Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serology of capsulated streptococci pathogenic for pigs: six new serotypes of Streptococcus suis

A total of 138 capsulated strains of streptococci were isolated from pigs with various infections, notably septicemia and bronchopneumonia. Biochemically all strains were similar, and 31 strains were serologically identical to the previously described groups R, S, and RS streptococci, provisionally designated Streptococcus suis types 1, 2, and 1/2 by Elliot. The remaining 107 strains could be divided into six new capsular serotypes of S. suis.
Isolation and Immunochemical Study of a Soluble Cerebellar Lectin Delineating Its Structure and Function

Abstract: A procedure of sequential extractions of cerebellar tissue was set up, which allowed specific solubilization of endogenous lectins by mannose. Two cerebellar soluble lectins, CSL1 (Mr= 33,000) and CSL2 (Mr= 31,500), were isolated. They appeared to consist of structurally and immunologically related polypeptides chains. By immunoaffinity, another minor component (Mr= 45,000) was isolated. Immunological studies suggested that the minor component is the precursor of the two other, i.e., CSL1 and CSL2, subunits. CSL1 (mainly lysosomal) possesses an additional peptide compared with CSL2 (mainly cytoplasmic and extracellular), which seems to be implicated in the signal for secretion and release.
Frequency and Risk Factors of Cognizable Physical Violence by Intimate Partner Against Women Seeking Medical Care at a Tertiary Care Centre , Karachi

Objective: To determine the cognizable frequency of physical violence by intimate partners against women seeking medical care at a tertiary care center, Karachi. Methods: A hospital based cross sectional survey was conducted at a medical care emergency of a tertiary care center, Karachi. The sample size was 345. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was used for selecting the study subject. A Performa was used to collect the information directly through recorded data and interviews. Written informed consent was obtained from each participant. Data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS software version 15. Means with standard deviation for numerical variables and proportions for categorical variables are presented. Chi square test was performed for association of education level and occupation with frequency of physical violence by intimate partners. Results: There were 345 cases reported during August 2014 to February 2015. Mean age ± SD was 33.50 ± 8.41 years and family income 1,855 ± 962 rupees per month. Cognizable physical violence was observed in 286 (77.7%) by intimate partners against women seeking medical care at a tertiary care center Karachi. Housewives were 271 (78.6%) seeking care for physical violence injury. Fractures were found in 226 (65.5%) women. There was no education in 46 (13.3%) and 5 year education was 191 (55.4%). The percentage of cognizable physical violence was 77.7%. Non-cognizable physical violence found higher among younger age group 24-36 years as compare to older women. Conclusion: The frequency of cognizable physical violence was two third by intimate partners against women seeking medical care in metropolis megacity, Karachi. Major risk factors found were age more than 36 years, housewives, low family income and only five years education.
Effects of Histamine on the Intensity-Response Function of the Electroretinographic b- and d-Waves in Dark Adapted Frog Eyes

It is known that histamine is neurotransmitter of the retinopetal axons that originate from the tuberomamillary nucleus of the posterior hypothalamus, but its role in visual information processing in the retina is not well understood. The aim of this study was to give insight into the significance that histamine has for the distal retina function revealed by electroretinogram (ERG). The effect of 5 M histamine on the intensity – response function of the b-wave (ON response) and d-wave (OFF response) of ERG was investigated in dark adapted perfused frog eyecup preparations. Perfusion with histamine caused a significant enhancement of the amplitude of both the ON and OFF responses over the entire intensity range studied in comparison with corresponding values obtained in the control experiments. The enhancing effect of histamine was more pronounced upon the OFF than ON response in the lower intensity range, where the responses were mediated by rods. The reverse was true for the higher intensity range, where the responses were cone-dominated. The b-wave V – log I function had a steeper slope and narrower dynamic range during histamine treatment. Histamine did not alter significantly the relative sensitivity of the ON response, while it significantly increased the relative sensitivity of the OFF response. The present results clearly demonstrate that histamine has a significant effect on the intensity-response function of frog ERG b- and d-waves. This effect shows some ON/OFF asymmetries in dependence of the photoreceptor input.
Clues to early Alzheimer dementia in the outpatient setting.

BACKGROUND As the elderly population booms and the prevalence of dementia soars, it becomes imperative that primary care physicians recognize early dementia within their own practices. Early recognition and diagnosis of dementia will allow appropriate intervention and treatment to improve morbidity. OBJECTIVE To examine the most common symptoms associated with early Alzheimer disease (AD), as presented by patients and their families, and to compare these with the recommendations of the "7-Minute Screen" by Solomon et al for the identification of AD and the recommendations of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) for the early recognition of dementia. METHODS A retrospective medical record review was conducted in an outpatient referral population within 2 geriatric evaluation centers. Patient medical record selection was based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria for AD, a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 23 or higher, a Geriatric Depression Scale score of less than 5, age above 60 years, and at least an eighth-grade level of education. RESULTS From 1025 medical records reviewed, 50 patients were chosen who fulfilled all inclusion criteria. Forty patients (80%) missed at least 2, if not all 3, recall items on the MMSE. Thirty patients (60%) had difficulty managing finances and/or balancing a checkbook; 16 (32%) frequently repeated stories and statements; 15 (30%) became lost while driving; 10 (20%) frequently forgot the names of relatives; and 10 (20%) had poor judgment. These results demonstrated a high correlation with recall as a diagnostic factor in diagnosing early AD as found in the 7-Minute Screen. Moreover, these "clues" correlated well with the AHCPR's symptoms that indicate dementia. The symptoms specifically overlapped in the areas of learning and retaining new information (repetition), handling complex tasks (calculation), reasoning ability (judgment), and spatial ability and orientation (driving). CONCLUSIONS There may be a constellation of symptoms associated with early AD. This constellation includes missing recall items on the MMSE, difficulty in calculation, repetition, getting lost while driving, forgetting the names of relatives, and having poor judgment. Recall is the symptom most consistent with the findings of the 7-Minute Screen in diagnosing AD. However, repetition, calculation, judgment, and driving highly correlate with the AHCPR's dementia symptom checklist. Therefore, if primary care physicians keep this constellation of symptoms in mind while evaluating their geriatric population, they will have greater ability to suspect, diagnose, and treat AD at an early stage. Arch Fam Med. 2000;9:1066-1070
Ralstonia solanacearum, a widespread bacterial plant pathogen in the post-genomic era.

UNLABELLED Ralstonia solanacearum is a soil-borne bacterium causing the widespread disease known as bacterial wilt. Ralstonia solanacearum is also the causal agent of Moko disease of banana and brown rot of potato. Since the last R. solanacearum pathogen profile was published 10 years ago, studies concerning this plant pathogen have taken a genomic and post-genomic direction. This was pioneered by the first sequenced and annotated genome for a major plant bacterial pathogen and followed by many more genomes in subsequent years. All molecular features studied now have a genomic flavour. In the future, this will help in connecting the classical field of pathology and diversity studies with the gene content of specific strains. In this review, we summarize the recent research on this bacterial pathogen, including strain classification, host range, pathogenicity determinants, regulation of virulence genes, type III effector repertoire, effector-triggered immunity, plant signalling in response to R. solanacearum, as well as a review of different new pathosystems. TAXONOMY Bacteria; Proteobacteria; β subdivision; Ralstonia group; genus Ralstonia. DISEASE SYMPTOMS Ralstonia solanacearum is the agent of bacterial wilt of plants, characterized by a sudden wilt of the whole plant. Typically, stem cross-sections will ooze a slimy bacterial exudate. In the case of Moko disease of banana and brown rot of potato, there is also visible bacterial colonization of banana fruit and potato tuber. DISEASE CONTROL As a soil-borne pathogen, infected fields can rarely be reused, even after rotation with nonhost plants. The disease is controlled by the use of resistant and tolerant plant cultivars. The prevention of spread of the disease has been achieved, in some instances, by the application of strict prophylactic sanitation practices. USEFUL WEBSITES Stock centre: International Centre for Microbial Resources-French Collection for Plant-associated Bacteria CIRM-CFBP, IRHS UMR 1345 INRA-ACO-UA, 42 rue Georges Morel, 49070 Beaucouzé Cedex, France, http://www.angers-nantes.inra.fr/cfbp/. Ralstonia Genome browser: https://iant.toulouse. inra.fr/R.solanacearum. GMI1000 insertion mutant library: https://iant.toulouse. inra.fr/R.solanacearumGMI1000/GenomicResources. MaGe Genome Browser: https://www.genoscope. cns.fr/agc/microscope/mage/viewer.php?
Characterisation of cell–substrate interactions between Schwann cells and three‐dimensional fibrin hydrogels containing orientated nanofibre topographical cues

The generation of complex three‐dimensional bioengineered scaffolds that are capable of mimicking the molecular and topographical cues of the extracellular matrix found in native tissues is a field of expanding research. The systematic development of such scaffolds requires the characterisation of cell behaviour in response to the individual components of the scaffold. In the present investigation, we studied cell–substrate interactions between purified populations of Schwann cells and three‐dimensional fibrin hydrogel scaffolds, in the presence or absence of multiple layers of highly orientated electrospun polycaprolactone nanofibres. Embedded Schwann cells remained viable within the fibrin hydrogel for up to 7 days (the longest time studied); however, cell behaviour in the hydrogel was somewhat different to that observed on the two‐dimensional fibrin substrate: Schwann cells failed to proliferate in the fibrin hydrogel, whereas cell numbers increased steadily on the two‐dimensional fibrin substrate. Schwann cells within the fibrin hydrogel developed complex process branching patterns, but, when presented with orientated nanofibres, showed a strong tendency to redistribute themselves onto the nanofibres, where they extended long processes that followed the longitudinal orientation of the nanofibres. The process length along nanofibre‐containing fibrin hydrogel reached near‐maximal levels (for the present experimental conditions) as early as 1 day after culturing. The ability of this three‐dimensional, extracellular matrix‐mimicking scaffold to support Schwann cell survival and provide topographical cues for rapid process extension suggest that it may be an appropriate device design for the bridging of experimental lesions of the peripheral nervous system.
Localization and domain characterization of the SflA regulator of flagellar formation in Vibrio alginolyticus

Many swimming bacteria use flagella as locomotive organelles. The spatial and numerical regulation of flagellar biosynthesis differs by bacterial species. The marine bacteria Vibrio alginolyticus use a single polar flagellum whose number is regulated positively by FlhF and negatively by FlhG. Cells lacking FlhF and FlhG have no flagellum. The motility defect in an flhFG deletion was suppressed by a mutation in the sflA gene that resulted in the production of multiple, peritrichous flagella. SflA is a Vibrio‐specific protein. SlfA either facilitates flagellum growth at the cell pole or prevents flagellar formation on the cell body by an unknown mechanism. Fluorescent protein fusions to SflA localized to the cell pole in the presence of FlhF and FlhG, but exhibited both polar and lateral cell localization in ΔflhFG cells. Polar localization of SflA required the polar landmark protein HubP. Over‐expression of the C‐terminal region of SflA (SflAC) in ΔflhFG ΔsflA cells suppressed the lateral flagellar formation. Our results suggest that SflA localizes with the flagella and that SflAC represses the flagellar initiation in ΔflhFG strains. A model is presented where SflA inhibits lateral flagellar formation to facilitate single polar flagellum assembly in V. alginolyticus cells.
While hormone therapy unlikely harmful in younger postmenopausal women at low CV risk, protective effects cannot be claimed

Commentary on: Schierbeck LL, Rejnmark L, Tofteng CL, et al. Effect of hormone replacement therapy on cardiovascular events in recently postmenopausal women: randomised trial. BMJ 2012;345:e6409. [OpenUrl][1][Abstract/FREE Full Text][2] The last 10 years have clarified the issues regarding postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Prior to the large, randomised women's health initiative (WHI),1 observational studies had suggested a protective cardiovascular (CV) effect. The WHI showed no benefit, and increased thromboembolic and CV events in women taking HT. The WHI findings have been challenged because of the older age of the participants.2 A ‘critical timing’ hypothesis has been suggested to try to explain how the use of HT at the onset of menopause could be cardioprotective, whereas later initiation could cause adverse events.3– ,6 … [1]: {openurl}? query=rft.jtitle%253DBMJ%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1136%252Fbmj.e6409%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F23048011%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/ijlink? linkType=ABST&journalCode=bmj&resid=345/oct09_2/e6409&atom=%2Febmed%2F18%2F5%2F176.atom
The mental health of fire-fighters: An examination of the impact of repeated trauma exposure

Objective: Emergency workers, such as fire-fighters, are routinely exposed to potentially traumatic events. While a number of studies have examined the occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder, the role of multiple traumas on other mental health sequelae, such as depression and alcohol misuse, among emergency workers remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and alcohol misuse in a sample of current and retired fire-fighters and examine their relationship with cumulative trauma exposure. Method: A cross-sectional survey was completed by current (n = 488) and retired (n = 265) fire-fighters from Fire and Rescue New South Wales, Australia. Demographic and occupational information was collected, including the number of fatal incidents fire-fighters reported attending across years of service. Validated, self-report measures were used to determine probable caseness for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and heavy drinking. Results: Among current fire-fighters, rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression were 8% and 5%, respectively, while 4% reported consumption of more than 42 alcoholic drinks per week. Retired fire-fighters reported significantly greater levels of symptomatology, with the prevalence estimates of post-traumatic stress disorder at 18% (p = 0.001), depression at 18% (p < 0.001) and heavy drinking at 7%. There was a significant positive linear relationship between the number of fatal incidents attended and rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and heavy drinking. Conclusion: Fire-fighters suffer from high rates of mental disorders, with rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and heavy drinking continuing to rise in a linear manner with each additional trauma exposure. The level of psychiatric morbidity among retired fire-fighters appears to be particularly high. Our findings have important implications for the ongoing debates surrounding the detection of mental disorders in high-risk occupations and for policy considerations around the welfare of current and retired emergency workers.
Medicinal properties of substances occurring in higher basidiomycetes mushrooms: current perspectives (review).

The major cause of death in the Western countries is coronary artery disease. A primary risk factor is hypercholesterolelmia, which contributes to hardening of the arteries. In humans, 50% or more of the total cholesterol is derived from de novo synthesis (Rosenfeld, 1989; Steinberg et al., 1989). Clinical intervention studies have demonstrated the therapeutic importance of correcting the hypercholesterolemia. The initial step in lowering cholesterol is a special diet low in fat and saturated fatty acids and rich in crude fibers.
Sexually Transmitted Infections in Female Sex Workers in Five Border Provinces of Vietnam

Background: Although high prevalences of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been reported among female sex workers (FSWs) in some countries of Asia, there is little data about this issue in Vietnam. Goal: The goal of this study was to determine 1) the prevalence of selected STIs and correlates of chlamydia or gonococcal infection, and 2) contraceptive practices, STI-related symptoms, and healthcare-seeking behavior in FSWs in border provinces of Vietnam. Methods: Nine hundred eleven FSWs in five border provinces of Vietnam (Lai Chau, Quang Tri, Dong Thap, An Giang, and Kien Giang) were enrolled in a cross-sectional study between December 2002 and January 2003. Study subjects were interviewed about selected sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics, history of STIs, and information about cohabiting partners by a standard interview schedule. Serologic samples were collected for syphilis and urine specimens for gonorrhea and chlamydia. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine behavioral and other selected risk factors for gonorrhea/chlamydia among FSWs. Results: Overall, the prevalences of syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and gonorrhea/chlamydia among FSWs in the five border provinces were 10.7%, 10.7%, 11.9%, and 19.9%, respectively. The prevalence of gonorrhea/chlamydia was higher in the northern and central regions (27–33%) than in the southern region (11–24%). The prevalence of syphilis was low in Lai Chau (1%), but higher than 10% in the other four border provinces. Among FSWs with cohabiting partners, income ≤33 US$ per month (odds ratio [OR] = 5.8, P = 0.009), ever having worked outside Vietnam (OR = 78.2, P = 0.007), partner’s age <30 years (OR = 11.7, P = 0.001), and partner’s complaint of burning or pain during sex (OR = 15.6, P = 0.02) were significantly associated with gonorrhea/chlamydia. Among single FSWs, sex work <6 months (OR = 2.6, P <0.001) and ever douching in the last month (OR = 1.7, P = 0.026) were associated with gonorrhea/chlamydia. For all FSWs, a complaint of lower abdominal pain (OR = 1.6, P = 0.028) and sex work <6 months (OR = 2.3, P = 0.001) were significantly associated with gonorrhea/chlamydia. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of gonorrhea/chlamydia among FSWs in these border provinces of Vietnam. Correlates of gonorrhea/chlamydia identified in this study could be incorporated into treatment algorithms for cervicitis in FSWs in Vietnam.
How a Cost-Effective Social Media Plan Can Make a Difference for Small Businesses

Small businesses make a significant contribution to the economy of the United States as well as to the economies of states and cities. Latest estimates from the U.S. Small Business Administration indicate that small businesses employ approximately 57 percent of workers in the private sector and pay 44 percent of the U.S. payroll. Unfortunately, it is also true that only 50 percent of small businesses survive beyond five years. While there are many reasons for this disconcerting statistic, a major reason is a lack of marketing and communication efforts. Small businesses cannot afford to invest heavily in developing and implementing effective marketing and communication strategies; however, it is possible, with the help of digital communication tools such as social media, to develop costefficient yet effective marketing and communication strategies for small businesses. In this paper, I demonstrate how a small business can develop a cost-effective social media marketing plan to achieve its marketing and communication goals. A template for an implementable social media marketing plan is also presented.
A lunar effect on fertility.

Data from individual birth records for 140,000 live births occurring in New York City in 1968 provide evidence that the folkloric beliefs in the moon's influence on human reproduction found in many societies may have a factual basis. Records were arranged sequentially by day of occurrence and time series were constructed for total births and for 5 categories of spontaneous births: total, female, male, black, and white. A Fourier spectrum was calculated for each time series. Cross amplitude spectra were computed for 2 pairs of independent time series, male and female and black and white births, to minimize the effects of weekly variation, and cross correlations were calculated between a time series generated for the study a sine wave at exactly the frequency of the lunar cycle with its maximum value assigned to the 3rd quarter) and each of the other 6 series. A small but systematic variation of births over a period of 29.53 days, the length of the lunar cycle, with peak fertility at 3rd quarter, was found in the 4 independent time series and remained after weekly variation was removed. The finding itself provides little guidance as to the timing or nature of the moon's influence, but recent research suggests a connection between menstrual regularity and light. The timing of the fertility peak at 3rd quarter suggests that the period of decreasing illumination immediately after full moon may precipitate ovulation.