Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dispersal of skin microorganisms *

Skin as a source of organisms The average human has a skin area of about 175 m^ divided approximately as follows: legs 18% each, trunk 37%, arms 9% each and head 9%; specialized areas such as the perineum and axillae account for less than 2% of the total skin area. The skin scales which compose the surface are about 30 X 30 X 3-5 |(m and consequently some 10® are needed to complete the skin surface. Females have larger scales on average than do males (Plewig, 1970). A complete layer of cells is lost and replaced on average about every 4 days (Halprin, 1972; Jansen, Hojyo-Tomoko & Kligman, 1974), hence we all disseminate more than 10^ particles of skin every day. Although clearly bathing or showering will remove very many scales by mechanical means, Sciple, Riemensnider & Schleyer (1967) found that natural walking movements released about io* scales per minute. Scales are also released even when standing naked, presumably because the flakes tend to curl up and become detached when dried on one side only. They are then carried up in the airstream so elegantly demonstrated by Lewis et al. (1969). Unpublished studies have shown that about 10 mg of skin is deposited in the clothing in 2 hours. Microbial skin colonizers are more numerous in some areas than others, for example the head and thorax carry more microbes than the limbs; males are more heavily colonized with aerobes than are females, though anaerobes appear to be more equally distributed between the sexes (Table i). A further complicating factor, however, is that the microorganisms are not spread out equally over their habitat but live in discrete microcolonies which may be small, ofthe order of 10^ cells, or large, ofthe order of 10' viable cells. These colonies may be relatively far apart on the skin and this accounts for the fact that only about 10% of squames carry viable microorganisms (Noble & Davies, 1965). In disease, especially eczema, psoriasis and pityriasis rosea, the skin may be densely colonized by Staphylococcus aureus and/or Streptococcus pyogenes. These organisms are then dispersed on skin scales and such persons may contaminate their environment with these pathogens (Noble & Davies, 1965; Selwyn & Chalmers, 1965; Noble, 1971). Any organism found on the skin surface wi'l be dispersed including fluorescent corynebacteria (Somerville-Millar, personal communication), fungi (Clayton & Noble, 1963; Noble, Lidwell & Kingston, 1963) and presumably viruses. There is some evidence that smaller skin particles may be involved in dispersal by dermatology patients despite the large fragments of desquamated skin which are a feature of some skin diseases, though it is not clear whether this is a reflection ofthe disease process or ofthe greater degree of colonization ofthe skin. Some individuals may be a potent source of organisms, such as the psoriatic anaesthetist recorded by Payne (1967) and the eczematous porter (Ayliffe & Collins, 1967). It must be remembered, however,
Intraarterial gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography in humans for the detection of infrainguinal arterial stenoses before and after percutaneous angioplasty.

OBJECTIVE The objectives of this study were to show the feasibility of intraarterial MR angiography of the infrainguinal arteries and to compare the accuracy of intraarterial MR angiography with selective intraarterial digital subtraction angiography for the detection of stenoses before and after percutaneous balloon angioplasty. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Fifteen patients underwent digital subtraction angiography and intraarterial MR angiography before and after balloon angioplasty. For intraarterial MR angiography, 30 mL of diluted contrast agent (5 mL of gadodiamide diluted in 55 mL of 0.9% saline solution) was injected through a sheath in the superficial femoral artery using a flow rate of 2.5 mL/sec. A 3D gradient-echo sequence was performed. Four independent blinded observers assessed differences in the quantitative measurement of stenoses and localization of lesions between digital subtraction angiography and intraarterial MR angiography. The overall impression of the intraarterial MR angiography images was documented on a 4-point scale (1 = excellent, 4 = poor). Interobserver variability was calculated. RESULTS Intraarterial MR angiography from the upper leg to the trifurcation was feasible in all 30 examinations with a mean overall impression of all segments of 1.3 (SD, 0.68). For the detection of significant stenoses (> or = 50% stenosis), the overall sensitivity and specificity for the femoropopliteal and crural vessels were 92.4% and 91.7% and 91.9% and 87.8%, respectively. For the complete leg, sensitivity and specificity were 92.2% and 88.6%, respectively. Interobserver variability for intraarterial MR angiography of the crural vessels exceeded that of the femoropopliteal arteries. CONCLUSION Intraarterial MR angiography of the infrainguinal arteries is feasible in humans using injections of diluted contrast agent at concentrations as low as 8%. It has a high sensitivity for detecting stenoses and an acceptable interobserver variability.
Type 2 Fiber Predominance in Patients with Muscle Cramp and Exertional Myalgia-A Report of Three Cases-Corresponding

Type 2 fiber predominance or a decrease of the type 1/type 2 ratio was rarely reported as the only abnormal pathologic finding in patients suffering from muscle cramp and myalgia. Here, we describe the clinicopathologic findings of three cases of type 2 fiber predominance, presented with muscle cramp and myalgia in otherwise healthy patients. All of them were young men (18, 19 and 22 years). Light microscopic and neurologic examinations, and laboratory data showed mere nonspecific findings that were not concordant with their subjective symptoms. However, enzyme histochemistry performed on muscle biopsy revealed an increased fraction of type 2 fibers; 73%, 80%, and 75%, in each case. The pathogenesis of this entity remains unclear, but the recognition of this unusual clinicopathologic entity is important for both pathologists and neurologists so they can avoid misdiagnoses or unnecessarily tiresome studies. We emphasize that type 2 fiber predominance should be included in the underlying causes of unexplained muscle cramps and exertional myalgia, especially among young adults, although it remains unclear whether the fiber type predominance is a separate entity or a part of other underlying neurologic or systemic disorders.
Illegal alcohol sales to obviously intoxicated patrons at licensed establishments.

BACKGROUND Early studies assessing propensity of alcohol sales to underage youth found that, before intervention, likelihood of licensed alcohol establishments selling alcohol to underage youth was 50% or higher across many communities. Community-wide interventions successfully lowered underage alcohol sales rates in several communities. Across studies assessing propensity for alcohol sales to obviously intoxicated patrons, sales rate estimates ranged from 58% to 85% for on-premise establishments (e.g., bars). No previous studies have assessed likelihood of alcohol sales to obviously intoxicated patrons in off-premise establishments (e.g., liquor stores). One goal of this study was to assess propensity for illegal alcohol sales to obviously intoxicated patrons at on- and off-premise establishments. Another goal was to assess whether server and/or establishment characteristics were related to the likelihood of illegal sales. Results may inform future interventions to reduce illegal alcohol sales at licensed alcohol establishments. METHODS Trained actors attempted to purchase alcohol while acting out signs of obvious intoxication at a census of on- and off-premise alcohol establishments (n = 372) in 11 communities. The outcome variable was whether an establishment sold alcohol to a buyer. Independent variables included age and gender of server/clerk, type of establishment, area, exterior maintenance, type of license, and time of purchase attempt. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. RESULTS Seventy-nine percent of the establishments sold alcohol to a buyer (83% and 76% at off- and on-premise establishments, respectively). Servers/clerks who appeared younger than age 31 and off-premise establishments were significantly more likely than older appearing servers and on-premise establishments to sell alcohol to buyers. CONCLUSIONS The likelihood of alcohol sales to obviously intoxicated patrons in licensed alcohol establishments is very high. Interventions to reduce illegal alcohol sales to intoxicated patrons are needed.
The N Terminus of the Human α1D-Adrenergic Receptor Prevents Cell Surface Expression

We previously reported that truncation of the N-terminal 79 amino acids of α1D-adrenoceptors (Δ1-79α1D-ARs) greatly increases binding site density. In this study, we determined whether this effect was associated with changes in α1D-AR subcellular localization. Confocal imaging of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged receptors and sucrose density gradient fractionation suggested that full-length α1D-ARs were found primarily in intracellular compartments, whereas Δ1-79α1D-ARs were translocated to the plasma membrane. This resulted in a 3- to 4-fold increase in intrinsic activity for stimulation of inositol phosphate formation by norepinephrine. We determined whether this effect was transplantable by creating N-terminal chimeras of α1-ARs containing the body of one subtype and the N terminus of another (α1ANT-D, α1BNT-D, α1DNT-A, and α1DNT-B). When expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, radioligand binding revealed that binding densities of α1A-or α1B-ARs containing the α1D-N terminus decreased by 86 to 93%, whereas substitution of α1A- or α1B-N termini increased α1D-AR binding site density by 2- to 3-fold. Confocal microscopy showed that GFP-tagged α1DNT-B-ARs were found only on the cell surface, whereas GFP-tagged α1BNT-D-ARs were completely intracellular. Radioligand binding and confocal imaging of GFP-tagged α1D- and Δ1-79α1D-ARs expressed in rat aortic smooth muscle cells produced similar results, suggesting these effects are generalizable to cell types that endogenously express α1D-ARs. These findings demonstrate that the N-terminal region of α1D-ARs contain a transplantable signal that is critical for regulating formation of functional bindings, through regulating cellular localization.
Women’s Experiences of Appearance Concern and Body Control across the Lifespan: Challenging accepted wisdom

This study adopted a lifespan approach to women’s experiences of appearance concern and body control. Thirty-two women (aged 16 to 77) were interviewed about their exercise and food regulation. Results of the grounded theory analysis challenge social constructions of appearance concern as associated principally with the reproductive years, and of the body as malleable, and highlight the complexity of the relationship between appearance concern and body control. Despite frequent persistence of (or increase in) appearance concern beyond young adulthood, ‘healthier’ responses to appearance concern occurred due to changing priorities and increasing awareness. Findings highlight the utility of an inclusive and qualitative approach, and the absence of simple and sovereign factors determining an individual’s levels of appearance concern or body control.
A 26-Week Analysis of a Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of the Ginkgo biloba Extract EGb 761® in Dementia

This intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis was performed to provide a realistic image of the efficacy that could be expected after 26 weeks treatment with a 120-mg dose (40 mg t.i.d.) of EGb 761® (EGb). The data were collected during a 52-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, fixed dose, parallel-group, multicenter study. Patients were mildly to severely impaired and diagnosed with uncomplicated Alzheimer’s disease or multi-infarct dementia according to ICD-10 and DSM-III-R criteria. The primary outcome measures included the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog), Geriatric Evaluation by Relative’s Rating Instrument (GERRI) and Clinical Global Impression of Change. From 309 patients included in the ITT analysis, 244 patients (76% for placebo and 73% for EGb) actually reached the 26th week visit. In comparison to the baseline values, the placebo group showed a statistically significant worsening in all domains of assessment, while the group receiving EGb was considered slightly improved on the cognitive assessment and the daily living and social behavior. Mean treatment differences favored EGb with 1.3 and 0.12 points, respectively, on the ADAS-Cog (p = 0.04) and the GERRI (p = 0.007). In the group receiving EGb, 26% of the patients achieved at least a 4-point improvement on the ADAS-Cog, compared to 17% with placebo (p = 0.04). On the GERRI, 30% of the EGb group improved and 17% worsened, while the placebo group showed an opposite trend with 37% of patients worsening for 25% improved (p = 0.006). Regarding safety, no differences between EGb and placebo were observed.
Second malignancies following CMF-based adjuvant chemotherapy in resectable breast cancer.

BACKGROUND Only a few studies have evaluated the long-term effects of adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. Furthermore, neither the relation between the risk of second malignancies and type of adjuvant regimen utilized nor the interaction between chemotherapy and breast irradiation or age of the patients have been described in detail. METHODS A total of 2,465 patients entered into prospective studies of CMF-based adjuvant chemotherapy carried out at the Milan Cancer Institute between June 1973 and July 1990 were evaluated. The median follow-up was 12.0 years and detailed information about therapy was available for all patients. RESULTS At 15 years, the cumulative actuarial risk of second malignancies (excluding contralateral breast cancer and basal skin cancer) was 6.7% +/- 0.8% for the total series. The figures were 8.4% +/- 2.9% after local-regional treatment alone, 6.4% +/- 0.9% following CMF, and 5.1% +/- 1.0% following CMF plus Adriamycin (doxorubicin; Farmitalia-Carlo Erba, Milan, Italy). Compared to the general female population, the relative risk following CMF-based adjuvant chemotherapy was 1.29. Three patients, all of whom had received CMF-based chemotherapy, developed acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (cumulative risk 0.23% +/- 0.15%; relative risk 2.3). No differences were evident when breast irradiation was considered, but the cumulative risk of second tumors was slightly higher in women aged > or = 50 years at surgery (7.7% +/- 1.3%) than in younger patients (6.0% +/- 1.0%). CONCLUSIONS At present, there is no evidence of a significantly increased risk of second malignancies following adjuvant CMF-based chemotherapy such as the one given in this case series. A low risk of acute leukemia was associated with the cumulative total dose of cyclophosphamide administered, and breast irradiation did not enhance this risk. IMPLICATIONS Our findings suggest that there is no reason to omit alkylating agents from short-term effective adjuvant chemotherapy.
Draft Genome Sequence of Bacteroides faecis MAJ27T, a Strain Isolated from Human Feces

ABSTRACT Despite the ecological importance of the dominant gut bacteria Bacteroides, few genomes have been defined. The Gram-negative, strictly anaerobic intestinal bacterium Bacteroides faecis MAJ27T was isolated from the feces of a healthy adult. Here, the draft genome sequence of the type strain B. faecis MAJ27 (6.11 Mbp) is reported.
Comparative cytologic features of pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma and islet cell tumor

Acinar cell carcinoma (ACC) and islet cell tumor (ICT), both rare pancreatic neoplasms, can be diagnosed accurately and rapidly with the use of imaging‐guided fine‐needle aspiration biopsies. The specific cytologic features of these tumors are described in a series of 17 patients, and histologic and immunocytochemical correlations are discussed. Important cytologic findings in ACC are loosely cohesive clusters with cells having uniform nuclei and prominent nucleoli, cytoplasm is finely granular and eosinophilic. Islet cell tumors show many single cells, occasional rosettes, uniform nuclei, sometimes binucleate, dense basophilic cytoplasm. Chromogranin is often positive (80%) in ICT. Trypsin and chymotrypsin were often positive (71%) in ACC. Histology was confirmatory in all cytology cases. The recognition of cytologic features in conjunction with immunocytochemical studies can increase the diagnostic sensitivity for these two rare tumors. Diagn. Cytopathol. 16:112–116, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The effect of diazepam on voluntary ethanol intake in a rat model of alcoholism.

This paper reports the effects of a diazepam treatment on voluntary ethanol intake in rats included in an animal model of alcoholism. In a first dose-seeking experiment, rats had a choice between 10% (w/v) ethanol and water for 24 h each week. Single doses of diazepam between 2 and 20 mg/kg injected i.p. prior to the 24-h choice caused a dose-dependent decrease in voluntary ethanol intake from 3.2 +/- 0.4 g/kg/day down to 2.3 +/- 0.3 g/kg/day (P < 0.01) after a dose of 20 mg/kg. In a second experiment, psychological dependence was induced by a 1-year intermittent exposure to ethanol (a choice between 10% ethanol and water for 24 h each week, followed by an i.p. injection of 2.0 g/kg of ethanol). After this year, the rats were given a continuous choice between ethanol and water. A 3-week treatment with diazepam (20 mg/kg/day, i.p.) was started in week 68, during which period a choice of 10% (w/v) ethanol was available only on the first and the last days of treatment. On the first day of the diazepam treatment, ethanol intake was decreased from a pre-experimental value of 2.7 +/- 0.3 g/kg/day to 1.2 +/- 0.1 g/kg/day (P < 0.001). On the last day of the treatment, voluntary intake was higher than before the treatment (3.8 +/- 0.27 g/kg/day, P < 0.01). Ethanol intake remained elevated during the week after the end of the diazepam treatment (P < 0.05). When single doses of diazepam (20 mg/kg) were re-tested 10 and 19 weeks after the treatment, there was no decrease in ethanol intake, indicating that the initial effect had not been re-established.
Dynamic Effectiveness of Electronic Word-Ofmouth and Online display Advertising on Offline Sales

The paper applies Kalman Filtering to investigate dynamic relationship between electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM), online advertising and offline product sales. We explore three dimensions of e-WOM: volume, valence and variation. We construct online advertising in terms of page view of online display advertisement. Using a merged, multi-sourced, time series dataset, we reveal that all aspects of e-WOM are significantly related to sales. In initial stage, e-WOM volume takes the dominant effect in driving the sales, while e-WOM valence becomes more effective later on. And more dispersed opinions lead to higher sales. However, counter-intuitively, online advertising is not significantly related to offline sales. The paper enriches our understanding of the link between online marketing and offline sales.
Aging, work, life-style and work ability among Finnish municipal workers in 1981-1992.

OBJECTIVES This study was designed to explain changes in work ability through occupational and life-style factors. METHODS Work ability was measured by an index describing workers' health resources in regard to their work demands. The work factors mainly included physical and mental demands, social organization and the physical work environment. The life-style factors covered smoking, alcohol consumption, and leisure-time physical exercise. The first questionnaire study was done in 1981 and it was repeated in 1992. The subjects (N = 818) were workers in the 44- to 51-year-old age group in the beginning of the study who were active during the entire follow-up. The improvement and, correspondingly, the decline in work ability were analyzed by logistic regression models. RESULTS Both the improvement and the decline in work ability were associated more strongly with changes in work and life-style during the follow-up than with their initial variation. The model for improved work ability included improvement of the supervisor's attitude, decreased repetitive movements at work, and increased amount of vigorous leisure-time physical exercise. Deterioration in work ability was explained by a model which included a decrease in recognition and esteem at work, decrease in workroom conditions, increase in standing at work, and decrease in vigorous leisure-time physical exercise. CONCLUSIONS Social relations at work can promote or impair the work ability of elderly workers. Although the work ability of elderly workers generally declined with aging, both older and younger workers were also able to improve their work ability.
Platelets contribute to the reduction of liver fibrosis in mice

Background and Aim: Several recent studies have reported that liver cirrhosis (LC) can be ameliorated, but few adequate strategies are available against liver fibrosis. Although LC clinically shows thrombocytopenia and hypersplenism, the correlation with liver fibrosis and platelets remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of platelets on liver fibrosis in mouse models.
Mouse photoreceptor synaptic ribbons lose and regain material in response to illumination changes

Chemical synapses equipped with ribbons are tonically active, high‐output synapses. The ribbons may play a role in the trafficking of synaptic vesicles. Recent findings in retinal rod cells of BALB/c mice indicate that ribbons are large and smooth in the dark phase, and, due to the formation and release of protrusions, small during the light phase. As a consequence of these changes, ribbons may traffick fewer vesicles in the light than in the dark phases. The aim of the present study was to find out whether the above ribbon changes in this mouse strain are strictly illumination‐dependent and which signalling processes may be involved. Here, we show that ribbons form protrusions and release them into the cytoplasm within 30–60 min after lights on, the reverse occurring within 30 min after lights off. Under constant light or constant dark, no circadian rhythm of synaptic ribbon changes is observed. The illumination‐dependence of ribbon structure is supported by in vitro experiments showing that in dark‐adapted retinas, light induces the same morphological changes as in vivo. In vitro, the effect of light on the ribbons can be counteracted by cyclic guanosine monophosphate and melatonin. In dark‐adapted retinas, light effects can be produced by decreasing the calcium ion concentrations in the incubation media. These results suggest that in retinal rod cells, the well known phototransduction signalling mechanisms may be responsible for the ribbon changes presently and previously reported.
Routine bone marrow biopsy is not necessary in the staging of patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma in the 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography era

Abstract Accurate staging of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) directs treatment intensity. Functional imaging can detect marrow/bone involvement making the role of bone marrow biopsy (BMB) unclear. We assessed current UK practice in CHL staging by questionnaire and retrospectively analyzed patients staged at a single center with BMB and 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT). From 34 questionnaire responses 50% used FDG-PET/CT routinely. BMB was employed in 97% with advanced-stage and 30% of patients with limited-stage disease (70% of those not using routine FDG-PET/CT). Ten out of 50 patients were BM+, all of which were identified by FDG-PET/CT (PET+). Conventional BMB changed management in 2% of cases. There were no clinically significant FDG-PET/CT false positives. Conventional routine BMB staging in CHL is extremely insensitive. FDG-PET/CT can rule out marrow/bone involvement in CHL. In the FDG-PET/CT staging era BMB should be targeted to a minority of patients with FDG-PET/CT + bone/marrow uptake and only when management would be altered by the result.