Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF HEAVY METALS ON SOIL MICROBIAL COMMUNITY AND MUNG BEANS SEED GERMINATION

Pollution of the biosphere by heavy metals has caught our attention in finding new ways to sustain, restore and manage the environment. In this context, the study was carried out to assess and determine the cumulative effect of heavy metals on soil microorganisms and seed germination, which ultimately contribute serious threats to the ecosystem. We attempted to isolate stress tolerant bacteria and fungi from the soil amended with varying concentrations of heavy metal salts including silver (Ag), zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb). The procedure describes the selection of heavy metal salts, characterization of soil, simulated pollution of soil, isolation, identification, characterization, screening and assessment of heavy metal tolerance by bacteria and fungi. Effects of varying concentrations of heavy metals on the germination of seeds (bioassay) were also taken into consideration. The data suggested that lead and silver were found to be toxic for the growth of microorganisms. The amendment of zinc in the soil up to 50mM concentration facilitated the growth of bacteria and fungi. An overall change in the microbial communities was observed in comparision with the control. Germination of seeds was favoured with increasing concentrations of zinc (50mM), which indicated the essentiality of zinc to plants. More deleterious effects on the germination of Vigna radiata (mung beans) were observed in case of silver, while moderate toxicity was observed in case of lead. Silver was found to be extremely toxic since the minimum concentration (10mM) resulted in the complete inhibition of seed germination. The seed germination in the presence of 10 and 25 mM concentration of silver was delayed for a period of 10 days but subsequent exposure to same concentration for 15 days resulted in the germination of seeds.
Cortisol Response to Exercise and Post-Exercise Suppression of Blood Lymphocyte Subset Counts

This study examined a temporal relationship between exercise-induced changes in blood cortisol levels and circulating leukocyte and lymphocyte subset counts during and after exercise. Twenty-one young male, sedentary subjects [mean age, 20.8 +/- 2.4 (SD) yr; mean VO2max, 48.0 +/- 7.9 (SD) ml/kg/min] underwent a cycle ergometer exercise for 60 min at 60% VO2max. Peripheral blood samples, collected every 30 min during exercise and at 30, 60 min, 2.5 and 6 h of recovery, were used for the determination of serum cortisol and plasma catecholamines; lymphocyte subsets were analyzed by flow-cytometry. Based on the analysis of serum cortisol levels in response to exercise, the subjects can be identified as two groups: cortisol-responder (n = 13) and non-responder (n = 8) groups. Other than the cortisol response, the two groups showed no significant differences in terms of age, physical build, aerobic fitness, maximal heart rate, and pre-exercise blood leukocyte and lymphocyte subset counts. The two groups also did not differ significantly in their relative work rate and catecholamine response to the exercise. Both cortisol responder and non-responder groups displayed a granulocytosis, lymphocytosis and monocytosis during exercise, and a further granulocytosis after exercise. Changes in lymphocyte count and distribution during recovery, however, differed significantly between the two groups. In the circulation of the cortisol non-responder group, total lymphocyte counts returned to the baseline level shortly after exercise, whereas a significant lymphopenia occurred at 2.5 h of recovery in the cortisol responder group: the CD4+ cells showed the greatest decrease in cell count, followed by the CD8+ cells. In both groups, the CD16+ cell-counts tended to decline below the pre-exercise values at 30 and 60 min of recovery and returned to the baseline values by 2.5 h of recovery. The CD19+ cell-count was not suppressed in both groups after exercise. These results suggest that exercise-induced secretion of blood cortisol may contribute to post-exercise suppression of the helper- and cytotoxic-T cell counts, but does not seem to be involved in post-exercise changes in the NK-cell and B-cell counts as well as in post-exercise granulocytosis.
The causes of hospital-treated acute lower respiratory tract infection in children.

OBJECTIVE To determine the etiologic agents in children with acute lower respiratory infection. DESIGN A survey of a series of patients. SETTING General pediatric hospital serving an urban population with and without referrals in Helsinki, Finland. PARTICIPANTS 135 Finnish children aged 2 months to 15 years (mean, 1.75 years), with clinically defined acute lower respiratory infection (with difficulty of breathing), or found to have fever and a pneumonic infiltrate on chest roentgenogram. SELECTION PROCEDURES Consecutive sample on voluntary basis. INTERVENTIONS None. MAIN RESULTS Of 121 children with adequate samples, an etiologic diagnosis could be established in 84 (70%): 30 (25%) had bacterial, 30 (25%) viral, and 24 (20%) mixed infections. Antibody assays alone identified the agent in 91% of positive cases. CONCLUSIONS Bacterial infections are common but generally underestimated in acute lower respiratory infection; serologic methods add significantly to their detection.
Pharmacoeconomics of ruxolitinib therapy in patients with myelofibrosis

Abstract Background: Overall survival (OS) and other important clinical trial end-points seem increasingly more elusive in supporting rapid and efficient incorporation of innovative cancer drugs in clinical practice. This study proposes a clinical trial based pharmacoeconomic framework to assess the therapeutic and economic value of ruxolitinib in patients with intermediate-2 or high-risk myelofibrosis. Methods: Individual patient level 144 week follow-up data from the COMFORT-II trial was used to account for the crossover effect on overall survival. Lifetime treatment benefits and costs were estimated considering detailed patterns of both ruxolitinib dose adjustments and blood transfusion needs. Results: The authors estimate a 3.3 years increment in life expectancy (HR = 0.30; 95% CI = 0.17–0.55; p-value <0.001) and an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €40,000 per life year gained with the use of ruxolitinib. Conclusion: This study also demonstrates how valuable information from clinical trials can be used to support informed decisions about the early incorporation of innovative drugs.
Development of the human motor‐related thalamic nuclei during the first half of gestation, with special emphasis on GABAergic circuits

This study analyzed the expression of differentiation markers (Calbindin D28K: CaBP; parvalbumin: PARV; calretinin: CalR), gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) markers (GABA, glutamic acid decarboxylases: GAD65, GAD67; and GABA transporters: GAT1, GAT3), and other markers (neurotensin: NT, and neurofilament‐specific protein: SMI32) in the human thalamus at 8–23 gestation weeks (g.w.), focusing on the motor‐related nuclei. From 8–13 g.w. mainly CaBP was expressed in the cells while fiber bundles traversing the thalamus in addition to CaBP expressed all GABA markers except GAD67. CaBP and PARV expression patterns in different nuclei changed over the time course studied, whereas NT was expressed consistently along the anterior‐lateral curvature of the thalamus. CalR and SMI were detectable at 23 g.w. in the ventral parts of the dorsal thalamus. Most remarkably, punctate GAD65 immunoreactivity in the neuropil was confined to the nigro‐ and pallidothalamic afferent receiving nuclei from 16 to about 21 g.w. , overlapping with that of CaBP in some of these nuclei (subdivisions of the ventral anterior and mediodorsal nuclei) and with PARV in others (centromedian nucleus). During this period, GAD65 immunoreactivity can be considered a marker of the basal ganglia afferent receiving territory in the motor thalamus. GAD67‐positive local circuit neurons were first detected at 12–13 g.w. in the thalamic nuclei outside the basal ganglia afferent receiving territory. In the ventral anterior and centromedian nuclei, GAD‐containing local circuit neurons were not conspicuous even at 22–23 g.w. The cells of the reticular nucleus expressed GAD67 and PARV from 12 g.w. on starting in the lateral‐posterior regions. By 23 g.w. , both markers were expressed in about two‐thirds of the nucleus except for its most medial‐anterior part. The results imply spatially and temporally differential expression of GABA and differentiation markers in the developing human thalamus. J. Comp. Neurol. 476:267–289, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hepatectomy with an ultrasonic dissector for hepatocellular carcinoma

This study compared the results of hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using an ultrasonic dissector with those of a combination of the crushing clamp and finger fracture techniques. The crushing clamp and finger fracture method was used from 1989 to 1992 in 96 patients (group 1) and the ultrasonic dissector from 1993 to 1994 in 69 patients (group 2). Data from these two sets of patients were collected prospectively. The groups were comparable in terms of preoperative liver function, tumour size and stage, and the incidence of cirrhosis. Major hepatectomy was performed in 69 patients (72 per cent) of group 1 and in 52 (75 per cent) of those in group 2. Use of the ultrasonic dissector resulted in lower mean(s.e.m.) blood loss (group 1 3.4(0.4) litres versus group 2 2.4(0.2) litres, P = 0.02), lower mean(s.e.m.) blood transfusion requirement (2.2(0.2) versus 1.2(0.2) litres, P =0.001) and more patients not requiring blood transfusion (8 per cent of group 1 versus 32 per cent of group 2, P = 0.0001). Postoperative complications occurred in 45 patients (47 per cent) of group 1 and 19 (28 per cent) of those in group 2 (P = 0.012). There were no deaths in group 2 whereas the hospital mortality rate in group 1 was 16 of 96 (17 per cent) (P = 0.0004). A wider tumour‐free resection margin (mean(s.e.m.) 1.2(0.1) versus 0.9(0.1) cm, P<0.05) and lower serum bilirubin level throughout the postoperative period were also observed in group 2 patients. The ultrasonic dissector is better than the crushing clamp and finger fracture technique in hepatectomy for HCC.
Evaluation of the Substrate Specificity of Human Mast Cell Tryptase βI and Demonstration of Its Importance in Bacterial Infections of the Lung*

Human pulmonary mast cells (MCs) express tryptases α and βI, and both granule serine proteases are exocytosed during inflammatory events. Recombinant forms of these tryptases were generated for the first time to evaluate their substrate specificities at the biochemical level and then to address their physiologic roles in pulmonary inflammation. Analysis of a tryptase-specific, phage display peptide library revealed that tryptase βI prefers to cleave peptides with 1 or more Pro residues flanked by 2 positively charged residues. Although recombinant tryptase βI was unable to activate cultured cells that express different types of protease-activated receptors, the numbers of neutrophils increased >100-fold when enzymatically active tryptase βI was instilled into the lungs of mice. In contrast, the numbers of lymphocytes and eosinophils in the airspaces did not change significantly. More important, the tryptase βI-treated mice exhibited normal airway responsiveness. Neutrophils did not extravasate into the lungs of tryptase α-treated mice. Thus, this is the first study to demonstrate that the two nearly identical human MC tryptases are functionally distinct in vivo. When MC-deficientW/W v mice were given enzymatically active tryptase βI or its inactive zymogen before pulmonary infection withKlebsiella pneumoniae, tryptase βI-treatedW/W v mice had fewer viable bacteria in their lungs relative to zymogen-treated W/W v mice. Because neutrophils are required to combat bacterial infections, human tryptase βI plays a critical role in the antibacterial host defenses of the lung by recruiting neutrophils in a manner that does not alter airway reactivity.
SELECTIVE INDUCIBLE NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE INHIBITION DURING LONG-TERM HYPERDYNAMIC PORCINE BACTEREMIA

We have recently demonstrated that selective inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) inhibition with 1400W attenuated the hemodynamic and metabolic alterations affiliated with hyperdynamic porcine endotoxemia. In contrast to endotoxemia, limited evidence is available to document a relationship between NO and organ dysfunction in large animal bacteremic models. Therefore, using the same experimental setup, we investigated the role of selective iNOS blockade in porcine bacteremia induced and maintained for 24 h with a continuous infusion of live Pseudomonas aeruginosa. After 12 h of sepsis, animals received either vehicle (Control, n = 8) or continuous infusion of selective iNOS inhibitor, L-N6-(1-iminoethyl)-lysine (L-NIL; n = 8). Measurements were performed before, and 12, 18, and 24 h after P. aeruginosa infusion. L-NIL inhibited sepsis-induced increase in plasma nitrate/nitrite concentrations and prevented hypotension without affecting cardiac output. Despite comparable hepatosplanchnic macrocirculation, L-NIL blunted the progressive deterioration in ileal mucosal microcirculation and prevented mucosal acidosis. L-NIL largely attenuated mesenteric and hepatic venous acidosis, significantly improved P. aeruginosa-induced impairment of hepatosplanchnic redox state, and mitigated the decline in liver lactate clearance. Furthermore, the administration of L-NIL reduced the hepatocellular injury and prevented the development of renal dysfunction. Finally, treatment with L-NIL significantly attenuated the formation of 8-isoprostane concentrations, a direct marker of lipid peroxidation. Thus, selective iNOS inhibition with L-NIL prevented live bacteria from causing key features of metabolic derangements in porcine hyperdynamic sepsis. Underlying mechanisms probably include reduced oxidative stress with improved microcirculatory perfusion and restoration of cellular respiration.
Eight-week, placebo-controlled, double-blind comparison of the antidepressant efficacy and tolerability of bupropion XR and venlafaxine XR

Abstract The efficacy, safety and tolerability of bupropion XR and venlafaxine XR was assessed and compared with placebo in adult outpatients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Adults meeting DSM-IV criteria for MDD with a minimum Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) 17-Item total score of ≥18 were randomized to eight weeks of double-blind treatment with either bupropion XR (150 mg/day), venlafaxine XR (75 mg/day) or placebo. At the end of the fourth week of treatment, a dosage increase to bupropion XR 300 mg/day or venlafaxine XR 150 mg/day was allowed if, in the opinion of the investigator, response was inadequate. The primary efficacy endpoint was mean change from baseline at week 8 in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score last observation carried forward (LOCF). Mean changes from baseline at week 8 (LOCF) in MADRS total score were statistically significant for bupropion XR and venlafaxine XR patients compared to the placebo group: −16.0 for bupropion XR (P = 0.006 vs placebo), −17.1 for venlafaxine XR (P < 0.001 vs placebo) and −13.5 for placebo. Secondary outcomes (including CGI-S, HAM-A, MEI, Q-LES-Q-SF, responder and remitter analyses) also improved significantly for both active treatment groups compared with placebo. The most frequently reported adverse events were dry mouth and insomnia for bupropion XR, and nausea, hyperhidrosis, fatigue, and insomnia for venlafaxine XR. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, bupropion XR at doses up to 300 mg/day and venlafaxine XR at doses up to 150 mg/day demonstrated comparable antidepressant efficacy.
Modeling, Analyzing, and Parameter Design of the Magnetic Field of a Segmented Halbach Cylinder

The Halbach magnet array has become more and more attractive in many electromagnetic engineering domains such as electrical motors for its potential features such as self-shielding and providing sinusoidal field distribution. This paper develops analytical models formulated in polar coordinates for predicting the field distribution of a segmented Halbach magnet cylinder with or without back iron. Based on the analytical models, the relationships between the air-gap flux density and four design parameters including pole-pair number, segment number per pole, permanent-magnet radial dimension, and air-gap length are analyzed. Further, the Taguchi method is employed to identify the settings of design parameters and determine the parameters which have a significant effect on the field distribution. The analytical models are verified by taking advantage of the finite-element method (FEM), which shows that all the results can be of considerable use in the design of permanent-magnet machines.
Eight Cases of Feline Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Texas

Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease caused by intracellular Leishmania protozoa that are transmitted by sandflies. The disease occurs in 3 forms: cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral. Cutaneous leishmaniasis has been reported in cats in Europe and South America and in 1 cat from Texas. Leishmania mexicana is endemic in Texas and has been reported to cause cutaneous lesions in humans. This article describes the pathology of 8 biopsy cases of feline cutaneous leishmaniasis presented to the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory over a 3.5-year period. The median age of the cats was 3 years; each was presented with nodular, ulcerative lesions on the pinnae and less commonly on the muzzle and periorbital skin. Histologically, the lesions were nodular to diffuse histiocytic dermatitis with numerous amastigotes (2–4 μm) within macrophages and occasionally within the interstitium. Organisms were often contained within round, clear, intracellular vacuoles. In areas of necrosis, organisms were also free within the interstitium. The overlying epidermis was hyperkeratotic, hyperplastic, and often ulcerated. The organisms were not argyrophilic (Gomori methenamine silver), reacted poorly with periodic acid–Schiff reagent, and were inconsistently basophilic with Giemsa. Although not readily visible histologically, kinetoplasts were evident in amastigotes in cytologic preparations. The lesions were similar to those described for cutaneous L. mexicana infection in humans. In 5 of the 8 cats, Leishmania mexicana DNA was amplified from paraffin-embedded tissue by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced.
Causality on the steam coal market

ABSTRACT The paper presents a detailed analysis of relationships between steam coal prices on the Atlantic and Pacific basins. The division took into account both the importers (Japan, Europe) and the exporters (South Africa and Australia). The data used in the analysis came from Argus Base and included time series from the period January 2002–August 2011. The analysis has revealed that there is a cointegration between the prices, which means that they are in a long-term equilibrium. The application of the Granger causality test has shown that the Pacific basin plays a dominant role in the process of shaping prices. Both the import prices and the pair Japan and Australia were causes for the remaining prices. Instantaneous causality was calculated using the directed acyclic graph (DAG) method. The results obtained indicate that there is no instantaneous causality for the pair of importers in Asia and Europe. The structural restrictions for the model yielded the impulse response function. All the analyses conducted indicate a dominant role of the Pacific basin in shaping the prices of steam coal.
Resveratrol decreases periodontal breakdown and modulates local levels of cytokines during periodontitis in rats.

BACKGROUND Resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene) is a naturally occurring product found in numerous plants. Among its biologic properties, resveratrol may promote immunomodulatory effects on the host response. This study investigates the effect of continuous administration of resveratrol on the progression of experimental periodontitis in rats. METHODS Periodontitis was induced in rats in one of the first molars chosen to receive a ligature. Animals were assigned to one of two groups: 1) daily administration of the placebo solution (control group) or 2) 10 mg/kg resveratrol (RESV group). The therapies were administered systemically for 30 days: for 19 days before periodontitis induction and then for another 11 days. Then, the specimens were processed for morphometric analysis of bone loss, and the gingival tissue surrounding the first molar was collected for quantification of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, and IL-17 using a multiplexing assay. RESULTS Intergroup comparisons of the morphometric outcomes revealed higher bone loss values in ligated molars and unligated teeth in the control group than the RESV group (P <0.05). The immunoenzymatic assay of the gingival tissue showed a lower concentration of IL-17 in the RESV group than the control group (P <0.05), whereas no differences in the IL-1β and IL-4 levels of the groups were observed (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS Continuous administration of resveratrol may decrease periodontal breakdown induced experimentally in rats. In addition, lower levels of IL-17 were found in the RESV group. Future studies are important to confirm the mechanism through which resveratrol exerts its effects.
Measuring job satisfaction in residential aged care.

BACKGROUND Staff satisfaction has received increasing recognition as an important factor influencing service quality and in particular the quality of residents' lives in residential aged care facilities, where staff typically have a long-term and close relationship with residents. Consequently, a valid and reliable instrument is required to assess staff satisfaction in this particular context. OBJECTIVE This paper aims to assess the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Measure of Job Satisfaction (MJS) instrument when used in residential aged care facilities. DESIGN A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect the required information, and a stratified random sampling method was utilized to select facilities. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to assess the factor structure of staff satisfaction via the MJS. SETTING Both high and low care residential aged care facilities in Western Australia. STUDY PARTICIPANTS Nine hundred and eighty-three staff (including the Director of Nursing, manager, registered nurses, enrolled nurses, nursing assistants, and therapists) in 70 residential aged care facilities. RESULTS An acceptable five-factor (22-item) measurement model was derived. The Cronbach's alpha reliability levels range from 0.86 to 0.95. Convergent and discriminant validity are also satisfactory. CONCLUSION This investigation has confirmed that a modified MJS is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing staff satisfaction in residential aged care settings.