Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic implications of bacteriologic findings in mixed aerobic-anaerobic infections

ASPIRATIONPNEUMONIA Aspiration pneumonia isthemostcommon hospital-acquired pneumonia andisrelatively common inthecommunity setting aswell. Itisalmost invariably amixedinfection involving various elements oftheoral flora and, attimes, the gastric flora aswell. Thegastric flora isdiscussed below. The normaloralflora consists ofvarious streptococci, chiefly species oftheviridans group,andavariety ofnonsporeforminganaerobes. Amongthelatter arevarious Bacteroides, Fusobacterium (especially Fusobacterium nucleatum), and Peptostreptococcus species. AmongtheBacteroides species encountered arethepigmented species, Bacteroides oris and B.buccae(formerly knownasB.ruminicola), theB.oralis group,theB.ureolyticus group,B.bivius, B.disiens and,to alimited extent, theB.fragilis group.Theterm"pigmented Bacteroides" isaconvenient way torefer tovarious species, atleast 13currently, originally allclassified asB.melaninogenicus andsubsequently asthree subspecies ofthat organism.Amongthemore commonlyencountered pigmented Bacteroides areB.melaninogenicus perse,B.asaccharolyticus, B.intermedius, B.gingivalis, B.loescheii, B.denticola, andB.endodontalis. Patients inthehospital setting, especially those receiving antimicrobial therapy, commonly undergo oralcolonization withnosocomial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus,various membersofthefamily Enterobacteriaceae, andPseudomonas species. Inthecase ofhospital-acquired
Peripheral, Central and Behavioral Responses to the Cuticular Pheromone Bouquet in Drosophila melanogaster Males

Pheromonal communication is crucial with regard to mate choice in many animals including insects. Drosophila melanogaster flies produce a pheromonal bouquet with many cuticular hydrocarbons some of which diverge between the sexes and differently affect male courtship behavior. Cuticular pheromones have a relatively high weight and are thought to be — mostly but not only — detected by gustatory contact. However, the response of the peripheral and central gustatory systems to these substances remains poorly explored. We measured the effect induced by pheromonal cuticular mixtures on (i) the electrophysiological response of peripheral gustatory receptor neurons, (ii) the calcium variation in brain centers receiving these gustatory inputs and (iii) the behavioral reaction induced in control males and in mutant desat1 males, which show abnormal pheromone production and perception. While male and female pheromones induced inhibitory-like effects on taste receptor neurons, the contact of male pheromones on male fore-tarsi elicits a long-lasting response of higher intensity in the dedicated gustatory brain center. We found that the behavior of control males was more strongly inhibited by male pheromones than by female pheromones, but this difference disappeared in anosmic males. Mutant desat1 males showed an increased sensitivity of their peripheral gustatory neurons to contact pheromones and a behavioral incapacity to discriminate sex pheromones. Together our data indicate that cuticular hydrocarbons induce long-lasting inhibitory effects on the relevant taste pathway which may interact with the olfactory pathway to modulate pheromonal perception.
Intestinal Tolerance Is Converted to Autoimmune Enteritis upon PD-1 Ligand Blockade1

The B7 family member programmed death-1 ligand (PD-L1) has been shown to play an inhibitory role in the regulation of T cell responses in several organs. However, the role of PD-L1 in regulating tolerance to self-Ags of the small intestine has not been previously addressed. In this study, we investigated the role of PD-L1 in CD8+ T cell tolerance to an intestinal epithelium-specific Ag using the iFABP-tOVA transgenic mouse model, in which OVA is expressed as a self-Ag throughout the small intestine. Using adoptive transfer of naive OVA-specific CD8+ T cells, we show that loss of PD-1:PD-L1 signaling, by either Ab-mediated PD-L1 blockade or transfer of PD-1−/− T cells, leads to considerable expansion of OVA-specific CD8+ T cells and their differentiation into effector cells capable of producing proinflammatory cytokines. A fatal CD8+ T cell-mediated inflammatory response develops rapidly against the small bowel causing destruction of the epithelial barrier, severe blunting of intestinal villi, and recruitment and activation of myeloid cells. This response is highly specific because immune destruction selectively targets the small intestine but not other organs. Collectively, these results indicate that loss of the PD-1:PD-L1 inhibitory pathway breaks CD8+ T cell tolerance to intestinal self-Ag, thus leading to severe enteric autoimmunity.
Abnormalities in Dynamic Brain Activity Caused by Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Are Partially Rescued by the Cannabinoid Type-2 Receptor Inverse Agonist SMM-189

Abstract Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) can cause severe long-term cognitive and emotional deficits, including impaired memory, depression, and persevering fear, but the neuropathological basis of these deficits is uncertain. As medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus play important roles in memory and emotion, we used multi-site, multi-electrode recordings of oscillatory neuronal activity in local field potentials (LFPs) in awake, head-fixed mice to determine if the functioning of these regions was abnormal after mTBI, using a closed-skull focal cranial blast model. We evaluated mPFC, hippocampus CA1, and primary somatosensory/visual cortical areas (S1/V1). Although mTBI did not alter the power of oscillations, it did cause increased coherence of θ (4-10 Hz) and β (10-30 Hz) oscillations within mPFC and S1/V1, reduced CA1 sharp-wave ripple (SWR)-evoked LFP activity in mPFC, downshifted SWR frequencies in CA1, and enhanced θ-γ phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) within mPFC. These abnormalities might be linked to the impaired memory, depression, and persevering fear seen after mTBI. Treatment with the cannabinoid type-2 (CB2) receptor inverse agonist SMM-189 has been shown to mitigate functional deficits and neuronal injury after mTBI in mice. We found that SMM-189 also reversed most of the observed neurophysiological abnormalities. This neurophysiological rescue is likely to stem from the previously reported reduction in neuron loss and/or the preservation of neuronal function and connectivity resulting from SMM-189 treatment, which appears to stem from the biasing of microglia from the proinflammatory M1 state to the prohealing M2 state by SMM-189.
Two new Cambodian semi-aquatic earthworms in the genus Glyphidrilus Horst, 1889 (Oligochaeta, Almidae), based on morphological and molecular data.

Combining morphological and molecular data is a powerful approach to support the discovery of new species. Here, two new species of the semi-aquatic earthworm genus Glyphidrilus, G. jamiesoni sp. n. and G. kralanhensis sp. n. , are described from the Mekong Basin in Cambodia. They are morphologically distinguished by the respective locations of wings and spermathecae; furthermore, G. kralanhensis sp. n. has three pairs of ovaries, probably an autapomorphic trait. In addition, two mitochondrial gene fragments (COI and 16s rRNA) were sequenced of types of the new species and of five further Glyphidrilus species described recently from the Mekong basin in Thailand and Laos. They revealed a high level of genetic divergence of the new species compared to the other earthworm taxa. The evolutionary relationships among the Mekong Glyphidrilus members is discussed with reference to the recent paleogeography of the Mekong River drainage.
Conversion from colonic or ileal conduit to continent cutaneous urinary diversion.

PURPOSE After ileal or colonic conduit diversion some patients, particularly adolescents, desire conversion to a continent diversion to improve quality of life. We report our long-term results on conversion from conduit diversion to continent cutaneous diversion. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between 1986 and 2001, 39 patients (mean age 24 years, range 6 to 49) underwent conversion from a colonic (21) or ileal conduit (18) to an ileocecal pouch (Mainz pouch I) with a mean followup of 102 months (range 18 to 192). Conversion was performed after a mean of 11 years (range 1 to 36) of conduit urinary diversion by incorporating the preexisting colonic/ ileal conduit and the ileocecal pouch. RESULTS A total of 21 patients (54%) experienced complications requiring surgical intervention including stoma stenosis (13%), pouch calculi (31%) and ureteral stenosis (6 of 75 renoureteral units, 8%). Continence was achieved in 95% of patients. Defecation was unchanged in 72% of patients without treatment. In 21% fecal frequency was medically controlled (cholestyramine, loperamide) and 8% of patients had fecal frequency. During followup early substitution of alkali was performed and in 19 patients (49%) the venous base excess was less than -2.5 mmol/l to prevent hyperchloremia and acidosis. CONCLUSIONS The inclusion of a preexisting colonic or ileal conduit decreases resection length of bowel for continent cutaneous diversion. Acceptable complication rates, stable renal function and satisfaction of patient expectations support conversion from a conduit into a Mainz pouch I as a safe and viable option in the long run.
Cognitive, Attitudinal, and Emotional Effects of News Frame and Group Cues, on Processing News About Immigration

This study aimed to contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms explaining the so-called framing effect. Experimental research (N = 355) was carried out with a 2 · 2 between-subjects factor design in which the news frame and group cues were manipulated in a news story on the consequences of the increase in immigration in Spain, and their impact on cognitive, attitudinal, and emotional variables was assessed. The results show that the type of news frame stressed in the report exerted significant cognitive, attitudinal, and emotional effects. It was also found that the emotional impact aroused by the news frame was conditioned by the incidental presence of information regarding the national or geographic origin of the immigrants in question. These results are consistent with the hypotheses posed and partially support the argument that the framing effect is a process governed by heuristic processing.
Effects of sucrose treatment on the development of mouse nuclear transfer embryos with morula blastomeres as donors

Summary In this study, nuclear transfer (NT) embryos were produced by using C57Bl/6 mouse morula blastomeres and Kunming mouse metaphase II (MII) oocytes as donors and recipients, respectively, to investigate the effects of sucrose treatment of MII oocytes with different concentrations on the manipulation time of NT, electrofusion and the in vitro and in vivo development of reconstructed embryos. The results demonstrated that: (i) when the oocytes were enucleated with 1, 2 and 3% sucrose treatment, respectively, the enucleating rates were not affected by the different sucrose concentrations, but the manipulation time had significant difference and the mean nuclear transfer manipulation times of every oocyte were 180 ± 10 s, 130 ± 10 s and 120 ± 10 s, respectively; (ii) different sucrose concentrations had no significant effects on the fusion rate and the in vitro developmental potential of the NT embryos (p > 0.05). Furthermore, 59 embryos were transplanted into the oviducts of two recipients. In the end, three dead full-term developed fetuses were obtained on 21 days post coitus (dpc). These results suggested that the mouse MII oocytes enucleated via sucrose treatment might be an alternative source for mouse cloning and could support the embryonic NT embryos developed to term in vivo.
Melvin Matrix Models

In this short note we construct the DLCQ description of the flux seven-branes in type IIA string theory and discuss its basic properties. The matrix model involves dipole fields. We explain the relation of this nonlocal matrix model to various orbifolds. We also give a spacetime interpretation of the Seiberg-Witten-like map, proposed in a different context first by Bergman and Ganor, that converts this matrix model to a local, highly nonlinear theory.
Importance of joint line preservation in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: Finite element analysis

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is an effective surgical technique for pain relief and functional restoration in patients with localized osteoarthritis of the knee joint. However, the role of the joint line in UKA, especially its biomechanical effect, has not been previously investigated. This study numerically evaluates the effects of the joint line on the contact stresses in polyethylene (PE) inserts, articular cartilage, and lateral meniscus using the finite element (FE) analysis. The FE model for joint line was modeled as the orthogonal projection line from the medial tibial plateau to the anatomical axis. The joint line was varied from −6 to +6 mm in 2 mm intervals, and the seven FE models were analyzed and compared under ISO gait loading conditions. The contact stresses in the PE insert, articular cartilage, and lateral meniscus matched those of the reference joint line (0 mm) in the ±2 and ±4 mm joint line cases but significantly differed from the reference in the ±6 mm joint line cases. On the +6 mm joint line, the contact stress was greater on the PE insert than on the articular cartilage, whereas the reverse occurred on the −6 mm joint line. This study confirms the post‐operative significance of joint line preservation in UKA implantation surgery. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:347–352, 2017.
The use of a wearable camera, SenseCam, as a pictorial diary to improve autobiographical memory in a patient with limbic encephalitis: A preliminary report

This case study describes the use of a wearable camera, SenseCam, which automatically captures several hundred images per day, to aid autobiographical memory in a patient, Mrs B, with severe memory impairment following limbic encephalitis. By using SenseCam to record personally experienced events we intended that SenseCam pictures would form a pictorial diary to cue and consolidate autobiographical memories. After wearing SenseCam, Mrs B plugged the camera into a PC which uploaded the recorded images and allowed them to be viewed at speed, like watching a movie. In the control condition, a written diary was used to record and remind her of autobiographical events. After viewing SenseCam images, Mrs B was able to recall approximately 80% of recent, personally experienced events. Retention of events was maintained in the long-term, 11 months afterwards, and without viewing SenseCam images for three months. After using the written diary, Mrs B was able to remember around 49% of an event; after one month with no diary readings she had no recall of the same events. We suggest that factors relating to rehearsal/re-consolidation may have enabled SenseCam images to improve Mrs B's autobiographical recollection.
Gender Differences in Strategy and Human Resource Management

The present study aims at investigating the existence of gender differences in entrepreneurship. The focus is on differences in strategy and human resource management (HRM) between male and female entrepreneurs in Dutch real estate brokerage. Several propositions are explored using data from in-depth interviews. The present study shows that gender differences in entrepreneurship do exist. In particular, there are gender differences with respect to the path to entrepreneurship, growth-levels, degree of diversification and type of leadership.
Varicella-Zoster Virus Infections

Purpose of Review: This article describes the clinical features and laboratory and imaging abnormalities of the protean neurologic disorders produced by varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation. Diseases include not only zoster, but also chronic pain (postherpetic neuralgia), meningoencephalitis and cerebellitis, single or multiple cranial nerve palsies (polyneuritis cranialis), myelopathy (myelitis and spinal cord infarction), and VZV vasculopathy of intracerebral and extracerebral arteries that causes ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, aneurysm, subarachnoid and intracerebral hemorrhage, arterial ectasia, and dissection. The article addresses accurate diagnosis of VZV infection of the nervous system in the absence of rash, and optimal treatment. Recent Findings: All neurologic disorders produced by VZV can occur in the absence of rash. Diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of VZV DNA or anti-VZV antibodies in CSF. Based on evidence from recent studies, VZV has been implicated as a cause of giant cell arteritis. Summary: Clinicians must be aware that VZV reactivation produces multiple disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system, often without rash. Rapid virologic verification and prompt treatment with antiviral agents can lead to complete recovery, even in patients with protracted disease.
RNA splicing in Borna disease virus, a nonsegmented, negative-strand RNA virus

Borna disease virus (BDV) is a nonsegmented, negative-strand RNA virus related to rhabdoviruses and paramyxoviruses. Unlike animal viruses of these two families, BDV transcribes RNAs in the nuclei of infected cells and produces high levels of transcripts containing multiple open reading frames. Previous Northern blot analysis of RNA from BDV-infected rat brain tissue has shown that two viral transcripts, a 6.1-kb RNA and a 1.5-kb RNA, lack regions that are internal to two otherwise identical transcripts, the 7.1-kb RNA and the 2.8-kb RNA, respectively (T. Briese, A. Schneemann, A. Lewis, Y. Park, S. Kim, H. Ludwig, and W. I. Lipkin, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:4362-4366, 1994). To determine the precise location of this deletion, we performed reverse transcription PCR analysis using total RNA from BDV-infected rat brain tissue. This investigation resulted in the identification of two introns in the 7.1- and 2.8-kb RNAs, which can be alternatively spliced to yield additional RNA species, including the 6.1- and 1.5-kb RNAs. Transient transfection of COS-7 cells with a cDNA clone of the 2.8-kb RNA resulted in the production of both the 2.8-kb RNA and the 1.5-kb RNA, confirming the theory that the 2.8-kb RNA is a sufficient substrate for splicing in mammalian cells. Splicing has not previously been observed in nonsegmented, negative-strand RNA viruses and presumably serves as a mechanism by which expression of BDV proteins is regulated in infected cells.
THE ECOLOGY OF BONAMIA AND DECLINE OF BIVALVE MOLLUSCS

Bonamia is a protozoan parasite of the haemocytes of oysters (Tiostrea chilensis), in which it has an annual developmental cycle between November and August each year. The parasite transmits directly, oyster to oyster, and therefore disease spread is related to host stock density. The Foveaux Strait oyster population experiences large mortalities every 20-30 years, and these may be attributable to Bonamia. The parasite appears to become less pathogenic at the end of, and probably between, mass mortalities, and some oysters appear more tolerant of infection than others. On the basis of these observations, and considering other protist pathogen:oyster models, the apparently reduced pathogenicity of Bonamia is discussed in terms of parasite kinetics. The population dynamics and selection of parasite tolerant host stocks, and kinetics of parasite transmission, may explain the cyclic nature of large-scale mortalities in Foveaux Strait, without change in parasite pathogenicity.
Evolutionary Genetics of an S-Like Polymorphism in Papaveraceae with Putative Function in Self-Incompatibility

Background Papaver rhoeas possesses a gametophytic self-incompatibility (SI) system not homologous to any other SI mechanism characterized at the molecular level. Four previously published full length stigmatic S-alleles from the genus Papaver exhibited remarkable sequence divergence, but these studies failed to amplify additional S-alleles despite crossing evidence for more than 60 S-alleles in Papaver rhoeas alone. Methodology/Principal Findings Using RT-PCR we identified 87 unique putative stigmatic S-allele sequences from the Papaveraceae Argemone munita, Papaver mcconnellii, P. nudicuale, Platystemon californicus and Romneya coulteri. Hand pollinations among two full-sib families of both A. munita and P. californicus indicate a strong correlation between the putative S-genotype and observed incompatibility phenotype. However, we also found more than two S-like sequences in some individuals of A. munita and P. californicus, with two products co-segregating in both full-sib families of P. californicus. Pairwise sequence divergence estimates within and among taxa show Papaver stigmatic S-alleles to be the most variable with lower divergence among putative S-alleles from other Papaveraceae. Genealogical analysis indicates little shared ancestral polymorphism among S-like sequences from different genera. Lack of shared ancestral polymorphism could be due to long divergence times among genera studied, reduced levels of balancing selection if some or all S-like sequences do not function in incompatibility, population bottlenecks, or different levels of recombination among taxa. Preliminary estimates of positive selection find many sites under selective constraint with a few undergoing positive selection, suggesting that self-recognition may depend on amino acid substitutions at only a few sites. Conclusions/Significance Because of the strong correlation between genotype and SI phenotype, sequences reported here represent either functional stylar S-alleles, tightly linked paralogs of the S-locus or a combination of both. The considerable complexity revealed in this study shows we have much to learn about the evolutionary dynamics of self-incompatibility systems.
Improving Agreement and Disagreement Identification in Online Discussions with A Socially-Tuned Sentiment Lexicon

We study the problem of agreement and disagreement detection in online discussions. An isotonic Conditional Random Fields (isotonic CRF) based sequential model is proposed to make predictions on sentence- or segment-level. We automatically construct a socially-tuned lexicon that is bootstrapped from existing general-purpose sentiment lexicons to further improve the performance. We evaluate our agreement and disagreement tagging model on two disparate online discussion corpora -- Wikipedia Talk pages and online debates. Our model is shown to outperform the state-of-the-art approaches in both datasets. For example, the isotonic CRF model achieves F1 scores of 0.74 and 0.67 for agreement and disagreement detection, when a linear chain CRF obtains 0.58 and 0.56 for the discussions on Wikipedia Talk pages.