Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance among 723 outpatient clinical isolates of Moraxella catarrhalis in the United States in 1994 and 1995: results of a 30-center national surveillance study

Seven hundred twenty-three isolates of Moraxella catarrhalis obtained from outpatients with a variety of infections in 30 medical centers in the United States between 1 November 1994 and 30 April 1995 were characterized in a central laboratory. The overall rate of beta-lactamase production was 95.3%. When the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards MIC interpretive breakpoints for Haemophilus influenzae were applied, percentages of strains found to be susceptible to selected oral antimicrobial agents were as follows: azithromycin, clarithromycin, and erythromycin, 100%; tetracycline and chloramphenicol, 100%; amoxicillin-clavulanate, 100%; cefixime, 99.3%; cefpodoxime, 99.0%; cefaclor, 99.4%; loracarbef, 99.0%; cefuroxime, 98.5%; cefprozil, 94.3%; and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, 93.5%.
Role of Endogenous Angiogenesis Inhibitors in Down Syndrome

New blood vessel growth via angiogenesis is a fundamental process in both physiological and pathological conditions. Physiological angiogenesis is critical during embryogenesis and placental development, whereas pathological angiogenesis plays an important role in the progression of many diseases, most notably tumor growth. Tumor angiogenesis is well accepted to be regulated by a balance of proangiogenic and antiangiogenic factors produced both by tumor cells and surrounding stromal cells. For many years, investigation of antiangiogenic therapies for cancer has focused on the proangiogenic cytokine, vascular endothelial growth factor; its receptors; or downstream signaling pathways. However, more recently with the identification of endogenous angiogenesis inhibitors, studies have turned toward understanding the role of endogenous antiangiogenic proteins in preventing disease progression. Clinical clues have suggested that specific populations may have dysregulated angiogenesis due to differential expression of endogenous angiogenesis regulators. For example, individuals with Down syndrome may possess a systemic antiangiogenic state with a significantly decreased incidence of angiogenesis-dependent diseases. Our work suggests that endogenous angiogenesis inhibitors may be the master regulators controlling progression of angiogenesis-dependent diseases such as vascular anomalies and cancer. The molecular regulation of angiogenesis is not yet fully understood; however, the Down syndrome population may give us insights toward novel therapies for controlling angiogenesis in disease.
1. Strategies to promote private timber production

Summary This paper presents some preliminary ideas on the present position of private forestry in Australia. The broad term, private forestry, is disaggregated down into various components, to determine what is being done in each and by whom, the kinds of assistance available and from whom, and the major incentives and disincentives. Six groups of private forest owners are identified, each motivated by different objectives and with different available resources. We suggest though, that despite a plethora of incentive schemes, relatively little effort is put into assistance for anything but ‘core forestry’ Core forestry is what State forest services concentrate on—industrial plantations and managing native forests primarily for wood production, with hired or contracted labour and management. We suggest that incentive schemes designed to promote private forestry have often not addressed real constraints because they were never designed from the roots up, with the client—a prospective forest owner—in mind. T.
Motor function assessment for upper limb with virtual wiping program of rehabilitation system SEMUL

Upper-limbs rehabilitative training for hemiplegic patients has been mainly conducted by occupational therapists (OT). Training methods and its conditions are strongly depending on the experiences of the OT, because of the wide range of individual differences of patients. We have developed WIPE software using the rehabilitation robot, SEMUL for a new assessment method for upper limbs occupational functions. Game levels and wiping power were proposed as assessment score in this study. Three hemiplegic patients were recruited in experiments. The wipe power shows clear difference between before and after the training.
The Management of Antibody‐Mediated Rejection in the First Presensitized Recipient of a Full‐Face Allotransplant

We report on the management of the first full‐face transplantation in a sensitized recipient with a positive preoperative crossmatch and subsequent antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR). The recipient is a 45‐year‐old female who sustained extensive chemical burns, with residual poor function and high levels of circulating anti‐HLA antibodies. With a clear immunosuppression plan and salvage options in place, a full‐face allotransplant was performed using a crossmatch positive donor. Despite plasmapheresis alongside a standard induction regimen, clinical signs of rejection were noted on postoperative day 5 (POD5). Donor‐specific antibody (DSA) titers rose with evidence of C4d deposits on biopsy. By POD19, biopsies showed Banff Grade III rejection. Combination therapy consisting of plasmapheresis, eculizumab, bortezomib and alemtuzumab decreased DSA levels, improved clinical exam, and by 6 months postop she had no histological signs of rejection. This case is the first to demonstrate evidence and management of AMR in face allotransplantation. Our findings lend support to the call for an update to the Banff classification of rejection in vascularized composite tissue allotransplantation (VCA) to include AMR, and for further studies to better classify the histology and mechanism of action of AMR in VCA.
Repeatability and Reproducibility of Virtual Subjective Refraction

Purpose To establish the repeatability and reproducibility of a virtual refraction process using simulated retinal images. Methods With simulation software, aberrated images corresponding with each step of the refraction process were calculated following the typical protocol of conventional subjective refraction. Fifty external examiners judged simulated retinal images until the best sphero-cylindrical refraction and the best visual acuity were achieved starting from the aberrometry data of three patients. Data analyses were performed to assess repeatability and reproducibility of the virtual refraction as a function of pupil size and aberrometric profile of different patients. Results SD values achieved in three components of refraction (M, J0, and J45) are lower than 0.25D in repeatability analysis. Regarding reproducibility, we found SD values lower than 0.25D in the most cases. When the results of virtual refraction with different pupil diameters (4 and 6 mm) were compared, the mean of differences (MoD) obtained were not clinically significant (less than 0.25D). Only one of the aberrometry profiles with high uncorrected astigmatism shows poor results for the M component in reproducibility and pupil size dependence analysis. In all cases, vision achieved was better than 0 logMAR. A comparison between the compensation obtained with virtual and conventional subjective refraction was made as an example of this application, showing good quality retinal images in both processes. Conclusions The present study shows that virtual refraction has similar levels of precision as conventional subjective refraction. Moreover, virtual refraction has also shown that when high low order astigmatism is present, the refraction result is less precise and highly dependent on pupil size.
A sex-specific trade-off between mating preferences for genetic compatibility and body size in a cichlid fish with mutual mate choice

Mating preferences for genetic compatibility strictly depend on the interplay of the genotypes of potential partners and are therein fundamentally different from directional preferences for ornamental secondary sexual traits. Thus, the most compatible partner is on average not the one with most pronounced ornaments and vice versa. Hence, mating preferences may often conflict. Here, we present a solution to this problem while investigating the interplay of mating preferences for relatedness (a compatibility criterion) and large body size (an ornamental or quality trait). In previous experiments, both sexes of Pelvicachromis taeniatus, a cichlid fish with mutual mate choice, showed preferences for kin and large partners when these criteria were tested separately. In the present study, test fish were given a conflicting choice between two potential mating partners differing in relatedness as well as in body size in such a way that preferences for both criteria could not simultaneously be satisfied. We show that a sex-specific trade-off occurs between mating preferences for body size and relatedness. For females, relatedness gained greater importance than body size, whereas the opposite was true for males. We discuss the potential role of the interplay between mating preferences for relatedness and body size for the evolution of inbreeding preference.
Measurement of DNA-Dependent Protein Kinase Phosphorylation Using Flow Cytometry Provides a Reliable Estimate of DNA Repair Capacity

Uncontrolled generation of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in cells is regarded as a highly toxic event that threatens cell survival. Radiation-induced DNA DSBs are commonly measured by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, microscopic evaluation of accumulating DNA damage response proteins (e.g., 53BP1 or γ-H2AX) or flow cytometric analysis of γ-H2AX. The advantage of flow cytometric analysis is that DSB formation and repair can be studied in relationship to cell cycle phase or expression of other proteins. However, γ-H2AX is not able to monitor repair kinetics within the first 60 min postirradiation, a period when most DSBs undergo repair. A key protein in non-homologous end joining repair is the catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase. Among several phosphorylation sites of DNA-dependent protein kinase, the threonine at position 2609 (T2609), which is phosphorylated by ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) or DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit itself, activates the end processing of DSB. Using flow cytometry, we show here that phosphorylation at T2609 is faster in response to DSBs than γ-H2AX. Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis of T2609 resulted in a better representation of fast repair kinetics than analysis of γ-H2AX. In cells with reduced ligase IV activity, and wild-type cells where DNA-dependent protein kinase activity was inhibited, the reduced DSB repair capacity was observed by T2609 evaluation using flow cytometry. In conclusion, flow cytometric evaluation of DNA-dependent protein kinase T2609 can be used as a marker for early DSB repair and gives a better representation of early repair events than analysis of γ-H2AX.
A device for sampling and determination of total particulate mercury in ambient air.

A miniaturized device, which serves as both particulate trap and pyrolyzer for airborne particulate mercury species, is described. It has been used in combination with amalgamation/thermal desorption/cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry detection for the determination of total particulate mercury (TPM) associated with atmospheric aerosols. A standard reference material (SRM 1633b, NIST) has been used for validating of the pyrolysis technique, and a relative error smaller than 3% has been obtained. Contrary to most methods currently employed, this new technique does not require any sample preparation (e.g., extraction/digestion), no manual sample transfer or sample handling, and no addition of chemicals or reagents. Hence the risk of contamination is low. The time for complete analysis is less than 10 min per sample. The concentrations of TPM determined in metropolitan Toronto ranged from 3 to 91 pg m(-)(3) with standard deviations of <±2 pg m(-)(3) for simultaneous sets of four samples. These atmospheric TPM concentration values fall within the range reported in the literature. Good agreement was obtained by the three methods compared in a field study at Ny-Ålesund (78°54'N, 11°53'E), Svalbard. The elevated values of TPM concentrations obtained using the method developed in this work may arise from the Arctic springtime conversion of atmospheric mercury from gas-phase to particulate-phase Hg species.
Demand for children among rural families: children as a consumption utility.

Childbearing and rearing tax the resources of families in both developed and developing countries. Focusing upon the demand side for children an economic analysis of the household demand for children was conducted to explore the economic determinants of parental fertility decision making. The analysis calls upon the Becker and Willis household production function where children may be considered as economic good much like other goods produced or procured by the household. Total available household resources determine the total quality of goods household may afford. Data for the analysis come from a multistage-sampling household-level survey of 670 households in 16 rural villages of Tamil Nadu in Coimbatore Periyar Salem and Dharmapuri districts in India over the period May-October 1985. Analysis showed coefficients of wage rates to be consistently negative but significant male education as affecting fertility behavior and a weak income effect. These results suggest that parents valuation of children as sources of satisfaction holds only modest import. Childrens pecuniary contributions to the household however do seem to considerably influence parental fertility decisions in rural families.
Gemcitabine, vinorelbine, and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (GVD), a salvage regimen in relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma: CALGB 59804.

BACKGROUND Because of high single-agent activity and modest toxicity, we hypothesized the combination of gemcitabine (G), vinorelbine (V), and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (D) would be an effective salvage therapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 91 patients participated. GVD was administered on days 1 and 8 every 21 days at doses of G 1000 mg/m(2), V 20 mg/m(2), and D 15 mg/m(2) for transplant-naive patients, and G 800 mg/m(2), V 15 mg/m(2), and D 10 mg/m(2) for post-transplant patients. RESULTS The dose-limiting toxicity was mucositis for the transplant-naive patients and febrile neutropenia for post-transplant patients. The overall response rate (RR) for all patients was 70% [95% confidence interval (CI) 59.8, 79.7], with 19% complete remissions. The 4-year event-free and overall survival rates in transplant-naive patients treated with GVD followed by autologous transplant were 52% (95% CI 0.34, 0.68) and 70% (95% CI 0.49, 0.84), and in the patients in whom prior transplant failed, these were 10% (95% CI 0.03, 0.22) and 34% (95% CI 0.17, 0.52), respectively. CONCLUSIONS GVD is a well-tolerated, active regimen for relapsed HL with results similar to those reported for more toxic regimens. High RRs in patients in whom prior transplant failed confirms this regimen's activity even in heavily pretreated patients.
DNA methylation and expression of p16INK4A gene in pulmonary adenocarcinoma and anthracosis in background lung

The p16 (CDKN2/MTS‐1/INK4A) tumor‐suppressor gene is frequently inactivated by DNA methylation in lung carcinomas. To clarify whether background anthracosis may play a role in DNA methylation and inactivation of the p16 gene, we examined DNA methylation of the p16‐promoter region by methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction, and p16 expression immunohistochemically, and compared the results with the level of background anthracosis which was measured by an original quantitative method. At autopsy, DNA methylation of the p16 gene was observed in 6/19 tumors (32%) from patients who had died of pulmonary adenocarcinoma. The degree of background anthracosis (the effect of extrinsic carcinogenic factors) (mean absorbance value, A = 0.715) of the cases with p16‐gene methylation was significantly higher than that without methylation (mean A value = 0.298). p16 expression was inactivated in all tumors with p16‐gene methylation. The mean A value of black dust matter deposition in cases with normal expression of p16 (A = 0.151) was significantly lower than cases with abnormal expression of p16 (A = 0.531). These results indicate that the level of background anthracosis is closely associated with inactivation of p16 expression and also DNA methylation of the p16‐gene promoter region in pulmonary adenocarcinogenesis. Int. J. Cancer (Pred. Oncol.) 84:609–613, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Controlled study of brief personalized assessment-feedback for drinkers interested in self-help.

AIMS Brief alcohol interventions typically have been directed to heavy-drinking patients seeking primary health care and college students. This study examined the efficacy of mailing brief personalized assessment-feedback to interested drinkers recruited from the general public. We hypothesized that problem drinkers would benefit more from the intervention than individuals who were not problem drinkers. DESIGN A two-arm, double-blinded, community-based randomized controlled trial with 6-month follow-up. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS A screening interview was administered to a stratified random sample of 10 014 Canadians 18 years of age and older (5621 women and 4393 men; M age = 43.3 years, SD = 15.99; response rate = 65.4%). INTERVENTION Current drinkers interested in receiving alcohol self-help materials (n = 1727) were assigned randomly to receive brief personalized assessment-feedback on male and female population drinking norms by mail, or to a delayed-treatment control group, and were contacted 6 months later (76% retention rate). MEASUREMENTS Problem drinking status at baseline [using sex-specific Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) cut scores], and frequency and quantity of alcohol use at follow-up. FINDINGS Analysis of covariance identified the hypothesized interaction of baseline problem drinking status and treatment condition (P < 0.01). Among problem drinkers identified at baseline the intervention caused a 10.1% reduction in per-occasion binge drinking compared to controls, whereas there was no difference in binge drinking across conditions for non-problem drinkers. CONCLUSIONS The continuum of care for alcohol problems can be broadened by providing brief interventions to interested drinkers in the general population.
National Study of Prescription Poisoning with Psychoactive and Nonpsychoactive Medications in Medicare/Medicaid Dual Enrollees Age 65 or Over

Abstract The purpose of this study is to assess prescription medication poisoning among psychoactive and nonpsychoactive medications used by elderly (65 years or older) Medicare & Medicaid dual enrollees as well as examine contextual components associated with poisoning. Our primary research goal was to compare medication poisonings among psychoactive medications to nonpsychoactive medications. Our second research goal was to identify components influencing medication poisonings and how they interrelate. The approach used a cross-sectional retrospective review of calendar year 2003 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service's Medicaid Pharmacy claims data for elderly dual enrollees. Poisonings were identified based on ICD-9-CM categorizations. Poisonings associated with the psychoactive medications were proportionally over twice as high as compared to nonpsychoactive medications (14.3 per 100,000 enrollees and 6.6 per 100,000 enrollees, respectively). Additionally, the two contextual components of (a) use of many drugs and (b) familiarity with the medication have a direct, but competing impact on poisoning. The reasons behind unintentional poisoning in the elderly have been somewhat a mystery. This study is among the first to attempt to distinguish between poisoning events associated with psychoactive medications versus nonpsychoactive medications as well as assess the impact of differing contextual components on medication poisoning.
Body image perception and self-esteem in eating disordered females : further validation of the silhouette body image test / by K. Jennifer Helm. --

vli Previous research has shown that the available techniques for assessing body image perception do not provide valid and reliable measures. The present study was designed to further validate the Silhouette Body Image Test (SBIT), which was found to be a reliable and valid measure of body image perception on a population of non-eating disordered university students. In the present study, a sample of anorexics, bulimics and non-eating disordered females were administered the SBIT. Responses on the SBIT were compared to subject’s actual body size. Results indicated that eating disordered females significantly overestimated their body size when compared to non-eating disordered controls. Subjects level of self-esteem was measured with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) to examine the relationship between self-esteem and body image distortion. Eating disordered females scored significantly lower in level of self-esteem. Results indicated a significant negative correlation between low self-esteem and percent of overestimation of body size for all subjects. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
The antiglucocorticoid, RU486, attenuates stress-induced decreases in plasma-luteinizing hormone concentrations in male rats.

The present studies investigated the role of glucocorticoid receptors (GR) in the inhibitory effects of acute and chronic immobilization stress on pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) release. Systemic administration of the GR antagonist, RU486, significantly attenuated the acute decline in circulating LH observed in intact male rats immobilized by encasement within paper cocoons. Whereas vehicle-injected controls exhibited a significant reduction in plasma LH between +1 and +5 h of stress, animals given subcutaneous (sc) injections of 2.5 mg RU846/kg did not exhibit a reduction in circulating LH until 4 h after initiation of stress. Plasma LH levels in the GR-treated group were significantly elevated compared to the vehicle controls between +1 and +3 h of stress. Repetitive exposure to the same stress stimulus 24 and 48 h later resulted in decreased plasma LH levels in the vehicle-treated rats, but not in the animals injected sc with RU486. Other studies showed that intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of RU486 (10.0 micrograms/rat) also blunted the inhibitory effects of acute and chronic immobilization stress on pituitary LH release. In experiments designed to evaluate whether activation of central GR can influence the magnitude and/or temporal characteristics of the LH secretory response to acute inhibitory stress, it was observed that animals pretreated by icv injection of the GR agonist, RU362, exhibited a greater reduction in plasma LH levels during the first hour of stress, as compared to rats pretreated with vehicle alone. In summary, the present findings that pharmacologic antagonism of GR attenuates acute and chronic stress-induced inhibition of circulating LH support a role for glucocorticoids in mechanisms underlying suppression of pituitary LH release during stress. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Connecting Supply and Demand–An Interactive Visualization

This interactive simulation visualizes the welfare implications of different approaches to connect buyers and sellers of a good. The user can act as a perfectly informed social planner, as a partially informed social planner, or she can elicit bids/ask offers from simulated agents in a double auction setting (Gode and Sunder 1993). The resulting allocations with the implied consumer and producer surpluses are visualized. The user experiences the informational demands that a social planner faces, and she observes the ability of a price system to allocate scarce resources when information is largely private (Hayek 1945), even if individual market participants are not sophisticated