Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Environmental Contamination Prevalence, Antimicrobial Resistance and Molecular Characteristics of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus and Staphylococcus Epidermidis Isolated from Secondary Schools in Guangzhou, China

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE), the most prevalent causes of hospital-associated and community-associated infections, could exist on frequently touched surfaces. This study aims to determine the contamination prevalence and the characteristics of MRSA and MRSE isolated from secondary school environments. Methods: We collected environmental samples from ten secondary schools in Guangzhou city between October 2016 and January 2017. The samples were confirmed for MRSA and MRSE isolates by using biochemical tests and polymerase chain reactions. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing, toxin gene screening, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were performed to further characterize the isolates. Data were analyzed by two-sample proportion tests. Results: A total of 1830 environmental samples were collected. The prevalence of MRSA and MRSE contamination were 1.86% (34/1830) and 5.14% (94/1830), respectively. The proportions of multidrug resistance in both MRSA (58.82%) and MRSE (63.83%) isolates were high. Seven clonal complexes (CC) and 12 sequence types (ST) were identified, with the CC5 (35.29%) and ST45 (25.53%) being the most prevalent. We found that 44.12% of the MRSA isolates were community-acquired and the main type was ST45-SCCmec IV. We found that 5.88% and 32.35% of MRSA isolates were positive to Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (tst) gene, respectively. No MRSE isolate was positive to the toxin genes. Conclusion: Our findings raise potential public health concerns for environmental contamination of MRSA and MRSE in school environments. Surfaces of school environments may potentially provide a source for cross-contamination with these bacteria into the wider community.
Research on the Design and Automatic Recognition Algorithm of Subsidence Marks for Close-Range Photogrammetry

In China, traditional techniques for measuring structural subsidence cannot keep pace with the rapid development of critical national infrastructure such as the growing network of high-speed railways. Traditional monitoring methods using leveling instruments are inefficient and time consuming when monitoring structures like bridges and tunnels. Thus, a fast, economical, and more accurate and precise way to survey building subsidence is urgently needed to address this problem. This paper introduces a new close-range photogrammetry technique that deploys a fixed camera with tilt compensator to measure changes in height over small areas. A barcode subsidence mark that can be identified automatically during digital image processing replaces the leveling points used in traditional methods. Four experiments at different locations verified that results from the new method were stable and consistent with total station measurements. This approach is simple, inexpensive, and produces accurate and precise results as our evaluation results show.
THE 2013 HOEFER PRIZES FOR EXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE WRITING

Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA) is a technique for making long-term estimations of the maximum intensity of seismic ground motion expected at any location. While PSHA cannot be used to make short-term predictions about the timing of future earthquakes, it remains a valuable tool for civil engineering and disaster planning. PSHA methodology requires the development of three distinct models: (1) a physical earthquake source model, (2) a probabilistic earthquake recurrence model, (3) a geologic model used to quantify seismic wave propagation. The three models are then applied to compute the likelihood of strong ground motion. These models present a simplified perspective of the complex process of earthquake occurrence, introducing both bias and uncertainty into PSHA estimates. This review article outlines the basic techniques used in modern PSHA and discusses both its appropriate applications and fundamental limitations. By identifying the primary weaknesses in current methodology, this review provides direction for future research that will ultimately increase the value of PSHA to society. Introduction: The earthquake that the scientists should have predicted struck the city of L’Aquila, Italy on April 6, 2009. During the months preceding the magnitude 6.2 main shock, sequences of small earthquakes, or “seismic swarms,” repeatedly shook the region. Anxiety over these microseismic events compelled community leaders in L’Aquila to ask a team of prominent seismologists to determine whether or not a large earthquake was about to occur. The seismologists utilized a technique known as Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA) to
Magnetic Graphene Oxide Composite for the Microextraction and Determination of Benzophenones in Water Samples

Magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4) functionalized with graphene oxide (GO) have been synthesized through a silanization process of the magnetic nanoparticles with tetraethyl orthosilicate and (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane and further coupling of GO. The synthesized nanomaterials have been characterized by several techniques, such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and infrared and Raman spectroscopy, which enabled the evaluation of the different steps of the functionalization process. The hybrid nanomaterial has been employed for the extraction of five benzophenones (benzophenone-1, benzophenone-3, 4-hydroxybenzophenone, benzophenone-6 and benzophenone-8) in aqueous samples by dispersive micro-solid phase extraction, combining the magnetic properties of magnetite nanoparticles with the excellent sorption capacity of graphene oxide via hydrophobic interactions with the analytes. The subsequent separation and quantification of the analytes was performed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection, achieving limits of detection (LODs) in the range 2.5 to 8.2 μg·L−1, with relative standard deviations ranging from 1.3–9.8% and relative recovering in the range 86 to 105%. Positive swimming pool water samples analysed following the developed method revealed the presence of benzophenones in from 14.3 to 39 μg·L−1.
Stability Analysis of Stochastic Markovian Jump Neural Networks with Different Time Scales and Randomly Occurred Nonlinearities Based on Delay-Partitioning Projection Approach

In this paper, the mean square asymptotic stability of stochastic Markovian jump neural networks with different time scales and randomly occurred nonlinearities is investigated. In terms of linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach and delay-partitioning projection technique, delay-dependent stability criteria are derived for the considered neural networks for cases with or without the information of the delay rates via new Lyapunov-Krasovskii functionals. We also obtain that the thinner the delay is partitioned, the more obviously the conservatism can be reduced. An example with simulation results is given to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Endocrine-Related Cancer ( 2001 ) 8 249 – 258 mTOR , a novel target in breast cancer : the effect of CCI-779 , an mTOR inhibitor , in preclinical models of breast cancer

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a central regulator of G1 cell cycle protein synthesis that precedes commitment to normal cellular replication. We have studied the effect of cell cycle inhibitor-779 (CCI-779), a rapamycin ester that inhibits mTOR function, on the proliferation of a panel of breast cancer cell lines. Six of eight lines studied were sensitive (IC50 50 nM) and two lines were resistant (IC50>1.0 μM) to CCI-779. Sensitive lines were estrogen dependent (MCF-7, BT-474, T-47D), or lacked expression of the tumor suppressor PTEN (MDA-MB-468, BT-549), and/or overexpressed the Her-2/neu oncogene (SKBR-3, BT-474). Resistant lines (MDA-MB-435, MDA-MB-231) shared none of these properties. CCI-779 (50 nM) inhibited mTOR function in both a sensitive and a resistant line. In nu/nu mouse xenografts, CCI-779 inhibited growth of MDA-MB-468 (sensitive) but not MDA-MB-435 resistant tumors. Treatment of sensitive lines with CCI-779 resulted in a decrease in D-type cyclin and c-myc levels and an increase in p27 levels. There was good correlation between activation of the Akt pathway and sensitivity to CCI-779. Amplification of mTOR-regulated p70S6 kinase, which is downstream of Akt, may also have conferred CCI-779 sensitivity to MCF-7 cells. Taken together, the data suggest that mTOR may be a good target for breast cancer therapy, especially in tumors with Akt activation resulting from either growth factor dependency or loss of PTEN function. Endocrine-Related Cancer (2001) 8 249–258
Mixed Neuroendocrine Non-Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: A Systematic Review of a Controversial and Underestimated Diagnosis

Mixed neuroendocrine non-neuroendocrine neoplasms (MiNENs) represent a rare diagnosis of the gastro-entero-pancreatic tract. Evidence from the current literature regarding their epidemiology, biology, and management is of variable quality and conflicting. Based on available data, the MiNEN has an aggressive biological behaviour, mostly driven by its (often high-grade) neuroendocrine component, and a dismal prognosis. In most cases, the non-neuroendocrine component is of adenocarcinoma histology. Due to limitations in diagnostic methods and poor awareness within the scientific community, the incidence of MiNENs may be underestimated. In the absence of data from clinical trials, MiNENs are commonly treated according to the standard of care for pure neuroendocrine carcinomas or adenocarcinomas from the same sites of origin, based on the assumption of a biological similarity to their pure counterparts. However, little is known about the molecular aberrations of MiNENs, and their pathogenesis remains controversial; molecular/genetic studies conducted so far point towards a common monoclonal origin of the two components. In addition, mutations in tumour-associated genes, including TP53, BRAF, and KRAS, and microsatellite instability have emerged as potential drivers of MiNENs. This systematic review (91 full manuscripts or abstracts in English language) summarises the current reported literature on clinical, pathological, survival, and molecular/genetic data on MiNENs.
Genotyping and drug-resistance epidemiology of mycobacterium tuberculosis in Xuzhou, China.

BACKGROUND To explore the genetic diversity and drug resistance status of MTB in Xuzhou, China. METHODS A total of 325 clinical MTB strains were genotyped by spacer-oligonucleotide typing (spoligotyping) and mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit variable number of tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTR). Phenotypic resistance was assessed by drug susceptibility testing (DST). RESULT Based on the spoligotyping method, 325 MTB isolates were classified into 5 known genotypes and 12 unknown genotypes, and the largest branch comprised 268 strains belonging to the Beijing family. Based on the 15-loci VNTR typing method, 325 MTB isolates were divided into 35 clusters and 220 unique patterns. Compared to the low discriminatory power of spoligotyping genotyping (HGDI = 0.3444), 15-loci VNTR genotyping had a significantly higher discriminatory power for all strains (HGDI = 0.9980), particularly for the Beijing family strains (HGDI = 0.9892). When spoligotyping and 15-loci VNTR methods were used together, the discriminatory power increased to 0.9991. The Beijing family strain presented increased risks for developing multi-drug resistance TB (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The Beijing family isolates is the most prevalent strains in Xuzhou. Spoligotyping, in combination with 15-loci MIRU-VNTR, is useful for epidemiological analysis of MTB transmission in Xuzhou.
New strategies in ovarian cancer treatment

Insights from basic science dissecting carcinogenesis in the fallopian tube and ovary have led to a deeper understanding of the origin, molecular characteristics, and types of ovarian cancers. This logically then has led to the development of novel approaches to treat ovarian cancer. Increasingly, novel agents are being developed to target the different growth pathways. The identification of molecular markers associated with different histopathologies has resulted in newer clinical trial designs to capture both clinical and translational endpoints. Unique molecular characteristics in DNA damage and repair pathways and unique cell surface markers have driven new drug development, yielding promise for both patients with platinum‐sensitive and platinum‐resistant ovarian cancers. Specific examples described include the histology‐selective mutations, such as ARID1A in clear cell and endometrioid ovarian cancers; the rationale for using cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors when there already is a p53‐mediated loss of cell cycle checkpoint regulation or combinations of agents that will both induce neoantigen formation and unleash immune modulators; and techniques to enhance the therapeutic delivery of known agents. A systematic and thoughtful approach to combining agents in clinical trials is needed so that irrespective of the trial outcomes, the results inform both clinical and translational endpoints.
Stem Cells Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury: An Overview of Clinical Trials

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a traumatic lesion that causes disability with temporary or permanent sensory and/or motor deficits. The pharmacological approach still in use for the treatment of SCI involves the employment of corticosteroid drugs. However, SCI remains a very complex disorder that needs future studies to find effective pharmacological treatments. SCI actives a strong inflammatory response that induces a loss of neurons followed by a cascade of events that lead to further spinal cord damage. Many experimental studies demonstrate the therapeutic effect of stem cells in SCI due to their capacity to differentiate into neuronal cells and by releasing neurotrophic factors. Therefore, they appear to be a valid strategy to use in the field of regenerative medicine. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of clinical trials, recorded in clinical trial.gov during 2005–2019, aimed to evaluate the use of stem cell-based therapy in SCI. The results available thus far show the safety and efficacy of stem cell therapy in patients with SCI. However, future trials are needed to investigate the safety and efficacy of stem cell transplantation.
Clinical Neuropathology practice news 2-2014: ATRX, a new candidate biomarker in gliomas

Genome-wide molecular approaches have substantially elucidated molecular alterations and pathways involved in the oncogenesis of brain tumors. In gliomas, several molecular biomarkers including IDH mutation, 1p/19q co-deletion, and MGMT promotor methylation status have been introduced into neuropathological practice. Recently, mutations of the ATRX gene have been found in various subtypes and grades of gliomas and were shown to refine the prognosis of malignant gliomas in combination with IDH and 1p/19q status. Mutations of ATRX are associated with loss of nuclear ATRX protein expression, detectable by a commercially available antibody, thus turning ATRX into a promising prognostic candidate biomarker in the routine neuropathological setting.
METHOD FOR ANALYSING THE FUNCTIONALITY, RELIABILITY AND SENSITIVITY OF A MECHANISM BY COMBINED COMPUTER AIDED TOLERANCE ANALYSIS AND MULTI-BODY SYSTEMS SIMULATION - FUNCTIONALITY ANALYSIS WITH CAT AND MBS SIMULATION

The dominating paradigm in mass production is the minimisation of loss units, sometimes referred as the Six Sigma philosophy. This requires the management of the geometrical variation of a product caused by the design, manufacturing and assembly processes. The geometrical variation is also a source of malfunction in a product; the specification of geometry and tolerance variation therefore affects its manufacturing, assembly and behaviour. Traditionally, feedback from the outcome of these processes has controlled the design. The short lead-time and other requirements of mass production, however, require design methods with faster feedback. Simulation tools such as Computer Aided Tolerance analysis and Multi-Body Systems analysis provide designers with models that can be utilized for this purpose. The objective of this paper is to study the similarities of modelling components in Computer Aided Tolerancing (CAT) and Multi-Body System analysis (MBS). Based on the study, a general process model for concurrent utilisation of the tools in the design process is presented. The dimensional variation analysed by CAT predicts the tolerance level of Six Sigma limits. The variation of Six Sigma limits is utilised in the MBS analysis to predict the functional variation of a product. Finally, the behaviour of mass-produced products is predicted as a function of their tolerance limits.
Neurosensory and Sinus Evolution as Tyrannosauroid Dinosaurs Developed Giant Size: Insight from the Endocranial Anatomy of Bistahieversor sealeyi

Tyrannosaurus rex and other tyrannosaurid dinosaurs were apex predators during the latest Cretaceous, which combined giant size and advanced neurosensory systems. Computed tomography (CT) data have shown that tyrannosaurids had a trademark system of a large brain, large olfactory bulbs, elongate cochlear ducts, and expansive endocranial sinuses surrounding the brain and sense organs. Older, smaller tyrannosauroid relatives of tyrannosaurids developed some, but not all, of these features, raising the hypothesis that tyrannosaurid‐style brains evolved before the enlarged tyrannosaurid‐style sinuses, which might have developed only with large body size. This has been difficult to test, however, because little is known about the brains and sinuses of the first large‐bodied tyrannosauroids, which evolved prior to Tyrannosauridae. We here present the first CT data for one of these species, Bistahieversor sealeyi from New Mexico. Bistahieversor had a nearly identical brain and sinus system as tyrannosaurids like Tyrannosaurus, including a large brain, large olfactory bulbs, reduced cerebral hemispheres, and optic lobes, a small tab‐like flocculus, long and straight cochlear ducts, and voluminous sinuses that include a supraocciptal recess, subcondyar sinus, and an anterior tympanic recess that exits the braincase via a prootic fossa. When characters are plotted onto tyrannosauroid phylogeny, there is a two‐stage sequence in which features of the tyrannosaurid‐style brain evolved first (in smaller, nontyrannosaurid species like Timurlengia), followed by features of the tyrannosaurid‐style sinuses (in the first large‐bodied nontyrannosaurid tyrannosauroids like Bistahieversor). This suggests that the signature tyrannosaurid sinus system evolved in concert with large size, whereas the brain did not. Anat Rec, 303:1043–1059, 2020. © 2020 American Association for Anatomy
The Effect Of Chemotherapy On Malnutrition In Geriatric Group With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Results: The median follow-up time was 18.5 months. The median age was 74. The ECOG performance score of all patients was 0 or 1. 62.5% had liver metastasis, 26% had lung metastasis, 25% peritoneal metastasis, and 8% bone metastasis. It was determined that 17.3% of patients were malnurished, and 24.6% had a risk of malnutrition. 49.4% of patients with preCT weight loss have begun. The average weight loss before the first CT was 12.1%, and the incidence of malnutrition after one course of CT was 46.4% (p=0.001).
Monocyte-Derived Cells in Tissue-Resident Memory T Cell Formation

There is currently much interest in how different dendritic cell and macrophage populations contribute to T cell–mediated immunity. Although conventional dendritic cell subsets have received much attention for their role in T cell priming, there is emerging evidence for a role for monocyte-derived APC (MoAPC) in tissue-resident memory T cell (Trm) formation. Cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage play a key role in providing chemokines and cytokines for the localization, differentiation, and survival of Trm and Trm precursors. In addition, inflammatory MoAPC are the key providers of TNF superfamily costimulatory signals, a signal we refer to as signal 4 for T cell activation. Recent evidence suggests that signal 4 from MoAPC occurs postpriming and substantially increases Trm formation. Key questions remain, such as the Ag dependence of signal 4 and the specific mechanisms by which MoAPC–Trm interactions affect the long-term maintenance of Trm.
ATM Serine/Threonine Kinase and its Role in Pancreatic Risk

Next-generation sequencing has led to the recent discovery of several novel pancreatic cancer susceptibility genes. These genes include ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), a serine/threonine kinase that is an integral component of DNA repair. Pathogenic germline ATM variants are frequently identified in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) with and without a family history of the disease. Loss of ATM is also a frequent somatic event in the development of PDAC. These discoveries have advanced our understanding of the genetic basis of pancreatic cancer risk and will impact patient care through appropriate patient–risk stratification; personalized screening and early detection efforts; and, for some, targeted therapy.
The Emergence of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) as a Platform to Model Arrhythmogenic Diseases

There is a need for improved in vitro models of inherited cardiac diseases to better understand basic cellular and molecular mechanisms and advance drug development. Most of these diseases are associated with arrhythmias, as a result of mutations in ion channel or ion channel-modulatory proteins. Thus far, the electrophysiological phenotype of these mutations has been typically studied using transgenic animal models and heterologous expression systems. Although they have played a major role in advancing the understanding of the pathophysiology of arrhythmogenesis, more physiological and predictive preclinical models are necessary to optimize the treatment strategy for individual patients. Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) have generated much interest as an alternative tool to model arrhythmogenic diseases. They provide a unique opportunity to recapitulate the native-like environment required for mutated proteins to reproduce the human cellular disease phenotype. However, it is also important to recognize the limitations of this technology, specifically their fetal electrophysiological phenotype, which differentiates them from adult human myocytes. In this review, we provide an overview of the major inherited arrhythmogenic cardiac diseases modeled using hiPSC-CMs and for which the cellular disease phenotype has been somewhat characterized.