Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinicomycological Study of Dermatophytosis in South India

Introduction: Dermatophytic infections are commonly encountered a problem and constitute more than 50% of cases in dermatology outpatient departments. Diagnosis of these infections requires the proper use of laboratory methods. Objectives: This study was conducted to know the etiology of dermatophytosis in patients attending Tertiary Care Level Hospital in South India and to compare the efficacy of Sabouraud's dextrose agar (SDA) with actidione and dermatophyte test medium (DTM) in isolating and identifying dermatophytes. Materials and Methods: A total of 110 samples which included 101 skin samples and 9 hair samples from clinically suspected dermatophytosis were collected. Direct microscopy by KOH and culture on SDA with actidione and DTM were done. Results: Of 110 samples collected, 58.18% were KOH positive for fungal filaments and 56.36% were culture positive for dermatophytes. More number of cases were observed between age groups of 21–40 years. Males were more affected compared to females. Tinea corporis was the common clinical presentation observed (40%). Trichophyton rubrum. (58.06%) was the predominant isolate recovered in all clinical presentations but Trichophyton violaceum was the most common isolate in tinea capitis. All culture positives were grown on both SDA with actidione and DTM. Appearance of growth was earlier on DTM that is, within 10 days compared to SDA with actidione where growth started appearing only after 10 days. This is statistically significantP < 0.0001 (c2 = 71.6). Species level identification on primary isolation was possible when grown on SDA with actidione and it was not possible with the growth on DTM on primary isolation. Conclusion: DTM is a good screening medium in laboratory diagnosis of dermatophytosis when compared to SDA with actidione. But DTM is inferior to SDA with actidione in identification of dermatophyte species.
Does the Heterogeneity of Project Implementers Affect the Programme Participation of Beneficiaries?: Evidence from Rural Cambodia

Abstract This study employs the dataset collected for the assessment of a post-harvest technology project in rural Cambodia and focuses on the heterogeneous preferences of project implementers, frequently overlooked in the literature on programme evaluation studies. We focus on the ‘implementer effect’ on the programme participation of the treated farmers. We demonstrate that the heterogeneous programme participation of ordinary farmers could be induced due to heterogeneity in the characteristics of the project staff. In particular, we indicate that the baseline altruism of the project staff, measured by the dictator game, consistently increases the participation rate and the number of participations in the training sessions of beneficiaries. This type of heterogeneity in project staffs’ preferences across treatment sites could be a source of treatment heterogeneity for programmes conducted at a certain cluster level. While few studies have focused on the heterogeneity of programme implementers, our empirical results indicate that the preference of implementers could be a source of treatment heterogeneity and imply the importance of implementation of an actual project.
Physical Therapy–Driven Quality Improvement to Promote Early Mobility in the Intensive Care Unit

Growing evidence shows that early mobilization of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) is a safe and cost-effective strategy to improve patient outcomes. However, in ICUs where early mobilization has not been practiced, its adoption requires culture change by the multidisciplinary team, including physical therapists, nurses, respiratory therapists, and physicians. We describe a physical therapist–led program to introduce such changes in a medical-surgical and a cardiovascular ICU. Interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary meetings and education sessions informed critical care team members about early mobilization and encouraged knowledge sharing for safety and effectiveness. A lead physical therapist was appointed to advocate for early mobility and developed solutions to overcome the identified barriers. After the initiation of this program, the number of ICU patients receiving physical therapy evaluations increased from 364 in 2011–2012 to 542 in 2012–2013. In this article, we describe our experience from 21 patients who underwent early mobilization. A physical therapist–led initiative can help establish an ICU culture that supports early mobilization, but the change is slow and requires interdisciplinary collaboration to identify and overcome barriers.
Heme-Responsive Transcriptional Activation of Bordetella bhu Genes

ABSTRACT Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella bronchiseptica, gram-negative respiratory pathogens of mammals, possess a heme iron utilization system encoded by the bhuRSTUV genes. Preliminary evidence suggested that expression of the BhuR heme receptor was stimulated by the presence of heme under iron-limiting conditions. The hurIR (heme uptake regulator) genes were previously identified upstream of the bhuRSTUV gene cluster and are predicted to encode homologs of members of the iron starvation subfamily of extracytoplasmic function (ECF) regulators. In this study, B. pertussis and B. bronchiseptica ΔhurI mutants, predicted to lack an ECF σ factor, were constructed and found to be deficient in the utilization of hemin and hemoglobin. Genetic complementation of ΔhurI strains with plasmid-borne hurI restored wild-type levels of heme utilization. B. bronchiseptica ΔhurI mutant BRM23 was defective in heme-responsive production of the BhuR heme receptor; hurI in trans restored heme-inducible BhuR expression to the mutant and resulted in BhuR overproduction. Transcriptional analyses with bhuR-lacZ fusion plasmids confirmed that bhuR transcription was activated in iron-starved cells in response to heme compounds. Heme-responsive bhuR transcription was not observed in mutant BRM23, indicating that hurI is required for positive regulation of bhu gene expression. Furthermore, bhuR was required for heme-inducible bhu gene activation, supporting the hypothesis that positive regulation of bhuRSTUV occurs by a surface signaling mechanism involving the heme-iron receptor BhuR.
Some clinico‐pathological changes associated with the aqueous extract of the leaves of Phyllanthus amarus in rats

The pathological changes of the aqueous crude extract of the leaves of Phyllanthus amarus were studied in 32 male rats over a period of 30 days. The animals were divided into four groups of eight animals per group. The aqueous crude extract was prepared and administered orally using a cannula to rats in three groups receiving doses of 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg but the fourth group served as a control and received distilled water only. Blood samples were collected for haematological and serum biochemical analysis. Organs such as the liver, kidney, testes and pancreas were also assessed for histopathological changes. The study showed that the extract caused a decrease in the red blood cell (RBC) count, packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), but an increase in the white blood cell (WBC) count. The extract also resulted in an increase in the levels of aspartate amino transferase (AST), total and conjugated bilirubin, total protein and albumin. The study, however, caused a decrease in the level of alanine amino transferase (ALT). Histopathologically, there were cases of protein casts in the kidney tubules with tubular nephrosis, foci of lymphocytic infiltration at the portal areas of the liver as well as marked testicular degeneration with severe disorganization of seminiferous tubules, which were devoid of spermatic cells. A reduction in the weight of the experimental animals was also noted in this study. It thus shows that Phyllanthus amarus has potential toxic properties. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tis21 Knock-Out Enhances the Frequency of Medulloblastoma in Patched1 Heterozygous Mice by Inhibiting the Cxcl3-Dependent Migration of Cerebellar Neurons

A failure in the control of proliferation of cerebellar granule neuron precursor cells (GCPs), located in the external granular layer (EGL) of the cerebellum, gives rise to medulloblastoma. To investigate the process of neoplastic transformation of GCPs, we generated a new medulloblastoma model by crossing Patched1 heterozygous mice, which develop medulloblastomas with low frequency, with mice lacking the Tis21 gene. Overexpression of Tis21 is known to inhibit proliferation and trigger differentiation of GCPs; its expression decreases in human medulloblastomas. Double-knock-out mice show a striking increase in the frequency of medulloblastomas and hyperplastic EGL lesions, formed by preneoplastic GCPs. Tis21 deletion does not affect the proliferation of GCPs but inhibits their differentiation and, chiefly, their intrinsic ability to migrate outside the EGL. This defect of migration may represent an important step in medulloblastoma formation, as GCPs, remaining longer in the EGL proliferative niche, may become more prone to transformation. By genome-wide analysis, we identified the chemokine Cxcl3 as a target of Tis21. Cxcl3 is downregulated in Tis21-null GCPs of EGL and lesions; addition of Cxcl3 to cerebellar slices rescues the defective migration of Tis21-null GCPs and, remarkably, reduces the area of hyperplastic lesions. As Tis21 activates Cxcl3 transcription, our results suggest that Tis21 induces migration of GCPs through Cxcl3, which may represent a novel target for medulloblastoma therapy.
Shared Vulnerability in Professional Learning: Growing Instructional Coaches in a Culture of PDS Partnership.

In a school district context where a well-developed district-wide PDS partnership had been in operation for more than 15 years, a team of instructional coaches was formed of district teachers who left their classrooms for two to four years under the leadership of a curriculum coordinator. In this article, members of the coaching team offer illustrations of their experiences learning to coach in a PDS context. Using principles of coaching as partnership (Knight, 2007), they argue that a prevailing culture supported by the PDS history provided conditions in which shared vulnerability—and consequently, coaching—was possible. NAPDS Essentials Addressed: #1/A comprehensive mission that is broader in its outreach and scope than the mission of any partner and that furthers the education profession and its responsibility to advance equity within schools and, by potential extension, the broader community; #2/A school-university culture committed to the preparation of future educators that embraces their active engagement in the school community; #3/Ongoing and reciprocal professional development for all participants guided by need; #4/A shared commitment to innovative and reflective practice by all participants
Mechanisms of surface morphology formation during Ge growth on Si(100) at high temperatures

The formation of island ensembles during the Ge deposition on the Si(100) surface at high temperatures is studied using scanning tunneling and electron microscopies. It is found that the island size and shape distributions, which are known to be bimodal at the Ge growth temperatures below 700°C, become monomodal at temperatures above 800°C. The strain relaxation processes at temperatures below 800°C usually occurs by means of the mass transfer from small to neighboring large islands, leading to highly inhomogeneous island distributions in size and along the surface. The monomodal island size distribution is formed under a Ge deposition flux in the conditions of a long deposited-atom surface diffusion length, which provides the atom incorporation in the most preferable surface places. This produces islands to be uniform in size and homogeneously distributed along the surface.
Evaluation of protective and restoring effects of a mixture of silanols on photoaging. Use of a device allowing the quantification of contractile strengths of human fibroblasts after UVA irradiation

Chronic sun exposure and especially UVA wavelengths are responsible for long‐term clinical skin changes such as photoageing and photocancers. The objectives of the present study were to analyse the contractile activity of fibroblasts irradiated with several doses of UVA and to evaluate the preventive, protective and restoring effects of a mixture of monomethylsilanetriol mannuronate and dimethylsilanediol salicylate. The forces generated by fibroblasts in tense collagen lattices were quantified using Glasbox device before and after UVA irradiation and the addition of a mixture of monomethylsilanetriol mannuronate and dimethylsilanediol salicylate. The production of collagen was also evaluated before and after irradiation and with and without the presence of a mixture of monomethylsilanetriol mannuronate and dimethylsilanediol salicylate. A dose of 3 J cm−² of UVA showed more than 50% of mortality in fibroblast population after 48 h and significant decreases in contractile forces developed by irradiated fibroblasts and collagen I production. One percentage of a mixture of monomethylsilanetriol mannuronate and dimethylsilanediol salicylate protected fibroblasts from UVA irradiation and made it possible to restore their capacity to the same level as fibroblasts that were not irradiated. It also tended to restore the capacity to synthesize collagen I. These results show that the use of the new device Glasbox makes it possible to evaluate a possible preventive and repairing effect of a cosmetic functional active on photoageing.
Relationship of osteopontin and renal function with severity of coronary artery lesions.

AIM To explore the relationship of plasma osteopontin (OPN) level and renal function with severity of coronary artery lesions. METHODS OPN level and renal function were detected and compared in 210 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD group) and 134 patients without coronary heart disease (control group) to analyze the relationship of osteopontin and renal function with severity of coronary artery lesions. RESULTS Plasma OPN and creatinine level were significantly higher in CHD group than those in control group (P<0.01), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was lower in CHD group than that in control group (P<0.01). The proportions of multi-vessel lesion and moderate to severe decreased renal function were higher in patients with high osteopontin than those in patients with low osteopontin (P<0.05), and the proportion of multi-vessel lesion was higher in patients with moderate to severe decreased renal function than that in normal renal function (P<0.05). Osteopontin and renal failure were the independent risk factors for coronary heart disease. CONCLUSIONS Plasma OPN level is associated with renal failure, both of which are correlated with the severity of coronary artery lesions.
High‐fat diet acutely affects circadian organisation and eating behavior

The organisation of timing in mammalian circadian clocks optimally coordinates behavior and physiology with daily environmental cycles. Chronic consumption of a high‐fat diet alters circadian rhythms, but the acute effects on circadian organisation are unknown. To investigate the proximate effects of a high‐fat diet on circadian physiology, we examined the phase relationship between central and peripheral clocks in mice fed a high‐fat diet for 1 week. By 7 days, the phase of the liver rhythm was markedly advanced (by 5 h), whereas rhythms in other tissues were not affected. In addition, immediately upon consumption of a high‐fat diet, the daily rhythm of eating behavior was altered. As the tissue rhythm of the suprachiasmatic nucleus was not affected by 1 week of high‐fat diet consumption, the brain nuclei mediating the effect of a high‐fat diet on eating behavior are likely to be downstream of the suprachiasmatic nucleus.
Blood pressure and glucose control in subjects with diabetes: new analyses from ADVANCE

Objectives To evaluate among individuals with diabetes whether major microvascular and macrovascular events are reduced by: (1) blood pressure lowering with a perindopril/indapamide combination compared with placebo; (2) intensive glucose control (targeting a haemoglobin A1c level of ≤6.5%) with a gliclazide MR-based regimen, compared with usual care. Methods Participants with diabetes aged 55 years and older with at least one additional vascular risk factor were randomly assigned, using a 2 × 2 factorial design, to additional blood pressure lowering versus placebo and intensive versus standard glucose control. The primary outcomes were macrovascular (cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke) and microvascular (new or worsening nephropathy or retinopathy) events jointly and separately. Results A total of 11 140 participants were randomly assigned to the blood pressure and glucose-lowering arms, which ended after 4.3 and 5.5 years, respectively. The effects of the two interventions were independent and additive on prespecified endpoints. Compared with placebo, additional blood pressure lowering of 5.6/2.2 mmHg was associated with reductions of 9% in the primary endpoint (P = 0.041), 18% in cardiovascular death (P = 0.027), 14% in total mortality (P = 0.025), and 21% in total renal events (P < 0.01). Compared with standard glucose control, intensive control (mean in-trial 0.67 percentage point reduction in haemoglobin A1c level) was associated with reductions of 10% in the primary endpoint (P = 0.013), 14% in major microvascular events (P = 0.01) and 11% in total renal events (P < 0.001). Conclusion Additional blood pressure lowering and intensive glucose control, as achieved in ADVANCE, produce independent benefits and, when combined, substantially reduced cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality and improved renal outcomes.
Cortical Areas Involved in Numerical Processing: An Intraoperative Electrostimulation Study

Background: Numerical processing is important in our everyday lives. However, very few attempts have been made to map the numerical processing function areas during lesion surgery. Objective: To identify and protect the cortical areas involved in numerical processing, the authors used the intraoperative brain mapping approach to study numerical processing areas in patients with parietal lobe tumors. Methods: During resection in patients with parietal lobe tumors, local anesthesia was administered and numerical processing mapping was performed. Our mapping procedures were conducted before glioma removal and included somatosensory, language and numerical processing tasks. We focused on the numerical processing task. Results: Different brain sites within the parietal lobe were detected to be specifically related to multiplication or subtraction processing. They displayed precise spatial distribution and overlapped with each other. No brain sites were found to be specifically related to numerical processing in the right hemisphere. Conclusions: To improve the quality of resection while minimizing the neurological deficits, functional boundaries of numerical processing areas should be considered during the removal of a parietal low-grade glioma. Moreover, only the left intraparietal sulcus is necessary for numerical processing, whereas the right intraparietal sulcus does not appear to be critically involved in numerical processing.
Trehalose: A Cryoprotectant That Enhances Recovery and Preserves Function of Human Pancreatic Islets After Long-Term Storage

The scarcity of available tissue for transplantation in diabetes and the need for multiple donors make it mandatory to use an optimal cryopreservation method that allows maximal recovery and preservation of β-cell function. We have developed a method to cryopreserve islets with excellent survival of endocrine cells. Current methods use DMSO as cryoprotectant. Our method involves introducing both DMSO and the disaccharide trehalose into the cells during cooling. Uptake and release of trehalose occurred during the thermotropic lipid-phase transition measured in pancreatic endocrine cells between 5° and 9°C, using [14C]trehalose. Recovery of adult islets after cryopreservation with 300 mmol/l trehalose was 92 vs. 58% using DMSO alone. In vitro function, in terms of insulin content and release in response to secretagogues, was indistinguishable from fresh islets. Grafts from islets cryopreserved with trehalose contained 14-fold more insulin than grafts from islets cryopreserved without trehalose. Results with human fetal islet-like cell clusters (ICCs) were more pronounced: recovery from cryopreservation was 94%, compared with 42% without trehalose. Complete functionality of fetal cells was also restored; tritiated thymidine incorporation and insulin content and release were similar to fresh tissue. After transplantation in nude mice, there was a 15-fold increase in insulin content of grafts from ICCs cryopreserved with trehalose compared with ICCs cryopreserved without trehalose. Thus, the addition of trehalose to cryopreservation protocols leads to previously unobtainable survival rates of human pancreatic endocrine tissue.
Identifying salient attributes of peer-to-peer accommodation experience

ABSTRACT This study explores key content and themes from online reviews to explain major service attributes of peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation sought by guests. The results from lexical analyses indicate that attributes frequently mentioned in guest reviews are associated with location (proximity to point of interest and characteristics of neighborhood), host (service and hospitality), and property (facilities and atmosphere). Reviews focusing on location and feeling welcome are consistently linked with higher rating scores, including accuracy, cleanliness, check-in, communication, value, and overall ratings. This confirms that P2P accommodation appeals to consumers who are driven by experiential and social motivations. Marketing implications are provided.