Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phylogenetic Composition of Rocky Mountain Endolithic Microbial Ecosystems

ABSTRACT The endolithic environment, the pore space in rocks, is a ubiquitous microbial habitat. Photosynthesis-based endolithic communities inhabit the outer few millimeters to centimeters of rocks exposed to the surface. Such endolithic ecosystems have been proposed as simple, tractable models for understanding basic principles in microbial ecology. In order to test previously conceived hypotheses about endolithic ecosystems, we studied selected endolithic communities in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States with culture-independent molecular methods. Community compositions were determined by determining rRNA gene sequence contents, and communities were compared using statistical phylogenetic methods. The results indicate that endolithic ecosystems are seeded from a select, global metacommunity and form true ecological communities that are among the simplest microbial ecosystems known. Statistical analysis showed that biogeographical characteristics that control community composition, such as rock type, are more complex than predicted. Collectively, results of this study support the idea that patterns of microbial diversity found in endolithic communities are governed by principles similar to those observed in macroecological systems.
Suppression of the Later Stages of Radiation-Induced Carcinogenesis by Antioxidant Dietary Formulations

Abstract We have previously reported data from a long-term carcinogenesis study indicating that dietary antioxidant supplements can suppress radiation-induced malignant lymphoma and harderian gland tumors induced by space radiations (specifically, 1 GeV/n iron ions or protons) in CBA/J mice. Two different antioxidant dietary supplements were used in these studies: a supplement containing a mixture of antioxidant agents [l-selenomethionine (SeM), N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), ascorbic acid, co-enzyme Q10, α-lipoic acid and vitamin E succinate], termed the AOX supplement, and another supplement known as Bowman-Birk Inhibitor Concentrate (BBIC). In the present report, the results from the earlier analysis of the harderian gland data from the published long-term animal study have been combined with new data derived from the same long-term animal study. In the earlier analysis, harderian glands were removed from animals exhibiting abnormalities (e.g. visibly swollen areas) around the eyes at the time of euthanasia or death in the long-term animal study. Abnormalities around the eyes were usually due to the development of tumors in the harderian glands of these mice. The new data presented here focused on the histopathological results obtained from analyses of the harderian glands of mice that did not have visible abnormalities around the eyes at the time of necropsy in the long-term animal study. In this paper, the original published data and the new data have been combined to provide a more complete evaluation of the harderian glands from animals in the long-term carcinogenesis study, with all available harderian glands from the animals processed and prepared for histopathological evaluation. The results indicate that, although dietary antioxidant supplements suppressed harderian gland tumors in a statistically significant fashion when all glands were analyzed, the antioxidant diets were less effective at suppressing the incidence of all harderian gland tumors than they were at suppressing the incidence of large harderian gland tumors (>2 mm) observed at animal necropsy. These results suggest that the dietary antioxidant formulations had major suppressive effects in the later stages of radiation-induced carcinogenesis in vivo. It is hypothesized that the dietary antioxidant formulations prevented the early-stage neoplastic growths from progressing to fully developed, malignant tumors. In addition, the antioxidant dietary formulations were very effective at preventing the development of proton- or iron-ion-induced malignant tumors, because, in contrast to irradiated controls, no malignant tumors were observed in the irradiated animals maintained on either of the dietary antioxidant diets.
Effect of estradiol levels on pregnancy outcome in obese women.

BACKGROUND The incidence of obesity in women of reproductive age group has encountered problems of infertility with frequent referral to reproductive clinics. In order to know whether increase in body mass index (BMI) is associated with poor reproductive outcome, current study was aimed to relate women's BMI, estradiol (E2) levels, and clinic pregnancy rates after intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). METHODS Quasi experimental design of 323 women was conducted from June 2010 till August 2011. Women were grouped on the basis of BMI; Group A, BMI < 18 (underweight); Group B, BMI 18-22.9 (normal weight); Group C, BMI 23-25.9 (overweight); and Group D, BMI > or = 26 (obese). Procedure of ICSI commenced by down regulation of ovaries followed by controlled ovarian stimulation. Oocyte pickup was done 36 hours after ovulation induction by hCG, eggs fertilised in vitro were graded and only blastocysts were transferred. Serum samples of basal E2, peak E2 (day of hCG administration) and mid-luteal E2 (7 days after egg collection) measured by ELISA were compared in all BMI groups. Pregnancy outcome of these was categorised as: no conception beta-hCG < 5 mlU/ml, preclinical abortion with beta-hCG > 5 mlU/ml, no cardiac activity on transvaginal scan (TVS) and clinical pregnancy with beta-hCG >5 mlU/ml and cardiac activity on trans-vaginal scan. RESULTS Obese women with BMI > or = 26 had lowest basal, peak and mid-luteal E2 with minimum clinical pregnancy rates compared to rest of the groups. CONCLUSION A high BMI is associated with decreased E2 levels in all phases of ovarian cycle and has a negative impact on pregnancy outcome.
Grading of laboratories on CD4+ T-lymphocyte evaluations based on acceptable data boundaries defined by the measurement error.

BACKGROUND We addressed the definition of limits of error of %CD4+ and CD4+ counts (AbsCD4+) typical of laboratories of excellence, as well as the grading of laboratories based on the decision to take these limits as boundaries of unacceptable data. METHODS We studied the 99.9% confidence intervals of the means of 24 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)+ and HIV- blood samples analyzed by 18 laboratories of the Liguria Region Quality Assessment Program (Liguria Region QALI). Regression equations of lower (L1) and upper (L2) confidence limits over the means of data cleared of unusual results were used to interpolate limits of error for mean values in the tested range. RESULTS L1 and L2 were symmetric around the mean and a single absolute difference (Abs Res) between the limits and the mean was found. Abs Res significantly increased over mean values (P = 0.0005 for %CD4+, P < 0.0001 for AbsCD4+). Limits were compatible with errors shown with blind replicates. Unacceptable results, outside the limits, accounted for 25% and 30% of %CD4+ and for 18% and 35% AbsCD4+ in the Liguria Region QALI and in the Piemonte Region QA Program, respectively. Limits interpolated over the median showed a similar grading. A comparable fraction of unacceptable data was also found with the method used in the U.K. National External Quality Assessment Scheme (NEQAS) immune monitoring scheme. CONCLUSIONS We propose the general use of these regression equations to determine bounds for unacceptable data in proficiency testing and to identify laboratories of excellence.
Knowledge, attitudes, practice on human papilloma virus and cervical cancer among Trinidadian women

Cervical cancer remains a major reproductive health problem among women especially in developing countries where about 190,000 women die from this disease annually. Despite efforts to reduce the burden of this disease, most attempts in low-resourced countries have not been successful partly from lack of awareness by women of this common cancer, as well as the role the human papilloma virus (HPV) plays in its aetiology and pathogenesis. To determine knowledge, attitudes and practice of women in Trinidad (a developing country) on HPV, cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among 426 women in the reproductive age. A majority (58.4%) of participants had attained secondary level education. Whereas 326 (76.5%) women knew of cervical cancer, only 108 (25.4%) were aware of HPV and 68 (15.9%) knew of the association between HPV and cervical cancer. This study highlights the limited awareness of Trinidadian women with respect to HPV and its implication in cervical cancer aetiology. If the scourge of cervical cancer is to be adequately addressed, especially in low-resourced countries, then mass educational programmes on HPV, cervical cancer prevention, including screening and early detection and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions of the cervix, must be given high priority.
Comparison of the in vitro activities of the echinocandin LY303366, the pneumocandin MK-0991, and fluconazole against Candida species and Cryptococcus neoformans

Two new glucan synthesis inhibitors, the echinocandin LY303366 and the pneumocandin MK-0991 (formerly L-743,872), were studied for their antifungal activities in vitro in relation to each other and in relation to the activity of the triazole fluconazole. Systematic analysis of broth macrodilution testing by varying the starting inoculum size, medium composition, medium pH, temperature of incubation, length of incubation, or selection of endpoints failed to identify significant differences in antifungal activity for either LY303366 or MK-0991 in comparison to the activity under standard test conditions specified for other antifungal agents in National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) document M27A. Under standardized conditions, both drugs exhibited prominent activity against Candida species including Candida glabrata and Candida krusei but showed little activity against Cryptococcus neoformans. This spectrum of activity differed from that of fluconazole, which exhibited marginal activity against C. glabrata and C. krusei but prominent activity against other Candida species and C. neoformans. For individual strains, broth microdilution MICs of LY303366 and MK-0991 were similar to but frequently higher than broth macrodilution results. In contrast, fluconazole broth microdilution MICs were often lower than broth microdilution results. We conclude that the test conditions specified in NCCLS document M27A are applicable to these two new glucan synthesis inhibitors and that systematic differences between broth microdilution procedures and the broth macrodilution reference standard will need to be addressed before the two test methods can be used interchangeably.
Education level and oral health in Finnish adults: evidence from different lifecourse models.

AIM To assess the relationship between education level and several oral health outcomes in Finnish adults, using three conceptual lifecourse models. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study analysed data from 7112 subjects, aged 30 years or over, who participated in the nationally representative Finnish Health 2000 Survey. Parental and own education levels were the childhood and adulthood socioeconomic measures, respectively. Oral health was indicated by edentulousness, perceived oral health and levels of dental caries and periodontal disease. Three conceptual lifecourse models, namely critical period, accumulation and social trajectories, were separately tested in regression models. RESULTS In line with the critical period model, parental and own education levels were independently associated with oral health after mutual adjustment. There was also a graded linear relationship between the number of periods of socioeconomic disadvantage and oral health, corresponding to the accumulation model. Gradual declines in oral health were evident between social trajectories from persistently high to upwardly mobile, downwardly mobile and persistently low groups. CONCLUSION There was similar support for the lifecourse models of critical period, accumulation and social trajectories. They collectively contribute to a better understanding of oral health inequalities.
A pilot study of clomipramine in young autistic children.

OBJECTIVE To assess the short-term efficacy and safety of clomipramine in hospitalized young children with autism. METHOD This was an open pilot study; after a 1-week placebo baseline, subjects were treated with clomipramine for 5 weeks. Dosage was individually regulated; starting dose was 25 mg/day; increments were 25 mg/day. Maximum dose was 250 mg/day or 5.0 mg/kg per day, whichever was less. Multiple raters, under several conditions, used the Children's Psychiatric Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impressions, Conners Parent Teacher Questionnaire, and the Clinical Global Consensus Ratings. RESULTS Eight children, aged 3.5 to 8.7 years, were enrolled in the study; seven of these completed the study. A 3.5-year-old boy was excluded during the third week of treatment after having urinary retention on two occasions. At doses ranging from 2.50 to 4.64 mg/kg per day (mean = 3.14), one child improved moderately and six were rated as worse on the Clinical Global Consensus Ratings. Untoward effects were common. CONCLUSIONS; Clomipramine was not therapeutic and was associated with serious untoward effects in this sample. Young autistic children may be more prone to experience untoward effects than older patients.
Impaired Cytolytic Activity in Calreticulin-Deficient CTLs1

Calreticulin is an endoplasmic reticulum-resident chaperone that is stored in the cytotoxic granules of CTLs and NK cells and is released with granzymes and perforin upon recognition of target cells. To investigate the role of calreticulin in CTL-mediated killing, we generated CTL lines from crt+/+ and crt−/− mice expressing a constitutively active form of calcineurin in the heart. Crt−/− CTLs showed reduced cytotoxic activity toward allogeneic target cells despite normal production, intracellular localization, and activity of granzymes and despite perforin overexpression. Comparable or higher amounts of granzymes were degranulated by crt−/− cells in response to immobilized anti-CD3 Abs, indicating that calreticulin is dispensable for the signal transduction that leads to granule exocytosis. The ability to form conjugates with target cells was affected in the crt−/− CTLs, explaining the observed reduction in cytotoxicity. Conjugate formation and cytotoxicity were completely restored by treatments that facilitate recognition and contact with target cells, a prerequisite for degranulation and killing. Therefore, we conclude that calreticulin is dispensable for the cytolytic activity of granzymes and perforin, but it is required for efficient CTL-target cell interaction and for the formation of the death synapse.
Oncolytic Virotherapy as a Novel Strategy for Pancreatic Cancer

Abstract: We have developed a novel gene therapy that targets genetic alterations in pancreatic cancer using oncolytic replication–selective adenoviruses in tumor cells. E1B-55kDa-deleted adenovirus (AxE1AdB) can selectively replicate in TP53-deficient human cancer cells but not cells with functional TP53. Consecutive injection with AxE1AdB markedly inhibited the growth of human pancreatic tumors in severe combined immunodeficiency disease mice. Furthermore, AxE1AdB displayed the ability to enhance gene expression as a virus vector. It is reported that uracil phosphoribosyl transferase (UPRT) overcomes 5-FU resistance. The therapeutic advantage of a replication-selective adenovirus that expresses UPRT (AxE1AdB-UPRT) was thus evaluated in an intraperitoneum-disseminated tumor model. Combined treatment with 5-FU and AxE1AdB-UPRT dramatically reduced the disseminated tumor burden without causing toxicity in normal tissues. We also clarified the process of AxE1AdB-inhibited tumor angiogenesis through the preserved E1A region: an adenoviral E1A protein binds to pRB, forcing the quiescent cell into the S phase. We constructed a double-mutant, replication-selective adenovirus (AxdAdB-3) containing a mutation in the RB-binding motif of the E1A region and a deletion of large E1B-55kDa. AxdAdB-3 swiftly induced cancer cell death in vitro and showed a potent antitumor effect in vivo. These results strongly suggest that AxdAdB-3 possesses a wider therapeutic potential than previously believed, given that most pancreatic cancers have abnormalities in both the TP53 and RB pathways.
Legislated Inequality: Temporary Labour Migration in Canada

Contributors include Abigail B. Bakan (Queen's University), Tom Carter (University of Manitoba), Sarah D'Aoust (University of Ottawa), Christina Gabriel (Carleton University), Jill Hanley (McGill University), Jenna Hennebry (Wilfrid Laurier University), Christine Hughes (Carleton University), Karen D. Hughes (University of Alberta), Jahhon Koo (McGill University), Patti Tamara Lenard (University of Ottawa), Laura Macdonald (Carleton University), Janet McLaughlin (Wilfrid Laurier University), Delphine Nakache (University of Ottawa), Jacqueline Oxman-Martinez (Universit de Montral), Kerry Priebisch (University of Guelph), Andr Rivard (University of Windsor), Nandita Sharma (University of Hawaii), Eric Shragge (Concordia University), Denise Spitzer (University of Ottawa), Daiva Stasuilus (Carleton University) Christine Straehle (University of Ottawa), Patricia Tomic (University of British Columbia, Okanagan), Sarah Torres (University of Ottawa), and Richard Trumper (University of British Columbia, Okanagan).
The School Breakfast Program and Cognition in Adolescents

We studied cognitive function and metabolic status in a group of healthy adolescents fed the govermment supplied breakfast (n = 18) versus a control group (n = 16) fed a very low calorie meal. Serum glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate levels were repeatedly measured at predetermined intervals throughout the testing period. Acute cognitive and mood effect were evaluated in all subjects on a pre-post basis. No significant group differences emerged on a battery of psychological measures that assessed short-term auditory memory, vigilance, impulsivity, and mood. Neither serum glucose or β-hydroxybutyrate levels correlated significantly with any behavioral measure. Results are discussed in the context of previous studies of nutrition and cognition.
An evaluation of the water heater load potential for providing regulation service

This paper investigates the possibility of providing aggregated regulation services with small loads, such as water heaters or air conditioners. A direct-load control algorithm is presented to aggregate the water heater load for the purpose of regulation. A dual-element electric water heater model is developed, which accounts for both thermal dynamics and users' water consumption. A realistic regulation signal was used to evaluate the number of water heaters needed and the operational characteristics of a water heater when providing 2-MW regulation service. Modeling results suggest that approximately 33, 000 water heaters are needed to provide a 2-MW regulation service 24 hours a day. However, if water heaters only provide regulation from 6:00 to 24:00, approximately 20, 000 will be needed. Because the control algorithm has considered the thermal setting of the water heater, customer comfort is maintained. Therefore, the aggregated regulation service provided by water heater loads can become a major source of revenue for load-serving entities when the smart grid enables the direct load control.
Functional characterization of mutants affected in the carbonic anhydrase domain of the respiratory complex I in Arabidopsis thaliana.

The NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase complex (complex I) (EC 1.6.5.3) is the main entrance site of electrons into the respiratory chain. In a variety of eukaryotic organisms, except animals and fungi (Opisthokonta), it contains an extra domain comprising trimers of putative γ-carbonic anhydrases, named the CA domain, which has been proposed to be essential for assembly of complex I. However, its physiological role in plants is not fully understood. Here, we report that Arabidopsis mutants defective in two CA subunits show an altered photorespiratory phenotype. Mutants grown in ambient air show growth retardation compared to wild-type plants, a feature that is reversed by cultivating plants in a high-CO2 atmosphere. Moreover, under photorespiratory conditions, carbon assimilation is diminished and glycine accumulates, suggesting an imbalance with respect to photorespiration. Additionally, transcript levels of specific CA subunits are reduced in plants grown under non-photorespiratory conditions. Taken together, these results suggest that the CA domain of plant complex I contributes to sustaining efficient photosynthesis under ambient (photorespiratory) conditions.
Non-serotonergic pharmacological profiles and associated cognitive effects of serotonin reuptake inhibitors

The current study was carried out to investigate the cognitive effects of two serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), sertraline and paroxetine, with special reference to differences in their affinity for other neurotransmitter systems, i.e. anticholinergic activity of paroxetine and putative dopamine reuptake activity of sertraline. The study was conducted according to a double-blind, three-way cross-over design. During three treatment periods of 2 weeks, 24 healthy middle-aged (aged 30–50 years) subjects of both sexes received sertraline (50 mg on days 1–7, 100 mg on days 8–14), paroxetine (20 mg on days 1–7, 40 mg on days 8–14) and placebo. Paroxetine specifically impaired delayed recall in a word learning test at a dose of 20 and 40 mg. Sertraline did not affect word learning but improved performance on a verbal fluency task at a dose of 50 and 100 mg. Neither drug affected performance on a short-term memory scanning task. These subtle but significant changes in cognitive performance can be explained by subtle differences in pharmacological profiles of these SSRIs. The additional anticholinergic effects of paroxetine could account for its induction of long-term memory impairment. Similarly, the additional dopaminergic effects of sertraline could account for its induction of slightly improved verbal fluency. The impairing and facilitating cognitive effects of paroxetine and sertraline, respectively, may be more pronounced in the elderly depressed patient.
Cross-sectional study on the relationship between body mass index and smoking, and longitudinal changes in body mass index in relation to change in smoking status: The Tromsø Study

Aims: To evaluate the effects of smoking and other lifestyle factors on body mass index (BMI), and changes in BMI in relation to changes in smoking status. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 10,920 males (3937 smokers) and 12,090 females (4343 smokers) who participated in the fourth Tromsø Study (performed in 1994—95). A longitudinal study was performed on 2364 males (732 smokers in 1994—95) and 2738 females (942 smokers in 1994—95) who participated in both the fourth and the fifth Tromsø studies (performed in 2001). Results: In the cross-sectional study, current smokers of both genders had a lower BMI (25.0±3.4 vs. 25.5±3.2 kg/m2 in males, and 23.9±3.9 vs. 25.3±4.6 kg/m 2 in females, p<0.01), a lower degree of physical activity, and a higher consumption of coffee and alcohol than never-smokers. We found a U-shaped relationship between number of cigarettes smoked per day and BMI, with the lowest BMI in those smoking 6— 10 cigarettes per day. Heavy smokers and never-smokers had similar BMI. In the longitudinal study, continuing smokers had a smaller increase in BMI than those who gave up smoking. In those who gave up smoking, there was a significant, positive relationship between number of cigarettes smoked in 1994—95 and increase in BMI. Conclusions: There is a U-shaped relationship between number of cigarettes smoked per day and BMI. Smoking cessation is associated with an increase in weight as compared to those who continue smoking.