Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In situ survival of plasmid-bearing and plasmidless Pseudomonas aeruginosa in pristine tropical waters

Two rare wild-type strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were mixed in membrane diffusion chambers and then introduced into a natural freshwater environment for 72 h. The plasmid-containing strain (R serotype 15) and the plasmidless strain (H serotype 5) had initial bacterial densities of 2 x 10(5) cells per ml. Samples collected from the chambers were analyzed for viable and direct counts and for acquired-resistance frequencies. Suspected transconjugant-to-donor ratios ranged from 0.5 to 1.3; transfer percentages ranged from 13 to 70%. [3H]thymidine uptake indicated DNA synthesis in both strains as well as in transconjugants. These studies indicate that rare wild-type bacterial strains with large plasmid loads can survive as well as can bacteria with low plasmid loads when exposed to the in situ conditions of a tropical freshwater habitat. These results also suggest that genetic modification of indigenous microbiota through conjugation or transformation is feasible when rare wild-type strains or genetically engineered microorganisms are released in large numbers in tropical aquatic ecosystems.
Poleward Transport of TPX2 in the Mammalian Mitotic Spindle Requires Dynein, Eg5, and Microtubule Flux

TPX2 is a spindle assembly factor that is required for MT assembly near chromosomes. Using photoactivation of fluorescence, we report that TPX2 is transported poleward in the half-spindle. Poleward transport of TPX2 is sensitive to inhibition of dynein or Eg5, and to suppression of MT flux.
An applied behaviour analytic approach to challenging behaviours shown by survivors of traumatic brain injury

Challenging behaviours are often shown by survivors of traumatic brain injury, especially those with severe injuries. Challenging behaviours are a significant obstacle in the achievement of a successful rehabilitative outcome. A meta-analysis was conducted and it was found that interventions based on operant conditioning techniques were effective in treating challenging behaviours. However, the treatment outcome of learning based interventions can be enhanced by predetermining the function served by the challenging behaviour. Various functional assessment methods can be used, which were analysed in this study. A detailed descriptive analysis was conducted with nine participants. The findings showed that challenging behaviours were precipitated and maintained by social contingencies. Further analyses revealed that functionally equivalent challenging behaviours were structured either hierarchically or sequentially. Identification of precursor behaviours can facilitate the rehabilitation process. A structured descriptive assessment was used for the first time with the traumatic brain injury population. This new functional assessment method proved to have great clinically utility.
Long-Term Effects of a Brief Distraction Intervention on Children’s Laboratory Pain Reactivity

This 2-year follow-up study examined the effects of a brief behavioral intervention on task-based coping and pain reactivity to the cold pressor task (CPT). In the original study by Fanurik et al. (1993), 64 children (aged 8 to 10) whose coping style was categorized as “attender” or “distracter,” based on primary coping strategy during baseline CPT trials, received a 5-minute intervention (attention-focusing, distraction training, or control, randomly assigned). In the present study, 51 (32 female) of the original sample were readministered the CPT, and their coping style and pain responsivity were reassessed. Both distracters and attenders given distraction training preferred use of distraction at follow-up. The distraction training group also demonstrated greater tolerance at follow-up compared to controls, although pain ratings did not differ by intervention group. Our findings suggest that a brief distraction intervention has long-term effects on task-based coping and experimental pain reactivity.
A Photometric Redshift of z = 1.8{+0.4}{-0.3} for the AGILE GRB 080514B

The AGILE gamma-ray burst GRB 080514B is the first detected to have emission above 30 MeV and an optical afterglow. However, no spectroscopic redshift for this burst is known. We report on our ground-based optical/NIR and millimeter follow-up observations of this event at several observatories, including the multi-channel imager GROND on La Silla, supplemented by Swift UVOT and Swift XRT data. The spectral energy distribution (SED) of the optical/NIR afterglow is found to decline sharply bluewards to the UV bands, which can be utilized in estimating the redshift. Fitting the SED from the Swift UVOT uvw2 band to the H band, we estimate a photometric redshift of z = 1.8 +0.4-0.3, which is consistent with the reported pseudo-redshift based on gamma-ray data. We find that the afterglow properties of GRB 080514B do not differ from those exhibited by the global sample of long bursts. Compared with the long burst sample, we conclude that this burst was special because of its high-energy emission properties, even though both its afterglow and host galaxy are not remarkable in any way. Obviously, high-energy emission in the gamma-ray band does not automatically correlate with the occurrence of special features in the corresponding afterglow light. © 2008 ESO.
Microbial protein synthesis in young steers fed with grass silage and extruded corn

La sintesis de proteina microbiana es fundamental para satisfacer los requerimientos proteicos en rumiantes. El objetivo de esta investigation fue evaluar el efecto de incluir maiz (Zea mays L.) extruido en la racion de novillos alimentados con ensilaje de pradera, sobre la sintesis de proteina microbiana (MPS). Se emplearon 20 novillos jovenes ubicados en jaulas metabolicas para suministro de los alimentos. Los tratamientos consistieron en combinaciones de maiz extruido (EC) y maiz molido (GC) EC-10 (10% EC-30% GC); EC-25 (25% EC-15% GC) y EC-40 (40% EC-0% GC). Estos alimentos constituyeron el 40% de la racion (base MS) y el restante 60% fue ensilaje de pradera. Se estimo la MPS a traves de la excrecion de derivados de purinas (PD) en la orina, empleando coleccion total de orina. La inclusion de un mayor porcentaje de EC (EC-40) incremento la excrecion de PD (51.85 mmol d-1, P < 0,05). Los valores de excrecion de PD fluctuaron entre 663 y 1078 μmol BW-075 d-1. La absorcion de proteina microbiana y el flujo de N duodenal tambien se incrementaron por una mayor inclusion de EC (EC-40, P < 0,05). Las diferencias entre los tratamientos pueden ser explicadas por el efecto de la extrusion del maiz. Ello permite una mayor disponibilidad de energia para las bacterias ruminales y una mejor sincronia entre energia y proteina.
Spinal cord pathology is ameliorated by P2X7 antagonism in a SOD1-mutant mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

In recent years there has been an increasing awareness of the role of P2X7, a receptor for extracellular ATP, in modulating physiopathological mechanisms in the central nervous system. In particular, P2X7 has been shown to be implicated in neuropsychiatry, chronic pain, neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Remarkably, P2X7 has also been shown to be a ‘gene modifier’ in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): the receptor is upregulated in spinal cord microglia in human and rat at advanced stages of the disease; in vitro, activation of P2X7 exacerbates pro-inflammatory responses in microglia that have an ALS phenotype, as well as toxicity towards neuronal cells. Despite this detrimental in vitro role of P2X7, in SOD1-G93A mice lacking P2X7, the clinical onset of ALS was significantly accelerated and disease progression worsened, thus indicating that the receptor might have some beneficial effects, at least at certain stages of disease. In order to clarify this dual action of P2X7 in ALS pathogenesis, in the present work we used the antagonist Brilliant Blue G (BBG), a blood-brain barrier permeable and safe drug that has already been proven to reduce neuroinflammation in traumatic brain injury, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, neuropathic pain and experimental autoimmune encephalitis. We tested BBG in the SOD1-G93A ALS mouse model at asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic and late pre-symptomatic phases of disease. BBG at late pre-onset significantly enhanced motor neuron survival and reduced microgliosis in lumbar spinal cord, modulating inflammatory markers such as NF-κB, NADPH oxidase 2, interleukin-1β, interleukin-10 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. This was accompanied by delayed onset and improved general conditions and motor performance, in both male and female mice, although survival appeared unaffected. Our results prove the twofold role of P2X7 in the course of ALS and establish that P2X7 modulation might represent a promising therapeutic strategy by interfering with the neuroinflammatory component of the disease.
Crohn's disease of the small bowel, complicated by primary biliary cirrhosis, Hashimoto thyroiditis, and Raynaud's phenomenon: favorable response of all disorders to adalimumab treatment

We describe the case of a male patient suffering from long-lasting Crohn's disease of the small bowel who developed thyroiditis Hassimoto, Raynaud's phenomenon, and primary biliary cirrhosis, during the course of the underlying bowel disease. It is not clear whether these co-morbidities appeared coincidentally, or because they share some common immunopathogenetic mechanisms. In this patient, Crohn's disease favorably responded to the treatment with an anti-TNF-α agent (adalimumab). The serum titers of antimitochondrial antibodyies and cholestatic enzymes considerably reduced during the 3-year treatment with the biologic agent. Raynaud's phenomenon, also, completely disappeared. Bearing in mind the possible involvement of TNF-α in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cirrhosis, it could be argued that the clinical and laboratory improvement of liver disease, as well as the reduction in serum titers of antimitochondrial antibodies, might be due to the anti-TNF-α action of adalimumab. We suggest that it would be worth further investigating the role of biologic agents in the treatment of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.
Polymorphisms of the XRCC 1 DNA Repair Gene in Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the world. Tobacco and alcohol consumption are the main etiological factors in head and neck carcinogenesis. Previous studies have shown that genetic susceptibility plays an important role in the risk of developing this disease. 6 Head and neck carcinogenesis is associated with abnormalities in DNA repair, apoptosis, carcinogen metabolism and cell-cycle control, and is one of the best models to investigate the relationships between gene and environment. DNA repair mechanisms function to maintain genome integrity by reducing the mutation rate of cancer-related genes. There is considerable evidence that DNA repair capacity is genetically determined. It has been shown that reduction in this capacity is associated with increased risk of certain cancers. Thus, inherited
Weber meets Godzilla: social networks and the spirit of capitalism in East Asia and Africa

This paper explores the cultural foundations of contemporary network capitalism in East Asia, and its implications for African enterprise development. It considers how neo-Weberian perspectives on the cultural determinants of East Asian network success have served to validate intensified processes of labour exploitation while glossing over the role of the state in making networks work for development. It is argued that the ideology of the Confucian ethic draws on notions of social solidarity to normalise the use of unfree labour in capitalist accumulation strategies, while concealing the critical role of the state in mobilising society around cultural values and socialising risk to diffuse potentially disruptive social tensions. The obfuscation of these processes in cultural analyses of Asian network success has cast the poor performance of African enterprise networks as a product of cultural dysfunction, obscuring underlying processes of state withdrawal and policy failure. The problems arising from Chinese business networks in Africa bring out the contradictions of cultural interpretations of network dynamism. [Weber rencontre Godzilla : les réseaux sociaux et l'esprit du capitalisme en Asie de l'Est et en Afrique]. Cet article explore les fondements culturels du réseau du capitalisme contemporain en Asie de l'Est et ses implications pour le développement des entreprises en Afrique. Il considère la manière dont les perspectives néo-wébériennes sur les déterminants culturels de la réussite du réseau de l'Asie de l'Est ont servi à valider les processus intensifiés de l'exploitation du marché du travail tout en passant sous silence le rôle de l'État en faisant en sorte que les réseaux puissent œuvrer pour le développement. Il est soutenu que l'idéologie de l'étique confucéenne s'appuie sur les notions de solidarité sociale afin de normaliser l'utilisation du travail non libre dans les stratégies de l'accumulation capitaliste, tout en dissimulant le rôle déterminant de l'État dans la mobilisation de la société autour des valeurs culturelles et la banalisation du risque susceptible de provoquer des tensions sociales potentielles et perturbatrices. L'occultation de ces processus dans les analyses culturelles de la réussite du réseau asiatique a mis en lumière la mauvaise performance des réseaux d'entreprises africaines en tant que produit d'un dysfonctionnement culturel, occultant les processus souterrains de désengagement de l'État et l'échec des dispositions. Les problèmes émergeant des réseaux d'entreprises chinoises en Afrique mettent en évidence les contradictions d'interprétations culturelles de la dynamique de réseau. Mots-clés: les réseaux sociaux; le capitalisme; l'Asie de l'Est; l'Afrique
Reentry Within the His-Purkinje System: Elucidation of Reentrant Circuit Using Right Bundle Branch and His Bundle Recordings

SUMMARY Routes of impulse propagation during reentry in the His-Purkinje system (Re-HPS) in 13 patients were studied using the right ventricular extra stimulus (V2) method and right bundle branch (RBB) recordings in addition to the conventional His (H) bundle recordings. The H-V and RB-V intervals during sinus rhythm averaged 44.2 and 27.6 msec respectively, with the average antegrade H-RB interval 16.6 msec. All 13 patients demonstrated Re-HPS in the form of V3 showing a left bundle branch block (LBBB) pattern, and two of the 13 patients also manifested V3 with a right bundle branch block (RBBB) pattern. During Re-HPS showing a LBBB pattern, the retrograde activation of the His bundle (H2) in response to V2 occurred via the left bundle branch (LBB), as indicated by inscription of retrograde H2 prior to RB2 in nine of 13 cases (average H2-RB2 = 9.4 msec), and simultaneous incription of retrograde H2 and RB2 in the remaining four. When V3 showed a RBBB pattern the retrograde RB2 preceded H2, suggesting H2 activation via the RBB. These findings suggest that circuit of Re-HPS incorporates both bundle branches and the bundle of His. The H-RB recordings were also useful in distinguishing sustained Re-HPS from atrioventricular nodal reentry when in both instances the QRS complex showed a LBBB pattern.
Bioreactors for Coffee Mass Propagation by Somatic Embryogenesis

Coffee somatic embryogenesis in liquid medium is a powerful alternative to other vegetative propagation techniques for mass propagation of selected Coffea canephora (Robusta) clones and F1 Coffea arabica hybrids. This review presents the different types of bioreactors used for coffee somatic embryogenesis by Nestle R&D Centre-Tours and by other scientific teams. Mechanically agitated bioreactors were used for the production of torpedo-shaped embryos. Critical parameters are the inoculation density (0.5 to 1.0 g FW L -1 ), medium renewing and the initial oxygen transfer rate (KLa: 5 h -1 ). In this system, Robusta embryo concentrations range between 200,000 to 400,000 L -1 within 2 months. Maturation from the torpedo to the cotyledonary-stage embryos was achieved in various temporary immersion bioreactors (TIB): in 1-L RITA ® system (up to 1,000 cotyledonary embryos per system), in 10-L glass bottles (up to 20,000) and in 10-L flexible disposable bags. The latter one, the so-called “Box-in-Bags”, insures a higher light transmittance to the biomass due to its horizontal design. At the end of the maturation phase, the somatic embryos are green and able to photosynthesize: these pregerminated embryos can be directly transplanted to the greenhouse to get fully germinated plantlets. More recently, a temporary root immersion bioreactor (TRI) has been described for the growth of individualized Arabusta plantlets in photoautautrophic conditions, i.e. in sugar-free medium with enriched CO2 and high light intensity. The pros and cons of these different bioreactors will be discussed considering how they can be integrated in a mass propagation process. We present a “state of the art” by describing a pilot scale process for the production of pregerminated Robusta embryos and some examples of diffusion of coffee selected genotypes. These last years, two major trends have been developed for industrial micropropagation: i) bulk-cultivation of small propagules in photomixotrophic conditions (with sugar) followed by their selection and transfer to the greenhouse for their conversion to plant, ii) production of singulated and fully developed plantlets in the laboratory under photoautotrophic conditions. Next development in coffee mass propagation by somatic embryogenesis will probably originate from the combination of these two approaches. The usage of the “micro-environment” method, combined with media releasing CO2, is well adapted for the ex vitro germination of coffee embryos. Particularly, this method can be a relevant alternative to the conventional one, consisting on insufflating CO2 in the culture rooms or in the greenhouses.
The prognostic value of changes in serum ferritin levels during therapy for hepatitis C virus infection

An increase in serum ferritin levels during combined interferon–ribavirin treatment in chronic patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) can occur. A study was conducted to determine whether observing the kinetics of serum ferritin levels during antiviral therapy, may assist in predicting the rate of sustained virological response. The kinetics of serum ferritin levels during antiviral therapy in treatment‐naive, adherent patients with chronic HCV who had early virological response were characterized. Thirteen patients achieved sustained virological response (group 1) while eight patients did not (group 2). Pre‐treatment serum ferritin levels were higher in group 2 patients. During antiviral therapy, serum ferritin levels increased in both groups. On treatment, the median increase (compared to baseline) and the calculated rate of the increase in serum ferritin levels was higher in group 1 patients (874% vs. 272%, P < 0.05, 63%/week vs. 13%/week, P = 0.024, respectively). Red blood cell lysis did not contribute to the increase in serum ferritin level. Post‐treatment (1st month) serum ferritin levels in group 1 patients were lower than in group 2 patients. In addition, the degree of decline in the 1st month serum ferritin levels (from peak levels) in group 1 patients was higher (76% vs. 49%, P = 0.039). Measuring serum ferritin levels during antiviral therapy in HCV patients who had an early virological response may assist in predicting sustained virological response. J. Med. Virol. 83:1262–1268, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Feasibity of Using a Measure of Heart Rate Change in Human Adults to Signal Occurrence of Tone

Abstract : An organism's overt response to a stimulus is the most evident, but not the sole, response elicited by that stimulus. A covert response could be a more reliable and more sensitive response to the stimulus than the traditionally monitored overt response. Using group statistics, a change in heart rate (HR) of human subjects exposed to auditory signals has been reported. If HR change is a reliable response, as previous research would suggest, then it may be possible to use its occurrence to signal the presentation of a tone. A reliable HR response (HR-R) would be extremely valuable in auditory signal detection situations, where operators often become drowsy and fail to respond overtly to auditory signals. The object of this study was to determine the feasibility of employing a measure of HR change in human adult subjects to signal the occurrence of a tone.
Obesity and vitamin D deficiency: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Over the past decade, there have been an increasing number of studies on the association between vitamin D deficiency and anthropometric state. However, we did not identify any meta‐analyses of the relationship between obesity and vitamin D deficiency in different age groups. Thus, we evaluated the association between obesity and vitamin D deficiency. We searched for observational studies published up to April 2014 in PubMed/Medline, Web of Science and Scopus databases. We performed a meta‐analysis in accordance with the random‐effects model to obtain the summary measurement (prevalence ratio, PR). Among the 29,882 articles identified, 23 met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 35% higher in obese subjects compared to the eutrophic group (PR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.21–1.50) and 24% higher than in the overweight group (PR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.14–1.34). These results indicate that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was more elevated in obese subjects. The vitamin D deficiency was associated with obesity irrespective of age, latitude, cut‐offs to define vitamin D deficiency and the Human Development Index of the study location.
State-specific, racial and ethnic heterogeneity in trends of firearm-related fatality rates in the USA from 2000 to 2010

Objectives To document overall, racial, ethnic and intent-specific spatiotemporal trends of firearm-related fatality rates (FRF rates) in the USA. Design Cross-sectional study per year from 2000 to 2010. Setting USA. Participants Aggregate count of all people in the USA from 2000 to 2010. Outcome measures Data from the Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System from 2000 to 2010 was used to determine annual FRF rates per 100 000 and by states, race, ethnicity and intent. Results The average national 11-year FRF rate was 10.21/100 000, from 3.02 in Hawaii to 18.62 in Louisiana: 60% of states had higher than national rates and 41 states showed no temporal change. The average national FRF rates among African-Americans and Caucasians were 18.51 and 9.05/100 000 and among Hispanics and non-Hispanics were 7.13 and 10.13/100 000; Hispanics had a decreasing change of −0.18, p trend<0.0001. In states with increasing trends (Florida and Massachusetts), Caucasians and non-Hispanics drove the rise; while in states with decreasing trends (California, North Carolina, Arizona, Nevada, New York, Illinois, Maryland), Hispanics and African-Americans drove the fall. The average national FRF rates due to homicides (4.1/100 000) and suicides (5.8/100 000) remained constant, but varied between states. Conclusions Endemic national FRF rates mask a wide variation in time trends between states. FRF rates were twice as high in African-Americans than Caucasians but decreased among Hispanics. Efforts to identify state-specific best practices can contribute to changes in national FRF rates that remain high.