Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology and molecular identification of Anisakis pegreffii (Nematoda: Anisakidae) in the horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus from northern Morocco

Abstract Anisakis infection parameters were studied in horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) taken from two areas of northern Morocco (Tetouan and Tangier), which showed a mean prevalence of 54.9%. Identification of the ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 fragment by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) showed A. pegreffii to be the dominant species; no A. simplex s.s. were detected. The presence of A. pegreffii in horse mackerel was not influenced by the sex (P= 0.46) or catch area (Atlantic versus Mediterranean, P= 0.52) of the fish, but was significantly related to their length, weight, liver weight and gonad weight, and to the season of their capture (P< 0.05). A low prevalence (8.6%) and mean intensity (1.0) was detected in the muscle, probably related to the reduced ability of A. pegreffii to penetrate muscle. The risk of the presence of A. pegreffii in the muscle was fivefold higher in fish caught during the summer than during any other season. Susceptible members of the human population can minimize the risk of infection by avoiding the consumption of larger horse mackerel specimens during the summer.
Morphological and molecular characterization of adult worms of Leucochloridium paradoxum Carus, 1835 and L. perturbatum Pojmańska, 1969 (Digenea: Leucochloridiidae) from the great tit, Parus major L., 1758 and similarity with the sporocyst stages

Abstract Unlike the sporocyst stages, adult leucochloridiid digeneans are difficult to differentiate. Sporocyst broodsacs can be identified on the basis of their colour and banding pattern, but in the absence of broodsacs and when experimental infection cannot be performed, tentative morphological identification needs to be verified, and molecular techniques offer a tool to do this. In this study, adult leucochloridiid digeneans were collected from the great tit (Parus major) found dead at three localities at or near the Baltic Sea coast (Hel, Bukowo-Kopań and Szczecin) in northern Poland. On the basis of differences in their morphological characters, Hel specimens were tentatively assigned to Leucochloridium perturbatum, Bukowo-Kopań and Szczecin specimens being identified tentatively as L. paradoxum. Subsequent ribosomal DNA sequence analysis confirmed the identification of these leucochloridiid flukes. Nucleotide sequences discriminating between the two species were identical to those used by earlier authors as characteristic of two distinctly different sporocyst broodsacs representing L. perturbatum and L. paradoxum.
Molecular and morphological characterization of the tapeworm Taenia hydatigena (Pallas, 1766) in sheep from Iran

Abstract Although Taenia hydatigena is one of the most prevalent taeniid species of livestock, very little molecular genetic information exists for this parasite. Up to 100 sheep isolates of T. hydatigena were collected from 19 abattoirs located in the provinces of Tehran, Alborz and Kerman. A calibrated microscope was used to measure the larval rostellar hook lengths. Following DNA extraction, fragments of cytochrome c oxidase 1 (CO1) and 12S rRNA genes were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction method and the amplicons were subjected to sequencing. The mean total length of large and small hooks was 203.4 μm and 135.9 μm, respectively. Forty CO1 and 39 12S rRNA sequence haplotypes were obtained in the study. The levels of pairwise nucleotide variation between individual haplotypes of CO1 and 12S rRNA genes were determined to be between 0.3–3.4% and 0.2–2.1%, respectively. The overall nucleotide variation among all the CO1 haplotypes was 9.7%, and for all the 12S rRNA haplotypes it was 10.1%. A significant difference was observed between rostellar hook morphometry and both CO1 and 12S rRNA sequence variability. A significantly high level of genetic variation was observed in the present study. The results showed that the 12S rRNA gene is more variable than CO1.
Polymer Biocomposites and Nanobiocomposites Obtained from Mango Seeds

Summary The objective of this work is to obtain thermoplastic starch, polymer biocomposites and nanobiocomposites using agro-industrial waste generated in mango processing, and characterize the obtained materials. The starch extraction from the kernels of mango pits showed a good yield and the obtained starch had high purity.The results obtained characterizing the fibers and cellulose nanowhiskers, from the husk of the mango seed, proved the effectiveness of chemical treatment removing the amorphous constituents (hemicellulose and lignin). The polymer biocomposites and nanobiocomposites were obtained and the TPS mango starch showed satisfactory results of mechanical and thermal properties, when compared with TPS corn starch materials with the same composition. It is concluded that the waste generated in the agro-industrial processing of mangos showed a potential source for biodegradable materials production.
Alterations of c‐di‐GMP turnover proteins modulate semi‐constitutive rdar biofilm formation in commensal and uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Agar plate‐based biofilm of enterobacteria like Escherichia coli is characterized by expression of the extracellular matrix components amyloid curli and cellulose exopolysaccharide, which can be visually enhanced upon addition of the dye Congo Red, resulting in a red, dry, and rough (rdar) colony morphology. Expression of the rdar morphotype depends on the transcriptional regulator CsgD and occurs predominantly at ambient temperature in model strains. In contrast, commensal and pathogenic isolates frequently express the csgD‐dependent rdar morphotype semi‐constitutively, also at human host body temperature. To unravel the molecular basis of temperature‐independent rdar morphotype expression, biofilm components and c‐di‐GMP turnover proteins of seven commensal and uropathogenic E. coli isolates were analyzed. A diversity within the c‐di‐GMP signaling network was uncovered which suggests alteration of activity of the trigger phosphodiesterase YciR to contribute to (up)regulation of csgD expression and consequently semi‐constitutive rdar morphotype development.
Oxysterol-binding protein is a phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase effector required for HCV replication membrane integrity and cholesterol trafficking.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Positive-sense RNA viruses remodel intracellular membranes to generate specialized membrane compartments for viral replication. Several RNA viruses, including poliovirus and hepatitis C virus (HCV), require phosphatidylinositol (PI) 4-kinases for their replication. However, it is not known how PI 4-kinases and their product, PI(4)P, facilitate host membrane reorganization and viral replication. In addition, although the HCV replication compartment, known as the membranous web, is believed to be cholesterol enriched, the mechanisms by which this occurs have not been elucidated. We aimed to identify and characterize a PI 4-kinase effector in HCV replication. METHODS We used a combination of microscopic and biochemical methods to study HCV replication, web morphology, the distribution of intracellular protein and PI(4)P, along with cholesterol trafficking in HCV-infected cells. PI 4-kinase and oxysterol-binding protein (OSBP) were inhibited using RNA interference or small molecules in cells expressing a full-length genotype 1b replicon or infected with the JFH-1 strain of HCV. RESULTS OSBP was required for HCV replication and membranous web integrity. OSBP was recruited to membranous webs in a PI 4-kinase-dependent manner, and both these factors were found to regulate cholesterol trafficking to the web. We also found OSBP to be required for poliovirus infection but dispensable for dengue virus. CONCLUSIONS OSBP is a PI 4-kinase effector in HCV infection, and contributes to the integrity and cholesterol enrichment of the membranous web. OSBP might also be a PI 4-kinase effector in poliovirus infection and could be involved in replication of other viruses that require PI 4-kinases.
Diets, food and idiopathic Parkinson`s disease

Based on two individual cases, this is a personal depict on knowledge of Idiopathic Parkinson´s Disease (IPD) etiopathogeny emphasizing diets, food and edible substances tested and reported. In the first case (adherence to an almost vegan diet, with one seventh of the protein supplied from animal origin), had an impressive beneficial effect on his fifteen years clinical course, while in the second case (continuation of a quasi ovo-lacto-vegetarian diet), did not modify substantially the clinical course. The relevance of diet on IPD focused in redistribution of protein daily intake when levodopa prescribed. Diet by itself is fundamental for the management of each individual person prone to or suffering from IPD. Vegan diets with pulses rich in protein duly balanced with cereals and supplemented with vitamin B12, reduce the intake of methionine and keep the amount of aromatic amino acids at a moderate level.
Secretin stimulates biliary cell proliferation by regulating expression of microRNA 125b and microRNA let7a in mice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Proliferating cholangiocytes secrete and respond to neuroendocrine hormones, including secretin. We investigated whether secretin secreted by S cells and cholangiocytes stimulates biliary proliferation in mice. METHODS Cholestasis was induced in secretin knockout (Sct(-/-)) and wild-type (control) mice by bile duct ligation (BDL). At days 3 and 7 after BDL, control and Sct(-/-) mice received tail-vein injections of morpholinos against microRNA 125b or let7a. One week later, liver tissues and cholangiocytes were collected. Immunohistochemical, immunoblot, luciferase reporter, and real-time polymerase chain reaction assays were performed. Intrahepatic bile duct mass (IBDM) and proliferation were measured. Secretin secretion was measured in conditioned media from cholangiocytes and S cells and in serum and bile. RESULTS Secretin secretion was increased in supernatants from cholangiocytes and S cells and in serum and bile after BDL in control mice. BDL Sct(-/-) mice had lower IBDM, reduced proliferation, and reduced production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) A and nerve growth factor (NGF) compared with BDL control. BDL and control mice given morpholinos against microRNA 125b or let7a had increased IBDM. Livers of mice given morpholinos against microRNA 125b had increased expression of VEGFA, and those treated with morpholinos against microRNA let7a had increased expression of NGF. Secretin regulated VEGF and NGF expression that negatively correlated with microRNA 125b and let7a levels in liver tissue. CONCLUSIONS After liver injury, secretin produced by cholangiocytes and S cells reduces microRNA 125b and let7a levels, resulting in up-regulation of VEGF and NGF. Modulation of cholangiocyte expression of secretin could be a therapeutic approach for biliary diseases.
Effects of post exercise activity on recovery from maximal exercise

Summary We determined the effect of post exercise activity on recovery from maximal exercise. Five Standardbred horses were exercised on an inclined treadmill (+10% slope) for 2 min at 2.5 m/s followed by 2 min at 12.5 m/s (∼110% VO2max). They had one of 3 recovery regimens: standing on the treadmill (A), trotting at 4 m/s for 15 min followed by walking at 2 m/s for 15 min (B), or walking at 2 m/s for 30 min (C). Muscle biopsies from the m. gluteus medius and jugular blood for blood lactate determination were collected, before and after exercise and at 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 min recovery. Ten minutes after exercise, heart rate was significantly (P<0.05) higher with recoveries B and C than recovery A, but there were no differences at 20 or 30 min following exercise. Both muscle and rectal temperatures were significantly (P<0.01) lower with recovery A compared with recoveries B and C. The type of recovery had no influence on the rate of change of [ATP] or [G-6-P]. The rate of decrease in plasma and muscle [lactate] was significantly faster with recovery B than A (P<0.05). Creatine phosphate increased (P<0.05) at a faster rate with recoveries B and C than A. We conclude that ‘warm-down’ periods enhance clearance of lactate from skeletal muscle and that lactate may be utilised as a substrate by muscle during recovery from exercise.
Development of aberrant crypt foci in the colons of ob/ob and db/db mice: Evidence that leptin is not a promoter

Leptin is elevated in obesity and has been suggested to increase the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), although the evidence is conflicting. The objective of this study was to compare the susceptibility to colon carcinogenesis of db/db mice that have highly elevated circulating leptin and leptin‐deficient ob/ob mice, both of which are obese. Seven‐week‐old male ob/ob, db/db, and WT mice received 4 weekly i.p. injections of 5 mg/kg azoxymethane (AOM) and were killed 14 wk later for the analysis of putative preneoplastic aberrant crypt foci (ACF). There were no differences in ACF number or multiplicity between ob/ob and db/db mice. Leptin has been shown to induce CYP2E1, the main enzyme that activates AOM, but we observed no differences in hepatic CYP2E1 activity or colonic CYP2E1 protein levels between ob/ob and db/db mice. We also induced ACF with 2 oral doses 3 d apart of 30 mg/kg methylnitrosourea (MNU), a direct‐acting carcinogen. There were no differences in ACF number or multiplicity between the two groups of obese animals 5 wk following the last dose of MNU. The colonic mucosa of db/db mice expressed significantly lower mRNA levels of ObRa, the predominant short form of the leptin receptor, compared to ob/ob mice, and following i.p. injection with 1 mg/kg recombinant mouse leptin, exhibited significantly reduced p44/42 pMAPK compared to saline‐treated controls. These results show that ObRa is functionally active in the colons of db/db mice. We conclude that leptin does not play a significant role in ACF development. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nonselective β blockers increase risk for hepatorenal syndrome and death in patients with cirrhosis and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Nonselective β blockers (NSBBs) reduce portal pressure and the risk for variceal hemorrhage in patients with cirrhosis. However, development of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in these patients could preclude treatment with NSBBs because of their effects on the circulatory reserve. We investigated the effects of NSBBs in patients with cirrhosis and ascites with and without SBP. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of data from 607 consecutive patients with cirrhosis who had their first paracentesis at the Medical University of Vienna from 2006 through 2011. Cox models were calculated to investigate the effect of NSBBs on transplant-free survival time and adjusted for Child-Pugh stage and presence of varices. RESULTS NSBBs increased transplant-free survival in patients without SBP (hazard ratio = 0.75; 95% confidence interval: 0.581-0.968; P = .027) and reduced days of nonelective hospitalization (19.4 days/year for patients on NSBBs vs 23.9 days/year for patients not taking NSBBs). NSBBs had only moderate effects on systemic hemodynamics at patients' first paracentesis. However, at the first diagnosis of SBP, the proportion of hemodynamically compromised patients with systolic arterial pressure <100 mm Hg was higher among those who received NSBBs (38% vs 18% of those not taking NSBBs; P = .002), as was the proportion of patients with arterial pressure <82 mm Hg (64% of those taking NSBBs vs 44% of those not taking NSBBs; P = .006). Among patients with SBP, NSBBs reduced transplant-free survival (hazard ratio = 1.58; 95% confidence interval: 1.098-2.274; P = .014) and increased days of nonelective hospitalization (29.6 days/person-year in patients on NSBBs vs 23.7 days/person-year in those not taking NSBBs). A higher proportion of patients on NSBBs had hepatorenal syndrome (24% vs 11% in those not taking NSBBs; P = .027) and grade C acute kidney injury (20% vs 8% for those not taking NSBBs; P = .021). CONCLUSIONS Among patients with cirrhosis and SBP, NSBBs increase the proportion who are hemodynamically compromised, time of hospitalization, and risks for hepatorenal syndrome and acute kidney injury. They also reduce transplant-free survival. Patients with cirrhosis and SBP should not receive NSBBs.
DEVELOPMENT OF SYBR GREEN-BASED REAL-TIME PCR FOR THE DETECTION OF CANINE, FELINE AND PORCINE PARVOVIRUSES

Parvovirus is now considered to be one of the most important infectious agents a®ecting canine, feline and porcine domestic animals. Canine parvovirus 2 (CPV 2) and feline parvovirus (FPV) are major infectious causes of mortality in puppies and kittens. Both CPV 2 and FPV have recently been shown to infect both dogs and cats. The characteristic symptoms of canine, feline and porcine parvovirus disease are intestinal hemorrhage with severe bloody diarrhea, leukopenia and reproductive failure, respectively. In this work, we describe the development of a novel real-time PCR system that is based on the use of SYBR Green and that allows the simultaneous detection of VP2 gene of CPV, FPV and porcine parvovirus (PPV). This system yielded low coe±cients of variation for intra-assay and inter-assay variabilities.
Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) binding and its effect on in vitro transcription in friedreich's ataxia triplet repeats

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are DNA mimics in which peptide‐like linkages are substituted for the phosphodiester backbone. Homopyrimidine PNAs can invade double‐stranded DNA containing the homologous sequence by displacing the homopyrimidine strand from the DNA duplex and forming a PNA/DNA/PNA triplex with the complementary homopurine strand. Among biologically interesting targets for triplex‐forming PNA are (GAA/CTT)n repeats. Expansion of these repeats results in partial inhibition of transcription in the frataxin gene, causing Friedreich's ataxia. We have studied PNA binding and its effect on T7 RNA polymerase transcription in vitro for short repeats (n = 3) and for long repeats (n = 39), placed in both possible orientations relative to the T7 promoter such that either the GAA‐strand, or the CTT‐strand serves as the template for transcription. In all cases PNA bound specifically and efficiently to its target sequence. For the short insert, PNA binding to the template strand caused partial transcription blockage with well‐defined sites of RNA product truncation in the region of the PNA‐binding sequence, whereas binding to the nontemplate strand did not block transcription. However, PNA binding to long repeats, whether in the template or the nontemplate strand, resulted in a dramatic reduction of the amount of full‐length transcription product, although in the case of the nontemplate strand there were no predominant truncation sites. Biological implications of these results are discussed. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Resident hepatocyte fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 limits hepatocarcinogenesis

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family signaling mediates cell‐to‐cell communication in development and organ homeostasis in adults. Of the FGF receptor (FGFR) isotypes, FGFR4 is the sole resident isotype present in mature parenchymal hepatocytes. FGFR1 that is normally associated with activated nonparenchymal cells appears ectopically in hepatoma cells. Ectopic expression and chronic activity of FGFR1 in hepatocytes accelerates diethylnitrosamine (DEN)‐initiated hepatocarcinogenesis by driving unrestrained cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis. Hepatocyte FGFR4 mediates liver's role in systemic cholesterol/bile acid and lipid metabolism and affects proper hepatolobular restoration after damage without effect on cell proliferation. Here we ask whether FGFR4 plays a role in progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We report that although spontaneous HCC was not detected in livers of FGFR4‐deficient mice, the ablation of FGFR4 accelerated DEN‐induced hepatocarcinogenesis. In contrast to FGFR1 that induced a strong mitogenic response and depressed rate of cell death in hepatoma cells, FGFR4 failed to induce a mitogenic response and increased the rate of cell death. FGFR1 but not FGFR4 induced cyclin D1 and repressed p27 expression. Analysis of activation of Erk, JNK, and PI3K‐related AKT signaling pathways indicated that in contrast to FGFR1, FGFR4 failed to sustain Erk activation and did not activate AKT. These differences may underlie the opposing effects of FGFR1 and FGFR4. These results suggest that in contrast to ectopic FGFR1 that is a strong promoter of hepatoma, resident FGFR4 that mediates differentiated hepatocyte metabolic functions also serves to suppress hepatoma progression. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Therapeutic potential of the immunomodulatory proteins Wuchereria bancrofti L2 and Brugia malayi abundant larval transcript 2 against streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes in mice

Abstract Epidemiological and experimental evidence has supported the concept of using helminths as alternative bio-therapeutic agents in the treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D). In the current study, two filarial proteins, recombinant Wuchereria bancrofti L2 (rWbL2) and Brugia malayi abundant larval transcript 2 (rBmALT-2) have been investigated, individually and in combination, for their therapeutic potential in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced T1D. The rWbL2 and rBmALT-2 proteins, when administered individually or in combination, have resulted in lowering of the blood glucose levels and reducing the incidence of T1D in mice. In addition, these proteins have led to reduced lymphocytic infiltration and decreased islet damage and inflammation. The curative effect was found to be associated with the suppression of release of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and increased production of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-10 cytokines by the splenocytes of the diabetic mice. Insulin-specific IgG1 and antigen-specific IgE antibodies were found to be elevated in the sera of mice treated with rWbL2 and rBmALT-2 proteins. From the findings in this study, it can be envisaged that both of these filarial immunomodulatory proteins have the potential to ameliorate T1D by altering the regulatory immune responses.
Social Networking Addiction: Emerging Themes and Issues

Social Networking Sites (SNSs) are virtual communities where users can create individual public profiles, interact with real-life friends, and meet other people based on shared interests [1]. SNS usage patterns from both consumer research and empirical research indicate that overall, regular SNS use has increased substantially over the last few years [1]. SNSs are predominantly used for social purposes, mostly related to the maintenance of established offline networks, relative to individual ones [1]. However, recent evidence suggests that individuals may feel compelled to maintain their online social networks in a way that may, in some circumstances, lead to using SNSs excessively.