Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of Campylobacter jejuni Metabolic Traits with Multilocus Sequence Types

ABSTRACT In this study, we describe the association of three Campylobacter jejuni metabolism-related traits, γ-glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT), fucose permease (fucP), and secreted l-asparaginase [ansB(s)], with multilocus sequence types (STs). A total of 710 C. jejuni isolates with known STs were selected and originated from humans, poultry, bovines, and the environment. Among these isolates, we found 31.1% to produce GGT and 49.3% and 30.3% to be positive for ansB(s) and fucP, respectively. The combination of GGT production, the presence of ansB(s), and the absence of fucP was associated with ST-22, ST-586, and the ST-45 and ST-283 clonal complexes (CCs), which were the main STs and CCs found among the human and chicken isolates. The ST-21 CC was associated with the presence of fucP and was the major CC among the bovine isolates. Although the ST-61 CC was the second major CC among the bovine isolates, these isolates did not have any of the markers studied, making the role of fucP in bovine gut colonization questionable. The ST-45 CC was subdivided into three groups that were attributed solely to ST-45. One group showed a marker combination described previously, another group was found to be positive for ansB(s) only, and the third group did not have any of the markers studied. These results suggest that the host association of these markers seems to be indirect and may arise as a consequence of host-ST and -CC associations. Thus, a representative collection of STs should be tested to draw sensible conclusions in similar studies.
Variations of Fissures and Lobes In Human Lungs-A Multicentric Cadaveric Study from West Bengal, India

Rationale: Being a vital organ of respiration, the human lungs are divided by fissures into lobes, which facilitate movements of lobes in relation to one another. This knowledge of fissures & lobes is of academic interest to all medi cal professionals. Not only that, considering the fact that malignant lung neoplasms are on the rise all over the world and also in India, this case series would also be particularly useful to cardiothoracic surgeons during surgical resection of individual lung segments. Objective: Keeping in mind the above clinical importance, a cadaveric study focussed on anatomical variations of fis sures & lobes was done in 82 human cadaveric lungs, over a period of one year. Result: Among the right lung specimens examined, one lung showed absence of oblique fissure & 22 right lungs had no horizontal fissure. None of the right lung specimens showed any accessory fissure. Among the left lung speci mens studied, incomplete oblique fissure was seen in 29 lungs & absence of oblique fissure in two lung specimens. Conclusion: Hence, awareness of anatomical variations of lungs with respect to its lobes & fissures is of great signifi cance.
Persistence of hookworm larvae in soil.

Summary Eighteen enclosed units of soil were inoculated with equal numbers of hookworm eggs and dampened daily until larvae reached the infective stage. Half were then dampened daily and half left to dry until their turns came to be sampled. Sampling, which began on the 5th day in the wet series and on the 9th day in the dry, was progressive and cumulative, a new unit being added each day until all were under examination. Reduction in numbers in the wet series proved to be significantly more rapid than in the dry series, and on the five days when pairs of wet and dry cultures were sampled simultaneously, the dry cultures yielded 3 to 7 times as many larvae as the wet. When suspensions of infective larvae were poured onto damp soil, less than half of the larvae reached a depth sufficient to escape desiccation. The results substantiate the view that alternate wetting and drying of soil hastens the death of infective hookworm larvae. Thus, under usual conditions in well drained sandy regions, infective larvae remain viable on the surface for only a few minutes after rain ceases and in the absence of added contamination the soil becomes practically noninfective after brief periods of frequent rainfall.
Correlation Between the Endoscopic and Histologic Score in Assessing the Activity of Ulcerative Colitis

Background:In routine practice, scoring of activity and severity of ulcerative colitis is based on combined clinical and endoscopic assessment. Histology also allows sensitive scoring of ulcerative colitis activity. The correlation between endoscopy and histology has not been investigated thoroughly. It is still unknown how well they correlate and whether scoring both endoscopy and histology better reflects the true disease activity than each of the methods separately. Methods:Two hundred and sixty-three biopsy sets from 131 known patients with ulcerative colitis were reviewed by an experienced gastrointestinal pathologist and scored using the Geboes and Riley histologic scoring systems. Endoscopic scoring had been performed previously by inflammatory bowel disease specialists using the Mayo endoscopic subscore. Bidirectional comparison of the Mayo endoscopic subscore with the full and converted histologic scores was then performed. Results:We found a statistically significant overall correlation between the Mayo endoscopic subscore and the histologic scores (highest correlation: Kendall's &tgr; = 0.482, P < 0.0001). Although a very high concordance was found for inactive and severely active disease, a high diversity was detected between these extremes. For example, endoscopic mildly active disease (Mayo 1) was distributed over all different histologic grades (37%, grade 0; 21%, grade 1; 28%, grade 2; and 14%, grade 3). Conclusions:Both extremes of the histologic and endoscopic activity scores neatly correlate, but important misclassifications exist for mild disease. Microscopy may detect more severe disease than endoscopically suspected, possibly altering the clinical follow-up scheme. We also infer from our results that histologic scoring should be used in addition to endoscopy when scoring disease activity for clinical trials.
Iron signature in asbestos-induced malignant pleural mesothelioma: A population-based autopsy study

ABSTRACT Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive cancer with poor prognosis. The development of MPM is frequently linked to inhalation of asbestos fibers. A genetic component of susceptibility to this disease is suggested by the observation that some individuals develop MPM following lower doses of asbestos exposure, whereas others exposed to higher quantities do not seem to be affected. This hypothesis is supported also by frequent reports of MPM familial clustering. Despite the widely recognized role of iron (Fe) in cellular asbestos-induced pulmonary toxicity, the role of the related gene polymorphisms in the etiology of MPM has apparently not been evaluated. Eighty-six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of 10 Fe-metabolism genes were examined by exploiting formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded postmortem samples from 77 patients who died due to MPM (designated AEM) and compared with 48 who were exposed to asbestos but from died in old age of cause other than asbestos (designated AENM). All subjects showed objective signs of asbestos exposure. Three SNPs, localized in the ferritin heavy polypeptide, transferrin, and hephaestin genes, whose frequencies were distributed differently in AEM and AENM populations, were identified. For ferritin and transferrin the C/C and the G/G genotypes, respectively, representing intronic polymorphisms, were significantly associated with protection against MPM and need to be considered as possible genetic markers of protection. Similarly, the C/C hephaestin SNP, a missense variation of this multicopper ferroxidase encoding gene, may be related, also functionally, with protection against MPM. In conclusion, it is proposed that three Fe metabolism-associated genes, significantly associated with protection against development of MPM, may serve as protective markers for this aggressive tumor.
Heteroduplex deoxyribonucleic acid base mismatch repair in bacteria

INTRODUCTION . 134 ORIGIN OF BASE MISMATCHES IN DNA . 135 Replication Infidelity. 135 Spontaneous replication errors . 135 Induced replication errors. 135 Mispairs occurring away from the replication fork . 135 Genetic Recombination. 136 Bacterial transformation. 136 Recombination between duplex molecules. 136 EVIDENCE FOR BASE MISMATCH REPAIR IN BACTERIA 136 Transformation Efficiencies.136 Genetic Crosses.1 Mutation Avoidance Artificial Systems 37 Transfection with bacteriophage heteroduplexes.137 In vitro E. coli system.1 GENERALITY OF MISMATCH REPAIR.1 Allelic Recombination 37 Multigene Families.1 Transfection of Mammalian Cells with Heteroduplex DNA.137 HEX SYSTEM OF S. PNEUMONIAE.138 Variation in Marker Transformation Efficiencies.13 Multisite mutations 13 Single-site mutations. 8 Strand-specffic efficiencies Exclusion of Donor Markers 139 Relationship of exclusion to recombination.13 Excision Repair Hypothesis. HexMutants.140 Effect on transformation efficiencies.140 Spontaneous mutation frequency Other physiological effects of the Hex system.140 Saturation of the Hex system.14 Kinetics of Repair.1 Rejection at the heteroduplex stage. 0 Recovery of markers from eclipse 141 Physical fate of excluded DNA Independent integration of unlinked LE markers.141 Recognition of Target Strand.14 Donor-directed repair in transformation.1 Hypersensitivity of LE markers in UV-irradiated DNA.142 Mutation avoidance by Hex.142 Question of recipient strand repair . 142 Base Mismatch Specificity. 143 Base substitution mismatches. 143 Effect of neighboring sequences. 143 Deletions. 144 Mechanism of mismatch recognition. 144 Characterization of hex Genes and Products 144 Evidence for at least two loci.14
Arabidopsis PAD 3 , a Gene Required for Camalexin Biosynthesis , Encodes a Putative Cytochrome P 450 Monooxygenase

Phytoalexins are low molecular weight antimicrobial compounds that are synthesized in response to pathogen attack. The phytoalexin camalexin, an indole derivative, is produced by Arabidopsis in response to infection with the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae. The phytoalexin deficient 3 ( pad3 ) mutation, which causes a defect in camalexin production, has no effect on resistance to P. syringae but compromises resistance to the fungal pathogen Alternaria brassicicola. We have now isolated PAD3 by map-based cloning. The predicted PAD3 protein appears to be a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, similar to those from maize that catalyze synthesis of the indole-derived secondary metabolite 2,4-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one. The expression of PAD3 is tightly correlated with camalexin synthesis and is regulated by PAD4 and PAD1. On the basis of these findings, we conclude that PAD3 almost certainly encodes an enzyme required for camalexin biosynthesis. Moreover, these results strongly support the idea that camalexin does not play a major role in plant resistance to P. syringae infection, although it is involved in resistance to a fungal pathogen.
[On the validity of the axis "Structure" of operationalized psychodynamic diagnostics].

OBJECTIVES As part of the concurrent validity, we aimed to empirically study the association between the axis IV (structure) of the Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnostics (OPD) and corresponding constructs, which were assessed byself-report measures. METHODS The structural level of 132 psychiatric inpatients was related to the findings of the Borderline-Personality-Inventary (BPI) and the Toronto-Alexithymia-Scale (TAS-20). RESULTS Analyses of variances indicated that patients with a good structural level scored lower on the BPI and its subscales than those with a low level. However, posthoc comparisons revealed that significant differences were only found between the good and the moderate or the low level respectively. There was no association between the structure and alexithymia. CONCLUSIONS Despite some methodological limitations our findings point at a satisfactory validity of the axis "structure" of the OPD. However, its limited ability to discriminate between patients with a moderate and a low level of structural integration needs further attention.
The Effects of Tenotomy on the Morphology of the Rabbit Digastric Muscle

The digastric muscles of 17 New Zealand White rabbits were subjected to tenotomy. A sham operation was performed on six animals. Groups of three or four animals were killed at one hour, one day, 10 days, 30 days, and 60 days after the tenotomy. There was evidence of tendon regeneration by 10 days, and by 30 days the tendon appeared normal macroscopically. The tendon was normal in microscopic appearance in the animals examined at 60 days. Muscle belly length and fascicle length decreased after the tenotomy, and the angle of pinnation increased. Sarcomere lengths underwent a transient decrease within one hour of the tenotomy, but then were as long as or longer than those in the sham-operated group. A biomechanical analysis suggests that the net result of the morphological changes produced by the tenotomy leads to a reduction in force capability of only about 12%. The shorter belly and fascicle lengths, however, may diminish the effective range over which effective force can be exerted.
The anatomy of the thoracodorsal artery in perforator flap for resurfacing shallow defect.

OBJECTIVE To systematically determine the location and number of cutaneous perforators greater than 0. 5 mm in diameter of the lateral branch of the thoracodorsal artery perforator flap for resurfacing shallow defect. MATERIAL AND METHOD Sixty dissections of the thoracodorsal arterial system were carried out in 30 preserved cadavers. The location and number of cutaneous perforators greater than 0.5 mm in diameter of the lateral branch of the thoracodorsal artery perforator flap were studied and measured. RESULTS Seventy-six perforators were found in 60 flaps (1.3 perforators per flap). The first perforator was exited in all dissections. It emerged from the latissimus dorsi muscle 9.8 cm below the dome of the axilla. In 21.67% of the cases, the second perforator of the thoracodorsal artery arose 3.4 cm distal to the origin of the first perforator The third perforator was found in 5% of dissections, and originated 3.0 cm away from the origin of the second perforator In addition, most perforators penetrated the muscle within 7.0-14. 0 cm below the dome of the axilla. CONCLUSION The center of the flap designed should be placed between 7 to 14 cm from the dome of the axilla.
THE INFLUENCE OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION ON SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ' JOB SATISFACTION AND COMMITMENT IN KOGI STATE , NIGERIA

This study investigated the influence of Interpersonal Communication on Secondary School Teachers' Job Satisfaction and three types of Commitments in Kogi State, Nigeria . With a survey research design, using structural questionnaire to collect data from a sample of 400 respondents from a study population of 4890 teachers in the services of Kogi State Teaching Service Commission. Data were subjected to frequency count, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Multiple regression was used for inferential analysis. Support was found for the existence of statistically significant relationships between interpersonal communication and job satisfaction. Similarly, each of the four types of relationships (Superior, Peer, Student and Parents) has statistically significant relationship with job satisfaction. Also, interpersonal communication correlates with each of the three types of commitments (normative, continuance and affective). Analysis of coefficient showed teachers interpersonal communication with peers and parents as statistically significant under normative commitment while affective and continuance were not. This study observed that participation in work setting, respects for the feelings and aspiration of one another and sharing relevant information at individuals' disposals while making trust the watchword of the relationships, communication relationship with parents are important predictors of teachers' job satisfaction and commitment.
Frontal type dementia preceding amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a neuropsychological and SPECT study of five clinical cases

Between 1993 and 1995, we observed five sporadic cases of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) which in all cases preceded the appearance of typical amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The FTD rapidly became severe (within 12‐18 months) and the delay between the presumed onset of mental change and ALS was short (12–26 months). The frontal dysfunction was characteristic (disinhibited, jocular, impatient, gluttonous, stereotypical gestures). The language impairment (less talkative, persistent errors, fantastic and semantic paraphasia, neologistic errors, echolalia) was constant. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with 99 Tcm HMPAO (hexamethyl propylamine oxime) was done at the same time as neuropsychological testing in four cases and showed serious diffuse bifrontal defect, sometimes with less serious internal temporal hypofixation. All patients died with bulbar ALS complications. The total course can last from 14–48 months. Most of the reported cases suggested a relationship between dementia‐ALS and frontal dysfunction. The mechanism underlying dementia‐ALS remains to be solved. Our five cases resemble those reported by Mitsuyama (1993), who suggested that dementia‐ALS has the same clinicopathological entity.
The effect of infections and vaccinations on stroke risk

There is increasing evidence that, in addition to conventional risk factors, acute and chronic infectious diseases increase the risk of stroke. Acute infection, mainly respiratory, and both bacterial and viral infection, represent temporarily active trigger factors for cerebral ischemia. Chronic infectious diseases that may increase the risk of stroke include periodontitis, chronic bronchitis and infections with microbial antigens, such as Helicobacter pylori and Chlamydia pneumoniae. From observational studies, there is evidence that vaccination against influenza is associated with a reduced risk of stroke, myocardial infarction and all-cause mortality. This report provides an overview on the influence of infection on stroke risk and potential anti-infective strategies that may play a future role in stroke prevention.
The sites of calcium and phosphate absorption in the chick.

Abstract The nutrition of calcium and phosphorus in the chick has been the subject of numerous investigations. However, the intestinal sites of absorption of those minerals have remained unknown, although some information on the absorption capacity of the various intestinal segments exist from in vitro and in situ experimentation (Hurwitz et al., 1967). Previous work indicated that little absorption of calcium and phosphate in the laying hen occurred beyond the jejunum (Hurwitz and Bar, 1965). Since the laying hen is rather peculiar with regard to its mineral metabolism, it was of interest to determine if those findings were also qualitatively the same in the chick. Yttrium-91 was used as a reference substance in all-vegetable diets containing 1.08% calcium and 0.77% phosphorus, supplied mostly by 0.9% calcium carbonate and 2.0% dicalcium phosphate. The diet was labeled with about 60μc. /kg. of yttrium-91. Thirty-six Cornish × White Rock males, three weeks old, were fed…
Worst case identification using FIR models

This paper considers a robustly convergent algorithm for worst case identification using FIR models. A new and stronger notion of robust convergence is established, and error bounds are obtained for a fixed model order as the length of data tends to infinity. The algorithm is shown to be implementable as a solution to an LMI optimisation problem. A robustly convergent algorithm for identification of plant coprime factors is suggested. An iterative technique for identification in the ν-gap metric is given. Two simulation examples demonstrate the use of these algorithms.
Prevalence of Sleep-Disordered Breathing During Routine Electroencephalogram (EEG): A Hospital-Based Descriptive Study

Abstract Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in adults is a common condition that is associated with a range of medical problems including hypertension, cardiovascular complications, and increase of seizure frequency in susceptible individuals. Polysomnography (PSG) is considered the gold standard measure in the diagnosis of SDB. This is an observational study on the frequency of SDB in adult patients referred for routine EEG. We found that routine EEG was capable of detecting moderate to severe symptoms of SDB in 14% of adult patients (95% confidence interval = 8.1–19.9%). The state of sleep during a routine EEG recording could help in assessing a SDB pattern and could provide an opportunity for further diagnostic sleep consultation if the patient has not previously reported problems with sleep or if SDB was not considered by the referring physician. This study underscores the need for a practice approach to ensure that patients suffering from SDB are properly referred to a sleep specialist. In the context of this report, some training and experience in PSG can be an added advantage for EEG technologists in the detection of SDB.
Requirement of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subunit β2 in the Maintenance of Spiral Ganglion Neurons during Aging

Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) is a major health concern for the elderly. Loss of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs), the primary sensory relay of the auditory system, is associated consistently with presbycusis. The causative molecular events responsible for age-related loss of SGNs are unknown. Recent reports directly link age-related neuronal loss in cerebral cortex with the loss of high-affinity nicotine acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). In cochlea, cholinergic synapses are made by olivocochlear efferent fibers on the outer hair cells that express α9 nAChR subunits and on the peripheral projections of SGNs that express α2, α4-7, and β2-3 nAChR subunits. A significantly decreased expression of the β2 nAChR subunit in SGNs was found specifically in mice susceptible to presbycusis. Furthermore, mice lacking the β2 nAChR subunit (β2-/-), but not mice lacking the α5 nAChR subunit (α5-/-), have dramatic hearing loss and significant reduction in the number of SGNs. Our findings clearly established a requirement for β2 nAChR subunit in the maintenance of SGNs during aging.
Cognitive task demands, self-control demands and the mental well-being of office workers

The cognitive task demands of office workers and the self-control demands of their work roles were measured in a sample of 196 employees in two different office layouts using a self-report questionnaire, which was circulated electronically. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that both factors were associated with mental well-being, but not with physical well-being, while controlling for exposure to psychosocial stressors. The interaction between cognitive task demands and self-control demands had the strongest association with mental well-being, suggesting that the deleterious effect of one was greater when the other was present. An exploratory analysis revealed that the association was stronger for employees working in a large open-plan office than for those working in smaller offices with more privacy. Frustration of work goals was the cognitive task demand having the strongest negative impact on mental well-being. Methodological limitations and scale psychometrics (particularly the use of the NASA Task Load Index) are discussed. Statement of Relevance: Modern office work has high mental demands and low physical demands and there is a need to design offices to prevent adverse psychological reactions. It is shown that cognitive task demands interact with self-control demands to degrade mental well-being. The association was stronger in an open-plan office.