Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular studies of plasmids of multiply-resistant Shigella spp. in Hong Kong

SUMMARY One hundred and two Shigella spp. isolated in two hospitals in Hong Kong were analysed for antibiotic resistances, resistance plasmids and plasmid profiles. Three quarters of the isolates were S.flexneri. All isolates harboured plasmids, up to a maximum of ten within one strain. Plasmids of 220 kb encoding resistances to tetracycline, chloramphenicol and sulphonamide and probably also associated with invasivenes in the Sereny test were found in 80 strains and were transferable in 18% of cases. Resistance plasmids of 92 and 99 kb were found in 27 and 15 strains respectively and encoded resistances to ampicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, sulphonamide, trimethoprim, cotrimoxazole and gentamicin; these plasmids were usually transferable. Four plasmids of 3·9, 2·8, 2·2 and 1·8 kb were commonly found in S. flexneri strains, but were rare in other species. In contrast, there was no predominant plasmid profile in S. sonnei. S. flexneri is endemic in Hong Kong and these plasmid studies suggest that the strains in circulation are derived from only a few clones.
PRONÓSTICO DE VENTAS USANDO REDES NEURONALES

Este articulo muestra algunas tecnicas de pronostico tradicionales que son comparadas con el comportamiento de una Red Neuronal Artificial. Se usa un problema de pronostico de ventas como referenci Para obtener un buen comportamiento de la Red Neuronal se aplican diferentes funciones de transferencia asi como diferentes criterios de parad Son obtenidos excelentes resultados que muestran el potencial de esta tecnica artificial.
Detection of rare Leydig cell hypoplasia in somatic cell cloned male piglets

In this investigation, 22 cloned male piglets were obtained by male fetal fibroblast-cell-derived nuclear transfer. Eighteen of the cloned animals died. The two cell lines did not differ significantly with regard to efficiency of live piglet production. The gross anatomy of the testes of male piglets that died was normal. However, one piglet displayed Leydig cell hypoplasia (LCH). No anatomical defects were detected in the testes of other cloned male piglets. TUNEL analysis of the testis with LCH revealed significant apoptosis in the Leydig cells, while apoptosis was rarely detected in Sertoli cells and spermatogonia. In contrast, testes from the remaining 17 piglets that died appeared normal in size, and their Sertoli and Leydig cell numbers were comparable to those in control piglet testes. Although cloned piglets were derived from fibroblasts obtained from the same fetus, phenotypic instability between cells used for the production of somatic cell cloned piglets suggests that abnormalities in male cloned piglets are caused not by technical problems and/or reprogramming effects, but rather by epigenetically and/or genetically damaged cell-specific effects.
Stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma (0, 1, or 2)

Purpose of review Autologous stem cell transplantation is now considered the standard of care in patients with multiple myeloma up to 65 years of age. Therefore, two questions have been recently addressed by cooperative groups: should autologous stem cell transplantation be offered to older patients, and is it possible to improve the results of autologous stem cell transplantation, especially with double autologous stem cell transplantation? The results of allogeneic transplantation remain disappointing, with a high transplant-related mortality rate, increasing the need to explore new strategies such as reduced-intensity conditioning. Recent findings A randomized Italian study confirms that two courses of intermediate-dose melphalan supported by autologous stem cell transplantation is superior to standard melphalan-prednisone even in patients aged 65 to 70. The Intergroupe Francophone du Myélome 94 (IFM94) trial shows that double transplantation is superior to single transplantation, at least in patients with less than 90% reduction of their M-component after one transplant. Several studies have addressed the issue of prognostic factors in the context of autologous stem cell transplantation. A prospective Dutch trial confirms poor results with T cell-depleted allogeneic transplantation prepared by a standard myeloablative regimen. The Seattle group, on the other hand, reports encouraging preliminary data with tandem auto/mini-allotransplantation. Summary The available results of randomized studies are in favor of tandem autologous transplantation. In the near future, ongoing studies will clarify the role of novel agents (thalidomide and its analogs, bortezomib) in the context of autologous stem cell transplantation and the place of tandem auto/mini-allotransplantation compared with tandem autologous transplantation.
Advances in Therapeutic Development for Radiation Cystitis

Radiation treatment for pelvic malignancies is typically associated with radiation injury to urinary bladder that can ultimately lead to radiation cystitis (RC). The late sequelae of radiation therapy may take many years to develop and include bothersome storage symptoms such as hematuria, which may be life‐threatening in severe cases of hemorrhagic cystitis. Although no definitive treatment is currently available, various interventions are used for radiation and hemorrhagic cystitis including blood transfusion, bladder irrigation, intravesical instillation of substances such as alum, silver nitrate, prostaglandins or formalin, and fulguration of intravesical bleeding sites and surgery options such as supravesical urinary diversions and cystectomy. Effects of non‐surgical treatments for radiation and hemorrhagic cystitis are of modest success and studies are lacking to control the effects caused by RC. When such measures have proven ineffective, use of bladder botulinum toxin injection has been reported. New therapy, such as intravesical immunosuppression with local tacrolimus formulation is being developed for the treatment of radiation hemorrhagic cystitis.
Central nervous system effects of haloperidol on THC in healthy male volunteers

In this study, the hypothesis that haloperidol would lead to an amelioration of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-induced ‘psychotomimetic’ effects was investigated. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, partial three-way crossover ascending dose study the effects of THC, haloperidol and their combination were investigated in 35 healthy, male mild cannabis users, measuring Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Visual Analogue Scales for alertness, mood, calmness and psychedelic effects, saccadic and smooth pursuit eye measurements, electroencephalography, Body Sway, Stroop test, Visual and Verbal Learning Task, hormone levels and pharmacokinetics. Compared with placebo, THC significantly decreased smooth pursuit, Visual Analogue Scales alertness, Stroop test performance, immediate and delayed word recall and prolactin concentrations, and significantly increased positive and general Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale score, Visual Analogue Scales feeling high, Body Sway and electroencephalography alpha. Haloperidol reversed the THC-induced positive Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale increase to levels observed with haloperidol alone, but not THC-induced ‘high’ feelings. Compared with placebo, haloperidol significantly decreased saccadic peak velocity, smooth pursuit, Visual Analogue Scales mood and immediate and delayed word recall and significantly increased Body Sway, electroencephalography theta and prolactin levels. THC-induced increases in positive Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale but not in Visual Analogue Scales feeling high were reversed by haloperidol. This indicates that psychotic-like effects induced by THC are mediated by dopaminergic systems, but that other systems are involved in ‘feeling high’. Additionally, the clear reductions of psychotic-like symptoms by a clinically relevant dose of haloperidol suggest that THC administration may be a useful pharmacological cannabinoid model for psychotic effects in healthy volunteers.
Prevalence of sexual abuse history in a sample of women seeking treatment for premenstrual syndrome

This study evaluated the prevalence and correlates of sexual abuse history among women seeking treatment for severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Of 77 women participating in a randomized clinical trial of non-pharmacological treatments for severe PMS, 42 were interviewed regarding their sexual abuse history. The interviewed women were a mean of 38 years old, and most were of European ancestry, heterosexual, married, employed and well-educated. At least one attempted or completed sexual abuse event was reported by 95% of the women, with 81 % reporting completed penetration against their will and 85% of these sustaining physical threat or harm. Compared to prior studies of sexually abused women in general populations, these women were abused earlier in life, more frequently and by similar types of offenders. Most of the abused women (65%) were estimated to have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Most abused women (83 %) had never disclosed the abuse to a health practitioner. The findings suggest that a history of sexual abuse, particularly in childhood or adolescence, may be extremely common among women seeking treatment for severe PMS, and that substantial undiagnosed PTSD may also be present in this population. Implications for patient screening and treatment are discussed.
Representing and Intervening: What is scientific realism?

Scientific realism says that the entities, states and processes described by correct theories really do exist. Protons, photons, fields of force, and black holes are as real as toe-nails, turbines, eddies in a stream, and volcanoes. The weak interactions of small particle physics are as real as falling in love. Theories about the structure of molecules that carry genetic codes are either true or false, and a genuinely correct theory would be a true one. Even when our sciences have not yet got things right, the realist holds that we often get close to the truth. We aim at discovering the inner constitution of things and at knowing what inhabits the most distant reaches of the universe. Nor need we be too modest. We have already found out a good deal. Anti-realism says the opposite: there are no such things as electrons. Certainly there are phenomena of electricity and of inheritance but we construct theories about tiny states, processes and entities only in order to predict and produce events that interest us. The electrons are fictions. Theories about them are tools for thinking. Theories are adequate or useful or warranted or applicable, but no matter how much we admire the speculative and technological triumphs of natural science, we should not regard even its most telling theories as true. Some anti-realists hold back because they believe theories are intellectual tools which cannot be understood as literal statements of how the world is. Others say that theories must be taken literally – there is no other way to understand them.
Insect Management with Aerosols in Food-Processing Facilities

Stored-product insects infest raw grain, processed cereal grains, warehouses, and foodprocessing facilities such as flour and feed mills. The presence of insects in commodities or structures leads to quantitative and qualitative losses of grain and processed food. The presence of insects and insect-related materials (insect fragments) in processed products is regulated by federal food and drug laws. Management of insects in food-processing facilities is important to prevent adulteration of finished products. Several tactics that are recommended for management of insects associated with food-processing facilities include stock rotation, inspection of inbound and outbound materials, sanitation, exclusion practices, fumigation with sulfuryl fluoride or methyl bromide, use of heat treatments (Mahroof et al. 2003, Boina et al. 2008), crack and crevice treatments with residual insecticides (Toews et al. 2005, 2009), and the use of aerosols or fogs. A lot of research has been done documenting the effectiveness of whole structure treatments with fumigants and heat treatments, and limited information is available on efficacy of the other chemical and non-chemical (sanitation) insect management tactics. Among these, application of insecticides as aerosols (fogging) is one tool with great potential for effective management of insects in food-processing facilities based on pilot-scale and a few commercial-scale tests. In this chapter, we provide a detailed account on the history of aerosol technology and suitability of this technology for insect management in food-storage and food-processing facilities with supporting information from studies conducted in laboratory and field settings with notes on advantages and limitations of this technology.
Cardiac valve replacement with mechanical prostheses in patients aged 65 years and over.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY Recent data regarding the performance of mechanical prostheses in patients aged > or =65 years are scant. Hence, the outcome of mechanical prosthesis implantation in this age group has been retrospectively evaluated. METHODS Between January 1990 and October 2002, 253 patients (163 males, 90 females) aged > or =65 years (mean age 68.2 years) underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) and/or mitral valve replacement (MVR) at the authors' institution. RESULTS Among the patients, 94 (37.2%) had MVR, 137 (54.1%) had AVR, and 22 (8.7%) had MVR+AVR. In total, 99 patients (39.1%) had concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The early mortality rate was 11.1%; that for patients aged > or =70 years was greater than that for patients aged 65-69 years (14.5% versus 9.6%, p <0.001). The overall actuarial survival was 91.3 +/- 2.4% at 5 years, 81.1 +/- 4.1% at 8 years, and 73.8 +/- 6.3% at 10 years. Actuarial survival for patients with isolated AVR and MVR at 10 years was 84.7 +/- 6.0% and 61.4 +/- 18.8%, respectively. Actuarial survival at 10 years for patients with isolated valve replacement was 76.1 +/- 8.1%, and 68.7 +/- 10.2% for patients with concomitant CABG (p = 0.680). Actuarial survival at 10 years was 81.3 +/- 6.9% for patients aged 65-69 years, and 50.3 +/- 11.0% for patients aged > or =70 years (p = 0.001). Freedom from a major thromboembolic event was 99.4 +/- 0.7% at five years and 86.3 +/- 6.0% at 10 years, while freedom from hemorrhage was 90.4 +/- 2.6% and 70.3 +/- 6.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION Mechanical prostheses can be used in patients aged > or =65 years, with favorable results. However, on the basis of the present findings, patients aged > or =70 years have a reduced early and late survival.
Lumbar pain and fin swimming.

BACKGROUND It was hypothesised that fin swimming have unique physiopathologic features in particular concerning low back involvement. METHODS Retrospective study. SETTING elite competitive fin swimmers. PARTICIPANTS 17 males and 14 females aged from 16 to 23 years. INTERVENTION piroxicam, sport interruption for a week, proper warming-up and wearing suggestions during out-of-water exercises in the symptomatic group. Absence of intervention in the asymptomatic one. MEASURES anthropometric measures (weight, height, legs length discrepancy), isokinetic measures (trunk flexor/extensor ratio) and conventional radiological investigation were taken for all subjects. RESULTS Low back pain was present in 14 subjects during off season but only 7 referred discomfort in competitive season. 78.5% of symptomatic subjects showed radiological abnormalities while imaging changes were present in 52.9% of the asymptomatic group. Flexor/extensor ratio isokinetically evaluated was less than one in 6 athletes complaining back discomfort. Non steroid medication, physiotherapy, training and wearing cares was suggested. Authors report a pain free return to competition in 57% and a partial resolution in 28% of those symptomatic cases who were not used to training cares (in particular proper "out-of-water" warming up) and wearing precautions (complete wiping and suitable thermic clothing after swimming). CONCLUSIONS In fin swimming low back pain can be related to the existence of environmental and intrinsic factors. In our series no significant difference in imaging changes was pointed out among asymptomatic or painful athletes. Therefore a cyclic load on the column, in absence of training precautions can make spine abnormalities (in particular schisis, facet derangement and pars lesion) symptomatic.
Role of lipopolysaccharide in the receptor function for bacteriophage TuIb in Escherichia coli

Bacteriophage TuIb required lipopolysaccharide in addition to the OmpC trimer as a receptor component. Both the fatty acid and polysaccharide regions of lipopolysaccharide were shown to participate in the receptor function. The roles of lipopolysaccharide and outer membrane proteins in the receptor function for T-even type bacteriophages are discussed.
Goal-oriented rehabilitation of preschoolers with cerebral palsy—a multi-case study of combined use of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and the Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS)

Purpose: To explore setting and implementing goals as an ongoing process, using the COPM and the GAS in combination. Methods: Multi-case study of a goal-setting approach, involving parents and service providers of 13 children (aged 23–50 months) with mild-to-moderate CP enrolled in a 9-month rehabilitation programme consisting of two blocks of setting and implementing goals. The children's COPM reports and GAS goals and information from a questionnaire about implementation were analysed. Results: In the initial assessment, most problems prioritized by the parents in the COPM were phrased in terms of activities. The priorities for intervention changed during the process of setting and implementing goals. GAS goals were frequently integrated in everyday activities both at home and in kindergarten based on decisions on how to implement the goals. Changes in the children's performance were recognized by a high proportion of goal attainment and a small, but clear change in the parents’ perception of performance. Parents and service providers reported many gains working towards concrete and measurable goals, but also some challenges. Conclusion: By using the COPM and GAS in combination, a dynamic and interactive process of setting and implementing goals in the context of everyday activities emerged.
Automated refraction in aphakia--II. Its repeatability and accuracy compared to conventional techniques.

The repeatability and accuracy of an i.r. electronic optometer (the Ophthalmetron) and of retinoscopy performed by experienced practitioners were studied in aphakia by testing a group of 17 patients three times with each method and by subjective techniques. The results show that the Ophthalmetron gives better repeatability than retinoscopy and that accuracy is marginally better for the sphere with the Ophthalmetron and for the cylinder power by retinoscopy when the mean of the three subjective results is taken as the true refractive value.
Impact of social media on the health of children and young people

This paper reviews the literature on the impact of social media on the health of children and young people. Relevant papers were identified from Medline, Embase and PsycINFO databases. The studies identified that the health impact of social media on children and young people was greatest on mental health and specifically in the areas of self‐esteem and well‐being, with related issues around cyberbullying and ‘Facebook Depression’, with an association between the use of social media and self‐esteem and body image. However, it is difficult to determine the cause and effect, which is likely to be related to the nature of the young person. There is little work on the impact of social media on younger children. More research is needed to identify those most at risk of harm from social media and risk mitigation strategies to assist health‐care professionals to provide essential education for parents and young people.
Differences in Young Children’s Peer Preference by Inhibitory Control and Emotion Regulation

This study investigated differences in young children’s peer preference by inhibitory control and emotion regulation. In Study 1, 66 preschoolers (M = 5 years 11 months) were assessed for inhibitory control (IC), emotion regulation (ER), and peer preference. Stroop-like tasks (the black-white task and shine-rain task), the disappointing gift task, and a positive nomination measure were used as measures of IC, ER, and peer preference, respectively. The results of Study 1 showed that participants with high IC or high ER were popular with their peers in comparison to participants with low IC or low ER. Study 2 measured young children’s (N = 43, M = 6 years 1 month) ER by comparing social judgment between a condition that induces negative emotion and a condition that does not. The results of Study 2 showed that participants with high IC or high ER (who could select appropriate behaviors, even when negative emotion was induced) had many mutual relations with friends compared to participants with low IC or low ER. These data indicate the role of inhibitory control and emotion regulation in young children’s peer preference.
A Low-Loss Image-Reject Mixer Using Source Follower Isolation Method for DRM/DAB Tuner Applications

A novel low-loss image-reject mixer (IRM) using the source follower isolation method for digital radio mondiale/digital audio broadcasting applications is presented. It is based on double-quadrature mixers (DQMs) and passive polyphase filters (PPFs). The DQM is designed with four passive CMOS mixers. A source follower is inserted between the RF PPF and DQM to decrease the conversion loss of the IRM. Compared with the traditional isolation method, the source follower isolation method shows much higher on-resistance while looking into the RF port of the mixer; meanwhile, the chip area will be greatly decreased. This chip is fabricated in a 0.18-μm CMOS technology. The total conversion loss is 10.5 dB, and the conversion loss per stage of PPFs is 2.1 dB on average. The image-reject ratio is larger than 40 dB in the bandwidth of 1.536 MHz without trimming and calibration. The PldB gain compression point is 7.6 dBm. The chip core area is 1.1 × 1.3 mm2.
The effect of frequency of toothbrushing on oral health of 14-16 year olds.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of toothbrushing frequency on dental plaque, caries and periodontal condition in 14-16 year old students. A total of 2083 students selected from 20 schools enrolling 8th and 9th grades were investigated by a questionnaire and a clinical examination. All participants were examined for oral hygiene, dental caries and periodontal condition using Silness & Löe plaque index (Pl.l), decayed, missing and filled teeth/surfaces (DMFT/S) indices and Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN), respectively. It was revealed that about 49 per cent of males and 89 per cent of the females reported to brush their teeth on a regular basis. Such differences in toothbrushing frequency between the sexes were statistically significant (P = 0.0001). The mean (Pl.l) scores were lower in those who brushed than those who did not brush their teeth, with a significantly lower scores in females than in males (P = 0.0001). There were slight but nonsignificant differences in caries experience (MFT/S) amongst males and females as related to toothbrushing frequency (P = 0.121, 0.208 respectively). While bleeding on probing (43.0 per cent) was most prevalent in students who did not brush. Calculus scores were similar in all groups. The occurrence of shallow and deep pockets in students who brushed or didn't brush their teeth were minimal (6.6-8.4 per cent). The oral health status among those who did not brush or brushed their teeth on regular or irregular basis was found to be poor and slightly varied. Therefore, more emphasis should be placed on proper oral hygiene. Also, implementation of school based oral health promotion and prevention programs is urgently needed.