Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diabetic foot ulcers in Cameroon: can microflora prevalence inform probabilistic antibiotic treatment?

OBJECTIVE To determine the clinical features, regularly associated microorganisms and their susceptibility to antibiotics, and the clinical outcomes of foot ulcers in patients with diabetes at the Yaoundé Central Hospital, Cameroon. METHOD A retrospective analysis of routinely collected hospital data, and data validation by survey of clinical notes was conducted from November 1999 to October 2002 for adult diabetic patients with foot ulcers. Clinical data were recorded for each patient, followed by a record of microbiological investigations where available. RESULTS Of 503 patients with diabetes admitted during the study period, 54 (10.7%) had foot ulcers. Male subject represented 66.7% of this population. The mean age of the study population was 59.66 +/- 1.52 years. The foot ulcer led to the diagnosis of diabetes in six patients in whom the condition was previously unidentified. Of the 54 patients with foot ulcers, nine (16.7%) were selected for surgery and the remaining 45 were managed conservatively. Microbiological investigations were available for 21 patients. Proteus mirabilis was the most frequent microorganism yielded, and was regularly associated with Staphylococcus aureus. All the microorganisms isolated showed high sensitivity to second-generation quinolone antibiotics and were regularly sensitive to aminoglycoside antibiotics. Nine (16.7%) patients died and seven (13%) were discharged at their own request. CONCLUSION The mortality rate among our diabetic patients with foot ulcers is high and the combination of second-generation quinolone and aminoglycoside antibiotics can be proposed as a probabilistic antibiotic approach to treating foot infection.
Quality, Size, and Performance of Audit Firms

This study examines the relations between audit quality, audit firm size, and financial performance. This study estimates audit quality of audit firms from human capital-related factors, such as educational level of auditors, work experience of auditors, and professional training. From the perspective of market segmentation, the sample is divided into three categories: national, regional, and local firms. Empirical results report a positive association between audit firm size and audit quality for the three categories of audit firms. The positive relationship of national audit firms is higher than that of regional and local audit firms. The relationship between audit quality and financial performance is positive. The positive relationship of national audit firms is higher than that of regional and local audit firms.
HLA types and recurrent corneal herpes simplex infection.

The major histocompatibility complex in man, designated HLA, determines not only the strong transplantation antigens with their role in affecting allograft survival but also an assortment of biological phenomena including immune responsiveness and development and susceptibility to disease. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a nearly ubiquitous virus which infects almost every human being. Recurrent herpes keratitis (corneal infection) is characterized by repeated infections, probably without re-exposure to the virus. Recurrences have been reported to occur in about 25 percent of persons following their first infection. * The virus remains in a latent state, possibly in the trigeminal ganglion, between periods of activity. Because of the almost universal human infection by HSV and the relative rarity of the recurrent state, a difference in the immunoreactivity of those persons susceptible to recurrences is suggested. Examining the HLA system has recently provided a way of looking at genetically determined differences in immunity. HLA typing for 32 antigens with the use of microcytotoxicity techniques was done on 46 white persons with more than one episode of corneal epithelial herpetic infection. The HLA frequencies (percent) for this group of patients was compared to those of a control group of 282 normal persons typed in the same laboratories. Statistical analysis was by the chi-square method by antigen, with the Yates continuity correction. HLA-B5 was significantly increased (p <0.01 uncorrected for number of comparisons) in the
Social Software and the Emergence of Control

Social software, such as blogs, wikis, tagging systems and collaborative filters, treats the group as a first-class object within the system. Drawing from theories of transactional distance and control, this paper proposes a model of e-learning that extends traditional concepts of learner-teacher-content interactions to include these emergent properties of the group. It suggests that this feature of social software can facilitate an approach to e-learning that is qualitatively different from and capable of significantly augmenting traditional methods. It goes on to explore some of the dangers and issues that need to be addressed in order for this new model to fulfill its promise
FAK Is required for c‐Met/β‐catenin‐driven hepatocarcinogenesis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause of cancer death worldwide and most patients with HCC have limited treatment options. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is overexpressed in many HCC specimens, offering a potential target for HCC treatment. However, the role of FAK in hepatocarcinogenesis remains elusive. Establishing whether FAK expression plays a role in HCC development is necessary to determine whether it is a viable therapeutic target. In this study, we generated mice with hepatocyte‐specific deletion of Fak and investigated the role of Fak in an oncogenic (c‐MET/β‐catenin, MET/CAT)‐driven HCC model. We found that deletion of Fak in hepatocytes did not affect morphology, proliferation, or apoptosis. However, Fak deficiency significantly repressed MET/CAT‐induced tumor development and prolonged survival of animals with MET/CAT‐induced HCC. In mouse livers and HCC cell lines, Fak was activated by MET, which induced the activation of Akt/Erk and up‐regulated cyclin D1 and tumor cell proliferation. CAT enhanced MET‐stimulated FAK activation and synergistically induced the activation of the AKT/ERK‐cyclin D1 signaling pathway in a FAK kinase‐dependent manner. In addition, FAK was required for CAT‐induced cyclin D1 expression in a kinase‐independent fashion. Conclusion: Fak is required for c‐Met/β‐catenin‐driven hepatocarcinogenesis. Inhibition of FAK provides a potential strategy to treat HCC. (Hepatology 2015;61:214–226)
Protective role of extracts of grape skin and grape flesh on ethanol-induced oxidative stress, inflammation and histological alterations in rat brain

Abstract Ethanol consumption has deleterious effects on all organs and especially on brain. In our study, the radical scavenging properties of grape skin and grape flesh (contains natural antioxidants like polyphenols) was determined in vitro and for in vivo studies, male Wistar rats (16–18 week-old) and 100–120 gm weight were divided in five groups of six animals each. One group were fed with ethanol (1.6 gm/kg body weight), while second group were fed with ethanol (1.6 g/kg body weight) and grape skin extract (2.5 g/kg body weight), the third group were fed with ethanol (1.6 g/kg body weight) and grape flesh extract, daily once for 12 weeks, while the fourth group were fed with ethanol (1.6 g/kg body weight) and tocopheryl acetate (80 mg/kg/day) daily once for 12 weeks. Results of in vitro studies indicate that grape skin extracts showed significant radical scavenging properties (ROS). There was also significantly alteration of serum cytokines in our study.
Incorporation in Offshore Financial Centers: Naughty or Nice?

This paper studies whether incorporation in an offshore financial center (OFC) enables expropriation or offers a beneficial alternative legal and regulatory system. After controlling for taxation and home country characteristics, we find that OFC-incorporated firms have lower Tobin’s q, particularly if they are high growth or from high investor protection countries. However, offshore incorporation can enhance value when home country investor protection is weak or overly restrictive. Estimated responses to unanticipated legal changes and patterns in institutional investor holdings echo these findings. Thus, the consequences of legal domicile depend on firm, home country, and OFC characteristics.
Hormonal regulation of Sertoli cell differentiation.

This study was carried out to determine the possible hormone dependence of the postnatal changes on the cytological characteristics of the rat Sertoli cell. Neutralizing antisera to rat follicle stimulating hormone (AS/FSH) and sheep luteinizing hormone (AS/LII) were prepared in rabbits and made monospecific by suitable absorption. Groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected from birth to 32 days with either AS/FSII, AS/LII, AS/Ll-I + testosterone propionate (TP), or normal rabbit serum (NRS). In control 33-day-old animals, Sertoli cells displayed most of the fine structural characteristics of the adult type. Their nuclei were highly infolded and showed an elaborate shape. Euchromatin was largely predominant with a few heterochromatic masses associated with the nuclear envelope or with the prominent nucleolus. The perinuclear area of cytoplasm was particularly rich in mitochondria, smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) and Golgi complexes. Inter-Sertoli cell junctions were fully developed. After AS/LI-I treatment, the nuclei were reduced in size and adopted a smooth surface with very few infoldings. In addition, many clumps of heterochromatin were apparent close to the nuclear envelope and the number of the nucleoli was reduced. Sertoli cell cytoplasm was severely atrophied following AS/I-IL administration, showing sparse mitochondria, SER and Golgi profiles. Addition of TP to the AS/LI-I treatment failed to reverse these cytoplasmic changes but resulted in a reappearance of the membrane infoldings of the nuclear envelope and normal numbers of nucleoli. On the other hand, AS/FSFI treatment did not induce any apparent morphological change in the Sertoli cell nuclei. The cell volume was reduced but most of the cytoplasmic organelles were apparently present in normal numbers. However, extensively dilated cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum containing floccular material were a common and impressive change. No modifications were detected in the Sertoli cell junctions in any of the experimental groups. ABP testicular and epididymal levels were diminished in both AS/FSH and AS/LH treated groups, but the reduction was more marked in the latter. ABP levels remained low when TP was administered with the AS/LI-I. These observations indicate that in the absence of LH morphological differentiation and growth of Sertoli cells are severely inhibited and that FSH withdrawal causes specific changes in the ER that may indicate a trophic action on it. The failure of TP to reverse the effects of AS/LH administration could be attributed to the possibly severe FSH inhibition induced by the high testosterone plasma levels.
Vitamin C deficiency accelerates bone loss inducing an increase in PPAR‐γ expression in SMP30 knockout mice

Senescence marker protein (SMP) 30 knockout (KO) mice display symptoms of scurvy, including spontaneous bone fractures, and this was considered to be induced by a failure of collagen synthesis owing to vitamin C deficiency. However, low bone mineral density is also known to be associated with spontaneous bone fracture. Therefore, we investigated the effects of vitamin C deficiency on the balance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts in SMP30 KO mice as evidenced by histopathology. All mice were fed a vitamin C‐free diet, and only one group (KV) mice were given water containing 1.5 g/l of vitamin C, whereas wild‐type (WT) and KO mice were given normal drinking tap water without vitamin C for 16 weeks. After 16 weeks, all femur samples were removed for histopathological examination. The femurs of KO mice showed significantly reduced bone area and decreased number of osteoblasts compared with those of WT mice and KV mice. KO mice also exhibited the lowest level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression in their femurs. However, KO mice showed the most elevated expression of the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐B ligand (RANKL). Moreover, KO mice had the strongest peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR)‐γ expression level in their osteoblasts and the highest number of TUNEL‐positive bone marrow cells. Therefore, we concluded that vitamin C deficiency plays an important role in spontaneous bone fracture by inhibiting osteoblast differentiation and promoting transition of osteoblasts to adipocytes, and this could in turn be related to the increased PPAR‐γ expression.
HIGH PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL ADENOCARCINOMA IN A CAPTIVE POPULATION OF AMAZON MILK FROG (TRACHYCEPHALUS RESINIFICTRIX)

Abstract: A series of eight cases of intestinal adenocarcinoma in Amazon milk frog (Trachycephalus resinifictrix) is described. All cases presented with signs of inappetence and weight loss, and evidence of large intestinal distention on gross postmortem, with six of the eight cases showing a grossly visible large intestinal mass. Histologic examination identified the mass as an intestinal adenocarcinoma in all cases. No specific etiologic agent could be identified. This is the first report of neoplasia in the Amazon milk frog, and the first reported series of amphibian gastrointestinal neoplasia.
Usefulness of cholangioscopic-guided mapping biopsy using SpyGlass DS for preoperative evaluation of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a pilot study

Abstract Background and study aims Evaluation of longitudinal tumor extent is indispensable for curative surgical treatment of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness and feasibility of cholangioscopic-guided mapping biopsy using a newly developed peroral digital cholangioscope, SpyGlass DS (SpyDS), for preoperative evaluation of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Patients and methods Thirteen patients (mean age, 75 years; male 10, female 3) with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma who underwent cholangioscopic-guided mapping biopsy using SpyDS for preoperative evaluation were included in this study. Successful cholangioscopic-guided mapping biopsy was defined as the acquisition of specimens sufficient for histopathological diagnosis. Results The mean number of biopsies was 5 per patient. The overall success rate for cholangioscopic-guided mapping biopsy was 88 % (59/67). The success rate for cholangioscopic-guided mapping biopsy from the confluence of the right and left hepatic ducts was 89 %, that from the B4 confluence was 93 %, that from the confluence of the right anterior and right posterior segmental ducts was 86 %, that from the intrapancreatic common bile duct was 67 %, and that from the main lesion was 100 %. The overall diagnostic accuracy of longitudinal tumor extent at the hepatic side, the duodenal side and overall by cholangioscopic findings and mapping biopsy, was 88 % (7/8), 88 % (7/8) and 88 % (7/8), respectively. Assessment according to location of the main lesion revealed that diagnostic accuracy in the patients with distal bile duct carcinoma was 100 % (5/5) and that in patients with perihilar bile duct carcinoma was 66 % (2/3). Complications after the procedure did not occur in any patients. Conclusions Cholangioscopic-guided mapping biopsy using SpyDS is thought to be feasible for preoperative evaluation of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
The deterioration of health status among immigrants to Canada

Abstract A growing body of literature suggests that immigrants to Canada experience deterioration in their health status after settling in the country. While self-selection processes and Canadian immigration policy ensure that, at the time of arrival, immigrants are healthier than the Canadian-born population, this health advantage does not persist over time. This study uses new data from the Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada (N=7720) to examine how health transitions vary among immigrants. Logistic regression analyses indicate that visible minorities and immigrants who experienced discrimination or unfair treatment are most likely to experience a decline in self-reported health status. The results also confirm a clear inverse socioeconomic gradient with respect to increasing levels of feelings of sadness, depression and loneliness. These findings reflect important dimensions driving population health patterns in Canada, a country with a highly lauded health care system based on the principles of universality and comprehensiveness. Our findings suggest that discrimination and inequality partly drive the health transitions of immigrants. These factors, which largely operate outside of the formal health care system, need to be understood and addressed if health inequities are to be reduced.
Can Substitution and Signaling Theories Explain the Relationship between External Audit Fees and the Effectiveness of Internal Corporate Governance

Abstract- The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between external audit fees and the effectiveness of internal corporate governance of non-financial companies listed on Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) by testing substitution and signaling theories. To reachthis aim, data were collected from the annual reports of all non-financial companies listed on the exchange for the year 2012. The result of the analysis showed partial support to substitution theory. Effective internal audit employed by nonfinancial Emirati companies listed on ADX appeared to be negatively related to external audit fees. The relations was, however, marginally significant.
Concussion Reporting Rates at the Conclusion of an Intercollegiate Athletic Career

Objective:The purpose of this study was to explore the current reported, unreported, and potentially unrecognized concussion rates among collegiate student-athletes who have completed their collegiate athletic career. Design:Retrospective survey. Setting:College and University athletic training rooms. Participants:One hundred sixty-one collegiate student-athletes (56.5% women; aged 21.5 ± 1.3; 3.7 ± 1.0 years of collegiate athletic experience) from 10 institutions who had either completed their intercollegiate athletic eligibility or were no longer participating. Main Outcome Measures:The self-reported concussion rate, the unreported rate and reasons, and the potentially unrecognized concussion rate. Results:The self-reported concussion rate was 33.5% (54/161), and 22.2% (12) self-reported at least 3 concussions. The unreported rate was 11.8% (19/161), and the potentially unrecognized rate was 26.1% (42/161) with the most common unrecognized symptom being “knocked silly/seen stars” (23.6% [38/161]). Conclusions:Overall, 49.7% of all respondents (80/161) reported 1 acknowledged, unreported, or potential concussion. The unreported rate was lower than previous high school studies; however, the potentially unrecognized rate remains high and should be clinically concerning. These findings suggest educational interventions targeting collegiate student-athletes should remain and continue to focus on identifying concussion symptoms and dispelling the common misconception that “bell ringers” and “dings” are not concussions.
Some optimal codes have structure

The techniques of the geometry of numbers, especially the Minkowski-Hlawka theorem, are used to modify Shannon's existence proof for optimal channel codes, so that the modified proof applies specifically to lattice codes. The resulting existence proof states that there exist lattice codes which satisfy Shannon's bound to within the factor 4, and hence match the reliability exponent and critical rate bounds which Shannon derived for optimal codes with unspecified structure. Therefore, it is demonstrated that optimal codes need not be random, but rather that some of them have structure, e.g. the structure of a lattice code. >
ERK is Involved in Tooth-pressure-induced Fos Expression in Vc Neurons

Discomfort and pain encountered during orthodontic treatment are major problems for patients, but the details of the underlying neural processes and molecular mechanisms are not well-understood. Here we show that noxious tooth mechanical pressure induced by orthodontic elastics resulted in a rapid and transient activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) in the trigeminal spinal subnucleus interpolaris and caudalis transition zone (Vi/Vc), trigeminal spinal subnucleus caudalis (Vc), and upper cervical spinal cord (Vc/C2). The phosphorylated ERK (pERK) was observed in neurons but not in astroglia and microglia. Single-plane scanning analysis indicated that the pERK was localized to the nucleus of Vc neurons. In addition, the tooth mechanical pressure led to Fos expression in the pERK-positive Vc neurons that would be suppressed by intrathecal administration of an MEK1/2 inhibitor (PD98059). Taken together, these findings suggest that activation of the ERK signaling cascade following noxious mechanical pressure on the teeth regulates Fos expression in Vc neurons and may thereby contribute to pain associated with orthodontic treatment.
Helicobacter pylori and Complex Gangliosides

ABSTRACT Recognition of sialic acid-containing glycoconjugates by the human gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori has been repeatedly demonstrated. To investigate the structural requirements for H. pylori binding to complex gangliosides, a large number of gangliosides were isolated and characterized by mass spectrometry and proton nuclear magnetic resonance. Ganglioside binding of sialic acid-recognizing H. pylori strains (strains J99 and CCUG 17874) and knockout mutant strains with the sialic acid binding adhesin SabA or the NeuAcα3Galβ4GlcNAcβ3Galβ4GlcNAcβ-binding neutrophil-activating protein HPNAP deleted was investigated using the thin-layer chromatogram binding assay. The wild-type bacteria bound to N-acetyllactosamine-based gangliosides with terminal α3-linked NeuAc, while gangliosides with terminal NeuGcα3, NeuAcα6, or NeuAcα8NeuAcα3 were not recognized. The factors affecting binding affinity were identified as (i) the length of the N-acetyllactosamine carbohydrate chain, (ii) the branches of the carbohydrate chain, and (iii) fucose substitution of the N-acetyllactosamine core chain. While the J99/NAP− mutant strain displayed a ganglioside binding pattern identical to that of the parent J99 wild-type strain, no ganglioside binding was obtained with the J99/SabA− mutant strain, demonstrating that the SabA adhesin is the sole factor responsible for the binding of H. pylori bacterial cells to gangliosides.
Maintenance of cellular levels of G-proteins : different efficiencies of α s and α o synthesis in GH 3 cells

G-proteins couple membrane-bound receptors to intracellular effectors. Each cell has a characteristic complement of G-protein α, β and γ subunits that partly determines the cell ’s response to external signals. Very little is known about the mechanisms that set and maintain cellular levels of G-proteins or about potential points of regulation. We have assayed the steady-state levels of mRNA and protein for two types of G-protein subunits, α s and α o , in rat brain, heart and GH $ cells, and found that in all these cases, it takes 9to 20-fold more mRNA to produce a given amount of α s protein than to produce the same amount of α o protein. Such a situation could arise from a relatively rapid rate of α s protein degradation, requiring rapid protein synthesis to compensate, or from relatively inefficient translation of α s mRNA compared with α o mRNA. The latter appears to be the case in