Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect on quanti-quality milk and mozzarella cheese characteristics with further increasing the level of dried stoned olive pomace in diet for lactating buffalo

Objective Following a previous report, an experiment was conducted to determine the effect of increasing level of dried stoned olives pomaces (DSOP) in the diet of lactating buffaloes on milk and mozzarella cheese yield and characteristics. Methods Sixteen pluriparous buffaloes distributed into two groups were fed an isoenergetic (0.9 milk forage unit/kg) and isoprotein (149 g/kg dry matter [DM] of crude protein) diet, with or without DSOP. Each animal received 17 kg DM/d. Samples of forages and concentrates were weekly collected and used for duplicate chemical analyses. Individual milk samples from each control were analyzed for chemical and coagulating parameters and daily production of mozzarella cheese was estimated. At the end of the trial, bulk milk of each group was processed to produce mozzarella cheese and chemical (fat, protein, ash, pH) composition, fatty acids composition, carotenoids and tocopherols content were determined. A sensory test was also performed. The oxidative stability was measured on mozzarella cheese and on governing liquid. Results No significant differences were observed, neither for milk yield and body condition score, nor for milk characteristics. The fat was higher (p<0.05) in mozzarella of DSOP fed group but, saturated fatty acids were lower and unsaturated higher (p<0.01). Furthermore, lower atherogenic (p<0.01), and thrombogenic (p<0.05) indices were found in mozzarella cheese of DSOP fed group. In addition, the administration of DSOP did not affect the mozzarella cheese oxidative stability and no negative effect was found in the sensory properties. Conclusion No contraindications appeared for the inclusion of DSOP in the diet of lactating buffaloes. Besides, important effects on mozzarella cheese quality were obtained, such as a modification of fat content and attributes with an increment in the mono-unsaturated. Additionally, a lower saturated/unsaturated ratio and atherogenic and thrombogenic indices suggest an improvement of dietetic and nutritional characteristics of mozzarella cheese.
Genetic characterization of Pompeii and Herculaneum Equidae buried by Vesuvius in 79 AD

DNA extracted from the skeletons of five equids discovered in a Pompeii stable and of a horse found in Herculaneum was investigated. Amino acid racemization level was consistent with the presence of DNA. Post‐mortem base modifications were excluded by sequencing a 146 bp fragment of the 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene. Sequencing of a 370 bp fragment of mitochondrial (mt)DNA control region allowed the construction of a phylogenetic tree that, along with sequencing of nuclear genes (epsilon globin, gamma interferon, and p53) fragments, gave us the possibility to address some questions puzzling archaeologists. What animals—donkeys, horses, or crossbreeds—were they? And, given they had been evidently assigned to one specific job, were they all akin or were they animals with different mitochondrial haplotypes? The conclusions provided by molecular analysis show that the Pompeii remains are those of horses and mules. Furthermore one of the equids (CAV5) seems to belong to a haplotype, which is either not yet documented in the GenBank or has since disappeared. As its characteristics closely recall those of donkeys, which is the out group chosen to construct the tree, that appears to have evolved within the Equidae family much earlier than horses, this assumption seems to be nearer the truth. J. Cell. Physiol. 199: 200–205, 2004© 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Advanced MRI unravels the nature of tissue alterations in early multiple sclerosis

In patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides only limited insights into the nature of brain damage with modest clinic‐radiological correlation. In this study, we applied recent advances in MRI techniques to study brain microstructural alterations in early relapsing‐remitting MS (RRMS) patients with minor deficits. Further, we investigated the potential use of advanced MRI to predict functional performances in these patients.
Proving Correctness of the Basic TESLA Multicast Stream Authentication Protocol with TAME

Abstract : The TESLA multicast stream authentication protocol is distinguished from other types of cryptographic protocols in both its key management scheme and its use of timing. It takes advantage of the stream being broadcast to periodically commit to and later reveal keys used by a receiver to verify that packets are authentic, and it uses both inductive reasoning and time arithmetic to allow the receiver to determine that an adversary cannot have prior knowledge of a key that has just been revealed. While an informal argument for the correctness of TESLA has been published, no mechanized proof appears to have previously been done for TESLA or any other protocol of the same variety. This paper reports on a mechanized correctness proof of the basic TESLA protocol based on establishing a sequence of invariants for the protocol using the tool TAME, an interface to PVS specialized for proving properties of automata. It discusses the organization and process used in the proof, and the possibilities for reusing these techniques in correctness proofs of similar protocols, starting with more sophisticated versions of TESLA.
Effect of test parameters on large particle high speed slurry erosion testing

Abstract A high speed slurry-pot wear tester was developed for close-to-reality heavy-duty wear testing of materials used in mineral applications. The samples are attached on four levels in a pin mill configuration. The tester and the developed sample rotation test method deliver reproducible results. This study focuses on the effects of testing parameters in large particle slurry testing. Parameters such as the speed, particle size and slurry concentration were varied. The effect of test duration was also examined. Round steel samples and slurry of water and granite gravel were used for testing. The test parameter variations were 4 to 10 mm for particle size, up to 23 wt-% for concentration and up to 20 m s−1 for the sample tip speed. The relationships between the parameters are discussed. The kinetic energy of the large abrasive particles is also considered. Wear surfaces studied with optical and electron microscopy are also presented and discussed.
Fabrication of ZnO microtubes with adjustable nanopores on the walls by the templating of butterfly wing scales

ZnO microtubes with adjustable arrayed nanopores on the walls are prepared by using butterfly wing scales as natural biotemplates. Flat butterfly wing scales used as templates rolled into tubes during the calcinations; all the windows on the scales were reserved and formed porous walls. Furthermore the density of the pores on the walls is partially determined by experimental conditions, such as temperature and time of treatment. The nano/microstructures obtained have been investigated by means of x-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The room temperature (T = 300 K) cathodoluminescence of these unique ZnO microtubes is also studied. The spectrum shows a sharp near band edge emission and a broad deep level emission, which are similar to those for other previously synthesized ZnO microtubes.
CORRELATION BETWEEN BIOLOGICAL AGENTS AND LEVELS OF HEAVY METALS IN MUNICIPAL SEWAGE SLUDGE

During the period 2003-2004, 110 samples of sewage sludge were examined from 18 treatment plants located in the territory of the whole of Poland, the majority in the Lublin Province. Samples of fermented and dehydrated sewage sludge were taken from sludge drying beds. The bacteriological and parasitological determinations covered bacteria of the Salmonella genus and eggs of the helminths Ascaris spp. , Trichuris spp. , and Toxocara spp. Chemical examinations for the presence of the heavy metals: chromium, zinc, cadmium, copper, nickel and lead were carried out by the method of atomic absorption fl ame spectrophotometry. The results were subjected to statistical analysis with the use of ANOVA and Student’s t-tests. In the sewage sludge samples examined, Salmonella bacteria were isolated from 9 samples (8.2%), and the eggs of helminths from 31 samples (28.1%). The eggs of Ascaris spp. were most frequently detected – in 24 samples of sewage sludge (21.8%), followed by Trichuris spp. eggs – in 11 samples (10.0%), and Toxocara spp. eggs in 6 samples (5.4%). Several samples of sewage sludge were infected by eggs of all the parasites examined (ATT). A very high variation was observed with respect to Salmonella bacteria and ATT eggs according to the origin, type of sanitation and duration of deposition of sludge. Levels of chromium, zinc, copper and lead in the sewage sludge samples, in the majority of samples examined, remained below allowable values. Very high values exceeding the allowable values for the levels of heavy metals were observed only in the samples of sewage sludge from one treatment plant. This concerned a cadmium level (201.1 mg/kg d.m.) which exceeded by 20 times the most rigorous allowable contents of this metal for sewage sludge designed for agricultural use, and nickel (288.7 mg/kg d.m.) – the standard being exceeded 3 times. A signifi cant variation of the levels of heavy metals was observed depending on treatment type. A longer period of deposition of sludge on plots (over 6 months) causes a signifi cant decrease of cadmium level, a decrease in the amount of Salmonella bacteria, and total elimination of Toxocara eggs. In the majority of cases no signifi cant correlation was observed between the level of heavy metals and biological contaminants. A weak correlation was found between the concentrations of lead and chromium and the presence of the eggs of helminths (ATT), as well as between the concentration of zinc and the presence of Salmonella bacteria. Address for correspondence: Dr Urszula Bożek, Department of Environmental Hygiene, Institute of Agricultural Medicine, Jaczewskiego 2, 20-090 Lublin, Poland. E-mail: urszula.bozek@op.pl
Cytochemical and Ultrastructural Changes in the Osteoclast-like Giant Cells of Giant Cell Tumor of Bone Following Bisphosphonate Administration

Giant cell tumor of bone (GCT) is a local aggressive neoplasm of bone characterized by expansive osteolytic lesions at the epiphysis of long bones. Bisphosphonates have been used to prevent bone resorption in secondary osteolytic tumors because of their strong anti-osteoclastic action. The authors studied the apoptosis and ultrastructural changes induced in osteoclast-like giant cells of GCT, following treatment with the aminobisphosphonate pamidronate in 16 patients with GCT of bone. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to identify ultrastructural changes, indicative of apoptosis, in the cytoplasm and the nucleus of the giant cells. Significant changes were observed in tumor samples from all 16 patients. In the cytoplasm these changes were characterized by abundant large tubular vesicles containing a central electrodense core scattered through the cytoplasm. In addition, mitochondria in the sections from pamidronate-treated patients appeared to be edematous when compared with sections from untreated patients. Nuclear changes in the giants cells were characterized by the formation of dense chromatin material scattered throughout the nucleus. The TUNEL labeling assay indicated that the mean pretreatment apoptotic index of 7.8% increased to 53% following pamidronate treatment. This was statistically significant ( p <.001) and correlated well with the ultrastructural changes noted on TEM. The formation of abundant tubular vesicles in giant cells following bisphosphonate treatment may reflect disturbed vesicular trafficking and may affect the bone resorbing activity of giant cells.
Implication of eIF2B Rather Than eIF4E in the Regulation of Global Protein Synthesis by Amino Acids in L6 Myoblasts*

The present study was designed to investigate the mechanism through which leucine and histidine regulate translation initiation in L6 myoblasts. The results show that both amino acids stimulate initiation and coordinately regulate the activity of eukaryotic initiation factor eIF2B. The changes in eIF2B activity could be explained in part by modulation of the phosphorylation state of the α-subunit of eIF2. The activity changes might also be a result of modulation of the phosphorylation state of the eIF2B ε-subunit, because deprivation of either amino acid caused a decrease in eIF2Bε kinase activity. Leucine, but not histidine, additionally caused a redistribution of eIF4E from the inactive eIF4E·4E-BP1 complex to the active eIF4E·eIF4G complex. The redistribution was a result of increased phosphorylation of 4E-BP1. The changes in 4E-BP1 phosphorylation and eIF4E redistribution associated with leucine deprivation were not observed in the presence of insulin. However, the leucine- and histidine-induced alterations in global protein synthesis and eIF2B activity were maintained in the presence of the hormone. Overall, the results suggest that both leucine and histidine regulate global protein synthesis through modulation of eIF2B activity. Furthermore, under the conditions employed herein, alterations in eIF4E availability are not rate-controlling for global protein synthesis but might be necessary for regulation of translation of specific mRNAs.
Evolution of hosts paying manifold costs of defence

Hosts are expected to incur several physiological costs in defending against parasites. These include constitutive energetic (or other resource) costs of a defence system, facultative resource costs of deploying defences when parasites strike, and immunopathological costs of collateral damage. Here, we investigate the evolution of host recovery rates, varying the source and magnitude of immune costs. In line with previous work, we find that hosts paying facultative resource costs evolve faster recovery rates than hosts paying constitutive costs. However, recovery rate is more sensitive to changes in facultative costs, potentially explaining why constitutive costs are hard to detect empirically. Moreover, we find that immunopathology costs which increase with recovery rate can erode the benefits of defence, promoting chronicity of infection. Immunopathology can also lead to hosts evolving low recovery rate in response to virulent parasites. Furthermore, when immunopathology reduces fecundity as recovery rate increases (e.g. as for T-cell responses to urogenital chlamydiosis), then recovery and reproductive rates do not covary as predicted in eco-immunology. These results suggest that immunopathological and resource costs have qualitatively different effects on host evolution and that embracing the complexity of immune costs may be essential for explaining variability in immune defence in nature.
Distribution and Characterization of Progenitor Cells within the Human Filum Terminale

Background Filum terminale (FT) is a structure that is intimately associated with conus medullaris, the most caudal part of the spinal cord. It is well documented that certain regions of the adult human central nervous system contains undifferentiated, progenitor cells or multipotent precursors. The primary objective of this study was to describe the distribution and progenitor features of this cell population in humans, and to confirm their ability to differentiate within the neuroectodermal lineage. Methodology/Principal Findings We demonstrate that neural stem/progenitor cells are present in FT obtained from patients treated for tethered cord. When human or rat FT-derived cells were cultured in defined medium, they proliferated and formed neurospheres in 13 out of 21 individuals. Cells expressing Sox2 and Musashi-1 were found to outline the central canal, and also to be distributed in islets throughout the whole FT. Following plating, the cells developed antigen profiles characteristic of astrocytes (GFAP) and neurons (β-III-tubulin). Addition of PDGF-BB directed the cells towards a neuronal fate. Moreover, the cells obtained from young donors shows higher capacity for proliferation and are easier to expand than cells derived from older donors. Conclusion/Significance The identification of bona fide neural progenitor cells in FT suggests a possible role for progenitor cells in this extension of conus medullaris and may provide an additional source of such cells for possible therapeutic purposes. Filum terminale, human, progenitor cells, neuron, astrocytes, spinal cord.
Insights into the pathogenesis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis: the development of targeted therapies

More than a century after its first description, Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) still remains an intriguing disease. Considerable progress in understanding its biology has been achieved recently. Description of the V600E BRAF mutation in samples of LCH tissue in 2010 was followed by description of additional mutations, all leading to constitutive ERK activation. Current experimental data suggest that LCH is a myeloid neoplasia with inflammatory properties, yet the exact pathophysiology remains poorly understood. Disease management paradigms have changed over time, closely reflecting the evolving view of the nature of the disease. The international Histiocyte Society have conducted three prospective clinical studies on multisystem LCH since the early 1990s. The standard frontline therapy for patients with multisystem LCH based on the cumulative knowledge of those trials consists of 6–12 weeks of initial therapy (daily oral steroids and weekly vinblastine injections), followed by pulses of prednisolone/vinblastine every 3 weeks, for a total treatment duration of 12 months. A currently ongoing study (LCH-IV) with a complex design (five interventional and two observational strata) targets further reduction of mortality and morbidity by tailoring treatment intensity depending on expected risk, as well as by exploring treatment regimens for special locations. Current knowledge on LCH pathobiology opens opportunities for improvement in the patient outcome. The activating BRAF and MAP2K1 mutations collectively accounting for about 75% of the LCH population as well as the resulting constitutive activation of downstream ERK offer an opportunity for targeted treatment. Related issues (eg, finding most effective and less toxic drugs or combinations, appropriate dosage, and optimal treatment duration) must be addressed in controlled prospective trials. Additional mechanisms, such as the interactions of the mutated dendritic cell clone with other inflammatory cells and key cytokines and chemokines, still remain attractive targets for therapeutic intervention, particularly in patients with localized, less aggressive disease.
Prevalence of JC Virus in Chinese Patients with Colorectal Cancer

Background JCV is a DNA polyomavirus very well adapted to humans. Although JCV DNA has been detected in colorectal cancers (CRC), the association between JCV and CRC remains controversial. In China, the presence of JCV infection in CRC patients has not been reported. Here, we investigated JCV infection and viral DNA load in Chinese CRC patients and to determine whether the JCV DNA in peripheral blood (PB) can be used as a diagnostic marker for JCV-related CRC. Methodology/Principal Findings Tumor tissues, non-cancerous tumor-adjacent tissues and PB samples were collected from 137 CRC patients. In addition, 80 normal colorectal tissue samples from patients without CRC and PB samples from 100 healthy volunteers were also harvested as controls. JCV DNA was detected by nested PCR and glass slide-based dot blotting. Viral DNA load of positive samples were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. JCV DNA was detected in 40.9% (56/137) of CRC tissues at a viral load of 49.1 to 10.3×104 copies/µg DNA. Thirty-four (24.5%) non-cancerous colorectal tissues (192.9 to 4.4×103 copies/µg DNA) and 25 (18.2%) PB samples (81.3 to 4.9×103 copies/µg DNA) from CRC patients were positive for JCV. Tumor tissues had higher levels of JCV than non-cancerous tissues (P = 0.003) or PB samples (P<0.001). No correlation between the presence of JCV and demographic or medical characteristics was observed. The JCV prevalence in PB samples was significantly associated with the JCV status in tissue samples (P<0.001). Eleven (13.8%) normal colorectal tissues and seven (7.0%) PB samples from healthy donors were positive for JCV. Conclusions/Significance JCV infection is frequently present in colorectal tumor tissues of CRC patients. Although the association between JCV presence in PB samples and JCV status in tissue samples was identified in this study, whether PB JCV detection can serve as a marker for JCV status of CRC requires further study.
Molecular and clinical characterization of albinism in a large cohort of Italian patients.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to identify the molecular basis of albinism in a large cohort of Italian patients showing typical ocular landmarks of the disease and to provide a full characterization of the clinical ophthalmic manifestations. METHODS DNA samples from 45 patients with ocular manifestations of albinism were analyzed by direct sequencing analysis of five genes responsible for albinism: TYR, P, TYRP1, SLC45A2 (MATP), and OA1. All patients studied showed a variable degree of skin and hair hypopigmentation. Eighteen patients with distinct mutations in each gene associated with OCA were evaluated by detailed ophthalmic analysis, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fundus autofluorescence. RESULTS Disease-causing mutations were identified in more than 95% of analyzed patients with OCA (28/45 [62.2%] cases with two or more mutations; 15/45 [33.3%] cases with one mutation). Thirty-five different mutant alleles were identified of which 15 were novel. Mutations in TYR were the most frequent (73.3%), whereas mutations in P occurred more rarely (13.3%) than previously reported. Novel mutations were also identified in rare loci such as TYRP1 and MATP. Mutations in the OA1 gene were not detected. Clinical assessment revealed that patients with iris and macular pigmentation had significantly higher visual acuity than did severe hypopigmented phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS TYR gene mutations represent a relevant cause of oculocutaneous albinism in Italy, whereas mutations in P present a lower frequency than that found in other populations. Clinical analysis revealed that the severity of the ocular manifestations depends on the degree of retinal pigmentation.