Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Luminal salmonella endotoxin affects epithelial and mast cell function in the proximal colon of pigs.

BACKGROUND Salmonellosis and systemic endotoxaemia affect intestinal function. However, little is known about the functional importance of luminal Salmonella (S.) endotoxin during intestinal infection. METHODS Pigs were either given or not given lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 30 mg day(-1)) of S. Typhimurium DT-104 orally for 14 days. Blood samples were taken weekly. After slaughter (day 14), epithelia of the proximal colon were investigated in Ussing chambers. Bacterial translocations to lung, liver, spleen and several lymph nodes were determined by culture. RESULTS Endotoxin feeding increased plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and histamine levels without evoking clinical signs. Postmortem, proximal colonic epithelia of LPS-treated animals showed both a decreased histamine release after mast cell stimulation with A23187 and a smaller increase in short-circuit current after A23187 application. Addition of the nitric oxide donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), also elicited lower increases in short-circuit current in the proximal colon of endotoxin-treated pigs. Endotoxin pre-feeding decreased colonic ion conductance, although mannitol and histamine fluxes were high in some epithelia of this group. Luminal Salmonella endotoxin increased bacterial translocation to proximal jejunal lymph nodes. LPS applied to colonic epithelia in vitro had no electrophysiological effects. CONCLUSIONS Luminal endotoxin elicits an acute phase response and affects intestinal electrolyte transport and mast cell function. Furthermore, LPS induces epithelial spots of increased mannitol permeability that could be identical to spots of enhanced bacterial translocation.
The sources of housing prices growth in Kenya

Purpose: The objective of the study was to analyze the sources of housing prices growth in Kenya Methodology: The study used time series data for the period 1960 to 2015 and adopted an ARDL modeling approach. The model was useful as housing prices behaves differently from other goods’ prices, and as such, previous values of housing prices were necessary in estimations. The model also suited for small sample size and for its capacity to estimate short-run and long-run dynamics. The ARDL model also distinguishes dependent and explanatory variables. Results: The study findings showed that the sources of housing prices growth included household consumption expenditure, construction cost and property taxes both in the short-run and long-run. Private capital inflows and households’ indebtedness have a positive transitory effect to the housing prices. Against the popular view, supply of housing have no effect on housing prices. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The Kenya National Housing Corporation needs to make public and encourage the use of readily available alternative building material besides the conventional material while not compromising on quality to address the overreaction of housing prices. Keywords: Housing Prices, Macroeconomic Stability, Housing Price Boom and Affordability
Comparison of media literacy and usual education to prevent tobacco use: a cluster-randomized trial.

BACKGROUND Media literacy programs have shown potential for reduction of adolescent tobacco use. We aimed to determine if an anti-smoking media literacy curriculum improves students' media literacy and affects factors related to adolescent smoking. METHODS We recruited 1170 9th-grade students from 64 classrooms in 3 public urban high schools. Students were randomized by classroom to a media literacy curriculum versus a standard educational program. In an intent-to-treat analysis, we used multilevel modeling to determine if changes in study outcomes were associated with the curricular intervention, controlling for baseline student covariates and the clustering of students within classrooms. RESULTS Among participants, mean age was 14.5 years and 51% were male, with no significant differences in baseline characteristics between groups. Smoking media literacy changed more among intervention participants compared with control participants (0.24 vs. 0.08, p < .001). Compared with controls, intervention students exhibited a greater reduction in the perceived prevalence of smoking (-14.0% vs. -4.6%, p < .001). Among those initially susceptible to smoking, intervention participants more commonly reverted to being nonsusceptible post-intervention (24% vs. 16%, p = .08). CONCLUSIONS A school-based media literacy curriculum is more effective than a standard educational program in teaching media literacy and improving perceptions of the true prevalence of smoking among adolescents.
A Pathogenic Threshold of Virus Load Defined in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus- or Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Macaques

ABSTRACT To determine if a specific pathogenic threshold of plasma viral RNA could be defined irrespective of virus strain, RNA levels in the plasma of more than 50 infected rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) were measured. Animals were inoculated intravenously with either simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) or simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) strains of known pathogenic potential (SIV8980, SIVsmm-3, SIVmac32H/J5, SIVmac32H/1XC, reverse transcriptase-SHIV, SHIV89.6p) or with attenuated strains (SHIVW6.1D, SHIVsf13, SHIVhan-2, SIVmacΔnef, SHIVsf33). In animals inoculated with nonpathogenic strains, shortly after the primary peak of viremia viral RNA levels declined and remained below 104 RNA equivalents/ml of plasma between 6 and 12 weeks postinoculation. Animals infected with documented pathogenic strains maintained viral RNA levels higher than 105 RNA equivalents/ml of plasma. In animals infected with strains with low virulence, a decline in plasma RNA levels was observed, but with notable individual variation. Our results demonstrate that the disease-causing potential was predicted and determined by a threshold plasma virus load which remained greater than 105 RNA equivalents/ml of plasma 6 to 12 weeks after inoculation. A threshold virus load value which remained below 104 RNA equivalents/ml of plasma was indicative of a nonpathogenic course of infection.
Spontaneous Lysosomal Storage Disease Caused by Sida carpinifolia (Malvaceae) Poisoning in Cattle

Clinical and pathologic findings for the spontaneous poisoning by Sida carpinifolia in cattle are described in this study. A survey on field cases of S. carpinifolia in cattle was carried out on farms of Alto Vale do Itajai, State of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. Sixteen affected animals were clinically evaluated and 9 were subjected to postmortem examination. The main clinical signs consisted of marching gait, alert gaze, head tremors, and poor growth. Histologic and ultrastructural lesions consisted of vacuolization and distension of neuronal perikarya, mainly from Purkinje cells, and of the cytoplasm of acinar pancreatic and thyroid follicular cells. Clinical signs and lesions varied from mild to severe. Improvement of the clinical signs was observed in cattle after a period of up to 90 days without consuming the plant; however, residual lesions, mainly characterized by axonal spheroids and absence of Purkinje neurons in some areas of the cerebellum, were observed in these cases. It is concluded that the natural chronic consumption of S. carpinifolia was the etiologic cause of storage disease in cattle in this study.
Renal cell carcinoma in children: a clinicopathologic study.

PURPOSE To identify the prognostic factors, treatment, and outcome of children affected by renal cell carcinoma (RCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS The series included 41 patients (18 males and 23 females) with a median age of 124 months observed at the 11 Italian Association for Pediatric Hematology and Oncology centers from January 1973 to January 2001. Clinical data, surgical notes, pathologic findings, and summaries of therapy were taken from the charts. RESULTS Seven (17%) of the 41 patients had a papillary histology, and 34 (82.4%) had nonpapillary histology. Eighteen patients (43.9%) had stage I, one patient (2.4%) had stage II, two patients (4.8%) had stage IIIA, 10 patients (24.3%) had stage IIIB, and nine patients (21.9%) had stage IV disease. One patient had a bilateral involvement at diagnosis. Seven patients experienced disease recurrence. Lung and liver were the most common distant lesions and usually were fatal. In this study, the major factor influencing the prognosis was the stage. Event-free survival at 20 years was 53.5% for all patients. Overall survival at 20 years was 54.9% for all patients. CONCLUSION RCC is a rare disease in children and adolescents. This neoplasm has a different clinical presentation in children compared with adults but the same outcome. In our experience, patients with localized disease could be cured by nephrectomy alone. Prospective studies in a larger number of patients are needed to confirm radiation therapy and biologic response modifiers as effective adjunct therapy in RCC stage III. The alternative therapy seems warranted in patients with advanced disease.
Intraspecific diversity buffers the inhibitory effects of soil biota.

Plant community productivity can increase with increasing intraspecific genotypic diversity. Previous studies have attributed the genetic diversity-productivity pattern to differential resource use among genotypes, as many studies have found for species. But here we ask whether suppression of productivity at low intraspecific diversity by soil biota might also drive a positive diversity-productivity relationship. In a previous study, we manipulated genetic diversity by varying the number of Pseudoroegneria accessions growing together in common garden plots, and used soil from that experiment to evaluate soil feedbacks. The total biomass of P. spicata plants grown in unsterilized soil increased with accession richness, specifically when comparing soil that had contained plants from 3 accessions to soil that had contained plants from either 8 or 12 population accessions. Furthermore, soil from high-richness (8 or 12-accession) plots drove neutral feedbacks, whereas soil in the 3-accession plots (3) drove negative feedbacks. However, within each level of richness, there was no relationship between relative yield and feedback. Our results suggest that soil biota might play an integral role in the emerging understanding of the relationship between intraspecific diversity and ecosystem productivity.
Toxicological responses of red‐backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) to subchronic soil exposures of 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene

Since World War I, trinitrotoluene (TNT) has been the most commonly used explosive. Environmental contamination associated with synthesis, manufacture of weapons, and use during training exercises has been extensive, with soil concentrations reaching 145,000 mg/kg. Some of these areas include habitats for amphibian species. Earlier studies have shown that salamanders dermally absorb TNT from soil. To ascertain what soil concentrations of TNT are toxic to amphibians, red‐backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) were exposed to one of five concentrations of TNT in soil for 28 d and evaluated for indicators of toxicity. A total of 100 salamanders were randomly sorted by weight and assigned to target TNT concentrations in soil of either 3,000, 1,500, 750, 325, or 0 mg/kg dry weight. Food consisted of uncontaminated flightless Drosophila melanogaster. Survival was reduced in salamanders exposed to 1,500 and 3,000 mg/kg by 10 and 55%, respectively. Most mortality/morbidity occurred within the first week of exposure. Salamanders had a reduction in hemoglobin at 750 mg/kg or greater and a reduction in red blood cell concentration at 1,500 mg/kg or greater. Food consumption was affected in salamanders at 750 mg/kg or greater; a reduction in body mass and liver glycogen content also occurred at and above this concentration. Splenic congestion also was observed in salamanders from these groups. These data suggest that soil TNT concentrations of 373 ± 41.0 mg/kg or greater result in reduced body mass, reduced feed intake, and hematological effects.
A Meta-Analysis of the Published Research on the Effects of Child Sexual Abuse

Abstract A meta-analysis of the published research on the effects of child sexual abuse (CSA) was undertaken for 6 outcomes: posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, suicide, sexual promiscuity, victim-perpetrator cycle, and poor academic performance. Thirty-seven studies published between 1981 and 1995 involving 25,367 people were included. Many of the studies were published in 1994 (24; 65%), and most were done in the United States (22; 59%). All six dependent variables were coded, and effect sizes (d) were computed for each outcome. Average unweighted and weighted ds for each of the respective outcome variables were . 50 and . 40 for PTSD, . 63 and . 44 for depression, . 64 and . 44 for suicide, . 59 and . 29 for sexual promiscuity, . 41 and . 16 for victim-perpetrator cycle, and . 24 and . 19 for academic performance. A file drawer analysis indicated that 277 studies with null ds would be required to negate the present findings. The analyses provide clear evidence confirming the link between CSA and subsequent negative short- and long-term effects on development. There were no statistically significant differences on ds when various potentially mediating variables such as gender, socioeconomic status, type of abuse, age when abused, relationship to perpetrator, and number of abuse incidents were assessed. The results of the present meta-analysis support the multifaceted model of traumatization rather than a specific sexual abuse syndrome of CSA.
Mechanism of biliary lipid secretion in the rat: A role for bile acid–independent bile flow?

Bile acid–induced lipid secretion was compared in unanesthetized normal control and Groningen Yellow Wistar rats during variations in endogenous bile acid output. Groningen Yellow rats express a genetic defect in the biliary secretion of various organic anions. During a 5‐hr period after interruption of the enterohepatic circulation, bile acid secretion decreased from 36.4 ± 1.8 to 1.9 ± 0.3 μmol per 30 min in normal control rats and from 37.1 ± 2.8 to 1.8 ± 0.2 μmol per 30 min in Groningen Yellow rats, respectively (mean ± S.E.M., n = 5). The relationship between bile acid secretion and bile flow showed similar slopes (normal control, 8.74 ± 0.44 μl/μmol and Groningen Yellow rats, 7.71 ± 0.42 μ1/μmol) but different y‐intercepts (normal control, 243 ± 8 and Groningen Yellow, 127 ± 4 μ1 per 30 min; p < 0.001), corresponding to a 47% reduction of the bile acid–independent fraction of bile flow in Groningen Yellow rats. During the course of the experiment, the ratio of lipids (phospholipids plus cholesterol) to bile acids increased in both strains more than threefold but was permanently higher in Groningen Yellow than in normal control rats (p = 0.035), implying that Groningen Yellow rats continuously secreted more lipid per bile acid. No differences in bile acid pool composition or in bile canalicular membrane composition and fluidity between the two strains were detected. The results indicate that apart from previously demonstrated factors (bile acid concentration, bile acid composition and hydrophilic organic anion concentration in bile), another parameter affects the efficacy of bile acids to induce biliary lipid secretion. We hypothesize that the magnitude of bile acid–independent flow is a coregulating factor by influencing the exposure time of the canalicular membrane to intracanalicular bile acids. (HEPATOLOGY 1993;17:1074–1080.)
Enteric infection with an obligate intracellular parasite, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, in an experimental model

Rabbits were intrarectally infected with 3 doses (5 x 10(3), 5 x 10(5), and 5 x 10(7] of an obligate intracellular parasite, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, with or without prior colonic lavages. Although chronic administration of enemas seems to interfere to some degree with the intestinal translocation of the parasite, systemic infection was observed in both manipulated and nonmanipulated animals. The animals responded with antibodies of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG isotypes, reflecting the route of infection. They also produced significant amounts of circulating immune complexes composed of IgA and IgG antibodies and E. cuniculi antigens. Lesions compatible with encephalitozoonosis were seen in the liver, kidney, lung, and brain. In all instances, nonmanipulated animals had more severe lesions than manipulated rabbits given the same dose of parasites. Levels of serum antibodies, circulating immune complexes, and histopathologic changes were associated with the infection dose. The presented data suggest that human microsporidiosis may also be transmitted via the rectal route. It is, therefore, of clinical relevance in view of several reports of microsporidian infections in patients with acquired immunodeficiency.
Self-Esteem and Delusion Proneness

The present study was an examination of global self-esteem and various types of unusual beliefs in a nonclinical population. Individuals with no history of psychotic disorder (N = 121) completed a measure of delusion-proneness and also a measure of self-esteem. Results indicated high delusion prone individuals had lower self-esteem than low delusion prone individuals (p = 0.044). In addition, higher levels of paranoid ideation and suspiciousness were associated with lower self-esteem (p < 0.001). Significant, yet smaller relationships also emerged between low self-esteem and higher levels of beliefs related to thought disturbances, catastrophic ideation/thought broadcasting, and ideation of reference/influence. The significance of these findings as they relate to theories of delusion formation is discussed.
Optimism in Financial Markets: Stock Market Returns and Investor Sentiments

This paper investigates how investor sentiment affects stock market returns and evaluates the predictability power of sentiment indices on U.S. and EU stock market returns. As regards the American example, evidence shows that investor sentiment indices have an economic and statistical predictability power on stock market returns. Concerning the European market instead, investigation provides weak results. Moreover, comparing the two markets, where investor sentiment of U.S. market tries to predict the European stock market returns, and vice versa, the analyses indicate a spillover effect from the U.S. to Europe.
Long-Term Renal and Cardiac Outcomes after Stenting in Patients with Resistant Hypertension and Atherosclerotic Renal Artery Stenosis

Background/Aims: Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) is frequently detected in patients with resistant hypertension (RHTN), but the evidence supporting the utility of renal revascularization in these patients is limited. This prospective, observational study investigates the outcomes of renal stenting in patients with RHTN and hemodynamically significant ARAS. Methods: Fifty-four patients with RHTN were selected because of angiographic evidence of ARAS >70% and were followed for 4 years after renal stenting. Renal function and echocardiographic variables were assessed at baseline and during follow-up. Results: Blood pressure decreased rapidly after renal stenting and was normalized in 67% of patients at six months, with significant reduction in the number of antihypertensive drugs. Creatinine clearance increased in 39% of patients, decreased in 52%, and remained stable in the remaining 9%, with an average value that had a nonsignificant decrease during follow-up. Urinary albumin excretion did not change throughout the study. After 4 years, left ventricular (LV) wall thickness and concentric geometry decreased significantly and variables of LV diastolic function improved. Conclusion: In patients with RHTN, stenting of hemodynamically significant ARAS decreases blood pressure, preserves renal function in a substantial proportion of patients, and improves LV structure and function, suggesting the opportunity for timely identification of ARAS in these patients.
Human adipocytes secrete mineralocorticoid-releasing factors

Obesity has become an epidemic problem in western societies, contributing to metabolic diseases, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Overweight and obesity are frequently associated with increased plasma levels of aldosterone. Recent evidence suggests that human fat is a highly active endocrine tissue. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that adipocyte secretory products directly stimulate adrenocortical aldosterone secretion. Secretory products from isolated human adipocytes strongly stimulated steroidogenesis in human adrenocortical cells (NCI-H295R) with a predominant effect on mineralocorticoid secretion. Aldosterone secretion increased 7-fold during 24 h of incubation. This stimulation was comparable to maximal stimulation of these cells with forskolin (2 × 10–5 M). On the molecular level, there was a 10-fold increase in the expression of steroid acute regulatory peptide mRNA. This effect was independent of adipose angiotensin II as revealed by the stimulatory effect of fat cell-conditioned medium even in the presence of the angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonist, valsartan. None of the recently defined adipocytokines accounted for the effect. Mineralocorticoid-stimulating activity was heat sensitive and could be blunted by heating fat cell-conditioned medium to 99°C. Centrifugal filtration based on molecular mass revealed at least two releasing factors: a heat sensitive fraction (molecular mass >50 kDa) representing 60% of total activity, and an inactive fraction (molecular mass <50 kDa). However, the recovery rate increased to 92% when combining these two fractions, indicating the interaction of at least two factors. In conclusion, human adipocytes secrete potent mineralocorticoid-releasing factors, suggesting a direct link between obesity and hypertension.
Ammonia, volatile fatty acids, phenolics, and odor offensiveness in manure from growing pigs fed diets reduced in protein concentration.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether reducing dietary CP concentration decreases fecal VFA, manure ammonia (NH3) emission and odor, and urinary phenolic metabolites. Six barrows were allotted to one of six dietary treatments in a Latin square design. Treatments consisted of four corn-soybean meal based diets containing 15, 12, 9, and 6% CP, a casein-based diet containing 15% CP, and a protein-free diet (0% protein). Crystalline AA were included in the 12, 9, and 6% CP diets. The casein-based and protein-free diets were used to determine basal endogenous contribution of VFA, phenolics, NH3, and manure odor. Pigs were housed individually in metabolism cages to allow total collection of feces and urine. Feces and urine were collected and pooled within pig and period. Feces and urine were analyzed for VFA and phenolic metabolite concentrations, respectively. Feces and urine were then mixed, stored, and fermented at room temperature for 30 d. For NH3 determination, headspace air was sampled from manure slurries at 24, 48, and 72 h after fermentation. Slurry samples were placed into vials, capped, and randomized before odor panel evaluation. Odor offensiveness was classified on severity: 1 = non-offensive; 2 = mildly offensive; 3 = moderately offensive; 4 = strongly offensive; and 5 = extremely offensive. Reducing dietary CP increased (P < 0.05) fecal VFA concentrations but did not affect phenolic concentrations in urine. Manure NH3 emission was reduced (P < 0.05) as dietary CP concentration decreased from 15 to 0%. The 15% diet had the least offensive manure slurry with odor qualitative ranking of 2.58 (i.e., mild-moderately offensive). Compared with the 15% CP diet, manure from the 9 and 6% CP diets was found to be more offensive (P < 0.05), with qualitative rankings of 2.92 and 3.10, respectively. Odor qualitative rank for the 12% CP, protein-free diet, and casein-based diet did not differ from that of the 15% CP diet. These results indicate that reduction in dietary CP concentrations decreases manure NH3 emission, but it does not diminish manure odor offensiveness and fecal VFA concentrations.