Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ammonium Uptake Rates in a Seagrass Bed under Combined Waves and Currents

In coastal locations seagrass beds are exposed to various hydrodynamic forces that can include waves and/or unidirectional currents. Differences in these forces may be expected to alter nutrient (such as phosphorus and nitrogen compounds e.g. ammonium) uptake rates by seagrass leaves. We investigated in a laboratory flume how high and low velocities with the absence or presence of waves control ammonium absorption. Our results showed that low currents with waves had the highest nutrient uptake compared to all other treatments. This result was ascribed to a combination of mechanisms. The waves may have influenced turbulence and thereby the water movement around the leaf surface, whilst the low current enabled the canopy to remain upright with an open structure, thereby allowing leaves to be exposed to a greater exchange of ammonium rich water. Although higher currents with waves might have increased turbulence, bending under the high current squeezed the canopy into a compact closed structure. This study indicates that there are broader implications of the observed mechanisms of nutrient uptake, for instance how they depend on the plant morphology such as the leaf area, length and flexibility.
Host-Induced Gene Silencing of the MAPKK Gene PsFUZ7 Confers Stable Resistance to Wheat Stripe Rust1

Transgenic wheat expressing a double-stranded RNA targeting MAPKK gene PsFUZ7 from Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici exhibits strong resistance to stripe rust. RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful genetic tool to accelerate research in plant biotechnology and control biotic stresses by manipulating target gene expression. However, the potential of RNAi in wheat to efficiently and durably control the devastating stripe rust fungus Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) remained largely under explored so far. To address this issue, we generated transgenic wheat (Triticum aestivum) lines expressing dsRNA targeting PsFUZ7 transcripts of Pst. We analyzed expression of PsFUZ7 and related genes, and resistance traits of the transgenic wheat lines. We show that PsFUZ7 is an important pathogenicity factor that regulates infection and development of Pst. A PsFUZ7 RNAi construct stably expressed in two independent transgenic wheat lines confers strong resistance to Pst. Pst hyphal development is strongly restricted, and necrosis of plant cells in resistance responses was significantly induced. We conclude that trafficking of RNA molecules from wheat plants to Pst may lead to a complex molecular dialogue between wheat and the rust pathogen. Moreover, we confirm the RNAi-based crop protection approaches can be used, to our knowledge, as a novel control strategy against rust pathogens in wheat.
The Neural Stem/Progenitor Cell Marker Nestin Is Expressed in Proliferative Endothelial Cells, but Not in Mature Vasculature

Nestin is an intermediate filament protein that is known as a neural stem/progenitor cell marker. It is expressed in undifferentiated central nervous system (CNS) cells during development, but also in normal adult CNS and in CNS tumor cells. Additionally, nestin is expressed in endothelial cells (ECs) of CNS tumor tissues and of adult tissues that replenish by angiogenesis. However, the regulation of nestin expression in vascular endothelium has not been analyzed in detail. This study showed that nestin expression was observed in proliferating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), but not in mature ECs. In adherent cultured cells derived from bone marrow cells, EPCs that highly expressed nestin also expressed the endothelial marker CD31 and the proliferation marker Ki67. ECs cultured without growth factors showed attenuated nestin immunoreactivity as they matured. Trans-genic mice that carried the enhanced green fluorescent protein under the control of the CNS-specific second intronic enhancer of the nestin gene showed no reporter gene expression in EPCs. This indicated that the mechanisms of nestin gene expression were different in EPCs and CNS cells. Immunohistochemistry showed nestin expression in neovascular cells from two distinct murine models. Our results demonstrate that nestin can be used as a marker protein for neovascularization.
Vitiligo: A review of the published work

Vitiligo is a common depigmenting skin disorder, characterized by acquired, idiopathic, progressive, circumscribed hypomelanosis of the skin and hair, with total absence of melanocytes microscopically. It occurs worldwide, with an incidence rate of between 0.1% and 2%. Vitiligo is an important skin disease having a major impact on the quality of life of the patient suffering from it. The causes of this condition are uncertain but seem to be dependent on the interaction of genetic, immunological and neurological factors. Vitiligo coexists with other autoimmune disorders, Sutton or halo nevus, and malignant melanoma. The substantial disfigurement associated with vitiligo can cause serious emotional stress for the patient, which necessitates treatment. Because its pathogenesis is still not understood, there is a plethora of different treatments. Among them, topical steroids and narrowband ultraviolet B monotherapy were the most common as current treatments for localized and generalized vitiligo, respectively. Cosmetic improvement can be achieved by camouflage products and self‐tanning dyes. The course of vitiligo is unpredictable, but often progressive. Spontaneous repigmentation may occur in a few people (10–20%), mainly in children, but this tends to be only partial and on sun‐exposed areas. In this article, we review vitiligo as a whole, including epidemiology, pathogenesis and etiology, histopathology, clinical manifestations, classification, clinical variants, diagnosis and differential diagnoses, specific investigation, treatment, prognosis, psychosocial view and its association with other disorders.
Effects of physical exercise in the perception of life satisfaction and immunological function in HIV-infected patients: Non-randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND there is a lack of research about the relationship between exercise and the psychological well-being of HIV-infected (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) patients. OBJECTIVE the objective of this study was to investigate the influence of a physical training program on life satisfaction and on the immunological function in HIV-patients. METHODS a total of 29 HIV-seropositive patients [age: 45 ± 2 yrs; Body Mass Index (BMI): 22.8 ± 1.0 kg/m² ; TCD4: 20.5 ± 2.0%] were allocated to the control (CG, n=10) and to the experimental groups (EG, n=19). The EG participated in an exercise program combining aerobic, strength, and flexibility exercises for a period of 12 weeks [3 times/week of 30 min of aerobic exercise (workload corresponding to 150 bpm-PWC150); 50 min of strength exercises (3 sets of 12 repetitions in 5 exercises at 60-80% 12 RM); and 10 min of flexibility exercises (2 sets of 30 seconds at maximal range of motion of 8 exercises)]. The immunological function was assessed by flow citometry [absolute and relative TCD4 cells counting] and the life satisfaction was assessed by the Life Satisfaction Index (LSI). RESULTS the analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed no significant differences for relative and absolute CD4 T counts for both groups, however, a slight enhancement trend in the EG [16%, p=0.19] was observed. There was a significant improvement of LSI [approximately 15%; P<0.05] in EG, but not for CG. CONCLUSION a physical activity program of moderate intensity improved life satisfaction perception in HIV-infected patients with no immunological function impairment.
Self-expandable metal stents for obstructing colonic and extracolonic cancer: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Clinical Guideline

This Guideline is an official statement of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE). This Guideline was also reviewed and endorsed by the Governing Board of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system was adopted to define the strength of recommendations and the quality of evidence. Main recommendations The following recommendations should only be applied after a thorough diagnostic evaluation including a contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan. 1 Prophylactic colonic stent placement is not recommended. Colonic stenting should be reserved for patients with clinical symptoms and imaging evidence of malignant large-bowel obstruction, without signs of perforation (strong recommendation, low quality evidence). 2 Colonic self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) placement as a bridge to elective surgery is not recommended as a standard treatment of symptomatic left-sided malignant colonic obstruction (strong recommendation, high quality evidence). 3 For patients with potentially curable but obstructing left-sided colonic cancer, stent placement may be considered as an alternative to emergency surgery in those who have an increased risk of postoperative mortality, i. e. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status ≥ III and/or age > 70 years (weak recommendation, low quality evidence). 4 SEMS placement is recommended as the preferred treatment for palliation of malignant colonic obstruction (strong recommendation, high quality evidence), except in patients treated or considered for treatment with antiangiogenic drugs (e. g. bevacizumab) (strong recommendation, low quality evidence).
Couching techniques for cataract treatment in Osogbo, South west Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Couching is still being practised in developing countries including Nigeria despite its adverse effects on vision. OBJECTIVES To find out the different techniques of couching, highlight the unacceptable poor visual sequelae and assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices of subjects. SETTINGS AND DESIGN Clinic based and prospective observational study. METHODS AND MATERIAL Structured interview and clinical examination of consecutive patients was used to obtain information. RESULTS Fifteen subjects and 20 eyes of 9(60%) males and 6(40%) females were studied. Age range 60 -90 years and mean 72.4±8.0. Commonest presenting complaints were "I cannot see properly/clearly" 4(26.7%) and "I want to do my second eye so I can see better" 3(20%). Presenting Versus (vs.) Corrected visual acuity (VA) was75% vs 60% blind, 55% vs 45% low vision, and 0% vs 10% normal vision, p= 0.032. Friends and neighbours mostly introduced subjects to couching (26.7% each). Commonest methods involved using sharp objects/needling 45% and blunt/grooving/rocking methods (30%). Subjects assumed "supine" position 75% of time. Eighty five percent of eyes were done at the coucher's. Procedure was painful in 73.3%. Only 5 eyes (25%) maintained vision for >10years. Thirteen (86.7%) said "no" to a repeat procedure and 93.4% would advice against couching. CONCLUSIONS Couching methods used were very crude and archaic with attendant poor quality of vision and dissatisfaction. Public education, affordable and accessible cataract surgical services taken to the rural communities could gradually phase out couching.
Evaluation of an Optimal Epidemiological Typing Scheme for Legionella pneumophila with Whole-Genome Sequence Data Using Validation Guidelines

ABSTRACT Sequence-based typing (SBT), analogous to multilocus sequence typing (MLST), is the current “gold standard” typing method for investigation of legionellosis outbreaks caused by Legionella pneumophila. However, as common sequence types (STs) cause many infections, some investigations remain unresolved. In this study, various whole-genome sequencing (WGS)-based methods were evaluated according to published guidelines, including (i) a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based method, (ii) extended MLST using different numbers of genes, (iii) determination of gene presence or absence, and (iv) a kmer-based method. L. pneumophila serogroup 1 isolates (n = 106) from the standard “typing panel,” previously used by the European Society for Clinical Microbiology Study Group on Legionella Infections (ESGLI), were tested together with another 229 isolates. Over 98% of isolates were considered typeable using the SNP- and kmer-based methods. Percentages of isolates with complete extended MLST profiles ranged from 99.1% (50 genes) to 86.8% (1,455 genes), while only 41.5% produced a full profile with the gene presence/absence scheme. Replicates demonstrated that all methods offer 100% reproducibility. Indices of discrimination range from 0.972 (ribosomal MLST) to 0.999 (SNP based), and all values were higher than that achieved with SBT (0.940). Epidemiological concordance is generally inversely related to discriminatory power. We propose that an extended MLST scheme with ∼50 genes provides optimal epidemiological concordance while substantially improving the discrimination offered by SBT and can be used as part of a hierarchical typing scheme that should maintain backwards compatibility and increase discrimination where necessary. This analysis will be useful for the ESGLI to design a scheme that has the potential to become the new gold standard typing method for L. pneumophila.
Association between red blood cell distribution width and polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract Aims: The red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is being recognized as a marker of chronic inflammation and routinely reported as part of a complete blood count (CBC) without any additional costs. High levels of RDW associate with oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease risk. We aimed to investigate the relation between the level of RDW and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), HOMA-IR, BMI and body fat percentage in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Materials and methods: Cross-sectional and observational studies were conducted in 90 subjects with PCOS and 87 age- and BMI-matched controls. Body fat percentage, CBC, fasting serum glucose, serum insulin, hs-CRP, lipids, and total and free-testosterone levels were measured. Results: RDW levels were significantly higher in the PCOS group compared with the control group (12.98 ± 0.92% versus 12.59 ± 0.84%, p = 0.004). RDW levels were positively correlated with hs-CRP, HOMA-IR and BMI. Multivariate analysis showed that high-RDW levels were associated with PCOS. Subjects with the highest quartile RDW levels were nearly 2.8 times more likely to develop PCOS compared with subjects with the lowest quartile RDW. ROC curve analysis showed that RDW levels were useful as a diagnostic marker for PCOS. The optimal cut-off value for detecting PCOS was ≥12.54% (sensitivity 67% and specificity 70%). Conclusions: RDW levels were higher in women with PCOS, and high-RDW levels were independently associated with PCOS. This link in between RDW and PCOS may be due to an underlying chronic inflammation in subjects with PCOS.
Responses of Cultured Astrocytes, C6 Glioma and 1321NI Astrocytoma Cells to Amyloid β-Peptide Fragments

The effect of amyloid β-peptide (β AP), which can have both neurotrophic or neurotoxic effects on neurons and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), was studied on astrocytes using primary cultures and astrocyte cell lines (rat C6 glioma, human 1321NI astrocytoma cells). The cultures were exposed to 0.0005–50 μg/ml) βAP fragments 1–40, 25–35, 31–35, or 40–41 (control) for 24 hr. Some of the fragments were maintained at 37°C for 48 hr to induce aggregation and some of the cell cultures were pretreated with the differentiating agent dBcAMP before the experiments. The astrocyte responses were evaluated for lysosome activity (neutral red assay) and levels of structural proteins, glial fibrillary acidic protein, vimentin, and S-100, which are altered in the dystrophic plaques with associated astrogliosis in AD. The cells frequently responded with biphasic responses, with initial (low-dose) activation-type responses (i.e., increases of indicator compared to controls), before reductions with altered morphology (increased branching of cells) at higher concentrations. However, cell death (with EC50 values) was not observed, even at the maximum concentrations of βAP fragments. The findings suggest that the astrocytes have a relatively high resistance against the β AP toxicity.
Comorbid Major Depressive Disorder as a Prognostic Factor in Cocaine‐Abusing Buprenorphine‐Maintained Patients Treated with Desipramine and Contingency Management

Depression is common among patients who abuse both opiates and cocaine, and its treatment has had mixed success. This study compares buprenorphine‐maintained patients with lifetime major depressive disorder (MDD, N = 53) with those never depressed (ND, N = 96) on cocaine and opiate‐free urines during a 12‐week outpatient double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized clinical trial. The 149 subjects were assigned to four groups: 1) desipramine (DMI) + contingency management (CM); 2) DMI + noncontingency management (NCM); 3) placebo + CM; and 4) placebo + NCM. Depression assessments included Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Inventory, and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV interview for diagnosis of lifetime MDD. Urine toxicologies were performed thrice weekly and the CES‐D was performed monthly. The MDD group had a larger proportion of females (45% vs 21%, P = 0.02) and were more likely to be married (13.2% vs 7.3%, P = 0.02) than the ND group. Treatment retention did not vary by depression status. Hierarchical Linear Modeling found that depressive symptoms decreased comparably across the four treatment groups. Although participation in CM improved drug‐free urines more for patients with MDD than for the ND group (Z = 2.44, P = 0.01), treatment with DMI was significantly more efficacious for the ND group than for the MDD group (Z = −2.89, P = 0.003). These results suggest that patients with MDD may respond better to behavioral treatments such as CM than to desipramine plus buprenorphine. The ND cocaine‐abusing, opiate‐dependent patients may be more responsive to the anticraving effects of DMI.
The Integrin β1 Subunit Regulates Paracellular Permeability of Kidney Proximal Tubule Cells*

Background: Proximal tubule kidney epithelial cells differentiate into a “loose” epithelium by unknown mechanisms. Results: Deleting integrin β1 converts proximal tubule cells from a “loose” to a “tight” epithelium. Conclusion: Integrin β1 regulates the composition and function of tight and adherens junctions that define paracellular transport properties of proximal tubule epithelial cells. Significance: Integrins might regulate terminal differentiation of polarized epithelial cells. Epithelial cells lining the gastrointestinal tract and kidney have different abilities to facilitate paracellular and transcellular transport of water and solutes. In the kidney, the proximal tubule allows both transcellular and paracellular transport, while the collecting duct primarily facilitates transcellular transport. The claudins and E-cadherin are major structural and functional components regulating paracellular transport. In this study we present the novel finding that the transmembrane matrix receptors, integrins, play a role in regulating paracellular transport of renal proximal tubule cells. Deleting the integrin β1 subunit in these cells converts them from a “loose” epithelium, characterized by low expression of E-cadherin and claudin-7 and high expression of claudin-2, to a “tight” epithelium with increased E-cadherin and claudin-7 expression and decreased claudin-2 expression. This effect is mediated by the integrin β1 cytoplasmic tail and does not entail β1 heterodimerization with an α-subunit or its localization to the cell surface. In addition, we demonstrate that deleting the β1 subunit in the proximal tubule of the kidney results in a major urine-concentrating defect. Thus, the integrin β1 tail plays a key role in regulating the composition and function of tight and adherens junctions that define paracellular transport properties of terminally differentiated renal proximal tubule epithelial cells.
Univariate and bivariate symbolic analyses of cardiovascular variability differentiate general anesthesia procedures

General anesthesia attenuates autonomic function and baroreflex control. This side effect should be prevented as much as possible because it limits the subject’s ability in responding to physiological challenges during surgery (e.g. arterial pressure and ventricular contractility drops). This study is designed to rank two of the most commonly exploited general anesthesia treatments, i.e. intravenous anesthesia (IA) based on a propofol-opioid combination and volatile anesthesia (VA) based on a sevoflurane-opioid combination, according to their ability to maintain autonomic nervous system activity and baroreflex control. Univariate and bivariate symbolic techniques were applied to spontaneous heart period (HP) and systolic arterial pressure (SAP) variability series recorded during IA and VA procedures in 19 and 18 patients undergoing elective intracranial neurosurgery. Traditional linear univariate and bivariate frequency domain markers of the autonomic nervous system state and baroreflex control were evaluated as well. We found that: (i) univariate symbolic analysis of HP series suggests a better preservation of vagal modulation in VA than in IA; (ii) bivariate symbolic markers assessing the degree of HP–SAP association differentiate IA from VA, while baroreflex sensitivity and squared coherence function cannot; (iii) bivariate symbolic analysis indicates a better preservation of the HP–SAP association at slow frequencies in IA than in VA, thus suggesting a more active baroreflex control in IA. We conclude that symbolic indexes can be fruitfully exploited to rank general anesthesia treatments, and their performance appears to be superior to that of more traditional linear markers.
A selective inhibitor for inducible nitric oxide synthase improves hypotension and lactic acidosis in canine endotoxic shock

Objective To investigate whether ONO-1714, a putative selective inhibitor for inducible nitric oxide synthase, modulates systemic hemodynamics, arterial blood gases, lactate concentrations, gastric mucosal perfusion, and renal and hepatic functions in endotoxic shock. Design Prospective, randomized, controlled animal study. Setting Laboratory at a university hospital. Subjects Eighteen male beagle dogs (12–19 kg) under pentobarbital anesthesia. Interventions Dogs were mechanically ventilated and monitored with a pulmonary arterial catheter and a gastric tonometer. They were divided in three groups: a) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus vehicle group (n = 6), which received LPS (250 ng/kg/min for 2 hrs) and saline 1 hr later; b) LPS plus ONO (0.05) group (n = 6), which received ONO-1714 (0.05 mg/kg) 1 hr after the start of LPS; c) LPS plus ONO (0.1) group (n = 6), which received ONO-1714 (0.1 mg/kg) 1 hr after the start of LPS. Measurements and Main Results Hemodynamics, blood gas parameters, gastric intramural pH, urine output, and serum levels of lactate, transaminases, bilirubin, and creatinine were measured during a 6-hr observation period. LPS induced hypotension, lactic acidosis, gastric mucosal acidosis, and renal and hepatic dysfunction. ONO-1714 reversed the LPS-induced hypotension and lactic acidosis without deteriorating cardiac output, oxygen delivery, or gastric mucosal acidosis. Conclusions These findings suggest that ONO-1714 is a useful agent to reverse hypotension and lactic acidosis in a canine endotoxic shock model.