Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis: a consequence of medical progress.

CONTEXT The global significance of infective endocarditis (IE) caused by Staphylococcus aureus is unknown. OBJECTIVES To document the international emergence of health care-associated S aureus IE and methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) IE and to evaluate regional variation in patients with S aureus IE. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Prospective observational cohort study set in 39 medical centers in 16 countries. Participants were a population of 1779 patients with definite IE as defined by Duke criteria who were enrolled in the International Collaboration on Endocarditis-Prospective Cohort Study from June 2000 to December 2003. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE In-hospital mortality. RESULTS S aureus was the most common pathogen among the 1779 cases of definite IE in the International Collaboration on Endocarditis Prospective-Cohort Study (558 patients, 31.4%). Health care-associated infection was the most common form of S aureus IE (218 patients, 39.1%), accounting for 25.9% (Australia/New Zealand) to 54.2% (Brazil) of cases. Most patients with health care-associated S aureus IE (131 patients, 60.1%) acquired the infection outside of the hospital. MRSA IE was more common in the United States (37.2%) and Brazil (37.5%) than in Europe/Middle East (23.7%) and Australia/New Zealand (15.5%, P<.001). Persistent bacteremia was independently associated with MRSA IE (odds ratio, 6.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.9-13.2). Patients in the United States were most likely to be hemodialysis dependent, to have diabetes, to have a presumed intravascular device source, to receive vancomycin, to be infected with MRSA, and to have persistent bacteremia (P<.001 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS S aureus is the leading cause of IE in many regions of the world. Characteristics of patients with S aureus IE vary significantly by region. Further studies are required to determine the causes of regional variation.
Effects of cold narcosis on memory acquisition, consolidation and retrieval in honeybees (Apis mellifera).

In learning and memory studies on honeybees (Apis mellifera), cold-induced narcosis has been widely used to temporarily immobilize honeybees. In this study, we investigated the effects of cold narcosis on the associative memories in honeybees by using the proboscis extension response (PER) paradigm. Severe impairments in memory acquisition was found when cold narcosis was performed 30 min, instead of 1 h before training. Locomotor activities were reduced when honeybees were tested 15 min, instead of 30 min after cold narcosis. These results indicate that cold narcosis impairs locomotor activities, as well as memory acquisition in a time-dependent manner, but by comparison no such effects on memory retrieval have yet been observed. [0].
Early onset gestational diabetes mellitus: A case report and importance of early screening

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy. Screening for GDM is usually done at 24–28 weeks of gestation. In this case, we report a 31–year-old woman who developed gestational diabetes at 6 weeks in two successive pregnancies. She was in the perceived high-risk group to develop gestational diabetes. The first pregnancy terminated in spontaneous abortion at 10 weeks. In the second pregnancy, institution of insulin therapy at diagnosis was associated with a successful outcome. This case highlights the need of screening for gestational diabetes at the first antenatal visit in the high-risk group.
A low-power 14-bit hybrid incremental sigma-delta/cyclic ADC for X-ray sensor array

This paper presents a column-level 14-bit two-stage analog-to-digital converter (ADC) based on pseudo-differential operational amplifier, which is designed for the readout circuit of X-ray sensor array. This low-power hybrid ADC employs an incremental sigma-delta ADC and a cyclic ADC, achieving a good trade-off between accuracy and conversion speed. The two stages share the same analog circuit to reduce area and power consumption. A test chip is fabricated in 0. 18μm CMOS technology. The hybrid ADC in each column is performed in parallel with power consumption of 218. 813μW. The simulation result reveals the effective number of bits (ENOB) is 13.775 bits.
Characterization of contractile and non‐contractile protein synthesis in the stomach, small and large intestine and caecum of the rat, and response to acute ethanol dosage

An investigation was made into the relative composition and synthesis rates of smooth muscle contractile proteins in vivo in different regions of the rat gastrointestinal tract. There was considerable homogeneity in the composition of sarcoplasmic proteins in the small bowel (i.e. 54‐58 mg/g) but considerable variability in the large bowel, i.e. highest in the caecum (97 mg/g) and lowest in the colon (21 mg/g). The myofibrillary protein concentration was constant throughout the gastrointestinal tract, i.e. 20‐34 mg/g. Stromal fractions varied from 6 to 39 mg/g and was highest in the cardiac region of the stomach and lowest in the duodenum. Fractional rates of protein synthesis were measured with a flooding dose of L‐[4‐3 H]phenylalanine. In control rats synthesis rates in sarcoplasmic protein fractions were relatively much higher (43‐107%/day) than myofibrillar (27‐52%/day) or stromal (6‐26%/day) proteins. Fractional rates of stromal protein synthesis showed the greatest variability while myofibrillar synthesis rates the least, throughout the alimentary tract. Jejunal seromuscular layer myofibrillar proteins had the highest synthesis rates (49%/day). In response to acute ethanol injection, protein synthesis in all jejunal fractions fell by 20‐30%. Contractile and non‐contractile proteins from the cardiac region of the stomach, duodenal seromuscular layer and large bowel seromuscular layer were insensitive to ethanol administration. Protein synthesis of sarcoplasmic proteins from the antrum, ileum seromuscular layer and myofibrillar proteins from the ileum seromuscular layer and caecum were also significantly depressed as a result of ethanol treatment.
The Prevention of Bile Duct Injury During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy From the Point of View of Anatomic Variation

The aim of this study was to evaluate ways to prevent bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with anomalous biliary tract anatomy. The biliary tract was studied using cholangiograms of 511 patients who had gallbladder disease and was dissected in 92 cadaveric specimens. The authors classified confluent forms of the cystic duct and the bile duct into five different types, including four anomalous types. Sixteen instances (3.13%) of anatomic variation of the biliary tract were found among the patients, and four cases (4.35%) were found in the cadavers. Among the 511 patients, there were 495 cases of type C anatomy, three cases of type A, seven cases of type R, six cases of type P, and zero cases of type L; among the 92 cadaveric specimens, there were 88 cases of type C anatomy, one case of type R, two cases of type P, and one case of type L. For anatomic types A, P, and R, there is a high probability of risk of cutting the wrong duct. Therefore, it is important to clarify the anatomy of the biliary tract by preoperative examination and to carefully dissect the cystic duct close to the neck of the gallbladder during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Anatomic variation of the biliary tract is common and can create a rare pitfall during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Mutation analysis in 36 unrelated Spanish subjects with familial hypercholesterolemia: Identification of 3 novel mutations in the LDL receptor gene

We used the single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) method to investigate 36 apparently unrelated Spanish patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) for mutations in the promoter region and the 18 exons and their flanking intron sequences of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene. Nineteen aberrant SSCP patterns were found, and the underlying mutations were characterized by DNA sequencing. In addition, we tested all patients for the presence of mutations in the gene coding for apolipoprotein B (apo B). Five missense mutations (Q71E, S156L, E256K, N543H and T705I), four nonsense mutations (W(‐18)X, E10X, Q133X and C255X), six frameshift mutations (211delG, 518delG, 1045delC, 2085del19, 2207insT and 2393del9) and five splicing mutations (313+1G‐>C, 1061‐8T‐>C, 1845+1G‐>C, 2140+5G‐>A and 2390‐1G‐>C) were identified in the LDLR gene. In total, we detected 20 mutations, 3 of which, designated 1045delC, 1845+1G‐>C and 2207insT, have not been previously described. Seven patients were found to carry two different mutations in the same allele: W(‐18)X and E256K (one patient), Q71E and 313+1G‐>C (two patients), 1061‐8T‐>C and T705I (two patients), 518delG and 2140+5G‐>A (one patient) and N543H and 2393del9 (one patient). As we expected, there is a broad spectrum of mutations in the LDLR gene, given the genetic heterogeneity of the Spanish population. Hum Mutat 15:483–484, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serum markers of apoptosis in the early period of heart transplantation

Context and objective: To assess the relationship between levels of serum markers of apoptosis and rejection grades in heart transplant (HTx). Materials and methods: A prospective study was conducted in 91 HTx. We correlated apoptosis markers and biopsy samples. The apoptosis markers were: TRAIL, TRAIL-R1, TRAIL-R2, TRAIL-R3, TRAIL-R4, sFas, sTNF-R1 and sTNF-R2. Results: The only significant correlation with rejection grade was sFas (r = 0.329; p = 0.005). Cyclosporine showed a proapoptotic effect (sTNF-R1 0.02 and sTNF-R2 0.02) and everolimus an antiapoptotic effect (sTNF-R1 r = −0.523; p = 0.0001 and sTNF-R2 r = −0.405; p = 0.0001). Conclusions: The utility of specific apoptosis markers in peripheral blood for diagnosis of acute cellular rejection is low. Everolimus may have an anti-apoptotic effect.
Response to: Oba, Y. and Lone, N. (2013) Efficacy and safety of roflumilast in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Ther Adv Respir Dis 7: 13–24.

http://tar.sagepub. com 247 In the February 2013 issue of Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease, we were pleased to see the article entitled ‘Efficacy and safety of roflumilast in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis’ [Oba and Lone, 2013]. This article is valuable for educating readers on the therapeutic benefits of roflumilast in reducing moderate-to-severe exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with chronic bronchitis and a history of exacerbations; in support of this, we would like the published information to be accurate and would like to suggest the following points for consideration.
Tobacco smoking among people living with a psychotic illness: The second Australian survey of psychosis

Objective: The aims of this study were to (a) describe patterns of tobacco smoking among Australians living with a psychotic illness and (b) explore the association between smoking and measures of psychopathology, psychiatric history, psychosocial functioning, physical health, substance use and demographic characteristics. Methods: Data were from 1812 participants in the 2010 Australian Survey of High Impact Psychosis. Participants were aged 18–64 years and resided in seven mental health catchment sites across five states of Australia. Bivariate statistics were used to compare smokers with non-smokers on the measures of interest, and to compare ICD-10 diagnostic categories on measures of smoking prevalence, nicotine addiction and quitting history. Multivariate logistic regression was used to test whether (a) demographics and psychiatric history were associated with having ever smoked and (b) whether symptoms and psychosocial functioning were independently associated with current smoking, after controlling for demographics, psychiatric history and substance use. Results: The prevalence of current tobacco smoking was 66.6% (72% of men and 59% of women); lifetime prevalence was 81%. In univariate analyses, individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were most likely to be smoking tobacco (70%) and were more nicotine dependent. Smokers reported worse perceived physical health, lower body mass index and waist circumference, and more lifetime medical conditions. A younger age of illness onset, male gender and low education were associated with having ever smoked. Associations with current smoking included low education, male gender, no formal employment, worse negative symptoms, higher daily caffeine consumption, and alcohol dependence and substance abuse/dependence. Conclusions: The prevalence of tobacco smoking is high amongst people with a psychotic disorder, and is associated with adverse mental health symptoms as well as high rates of other substance use, poorer subjective physical health, and a higher risk of the many known health consequences of smoking.
Real-World Data on Prognostic Factors for Overall Survival in EGFR Mutation-Positive Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with First-Line Gefitinib.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to identify independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring an activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and receiving gefitinib as first-line treatment in real-world practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS We enrolled 226 patients from June 2011 to May 2013. During this period, gefitinib was the only EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor reimbursed by the Bureau of National Health Insurance of Taiwan. RESULTS The median progression-free survival and median OS were 11.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.7-14.2) and 26.9 months (21.2-32.5), respectively. The Cox proportional hazards regression model revealed that postoperative recurrence, performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Grade [ECOG] ≥2), smoking index (≥20 pack-years), liver metastasis at initial diagnosis, and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were independent prognostic factors for OS (hazard ratio [95% CI] 0.3 [0.11-0.83], p = .02; 2.69 [1.60-4.51], p < .001; 1.92 [1.24-2.97], p = .003; 2.26 [1.34-3.82], p = .002; 3.38 [1.85-7.78], p < .001, respectively). However, brain metastasis (BM) at initial diagnosis or intracranial progression during gefitinib treatment had no impact on OS (1.266 [0.83-1.93], p = .275 and 0.75 [0.48-1.19], p = .211, respectively). CONCLUSION HCV infection, performance status (ECOG ≥2), newly diagnosed advanced NSCLC without prior operation, and liver metastasis predicted poor OS in EGFR mutation-positive advanced NSCLC patients treated with first-line gefitinib; however, neither BM at initial diagnosis nor intracranial progression during gefitinib treatment had an impact on OS. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The finding that chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection might predict poor overall survival (OS) in epidermal growth factor receptor mutation-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with first-line gefitinib may raise awareness of benefit from anti-HCV treatment in this patient population. Brain metastasis in the initial diagnosis or intracranial progression during gefitinib treatment is not a prognostic factor for OS. This study, which enrolled a real-world population of NSCLC patients, including sicker patients who were not eligible for a clinical trial, may have impact on guiding usual clinical practice.
The Interplay between p53 and p21 Tumor Suppressor Proteins in the Transformation of Colorectal Adenoma to Carcinoma

This study was carried out for evaluating the interplay of p53, p21 and Ki-67 proteins along the colorectal adenoma-carcinoma oncogenic transformation sequel. Therefore, Fifty colorectal cancer and 14 adenoma patients were involved. The histopathological expression of p53, p21 and Ki-67 proteins was evaluated by immunohistochemistry assay. The results revealed that remarkable overexpression of p53 protein was seen in the tumorous sections of cancer patients more than that in adenoma patients (p
Outer submucous plexus: An intrinsic nerve network involved in both secretory and motility processes in the intestine of large mammals and humans

The architecture of the enteric nerve networks in the gastrointestinal tract appears to be more complex in large mammals, including humans, than in small laboratory animals. At least two distinct ganglionic nerve plexuses could be identified in the submucous layer in the digestive tract of large mammals. While functionally and morphologically similar neuron populations are found in the intestinal wall of both small and large mammals, significant differences in their topographical organization and neurochemical features may be present. This short review clearly illustrates that the close and exclusive association, which has been assumed so far between the efferent pathways of the submucous plexus and regulation of intestinal secretion/absorption on the one hand and between the myenteric plexus and regulation of intestinal motility on the other hand, cannot be interpreted that strictly. An attempt has been made to give a briefoverview of the current status of the identification of distinct functional enteric neuronal classes in the gastrointestinal tract of large mammals using the pig and human intestine as references, and to compare these data with the more extensive information gathered from the guinea‐pig intestine. Anat Rec 262:71–78, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
EVALUATION OF BIOCHEMICAL AND SEROLOGICAL METHODS TO IDENTIFY AND CLUSTERING YEAST CELLS OF ORAL Candida SPECIES BY CHROMagar TEST, SDS-PAGE AND ELISA

The purpose of this work was to evaluate biochemical and serological methods to characterize and identify Candida species from the oral cavity. The strains used were five Candida species previously identified: C. albicans, C. guilliermondii, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei, C. tropicalis, and Kluyveromyces marxianus, as a negative control. The analyses were conducted through the SDS-PAGE associated with statistical analysis using software, chromogenic medium, and CHROMagar Candida (CA), as a differential medium for the isolation and presumptive identification of clinically important yeasts and an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA), using antisera produced against antigens from two C. albicans strains. This method enabled the screening of the three Candida species: C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. Krusei, with 100% of specificity. The ELISA using purified immunoglobulin G showed a high level of crossreaction against protein extracts of Candida species. The SDS-PAGE method allowed the clustering of species-specific isolates using the Simple Matching coefficient, S SM = 1.0. The protein profile analysis by SDS-PAGE increases what is known about the taxonomic relationships among oral yeasts. This methodology showed good reproducibility and allows collection of useful information for numerical analysis on information relevant to clinical application, and epidemiological and systematical studies.
Rapid single‐molecule imaging in cyclic olefin copolymer channels

Rapid preparation of high quality capture surfaces is a major challenge for surface‐based single‐molecule protein binding assays. Here we introduce a simple method to activate microfluidic chambers made from cyclic olefin copolymer for single‐molecule imaging with total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. We describe a surface coating protocol and demonstrate single‐molecule imaging in off‐the‐shelf microfluidic parts that can be activated for binding assays within a few minutes. As the first example, biotinylated protein directly captured on the neutravidin‐coated surface was detected using fluorescently labeled antibody. We then showed detection of a fusion construct containing green fluorescence protein and verified its single fluorophore behavior by observing stepwise photobleaching events. Finally, a target protein was identified in the crude cell lysate using antibody–sandwich complex formation. In all experiments, controls were completed to ensure that nonspecific binding to the surface was minimal. Based on our results, we conclude that the simple surface preparation described in this paper enables single‐molecule imaging assays without time‐consuming coating procedures. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:309–316, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pramipexole and pergolide in the treatment of depression in Parkinson's disease: a national multicentre prospective randomized study

An 8‐month multicentre prospective randomized study aimed at comparing the effects of dopamine receptor agonists pramipexole (PPX; Mirapexin®) and pergolide (PRG; Permax®) as add‐on to L‐dopa therapy on depression [Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)] in 41 non‐demented patients (25 men, 16 women) suffering from both mild or moderate depression and advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). The assessment was performed by a blinded independent observer. Motor symptoms (UPDRS III), motor complications (UPDRS IV), activities of daily living (UPDRS II and VI) and depressive symptoms as measured by Self – Rating Depression Scale by Zung were evaluated in an open‐label design.
Ultrastructural damage of the pulmonary endothelial cell after storage in lung preservation solutions. Comparison between Belzer and Euro-Collins solutions.

UNLABELLED The preservation of the lung for transplantation for a long period is still a problem not solved. Euro-Collins (EC) and Belzer (UW) solution are the most widely used. The aim of this work is to analyse the direct influence of both EC and UW solutions on endothelial cells of human pulmonary artery by means of an ultrastructural analysis. The arteries were obtained from 3 patients that underwent pneumonectomy and prepared with the no touch technique. The arteries were divided in 15 specimens and preserved in EC and UW solution at 4 degrees C for 6 and 10 hours. The specimens were fixed in osmic acid veronal buffer 1% and embedded in Durcupan. Ultrastructural examination was done with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the influence of the solutions was evaluated using a grading scale with scores ranging from 0 to 4 that express the damages of the cellular wall, mitochondria and nuclei. The data are expressed as mean +/- standard deviation (n = 5). Student's t-test was used for statistical comparison between the solutions. RESULTS after 6 hours of preservation in EC and UW the scores were 5.2 +/- 0.45 and 4.8 +/- 0.84 (p = 0.373) while after 10 hours were respectively 8.2 +/- 0.84 and 6.8 +/- 0.84 (p = 0.029). In conclusion our experimental model suggests that there are no significant differences between EC and UW after hypothermic 6 hours preservation while endothelial cells are better preserved after 10 hours in UW solution.