Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HCMV gB genotype and its association with cytokine levels in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND Glycoprotein B (gB) has been implicated in determining the pathogenicity and clinical outcomes of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) disease. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of gB genotypes in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and the relationship between it and cytokine levels in saliva and blood samples. The impact of these parameters on patients' survival was also investigated. METHODS Samples were obtained from 63 patients receiving an allo-HSCT. HCMV gB genotyping was carried out by multiplex nested PCR. The cytokine levels were assessed using ELISA assay. RESULTS A single or mixed genotype infection was detected in the saliva and blood of 36/63 and 52/63 subjects, respectively. Patients with gB2 in their saliva showed lower IL-10 levels in comparison with patients without gB2. Reduced blood levels of IFN-γ and IL-1β were also found in recipients with the HCMV gB4 genotype compared with patients without it. Decreased IL-1β and increased IL-10 blood levels were associated with lower survival. However, HCMV gB genotypes have no impact on patient outcome. CONCLUSION Decreased IL-1β and increased IL-10 levels in the blood are associated with lower survival. HCMV genotypes are associated with different cytokine levels in saliva and blood.
Novel Field Data on Phytoextraction: Pre-Cultivation With Salix Reduces Cadmium in Wheat Grains

Cadmium (Cd) is a health hazard, and up to 43% of human Cd intake comes from wheat products, since Cd accumulates in wheat grains. Salix spp. are high-accumulators of Cd and is suggested for Cd phytoextraction from agricultural soils. We demonstrate, in field, that Salix viminalis can remove Cd from agricultural soils and thereby reduce Cd accumulation in grains of wheat subsequently grown in a Salix-treated field. Four years of Salix cultivation reduce Cd concentration in the soil by up to 27% and in grains of the post-cultivated wheat by up to 33%. The higher the plant density of the Salix, the greater the Cd removal from the soil and the lower the Cd concentration in the grains of post-cultivated wheat, the Cd reduction remaining stable several years after Salix cultivation. The effect occurred in both sandy and clayey soil and in winter and spring bread wheat cultivars. Already one year of Salix cultivation significantly decrease Cd in post grown wheat grains. With this field experiment we have demonstrated that phytoextraction can reduce accumulation of a pollutant in post-cultivated wheat and that phytoextraction has no other observed effect on post-cultivated crops than reduced uptake of the removed pollutant.
Managers' Perceptions of Social Software Use in the Workplace: Identifying the Benefits of Social Software and Emerging Patterns of its Use

Adoption and use of social software within the organization is an area of interest for both industry and academia. Yet, studies examining how managers use these technologies and adapt them in their daily practice are very few. In this study, we interview selected managers, proficient with the use of such applications within the workplace. We explore their perspectives on the benefits of social software, and ways in which they use these tools within the workplace. Through in-depth analysis of semi-structured interviews, we identify information, communication, and organization benefits as the major benefits. Further, we identify emerging patterns in the social software behavior within the workplace such as managing of self-image, spatial, device, and temporal patterns in use.
A Non-coherent UWB Direct Chaotic Indoor Positioning System using Fuzzy Logic Algorithm

Location positioning of asset within a network is an attractive feature with various applications, especially in indoor environments. The conventional system like GPS can know the exact position in outdoor areas but is hard to apply in indoor environments because the GPS system is having some difficulties to measure precision distances in indoor areas. Such a demand is met by the standard task group, IEEE 802.15. 4a. Several methods, that is, pulse, chirp and chaotic communications have been proposed so far to satisfy the requirements of the standard. Among them, ultra wideband direct chaotic communications has advantageous features such as low hardware complexity, low cost, lower power consumption and flexible frequency band plan. In this paper, the feasibility of the ranging system using non-coherent chaotic transceiver is investigated by designing and implementing of the system. And their performance is proved by conducting location experiments where the fuzzy logic algorithm is applied to mitigate the NLOS error in real indoor environments.
From cellular receptors to transduction–transcription pathways for cytokines: at which level should the inhibition be targeted in inflammation?

An imbalance in cytokine homeostasis is considered to play a major part in the pathogenesis of immuno-inflammatory diseases. Since the identification and cloning of cytokines and their receptors, therapeutic approaches have been developed with the purpose of impeding the interaction between the ligand (cytokine) and its specific receptor, or interactions that involve the use of anti-inflammatory cytokines to switch off inflammation. Although some diseases have been treated successfully with cytokines or anticytokines (i.e., anti-TNF, and to a lesser extent recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist, in rheumatoid arthritis; IFN-β in multiple sclerosis), the fact remains that these therapies do not abrogate the concomitant use of steroids or immunosuppressive drugs, and that a significant percentage of patients do not respond to such therapies; these are important limitations. The identification of signalling pathways preferentially used in inflammatory conditions has boosted approaches that target these intracellular mechanisms. This review examines the different therapeutic approaches that may be considered for the treatment of immuno-inflammatory diseases, and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of targeting extracellular or intracellular mechanisms.
Coordinated replenishment with information sharing between two suppliers based on supply-hub

In assembly system, the backorder of any component not only delay the delivery of final products, but also make the inventory turnover of the matching components worse. In addition, that exerts negative influence to the operations of suppliers who are related with those matching components. All of that would incur extra holding cost. We study a suppliers coordinated replenishment policy, which based on milk runs with the supply-hub. Using that policy the total costs of supply chain can be optimized by reducing the extra holding cost, which happed in the manufacture process due to the shortage of component. Suppliers coordinated replenishment policy model is developed and compared with the traditional replenishment policy model in this paper. A numerical study is also presented to illustrate the effectiveness of this coordinated replenishment policy.
Defining the complications of cryoablation and radio frequency ablation of small renal tumors: a multi-institutional review.

PURPOSE Ablative treatments (cryoablation or radio frequency ablation) for renal cell carcinoma aim to decrease morbidity by treating renal tumors in situ, eliminating the need for extirpation. These technologies have potential for complications previously unassociated with renal tumor treatment. We identified complications associated with percutaneous and laparoscopic ablative treatment of renal tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS Groups at medical centers with reported experience with ablation of renal tumors were invited to participate in this study. Each group submitted retrospective data regarding overall ablative treatment experience and associated complications. For each incident the nature of the complication, its associated morbidity, the necessity and nature of any subsequent interventions, and the final patient outcome were evaluated. Complications were divided into minor and major categories. Data were collected from groups at 4 institutions with a combined experience of 271 cases. Of these cases 139 were cryoablation and 133 were radio frequency ablation. There were 181 procedures performed percutaneously and 90 performed laparoscopically. RESULTS A total of 30 complications occurred (11.1%) with 5 major (1.8%) and 25 minor (9.2%) complications, and 1 death (0.4%). Overall 26 of the 30 complications (86.7%) were directly attributable to the ablation procedure. The most common complication was pain or paraesthesia at the probe insertion site. CONCLUSIONS Ablation technologies appear to have a low complication profile when used to treat small renal tumors. The majority of complications are minor and require observation only. Further study and followup are necessary to determine long-term oncological efficacy.
Environmental and Antigen Receptor-Derived Signals Support Sustained Surveillance of the Lungs by Pathogen-Specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes

ABSTRACT Viral infections often gain access to the body of their host by exploiting areas of natural vulnerability, such as the semipermeable surfaces of mucosal tissues which are adapted for adsorption of nutrients and other diffusible molecules. Once the microbes have crossed the epithelial barrier, they can disperse to other tissues where eradication may not be possible. The best opportunity for successful immune intervention is immediately after infection while the pathogen is confined to a localized area of the body. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) which reside at the site where the infection begins can make an important contribution to immunity by reducing early dissemination of the infection. Because the lungs provide easy access points for many pathogens to enter the body, they require protection from many complementary mechanisms, including pathogen-specific cytotoxic T cells. In this study we show that an enduring response to pathogen-derived peptide antigens facilitates sustained surveillance of the lungs by pathogen-specific CTL during the recovery from influenza virus infection. Our studies show that these processed peptide antigens reinforce expression of two homing receptors (CD69 and CD103) which help recently activated virus-specific CTL colonize the lungs during a mild inflammatory response. We suggest that this requirement for prolonged antigen presentation to reinforce local CTL responses in the lungs explains why protective cellular immunity quickly declines following influenza virus infection and other viral infections that enter the body via mucosal tissues.
Intravenous injection of methylprednisolone reduces the incidence of postextubation stridor in intensive care unit patients*

Objective:To determine whether treatment with corticosteroids decreases the incidence of postextubation airway obstruction in an adult intensive care unit. Design:Clinical experiment. Setting:Adult medical and surgical intensive care unit of a teaching hospital. Patients:One hundred twenty-eight patients who were intubated for >24 hrs with a cuff leak volume <24% of tidal volume and met weaning criteria. Interventions:Patients were randomized into a placebo group (control, n = 43) receiving four injections of normal saline every 6 hrs, a 4INJ group (n = 42) receiving four injections of methylprednisolone sodium succinate, or a 1INJ group (n = 42) receiving one injection of the corticosteroid followed by three injections of normal saline. Cuff volume was assessed 1 hr after each injection, and extubation was performed 1 hr after the last injection. Postextubation stridor was confirmed by examination using bronchoscopy or laryngoscopy. Measurements and Main Results:The incidences of postextubation stridor were lower both in the 1INJ and the 4INJ groups than in the control group (11.6% and 7.1% vs. 30.2%, both p < .05), whereas there was no difference between the two treated groups (p = .46). The cuff leak volume increased after the second and fourth injection in the 4INJ group and after a second injection in the 1INJ group compared with the control group (both p < .05). Conclusions:A reduced cuff leak volume is a reliable indicator to identify patients at high risk to develop stridor. Treatment with a single or multiple injections of methylprednisolone can effectively reduce the occurrence of postextubation stridor.
Proton Spectroscopic Imaging Shows Abnormalities in Glial and Neuronal Cell Pools in Frontal Lobe Epilepsy

Summary: Purpose: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (1H MRSI) can lateralize the epileptogenic frontal lobe by detecting metabolic ratio abnormalities in frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE). We used 1H MRS to lateralize and localize the epileptogenic focus, and we also sought to characterize further the metabolic abnormality in FLE.
Entrepreneurship Development and its Impact on Small Scale BusinessEnterprises in Developing Countries: A Nigerian Experience

Entrepreneurship development and its impact on SMEs in developing countries; the study sets out to accomplish the objectives which were to: ascertain why Nigerian government ignored the human capital development of its citizens find out why Nigerian government silent on the misuse of public funds appropriated development of SMEs. The study used secondary sources. The findings were that: refusal to develop its citizens yielded huge idle fund. Section 308 of 1999 CFRN empowers the President or Vice President, Governor or Deputy Governor misuse it without consequence in law in Section 65 of 1999 CFRN-“up to at least school certificate or its equivalent” mediocre members of the National Assembly. Based on these findings the following recommendations were made that: Nigerian should be transformed into literate citizens to enable them become innovative entrepreneurs. The educational standard –for membership of National Assembly of Nigeria should read a good degree from a recognized university to qualify them as effective participants in global politics and economy. Every Nigerian in official or personal capacity should live under the Rule of Law.
Transient Ischemic Attack Versus Seizure: Use of Complete Blood Count Parameters for Differential Diagnosis.

INTRODUCTION Seizures are an important group of diagnoses in the differential evaluation of Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)because of their variable and temporary signs and symptoms. Physicians must frequently rule out TIA in asymptomatic patients with normal diagnostic neuroimaging. AIM The current study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Complete Blood Count (CBC) components in the differential diagnosis of TIA and seizures. MATERIALS AND METHODS Our study was a retrospective case-control study. Patients admitted to the Emergency Department (ED) and hospitalized with an initial diagnosis of TIA or seizure at the neurology clinic of Erzurum Ataturk University Training Hospital between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2014, were recruited for the study. Patients with inaccessible or missing data were excluded. RESULTS We identified 1,459 ED admissions that resulted in neurology clinic hospitalizations of patients with initial diagnoses of TIA (n=911) and seizure (n=420) over a 24-month time period. A total of 128 patients were excluded from the study. CONCLUSION We conclude that CBC may have a diagnostic value on TIA and seizure differentiation, but this is limited because of statistical and clinical incompatibility. Elevated White Blood Cells (WBC) values of seizure patients compared with TIA patients' may help clinicians at the preliminary phase of diagnostic studies. We conclude that age is a remarkable and valuable demographic parameter in addition to physical examination, laboratory and imaging studies.
Cervical Spine Dural Arteriovenous Fistula With Coexisting Spinal Radiculopial Artery Aneurysm Presenting as Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Case Report

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE We present a patient with a cervical spine dural arteriovenous fistula associated with a radiculopial artery aneurysm at the same vertebral level presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A 45-year-old Native American man presented with sudden-onset severe headache, lethargy, and right hemiparesis. Computed tomography (CT) of the head showed subarachnoid hemorrhage and hydrocephalus. A subsequent CT of the neck showed an anterior spinal subdural hematoma from C2 to C4 causing mild cord compression. Carotid and vertebral angiography failed to demonstrate an intracranial aneurysm, but showed a spinal dural arteriovenous fistula originating from the right vertebral artery at the C5 neuroforamen. The severity of the patient's symptoms, atypical for rupture of a dural arteriovenous fistula, prompted more thorough angiographic evaluation. Thus, injection of the right thyrocervical trunk was performed, demonstrating a 4-mm spinal radiculopial artery aneurysm. Following ventriculostomy, a hemilaminectomy from C4 to C7 was performed with disconnection of the fistula from its drainage system. Subsequent resection of the aneurysm, which was determined to be the cause of the hemorrhage, was accomplished. The patient improved neurologically and was discharged to rehabilitation. CONCLUSION Spinal cord aneurysms from a separate vascular distribution may coexist with spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas. In the setting of spinal hemorrhage, especially in situations with an atypical clinical presentation, comprehensive imaging is indicated to rule out such lesions.
A Prospective Trial of Fungal Colonization After Laser Resurfacing of the Face: Correlation Between Culture Positivity and Symptoms of Pruritus

BACKGROUND After full-face laser resurfacing of the face, patients often complain of pruritus, which may be intense. It has been suggested that some cases of postresurfacing pruritus may be associated with subclinical fungal infection. OBJECTIVE To determine whether intense pruritus after laser resurfacing of the face is correlated with simultaneous fungal growth of the treated skin. METHODS Twelve adult female patients undergoing combined full-face laser resurfacing with CO2 and erbium:YAG lasers for chronic photodamage or acne scarring were enrolled in a prospective study. Fungal cultures were obtained by swabbing the facial skin of each patient immediately before, 3 days after, and 6 days after the laser procedure. At the same points in time, investigators completed objective assessments of the patients' facial skin, and patients reported the sensations that they were experiencing. RESULTS Six patients (50%) complained of significant pruritus (3 or greater on a scale of 0 to 5). In four of the six cases (67%), at least one of the three fungal cultures obtained grew fungal organisms, including Candida albicans (2 cultures), Candida parapsilosis, Aureobasidium pullulans, and Fusarium species. In no instances did culture positivity occur in the absence of significant pruritus. A statistically significant relationship (P = 0.0143) was found to exist between at least one of the three cultures being positive and the emergence of significant posttreatment pruritus. Physician ratings of clinical signs did not correlate with patient reports of pruritus, other symptoms, or culture positivity. CONCLUSION Colonization or subclinical infection with fungi, particularly Candida spp. , may be associated with significant postlaser resurfacing pruritus. Antifungal prophylaxis may mitigate this discomfort. Further research is required to confirm and expand these results.
Terrestrial orchid conservation in the age of extinction.

BACKGROUND Conservation through reserves alone is now considered unlikely to achieve protection of plant species necessary to mitigate direct losses of habitat and the pervasive impact of global climate change. Assisted translocation/migration represent new challenges in the face of climate change; species, particularly orchids, will need artificial assistance to migrate from hostile environments, across ecological barriers (alienated lands such as farmlands and built infrastructure) to new climatically buffered sites. The technology and science to underpin assisted migration concepts are in their infancy for plants in general, and orchids, with their high degree of rarity, represent a particularly challenging group for which these principles need to be developed. It is likely that orchids, more than any other plant family, will be in the front-line of species to suffer large-scale extinction events as a result of climate change. SCOPE The South West Australian Floristic Region (SWAFR) is the only global biodiversity hotspot in Australia and represents an ideal test-bed for development of orchid conservation principles. Orchids comprise 6 % of all threatened vascular plants in the SWAFR, with 76 out of the 407 species known for the region having a high level of conservation risk. The situation in the SWAFR is a portent of the global crisis in terrestrial orchid conservation, and it is a region where innovative conservation solutions will be required if the impending wave of extinction is to be averted. Major threatening processes are varied, and include land clearance, salinity, burning, weed encroachment, disease and pests. This is compounded by highly specialized pollinators (locally endemic native invertebrates) and, in the most threatened groups such as hammer orchids (Drakaea) and spider orchids (Caladenia), high levels of mycorrhizal specialization. Management and development of effective conservation strategies for SWAFR orchids require a wide range of integrated scientific approaches to mitigate impacts that directly influence ecological traits critical for survival. CONCLUSIONS In response to threats to orchid species, integrated conservation approaches have been adopted (including ex situ and translocation principles) in the SWAFR with the result that a significant, multidisciplinary approach is under development to facilitate conservation of some of the most threatened taxa and build expertise to carry out assisted migration to new sites. Here the past two decades of orchid conservation research in the SWAFR and the role of research-based approaches for managing effective orchid conservation in a global biodiversity hotspot are reviewed.
Induction of c‐fos expression through JNK‐mediated TCF/Elk‐1 phosphorylation.

Growth factors induce c‐fos transcription by stimulating phosphorylation of transcription factor TCF/Elk‐1, which binds to the serum response element (SRE). Under such conditions Elk‐1 could be phosphorylated by the mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) ERK1 and ERK2. However, c‐fos transcription and SRE activity are also induced by stimuli, such as UV irradiation and activation of the protein kinase MEKK1, that cause only an insignificant increase in ERK1/2 activity. However, both of these stimuli strongly activate two other MAPKs, JNK1 and JNK2, and stimulate Elk‐1 transcriptional activity and phosphorylation. We find that the JNKs are the predominant Elk‐1 activation domain kinases in extracts of UV‐irradiated cells and that immunopurified JNK1/2 phosphorylate Elk‐1 on the same major sites recognized by ERK1/2, that potentiate its transcriptional activity. Finally, we show that UV irradiation, but not serum or phorbol esters, stimulate translocation of JNK1 to the nucleus. As Elk‐1 is most likely phosphorylated while bound to the c‐fos promoter, these results suggest that UV irradiation and MEKK1 activation stimulate TCF/Elk‐1 activity through JNK activation, while growth factors induce c‐fos through ERK activation.