Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the GenoType® MTBDRsl assay in Korean patients with MDR or XDR tuberculosis

Abstract Background This study used the GenoType® MTBDRsl assay (MTBDRsl, Hain Lifescience, Nehren, Germany), an assay for anti-tuberculosis drug susceptibility testing, for the detection of resistance of 40 tuberculosis strains to fluroquinolones (FLQ), injectable drugs (amikacin or capreomycin) and ethambutol to identify multi-drug resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis patients previously identified by solid drug susceptibility test (DST). Methods These tuberculosis strains were analysed by both DNA sequencing and conventional drug susceptibility testing on solid medium. Results The overall agreement rates of the MTBDRsl assay and phenotypic drug susceptibility testing for the detection of ofloxacin (OXF), moxifloxacin (MXF), amikacin (AMK), capreomycin (CPM) and ethambutol (EMB) susceptibility in clinical strains were 87.5% (35/40), 87.5% (35/40), 97.5% (39/40), 60.0% (24/40) and 65.0% (26/40), respectively. Conclusions This study reconfirmed 37 extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis strains using the MTBDRsl assay and these strains were verified by phenotypic drug susceptibility testing. After identification with the MTBDRsl assay, the results were analysed by DNA sequencing with specific primers. From the various mutations identified in the DNA sequencing results, this study found new mutations that characterised EMB-resistant strains, namely, R507K and G406T mutations, which had not been previously reported.
Psychopathology in children with epilepsy before and after temporal lobe resection

The aim of this study was to establish the rate and spectrum of psychiatric disorder among children before and after temporal lobe surgery for epilepsy. Data were examined for associations between psychopathology and seizure outcome following surgery, or association between psychopathology and other variables, such as laterality of lesion, sex, cognitive level, and underlying pathology. Participants were 60 children (35 males, 25 females) who had focal seizures of temporal lobe origin and who had undergone temporal lobe resection between 1992 and 1998; mean age at time of operation 10y 7mo, (SD 4y 11mo) range 7mo to 17y 11mo. Mean length of follow‐up was 5.1 years (SD 2.3, range 2 to 10y). Twenty‐eight (47%) children had undergone right temporal lobectomy. Diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder was present in 50/60 (83%) children at some point, with high rates of psychiatric comorbidity. Common childhood psychiatric disorders of attention‐deficit–hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder, and emotional disorders were present in about 25% of children. Disorders rarely seen in the general child population were over‐represented: disruptive behaviour disorder – not otherwise specified (30/60 [50%]), and pervasive developmental disorder (autistic spectrum disorder; 23/60 [38%]). There was no significant relationship between pathology, sex, seizure frequency, or postoperative seizure outcome and psychiatric disorder, other than for pervasive developmental disorder. The same proportion of children had psychiatric diagnoses pre‐ and postoperatively (43/60 [72%] and 41/57 [72%] respectively). Although mental health problems are common in children undergoing temporal lobe resection, there are few predictors of psychiatric outcome following epilepsy surgery. Parents require counselling on these issues in the preoperative work‐up.
Effect of Iron on the Virulence of Trichomonas vaginalis

The role of iron was evaluated with respect to the virulence of Trichomonas vaginalis in mice. Iron-supplemented and iron-depleted Diamond's trypticase–yeast extract–maltose (TYM) media were prepared by adding 360 µM of ferrous sulfate and 100 µM of 2,2′-dipyridyl. Trophozoites cultivated from normal TYM and iron-supplemented TYM media produced subcutaneous abscesses; however, trichomonads grown in an iron-deficient TYM medium failed to produce any pathology. In addition to the increased virulence of trophozoites in mice, iron affects the level of adherence and the cytotoxicity of trichomonads to HeLa cells, which are significantly reduced in trophozoites grown in iron-deficient medium. In conclusion, it is suggested that under iron-depleted conditions such as that induced by 2,2′-dipyridyl the virulence of T. vaginalis is reduced.
DIFFERENT WAYS OF BEING AWARE OF A PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITY: A MULTIFUNCTIONAL NARRATIVE APPROACH TO INSIGHT INTO MENTAL DISORDER

Many people with a psychiatric disability appear to exhibit varying degrees of lack of awareness of the mental disorder that is implied by their diagnosis. Furthermore, there is considerable controversy regarding the significance of being aware of and acknowledging a psychiatric disorder. Different responses to the issues underlying this controversy can be found in the professional and research literature. This article describes and compares some of these responses. On the basis of this description and comparison, a multifunctional narrative approach to insight into mental disorder is developed, and implications of this approach for psychiatric rehabilitation research and for psychiatric rehabilitation intervention are explored.
Tearing up the disc: misaligned accretion on to a binary

Support for this work was provided by NAS through the Einstein Fellowship Programme, grant PF2130098. Research in theoretical astrophysics at Leicester is supported by an STFC Consolidated Grant. We used SPLASH (Price 2007) for the visualization. The calculations for this paper were performed on the Complexity node of the DiRAC2 HPC Facility which is jointly funded by STFC, the department of Business Innovation and Skills and the University of Leicester.
Stress and the Development of Cognitive Vulnerabilities to Depression Explain Sex Differences in Depressive Symptoms During Adolescence

Although cognitive vulnerabilities to depression have received considerable empirical support, little research has evaluated the differential development of cognitive vulnerabilities in adolescent girls and boys. The current study examined the role of stressful life events, as well as sex differences in reactivity and exposure to stress, in the development of negative cognitive style and rumination in a multiwave study of 382 adolescents. Path analyses indicated that interpersonal dependent stress predicted higher prospective levels of negative cognitive styles and rumination. In addition, girls’ greater exposure to interpersonal dependent stress explained their higher levels of rumination, which accounted for higher levels of depressive symptoms in girls than in boys. These findings suggest that interpersonal dependent stress is a significant risk factor for the formation of cognitive vulnerabilities to depression during adolescence, and that the sex difference in depressive symptoms may result from girls’ greater exposure to interpersonal dependent stress and ruminative response style.
A Changing Wind Collision

We report on the first detection of a global change in the X-ray emitting properties of a wind–wind collision, thanks to XMM-Newton observations of the massive Small Magellenic Cloud (SMC) system HD 5980. While its light curve had remained unchanged between 2000 and 2005, the X-ray flux has now increased by a factor of ∼2.5, and slightly hardened. The new observations also extend the observational coverage over the entire orbit, pinpointing the light-curve shape. It has not varied much despite the large overall brightening, and a tight correlation of fluxes with orbital separation is found without any hysteresis effect. Moreover, the absence of eclipses and of absorption effects related to orientation suggests a large size for the X-ray emitting region. Simple analytical models of the wind–wind collision, considering the varying wind properties of the eruptive component in HD 5980, are able to reproduce the recent hardening and the flux-separation relationship, at least qualitatively, but they predict a hardening at apastron and little change in mean flux, contrary to observations. The brightness change could then possibly be related to a recently theorized phenomenon linked to the varying strength of thin-shell instabilities in shocked wind regions.
Patterns of tobacco use and tobacco-related psychiatric morbidity and substance use among middle-aged and older adults in the United States

Objectives: To examine prevalence of tobacco use and identify psychiatric symptoms and substance use correlates of tobacco use comparing adults 50–64 years of age with those 65+ years of age (N = 10,891). Methods: Data were from the 2008–2009 US National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. Results: Past-year tobacco use was one-half as frequent among adults aged 65+ years (14.1%) compared to adults aged 50–64 years (30.2%); the latter group surpassed the former in rates of cigarette smoking (24.8% vs. 10.6%), daily cigarette smoking (16.5% vs. 7.1%), cigar smoking (7.4% vs. 2.3%), and smokeless tobacco use (2.5% vs. 1.7%). Increased odds of cigarette smoking were noted among men, whites, African Americans, and those who had less education, had lower income, were not currently married, or were binge drinkers or illicit/non-medical drug users. In controlled analyses, odds ratio in those 65+ years of age who had smoked during the past year was 2.2 for binge drinking and 3.5 for illicit or non-medical drug use. Odds ratio of binge drinking among those 65+ years of age for cigar smokers during the past year was 3.1. Past-year cigarette smoking was not associated with reports of symptoms of depression or anxiety in the 65+ age group. Conclusions: Tobacco use is less prevalent among adults 65+ years of age yet continues to be strongly associated with binge drinking and illicit or non-medical drug use. Preventive efforts to decrease these substance use problems should include programs to decrease tobacco use.
Renal cell carcinoma 2005: new frontiers in staging, prognostication and targeted molecular therapy.

PURPOSE Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has traditionally been staged using a purely anatomical staging system. Although current staging systems provide good prognostic information, data published in the last few years has led to significant controversies as to whether further revisions are needed and whether improvements can be made with the introduction of new, more accurate and predictive prognostic factors not currently included in traditional staging systems. This review highlights such controversies and provides an update on current staging modalities, prognostic factors and targeted molecular therapy for RCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS A comprehensive review of the peer reviewed literature was performed on the topic of current staging modalities, validated prognostic factors, predictive nomograms, molecular markers and targeted molecular therapy for RCC. RESULTS A staging system for malignant disease such as RCC uses various characteristics of tumors to stratify patients into clinically meaningful categories, which can be used to provide patients with counseling regarding prognosis, select treatment modalities and determine eligibility for clinical trials. The TNM staging system is currently the most extensively used one. However, it has undergone recent systematic revision due to rapidly emerging data from longer patient followup. The identification of various histological and symptomatic factors has led groups at many centers to develop more comprehensive staging systems that integrate these factors and include patients with metastatic and local disease. While integrated staging systems have improved RCC staging, the recent discovery of molecular tumor markers is expected to revolutionize RCC staging in the future and lead to the development of new therapies based on molecular targeting. CONCLUSIONS Staging systems for RCC serve as a valuable prognostic tool. Several new patient and tumor characteristics have been reported to be important prognostic factors and they have been integrated into current staging systems. In addition, the field of RCC is rapidly undergoing a revolution led by molecular markers and targeted therapies. With this information urologists will be updated with the most current and comprehensive staging strategies, and be provided with a glimpse of the molecular and patient specific staging and treatment paradigms that will in our opinion transform the future management of this malignancy.
PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT AND ITS ETHYLACETATE AND n-BUTANOL FRACTIONS OF SECHIUM EDULE FRUITS AGAINST CARBON TETRACHLORIDE INDUCED HEPATIC INJURY IN RATS

Ethanolic extract of fruits of Sechium edule and its different fractions (100, 200 mg/kg, p.o) showed significant hepatoprotective activity against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rats by reducing the levels of AST, ALT, ALP, total billirubin and hepatic lipid peroxidation and increasing the levels of antioxidants markers like hepatic glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), super oxide dismutase (SOD) and total protein in a dose dependent manner, which was confirmed by histopathological examination. Thus, the ethanolic extract of fruits of Sechium edule could protect the liver cells from CCl4 induced liver damages, by its antioxidative effect on hepatocytes.
Fixed Point Theorems for Set Valued Mappings in Partially Ordered Metric Spaces

Let (X, ) be a partially ordered set and d be a metric on X such that (X, d) is a complete metric space. Assume that X satisfies; if a non-decreasing sequence xn → x in X , then xn x, for all n. Let F be a set valued mapping from X into X with nonempty closed bounded values satisfying; (i) there exists κ ∈ (0, 1) with D(F (x), F (y)) ≤ κd(x, y), for all x y, (ii) if d(x, y) < e < 1 for some y ∈ F (x) then x y, (iii) there exists x0 ∈ X, and some x1 ∈ F (x0) with x0 x1 such that d(x0, x1) < 1. It is shown that F has a fixed point. Several consequences are also obtained. Keywords—Fixed point, partially ordered set, metric space, set valued mapping.
Nerve Growth Factor-Induced Cell Cycle Reentry in Newborn Neurons Is Triggered by p38MAPK-Dependent E2F4 Phosphorylation

ABSTRACT Cumulative evidence indicates that activation of cyclin D-dependent kinase 4/6 (cdk4/6) represents a major trigger of cell cycle reentry and apoptosis in vertebrate neurons. We show here the existence of another mechanism triggering cell cycle reentry in differentiating chick retinal neurons (DCRNs), based on phosphorylation of E2F4 by p38MAPK. We demonstrate that the activation of p75NTR by nerve growth factor (NGF) induces nuclear p38MAPK kinase activity, which leads to Thr phosphorylation and subsequent recruitment of E2F4 to the E2F-responsive cdc2 promoter. Inhibition of p38MAPK, but not of cdk4/6, specifically prevents NGF-dependent cell cycle reentry and apoptosis in DCRNs. Moreover, a constitutively active form of chick E2F4 (Thr261Glu/Thr263Glu) stimulates G1/S transition and apoptosis, even after inhibition of p38MAPK activity. In contrast, a dominant-negative E2F4 form (Thr261Ala/Thr263Ala) prevents NGF-induced cell cycle reactivation and cell death in DCRNs. These results indicate that NGF-induced cell cycle reentry in neurons depends on the activation of a novel, cdk4/6-independent pathway that may participate in neurodegeneration.
The TIMP2 Membrane Type 1 Metalloproteinase “Receptor” Regulates the Concentration and Efficient Activation of Progelatinase A

We have used C-terminal domain mutants to further define the role of interactions of progelatinase A and membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1 MMP) in the binding of TIMP2 and in the cell-associated activation of progelatinase A. Soluble constructs of MT1 MMP were used to demonstrate that binding with TIMP2 occurs primarily through N-terminal domain interactions, leaving the C-terminal domain free for interactions with progelatinase A. The rate of autolytic activation of progelatinase A initiated by MT1 MMP cleavage could be potentiated by concentration of the proenzyme by binding to heparin. Residues 568–631 of the progelatinase A C-terminal domain are important in formation of the heparin binding site, since replacement of this region with the corresponding stromelysin-1 sequence abolished binding to heparin and the potentiation of activation. The same region of gelatinase A was required for binding of latent and active enzyme to TIMP2, but residues 418–474 were not important. A similar pattern was seen using cell membrane-associated MT1 MMP; residues 568–631 were required for binding and activation of progelatinase A, whereas residues 418–474 were not. Neither region was required for activation in solution. The addition of TIMP2 to HT1080 membrane preparations expressing MT1 MMP, but depleted of endogenous TIMP2, resulted in potentiation of progelatinase A activation. This effect was dependent upon TIMP2 binding to MT1 MMP rather than at an independent membrane site. Together, the data suggest that TIMP2 forms a receptor with MT1 MMP that regulates the concentration and efficient generation of functionally active gelatinase A.
Older age, poor performance status and major comorbidities: how to treat high-risk patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer

Purpose of review Lung cancer is the leading cause of mortality in men and women, and the majority of patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are over 65 years of age. Treatment of elderly patients with NSCLC poses a significant therapeutic challenge owing to numerous pre-existing comorbidities, often-poor performance status and the increased risk of chemotherapy toxicities. Recent findings Single-agent chemotherapy is well tolerated, leads to an improvement in survival and quality of life outcomes and is favored by many clinicians in the treatment of elderly patients with NSCLC. Results from recent elderly specific randomized phase III trials and retrospective subgroup analyses of several trials have evaluated the use of combination chemotherapy in this difficult subgroup of patients, with encouraging results. Summary Elderly patients derive significant benefit from combination cytotoxic chemotherapy over single-agent chemotherapy. Therapeutic options for elderly patients include chemotherapy and/or targeted therapy, based on the individual tumor histology and molecular profile. As our population ages, it is critical we develop treatment strategies that are well tolerated , and which both minimize toxicity and maximize efficacy.
Subventricular Zone‐Derived Neural Progenitor Cells Migrate Along a Blood Vessel Scaffold Toward The Post‐stroke Striatum

The subventricular zone (SVZ) of the adult brain contains neural stem cells that have the capacity to regenerate new neurons after various insults. Brain ischemia causes damage to brain tissue and induces neural regeneration together with angiogenesis. We previously reported that, after ischemic injury in mice, SVZ‐derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) migrate into the striatum, and these NPCs are frequently associated with blood vessels in the regenerating brain tissue. Here we studied the role of blood vessels during the neural regeneration in more detail. BrdU administration experiments revealed that newly generated NPCs were associated with both newly formed and pre‐existing blood vessels in the ischemic striatum, suggesting that the angiogenic environment is not essential for the neuron‐blood vessel interaction. To observe migrating NPCs and blood vessels simultaneously in damaged brain tissue, we performed live imaging of cultured brain slices after ischemic injury. In this system, we virally labeled SVZ‐derived NPCs in Flk1‐EGFP knock‐in mice in which the blood vessels are labeled with EGFP. Our results provide direct evidence that SVZ‐derived NPCs migrate along blood vessels from the SVZ toward the ischemic region of the striatum. The leading process of the migrating NPCs was closely associated with blood vessels, suggesting that this interaction provides directional guidance to the NPCs. These findings suggest that blood vessels play an important role as a scaffold for NPCs migration toward the damaged brain region. STEM CELLS 2010;28:545–554
Giant Gradient Force for Nanoparticle Trapping in Coupled Graphene Strips Waveguides

We conduct both analytical and numerical investigations of the giant gradient force for nanoparticle trapping in the coupled graphene strips waveguides system. An analytical model based on coupled slab waveguides has been adopted in the analysis of mode performance and gradient force, and good agreement is obtained with numerical simulations. Both theoretical modeling and numerical simulations have shown that the gradient force can be as high as 8 nN/μm· mW at a gap size of 10 nm, which is at least one order of magnitude higher than the previously reported hybrid plasmonic waveguide. Meanwhile, the giant gradient force leads to an ultrahigh trapping force and potential of 1.5 × 106 fN/W and 2.4 × 103 kBT/W, which are three orders of magnitude larger than the hybrid plasmonic waveguides. This enables the efficient trapping of nanoparticles with diameters as small as 2 nm. This coupled graphene strips system opens up new possibilities of tunable nanoscale mechanical devices and various potential applications, such as manipulating biomolecules.
[Impact of regulatory measures in the trends of community consumption of antibiotics in Chile].

BACKGROUND The indiscriminate use of antibiotics increases the appearance of bacterial resistance and forces the use of more expensive alternatives. The Chilean Ministry of Health is regulating the consumption of antibiotics since September 1999. These regulatory measures restricted the sale of antibiotics only when these were prescribed by an MD or an DS. AIM To study the impact of these regulatory measures on antibiotics sales in pharmacies. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective analysis of antibiotics sales in pharmacies from 1996 to 2000. The information was obtained from the International Marketing System (IMS Health), an auditing system of pharmacy sales. The consumption unit used was the Defined Daily Dose per 1000 inhabitants/day (DDD). RESULTS There was an important reduction in DDD, after the introduction of regulatory measures, for amoxicillin, ampicillin, erythromycin, trimethoprim/sulpha, chroramphenicol, cloxacillin and phenoxymethylpenicillin. There was also a important fall in sales, expressed in dollars. CONCLUSIONS The regulatory measures of the Ministry of Health, had an immediate and great impact on antibiotics sales in Chile.
Comparison of Surge Arrester Models

This paper deals with the two most used arresters models applied in digital simulations with the Alternative Transients Program, the conventional, and IEEE models. It presents a model analysis and parameter adjustment procedures to the conventional model. It also presents an application to both models of different types of current and voltage surges and even power frequency voltage, with a comparison of the results obtained with both models and with typical manufacturer data. While adjustment of the IEEE model was difficult and laborious, the conventional model presented a straightforward procedure. The results obtained show that there is a close agreement between the two models when the surge front time is above 1/2 μs. The conventional model always presents higher values for the limiting and residual voltages, and better agreement with the typical manufacturer data. Thus, the conventional model presents the advantages of simplicity and more conservative results.