Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Emergence of domestically acquired ceftriaxone-resistant Salmonella infections associated with AmpC beta-lactamase.

CONTEXT Ceftriaxone, an expanded-spectrum cephalosporin, is an antimicrobial agent commonly used to treat severe Salmonella infections, especially in children. Ceftriaxone-resistant Salmonella infections have recently been reported in the United States, but the extent of the problem is unknown. OBJECTIVES To summarize national surveillance data for ceftriaxone-resistant Salmonella infections in the United States and to describe mechanisms of resistance. DESIGN AND SETTING Case series and laboratory evaluation of human isolates submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 17 state and community health departments participating in the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) for enteric bacteria between 1996 and 1998. PATIENTS Patients with ceftriaxone-resistant Salmonella infections between 1996 and 1998 were interviewed and isolates with decreased ceftriaxone susceptibility were further characterized. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Exposures and illness outcomes, mechanisms of resistance. RESULTS The prevalence of ceftriaxone-resistant Salmonella was 0.1% (1 of 1326) in 1996, 0.4% (5 of 1301) in 1997, and 0.5% (7 of 1466) in 1998. Ten (77%) of the 13 patients with ceftriaxone-resistant infections were aged 18 years or younger. The patients lived in 8 states (California, Colorado, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, and Oregon). Nine (82%) of 11 patients interviewed did not take antimicrobial agents and 10 (91%) did not travel outside the United States before illness onset. Twelve of the 15 Salmonella isolates with ceftriaxone minimum inhibitory concentrations of 16 microg/mL or higher were serotype Typhimurium but these isolates had different pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns. Thirteen of these 15 isolates collected between 1996 and 1998 were positive for a 631-base pair polymerase chain reaction product obtained by using primers specific for the ampC gene of Citrobacter freundii. CONCLUSIONS Domestically acquired ceftriaxone-resistant Salmonella has emerged in the United States. Most ceftriaxone-resistant Salmonella isolates had similar AmpC plasmid-mediated resistance.
Postconditioning Modulates Ischemia-damaged Mitochondria During Reperfusion

Abstract Cardiac ischemia damages the mitochondrial electron transport chain and the damage persists during reperfusion. Ischemic postconditioning (PC), applied during early reperfusion, decreases cardiac injury. This finding suggests that the ischemia-damaged mitochondria can be regulated to decrease cardiac injury. The reversible blockade of electron transport during ischemia prevents damage to mitochondria. We propose that the targets of PC cytoprotective signaling are mitochondria damaged by ischemia. Thus, if ischemia-mediated mitochondrial damage is prevented, PC at the onset of reperfusion will not result in additional protection. Isolated, Langendorff-perfused adult rat hearts underwent 25-minute global ischemia and 30-minute reperfusion. Amobarbital (2.5 mM) was used to reversibly inhibit electron transport during ischemia. PC (6 cycles of 10-second ischemia–reperfusion) was applied at the onset of reperfusion. Subsarcolemmal and interfibrillar mitochondria were isolated after reperfusion. Blockade of electron transport with amobarbital only during ischemia preserved oxidative phosphorylation and decreased myocardial injury. PC, after untreated ischemia, decreased cardiac injury without improvement of oxidative phosphorylation. Blockade of electron transport during ischemia or PC improved calcium tolerance and inner membrane potential in subsarcolemmal mitochondria after reperfusion. In hearts treated with amobarbital before ischemia, PC did not provide further protection. Thus, PC protects myocardium via the regulation of ischemia-damaged mitochondria during early reperfusion.
Reflex fluorescent in situ hybridization testing for unsuccessful product of conception cultures: A retrospective analysis of 5555 samples attempted by conventional cytogenetics and fluorescent in situ hybridization

Introduction: The use of chromosome analysis on products of conception from spontaneous abortions is recommended to identify a genetic etiology. However, 20% of products of conception cultures are unsuccessful due to microbial contamination or lack of viable dividing cells. Our laboratory implemented a reflex fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) assay to detect numeric chromosome abnormalities for unsuccessful cultures.Materials and Methods: All products of conception samples were simultaneously processed for both chromosome analysis and FISH analysis. If the chromosome analysis was unsuccessful, interphase FISH was performed for chromosomes 13, 16, 18, 21, 22, X, and Y. To assess the performance of the FISH assay, a 3-year retrospective comparative analysis of the FISH results versus chromosome results was performed.Results: Of 5555 total specimens, 4189 (75%) represented chorionic villi/fetal tissue and 1366 (25%) represented tissue of unidentified origin. Of the 1189 tissues of unidentified origin with chromosome or FISH results, 1096 (92%) were XX, indicating that the majority of these tissues are likely maternal in origin. Of the 3361 successful chromosome studies on the chorionic villi/fetal tissue specimens, 1734 (52%) samples had a chromosome abnormality. Of the 762 successful FISH studies on chorionic villi/fetal tissue specimens that were unsuccessful by chromosome studies, 181 (25%) had an abnormal result with the targeted FISH panel. Overall, the FISH panel detected approximately 70% of the chromosome abnormalities in products of conception detectable by karyotype. When the FISH panel results were combined with chromosome analysis for the 4189 chorionic villi/fetal tissue specimens, the overall abnormality rate is 47%. Conclusions: Our reflex FISH assay proved useful for the detection of common chromosome aneuploidies in products of conception samples that failed conventional chromosome analysis. Because of its limited view of the genome, cautious interpretation of FISH results is required for all samples, in particular, trisomy of an acrocentric chromosome, which may represent a Robertsonian translocation. An algorithmic approach to the genetic evaluation of products of conception specimens, with the potential for initial evaluation by a FISH panel, may be warranted.
Microbes participated in macrophyte leaf litters decomposition in freshwater habitat

ABSTRACT Knowledge of aquatic microbes involved in macrophyte leaf litter decomposition is still scarce in freshwater lakes. In situ experiments (150 days) were conducted to study the decomposition processes of macrophyte leaf litters: Zizania latifolia (Zl), Hydrilla verticillata (Hv) and Nymphoides peltata (Np). The decomposition of Np leaf litter was fastest, whereas Zl was slowest. The alpha diversity of both bacterial and fungal communities significantly increased, and their community structures showed significant variations over time. For bacteria, the relative abundance of Gammaproteobacteria decreased, whereas that of Firmicutes, Betaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria increased. The dominant fungal phylum Cryptomycota increased significantly in all of the three macrophytes. Both bacteria and fungi were significantly correlated with the dynamics of total phosphorous in the water and the carbon content of the leaf litters. The dynamics of nitrogen content, phosphorous content and N/P ratio of the leaf litters have more influences on fungal communities than on bacteria. In addition, cellulase and xylanase activities were significantly correlated with bacterial and fungal communities, respectively, thereby reflecting the niches differentiation and cooperation between bacteria and fungi on litter decomposition. This work contributes to the understanding of microbially involved carbon and nutrient cycling in macrophyte‐dominated freshwater ecosystems.
Gender differences in the oxygen transport system during maximal exercise in hypertensive subjects.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To analyze gender differences in the oxygen transport system at peak exercise with particular emphasis on the difference in systemic arteriovenous oxygen extraction and in mixed venous oxygen saturation. PATIENTS AND METHODS Cardiopulmonary graded exercise testing and hemodynamic assessment were performed on a cycle ergometer in 64 hypertensive patients (32 female and 32 male) varying in age from 23 to 64 years. Female and male patients were matched for age and BP. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Peak oxygen uptake was significantly lower in women than in men, and when expressed in absolute units (L/min: -39%) and when normalized for body mass (mL/min/kg: -33%) or statistically adjusted for height and weight (-29%). This resulted essentially from a significantly lower cardiac output in women, both when expressed in absolute units and when adjusted for body size. At the peripheral level, female patients had a lower arteriovenous oxygen content difference at peak exercise, which resulted from a lower hemoglobin concentration and the inability to decrease mixed venous oxygen saturation to the same level as in men. CONCLUSION The lower peak oxygen uptake of women results from both central and peripheral factors. The significantly higher value for mixed venous oxygen saturation, which contributes to the lower arteriovenous oxygen difference of women, could result from their smaller muscle mass, lower capillary density, and lower oxidative potential.
Binding of zinc(II) and copper(II) to the full‐length Alzheimer’s amyloid‐β peptide

There is evidence that binding of metal ions like Zn2+ and Cu2+ to amyloid beta‐peptides (Αβ) may contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Cu2+ and Zn2+ form complexes with Αβ peptides in vitro; however, the published metal‐binding affinities of Αβ vary in an enormously large range. We studied the interactions of Cu2+ and Zn2+ with monomeric Αβ40 under different conditions using intrinsic Αβ fluorescence and metal‐selective fluorescent dyes. We showed that Cu2+ forms a stable and soluble 1 : 1 complex with Αβ40, however, buffer compounds act as competitive copper‐binding ligands and affect the apparent KD. Buffer‐independent conditional KD for Cu(II)‐Αβ40 complex at pH 7.4 is equal to 0.035 μmol/L. Interaction of Αβ40 with Zn2+ is more complicated as partial aggregation of the peptide occurs during zinc titration experiment and in the same time period (within 30 min) the initial Zn‐Αβ40 complex (KD = 60 μmol/L) undergoes a transition to a more tight complex with KD ∼ 2 μmol/L Competition of Αβ40 with ion‐selective fluorescent dyes Phen Green and Zincon showed that the KD values determined from intrinsic fluorescence of Αβ correspond to the binding of the first Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions to the peptide with the highest affinity. Interaction of both Zn2+ and Cu2+ ions with Αβ peptides may occur in brain areas affected by Alzheimer’s disease and Zn2+‐induced transition in the peptide structure might contribute to amyloid plaque formation.
Reduction of the risk of transfusion‐transmitted viral infection by nucleic acid amplification testing in the Western Cape of South Africa: a 5‐year review

Background and Objectives In October 2005, individual donation nucleic acid amplification testing (ID‐NAT) for HIV, HBV and HCV was introduced in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. After 5 years, the impact on HIV, HBV and HCV transmission risk was assessed.
Modelling training response in elite female gymnasts and optimal strategies of overload training and taper

Abstract The aim of the study is the modelling of training responses with a variable dose-response model in a sport discipline that requires highly complex coordination. We propose a method to optimise the training programme plan using the potential maximal performance gain associated with overload and tapering periods. Data from five female elite gymnasts were collected over a 3-month training period. The relationship between training amounts and performance was then assessed with a non-linear model. The optimal magnitude of training load reduction and its duration were investigated with and without an overload period using simulation procedures based on individual responses to training. The correlation between actual and modelled performances was significant (R 2 = 0.81 ± 0.02, P < 0.01). The standard error was 2.7%. Simulations revealed that taper preceded by an overload period allows a higher performance to be achieved compared to an absence of overload period (106.3 ± 0.3% vs. 105.1 ± 0.3%). With respect to the pre-taper load, the model predicts that optimal load reductions during taper were 48.4 ± 0.7% and 42.5 ± 1.0% for overloading and non-overloading strategies, respectively. Moreover, optimal durations of the taper period were 34 ± 0.5 days and 22 ± 0.5 days for overloading and non-overloading strategies, respectively. In conclusion, the study showed that the variable dose-response model describes precisely the training response in gymnasts.
Mouse Leydig insulin‐like (Ley I‐L) gene: Structure and expression during testis and ovary development

Leydig insulin‐like protein (Ley I‐L) is a novel member of the insulin‐like hormone superfamily. We report here the isolation and expression of the mouse Ley I‐L gene. The gene encodes a polypeptide of 122 amino acids that shows a relatively weak homology (54%) to human and porcine prepro‐Ley I‐L. However, the predicted B and A chain of the mature mouse Ley I‐L exhibit similarities of 73% and 71% with human and porcine Ley I‐L, respectively. Alignment of the 5′ flanking region of the mouse gene with those of human and porcine did not exhibit any significant sequence homology. However, it contains the conserved sequence of the Ad4 binding site that is present in all promoter regions of steroidogenic P‐450 genes and the Müllerian inhibitor substance gene and is recognized by steroidogenic factor 1. The Ley I‐L gene is expressed at a high level in the testis and at a much lower level in the ovary. No transcripts could be detected in placenta prepared between days 10 and 19 of pregnancy. Ley I‐L transcripts were first detected in fetal testis at 13.5 dpc. After birth, transcript levels remain constant during the following 3 weeks, increasing at the stage in which the first wave of round spermatids undergo spermiogenesis suggesting a functional role of the Ley I‐L in early stages of spermatogenesis and germ‐cell maturation. In the ovary, the expression of Ley I‐L was first detected at day 6 after birth. The pattern of Ley I‐L expression at various stages of the estrous cycle and during pregnancy showed a correlation with follicle development. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 47:30–38, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Volume and iron content in basal ganglia and thalamus

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have highlighted the possibility to investigate brain iron content in vivo. In this study, we combined T2* relaxometry and automatic segmentation of basal ganglia based on T1‐weighted images in healthy subjects, with the aim of characterizing age related changes in volume and iron‐related relaxivity values (R2*) of these structures. Thirty healthy subjects underwent MR imaging at 3 Tesla. Mean R2* values and volumes were calculated for the selected subcortical structures (pallidum, putamen, thalamus and caudate nucleus). Our results showed a correlation between R2* values and iron concentration as calculated from published post‐mortem data. Furthermore, we observed a shrinkage/iron increase with a different pattern in the anatomical regions selected in this work, suggesting that the age‐related changes on these MR parameters are specific to the subcortical structure considered. In particular, the putamen demonstrated a decrease of volume and an increase of iron level, with the posterior region of this structure appearing more disposed to iron deposition. Our work suggests that combining volumetry and iron estimation in MRI permits to investigate in vivo neurophysiological and neuropathological changes of basal ganglia. Hum Brain Mapp 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development of an Instrument to Measure Job Satisfaction Among Dentists

Because of the rapid changes that have occurred in the dental profession, the Dentist Satisfaction Survey (DSS) was developed to assess both facet and overall job satisfaction among dentists. The DSS was administered to a sample of 558 California general dentists. The results suggest that the DSS is a practical, reliable, and valid measure of dentists' job satisfaction. Internal consistency reliability coefficients for all facet subscales and the overall job satisfaction scale ranged from 0.60-0.92. The DSS discriminated between groups of dentists known to have different levels of job satisfaction; dentists identified by dental society presidents as being very dissatisfied scored significantly differently in the hypothesized direction on the DSS. A high correlation (r = 0.68) was found between judges' independent ratings of dentists' satisfaction based on their open-ended comments and DSS scores. While the majority of respondents were satisfied with most facets of their jobs, substantial variation was found among dentists in their levels of satisfaction.
Phenotypes and genetic architecture of focal primary torsion dystonia

Background The focal primary torsion dystonias (FPTDs) form a group of clinical heterogeneous syndromes and can be considered a genetic complex disease; it is thought to be primed by genetic variants with variable impact and triggered by non-genetic factors. Thorough clinical description of FPTDs cohorts is sparse but essential for further progress in genetic research. Objective To establish suggested relations between age at onset (AaO), site and family history in a large focal dystonias cohort and gain more insight into familial clustering for genetic research. Patients and methods A prospective cohort study between March 2008 and March 2011, including 676 FPTD patients attending the botulinum toxin outpatient clinics of six Dutch movement disorder centres. Results and conclusions Of all of the FPTD patients, 25% had a familial predisposition; in 2.4% a Mendelian inheritance pattern was noted. With a stronger family history, a significantly lower AaO was seen in all focal dystonias. In both the sporadic and familial focal dystonia groups, AaO had an effect on the distribution of dystonia, with a caudal to cranial tendency. In all focal dystonia forms, women were more frequently affected, except for writer's cramp. Careful clinical characterisation will allow the formation of phenotype subgroups. We suggest that genetic research into FPTDs will benefit from this approach and discuss genetic research strategies to decipher the complex background of focal dystonias.
Post-stroke infections associated with spleen volume reduction: A pilot study

Background Spleen volume reduction followed by re-expansion has been described in acute ischemic stroke in both animal and human studies. Splenic contraction might be partially due to sympathetic hyperactivity and might be accompanied by release of splenocytes in the peripheral circulation, leading to immunodepression. Aims To investigate whether spleen volume changes in the first week after stroke are associated with post-stroke infections, changes in lymphocytes count and autonomic dysfunction. Methods In patients with acute ischemic stroke, spleen sizes were calculated from abdominal CT images on day one and day seven. Spleen size reduction was defined as > 10% spleen size reduction between day one and day seven. Post stroke infections were diagnosed during the first seven days after stroke onset using the modified criteria of the US Center of Disease Control and Prevention. We assessed the time course of leukocyte subsets and analysed pulse rate variability (PRV) indices. Results Post-stroke infections occurred in six out of 11 patients (55%) with spleen size reduction versus in five out of 27 patients (19%) without spleen size reduction (p = 0,047). Spleen size reduction was associated with a drop in lymphocytes and several lymphocyte subsets from admission to day one, and a higher NIHSS at admission and at day three (p = 0,028 and p = 0,006 respectively). No correlations could be found between spleen volume change and PRV parameters. Conclusion Post-stroke infections and a drop in lymphocytes and several lymphocyte subsets are associated with spleen volume reduction in acute ischemic stroke.
Impact of cetuximab in current treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer

Introduction: Cetuximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody targeting the EGFR, which has proven effective in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), wild-type Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS). Areas covered: The aim of this manuscript is to discuss the current impact of cetuximab in the most important scenarios of mCRC. We review the currently available data regarding the role of other biomarkers, such as the mutational status of neuroblastoma RAS viral (v-ras) oncogene homolog in identifying patients who could benefit most from anti-EGFR. In addition, a review is included of the most relevant clinical trials that have assessed the effectiveness of cetuximab in the management of patients with potentially resectable metastatic disease and in the first-line treatment of wild-type KRAS mCRC, as well as the impact of this anti-EGFR agent on patient quality of life. Expert opinion: Cetuximab has had a progressive clinical development from the earliest to the later stages of the evolution of mCRC and has been consolidated as a therapeutic option for all scenarios of unresectable disease. Patient selection by analysis of KRAS mutations has been a fundamental event to increase efficiency, being a dynamic process that continues in assessment. There are few comparative data with other biological agents in combination with chemotherapy, although data from a recent study are promising.
ATP utilization for calcium uptake and force production in different types of human skeletal muscle fibres

1 The contractile properties and ATPase activity of skinned human skeletal muscle fibres from vastus lateralis were examined. Fibre types were resolved from single fibre segments by SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. ATPase activity was determined by enzymatic coupling of ATP resynthesis to the oxidation of NADH. 2 The partitioning of ATPase activity into (a) calcium‐activated activity due to actomyosin (AM) interaction, (b) calcium‐activated activity of the sarcoplasmic reticular (SR) calcium pump, and (c) basal (calcium independent) activity was investigated by comparing ATP utilization before and after exposure of the preparations for 30 min to a solution containing 0.5 % Triton X‐100, which effectively abolished the SR ATPase activity. 3 Partitioning of ATPase activity was also determined by measuring ATP utilization and force at different concentrations of butanedione monoxime (BDM), which inhibits AM interaction. 4 The results obtained with Triton X‐100 and BDM were similar. At saturating Ca2+ concentrations and 20 °C, the AM, SR and basal ATPase activities per litre cell volume (±s.e.m.) amounted to 46 ± 4, 51 ± 4 and 19 ± 2 μm s−1 in type I fibres (n = 21), 139 ± 14, 69 ± 8 and 30 ± 3 μm s−1 in type IIA fibres (n = 25), 137 ± 22, 175 ± 28 and 26 ± 8 μm s−1 in type IIA/B fibres (n = 4) and 108 ± 13, 169 ± 42 and 32 ± 8 μm s−1 in type IIB fibres (n = 2). 5 These results indicate that ATP utilization for SR Ca2+ pumping in fast fibres is considerably larger than in slow fibres. The SR ATPase activity in human muscle represents a considerable fraction of the total (AM + SR + basal) ATPase activity.