Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular Phylogenetics of Trichostrongylus Species (Nematoda: Trichostrongylidae) from Humans of Mazandaran Province, Iran

The present study was performed to analyze molecularly the phylogenetic positions of human-infecting Trichostrongylus species in Mazandaran Province, Iran, which is an endemic area for trichostrongyliasis. DNA from 7 Trichostrongylus infected stool samples were extracted by using in-house (IH) method. PCR amplification of ITS2-rDNA region was performed, and products were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequence data was performed using MEGA 5.0 software. Six out of 7 isolates had high similarity with Trichostrongylus colubriformis, while the other one showed high homology with Trichostrongylus axei registered in GenBank reference sequences. Intra-specific variations within isolates of T. colubriformis and T. axei amounted to 0–1.8% and 0–0.6%, respectively. Trichostrongylus species obtained in the present study were in a cluster with the relevant reference sequences from previous studies. BLAST analysis indicated that there was 100% homology among all 6 ITS2 sequences of T. colubriformis in the present study and most previously registered sequences of T. colubriformis from human, sheep, and goat isolates from Iran and also human isolates from Laos, Thailand, and France. The ITS2 sequence of T. axei exhibited 99.4% homology with the human isolate of T. axei from Thailand, sheep isolates from New Zealand and Iran, and cattle isolate from USA.
Animated Video vs Pamphlet: Comparing the Success of Educating Parents About Proper Antibiotic Use

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to create an animated video to teach parents about the appropriate use of antibiotics and to compare their knowledge to parents who were provided with the American Academy of Pediatrics pamphlet. We hypothesized that the video format would result in improved comprehension and retention. METHODS: This prospective randomized, controlled trial was conducted in an urban pediatric emergency department. Parent subjects were randomly assigned to a control group, a pamphlet group, and a video group and completed a survey at 3 time points. Analysis included the nonparametric matched Friedman test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and the Mann-Whitney U test. A 2-sided P value of <. 05 was required for significance, and a Bonferroni-corrected P value of <. 017 was required for paired comparisons. RESULTS: Postintervention survey scores improved significantly in the pamphlet and video groups compared with baseline. The video group's follow-up scores were not significantly different from the postintervention-survey scores (P = .32). The pamphlet-group scores at follow-up were significantly lower than the postintervention-survey scores (P = .002). The control group's scores were similar at all 3 time periods. The pamphlet group had significantly better scores than the control group after the intervention (P < .001). The video-group scores exceeded the control-group scores at all 3 time periods. CONCLUSIONS: An animated video is highly effective for educating parents about the appropriate use of antibiotics in the emergency department setting and results in long-term knowledge retention. The results of this study provide a foundation to further evaluate the use of animated video in additional populations.
Heavy Metals in Urban Soils of East St. Louis, IL, Part I: Total Concentration of Heavy Metals in Soils

ABSTRACT The city of East St. Louis, IL, has a history of abundant industrial activities including smelters of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, a coal-fired power plant, companies that produce organic and inorganic chemicals, and petroleum refineries. A protocol for soil analysis was developed to produce sufficient information on the extent of heavy metal contamination in East St. Louis soils. Soil cores representing every borough of East St. Louis were analyzed for heavy metals—As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, and Zn. The topsoil contained heavy metal concentrations as high as 12.5 ppm Cd, 14,400 ppm Cu, ppm quantities of Hg, 1860 ppm Pb, 40 ppm Sb, 1130 ppm Sn, and 10,360 ppm Zn. Concentrations of Sb, Cu, and Cd were well correlated with Zn concentrations, suggesting a similar primary industrial source. In a sandy loam soil from a vacated rail depot near the bank of the Mississippi River, the metals were evenly distributed down to a 38-cm depth. The clay soils within a half-mile downwind of the Zn smelter and Cu products company contained elevated Cd (81 ppm), Cu (340 ppm), Pb (700 ppm), and Zn (6000 ppm) and displayed a systematic drop in concentration of these metals with depth. This study demonstrates the often high concentration of heavy metals heterogeneously distributed in the soil and provides baseline data for continuing studies of heavy metal soil leachability.
Diminished Response to Interleukin-10 and Reduced Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity of Cord Blood Monocyte-Derived Macrophages

Monocyte-derived macrophage (MΦ) subsets are generated by antagonistic induction pathways. A helper MΦ-type (Mh-MΦ) is induced by interferon gamma (IFN-γ), whereas a cytotoxic MΦ-type (Mc-MΦ), induced by interleukin-10 (IL-10), is a potent mediator of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Compared with MΦ from healthy adults [peripheral blood monocyte-derived macrophages (PBMΦ)], cord blood MΦ (CBMΦ) were found less capable of generating Mh-MΦ. Here we tested the hypothesis that their generation of Mc-MΦ via IL-10 is also impaired. MΦ surface markers were phenotyped. IL-10 protein and mRNA production were detected after stimulation [αCD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb)]. CBMΦ or PBMΦ were co-cultured with MΦ-depleted mononuclear cells of adults and CD4-targeting antibodies as models for ADCC were added. In cord blood, we found diminished αCD3-induced IL-10 protein and mRNA production (p < 0.05 versus adults). Basal CD16 and HLA-DR expressions on CBMΦ of preterm and full-term neonates were lower (p < 0.05 versus PBMΦ). IL-10 had reduced effects on CD16 up- and HLA-DR down-modulation on CBMΦ (p < 0.05 versus PBMΦ). CD4-directed receptor modulation and deletion were reduced in the presence of CBMΦ (p < 0.05 versus PBMΦ). IL-10 failed to enhance their ADCC capacity, which was in contrast to PBMΦ (p < 0.05). These data suggest that CBMΦ have an impaired cytotoxic capacity via lower sensitivity toward IL-10.
Smoking cessation among high school seniors.

BACKGROUND Effecting smoking cessation among adolescents provides an opportunity to reduce smoking levels among teens and among the adults those teens are soon to become. Better understanding of high school students' cessation behavior is needed to inform the development of effective strategies to support teen quitting. METHODS Data from 1,210 established smokers among 6,427 12th graders from rural and suburban communities in Washington State were used to determine the frequency of a declared intention to quit, one or more quit attempts in the past year, ongoing quitting, and the attainment of long-term cessation. Logistic regression models investigated the association of these outcomes with the extent of peer smoking, age of becoming a regular smoker, sex, and grade point average (GPA). RESULTS A serious intention to quit was declared by 67% of established smokers, and at least one attempt to quit was made in the past 12 months by 60%. However, only 21% of those who had attempted to quit in the past year were still abstaining at the time of the survey, and overall, merely 3% had achieved cessation beyond 12 months. The likelihood of success of quit attempts was strongly dependent on the extent of smoking among peers. Subjects who had become regular smokers at the youngest ages were more likely to undertake a quit attempt than those who started older. Females were less successful than males in attaining ongoing abstinence. Cessation behavior showed no clear association with students' GPA. CONCLUSIONS A high fraction of high school smokers want to quit, but are unsuccessful in doing so. Thus, there is a need for programs to provide cessation skills to young smokers already motivated to quit.
Electromagnetic Shielding Effectiveness of Steel Sheets with Partly Welded Seams

The effect of single welding flaws on the electromagnetic (EM) effectiveness of welded steel enclosures has been assessed. The possibility of resonant reradiation by these flaws has been examined, using resonance calculations and direct EM measurements. Using these results, a method was developed for assessing shielding quality of hardened military structures, such as SAFEGUARD sites, and EM shielded enclosures. The effect of four formns of incomplete welds on the shielding effectiveness of welded steel enclosures was determined for single flaws. Electromagnetic shielding effectiveness tests (from 10 kHz to 10 GHz) were made on various test specimens of 11-gauge steel plate. These test specimens included butted plates with incomplete welds and plates with single holes and slots cut into them. Tests simulated the worst cases of cracks, lack of fusion, and porosity. Shielding effectiveness as a function of flaw size was determined for each defect, and a critical or transition flaw size was determined for each of three frequency bands and at the 100-dB shielding level for each type defect. The measured results were compared to a calculated resonance response by modeling the flaws as slot antennas.
Saying “no” to professional recommendations: Client values, beliefs, and evidence‐based practice

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to explore the phenomenon of saying “no” to secondary prevention recommended by healthcare providers. Data sourcesExtracted findings from two qualitative studies in which participants have said “no” to provider recommendations for secondary prevention, specifically screening mammograms or treatment for latent tuberculosis infection, are discussed. ConclusionsAlthough these two studies focus on different aspects of secondary prevention, both studies emphasize how client values and beliefs impact health decisions. In evidence-based practice (EBP), both scientific evidence and client values and beliefs must be considered. Nurse practitioners (NPs) have the skill set and are in a position to assist clients to mediate between their values and beliefs and current scientific evidence. Implications for practiceSeveral findings from the two qualitative studies are relevant for practice: qualitative studies provide information about values and beliefs for EBP, and findings from these particular qualitative studies demonstrated that women were protective about their health even though their values and beliefs did not align with current scientific evidence. Through client narratives, NPs can facilitate clients aligning personal values and beliefs with current scientific evidence in relationship to caring for self.
A single‐stranded DNA binding protein required for mitochondrial DNA replication in S. cerevisiae is homologous to E. coli SSB.

It has previously been shown that the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae becomes thermosensitive due to the inactivation of the mitochondrial DNA helicase gene, PIF1. A suppressor of this thermosensitive phenotype was isolated from a wild‐type plasmid library by transforming a pif1 null strain to growth on glycerol at the non‐permissive temperature. This suppressor is a nuclear gene encoding a 135 amino acid protein that is itself essential for mtDNA replication; cells lacking this gene are totally devoid of mtDNA. We therefore named this gene RIM1 for replication in mitochondria. The primary structure of the RIM1 protein is homologous to the single‐stranded DNA binding protein (SSB) from Escherichia coli and to the mitochondrial SSB from Xenopus laevis. The mature RIM1 gene product has been purified from yeast extracts using a DNA unwinding assay dependent upon the DNA helicase activity of SV40 T‐antigen. Direct amino acid sequencing of the protein reveals that RIM1 is a previously uncharacterized SSB. Antibodies against this purified protein localize RIM1 to mitochondria. The SSB encoded by RIM1 is therefore an essential component of the yeast mtDNA replication apparatus.
States' Expectations for Teachers' Knowledge about School Law

Abstract This article presents the results of a study that examined what states expect individuals to know about school law to become licensed to teach. A web-based survey was used to determine the extent to which state certification bureaus use their primary policy levers (licensing standards, transcript review, and mandated assessments) to ensure teacher competency in legal issues. Results indicate that only one state requires a course in school law or legal issues, that about half do not have or cannot identify licensing standards that address school law, and that knowledge of legal issues does not appear to be addressed by state-mandated licensure examinations. Findings suggest that school law is a construct for which minimal competency is expected of teachers in the certification process of most states. The article concludes that those invested in legal literacy should work collaboratively with state certification bureaus and professional organizations to strengthen state standards and assessments. I'm distressed to realize how underrepresented school law is in the State's expectations for teacher preparation. Even though the topics identified on the survey are critical for teachers to know in order to survive in today's classrooms! —State director of teacher certification survey response
Cloning and characterization of iron‐superoxide dismutase in Antarctic yeast strain Rhodotorula mucilaginosa AN5

A novel superoxide dismutase gene from Antarctic yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa AN5 was cloned, sequenced, and then expressed in Escherichia coli. The R. mucilaginosa AN5 SOD (RmFeSOD) gene was 639 bp open reading frame in length, which encoded a protein of 212 amino acids with a deduced molecular mass of 23.5 kDa and a pI of 7.89. RmFeSOD was identified as iron SOD type with a natural status of homodimer. The recombinant RmFeSOD showed good pH stability in the pH 1.0–9.0 after 1 h incubation. Meanwhile, it was found to behave relatively high thermostability, and maintained more than 80% activity at 50 °C for 1 h. By addition of 1 mM metal ions, the enzyme activity increased by Zn2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, and Fe3+, and inhibited only by Mg2+. RmFeSOD showed relatively low tolerance to some compounds, such as PMSF, SDS, Tween‐80, Triton X‐100, DMSO, β‐ME, and urea. However, DTT showed no inhibition to enzyme activity. Using copper stress experiment, the RmFeSOD recombinant E. coli exhibited better growth than non‐recombinant bacteria, which revealed that RmFeSOD might play an important role in the adaptability of heavy metals.
High parathyroid hormone, but not low vitamin D concentrations, expose elderly inpatients to hypertension

Aim: Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations might contribute to blood pressure (BP) levels. Mixed results in previous literature could be due to the failure to consider both these hormones concurrently, despite their long‐known relationship. Our objective was to examine the association of serum intact PTH and 25OHD concentrations with BP levels amongst older inpatients, while accounting for each other.
Crosstalk investigation for optical transport schemes in optical-wireless integrated networks

We investigate the impact of crosstalk between different optical transport schemes for simultaneous delivery of wired and wireless signals in an optical-wireless integrated access network. Our results show that optical tandem single sideband with optical filtering has the best crosstalk performance while the crosstalk in directly modulated VCSEL has to be carefully managed in order to realize a potentially low-cost transmitter in a hybrid optical-wireless integrated base station.
Socio-demographic correlates of desire for HIV testing in Tanzania.

BACKGROUND Over 60% of women and men interviewed in the Tanzania Demographic Health Survey (TDHS) of 1996 and the Tanzania Reproductive and Child Health Survey (TRCHS) of 1999 indicated that they would like to be tested for AIDS virus (HIV-antibody test). This is encouraging in view of the fact that voluntary HIV testing coupled with appropriate counselling is now believed to be quite effective for the prevention of HIV infection. This paper seeks to identify some socio-demographic factors that are associated with desire for HIV testing in Tanzania. METHODS The study used data from the 1999 Tanzania Reproductive and Health Survey in which 4029 women and 3542 men were interviewed. A logistic regression analysis was used to identify correlates of desire for HIV testing for both men and women. RESULTS For both men and women the logistic regression results show that significant correlates of desire for HIV testing are education, residence and knowledge of HIV prevention. In particular the odds of desire for AIDS test were found to be lower for respondents with secondary school education than those with primary school education. The odds were also significantly lower for urban respondents than for rural ones. The findings further show that the odds of desire for having an AIDS test were lowest for respondents with no knowledge of HIV prevention. CONCLUSIONS Strategic campaigns to convince people to go for HIV testing should put more emphasis on radio programmes since these are effective means of communication in rural areas where desire for testing seems to be high. Such programmes should also focus on raising awareness on HIV prevention. HIV testing facilities should also be extended to the rural areas and be offered at affordable prices.
Substance use Among University Undergraduates: A Study of Pattern and Beliefs in Ile-Ife.

OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of substance use and to investigate the relationship between psychosocial variables and current use of psychoactive substances among university undergraduates. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of randomly selected undergraduates of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife was carried out using the WHO drug use questionnaire. RESULTS Alcohol, stimulants, hypnosedatives, tobacco and cannabis with current use prevalence rates of 20.2 %, 17.7%, 9.8%, 9.0% and 8.2 % respectively were the most commonly used substances. Inhalants/organic solvents, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens and pethidine/morphine with current use rates of 3.2%, 2.6%, 2.2%, 1.0% and 0.5% respectively belonged to the 'low - use' category. However, these rates were marginally higher than most previous findings. Five variables (sex, polygamy, living outside the university campus, poor mental health and study difficulty), were significantly associated with the use of many of the substances. Also, perceived harmfulness was observed to be a possible deterrent to substance use and most users were engaged in the use of cheap and easily available substances. CONCLUSION The observations are largely similar to those from other locations in Nigeria and may therefore be useful in preventive programmes.
Effect of capacitive energy storage on automatic generation control

In the present work, the effect of a small rating capacitive energy storage (CES) unit on automatic generation control (AGC) of a two area interconnected power system is studied for the improvement of dynamic performance. Time domain simulations are used to study the performance of multi-unit multi-area system in the presence of GRC without and with CES units. Gain settings of integral controller are optimized using the integral square error (ISE) technique. Results reveal that a small capacity CES unit is quite capable of improving the dynamic performance of AGC following a step load disturbance
Interleukin 28B-related polymorphisms: a pathway for understanding hepatitis C virus infection?

AIM To analyze the role of rs12979860 and rs8099917 polymorphisms in hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infection of Brazilians. METHODS A total of 145 adult patients diagnosed with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) who had completed a 48-wk regimen of pegylated-interferon α-2a or -2b plus ribavirin combination therapy were recruited from six large urban healthcare centers and 199 healthy blood donors (controls) from a single site between January 2010 and January 2012. Data on the patients' response to treatment was collected. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism genotyping of the interleukin (IL)28B gene fragment encompassing the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs12979860 (C/T) and rs8099917 (T/G) was carried out for 79 of the CHC patients and 199 of the controls. Bi-directional amplicon sequencing of the two SNPs was carried out for the remaining 66 CHC patients. RESULTS SNP rs12979860 genotyping was successful in 99.5% of the controls and 97.2% of the CHC patients, whereas the SNP rs8099917 genotyping was successful in 95.5% of the controls and 100% of the CHC patients. The genotype and allele distributions for both rs12979860 and rs8099917 were significantly different between the control and CHC patient groups, with significantly higher genotype frequencies of CC and TT in the controls (P = 0.037 and 0.046, respectively) and of TT and GG in the CHC patients (P = 0.0009 and 0.0001, respectively). Analysis of the CHC patients who achieved sustained virological response (SVR) to treatment (n = 55) indicated that the rs12979860 C allele and CC genotype were predictors of SVR (P = 0.02). No significant correlation was found between rs8099917 genotypes and treatment response, but carriers of the T allele showed significantly higher rates of SVR (P = 0.02). Linkage disequilibrium analysis of the group that achieved SVR showed a significant association between rs12979860 and rs8099917 (P = 0.07). CONCLUSION The higher allele frequency of rs12979860 C and rs8099917 T observed in non-HCV-infected individuals may indicate a potential protective role for these IL28B-related polymorphisms.
Abnormalities in liver enzyme levels during Salmonella enteritidis enterocolitis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prevalence, associated factors, and time-course changes of abnormal liver enzyme serum levels in adult patients with Salmonella enteritidis enterocolitis. METHODS The clinical records of 104 patients (age range 15-86 years, 46.2% males) admitted to hospital because of S. enteritidis enterocolitis were reviewed. The prevalence of abnormal liver enzyme levels was evaluated, as well as its possible relationship to data of systemic inflammatory response, severe sepsis, and bacteremia. In addition, time-course changes in serum levels of liver enzymes were studied in 16 cases with available follow-up after hospital discharge. RESULTS In patients without a pre-existing cause for liver enzyme abnormalities (n = 84), the prevalence of serum AST elevation was 23.0% (95% CI 15.4-34.5%), of serum ALT elevation was 17.9% (95% CI 0.6-20.0%), and of GGT elevation was 19.0% (95% CI 11.6-29.3%). The prevalence of abnormality for any of these enzymes (AST, ALT, or GGT) was 35.7% (95% CI 25.7-46.8%). The prevalence of altered serum alkaline phosphatase was lower. Alteration in liver enzyme serum levels was moderate in the majority of cases, and was found in association with the presence of fever. Serum enzyme levels decreased during the convalescence period after hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS Abnormalities in liver enzyme levels are frequent during severe enterocolitis due to S. enteritidis in adult patients. These abnormalities are moderate and self-limited.