Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vegetation demographics in Earth System Models: A review of progress and priorities

Numerous current efforts seek to improve the representation of ecosystem ecology and vegetation demographic processes within Earth System Models (ESMs). These developments are widely viewed as an important step in developing greater realism in predictions of future ecosystem states and fluxes. Increased realism, however, leads to increased model complexity, with new features raising a suite of ecological questions that require empirical constraints. Here, we review the developments that permit the representation of plant demographics in ESMs, and identify issues raised by these developments that highlight important gaps in ecological understanding. These issues inevitably translate into uncertainty in model projections but also allow models to be applied to new processes and questions concerning the dynamics of real‐world ecosystems. We argue that stronger and more innovative connections to data, across the range of scales considered, are required to address these gaps in understanding. The development of first‐generation land surface models as a unifying framework for ecophysiological understanding stimulated much research into plant physiological traits and gas exchange. Constraining predictions at ecologically relevant spatial and temporal scales will require a similar investment of effort and intensified inter‐disciplinary communication.
Antimicrobial surface functionalization of plastic catheters by silver nanoparticles.

OBJECTIVES To test the antimicrobial activity and evaluate the risk of systemic toxicity of novel catheters coated with silver nanoparticles. METHODS Catheters were coated with silver using AgNO3, a surfactant and N,N,N ',N '-tetramethylethylenediamine as a reducing agent. Particle size was determined by electron microscopy. Silver release from the catheters was determined in vitro and in vivo using radioactive silver ((110m)Ag+). Activity on microbial growth and biofilm formation was evaluated against pathogens most commonly involved in catheter-related infections, and the risk for systemic toxicity was estimated by measuring silver biodistribution in mice implanted subcutaneously with (110 m)Ag+-coated catheters. RESULTS The coating method yielded a thin ( approximately 100 nm) layer of nanoparticles of silver on the surface of the catheters. Variations in AgNO3 concentration translated into proportional changes in silver coating (from 0.1 to 30 microg/cm(2)). Sustained release of silver was demonstrated over a period of 10 days. Coated catheters showed significant in vitro antimicrobial activity and prevented biofilm formation using Escherichia coli, Enterococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. Approximately 15% of the coated silver eluted from the catheters in 10 days in vivo, with predominant excretion in faeces (8%), accumulation at the implantation site (3%) and no organ accumulation (< or = 0.1%). CONCLUSIONS A method to coat plastic catheters with bioactive silver nanoparticles was developed. These catheters are non-toxic and are capable of targeted and sustained release of silver at the implantation site. Because of their demonstrated antimicrobial properties, they may be useful in reducing the risk of infectious complications in patients with indwelling catheters.
Declines in moth populations stress the need for conserving dark nights

Given the global continuous rise, artificial light at night is often considered a driving force behind moth population declines. Although negative effects on individuals have been shown, there is no evidence for effects on population sizes to date. Therefore, we compared population trends of Dutch macromoth fauna over the period 1985–2015 between moth species that differ in phototaxis and adult circadian rhythm. We found that moth species that show positive phototaxis or are nocturnally active have stronger negative population trends than species that are not attracted to light or are diurnal species. Our results indicate that artificial light at night is an important factor in explaining declines in moth populations in regions with high artificial night sky brightness. Our study supports efforts to reduce the impacts of artificial light at night by promoting lamps that do not attract insects and reduce overall levels of illumination in rural areas to reverse declines of moth populations.
Faecal carriage of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli: prevalence, risk factors and molecular epidemiology.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of faecal carriage of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli in the community. PATIENTS AND METHODS Faecal carriage with ESBL-producing E. coli was studied in 53 outpatients with urinary tract infection (UTI) due to these organisms, 73 household members, 32 non-household relatives and 54 unrelated patients. Clonal relatedness of the isolates was investigated using repetitive extragenic palindromic-PCR and PFGE, and ESBLs were characterized by PCR and sequencing. Multivariate analysis was performed to investigate risk factors for faecal carriage. RESULTS The prevalence of faecal carriage was 67.9% in patients with UTI, 27.4% in household members, 15.6% in non-household relatives and 7.4% in unrelated patients. Being a relative of a patient with UTI was independently associated with an increased risk of being a carrier. Among the relatives, multivariate analysis showed that those eating their main meal outside their own home >15 days during the previous month were less likely to be faecal carriers (OR = 0.2; 95% CI: 0.06-0.6; P = 0.007). The faecal isolates of patients with UTI were CTX-M-producers in 66.6% and SHV-producers in 33.3% of the cases, while the percentages for other population groups were 40% to 55.5% and 50% to 75%, respectively. Of the 19 families with >1 carrier member, 8 families had 2 members who shared clonally related isolates, 8 families had 2 members carrying different clones producing the same enzymes and there were 3 families where all members had different enzyme-producing clones. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that both acquisition from a common source and person-to-person transmission might contribute to ESBL dissemination.
Sodium Butyrate Plus EGF and PDGF-BB Aids Cutaneous Wound Healing in Diabetic Mice

Topical application of growth factors is known to aid defective and/or delayed wound healing in diabetic patients. In this study, the effect of topical application of sodium butyrate (Na-Bu), EGF, and PDGF-BB was analysed on the acute cutaneous wound healing in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic mouse model. Two cutaneous wounds were created, one on each of the dorsolateral sides of the diabetic mice. Na-Bu, EGF, and PDGF-BB were applied to the wound either individually or in various combinations. The wound healing was monitored visually and scored as percentage wound closure. The tissue samples were collected from the wound site at 1, 7, and 14 days after wounding from the treated and untreated diabetic wounds and analysed for the levels of EGF-R, β-PDGF-R, HDAC1, p21, and phosphorylated and hypophosphorylated pRb proteins. Our results indicate that application of EGF plus PDGF-BB at the initial stages followed by subsequent addition of Na-Bu along with these growth factors helps wound healing in diabetic mice. It appears that, in addition to cell proliferative agents, a cell differentiation agent, Na-Bu, is necessary for diabetic wound healing. Topical application of EGF plus PDGF-BB along with Na-Bu could be developed as therapeutic agents to treat and manage human diabetic wounds.
Staphylococcus hominis subsp. novobiosepticus strains causing nosocomial bloodstream infection in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES To report the isolation of six Staphylococcus hominis subsp. novobiosepticus (SHN) strains from hospitalized patients with bloodstream infections in two Brazilian hospitals and to characterize their susceptibility profile to several antimicrobials. METHODS Species identification was performed by biochemical methods and sodA gene sequencing. The MICs of antimicrobials were determined by broth and agar dilution methods and by Etest. Isolates were typed by PFGE and PCR amplification was used to detect the ccr gene complex and the mec class. Morphometric evaluation of cell wall was performed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS Susceptibility profiles indicated that the majority of isolates (five) were multidrug-resistant. Overlapping and multiplex PCR showed that five out of the six strains harboured SCCmec type III with class A mec and type 3 ccr. The initial vancomycin MIC value of 4 mg/L for these strains increased to 16-32 mg/L after growth for 10 days in BHI broth supplemented with this antimicrobial. TEM indicated that vancomycin resistance was associated with cell wall thickening and to another mechanism not fully elucidated. Only one SHN strain was oxacillin- and vancomycin-susceptible. The nosocomial infections in at least five of the patients from both hospitals were caused by a single clone of SHN. CONCLUSIONS It is very important to consider SHN strains as the cause of nosocomial infections. The clinical implications resulting from the pattern of multidrug resistance in these strains may be complicated by the emergence of vancomycin resistance.
Creative Solutions : how Students With Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS) Conditions Manage Their Studies at Victoria University of Wellington

The barriers that prevent people with disabilities from accessing and succeeding in post-compulsory education are well documented, as are the accommodations that tertiary institutions provide for students with disabilities. However, there is little research about the aids and techniques that students with disabilities actually use to meet their course requirements. This thesis explores the way in which students with occupational overuse syndrome (OOS) conditions managed their studies at Victoria University of Wellington. My methodology was influenced by the theoretical principles of emancipatory research, which emphasises a collaborative research process for the purpose of individual and social change. I interviewed thirteen Victoria University students about their OOS condition, their study strategies, and the ways in which this University could make it easier for students with OOS to manage their studies. Generally the participants used aids and techniques to enable themselves to demonstrate their ability to meet their course requirements. They also benefited from Victoria University's efforts to provide an inclusive learning environment for students with disabilities. There were however, weaknesses in some of the support services that are available for students with OOS conditions at this University. Moreover, my findings suggested that attitudinal barriers might prevent some students with OOS conditions from seeking assistance with managing their studies. My goal was to enable students with OOS conditions to demonstrate their abilities, by sharing information about the strategies that some of these students used to manage their studies without aggravating their OOS symptoms, and by recommending changes to Victoria University's policies and practices.
Application of denaturing HPLC to rapidly identify rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in low- and high-prevalence areas.

OBJECTIVES Since the emergence of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis, there has been a call for a rapid assay to detect rifampicin-resistant strains that can be implemented into a routine service to analyse all strains in a specific geographical location. Denaturing HPLC (dHPLC) is a rapid screening test that can detect mutations in PCR amplicons. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dHPLC analysis of rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates using an extensive strain collection from Hong Kong and the UK and a collection of 84 consecutive clinical isolates. METHODS DNA from 51 rifampicin-resistant M. tuberculosis strains from the UK and Hong Kong identified from 1996 to 2005 was extracted and each mutation was defined by capillary electrophoresis. A 400 bp PCR product was amplified from each strain, heteroduplexed with a known susceptible control (H37Rv) and analysed by dHPLC at 67.0 degrees C. RESULTS Forty-five out of 51 (88.2%) rifampicin-resistant strains with known DNA mutations were detected by dHPLC. Two out of 84 clinical isolates were phenotypically rifampicin-resistant and dHPLC detected a mutation in the rpoB amplicon for both these isolates. dHPLC detected a mutation in 1 out of 82 phenotypically rifampicin-susceptible isolates (M482T, a non-cluster I/II mutation). In a combined analysis of all strains and isolates, mutation detection by dHPLC analysis exhibited 88.2% sensitivity and 98.8% specificity. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that dHPLC analysis is sensitive and specific and could be implemented in a routine clinical service.
A History of American Pathology

in Pharmacology ' differs from its predecessor in several ways. With the geometrical progression of new knowledge in so many fields, the editors have wisely abandoned the attempt to cover everything themselves and have invited several experts to contribute in their own subjects. The fact that four of these are clinicians is, as the editors point out, an indication of present trends in research. Another important change is in format. The new edition, perhaps due to recent advances in printing, is much more attractively produced than its predecessor.
Involvement of Mesolimbic D2 Receptors and Accumbal Dopamine Levels in the Reinstatement of Cocaine Place Preferences in Developing Rats

Psychostimulant-induced reinstatement of place preferences have been used to investigate underlying physiological mechanisms mediating drug-seeking behavior in adolescent and adult rodents; however, it is still unclear how psychostimulant exposure during adolescence affects neuronal communication in the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) pathway and whether these changes would elicit enhanced drug-seeking behavior later in adulthood. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of intra-ventral tegmental area (VTA) or intra-nucleus accumbens septi (NAcc) DA D2 receptor antagonist infusions on cocaine-induced reinstatement of cocaine place conditioning in high and low responders for cocaine reward. Adolescent rats were exposed to cocaine place conditioning [postnatal day (PND 28-39)] and divided into high and low responders for cocaine reward based on their place preference expression score. Place preferences were extinguished and guide cannula were implanted into either the VTA or NAcc followed by one of the following: 1) intra-VTA or intra-NAcc infusion of the DA D2 receptor antagonist sulpiride (100 μM) during a cocaine-primed reinstatement test (10 mg/kg/ip cocaine) or 2) measurement of NAcc DA levels during intra-VTA or intra-NAcc infusion of sulpiride (100 μM), a cocaine prime (10 mg/kg cocaine) and re-exposure to the cocaine paired chamber. Infusion of sulpiride into the VTA but not the NAcc blocked iv reinstatement of cocaine place conditioning in rats exposed to cocaine during adolescence. Furthermore, re-exposure to cocaine-associated cues and simultaneous local infusion of sulpiride into either the VTA or NAcc attenuated cocaine-induced increases in accumbal DA levels for rats pretreated with cocaine during adolescence, regardless of phenotype. These data suggest intrinsic compensatory mechanisms in the mesolimbic DA pathway mediate adolescent behavioral responsivity to cocaine primeinduced reinstatement of cocaine place conditioning later on in adulthood.
Antimicrobial susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae at a university hospital in Taiwan, 2000-07: impact of modified non-meningeal penicillin breakpoints in CLSI M100-S18.

OBJECTIVES In 2008, a new set of penicillin breakpoints was published in the CLSI revised guideline, M100-S18, to define the susceptibility of non-meningeal isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The impact of the change is studied and discussed. METHODS Laboratory data on pneumococcal isolates collected from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital during 2000-07 were analysed using the original and modified penicillin CLSI breakpoints. RESULTS A total of 3729 non-duplicate isolates were identifed, including 43 (1.2%) meningeal isolates showing high rates of penicillin (79.1%) and ceftriaxone (34.9%) resistance. For non-meningeal isolates, penicillin non-susceptibility was reduced significantly from 75.1% (72.4% in 2000-03 increasing to 77.4% in 2004-07) to 16% (28.6% in 2000 decreasing to 2.4% in 2007) if the modified breakpoints were applied. However, isolates for which penicillin MICs were 1-2 mg/L increased significantly from 34.2% in 2000 to 59.8% in 2007. Ceftriaxone non-susceptibility also increased significantly from 2.8% before 2005 to 18.4% thereafter. A quarter (25.7%) of the pneumococcal isolates were recovered from patients <10 years old. Higher resistance to penicillin (89.8% versus 70.4%; or 19.1% versus 13.2% by the modified breakpoints) or ceftriaxone (11.1% versus 5.8%) was found among these isolates, compared with those from older patients. CONCLUSIONS With the implementation of the new breakpoints, clinicians may continue to use penicillin for the treatment of non-meningeal pneumococcal infections in preference to other drug classes. However, as isolates with borderline penicillin MICs are increasing, continued surveillance of pneumococcal susceptibility to penicillin will be needed.
Associations of Socioeconomic Variables With Resection, Stage, and Survival in Patients With Early-Stage Pancreatic Cancer.

IMPORTANCE Socioeconomic variables including sex, race, ethnicity, marital status, and insurance status are associated with survival in pancreatic cancer. It remains unknown exactly how these variables influence survival, including whether they affect stage at presentation or receipt of treatment or are independently associated with outcomes. OBJECTIVES To investigate the relationship between socioeconomic factors and odds of resection in early-stage, resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma and to determine whether these same factors were independently associated with survival in patients who underwent resection. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This was a retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed as having T1 through T3 M0 pancreatic adenocarcinoma between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2011, identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Socioeconomic and geographic variables associated with utilization of resection and disease-specific survival. RESULTS A total of 17,530 patients with localized, nonmetastatic pancreatic cancer were identified. The resection rate among these patients was 45.4% and did not change over time. Utilization of resection was independently associated with white vs African American race (odds ratio [OR] = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.65-0.88; P < .001), non-Hispanic ethnicity (for Hispanic, OR = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.60-0.85; P < .001), married status (OR = 1.42; 95% CI, 1.30-1.57; P < .001), insurance coverage (OR = 1.63; 95% CI, 1.22-2.18; P = .001), and the Northeast region (vs Southeast, OR = 1.67; 95% CI, 1.44-1.94; P < .001). Stage at presentation correlated with sex, race, ethnicity, marital status, and geographic region (ethnicity, P = .003; all others, P < .001); however, the factors associated with increased resection correlated with more advanced stage. Patients who underwent resection had significantly improved disease-specific survival compared with those who did not undergo resection (median, 21 vs 6 months; hazard ratio [HR] for disease-specific death = 0.32; 95% CI, 0.31-0.33; P < .001). Disease-specific survival among the patients who underwent surgical resection was independently associated with geographic region, with patients in the Pacific West (HR for death = 0.706; 95% CI, 0.628-0.793), Northeast (HR for death = 0.766; 95% CI, 0.667-0.879), and Midwest (HR for death = 0.765; 95% CI, 0.640-0.913) having improved survival in comparison with those in the Southeast (all P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Disparities in the utilization of surgical resection for patients with early-stage, resectable pancreatic cancer are associated with socioeconomic variables including race, ethnicity, marital status, insurance status, and geographic location. Of these factors, only geographic location is independently associated with survival in patients undergoing resection.
Periplasmic adaptor protein AcrA has a distinct role in the antibiotic resistance and virulence of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium.

OBJECTIVES AcrA can function as the periplasmic adaptor protein (PAP) in several RND tripartite efflux pumps, of which AcrAB-TolC is considered the most important. This system confers innate multiple antibiotic resistance. Disruption of acrB or tolC impairs the ability of Salmonella Typhimurium to colonize and persist in the host. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of AcrA alone in multidrug resistance and pathogenicity. METHODS The acrA gene was inactivated in Salmonella Typhimurium SL1344 by insertion of the aph gene and this mutant complemented with pWKS30acrA. The antimicrobial susceptibility of the mutant to six antibiotics as well as various dyes and detergents was determined. In addition, efflux activity was quantified. The ability of the mutant to adhere to, and invade, tissue culture cells in vitro was measured. RESULTS Following disruption of acrA, RT-PCR and western blotting confirmed that acrB/AcrB was still expressed when acrA was disrupted. The acrA mutant was hypersusceptible to antibiotics, dyes and detergents. In some cases, lower MICs were seen than for the acrB or tolC mutants. Efflux of the fluorescent dye Hoechst H33342 was less than in wild-type following disruption of acrA. acrA was also required for adherence to, and invasion of, tissue culture cells. CONCLUSIONS Inactivation of acrA conferred a phenotype distinct to that of acrB::aph and tolC::aph. These data indicate a role for AcrA distinct to that of other protein partners in both efflux of substrates and virulence.
Binding of ceftaroline to penicillin-binding proteins of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

OBJECTIVES This study evaluated the affinity of ceftaroline and comparator beta-lactams for penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and Streptococcus pneumoniae with varying susceptibility to penicillin. Ceftaroline is currently in Phase 3 development for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections and community-acquired pneumonia, including infections caused by MRSA and multidrug-resistant S. pneumoniae. METHODS Binding affinities (IC(50)s) of ceftaroline, ceftriaxone, oxacillin and penicillin G for PBPs were measured in a competition assay by adding various concentrations of the test drugs to membranes or whole cells. PBPs were labelled using the fluorescent reporter molecule Bocillin FL. RESULTS Overall, ceftaroline exhibited greater binding affinity for the range of PBPs tested, as compared with comparator beta-lactams. The high affinity of ceftaroline for PBPs 1-3 of MSSA and PBP2a of MRSA correlates well with its efficacy against these organisms, as determined by MIC. Similarly, efficient binding of ceftaroline to key S. pneumoniae PBPs, such as PBP2x/2a/2b, taken together, correlates well with its low MICs for penicillin-resistant isolates of S. pneumoniae. CONCLUSIONS The high affinities of ceftaroline for MRSA PBP2a, MSSA PBPs 1-3 and S. pneumoniae PBP2x/2a/2b support the potential efficacy of ceftaroline in the treatment of infections caused by MRSA and S. pneumoniae.