Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Application of an In Vitro Infection Model and Simulation for Reevaluation of Fluoroquinolone Breakpoints for Salmonella enterica Serotype Typhi

ABSTRACT Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi and nontyphoidal Salmonella remain major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and chloramphenicol no longer provide reliable coverage of Salmonella, and fluoroquinoloes have emerged as first-line treatment options. Due to mounting evidence of decreased in vitro susceptibility and diminished clinical response to fluoroquinolone therapy, it has been suggested that the NCCLS breakpoints for the salmonellae be reevaluated. We utilized an in vitro infection model to determine which pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) measure was most closely linked to fluoroquinolone activity against salmonellae and the magnitude that was predictive of efficacy. Monte Carlo simulation was utilized to determine the probability of attaining potential susceptibility breakpoints for three fluoroquinolones. The free-drug area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h/MIC ratio was the PK-PD measure most predictive of efficacy, and a ratio of 105 corresponded to 90% of maximal activity. Simulation results suggested susceptible breakpoints of 0.12 μg/ml for ciprofloxacin and gatifloxacin and 0.25 μg/ml for levofloxacin. These proposed breakpoints correspond to the MIC separating the wild-type susceptible organism population from those strains possessing single-step mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining region. These results that integrate PK-PD measures and fluoroquinolone MIC distributions in the genetic context of examined Salmonella isolates clearly demonstrate that the prudent use of a lower susceptibility breakpoint minimizes the probability of clinical failure or delayed response in fluoroquinolone-treated patients.
Projections of the inferior colliculus in cat

Projections of the feline inferior colliculus were studied using the Nauta‐Laidlaw method to demonstrate degenerating axons. A subtentorial stereotaxic approach was used to avoid corticofugal degeneration. Direct connections from the inferior colliculus to the anterior midline cerebellar cortex were observed. There is a topographical relationship of fibers of the brachium of the inferior colliculus and parabrachial region to the superior colliculus. A definite projection to the superior colliculi including a pathway through its commissure was found from the parabrachial region. A projection exists from the inferior colliculus to the dorsolateral portion of the central gray as far as the pretectum. There is a projection along the medial portion of the superior colliculus to the pretectum. Projections to the midbrain reticular formation, central gray and superior colliculi were substantial. Thalamic projections include a distribution of fibers to the magnocellular and rostral portion of the principal divisions of the medial geniculate body and to the lateral posterior thalamic nucleus. The rostral connections of the inferior colliculus with areas other than the medial geniculate body indicate that it may function in roles in addition to that of a mass somatomotor reflex center. Possible roles of the inferior colliculus in attention, habituation, and integration of corticovisual and auditory impulses are suggested.
Academic Listening: Second language listening comprehension and lecture note-taking

Abstract This study looks at the relationship between second language learners' notes taken while listening to audiotaped lectures and the learners9 success on two different types of comprehension measures. A review of hi and hi literature on the effects of taking notes and retaining notes on students' recall of lecture information reveals several factors as important contributors to successful recall, such as quality of notes, and training in note-taking. In this study, the effect on comprehension tests of the availability of notes taken, and the quality of hi learners' notes, was studied. Both multiple-choice and cloze listening comprehension measures were employed. Results indicate no favorable role for retaining or not retaining notes on short-term recall success, but complex relationships appeared between measures of lecture note quality and successful recall. Introduction The study of L2 lecture comprehension involves a number of important research questions. A considerable number of recent L2 studies have dealt with the analysis of lecture structure and its effect on L2 learners' comprehension, analyzing native speaker lecture style as well as nonnative speakers' oral skills and comprehensibility (e.g., Chaudron and Richards 1986; Chaudry and Astika 1991; DeCarrico and Nattinger 1988; Tyler, Jefferies, and Davies 1988; Williams 1989). A much larger area of methodological prescription involves the training of L2 learners, in which an emphasis is put on such strategies as listening for main ideas and supporting details, paying attention to key phrases and words that signal discourse relevance, and, in note-taking, the use of abbreviations, and outlining or highlighting techniques (e.g., Brown 1978; Dunkel and Pialorsi 1982; James 1975; James, Jordan, and Matthews 1979; Lebauer 1988; Mason 1983; Otto 1979; Plaister 1976; Ruetten 1986).
The association between caries and childhood lead exposure.

Epidemiologic studies suggest an association between lead exposure and caries. Our objective was to establish whether children with a higher lead exposure as toddlers had more caries at school age than children with a lower lead exposure. We used a retrospective cohort design. A sample of children who attended second and fifth grades in the Rochester, New York, public schools during the 1995-1996 and 1996-1997 school years were examined for caries through a dental screening program. For each child we assessed the number of decayed, missing, or filled surfaces on permanent teeth (DMFS), and the number of decayed or filled surfaces on deciduous teeth (dfs); the number of surfaces at risk (SAR) was also recorded. Lead exposure was defined as the mean of all blood lead levels collected between 18 and 37 months of age by fingerstick [provided the blood lead level was [less than/equal to] 10 microg/dL)] or venipuncture. A total of 248 children (197 second graders and 51 fifth graders) were examined for caries and had a record of blood lead levels to define lead exposure. The mean dfs was 3.4 (range 0-29); the mean DMFS was 0.5 (range 0-8). Logistic regression was used to examine the association between the proportion of children with DMFS [Greater/equal to] 1, and the proportion with dfs [Greater/equal to] 1, and lead exposure [< 0.48 micromol/L vs. [Greater/equal to] 0.48 micromol/L (< 10 microg/dL vs. [Greater/equal to] 10 microg/dL)] while controlling for SAR, age at examination, and grade in school. For DMFS, the adjusted odds ratio was 0.95 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.43-2.09; p = 0.89); for dfs, the odds ratio was 1.77 (95% CI, 0.97-3.24; p = 0.07). This study did not demonstrate that lead exposure > 10 microg/dL as a toddler was a strong predictor of caries among school-age children. However, the results should be interpreted cautiously because of limitations in the assessment of lead exposure and limited statistical power.
Perceptual processing time differences owing to visual field asymmetries

Recent experiments have reported increased endpoint accuracy for movements performed in the lower vs. the upper visual field, suggesting that there is superior feedback-based processing in the lower visual field owing to a visuomotor subsystem processing advantage. Differences, however, in the perceptual subsystem may also play a role in the lower visual field advantage. In this study, participants performed an inspection time task, a measure of perceptual processing time, requiring the identification of an asymmetrical ‘pi’ stimulus presented in the central, upper, or the lower visual field for a brief period. Significant differences between the percentage of correct identifications between visual fields indicated a lower visual field advantage over upper visual field for perceptual identification.
Petrographic investigation of the provenance of pottery from Engaruka

Abstract This paper is a report on the methods and results of laboratory analysis of the petrography of pottery from Engaruka, Tanzania. The objective was to establish the source of the clay used for pottery, which in turn would help in future research into the origins of its tradition, the sequence of its chronology and the nature and extent of the regional trade in this area.
Cerebrospinal fluid flow waveforms: analysis in patients with Chiari I malformation by means of gated phase-contrast MR imaging velocity measurements.

PURPOSE To determine the features of the cardiac cycle-related cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow pulsations in with Chiari I malformation before and after decompressive surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen patients and 23 healthy subjects underwent cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging. Ten patients were also examined after decompressive surgery. Four regions of interest were selected in the upper cervical subarachnoid space and premedullary cistern. Velocity and fraction of the cardiac cycle waveforms were plotted, and amplitude, temporal, and CSF displacement parameters were assessed. RESULTS In the Chiari I patients, impaired systolic and unaltered diastolic CSF flow pulsations immediately below the foramen magnum were identified. After surgery, the systolic flow pulsations immediately below the foramen magnum improved. Good correlation with post-surgical improvement was observed. CONCLUSION CSF flow waveform analysis helps demonstrate abnormalities in CSF flow at the foramen magnum and the benefits of decompressive surgery in patients with the Chiari I malformation.
A prospective evaluation of methylene blue and gentian violet dressing for management of chronic wounds with local infection

The objective of this prospective, non‐randomised study was to evaluate the performance of an antibacterial foam dressing containing methylene blue and gentian violet (Hydrofera Blue Classic dressing®) for the management of chronic wounds with local infection. Patients in this study were ≥18 years of age (n = 29), and each had at least one chronic wound ≥1 cm2 in size that showed signs of localised infection or critical colonisation but with good potential for healing based on clinical assessment. To all of these wounds, the dressing was applied and changed three times per week over the 4‐week study period. The primary endpoints of the study were: (i) changes in wound surface area measurement, (ii) changes in Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) scores, (iii) changes in percent surface area of devitalised tissue (i.e., yellow slough or other necrotic tissue) and (iv) changes in clinical signs associated with localised wound infection/critical colonisation. Participants were evaluated at presentation (week 0 = baseline), week 2 and at week 4 (end of the study). The 29 patients completed the study, and at week 4, the following wound improvements were observed: (i) baseline mean wound surface area was significantly reduced by 42·5%, from 21·4 to 12·3 cm2 at week 4 (P = 0·005); (ii) baseline mean PUSH score decreased significantly from 13·3 to 10·7 at week 4 (P < 0·001); (iii) baseline mean wound coverage by devitalised tissue (%) was significantly reduced, from 52·6 % to 11·4% at week 4 (P < 0·001) and (iv) the mean UPPER and LOWER wound infection scores were reduced from 3·6 at baseline to 0·9 at week 4 (75%; P < 0.001). These results indicate that the Hydrofera Blue Classic dressing was effective at managing these chronic wounds and helped them progress onto a healing trajectory.
Can Transarterial Chemoembolization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Result in Transformation to Combined Hepatocellular-Cholangiocarcinoma with Stem Cell Features? A Case Study

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is currently one of the favored treatment modalities for non-curative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and can be used to shrink tumor size in order to make a patient eligible for transplantation. Furthermore, with the advent of effective antiviral drugs for hepatitis B virus (HBV), concomitant antiviral therapy with local tumor ablation including TACE for HBV-associated HCC has been successful for long term survival. Over the last decade, however, concern has been raised about a phenomenon whereby a subset of TACE-treated HCCs becomes more aggressive after TACE treatment. One current hypothesis is that TACE eliminates only the hepatocellular cells and that hepatic progenitor cells that have the potential for developing to cholangiocarcinoma are then selected for and induced to proliferate post-TACE with possible dual differentiation along hepatocellular and biliary lines. We present a case of a patient with HCC who underwent TACE and subsequently experienced tumor regrowth as biopsy-proven combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma. Furthermore, we provide immunohistochemical evidence of hepatic progenitor cells in the post-TACE tumor biopsy, possibly accounting for its aggressive course. [N A J Med Sci. 2017;10(4):181-186. DOI: 10.7156/najms.2017. 1004181]
Effect of obesity onset on pendular energy transduction at spontaneous walking speed: Prader–willi versus nonsyndromal obese individuals

To compare the mechanical external work (Wext) and pendular energy transduction (Rstep) at spontaneous walking speed (Ss) in individuals with Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) versus subjects with nonsyndromal obesity (OB) to investigate whether the early onset of obesity allows PWS subjects to adopt energy conserving gait mechanics.
Effect of using triclosan-impregnated suture for incisional closure on surgical site infection and inflammation following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To compare surgical site infection and inflammation rates between the use of nonimpregnated (polydioxanone and poliglecaprone 25) versus triclosan-impregnated (polydioxanone and poliglecaprone 25) suture for incisional closure in dogs undergoing a standardized orthopedic procedure (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy [TPLO]). DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS 283 dogs that underwent TPLO between November 2005 and December 2009. PROCEDURES Medical records were reviewed for age; body weight; body condition score; use of propofol; perioperative and postoperative administration of antimicrobials; presence of a preoperative infection; use of a jig; technique of joint exploration; type of suture material (triclosan impregnated vs nonimpregnated) used to close the pes anserinus, subcutaneous layer, and subcuticular layer; use of staples or suture to close the skin; and surgery and anesthesia durations. The outcome variables were surgical site inflammation and infection. RESULTS Rates of infection and inflammation did not differ between surgeries for which triclosan-impregnated suture was used (n = 159 [8.8%, and 18.8%, respectively]) and those for which nonimpregnated suture was used (112 [10.7% and 15.2%, respectively]). The use of staples, compared with suture, to close the skin significantly decreased the inflammation rate. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Compared with in vitro conditions, in vivo conditions (where the environment is not controlled and triclosan may elute more quickly from the suture) may decrease the antibacterial effectiveness of triclosan-impregnated suture. On the basis of our findings, triclosan-impregnated sutures did not seem to provide an additional benefit for clinical use and cannot be strongly recommended for elective orthopedic procedures in veterinary medicine.
Place and food insecurity: a critical review and synthesis of the literature

Abstract Objective In some high-income countries, a sizeable proportion of households are estimated to be food insecure. It is well known that food insecurity varies between countries and is strongly tied to household income level. The local environment may be another level of influence, which has been relatively understudied. The present review sought to synthesize and critically appraise the existing literature examining local environmental characteristics in relation to individual/household-level food insecurity in the general population. Design A systematic search strategy was used to search MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-process and Other Non-indexed, EMBASE, PsychINFO, Social Services Abstracts and Sociological Abstracts databases for studies examining local place characteristic(s) in relation to self-reported food insecurity. Setting Studies could be experimental or observational, but had to be published in a peer-reviewed journal in French or English, and involve individuals from developed countries. ‘Place’ was defined locally, as ranging from the street to the county level. Subjects The target population for the review included non-institutionalized individuals in the general population. Results After obtaining full-text articles, eighteen primary studies met the eligibility criteria. Most studies were conducted in the USA and all but one was cross-sectional. Seven of the eleven studies that examined location of residence found that rural living was inversely associated with food insecurity. Mixed results were seen for other place measures such as social capital and distance to food stores. Conclusions Studies were heterogeneous and had various limitations that preclude definitive conclusions from being drawn. Recommendations for future research are provided.
Aging, Systemic Disease and Oral Health: Implications for Women Worldwide (Part II)

This continuing education course is intended for general dentists, hygienists and dental assistants. This course will review global prevalence and risk factors of three common health conditions among aging women: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis. It explores prevention and treatment approaches, connections to oral health, and specific treatment plans for each condition. (This is Part 1 of a 2-part series on women, aging and oral health. Part 2 is available in the dentalcare.ca CE library.)
Recipient Hemodynamics During Non‐Heart‐Beating Donor Kidney Transplantation Are Major Predictors of Primary Nonfunction

Non‐heart‐beating donor (NHBD) kidneys may substantially expand the donor pool, but many transplant centers are reluctant to use these kidneys because of the relatively high incidence of primary nonfunction (PNF). In heart‐beating donor kidneys, intravascular fluid depletion during transplant surgery is associated with delayed graft function (DGF). Therefore, we studied the effect of the recipients' hemodynamic status on the outcome of 177 NHBD kidney transplantations. Independent statistically significant predictors of PNF were average central venous pressure (CVP) below 6 cmH2O (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.1 (95% CI: 1.4–7.1), p = 0.007), average systolic blood pressure below 110 mmHg (AOR 2.6 (95% CI: 1.1–5.9), p = 0.03) and pre‐operative diastolic blood pressure below 80 mmHg (AOR 2.4 (95% CI: 1.0–5.9), p = 0.05). Donor characteristics were not independently associated with PNF (p > 0.10). In a subgroup analysis of 56 paired kidneys, 29% of the recipients with the lower CVP of the pair experienced PNF compared with 11% of their counterparts with higher CVP (p = 0.09). Our study indicates that recipient hemodynamics during transplant surgery are major predictors of PNF. Therefore, improving recipient hemodynamics by expansion of the intravascular volume is expected to enhance the results of NHBD kidney transplantations and may enlarge the donor pool by increasing the acceptance of NHBD kidneys.
“Pill-in-the-Pocket” Treatment of Propafenone Unmasks ECG Brugada Pattern in an Atrial Fibrillation Patient With a Common SCN5A R1193Q Polymorphism

Background: “Pill-in-the-pocket” (PIP) treatment with type IC drugs for cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) has been recommended in guidelines. Major adverse effects have been often reported, and the underlying mechanisms are proposed to be associated with the genetic backgrounds. Methods and Results: A male patient was treated with PIP approach (propafenone 600 mg.po) for the conversion of new onset AF. His symptoms got worse and referred to emergency room; ECG showed a typical Brugada syndrome (BrS) type I ECG pattern with sinus rhythm. Genetic screening identified a common SCN5A polymorphism R1193Q. Propafenone blockade of INa was studied in HEK293 cells expressed SCN5A R1193Q channel and WT channel using patch clamp techniques. There was no significant difference in peak current and steady-state gating parameters between R1193Q and WT at baseline. At clinically relevant concentration of 2 μmol/L propafenone, use-dependent block (UDB) of INa was more pronounced in R1193Q versus WT (44.2 ± 7.2 versus 24.8 ± 5.7% at the frequency of 2 Hz, P < 0.05); IC50 of UDB was 2.9 ± 0.7 μmol/L for R1193Q and 8.1 ± 1.8 μmol/L for WT, respectively. Propafenone produced more left shift of steady-state inactivation and slower recovery from inactivation in R1193Q compared with WT. Conclusion: A common SCN5A polymorphism R1193Q enhances UDB by propafenone and predisposes the patients to drug-induced BrS with PIP treatment. Our data suggest that R1193Q polymorphism is likely to be a genetic marker for the major adverse effects associated with propafenone PIP approach for AF patients’ management. Ajmaline challenge to rule out the presence of BrS should be considered prior to propafenone PIP therapy in AF patients who are identified to have R1193Q polymorphism.
Ambiguity and Conflict Aversion When Uncertainty Is in the Outcomes

We argue that the way ambiguity has been operationalized throughout the literature on ambiguity effects has an important limitation, insofar as ambiguity in outcomes has been neglected. We report two studies where judges do encounter ambiguity in the sampled outcomes and find evidence that ambiguity aversion is not less than when judges are given a range of outcomes without reference to ambiguous outcomes themselves. This result holds regardless of whether people are presented with a sample all at once or sample outcomes sequentially. Our experiments also investigate the effects of conflicting information about outcomes, finding that conflict aversion also does not decrease. Moreover, ambiguity and conflict aversion do not seem to arise as a consequence of judges ignoring uncertain outcomes and thereby treating outcome sets as reduced samples of unambiguous (or unconflicting) information. Instead, ambiguity and conflict aversion are partly explained by more pessimistic outcome forecasts by judges. This pessimism, in turn, may be due to the judges’ uncertainty about how the chance of a desirable outcome from an ambiguous or conflictive alternative compares with an equivalent risky alternative. Both studies used hypothetical scenarios, and no incentives were provided for participants’ decisions.