Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis B immunity status of healthcare workers in Lagos, Nigeria

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of acquiring and transmitting parenteral infections including Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). The aim of this study was to determine the Hepatitis B immunity level among categories of health workers in Lagos metropolis. We evaluated 104 healthcare workers consisting of 66 males and 38 females aged 18-45 years, mean age 31.33±5.28 years. Of the 104 subjects evaluated, 39 (37.5%) had detectable anti HB-s (mean ± SEM titre, 237.78 ± 15.20 iμ/L) while 64 (%) had a titre of 10 iμ/L while 2 (4.9%) were potential non-responders with titre 0.05). All the subjects who were referred for testing as a pre-employment requirement and those who had accidental percutaneous and mucosal exposures to high risk patient’s blood and body fluid had HB-S titre Keywords : Occupational exposure, healthcare worker, needle sticks injury, hepatitis B vaccination.
Adjustment in energy intake following the covert removal of sugar from the diet

The response to the covert removal of around 500 kcal/d from the food of 10 healthy free-living male volunteers was measured over 10 days. A similar amount of energy was added to the food of four subjects. Normal food and drink was available ad libitum, and adjustments in food energy were made by the interchange of sugar and artificial sweeteners. Compensation for the theoretical energy deficit or surplus was incomplete, averaging around 50%. This, however, was very variable, some subjects achieving more than 90% recovery, whereas others failed completely to adjust energy intake within this timespan. It is concluded that the regulation of energy balance in the lean is a long-term phenomenon, conditioned by large day-to-day fluctuations in energy intake. The removal of sugar from the food raised the energy density of the diet. The substitution of artificial sweeteners for sugar caused an increase of 11% in total fat intake. The restoration of sugar had an opposite effect. This inverse relationship between dietary sugar and fat poses problems for those seeking to lose weight, and for the lean attempting to follow current guidelines for a ‘healthier’ diet without incurring weight loss.
The methods of assessment used by speech-language therapists for learners with multiple disabilities in schools in Gauteng.

School-based speech-language therapists play a significant role in terms of education and rehabilitation in the lives of learners with multiple disabilities. Assessment forms a critical part of a speech-language therapist’s post description and is the cornerstone of any type of intervention. The assessment of learners with multiple disabilities poses as a great challenge to speech-language therapists. These challenges include a lack of guidelines, resources, appropriate standardized tests and the heterogeneity of the group of learners labelled as multiply disabled. This research project aimed at describing the methods of assessment that school-based speech-language therapists use when assessing learners with multiple disabilities. Additionally, these methods were compared to international best practice. The first phase of the study consisted of compiling a set of guidelines with the purpose of providing a framework for a proposed set of guidelines for the assessment of learners. These guidelines were based on the principles as recommended by the literature regarding best practice. Because a qualitative approach was adopted for this research project, the second phases consisted of data collection, utilising eight focus groups as well as document reviews. On average, each focus group consisted of two to four participants. The data was then analysed thematically and compared to a checklist. The results indicated that speech-language therapists encountered many obstacles when assessing learners with multiple disabilities. It was evident that the participating speech-language therapists assessed within a multidisciplinary team and that they used formal as well as informal methods of assessment with learners with multiple disabilities. Discrepancies were found between the collected data and the guidelines. The guidelines were then used to propose a way forward for speechlanguage therapists when assessing learners with multiple disabilities in schools in Gauteng.
RADIOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF THE CANINE ELBOW JOINT WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE MEDIAL HUMERAL CONDYLE AND THE MEDIAL CORONOID PROCESS

The results of radiographic examination of clinically affected elbow joints in 14 young, large-breed dogs, including standard and oblique projections and linear tomography, were compared with the findings of medial arthrotomy. Radiographs revealed arthrosis (13 dogs), osteochondrosis of the medial humeral condyle (2 dogs), fragmentation of the medial coronoid process (5 dogs), and a combination of osteochondrosis of the medial humeral condyle and fragmentation of the medial coronoid process (2 dogs). In one dog fissures in the medial coronoid process and in another dog a linear radiopacity along the articular surface of the medial coronoid process were found. In three dogs both medial humeral condyle and medial coronoid process appeared normal. The radiographic findings were confirmed during surgery in 11 dogs. Cartilage erosion of the medial humeral condyle in two dogs and of the medial coronoid process in one dog had not resulted in radiographically visible abnormalities. Radiographic examination of the elbow joints in young, large-breed dogs should include standard mediolateral and craniocaudal projections, a mediolateral projection with the joint maximally extended and the leg supinated 15°, and a craniolateral-to-caudomedial projection.
Assessment of knowledge and perception regarding male sterilization (Non-Scalpel Vasectomy) among community health workers in Jharkhand, India

Introduction: In India, community health workers are the main source of information for family planning services and male population want to interact and discuss with them to clear their doubts about male oriented family planning methods. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge and perception of community health workers regarding the modern male sterilization method. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Simdega district of Jharkhand. The target population was the community health workers and randomly selected from four randomly selected from blocks out of total seven in the district. A self-administered quantitative questionnaire was used for data collection comprising questions related to knowledge and perception of community health workers about modern male sterilization method. Results: 43% CHWs didn’t know that this method is different from traditional male sterilization method and around 62% thought man’s sexual performance get affected after NSV and 77% did not have any idea about time required to resume normal work. Conclusions: The poor knowledge and wrong perception could be one of the main reasons for poor male participation in family planning process in India.
Bioluminescence of Firefly Squid via Mechanism of Single Electron-Transfer Oxygenation and Charge-Transfer-Induced Luminescence.

Watasenia scintillans (W. scintillans) is a deep-sea luminescent squid with a popular name of firefly squid. It produces flashes of blue light via a series of complicated luciferin-luciferase reactions involving ATP, Mg2+, and molecular oxygen. Tsuji has proposed a hypothetical scheme for this mysterious bioluminescence (BL) process, but the proposal is short of strong evidence experimentally or theoretically, especially for two key steps. They are the addition of molecular oxygen to luciferin and the formation of light emitter. For the first time, the present study investigates the two steps by reliable density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT. The results of calculated energetics, charge transfer process, electronic structures, and molecular dynamics give convincing support for Tsuji's proposal. The oxygenation reaction occurs with a single electron-transfer (SET) mechanism, and the light emitter is produced via the mechanism of gradually reversible charge-transfer-induced luminescence (GRCTIL). The simulation of nonadiabatic molecular dynamics further confirms the GRCTIL mechanisms and evaluates the quantum yield of the light emitter to be 43%. The knowledge obtained in the current study will help to understand a large amount of BL systems in nature, since the core structure of W. scintillans luciferin, imidazopyrazinone, is common in the luciferins of about eight phyla of luminescent organisms.
The variability and interdependence of spider viscid line tensile properties

SUMMARY True stress–true strain curves of naturally spun viscid line fibres retrieved directly from the spiral of orb-webs built by Argiope trifasciata spiders were measured using a novel methodology. This new procedure combines a method for removing the aqueous coating of the fibres and a technique that allows the accurate measurement of their cross-sectional area. Comparison of the tensile behaviour of different samples indicated that naturally spun viscid lines show a large variability, comparable to that of other silks, such as major ampullate gland silk and silkworm silk. Nevertheless, application of a statistical analysis allowed the identification of two independent parameters that underlie the variability and characterize the observed range of true stress–true strain curves. The combination of this result with previous mechanical and microstructural data suggested the assignment of these two independent effects to the degree of alignment of the protein chains and to the local relative humidity, which, in turn, depends on the composition of the viscous coating and on the external environmental conditions.
Evidence for vocal learning in juvenile male killer whales, Orcinus orca, from an adventitious cross-socializing experiment

Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are thought to learn their vocal dialect. Dispersal in the species is rare, but effects of shifts in social association on the dialect can be studied under controlled conditions. Individual call repertoires and social association were measured in three adult female killer whales and three males (two juveniles and an adult) during two periods, 2001–2003 and 2005–2006. Three distinct dialect repertoires were represented among the subjects. An adventitious experiment in social change resulted from the birth of a calf and the transfer of two non-focal subjects in 2004. Across the two periods, 1691 calls were collected, categorized and attributed to individuals. Repertoire overlap for each subject dyad was compared with an index of association. During 2005–2006, the two juvenile males increased association with the unrelated adult male. By the end of the period, both had begun producing novel calls and call features characteristic of his repertoire. However, there was little or no reciprocal change and the adult females did not acquire his calls. Repertoire overlap and association were significantly correlated in the first period. In the second, median association time and repertoire similarity increased, but the relationship was only marginally significant. The results provided evidence that juvenile male killer whales are capable of learning new call types, possibly stimulated by a change in social association. The pattern of learning was consistent with a selective convergence of male repertoires.
Talon Cusp: A Prevalence Study of Its Types in Permanent Dentition and Report of a Rare Case of Its Association with Fusion in Mandibular Incisor

Purpose. The data on various types of talon cusp, a rare developmental anomaly that occurs predominantly on palatal surfaces of maxillary incisors with varied prevalence in different populations, is scarce. Thus, the purpose of study was to evaluate prevalence of various types of talon cusp and its association with sex predilection, site, and other dental anomalies and complications. Subjects and Methods. A cross-sectional prevalence study for various types of talon cusp was conducted in 5200 patients selected randomly. Hattab’s classification criterion was used for diagnosis of types of talon cusp. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed with radiograph. Results. The prevalence of talon cusp was found to be 0.02% (1 in 430 cases). 12 cases of talon cusp in 10 patients (60% males) were documented (2 bilateral cases and 8 unilateral). Type I talon cusp and type II talon cusp were present in five cases each (40.1%) and type III talon cusp was observed in two (16.2%) cases. Conclusion. Type I talon cusp and type II talon cusp were the most common types and permanent maxillary central incisor was the most commonly involved tooth (50%). An extremely rare case of talon cusp on a fused permanent mandibular incisor is also reported.
Polypharmacy and high-dose antipsychotic regimes in the community {

Aims and method To determine the pattern of psychotropic prescribing in a group of people with psychosis who were living in the community under community mental health team (CMHT) care. Case-note entries over the previous 12 months were examined. Results Only a third of individuals were on one psychotropic medication. Atypical antipsychotics were prescribed to 80.6%. Polypharmacy was common. A third of people were taking three or more psychotropic drugs and 13.7% were on high-dose regimes, mostly involving two atypical antipsychotics. Clinical implications The use of atypicals has not eliminated polypharmacy or high-dose antipsychotic regimes. Clinicians need to be aware of this long-standing problem.
Recent Trends in Antimicrobial Resistance in Intensive Care Units in Korea

Background: In general, higher resistance rates are observed among intensive care unit (ICU) isolates than non-ICU isolates. In this study, resistance rates of isolates from ICUs and non-ICUs were compared using the data generated from 20 hospitals in Korea. Methods: Susceptibility data were collected from 20 hospitals participating in the Korean Nationwide Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (KONSAR) program. Duplicate isolates were excluded from the analysis. The resistance rates did not include intermediate susceptibility. Results: The most prevalent bacteria in the ICUs were Staphylococcus aureus (21%) and Acinetobacter spp. (19%), and those in non-ICU were Escherichia coli (27%) and S. aureus (14%). The resistance rates were higher in ICUs than in non-ICUs at 84% and 58% for methicillin-resistant S. aureus, 86% and 70% for methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylcoccus (CNS), 34% and 19% for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, 38% and 19% for cefotaxime-resistant E. coli, 45% and 25% for cefotaxime-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, 42% and 24% for ceftazidime-resistant Enterobacter cloacae, 29% and 11% for ceftazidime-resistant Serattia marcescens, 83% and 44% for imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. , and 32% and 17% for imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. Conclusion: The most prevalent bacteria in ICUs were S. aureus, CNS, and Acinetobacter spp. , and high multi-drug resistance rates were observed in the Acinetobacter isolates. Therefore, infection control should be practiced in ICUs to prevent infections caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria.
Knowledge and Practice of Mothers in the Management of Children's Diarrhea, in Northwest, Iran

Background: Diarrhea is the most common pediatric disease. The leading cause of death from acute diarrhea is the loss of water and essential minerals, which can be compensated by oral rehydration solution (ORS). The role of mothers is vital in health promotion, disease prevention and patient care. Objectives: The present research aimed to investigate the knowledge and performance of the mothers of diarrheic children referring to the Children's Hospital, Tabriz, Iran. Patients and Methods: Predesigned questionnaires were used to collect data from the mothers of diarrheic children aged younger than 12 years, referring to the outpatient clinic of the Children's Teaching Hospital in Tabriz. Demographic information of the mother and child, mothers’ knowledge about pediatric diarrheal disease, and their performance in the case of pediatric diarrheal disease, were investigated. Results: A questionnaire was administered to 956 mothers, of whom 3.03%, 21.75% and 75.22% were uneducated, had a university education, high school diploma or less, respectively. Furthermore, 95.5% of the mothers referred to a doctor after the first day following an episode of diarrhea. The knowledge of 37.23%, 44.24%, and 18.53% of the mothers was poor, medium and good, respectively. Moreover, the performance of 51.98%, 30.03% and 17.99% of the mothers was poor, medium and good, respectively. A significant relationship was found between maternal education and knowledge (P = 0.000), but no relationship was observed between maternal age and knowledge (P = 0.36). There was also a direct relationship between maternal education and performance, which was significant (P = 0.001). There was no relationship found between any other variables. Conclusions: The knowledge and performance of the majority of mothers were medium or poor. Training programs are recommended for mothers, medical students, pediatric, internal and infectious residents, in addition, retraining programs are recommended for GPs and related specialists.
The Consequences of Overlapping G-Quadruplexes and i-Motifs in the Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor β Core Promoter Nuclease Hypersensitive Element Can Explain the Unexpected Effects of Mutations and Provide Opportunities for Selective Targeting of Both Structures by Small Molecules To Downre

The platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFR-β) signaling pathway is a validated and important target for the treatment of certain malignant and nonmalignant pathologies. We previously identified a G-quadruplex-forming nuclease hypersensitive element (NHE) in the human PDGFR-β promoter that putatively forms four overlapping G-quadruplexes. Therefore, we further investigated the structures and biological roles of the G-quadruplexes and i-motifs in the PDGFR-β NHE with the ultimate goal of demonstrating an alternate and effective strategy for molecularly targeting the PDGFR-β pathway. Significantly, we show that the primary G-quadruplex receptor for repression of PDGFR-β is the 3'-end G-quadruplex, which has a GGA sequence at the 3'-end. Mutation studies using luciferase reporter plasmids highlight a novel set of G-quadruplex point mutations, some of which seem to provide conflicting results on effects on gene expression, prompting further investigation into the effect of these mutations on the i-motif-forming strand. Herein we characterize the formation of an equilibrium between at least two different i-motifs from the cytosine-rich (C-rich) sequence of the PDGFR-β NHE. The apparently conflicting mutation results can be rationalized if we take into account the single base point mutation made in a critical cytosine run in the PDGFR-β NHE that dramatically affects the equilibrium of i-motifs formed from this sequence. We identified a group of ellipticines that targets the G-quadruplexes in the PDGFR-β promoter, and from this series of compounds, we selected the ellipticine analog GSA1129, which selectively targets the 3'-end G-quadruplex, to shift the dynamic equilibrium in the full-length sequence to favor this structure. We also identified a benzothiophene-2-carboxamide (NSC309874) as a PDGFR-β i-motif-interactive compound. In vitro, GSA1129 and NSC309874 downregulate PDGFR-β promoter activity and transcript in the neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-SH at subcytotoxic cell concentrations. GSA1129 also inhibits PDGFR-β-driven cell proliferation and migration. With an established preclinical murine model of acute lung injury, we demonstrate that GSA1129 attenuates endotoxin-mediated acute lung inflammation. Our studies underscore the importance of considering the effects of point mutations on structure formation from the G- and C-rich sequences and provide further evidence for the involvement of both strands and associated structures in the control of gene expression.
Enhanced memory persistence is blocked by a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor in the snail Lymnaea stagnalis

Lymnaea stagnalis provides an excellent model system for studying memory because these snails have a well-described set of neurons, a single one of which controls expression of long-term memory of operantly conditioned respiratory behavior. We have shown that several different manipulations, including pre-training exposure to serotonin (5-HT) or methamphetamine, submersion of snails after training to prevent memory interference, and exposure to effluent from predatory crayfish (CE), enhance memory persistence. Changes in DNA methylation underlie formation of strong memories in mammals and 5-HT-enhanced long-term facilitation in Aplysia. Here we determined the impact of the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-AZA; 87 μmol l−1), on enhanced memory persistence by all four manipulations. We found that 5-HT (100 μmol l−1) enhanced memory persistence, which was blocked by 5-AZA pretreatment. Snails pre-exposed to 3.3 μmol l−1 Meth 4 h prior to training demonstrated memory 72 h later, which was not present in controls. This memory-enhancing effect was blocked by pre-treatment with 87 μmol l−1 5-AZA. Similarly, submersion to prevent interference learning as well as training in CE produced memory that was not present in controls, and these effects were blocked by pre-treatment with 87 μmol l−1 5-AZA. In contrast, 5-AZA injection did not alter expression of normal (non-enhanced) memory, suggesting that these four stimuli enhance memory persistence by increasing DNA methyltransferase activity, which, in turn, increases expression of memory-enhancing genes and/or inhibits memory suppressor genes. These studies lay important groundwork for delineating gene methylation changes that are common to persistent memory produced by different stimuli.
Advanced illumination techniques for GPU volume raycasting

Volume raycasting techniques are important for both visual arts and visualization. They allow an efficient generation of visual effects and the visualization of scientific data obtained by tomography or numerical simulation. Thanks to their flexibility, experts agree that GPU-based raycasting is the state-of-the art technique for interactive volume rendering. It will most likely replace existing slice-based techniques in the near future. Volume rendering techniques are also effective for the direct rendering of implicit surfaces used for soft body animation and constructive solid geometry. The lecture starts off with an in-depth introduction to the concepts behind GPU-based ray-casting to provide a common base for the following parts. The focus of this course is on advanced illumination techniques which approximate the physically-based light transport more convincingly. Such techniques include interactive implementation of soft and hard shadows, ambient occlusion and simple Monte-Carlo based approaches to global illumination including translucency and scattering. With the proposed techniques, users are able to interactively create convincing images from volumetric data whose visual quality goes far beyond traditional approaches. The optical properties in participating media are defined using the phase function. Many approximations to the physically based light transport applied for rendering natural phenomena such as clouds or smoke assume a rather homogenous phase function model. For rendering volumetric scans on the other hand different phase function models are required to account for both surface-like structures and fuzzy boundaries in the data. Using volume rendering techniques, artists who create medical visualization for science magazines may now work on tomographic scans directly, without the necessity to fall back to creating polygonal models of anatomical structures.