Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alternaria is an Infrequent Cause of Keratitis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Objective: To report a case of fungal keratitis caused by Alternaria in a 49-year-old female who developed an acute onset of eye infection after ocular trauma caused by an olive leaf. Methods: The clinical presentation, microbiological diagnosis, and therapeutic approaches are reported. Results: The patient was referred to our university hospital clinic with corneal abscess in her left eye. Before the start of an empirical antibacterial therapy (both topical and systemic), a swab of the cornea was obtained which at microscopic examination revealed a few fragments of hyphal elements, probably for the paucity of material collected. After one week, the corneal abscess had increased in size, and the corneal stroma was filled with filamentous structures similar to fungal hyphae. Oral and topical voriconazole was administered because of the clinical picture and the response of microbiological laboratory whose examination of the material removed from the anterior chamber showed numerous hyphal fragments identified by culture as Alternaria spp. The corneal abscess healed in two weeks, but the patient now has a corneal scar and is awaiting a corneal transplant. Conclusions: Ophthalmologists and microbiologists must take fungi into greater consideration as a possible cause of keratitis as they are emerging as the cause of this infectious disease in many countries. Voriconazole spreads well in the eye and is effective in the cure of fungal keratitis including those caused by Alternaria.
Agreement of Corneal Epithelial Profiles Produced by Automated Segmentation of SD-OCT Images Having Different Optical Resolutions

Objective: Using a custom-developed segmentation algorithm, agreement of corneal epithelial thickness profile measurements between two spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) systems was assessed. Methods: Eighteen left eyes (18 subjects; mean±standard deviation; age, 23.2±0.9 years) were imaged twice on nonconsecutive days by a custom-built ultra-high resolution OCT (UHR-OCT) system and a commercial RTVue OCT system. A segmentation algorithm based on axial gradient information and a shortest path search was developed to measure corneal epithelial thickness profiles from the SD-OCT images. Results: There was good correlation between the automated and manual segmentation positions of the epithelium. The epithelial thickness differences between automated and manual segmentations by the UHR-OCT and RTVue OCT systems were 0.4±0.3 &mgr;m and 1.1±0.5 &mgr;m, respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and coefficients of repeatability for repeated UHR-OCT measurements of epithelial thickness were 0.90±0.05 &mgr;m and 1.44±0.01 &mgr;m, respectively. For RTVue OCT, the ICCs and coefficients of repeatability were 0.88±0.04 &mgr;m and 2.16±0.01 &mgr;m, respectively. The epithelial thickness measured by RTVue OCT was 1.1±0.2 &mgr;m greater than that by UHR-OCT (P<0.05, paired t test), and ICC for the agreement between the 2 systems was 0.85±0.06. The average 95% limit of agreement was −1.67 to 3.79 &mgr;m. Conclusions: For images of different qualities from both SD-OCT systems, the custom-developed automated segmentation of the corneal epithelium had good repeatability for thickness profile measurements. The accurate and precise algorithm also demonstrated good agreement of epithelial thickness profile measurements between the two SD-OCT systems.
Compliance Study of Contact Lens Wearers in Japan, Part 1: Internet Survey of Actual Circumstances of Lens Use

Purpose: To conduct a survey of contact lens (CL) wearers who use their CLs with satisfaction in Japan and to establish the actual circumstances of CL use. Method: An Internet survey was conducted in 1,000 CL wearers in Japan with questionnaires concerning CL purchase/change, compliance with the duration of wear, and occurrence of complications of CL use. Results: Replies from 636 women (63.6%) and 364 men (36.4%) were received. The largest source of CL purchase was CL specialty stores (eyeglass chains, 41.3%). The most frequent CL types were 2-week frequent replacement (2WFR) soft CLs (SCLs) (32.1%), daily disposable (DD) (31.0%), and other lenses. The main determining factors of purchase were “price” (38.0%), “recommendation of a doctor/staff” (37.6%), and “comfort” (34.1%). The number of wearers who changed their CLs was 372 (37.2%), and the main reasons for change were “inexpensive” (34.9%) and “recommendation of a doctor/staff” (31.2%). In DD and 2WFR/planed replacement SCLs, 270 (42.7%) of 632 wearers were compliant with the recommended duration of use, and the remainder were self-identified as noncompliant. The main reason given for noncompliant behavior was “no harm in extending the duration of use” (60.3%). The number of wearers with eye complications related to lens was 373 (37.3%). Conclusions: The choice of CLs by wearers seems to be price driven rather than being safety focused. Despite being aware of noncompliant behaviors regarding CL use, there were many noncompliant wearers. Clearly, ophthalmologists, optometrists, CL manufacturers, and other CL-related practitioners should cooperate and better educate patients to promote the importance of compliance with safe lens use.
Predicting Risk of Habitat Conversion in Native Temperate Grasslands

Abstract: Native grasslands that support diverse populations of birds are being converted to cropland at an increasing rate in the Prairie Pothole Region of North America. Although limited funding is currently available to mitigate losses, accurate predictions of probability of conversion would increase the efficiency of conservation measures. We studied conversion of native grassland to cropland in the Missouri Coteau region of North and South Dakota (U.S.A.) during 1989–2003. We estimated the probability of conversion of native grassland to cropland with satellite imagery and logistic regression models that predicted risk of conversion and by comparing the overlap between areas of high biological value and areas most vulnerable to conversion. Annualized probability of conversion was 0.004, and 36,540 ha of native grassland were converted to cropland during the period of our study. Our predictive models fit the data and correctly predicted 70% of observed conversions of grassland. Probability of conversion varied spatially and was correlated with landscape features like amount of surrounding grassland, slope, and soil productivity. Tracts of high biological value were not always at high risk of conversion. We concluded the most biologically valuable areas that are most vulnerable to conversion should be prioritized for conservation. This approach can be applied broadly to other systems and offers great utility for implementing conservation in areas with spatially variable biological value and probability of conversion.
Waterborne human pathogenic viruses of public health concern

In recent years, the impending impact of waterborne pathogens on human health has become a growing concern. Drinking water and recreational exposure to polluted water have shown to be linked to viral infections, since viruses are shed in extremely high numbers in the faeces and vomit of infected individuals and are routinely introduced into the water environment. All of the identified pathogenic viruses that pose a significant public health threat in the water environment are transmitted via the faecal–oral route. This group, are collectively known as enteric viruses, and their possible health effects include gastroenteritis, paralysis, meningitis, hepatitis, respiratory illness and diarrhoea. This review addresses both past and recent investigations into viral contamination of surface waters, with emphasis on six types of potential waterborne human pathogenic viruses. In addition, the viral associated illnesses are outlined with reference to their pathogenesis and routes of transmission.
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) concentration in soil from San Luis Potosi, Mexico: levels and ecological and human health risk characterization

The aim of this study was to assess the levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in soils from the city of San Luis Potosi in Mexico and perform an ecological and human health risk characterization. In order to confirm the presence of PBDEs, outdoor surface soil samples were collected and the concentrations of PBDEs in urban, industrial, agricultural, and brick kiln industry areas were determined. The mean total PBDEs levels obtained in the study sites were 25.0 ± 39.5 μg/kg (geometric mean ± standard deviation) in the brick kiln industry zone; 34.5 ± 36.0 μg/kg in the urban zone; 8.00 ± 7.10 μg/kg in the industrial zone and 16.6 ± 15.3 μg/kg in the agricultural zone. The ecological and human health risk characterization showed relatively low-hazard quotient values. However, the moderately high PBDEs levels found in soils highlight the necessity to establish a systematic monitoring process for PBDEs in environmental and biological samples.
A Contemporary Assessment of Change in Humid Tropical Forests

Abstract: In recent decades the rate and geographic extent of land‐use and land‐cover change has increased throughout the world's humid tropical forests. The pan‐tropical geography of forest change is a challenge to assess, and improved estimates of the human footprint in the tropics are critical to understanding potential changes in biodiversity. We combined recently published and new satellite observations, along with images from Google Earth and a literature review, to estimate the contemporary global extent of deforestation, selective logging, and secondary regrowth in humid tropical forests. Roughly 1.4% of the biome was deforested between 2000 and 2005. As of 2005, about half of the humid tropical forest biome contained 50% or less tree cover. Although not directly comparable to deforestation, geographic estimates of selective logging indicate that at least 20% of the humid tropical forest biome was undergoing some level of timber harvesting between 2000 and 2005. Forest recovery estimates are even less certain, but a compilation of available reports suggests that at least 1.2% of the humid tropical forest biome was in some stage of long‐term secondary regrowth in 2000. Nearly 70% of the regrowth reports indicate forest regeneration in hilly, upland, and mountainous environments considered marginal for large‐scale agriculture and ranching. Our estimates of the human footprint are conservative because they do not resolve very small‐scale deforestation, low‐intensity logging, and unreported secondary regrowth, nor do they incorporate other impacts on tropical forest ecosystems, such as fire and hunting. Our results highlight the enormous geographic extent of forest change throughout the humid tropics and the considerable limitations of the science and technology available for such a synthesis.
Diacylglycerol Kinase ? Attenuates Pressure Overload-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy

Background The Gaq protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathway, which includes diacylglycerol (DAG) and protein kinase C (PKC), plays a critical role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. DAG kinase (DGK) phosphorylates DAG and controls cellular DAG levels, thus acting as a regulator of GPCR signaling. It has been previously reported that DGK inhibited GPCR agonist-induced activation of the DAG-PKC signaling and subsequent cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, so the purpose of this study was to examine whether DGK modifies the development of cardiac hypertrophy induced by pressure overload. Methods and Results Thoracic transverse aortic constriction (TAC) was created in transgenic mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of DGKξ (DGKξ-TG) and wild-type (WT) mice. Increases in heart weight at 4 weeks after TAC were attenuated in DGKξ-TG mice compared with WT mice. Increases in interventricular septal thickness, dilatation of the left ventricular cavity, and decreases in left ventricular systolic function in WT mice were observed with echocardiography at 4 weeks after TAC surgery. However, these structural and functional changes after TAC were attenuated in DGKξ-TG mice. In WT mice, cardiac fibrosis and up-regulation of profibrotic genes, such as transforming growth factor-β1, collagen type I, and collagen type III, were observed at 4 weeks after TAC. However, cardiac fibrosis and gene induction of type I and type III collagens, but not transforming growth factor-β1, were blocked in DGKξ-TG mice. Conclusion These results are the first in vivo evidence that DGKξ suppresses cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis and prevents impaired left ventricular systolic function caused by pressure overload. (Circ J 2007; 71: 276 - 282)
Deforestation and Avian Extinction on Tropical Landbridge Islands

Abstract: There are few empirical data, particularly collected simultaneously from multiple sites, on extinctions resulting from human‐driven land‐use change. Southeast Asia has the highest deforestation rate in the world, but the resulting losses of biological diversity remain poorly documented. Between November 2006 and March 2008, we conducted bird surveys on six landbridge islands in Malaysia and Indonesia. These islands were surveyed previously for birds in the early 1900s, when they were extensively forested. Our bird inventories of the islands were nearly complete, as indicated by sampling saturation curves and nonparametric true richness estimators. From zero (Pulau Malawali and Pulau Mantanani) to 15 (Pulau Bintan) diurnal resident landbird species were apparently extirpated since the early 1900s. Adding comparable but published extinction data from Singapore to our regression analyses, we found there were proportionally fewer forest bird extinctions in areas with greater remaining forest cover. Nevertheless, the statistical evidence to support this relationship was weak, owing to our unavoidably small sample size. Bird species that are restricted to the Indomalayan region, lay few eggs, are heavier, and occupy a narrower habitat breadth, were most vulnerable to extinction on Pulau Bintan. This was the only island where sufficient data existed to analyze the correlates of extinction. Forest preservation and restoration are needed on these islands to conserve the remaining forest avifauna. Our study of landbridge islands indicates that deforestation may increasingly threaten Southeast Asian biodiversity.
Validation of a questionnaire assessing food frequency and nutritional intake in Greek adolescents

The aim of the study was to develop and validate a specific semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire to assess nutritional intake of Greek adolescents. The sample of the study consisted of 250 pupils (15.3±0.7 years), who completed the Youth Adolescent Food Frequency Questionnaire enriched with 22 Greek foods and recipes to include ethnic and racial diversity. A 3-day weighed food recall was used as the criterion to test the validity of the questionnaire. The analysis of correlation revealed significant correlations between the two methods for almost all variables. The Pearson's coefficients ranged from 0.83 for energy intake to 0.34 for folate intake. Non-significant correlations were found for selenium and vitamin D intakes. The findings of the study provide evidence for the validity of the scale and its utility in assessing nutritional intake of Greek adolescents.
Occurrence of chloramphenicol, streptomycin and tetracycline residues in ultra-heat-treatment milk marketed in Turkey

Dairy cattle that have been treated with antibiotics produce milk containing antibiotic residues, which may lead to severe allergic reactions in sensitive consumers, culture failure and subsequent loss of product. The purpose of the present study was to determine the levels of tetracycline, streptomycin and chloramphenicol in ultra-heat-treatment milk samples by semi-quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. A total of 60 milk samples were analysed. For streptomycin and tetracycline, the concentrations found were below the maximum residue limits permitted by the European Union. There was a high incidence rate of chloramphenicol and tetracycline, with 28 milk samples (46.8%) and 40 milk samples (66.8%) being contaminated, respectively. Chloramphenicol levels in the samples appear a serious public health problem at the moment.
Prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade em escolares de uma escola pública de Florianópolis, Santa Catarina

OBJECTIVES: to determine overweight and obesity in school aged children between seven and nine years old in a public school in Florianopolis. METHODS: four hundred and nineteen children between seven and nine years old were surveyed, 215 (51.3%) males and 204 (48.79%) females. Overweight and obesity diagnostic criteria were determined by the cut-off points of body mass index (BMI). To determine prevalence difference the chi-square test was used. RESULTS: a 17.9% overweight prevalence was determined with higher prevalence in males (19.1) than in females (16.7%) and 6.7% of obesity with higher values for males (7.9%) than females (5.4%) although this difference is not statistically significant. There's a higher overweight prevalence in eight year olds (20.4%) and higher obesity prevalence in nine year olds (6.8%). Considering age group and gender the higher overweight prevalence was determined for eight year old females and obesity for seven year olds males. CONCLUSIONS: a high overweight and obesity prevalence was determined when compared to other national and international studies. These findings point towards the need of nutritional intervention measures aiming at the improvement of nutrition habits and nutritional status in the schools surveyed.
How Research‐Prioritization Exercises Affect Conservation Policy

Abstract: Conservation scientists are concerned about the apparent lack of impact their research is having on policy. By better aligning research with policy needs, conservation science might become more relevant to policy and increase its real‐world salience in the conservation of biological diversity. Consequently, some conservation scientists have embarked on a variety of exercises to identify research questions that, if answered, would provide the evidence base with which to develop and implement effective conservation policies. I synthesized two existing approaches to conceptualizing research impacts. One widely used approach classifies the impacts of research as conceptual, instrumental, and symbolic. Conceptual impacts occur when policy makers are sensitized to new issues and change their beliefs or thinking. Instrumental impacts arise when scientific research has a direct effect on policy decisions. The use of scientific research results to support established policy positions are symbolic impacts. The second approach classifies research issues according to whether scientific knowledge is developed fully and whether the policy issue has been articulated clearly. I believe exercises to identify important research questions have objectives of increasing the clarity of policy issues while strengthening science–policy interactions. This may facilitate the transmission of scientific knowledge to policy makers and, potentially, accelerate the development and implementation of effective conservation policy. Other, similar types of exercises might also be useful. For example, identification of visionary science questions independent of current policy needs, prioritization of best practices for transferring scientific knowledge to policy makers, and identification of questions about human values and their role in political processes could all help advance real‐world conservation science. It is crucial for conservation scientists to understand the wide variety of ways in which their research can affect policy and be improved systematically.
Pre-arthritis: a concept whose time has come

Josef S Smolen†, Daniel Aletaha, Klaus Machold, Valerie Nell, Kurt Redlich, Georg Schett, Tanja Stamm & Gunter Steiner †Author for correspondence Medical University of Vienna, Department of Rheumatology, Internal Medicine III, Waehringer Guertel 18–20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria Tel. : +43 1 404 004 300; Fax: +43 1 404 004 331; josef.smolen@wienkav.at ‘The time has come to make the topic of pre-arthritis a major item on the research agenda of the current decade. ’
Minerals, phytic acid and tannin contents of 18 fruits from the Brazilian savanna

The present study evaluated the nutritious potential of 18 fruits, all native of the Brazilian Cerrado biome. Mineral contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission; phytic acid and tannin contents by a colorimetric and titrimetric method, respectively; and the potential mineral bioavailability by the molar ratio of phytic acid/mineral. Baru nut showed the highest zinc, copper, iron, phosphorus and magnesium content, and, together with macaúba, showed also the highest calcium content and caloric value. Macaúba, pitomba, ingá and murici fruits were classified as a source of iron. The jatoba and baru nut had the highest concentration of phytic acid and tannins. The [phytic acid]/[iron] and [phytic acid]/[zinc] molar ratios were higher than the critical values (14 and 10, respectively) only in the baru nuts, which suggests that iron and zinc bioavailability is low in this nut. The [phytic acid]/[calcium] molar ratios were lower than the critical value (1.56) in all analyzed fruits, which suggests that calcium is bioavailable in the fruits.
Effects of whey protein supplement in the elderly submitted to resistance training: systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Aim: We performed a systematic review to map the evidence and analyze the effect of whey protein supplementation in the elderly submitted to resistance training. Methods: A comprehensive search on Medline, LILACS, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for relevant publications was conducted until August 2015. The terms used in the search were: “Resistance training”; “Whey protein”; “Elderly”. Results: A total of 632 studies were screened. Five studies were included composing a sample of 391 patients. The supplement whey protein was associated with higher total protein ingestion 9.40 (95% CI: 4.03–14.78), and with an average change in plasma leucine concentration. The supplementation was also associated with increased mixed muscle protein synthesis 1.26 (95% CI: 0.46–2.07) compared to the control group. Conclusion: We observed an increase in total protein intake, resulting in increased concentration of leucine and mixed muscle protein fractional synthesis rate.