Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in pigs and workers at abattoirs in Trinidad and Tobago.

INTRODUCTION Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a major cause of zoonotic infections, has emerged globally in livestock, particularly pigs. People with occupational contact with food producing animals are at high risk of colonization. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of MRSA in pigs and abattoir workers throughout Trinidad and Tobago as well as their resistance to other antimicrobial agents. METHODOLOGY Nasal and skin behind the ear swabs from pigs and nasal swabs from humans were enriched in Mueller Hinton broth with 6.5% sodium chloride, followed by phenol red mannitol broth with 75 mg/L aztreonam and 5 mg/L ceftizoxime. The enriched sample was then plated on both CHROMagar MRSA and Brilliance MRSA. All incubation was at 37ºC for approximately 24 h. Suspect MRSA isolates were confirmed as MRSA using the Penicillin-Binding Protein (PBP2a) test kit and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the mecA gene. Resistance of the S. aureus and MRSA isolates to 16 antimicrobial agents was determined using the disc diffusion method. RESULTS Of the 929 pigs and 44 humans sampled, MRSA strains were isolated at a frequency of 0.9% (8/929) and 2.3% (1/44) respectively. All isolates exhibited resistance to one or more of the 16 antimicrobial agents. CONCLUSIONS The study demonstrated that pigs and workers at slaughter houses in Trinidad and Tobago harbour multidrug resistance S. aureus and MRSA. This is of public health significance as occupational exposure of humans can lead to an increased risk of infection and therapeutic failure.
High concentration of β-defensin-2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma

We have previously reported the presence of human beta-defensin-2 (HBD-2), a peptide with antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties, in oral squamous cell carcinomas. The aim of the present study was to measure the concentration of HBD-2 in abnormal tissues such as oral squamous cell carcinomas. HBD-2 was extracted from tissue samples in the presence of retinoic acid and subjected to reversed-phase HPLC. The fraction representing peak 17 (P17) was obtained by elution using a linear gradient of acetonitrile. Amino acid sequencing and homology studies were subsequently performed, and the molecular weight of P17 was calculated to be 432702 daltons. This molecular weight was consistent with HBD-2. The concentration of HBD-2 in the oral squamous cell carcinoma samples was 3.85+/-1.87 microg/mg which was much higher than in normal oral epithelium (0.04+/-0.02 microg/mg).
Learning Pragmatics from ESL & EFL Textbooks: How Likely?.

The textbook is the center of the curriculum and syllabus in most classrooms; however, rarely does it provide enough information for learners to successfully acquire pragmatic competence. This paper reports on a qualitative and quantitative study of 8 English as a Second Language (ESL) and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) textbooks to determine the amount and quality of pragmatic information included. Detailed analysis focused specifically on the use of metalanguage, explicit treatment of speech acts, and metapragmatic information, including discussion(s) of register, illocutionary force, politeness, appropriacy and usage. Findings show that textbooks include a paucity of explicit metapragmatic information, and teachers’ manuals rarely supplement adequately. Teacher surveys show that teachers seldom bring in outside materials related to pragmatics, and thus, learning pragmatics from textbooks is highly unlikely. Implications suggest that textbook developers could include authentic examples of speech acts and sufficient metapragmatic explanations to facilitate acquisition of pragmatic competence.
Assessment of cephalometric changes in pharyngeal airway involving first premolar extractions in Class II Division 1 Patients and Class I bimaxillary protrusion patients treated with fixed mechanother

Introduction: Since the recent paradigm shift is towards the soft tissue considerations, pharyngeal airway evaluation is an important aspect of orthodontic diagnosis as well as treatment planning. Less is known about the effects of extraction of premolars on the pharyngeal airway dimensions in different malocclusions. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate and compare the effects of first premolar extractions on changes in pharyngeal airway in Class II division 1 patients and Class I Bimaxillary protrusion patients treated with fixed mechanotherapy. Methodology: Preand Postorthodontic treatment lateral cephalograms of 40 patients with Class I Bimaxillary Protrusion and Class II Division 1 Malocclusion were chosen and various cephalometric linear and angular measurements were made. Results: All the pharyngeal airway dimensional changes and hyoid bone positions in both the groups were non-significant. Among the other variables, skeletal parameters were not statistically significant but significant findings were found in dentoalveolar measurement indicating the amount of retraction of the anterior teeth. Conclusions: The pharyngeal airway in Class II Division 1 Malocclusion and Class I Bimaxillary Protrusion Malocclusion is not affected by the extractions of the premolars. Further studies by 3-D imaging and dynamic airway resistance studies are required to validate these results.
Finite sample performance of sequential designs for model identification

Classical regression analysis is usually performed in two steps. In the first step, an appropriate model is identified to describe the data generating process and in the second step, statistical inference is performed in the identified model. An intuitively appealing approach to the design of experiment for these different purposes are sequential strategies, which use parts of the sample for model identification and adapt the design according to the outcome of the identification steps. In this article, we investigate the finite sample properties of two sequential design strategies, which were recently proposed in the literature. A detailed comparison of sequential designs for model discrimination in several regression models is given by means of a simulation study. Some non-sequential designs are also included in the study.
Fast and flexible Bayesian species distribution modelling using Gaussian processes

Species distribution modelling (SDM) is widely used in ecology, and predictions of species distributions inform both policy and ecological debates. Therefore, methods with high predictive accuracy and those that enable biological interpretation are preferable. Gaussian processes (GPs) are a highly flexible approach to statistical modelling and have recently been proposed for SDM. GP models fit smooth, but potentially complex response functions that can account for high‐dimensional interactions between predictors. We propose fitting GP SDMs using deterministic numerical approximations, rather than Markov chain Monte Carlo methods in order to make GPs more computationally efficient and easy to use. We introduce GP models and their application to SDM, illustrate how ecological knowledge can be incorporated into GP SDMs via Bayesian priors and formulate a simple GP SDM that can be fitted efficiently. This model can be fitted either by learning the hyperparameters or by using a fixed approximation to them. Using a subset of the North American Breeding Bird Survey data set, we compare the out‐of‐sample predictive accuracy of these models with several commonly used SDM approaches for both presence/absence and presence‐only data. Predictive accuracy of GP SDMs fitted by Laplace approximation was greater than boosted regression trees, generalized additive models (GAMs) and logistic regression when trained on presence/absence data and greater than all of these models plus MaxEnt when trained on presence‐only data. GP SDMs fitted using a fixed approximation to hyperparameters were no less accurate than those with MAP estimation and on average 70 times faster, equivalent in speed to GAMs. As well as having strong predictive power for this data set, GP SDMs offer a convenient method for incorporating prior knowledge of the species' ecology. By fitting these methods using efficient numerical approximations, they may easily be applied to large data sets and automatically for many species. An r package, GRaF, is provided to enable SDM users to fit GP models.
Caracterización química y contenido mineral en vinos comerciales venezolanos

Se evaluaron las caracteristicas quimicas: acidez titulable, pH, acidez volatil, grado alcoholico y dioxido de azufre (libre y total) y el contenido (mg.L -1 ) de los minerales: calcio, cobre, magnesio, sodio y potasio, usando espectrometria ato- mica con llama (FAAS), en ocho muestras comerciales de vinos tintos y blancos (cosecha 2003). Los resultados obtenidos muestran que los parametros evaluados se encuentran dentro del intervalo permisible por las legislaciones nacionales e internacionales asi como valores publicados en estudios previos realizados en vino. No se detectaron cantidades cuantificables de Cu lo que indica su ausencia o contenidos inferiores a los limites de deteccion del estudio (Ld: 0,03ppm). El mineral presente en mayor contenido fue el potasio mientras que el de menor concentracion fue el zinc.
Quantitative volumetric study of brain in chronic striatolenticular stroke

accepted in Oral presentation at EST 4-6 June 2009, Lisbon. Abstract accepted for poster presentation at Organization for Human Brain Mapping, 15th Annual Meeting June 18-23.2009.accepted for poster presentation at Organization for Human Brain Mapping, 15th Annual Meeting June 18-23.2009. Abstract accepted for poster presentation at Association of British Neurologists (ABN), Liverpool 22-26 June 2009.accepted for poster presentation at Association of British Neurologists (ABN), Liverpool 22-26 June 2009.
Identification of Key Genes and Pathways in Cervical Cancer by Bioinformatics Analysis

Cervical cancer is a common malignant tumour of the female reproductive system that seriously threatens the health of women. The aims of this study were to identify key genes and pathways and to illuminate new molecular mechanisms underlying cervical cancer. Altogether, 1829 DEGs were identified, including 794 significantly down-regulated DEGs and 1035 significantly up-regulated DEGs. GO analysis suggested that the up-regulated DEGs were mainly enriched in mitotic cell cycle processes, including DNA replication, organelle fission, chromosome segregation and cell cycle phase transition, and that the down-regulated DEGs were primarily enriched in development and differentiation processes, such as tissue development, epidermis development, skin development, keratinocyte differentiation, epidermal cell differentiation and epithelial cell differentiation. KEGG pathway analysis showed that the DEGs were significantly enriched in cell cycle, DNA replication, the p53 signalling pathway, pathways in cancer and oocyte meiosis. The top 9 hub genes with a high degree of connectivity (over 72 in the PPI network) were down-regulated TSPO, CCND1, and FOS and up-regulated CDK1, TOP2A, CCNB1, PCNA, BIRC5 and MAD2L1. Module analysis indicated that the top 3 modules were significantly enriched in mitotic cell cycle, DNA replication and regulation of cell cycle (P < 0.01). The heat map based on TCGA database preliminarily demonstrated the expression change of the key genes in cervical cancer. GSEA results were basically coincident with the front enrichment analysis results. By comprehensive analysis, we confirmed that cell cycle was a key biological process and a critical driver in cervical cancer. In conclusion, this study identified DEGs and screened the key genes and pathways closely related to cervical cancer by bioinformatics analysis, simultaneously deepening our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the occurrence and progression of cervical cancer. These results might hold promise for finding potential therapeutic targets of cervical cancer.
Factors Influencing Nursing Home Social Workers' Intentions to Quit Employment

ABSTRACT This national study identified factors that affect quitting intentions among nursing home social workers (NHSWs). The findings indicated that greater job involvement and lack of a negative outlook may enhance NHSWs' job satisfaction and organizational commitment and contribute to decreased job search and quitting intent. Also, respondents that experienced less stress and routinization in their work and reported greater amounts of autonomy, equity in pay and benefits, promotional opportunities, and coworker and supervisor support, had decreased levels of quitting intent and job search via greater job satisfaction and organizational commitment. The results imply that changes in job design and greater supervisory and coworker support may encourage NHSWs' retention.
MicroRNA-181 inhibits glioblastoma cell growth by directly targeting CCL8

MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs), including miR-181, are closely linked to the development and progression of glioblastoma. However, the function of miR-181 in glioblastoma has not been fully clarified. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of miR-181 in glioblastoma. miR-181 was revealed to be downregulated in glioblastoma tissues and cell lines, and associated with poor prognosis in patients with glioblastoma. Overexpression of miR-181 inhibited glioblastoma cell proliferation, invasion and migration, arrested glioblastoma cell cycle in the G1 phase and induced glioblastoma cell apoptosis. miR-181 was demonstrated to decrease expression of C-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CCL8) by directly interacting with its 3′-untranslated region. Overexpression of CCL8 inversely reversed the proliferation, invasion and migration-promoting effects of miR-181 in glioblastoma cells. Furthermore, CCL8 was upregulated in glioblastoma tissues and was negatively correlated with miR-181 expression. These results indicate that miR-181 is a potential molecular biomarker or therapeutic target in the clinical management of glioblastoma.
Sperm DNA damage in mice irradiated with various doses of X-rays alone or in combination with actinomycin D or bleomycin sulfate: an in vivo study

Background: DNA damage in male germ cells due to exposure to environmental and manmade physico-chemical genotoxic agents is considered as the main cause of male infertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of combined modalities (radiotherapy and chemotherapy) routinely used for cancer treatment on mouse sperm chromatin in vivo. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight mice were divided into 12 groups: 3 irradiation (1, 2, and 4 Gy), 2 drug [Actinomycin-D (ACTD) and Bleomycin (BLM)], 3 ACTD/irradiation, 3 BLM/irradiation, and a control. Mice received intratesticular injection of 7μg/25 g of Actinomycin-D and Bleomycin before irradiation with X-rays. Forty-eight hours after irradiation, mice were sacrificed and epididymis and testes were removed. Sperm DNA damage was assessed with the use of alkaline comet assay. Moreover, morphology, and motility of sperms were investigated microscopically. Results: Result showed that drug alone had slight but not significant effect on sperm DNA damage, but significantly increased when combined with irradiation. There was a significant difference between the experimental and the control group in DNA sperm damage, but no significant differences were observed in sperm morphology (p>0.05). In the drug+4Gy group, DNA damage increased dramatically compared to the controls (p<0.01), morphology changes increased to about six times that of controls. Conclusion: Results indicate that X-ray induced DNA damage and morphological changes in sperms in a dose dependent manner. Low doses of drugs led to potentiation of radiation effect. This might be indicative of necessity for radiation protection of testes when are in field of radiotherapy.
POPULATION‐BASED OUTCOMES IN LARGE B‐CELL LYMPHOMA BY WHO SUBTYPE: FINDINGS FROM THE UK'S HAEMATOLOGICAL MALIGNANCY RESEARCH NETWORK

reactive BCRs. Moreover, the BCR binding epitope of neurabin-I conjugated to truncated Pseudomonas exotoxin A killed lymphoma cells expressing the respective BCRs. Conclusion: Our results support the role of chronic antigenic stimulation by speicific and posttranslationally modified autoantigens in the pathogenesis of a subgroup of PCNSL. Studies on the frequency of hyper-N-glyocsylated SAMD14/neurabin-I isoforms and of SAMD14/neurabin-I autoantibodies in prospectively collected sera of patients from PCNSL rials are necessary to better determine the “real” proportion of the SAMD14/neurabin-I-reactive subgroup in PCNSL. Finally, different therapeutic concepts for this subgroup will be presented.
Examining the Impact of Technology on Primary Students' Revision of Written Work

This study sought to determine (1) whether revising on paper versus revising on the computer significantly impacted revisions second graders made; (2) whether revising on paper verses the computer affected the change in quality from the first to final draft; (3) whether the cognitive load of transcription, writing speed and spelling ability affected the revisions second graders make when revising on paper and the computer; and (4) whether the cognitive load of transcription affected the change in quality scores when students revise on paper and the computer. 74 second graders from a middle class suburb participated in the study. Students received training on how to use the computer to type and edit texts and completed cognitive load measures on paper and the computer for writing speed and spelling ability. Each of the four classes was assigned to one of two conditions: paper revision, then computer revision or computer revision, then paper revision. Students wrote and revised two stories. Analyses revealed that second grade students made twice the number of revisions on computer than on paper. Analyses of quality indicators determined that students increased word count in both mediums, with a greater increase when revising on paper. Percent of words spelled correctly increased in both mediums, with a greater increase on the computer likely due to the availability of spell check. There was less observed improvement in narrative rubric scores, but these scores improved more on paper than the computer. Cognitive load measures indicated a typing was significantly slower than handwriting, but spelling ability significantly increased on the computer over handwriting. These findings supported previous research. First, the lower cognitive load of writing, with respect to writing speed, lead to a greater increase in word count when revising on paper. Second, the decreased cognitive load of spelling on the computer lead to a greater increase in percent of words spelled correctly on the computer and a higher number of spelling revisions. Overall this study determined that second graders were able to effectively revise texts using paper and the computer.
Waiting time analysis for a queueing system with time‐limited service and exponential timer

We consider a single‐queue with exhaustive or gated time‐limited services and server vacations, in which the length of each service period at the queue is controlled by a timer, i.e., the server serves customers until the timer expires or the queue becomes empty, whichever occurs first, and then takes vacations. The customer whose service is interrupted due to the timer expiration may be attended according to nonpreemptive or preemptive service disciplines. For the M/G/1 exhaustive/gated time‐limited service queueing system with an exponential timer and four typical preemptive/nonpreemptive service disciplines, we derive the Laplace—Stieltjes transforms and the moment formulas for waiting times and sojourn times through a unified approach, and provide some new results for these time‐limited service disciplines. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 48: 638–651, 2001.
Advance directives in geriatric medicine

Advance directives represent the decisions about medical care and treatment that a patient wishes to receive, if unable to express their will. We evaluated the knowledge of elderly caregivers in a geriatric outpatient clinic (n=66), lecturers (n=60) and medical students (n=72) regarding these directives, the intention to create the document, and the conduct during this situation. The results show that only 20% of the participants knew, or at least have an idea of, what these directives are. The majority of terminally ill patients (72%) preferred to die at home, receiving palliative care; 32% preferred dying in a hospital; and 45% agreed to be taken to an intensive care unit. Only 40% opt for this expression of will, even after explanations. More than half (56%) trust that medical teams will respect their decisions, and 83% trust their family members. It is concluded that the subject should be discussed more in society, especially in the fields of teaching and health care.
Internalized HIV Stigma is Associated with Concurrent Viremia and Poor Retention in a Cohort of U.S. Patients in HIV Care

Background: The relationship of internalized HIV stigma to key care cascade metrics in the United States is not well-established using large-scale, geographically diverse data. Setting: Center for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (CNICS) cohort study Methods: Beginning in February 2016, we administered a yearly, validated 4-item internalized HIV stigma scale (response scale 1= strongly disagree to 5=strongly agree, Cronbach’s alpha 0.91) at seven CNICS sites and obtained cohort data through November 2017. We compared mean stigma levels by socio-demographic characteristics and used multivariable logistic regression, controlling for the same socio-demographic covariates, to evaluate the association between mean stigma and: 1) concurrent viremia; 2) missed visits; 3) poor visit constancy. We used inverse probability weighting (IPW) to account for differences between patients who did and did not undergo stigma assessment. Results: Of 13,183 CNICS patients, 6,448 (49%) underwent stigma assessment. Mean stigma was 1.99 (SD 1.07) and 28.6% agreed/strongly agreed with at least one stigma question. Patients <50 years, racial/ethnic minorities, cis-women, and heterosexuals had higher mean stigma. Mean stigma score was associated with concurrent viremia (AOR 1.13, 95% 1.02-1.25, p 0.02), missed visits (AOR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02-1.19, p 0.01), and poor visit constancy, though the effect on visit constancy was attenuated in the IPW model (AOR 1.05, 95% CI 0.98-1.13, p 0.17). Conclusion: Higher internalized HIV stigma had a modest but statistically significant association with concurrent viremia and poor retention in care. Further inquiry with prospective analyses is warranted.