Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Occurrence of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci in Pork and Poultry Products from a Cattle-Rearing Area of France

ABSTRACT Meat products were collected from public retail outlets and tested for the presence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in an area with a high prevalence of VRE reported in human fecal samples. VRE were detected in 66% of the samples, and a predominance of VanC strains was found, which is also true for human fecal samples.
Role of mitochondria in modulation of spontaneous Ca2+ waves in freshly dispersed interstitial cells of Cajal from the rabbit urethra

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) isolated from the rabbit urethra exhibit pacemaker activity that results from spontaneous Ca2+ waves. The purpose of this study was to investigate if this activity was influenced by Ca2+ uptake into mitochondria. Spontaneous Ca2+ waves were recorded using a Nipkow spinning disk confocal microscope and spontaneous transient inward currents (STICs) were recorded using the whole‐cell patch clamp technique. Disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential with the electron transport chain inhibitors rotenone (10 μm) and antimycin A (5 μm) abolished Ca2+ waves and increased basal Ca2+ levels. Similar results were achieved when mitochondria membrane potential was collapsed using the protonophores FCCP (0.2 μm) and CCCP (1 μm). Spontaneous Ca2+ waves were not inhibited by the ATP synthase inhibitor oligomycin (1 μm), suggesting that these effects were not attributable to an effect on ATP levels. STICs recorded under voltage clamp at −60 mV were also inhibited by CCCP and antimycin A. Dialysis of cells with the mitochondrial uniporter inhibitor RU360 (10 μm) also inhibited STICS. Stimulation of Ca2+ uptake into mitochondria using the plant flavonoid kaempferol (10 μm) induced a series of propagating Ca2+ waves. The kaempferol‐induced activity was inhibited by application of caffeine (10 mm) or removal of extracellular Ca2+, but was not significantly affected by the IP3 receptor blocker 2‐APB (100 μm). These data suggest that spontaneous Ca2+ waves in urethral ICC are regulated by buffering of cytoplasmic Ca2+ by mitochondria.
Sarcoidosis and its ocular manifestations.

BACKGROUND Sarcoidosis is a significant cause of pulmonary dysfunction and ocular morbidity. The worldwide distribution of sarcoidosis involves primarily Caucasians, however, within the United States, the disease is nearly confined to the African American population. Although genetic and environmental factors have been implicated, a definitive cause of the disease, at present, remains unknown. METHODS A review of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical features of non-ocular and ocular sarcoidosis is presented along with current thoughts on the applicability of diagnostic studies and treatment options available for afflicted patients. RESULTS Epithelial, non-caseating granulomas are the hallmark histological findings of sarcoidosis and can be found in virtually all body tissues. The inflammatory response is a delayed hypersensitivity (type IV) reaction with an abundance of helper T-cells (CD4+). Although pulmonary findings are most common, ocular involvement with sarcoidosis occurs in approximately 25 percent of all cases. Posterior segment inflammation occurs in upwards of 28 percent of all cases of ocular sarcoidosis and is a major cause of visual morbidity among these patients. CONCLUSIONS Sarcoidosis should be suspected in cases of granulomatous uveitis. Laboratory studies may be corroborative but should not be considered diagnostically specific or prognostic with regard to treatment. Ocular involvement often suggests a more progressive or recalcitrant form of the disease with significant pulmonary findings that may benefit from a trial course of oral prednisone.
Dysregulation of adenosine A1 receptor–mediated cytokine expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from multiple sclerosis patients

Cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNFα) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), have been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). The production and release of these cytokines are regulated in part by specific purinergic (adenosine) cell surface receptors. To determine the extent to which the adenosine A1 receptor influenced cytokine expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from MS and control patients, we measured plasma adenosine and TNFα levels, A1 receptor messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein amounts, and the effects of activation of A1 receptors on TNFα and IL‐6 production by PBMCs. Plasma levels of TNFα were significantly higher and adenosine levels were significantly lower in MS patients compared with control subjects. Levels of TNFα and IL‐6 in mitogen‐stimulated PBMC culture supernatants from MS patients or control patients were similar. Conversely, treatment of PBMCs with the adenosine A1 receptor agonist R‐phenylisopropyladenosine (R‐PIA) (1 μM) significantly inhibited mitogen‐stimulated production of TNFα but not IL‐6 in control subjects and significantly inhibited production of IL‐6 but not TNFα in MS patients. The effects of R‐PIA were selectively blocked by the A1 receptor antagonist 8‐cyclopentyl‐1,3‐dipropylxanthine (DPCPX). A1 receptor protein levels were decreased significantly in PBMCs from MS patients. Taken together, these results suggest that decreased levels of adenosine and its A1 receptor modulate TNFα and IL‐6 levels and may contribute to the pathogenesis of MS. Ann Neurol 1999;45:633–639
Research excellence in Africa : Policies, perceptions and performance

Our paper discusses various features of research excellence in Africa, framed within the context of African science granting councils and pan-African research excellence initiatives. Our survey, collecting responses from 106 researchers and research coordinators across Africa, highlights the diversity of opinions and preferences with regards to Africa-relevant dimensions of research excellence and related performance indicators. The results of the survey confirm that research excellence is a highly multidimensional concept. Our analysis shows how some of those dimensions can be operationalised into quantifiable indicators that may suit evidence-based policy discourses on research quality in Africa, as well as research performance assessments by African science granting councils. Our indicator case study, dealing with the top 1% most highly cited research publications, identifies several niches of international-level research excellence in the African continent while highlighting the role of scientific cooperation as a driving force. To gain a deeper understanding of research excellence in Africa, it is important to take into account the practical challenges faced by researchers and research funding agencies to align and reconcile socioeconomic interests with international notions of excellence and associated research performance indicators. African research excellence should be customised and contextualised in order to be responsive to African needs and circumstances.
Finding the best fit : an exploration of contraceptive decision-making in a sample of female students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

The discourse around contraceptive use has attracted researcher’s attention in recent times, due to the alarming rate of unwanted pregnancies and STIs including HIV/AIDS. In 2013, it was recorded that more than 99 000 schoolgirls fell pregnant at the rate of about 271 for every day of that year. These concerns emphasise the need for drastic improvement in sexual education and access to contraceptives such as condoms. Hence, this study attempts to examine how young women decide on contraception, focusing on the factors that influence the process. A grounded theory approach was used to explore the influences of contraceptive decision-making in a sample of seven (7) female students at the University KwaZulu Natal, Howard College campus. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and was analysed using Pidgeon and Henwood’s (1997) approach to grounded theory analysis. The aim was to gain insight on the factors influencing contraceptive decision-making by female university students. The research identified an interplay of various factors that influence respondents’choice of contraceptives. The factors include knowledge levels, partners’ role, social networking, health care workers (HCWs) and perceived side effects of contraceptives. This qualitative study showed that individual autonomous decision-making played a minor role in the decision-making process. The study highlights the need to empower young females to make informed decisions regarding the use of contraceptives.
Phase retrieval of diffraction patterns from noncrystalline samples using the oversampling method

We report the experiments and procedures to successfully record and reconstruct coherent diffraction patterns at sub-10-nm resolution from noncrystalline samples by using synchrotron x rays with a wavelength of 2 A. By employing the oversampling phasing method, we studied the quality of image reconstruction of experimental diffraction patterns as a function of the oversampling ratio (a parameter to characterize the oversampling degree). We observed that the quality of reconstruction is strongly correlated with the oversampling ratio, which is in good agreement with theory. When the oversampling ratio is around 5 or larger, the reconstructed images with high quality were obtained. When the oversampling ratio is less than 5, the images became noisy. When the oversampling ratio is very close to or less than 2, the images were extremely noisy and barely recognizable. We believe these results will be of importance to the experiments of imaging nanocrystals and noncrystalline samples using coherent x-ray, electron, or neutron diffraction.
Vertical mother-to-child HIV transmission in babies born in a tertiary hospital in southern Brazil

Abstract Purpose: Programs for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are essentially focused on prevention actions that occur during prenatal care. This study aimed to evaluate the mother-to-child vertical transmission (MCVT) rate, and identify its possible causes, in a sample of pregnant women with HIV. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective and descriptive study. The sample was composed of HIV-positive pregnant women who delivered a live infant in the maternity ward at the hospital of the Federal University of Parana in Brazil, between January 2007 and December 2012. Results: The calculated MCVT rate in this study was 5.1%. Comparisons between MCVT cases and control pregnant women with HIV but without MCVT showed that the highest risk factors for MCVT were: the detection of HIV infection status only at delivery; non-attendance to high risk prenatal care; unknown viral load; and late onset of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Conclusions: Our results corroborate the assertion that viral replication control is essential for HAART, and that adherence to therapy is essential for such control. Factors that influence adherence to the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) must be identified, and medical, psychological, or social assistance must be properly provided to these mothers.
Short-Wave Diathermy Pretreatment and Inflammatory Myokine Response After High-Intensity Eccentric Exercise.

CONTEXT Various modalities have been used to pretreat skeletal muscle to attenuate inflammation. OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of short-wave diathermy (SWD) preheating treatment on inflammation and stress markers after eccentric exercise. DESIGN Controlled laboratory study. SETTING University laboratory setting. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Fifteen male (age = 22 ± 4.9 years, height = 179.75 ± 9.56 cm, mass = 82.22 ± 12.67 kg) college-aged students. INTERVENTION(S) Seven participants were selected randomly to receive 40 minutes of SWD heat treatment (HT), and 8 participants served as the control (CON) group and rested without SWD. Both groups completed 7 sets of 10 repetitions of a high-intensity eccentric exercise protocol (EEP) at 120% of the 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) leg extension. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) We biopsied muscles on days 1, 3 (24 hours post-EEP), and 4 (48 hours post-EEP) and collected blood samples on days 1, 2 (4 hours post-EEP), 3, and 4. We determined 1-RM on day 2 (24 hours post-SWD) and measured 1-RM on days 3 and 4. We analyzed the muscle samples for interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α, and heat shock protein 70 and the blood for serum creatine kinase. RESULTS We found a group × time interaction for intramuscular IL-6 levels after SWD (F2,26 = 7.13, P = .003). The IL-6 decreased in HT (F1,6 = 17.8, P = .006), whereas CON showed no change (P > .05). We found a group × time interaction for tumor necrosis factor α levels (F2,26 = 3.71, P = .04), which increased in CON (F2,14 = 7.16, P = .007), but saw no changes for HT (P > .05). No group × time interactions were noted for 1-RM, heat shock protein 70, or creatine kinase (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS The SWD preheating treatment provided a treatment effect for intramuscular inflammatory myokines induced through high-intensity eccentric exercise but did not affect other factors associated with intense exercise and inflammation.
Structure of an ectodermally expressed sea urchin metallothionein gene and characterization of its metal-responsive region

The metallothionein-A gene in the metallothionein gene family of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (SpMTA gene) was sequenced and found to contain three coding exons plus a 3' entirely noncoding exon. Putative alpha and beta MT domains were encoded, by its exons 2 and 3, respectively, in reverse of the order in vertebrate metallothionein genes. The SpMTA promoter was characterized through the expression of recombinant constructs containing various portions of the proximal 678-base-pair (bp) 5'-flanking region of the SpMTA gene. Zygotes injected with constructs were cultured to the blastula stage in the presence of a heavy-metal chelator and then incubated in the presence or absence of cadmium. The longest constructs were expressed only when heavy-metal ion was present. Two putative metal-responsive elements (MREs a and b) within 240 bp of the transcription start site resembled mammalian MREs in their critical 8-bp cores (TGCRCNCS) and in their locations relative to each other and to the TATA box. Elimination of activity by site-specific mutations in MREs a and b, separately or in both, identified them as metal regulatory elements. Thus, MRE recognition in this invertebrate resembles that in vertebrates. Upstream sites with single-mismatched MREs neither acted as MREs nor amplified the activity of MREs a and b. The SpMTA, Spec1, and CyIIIa actin genes, which have the same ectodermal specificity, have common DNA elements at relatively similar locations in their promoter regions; however, these elements are insufficient in themselves to promote gene expression.
Use of robotics to stimulate imitation in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A pilot study in a clinical setting

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition in which deficits in social interaction and social communication can make everyday life difficult. The use of mechanical and electronic devices has proven to be effective in ASD therapy and recently Socially Assistive Robotics (SAR) research has suggested that robots are promising tools for the treatment of this disorder. Starting from these findings, our on-going research aims to identify effective modalities for treatment of ASD through interaction with a robot, and to integrate them into existing therapeutic protocols to improve their efficacy. In this paper we present some preliminary findings of our current work towards this objective. We detail the methodology and give the results of a pilot clinical trial, focused on imitation skills, with three children affected by ASD and Intellectual Disability (ID) under treatment in a research centre specialized in the care of children with disabilities. The success of the experiment suggests that the robot can be effectively integrated in the ASD therapies currently used in the centre. Analysis of these initial results encourages the development of effective protocols in which the robot becomes a mediator between the child with ASD and humans and suggests some research avenues for focus in the future.
Comparison of Tissue Integration between Polyester and Polypropylene Prostheses in the Preperitoneal Space

Tissue integration and implant characteristics of various biomaterials commonly used for inguinal hernia repair have not been studied extensively. The aim of this study is to compare behavior and tissue response between two new polyester prostheses and a commonly used polypropylene (PP) mesh. The polyester prostheses utilized were polyester flat (PF) and polyester soft three-dimensional (PS); the PP mesh utilized was Marlex®. Eight randomly assigned 4 x 4-cm2 pieces of two different meshes were fixed in the preperitoneal space with a centrally placed single suture. Gross evaluation included shrinkage and stiffness. Histological evaluation included amount of fibrous and fat encapsulation, connective tissue, foreign-body reaction, neovascularization, hemorrhage, necrosis, and exudate. Evaluations were graded on a zero to four scale. The area and the area ratio were measured using a calibrated micrometer. PP mesh resulted in more fibrous encapsulation and stiffness than PF and PS prostheses. PP also resulted in less connective tissue formation and foreign-body reaction than PF and PS prostheses. There was no difference in fat encapsulation, necrosis, hemorrhage, or exudate between prostheses. Both polyester prostheses (PF and PS) have better tissue integration than the PP mesh, as evidenced by the higher amount of connective tissue and lower extent of fibrous encapsulation.
Public versus private treatment of chronic diseases in seniors: Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay

Abstract This article measures differences in the likelihood of treatment of chronic diseases in elders across types of coverage (private, public and social security) in four major Latin American cities: Buenos Aires (Argentina), Sao Paulo (Brazil), Santiago (Chile) and Montevideo (Uruguay). We used a logistic regression to estimate the odds ratio for treatment of chronic diseases carried by individuals with public, private and social security coverage. The data were from the Survey on health, well-being and aging in Latin America and the Caribbean (SABE) conducted in 1999 and 2000. We find a strong association between possession of public coverage only and treatment failure of chronic diseases in elders in Argentina. We find no significant association for Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. In Buenos Aires, access to private or social security coverage is a necessity for elders because the public sector fails to provide proper treatment. In the remaining cities, private or social security coverage provides similar coverage for chronic diseases in elders compared with the public sector. For this group of countries, the main difference between the former and the latter seems to be in terms of ‘luxurious’ characteristics, such as the quality of the facilities and waiting times.
U.S. Adults with Agricultural Experience Report More Genetic Engineering Familiarity than Those Without.

Researchers and pollsters still debate the acceptance of genetic engineering technology among U.S. adults, and continue to assess their knowledge as part of this research. While decision-making may not rely entirely on knowledge, querying opinions and perceptions relies on public understanding of genetic engineering terms. Experience with agriculture may increase familiarity with genetic engineering terms. We conducted a national survey of 429 United States adults through Qualtrics and found two-thirds lack any formal, nonformal, or informal agriculture experience. More than half of participants knew “a little” or less for 13 of the 17 terms presented, especially those directly related to genetic engineering or breeding technology for food, such as “genetically modified organism” and “crossbred organism. ” Consumers with agricultural experience reported more term familiarity for genetics and genetic engineering than those without experience. More than half also felt they did not know the difference between traditional selective breeding, DNA-directed breeding, and genetic engineering, but they still felt both human health and environmental risks should be considered before creating new animal or plant varieties. We must consider the lack of familiarity of genetic related terms and experience in agriculture when researching or creating educational programming around genetic engineering for food.
POWER SYSTEM SMALL SIGNAL STABILITY ANALYSIS BASED ON TEST SIGNAL

In this paper, a method based on some test signal (Test Signal Method) is developed to find the dominant oscillating frequencies and dampings associated with any generator in the system. The method can be realized easily by time domain simulation using electromechanical transient programs. The theoretical background of the test signal method is the theory of mechanical admittance and mode identification, which is based on the frequency scanning of the test signal and has already been used widely in mechanical engineering. The study cases show that the test signal method developed in this paper can be effectively applied in small signal stability analysis and PSS design.
Ossifying fibroma: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES The aim was to evaluate the principal features of ossifying fibroma (OF) by systematic review (SR), and to compare their frequencies among four global groups. METHODS The databases searched were the PubMed interface of MEDLINE and LILACS. Only those reports of OFs that occurred in a series in the reporting authors' caseload were considered. All cases were confirmed fibro-osseous lesions histopathologically. The SR-included series had also to have used radiographs. RESULTS Of the 64 reports (including the Hong Kong report) considered, 32 reports and a total of 781 cases were included in the SR. Ten SR-included series were in languages other than English. OF affected females more frequently, but was three times more prevalent in the mandible. The mean age at first presentation was 31 years. The decade with the greatest frequency was the fourth. Females were in the majority except in the first decade. The main symptom in 66% of all SR-included cases was swelling (including deformation of the jaws). 31% were found incidentally. 84% of cases displayed buccolingual expansion; half of the mandibular cases exhibited downward displacement of the lower border of the mandible and 90% of maxillary cases involved the maxillary antrum. Only 28% of reports included follow-up; 12% of cases recurred or were reactivated. CONCLUSIONS Although long-term follow-up of large series that would have revealed the long-term outcomes of OF was lacking, a 12% recurrence rate is clinically significant and suggests that OFs should be considered for long-term follow-up.