Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determination of the epidemiology and transmission of nontypable Haemophilus influenzae in children with otitis media by comparison of total genomic DNA restriction fingerprints

It is assumed that the causative bacteria in children suffering from otitis media reach the middle ear via the eustachian tube. The purpose of this investigation was to use endonuclease restriction of bacterial chromosomal DNA to compare isolates of nontypable (NT) Haemophilus influenzae obtained from the nasopharynx and from middle ear (ME) effusions of patients with otitis media. Strains of NT H. influenzae were isolated from the nasopharynx (NP) and affected ME from a group of 13 unrelated children with otitis media with effusion (OME). For 12 of these children, identical strains were isolated from the NP and ME in a first episode of OME. Each of these 12 sets differed from the other 11. Six of these children suffered from a second episode of OME with NT H. influenzae. Five of these children with recurrence again had identical NP and ME strains. These results suggest that at the time of an episode of OME, there is one predominant strain of NT H. influenzae that colonizes both the NP and ME. The strains of NT H. influenzae isolated from all six of the second episodes were different from strains from the first episode, indicating turnover of the predominant strain in the NT H. influenzae population between episodes. When we investigated three siblings with concurrent episodes of OME, we found that they shared several similar strains of NT H. influenzae, thereby demonstrating that within a family, transmission of NT H. influenzae from child to child is possible. These results from DNA fingerprinting were essentially identical when compared with results from outer membrane protein subtyping performed on the same set of strains. The analysis of endonuclease restriction patterns of total genomic DNA provides a sensitive measure of genetic dissimilarity between strains and represents an easily applicable method for epidemiological and transmission studies of bacterial infections associated with NT H. influenzae.
Growth of multi-amine terminated poly(amidoamine) dendrimers on the surface of carbon nanotubes

An in situ repetitive divergent polymerization strategy was employed to grow multi-amine poly(amidoamine) dendritic macromolecules on the surfaces of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), affording novel three-dimensional (3D) molecular nanocomposites. The crude MWNTs were oxidized using H2SO4/HNO3 = 3:1 (v/v) and then reacted with thionyl chloride, resulting in MWNTs functionalized with chlorocarbonyl groups (MWNT-COCl). MWNT-COCl, when reacted with an excess of ethylenediamine, produced amine-functionalized MWNT supported initiators (MWNT-NH2). Using the MWNT-NH2 as the growth supporter and methylacrylate/ethylenediamine as building blocks, multi-amine dendritic poly(amidoamine) macromolecules were covalently grafted onto the sidewalls and ends of MWNTs via Michael addition reaction and amidation. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) measurements showed that the weight ratio of the as-grown dendritic polymers on the MWNT surfaces lay in the 10%–50% range. The products were also characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Raman, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. The results indicate that the dendrimers are grafted onto the surface of MWNTs. The as-prepared nanocomposites exhibit excellent dispersibility in water.
Different Spectra of Stationary-Phase Mutations in Early-Arising versus Late-Arising Mutants of Pseudomonas putida: Involvement of the DNA Repair Enzyme MutY and the Stationary-Phase Sigma Factor RpoS

ABSTRACT Stationary-phase mutations occur in populations of stressed, nongrowing, and slowly growing cells and allow mutant bacteria to overcome growth barriers. Mutational processes in starving cells are different from those occurring in growing bacteria. Here, we present evidence that changes in mutational processes also take place during starvation of bacteria. Our test system for selection of mutants based on creation of functional promoters for the transcriptional activation of the phenol degradation genes pheBA in starving Pseudomonas putida enables us to study base substitutions (C-to-A or G-to-T transversions), deletions, and insertions. We observed changes in the spectrum of promoter-creating mutations during prolonged starvation of Pseudomonas putida on phenol minimal plates. One particular C-to-A transversion was the prevailing mutation in starving cells. However, with increasing time of starvation, the importance of this mutation decreased but the percentage of other types of mutations, such as 2- to 3-bp deletions, increased. The rate of transversions was markedly elevated in the P. putida MutY-defective strain. The occurrence of 2- to 3-bp deletions required the stationary-phase sigma factor RpoS, which indicates that some mutagenic pathway is positively controlled by RpoS in P. putida.
Etiology and Anti-microbial Sensitivity of Organisms Causing Community Acquired Pneumonia: A Single Hospital Study

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the common etiological pathogens causing community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in our hospital and sensitivity patterns to the common antibiotics used. Materials and Methods: This study was undertaken in a 750 bedded multi-specialty referral hospital in Kerala catering to both urban and semi-urban populations. It is a prospective study of patients who attended the medical out-patient department and those admitted with a clinical diagnosis of CAP, during the year 2009. Data were collected based on detailed patient interview, clinical examination and laboratory investigations. The latter included sputum culture and sensitivity pattern. These were tabulated and percentage incidence of etiological pathogens calculated. The antimicrobial sensitivity pattern was also classified by percentage and expressed as bar diagram. Results: The study showed Streptococcus pneumoniae to be the most common etiological agent for CAP, in our hospital setting. The other organisms isolated in order of frequency were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Alpha hemolytic streptococci, Escherichia coli, Beta hemolytic streptococci and atypical coli. S. pneumoniae was most sensitive to linezolid, followed by amoxicillin-clavulanate (augmentin), cloxacillin and ceftriaxone. Overall, the common pathogens causing CAP showed highest sensitivity to amikacin, followed by ofloxacin, gentamycin, amoxicillin-clavulanate (augmentin), ceftriaxone and linezolid. The least sensitivity rates were shown to amoxicillin and cefoperazone. Conclusion: In a hospital setting, empirical management for cases of CAP is not advisable. The present study has shown S. pneumoniae as the most likely pathogen and either linezolid or amikacin as the most likely effective antimicrobial in cases of CAP, in our setting.
Ultrastructure of tomato fruit ripening and the role of polygalacturonase isoenzymes in cell wall degradation.

Ultrastructural changes in the pericarp of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) fruit were followed during ripening. Ethylene production was monitored by gas chromatography and samples analyzed at successive stages of the ripening process.Changes in the cytoplasmic ultrastructure were not consistent with the suggestion that ripening is a ;senescence' phenomenon. A large degree of ultrastructural organization, especially of the mitochondria, chromoplasts, and rough endoplasmic reticulum, was retained by ripe fruit.Striking changes in the structure of the cell wall were noted, beginning with dissolution of the middle lamella and eventual disruption of the primary cell wall. These changes were correlated with appearance of polygalacturonase (EC 3.2.1.15) isoenzymes. Application of purified tomato polygalacturonase isoenzymes to mature green fruit tissue duplicated the changes in the cell wall noted during normal ripening. Possible roles of the polygalacturonase isoenzymes in cell wall disorganization are discussed.
Three Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen-Like Proteins Found in the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Aeropyrum pernix: Interactions with the Two DNA Polymerases

ABSTRACT Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is an essential component in the eukaryotic DNA replication machinery, in which it works for tethering DNA polymerases on the DNA template to accomplish processive DNA synthesis. The PCNA also interacts with many other proteins in important cellular processes, including cell cycle control, DNA repair, and an apoptotic pathway in the domain Eucarya. We identified three genes encoding PCNA-like sequences in the genome of Aeropyrum pernix, a crenarchaeal archaeon. We cloned and expressed these genes in Escherichia coli and analyzed the gene products. All three PCNA homologs stimulated the primer extension activities of the two DNA polymerases, polymerase I (Pol I) and Pol II, identified in A. pernix to various extents, among which A. pernix PCNA 3 (ApePCNA3) provided a most remarkable effect on both Pol I and Pol II. The three proteins were confirmed to exist in the A. pernix cells. These results suggest that the three PCNAs work as the processivity factor of DNA polymerases in A. pernix cells under different conditions. In Eucarya, three checkpoint proteins, Hus1, Rad1, and Rad9, have been proposed to form a PCNA-like ring structure and may work as a sliding clamp for the translesion DNA polymerases. Therefore, it is very interesting that three active PCNAs were found in one archaeal cell. Further analyses are necessary to determine whether each PCNA has specific roles, and moreover, how they reveal different functions in the cells.
Ruptured intracranial aneurysms: acute endovascular treatment with electrolytically detachable coils--a prospective randomized study.

PURPOSE To compare the use of electrolytically detachable coils versus surgical ligation for the management of acutely ruptured intracranial aneurysm. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective randomized study included 109 patients with acute (< 72 hours) subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by a ruptured aneurysm (Hunt and Hess grade I-II [n = 67], grade III [n = 26], or grade IV-V [n = 16]). All patients were suitable candidates for both endovascular and surgical treatment and were randomly assigned to undergo coil embolization (n = 52) or surgical ligation (n = 57). RESULTS Significantly better primary angiographic results were achieved after surgery in patients with anterior cerebral artery aneurysm (n = 55, P = .005) and after endovascular treatment in those with posterior circulation aneurysm (n = 11, P = .045). No significant differences were seen in middle cerebral artery (n = 19) or internal carotid artery (n = 24) aneurysms. Early rebleeding occurred in one patient after incomplete coil embolization. The technique-related mortality rate was 4% in the surgical group and 2% in the endovascular group. Clinical outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale score) at 3 months was not significantly different between treatment groups in terms of intended treatment modality. No late rebleedings had occurred at the time of this writing. CONCLUSION In selected patients with a recently ruptured intracranial aneurysm, favorable results were achieved by using endovascular treatment. Subsequent acute or late open surgery was sometimes required. The clinical outcome at 3 months was comparable in the endovascular and surgical treatment groups.
Legislative Abolition of the Death Penalty: A Qualitative Analysis

Legislative action was historically the means by which U.S. states abolished capital punishment, but such action ceased for decades following the Supreme Court's 1976 Gregg decision that reaffirmed the constitutionality of the death penalty. Despite the fact that several legislatures have considered abolition bills in the modern era, only three states successfully enacted such legislation. It is my purpose in this study to analyze why states are currently struggling to pass abolition legislation and to determine which factors contribute to success. I conduct a comparative, qualitative case study of New Jersey, the first state to legislatively abolish since 1976, and Maryland, a similar state whose abolition effort recently failed. I analyze the content of legislators’ debates about the abolition bills in committee and on the legislature floor, as well as news coverage of the abolition efforts in each state's largest newspapers. I reach two primary conclusions. First, an abolition bill is more likely to be passed by Democrats than Republicans, but unified Democratic control of the government is not a sufficient condition for abolition. Second, arguments about the risk of wrongful executions and the deleterious collateral consequences of the death penalty process on the family members of murder victims are powerful sources of political support for abolition, especially where doubts about the deterrent effect of the death penalty are widespread. This study reaffirms the central importance of the innocence frame in the modern death penalty debate, and it presents the first scholarly analysis of the collateral consequences frame. These findings may help activists in the abolition movement more effectively frame their arguments to appeal to legislators.
Endovascular treatment of intracranial vertebral artery dissections with stent placement or stent-assisted coiling.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Endovascular treatment with stent placement or stent-assisted coiling was recently introduced as an alternative to parent artery occlusion in intracranial vertebral artery dissections. We describe the efficacy and limitations of this method. METHODS Fourteen patients with intracranial vertebral artery dissection were treated with stent placement (10 patients) or stent-assisted coiling (4 patients). Double overlapping stents were deployed in 4 of 10 patients with stent placement alone. Angiographic follow-up at 6 to 12 months was available in 13 patients. RESULTS In 13 patients with dissecting aneurysm, immediate angiographic outcomes were complete occlusion (1 patient), nearly complete (2 patients), and incomplete (10 patients). Follow-up angiograms of 12 of these patients showed complete occlusion (6 patients) and incomplete (6 patients; 1 unstable and 5 stable). Complete occlusion rates in follow-up angiograms were superior in double stent placement (75%) or stent-assisted Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC) embolization to stent placement alone (0%). There were no instances of postprocedural ischemic attacks, new neurologic deficits, and no new minor or major strokes before patient discharge. On the modified Rankin scale applied in follow-up, all patients were assessed as functionally improved or of stable clinical status. CONCLUSIONS Intracranial vertebral artery dissections were acceptably treated with stent placement or stent-assisted coiling, and the patency could be preserved at follow-up. However, the efficiency of stent placement alone for intracranial vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm was limited. Stent-assisted coil embolization or double stent placements are a viable alternative for complete occlusion of dissecting aneurysms.
Characterization of human myeloid progenitors and their differentiation

All hematopoietic cells are derived from the hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in a continuous and dynamic process, regulated by a network of transcription factors in different combinations and extrinsic signals from growth factors (GFs) and other factors in the microenvironment. In the initial stages of hematopoiesis HSCs differentiate to progenitor cells with gradually more restricted lineage potential and according to the most accepted model the first restriction in developmental potential results in commitment to either the lymphoid or the myeloid branch, in the latter followed by commitment to the neutrophil/monocyte and erythrocyte/megakaryocyte lineages. The objective of this thesis was to further characterize early human myeloid development. As a first step we established a map over neutrophil and erythroid differentiation-associated changes both on the surface and in gene expression, using in vitro cultures of normal human bone marrow cells. This map identifies lineage-specific markers and describes the expression patterns of suggested crucial regulators of myeloid development. Next we found that the inclusion of the growth factor receptor (GFR) thrombopoietin receptor (TpoR) in a previously presented immunophenotype definition of the human common myeloid progenitor (CMP), granulocyte/monocyte progenitor (GMP) and megakaryocyte/erythrocyte progenitor (MEP), significantly improved the separation of MEPs (TpoR+) from CMPs. Furthermore, it was shown that even though the surface expression of GFRs on these progenitors coincides with the supposed regulating functions of the corresponding GFs, it cannot always be predicted by the gene expression. More specific studies of the proposed CMP revealed that this is a heterogeneous population, composed of a fraction of multipotent cells that are susceptible to extrinsic regulation of lineage fate and a fraction of lineage-polarized or committed cells, which differentiate along their respective lineages regardless of the presence or absence of different GFs. However, it has proven difficult to find surface markers that separate these functional subcompartments and it is possible that they only differ in their expression of transcription factors and other intrinsic molecules.
THE INFLUENCE OF PATIENT'S PERSONALITY ON ADJUSTMENT TO CHRONIC DIALYSIS: A PREDICTIVE STUDY

The aim of the present study is to gather data on the influence of certain personality factors on adjustment to chronic hemodialysis. One hundred thirty-six patients underwent predialysis personality assessment by clinical evaluation and all those who survived at least 6 months on dialysis were followed up. The follow-ups were carried out by a nephrologist and a psychiatrist 6 months (100 patients), 12 months (87 patients), 24 months (51 patients), and 36 months (28 patients) after commencement of dialysis. The main findings confirmed the assumption that it is possible to predict, at a highly significant statistical level, all of the major aspects of adjustment: compliance with the diet, rehabilitation, and the patients' psychological condition as reflected by four aspects—depression, suicidal tendencies, anxiety, and psychotic complications. A slight tendency was found to overestimate patients' adjustment potential. The possibility that this was due to stresses not taken into account, e.g., the threat of death, is discussed. Analysis of the limited data of our own unit compared with the rest of the group seems to indicate that our patients fulfilled their potential for adjustment to a higher degree than those in other units, especially in regard to compliance and lack of depression. The presence of a psychiatrist and a social worker on the team may have improved adjustment prospects. The question was raised whether this phenomenon is the result of psychotherapy with the patients or of indirect service, e.g., a psychiatrist on the team promoting the development of a realistic team attitude and reducing physicians' denial. Understanding the specific personality traits that cause specific maladjustment may provide a rational basis for focus-oriented psychotherapeutic intervention, while enabling the planning of optional treatment methods for terminal renal failure.
Prediction of Child Performance on a Parent–Child Behavioral Approach Test With Animal Phobic Children

A host of factors including genetic influences, temperament characteristics, learning experiences, information processing biases, parental psychopathology, and specific parenting practices have been hypothesized to contribute to the development and expression of children’s phobias. In the present study, the authors focused on parental psychopathology (phobic anxiety) and parenting behaviors (warmth, involvement) in the prediction of child performance on a behavioral approach test (BAT). All children (n = 44) experienced a phobia of animals and were clinic referred. The youth completed two BATs: the first alone and the second one with a parent present. Overall, performance was greater on the parent-present BAT (58% of steps completed) than on the child-alone BAT (38% of steps completed), although considerable variability was present. Performance on the parent-present BAT was associated with parental warmth and involvement but not parental phobic anxiety. Implications of these findings were discussed, and their implications for the use of behavioral analogues tests were explored.
Sustainable Growth: Modelling, Issues and Policies

This document is a literature review of sustainable growth. Because there are many definitions of sustainable growth, we use the following one that is very common in economics. Economic growth is 'sustainable', if it meets the needs of the present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This concerns both the availability of resources for future generations and the environmental impacts of current decisions on future activities. Section I, we consider issues and policy measures related to the resource problem. We introduce dynamic models in which exhaustible resources are used in production and apply them to several cases: an open economy, a backstop technology and the relationship of climate and economic growth. We also examine a transition of dirty to clean technology and the consequences of this to public finance and intergenerational equity. In Section II, we consider macroeconomic performance with natural resources: origins and effects of resource abundance, patterns of development for world prices, resource depletion, peak production, "Dutch disease" and external debt. If economic growth affects environment, then the abatement of environmental damages must be included into the discussion of sustainable economic growth. In Section III, we present resource extraction and the environmental impacts of economic activities in the context of multiple decision makers. This introduces strategic interactions of agents, e.g. firms, households and nations. We consider collusion as well as Cournot, Bertrand games and discuss on diverse micro and macro policies that consider incentive compatibility. In the Appendix, we introduce a finite horizon procedure called Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (NMC) by which the models presented in this survey can be numerically solved.
A systematic approach to molecular quantitative determination of mixed chimaerism following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: an analysis of its applicability in a group of patients with severe aplastic anaemia

Abstract: Mixed chimaerism (MC) following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo‐BMT) is defined as the persistent cohabitation of haematopoietic cells from recipients and donors. Its kinetics, clinical implications and more efficient laboratory approaches for MC detection are the object of ongoing research in view of the possibility of developing useful markers. Here we describe a sequential analysis of chimaerism using variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by quantitative, fluorescent labelled, short tandem repeat (STR) PCR. A set of four, highly discriminative VNTR and four STR markers was used to assess chimaerism. Sensitivity and regression analysis indicated that this approach was reliable for routine application in a single BMT centre. We studied 12 patients with severe aplastic anaemia (SAA) who had received allo‐BMT, and had been conditioned with cyclosphosphamide (Cy) with or without anti‐thymocyte globulin (ATG). We found a 50% prevalence of MC in the whole group, with levels between 4% and 37% of recipient cells. A sustained stable MC pattern after BMT was characteristic of the Cy‐only conditioned patients but was also recorded in one patient treated with the Cy + ATG regime who showed a sustained MC pattern over a period of 24 months post‐BMT. In none of our patients, MC was associated with an increased risk of graft rejection in a median follow‐up of 39.5 months.