Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum IS-10506 on BDNF and 5HT stimulation: role of intestinal microbiota on the gut-brain axis

Background and Objectives: Microbial communities residing in the gut play a major role in the communication between the gut and the brain through neural, immune, and hormonal routes. Changes in abundance of beneficial intestinal bacteria can affect health of individuals. Conversely, drugs, disease, diet and other factors can alter the gut microbiome. However, there is limited information on the effect of exogenous factors on gut microbiota. In this study, we investigated whether a beneficial bacterium, the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum IS-10506, can stimulate the gut–brain axis using Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: The animals were divided into two groups: one received L. plantarum IS strain 10506 supplementation, while the control group received no treatment. Activation of the gut–brain axis was evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis of intestinal and brain serotonin (5-HT) and brain neurotrophin (NT), serotonin transporter (5-HTT), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. Results: The results showed that BDNF (p< 0.000), NT (p< 0.000007), and 5-HTT (p< 0.000007) expression was upregulated in the brain along with intestinal 5-HT (p< 0.000) level in rats treated with L. plantarum strain IS-10506 relative to the control group. Conclusion: The probiotic L. plantarum IS-10506 stimulates the gut–brain axis and can potentially promote brain development and function.
The Effect of Linuron on 32P and 45Ca Uptake in Tomato and Parsnip

The effects of sublethal and lethal levels of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-l-methoxy-l-methylurea (linuron) on the uptake of 32P and 45Ca were tested on tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill., var. Kokomo) and parsnip (Pastinaca sativa L., var. Harris Model). Both levels of foliage-applied linuron stimulated the uptake of 32P from nutrient culture solution and its translocation to the leaves. The increased 32P in the leaves of the treated tomato plants was found in the inorganic phosphate fraction. Incorporation of the label in the phospholipid and nucleic acid fractions was decreased slightly. Linuron inhibited uptake and translocation of 45Ca in both plants.
A comparative study of skin staples and conventional sutures for abdominal skin wound closures

Background: The objectives of the study were to study the operative time, the effect on wound healing, cosmetic results, patients acceptance and total cost with the use of sutures and staples.Methods: The study was conducted on 100 patients who were undergoing elective surgery from January 2016 to July 2017 in our institute. The patients were randomly selected to receive either suture or staple.Results: The study group included 50 patients who underwent wound closure by staplers and 50 patients underwent suturing. The commonest region of the surgical wounds was Mc Burneys site. The time taken for wound closure using staplers showed statistically significance difference over closure with suture, it took the stapler 4 times less duration to perform wound closure. The average cost of using stapler was higher than suturing. The appearance of the scar among the staple group was good in 90% of those who returned for follow-up at 1 month, 10% had average scar. The patients acceptance was better in staple group with less pain during removal as compared to suture group. P-value calculated using students unpaired T-test. P<0.0001 which was highly significant.Conclusions: Staples did not cause excess wound pain and allows saving in time with better cosmetic results.
Religiosity and Patient Activation and Health Outcomes among Hospital Survivors of an Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background: Religious involvement is widespread and may influence patient engagement with their healthcare (patient activation) and health outcomes. This dissertation examined the association between religiosity and patient activation, changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL), readmissions, and survival after hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: We recruited 2,174 patients hospitalized for ACS in Georgia and Central Massachusetts (2011-2013) in a prospective cohort study. Participants self-reported three items assessing religiosity – strength/comfort from religion, petition prayers for health, and awareness of intercessory prayers by others. Patient activation was measured using the 6-item Patient Activation Measure. Generic HRQOL was assessed with the SF-36®v2 physical and mental component summary scores. Disease-specific HRQOL was evaluated with the Seattle Angina Questionnaire Quality of Life subscale. Unscheduled readmissions were validated from medical records. Mortality status was obtained from national and state vital statistics. Results: After adjustment for several sociodemographic, psychosocial, and clinical variables, reports of strength/comfort from religion and receipt of intercessions were associated with high activation. Praying for one’s health was associated with low activation. Prayers for health were associated with clinically meaningful increases in disease-specific and physical HRQOL. Neither strength/comfort from religion, petition, nor intercessory prayers were significantly associated with unscheduled 30-day readmissions and two-year all-cause mortality. Conclusions: Most ACS survivors acknowledge religious practices for their health. Religiosity was associated with patient activation and changes in HRQOL. These findings suggest that religiosity may influence patient engagement in their healthcare and recovery after a lifethreatening illness, buttressing the need for holistic approach in patient management.
The Effect of Treatment Delay on Infection in Open Tibia Fractures: A Retrospective Study in Ethiopia

AIM: Assess the effect of delay in treatment greater than 24 hours on the development of infection for open tibia fractures. MATERIALS & METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients was conducted to identify skeletally mature patients with an open tibia fracture treated with the Surgical Implant Generation Network (SIGN) intramedullary nail from February 2006 and June 2015. Descriptive data, time to treatment, fracture characteristics, and presence of infection were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Infection occurred in 19 (11%) patients (Gustilo I 1/44, 2%; Gustilo II 6/39, 15%, Gustilo IIIa 9/44, 21%; Gustillo IIIb 3/44, 7%). One hundred forty-four patients were treated within 24 hours from injury (mean, 8.2 hours) and 28 were treated after 24 hours (mean, 41.1 hours). There was no significant difference in the rates of infection for fractures before or after six hours from the time of injury (15% vs. 11%, P = 0.6207). Infection rate was similar in patients treated within 24 hours and beyond 24 hours (10% vs. 14%, P = 0.518). The average time to treatment of patients with and without infectious outcome were not significantly different (15.6 vs 13.4 hours, P = 0.700). There was an association between more severe Gustilo types and infection, yet this did not reach significance (P = 0.402) CONCLUSION: Our results show that initial treatment beyond 24 hours did not lead to a significant increase in the rate of infection. While not significant, a greater proportion of infections occurred in higher Gustilo types. Our results suggest that fracture type rather than time to treatment may be a more important predictor of infection.
Effectiveness of transabdominal ultrasonography in assessing benign versus malignant nature of prostatomegaly

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia is closely related with ageing. The present study was conducted to assess the ability of transabdominal ultrasonography in diagnosing benign and/or malignant hypertrophy of the prostate.Methods: An observational study was done in the Department of Radiology, Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College and Hospital (Deemed to be University), Sangli, Maharashtra, India of patients who had prostatomegaly on transabdominal ultrasound examination and underwent histopathological confirmation of the lesions from 1 October 2018 till 31 December 2018. The prostate gland was assessed for volume, echotexture, morphology, focal lesions and median lobe.Results: Out of 155 patient’s benign prostatic disease was diagnosed in 116 patients, while malignancy was detected in the rest of the 39 cases. Prostate specific antigen levels were significantly higher among malignant cases (18.39±7.44 ng/ml) as compared to that of benign cases (7.51±3.22 ng/ml), p value <0.01. Benign lesions were predominantly inner glandular, while malignant cases were mainly peripheral. Moderate vascularity was found in 76.9% of the malignant cases. Focal vascular asymmetry was found in 74.4% of the malignant cases and only 12% of the benign cases. Sensitivity of transabdominal ultrasonography in diagnosing malignant prostatic lesions was 94.8%, specificity was 75% with an overall accuracy of using transabdominal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of malignant prostatic lesions in this study population was 80%. Conclusions: Transabdominal ultrasound evaluation of prostate is a simple, economical, non-invasive technique of choice due to its high accuracy in detecting size, nature of pathology as benign or malignant with fair accuracy.
Genetic Diversity of Lowbush Blueberry throughout the United States in Managed and Non-Managed Populations

Expressed sequenced tagged-polymerase chain reaction (EST-PCR) molecular markers were used to evaluate the genetic diversity of lowbush blueberry across its geographic range and to compare diversity among four paired managed/non-managed populations. Seventeen populations were sampled in a north–south transect throughout the eastern United States with 27 km to 1600 km separating populations. The majority of genetic variation was found within populations (75%) with each population genetically unique (p ≤ 0.0001) with the exception of the Jonesboro, ME, and Lubec, ME, populations. The effects of management for commercial fruit harvesting on genetic diversity were investigated in four locations in Maine with paired managed and non-managed populations. Significant differences were found between the populations indicating that commercial management for fruit production influences the diversity of lowbush blueberries in the landscape, even though planting does not occur. Forests are harvested and the existing understory blueberry plants become established.
Dynamique de l'avifaune apres incendie et brulage dirige en zone mediterraneenne : importance de la territorialite

Le present travail aborde differents problemes concernant l'ecologie des oiseaux apres une perturbation de forte intensite : le feu. En prealable, une revue des travaux concernant l'impact du feu sur l'avifaune souligne certains aspects methodologiques, ainsi que ceux plus specialement lies a la situation mediterraneenne. Les resultats originaux proprement dits du travail concernent d'abord la reponse immediate et a court terme de la communaute d'oiseaux apres un incendie dans un maquis. Puis la phenologie sur un cycle annuel est etudiee d'une part dans ce maquis recemment brule, et d'autre part dans une foret de chenes-lieges plusieurs annees apres incendie. Dans ce dernier cas, la distribution des territoires est suivie sur 8 annees, et mise en relation avec certains parametres du milieu par analyses multivariees. Enfin, la reponse des oiseaux au feu, et tout particulierement celle de sylvia undata, a ete etudiee sur un site experimental pendant 5 ans (soit 2 annees avant mise a feu et 3 annees apres), en parallele avec d'autres facteurs comme la repousse vegetale et la disponibilite en proies. L'importance du choix du perchoir par les oiseaux, et leur preference plus ou moins forte pour des substrats non brules, est mise en evidence, de meme que la part des phenomenes de tenacite au site dans la microdistribution. Cette tenacite explique une certaine inertie des populations face aux perturbations, qui peut conduire a un effet differe de ces dernieres. Si mortalite et emigration apparaissent peu affectees immediatement apres le feu, le recrutement apparait moindre, d'ou un renouvellement differe de la population de males territoriaux de s. Undata.
Assessment of short-term mortality of granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) triggered by different microwave irradiation powers

Abstract The insecticidal efficacy of microwave irradiation against the at 12, 24, 48 and 72 h following exposure to microwave irradiations (100, 300 W) and the progeny production was assessed 45 days later. Linearly increasing irradiation power range (100, 200 and 300 W) was set up for determining mortality tendency. An increase of insect mortality caused by higher irradiation period and times elapsed after treatment has become evident commencing from 12 h after the treatment, which has significantly decreased at later elapsed time after treatment. The irradiation periods inducing the highest mortality at the examined powers were at 10 min and at 100 W power (72 h: 64.93%) and at 4.5 min. and at 300 W power (12 h: 87.01). In addition, a complete suppression of progeny production was achieved by 4.5 min treatment at 300 W power. Lognormal-type mortality process was caused by the linearly increased irradiation range. The properly chosen microwave irradiation can be used for management of Sitophilus granarius larval and adult developmental stages. This treatment could provide an effective and friendly environmental treatment technique in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.
Knowledge regarding co-trimoxazole preventive therapy among patients who are HIV positive in a tertiary health facility, northeastern Nigeria

Background: Co-trimoxazole (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, CTX) is known to be effective against common opportunistic infections associated with severe immunosuppression such as AIDS. Its use among patients with defects in immunity and multiple infections is associated with significant reduction in morbidity and mortality. Objective: To determine and predict the level of knowledge regarding co-trimoxazole preventive therapy (CPT) among patients with HIV. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 358 patients who were HIV positive. An expert-validated, interviewer-administered questionnaire with Cronbach alpha of 0.67 was used to assess patients’ knowledge regarding CPT. Results: Most respondents, 323 (90.2%) in total, reported not to have ever been counseled on CPT. The proportion of those counseled showed female preponderance, with 26 females (74.3%) compared with nine males (25.7%). Among those who responded to ever been counseled, only 19% had questionnaire-defined (≥50% score) adequate knowledge. The level of education and counseling regarding CPT were independent predictors of knowledge. Patients with secondary and tertiary education were three times [P = 0.021, odds ratio (OR) = 3.098, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.187–8.084] and 18.7 times (P < 0.001, OR = 18.764, CI = 6.862–51.313) likely to demonstrate having adequate knowledge than those without formal education. Similarly, adherence counseling was associated with 16 times greater chance for demonstrating adequate knowledge (P < 0.001, OR = 16.063, CI = 5.768–44.733). Conclusion: Knowledge on the use of CPT is poor in our setting; adherence counseling on its use is recommended at services delivery points.
Fatal Freedom: The Ethics and Politics of Suicide

This is a defence of every individual's right to choose a voluntary death. By maintaining statutes that determine that voluntary death is not legal, Thomas Szasz believes that our society is forfeiting one of its basic freedoms and causing the psychiatric medical establishment to treat individuals in a manner that is disturbingly inhumane. Society's penchant for defining behaviour it terms objectionable as a disease has created a psychiatric establishment that exerts far too much influence over how and when we choose to die. In a compelling argument, which addresses the most significant ethical issues of our time, Szasz compares suicide to other practices that historically began as sins, became crimes, and then mental illnesses. This book answers some of the most significant ethical questions of our time: is suicide a volutary act of an act of mental illness? Should physicians be permitted to prevent it? Should they be authorized to abet it?
Detection of 16S Ribosomal RNA Methylation in Extended-Spectrum β-lactamase-Producing Klebsiella Pneumoniae Clinical Isolates from Baghdad Hospitals

Fifty-eight Clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae were collected from patients at Al-Kindey teaching hospital, Al-Kadhymia teaching hospital, Ibn-Albalady hospital and Al-Imam-Ali hospital in Baghdad from Urinary tract infection (UTI) patient. These isolates were diagnosed using different morphological and biochemical test followed by the complementary API 20E, isolates all screened for antibiotic resistance by rapid detection of β-lactamases production method and their minimum inhibitory concentrations(MICs) were conducted by polymerase chain reaction assay. Detection of blaCTX –M gene was performed and highly resistant isolates (n=17) were selected to determine aminoglycoside resistance mediated by methylation 16S rRNA that combined with the detection of blaCTX –M gene responsible for Extended Spectrum β-lactamase (ESβLs) production. Seven 16S rRNA methylase genes were amplified, the ArmA, RmtA, RmtB, RmtC, RmtD, RmtF and npmA beside amplifying blaCTX –M gene. This study explained the physically link between blaCTX-M gene (ESβLs) production among Klebsiella pneumoniae in correlation with 16S rRNA methylation.
Empirical investigation of mutation rate for herbicide resistance

Abstract In a predictable natural selection process, herbicides select for adaptive alleles that allow weed populations to survive. These resistance alleles may be available immediately from the standing genetic variation within the population or may arise from immigration via pollen or seeds from other populations. Moreover, because all populations are constantly generating new mutant genotypes by de novo mutations, resistant mutants may arise spontaneously in any herbicide-sensitive weed population. Recognizing that the relative contribution of each of these three sources of resistance alleles influences what strategies should be applied to counteract herbicide-resistance evolution, we aimed to add experimental information to the resistance evolutionary framework. Specifically, the objectives of this experiment were to determine the de novo mutation rate conferring herbicide resistance in a natural plant population and to test the hypothesis that the mutation rate increases when plants are stressed by sublethal herbicide exposure. We used grain amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.) and resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides as a model system to discover spontaneous herbicide-resistant mutants. After screening 70.8 million plants, however, we detected no spontaneous resistant genotypes, indicating the probability of finding a spontaneous ALS-resistant mutant in a given sensitive population is lower than 1.4 × 10−8. This empirically determined upper limit is lower than expected from theoretical calculations based on previous studies. We found no evidence that herbicide stress increased the mutation rate, but were not able to robustly test this hypothesis. The results found in this study indicate that de novo mutations conferring herbicide resistance might occur at lower frequencies than previously expected.
Traditional medicines and their potential teratogenic effects

Traditional medicines are very popular in all parts of the world. These medicines are mostly derived from nature, including herbs, animal and mineral products. These medicines are widely used to maintain good health and to prevent or treat various diseases including treating early pregnancy symptoms such as nausea and vomiting (Wesfall, 2004), to induction of abortion, treatment of threatened abortion (Tang et al., 2012) or labor (Kamatenesi-Mugisha and Oryem-Origa, 2007). Several plants are used as traditional medical therapies, Cissampelos mucronata A being one of them.
Isokinetic profile of the shoulder internal and external rotators in surfers

Introduction: Shoulder pain and shoulder instability have been largely associated with overhead sports as swimming, volleyball or baseball [1,2]. The measurement of concentric torque and agonist/antagonist ratio of the internal (IR) and external rotators (ER) of the shoulder, has been used to relate the symptoms with altered parameters in this assessment. Surfing, as an exponential growing sport, is also considered an overhead sport, since over 50% of the time spent practicing is done by paddling technique [3]. To date, there was no study found which evaluates shoulder internal and external rotators isokinetic profile in this population. As so, the aim of this study is to characterize the isokinetic profile of the shoulder internal and external rotators in surfers. Materials and methods: The authors measured bilaterally the shoulder concentric torque and unilateral ratios for the internal and external rotators of 5 male surfers, aged between 19 and 23, who have been practicing for at least 3 years for a minimum of 2,5h per week. The procedure was done in the sitting position with 90° shoulder abduction and 90° elbow flexion at 60°/s and 180°/s angular speed by means of 3 and 20 repetitions respectively, using an isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex System 3). This study follows all the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Results: The participants mean age was 22.13 ± 1.78 years, with a BMI of 22. ±2.14 kg/m2. Surfers presented for 60°/s concentric torque test of IR of dominant shoulder a 48.73 ± 6.45 Nm and 44.23 ± 11.55 Nm for non-dominant shoulder. Concentric ratio ER/IR at the same speed for the dominant shoulder of 75.53 ± 7.5% and 78.48 ± 11.69% for the non-dominant shoulder. At 180°/s concentric torque test of IR of dominant shoulder a 48.08 ± 4.18 Nm and 42.73 ± 5.21 Nm for non-dominant shoulder. Concentric ratio ER/IR at the same speed for the dominant shoulder of 74.90 ± 8.24% and 78.55 ± 7.92% for the non-dominant shoulder. Discussion and conclusions: Based on this data, surfers obtained higher values for concentric torque of IR and smaller percentage for ER/IR ratio in both dominant and non-dominant limbs when compared to data obtained from other studies with control (non-practice of overhead sport) populations within the same characteristics [4]. When compared surfer’s dominant limb with non-dominant limb, there were not found significant changes in IR concentric torque or ER/IR torque ratio. Studies where ER/IR torque ratio was measured in overhead athletes showed slightly smaller ratios when compared to the surfers [5]. This is probably related with the moderate frequency and intensity of training of the surfers in this study when compared with high intensity/frequency of training of the overhead athletes.
To the Lighthouse and Back: Writings on Teaching and Living

The book's basic thesis is that learning, like living, is comedic. Comedy instructs through metaphor - seeing likeness between opposites - and in reading everything as text. The book thereby revisions education as Comedy. It suggests that the subjects of all assignments must connect with the subjective reader. Accordingly, it includes student writings, personal memoirs, dreams, poems, myths, journals, and artwork - as well as critiques of mainstream writing and teaching. From classwork with Virginia Woolf, Eudora Welty, and Flannery O'Connor, assignments are offered to prod students into awareness of their deeper selves, their others, nature, and the divine.