Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular epidemiologic evidence for association of thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH) and TDH-related hemolysin of Vibrio parahaemolyticus with gastroenteritis

The Kanagawa phenomenon induced by the thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH) of Vibrio parahaemolyticus is almost exclusively associated with clinical strains, and TDH has been considered an important virulence factor. However, Kanagawa phenomenon-negative strains isolated from patients with diarrhea have recently been shown to produce TDH-related hemolysin (TRH). We studied the distribution of the tdh gene encoding TDH and the trh gene encoding TRH in vibrios by hybridization analyses. The presence or absence of the tdh gene and the trh gene in 285 strains of V. parahaemolyticus was examined by the DNA colony hybridization test with a tdh gene-specific probe and a newly constructed trh gene-specific probe. For assessment of the importance of TRH, many Kanagawa phenomenon-negative clinical strains (35.4% of all strains) were included. Of 214 clinical strains of V. parahaemolyticus, 112 strains (52.3%) had the tdh gene only, 52 strains (24.3%) had the trh gene only, and 24 strains (11.2%) carried both the tdh and the trh gene. The coexistence of the tdh and trh genes in these 24 strains was confirmed by Southern blot hybridization analysis. Of 71 environmental strains, 5 strains (7.0%) hybridized very weakly with the trh gene probe and none hybridized with the tdh gene probe. These results suggest that TRH as well as TDH is an important virulence factor of V. parahaemolyticus. Among 118 strains of other Vibrio species examined for the trh gene, only 1 strain of Vibrio furnissii gave a very weak hybridization signal. Among 48 representative trh gene-positive strains of V. parahaemolyticus, only 18 strains (37.5%) were found to produce TRH in culture medium when examined by a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.
The 5′-AMP-activated Protein Kinase γ3 Isoform Has a Key Role in Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism in Glycolytic Skeletal Muscle*

5′-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a metabolic stress sensor present in all eukaryotes. A dominant missense mutation (R225Q) in pig PRKAG3, encoding the muscle-specific γ3 isoform, causes a marked increase in glycogen content. To determine the functional role of the AMPK γ3 isoform, we generated transgenic mice with skeletal muscle-specific expression of wild type or mutant (225Q) mouse γ3 as well as Prkag3 knockout mice. Glycogen resynthesis after exercise was impaired in AMPK γ3 knock-out mice and markedly enhanced in transgenic mutant mice. An AMPK activator failed to increase skeletal muscle glucose uptake in AMPK γ3 knock-out mice, whereas contraction effects were preserved. When placed on a high fat diet, transgenic mutant mice but not knock-out mice were protected against excessive triglyceride accumulation and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. Transfection experiments reveal the R225Q mutation is associated with higher basal AMPK activity and diminished AMP dependence. Our results validate the muscle-specific AMPK γ3 isoform as a therapeutic target for prevention and treatment of insulin resistance.
Induction of tumor necrosis factor, IFN-gamma, and acute lethality in mice by toxic and non-toxic forms of lipid A.

The effect of the i.v. administration of endotoxin (LPS), diphosphoryl lipid A, and the non-toxic derivative monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), on the production of serum cachectin (TNF), IFN-gamma, and the appearance of endotoxin shock have been measured in mice primed with Listeria monocytogenes. All three of the lipid A varieties induced the production of TNF in a dose-dependent manner. Although comparable peak levels of TNF were produced (5 X 10(5) to 1 X 10(6) U/ml), treatments with LPS or diphosphoryl lipid A were lethal whereas those with MPL were not. A study following TNF in the mouse sera for up to 24 h after treatment with the lipid A types showed that serum levels of TNF peaked 90 min after the treatment, and that TNF levels induced by LPS treatment were maintained for several hours longer than those induced by lipid A or MPL. All three molecules also resulted in the production of IFN-gamma in the serum, which peaked at 4 to 5 h after treatment. After 90 min there were no significant differences in the levels of serum IFN-gamma in any of the groups of treated animals. However, as was observed with the TNF, the levels of IFN in animals treated with LPS persisted longer than those induced by MPL or lipid A. These results suggest that the non-toxic MPL as well as the toxic forms of lipid A can induce the production of TNF by macrophages. Furthermore, although it is essential, TNF alone is not necessarily sufficient to induce septic shock in mice.
Aromatase Expression in Stromal Cells of Endometrioid Endometrial Cancer Correlates with Poor Survival

Purpose and Experimental Design: To assess the prognostic significance of intratumoral aromatase in endometrioid endometrial cancer, sections from 55 patients with endometrial cancer were evaluated for expression of aromatase using immunohistochemistry, and the correlation between aromatase expression and clinicopathologic parameters were analyzed. Results: Immunohistochemical staining for aromatase was positive for 32 (58%), 20 (36%), and 19 (34%) patients in cancer epithelial cells, stromal cells, and myometrial cells around the flank invasion, respectively. In situ hybridization also detected aromatase mRNA in all three types of cells. RT-PCR analysis revealed that aromatase mRNA was 2.5 ± 1.0 amol/μg total RNA (mean ± SE; n = 7) in tumor tissue. Western blot analysis detected the expected aromatase protein size of 58 kDa in cancer tissues more abundantly than in cancer-free endometrium (n = 3). The immunoreactivity in stromal cells correlated positively with advanced surgical stage and poor survival. Survival analysis revealed that the immunoreactivity of stromal cells was a significant prognostic factor, independent of histologic grade, muscular invasion, and lymph node metastasis, but dependent on surgical stage. By contrast, the immunoreactivity of aromatase both in cancer epithelial cells and myometrial cells did not correlate with prognosis. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first evidence associating intratumoral aromatase expression in stromal cells and poor survival in endometrioid endometrial cancer. This positive linkage indicates that local expression of aromatase plays a role in tumor progression through the formation of in situ estrogens. In situ expression of aromatase may offer a potential target for management of endometrial cancers.
Prospective study of diarrhoeal disease in a cohort of rural Mexican children: incidence and isolated pathogens during the first two years of life

SUMMARY Colonization of the intestine by putative pathogens was followed longitudinally in a cohort of 56 infants born during one calendar year in a rural Mexican village with faecal cultures taken every fortnight and every time a child had diarrhoea. The frequency of isolation of pathogens during episodes of diarrhoea was compared with that of matched controls from the same cohort. Incidence of diarrhoea during the first year of life was 98%, diminishing to 93% during the second year. The incidence curves for each year were not significantly different (P > 0·1). Isolation of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli producing heat-stable (ST) and/or heat-labile (LT) enterotoxins and rotaviruses was significantly higher in infants with diarrhoea during the first 2 years of life. In the case of shigella, although no significant differences were found by semester of life, 13 of 16 children in which these strains were found had diarrhoea. Isolation of Salmonella spp. , Campylobacter spp. and protozoa were not significantly different in the two groups during the period studied. Strains showing localized adherence to HEp-2 cells or the presence of colonization factor antigens I or E8775 were found with significantly higher frequency in children with diarrhoea. Eighty-two percent of ST+ or LT+ ETEC strains isolated produced one of the three known colonization factors.
Electronic volume, aldehyde dehydrogenase, and stem cell marker expression in cells from human peripheral blood apheresis samples

Over‐expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase and other stem cell markers is characteristic of cells with tumorigenic potential in NOD/SCID mice. Most of these studies have focused on metastatic cells in bone marrow and on solid tumors. There are no studies on correlation of marker expression with ALDH1 expression in cells from human peripheral blood apheresis (HPC‐A) samples.
Preschoolers' reasoning about density: will it float?

Density is a complex concept found to appear late in development. However, density has a readily apparent empirical consequence--buoyancy. Early scientific understanding of density arose through Archimedes' discovery of water displacement as a function of density, and young children have experience playing with objects in water. Therefore, a buoyancy prediction task was developed in order to access preschoolers' early understanding of density. 3-5-year-old children from 2 preschool classes, as well as adults, made buoyancy predictions for a set of objects that varied systematically in density, weight, and volume. 4-5-year-olds (from the older class) and adults were shown to demonstrate similar patterns in their judgments. Objects much more or much less dense than water were more accurately judged than objects with densities closer to the density of water. Weight and volume were found to "interfere" in these judgments in systematic ways for the older class of children and the adults. Children in the younger class (3-year-olds) showed a mean proportion correct performance of . 53; they all passed a pretest, however, and no child refused to make judgments.
The economics of higher education participation in Ireland: Essays on geographic accessibility and student preferences

xiv Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Research context. 1 1.2 Institutional context. 5 1.2. 1 Republic of Ireland. 6 1.2. 2 Northern Ireland. 10 1.3 Policy context. 11 1.4 Overview of research objectives. 15 1.5 Structure of thesis. 16 1.6 Thesis outputs. 18 1.6. 1 Peer reviewed journal articles. 18 1.6. 2 Book chapters. 18 1.6. 3 Conference and seminar presentations. 18 1.6. 4 Research impact. 19 Chapter 2: Geographic accessibility to higher education on the island of Ireland 2.
Infanticide and Neonaticide: A Review of 40 Years of Research Literature on Incidence and Causes

The prevailing public view on women who kill their babies is that they are either monsters or psychotic, or both. The psychiatric and legal communities recognize that the issue is not as simply dichotomous as this. Evidence suggests that there are important distinctions to be drawn between different types of baby deaths and that this may have implications for identification, punishment, and/or treatment of potential and actual perpetrators. This article reviews and summarizes research, incidence statistics, and judicial and clinical outcomes ranging over four decades of work and sets out various ways forward in the study and prevention of infant murder.
The Pseudomonas aeruginosa fumc and soda genes belong to an iron-responsive operon.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa contains two superoxide dismutases (SOD), a Mn-containing SOD (Mn-SOD) and a Fe-SOD, which are encoded by sodA and sodB, respectively. We have cloned and sequenced a DNA fragment from P. aeruginosa, strain CHA, which contains the sodA gene and three other open reading frames (ORF). We report here that one of the ORFs upstream from sodA is fumC, which encodes the O2. - resistant isoform of fumarase (or fumarate hydratase). It is shown that fumC and sodA belong to the same operon. By primer extension experiments, the transcription initiation site has been located at -413 from the ATG codon of the fumC gene. The fumC-sodA operon was found to be negatively regulated in presence of iron and the E. coli FUR protein was shown to bind to the 19-bp FUR consensus sequence present at the transcription start site of the operon.
The evolutionary history of Eugenia sect. Phyllocalyx (Myrtaceae) corroborates historically stable areas in the southern Atlantic forests.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Eugenia sect. Phyllocalyx Nied. includes 14 species endemic to the Neotropics, mostly distributed in the Atlantic coastal forests of Brazil. Here the first comprehensive phylogenetic study of this group is presented, and this phylogeny is used as the basis to evaluate the recent infrageneric classification in Eugenia sensu lato (s.l.) to test the history of the evolution of traits in the group and test hypotheses associated with the history of this clade. METHODS A total of 42 taxa were sampled, of which 14 were Eugenia sect. Phyllocalyx for one nuclear (ribosomal internal transcribed spacer) and four plastid markers (psbA-trnH, rpl16, trnL-rpl32 and trnQ-rps16). The relationships were reconstructed based on Bayesian analysis and maximum likelihood. Additionally, ancestral area analysis and modelling methods were used to estimate species dispersal, comparing historically climatic stable (refuges) and unstable areas. KEY RESULTS Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inferences indicate that Eugenia sect. Phyllocalyx is paraphyletic and the two clades recovered are characterized by combinations of morphological characters. Phylogenetic relationships support a link between Cerrado and south-eastern species and a difference in the composition of species from north-eastern and south-eastern Atlantic forest. Refugia and stable areas identified within unstable areas suggest that these areas were important to maintain diversity in the Atlantic forest biodiversity hotspot. CONCLUSION This study provides a robust phylogenetic framework to address important historical questions for Eugenia s.l. within an evolutionary context, supporting the need for better taxonomic study of one of the largest genera in the Neotropics. Furthermore, valuable insight is offered into diversification and biome shifts of plant species in the highly environmentally impacted Atlantic forest of South America. Evidence is presented that climate stability in the south-eastern Atlantic forest during the Quaternary contributed to the highest levels of plant diversity in this region that acted as a refugium.
Extracted carbon and Canada’s international trade in fossil fuels

Abstract This study re-examines Canada’s contribution to global climate change by looking at the extracted carbon—the total amount of fossil fuels removed from Canadian soil that ends up in the atmosphere—whether used for domestic purposes or combusted elsewhere. The paper estimates a supply-side carbon budget for extracted carbon based on Canada’s share of global fossil-fuel reserves. Finally, the paper considers the incremental emissions potential of proposed new bitumen pipelines and liquefied natural gas facilities.
Common neurological co-morbidities in autism spectrum disorders

Purpose of review Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders associated with various co-morbidities. Neurological co-morbidities include motor impairments, epilepsy, and sleep dysfunction. These impairments have been receiving more attention recently, perhaps because of their significant impact on the behavior and cognitive function of children with ASDs. Here, we review the epidemiology, etiology, and clinical approach to these neurological co-morbidities and highlight future research directions. Recent findings Motor impairments include stereotypies, motor delays, and deficits, such as dyspraxia, incoordination, and gait problems. Sleep dysfunction typically presents as difficulty with sleep onset and prolonged awakenings during the night. Recent data suggest that abnormalities in melatonin may affect sleep and may be a potential treatment target. There is no classic epilepsy syndrome associated with ASDs. Intellectual disability, syndromic autism, and female sex are specific risk factors. Recent research has focused on identifying the overlapping pathways between these neurological co-morbidities and the core deficits in ASDs, which may have direct and powerful implications for treatment and prognosis. Summary Motor impairment, epilepsy, and sleep dysfunction are common neurological co-morbidities in ASDs. Clinicians should be aware that recognition and treatment of these issues may improve the function and outcome of children with ASDs.
Estimating earnings returns to vocational qualifications using administrative data

In this paper we update the findings from Buscha and Urwin (2013), estimating separately the (i) earnings, (ii) employment probability and (iii) probability of being on active benefits, for those who achieve their highest learning aim whilst studying at an English Further Education Institution (FEI), relative to those who have the same highest learning aim, but do not achieve. Estimates are obtained using the 2002-2012 ILR-WPLS administrative dataset, and the findings provide a robust estimate of the value added from each qualification, when held as an individual’s highest
Factors delaying hospital arrival after acute stroke in southern Taiwan.

BACKGROUND Acute stroke management emphasizes prompt recognition of symptoms and early medical attention. The effectiveness of stroke treatment is highly dependent on amount of time lapsed between onset of symptoms and treatment. In this study, factors that delayed seeking medical attention after stroke in southern Taiwan were explored. METHODS This was a prospective one-center study in which information was collected from patients who arrived at the emergency department of the study hospital within 48 hours after stroke onset. All the data were categorized into arrival time less than 2 hours (T < 2 hours) and from 2 to 48 hours (T = 2-48 hours) after stroke onset. RESULTS There were 789 stroke patients screened and 197 (25%) of them fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Among the 197 patients, 52 (26%) arrived at the study hospital within 2 hours of stroke (median, 75 minutes) and 145 (74%) arrived between 2-48 hours (median, 575 minutes). Among patients with T = 2-48 hours, 47 (24%) patients initially sought medical attention at other hospitals or clinics within 2 hours. The factors associated with T = 2-48 hours included interhospital transfer, location of stroke onset, first aid at outpatient clinic, and lack of awareness of emergent medical help for stroke. CONCLUSION Significant prehospital delays for stroke patients exist in Taiwan. The implementation of well designed, effective public health programs, coordination of stroke centers within the community hospitals, and effective emergent medical service system are needed to minimize the time to evaluation and treatment of stroke. Because of the high population density and the high incidence of stroke in Taiwan, the programs mentioned above could have a major impact on improving the care of stroke patients.
Efficacy of newer medications for lower urinary tract symptoms attributed to benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review

Abstract We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of newer drugs used to treat lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The drugs were either Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or not FDA approved for BPH but have been evaluated for treatment of BPH since 2008. We searched bibliographic databases through September 2017. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) lasting one month or longer published in English. Outcomes of interest were LUTS assessed by validated measures. Efficacy was interpreted using established thresholds indicating clinical significance that identified the minimal detectable difference. Twenty-three unique, generally short-term, RCTs evaluating over 9000 participants were identified. Alpha-blocker silodosin and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor tadalafil were more effective than placebo in improving LUTS (moderate strength evidence) but these drugs had more adverse effects, including abnormal ejaculation (silodosin). Anticholinergics were only effective versus placebo when combined with an alpha-blocker. Evidence was generally low strength or insufficient for other drugs. Evidence was insufficient to assess long-term efficacy, prevention of symptom progression, need for surgical intervention, or long-term adverse effects. Longer trials are needed to assess the effect of these therapies on response rates using established minimal detectable difference thresholds, disease progression, and harms.
Incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage: role of region, year, and rate of computed tomography: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has been estimated for many years at 10 to 15 per 100 000 person-years, but the most recent studies yield lower figures, of 6 to 8 per 100 000 person-years. To investigate the cause of this apparent decline, we studied the influence of year to study, rate of CT,and region. RESULTS Eighteen studies fulfilled predefined inclusion criteria. In three Finnish studies, the pooled incidence was 21.4 per 100 000 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI], 19.5 to 23.4); in 15 non-Finnish studies, it was 7.8 per 100 000 person-years (95% CI, 7.2 to 8.4). With univariate analysis, in non-Finnish studies the incidence decreased . 96% for each percentage point increase of patients investigated with CT (rate ratio, -0.9904; 95% CI, 0.9878 to 0.9930). With 100% CT scanning, the incidence of SAH outside Finland is estimated at 6 per 100 000 person-years. The rate ratio for year of study was 0.952 (95% CI, 0.935 to 0.969) for each later year in the period 1960 to 1994. In multivariate analysis, only the use of CT was independently related to SAH incidence. For the Finnish studies, the rate ratios for use of CT and year to study were not statistically significant. We also found in six studies that incidence for women was 1.6 (95% CI, 1.1 to 2.3) times higher than that for men (7.1 [95% CI, 5.4 to 8.7] and 4.5 [95% CI, 3.1 to 5.8], respectively). CONCLUSIONS The actual incidence of SAH has remained stable over the last three decades; the apparent decline in incidence is entirely explained by the greater proportion of patients investigated with CT. The incidence of SAH in Finland is almost three times as high as in other parts of the world.
High frequency stimulation of the mamillothalamic tract for the treatment of resistant seizures associated with hypothalamic hamartoma

We investigate the clinical outcome from stimulation of the mamillothalamic tract in two patients with intractable epilepsy secondary to hypothalamic hamartomas. One patient has a left‐sided and the other a right‐sided tumor. Both patients presented with a history of gelastic and complex partial seizures resistant to multiple antiepileptic drugs. Both patients underwent insertion of a single deep brain‐stimulating electrode ipsilateral to the site of the tumor, lying adjacent to the mamillothalamic tract. Postoperatively they both had a significant reduction in seizure frequency, with one patient being seizure free for the last 10 months. An improvement in mood was reported by the patient’s primary carers and demonstrated on quality of life questionnaires.