Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diversity of Penicillium section Citrina within the fynbos biome of South Africa, including a new species from a Protea repens infructescence

During a survey of the fynbos biome in the Western Cape of South Africa, 61 Penicillium species were isolated and nine belong to Penicillium section Citrina. Based on morphology and multigene phylogenies, section Citrina species were identified as P. cairnsense, P. citrinum, P. pancosmium, P. pasqualense, P. sanguifluum, P. sizovae, P. sumatrense and P. ubiquetum. One of the species displayed unique phenotypic characters and DNA sequences and is described here as P. sucrivorum. Multigene phylogenies consistently resolved the new species in a clade with P. aurantiacobrunneum, P. cairnsense, P. miczynksii, P. neomiczynskii and P. quebecense. However, ITS, β-tubulin and calmodulin gene sequences are unique for P. sucrivorum and growth rates on various media, the ability to grow at 30 C, a positive Ehrlich reaction and the absence of sclerotia on all media examined, distinguish P. sucrivorum from all of its close relatives.
Elevated Brain Natriuretic Peptide Is Associated with Abnormal Heart Geometry in Children with Chronic Kidney Disease

Aim: It was to establish whether brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) might predict cardiac dysfunction in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: The relation between BNP, echocardiography and risk factors (hypertension, anemia, lipids, CRP, hyperparathyroidism) was investigated in 46 children (10 pre-dialysis patients, 14 on dialysis, 11 children with kidney transplants, and 11 healthy controls). Data on BNP were transformed into common logarithms (log10 BNP, log BNP). Results: log BNP was significantly higher in dialysis patients when compared to controls (2.09 ± 0.78 vs. 1.43 ± 0.34 pg/ml, p = 0.012) and patients in the pre-dialysis stage (2.09 ± 0.78 vs. 1.52 ± 0.42 pg/ml, p = 0.039). log BNP in transplanted children was not significantly different from healthy children (2.09 ± 0.78 vs. 1.71 ± 0.46 pg/ml, p = 0.19). Abnormal heart geometry (concentric and eccentric hypertrophy, concentric remodeling) was found in 19 patients (54.28%). A significant correlation was observed between log BNP and ventricular hypertrophy (r = 0.515, p = 0.001). Compared to controls higher log BNP was seen in children with eccentric hypertrophy than in children with concentric hypertrophy (2.178 ± 0.956 vs. 1.496 ± 0.395 pg/ml, p = 0.05, or 1.982 ± 0.618 vs. 1.496 ± 0.395, p = 0.04). Conclusions: BNP might predict an abnormal geometry in children with CKD.
Commentary The International Sepsis Forum's controversies in sepsis: my initial vasopressor agent in septic shock is dopamine rather than

Norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and dopamine are commonly used first-line vasopressor agents in the treatment of patients with septic shock. Recently increasing interest has focused on whether one or other of these agents is superior in terms of improving outcome. Studies have looked particularly at the possible local effects of the vasopressors on splanchnic circulation, because evidence suggests that this area is important in the development and maintenance of septic shock. However, the many studies performed have yielded conflicting data and there is, as yet, little evidence to support one drug over the other in terms of their splanchnic effects. Overall, though, dopamine has many assets that make it a good first-line drug when compared with norepinephrine, and these are highlighted in the present, brief commentary.
Efectos de la contaminación atmosférica sobre la mortalidad diaria en la ciudad de Zaragoza, España, 1991-1995

Objetivo. Analizar posibles efectos a corto plazo de la contaminacion atmosferica sobre la mortalidad diaria en la poblacion de Zaragoza (Espana). Material y metodos. Estudio ecologico realizado en Zaragoza, Espana, en los anos 1991 a 1993. Mediante modelos de regresion de Poisson autorregresiva se estudio la asociacion entre exposicion a particulas en suspension y dioxido de azufre (SO2), y defunciones diarias de 1991 a 1995. Se consideraron por separado cuatro variables respuesta: mortalidad total para toda la poblacion (excluidas las causas externas), mortalidad en mayores de 69 anos, mortalidad especifica por enfermedades respiratorias y mortalidad por enfermedades cardiovasculares. Resultados. No se utiliza muestra. Se utilizaron los paquetes estadisticos EGRET y SPSS. Se encontraron asociaciones entre niveles de SO2 y mortalidad por enfermedades cardiovasculares, riesgo relativo (RR=1.018 IC 95%: 1.001-1.036), asi como entre particulas en suspension y mortalidad por enfermedades respiratorias (RR=1.028 IC 95%: 1.006-1.051). Durante epocas calidas, se observo un efecto significativo de las particulas en suspension sobre la mortalidad por enfermedades cardiovasculares (RR=1.020 IC 95%: 1.001-1.040). Conclusiones. A pesar de los bajos niveles de contaminacion existentes, se han detectado efectos significativos de incrementos en la concentracion de contaminantes atmosfericos sobre la mortalidad por enfermedades cardiovasculares y respiratorias, especialmente en los meses calidos. El texto completo en ingles de este articulo esta disponible en: http://www.insp. mx/salud/index.html
Why Bilateral Damage Is Worse than Unilateral Damage to the Brain

Human and animal lesion studies have shown that behavior can be catastrophically impaired after bilateral lesions but that unilateral damage often produces little or no effect, even controlling for lesion extent. This pattern is found across many different sensory, motor, and memory domains. Despite these findings, there has been no systematic, computational explanation. We found that the same striking difference between unilateral and bilateral damage emerged in a distributed, recurrent attractor neural network. The difference persists in simple feedforward networks, where it can be understood in explicit quantitative terms. In essence, damage both distorts and reduces the magnitude of relevant activity in each hemisphere. Unilateral damage reduces the relative magnitude of the contribution to performance of the damaged side, allowing the intact side to dominate performance. In contrast, balanced bilateral damage distorts representations on both sides, which contribute equally, resulting in degraded performance. The model's ability to account for relevant patient data suggests that mechanisms similar to those in the model may operate in the brain.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnosis of human brucellosis (l7/l12 and 16srRNA genes) compared with immunocapture-agglutination test (brucellacapt) and common serological tests

Diagnosis of the human brucellosis mainly depends on blood culture and serological tests. The most commonly used tests are the serum agglutination test (SAT), Coombs anti-Brucella, and Rose Bengal tests. New diagnostic tests such as immunocapture-agglutination test (Brucellacapt) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have been used. This study aims to compare PCR method by using L7/L12 and 16srRNA genes with Brucellacapt and serological tests in diagnosis of Brucellosis. A total of 754 different suspected brucellosis were tested during the period from March, 2008 to February, 2009. They were assayed by Rose Bengal test, Brucellacapt, Coombs tests, SAT and PCR. Our results had shown that out of 754 sera, 125 were positive by Rose Bengal test. Thus, frequency of brucellosis by Rose Bengal test was 16.5%. In PCR, all of samples were differentiated. Forty nine (6.5%) samples in Coombs test and 47 (6.2%) samples in SAT were positive. The results in 1:40 and 1:80 were equal for Brucellacapt and Coombs tests and different for SAT. The results from the present study show a higher sensitivity and specificity of PCR for the diagnosis of human brucellosis than serological tests. Sensitivity of the PCR by l7/l12 gene and 16srRNA were similar and could be used for diagnosis of human brucellosis. Sensitivity of Brucellacapt test was higher than Coombs tests and SAT, although the sensitivity of PCR assay was higher than all of them.
Using Post-bronchodilator FEV1 is Better Than Pre-bronchodilator FEV1 in Evaluation of COPD Severity

Abstract Background: The current standards for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with COPD clearly rely on the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria based on post-bronchodilator spirometric values. However, clinical evidence for using the post-bronchodilator FEV1 in the severity classification has not been fully investigated. Methods: Patients with COPD were enrolled and followed up prospectively between October 2006 and January 2011. We compared the observed 3-year risk of all causes and respiratory mortality with the risk predicted by the pre- and post-bronchodilator percent predicted FEV1. Other important phenotypes including BMI, MMRC dyspnea scale, ECOG performance status and severe AECOPD (acute exacerbation) were also compared between the two groups. The different severity classifications of COPD, measured according the GOLD guidelines by post- and pre-bronchodilator percent predicted FEV1 were compared for prediction of mortality. Results: There were 35 deaths among the 300 COPD patients (11.7%). Multivariate analysis showed that the post-bronchodilator percent predicted FEV1 was a significant independent predictor of mortality but pre-bronchodilator percent predicted FEV1 was not (p = 0.008 vs 0.126) and it was more strongly correlated with all studied predictors of outcome than the pre-bronchodilator percent predicted FEV1. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the discrimination ability to predict mortality from the GOLD criteria using post bronchodilator percent predicted FEV1 (p = 0.009) was better than using pre-bronchodilator percent predicted FEV1 (p = 0.131). Conclusions: The post-bronchodilator percent predicted FEV1 is better than the pre-bronchodilator percent predicted FEV1 in the evaluation of the severity of disease in COPD patients and is more accurate in predicting the risk of death by the GOLD classification.
Hand washing compliance among healthcare staff in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a Multispecialty Hospital of North India

Purpose: Hand hygiene is the single most important strategy to prevent HAIs. The present cross sectional study was conducted in ICUs to provide insight into the prevailing practices of hand-hygiene. Results: During two week analysis, 2400 hand washing opportunities were observed. Hand washing adherence rate was 86.0%, with highest compliance among nurses (94.0%). Compliance was (95.0%) after patient contact than 72.5% before contact. In 96.04% opportunities alcohol rub was used for hand washing. More than 90.0% staff was aware about facts viz. diseases prevented by hand washing (96.2%), ideal duration of hand washing (92.6%), reduction of HAI with hand washing (98.0%) etc. Reasons for non-adherence emerged as work pressure (94.2%) and unavailability of materials (82.4%). Conclusion The level of compliance (86%) is below the need to be there in ICU otherwise. Easy access to hand-rub solutions, adherence measurement and institutional commitment might contribute to staff sensitivity to hand hygiene practices.
Comparison of aniseeds and coriander seeds for antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities

AIM: In the present study, it was aimed to investigate and to compare the antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of aniseeds (Pimpinella anisum) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum) seeds in type 2 diabetics as aniseeds and coriander seeds are rich in antioxidants and beneficial phytochemicals. METHODS: The antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of aniseeds and coriander seeds were assessed in vivo by the administration of aniseed and coriander seed powder (5g/day) respectively to the selected two groups of type 2 diabetes patients for 60 days followed by the estimation of a no. of biochemical parameters viz. fasting glucose, lipid profile, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. RESULTS: Hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress as shown by increased lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and increased activity of catalase (CAT) in erythrocytes, decreased serum beta carotene, vitamin A, E and C observed in diabetics were countered by aniseeds and coriander seeds in the respective treated groups. In addition, decreased activities of erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme i.e. glutathione-S-tranferase (GST) and reduced glutathione (GSH) content were significantly improved in the treated-diabetics. CONCLUSION: Both the seeds significantly influenced almost all the parameters without any detrimental effects by virtue of a number of phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals present in the seeds having therapeutic effects. The antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities exhibited by the seeds are a result of the synergistic action of the bioactive compounds present in the seeds.
Prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infection among people of a local community in Keffi, Nigeria

Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) virus infections have remained recurring decimals in blood transfusion, vertical transmission, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Most of the published studies of their prevalence in Northern Nigeria are among HIV/AIDS patients. The need for such vital information among an apparently healthy population was the basis for this study. Rapid diagnostic tests were used to screen for HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies among people of a local community in Northern Nigeria. Of the 113 volunteers screened, 15(13.2%) were positive for each of the viruses while 10(8.85%) were found to be coinfected with the viruses. The gender related prevalence of HBsAg was 9.5% in females and 24.1% in males. Anti-HCV was reactive in 16% of the females and 3.4% of the males. Coinfection was 10.3 and 8.33% for males and females, respectively (p > 0.05). Age related prevalence for HBsAg was 13.8 and 11.5% among those aged 1 - 40 years and above 40 years, respectively and similarly 12.6 and 15.4% for anti-HCV antibodies, respectively. Coinfection was 8.0% among those aged 1 - 40 years old and 11.5% among those that were older. There was no statistically significant association between age, and presence/absence of facial/body marks with viral infection (p > 0.05). This study revealed 13.3% of apparently healthy individuals harbouring each of the viruses (HBV and HCV) and also a relatively high prevalence of coinfection (8.85%). This finding is a cause for alarm. Key words:
Fletcher and Peto 40 Years On. A Tribute and Reflection.

Curr Sci 2004;86:74–81. 14. Reichman LB, Hershfield ES. Tuberculosis: a comprehensive international approach, 2nd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2000. 15. Selwyn PA, Hartel D, Lewis VA, Schoenbaum EE, Vermund SH, Klein RS, Walker AT, Friedland GH. A prospective study of the risk of tuberculosis among intravenous drug users with human immunodeficiency virus infection. N Engl J Med 1989;320:545–550. 16. Walker TM, Ip CLC, Harrell RH, Evans JT, Kapatai G, Dedicoat MJ, Eyre DW, Wilson DJ, Hawkey PM, Crook DW, et al. Whole-genome sequencing to delineate Mycobacterium tuberculosis outbreaks: a retrospective observational study. Lancet Infect Dis 2013;13: 137–146.
Solid pancreatic lesions: characterization by using timing bolus dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging assessment--a preliminary study.

PURPOSE To assess the feasibility of postprocessing dynamic contrast material-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging timing bolus data by using a three-dimensional radial gradient-echo technique with k-space-weighted image contrast (KWIC) for the characterization of solid pancreatic diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was waived. A total of 45 patients suspected of having biliary or pancreatic disease underwent pancreatic MR examination with a 3.0-T imager with a low-dose (2 mL gadopentetate dimeglumine) timing bolus by using the radial KWIC technique. There were 24 patients with pancreatic cancers, eight with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs), three with chronic pancreatitis, and 10 with a normal pancreas. By using a dedicated postprocessing software program for DCE MR imaging, the following perfusion parameters were measured for tumor and nontumorous parenchyma: volume transfer coefficient (K(trans)) and extracellular extravascular volume fraction; the rate constant (k(ep)) and initial area under the concentration curve in 60 seconds (iAUC) were then generated. The perfusion parameters acquired on DCE MR images were compared among the groups by using the analysis of variance test. RESULTS K(trans), k(ep), and iAUC values in patients with pancreatic cancer (0.042 min(-1) ± 0.023 [standard deviation], 0.761 min(-1) ± 0.529, and 2.841 mmol/sec ± 1.811, respectively) were significantly lower than in patients with a normal pancreas (0.387 min(-1) ± 0.176, 6.376 min(-1) ± 2.529, and 7.156 mmol/sec ± 3.414, respectively) (P < .05 for all). In addition, k(ep) values of PNETs and normal pancreas also differed (P < .0001), and K(trans), k(ep), and iAUC values of pancreatic cancers and PNETs differed significantly (P < .0001, P = .038, and P < .0001, respectively). CONCLUSION Results of timing bolus DCE MR imaging with the radial KWIC sequence from routine examinations can be postprocessed to yield potentially useful perfusion parameters for the characterization of pancreatic diseases.
Cryptic spatial aggregation of the cushion plant Azorella selago (Apiaceae) revealed by a multilocus molecular approach suggests frequent intraspecific facilitation under sub-Antarctic conditions.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY In abiotically severe habitats, intraspecific aggregations can increase species' fitness by ameliorating stressful environmental factors. However, the difficulty of identifying individual plants in some growth forms makes the measurements of intraspecific aggregation, and therefore the assessment of intraspecific facilitation, problematic. In this study, we examined the genotype composition within cushions of Azorella selago, a sub-Antarctic cushion plant, to investigate the potential extent of intraspecific facilitation. METHODS The study was performed on Marion Island, South Africa. Two to eight samples were collected from 42 A. selago cushions, comprising eight different growth forms. Samples were genotyped using seven microsatellite markers. KEY RESULTS We showed that all cushion shapes, with the exception of small cushions, may be comprised of more than one genetically distinct individual. CONCLUSIONS Under harsh sub-Antarctic conditions, intraspecific aggregation between A. selago individuals appears common and may be driven by the positive impacts of environmental amelioration.
Protective effect of gold rings and rheumatoid arthritis

I found the article of Mulherin and colleagues1regarding a presumably protective effect of gold rings against articular erosions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) very interesting, but it surely raises more problems than it can solve. A few years ago we published a similar observation2 that contradicts the hypothesis that the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of the left ring finger would have remained less affected by the disease because of lymphatic drainage of the gold from the ring worn distally to it. Our case was a …
Lithium-associated hyperthyroidism treated with lithium withdrawal: a case report.

To the Editor: Lithium, a first-line treatment for bipolar disorder, is a well-known cause of hypothyroidism; however, case reports have documented the emergence of thyrotoxicosis during lithium treatment, with evidence showing the incidence rate to be greater than expected in the general population (1–3). The recommended conservative management is antithyroid medication and continuation of lithium (4). It is advised that lithium not be withdrawn because of several reports of exacerbation of thyrotoxicosis (1, 2, 5). We report the case of a patient with lithium-associated hyperthyroidism treated with drug withdrawal, a treatment method documented in only one previous case (6).
Loss of Collectrin, an Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 Homolog, Uncouples Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase and Causes Hypertension and Vascular Dysfunction

Background— Collectrin is an orphan member of the renin-angiotensin system and is a homolog of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, sharing ≈50% sequence identity. Unlike angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, collectrin lacks any catalytic domain. Collectrin has been shown to function as a chaperone of amino acid transporters. In rodents, the renal expression of collectrin is increased after subtotal nephrectomy and during high-salt feeding, raising the question of whether collectrin has any direct role in blood pressure regulation. Methods and Results— Using a susceptible genetic background, we demonstrate that deletion of collectrin results in hypertension, exaggerated salt sensitivity, and impaired pressure natriuresis. Collectrin knockout mice display impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation that is associated with vascular remodeling, endothelial nitric oxide synthase uncoupling, decreased nitric oxide production, and increased superoxide generation. Treatment with Tempol, a superoxide scavenger, attenuates the augmented sodium sensitivity in collectrin knockout mice. We report for the first time that collectrin is expressed in endothelial cells. Furthermore, collectrin directly regulates L-arginine uptake and plasma membrane levels of CAT1 and y+LAT1 amino acid transporters in endothelial cells. Treatment with L-arginine modestly lowers blood pressure of collectrin knockout mice. Conclusions— Collectrin is a consequential link between the transport of L-arginine and endothelial nitric oxide synthase uncoupling in hypertension.
Platelet-rich plasma injections for tendinopathy and osteoarthritis

Tendinopathy and osteoarthritis are common chronic musculoskeletal conditions that are associated with frequent pain and reduced function. With the advent of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP), new opportunities are available to elucidate potential healing mechanisms and elaborate safe injection therapies. PRP therapy involves the use of autologous activated platelets retained in fibrin matrices as a source of growth factors and cytokines that are active in healing mechanisms, such as inflammation, angiogenesis, cell migration and proliferation. Here we provide an overview of the main components of PRP products relevant to the mechanism of action in tendinopathy and osteoarthritis, and emphasize the importance of identifying and exploiting principal molecular components in PRP for therapeutic benefit. We review the clinical applications of PRP in osteoarthritis and tendinopathy and discuss the current existing challenges.