Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Use of a Serotype-Specific DNA Microarray for Identification of Group B Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae)

ABSTRACT Group B Streptococcus (GBS; Streptococcus agalactiae) is an important cause of sepsis and meningitis. Nine GBS serotypes, based on capsular polysaccharide (CPS) antigens, have been described. Their distribution varies worldwide and needs to be monitored to understand the epidemiology of GBS disease and inform the development of vaccines. In this study, we sequenced cpsH of GBS serotype II (cpsHII) and compared it with that of the other eight serotypes to identify serotype-specific regions. We then developed a DNA microarray based on the cpsH gene and used it to test 88 GBS isolates—9 serotype reference strains and 79 clinical isolates—and 7 other bacterial and fungal species which are commonly present in the vagina flora. The microarray was shown to be specific and reproducible. This is the first report of a microarray which can identify the nine GBS serotypes. The use of a microarray has advantages over traditional serotyping methods and will be of practical value in both reference and diagnostic laboratories.
The infant mortality rate in OECD countries - determinants and implications.

In the context of Romaniaâ€™s willingness to access the OECD and given the rising importance of the health status improvement, the present study evaluates the determinants of the infant mortality rate indicator, as a health proxy. Supporting the better health desideratum, this study reviews the literature dealing with the estimation of infant mortality rate through econometric modelling, further examining the relationship between this dependent variable and four classes of exogenous variables: Health expenditures; Healthcare resources; Healthcare activities and Risk factors. After examining both the dependent and the independent variables, the step-wise estimation was carried out, using the Ordinary Least Squares technique, and a Fixed Effects Model as opposed to a Random Effects Model for panel data. The best model was chosen based on goodness-of-fit measures (R-squared, Akaike and Schwartz Info Criterions etc.) after testing for the assumptions of the multiple regression analysis. The p-value of the Student test was verified for each of the dependent variables in order to check for their significance, and the estimated coefficients proved to be significant. The results strengthen the importance of healthcare expenditures and resources on the improvement of the healthcare output. Finding optimal levels of these factors would represent a major point in the literature. Moreover, although the infant mortality rate has maintained a downward trend, it does not necessarily mean that citizens would live better or healthier.
An Average-Based Accounting Approach to Capital Asset Investments: The Case of Project Finance

Abstract Literature and textbooks on capital budgeting endorse net present value (NPV) and generally treat accounting rates of return as not being reliable tools. This paper shows that accounting numbers can be reconciled with NPV and fruitfully employed in real-life applications. Focusing on project finance transactions, an average return on investment (AROI) is drawn from the pro forma financial statements, obtained as the ratio of aggregate income to aggregate book value. We show that such a metric correctly captures a project's economic profitability, as long as it is compared with a comprehensive weighted average cost of capital (WACC) that includes a correction factor that takes account of the capital foregone by the investors. In contrast to the internal rate of return, AROI is unique, and we provide an explicit functional relation that links it to the NPV. The approach holds for levered and unlevered projects, constant and non-constant leverage ratios, and constant and non-constant WACCs.
Fever in the critically ill medical patient

Fever, commonly defined by a temperature of ≥38.3°C (101°F), occurs in approximately one half of patients admitted to intensive care units. Fever may be attributed to both infectious and noninfectious causes, and its development in critically ill adult medical patients is associated with an increased risk for death. Although it is widespread and clinically accepted practice to therapeutically lower temperature in patients with hyperthermic syndromes, patients with marked hyperpyrexia, and selected populations such as those with neurologic impairment, it is controversial whether most medical patients with moderate degrees of fever should be treated with antipyretic or direct cooling therapies. Although treatment of fever may improve patient comfort and reduce metabolic demand, fever is a normal adaptive response to infection and its suppression is potentially harmful. Clinical trials specifically comparing fever management strategies in neurologically intact critically ill medical patients are needed.
Sulcus fluid bone marker levels and the outcome of surgical treatment of peri-implantitis.

AIM To analyse change in selected bone markers in peri-implant sulcus fluid (PISF) sampled before treatment and after 12 months and test correlation with change in disease progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS Peri-implant sulcus fluid was sampled from 32 patients in a randomized, clinical study comparing peri-implant defect re-construction with or without porous titanium granules. Matrix metalloproteinase 8 levels were measured using the Quantikine Human Total MMP-8 (DMP800) ELISA. Multianalyte profiling of the level of bone markers [interleukin-6, osteprotegerin (OPG), osteocalcin, leptin, osteopontin, parathyroid hormone, tumour necrosis factor-α, adiponectin and insulin] was performed by Luminex using Human Bone Panel IB. Changes in bone marker levels were compared and correlation with clinical findings was tested. RESULTS No differences in clinical parameter or bone marker levels between test and control group were found. When comparing bone marker levels irrespective of treatment allocation between baseline and 12 months, a significant reduction in total protein, matrix metalloproteinase -8, interleukin-6, OPG, leptin and adiponectin were demonstrated. Positive correlations were found between the reduction in interleukin-6 (r = 0.43), insulin (r = 0.38) and matrix metalloproteinase-8 (r = 0.47) concentration, and probing pocket depth reduction. CONCLUSION Peri-implantitis surgical treatment induced some reduction of the studied bone markers. Conclusive evidence for correlation between change in bone marker concentrations with disease resolution was not found.
ARTEMIS observations of lunar pick‐up ions in the terrestrial magnetotail lobes

We report observations by the twin‐probe mission ARTEMIS of pick‐up ions of lunar origin obtained during times when the Moon was within the terrestrial magnetotail lobes. These ions were detected as two separate focused beams above the dayside lunar surface. Analysis of these beams has shown that they possess both field‐aligned and field‐perpendicular velocities, implying the presence of electric fields both parallel and perpendicular to the magnetotail lobe magnetic field. We suggest that the sources of these two electric fields are (a) the near‐surface electric field due to the lunar photoelectron sheath and (b) the electric field generated by the magnetotail lobe convection velocity. We use the energy and pitch angle spectra to constrain the source locations and compositions of these ions, and conclude that exospheric ionization of the neutral exosphere is the dominant lunar pick‐up ion production mechanism in the tail lobes.
Expression and mutations of KCNJ5 mRNA in Japanese patients with aldosterone-producing adenomas.

CONTEXT Mutations of the KCNJ5 gene have recently been identified in patients with aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA). OBJECTIVE Our objective was to investigate the expression and mutations of the KCNJ5 gene in Japanese patients with APA. DESIGN AND PATIENTS We sequenced KCNJ5 cDNA and measured KCNJ5 mRNA levels in 23 patients with APA operated on at Gunma University Hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Mutations and mRNA levels of the KCNJ5 gene were examined and compared to those in cortisol-producing adenomas (Cushing's syndrome) and pheochromocytomas. RESULTS Of the 23 patients with APA, 15 (65.2%) had two somatic mutations of the KCNJ5 gene: 12 cases of p.G151R (eight with c.451G>A, and four with c.451G>C) and three cases of p.L168R (c.503T>G). Levels of KCNJ5 mRNA were significantly higher in the APA with mutations than those without. Immunohistochemistry also showed a stronger staining of KCNJ5 on the cell membrane in the tumor with a mutation. Furthermore, a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay with c.503T>G revealed the mutant mRNA to be expressed at a similar level to the wild type. The level of KCNJ5 mRNA in cortisol-producing adenomas was approximately 30% of that in APA, and almost no expression was observed in pheochromocytomas. CONCLUSION We found that: 1) a significant number of patients with APA had somatic mutations of the KCNJ5 gene; 2) KCNJ5 mRNA levels were higher in the APA with KCNJ5 mutations; and 3) the expression of KCNJ5 mRNA was significantly higher in APA than cortisol-producing adenomas and pheochromocytomas.
[Prediction value of blood lipid levels on newly identified carotid plaque in middle-aged and elderly Chinese population].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prediction value of blood lipid levels on the newly-identified carotid plaque in middle-aged and elderly Chinese population. METHODS All study subjects were recruited from two cohorts from 2002 to 2007 [the People's Republic of China/United States of America collaborative study (USA-PRC study) and the Chinese multi-provincial cohort study (CMCS)]. The baseline examination including cardiovascular disease risk factors and B-mode ultrasound of carotid artery was performed in 2002 and the second examination was made in September to October, 2007. The relationship between baseline lipids and carotid plaque incidence was analyzed in a total of 2000 subjects aged 47 to 79 years (mean 63 years). RESULTS (1) During these 5 years, the prevalence of carotid plaque increased from 30.3% to 62.2% and from 21.5% to 51.5% for men and women, respectively. The newly-identified carotid plaque incidence was 41.8% for men and 34.1% for women. (2) The incidence of artery plaque significantly increased in both sexes in proportion to increase of baseline total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), and total to high-density cholesterol ratio (TC/HDL-C) levels (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). (3) Cross-stratification analysis of LDL-C, triglyceride (TG) and HDL-C for carotid plaque incidence indicated the existence of conjoint effects between LDL-C and HDL-C, LDL and TG, as well as between TG and HDL-C, on the increased incidence of carotid plaque. (4) Multi-factorial analysis showed that higher LDL-C, non-HDL-C and TC/HDL-C were independent risk factors for development of new carotid plaque [OR = 1.44 (95%CI = 1.07 - 1.94), OR = 1.45 (95% CI = 1.08 - 1.96), OR = 1.59(95% CI = 1.14 - 2.23) in men;OR = 1.47 (95% CI = 1.13 - 1.92), OR = 1.35 (95% CI = 1.04 - 1.75), OR = 1.64 (95% CI = 1.20 - 2.23) in women]. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of carotid plaque increased rapidly in this cohort between 2002 and 2007. Elevated LDL-C, non-HDL-C and TC/HDL-C levels were independent predictors of newly developed carotid plaque.
Assessment of Drug Prescribing Pattern in Dessie Referral Hospital, Dessie.

Drug use evaluation is a system of ongoing, systematic, criteria-based drug evaluation that ensures the appropriate use of drugs. The main objective of this study was to assess the drug prescribing patterns at Dessie Referral Hospital using some of the WHO core drug use indicators. Institutional based descriptive cross sectional study was conducted from April 28 to May 10, 2013 by reviewing 362 prescription papers which were selected using systematic random sampling technique. The average number of drugs per prescription was 1.8. Out of all prescribed drugs 91.7% were available in the national Essential Drug List (EDL) and 93.9% of them were prescribed by generic name. The percentage of encounters prescribed with an antibiotic and injection were 52.8% and 31%, respectively. The most commonly prescribed forms of antibiotics were amoxicillin (22.2%) and ampicillin (21.3%). Based on the finding of this study, the prescribing practices for antibiotic and injection showed deviation from the standard recommended by WHO. So, there is a clear need for medical education programs which should rationalize the prescribing of antibiotics and injections.
Managers’ Perceptions of Illegal Marijuana Cultivation on U.S. Federal Lands

Illegal marijuana cultivation on public lands is a complex social and ecological concern increasingly encountered by managers and federal officials. The negative ecological impacts of remote marijuana grow sites are in the nascent stages of scientific understanding; therefore, systematic inquiry into management perspectives about this issue lacks examination. Using purposive sampling, researchers interviewed a diversity of administrators, ecologists, and law enforcement professionals (n = 29) from U.S. federal agencies involved in preventing and responding to illegal marijuana cultivation on public lands. Interview data were analyzed using common pool resource design principles (Ostrom 1990) to (a) understand managers’ challenges, successes, ideas, and experiences regarding illegal marijuana cultivation, and (b) highlight specific drivers that prohibit, assist, and influence the prevention, mitigation, and response to this issue. Salient themes from the interviews include management complexity, adequate funding, agency collaboration, ecological impacts, and unknown future challenges associated with legality.
Source Complexity of the 2015 Mw 4.0 Guthrie, Oklahoma Earthquake

We demonstrate the complex source process of a potentially induced Mw 4.0 earthquake near Guthrie, Oklahoma. Relative source time functions (RSTFs), retrieved using a time domain empirical Green's function (EGF) deconvolution method, show clear evidence of rupture complexity with the presence of multiple pulses and systematic azimuthal variations. Directivity analysis reveals a well‐defined rupture propagation at ~120° toward the southeast. Detailed modeling of the RSTFs results in a four‐subevent model spanning ~1 s in time and ~1.5 km in space, in which the earthquake ruptured four successive slip episodes unilaterally to the southeast. Multiple EGF spectral ratio analysis also shows significant complexity as evidenced by azimuth‐dependent deviations from the omega‐square (Brune) model. The observations of the concentration of early aftershocks at the periphery of the inferred rupture model along the rupture direction and amplified ground motions at stations to the southeast can both be well explained by the directivity effect.
Measurement of hydration in the stratum corneum with the MoistureMeter and comparison with the Corneometer

Background/purpose: MoistureMeter is a novel capacitive device for measuring the hydration of stratum corneum (SC). The capacitor ‘plates’ are formed by the probe material and the well‐conducting epidermal–dermal skin layers, while the dry layer of SC acts as an ‘insulator’ of the capacitor. Due to this measurement principle, the measurement depth is not constant, but equal to the thickness of the dry layer of SC. The present study was undertaken to test the MoistureMeter SC‐2 in an experimental setup simulating the uppermost skin structure. The sensitivity of the MoistureMeter was compared with a conventional device Corneometer CM 820 in eight healthy volunteers.
An experimental investigation of burning behaviour of liquid pool fire in corridor-like enclosures

This work aims to investigate the burning behavior of a liquid fuel pool fire in a corridor-like enclosure and to identify the key factors influencing fire development. A series of experiments is conducted in a medium-scale corridor-facade configuration using ethanol pool fires. A new fuel supply system has been developed to keep the fuel level constant to minimize lip effects. The influence of fuel surface area and ventilation factor on the fire development is also investigated. Experimental measurements consist of mass loss, heat release rate, temperatures and heat fluxes inside the corridor. Experimental results indicate that in corridor-like enclosures the fuel burning rate in ventilation-controlled conditions corresponds to about 2/3 of that observed in cubic-like enclosures. The fuel burning rate varies as the temperature distribution in the enclosure changes from uniform, in cubic-like enclosures, to layered, in corridors. The ventilation coefficient value used for the calculation of the inflow rate in corridor-like enclosures during post-flashover conditions is found to decrease with an increase of the ventilation factor.
Biliary atresia: the Brazilian experience.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate epidemiological, clinical and prognostic characteristics of children with biliary atresia. METHODS Data regarding portoenterostomy, liver transplantation (LTx), age at last follow-up and survival were collected from the records of patients followed up in six Brazilian centers (1982-2008) and compared regarding decades of surgery. RESULTS Of 513 patients, 76.4% underwent portoenterostomy [age: 60-94.7 (82.6±32.8) days] and 46.6% underwent LTx. In 69% of cases, LTx followed portoenterostomy, whereas in 31% of cases LTx was performed as the primary surgery. Patients from the Northeast region underwent portoenterostomy later than infants from Southern (p = 0.008) and Southeastern (p = 0.0012) Brazil, although even in the latter two regions age at portoenterostomy was higher than desirable. Over the decades, LTx was increasingly performed. Overall survival was 67.6%. Survival increased over the decades (1980s vs. 1990s, p = 0.002; 1980s vs. 2000s, p < 0.001; 1990s vs. 2000s, p < 0.001). The 4-year post-portoenterostomy survival, with or without LTx, was 73.4%, inversely correlated with age at portoenterostomy (80, 77.7, 60.5% for ≤ 60, 61-90, > 90 days, respectively). Higher survival rates were observed among transplanted patients (88.3%). The 4-year native liver survival was 36.8%, inversely correlated with age at portoenterostomy (54, 33.3, 26.6% for ≤ 60, 61-90, > 90 days, respectively). CONCLUSIONS This multicenter study showed that late referral for biliary atresia is still a problem in Brazil, affecting patient survival. Strategies to enhance earlier referral are currently being developed aiming to decrease the need for liver transplantation in the first years of life.
Lactobacilli vs antibiotics to prevent urinary tract infections: a randomized, double-blind, noninferiority trial in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND Growing antibiotic resistance warrants studying nonantibiotic prophylaxis for recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Use of lactobacilli appears to be promising. METHODS Between January 2005 and August 2007, we randomized 252 postmenopausal women with recurrent UTIs taking part in a double-blind noninferiority trial to receive 12 months of prophylaxis with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, 480 mg, once daily or oral capsules containing 109 colony-forming units of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 twice daily. Primary end points were the mean number of symptomatic UTIs, proportion of participants with at least 1 UTI during 12 months, time to first UTI, and development of antibiotic resistance by Escherichia coli. RESULTS The mean number of symptomatic UTIs in the year preceding randomization was 7.0 in the trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole group and 6.8 in the lactobacilli group. In the intention-to-treat analysis, after 12 months of prophylaxis, these numbers were 2.9 and 3.3, respectively. The between-treatment difference of 0.4 UTIs per year (95% CI, -0.4 to 1.5) was outside our noninferiority margin. At least 1 symptomatic UTI occurred in 69.3% and 79.1% of the trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and lactobacilli participants, respectively; median times to the first UTI were 6 and 3 months, respectively. After 1 month of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis, resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, and amoxicillin had increased from approximately 20% to 40% to approximately 80% to 95% in E coli from the feces and urine of asymptomatic women and among E coli causing a UTI. During the 3 months after trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole discontinuation, resistance levels gradually decreased. Resistance did not increase during lactobacilli prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS In postmenopausal women with recurrent UTIs, L rhamnosus GR-1 and L reuteri RC-14 do not meet the noninferiority criteria in the prevention of UTIs when compared with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. However, unlike trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, lactobacilli do not increase antibiotic resistance. TRIAL REGISTRATION isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN50717094.
Burden of Mortality Attributable to Diagnosed Diabetes: A Nationwide Analysis Based on Claims Data From 65 Million People in Germany

OBJECTIVE In Germany, as in many other countries, nationwide data on mortality attributable to diagnosed diabetes are not available. This study estimated the absolute number of excess deaths associated with diabetes (all types) and type 2 diabetes in Germany. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A prevalence approach that included nationwide routine data from 64.9 million people insured in the German statutory health insurance system in 2010 was used for the calculation. Because nationwide data on diabetes mortality are lacking in Germany, the mortality rate ratio from the Danish National Diabetes Register was used. The absolute number of excess deaths associated with diabetes was calculated as the number of deaths due to diabetes minus the number of deaths due to diabetes with a mortality that was as high as in the population without diabetes. Furthermore, the mortality population-attributable fraction was calculated. RESULTS A total of 174,627 excess deaths were due to diabetes in 2010, including 137,950 due to type 2 diabetes. Overall, 21% of all deaths in Germany were attributable to diabetes and 16% were attributable to type 2 diabetes. Most of the excess deaths (34% each) occurred in the 70- to 89-year-old age-group. CONCLUSIONS In this first nationwide calculation of excess deaths related to diabetes in Germany, the results suggest that the official German estimates that rely on information from death certificates are grossly underestimated. Countries without national cohorts or diabetes registries could easily use this method to estimate the number of excess deaths due to diabetes.