however, more encompassing screening has been recommended. To address this need, we sought to describe occupant, vehicle, and collision characteristics among MVC occupants who sustained a BCI. METHODS All cases of BCI identified in the National Automotive Sampling System Crashworthiness Data System, a national probability sample of passenger vehicles involved in police-reported tow-away MVCs, between 1993 and 2001 were selected. Information on occupant (e.g., demographics, seating position, and restraint use), collision (e.g., collision type and severity), and vehicle characteristics were obtained and summarized using descriptive statistics. RESULTS Nine-hundred forty individuals with BCI were identified in the Crashworthiness Data System data files. Over half were belted (57.4%) and 82.3% had airbag deployment; 16.2% were partially or completely ejected from the vehicle. Head and thoracic injuries were common (44.4% and 40.8%, respectively); 27.8% sustained a cervical spine fracture and 21.0% sustained a soft-tissue injury to the neck. The mean Injury Severity Score was 33.6. The case fatality rate was 44.5%. The majority of BCI occupants were drivers (76.0%). Among belted occupants, the lap/shoulder was the most commonly attributed as the injury source (61.4%). Among unbelted occupants, frequent injury sources included air bags (15.0%), windshield (13.7%), and other interior objects. With respect to collision characteristics, the average change in velocity (Delta V) was 43.3 km/h. The majority of collisions were frontal (76.2%). CONCLUSION This study indicates that BCI is both a rare and lethal injury typified by specific occupant and collision characteristics. These characteristics provide insight as to the cause of this injury that may aid in the evaluation and management of the blunt trauma patient at risk for BCI.
Direct Repression of Splicing by transformer-2

ABSTRACT The Drosophila melanogaster sex determination factor Tra2 positively regulates the splicing of both doublesex (dsx) and fruitless (fru) pre-mRNAs but negatively affects the splicing of the M1 intron in tra2 pre-mRNA. Retention of the M1 intron is known to be part of a negative-feedback mechanism wherein the Tra2 protein limits its own synthesis, but the mechanism responsible for accumulation of M1-containing RNA is unknown. Here we show that the recombinant Tra2 protein specifically represses M1 splicing in Drosophila nuclear extracts. We find that the Tra2 protein binds directly to several sites in and near the M1 intron and that, when Tra2 binding is competed with other RNAs, the splicing of M1 is restored. Mapping the RNA sequences functionally required for M1 repression identified both a 34-nucleotide (nt) A/C-rich sequence immediately upstream of the M1 5′ splice site and a region within the intron itself. The AC-rich sequence is largely composed of a repeated 4-nt sequence that also forms a subrepeat within the repeated 13-nt splicing enhancer elements of fru and dsx RNAs. Although required for repression, the element also enhances M1 splicing in the absence of Tra2. We propose that Tra2 represses M1 splicing by interacting with multiple sequences in the pre-mRNA and interfering with enhancer function.
Making a transition: The development of academics’ role and identity in online teaching

This paper explored the journey of three academics as they moved from face-to-face teaching to online teaching over a period of twenty months. From the findings of this study, it is recommended that for an academic to make an effective transition they need to be supported effectively to embrace the changes to their role and to their practice and consequently to their identity. It is hoped that this study may assist in discussions around staff development training and in supporting academics on the transition.
Priming Human-Computer Interactions: Experimental Evidence from Economic Development Mobile Surveys

This paper investigates how citizens from developing countries vocalize controversial topics, combining the behavioral economics of development with human-computer interaction for potentially mutual benefit across fields. I examine a priming effort to understand how people decide to discuss controversial local subjects, using the human-computer interaction of people with their mobile phones to quantify how attracted people feel to alternative local political economy topics when randomly asked what they think about international aid. The treatment significantly impacted the likelihood of choosing to discuss sanitation, health, poverty, democracy, individual determination, pro-poor support, and happiness. However, the intervention does not affect subjectively ranked preferences. The proposed approach quantifies the attraction users feel to concepts based on human-computer interactions and this approach may be relevant for contexts beyond developing countries. Human-computer interaction approaches may help policy makers entrusted with the Sustainable Development Goals and other initiatives better understand the needs and desires of people in developing countries.
The role of signalling in cellular cholesterol homeostasis

Cholesterol is a vital lipid and performs diverse functions on a whole body and cellular level. However, excess cellular cholesterol is toxic, and thus, elegant mechanisms have evolved to tightly regulate this important lipid. The regulation of cholesterol homeostasis is an area of intense research, and the role that signalling plays is gradually becoming more widely recognised. Cholesterol homeostasis is achieved through intricate mechanisms involving synthesis, uptake, and efflux. Although there is a large body of work elucidating these cholesterol‐related pathways, less is known about the role of signalling in these processes. Here, we discuss the variety of ways that signalling impacts on these modes and levels of cholesterol homeostasis, including transcriptional regulation. Most work thus far has investigated the role of kinases in cholesterol efflux (especially on ATP‐binding cassette transporter A1, ABCA1), and therefore constitutes a major focus of this review. We also indicate further avenues to explore in the area of signalling in cellular cholesterol homeostasis. © 2013 IUBMB Life, 65(8):675–684, 2013
Testing for haemochromatosis in a liver clinic population: relationship between ethnic origin, HFE gene mutations, liver histology and serum iron markers

Objective To identify the most appropriate testing strategy for genetic haemochromatosis in a liver clinic population by determining the ethnic distribution of the HFE mutations and the relationship between serum iron markers, hepatic siderosis and HFE genotype. Design and setting Observational study of 427 patients being investigated for abnormal liver function tests between 1997 and 2000 attending a liver clinic at a teaching district general hospital in south London, UK. Methods All patients were tested for H63D and C282Y gene mutations, and the ethnic origin was determined. Data were available for most patients for non-fasting serum iron, ferritin and transferrin saturation on presentation and fibrosis and siderosis scores from liver biopsy. Results The C282Y mutation was not detected in any patients of Asian or Afro-Caribbean origin but was found almost exclusively in northern Europeans, especially those classified as Celtic, one in seven of whom were heterozygous for this mutation. Three per cent of all the patients tested were C282Y homozygotes. The H63D mutation was distributed more widely. An elevated serum transferrin saturation was both a more sensitive and a more specific test for genetic haemochromatosis than either serum ferritin or iron. Significantly raised mean siderosis scores were found on liver biopsy in C282Y homozygote and C282Y/H63D compound heterozygote groups but not in wild-type, simple heterozygote, or H63D homozygote groups. Forty-five per cent of the C282Y homozygotes detected already had cirrhosis. Conclusions In a multiracial liver clinic population, previously undiagnosed C282Y homozygosity was found to be common (3% in our study) but restricted to those of northern European heritage, particularly those with Celtic ancestry. A serum transferrin saturation proved a better initial test to select patients for genotyping than serum iron or ferritin. Laboratory costs can be minimized with no loss of diagnostic sensitivity by selecting patients for genotyping based on northern European ethnic origin and raised serum transferrin saturation.
Pulse wave velocity is associated with β-amyloid deposition in the brains of very elderly adults

Objective: To determine arterial stiffness and β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition in the brain of dementia-free older adults. Methods: We studied a cohort of 91 dementia-free participants aged 83–96 years. In 2009, participants completed brain MRI and PET imaging using Pittsburgh compound B (PiB; a marker of amyloid plaques in human brain). In 2011, we measured resting blood pressure (BP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and arterial stiffness by pulse wave velocity (PWV) in the central, peripheral, and mixed (e.g., brachial ankle PWV [baPWV]) vascular beds, using a noninvasive and automated waveform analyzer. Results: A total of 44/91 subjects were Aβ-positive on PET scan. Aβ deposition was associated with mixed PWV, systolic BP, and MAP. One SD increase in baPWV resulted in a 2-fold increase in the odds of being Aβ-positive (p = 0.007). High white matter hyperintensity (WMH) burden was associated with increased central PWV, systolic BP, and MAP. Compared to Aβ-negative individuals with low WMH burden, each SD increase in PWV was associated with a 2-fold to 4-fold increase in the odds of being Aβ-positive and having high WMH. Conclusions: Arterial stiffness was associated with Aβ plaque deposition in the brain, independent of BP and APOE ε4 allele. The associations differed by type of brain abnormality and vascular bed measured (e.g., WMH with central stiffness and Aβ deposition and mixed stiffness). Arterial stiffness was highest in individuals with both high Aβ deposition and WMH, which has been suggested to be a “double hit” contributing to the development of symptomatic dementia.
Challenging the principles of ecotourism: insights from entrepreneurs on environmental and economic sustainability in Langkawi, Malaysia

ABSTRACT Ecotourism is a normative concept defined and driven by generalized principles concerning local livelihoods and conservation of natural and cultural environments. Supply-side studies considering the applicability of these principles in practice are limited. In particular, an understanding of how entrepreneurialism shapes ecotourism is largely absent from the literature. We investigate the intersection of entrepreneurialism, ecotourism, and governance using a case study of actors at the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park (KKGP) in Langkawi, Malaysia, which has seen a rapid rise in entrepreneurial “ecotourism” activities. However, levels of competition between actors, their perceptions of ecotourism, and the challenges and tensions they face are unknown. To address this, a “hierarchy of entrepreneurship” is presented, grouping actors into three tiers: governing institutions, tour companies, and independent entrepreneurs, from whom qualitative data are elicited. Opinions and contestations between and among tiers are elucidated around themes including how understandings of ecotourism influence entrepreneurial strategies, and how challenges and tensions may inhibit the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of ecotourism at KKGP. The study demonstrates that the normative dogma guiding how ecotourism should be practised must be balanced against the diverse understandings, motivations, and capacities of ecotourism entrepreneurs on the ground and the effectiveness of governance systems.