Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Auswirkungen extensiver und intensiver Pflegeverfahren auf den Nährstoffhaushalt von Calluna-Heiden Nordwestdeutschlands

Heathlands are endangered by both atmospheric nutrient deposition and natural succession. High-intensity management measures are considered necessary, as low-intensity measures (mowing, prescribed burning) are not able to compensate for atmospheric nutrient loads. Choppering (i.e. the near-complete removal of the O-layer) has several advantages over sod-cutting including less waste material, faster vegetation recovery and lower costs. This raises the question adressed in this study as to the extent to which choppering and sod-cutting affect nutrient budgets in dry heathlands. We compared the quantities of N, Ca, K, Mg, and P removed by choppering and sod-cutting in the Lueneburg Heath (NW Germany). Nutrient balances were calculated by analysing atmospheric inputs, elevated leaching rates following management, and output due to the removal of above-ground biomass and humus horizons. Nutrient loss was particularly high when removing Oand A-horizons. In contrast, increased leaching after management was of minor importance for nutrient budgets. Although considerably more nutrients were removed by sod-cutting than by choppering (e.g. N 1712/1008 kg.ha), nutrient output by choppering was still sufficient to compensate for 60.7 years of net N-input. Choppering was able to remove more N per volume unit than sodcutting due to higher N-content in the organic layer than in the A-horizon. For this reason, choppering is more economical than sod-cutting and, thus should be considered the preferable method. In our study, we derived lower N:P ratios in net output than in net input. Thus, P becomes an increasingly (co)-limiting factor for vegetation growth. A combination of high-intensity measures with prescribed burning would appear to be suitable as this would ensure more selective removal of N.
effects of combined training vs aerobic training on cognitive functions in COPD: a randomized controlled trial

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of high-intensity aerobic training (AT) and high-intensity aerobic training combined with resistance training (ie, combined training [CT]) on cognitive function in patients with COPD. Methods: Twenty-eight Caucasian male patients (68.35 ± 9.64 years; mean ± SD) with COPD were recruited and randomized into two groups, AT and CT. Both groups performed physical reconditioning for 4 weeks, with a frequency of five training sessions per week. The CT group completed two daily sessions of 30 minutes: one aerobic session and one strength session, respectively; The AT group performed two 30-minute aerobic endurance exercise sessions on treadmill. Physical and cognitive function tests were performed before and after the training intervention performances. Results: Exercise training improved the following cognitive functions: long-term memory, verbal fluency, attentional capacity, apraxia, and reasoning skills ( P , 0.01). Moreover, the improvements in the CT group were significantly greater than those in the AT group in long-term memory, apraxia, and reasoning skills ( P , 0.05). Conclusion: CT may be a possible strategy to prevent cognitive decline and associated comorbidities in male patients with COPD.
Associations of different adherences in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Purpose: The objective of our cross-sectional study is to explore the adherence behavior of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by examining the association between the various types of adherence. The success of diabetic therapy partly relies on patient motivation, psychodemographic variables (self-efficacy, health literacy, and health locus of control [HLOC]), and adherence. The aim of our research was to explore the attitudes of T2DM patients toward medication and lifestyle therapy, thus gaining a deeper insight into the role of adherence-determining parameters in disease management. Patients and methods: The sample for the present study consisted of 113 T2DM inpatients (75 women and 38 men) with a mean age of 60.56 years (SD = 12.94, range: 20–85 years) diagnosed with T2DM for an average of 13 years (SD = 8.23). Participants completed the Diabetes Adherence Questionnaire conceptualized by the research team in accordance with the mapping of psychological and psychosocial parameters. We examined the associations between variables using Spearman’s rank correlation. Multivariate regression analysis was used to examine predictive variables for adherent behavior. In addition, we attempted to examine factors with a negative effect on adherence using factor analysis. Results: Based on our results, a high level of medication adherence negatively correlated with lifestyle adherence. Multivariate regression analysis showed that blood glucose monitoring adherence is mostly predicted by social–external HLOC, diabetes self-efficacy, and internal HLOC, while dietary adherence is predicted by the patient’s self-efficacy and duration of the illness. Additionally, understanding and following the diabetes treatment were significantly associated with dietary adherence and high levels of patient self-efficacy, while health literacy was mostly predicted by internal HLOC. Conclusion: Adherence to medication, diet, glucose monitoring, and physical exercise showed different levels in T2DM patients and were in association with psychodemographic factors.
Antimicrobial susceptibility of Bacteroides fragilis group isolates in Europe.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the activity of old and newer antianaerobic drugs against clinical isolates of Bacteroides fragilis group strains from different parts of Europe. METHODS Bacteroides fragilis group isolates from 37 laboratories in 19 countries were biochemically characterized. The MICs of seven antimicrobial agents were determined by the agar dilution method as recommended by the NCCLS. Production of beta-lactamase was detected by nitrocefin. RESULTS There were 1284 B. fragilis group isolates included in the study. Abdominal infections and wounds were the most common sources of isolation and B. fragilis was the dominating species. Ninety-nine percent of the strains were resistant to ampicillin (breakpoint 2 mg/L), 6% to cefoxitin (64 mg/L), 15% to clindamycin (8 mg/L) and 9% to moxifloxacin (8 mg/L). Less than 1% were resistant to imipenem (16 mg/L), piperacillin-tazobactam (128 mg/L) and metronidazole (32 mg/L). Ninety-six percent of the isolates were beta-lactamase producers. CONCLUSIONS Antimicrobial resistance among the B. fragilis group is increasing.
Prevalence Of Urinary Tract Infection Among Primary School Children In Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

The prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) among children attending primary schools in Maiduguri was investigated in this study. The study was carried out between January and April 2011 among apparently healthy pupils. One hundred and twenty (120) clean-catch urine samples were obtained from the pupils using standard procedures. Microbial culture on Cystein Lactose Electrolyte Deficient (CLED) ager and subsequent Biochemical tests revealed 31.7% of the samples with significant bacterial growth (≥ 10 5 CFU/ml). Among the identified organisms Escherichia coli were more prevalent (8.3%) among the identified organisms, while Proteus and Klebsiella species were less prevalent (1.6% each). Other species that were identified include Staphylococcus aureus (6.7%), Streptococcus faecalis (4.2%), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (3.3%) and Corynebacterium species (5.8%). Urinalysis to detect haematuria as presumptive test for UTI was insignificant (P > 0.05). Only 2 (out of 5) samples showed bacteriuria in culture plates. Association of gender, previous history of UTI, bedwetting and presence of blood in urine related prevalence were tested, only sex was strongly associated with UTI (p < 0.05). The incidence of UTI in females (19.5%) was higher than males (12.5%). Therefore, government needs to increase efforts toward creating awareness among the people, for effective treatment, control and prevention of the disease. International Journal of Environment, Volume-2, Issue-1, Sep-Nov 2013, Pages 9-15 DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/ije.v2i1. 9203
Pakistan Veterinary Journal

The goals of this study were to determine serum protein fractions, acute phase proteins and inflammatory cytokine concentrations, as well as histological alterations, phagocytic activity, and index in sheep with pneumonia. An overall 50 adult sheep were assessed and categorized into control healthy (Group 1, n=20), and sheep with acute pneumonia (Group 2, n = 30). Pneumonia is medically diagnosed by physical examinations, ultrasonography, as well as histopathological investigation. Serum protein fraction concentrations were measured by protein electrophoresis, while inflammatory biomarkers were measured by immunoassays. Concentrations of serum total protein, globulins, 1α-globulins, β-globulins, γ-globulins, immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M, haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, and inflammatory cytokines (Interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α) were significantly increased while albumin and Interleukin-10 were decreased in acute pneumonic group than healthy group. Phagocytic activity and index were significantly decreased in diseased sheep compared to healthy control ones. Histopathological examination of lung tissues revealed thickening of interalveolar septa, congestion, alveolar hemorrhages, hemosiderophages
Boat wakes and their influence on erosion in the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, North Carolina

Boat wakes in the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW) of North Carolina occur in environments not normally subjected to (wind) wave events, making sections of AIWW potentially vulnerable to extreme wave events generated by boat wakes. The Snow’s Cut area that links the Cape Fear River to the AIWW is an area identified by the Wilmington District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as having significant erosion issues; it was hypothesized that this erosion could be being exacerbated by boat wakes. We compared the boat wakes for six combinations of boat length and speed with the top 5% wind events. We also computed the benthic shear stress associated with boat wakes and whether sediment would move (erode) under those conditions. Finally, we compared the transit time across Snow’s Cut for each speed. We focused on two size classes of V-hulled boats (7 and 16m) representative of AIWW traffic and on three boat speeds (3, 10 and 20 knots). We found that at 10 knots when the boat was plowing and not yet on plane, boat wake height and potential erosion was greatest. Wakes and forecast erosion were slightly mitigated at higher, planing speeds. Vessel speeds greater than 7 knots were forecast to generate wakes and sediment movement zones greatly exceeding that arising from natural wind events. We posit that vessels larger than 7m in length transiting Snow’s Cut (and likely many other fetch-restricted areas of the AIWW) frequently generate wakes of heights that result in sediment movement over large extents of the AIWW nearshore area, substantially in exceedance of natural wind wave events. If the speed, particularly of large V-hulled vessels (here represented by the 16m length class), were reduced to pre-plowing levels (~ 7 knots down from 20), transit times for Snow’s Cut would be increased approximately 10 minutes but based on our simulations would likely substantially reduce the creation of erosion-generating boat wakes. It is likely that boat wakes significantly exceed wind wave background for much of the AIWW and similar analyses may be useful in identifying management options.
Regional flood estimation in Australia: An overview of the study for the upgrade of 'Australian Rainfall and Runoff'

Regional flood frequency analysis (RFFA) methods are used to estimate design floods in ungauged catchments. In Australia, the RFFA methods have not been upgraded since 1987. The National Committee on Water Engineering has commenced a major upgrade of Australian Rainfall and Runoff (ARR). In the context of this upgrade, Project 5 'Regional Flood Methods' focuses on collation of a national database, development and testing of various RFFA methods, which will form the basis of recommendations on new RFFA methods in the revised edition of ARR. This paper presents an overview of the progress with Project 5 in relation to the ARR revision. It covers data preparation, testing of various RFFA methods, adoption of final methods and the development of an application tool. In the development of the final method, a total of 676 gauged catchments have been used to create six regions covering Australia. A Bayesian GLS regression technique has been adopted to develop prediction equations. A regionalised LP3 distribution is recommended to derive design flood estimates for ungauged catchments in the range of 2 to 100 years ARI. For all the regions, the proposed prediction equations use only two predictor variables, catchment area and design rainfall intensity. An application tool is under preparation which will automate the application of the new RFFA method, referred to as 'ARR RFFA 2012'. The user will be required to input latitude, longitude, catchment area and design rainfall intensity to obtain design flood quantiles and associated uncertainty estimates. It should be noted that the developed ARR RFFA 2012 method will need to be re-calibrated with the soon-to-be-released revised IFD data from ARR Project 1 before it can be applied by the industry.
Title : Genetic and phenotypic diversity in breast tumor metastases

Authors’ Affiliations: Departments of Medical Oncology and Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clinic, Institut d’Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Pathology, MizMedi Hospital, Seoul, South Korea, Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA; Departments of Physics and Biology and Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel; Departments of Pathology and Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and University Medical Center Utrecht, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT, Utrecht, Netherlands; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Changes in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors With Immediate Versus Deferred Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation Among HIV-Positive Participants in the START (Strategic Timing of Antiretroviral Treatment) Trial Network for Strategic Initiatives in Global HIV Trials) START (Strategic of Antiretroviral

START (Strategic Antiretroviral Treatment) Study Group* Introduction- — HIV infection and certain antiretroviral therapy (ART) medications increase atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk, mediated, in part, through traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors. Methods and Results- — We studied cardiovascular disease risk factor changes in the START (Strategic Timing of Antiretroviral Treatment) trial, a randomized study of immediate versus deferred ART initiation among HIV-positive persons with CD4 + cell counts > 500 cells/mm 3 . Mean change from baseline in risk factors and the incidence of comorbid conditions were compared between groups. The characteristics among 4685 HIV-positive START trial participants include a median age of 36 years, a CD4 cell count of 651 cells/mm 3 , an HIV viral load of 12 759 copies/mL, a current smoking status of 32%, a median systolic/diastolic blood pressure of 120/76 mm Hg, and median levels of total cholesterol of 168 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol of 102 mg/ dL, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol of 41 mg/dL. Mean follow-up was 3.0 years. The immediate and deferred ART groups spent 94% and 28% of follow-up time taking ART, respectively. Compared with patients in the deferral group, patients in the immediate ART group had increased total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher use of lipid-lowering therapy (1.2%; 95% CI, 0.1 – 2.2). Concurrent increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol with immediate ART resulted in a 0.1 lower total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (95% CI, 0.1 – 0.2). Immediate ART resulted in 2.3% less BP-lowering therapy use (95% CI, 0.9 – 3.6), but there were no differences in new-onset hypertension or diabetes mellitus. Conclusions- — Among HIV-positive persons with preserved immunity, immediate ART led to increases in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol but also concurrent increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and decreased use of blood pressure medications. These opposing effects suggest that, in the short term, the net effect of early ART on traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors may be clinically insigni ﬁ cant. " use was reported. In some individuals classi ﬁ ed as hypertensive based on BP alone, the BP may be lower at subsequent visits. This de ﬁ nition leads to a higher incidence.
The Effects of Blue Light–Filtering Intraocular Lenses on the Protection and Function of the Visual System

Abstract Filtration of high-energy short-wave visible light (blue light) to improve vision and protect against damage has evolved both in aquatic animals and terrestrial species. In humans, pigments in the inner layer of the macula absorb wavelengths between 400 and 520 nm and function to improve visual performance. In patients who undergo cataract surgery, replacing cataractous lenses with artificial intraocular lenses (IOLs) that do not mimic normal healthy adult lenses could result in preventable negative visual effects, including glare disability. Blue light–filtering (BLF) IOLs were designed to filter short-wave light in addition to ultraviolet light and mimic the natural crystalline lens. Current studies indicate that BLF IOLs may provide protection from blue light–induced retinal damage and slow the development and progression of age-related macular degeneration. Additionally, BLF IOLs have been shown to improve chromatic contrast, reduce photostress recovery time, reduce glare disability and discomfort, and generally improve visual performance under glare conditions. Although a number of concerns have been raised about the relative risks versus the benefits of BLF IOLs, recent studies reported no adverse effects on visual function or contrast under photopic conditions, no long-term effects on color vision, and no detrimental effects on circadian rhythms with BLF IOLs. Based on the current understanding of the field, evidence suggests that BLF IOLs would be returning the eye to a more natural state compared with non-BLF lenses.
Investigação sorológica de casos subclínicos de leishmaniose tegumentar após um surto em uma localidade endêmica Serological investigation of subclinical cutaneous leishmaniasis cases following an outbreak in an endemic area

ABSTRACT Subclinical cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis were investigated in a district of Maringa, State of Parana, by means of the indirect immunoﬂuorescence reaction and enzyme immunoassay. Among the 130 samples analyzed, one presented titer 40 and three presented titer 20 in the ind irect immunoﬂuorescence reaction, while 11 samples were positive in the enzyme immunoassay reaction. These data suggest that subclinical cases exist at this locality. Key-words: Cutaneous leishmaniasis. Indirect immunoﬂuorescence. Enzyme immunoassay. Subclinical cases. animais silvestres, reservatorios do parasita, que possibilitam a manutencao do ciclo do parasito e, consequentemente, a infeccao do homem 19 . O Laboratorio de Ensino e Pesquisa em Analises Clinicas (LEPAC) da Universidade Estadual de Maringa (UEM) e Centro de Referencia da Fundacao Nacional de Saude para o diagnostico laboratorial da LTA e tem realizado os exames parasitologicos (microscopia direta) e imunologicos [intradermorreacao de Montenegro (IDRM) e teste de imunoﬂuorescencia indireta (IFI)]. Neste laboratorio
Gene signature characteristic of elevated stromal in�ltration and activation is associated with increased risk of hematogenous and lymphatic metastasis in serous ovarian cancer

Background The clinical signi�cance of hematogenous and lymphatic metastasis in ovarian cancer has been increasingly addressed, as it plays an imperative role in the formation of both intraperitoneal and distant metastases. Our objective is to identify the key molecules and biological processes potentially related to this relatively novel metastatic route in serous ovarian cancer. Methods Since lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) is considered as the �rst step of hematogenous and lymphatic dissemination, we developed a gene signature mainly based on the transcriptome pro�les with available information on LVSI status in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. We then explored the underlying biological rationale and prognostic value of the identi�ed gene signature using multiple public databases. Results We observe that primary tumors with increased risk of hematogenous and lymphatic metastasis highly express a panel of genes, namely POSTN, LUM, THBS2, COL3A1, COL5A1, COL5A2, FAP1 and FBN1. The identi�ed geneset is characterized by enhanced deposition of extracellular matrix and extensive stromal activation. Mechanistically, both the recruitment and the activation of stromal cells, especially �broblasts, are closely associated with lymphovascular metastasis. Survival analysis further reveals that the elevated expression of the identi�ed genes correlates to cancer progression and poor prognosis in patients with serous ovarian cancer. Conclusions Our �ndings indicate that tumor stroma supports the hematogenous and lymphatic spread of ovarian cancer, increasing tumor invasiveness and ultimately resulting in worse survival. Thus stroma-targeted therapies may improve the clinical outcomes in combination with cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy. Identi�cation and functional annotation of the gene signature associated with lymphovascular metastasis. (A) Venn diagram showed that eight genes were common to the DEGs associated with LVSI status and the DEGs related to metastasis, representing genes potentially correlated with lymphovascular metastasis in ovarian cancer. (B) Functional annotation revealed that the LMGS was closely related to ECM organization. (C-H) Pathways correlated with cancer progression were signi�cantly enriched in the LMGS overexpression group, except for DNA repair pathways.