Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Probabilistic forecasting in infectious disease epidemiology: The thirteenth Armitage lecture

Routine surveillance of notifiable infectious diseases gives rise to daily or weekly counts of reported cases stratified by region and age group. From a public health perspective, forecasts of infectious disease spread are of central importance. We argue that such forecasts need to properly incorporate the attached uncertainty, so should be probabilistic in nature. However, forecasts also need to take into account temporal dependencies inherent to communicable diseases, spatial dynamics through human travel, and social contact patterns between age groups. We describe a multivariate time series model for weekly surveillance counts on norovirus gastroenteritis from the 12 city districts of Berlin, in six age groups, from week 2011/27 to week 2015/26. The following year (2015/27 to 2016/26) is used to assess the quality of the predictions. Probabilistic forecasts of the total number of cases can be derived through Monte Carlo simulation, but first and second moments are also available analytically. Final size forecasts as well as multivariate forecasts of the total number of cases by age group, by district, and by week are compared across different models of varying complexity. This leads to a more general discussion of issues regarding modelling, prediction and evaluation of public health surveillance data.
Salivary cortisol as a diagnostic tool for Cushing's syndrome and adrenal insufficiency: improved screening by an automatic immunoassay.

BACKGROUND Salivary cortisol is increasingly used to assess patients with suspected hypo- and hypercortisolism. This study established disease-specific reference ranges for an automated electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). METHODS Unstimulated saliva from 62 patients with hypothalamic-pituitary disease was collected at 0800 h. A peak serum cortisol level below 500 nmol/l during the insulin tolerance test (ITT) was used to identify hypocortisolism. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis allowed establishment of lower and upper cutoffs with at least 95% specificity for adrenal insufficiency and adrenal sufficiency. Saliva from 40 patients with confirmed hypercortisolism, 45 patients with various adrenal masses, and 115 healthy subjects was sampled at 2300 h and after low-dose dexamethasone suppression at 0800 h . ROC analysis was used to calculate thresholds with at least 95% sensitivity for hypercortisolism. Salivary cortisol was measured with an automated ECLIA. RESULTS When screening for secondary adrenal insufficiency, a lower cutoff of 3.2 nmol/l and an upper cutoff of 13.2 nmol/l for unstimulated salivary cortisol allowed a highly specific diagnosis (i.e. similar to the ITT result) in 26% of patients. For identification of hypercortisolism, cutoffs of 6.1 nmol/l (sensitivity 95%, specificity 91%, area under the curve (AUC) 0.97) and 2.0 nmol/l (sensitivity 97%, specificity 86%, AUC 0.97) were established for salivary cortisol at 2300 h and for dexamethasone-suppressed salivary cortisol at 0800 h. CONCLUSIONS The newly established thresholds facilitated initial screening for secondary adrenal insufficiency and allowed excellent identification of hypercortisolism. Measurement by an automated immunoassay will allow broader use of salivary cortisol as a diagnostic tool.
ŞUBE REHBER ÖĞRETMENLERİNİN GÖRÜŞLERİNE GÖRE 6., 7. VE 8. SINIF ÖĞRENCİLERİNİN REHBERLİK VE DANIŞMA İHTİYAÇLARI

Bu calismanin amaciAltinci, Yedinci ve Sekizinci sinif ogrencilerinin rehberlik ve danisma ihtiyaclarini, sube rehber ogretmenlerinin goruslerine gore tespit etmektir. Bu calismada nitel arastirma teknigi kullanilmistir. Arastirmada verilerin toplanmasinda veri toplama yontemi olarak yariyapilandirilmisgorusme formu kullanilmistir. Gorusmeler, 2006-2007 Egitim ogretim yilinda Konya Milli Egitim Mudurlugune bagliogretmenlerden olusmaktadir. Elde edilen veriler Nvivo2’ ye kodlanmisve daha sonra kategoriler tespit edilmistir. Arastirma sonucunda ortaya cikan bulgular tartisilmisve sonuclarla ilgili oneriler gelistirilmistir.
Branchiostoma floridae has separate healing and sealing enzymes for 5′-phosphate RNA ligation

Animal cells have two tRNA splicing pathways: (i) a 5′-P ligation mechanism, where the 5′-phosphate of the 3′ tRNA half becomes the junction phosphate of the new phosphodiester linkage, and (ii) a 3′-P ligation process, in which the 3′-phosphate of the 5′ tRNA half turns into the junction phosphate. Although both activities are known to exist in animals, in almost three decades of investigation, neither of the two RNA ligases has been identified. Here we describe a gene from the chordate Branchiostoma floridae that encodes an RNA ligase (Bf RNL) with a strict requirement for RNA substrates with a 2′-phosphate terminus for the ligation of RNAs with 5′-phosphate and 3′-hydroxyl ends. Unlike the yeast and plant tRNA ligases involved in tRNA splicing, Bf RNL lacks healing activities and requires the action of a polynucleotide kinase (PNK) and a cyclic phosphodiesterase (CDPase) in trans. The activities of these two enzymes were identified in a single B. floridae protein (Bf PNK/CPDase). The combined activities of Bf RNL and Bf PNK/CPDase are sufficient for the joining of tRNA splicing intermediates in vitro, and for the functional complementation of a tRNA ligase-deficient Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain in vivo. Hence, these two proteins constitute the 5′-P RNA ligation pathway in an animal organism.
The Dogged Search for Cryptic Effects of Ticagrelor: Wishful Thinking or Real Benefits Beyond P2Y12 Inhibition?

Article, see p 1708 Greater protection against ischemic event occurrences has been associated with lower levels of platelet reactivity to adenosine diphosphate in patients with high-risk coronary artery disease.1–3 The latter observations serve as the basis of the platelet hypothesis, ie, greater inhibition of P2Y12 equals less thrombotic event occurrence.4 Ticagrelor, a cyclopentyl-triazolo-pyrimidine, is indisputably a more potent P2Y12 inhibitor than clopidogrel5 and, when administered to patients with acute coronary syndrome in the PLATO trial (Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes), it resulted in a reduction not only in myocardial infarction, but also vascular death in comparison with clopidogrel.6 The observed reduction in vascular death has provided a strong impetus to search for mechanisms of benefit beyond greater P2Y12 inhibition that are not shared by other P2Y12 inhibitors: the non–P2Y12-mediated hypothesis of ticagrelor. The latter hypothesis is largely based on the property of ticagrelor to inhibit adenosine reuptake, thereby increasing systemic and tissue adenosine levels.7 Most of the subsequent beneficial effects proceed downstream for this pivotal step, because adenosine has been proposed as an important molecule that attenuates ischemia-reperfusion injury. Indeed, there has already been significant exploration in the ticagrelor-adenosine area. 1. Ticagrelor has been shown to inhibit adenosine reuptake in erythrocytes by inhibition of the sodium-independent equilibrative nucleoside transporter-1. Dipyridamole has 16-fold greater affinity for equilibrative nucleoside transporter-1.7 2. No direct effect of ticagrelor on adenosine receptors has been reported, and ticagrelor is not metabolized to adenosine.7 3. In an in vitro study, the antiplatelet effect of ticagrelor was mediated in part by increased extracellular adenosine levels and adenosine-mediated platelet inhibition via the A2A receptor.7 4. In a canine coronary artery ligation model using 1 minute of left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion, ticagrelor and dipyridamole dose-dependently …
Versatile insertion plasmids for targeted genome manipulations in bacteria: isolation, deletion, and rescue of the pathogenicity island LEE of the Escherichia coli O157:H7 genome

A system of versatile insertion plasmids was constructed that permits efficient delivery of the target sites of an ultra-rare-cutting endonuclease and the recombinase FLP into preselected sites of the bacterial genome. With the help of this system, the pathogenicity island LEE of the Escherichia coli O157:H7 genome was excised and isolated in vitro, deleted in vivo, rescued as a plasmid, and transferred into another strain.
Neonatal morbidity and mortality in a Tanzanian tertiary care referral hospital

Abstract In developing countries, neonatal mortality accounts for 50–70% of infant mortality. The purpose of this study was to describe morbidity and mortality patterns, with a focus on neonatal infections, in a Tanzanian special care baby unit (SCBU). During a 3-month period, 246 consecutive admissions to the SCBU at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre were audited. Prematurity, low birthweight and suspected infection accounted for 61% of all admissions. The overall mortality rate was 19%, but varied considerably according to gestational age, birthweight and diagnosis. Thirty-one neonates (two-thirds of all deaths) died during the 1st 24 hours of life. Of 27 infants admitted on grounds of perinatal asphyxia, 11 (41%) died, and, of 19 infants with a gestational age <31 weeks, 13 (68%) died. More than two-thirds of all infants were treated with antibiotics. Septicaemia confirmed by blood culture was found in 16 cases. The susceptibility pattern of bacterial isolates did not indicate high rates of resistance to commonly used antibacterial agents. A reduction in the number of preterm deliveries and improved perinatal care to avoid and treat perinatal asphyxia would be the two most important measures in reducing neonatal mortality in this setting.
Liu Exploring the Influences on Entrainment of Serpentines by Grinding and Reagents

This paper presents the influences on the entrainment of serpentines by grinding and reagents during copper–nickel sulfide flotation. The previous bench flotation tests were performed to extract the metallic values from the ore in Yunnan Mine, China and the relatively satisfied results with recoveries of 86.92% Cu, 54.92% Ni, and 74.73% Pt+Pd in the concentrate were harvested at their grades of 4.02%, 3.24% and 76.61 g/t, respectively. However, the content of MgO in the concentrate was still more than 19%. Micro-flotation tests were conducted with the objective of figuring out the influences on the entrainment of serpentines into the concentrate by particle size, flocculants or depressants and collectors, as well as visual observations in suspension by OLYMPUS camera. All the tests results pointed to the presences of both “entrapped-in” serpentines and its coating on the hydrophobic flocs resulted from strong collectors (combination of butyl xanthate, butyl ammonium dithophosphate, even after adding carboxymethyl cellulose as effective depressant. And fine grinding may escalate the entrainment of serpentines in the concentrate. Keywords—Serpentine, copper and nickel sulfides, flotation, entrainment.
Effects of stocking density, energy and protein content on performance of broiler chickens raised during late wet season

A 56-day feeding trial to investigate the effects of stocking density, energy and protein content on performance of broiler chickens during late wet season was carried out. In a 3 x 2 x 3 factorial arrangement using completely randomized design, six diets with three energy and two crude protein levels were formulated. Three stocking densities (birds/m2) of 10, 12 and 14 were used. A total of 576 one-week old Arbor Acre broilers chickens were assigned to the respective diets and stocking density, at 32 birds per treatment. Weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, survival rate, carcass yield, live weight/ m2 and feed cost / live weight were assessed. Data were analyzed, using descriptive statistics and ANOVAa0.05. Energy x crude protein x stocking density interaction affects the feed intake (p 0.05) survival rate, however, stocking density at 12 birds/m2 resulted in the best values (p<0.05) of weight gain (2230.71g) and feed conversion ratio (2.10) and the use of diets with lower crude protein and energy increased (p<0.05) the weight gain (2312.42g). The carcass yield was affected (p<0.05) by the interaction of energy x crude protein x stocking density, (p<0.05) with the lowest value (67.33%) found with birds raised on stocking density, 10 birds/m2 and diets with low crude protein and recommended energy. The lowest feed cost/live weight (p<0.05) was observed with stocking density at 12 birds/m2. Broiler chickens may be economically raised at stocking density 12 birds/m2 and on diet containing 2933kcal/kg ME with 21.92% crude protein for starter phase and 3095 kcal/kgME and 19.14% crude protein for finishers during late wet season in Nigeria.
The respiratory significance of the crown in the polychaete worms Sabella and Myxicola

Sabella pavonina Savigny lives in a narrow cylindrical tube which it irrigates by means of piston-swellings travelling tailwards along the body. Decapitated worms can live and regenerate new heads in glass tubes open at both ends, which they irrigate in the same way as complete worms. If tubeless worms are bisected at the junction of thorax and abdomen, the total oxygen consumption is unaffected by the operation. These results suggest that the crown surface is of no importance in the respiratory supply of the hinder part of the body as long as the surface of the latter has free access to oxygenated water. If, however, worms are put in tubes whose lower ends are closed so that through irrigation is impossible, crowned worms can live but crownless worms soon die or leave the tubes. This shows that the crown can supply the hinder parts when irrigation is prevented. Myxicola infundibulumRénier lives in a gelatinous tube. There is no irrigation current, either through the tube or in and out at the head end. Put in a glass tube, the worm fills most of the lumen, and plugs the hinder end, with jelly. The worm can live for many weeks in a tube sealed at the lower end. The respiratory exchanges of the whole worm therefore appear to take place through the anterior end, and especially the crown. Bisection of tubeless worms at the junction of thorax and abdomen results in a decrease of the total oxygen consumption to about two-thirds of its previous value; this is attributed to the separation of the abdomen from its usual respiratory surface. Owing to structural differences, the velocity of the water current through the crown is considerably greater in Myxicola infundibulum than in Sabella pavonina. The frequency of pulsation of the crown vessels is, however, about the same, and the differences in crown structure are probably food-collecting rather than respiratory specializations. The ability to survive and regenerate after injury to the anterior end is very much less in Myxicola infundibulum than in Sabella pavonina. This fact is discussed in relation to the respiratory and other differences between the worms.
Management of Acute Agitation in Patients With Bipolar Disorder: Efficacy and Safety of Intramuscular Aripiprazole

To investigate the efficacy and safety of intramuscular (IM) aripiprazole for the treatment of agitation in patients with bipolar I disorder, manic or mixed episodes. In total, 301 patients experiencing acute agitation were randomized to IM aripiprazole 9.75 mg per injection (n = 78), IM aripiprazole 15 mg per injection (n = 78), IM lorazepam 2 mg per injection (n = 70), or IM placebo (n = 75) in this double-blind multicenter study. Patients could receive up to 3 injections over 24 hours. Primary efficacy measure was mean change in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale Excited Component score from baseline at 2 hours after first injection. Mean improvements in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale Excited Component score at 2 hours were significantly greater with IM aripiprazole (9.75 mg, −8.7; 15 mg, −8.7) and IM lorazepam (−9.6) versus IM placebo (−5.8; P ≤ 0.001). For all other efficacy measures, all 3 active treatments showed significantly greater improvements over IM placebo at 2 hours (P < 0.05), with similar improvements across the active treatments. Significant differences over IM placebo were seen by 45 to 60 minutes for several efficacy parameters. Both IM aripiprazole doses were well tolerated; the safety profile was similar to oral aripiprazole. Oversedation (Agitation-Calmness Evaluation Scale score of 8 or 9) during 2 hours after first injection was less frequent with IM aripiprazole 9.75 mg (6.7%) and IM placebo (6.8%) versus IM aripiprazole 15 mg (17.3%) and IM lorazepam (19.1%). IM aripiprazole 9.75 and 15 mg are effective and well tolerated for acute agitation in bipolar disorder, although the low incidence of oversedation suggests a risk-benefit profile for IM aripiprazole 9.75 mg.
Clinical significance and prognostic value of Triosephosphate isomerase expression in gastric cancer

Abstract Triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) is highly expressed in many human cancers and is involved in migration and invasion of cancer cells. However, TPI clinicopathological significance and prognostic value in gastric cancer (GC) are not yet well defined. The aim of the present work was to evaluate TPI expression in GC tissue and its prognostic value in GC patients. TPI expression was analyzed in 92 primary GC tissues and 80 adjacent normal mucosa tissues from GC patients undergoing gastrectomy by immunohistochemical analysis of tissue microarrays (TMAs). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to investigate TPI prognostic significance in GC patients. Immunohistochemical staining score showed that TPI expression in cancer tissues was significantly higher than in adjacent normal mucosa (P < .001). Univariate analysis revealed that TPI expression, depth of invasion, lympho node metastasis, tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, and tumor diameter were associated with negative prognostic predictors for overall survival in GC patients (P < .05). High TPI expression represented a significant predictor of shorter survival in GC patients with positive lymphatic metastasis (P = .022) and tumor diameter >5 cm (P = .018). Cox multivariate analysis identified TPI expression, TNM stage, and tumor diameter as independent prognostic factors in GC patients. TPI expression might be considered as a novel prognostic factor to evaluate GC patients’ survival.
Bacteriuria following Foley catheterization after gynecological and obstetrical surgery

Objective: To find out the frequency of bacteriuria associated with Foley catheterization after gynecological and Obstetric (cesarean section) surgery and to analyze the factors associated with bacteriuria. Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of TUTH. Hospital chart records of one of the four functional units for a period of one year (1st January 2007 to 31st December 2007) were collected in all postoperative women who had undergone major gynecological surgery (like abdominal hysterectomy, laparatomy, vaginal hysterectomy etc) and cesarean sections in obstetrics. Charts were reviewed and relevant clinical findings and bacteriological studies of catheter tip culture and sensitivity were noted. Results: There were total 390 major operations (both Gyne & Obs) during the study period. In obstetrics there were a total of 211 cesarean section. Files obtained were 186. Urine and catheter tip culture were obtained in 165 out of 186 cases. Positive culture was found in 76 out of 165 (46%). In gynecology, there were 179 major operations, out of which 130 files were obtained. Urine and catheter tip culture reports were available in 121 cases and 56 (46%) were found to be positive. In cesarean section, duration of catheterization was not associated with increased bacteriuria (p=0.926), while in gynecological surgery there was significant impact of catheterization duration on bacteriuria (p=0.042). In gynecological surgery, increasing patients' age had important impact on bacteriuria (p=0.0004). Overall 46% had positive catheter tip culture. The most common organisms isolated were E coli, Enterococcus fecalis and Staph aureus. Conclusion: This study establishes that Foley catheter was associated with increased risk of bacteriuria in postoperative women following obstetrical and gynecological surgery. Key words: Bacteriuria, Foley catheterization, Catheter tip culture and sensitivity
Tyr346→Cys mutation results in factor VIII:C assay discrepancy and a normal bleeding phenotype – is this mild haemophilia A?

Summary. Patients with mild haemophilia A may have a discrepancy in the factor VIII (FVIII) level when measured with a one‐stage assay (FVIII:C1) compared with a two‐stage assay (FVIII:C2). This discrepancy usually results in the one‐stage level being higher than the two‐stage level. A F8 mutation resulting in a Tyr346→Cys substitution within the a1 interdomain region has been described which results in the converse assay discrepancy. We report four individuals (three families) who have this mutation. Mean FVIII:C1 level was 25 IU dL−1 compared with a mean FVIII:C2 level of 63 IU dL−1. These individuals had presented opportunistically and did not have a clinically significant bleeding disorder. The bleeding phenotype correlated with the two‐stage assay result rather than the one‐stage result. FVIII replacement therapy does not appear to be required for these individuals.
Compact model of a three-terminal MRAM device based on Spin Orbit Torque switching

The combination of non-volatility, fast access time and endurance in MRAM technology paves the path toward an universal memory. Although an expanding attention is given to two-terminal Magnetic Tunnel Junctions (MTJ) based on Spin-Transfer Torque (STT) switching as the potential candidate for future memories, its reliability is significantly decreased because of the common writing/reading path. Three-terminal MTJ based on Spin-Orbit Torque (SOT) approach revitalizes the hope of an ultimate MRAM. It represents a pioneering way to triumph over current two-terminal MTJs by separating the reading and the writing path. This paper represents simulation results of the first compact model which describes the SOT-MTJ device based on recently fabricated samples. The model is developed in Verilog-A language, implemented on industrial CAD platform and validated by electrical simulations. Many experimental parameters are included in the model in order to enhance simulation accuracy. Based on simulations results, we show the capability of the model to be efficiently used to design hybrid MTJ/CMOS circuits.
Cellular Events in the Normal and Inflamed Cornea

Purpose: Although normal cornea is an avascular transparent structure, bone marrow (BM)-derived cells exist in situ even in noninflamed conditions. We evaluated constitutive cellular trafficking into the cornea in the naive state and investigated how corneal inflammation may be initiated by various stimuli. Methods: BM chimeric mice were generated using BM from enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) transgenic mice. Corneas of chimeric mice were carefully studied by fluorescent biomicroscopy until 6 months after transplantation. To analyze initiation of cellular events in corneal immune response, we cauterized the center of the cornea or inoculated IL-1β into the corneal micropocket. Cellular events were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: At 2 weeks after BM transplantation, GFP+ cells gradually migrated into the cornea from the limbal area and were distributed over the entire cornea at 6 months. In both the cauterization and micropocket assays, infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages occurred on days 2 and 4, respectively. Depletion of neutrophils by anti-Gr-1Ab significantly reduced corneal edema/opacity induced by cauterization. IL-1β-induced angiogenesis was markedly reduced in monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 knockout mice. Conclusions: BM-derived cells are recruited into the normal cornea and may be essential to maintain corneal clarity. In the inflamed cornea, neutrophils might be responsible for acute corneal edema/opacity and macrophages for corneal angiogenesis and chronic inflammation.