Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antibiotic-resistance patterns of enteric bacteria of wild mammals on the Krakatau islands and west Java, Indonesia.

Apart from feral pigs on Panjang, rats (Rattus rattus and Rattus tiomanicus) and bats (various families, genera and species) are the only mammals resident on the Krakatau Islands. The two species of rat occur on separate islands, R. rattus on Rakata and R. tiomanicus on Panjang and Sertung. Both occur on Java. Of the two genera of bats examined, species of Cynopterus were found on Java and all the Krakatau islands, whereas Myotis muricola muricola was detected only on Java and Rakata. The main faecal bacteria of these mammals were shown to be Escherichia coli and species of Klebsiella, Enterobacter and Citrobacter, with other bacteria (e.g. Proteus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Aeromonas sp., Serratia sp., Proteus/Providencia sp., Morganella sp. and Streptococcus faecalis) being present in only a minority of individuals Significant differences were noted between the faecal floras of the two rat species. E. coli was always present in R. rattus, but was less frequent in R. tiomanicus (p < 0.05), whereas species of Klebsiella and Citrobacter were less frequent in R. rattus than in R. tiomanicus (p < 0.05). Differences between the faecal floras of the two bat genera were less significant, with the four main faecal bacteria being present in each genus. However, some individual M. muricola muricola yielded S. faecalis, Morganella sp. and Proteus/Providencia sp. whereas species of Cynopterus did not (p < 0.05). S. faecalis was detected in rats and the bat M. muricola muricola on Java, but not in mammals on the Krakataus. This may be related to the absence of humans and their domesticated animals on the Krakatau islands. Only on Java did rats carry tetracycline-resistant E. coli or tetracycline-resistant species of Klebsiella. This may be related to the widespread use of tetracycline by humans on Java, where tetracycline is available without medical supervision. Isolates of E. coli from rats on Panjang were more resistant to chloramphenicol than were E. coli isolated from rats on the other islands of the Krakatau group, and isolates of Klebsiella from bats on Panjang were more resistant to sulphamethoxazole than were Klebsiella species isolated from bats on Rakata. The reason for faecal bacteria from Panjang mammals being more antibiotic resistant than those from mammals on other islands of the group is unclear, but may be related to differences in diet and vegetation, or the presence of feral pigs on Panjang only.
Chromatin cytophotometric analysis of abnormal bovine spermatozoa

Summary Sperm head morphology is basically conditioned by the nuclear structure. The aim of the present work was to study the relation between nuclear morphological features, DNA content and chromatin distribution in morphologically normal vs. abnormal bovine spermatozoa. To this end, individual Feulgen‐reacted spermatozoa were cytophotometrically studied. Chromatin compactation was evaluated by means of nuclear area, as well as mean and maximal absorbance of each nucleus. Morphological abnormality analysed included large, small, pear, narrow and round shapes, together with presumably ‘diploid’ sperms. Both large and small spermatozoa have a DNA content that does not differ significantly from normal values, but their area and mean and maximal absorbance are significantly different. Size variation seems basically due to altered chromatin compactation. The pear shapes have a narrower neck and a significant increase in maximal absorbance alone, which is invariably recorded in the neck zone whose increase would indicate a change in distribution and/or compactation. The narrow and round shapes fail to present significant variations in studied parameters. The possible ‘diploids’ differ significantly from normal cells in all studied variables, with a little area increase.
INTERACTIONS BETWEEN NUTRITION, BLOOD METABOLIC PROFILE AND MILK COMPOSITION IN DAIRY GOATS

Khaled N. F. , J. Illek, S. GajdU‰ek: Interactions between Nutrition, Blood Metabolic Profile and Milk Composition in Dairy Goats. Acta Vet. Brno 1999, 68: 253–258. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the concentrations of blood and milk constituents of dairy goats under the effects of stable diet and grazing during lactation from April to June. The experiment was carried out on 10 dairy goats fed a ration composed of concentrate mixture, sugar beet silage and grass hay during winter season (stable diet), and pasture season. Jugular blood and milk samples were taken from all goats during lactation months of April through June at one-month intervals. The blood concentration of total protein (TPP), urea, glucose, triacylglycerols, total ketones, serum non-esterified fattty acids (NEFA), Na, K, Ca, inorganic phosphorus (Pi), Cu, Zn, aspartic amino transferase (AST), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), pH and haemoglobin (Hb) were determined. The measurements of milk contents of fat, protein, casein, urea, lactose, citric acid, total ketones, pH and titratable acidity were performed, too. The results showed variations in serum NEFA, plasma triacylglycerols, Pi , plasma CK and plasma urea during the first months of lactation. In addition to milk levels of total ketones, citric acid, fat and urea were changed. Highest correlation coefficients were found between plasma and milk urea (r = 0.88; p � 0.001). However, there were correlations between milk fat, plasma urea, blood haemoglobin, plasma glucose, plasma triacylglycerols, blood total ketones and plasma Mg. Citric acid in milk was positively correlated with plasma glucose (r= 0.46; p � 0.01) and negatively with plasma total protein (r = - 0.31; p � 0.05). In conclusion, high concentration of serum NEFA, blood total ketones and plasma urea in addition to the decline in the milk concentrations of citric acid and protein, along with increase in milk concentrations of ketone bodies and urea during the first lactation months were observed and may be associated with corresponding energy deficit and induce considerable metabolic changes in dairy goats.
Effects of immune system diversity and physical variation ofimmunotypic mixing on the dynamics of rabies in bats

The ecology and life history of rabies viruses in bats suggest a need for an integrated modelling treatment that extends beyond traditional epidemiological approaches. We modify our adaptive modelling approach to investigate the effects of immune system structure and immunological mixing events on the disease profile of the bat colony and subsequently on the dynamics of rabies viruses in bats. Our theoretical framework, which is based on individual (intra-host) models of the response of the host to a viral challenge and virus-specific disease mechanisms, integrates the individual components to provide information about the disease structure and the demographic composition of the bat colony. We focus on the changes in dynamics at the population level due to two processes: (1) immunological diversity in a biological process, reproduction, and (2) immunological diversity in a physical-physiological process, migration. The results suggest that immunotypic mixing plays a critical role in the disease progression within populations and it is an important factor in determining the persistence of rabies in exposed bat colonies.
Previous exposure to hormone replacement therapy and confounders in metabolic studies

ObjectiveThe quantity of intra-abdominal fat is highly associated with the development of diabetes mellitus. We sought to determine whether recent hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use modifies central fat and insulin sensitivity in postmenopausal women compared with women who had never used HRT. DesignWe measured intra-abdominal fat, subcutaneous abdominal fat, and sagittal diameter at the L4-L5 vertebral disc space using computed tomography imaging. Total body fat and fat-free mass were measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Insulin sensitivity was assessed using the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp technique in 42 nonobese postmenopausal women, age 51 ± 4 years (12 recent HRT users plus 30 never-users). All women who were taking HRT discontinued it for 2 months before the study. ResultsAfter statistical adjustment for age, previous use of HRT was associated with decreased intra-abdominal fat (72 ± 34 cm2) compared with no HRT use (96 ± 33 cm2;p = 0.05). This difference remained significant after adjustment for time since menopause. When previous HRT users were compared with nonusers, there were no differences in subcutaneous abdominal fat, sagittal diameter, fat-free mass, total fat, insulin sensitivity, or body weight. ConclusionsRecent HRT use is associated with lower intra-abdominal fat in nonobese, early postmenopausal women. This finding suggests a carry-over effect of HRT on intra-abdominal fat. Recent HRT use does not seem to be associated with differences in glucose disposal.
Impact of clinical training on violence risk assessment.

ajp.psychiatryonline. org With this article, the Journal inaugurates a new feature for our readers. Education in Psychiatry, like Treatment in Psychiatry, begins with a case vignette to illustrate an important problem in clinical psychiatry. However, the goal of Education in Psychiatry is to present and evaluate methods to teach students, trainees, and other psychiatrists how to treat patients with these problems.
Baseline and long-term gamma-glutamyltransferase, heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias in middle-aged Finnish men: Prospective study and pooled analysis of published evidence

Aim To assess the associations of baseline and long-term gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity with risk of heart failure (HF), ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) and atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods GGT measurements were made in a prospective cohort of 1780 men free of HF and cardiac arrhythmias at baseline. Correction for within-person variability was made using data from repeat measurements taken several years apart. Results During an average follow-up of 22 years, 222 HF, 56 VA and 336 AF events occurred. The regression dilution ratio of loge GGT was 0.68 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.61–0.74). Serum GGT was log-linearly associated with risk of HF, VAs and AF. In analyses adjusted for established risk factors, the hazard ratios (HRs) (95% CIs) for HF, VAs and AF per 1 SD higher baseline loge GGT values were 1.25 (1.07–1.45), 1.37 (1.04–1.80) and 1.04 (0.92–1.18), respectively. After correction for within-person variability, the corresponding HRs were 1.38 (1.11–1.73), 1.58 (1.06–2.37) and 1.06 (0.88–1.27), respectively. These findings remained consistent in analyses accounting for incident coronary heart disease and the development of impaired renal function. In a meta-analysis of five population-based studies, the fully adjusted relative risks for HF per 1 SD higher baseline and long-term GGT values were 1.28 (1.20–1.35) and 1.43 (1.31–1.56), respectively. In a pooled analysis of two studies, the corresponding risks for AF were 1.09 (1.02–1.16) and 1.14 (1.03–1.25), respectively. Conclusion GGT is positively and log-linearly associated with future risk of HF, VAs and AF. Further research is needed in order to assess the causal relevance of these findings.
Alteration of fatty acid profile and nucleotide-related substances in post-mortem breast meat of α-lipoic acid-fed broiler chickens

Abstract The present study was conducted to determine the effects of α-lipoic acid supplementation on post-mortem changes in the fatty acid profile and concentrations of nucleotide-related substances, especially those of a taste-active compound, inosine 5ʹ-monophosphate, in chicken meat. Mixed-sex broiler chicks aged 14 d were divided into three groups of 16 birds each and were fed on diets supplemented with α-lipoic acid at levels of 0, 100 or 200 mg/kg for 4 weeks. Blood and breast muscle samples were taken at 42 d of age under the fed condition and then after fasting for 18 h. The breast muscle obtained from fasted chickens was subsequently refrigerated at 2°C for one and 3 d. α-Lipoic acid supplementation did not affect any plasma metabolite concentration independently of feeding condition, while a slight increase in plasma glucose concentration was shown with both administration levels of α-lipoic acid. In early post-mortem breast muscle under the fed condition, α-lipoic acid had no effect on concentrations of fatty acids or nucleotides of ATP, ADP, and AMP. In post-mortem breast tissues obtained from fasted chickens, total fatty acid concentrations were markedly increased by α-lipoic acid feeding at 200 mg/kg irrespective of length of refrigeration. This effect was dependent on stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid. However, among fatty acids, the only predominantly increased unsaturated fatty acid was oleic acid. Dietary supplementation with α-lipoic acid at 200 mg/kg increased the inosine 5ʹ-monophosphate concentration in breast meat and, in contrast, reduced the subsequent catabolites, inosine and xanthine, regardless of the length of refrigeration. Therefore, the present study suggests that α-lipoic acid administration altered the fatty acid profile and improved meat quality by increasing taste-active substances in the post-mortem meat obtained from fasted chickens.
Expression of v-rel induces mature B-cell lines that reflect the diversity of avian immunoglobulin heavy- and light-chain rearrangements

The infection of newly hatched chickens with reticuloendotheliosis virus strain T (REV-T) and a nonimmunosuppressive helper virus, chicken syncytial virus, induces rapidly metastatic B-cell lymphomas. In vivo analysis of these tumors with monoclonal antibodies detected the expression of the B-cell surface markers immunoglobulin M (IgM), CIa, Bu2, and CLA-1, but not IgG, Bu1, or a T-cell surface marker, CT-1. Cell lines derived from tumors exhibited the same pattern of staining, suggesting that expression of cell surface markers does not change during in vitro cell line development. All cell lines examined synthesized IgM in varying amounts. Northern (RNA blot) analysis confirmed abundant expression of v-rel mRNA, and Southern analysis revealed rearrangement of both heavy- and light-chain immunoglobulin loci. Analysis of the light-chain locus demonstrated that 20 of 22 lines contained a single rearranged allele. With respect to specific restriction enzyme sites within the V lambda 1 gene, the active allele in any given clone was either diversified or nondiversified. In contrast, examination of the heavy-chain loci within these lines demonstrated that 16 of the 22 had both alleles rearranged. Further diversification of the V lambda 1 locus did not occur after prolonged in vitro passage of the cell lines. We propose that v-rel expression arrests diversification of the light-chain locus in these lymphoid cells, allowing the production of stable, clonal B-cell populations. The development of these and similar cell lines will make it possible to identify specific stages of avian lymphoid ontogeny and to study the mechanism of rearrangement and diversification in the avian B lymphocyte.
Inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis in wounds: pharmacology and effect on accumulation of collagen in wounds in mice.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of systemic inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in wounds on collagen accumulation. DESIGN Randomised experimental study. SETTING Teaching hospital, USA. MATERIAL 240 Balb/C mice divided into groups of 10 animals each. INTERVENTIONS Polyvinyl alcohol sponges were inserted subcutaneously through a dorsal skin incision. Beginning on the day of wounding, N omega-nitro-L-arginine-methylester (L-NAME), NG-L-monomethyl-arginine (L-NMMA), aminoguanidine hemisulphate (AGU), and S-methyl isothiouronium (MITU) were given orally or intraperitoneally. The mice were killed 10 days later. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Nitrite and nitrate concentrations, both stable end products of NO, were measured in wound fluid. Sponge hydroxyproline content was assayed as an index of reparative collagen deposition. RESULTS NOS inhibitors given orally in the drinking water or by daily intraperitoneal injection had no effect on wound nitrite/nitrate concentrations or deposition of collagen in wounds. When given continuously through intraperitoneally-placed osmotic pumps, AGU (500 mg/kg/day) (p < 0.001) and MITU (p < 0.01) significantly reduced wound fluid nitrite/nitrate concentrations in a dose dependent manner. Inhibition of wound nitric oxide synthase by 500 mg AGU/kg/day and 100 mg MITU/kg/day was paralleled by lowered accumulation of collagen in wounds (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION NO is beneficial in wound healing.
THE IMMUNOLOGIC THEORY OF AGING

The book presents an exhaustive, critical review of the status of the immunologic system in the last half of life, not only in man hut in all animals. Morphology, function, and disease states are covered. The thesis is developed that the pathogenesis of aging involves auto-immime reactions. The various biochemical and physiological criteria for judging 'age' are assessed, and direct experimental evidence is presented linking 'aging' and immune reactions. The major or 'classic' observations and experiments of gerontology are finally subjected to an immunologic re-interpretation. Dr. Walford treats an aspect of immunology not covered in any other book, and also ranges in depth through a number of areas of biology and medicine. The extensive data on the effects of irradiation on life span are dissected and analyzed, as are the role of genetics in aging, the chemical changes in hypothermia, the chemistry and immunology of transplantation disease, somatic mutation, hybrid vigor, the long-term effects of immunosuppression, amyloidosis, and the auto-immune diseases of man and animals. Recommended for gerontologists, immunologists, radiobiologists, and clinicians, this unique book brings observation and experiments from many fields together to focus upon one of the major unsolved problems of biology.
Anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa activity of 1,10-phenanthroline-based drugs against both planktonic- and biofilm-growing cells.

OBJECTIVES The beneficial antimicrobial properties of 1,10-phenanthroline (phen)-based drugs, together with the imperative need to develop new chemotherapeutic options for prevention/treatment of infections caused by MDR Gram-negative bacteria, led us to evaluate the effects of phen, 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione (phendione), [Ag(phendione)2]ClO4 and [Cu(phendione)3](ClO4)2·4H2O on planktonic- and biofilm-growing Pseudomonas aeruginosa. METHODS Thirty-two non-duplicated Brazilian clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa with distinct genetic backgrounds were used in all experiments. The effect of test compounds on planktonic bacterial proliferation was determined as recommended by CLSI protocol. The effect on biofilm formation was evaluated by crystal violet incorporation (biomass determination) and XTT (viability assay). Mature biofilm disorganization was evidenced by staining with crystal violet. RESULTS Phen-based compounds presented anti-P. aeruginosa activity, but with different potencies concerning the geometric mean MIC: [Cu(phendione)3](2+) (7.76 μM) > [Ag(phendione)2](+) (14.05 μM) > phendione (31.15 μM) > phen (579.28 μM). MICs of each compound were similar irrespective of whether the P. aeruginosa isolates were susceptible or resistant to classical antimicrobials (ceftazidime, meropenem and imipenem). The pretreatment of bacteria with phen, phendione and phendione's metal derivatives at 0.5 × MIC value inhibited biofilm formation, particularly the use of [Cu(phendione)3](2+) and [Ag(phendione)2](+), which significantly reduced both biomass (48% and 44%, respectively) and viability (78% and 77%, respectively). The compounds studied also disrupted mature biofilm in a dose-dependent manner, especially [Ag(phendione)2](+) and [Cu(phendione)3](2+) (IC50, 9.39 and 10.16 μM, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Coordination of phendione to Ag(+) and Cu(2+) represents a new promising group of anti-infective agents, which revealed a potent anti-P. aeruginosa action against both planktonic- and biofilm-growing cells.
Image-Based Spatially Variant and Count Rate Dependent Point Spread Function on the HRRT

Spatial resolution on the High Resolution Research Tomograph (HRRT) is of high importance, due to the need for accurate quantification of small brain structures. Thus accurate characterization of the scanner's resolution properties and subsequent inclusion of such information within image reconstruction, requires measuring its point spread function (PSF). In this study we measured in detail the spatial variation of the image space PSF and assessed the impact of the scanner's depth of interaction (DOI) capability on the spatial resolution. Furthermore, we characterized the dependency of the PSF on progressively increasing count rate statistics. An array of 15 × 11 printed point sources was scanned twice, initially on its own to measure the PSF spatial dependency, and subsequently with an extension line containing ~ 300 MBq of carbon-11, to assess the count rate dependency. PSF data were reconstructed with the scanner's default OP-OSEM and invariant PSF OP-OSEM algorithms, followed by image space model fitting. The axial, radial and tangential components of the PSF were found to vary under radial and angular transformations, but being radially symmetric and almost axially independent. The FWHM improves by ~ 1.3 mm using the PSF-OP-OSEM but is still radially variable with ~ 1 mm degradation within the FOV boundaries. When DOI was not taken into account, an additional degradation up to 0.7 mm was seen in the radial FWHM using OP-OSEM. Using the invariant PSF OP-OSEM, this degradation was less notable ( ~ 0.5 mm), despite the fact an invariant kernel is used. In terms of count rate dependency, a clear resolution degradation was seen for mean count rates above 5-10 kcps. However, this degradation was found to vary within the FOV. The spatially variant PSF at low count rates could be incorporated within a resolution modelling image reconstruction. However, including a count rate dependent PSF model is less straightforward.
Synchrony, Excitability and Firing Frequency in Neurons Containing Dendritic A-type Potassium Currents

Synchrony, Excitability and Firing Frequency in Neurons Containing Dendritic A-type Potassium Currents Current interpretations of mental processes in neuroscience usually focus on the properties of either single nerve cells or of large networks of neurons. The interplay between the cellular and the network levels remains, however, poorly understood. Based on existing experimental evidence, we suggest a participation of A-type potassium channels (KA) in the interaction between the two levels. In this project we investigate, more precisely, the role of KA in linking network synchrony to cellular excitability and firing frequency. The analysis of the notion of synchrony is of particular importance in this work due to its conceptual and modeling implications. The study uses computer simulations with biophysical models of cellular structures and of six different KA ion-channels described by Hodgkin-Huxley dynamics. First, simple simulations reveal how KA can affect excitability and how the effects can be modified through KA modulation. The results indicate that the attenuating properties of KA should be interpreted in terms of absolute local attenuation. We show that other possible appealing interpretations are actually based on misconceptions. Additional results confirm a crucial role of KA in avoiding hyperexcitability, as suggested in several studies related to epilepsy. Thereafter, with more detailed models, simulations at different levels of synchrony prove that KA, via its modulation, mediates between the network synchrony and the cellular response. This trilateral relationship suggests that mental activity resulting from the interaction between cells and networks could be altered through KA modulation. Finally, we discuss the possibility of preventing synchronization by means of dendritic ion-currents and propose, for this particular purpose, some favorable conditions regarding Hodgkin-Huxley variables.