Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conversion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to the phenotype characteristic of strains from patients with cystic fibrosis

Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from cystic fibrosis patients are unusual; they are often susceptible to the bactericidal effect of human serum, have a rough lipopolysaccharide, and produce an exopolysaccharide that is responsible for the characteristic mucoid phenotype. In contrast, strains from the environment and from patients with other diseases usually have smooth lipopolysaccharide, do not produce very much mucoid exopolysaccharide, and are phenotypically nonmucoid. The predominance of mucoid strains of P. aeruginosa in infections of patients with cystic fibrosis has not been explained. In the lower airways, where P. aeruginosa persists in cystic fibrosis, nutrients for bacterial growth may be limited. We investigated whether growth of P. aeruginosa under conditions of suboptimal nutrition causes conversion to the characteristic cystic fibrosis phenotype. Ninety-two strains of P. aeruginosa were maintained for up to 90 days in a minimal medium with acetamide as the sole carbon source. In 56 (52%) of 107 cultures, isolates with rough lipopolysaccharide emerged, and in 20 (19%) of 104 nonmucoid cultures, mucoid isolates were recovered. Strains with rough lipopolysaccharide also were sensitive to the bactericidal effect of normal human serum. Under conditions of suboptimal nutrition in vitro, isolates of P. aeruginosa emerged that produced rough lipopolysaccharide and were mucoid, typical of many isolates from cystic fibrosis patients. This peculiar phenotype may arise as a consequence of nutritional limitation within the cystic fibrosis respiratory tract rather than from features unique to these strains of bacteria.
Ten-year follow-up of the first megatrial testing thrombolytic therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction: results of the Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Sopravvivenza nell'Infarto-1 study. The GISSI Investigators.

BACKGROUND We conducted a 10-year follow-up of the 11 712 patients with acute myocardial infarction randomized in the Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Sopravvivenza nell'Infarto-1 study, the first large trial assessing thrombolytic therapy. METHODS AND RESULTS Information on survival at 10 years was obtained for the 93% of all randomized patients through the census offices of their towns of residence. The difference in survival produced by streptokinase and sustained up to 1 year was still significant at 10 years (log-rank test, P=0.02), with the absolute benefit of 19 (95% CI 1 to 37) lives saved per 1000 patients treated. The time dependence of the extent of the benefit was confirmed, as the higher mortality rate reductions found in patients treated earlier were still present at 10 years. In the overall population, most of the benefit was obtained before hospital discharge (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.90), since no difference in survival between thrombolyzed and control patients discharged alive was found at 10 years (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.06). However, a slight albeit nonsignificant divergence of the survival curves of patients randomized within the first hour was observed [90 (95% CI 34 to 146) lives saved per 1000 at 10 years versus 72 (95% CI 37 to 107) lives saved at hospital discharge]. CONCLUSIONS The benefits of a single intravenous infusion of 1.5 million units of streptokinase in prolonging survival of patients with acute myocardial infarction is sustained up to 10 years, with a still-evident trend in favor of the patients admitted earlier.
Intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke in Asia

Data regarding thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke in Asia are scarce and only a small percentage of patients are thrombolysed. Clinical trials that led to the recommended dose of intravenously administered tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) included predominantly Caucasian patients. However, the single-arm case-controlled observational studies in Japanese patients suggested the clinical efficacy and safety of low-dose IV-tPA (0.6 mg/kg bodyweight; maximum 60 mg) comparable with standard dose (0.9 mg/kg bodyweight; maximum 90 mg). There has been no randomized clinical trial for determining the dose, efficacy or safety of IV-tPA in Asia. Accordingly, the dose of IV-tPA in Asia remains controversial. Reduced treatment cost, lower symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage risk and comparable efficacy encouraged many Asian centers to adopt low-dose or even variable-dose IV-tPA regimens. We present the current status of thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke in Asia.
Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase Gelatinases A and B by Cultured Epithelial Cells from Human Bronchial Explants*

To investigate the role of human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) in the maintenance and remodeling of the extracellular matrix, we evaluated the expression by HBECs of 72- and 92-kDa gelatinases under basal conditions and after exposure to bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Confluent HBECs from explants were cultured in plastic dishes coated with type I and III collagens. Gelatin zymography of HBEC-conditioned media showed constitutive major 92-kDa and minor 72-kDa gelatinases recognized by specific human antibodies and totally inhibited by the metalloproteinase inhibitor EDTA. The identification of the two matrix metalloproteinases was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Identical patterns of gelatinase expression were observed with repetitive primary cultures issued from the same explants. Zymography showed that exposure of HBECs to LPS induced 2- and 20-fold increases in 92-kDa gelatinase production and activation, respectively, as well as a smaller increase in activated 68-kDa gelatinase. With [3H]gelatin substrate, elevated metallogelatinolytic activity (138 μg of hydrolyzed gelatin/48 h/106 cells) was also observed, whereas no activity was detected in the absence of LPS. A human epithelial cell line (16HBE14o−) exhibited the same basal profile of gelatinase activity, but this profile remained unchanged after exposure to LPS. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction demonstrated only minimal changes in 92-kDa mRNA levels in response to LPS, but the half-life of 92-kDa gelatinase mRNA was increased with exposure to LPS. In contrast, concomitant slight increases in 72-kDa gelatinase protein and mRNA were found, suggesting that the control mechanisms regulating the expression of 92- and 72-kDa gelatinases by HBECs in response to LPS are divergent. All these data allowed us to propose that HBECs may be actively involved in the physiological and physiopathological remodeling of the airway basement membrane.
Management of interstitial lung disease associated with connective tissue disease

The lung is a common site of complications of systemic connective tissue disease (CTD), and lung involvement can present in several ways. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pulmonary hypertension are the most common lung manifestations in CTD. Although it is generally thought that interstitial lung disease develops later on in CTD it is often the initial presentation (“lung dominant” CTD). ILD can be present in most types of CTD, including rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis or dermatomyositis, Sjögren’s syndrome, and mixed connective tissue disease. Despite similarities in clinical and pathologic presentation, the prognosis and treatment of CTD associated ILD (CTD-ILD) can differ greatly from that of other forms of ILD, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) can present as a primary vasculopathy in pulmonary arterial hypertension or in association with ILD (PH-ILD). Therefore, detailed history, physical examination, targeted serologic testing, and, occasionally, lung biopsy are needed to diagnose CTD-ILD, whereas both non-invasive and invasive assessments of pulmonary hemodynamics are needed to diagnose pulmonary hypertension. Immunosuppression is the mainstay of treatment for ILD, although data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to support specific treatments are lacking. Furthermore, treatment strategies vary according to the clinical situation—for example, the treatment of a patient newly diagnosed as having CTD-ILD differs from that of someone with an acute exacerbation of the disease. Immunosuppression is indicated only in select cases of pulmonary arterial hypertension related to CTD; more commonly, selective pulmonary vasodilators are used. For both diseases, comorbidities such as sleep disordered breathing, symptoms of dyspnea, and cough should be evaluated and treated. Lung transplantation should be considered in patients with advanced disease but is not always feasible because of other manifestations of CTD and comorbidities. Clinical trials of novel therapies including immunosuppressive therapies are needed to inform best treatment strategies.
Development of a comprehensive reporting system for a school reform organization: The Accelerated Schools Project

Development of a Comprehensive Reporting System for a School Reform Organization: The Accelerated Schools Project. (December 2004) Jennifer Anne Stephens, B.A., University of North Texas Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Stephanie Knight Given the conflicting research results on the effectiveness of whole-school reform models (Nunnery, 1998; Stringfield & Herman, 1997; American Institutes for Research, 1999; U.S. Department of Education, 2004), there is a need to focus on the evaluation procedures of whole-school reform organizations. Because the ultimate goal is to improve school performance, it should also be a goal of each whole-school reform organization to design a comprehensive data collection system to evaluate each school’s performance. A comprehensive reporting system was developed for a school reform organization, the Accelerated Schools Project (ASP). Using the steps of the research and development process recommended by Borg and Gall (1989), this study: (a) developed a theoretical framework for the reporting system, (b) identified data that should be collected in the reporting system, (c) performed a field test with an expert panel of educational professionals, (d) developed a preliminary form of the reporting system, (e) performed a main field test with principals and coaches in the ASP network, (f) reported field test results, (g) revised the preliminary reporting system, (h) developed a website for the reporting system, and (i) provided recommendations for the completion, dissemination and implementation of the system in accelerated schools across the nation. This study has important implications for both the ASP community and for the entire whole-school reform community. For the ASP community, the reporting system could be used: (a) to collect data in all accelerated schools across the nation (b) as a longitudinal database of information to monitor data on each ASP school, and (c) to generate school summary reports on ASP schools. These data will assist researchers in
Perception of Personal Behavior of Facebook Users: A Study on the Students of Private Universities in Bangladesh

Access to Internet has increased the use of social networking sites like facebook in urban areas of Bangladesh. This has happened everywhere in the world with varying pace. In the last few years, facebook has earned immense popularity among students because of its easy method of use and free sign-up access. A total of 150 samples from five private universities were interviewed to understand the pattern of facebook use and perception of its influence on behavior of the users. The results showed that more than half of the student users kept awaking at night for longer hours which had confined them to a conditional and non-traditional life styles. They also felt inattentive to their class lectures and academic activities. Every three out of five students had considered some sort of impact on family and household work due to the use of facebook.
Biomarkers in sickle cell disease

More than 100 different blood and urine biomarkers have been described in sickle cell disease (SCD), with the number increasing rapidly as analytical techniques develop. Nearly all of these biomarkers are abnormal in the steady state, and become more so during complications. The range of abnormalities demonstrates the multisystem nature of SCD and the complex pathophysiology. Some biomarkers indicate damage to specific organs, such as urine albumin:creatinine ratio in nephropathy, whereas others indicate more systemic processes. Biomarkers have been useful in identifying various interrelated pathological mechanisms, including haemolysis, inflammation, hypercoagulability, oxidative stress, reperfusion injury, vasculopathy and endothelial dysfunction. However, most biomarkers correlate closely with other more routine measurements, and also with each other. It is not clear that any provide specific prognostic or clinical information beyond that given by the simple measurement of haemoglobin concentration. The identification of prognostically validated biomarkers in prospective clinical trials would be useful.
Reducing Parenting Stress in Families With Irritable Infants

Background: Caring for an infant with unexplained, persistent crying is one of the most stressful events for new parents. Infant irritability, also referred to as infantile colic, occurs in 10-25% of all infants and is the most common parental concern reported in the first year of life. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a home-based nursing intervention in reducing parenting stress in three groups of families with irritable infants, using data from a larger evaluation study. Methods: A two-site, randomized clinical trial was conducted with 121 infants and their parents. Infants were randomized to a treatment or a control group. A third group of infants (n = 43) was added as a posttest-only comparison. The level of parenting stress was measured by the Parenting Stress Index (PSI) at baseline, after the 4-week intervention, and at the 8-week follow-up visit. Results: A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the two groups across the three time points (baseline, immediately after the 4-week intervention, and at the 8-week follow-up visit). The results revealed a reduction in total parenting stress over time for both the treatment and control groups. Mothers in the treatment group reported reduced parenting stress on the parent-child dysfunctional interaction subscale (p = .04). Total parenting stress scores were found to be significantly higher for mothers in the posttest-only group (p = .009). Conclusion: Initial parenting stress levels were high in all participants. Parent feedback at the exit interview indicated that the nurse visits for data collection were also viewed as helpful in reducing the stress level associated with parenting these irritable infants. This home-based program was perceived as helpful in improving the interactions between parents and their irritable infants.
Formalizarea și standardizarea procesului de elaborare a politicilor publice la nivelul Guvernului în România

After 2005, the Romanian Government, through the General Secretariat of the Government, started a complex process for the development of a unitary and coherent legislative framework for reforming the public policy process of the public institutions from central level. This reform aimed to establish the institutions that would coordinate the public policy process, to develop the capacity of ministries to elaborate public policy documents, to create the rules and documents that would standardize this process, and, more difficult to achieve, to elaborate the budget of the ministries according the strategic objectives stated in the public policy documents. The article analyzes only two narrow aspects regarding this complex reforming process: (1) whether ministries use public policy documents to plan the strategies for addressing the issues from specific fields of activity, and (2) whether documents and rules that were newly established to ground a public policy are efficient in stimulating the ministries to prepare complex and detailed analyses that would contribute to identifying the best solutions for addressing the public problems. The article finds that, in general, the ministries do not use public policy documents to plan the strategic directions in their fields of activity, and that there is no uniform control over how ministries prepare the documents for grounding the public policy proposals and the drafts of policy regulations.
Chlorpropamide 2-hydroxylation is catalysed by CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 in vitro: chlorpropamide disposition is influenced by CYP2C9, but not by CYP2C19 genetic polymorphism.

AIMS We evaluated the involvement of cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms 2C9 and 2C19 in chlorpropamide 2-hydroxylation in vitro and in chlorpropamide disposition in vivo. METHODS To identify CYP isoforms(s) that catalyse 2-hydroxylation of chlorpropamide, the incubation studies were conducted using human liver microsomes and recombinant CYP isoforms. To evaluate whether genetic polymorphisms of CYP2C9 and/or CYP2C19 influence the disposition of chlorpropamide, a single oral dose of 250 mg chlorpropamide was administered to 21 healthy subjects pregenotyped for CYP2C9 and CYP2C19. RESULTS In human liver microsomal incubation studies, the formation of 2-hydroxychlorpropamide (2-OH-chlorpropamide), a major chlorpropamide metabolite in human, has been best described by a one-enzyme model with estimated K(m) and V(max) of 121.7 +/- 19.9 microm and 16.1 +/- 5.0 pmol min(-1) mg(-1) protein, respectively. In incubation studies using human recombinant CYP isoforms, however, 2-OH-chlorpropamide was formed by both CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 with similar intrinsic clearances (CYP2C9 vs. CYP2C19: 0.26 vs. 0.22 microl min(-1) nmol(-1) protein). Formation of 2-OH-chlorpropamide in human liver microsomes was significantly inhibited by sulfaphenazole, but not by S-mephenytoin, ketoconazole, quinidine, or furafylline. In in vivo clinical trials, eight subjects with the CYP2C9*1/*3 genotype exhibited significantly lower nonrenal clearance [*1/*3 vs.*1/*1: 1.8 +/- 0.2 vs. 2.4 +/- 0.1 ml h(-1) kg(-1), P < 0.05; 95% confidence interval (CI) on the difference 0.2, 1.0] and higher metabolic ratios (of chlorpropamide/2-OH-chlorpropamide in urine: *1/*3 vs.*1/*1: 1.01 +/- 0.19 vs. 0.56 +/- 0.08, P < 0.05; 95% CI on the difference - 0.9, - 0.1) than did 13 subjects with CYP2C9*1/*1 genotype. In contrast, no differences in chlorpropamide pharmacokinetics were observed for subjects with the CYP2C19 extensive metabolizer vs. poor metabolizer genotypes. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that chlorpropamide disposition is principally determined by CYP2C9 activity in vivo, although both CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 have a catalysing activity of chlorpropamide 2-hydroxylation pathway.
Inter-calibration of satellite passive microwave land observations from MWRI and AMSR-E over the bare soil and grassland

Evaluating and calibrating MWRI Tb record based on AMSR-E Tb record are very meaningful since these two sensors have similar configurations and the majority of geophysical algorithms have been developed based on AMSR-E Tb record. While previous studies are focus on the ocean and polar region ice sheet, this study aimed to evaluate and calibrate MWRI Tb record over bare soil and grassland and analyze the effects of these two land cover types on Tb record quality. The results show that the quality of MWRI Tb record over bare soil performance better than that over grassland and the quality at different frequency over bare soil is more stable than that over grassland. In summary, grassland had more significantly effects on MWRI Tb record than bare soil.
Widespread dissemination of a drug-susceptible strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

In New York City, a large proportion of new tuberculosis cases has been caused by 1 drug-susceptible strain (called C strain) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Between 1991 and 1994, among >600 tuberculosis patients consecutively identified in four large hospitals in the city, 54 with C strain, 69 with non-C cluster pattern strains, and 42 with noncluster pattern strains were studied. Susceptibility to reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI) of selected isolates was compared. In a case-control analysis, 51% of patients with C strain, 28% with non-C cluster strains (P < .05), and 14% with noncluster strains (P < .01) were found to be injection drug users. C strain but not 13 other unrelated isolates were resistant to RNI. Injection drug use may provide a selective pressure for an RNI-resistant tubercle bacillus to emerge, which may give the organism a biologic advantage and explain the widespread dissemination of C strain M. tuberculosis within the city.
E-Government with Big Data Enabled through Smartphone for Public Services: Possibilities and Challenges

ABSTRACT Big data shows great promise in public services to personalized e-government service delivery. Big data is a new generation of extracting value from a large volume of data sources with enabling high-velocity capture, analysis, and discovery for forecasting and better decision making. This article discusses the potential of big data application in e-government based on survey findings from smartphone habit as part of big data source. Data produced from smartphones usage is one of the main sources of big data. Online services can easily be accessed using smartphones, which support continuous engagement with citizens using e-government services. This study deployed quantitative survey findings from the smartphone habit of users in Brunei Darussalam. It presents an interpretative model that examines the important factors to consider big data in public services and discusses general challenges for integrating e-government services facing a big data era.
Trade and agriculture policy options to improve the wheat subsector in Afghanistan

Halimi, Ghulam Hazrat. Ph.D., Purdue University, May 2016. Trade and Agriculture Policy Options to Improve the Wheat Subsector in Afghanistan: Major Professor: Dr. Philip C. Abbott. In Afghanistan wheat availability is important for national food security as it is the key staple food, accounting for over half of calorie intake. The country has imported on average 32% of its wheat consumption over the period 2000-2015, primarily from Pakistan and Kazakhstan. Since domestic production is volatile, consumer well-being depends on access to international markets. Pakistan, a key supplier of wheat and flour to Afghanistan, has not been a reliable source for Afghanistan to meet its wheat deficit. Pakistan subsidizes and stabilizes its wheat production, and this benefited Afghan consumers before 2008. Pakistan restricted wheat and flour exports to Afghanistan during the 2007-08 food crisis. Pakistani export restrictions combined with a severe shortfall in domestic production placed substantial pressure on the Afghan grain market. This forced Afghanistan to find alternative suppliers, so it started wheat imports from Kazakhstan. Kazakh prices are more variable than Pakistani prices, and the Afghan wheat market was not as well integrated with Kazakhstan as with Pakistan. The increase in the wheat prices in Afghanistan in 2008 was much greater than the increase experienced in international and regional grain markets. Afghan policy responses have focused on self-sufficiency (which could bring greater instability) and stockpiling in commercial centers. In this research we assess the impacts of trade and stockholding policies on market outcomes in Afghanistan. Prior to assessing these stabilization policies, we use a VECM model to assess price transmission signals from regional to domestic markets, and between rural and urban areas in Afghanistan. Our analysis suggests domestic price adjustment occurs very slowly, particularly with respect to prices in Kazakhstan.