Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mutation of invH, but Notstn, Reduces Salmonella-Induced Enteritis in Cattle

ABSTRACT The induction of secretory and inflammatory responses in calves bySalmonella typhimurium and Salmonella dublinstrains was compared, and the effects of mutations in theinvH and stn genes were assessed. S. typhimurium induced greater secretory and inflammatory responses than S. dublin in bovine ileal loops, despite the fact that these serotypes were recovered from bovine ileal mucosa in comparable numbers (P. R. Watson, S. M. Paulin, A. P. Bland, P. W. Jones, and T. S. Wallis, Infect. Immun. 63:2743–2754, 1995). These results implicate serotype-specific factors other than, or in addition to, intestinal invasion in the induction of enteritis. The secretory and inflammatory responses induced by S. typhimurium and S. dublin in bovine ligated ileal loops were not significantly altered by mutation of stn, which suggests that stn does not have a major role inSalmonella-induced enteritis. The invH mutation significantly reduced the secretory and inflammatory responses induced in bovine ileal loops, and this correlated with a reduction in the severity of enteritis following oral inoculation of calves. The attenuation associated with the invH mutation did not appear to be due to an increased susceptibility to the innate host defense mechanisms, because the resistance of S. typhimurium to the bactericidal action of either bovine polymorphonuclear leukocytes or bovine serum was not significantly altered. However, lysis of macrophages following infection withS. typhimurium was significantly reduced by theinvH mutation. The invH mutation prevented the normal secretion of several proteins, including SipC, by S. typhimurium, indicating that the function of theinv-spa-encoded type III protein secretion system was disrupted. Taken together, these observations implicateinv-spa-dependent effectors in mediation ofSalmonella-induced enteritis in cattle. Clearly, however, other undefined serotype-specific virulence factors are also involved in Salmonella-induced enteritis.
Cytotoxic effects of topotecan combined with various anticancer agents in human cancer cell lines.

BACKGROUND Topotecan (TPT) is a topoisomerase I poison that exhibits antineoplastic activity. Analysis of the cytotoxic effects of combinations of TPT and other anticancer agents has been limited. PURPOSE We assessed the cytotoxic effects produced by combinations of TPT and other antineoplastic agents in experiments involving multiple human cancer cell lines of diverse histologic origins. METHODS The cytotoxic effects of various antimetabolites (fluorouracil, methotrexate, or cytarabine), antimicrotubule agents (vincristine or paclitaxel [Taxol]), DNA alkylating agents (melphalan, bis[chloroethyl]nitrosourea [BCNU], or 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide [4HC]), and a DNA-platinating agent (cisplatin), alone and in combination with TPT, were measured in clonogenic (i.e., colony-forming) assays. HCT8 ileocecal adenocarcinoma, A549 non-small-cell lung carcinoma, NCI-H82ras(H) lung cancer, T98G glioblastoma, and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines were used in these assays. The data were analyzed by the median effect method, primarily under the assumption that drug mechanisms of action were mutually nonexclusive (i.e., completely independent of one another). For each level of cytotoxicity (ranging from 5% to 95%), a drug combination index (CI) was calculated. A CI less than 1 indicated synergy (i.e., the effect of the combination was greater than that expected from the additive effects of the component agents), a CI equal to 1 indicated additivity, and a CI greater than 1 indicated antagonism (the effect of the combination was less than that expected from the additive effects of the component agents). RESULTS When the mechanisms of drug action were assumed to be mutually nonexclusive, virtually all CIs for combinations of TPT and either antimetabolites or antimicrotubule agents revealed cytotoxic effects that were less than additive. The CIs calculated at low-to-intermediate levels of cytotoxicity for combinations of TPT and the DNA alkylating agents melphalan, BCNU, and 4HC also showed drug effects that were less than additive; in most cases, however, nearly additive or even synergistic effects were observed with these same drug combinations at high levels of cytotoxicity (i.e., at > or = 90% inhibition of colony formation). Results obtained with combinations of TPT and cisplatin varied according to the cell line examined. With A549 cells, less than additive effects were seen at low-to-intermediate levels of cytotoxicity, and more than additive effects were seen at high levels of cytotoxicity. With NCI-H82ras(H) cells, synergy was observed over most of the cytotoxicity range. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS TPT cytotoxicity appears to be enhanced more by combination with certain DNA-damaging agents than by combination with antimetabolites or antimicrotubule agents. Interactions between TPT and other drugs can vary depending on the cell type examined. Further investigation is required to determine the basis of the observed effects and to determine whether these in vitro findings are predictive of results obtained in vivo.
A guide to diagnosis and treatment of Leigh syndrome

Leigh syndrome is a devastating neurodegenerative disease, typically manifesting in infancy or early childhood. However, also late-onset cases have been reported. Since its first description by Denis Archibald Leigh in 1951, it has evolved from a postmortem diagnosis, strictly defined by histopathological observations, to a clinical entity with indicative laboratory and radiological findings. Hallmarks of the disease are symmetrical lesions in the basal ganglia or brain stem on MRI, and a clinical course with rapid deterioration of cognitive and motor functions. Examinations of fresh muscle tissue or cultured fibroblasts are important tools to establish a biochemical and genetic diagnosis. Numerous causative mutations in mitochondrial and nuclear genes, encoding components of the oxidative phosphorylation system have been described in the past years. Moreover, dysfunctions in pyruvate dehydrogenase complex or coenzyme Q10 metabolism may be associated with Leigh syndrome. To date, there is no cure for affected patients, and treatment options are mostly unsatisfactory. Here, we review the most important clinical aspects of Leigh syndrome, and discuss diagnostic steps as well as treatment options.
Gastrointestinal hormones: the regulation of appetite and the anorexia of ageing.

Loss of appetite is frequently observed during ageing, termed the 'anorexia of ageing'. Ageing is associated with the inability to appropriately increase food intake after under-eating in the short- and long-term. Older people also report lower feelings of hunger and increased feelings of satiety and fullness. Gastrointestinal peptide hormones are a major part of the appetite regulatory system and are released in response to nutritional stimuli. They can be classified as: anorexigenic (satiety) [e.g. peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY), glucagon-like peptide-1, pancreatic polypeptide, oxyntomodulin and cholecystokinin (CCK)] or orexigenic (hunger) (e.g. ghrelin). Although the control of appetite is not fully understood, it is clear that these hormones play an important role, and may influence the development and treatment of obesity and under-nutrition. The literature shows a consistent finding that there is a loss of appetite in those aged over 65 years, although how this loss is mediated is not yet clear. Some evidence suggests that with advancing age there is an increase in satiety hormones, such as CCK and PYY, and a decrease in the hunger hormone, ghrelin. However, not all studies agree, emphasising the need for more in-depth research to clarify age-related changes. This knowledge will enable us to develop therapies to help prevent under-nutrition during ageing. This review explores how age influences gastrointestinal appetite hormones in humans, as well as how this may contribute to the development of age-related malnutrition.
Factors associated with death from dengue in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil: historical cohort study

To analyse the clinical and epidemiological profiles of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF), dengue shock syndrome (DSS) and complicated dengue cases and deaths from 2008 to 2010 that occurred in the state of Minas Gerais, south‐eastern Brazil, and to identify factors associated with death from dengue.
SUCCESSFUL IMMUNIZATION FOLLOWING CORD BLOOD TRANSPLANTATION IN A CHILD WITH DIAMOND-BLACKFAN ANEMIA

Cord blood transplantation (CBT) has been increasingly used to treat patients with hematological diseases, but active immunizations for patients have not been described. Patients certainly need immunizations following CBT, since transplanted cord blood is naive. The authors previously reported successful hematopoietic reconstitution following cord blood transplantation from an HLA-matched sibling in a transfusion-dependent child with Diamond-Blackfan anemia. No graft-versus-host disease, either acute or chronic, has been observed so far. Here, the authors report that immunological recovery of the patient has been rapid shortly after CBT and immunization has been done successfully. Vaccines (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, rubella, measles, and BCG) were administered during 22-34 months post-transplant. Seroconversion to these vaccines was excellent without significant adverse effects. These results indicate that both toxoid and live vaccines have been safely administered in the patient who underwent related cord blood transplantation.
Preliminary Note on Inhibition of Bacterial Growth by Amino-acids

While amino-acids in appropriate concentrations have long been known as valuable aids to bacterial growth, it does not appear to have been recognised that in relatively low concentrations they are often inhibitory. Inhibition has been shown to occur with 10 out of 11 single amino-acids tested and with certain mixtures rich in amino-acids. The inhibitory concetration varies from 11 to 130 millimols per litre, or from 0·2 to 2%(wt./vol. ). It is of some intrest that the amino-acids inhibitory in the lowest concentration were the cyclic compounds—histidine, tyrosine, tryphane, phenylalamine. Of the chain compounds tested cystine was the most inhibitory. Several organisus belonging to various groups of bacteria are susceptible of inhibition by amino-acids; certain intestinal organisms are not susceptible. The effect cannot be attributed to the physical effects of high concentration. There is an apparent divergence between our results and those of workers who have recommended tryptic digests for stimulating the growth of some of the bacteria here shown to be readily inhibited by amino-acids. A suggested explanation of this divergence is that it is the products of partial protein digestion, the polypetides, which are mainly responsible for the effect of stimulating growth, not the amino-acids. A “polypeptide medium” might prove particularly valuable for bacterial growth. A metabolism experiment with glycine in high but sub-inhibitory concentration showed that the amino-acid is broken down by Staphylococcus aureus, at this concentration.
Sperm transfer, storage, displacement, and utilization in Drosophila melanogaster.

N their pursuit of better things for better living, many animals have evolved Iefficient reproductive accessories that enable the female to store for long periods of time spermatozoa received from the male. In insects generally, and in Drosophila melanogaster in particular, the sperm-storage organs, of which there are two kinds, are peculiar structures whose modus operandi is not immediately apparent from direct inspection. Not only are the sperm-storage organs, the ventral receptacle and the spermathecae, highly specialized, but the sperm themselves are extraordinary structures, attaining in D. mekmogmter a length of 2 mm. Furthermore, the sperm head alone, though little if any wider than the tail, is ten microns long (COOPER 1950). What reproductive advantage such oversized sperm may have is again not immediately evident, particularly in view of the fact that their immense length markedly restricts the number that can be stored. Although the male and female reproductive systems of Drosophila have been described by MILLER (1950), the following account differs in some details from his. The ventral receptacle is a long, compactly coiled tube, joining ventrally with the anterior end of the uterus just below the common oviduct. The overall length of the slender receptacle is, interestingly enough similar to that of the sperm, averaging 2 mm. However, the receptacle is divided into two distinctly different regions. The proximal half, with an outside diameter of approximately 15 microns, has a rather thick epithelium, leaving a slit-like lumen, lined by a thin intima, of only three to five microns in width. The distal half of the receptacle, being 30 or so microns in outside diameter, is appreciably larger than the proximal half. Further, the epithelial lining in the distal portion is thinner than that in the proximal part, so that the lumen, which is lined by a coarser, apparently chitinous intima, has a diameter of 20 microns except where it narrows before coming to its closed end. The bulk of the sperrn-storage space is, thus, in the distal half of the receptacle. In addition to the ventral receptacle, the female has a pair of small mushroomshaped spermathecae, each approximately 70 microns in diameter and connected to the uterus by a long slender duct that enters the dorsal wall of the uterus directly behind the mouth of the oviduct. It should be noted that spermathecae
Performance of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Fight Mass Spectrometry for Rapid Discrimination of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): First Report of a Relation Between Protein Peaks and MRSA spa Type

Dear Editor, Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is widely applied for the rapid identification of bacterial species [1]. However, an antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) should be performed by using conventional methods following MALDI-TOF MS, and this delay represents a significant hurdle for the rapid adjustment of administered antimicrobial treatments. To overcome this limitation, many methods to improve MALDI-TOF MS for the production of rapid AST results have been proposed [2–4]. For example, carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae can be detected by analyzing the MALDI-TOF MS peaks of carbapenems and their metabolites [2, 3]. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most important multidrug-resistant organism in hospital and community settings. To date, few studies have attempted to differentiate MRSA and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) using MALDI-TOF MS. Despite the subsequent identification of many MRSA-specific peaks, no indisputable evidence has been obtained for reliable markers for MRSA and MSSA discrimination [5–7]. Furthermore, no study has evaluated Korean S. aureus isolates to date. Therefore, we aimed to identify MRSA isolates in Korea using MALDI-TOF MS peak analysis, and evaluated the feasibility of employing this method in clinical microbiology laboratories. This study was approved by institutional review board of Yonsei university health system (Approval number 4-2017-0456) and informed consent was waived due to the retrospective manner of this study. We collected S. aureus isolated from the anterior nares of patients with atopic dermatitis from 2012 to 2013. Of 81 isolates, 47 were MSSA and 34 were MRSA as confirmed by the cefoxitin disc diffusion test according to the CLSI document M100-S25 [8]. All isolates were processed for protein extraction by using Microflex LT (Bruker Daltonics GmbH, Bremen, Germany) according to the manufacturer protocol. In Phase 1, peptide profiles were analyzed by using the QuickClassifier algorithm of ClinProTools 3.0 software (Bruker Daltonics GmbH). This model showed good sensitivity and specificity (Ta-
The roentgenological aspects of Goldenhar's syndrome (oculoauriculovertebral dysplasia).

Oculoauriculovertebral dysplasia is a syndrome involving the eye and eyelids, ear, mandible, facial bones, and vertebrae. The initial case was described by von Arlt (26) in 1845. In 1963 the total number of recorded cases was brought to 42 by the report of 2 cases by Gorlin (10), who suggested the term oculoauriculovertebral dysplasia as a descriptive name for this entity, which is also known as Goldenhar's syndrome. His review of the literature covered in detail the systemic manifestations of the disease. Although significant roentgenographic abnormalities occur, to our knowledge there has been no description of the findings in the radiologic literature. We have had the opportunity to examine six patients with this syndrome seen at the Boston Floating Hospital of the New England Medical Center Hospitals. Four of these patients have been described in a recent article by Berkman and Feingold (2). Two additional cases are presented, and the findings in all six cases are summarized in Table I. Case Reports D.
A study of the Manipulability of the PHANToM OMNI Haptic Interface

In order to perform the assembly of a haptic device in the set of a simulator, we have to check that it operates in its optimal workspace. In general it will depend on the required functionality. One of the characteristics that define the performance of a haptic device is the manipulability. In this paper we are going to accomplish a kinematics study of the device PHANToM OMNi. This study will produce as result the calculation of a map, in which to each of the points of the workspace, we assign a value of manipulability. In this way it is obtained a drawing that identifies the best zones of functioning of the device and therefore those in which we wish that our manipulator preferably works as a design criteria.
Confinement and sleep deprivation effects on propensity to take risks.

INTRODUCTION The impact of confinement and sleep deprivation on risk-taking propensity is a key issue in crew management. We investigated both confinement and gender effects on risk propensity and performance during up to 36 h of extended wakefulness. METHOD We studied 4 groups of 3 men and 3 women [N = 24, mean age (+/- SD) = 32.9 +/- 5.8 yr] for 10 consecutive days: a 7-d confined period (CONF) or a 7-d baseline (BASE) condition preceding one control night of normal sleep, one night of sleep deprivation, and one recovery night in the laboratory. Risk propensity (EVAR scale) and simple reaction time task (SRTT) performances were monitored every 2.25 h (0930-1945) during CONF and every 2.11 h (0930-0745) during the sleep deprivation condition. RESULTS Overall risk propensity during extended wakefulness showed a variation in both conditions with two diurnal peaks separated by a nocturnal minima. After the confinement period, no second peak was found. Number of lapses (reaction time > 500 ms) on the SRTT varied daily in both conditions. In the normal sleep schedule, subjects increased their level of impulsiveness between the first day and the end of confinement (P < 0.05). DISCUSSION During the night of sleep deprivation, risk-taking propensity decreases and remains stable the following day in the confinement condition while it increases after the baseline period. In a confined environment under a normal sleep-wake schedule, impulsiveness increases in men and women.
The Protozooplankton–Ichthyoplankton Trophic Link: An Overlooked Aspect of Aquatic Food Webs 1

ABSTRACT. Since the introduction of the microbial loop concept, awareness of the role played by protozooplankton in marine food webs has grown. By consuming bacteria, and then being consumed by metazooplankton, protozoa form a trophic link that channels dissolved organic material into the “classic” marine food chain. Beyond enhancing energy transfer to higher trophic levels, protozoa play a key role in improving the food quality of metazooplankton. Here, we consider a third role played by protozoa, but one that has received comparatively little attention: that as prey items for ichthyoplankton. For >100 years it has been known that fish larvae consume protozoa. Despite this, fisheries scientists and biological oceanographers still largely ignore protozoa when assessing the foodweb dynamics that regulate the growth and survival of larval fish. We review evidence supporting the importance of the protozooplankton–ichthyoplankton link, including examples from the amateur aquarium trade, the commercial aquaculture industry, and contemporary studies of larval fish. We then consider why this potentially important link continues to receive very little attention. We conclude by offering suggestions for quantifying the importance of the protozooplankton–ichthyoplankton trophic link, using both existing methods and new technologies.
A Compact Broadband Microwave Phase Detector Based on MEMS Technology

A compact broadband microwave phase detector based on the micro electromechanical systems technology is presented in this letter. Cascaded asymmetrical coplanar striplines are adopted to achieve broadband performance over the whole X-band and the occupied size is reduced by 60% through capacitive loadings. The measured phase detection sensitivities are rather stable for different frequencies at X-band and are larger than 16.6, 49.6, 74.9, 89.9, and 101.2 μV/° at 10, 50, 100, 150, and 200-mW input powers, respectively. These results double our previous works. The relative errors between the measurement and the theory are <;9%. Response times are all below 2 ms with RF signal stimulus at different frequencies.
Regulation of parathyroid hormone secretion: proportional control by calcium, lack of effect of phosphate.

Measurement by radioimmunoassay of secretory rates for parathyroid hormone in the cow shows that hypocalcemia is the major stimulus for hormone production; hypercalcemia quickly abolishes secretion. Phosphate causes no direct effect on secretion of the hormone. Analyses for parathyroid hormone and calcium in peripheral plasma showed a simple linear inverse function of hormone concentration vs. plasma calcium in the range of 4 to 12 mg/100 ml. This led to the conclusion that calcium regulates hormonal secretion predominantly through a proportional control mechanism. The half-life of parathyroid hormone in the circulation was found to be approximately 20 min. The speed with which secretion responds to changes in blood calcium and the short half-life of hormone in plasma are consistent with recent studies showing that parathyroid hormone effects rapid changes in blood calcium. These findings emphasize the importance of the hormone in the minute to minute regulation of blood calcium. (Endocrinology 83: 1043, .
Studying the non-thermal lobes of IRAS 16547 4247 through a multi-wavelength approach

In recent years, massive protostars have turned out to be a possible population of high-energy emitters. Among the best candidates is IRAS 16547-4247, a protostar that presents a powerful outflow with clear signatures of interaction with its environment. This source has been revealed to be a potential high-energy source because it displays non-thermal radio emission of synchrotron origin, which is evidence of relativistic particles. To improve our understanding of IRAS 16547-4247 as a high-energy source, we analyzed XMM-Newton archival data and found that IRAS 16547−4247 is a hard X-ray source. We discuss these results in the context of a refined one-zone model and previous radio observations. From our study we find that it may be difficult to explain the X-ray emission as non-thermal radiation coming from the interaction region, but it might be produced by thermal Bremsstrahlung (plus photo-electric absorption) by a fast shock at the jet end. In the high-energy range, the source might be detectable by the present generation of Cherenkov telescopes, and may eventually be detected by Fermi in the GeV range.