Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transformation of Fonsecaea pedrosoi into sclerotic cells links to the refractoriness of experimental chromoblastomycosis in BALB/c mice via a mechanism involving a chitin-induced impairment of IFN-γ production

Fonsecaea pedrosoi (F. pedrosoi) is the most common agent of chromoblastomycosis. Transformation of this fungus from its saprophytic phase into pathogenic sclerotic cells in tissue is an essential link to the refractoriness of this infection. Experimental studies in murine models have shown that the absence of CD4+ T cells impairs host defense against F. pedrosoi infection. Clinical research has also suggested that a relatively low level of the Th1 cytokine INF-γ and inefficient T cell proliferation are simultaneously present in patients with severe chromoblastomycosis upon in vitro stimulation with ChromoAg, an antigen prepared from F. pedrosoi. In the present study, we show that in mice intraperitoneally infected with F. pedrosoi-spores, -hyphae or in vitro-induced sclerotic cells respectively, the transformation of this causative agent into sclerotic cells contributes to a compromised Th1 cytokine production in the earlier stage of infection with impaired generation of neutrophil reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pan-inhibition of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokine production with disseminated infection in the later stage by using a CBA murine Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokine kit. In addition, we have further demonstrated that intraperitoneal administration of recombinant mouse IFN-γ (rmIFN-γ) effectively reduces the fungal load in the infected mouse spleen, and dampens the peritoneal dissemination of F. pedrosoi-sclerotic cells. Meanwhile, exogeneous rmIFN-γ contributes to the formation and maintenance of micro-abscess and restores the decrease in neutrophil ROS generation in the mouse spleen infected with F. pedrosoi-sclerotic cells. Of note, we have once again demonstrated that it is a chitin-like component, but not β-glucans or mannose moiety, that exclusively accumulates on the outer cell wall of F. pedrosoi-sclerotic cells which were induced in vitro or isolated from the spleens of intraperitoneally infected BALB/c mice. In addition, our results indicate that decreased accumulation of chitin on the surface of live F. pedrosoi-sclerotic cells after chitinase treatment can be self-compensated in a time-dependent manner. Importantly, we have for the first time demonstrated that exclusive accumulation of chitin on the transformed sclerotic cells of F. pedrosoi is involved in an impaired murine Th1 cytokine profile, therefore promoting the refractoriness of experimental murine chromoblastomycosis.
Heat Generation in Elastomer Compounds: Causes and Effects

Abstract In many important applications, an elastomer is subjected to repeated deformations of sufficient magnitude and frequency to lead to generation of considerable heat and (depending on the rate of heat removal) of a significant rise in temperature. The purpose of this review is to examine the mechanisms of heat generation and to indicate some important effects arising in service. More detailed discussion of various aspects of heat generation, dynamic properties, and viscoelasticity of rubber compounds may be found elsewhere.
Oxidative stress and free radical damage in patients with acute dipterex poisoning.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether acute dipterex poisoning (ADP) may cause oxidative stress and free radical damage in the bodies of acute dipterex poisoning patients (ADPPs), and to explore the mechanisms by which ADP may cause oxidative stress and free radical damage. METHODS Fifty ADPPs and fifty healthy adult volunteers (HAVs) whose ages, gender and others were matched with the ADPPs were enrolled in a randomized controlled study, in which concentrations of nitric oxide (NO), vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) and beta-carotene (beta-CAR) in plasma as well as concentration of lipoperoxide (LPO), and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in erythrocytes were determined by spectrophotometric analytical methods. RESULTS Compared with the average values of experimental parameters in the HAVs group, the average values of plasma NO and erythrocyte LPO in the ADPPs group were significantly increased (P<0.0001), while those of plasma VC, VE and beta-CAR as well as erythrocyte SOD, CAT, GPX and AChE in the ADPPs group were significantly decreased (P<0.0001). Bivariate correlation analysis and partial correlation analysis suggested that when NO and LPO values were increased, and VC, VE, beta-CAR, SOD, CAT and GPX values were decreased in the ADPPs, AChE value was decreased gradually in the ADPPs (P<0.001-0.0001). Reliability analysis of experimental parameters reflecting oxidative stress and free radical damage in the ADPPs showed that the reliability coefficient (8 items) alpha=0.6909, and the standardized item alpha=0.8574. CONCLUSION The findings in the present study suggest that ADP can cause oxidative stress and free radical damage, and inhibit markedly erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity in ADPPs.
A facilitated diffusion mechanism establishes the Drosophila Dorsal gradient

The transcription factor NF-κB plays an important role in the immune system, apoptosis and inflammation. Dorsal, a Drosophila homolog of NF-κB, patterns the dorsal-ventral axis in the blastoderm embryo. During this stage, Dorsal is sequestered outside the nucleus by the IκB homolog Cactus. Toll signaling on the ventral side breaks the Dorsal/Cactus complex, allowing Dorsal to enter the nucleus to regulate target genes. Fluorescent data show that Dorsal accumulates on the ventral side of the syncytial blastoderm. Here, we use modeling and experimental studies to show that this accumulation is caused by facilitated diffusion, or shuttling, of the Dorsal/Cactus complex. We also show that active Toll receptors are limiting in wild-type embryos, which is a key factor in explaining global Dorsal gradient formation. Our results suggest that shuttling is necessary for viability of embryos from mothers with compromised dorsal levels. Therefore, Cactus not only has the primary role of regulating Dorsal nuclear import, but also has a secondary role in shuttling. Given that this mechanism has been found in other, independent, systems, we suggest that it might be more prevalent than previously thought. Summary: Dorsal, a transcription factor that patterns the Drosophila dorsal-ventral axis, accumulates at the embryo ventral midline. Here, model-guided experiments show that the inhibitor Cactus shuttles Dorsal to the ventral side.
The use of behavioural theories in end-of-life care research: A systematic review

Background: It is necessary to understand behaviours that contribute to improvement in the quality of end-of-life care; use of behavioural theories allows identification of factors underlying end-of-life care behaviour, but little is known about the extent to which, and in what manner, these theories are used in an end-of-life care research context. Aim: To assess the number of end-of-life care studies that have used behavioural theories, which theories were used, to what extent main constructs were explored/measured and which behavioural outcomes were examined. Design: We conducted a systematic review. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42016036009). Data sources: The MEDLINE (PubMed), PsycINFO, EMBASE, Web of Science and CINAHL databases were searched from inception to June 2017. We included studies aimed at understanding or changing end-of-life care behaviours and that explicitly referred to individual behavioural theories. Results: We screened 2231 records by title and abstract, retrieved 43 full-text articles and included 31 studies – 27 quantitative (of which four (quasi-)randomised controlled trials) and four qualitative – for data extraction. More than half used the Theory of Planned Behaviour (9), the Theory of Reasoned Action (4) or the Transtheoretical Model (8). In 9 of 31 studies, the theory was fully used, and 16 of the 31 studies focussed on behaviours in advance care planning. Conclusion: In end-of-life care research, the use of behavioural theories is limited. As many behaviours can determine the quality of care, their more extensive use may be warranted if we want to better understand and influence behaviours and improve end-of-life care.
Effect of Niacin Supplementation on in-vitro Rumen Fermentation Pattern in crossbred Cattle

An in vitro experiment was conducted to study the effect of supplementation of different levels of niacin (0, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 and 800 ppm) on rumen fermentation and digestibility. The substrate comprised of concentrate mixture, maize fodder and wheat straw (40:20:40). Results revealed that TCA-ppt. N (mg/100 ml incubation media) and TVFA concentration (meq/100 ml incubation media) were significantly (P<0.05) higher at 600 ppm (17.56; 7.28) as compared to control (12.12; 6.38). The molar proportion of propionate was also higher at 600 ppm (26.52%) as compared to control (25.87%). The total gas (ml) production increased in a linear fashion whereas methane level decreased significantly (P<0.05) with graded levels of niacin. The NH3-N (mg/100 ml incubation media) decreased significantly (P<0.05) from 15.26 (control) to 10.71 (600 ppm). The IVDMD (%) and IVOMD (%) also increased from 44.04 to 48.04 and 53.91 to 57.38, at 0 and 600 ppm niacin supplementation, respectively. The three higher levels of niacin viz. 600, 700 and 800 ppm had comparable fermentation parameters viz. digestibility, total gas, methane, TCA-ppt. N, TVFA, acetate, propionate and butyrate. It was concluded that 600 ppm niacin level is comparatively better than other niacin levels.
Obtaining Predictions from Models Fit to Multiply Imputed Data

Obtaining predictions from regression models fit to multiply imputed data can be challenging because treatments of multiple imputation seldom give clear guidance on how predictions can be calculated, and because available software often does not have built-in routines for performing the necessary calculations. This research note reviews how predictions can be obtained using Rubin’s rules, that is, by being estimated separately in each imputed data set and then combined. It then demonstrates that predictions can also be calculated directly from the final analysis model. Both approaches yield identical results when predictions rely solely on linear transformations of the coefficients and calculate standard errors using the delta method and diverge only slightly when using nonlinear transformations. However, calculation from the final model is faster, easier to implement, and generates predictions with a clearer relationship to model coefficients. These principles are illustrated using data from the General Social Survey and with a simulation.
Electrically tunable laser based on oblique heliconical cholesteric liquid crystal

Significance Liquid-crystal lasers based on micrometer-scale self-organization of organic molecules into the so-called cholesteric liquid crystal are simple to manufacture; they are small in size and low in cost and power consumption. Their potential applications range from sensing and imaging to informational displays and miniature “lab-on-a-chip” devices. We report a cholesteric structure used as the laser’s resonator cavity that enables a continuous real-time tuning of the emitted wavelength in a very broad range by applying an electric field. The structure is heliconical, with the molecules rotating around a helical axis and being tilted toward this axis. The electric field controls the tilt and the pitch, thus changing the wavelength by at least 100 nm. A cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) formed by chiral molecules represents a self-assembled one-dimensionally periodic helical structure with pitch p in the submicrometer and micrometer range. Because of the spatial periodicity of the dielectric permittivity, a CLC doped with a fluorescent dye and pumped optically is capable of mirrorless lasing. An attractive feature of a CLC laser is that the pitch p and thus the wavelength of lasing λ¯ can be tuned, for example, by chemical composition. However, the most desired mode to tune the laser, by an electric field, has so far been elusive. Here we present the realization of an electrically tunable laser with λ¯ spanning an extraordinarily broad range (>100 nm) of the visible spectrum. The effect is achieved by using an electric-field-induced oblique helicoidal (OH) state in which the molecules form an acute angle with the helicoidal axis rather than align perpendicularly to it as in a field-free CLC. The principal advantage of the electrically controlled CLCOH laser is that the electric field is applied parallel to the helical axis and thus changes the pitch but preserves the single-harmonic structure. The preserved single-harmonic structure ensures efficiency of lasing in the entire tunable range of emission. The broad tuning range of CLCOH lasers, coupled with their microscopic size and narrow line widths, may enable new applications in areas such as diagnostics, sensing, microscopy, displays, and holography.
Biogeographic, climatic and spatial drivers differentially affect α-, β- and γ-diversities on oceanic archipelagos

Island biogeographic studies traditionally treat single islands as units of analysis. This ignores the fact that most islands are spatially nested within archipelagos. Here, we took a fundamentally different approach and focused on entire archipelagos using species richness of vascular plants on 23 archipelagos worldwide and their 174 constituent islands. We assessed differential effects of biogeographic factors (area, isolation, age, elevation), current and past climate (temperature, precipitation, seasonality, climate change velocity) and intra-archipelagic spatial structure (archipelago area, number of islands, area range, connectivity, environmental volume, inter-island distance) on plant diversity. Species diversity of each archipelago (γ) was additively partitioned into α, β, nestedness and replacement β-components to investigate the relative importance of environmental and spatial drivers. Multiple regressions revealed strong effects of biogeography and climate on α and γ, whereas spatial factors, particularly number of islands, inter-island distance and area range, were key to explain β. Structural equation models additionally suggested that γ is predominantly determined by indirect abiotic effects via its components, particularly β. This highlights that β and the spatial arrangement of islands are essential to understand insular ecology and evolution. Our methodological framework can be applied more widely to other taxa and archipelago-like systems, allowing new insights into biodiversity origin and maintenance.
Trophic Conditions and Water Chemistry of Lakes on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA

ABSTRACT Sixty lakes and ponds distributed throughout the Cape Cod peninsula were each sampled three times during 1996–1998 in order to determine the chemical conditions of the waterbodies. The study lakes, situated on either glacial moraine, glacial outwash plain or post-glacial sand accumulations, ranged in surface area from 3.6 ha to 301 ha and in maximum depth from 1 m to 26 m. The dominant ionic species in all lakes were Na+ and Cl−, likely due to inputs from sea spray. Conductivity and the relative charge contribution from Na+, Cl− and Mg2+ increased with distance out onto the peninsula, whereas the contribution due to Ca2+ decreased along the same distance gradient. Concentrations of Mg2+ were greater than those of Ca2+ in the study lakes, and the concentrations of the latter cation were very low compared to other areas in the northeast U.S. Except for the eutrophic lakes situated on the post-glacial sand accumulations on the outer tip of Cape Cod, the water bodies were, in general, low in total phosphorus, total nitrogen and chlorophyll-a levels, had high Secchi disk depths, and were best classified as oligotrophic. The pH and alkalinity (except for lakes situated on the post-glacial sand accumulations) declined with distance out onto the peninsula. The mean pH and alkalinity of water bodies located closest to the mainland were 6.8 and 71 μeq·L−1, respectively, but declined to only 5.3 and-7.5 μeq·L−1 on the outer Cape. Findings are compared to other studies in the northeast U.S.
Symbiodinium necroappetens sp. nov. (Dinophyceae): an opportunist ‘zooxanthella’ found in bleached and diseased tissues of Caribbean reef corals

ABSTRACT We describe Symbiodinium necroappetens sp. nov. found predominantly in diseased or thermally damaged tissues in some reef corals of the Greater Caribbean. Small, albeit fixed, differences in the ribosomal DNA (ITS2 and LSU) and cytochrome b (cob) indicate that S. necroappetens is evolutionarily separate, but closely related to S. microadriaticum (members of Clade A). However, haplotype sequences of the non-coding region of the psbA minicircle are highly divergent, signifying that the degree of genetic divergence between these sibling lineages is far greater than indicated by changes in rDNA. Small morphological differences also support the delineation of this species. The Kofoidian plate formula for S. necroappetens (x-plate, EAV, 4′, 5a, 8′′, 9-11s, 21c, 6′′′, 2′′′′, PE) is generally the same as described for S. microadriaticum, except for the number of cingulum plates (21 vs 22–24), but plate shapes and configurations differ. Nuclear and mitochondrial volumes calculated from ultrastructural serial sections (published previously) also distinguish it from S. microadriaticum and S. pilosum. There are significant physiological differences in the response of S. necroappetens to high pCO2 and thermal stress when compared with S. microadriaticum, indicating that large functional differences exist even among closely related species. This species appears to be necrotrophic rather than mutualistic. Before it was recognized as a distinct entity, reports on its ecology contributed to the supposition that members of Clade A Symbiodinium were opportunistic. Available evidence indicates that S. necroappetens exists at low environmental background levels, but may ‘proliferate’ selectively in artificial growth media, or emerge opportunistically in bleached coral colonies during early recovery from severe stress, or in diseased necrotic tissues, especially in colonies of the Orbicella (formerly Monstastraea) annularis complex. However, S. necroappetens fails to persist at detectable levels as populations of the typical symbiont recover. The description of this species raises awareness of the broad functional and ecological diversity exhibited by members of this large dinoflagellate genus.
Perinatal lethality of Par4–/– mice delivered by primiparous dams reveals spontaneous bleeding in mice without platelet thrombin receptor function

Abstract Protease-activated receptor 4 (PAR4) is a cell surface G protein-coupled receptor for serine proteases, such as thrombin. Par4–/– mice have platelets that are unresponsive to thrombin and thereby allow examination of the importance of thrombin-induced platelet activation in (patho)physiology. Par4–/– mice are protected against arterial thrombosis but show no evidence of spontaneous bleeding. This contrasts with the bleeding experienced by mice with marked thrombocytopenia, such as those with genetic deficiency of the transcription factor, nuclear factor erythroid 2 (Nfe2–/–), that have high rates of perinatal death due to hemorrhage. Given this discrepancy in spontaneous perinatal bleeding between mice without platelets and those without thrombin-induced platelet activation mechanisms, we examined in detail the immediate postnatal survival of Par4–/– pups. We observed significant postpartum loss of Par4–/– pups derived from Par4+/– intercrosses that was restricted to a dam’s first litter; only 9% of surviving pups genotyped as Par4–/– in first litters and this normalized from the second litter onward (26%). A similar perinatal lethality in pups delivered by primiparous dams occurred in mice lacking platelets (Nfe2–/–; 10%) but not in those lacking fibrinogen (Fga–/–; 26%). These data,, provide the first evidence of spontaneous bleeding in Par4–/– mice, suggest that a dam’s first litter provides a greater hemostatic challenge than subsequent litters, and uncovers an important role for platelets—and more specifically thrombin-induced platelet activation—in hemostasis during these more traumatic births.
The Influence of Cochlear Mechanical Dysfunction, Temporal Processing Deficits, and Age on the Intelligibility of Audible Speech in Noise for Hearing-Impaired Listeners

The aim of this study was to assess the relative importance of cochlear mechanical dysfunction, temporal processing deficits, and age on the ability of hearing-impaired listeners to understand speech in noisy backgrounds. Sixty-eight listeners took part in the study. They were provided with linear, frequency-specific amplification to compensate for their audiometric losses, and intelligibility was assessed for speech-shaped noise (SSN) and a time-reversed two-talker masker (R2TM). Behavioral estimates of cochlear gain loss and residual compression were available from a previous study and were used as indicators of cochlear mechanical dysfunction. Temporal processing abilities were assessed using frequency modulation detection thresholds. Age, audiometric thresholds, and the difference between audiometric threshold and cochlear gain loss were also included in the analyses. Stepwise multiple linear regression models were used to assess the relative importance of the various factors for intelligibility. Results showed that (a) cochlear gain loss was unrelated to intelligibility, (b) residual cochlear compression was related to intelligibility in SSN but not in a R2TM, (c) temporal processing was strongly related to intelligibility in a R2TM and much less so in SSN, and (d) age per se impaired intelligibility. In summary, all factors affected intelligibility, but their relative importance varied across maskers.
Feeding a Mixture of Choline Forms during Lactation Improves Offspring Growth and Maternal Lymphocyte Response to Ex Vivo Immune Challenges

Study objectives were to examine the impact of feeding a mixture of choline forms, or a diet high in glycerophosphocholine (GPC) on maternal immune function and offspring growth during lactation. Lactating Sprague-Dawley rat dams (n = 6/diet) were randomized to one of three diets, providing 1 g/kg total choline: Control (100% free choline (FC)), Mixed Choline (MC; 50% phosphatidylcholine (PC), 25% FC, 25% GPC), or High GPC (HGPC; 75% GPC, 12.5% PC, 12.5% FC). At 3 weeks, cell phenotypes and cytokine production with Concanavalin A (ConA)-or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated splenocytes and mesenteric lymphocytes were measured. Feeding MC or HGPC diets improved pups’ growth compared to Control (+22% body weight, p < 0.05). In spleen, MC-and HGPC-fed dams had higher proportions of cytotoxic (CD8+) T cells expressing CD27, CD71 and CD127, total B cells (CD45RA+) and dendritic cells (OX6+OX62+), and produced less IL-6 and IFN-γ after ConA than Control-fed dams (p < 0.05). MC and HGPC LPS-stimulated splenocytes produced less IL-1β and IL-6 than Control. ConA-stimulated mesenteric lymphocytes from MC and HGPC dams produced more IL-2 and IFN-γ than Control (p < 0.05). In summary, feeding a mixture of choline forms during lactation improved offspring growth and resulted in a more efficient maternal immune response following mitogenic immune challenge.