Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular identification of uncommon clinical yeast species in Iran

Background and Purpose: By using advanced detection/identification methods, the list of emerging uncommon opportunistic yeast infections is rapidly expanding worldwide. Our aim in the present study was sequence-based species delineation of previously unidentified yeasts obtained from a clinically yeast collection. Materials and Methods: A total of twenty three out of the 855 (5.7%) yeast isolates which formerly remained unidentified by PCR-RFLP method, were subjected to sequence analysis of the entire internal transcribed spacers (ITS) regions of rDNA. The precise species recognition was performed by the comparison of the sequences with the reliable GenBank database. Results: Sequencing analysis of the ITS region of the strains revealed several uncommon yeasts that were not reported previously in Iran. The species include Hanseniaspora uvarum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Sporidiobolus salmonicolor, Pichia fabianii, Pichia fermentans, Candida famata, Candida inconspicua, Candida maqnoliae, Candida guilliermondii, Candida kefyr, Candida rugosa, Candida lusitaniae, Candida orthopsilosis, and Candida viswanathii. Conclusion: We identified several rare clinical isolates selected from a big collection at the species level by ITS-sequencing. As the list of yeast species as opportunistic human fungal infections is increasing dramatically, and many isolates remain unidentified using conventional methods, more sensitive and specific advanced approaches help us to clarify the aspects of microbial epidemiology of the yeast infections.
Patterns of fluoride intake from 36 to 72 months of age.

OBJECTIVES This paper reports on estimated daily fluoride intake from water by itself, beverages, selected foods, dentifrice, and dietary supplements, both individually and combined (mg and mg F/kg bw), among 785 children in the Iowa Fluoride Study from 36 to 72 months of age. METHODS Children were recruited in 1992-95, with questionnaires sent at four- to six-month intervals. Dietary fluoride intake estimates used community and individual water fluoride levels and average fluoride levels of beverages and foods prepared with water. Descriptive statistics and generalized linear models (GLM) assessed levels and associations with demographic factors. RESULTS There was substantial variation in fluoride intake, with some individuals' intakes greatly exceeding the means. Daily water fluoride intake estimates (in mg) increased with age, fluoride intake from other beverages and dentifrice both decreased slightly, and combined intake was quite consistent. For combined intake per unit body weight (mg F/kg bw), there was a steady decline with age. Therefore, the percentages with estimated intake exceeding possible thresholds for dental fluorosis also declined with age. CONCLUSIONS Daily mean fluoride intakes from single and combined sources are relatively stable from 36-72 months of age among these children.
Attitude of primary care physicians toward patient safety in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the attitude of physicians at primary health-care centers (PHCC) in Aseer region toward patient safety. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted among working primary health-care physicians in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia, in August 2011. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of three parts was used; the first part was on the socio-demographic, academic and about the work profile of the participants. The attitude consisting of 26 questions was assessed on a Likert scale of 7 points using attitude to patients safety questionnaire-III items and the last part concerned training on “patient safety”, definition and factors that contribute to medical errors. Data of the questionnaire were entered and analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15. Results: The total number of participants was 228 doctors who represent about 65% of the physicians at PHCC, one-third of whom had attended a course on patient safety and only 52% of whom defined medical error correctly. The best score was given for the reduction of medical errors (6.2 points), followed by role of training and learning on patient safety (6 and 5.9 points), but undergraduate training on patient safety was given the least score. Confidence to report medical errors scored 4.6 points as did reporting the errors of other people and 5.6 points for being open with the supervisor about an error made. Participants agreed that “even the most experienced and competent doctors make errors” (5.9 points), on the other hand, they disagreed that most medical errors resulted from nurses’ carelessness (3.9 points) or doctors’ carelessness (4 points). Conclusion: This study showed that PHCC physicians in Aseer region had a positive attitude toward patient safety. Most of them need training on patient safety. Undergraduate education on patient safety which was considered a priority for making future doctors’ work effective was inadequate.
The terminal complement complex inhibits apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells by activating an autocrine IGF‐1 loop

Two counteracting processes determine accumulation of human vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in atherosclerotic lesions: cell proliferation and apoptosis. SMCs synthesize insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1), which potently inhibits apoptosis. The terminal complement complex C5b‐9 interacts with SMCs in early human atherogenesis. In this study, we investigated whether C5b‐9 may activate the IGF‐1 system in SMCs, resulting in the inhibition of SMC apoptosis. C5b‐9 generation on SMCs in vitro markedly reduced CD95‐mediated apoptosis as assessed by flowcytometric analysis of annexin V binding and in caspase 3 assays. C5b‐9 induced both significant IGF‐1 release and up‐regulation of IGF‐1 binding sites in SMCs. Immunoneutralization of IGF‐1 with a monoclonal IGF‐1 antibody abolished the antiapoptotic effects of C5b‐9. We conclude that C5b‐9 inhibits apoptosis in SMCs by inducing an autocrine IGF‐1 loop. This mechanism may contribute to the accumulation of SMCs in early human atherosclerotic lesions. —Taylor, N. A. , Van De Ven, W. J. M. , Creemers, J. W. M. Curbing activation: proprotein convertases in homeostasis and pathology. FASEB J. 17, 1215–1227 (2003)
Diverging realities: how framing, values and water management are interwoven in the Albufera de Valencia wetland in Spain

ABSTRACT The Albufera de Valencia is a coastal wetland in south-eastern Spain that has suffered from low water quality since the 1970s. This article explores two divergent framings or imaginaries of the Albufera as a hydrosocial territory. The first, the agro-economic waterscape framing, focuses on the economic and cultural importance of rice production. The second, the idyllic waterscape framing, emphasizes environmental values. The agro-economic waterscape frame is dominant in current water management. Stakeholders deploy highly diverging realities, and the political playing field is not level. Recognition and empowerment are the first steps towards more sustainable water management in the Albufera.
Domestic Policy and International Exchange Rate Movements, A Review

Recent and recurring financial crisis have indi cated the existence of serious problems within the international monetary system. Innumerable solu tions, ranging from return to the "gold standard" to the adoption of freely floating exchange rates, have been postulated. If the recent Oyster Bay (January, 1969) and Burgenstock (June, 1969) conferences are any indication, somewhat of a consensus has been achieved, favoring "a move toward greater flexibility of exchange rates. " (2, vi).
Comparative transcriptomics of rice reveals an ancient pattern of response to microbial colonization

Glomalean fungi induce and colonize symbiotic tissue called arbuscular mycorrhiza on the roots of most land plants. Other fungi also colonize plants but cause disease not symbiosis. Whole-transcriptome analysis using a custom-designed Affymetrix Gene-Chip and confirmation with real-time RT-PCR revealed 224 genes affected during arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. We compared these transcription profiles with those from rice roots that were colonized by pathogens (Magnaporthe grisea and Fusarium moniliforme). Over 40% of genes showed differential regulation caused by both the symbiotic and at least one of the pathogenic interactions. A set of genes was similarly expressed in all three associations, revealing a conserved response to fungal colonization. The responses that were shared between pathogen and symbiont infection may play a role in compatibility. Likewise, the responses that are different may cause disease. Some of the genes that respond to mycorrhizal colonization may be involved in the uptake of phosphate. Indeed, phosphate addition mimicked the effect of mycorrhiza on 8% of the tested genes. We found that 34% of the mycorrhiza-associated rice genes were also associated with mycorrhiza in dicots, revealing a conserved pattern of response between the two angiosperm classes.
Cytokinesis mediated through the recruitment of cortexillins into the cleavage furrow

The fact that substrate‐anchored Dictyostelium cells undergo cytokinesis in the absence of myosin II underscores the importance of other proteins in enabling the cleavage furrow to constrict. Cortexillins, a pair of actin‐bundling proteins, are required for normal cleavage. They are targeted to the incipient furrow in wild‐type and, more prominently, in myosin II‐null cells. No other F‐actin bundling or cross‐linking protein tested is co‐localized. Green fluorescent protein fusions show that the N‐terminal actin‐binding domain of cortexillin I is dispensable and the C‐terminal region is sufficient for translocation to the furrow and the rescue of cytokinesis. Cortexillins are suggested to have a targeting signal for coupling to a myosin II‐independent system that directs transport of membrane proteins to the cleavage furrow.
Cancellous bone as an antibiotic carrier

We compared the release characteristics of antibiotics from in vivo and in vitro processed morselized cancellous bone. The bone was impregnated with 7 antibiotics and compressed into a wire-mesh cylinder. In vitro, the bone was processed by daily transfer of the cylinder with its contents into test tubes with broth. The amount of antibiotic eluted from the bone was measured after 1, 3 and 7 days. In vivo, the cylinder was implanted intramuscularly in the interscapular region in rats. After 1, 3 and 7 days, the cylinder was removed and the amount of antibiotic eluted in broth was measured. The results showed that morselized cancellous bone can act as a carrier of antibiotics in vitro and in vivo. The elution profiles of netilmicin-, vancomycin-, clindamycin- and rifampicin-impregnated cancellous bone processed in vitro and in vivo were similar.
Cell wall organization and the properties of the xylem, I. Cell wall organization and the variation of breaking load in tension of the xylem in conifer stems.

The variation of breaking load in tension of tangential longitudinal sections of wood, taken from successive growth rings of each of six conifer stems, has been studied. An increase in this property was observed in successive growth rings from the stem centre of each specimen. This was paralleled by an increase in tracheid length, basic density, and cellulose content. The inclination to the longitudinal cell axis of the spiral micellar system of the cell wall decreased with increasing tracheid length. Because of this known relation between spiral angle and tracheid length, the latter was used as an index of the spiral organization of the cell wall. The breaking load in tension of single tracheids taken from successive growth rings of two stems was also measured and found to increase with increasing cell length. Failure in tension occurred in the cell wall. In specimens of late wood the line of failure followed the direction of micellar orientation of the middle layer of the secondary wall. This was also observed for early wood specimens although the line of failure was often irregular. Within the cell wall separation between the outer and middle layers of the secondary wall, and the outer layer of the secondary wall and primary wall, usually occurred during failure. This has been attributed to the differences in micellar orientation and the relative extent of the micellar and intermicellar systems of the adjacent cell wall layers. It has been concluded that the breaking load in tension of the wood sections was governed by the cell wall organization of the constituent cells and by the basic density of the specimens. The increase in the breaking load in tension which occurred upon drying was attributed primarily to changes in the intercellular layer (middle lamella), because the breaking load of isolated tracheids was less in the dry than in the water-saturated condition. It was demonstrated that an increase in radial growth rate of the stem resulted in a decrease in the average tracheid length. This was paralleled by a decrease in the breaking load in tension of the wood. The possible applications of the investigations in forest practice are briefly discussed.
Recovery and Enumeration of Cryptosporidium parvum from Animal Fecal Matrices

ABSTRACT Accurate quantification of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in animal fecal deposits on land is an essential starting point for estimating watershed C. parvum loads. Due to the general poor performance and variable recovery efficiency of existing enumeration methods, protocols were devised based on initial dispersion of oocysts from feces by vortexing in 2 mM tetrasodium pyrophosphate, followed by immunomagnetic separation. The protocols were validated by using an internal control seed preparation to determine the levels of oocyst recovery for a range of fecal types. The levels of recovery of 102 oocysts from cattle feces (0.5 g of processed feces) ranged from 31 to 46%, and the levels of recovery from sheep feces (0.25 g of processed feces) ranged from 21% to 35%. The within-sample coefficients of variation for the percentages of recovery from five replicates ranged from 10 to 50%. The ranges for levels of recovery of oocysts from cattle, kangaroo, pig, and sheep feces (juveniles and adults) collected in a subsequent watershed animal fecal survey were far wider than the ranges predicted by the validation data. Based on the use of an internal control added to each fecal sample, the levels of recovery ranged from 0 to 83% for cattle, from 4 to 62% for sheep, from 1 to 42% for pigs, and from 40 to 73% for kangaroos. Given the variation in the levels of recovery of oocysts from different fecal matrices, it is recommended that an internal control be added to at least one replicate of every fecal sample analyzed to determine the percentage of recovery. Depending on the animal type and based on the lowest approximate percentages of recovery, between 10 and 100 oocysts g of feces−1 must be present to be detected.
Outcomes After Lung Transplantation and Practices of Lung Transplant Programs in the United States Regarding Hepatitis C Seropositive Recipients

Background. The estimated prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among lung transplant (LT) recipients is 1.9%. Many thoracic transplant programs are reluctant to transplant HCV-seropositive patients due to concerns of hepatic dysfunction caused by immunosuppression. The aims of this study are to survey current practices of US LT programs regarding HCV-seropositive patients and using the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing database and to assess the clinical outcomes of HCV-positive compared with HCV-negative LT recipients. Methods. A survey of US transplant centers that have performed more than 100 LTs was conducted. In addition, 170 HCV-seropositive and 9259 HCV-seronegative recipients who received HCV-seronegative donor organs between January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2007, were identified from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing database. Outcome variables including patient survival were compared between the two groups. Results. A total of 64.4% centers responded to the survey. Ten of 29 (34.5%) programs would not consider HCV-seropositive patients for LT. Among the 19 programs that will consider HCV-seropositive patients, only five centers would transplant actively viremic patients. Overall patient survival rates of HCV-seropositive patients were similar to HCV-seronegative patients (84.7% at 1 year, 63.9% at 3 years, 49.4% at 5 years for HCV-seropositive group vs. 82.0% at 1 year, 65.0% at 3 years, 51.4% at 5 years for HCV-seronegative group, P=0.712). Relative risk of recipients for death remained statistically insignificant after adjusting for recipient age, donor age, obesity, sensitization, serum creatinine, and medical condition at time of transplant (relative risk [RR]=1.07 [0.84–1.38], P=0.581). Conclusions. Since 2000, patient survival rates of HCV-positive patients are identical to those who are HCV-negative. However, most of these HCV-seropositive patients were probably nonviremic.
lsokinetic Shoulder Strength of High School and College-Aged Pitchers*.

The purpose of this study was to determine the isokinetic strength of the shoulders of high school and college-aged baseball pitchers. Twenty-four athletes ranging from 14 to 21 years of age volunteered for this study. The Cybex(R) II and U.B. X. T. were utilized to test the strength of the shoulder abductors/adductors, flexors/extensors, horizontal abductors/adductors, and external/internal rotators at 90, 120, 2 10, and 300 degrees /sec. There were no consistent differences between dominant and nondominant arm strength, except for the shoulder adductors and shoulder extensors. The shoulder abductors and flexors were approximately 50% as strong as the adductors and extensors, respectively. There was a 1:1 ratio between the horizontal abductors/ adductors. The external rotators were approximately two-thirds as strong as the internal rotators. A positive correlation was found between total body weight and shoulder strength. This information is relatively new to the literature and should provide clinicians with some training and rehabilitation guidelines. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1986;7(4):163-172.
Evaluation of the pituitary-adrenal axis function following single intraarticular injection of methylprednisolone.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of a single session of intraarticular methylprednisolone (IA-MP) injections on the function of the pituitary-adrenal axis. METHODS Twenty-five patients with rheumatic diseases were treated with a single IA-MP injection. The dose varied between 20 and 160 mg. The basal cortisol level and the response to 1 microg adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation were determined before treatment, at 1 day, and at 1 week after IA-MP injections. Further tests were carried out for up to 6 weeks in patients with blunted cortisol response. Results were compared with those obtained in a group of 22 healthy subjects. RESULTS Before treatment, all patients had normal basal and peak cortisol responses to ACTH (>396 nmoles/liter at 30 minutes). Reduced fasting cortisol levels (<147 nmoles/liter) were detected in 12 of 25 patients (48%) after 1 day, in 1 of 25 patients (4%) after 1 week, and in 1 of 25 patients (4%) 2 weeks after IA-MP injections. Blunted peak cortisol response (<396 nmoles/liter at 30 minutes) was observed in 1 of 25 patients (4%) after 1 day, in 3 of 25 patients (12%) after 1 week, and in 1 of 25 patients (4%) 2 weeks after IA-MP injections. Decreased fasting levels and peak cortisol responses to ACTH stimulation were more common in patients with inflammatory diseases and in those injected with 80-160 mg MP. CONCLUSION Single-session IA-MP injection(s) are associated with systemic absorption of MP, causing impaired adrenocortical reserve. Recovery is expected in most patients after 1-2 weeks. Only a few patients exhibited suppression for up to 2 weeks. The magnitude of this suppression depends on the dose injected, and is more common in patients with inflammatory joint diseases. Caution is required if repeated large doses of IA-MP are considered in these patients.
Fragile X checklist.

A 13-item checklist that combines physical and behavioral traits typical of fragile X [fra(X)] syndrome was evaluated prospectively in the screening of 107 males with mental retardation or severe learning disabilities. The checklist was completed before we obtained cytogenetic results. Fifteen males were fra(X)-positive and the manifestations that differentiated fra(X)-positive and fra(X)-negative patients included perseverative speech, large or prominent ears, large testicles, and tactile defensiveness. The combination of physical and behavioral traits is helpful in suggesting the diagnosis and identifying high-risk patients. A total score of 16 or higher had a significant yield of fra(X)-positive patients (greater than or equal to 45%).
Dynamic compressive strain inhibits nitric oxide synthesis by equine chondrocytes isolated from different areas of the cartilage surface.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Chondrocytes within articular cartilage respond to the mechanical stresses associated with normal joint loading via a series of signalling pathways. Specific biomolecules, such as nitric oxide (NO), have been implicated in these mechanotransduction processes. It has been shown that the synthesis of NO can be inhibited by dynamic compressive strain of chondrocytes in vitro which, in turn, leads to an up-regulation of specific metabolic parameters. HYPOTHESIS Chondrocytes isolated from different joint locations and seeded in agarose constructs respond in a distinct manner to the application of dynamic compression. METHODS Chondrocytes were isolated separately from the equine patella groove and the femoral condyle, representing high loaded areas (HLA) and low loaded areas (LLA), respectively, of 6 specimens of different ages. The cells were seeded in agarose constructs and cultured either in an unstrained state or strained under dynamic loading at 1 Hz for 48 h. The synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), proteoglycan synthesis and chondrocyte proliferation were assessed. RESULTS Equine chondrocytes were found to synthesise significant basal levels of NO, regardless of topographical origin or age of tissue. Marked differences in both proteoglycan synthesis and cell proliferation were, however, revealed between the 2 chondrocyte subpopulations. Dynamic compression inhibited NO synthesis but significant alterations in proteoglycan synthesis and cell proliferation were apparent in a minority of cases. CONCLUSIONS AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE The differential response of the subpopulations of chondrocytes derived from the HLA and LLA provides a potential mechanism which enables the biomechanical demands of differing joint regions to be maintained.