Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Use of Various Common Isolation Media To Evaluate the New VITEK 2 Colorimetric GN Card for Identification of Burkholderia pseudomallei

ABSTRACT The use of automated systems in the modern microbiology laboratory is becoming commonplace as the pressure of cost containment impacts on staff resources. With increased international travel and threats of bioterrorism, recognition and accurate identification of organisms such as Burkholderia pseudomallei is important. In areas where this organism is endemic, identification is not usually problematic. This study evaluates the performance of the new VITEK 2 colorimetric GN card for the identification of this organism. A total of 103 previously identified clinical isolates were tested with the new card with isolates taken from MacConkey agar, Columbia horse blood agar, Columbia sheep blood agar, and Trypticase soy agar in order to determine identification performance and to see if there was any variability in results due to the agar. Columbia horse blood agar produced the highest rates of identification (81%), followed by Trypticase soy agar (78%), Columbia sheep blood agar (75%), and MacConkey agar (63%). There was considerable variability in some of the reactions obtained. Seven isolates failed to identify from any of the agars used. This study highlights issues with the identification of this organism with the new VITEK 2 GN card. Enhancements of the algorithm parameters for the GN card are warranted and are in progress. Laboratory personnel need to be aware of the current limitations with this GN card and the software (version 4.02 or older for the VITEK 2 60/XL and version 1.02 or older for VITEK 2 Compact) and rely on clinical history, a high index of suspicion, and basic microbiology tests to confirm the identification of this organism.
Using the speech understanding in noise (SUN) test for adult hearing screening1.

PURPOSE To develop a novel speech-in-noise test for adult hearing screening-the Speech Understanding in Noise (SUN) test. The goal was to design a fast, automated, easy-to-use test to identify difficulties in speech communication. METHOD The SUN test consists of a short list of intervocalic consonants in noise presented in a forced-choice paradigm by means of a touch screen. The SUN test was developed and evaluated in an overall population of >6,000 participants. The test is available in various languages (i.e., English, French, German, and Italian) and continues to be developed in others (e.g., Spanish, Portuguese, and Mandarin). RESULTS Test time was <1 min/ear. Test-retest reliability was very good. The test showed good agreement with conventional clinical measures (e.g., pure-tone testing, speech-in-noise testing, and self-reported hearing handicap). The test's sensitivity and specificity to identify disabling hearing impairment were 84% and 75%, respectively. The same results were obtained in low and high ambient noise. CONCLUSION The SUN test is fast, repeatable, easy to use, self-explanatory, specific to the impairment, and robust to ambient noise. It may be a viable approach for adult hearing screening in clinical as well as nonclinical settings.
Comparison of Four Interval ARIMA-base Time Series Methods for Exchange Rate Forecasting

In today’s world, using quantitative methods are very important for financial markets forecast, improvement of decisions and investments. In recent years, various time series forecasting methods have been proposed for financial markets forecasting. In each case, the accuracy of time series methods fundamental to make decision and hence the research for improving the effectiveness of forecasting models have been curried on. In the literature, Many different time series methods have been frequency compared together in order to choose the most efficient once. In this paper, the performances of four different interval ARIMA-base time series methods are evaluated in financial markets forecasting. These methods are including Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA), Fuzzy Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (FARIMA), Fuzzy Artificial Neural Network (FANN) and Hybrid Fuzzy Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (FARIMAH). Empirical results of exchange rate forecasting indicate that the fuzzy artificial neural network model is more satisfactory than other models. Index Terms: Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), Time series forecasting, Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA), Combined forecast, Exchange Rate.
Regulatory Interactions of Csr Components: the RNA Binding Protein CsrA Activates csrB Transcription inEscherichia coli

ABSTRACT The global regulator CsrA (carbon storage regulator) ofEscherichia coli is a small RNA binding protein that represses various metabolic pathways and processes that are induced in the stationary phase of growth, while it activates certain exponential phase functions. Both repression and activation by CsrA involve posttranscriptional mechanisms, in which CsrA binding to mRNA leads to decreased or increased transcript stability, respectively. CsrA also binds to a small untranslated RNA, CsrB, forming a ribonucleoprotein complex, which antagonizes CsrA activity. We have further examined the regulatory interactions of CsrA and CsrB RNA. The 5′ end of the CsrB transcript was mapped, and acsrB::cam null mutant was constructed. CsrA protein and CsrB RNA levels were estimated throughout the growth curves of wild-type and isogenic csrA,csrB, rpoS, or csrA rpoSmutant strains. CsrA levels exhibited modest or negligible effects of these mutations. The intracellular concentration of CsrA exceeded the total CsrA-binding capacity of intracellular CsrB RNA. In contrast, CsrB levels were drastically decreased (∼10-fold) in thecsrA mutants. CsrB transcript stability was unaffected by csrA. The expression of a csrB-lacZtranscriptional fusion containing the region from −242 to +4 bp of thecsrB gene was decreased ∼20-fold by acsrA::kanR mutation in vivo but was unaffected by CsrA protein in vitro. These results reveal a significant, though most likely indirect, role for CsrA in regulatingcsrB transcription. Furthermore, our findings suggest that CsrA mediates an intriguing form of autoregulation, whereby its activity, but not its levels, is modulated through effects on an RNA antagonist, CsrB.
Early evidence for chickens at Iron Age Kirikongo (c. AD 100–1450), Burkina Faso

An excavated sequence from Burkina Faso shows that the Asian jungle fowl Gallus gallus, also known as the chicken, had made its way into West Africa by the mid first millennium AD. Using high precision recovery from a well-stratified site, the author shows how the increasing use of chickens could be chronicled and distinguished from indigenous fowl by both bones and eggshell. Their arrival was highly significant, bringing much more than an additional source of food: it put a sacrificial creature, essential for numerous social and economic transactions, in reach of everyone.
Delayed Virulence and Limited Costs Promote Fecundity Compensation upon Infection

Individuals invest limited resources across vital tasks such as reproduction and survival. Individuals can spread reproductive investment over their lifetime, but cues of death or reduced fitness can influence this investment. In some systems, cues of infection induce early but costly reproduction through fecundity compensation as future reproduction becomes uncertain. A key aspect of parasite biology is the delay between exposure to parasites and the onset of virulence. This creates an important window of opportunity for hosts to respond to infection. Existing models have not accounted for this delay or the costs borne by offspring. We combine a theoretical and experimental approach to assess the role of costs and the importance of delay in virulence on fecundity compensation. We find that a delay in virulence selects for plastic fecundity responses even with moderate offspring costs. We tested our model experimentally by exposing pea aphids, Acyrthosiphon pisum, to various ecologically relevant cues of infection and monitored lifetime reproduction and survival of these aphids and their offspring. Our challenges induced fecundity compensation, but we did not detect any costs in mothers or offspring. We predict that the relationship between the costs and the delay in onset of virulence, as found here, determines the success of fecundity compensation as an adaptation against parasitism.
Examining Moderators of Discrimination and Subjective Well-Being Among LGB Individuals

Research has found perceived discrimination to be a risk factor for mental health concerns among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people, but less clarity exists linking perceived discrimination with well-being outcomes. Building from Meyer’s (2003) minority stress model, the present study examined the links between perceived discrimination and the 3 components of subjective well-being: positive affect, negative affect, and life satisfaction. Self-esteem and stigma consciousness were explored as empirically and theoretically implied moderators. In a sample of 368 LGB people, structural equation modeling results suggested that discrimination was not significantly associated with positive affect or life satisfaction but had a significant positive relation with negative affect. Self-esteem moderated the associations between discrimination and positive and negative affect, and stigma consciousness moderated the link with negative affect. Practical implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Use of green fluorescent protein as A non-destructive marker for peanut genetic transformation

SummaryThe ability to non-destructively visualize transient and stable gene expression has made green fluorescent protein (GFP) a most efficient reporter gene for routine plant transformation studies. We have assessed two fluorescent protein mutants, enhanced GFP (EGFP) and enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP), under the control of the CaMV35S promoter, for their transient expression efficiencies after particle bombardment of embryogenic cultures of the peanut cultivar, Georgia Green. A third construct (p524EGFP.1) that expressed EGFP from a double 35S promoter with an AMV enhancer sequence also was compared. The brightest and most dense fluorescent signals observed during transient expression were from p524EGFP. 1 and EYFP. Optimized bombardment conditions consisted of 0.6 μm diameter gold particles, 12410 kPa bombardment pressure, 95 kPa vacuum pressure, and pretreatment with 0.4 M mannitol. Bombardments with p524EGFP.1 produced tissue sectors expressing GFP that could be visually selected under the fluorescence microscope over multiple subcultures. Embryogenic lines selected for GFP expression initially may have been chimeric since quantitative analysis of expression sometimes showed an increase when GFP-expressing lines, that also contained a hygromycin-resistance gene, subsequently were cultured on hygromycin. Transformed peanut plants expressing GFP were obtained from lines selected either visually or on hygromycin. Integration of the gfp gene in the genomic DNA of regenerated plants was confirmed by Southern blot hybridization and transmission to progeny.
CXCR2 Antagonist MK-7123. A Phase 2 Proof-of-Concept Trial for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

RATIONALE An antagonist (MK-7123) of the cytokine receptor CXCR2 reduces neutrophil chemotaxis and thus may alleviate airway inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of three dose levels of MK-7123, compared with placebo, in patients with moderate to severe COPD. METHODS This 6-month, double-blind study randomized patients with moderate to severe COPD (already on standard therapy) to daily MK-7123 at 10, 30, or 50 mg or placebo. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in post-bronchodilator FEV1. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS A total of 616 patients (71% male; mean age, 63 yr; 45% current smokers; baseline FEV1 [SD], 1.43 L [0.45]; mean FEV1 percent predicted, 43.9%) were randomized. Only MK-7123 50 mg led to significant improvement in FEV1 over placebo (mean difference [SE], 67 ml [32]). Reduced sputum neutrophil count was observed among the 122 patients examined; P = 0.003 (3 mo) and P = 0.092 (6 mo) (MK-7123 50 mg vs. placebo). The stratum of current smokers, but not that of nonsmokers, showed significant improvement versus placebo in FEV1 (168 ml) and time-to-first exacerbation, and showed numerical improvement in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire for COPD score. MK-7123 caused a dose-dependent decrease in absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and reduced inflammatory biomarkers matrix metallopeptidase-9 and myeloperoxidase in plasma and sputum; ANC lower than 1.5 × 10(9)/L led to discontinuations with higher doses of MK-7123 (18% in the MK-7123 50-mg group vs. 1% in placebo). Plasma C-reactive protein and fibrinogen increased with MK-7123 treatment. Rates of infections at 6 months were similar in all groups. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with MK-7123 50 mg versus placebo led to significant improvement in FEV1 in patients with COPD, suggesting clinically important antiinflammatory effects with CXCR2 antagonism, although dose-related discontinuations were observed because of ANC decreases with MK-7123. Greater response was observed in smokers versus ex-smokers. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials. gov (NCT 01006616).
Performance of Electrically Coupled Loop Antenna inside human body at different frequency bands

Recently there has been a growing interest in the design of implanted antennas for biotelemetry, e-healthcare, and hyperthermia applications. The implanted antenna needs to be extremely small while maintaining a low Specific Absorption Rate (SAR). Most of the proposed antennas for implanted applications are electric field antenna such as Planner Inverted-F Antenna (PIFA). These types of antennas have high near zone electric field intensity and high SAR value. In this work, an Electrically Coupled Loop Antenna (ECLA) is proposed as a magnetic loop antenna, which has a relatively low near zone electric field intensity and therefore, small SAR values. An ECLA is designed in the Medical Implanted Communication Services (MICS) band (402-405 MHz), Industrial Scientific and Medical (ISM) band (2.4-2.5 GHz), and Ultra Wide Band (UWB) communication band (3.5-3.6 GHz) with dimensions (5×5×3mm3), (3×3×3 mm3), and (2×2×2 mm3) respectively. Using High Frequency Structure Simulation (HFSS), the performance of ECLA inside one-layer human body model will be analyzed at three frequency bands.
Abciximab as an adjunctive therapy for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions

Introduction: Platelets play a central role in the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and activation of platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor is critical to platelet aggregation. Abciximab, a human murine chimeric antibody to the GPIIb/IIIa receptor, is an important biological therapy in the management of patients presenting with ACS. Areas covered: The objective of this review is to define the role of abciximab in the management of ACS by interpreting the available data from randomized clinical trials using abciximab in various clinical scenarios, particularly in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We also review different modes of delivery and describe the adverse effects of abciximab including thrombocytopenia. Where possible, we attempt to compare abciximab to the other available GPIIb/IIIa inhibitors. We hope the reader will gain a better understanding of the benefits and risks of abciximab and the important role it has in the management of cardiology patients. Expert opinion: Abciximab was a breakthrough drug in the management of high risk ACS patients undergoing PCI. However, with newer available therapies and improvement in PCI technology, dose and delivery of this drug have evolved as we try to extract maximum benefit while minimizing the adverse effects associated with it.
A novel nested reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction method for rapid hepatitis C virus detection and genotyping.

PURPOSE Rapid and specific detection of viral nucleic acid is increasingly important in the diagnosis of infectious diseases. The objective was to develop a rapid, efficient process of nucleic acid based detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection for its diagnosis and treatment follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS A two-step nested reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been standardised on a sample set of 125 individuals from different liver clinics in Kolkata. The method utilises a novel fast nested RT-PCR for HCV detection and genotyping from HCV infected patient plasma with high processivity. RESULTS The overall time required from ribonucleic acid (RNA) isolation to nested PCR amplified product detection is reduced to 42% when compared with conventional nested RT-PCR amplification. The method is sensitive as conventional PCR and detected all HCV RNA positive samples. Sequencing, phylogenetic analysis of the PCR amplified product by this method showed concordant genotypes with conventional PCR. CONCLUSION Though being a two-step process, this method is fast, cost-efficient, reliable and feasible for regular HCV RNA screening and apt even in resource limited settings. This method could be translated to regular nucleic acid screening for other infectious diseases as regular PCR regimen.
Heavy‐metal and microbial depuration of the clam Ruditapes decussatus and its effect on bivalve behavior and physiology

The bivalve Ruditapes decussatus was evaluated as a possible biomonitor of heavy‐metal contamination. Concentrations of copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), and manganese (Mn) were measured in R. decussatus. Water and sediment samples were collected at two stations of Timsah Lake in Ismailia, Egypt, from October to November 2002, using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Results from the heavy‐metal and microbial analyses indicated that site II was less contaminated than site I. The bivalve showed accumulation of metals, with a bioaccumulation factor (BAF) greater than 4. The bioaccumulation of metals varied strongly according to the sampling site. After 48 h of depuration, Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, and Mn were reduced significantly, to 46.8% and 47.7%, 19.9% and 20.3%, 27.3% and 27.9%, 35.9% and 36.6%, and 18.2% and 26.6%, compared with the initial concentrations, in clam tissue at the two stations. In bivalves from site II the counts of total bacteria, fecal coliforms, and bacterial pathogens were reduced by more than 90%, whereas phage counts were only reduced by 56% after 4 days of depuration. The depuration of bivalves collected from the heavily polluted site (I) was not effective, as coliforms were reduced only by 85% after 4 days, whereas counts of pathogens and pathogenic indicators such as Vibrio, fecal Streptococcus, and coliphage decreased to less than 50% of the initial concentration. The time necessary to decrease contamination to 10%, 50%, and 90% for clams at both stations was consistently shorter for heavy metals than for microorganisms. Investigation of the effects of heavy‐metal and microbiological depuration on valve movement and physiological rates (oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion) was carried out on R. decussatus to test the utility of physiological stress indices in assessing the health of depurated animals. Clams in the experimental tanks exhibited various states of activity, which were rated by identifying and scoring (0–4) the different parameters, including shell gap, siphon extension, and foot protrusion. Moreover, an increase in ammonia excretion was usually associated with an increase in respiration rate. The oxygen‐to‐nitrogen ratio provided a sensitive indicator of bivalve health. It can be concluded that shellfish monitoring and depuration data depended on the initial concentration of the pollutants. There were differences in the physiological responses of clams from the two sites during the periods of pre‐ and postdepuration of the contaminants. There was a significant correlation between reduction of metal concentration in clam tissue and enhancement of valve movement, as well as activity and increasing respiration rate. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 19: 143–153, 2004.
A Multicenter Trial of an Assess-and-Fit Hearing Aid Service Using Open Canal Fittings and Comply Ear Tips

Large potential benefits have been suggested for an assess-and-fit approach to hearing health care, particularly using open canal fittings. However, the clinical effectiveness has not previously been evaluated, nor has the efficiency of this approach in a National Health Service setting. These two outcomes were measured in a variety of clinical settings in the United Kingdom. Twelve services in England and Wales participated, and 540 people with hearing problems, not previously referred for assessment, were included. Of these, 68% (n = 369) were suitable and had hearing aids fitted to NAL NL1 during the assess-and-fit visit using either open ear tips, or Comply ear tips. The Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile was used to compare patients fitted with open ear tips with a group of patients from the English Modernization of Hearing Aid Services evaluation, who used custom earmolds. This showed a significant improvement in outcome for those with open ear tips after allowing for age and hearing loss in the analysis. In particular, the benefits of using bilateral open ear tips were significantly larger than bilateral custom earmolds. This assess-and-fit model showed a mean service efficiency gain of about 5% to 10%. The actual gain will depend on current practice, in particular on the separate appointments used, the numbers of patients failing to attend appointments, and the numbers not accepting a hearing aid solution for their problem. There are potentially further efficiency and quality gains to be made if patients are appropriately triaged before referral.
Lack of Molecular–Anatomical Evidence for GABAergic Influence on Axon Initial Segment of Cerebellar Purkinje Cells by the Pinceau Formation

The axon initial segment (AIS) of cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) is embraced by ramified axons of GABAergic basket cells (BCs) called the pinceau formation. This unique structure has been assumed to be a device for the modulation of PC outputs through electrical and/or GABAergic inhibition. Electrical inhibition is supported by enriched potassium channels, absence of sodium channels, and developed septate-like junctions between BC axons. The neurochemical basis for GABAergic inhibition, however, has not been well investigated. Here we addressed this issue using C56BL/6 mice. First, we confirmed previous observations that typical synaptic contacts were rare and confined to proximal axonal portions, with the remaining portions being mostly covered by astrocytic processes. Then we examined the expression of molecules involved in GABAergic signaling, including GABA synthetic enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), vesicular GABA transporter vesicular inhibitory amino acid transporter (VIAAT), cytomatrix active zone protein bassoon, GABA receptor GABAARα1, and cell adhesion molecule neuroligin-2. These molecules were recruited to form a functional assembly at perisomatic BC–PC synapses and along the AIS of hippocampal and neocortical pyramidal cells. GAD and VIAAT immunogold labeling was five times lower in the pinceau formation compared with perisomatic BC terminals and showed no accumulation toward the AIS. Moreover, bassoon, neuroligin-2, and GABAARα1 formed no detectable clusters along the ankyrin-G-positive AIS proper. These findings indicate that GABAergic signaling machinery is organized loosely and even incompletely in the pinceau formation. Together, BCs do not appear to exert GABAergic synaptic inhibition on the AIS, although the mode of action of the pinceau formation remains to be explored.