Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Postepizootic Persistence of Asymptomatic Mycoplasma conjunctivae Infection in Iberian Ibex

ABSTRACT The susceptibility of the Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica) to Mycoplasma conjunctivae ocular infection and the changes in their interaction over time were studied in terms of clinical outcome, molecular detection, and IgG immune response in a captive population that underwent a severe infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) outbreak. Mycoplasma conjunctivae was detected in the Iberian ibex, coinciding with the IKC outbreak. Its prevalence had a decreasing trend in 2013 that was consistent with the clinical resolution (August, 35.4%; September, 8.7%; November, 4.3%). Infections without clinical outcome were, however, still detected in the last handling in November. Sequencing and cluster analyses of the M. conjunctivae strains found 1 year later in the ibex population confirmed the persistence of the same strain lineage that caused the IKC outbreak but with a high prevalence (75.3%) of mostly asymptomatic infections and with lower DNA load of M. conjunctivae in the eyes (mean quantitative PCR [qPCR] cycle threshold [CT], 36.1 versus 20.3 in severe IKC). Significant age-related differences of M. conjunctivae prevalence were observed only under IKC epizootic conditions. No substantial effect of systemic IgG on M. conjunctivae DNA in the eye was evidenced with a linear mixed-models selection, which indicated that systemic IgG does not necessarily drive the resolution of M. conjunctivae infection and does not explain the epidemiological changes observed. The results show how both epidemiological scenarios, i.e., severe IKC outbreak and mostly asymptomatic infections, can consecutively occur by entailing mycoplasma persistence. IMPORTANCE Mycoplasma infections are reported in a wide range of epidemiological scenarios that involve severe disease to asymptomatic infections. This study allows a better understanding of the transition between two different Mycoplasma conjunctivae epidemiological scenarios described in wild host populations and highlights the ability of M. conjunctivae to adapt, persist, and establish diverse interactions with its hosts. The proportion of asymptomatic and clinical M. conjunctivae infections in a host population may not be regarded only in response to intrinsic host species traits (i.e., susceptibility) but also to a specific host-pathogen interaction, which in turn influences the infection dynamics. Both epidemic infectious keratoconjunctivitis and a high prevalence of asymptomatic M. conjunctivae infections may occur in the same host population, depending on the circulation of M. conjunctivae, its maintenance, and the progression of the host-pathogen interactions.
Clinical indicators of ineffective airway clearance in children with acute respiratory infection

The identification of clinical indicators with good predictive ability allows the nurse to minimize the existing variability in clinical situations presented by the patient and to accurately identify the nursing diagnosis, which represents the true clinical condition. The purpose of this study was to analyze the accuracy of NANDA-I clinical indicators of the nursing diagnosis ineffective airway clearance (IAC) in children with acute respiratory infection. This was a prospective cohort study conducted with a group of 136 children and followed for a period of time ranging from 6 to 10 consecutive days. For data analysis, the measures of accuracy were calculated for clinical indicators, which presented statistical significance in a generalized estimated equation model. IAC was present in 91.9% of children in the first assessment. Adventitious breath sounds presented the best measure of accuracy. Ineffective cough presented a high value of sensitivity. Changes in respiratory rate, wide-eyed, diminished breath sounds, and difficulty vocalizing presented high positive predictive values. In conclusion, adventitious breath sounds showed the best predictive ability to diagnose IAC in children with respiratory acute infection.
Smooth Nonnegative Matrix Factorization for Defect Detection Using Microwave Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation

This paper addresses the interpolation issue of current spectral estimation methods in microwave-based nondestructive testing and evaluation. We developed a spatial-frequency feature extraction algorithm for defect detection with an open-ended waveguide system using smooth Itakura-Saito nonnegative matrix factorization. In addition, the mathematical models of spatial-frequency characteristics for both defects and nondefects areas are derived. The newly developed algorithm has two prominent characteristics, which benefit the detection system. First, it is scale-invariant in the sense that spatial-frequency features that are characterized by large dynamic range of energy can be extracted more efficiently. Second, it imposes smoothness constraint on the solution to enhance the spatial resolution of defect detection. To evaluate the proposed technique, we demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed method by performing extensive experiments on four samples: four defects in an aluminum plate with different depths, a steel plate with 15-mm coating thickness, one tiny defect on steel and one natural defect. Experimental results have unanimously demonstrated the capabilities of the proposed technique in accurately detecting defects, especially for shallow and coated samples with high resolution.
Highly Sensitive Direct Detection and Quantification of Burkholderia pseudomallei Bacteria in Environmental Soil Samples by Using Real-Time PCR

ABSTRACT The soil bacterium and potential biothreat agent Burkholderia pseudomallei causes the infectious disease melioidosis, which is naturally acquired through environmental contact with the bacterium. Environmental detection of B. pseudomallei represents the basis for the development of a geographical risk map for humans and livestock. The aim of the present study was to develop a highly sensitive, culture-independent, DNA-based method that allows direct quantification of B. pseudomallei from soil. We established a protocol for B. pseudomallei soil DNA isolation, purification, and quantification by quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting a type three secretion system 1 single-copy gene. This assay was validated using 40 soil samples from Northeast Thailand that underwent parallel bacteriological culture. All 26 samples that were B. pseudomallei positive by direct culture were B. pseudomallei qPCR positive, with a median of 1.84 × 104 genome equivalents (range, 3.65 × 102 to 7.85 × 105) per gram of soil, assuming complete recovery of DNA. This was 10.6-fold (geometric mean; range, 1.1- to 151.3-fold) higher than the bacterial count defined by direct culture. Moreover, the qPCR detected B. pseudomallei in seven samples (median, 36.9 genome equivalents per g of soil; range, 9.4 to 47.3) which were negative by direct culture. These seven positive results were reproduced using a nested PCR targeting a second, independent B. pseudomallei-specific sequence. Two samples were direct culture and qPCR negative but nested PCR positive. Five samples were negative by both PCR methods and culture. In conclusion, our PCR-based system provides a highly specific and sensitive tool for the quantitative environmental surveillance of B. pseudomallei.
Alkaloid Cluster Gene ccsA of the Ergot Fungus Claviceps purpurea Encodes Chanoclavine I Synthase, a Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide-Containing Oxidoreductase Mediating the Transformation of N-Methyl-Dimethylallyltryptophan to Chanoclavine I

ABSTRACT Ergot alkaloids are indole-derived secondary metabolites synthesized by the phytopathogenic ascomycete Claviceps purpurea. In wild-type strains, they are exclusively produced in the sclerotium, a hibernation structure; for biotechnological applications, submerse production strains have been generated by mutagenesis. It was shown previously that the enzymes specific for alkaloid biosynthesis are encoded by a gene cluster of 68.5 kb. This ergot alkaloid cluster consists of 14 genes coregulated and expressed under alkaloid-producing conditions. Although the role of some of the cluster genes in alkaloid biosynthesis could be confirmed by a targeted knockout approach, further functional analyses are needed, especially concerning the early pathway-specific steps up to the production of clavine alkaloids. Therefore, the gene ccsA, originally named easE and preliminarily annotated as coding for a flavin adenine dinucleotide-containing oxidoreductase, was deleted in the C. purpurea strain P1, which is able to synthesize ergot alkaloids in axenic culture. Five independent knockout mutants were analyzed with regard to alkaloid-producing capability. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC), ultrapressure liquid chromatography (UPLC), and mass spectrometry (MS) analyses revealed accumulation of N-methyl-dimethylallyltryptophan (Me-DMAT) and traces of dimethylallyltryptophan (DMAT), the first pathway-specific intermediate. Since other alkaloid intermediates could not be detected, we conclude that deletion of ccsA led to a block in alkaloid biosynthesis beyond Me-DMAT formation. Complementation with a ccsA/gfp fusion construct restored alkaloid biosynthesis. These data indicate that ccsA encodes the chanoclavine I synthase or a component thereof catalyzing the conversion of N-methyl-dimethylallyltryptophan to chanoclavine I.
The Obligate Mutualist Wigglesworthia glossinidia Influences Reproduction, Digestion, and Immunity Processes of Its Host, the Tsetse Fly

ABSTRACT Tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) are vectors for trypanosome parasites, the agents of the deadly sleeping sickness disease in Africa. Tsetse also harbor two maternally transmitted enteric mutualist endosymbionts: the primary intracellular obligate Wigglesworthia glossinidia and the secondary commensal Sodalis glossinidius. Both endosymbionts are transmitted to the intrauterine progeny through the milk gland secretions of the viviparous female. We administered various antibiotics either continuously by per os supplementation of the host blood meal diet or discretely by hemocoelic injections into fertile females in an effort to selectively eliminate the symbionts to study their individual functions. A symbiont-specific PCR amplification assay and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis were used to evaluate symbiont infection outcomes. Tetracycline and rifampin treatments eliminated all tsetse symbionts but reduced the fecundity of the treated females. Ampicillin treatments did not affect the intracellular Wigglesworthia localized in the bacteriome organ and retained female fecundity. The resulting progeny of ampicillin-treated females, however, lacked Wigglesworthia but still harbored the commensal Sodalis. Our results confirm the presence of two physiologically distinct Wigglesworthia populations: the bacteriome-localized Wigglesworthia involved with nutritional symbiosis and free-living Wigglesworthia in the milk gland organ responsible for maternal transmission to the progeny. We evaluated the reproductive fitness, longevity, digestion, and vectorial competence of flies that were devoid of Wigglesworthia. The absence of Wigglesworthia completely abolished the fertility of females but not that of males. Both the male and female Wigglesworthia-free adult progeny displayed longevity costs and were significantly compromised in their blood meal digestion ability. Finally, while the vectorial competence of the young newly hatched adults without Wigglesworthia was comparable to that of their wild-type counterparts, older flies displayed higher susceptibility to trypanosome infections, indicating a role for the mutualistic symbiosis in host immunobiology. The ability to rear adult tsetse that lack the obligate Wigglesworthia endosymbionts will now enable functional investigations into this ancient symbiosis.
The Use of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure for the Assessment of Outcome on a Neurorehabilitation Unit

The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) was used as a client-centred outcome measure on a neurological rehabilitation unit. Seventeen clients with a variety of neurological disorders (eight with physical deficits and nine with physical and cognitive deficits) were assessed using the COPM on admission, and their occupational therapy incorporated activities that they identified as important to improve. Forty-six per cent of the chosen activities were related to productivity and leisure and 54% were related to self-care. The COPM was repeated on discharge. The results showed a statistically significant increase in client ratings of performance and satisfaction. The increase in ratings between initial and final assessments was higher for satisfaction than for performance in clients with only physical problems, compared with clients with both physical and cognitive problems where the increases were less marked. Further study of a group with only cognitive problems would confirm whether the differences were due to difficulty in self-rating of performance or to a lack of awareness of cognitive deficits. The effective use of the COPM as an outcome measure of occupational therapy in a rehabilitation setting is shown. Further studies in the hospital and community settings are suggested.
Molecular and Physical Factors That Influence Attachment of Vibrio vulnificus to Chitin

ABSTRACT The human pathogen Vibrio vulnificus is the leading cause of seafood-related deaths in the United States. Strains are genotyped on the basis of alleles that correlate with isolation source, with clinical (C)-genotype strains being more often implicated in disease and environmental (E)-genotype strains being more frequently isolated from oysters and estuarine waters. Previously, we have shown that the ecologically distinct C- and E-genotype strains of V. vulnificus display different degrees of chitin attachment, with C-genotype strains exhibiting reduced attachment relative to their E-genotype strain counterparts. We identified type IV pili to be part of the molecular basis for this observed genotypic variance, as E-genotype strains exhibit higher levels of expression of these genes than C-genotype strains. Here, we used a C-genotype quorum-sensing (QS) mutant to demonstrate that quorum sensing is a negative regulator of type IV pilus expression, which results in decreased chitin attachment. Furthermore, calcium depletion reduced E-genotype strain attachment to chitin, which suggests that calcium is necessary for proper functioning of the type IV pili in E-genotype strains. We also found that starvation or dormancy can alter the efficiency of chitin attachment, which has significant implications for the environmental persistence of V. vulnificus. With the increasing incidence of wound infections caused by V. vulnificus, we investigated a subset of E-genotype strains isolated from human wound infections and discovered that they attached to chitin in a manner more similar to that of C-genotype strains. This study enhances our understanding of the molecular and physical factors that mediate chitin attachment in V. vulnificus, providing insight into the mechanisms that facilitate the persistence of this pathogen in its native environment.
Isolation from Ochrobactrum anthropi of a Novel Class II 5-Enopyruvylshikimate-3-Phosphate Synthase with High Tolerance to Glyphosate

ABSTRACT Applying the genomic library construction process and colony screening, a novel aroA gene encoding 5-enopyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase from Ochrobactrum anthropi was identified, cloned, and overexpressed, and the enzyme was purified to homogeneity. Furthermore, site-directed mutagenesis was employed to assess the role of single amino acid residues in glyphosate resistance.
Updated Meta-Analysis of Acupuncture for Treating Dry Eye

Abstract Objective: The objective of this review was to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment option for dry eye. Methods: The research team conducted a meta-analysis of all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that examined the effectiveness of acupuncture for dry eye, including Sjogren's syndrome (SS) and non-Sjogren's syndrome (non-SS). PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), the Web of Science, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) Database, the Weipu Database (VIP), and the WanFang Database were searched, using both electronic and manual methods to identify studies. Results: Eleven RCTs met the inclusion criteria, comprising 700 subjects. The total results of the meta-analysis showed significant differences in tear break-up time, Schirmer's test, response rate, and corneal fluorescein staining. The results demonstrated that acupuncture had a superior effect on dry eye, compared with artificial tears (AT). Furthermore, significant differ.
Modular Spectral Imaging System for Discrimination of Pigments in Cells and Microbial Communities

ABSTRACT Here we describe a spectral imaging system for minimally invasive identification, localization, and relative quantification of pigments in cells and microbial communities. The modularity of the system allows pigment detection on spatial scales ranging from the single-cell level to regions whose areas are several tens of square centimeters. For pigment identification in vivo absorption and/or autofluorescence spectra are used as the analytical signals. Along with the hardware, which is easy to transport and simple to assemble and allows rapid measurement, we describe newly developed software that allows highly sensitive and pigment-specific analyses of the hyperspectral data. We also propose and describe a number of applications of the system for microbial ecology, including identification of pigments in living cells and high-spatial-resolution imaging of pigments and the associated phototrophic groups in complex microbial communities, such as photosynthetic endolithic biofilms, microbial mats, and intertidal sediments. This system provides new possibilities for studying the role of spatial organization of microorganisms in the ecological functioning of complex benthic microbial communities or for noninvasively monitoring changes in the spatial organization and/or composition of a microbial community in response to changing environmental factors.
THE EFFECT OF QUINIDINE SULPHATE ON VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA: CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS

The effectiveness of quinidine sulphate as a means of abolishing auricular fibrillation has led to the use of this drug in the treatment of other forms of cardiac arrhythmia. We report here our experience in using quinidine in paroxysmal and persistent tachycardia of ventricular origin. The action by which quinidine alters the mechanism in auricular fibrillation has been shown by Lewis and his co-workers 1 to depend chiefly on its tendency to break up a circus movement in the auricle. This occurs when the effect of quinidine in prolonging the refractory phase of auricular muscle predominates over its effect in slowing the rate of conduction of the rapidly circulating impulse. There is some reason to feel that the common forms of abnormal tachycardia may be due to a disturbance similar to that found in auricular fibrillations; i. e. , to a circus movement. Particularly is this true of the rarer forms
A Study of Parent-Child Play in a Multiplayer Competitive Educational Game

This study conducted an empirical study of parent-child play in a multiplayer competitive English vocabulary learning game to investigate parents' and children's attitudes towards educational games and whether there were differences between parents' and children's attitudes after parent-child play. Twenty groups of parent-child volunteers were recruited. The children were fifth or sixth grade elementary students. The results show that the educational game can effectively enhance children's recognition of English vocabulary. Both children and parents had positive attitudes towards the game in terms of pedagogy, game, society, and system. The results also reveal that children had significant higher ratings on pedagogy, game, and system than parents had and there was no significant difference on society. Interview responses show that parent-child play in multiplayer competitive educational games provides a solution for parents to help low academic performance children learn. Many parents gave their children advice to spell words and almost children were willing to accept advice even though they were opponents in the game. Children may feel a sense of accomplishment when they win their parents so that get motivated to learn through parent-child play. Children enjoyed parent-child play in that they can have more time to interact with their parents. This study provides evidences that parent-child play in educational games can be a possible way to not only let parents help children learn but also enhance parent-child relationships.
Augmented Reality X-Ray Interaction in K-12 Education: Theory, Student Perception and Teacher Evaluation

Augmented reality (AR) x-ray interaction is an enabling technology for providing students with virtual abstractions of the interior of an object. It provides students contextual visualization - the presentation of virtual information in the rich context of a real environment - thereby offering compelling experiences. According to experiential learning theory, such personal experiences are necessary for reaching different types of learners. AR x-ray is a novel interaction technique for education, thus, it is necessary to investigate how it affects the students' perception. We implemented AR x-ray using a state-of-the-art occlusion technique, and compared it to viewing 3D objects without occlusion. Results of two user studies (n=23 and n=47) show that there are no significant differences in realism, perception of depth, and visibility with occlusion and without occlusion, and that the current technique is usable for educational purposes. We also conducted interviews with both students (n=23) and teachers (n=12). Results indicate that AR x-ray is perceived to be useful for motivating and explaining to students. The teachers expressed willingness to adopt AR x-ray and to undergo training for using AR-based teaching materials.
The second version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire

Aims: The aim of the present paper is to present the development of the second version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ II). Methods: The development of COPSOQ II took place in five main steps: (1) We considered practical experience from the use of COPSOQ I, in particular feedback from workplace studies where the questionnaire had been used; (2) All scales concerning workplace factors in COPSOQ I were analyzed for differential item functioning (DIF) with regard to gender, age and occupational status; (3) A test version of COPSOQ II including new scales and items was developed and tested in a representative sample of working Danes between 20 and 59 years of age. In all, 3,517 Danish employees participated in the study. The overall response rate was 60.4%; (4) Based on psychometric analyses, the final questionnaire was developed; and (5) Criteria-related validity of the new scales was tested. Results: The development of COPSOQ II resulted in a questionnaire with 41 scales and 127 items. New scales on values at the workplace were introduced including scales on Trust, Justice and Social inclusiveness. Scales on Variation, Work pace, Recognition, Work-family conflicts and items on offensive behaviour were also added. New scales regarding health symptoms included: Burnout, Stress, Sleeping troubles and Depressive symptoms. In general, the new scales showed good criteria validity. All in all, 57% of the items of COPSOQ I were retained in COPSOQ II. Conclusions: The COPSOQ I concept has been further developed and new validated scales have been included.