Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epidemiological and microbiological diagnosis of suppurative keratitis in Gangetic West Bengal, eastern India.

PURPOSE To determine the epidemiological pattern and risk factors involved in suppurative corneal ulceration in Gangetic West Bengal, eastern India, and to identify the specific microbial agents responsible for corneal infections. METHODS All patients with suspected microbial keratitis presenting to the corneal clinic at Disha Eye Hospital, Barrackpore, West Bengal, India, from January 2001 to December 2003 were evaluated. Sociodemographic data and information pertaining to the risk factors were recorded. After diagnosing infective corneal ulcer clinically, corneal scraping and cultures were performed. RESULTS Over a three-year period, 1198 patients with suppurative keratitis were evaluated. Ocular trauma was the most common predisposing factor in 994 (82.9%) patients (P< 0.0001), followed by use of topical corticosteroids in 231 (19.28%) patients. Cultures were positive in 811 (67.7%) patients. Among these culture positive cases, 509 (62.7%) patients had pure fungal infections (P< 0.001), 184 (22.7%) patients had pure bacterial infections and 114 (14.1%) had mixed fungal with bacterial infections. Acanthamoeba was detected in 4 (0.49%) patients. The most common fungal pathogen was Aspergillus spp representing 373 (59.8%) of all positive fungal cultures (P< 0.0001), followed by Fusarium spp in 132 (21.2%) instances. Most common bacterial isolate was Staphylococcus aureus, representing 127 (42.6%) of all the bacterial culture (P< 0.0001) followed by Pseudomonas spp 63 (21.1%). CONCLUSION Suppurative keratitis in Gangetic West Bengal, most often occurs after a superficial corneal trauma with vegetative or organic materials. Fungal ulcers are more common than bacterial ulcers. Aspergillus spp and Staphylococcus aureus were the most common fungus and bacteria respectively. These "regional" findings have important public health implications for the treatment and prevention of suppurative corneal ulceration in this region of India.
Marker or mediator? The effects of adolescent substance use on young adult educational attainment.

AIMS We tested the effects of adolescent substance use on college attendance and completion by young adulthood in the context of the behavioral and familial risk factors that influence substance use. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Longitudinal data were collected from a community sample of children of alcoholics (248) and matched controls (206) at three adolescent assessments (micro(age) = 13-15) and a long-term follow-up in young adulthood (micro(age) = 25). MEASUREMENTS College attendance and degree completion by age 25 were self-reported in young adulthood. During adolescence, self-reports of alcohol and drug use were assessed with log-transformed quantity/frequency measures; substance use risk factors [e.g. parental monitoring, externalizing and internalizing symptoms and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual version III (DSM-III) diagnosis of parental alcoholism] were assessed by both self- and parent-report, and adolescent reading achievement was assessed using a standardized assessment of reading achievement (Wide Range Achievement Test). FINDINGS Using growth curve modeling, we found that mean levels and growth in adolescent substance use mark, or identify, those adolescents who are at risk for reduced odds of attending and completing college. Moreover, adolescent substance use was not merely a marker of risk, in that growth in drug use (but not alcohol use) significantly mediated the effects of parental alcoholism and early externalizing behavior on later college completion, partially explaining the effects of these risk factors on college completion. CONCLUSIONS The current study provides evidence for both the marker and the mediator hypotheses, and identifies multiple pathways to higher educational attainment. The findings point to the importance of studying the effects of adolescent substance use in a broader developmental context of its correlated risk factors to specify more effectively the key pathways to later developmental outcomes.
[Time trend analysis of incidence rate for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in urban Shanghai].

OBJECTIVE To explore the secular trend of incidence for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in urban Shanghai during 1973 - 2005. METHODS The incidence data from the population-based cancer registries in Shanghai was used in our analysis. We calculated the crude incidence rates, age-adjusted incidence rates, truncated rates and cumulative rates of NPC. The annual percentage change (APC) was used as an estimate of the secular trend. RESULTS Over 33 years, a total of 7889 incident NPC cases in urban Shanghai were registered for 5555 males and 2334 females, respectively. The incidence of NPC had remained stable in males during the period (APC = -0.250%, P = 0.340), but a decreasing trend was observed in females with an average reduction of -1.577% (P = 0.000) per year. During the period of 1973 - 1976 to 2001 - 2005, the crude incidence rates changed from 4.56 to 6.18 and from 3.96 to 2.41 per 100 000 in males and females, and the age-adjusted rates from 4.12 to 3.96 and from 2.18 to 3.42 per 100 000 in males and females, respectively. CONCLUSION From 1973 to 2005, the incidence of NPC was stable in males while having a decline in females, indicating that further epidemiological study and prevention for NPC should be addressed.
Permanent consequences in Langerhans cell histiocytosis patients: A pilot study from the Histiocyte Society—Late Effects Study Group

Permanent consequences (PC) are often described among subjects with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) but data on the real incidence are scarce. Within the Histiocyte Society (HS), and in order to design a definitive late effects study, a retrospective survey was organized to describe the prevalence of PC among long‐term survivors of LCH.
Biliary complications after liver transplantation--523 consecutive cases in two centers.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Despite various surgical techniques, biliary tract complications (BC) remain a major source of morbidity after liver transplantation (LT). METHODOLOGY Between April 2000 and November 2008, 523 LTs in 487 recipients (36 re transplantations) were performed as follows: 402 whole deceased donor graft LTs, and 121 partial liver transplantation: 75 living donor liver transplantation, 42 split liver transplantation, and 4 reduced size liver transplantation. RESULTS Mean follow-up period was 935 days (range 1-3174), 1, 3 and 5-year survival rates were 78.7% 74.2% and 74.2%, respectively. One hundred twenty seven patients--from 487 (26%), developed (after 135 LT) 150 singular BC (in total were 181 BC). Sixty four (of 85) bile leaks (75.29%) were early BC, while 53 (of 63) stenosis (84.1%) were late BC. BC does not influenced significantly patients and graft survival (p > 0.6). From 102 deaths, 8 were due to BC (1.6%) and in only 14 (2.67%) graft loss of 523 LT BC had the main role. Multiple ducts, multiple biliary anastomosis and RYHJ determine BC if compared to a single duct graft. Moreover, ductoplasty, graft type and HAT were independent risk factors. CONCLUSION Biliary complications are common after LT but are rarely an isolated cause of death.
Maternal alcohol and tobacco consumption and their association with nausea and vomiting during pregnancy

Abstract. Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP) has been associated with favorable pregnancy outcome, though little is known about factors influencing its occurrence. In this study, information on NVP in 210 patients at a west coast health maintenance organization was obtained. Smoking and alcohol consumption before and during pregnancy were also estimated in two personal interviews during gestation. In all, 72% of the subjects had NVP in the first 4 months of pregnancy. Smokers had significantly less NVP than non‐smokers (52% vs. 79%). Furthermore, NVP in smokers was negatively associated with alcohol consumption before and during pregnancy, with the stronger relation being for alcohol reported in the 6 months before pregnancy; only 46% of smokers drinking more than 1 fl. oz. of absolute alcohol daily in this period reported NVP, while 68% of smokers drinking less had NVP. For non‐smokers, there was no relation between alcohol use in any period and NVP. The risk of NVP associated with pre‐pregnancy drinking was not related to any change in alcohol consumption after conception. These results suggest an interaction between NVP, smoking, and reported alcohol consumption. The association of favorable pregnancy outcome with NVP may be in part a reflection of moderation in maternal alcohol and tobacco use.
A new potential biomarker for childhood tuberculosis

One of the major research areas for tuberculosis (TB) focuses not only on diagnostics but also on biomarkers that can provide prognostic data about the disease course and response to treatment. Although progress has been made, improved tests for paediatric TB are especially needed. Young children are at increased risk of progressing to TB after exposure, and may suffer from disseminated forms of the disease. Due to the paucibacillary nature of paediatric disease, the current armamentarium and future pipeline of TB diagnostics that largely rely on microbial growth and/or molecular detection are unlikely to demonstrate performance equivalent to that in adults. Thus, an accurate surrogate marker of disease may be crucial to improving the diagnosis of paediatric TB. We have tested and evaluated a novel B-cell assay called the antibodies in lymphocyte supernatant, or ALS, which has performed very well in diagnosing TB disease both in Asia1 2 and Africa (manuscript in preparation). Here, we report the performance of ALS as a biomarker in children with culture-confirmed TB. The ALS assay is based on a principle similar to that of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay, measuring antibody-secreting cells in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The ALS assay detects antibody secretion from in vivo activated plasma B …
Evaluation of microbial contents of table eggs at retail outlets in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria

This study was carried out to evaluate the microbial contents of chicken eggs, sold at retail outlets in Sokoto metropolis. A total of 160 eggs were collected from 16 randomly selected retail outlets, in Sokoto metropolis, for microbial evaluation. Samples were cultured and isolated using nutrient and McConkey agar for bacteria while Sabauroud dextrose agar was employed for fungus and identified using Harvey and Green Wood method. All the 160 (100%) samples were positive for bacteria (nine different genera); while 104 (65%) egg shells were positive for fungi isolation from the genus Aspergillus; however, evaluation of the egg contents revealed 95(59.4%) positive for bacteria isolations from seven different genera and 86(53.8%) positive for fungi isolations from only one genus Aspergillus. The bacterial genera include Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp, Shigella spp, Corynebacteria, Proteus spp Bacillus spp Staphylococcus spp Streptococcus spp and Klebsiella. The only fungal genus was Aspergillus, which were identified to be Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus. The eggs from these areas should therefore be taken with caution and the public should be educated on the dangers associated with consumption of raw and under cooked eggs and egg products, retailers should be encourage to store their eggs in refrigerators and practice good hygiene in order to prevent microbial growth on the eggs.
Membrane scission driven by the PROPPIN Atg18

Sorting, transport, and autophagic degradation of proteins in endosomes and lysosomes, as well as the division of these organelles, depend on scission of membrane‐bound tubulo‐vesicular carriers. How scission occurs is poorly understood, but family proteins bind these membranes. Here, we show that the yeast PROPPIN Atg18 carries membrane scission activity. Purified Atg18 drives tubulation and scission of giant unilamellar vesicles. Upon membrane contact, Atg18 folds its unstructured CD loop into an amphipathic α‐helix that inserts into the bilayer. This allows the protein to engage its two lipid binding sites for PI3P and PI(3,5)P2. PI(3,5)P2 induces Atg18 oligomerization, which should concentrate lipid‐inserted α‐helices in the outer membrane leaflet and drive membrane tubulation and scission. The scission activity of Atg18 is compatible with its known roles in endo‐lysosomal protein trafficking, autophagosome biogenesis, and vacuole fission. Key features required for membrane tubulation and scission by Atg18 are shared by other PROPPINs, suggesting that membrane scission may be a generic function of this protein family.
The Impact of Sleep on Neuropsychological Performance in Cognitively Intact Older Adults Using a Novel In-Home Sensor-Based Sleep Assessment Approach

The relationship between recent episodes of poor sleep and cognitive testing performance in healthy cognitively intact older adults is not well understood. In this exploratory study we examined the impact of recent sleep disturbance, sleep duration, and sleep variability on cognitive performance in 63 cognitively intact older adults using a novel unobtrusive in-home sensor-based sleep assessment methodology. Specifically, we examined the impact of sleep the night prior, the week prior, and the month prior to a neuropsychological evaluation on cognitive performance. Results showed that mildly disturbed sleep the week prior and month prior to cognitive testing was associated with reduced working memory on cognitive evaluation. One night of mild sleep disturbance was not associated with decreased cognitive performance the next day. Sleep duration was unrelated to cognition. In-home, unobtrusive, sensor monitoring technologies provide a novel method for objective, long-term, and continuous assessment of sleep behavior and other everyday activities that might contribute to decreased or variable cognitive performance in healthy older adults.
Replay Attack Detection Using DNN for Channel Discrimination

Voice is projected to be the next input interface for portable devices. The increased use of audio interfaces can be mainly attributed to the success of speech and speaker recognition technologies. With these advances comes the risk of criminal threats where attackers are reportedly trying to access sensitive information using diverse voice spooﬁng techniques. Among them, replay attacks pose a real challenge to voice biometrics. This paper addresses the problem by proposing a deep learning architecture in tandem with low-level cepstral features. We investigate the use of a deep neural network (DNN) to discriminate between the different channel conditions available in the ASVSpoof 2017 dataset, namely recording, playback and session conditions. The high-level feature vectors derived from this network are used to discriminate between genuine and spoofed audio. Two kinds of low-level features are utilized: state-of-the-art constant-Q cepstral coefﬁcients (CQCC), and our proposed high-frequency cepstral coefﬁcients (HFCC) that derive from the high-frequency spectrum of the audio. The fusion of both features proved to be effective in generalizing well across diverse replay attacks seen in the evaluation of the ASVSpoof 2017 challenge, with an equal error rate of 11.5%, that is 53% better than the baseline Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) applied on CQCC.
HISTOCOMPATIBILITY LEUKOCYTE ANTIGEN-D RELATED EXPRESSION IS SPECIFICALLY ALTERED AND PREDICTS MORTALITY IN SEPTIC SHOCK BUT NOT IN OTHER CAUSES OF SHOCK

Although the expression of monocyte histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR has been shown to be decreased during human sepsis, its level of expression in other nonseptic critical conditions is unclear. The aim of this study was to compare the level of HLA-DR expression on circulating monocytes among patients with septic, hemorrhagic, and cardiogenic shocks and severe sepsis without shock. At admission, HLA-DR expression was exclusively decreased in patients with septic shock (n = 30; P < 0.001), whereas the expression was similar between the other studied groups: cardiogenic shock (n = 16), hemorrhagic shock (n = 11), severe sepsis without shock (n = 18), and healthy volunteers (n = 8). HLA-DR expression was not predictive for overall mortality, but at day 1, an HLA-DR expression of less than 14 of mean fluorescence intensity (that corresponds to 40% labeled monocytes) was predictive of mortality exclusively in patients with septic shock (odds ratio, 11.4 and 95% confidence interval, 1.7; 78.4; P < 0.008). Catecholamine infusion, mechanical ventilation, positive blood culture, and number of units of blood or plasma transfused did not correlate with decreased HLA-DR expression. Thus, the decrease in HLA-DR expression is specific to septic shock and is associated, in septic shock patients, with increased mortality risk.
Human Cortical Areas Activated in Relation to Vergence Eye Movements—A PET Study

Human cortical areas activated in relation to vergence eye movements were determined using positron emission tomography. Binocular disparity-driven visual stimuli were presented using a head-mounted display. Eye movements were monitored continuously by an infrared limbus tracker. A combination of a bar and a cross was used as the target. In the vergence task, subjects were instructed to follow an approaching bar, while ignoring a stationary cross. Activation in relation to vergence eye movement was discriminated from activation in relation to motion vision by using the ignore-bar task as the control. In the ignore-bar task, subjects were instructed to fixate on a stationary cross, while ignoring an approaching bar. The fixation task was used as the basic control for both the vergence and the ignore-bar tasks. Areas of activation in relation to vergence eye movements were found in the bilateral temporooccipital junction, the left inferior parietal lobule, and the right fusiform gyrus by comparing regional cerebral flow between the vergence and ignore-bar tasks and by the conjunctive analyses of vergence-vs-ignore comparison with vergence-vs-fixation comparison.
Worker performance and ventilation in a call center: analyses of work performance data for registered nurses.

UNLABELLED We investigated the relationship between ventilation rates and individual work performance in a call center, and controlled for other factors of the indoor environment. We randomized the position of the outdoor air control dampers, and measured ventilation rate, differential (indoor minus outdoor) carbon dioxide (DeltaCO(2)) concentration, supply air velocity, temperature, humidity, occupant density, degree of under-staffing, shift length, time of day, and time required to complete two different work performance tasks (talking with clients and post-talk wrap-up to process information). DeltaCO(2) concentrations ranged from 13 to 611 p.p.m. We used multivariable regression to model the association between the predictors and the responses. We found that agents performed talk tasks fastest when the ventilation rate was highest, but that the relationship between talk performance and ventilation was not strong or monotonic. We did not find a statistically significant association between wrap-up performance and ventilation rate. Agents were slower at the wrap-up task when the temperature was high (> 25.4 degrees C). Agents were slower at wrap-up during long shifts and when the call center was under-staffed. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS The productivity benefits of ventilation rates that exceed common standards such as ASHRAE Standard 62 may be small (0-2%), and other factors may have a larger impact on productivity. Understaffing and long shifts should be avoided because both showed a negative impact on performance. In this study, high temperature had the largest statistically significant impact on productivity and was caused by occupants fighting over the thermostat setpoint. Care should be taken to avoid high temperatures in call centers. If occupants are allowed to adjust temperature setpoints, then the size and/or duration of the setpoint change should be restricted.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Sound Levels Before and After Structural Reconstruction

PurposeThis study compared sound levels before and after structural reconstruction within an NICU. Study Design and MethodsUsing a descriptive design, sound level recordings (in decibels, A-weighted scale) of the Leq, L10, and Lmax were measured continuously for 8 hours (0600-1400) before and after reconstruction in an NICU located in north central Florida. ResultsLevels before reconstruction were Leq M = 60.44 dB, L10 M = 59.26 dB, and Lmax M = 78.39 dB. The average overall sound levels after reconstruction were Leq M = 56.4 dB, L10 M = 60.6 dB, and LmaxM = 90.6 dB. Although an approximate 4-decibel decrease in the Leq sound level after reconstruction was noted, a similar decrease in the L10 and Lmax did not occur. Furthermore, sound levels after reconstruction in the NICU still exceeded recommended levels (Leq < 50 dB, L10 < 55 dB, and Lmax < 70 dB). Clinical ImplicationsFindings from this study demonstrated the positive impact that reconstruction can have on sound levels (4 dB Leq decrease); however, additional interventions may be needed to meet the current standards for noise reduction in an NICU.
The oral health status and the treatment needs of salt workers at sambhar lake, jaipur, India.

BACKGROUND Salt workers are exposed to the adversities of environmental conditions such as direct sunlight, salt dust and contact with brine, which have an impact on the health of workers. Since oral health is an integral part of the general health, we planned to determine its effect on the oral cavity. OBJECTIVES To assess the oral health status and the treatment needs among the workers of Sambhar Salts Limited at Sambhar Lake, Jaipur, India. MATERIAL AND METHODS A cross sectional, descriptive survey was conducted among 979 subjects (509 males; 470 females) who were aged between 19-68 years, who were the workers of Sambhar Salts Limited, Sambhar Lake, Jaipur, India. An interview on the demographic profile followed a clinical examination for recording the oral health status, based on the World Health Organization guidelines. The Chi-square test, t-test, One way Analysis of Variance and a Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS Females had a significantly greater prevalence of dental fluorosis (71.7%) and periodontal disease (96.4%) as compared to males (p= 0.001). The mean number of healthy sextants (0.71 ± 0.09) and the mean DMFT (5.19 ± 4.11) were also significantly higher in females as compared to those in males (p=0.001). One surface filling (78.2%), followed by pulp care and restoration (76.1%) were the most prevalent treatment needs. The gender and oral hygiene practices for dental caries and periodontal disease were respectively identified as the best predictors. CONCLUSION Considerable percentages of salt workers have demonstrated a higher prevalence of oral diseases. Higher unmet treatment needs suggest a poor accessibility and availability of oral health care, in addition to a low utilization of preventive or therapeutic oral health services.