Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outbreak of Dysentery Associated with Ceftriaxone-Resistant Shigella sonnei: First Report of Plasmid-Mediated CMY-2-Type AmpC β-Lactamase Resistance in S. sonnei

ABSTRACT We document the first report of plasmid-encoded CMY-2-type AmpC β-lactamase identified among Shigella sonnei isolates resistant to ceftriaxone and obtained after an outbreak of bacillary dysentery in Taiwan. One hundred eighty-two children in two elementary schools in Yu-Li, Taiwan, where an outbreak occurred after a typhoon hit this area in 2001, were enrolled in this study. Clinical and epidemiologic data on the infected children were collected. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was performed on the isolates to determine the genetic relatedness of outbreak strains. Plasmid analysis and PCR were performed to identify β-lactamase genes responsible for ceftriaxone resistance. Forty-seven children from the two elementary schools were culture positive for S. sonnei in this outbreak. Twenty-three children were asymptomatic. Of the total isolates 55.3% were resistant to ampicillin. One hundred percent of the isolates obtained from children in school A were initially susceptible to both ampicillin and ceftriaxone. Of isolates obtained from school B 96.2% were nonsusceptible to ceftriaxone. However, two isolates from school A developed resistance to ampicillin during the course of treatment. All 18 available isolates showed closely related PFGE patterns (4, 4a, 4b, and 4c). CMY-2-type AmpC β-lactamase was responsible for ceftriaxone resistance in ceftriaxone-nonsusceptible isolates; Southern blot hybridization confirmed that such a resistance gene was located on the plasmid. This is the first report of plasmid-mediated CMY-2-type AmpC β-lactamase in S. sonnei. Ampicillin-resistant isolates can develop during the course of antibiotic treatment.
Cosmogenic neon in grains separated from individual chondrules: Evidence of precompaction exposure in chondrules

Abstract– Neon was measured in 39 individual olivine (or olivine‐rich) grains separated from individual chondrules from Dhajala, Bjurböle, Chainpur, Murchison, and Parsa chondrites with spallation‐produced 21Ne the result of interaction of energetic particle irradiation. The apparent 21Ne cosmic ray exposure (CRE) ages of most grains are similar to those of the matrix with the exception of three grains from Dhajala and single grains from Bjurböle and Chainpur, which show excesses, reflecting exposure to energetic particles prior to final compaction of the object. Among these five grains, one from chondrule BJ2A5 of Bjurböle shows an apparent excess exposure age of approximately 20 Ma and the other four from Dhajala and Chainpur have apparent excesses, described as an “age,” from 2 to 17 Ma. The precompaction irradiation effects of grains from chondrules do not appear to be different from the effects seen in olivine grains extracted from the matrix of CM chondrites. As was the case for the matrix grains, there appears to be insufficient time for this precompaction irradiation by the contemporary particle sources. The apparent variations within single chondrules appear to constrain precompaction irradiation effects to irradiation by lower energy solar particles, rather than galactic cosmic rays, supporting the conclusion derived from the precompaction irradiation effects in CM matrix grains, but for totally different reasons. This observation is consistent with Chandra X‐Ray Observatory data for young low‐mass stars, which suggest that our own Sun may have been 105 times more active in an early naked T‐Tauri phase ( Feigelson et al. 2002 ).
SiC-TiB2 Composite Densified by Pressureless Liquid-Phase Sintering

Particle reinforced SiC composites with the addition of TiB2 were fabricated in range of 1750°C to 1950°C by pressureless sintering by utilizing liquid phase with AlN-Y2O3 as sintering additives. The effective of sintering aids in densification, the mechanical properties of sintered sample and the microstructure had been investigated in this paper. The results showed that the best densification behaviors occurred in AlN:Y2O3 at 60 :40%mol ratio not at eutectic point. Adding TiB2 to SiC matrix increase the toughness and decreased the hardness. Microstructure analysis showed that the increasing of toughness was due to the crack deflection with some contribution intergranular fracture mechanism.
IL-1β Is Overexpressed and Aberrantly Regulated in Corticosteroid Nonresponders with Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease

Autoimmune inner ear disease is an enigmatic disorder characterized by recurring episodes of sudden or progressive sensorineural hearing loss. Hearing loss can be improved by timely corticosteroid administration, but only half of those treated respond, and for many responders, that response is lost over time. The mechanisms that control corticosteroid responsiveness in this disorder are largely uncharacterized. We have previously identified that the induction by dexamethasone of IL-1R type II (IL-1R2) expression in PBMC predicts corticosteroid responsiveness in this disorder. In this study, we asked whether IL-1β was overexpressed, and whether clinical corticosteroid responders differentially regulated IL-1β expression or release in response to dexamethasone, as compared with nonresponders. IL-1β has been reported to induce matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression. Given that metalloproteinases can cleave IL-1R2, we also asked whether MMP-9 expression was altered in this disorder. In this study, we demonstrate that corticosteroid nonresponders have elevated plasma levels of IL-1β and MMP-9 as compared with clinically responsive patients (p = 0.0008 and p = 0.037, respectively). Increasing MMP-9 expression correlated with increasing IL-1β concentration, suggesting that IL-1β expression regulates MMP-9 expression. As expected, monocytes were the predominant producers of IL-1β. In vitro exposure of PBMC to dexamethasone from clinical corticosteroid responders suppressed IL-1β release. PBMC of corticosteroid nonresponders have substantially higher release of IL-1β into the conditioned media, and when exposed to dexamethasone, failed to repress IL-1β release (p = 0.05). Treatment of PBMC from clinical corticosteroid nonresponders with anakinra resulted in repression of IL-1β release, suggesting that IL-1β blockade may be a viable therapy for these patients.
Physiological stimuli evoke two forms of endocytosis in bovine chromaffin cells

1 Exocytosis and endocytosis were measured following single, or trains of, simulated action potentials (sAP) in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. Catecholamine secretion was measured by oxidative amperometry and cell membrane turnover was measured by voltage clamp cell capacitance measurements. 2 The sAPs evoked inward Na+ and Ca2+ currents that were statistically identical to those evoked by native action potential waveforms. On average, a single secretory granule underwent fusion following sAP stimulation. An equivalent amount of membrane was then quickly internalised (τ= 560 ms). 3 Stimulation with sAP trains revealed a biphasic relationship between cell firing rate and endocytic activity. At basal stimulus frequencies (single to 0.5 Hz) cells exhibited a robust membrane internalisation that then diminished as firing increased to intermediate levels (1.9 and 6 Hz). However at the higher stimulation rates (10 and 16 Hz) endocytic activity rebounded and was again able to effectively maintain cell surface near pre‐stimulus levels. 4 Treatment with cyclosporin A and FK506, inhibitors of the phosphatase calcineurin, left endocytosis characteristics unaltered at the lower basal stimulus levels, but blocked the resurgence in endocytosis seen in control cells at higher sAP frequencies. 5 Based on these findings we propose that, under physiological electrical stimulation, chromaffin cells internalise membrane via two distinct pathways that are separable. One is prevalent at basal stimulus frequencies, is lessened with increased firing, and is insensitive to cyclosporin A and FK506. A second endocytic form is activated by increased firing frequencies, and is selectively blocked by cyclosporin A and FK506.
Neurotrophin‐3‐induced production of nerve growth factor is suppressed in Schwann cells exposed to high glucose: involvement of the polyol pathway

Development of hypesthesia, a loss of sensitivity to stimulation, is associated with impaired regeneration of peripheral sensory fibers, in which Schwann cells play a key role by secreting nerve growth factor (NGF). Recent clinical trials indicated that an inhibitor of aldose reductase (AR), the rate‐limiting enzyme in the polyol pathway, significantly improved hypesthesia in diabetic patients. The fact that AR is localized in Schwann cells led us to investigate the role of the polyol pathway in NGF production of isolated Schwann cells. Among various endogenous factors examined, increased production of NGF was demonstrated in the cells treated with neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) for 24 h. NT‐3‐induced NGF production was significantly suppressed when cells were cultured in the medium containing high glucose. In these cells, the levels of glutathione (GSH) and cAMP‐response element binding protein (CREB) were reduced, whereas the level of activated nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) was elevated. These changes were abolished when an AR inhibitor fidarestat was included in the medium. NT‐3‐induced NGF production was further attenuated in the cells treated with an inhibitor of GSH synthesis. Together, the enhanced polyol pathway activity under high‐glucose conditions seems to elicit reduced NT‐3‐induced NGF production in Schwann cells. Enhanced oxidative stress linked to the polyol pathway activity may mediate this process.
Absence of toxicity of ornidazole after a 10-yr continuous daily use for Crohn's disease

6 41.95 U/ml and 353.536 45.87 U/ml, respectively) (Table 1). Intergroup comparisons of CA-125 levels showed no statistically significant difference (p . 0.05), however, intragroup comparisons of serum and ascitic fluid showed a good correlation (group 1, p 5 0.04, r 5 0.76; group 2,p 5 0.025, r5 0.72; group 3,p 5 0.045, r 5 0.64; group 4,p 5 0.035, r5 0.75; group 5,p 5 0.020, r 5 0.82). On the other hand, our results showed no correlation between the amount of ascites and serum and ascitic fluid CA-125 levels despite the findings of Zuckerman et al. The elevated CA-125 levels in the ascitic fluid and the good correlation of serum and ascitic fluid CA-125 levels may be a sign of contribution to circulating CA-125 concentrations from peritoneally derived CA-125. In conclusion, serum and ascitic fluid CA-125 levels were found to be elevated in the presence of fluid in the peritoneum independent of the underlying primary causes. The poor correlation between the amount of ascites and serum and ascitic fluid CA-125 levels in our study may indicate other factors to be responsible for the elevations of CA-125 besides mechanical stress formed by ascites.
Zonulin Upregulation Is Associated With Increased Gut Permeability in Subjects With Type 1 Diabetes and Their Relatives

Zonulin, a protein that modulates intestinal permeability, is upregulated in several autoimmune diseases and is involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diabetes in the BB/Wor animal model of the disease. To verify the association between serum zonulin levels and in vivo intestinal permeability in patients with type 1 diabetes, both parameters were investigated in different stages of the autoimmune process. Forty-two percent (141 of 339) of the patients had abnormal serum zonulin levels, as compared with age-matched control subjects. The increased zonulin levels correlated with increased intestinal permeability in vivo and changes in claudin-1, claudin-2, and myosin IXB genes expression, while no changes were detected in ZO1 and occludin genes expression. When tested in serum samples collected during the pre–type 1 diabetes phase, elevated serum zonulin was detected in 70% of subjects and preceded by 3.5 ± 0.9 years the onset of the disease in those patients who went on to develop type 1 diabetes. Combined, these results suggest that zonulin upregulation is associated with increased intestinal permeability in a subgroup of type 1 diabetic patients. Zonulin upregulation seems to precede the onset of the disease, providing a possible link between increased intestinal permeability, environmental exposure to non–self antigens, and the development of autoimmunity in genetically susceptible individuals.
Physicians’ use of and attitudes toward electronic mail for patient communication

To assess physicians’ use of and attitudes toward electronic mail (e-mail) for patient communication, we conducted a mailin survey of physicians who see patients in outpatient clinics affiliated with a large academic medical center (N=283). Seventy-two percent of physicians reported using e-mail to communicate with patients, averaging 7.7 e-mails from patients per month. The lowest level of use was by community-based primary care physicians (odds ratio, 0.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.08 to 0.59). Those physicians who reported using e-mail with patients reported high satisfaction with its use. Although physicians were concerned about the confidentiality of e-mail, few discussed this issue with patients.
Use of the holmium:YAG laser in urology

The Holmium-YAG is a versatile laser with multiple soft- tissue applications including tissue incision and vaporization, and pulsed-laser applications such as lithotripsy. At 2140 nanometers, the wavelength is highly absorbed by tissue water. Further, like CO2 laser, the Holmium produces immediate tissue vaporization while minimizing deep thermal damage to surrounding tissues. It is an excellent instrument for endopyelotomy, internal urethrotomy, bladder neck incisions and it can be used to resect the prostate. The Holmium creates an acute TUR defect which gives immediate results like the TURP. More than 50 patients were treated from Jan. 1996 to Jan. 1997 for obstructive symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia, bladder neck stricture, urethral stenosis, and superficial bladder tumors.
A principled approach to interactive hierarchical non-linear visualization of high-dimensional data

Hierarchical visualization systems are desirable because a single two-dimensional visualization plot may not be sufficient to capture all of the interesting aspects of complex high-dimensional data sets. We extend an existing locally linear hierarchical visualization system PhiVis [1] in several directions: bf(1) we allow for em non-linear projection manifolds (the basic building block is the Generative Topographic Mapping -- GTM), bf(2) we introduce a general formulation of hierarchical probabilistic models consisting of local probabilistic models organized in a hierarchical tree, bf(3) we describe folding patterns of low-dimensional projection manifold in high-dimensional data space by computing and visualizing the manifold's local directional curvatures. Quantities such as magnification factors [3] and directional curvatures are helpful for understanding the layout of the nonlinear projection manifold in the data space and for further refinement of the hierarchical visualization plot. Like PhiVis, our system is statistically principled and is built interactively in a top-down fashion using the EM algorithm. We demonstrate the visualization system principle of the approach on a complex 12-dimensional data set and mention possible applications in the pharmaceutical industry.
Hypoglycemia-Induced Autonomic Failure in IDDM is Specific for Stimulus of Hypoglycemia and Is Not Attributable to Prior Autonomic Activation

We hypothesized, first, that recent antecedent hypoglycemia causes reduced autonomic responses to subsequent hypoglycemia in patients with well-controlled insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and that the reduced responses are specific for the stimulus of hypoglycemia while the responses to other stimuli are unaltered and, second, that reduced autonomic responses, specifically sympathochromaffin, so-induced are not simply the result of prior activation of the system. To test the first hypothesis, eight patients with IDDM, selected for HbA1c levels < 8.0% and the absence of classic diabetic autonomic neuropathy, were studied twice. On one occasion, clamped hypoglycemia (∼ 2.8 mM) was produced at 1400–1600 on days 2 and 3; on the other occasion clamped euglycemia (∼ 5.6 mM) was produced at those times. On both occasions, autonomic responses to hypoglycemia (∼ 2.8 mM) were determined the morning of day 3 and those to standing, exercise, and a formula meal the morning of day 4. Following afternoon hypoglycemia, 1) the adrenomedullary epinephrine (EPI) response to hypoglycemia was reduced (P = 0.0397) but that to standing, exercise, and a meal were unaltered; 2) the sympathetic neural norepinephrine (NE) response to standing and to exercise was unaltered; and 3) the partially parasympathetic neural-mediated pancreatic polypeptide response to a meal was unaltered. To test the second hypothesis, seven nondiabetic subjects were studied twice, once with cycle exercise (60% peak VO2 × 60 min) and once without exercise 90 min before clamped hypoglycemia (∼ 2.8 mM). Prior exercise had no effect on the EPI, NE, or pancreatic polypeptide responses to hypoglycemia. We conclude, first, that the phenomenon of hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure can be induced in patients with well-controlled IDDM and is specific for the stimulus of hypoglycemia and, second, that this is not simply the result of prior activation of the system.
On non-abelian structures in eld theory of open strings

Multi-brane backgrounds are studied in the framework of the back- groundindependentopenstringeldtheory. Asimpledescriptionofthenon-abelian degrees offreedom is given. Algebra ofthe dierential operatorsacting onthespace of functions on the space-time provides a natural tool for the discussion of this phe- nomena.
Analysis and design of the CRLH SICL unit cell using effective parameters

This article proposes a substrate integrated coaxial line (SICL) structure with composite right left handed (CRLH) characteristics. The CRLH characteristics were implemented by inserting an inter-digital capacitor (IDC) and strip line into the SICL. To verify the proposed CRLH structure, the effective parameters (εeff, μeff), refractive index (n), propagation constant (β) and Bloch impedance (ZB) were derived using the retrieved effective parameter method, from which left-handed (LH), right-handed (RH), zerothorder resonance (ZOR) characteristics were confirmed. After completing the CRLH-equivalent circuit from the effective parameters, the component values were validated by comparing the results of a simulation model and a circuit model. The simulation results agreed well with the measured results. This confirmed that the proposed SICL is a balanced CRLH SICL unit cell.
[Study on the molecular mechanism of endostatin and doxycycline in suppressing melanoma growth].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the molecular mechanism of endostatin and doxycycline effect on melanoma growth. METHODS A B16 melanoma mice model was established by intracutaneous injection of B16 cell suspension. The mice were treated with endostatin, doxycycline, endostatin and doxycycline respectively, the control group received no treatment. A time course study of tumor volume was performed to observe the antitumor effect. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9), MMP-2, TIMP-2 were examined by immunohistochemistry staining. RESULTS Tumors in endostatin treatment group, doxycycline treatment group, endostatin and doxycycline treatment group grew slower than in the control group. The difference of the average tumor volume in the doxycycline group and control group, in the doxycycline with endostatin treatment group and control group were statistically different. The positive expression ratio of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2 in each treatment group were statistically different from their control groups (F = 12.79, F = 5.56, F = 4.64; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Doxycycline and endostatin are able to inhibit the expression of MMPs and promote expression of TIMP, which ultimately inhibits the growth of B16 melonoma.
The Computational Complexity of Duality

We show that for any given norm ball or proper cone, weak membership in its dual ball or dual cone is polynomial-time reducible to weak membership in the given ball or cone. A consequence is that the weak membership or membership problem for a ball or cone is NP-hard if and only if the corresponding problem for the dual ball or cone is NP-hard. In a similar vein, we show that computation of the dual norm of a given norm is polynomial-time reducible to computation of the given norm. This extends to convex functions satisfying a polynomial growth condition: for such a given function, computation of its Fenchel dual/conjugate is polynomial-time reducible to computation of the given function. Hence the computation of a norm or a convex function of polynomial-growth is NP-hard if and only if the computation of its dual norm or Fenchel dual is NP-hard. We discuss implications of these results on the weak membership problem for a symmetric convex body and its polar dual, the polynomial approximability of Mahler volume, and the weak membership problem for the epigraph of a convex function with polynomial growth and that of its Fenchel dual.
Autologous bone marrow cell therapy for peripheral arterial disease

Inadequate blood supply to tissues caused by obstruction of arterioles and/or capillaries results in ischemic injuries – these injuries can range from mild (eg, leg ischemia) to severe conditions (eg, myocardial infarction, stroke). Surgical and/or endovascular procedures provide cutting-edge treatment for patients with vascular disorders; however, a high percentage of patients are currently not treatable, owing to high operative risk or unfavorable vascular involvement. Therapeutic angiogenesis has recently emerged as a promising new therapy, promoting the formation of new blood vessels by the introduction of bone marrow–derived stem and progenitor cells. These cells participate in the development of new blood vessels, the enlargement of existing blood vessels, and sprouting new capillaries from existing blood vessels, providing evidence of the therapeutic utility of these cells in ischemic tissues. In this review, the authors describe peripheral arterial disease, an ischemic condition affecting the lower extremities, summarizing different aspects of vascular regeneration and discussing which and how stem cells restore the blood flow. The authors also present an overview of encouraging results from early-phase clinical trials using stem cells to treat peripheral arterial disease. The authors believe that additional research initiatives should be undertaken to better identify the nature of stem cells and that an intensive cooperation between laboratory and clinical investigators is needed to optimize the design of cell therapy trials and to maximize their scientific rigor. Only this will allow the results of these investigations to develop best clinical practices. Additionally, although a number of stem cell therapies exist, many treatments are performed outside international and national regulations and many clinical trials have been not registered on databases such as ClinicalTrials.gov or EudraCT. Therefore, more rigorous clinical trials are required to confirm the first hopeful results and to address the challenging issues.