Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of yeast extracts as growth media supplements for lactococci and lactobacilli by using automated spectrophotometry.

An automated spectrophotometric (AS) method was used to evaluate the growth-promoting ability of yeast extracts (YE) on cultures of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris. The AS data were compared to that obtained from classical shake flask fermentations and from 250 ml bioreactors equipped with pH control. In assays involving the evaluation of 26 different commercial YE, maximum growth rate (&mgr;(max)) values determined with the AS unit ranged from 0.25 to 0.45 h(-1) for Lb. acidophilus and from 0.10 to 0.40 h(-1) for Lc. cremoris. Good correlations were obtained between AS data and manual sampling from the shake flasks or the bioreactors for mmax, as well as maximum optical density (OD(max)). The AS method is thus useful as a screening tool for the selection of YE lots in media formulation. Species reacted differently to the 26 YE, but less variation was observed between strains of the same species. This suggests that a producer of various lactococci or lactobacilli can expect a relatively constant response to a given YE lot between strains of the same species. However, it should not be assumed that the YE having the best growth-promoting properties for Lb. acidophilus will also be the best media supplements for the growth of Lc. cremoris.
Identification of Truncated Form of Mouse HAX-1s Gene (HAX-1xs) and Characterization of Its Expression in Small Intestine and Thymus of Mice After Burn Injury

Burn injury often leads to distant organ injury such as acute respiratory distress syndrome. We hypothesize that the pathophysiologic changes in distant organs result from orchestrated regulation of multiple genes in response to burn injury. Differential display was performed to identify genes regulated in distant organs in response to burn injury. Initial characterization of differentially amplified products demonstrated that HAX-1s mRNA was regulated in several distant organs after 18% total body surface area (TBSA) full-thickness flame burn injury in mice. Further characterization of HAX-1s mRNA revealed a novel transcript variant, which is rapidly and transiently induced in multiple tissues of mice within 6 h after burn injury. This novel HAX-1s transcript variant, called HAX-1xs, has an internal deletion of 252 nucleotides and single point mutation, resulting in reading frame intact. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses of multiple tissues of mice using rabbit antibody raised against a 15-mer synthetic peptide clearly revealed the presence of HAX-1xs protein in the duodenum, and suggested that expression of HAX-1xs and/or HAX-1s was tissue- and cell type-specific. The expression of HAX-1xs and/or HAX-1s was distinctively regulated in Paneth cells of the duodenum and macrophages of the thymus after burn injury. These findings suggest that HAX-1xs has a different biological activity from HAX-1s and participates in a cascade of immediate-early cellular events in response to burn injury.
The influence of ethnocentrism and Halal trust on attitudes toward products from non-Muslim countries: A study of Moroccan consumers

Several studies show that the consumer ethnocentrism is capable of influencing consumption patterns both in terms of negative impact on consumer attitudes toward foreign products and positive influence on the intention to purchase domestic offers. The study extends the investigation of this research area toward Muslim countries, analysing the impact of interactions between consumer ethnocentrism and halal trust on the use of country image components, as well as the propensity to consume halal products from non-Muslim countries. The analytical framework was tested through an empirical study conducted on a sample of Moroccan consumers, called to evaluate Made in Italy Halal products. The findings contribute to advancing the theory and empirical studies on consumer ethnocentrism in a cross-cultural perspective. Moreover, the results can support international companies to design effective marketing strategies capable of exploiting the potential of emerging Muslim countries. Key words: Ethnocentrism, general country image, Halal trust, product beliefs, product receptivity.
Ca2+-Permeable P2X Receptor Channels in Cultured Rat Retinal Ganglion Cells

ATP has been identified as an excitatory neurotransmitter in both the CNS and peripheral nervous system; however, little is known about the functional properties of ATP-gated channels in central neurons. Here we used a culture preparation of the postnatal rat retina to test the responsiveness of identified retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and putative amacrines to exogenous ATP and other purinoceptor agonists. Rapidly activating ATP-induced currents (IATP) were exclusively generated in a subpopulation (∼65%) of RGCs. The latter were identified by Thy1.1 immunostaining, repetitive firing patterns, and activation of glutamatergic autaptic currents. None of the putative amacrine cells was ATP-sensitive. IATP could be induced with ATP, ADP, and α,β-mATP but not with adenosine. It was antagonized by suramin. The current–voltage relationship ofIATP showed marked inward rectification. Dose–response analysis yielded an EC50 of 14.5 μm, with a Hill coefficient of 0.9. Noise analysis ofIATP suggested a mean single channel conductance of 2.3 pS. Retinal P2X purinoceptor channels exhibited a high permeability for Ca2+. PCa/PCs obtained from reversal potentials of IATP under bi-ionic conditions amounted to 2.2 ± 0.7. In the majority of cells, the decay ofIATP was biphasic. The degree of current inactivation during the first 2 sec of agonist application was highly variable. Heterogeneity was also found with respect to the sensitivity to ADP and α,β-mATP and the blocking action of suramin, suggesting expression of multiple P2X receptor subtypes. Our results indicate that activation of P2X receptor channels represents an important pathway for Ca2+ influx in postnatal RGCs.
In-hospital outcomes and mortality in octogenarians after percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND There is systematic growth in the number of number of elderly patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); however, little is known about PCI results in the very elderly (long-lived) patients aged 85 years and above. AIM To assess the demographic, clinical, and angiographic findings in patients aged > 85 years (GER), undergoing PCI, compared with younger patients treated in the year 2012. METHODS This was a single centre retrospective study based on a consecutive group of 920 patients with coronary disease (stable and acute coronary syndrome [ACS]). Patients were divided into two groups: GER aged 85 years and over (n = 82) and controls (CG) below 85 years (n = 838). RESULTS The mean age in the GER group was 88.6 vs. 66.7 years in the CG. There were more females in the GER group (57% vs. 29%) than in the CG (p < 0.001). The indication for PCI was mainly ACS in GER (65%) vs. CG (50%) including ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) 30% vs. 29% (p = NS), ACS non-STEMI 35% vs. 20% (p = 0.01). GER patients had more comorbidities and more advanced multivessel coronary artery disease. The ratio of procedural success was lower in GER compared to CG. The incidence of in-hospital death was higher in GER (4.8%) compared to CG (0.83%); the most common complication in GER group was contrast-induced nephropathy (18.2% vs. 6.2%). Major adverse cardiovascular events were significantly more frequent in GER patients with ACS compared to CG patients with the same diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Patients > 85 years old, especially with ACS undergoing PCI, are at greater risk of in-hospital complications, especially contrast-induced nephropathy and procedural complications, compared to younger patients.
Extragenic Suppressors of Growth Defects inmsbB Salmonella

ABSTRACT Lipid A, a potent endotoxin which can cause septic shock, anchors lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the outer leaflet of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. MsbB acylates (KDO)2-(lauroyl)-lipid IV-A with myristate during lipid A biosynthesis. Reports of knockouts of the msbB gene describe effects on virulence but describe no evidence of growth defects in Escherichia coli K-12 or Salmonella. Our data confirm the general lack of growth defects in msbB E. coli K-12. In contrast, msbB Salmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium exhibits marked sensitivity to galactose-MacConkey and 6 mM EGTA media. At 37°C in Luria-Bertani (LB) broth, msbB Salmonella cells elongate, form bulges, and grow slowly.msbB Salmonella grow well on LB-no salt (LB-0) agar; however, under specific shaking conditions in LB-0 broth, manymsbB Salmonella cells lyse during exponential growth and a fraction of the cells form filaments. msbB Salmonella grow with a near-wild-type growth rate in MSB (LB-0 containing Mg2+ and Ca2+) broth (23 to 42°C). Extragenic compensatory mutations, which partially suppress the growth defects, spontaneously occur at high frequency, and mutants can be isolated on media selective for faster growing derivatives. One of the suppressor mutations maps at 19.8 centisomes and is a recessive IS10insertional mutation in somA, a gene of unknown function which corresponds to ybjX in E. coli. In addition, random Tn10 mutagenesis carried out in an unsuppressed msbB strain produced a set of Tn10inserts, not in msbB or somA, that correlate with different suppressor phenotypes. Thus, insertional mutations, insomA and other genes, can suppress the msbBphenotype.
Terms of Trade Externality, Sterilized Interventions and Optimal Chinese Monetary Policy

We incorporate terms-of-trade externality into a small open economy featuring an incomplete market, sterilized intervention, and capital controls as in Chang et al. (2015), and we highlight the central banks reaction to exchange rate movement. Our calibrated model using data from China shows that an optimal monetary policy is crucially dependent on the Armington elasticity between domestic and foreign goods. For a wide range of Armington elasticity values, an intermediate exchange rate regime dominates the bipolar (fixed or floating) exchange regimes in terms of welfare gains.
Political Entrepreneurs and Pork-Barrel Spending

Pork-barrel spending is the use of federal money for localized projects that yield only a narrow geographic benefit. It is a commonly held belief that politicians use this spending to improve their chances of re-election. One way that an incumbent can increase their chances of re-election is through increased fundraising. Political entrepreneurs see this opportunity and attempt to benefit from these projects in exchange for campaign contributions. This paper investigates whether incumbents are able to use their position to bolster their campaign contributions. I find pork-barrel spending and political contributions to be positively related, but this effect is only present when the incumbent properly times the project. I also find that general federal appropriations do not have the same impact. This supports the claim that pork-barrel spending can be used as a currency in the marketplace for political capital.
Prevalence of traumatic dental injuries among 12- to 15-year-old schoolchildren in Ambala district, Haryana, India.

PURPOSE To assess the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) among 12- to 15-year-old schoolchildren in the Ambala district of Haryana state, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS A study was carried out on 963 schoolchildren of 15 government schools in the Ambala district. The examiner was calibrated and a pilot study was conducted. Maxillary as well as mandibular anterior teeth were taken into consideration to assess the traumatic dental injuries. The teeth involved, place of and reason for injury and other demographic details were recorded in a structured format. Data were analysed using SPSS version 13.0. RESULTS Out of 963 subjects, 14.4% (139) had at least one tooth with TDI. Of these subjects, males and females accounted for 16.2% (77) and 12.7% (62), respectively. Permanent maxillary central incisors were the most commonly affected teeth. Enamel fracture was the most common (80% [111]) followed by enamel-dentin fracture (17.2% [24]). A higher number of children with incisal overjet greater than 3 mm had TDI than those with less than 3 mm, although this difference was not statistically significant. Subjects with Class III and Class II Div II malocclusion were more likely to have TDI, 16.2% and 17.7% respectively. Lip-closure incompetence was found to be more common in subjects having a TDI. Amongst the subjects having a TDI, only 83.4% (116) were aware of their injury, and falling was the reason most commonly reported. CONCLUSION Traumatic dental injuries are highly prevalent among schoolchildren. Most of the TDIs involve only tooth enamel. Incompetent lip closure was significantly associated with TDIs and a fall was the major cause for TDIs in this age group.
Restrictive Effects of Water Scarcity on Urban Economic Development in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei City Region

This study provides a scientific assessment of water scarcity in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) city region and investigates its restrictive effects on urban economic development by quantifying economic loss caused by water scarcity based on an input–output optimization model. The results show that the water scarcity reflected by shadow prices has significant sectoral and regional heterogeneities. Southern Hebei faces the most severe water scarcity in the BTH city region and the situation is worsening. Water scarcity is shown to have a negative impact on the economy of the BTH city region that amounts to CNY 270.02 billion. Hebei has the largest potential economic loss caused by water scarcity, especially in southern Hebei, the potential GDP (gross domestic product) of which is decreased by 6.2%. This study also points out that the water scarcity in the BTH city region is underestimated in terms of actual water prices, and the scarcity of agricultural water use is mostly underestimated. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of the restrictive impact of water scarcity on regional economic development, and thus provide a scientific reference for policymaking in the BTH city region.
The effect of menopause on the relation between weight gain and mortality among women

ObjectiveTo examine the effect of menopause on the relation between weight gain and all-cause mortality. DesignProspective cohort study of 6,030 adults (ages 25–82 years) who never smoked cigarettes, had no history of coronary heart disease, cancer, or stroke, and were enrolled in a 29-year follow-up in which anthropometric data were given at baseline and at 17 years after baseline. ResultsWeight gain that occurred over a 17-year interval (baseline to 17 years after baseline) increased the mortality risk of men and middle-aged women, but decreased the mortality risk of older women. Further study of the women revealed that a strong protective effect of weight gains was only evident among the leanest (≤25 kg/m2) postmenopausal women. Specifically, weight gains of 10 kg or more (median = 13 kg) produced an almost threefold decrease in mortality risk among the leanest (≤25 kg/m2) postmenopausal women [hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval; CI) = 0.35 (0.13, 0.96)], but did not confer strong protection for heavier (>25 kg/m2) postmenopausal women [HR (95% CI) = 0.81 (0.41, 1.58)] or for premenopausal women [HR (95% CI) = 1.05 (0.49, 2.25) for ≤25 kg/m2, 0.95 (0.38, 2.37) for >25 kg/m2]. We found that the protective effect of weight gain among the leanest postmenopausal women was primarily due to a more than threefold decrease in cardiovascular disease mortality risk. One possible explanation for these findings is that weight gain increases the level of adipose-tissue-derived estrogen among lean postmenopausal women. ConclusionModerate menopausal weight gain may be well tolerated in lean women.
Assessment of renal dysfunction improves troponin‐based short‐term prognosis in patients with acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism

Summary. Objective: Current risk stratification in acute pulmonary embolism (APE) includes assessment of clinical status, right ventricular overload and plasma troponin concentrations. As impaired renal function is one of the important predictors of mortality in cardiovascular diseases, we hypothesized that it is an independent early mortality marker in APE. Material and methods: In prospective cohort study, we observed 220 consecutive patients (86M/134F, 64 ± 18 years) with APE proven by spiral computed tomography (CT). On admission, echocardiography was performed and blood samples were collected for troponin and creatinine assays. Results: The calculated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) differed significantly between 81 pts with low‐, 131 pts with moderate‐ and 8 pts with high‐risk APE [71 (19–181) vs. 55 (9–153) vs. 41 (14–68) mL min−1; respectively P < 0.0001]. Twenty‐three patients died during the 30‐day observation. Importantly, GFR was lower in non‐survivors than in survivors [35 (9–92) vs. 63 (14–181) mL min−1, P < 0.0001]. The area under the curve (AUC) of the GFR receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curve for predicting mortality was 0.760 (95% CI: 0.698–0.815). In multivariable analysis, independent mortality predictors were GFR, troponin, heart rate and history of chronic heart failure. In normotensive patients, the GFR and cardiac troponins (cTn) ROC curves for prediction of mortality showed no difference (AUC 0.789 and 0.781, respectively). However, Kaplan–Meier analysis showed an additive prognostic value of renal dysfunction. Thus, troponin‐positive patients with a GFR ≤ 35 mL mn−1 showed 48% 30‐day mortality, whereas troponin‐positive patients with a GFR > 35 mL mn−1 had 11% mortality, and troponin‐negative patients with a GFR > 35 mL mn−1 had good prognosis, P < 0.0001. Conclusion: Impaired kidney function, present in 47% of APE patients, is related to all‐cause mortality. In initially normotensive patients, a GFR < 35 mL min−1 predicts 30‐day mortality. Moreover, GFR assessment can improve troponin‐based risk stratification of APE.
Donor morbidity in right and left hemiliver living donor liver transplantation: the impact of graft selection and surgical innovation on donor safety

This study investigated adequate liver graft selection for donor safety by comparing postoperative donor liver function and morbidity between the right and left hemilivers (RL and LL, respectively) of living donors. Between April 2006 and March 2012, RL (n = 168) and LL (n = 140) donor operations were performed for liver transplantation at Kyoto University Hospital. Postoperative hyperbilirubinemia and coagulopathy persisted in RL donors, whereas the liver function of LL donors normalized more rapidly. The overall complication rate of the RL donors was significantly higher than that of the LL donors (59.5% vs. 30.7%; P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in severe complications worse than Clavien grade IIIa or in biliary complication rates between the two donor groups. In April 2006, we introduced an innovative surgical procedure: hilar dissection preserving the blood supply to the bile duct during donor hepatectomy. Compared with our previous outcomes (1990–2006), the biliary complication rate of the RL donors decreased from 12.2% to 7.2%, and the severity of these complications was significantly lower. In conclusion, LL donors demonstrated good recovery in postoperative liver function and lower morbidity, and our surgical innovations reduced the severity of biliary complications in living donors.
Idiopathic linear leukoplakia of gingiva: A rare case report

White lesions of the oral cavity are not uncommon though majority of them are benign. This case report documents a rare case of idiopathic linear leukoplakia of gingiva with no apparent etiology. Initial examination revealed a non-scrapable linear white lesion on the marginal and papillary gingiva of upper right teeth region. Incisional biopsy was taken for pathologic evaluation. Patient was treated with routine oral hygiene procedures and excision of the lesions. The histopathological results demonstrated hyperparakeratinized/orthokeratinized hyperplastic oral epithelium with orthokeratin-filled clefts and with no dysplasia. Clinical results demonstrated no recurrence after electrosurgical intervention. This paper reports a rare case of idiopathic linear leukoplakia of gingiva which was non-dysplastic in nature. Electrosurgical treatment proved to be successful compared to surgical technique as there was no recurrence even after two years of follow-up.
Design criterion of polarization-time codes for optical fiber channels

Coherent detection with Polarization Multiplexing (PolMux) is the most promising technique for future optical fiber transmission systems. However, the optical channel suffers from non-unitary impairments known as Polarization Dependent Loss (PDL). Space-Time coding, originally designed for wireless Rayleigh fading channels, was proven to be capable of mitigating PDL. Coding gains of ST codes were evaluated through simulations and experiments that showed differences in their performance on the optical channel and on the wireless channel. In this paper, we derive an upper bound of the pairwise error probability of an optical channel considering the PDL effect. This upper bound explains the performance of ST codes used to mitigate PDL and yields the design criterion that a code should satisfy in order to completely mitigate PDL.
Cations But Not Anions Regulate the Responsiveness of Kainate Receptors

Kainate-selective ionotropic glutamate receptors are unique among ligand-gated ion channels in their obligate requirement of external anions and cations for activation. Although it is established that the degree of kainate receptor (KAR) activation is shaped by the chemical nature of the agonist molecule, the possible complementary role of external ions has yet to be examined. Here we show that external cations but not anions regulate the responsiveness to a range of full and partial agonists acting on rat GluK2 receptors. This observation is unexpected as previous work has assumed anions and cations affect KARs in an identical manner through functionally coupled binding sites. However, our data demonstrate that anion- and cation-binding pockets behave discretely. We suggest cations uniquely regulate a pregating or flipping step that impacts the closed-cleft stability of the agonist-binding domain (ABD). This model departs from a previous proposal that KAR agonist efficacy is governed by the degree of closure elicited in the ABD by ligand binding. Our findings are, however, in line with recent studies on Cys-loop ligand-gated ion channels suggesting that the “flipping” mechanism has been conserved by structurally diverse ligand-gated ion channel families as a common means of regulating neurotransmitter behavior.