Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of salt on the killer phenotype of yeasts from olive brines

The killer properties of yeasts isolated from olive brines were examined in the absence and presence of sodium chloride in concentrations of up to 6% (wt/vol). An apparent enhancement of the killing action as the salt concentration increased, as well as changes in the spectra of activity against selected target strains, was observed in a few strains. Culture filtrates from killer strains grown at different NaCl concentrations (0, 3, or 6% [wt/vol]) were tested against sensitive yeasts cultivated under the same conditions. While the sensitivity of the target strain greatly increased in the presence of salt, no significant effect on toxin production was noticed.
Mobilization of pathogenicity islands by Staphylococcus aureus strain Newman bacteriophages

Staphylococcus aureus pathogenicity islands (SaPIs) are mobile genetic elements that encode virulence factors and depend on helper phages for their mobilization. Such mobilization is specific and depends on the ability of a phage protein to inactivate the SaPI repressor Stl. Phage 80α can mobilize several SaPIs, including SaPI1 and SaPIbov1, via its Sri and Dut proteins, respectively. In many cases, the capsids formed in the presence of the SaPI are smaller than those normally produced by the phage. Two SaPI-encoded proteins, CpmA and CpmB, are involved in this size determination process. S. aureus strain Newman contains four prophages, named φNM1 through φNM4. Phages φNM1 and φNM2 are very similar to phage 80α in the structural genes, and encode almost identical Sri proteins, while their Dut proteins are highly divergent. We show that φNM1 and φNM2 are able to mobilize both SaPI1 and SaPIbov1 and yield infectious transducing particles. The majority of the capsids formed in all cases are small, showing that both SaPIs can redirect the capsid size of both φNM1 and φNM2.
Snoezelen: Its Effects on Concentration and Responsiveness in People with Profound Multiple Handicaps

This article is an initial investigation into the effects of Snoezelen on concentration and responsiveness in people who have profound and multiple handicaps. Eight subjects with profound learning disabilities took part. Ratings of concentration were recorded at each session using a simple task. The subjects were also assessed at every fifth session for responsiveness to the Snoezelen environment. The results suggest that all the subjects except one, who failed to score, responded In some way with improvements in scores. The improvements in concentration were significant for two subjects, moderate for four and minimal for one. The changes in concentration were not always related to the responsiveness/enjoyment in the Snoezelen environment. However, the two subjects who, in general, showed significant improvements in concentration were also rated as being the most responsive to the Snoezelen environment.
Twenty-year trends in physical activity among Canadian adults.

OBJECTIVE Physical inactivity is associated with increased risk of mortality and chronic diseases, yet trend information is lacking in most countries. This investigation examines physical activity levels of Canadian adults aged 18 years and older. METHODS Data were collected in six national surveys between 1981 and 2000. Sample sizes ranged from 2,500 to 18,000. Prevalences were tested using Chi-square and Student's t-tests. Socio-demographic correlates were examined using odds ratios adjusted for age, sex, education and income. RESULTS Physical activity increased in the 1980s and 1990s among men and women and for all age, education and income groups (p<0.01). Although education differentials narrowed over the period, age differentials widened and income differentials emerged. DISCUSSION The positive trend in Canada is consistent with Finland, but contrary to recent trends for Australia, England and the United States. Despite increases, sedentary living remains a public health issue particularly among women, older adults and lower income groups.
Ant colony based hybrid approach for optimal compromise sum‐difference patterns synthesis

Dealing with the synthesis of monopulse array antennas, many stochastic optimization algorithms have been used for the solution of the so‐called optimal compromise problem between sum and difference patterns when sub‐arrayed feed networks are considered. More recently, hybrid approaches, exploiting the convexity of the functional with respect to a sub‐set of the unknowns (i.e., the sub‐array excitation coefficients) have demonstrated their effectiveness. In this letter, an hybrid approach based on the ant colony optimization (ACO) is proposed. At the first step, the ACO is used to define the sub‐array membership of the array elements, while, at the second step, the sub‐array weights are computed by solving a convex programming problem. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 128–132, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24882
Decreased serum DNase1-activity in patients with autoimmune liver diseases

Abstract Deoxyribonuclease1 (DNase1) is involved in chromatin degradation of apoptotic cells. Its deficiency results in accumulation of self-DNA, which in turn may induce inflammation and autoimmunity. We assessed for the first time serum DNase1-activity in a large consecutive cohort of treatment-naïve patients with autoimmune liver diseases (ALD). DNase1-activity was determined by single radial enzyme-diffusion (SRED) at diagnosis of 224 patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), 249 with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and 36 with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Sera from 146 patients with chronic hepatitis B or C, 140 with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NAFLD/NASH) and 114 healthy individuals served as disease and healthy controls. Available serum samples during remission from 50 AIH and 39 PBC patients were also investigated by paired analyzes. DNase1-activity was significantly lower in AIH, PBC and PSC compared to viral hepatitis (p < 0.02, p < 0.001, p = 0.03), NAFLD/NASH (p < 0.001) and healthy (p < 0.001). No significant difference was found in between each specific ALD. In AIH, DNAse1-activity was positively correlated with aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (p < 0.02), bilirubin (p < 0.01) and increased IgG (>1400 mg/dl; p < 0.05); in PBC, with AST (p < 0.01), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p < 0.03) and anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA) (p = 0.008). In PSC, DNase1-activity was inversely associated with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p < 0.05). In AIH, complete responders were characterized by increased baseline DNase1-activity compared to partial responders, relapsers and non-responders (p < 0.02), whereas it was significantly increased after achievement of remission (p < 0.001). Serum DNase1-activity is significantly decreased in ALD patients, indicating its potential implication in their pathogenesis. Furthermore, DNase1-activity could be used as a new surrogate biomarker for predicting response to AIH treatment.
Role of serotonin in fish immunomodulation

In the recent past, the importance of the fish brain monoaminergic system in aggression, mating and feeding has been documented. There are several apparent similarities between the functioning of the fish and mammalian monoaminergic systems. In fish, the hypermetabolism of catecholamines (norepinephrine and dopamine) and indoleamine (serotonin, 5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) has been found to be associated with stressful conditions. In contrast to the situation in mammals, these monoamines can pass through the blood­brain barrier in teleost fishes, contributing to the high levels of biogenic amines in the periphery. Hence, high levels of serotonin in the peripheral circulation, during different stressful conditions, may influence the functioning of other physiological systems, notably the immune system. Serotonin is also stored in considerable amounts by mast cells and platelets, and can be synthetized by chromaffin cells. In mammals, it has been established that 5-HT modulates immune function at a variety of levels. However, little is known about the role of serotonin in the functioning of the immune system in fish. In this perspective article, we will discuss our results and the findings of other laboratories, although meagre on this subject, on the possible role of serotonin in the functioning of immunocompetent cells in fish.
An Inhibitor of Phospholipase A2 Group IIA Modulates Adipocyte Signaling and Protects Against Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rats

Obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease correlate with infiltration to adipose tissue of different immune cells, with uncertain influences on metabolism. Rats were fed a diet high in carbohydrates and saturated fats to develop diet-induced obesity over 16 weeks. This nutritional overload caused overexpression and secretion of phospholipase A2 group IIA (pla2g2a) from immune cells in adipose tissue rather than adipocytes, whereas expression of adipose-specific phospholipase A2 (pla2g16) was unchanged. These immune cells produce prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which influences adipocyte signaling. We found that a selective inhibitor of human pla2g2a (5-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-(4S)-(phenyl-heptanoylamino)-pentanoic acid [KH064]) attenuated secretion of PGE2 from human immune cells stimulated with the fatty acid, palmitic acid, or with lipopolysaccharide. Oral administration of KH064 (5 mg/kg/day) to rats fed the high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet prevented the overexpression of pla2g2a and the increased macrophage infiltration and elevated PGE2 concentrations in adipose tissue. The treatment also attenuated visceral adiposity and reversed most characteristics of metabolic syndrome, producing marked improvements in insulin sensitivity, glucose intolerance, and cardiovascular abnormalities. We suggest that pla2g2a may have a causal relationship with chronic adiposity and metabolic syndrome and that its inhibition in vivo may be a valuable new approach to treat obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction in humans.
Ultra Structural Characterisation of Tetherin - a Protein Capable of Preventing Viral Release from the Plasma Membrane

Tetherin is an antiviral restriction factor made by mammalian cells to protect them from viral infection. It prevents newly formed virus particles from leaving infected cells. Its antiviral mechanism appears to be remarkably uncomplicated. In 2 studies published in PLoS Pathogens electron microscopy is used to support the hypothesis that the tethers that link HIV-1 virions to tetherin expressing cells contain tetherin and are likely to contain tetherin alone. They also show that the HIV-1 encoded tetherin antagonist that is known to cause tetherin degradation, Vpu, serves to reduce the amount of tetherin in the particles thereby allowing their release.
Village and Family in Contemporary China.

After 1949 the Chinese Communists carried out land reform, the collectivization of agriculture, and the formation of people's communes. The new economic and political organizations that emerged have made peasant life more comfortable and secure, but many economic and status differentials and traditional customs remain resistant to change. Focusing on rural Kwangtung province, William L. Parish and Martin King Whyte examine the rural work-incentive system, village equality and inequality, rural health care and education, marriage customs, and the position of women, among other topics, to determine what and how much of the traditional Chinese ways of life is left in Communist China.
Fast Binary-Based Video Descriptors for Action Recognition

Action recognition is one of the top challenges in computer vision. In this paper, we present two binary-based video descriptors with outstanding characteristics in terms of recognition rate, computational times and memory requirements. The descriptors are called Binary Wavelet Differences (BWD) and Binary Dense Trajectories (BDT). Our proposed descriptors are based on the local binary patterns and produce binary vectors with a very low dimensionality. Specifically, we propose to analyze the spatio-temporal support regions of a video sequence to generate binary strings via wavelets patterns. We also propose to encode the motion information obtained from optical flow into a compact binary representation. Our evaluations on the KTH and UCF50 datasets demonstrate that our proposed descriptors achieve very competitive recognition accuracy. Moreover, they are able to attain shorter computational times and smaller memory requirements. Specifically, our proposed descriptors can be calculated up to 20X faster than orientation-based descriptors and require up to 225X less memory. Due to its binary nature, associated calculations in action recognition, e.g. clustering and classification, can be done up to 40X faster than state-of-the-art descriptors. Finally, our descriptors require codebooks with 2X fewer words than those required by other state-of-the-art descriptors.
Grounded Theory Applications in Reviewing Knowledge Management Literature

Literature reviews are complex, time-consuming undertakings. Most research methodologies are deductive and require the researcher to commence with a review to inform the study and formulate the research question. On the other hand the grounded theory method is inductive, ending with a theory rather than beginning with a hypothesis, and literature in these studies is typically used as a comparator for the emerging theory. This paper proposes that a theory of contemporary thought in one particular subject, knowledge management, may be developed using a grounded theory method of reviewing its literature.
Catecholamines in Discrete Kidney Regions Changes in Salt‐Sensitive Dahl Hypertensive Rats

SUMMARY Steady state levels of catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine) were measured by the use of radioenzymatic techniques in discrete areas of the kidney (outer and inner cortex, outer and inner medulla) dissected by a “punch” technique from frozen kidney sections of salt-sensitive (DS) and salt-resistant (DR) Dahl rats fed a low or high salt diet. All three catecholamines were present in all areas of the kidney examined. There were gradients of concentrations of each catecholamine in different kidney areas. Renal medullary areas contained proportionally more dopamine than cortical areas. The proportion of epinephrine with respect to the total catecholamine content was relatively high in the inner medulla. Genetic factors and the amount of dietary salt influenced the catecholamine content in specific kidney areas, and these changes were different according to the area considered. DS rats when fed a high salt diet presented increased systolic blood pressure but no increased levels of dopamine in the inner medulla nor of norepinephrine in the outer medulla and outer cortex. Results suggest that either the uptake, release, storage, synthesis, or catabolism of kidney catecholamines is altered in Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) hypertensive rats and suggest specific roles for each catecholamine in discrete areas of the kidney. (Hypertension 4: 821–826, 1982)
Comparison of endobronchial and transbronchial biopsies with high‐resolution CT (HRCT) in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis Note

High‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT) has been shown to accurately visualise parenchymal infiltrates of sarcoidosis. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic yield (DY) of HRCT with that of endobronchial (EBB) and transbronchial (TBB) biopsies in establishing the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Forty‐five patients referred to Helsinki University Central Hospital with a presumptive diagnosis of sarcoidosis underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), EBB, TBB and HRCT. Thirty‐seven of the patients were diagnosed as having sarcoidosis, 34 of whom showed a parenchymal infiltrate in HRCT. One of the three patients with no parenchymal findings, had positive findings in TBB, and all had lymphocytosis in BAL. The DY for sarcoidosis by EBB and TBB was 24.3% and 50.0%, respectively. The addition of EBB to TBB improved the DY by 8.3%, whereas adding TBB to EBB improved the DY by 30.6%. There were no major complications after the FOB, which was always performed under fluoroscopic control. In conclusion, HRCT is a valuable tool in diagnosing sarcoidosis. However, the HRCT findings cannot be seen in all patients with positive findings in lung biopsy, nor is the parenchymal infiltrate specific for sarcoidosis. Attempting biopsy‐proven diagnosis of sarcoidosis is still recommended. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy with EBB and TBB under fluoroscopic control is a safe and well‐tolerated procedure.
Loss of BRCA2 promotes prostate cancer cell invasion through up‐regulation of matrix metalloproteinase‐9

BRCA2 is a multifunctional tumor suppressor protein which plays critical roles in DNA repair, transcription, and cell proliferation, and the loss of which has been linked to the biology of several types of cancers. Here, on prostate adenocarcinoma specimens from 80 patients, we demonstrate that BRCA2 protein is lost in carcinoma cells compared to normal and hyperplastic prostate epithelium. Using highly metastatic prostate cancer PC‐3 cells, we show that while BRCA2 depletion by small‐interfering RNA promoted migration onto the extracellular matrix proteins fibronectin, laminin, and collagens, as well as invasion through the reconstituted basement membrane matrix Matrigel by more than 140%, recombinant BRCA2 overexpression decreased both phenomena by 57–80% and changed cell morphology from angular and spindle to round and compact. The BRCA2 inhibitory effect on cancer cell migration and invasion resulted from down‐regulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9 protein levels due to increased MMP‐9 proteolysis, and was signaled through inhibition of PI3‐kinase/AKT and activation of MAPK/ERK pathway. In BRCA2‐overexpressing PC‐3 cells, transient transfection with a constitutively active PI3‐kinase mutant or treatment with the MAPK/ERK inhibitor PD98059 rescued MMP‐9 levels and restored the migratory and invasive capabilities. Consistently, PI3‐kinase inhibition with a dominant‐negative mutant or MAPK/ERK activation with a gain‐of‐function mutant reduced MMP‐9 levels and prevented migration and invasion in wild‐type PC‐3 cells. These results provide novel evidence showing that a functional BRCA2 protein may limit the metastatic potential of neoplastic cells by down‐regulating MMP‐9 production through inhibition of PI3‐kinase/AKT and activation of MAPK/ERK, effectively hindering cancer cell migration and invasion. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 553–563)
Comparative study of a DNA hybridization method and two isolation procedures for detection of Yersinia enterocolitica O:3 in naturally contaminated pork products

We compared a DNA-DNA hybridization assay, using a synthetically produced oligonucleotide probe, and two conventional isolation procedures (methods A and B) with regard to their relative efficiency in detecting Yersinia enterocolitica O:3 in naturally contaminated pork products. Method A was as described by Wauters et al. (Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 54:851-854, 1988). Method B has been recommended by the Nordic Committee on Food Analysis (method no. 117, 1987). The genetic probe was used in a colony hybridization assay to detect virulent yersiniae at each of the isolation steps with composed methods A and B. A total of 50 samples of raw pork products obtained from 13 meat-processing factories in Norway were examined. Y. enterocolitica serogroup O:3, biovar 4, was isolated from altogether 9 (18.0%) of the samples by using the two isolation procedures. In contrast, colony hybridization using the genetic probe indicated that 30 (60.0%) of the samples contained virulent yersiniae. All samples which were positive on cultivation were also positive by hybridization. The results indicate that the occurrence of pathogenic Y. enterocolitica in Norwegian pork products is substantially higher than previously demonstrated and, therefore, reinforce our suggestion that pork products represent an important potential source of human infection in Norway. The results also indicate that the use of conventional isolation procedures may lead to considerable underestimation of pathogenic Y. enterocolitica in pork products.
Association between toll-like receptor 4 expression and symptoms of major depressive disorder

Background In our previous study, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA expression level was associated with severity of major depressive disorder (MDD) evaluated with the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17). However, there are few studies that have investigated the relationship between symptoms of MDD and changes in TLR4 expression. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to further analyze the association between subscales of HAMD-17 and TLR4. Methods Fifty-one patients with MDD (15 male and 36 female) participated in this study. HAMD-17 was used to assess the symptoms of major depression. The mRNA expression levels of TLR4 were examined in parallel with a housekeeping gene, using real-time polymerase chain reaction. A stepwise linear regression forward model was used to evaluate the relationships between items of HAMD-17 and TLR4 expression. Results Some sickness behavior-associated symptoms, including suicide, somatic symptoms of anxiety, or performance of work and activities, were not associated with TLR4 expression. However, psychological signs of anxiety and loss of weight in HAMD-17 can predict the expression level of TLR4. Conclusion Our results suggest a significant association between anxiety, body weight loss, and TLR4 mRNA levels in patients with MDD. Larger longitudinal studies combining both subjective and objective measures of depression are needed to clarify the link between TLR4 and symptoms of depression.
Effects of stimulus–response compatibility on inhibitory processes in Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative basal ganglia disorder accompanied by deficits in cognitive functions. One important executive function is the inhibition of responses. Due to basal ganglia damage, processes related to the selection of response are also dysfunctional. However, the relevance of deficits in response selection to processes related to response inhibition in PD is not clear. In this study we examined these processes by means of event‐related potentials (ERPs) in two Go/Nogo tasks. In one task the stimulus–response mapping was compatible and in the other task it was incompatible with the meaning of the stimuli. The behavioural results show that PD patients were unaffected in the compatible response inhibition task but encountered problems in the incompatible one. In the ERPs the N2, generally reflecting response selection, was delayed for the PD compared to the control group. This suggests that response selection is delayed in PD. Moreover, the N2 was specifically enhanced in Nogo trials. This indicates that premotor inhibition, which is probably reflected by the Nogo‐N2, is intensified in PD. The P3 was specifically attenuated and delayed after Nogo stimuli in the incompatible condition for PDs. Assuming that the Nogo‐P3 reflects the evaluation of successful motor inhibition, our data show that this process is attenuated and delayed in PD but mainly in the incompatible task. The results suggest that inhibitory deficits in PD are only evident in complex (incompatible) stimulus–response mappings. These effects are probably due to an overstrain of striatal processes.