Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of pH and Monensin on Glucose Transport by Fibrobacter succinogenes, a Cellulolytic Ruminal Bacterium

Fibrobacter succinogenes S85, a cellulolytic ruminal bacterium, required sodium for growth and glucose uptake. Cells which were deenergized with iodoacetate (500 μM) could not take up [14C]glucose. However, deenergized cells which were treated with valinomycin, loaded with potassium, and diluted into sodium or sodium plus potassium to create an artificial electrical gradient (ΔΨ) plus a chemical gradient of sodium (ΔpNa) or ΔpNa alone transported glucose at a rapid rate. Cells which were loaded with potassium plus sodium and diluted into sodium (ΔΨ with sodium, but no ΔpNa) also took up glucose at a rapid rate. Potassium-loaded cells that were diluted into buffers which did not contain sodium (ΔΨ without sodium) could not take up glucose. An artificial ZΔpH which was created by acetate diffusion could not drive glucose transport even if sodium was present. The maximum rate and affinity of glucose transport (pH 6.7) were 62.5 nmol/mg of protein per min and 0.51 mM, respectively. S85 was unable to grow at a pH of less than 5.5, and there was little glucose transport at this pH. When the extracellular pH was decreased, the glucose carrier was inhibited, intracellular pH declined, the cells were no longer able to metabolize glucose, and ΔΨ declined. Monensin (1 μM) or lasalocid (5 μM) decreased intracellular ATP and dissipated both the ΔΨ and ΔpNa. Since there was no driving force for transport, glucose transport was inhibited. These results indicated that F. succinogenes used a pH-sensitive sodium symport mechanism to take up glucose and that either a ΔΨ or a ΔpNa was required for glucose transport.
A Grey Wolf-Assisted Perturb & Observe MPPT Algorithm for a PV System

This paper proposes a new hybrid maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm combining grey wolf optimization (GWO) and perturb & observe (P&O) technique for efficient extraction of maximum power from a photovoltaic system subjected to rapid variation of solar irradiance and partial shading conditions. GWO handles the initial stages of MPPT followed by application of the P&O algorithm at the final stage in view of achieving faster convergence to the global peak (GP). This MPPT thus overcomes the computational overhead as encountered in the case of a GWO-based MPPT algorithm reported earlier by Mohanty et al. The idea behind using the hybrid technique is to scale down the search space of GWO which helps to speed up for achieving convergence toward the GP. The proposed MPPT algorithm is first implemented using MATLAB/Simulink and subsequently an experimental setup is prepared for its practical implementation. From the obtained results, it is confirmed that the proposed MPPT provides superior tracking performance in any weather conditions compared to both GWO and PSO+PO-based MPPT algorithms.
Eco-Innovations in Rural Territories: Organizational Dynamics and Resource Mobilization in Low Density Areas

Rural areas are generally considered as less innovative because of the limited agglomeration of activities found within them. There has been little research on innovation in rural areas, whereas there are many environmental innovation projects in these areas. In this study we propose an analytical framework to examine the role of internal organizational factors and environmental factors (sectoral, spatial, and regulatory) that influence the development of eco-innovation projects. We tested this framework by using an original method: the Quantified Narrative Method, applied to five cases studies in French rural areas. Based on in-depth interviews, this method enabled the identification of external resources (nature, mode of acquisition, and location) used by the project. The results show the importance of personal networks – especially local professional networks – and leaders to strengthen the project’s absorptive capacity (mobilization of specific local factors, development of related activities). While local resources remain crucial for these projects, remote resources are increasingly mobilized along the projects’ path.JEL Codes: O31, R110, Q560
Carotid intima‐media thickness: correlation with the British Regional Heart Study risk score

Abstract. Objectives. The thickness of the intima‐media (IMT) layer of the common carotid artery is a marker of severe and extensive coronary artery disease and it has been reported that it is related to the presence of risk factors for atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to establish whether the IMT correlates with the British Regional Heart Study (BRHS) risk score which identifies a large proportion of men who may experience a major ischaemic heart disease event within 5 years of initial screening.
Characterization of JC human polyomavirus infection in a Portuguese population

JC virus (JCV) is ubiquitous in the human population, infecting children asymptomatically. After primary infection, JCV persists in the host throughout life and is often excreted in the urine. Two hundred thirty‐four urine samples and 78 serum samples, collected from 171 healthy individuals and 63 patients infected with HIV, were used to characterize JCV infection in a Portuguese population. Using PCR, JCV DNA was detected in 38% of the urine samples. A significant difference in the excretion rate was observed between patients infected with HIV (51%) and healthy individuals (33%). The frequency of JCV viruria increased with age in healthy individuals, but not in patients infected with HIV. JCV urinary load was determined by real‐time quantitative PCR and was independent of gender, age, HIV infection, and CD4+ cell count. Overall, the JCV genotype detected most commonly was 1B, followed by genotypes 2B and 4. The detection and quantitation of JCV‐specific antibodies were performed in serum samples by an established enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Antibodies to JCV were observed in 91% of the patients tested, irrespective of HIV infection. A positive correlation between JCV urinary load and antibody titers was demonstrated. The present study provides the first characterization of seroprevalence and urinary excretion of JCV in a Portuguese population and revealed similar results to those observed in other European countries. A comparison between healthy individuals and patients infected with HIV, despite identical values of seroprevalence, showed some differences in the pattern of urinary excretion. J. Med. Virol. 82:494–504, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Essays on the economics of energy efficiency policies

This work presented in this thesis aims to provide a better understanding of how agents respond to policy incentives to encourage energy efficiency improvements. First of all, the way agents respond to policy incentives crucially depends on heterogeneity in characteristics determining their responsiveness to taxes and subsidies. Second, agents’ heterogeneous responses to policy can undermine the cost-effectiveness of subsidies. Third, under conditions where the policy targeting is poor or agents are not very responsive to the traditional market-based instruments other policy instruments based on information provision or nudges may be more effective. I propose a theoretical model on optimal tax and subsidy combinations to correct externalities from energy consumption and underinvestment in energy efficient technologies. I show that when agents misperceive their true energy efficiency, the targeting efficiency of policies based on subsidies is poor and consumers selection into adoption is adverse. Adverse selection arises because those more likely to adopt consume less energy and overvalue the benefit from adoption. In the second chapter, I present a discussion on energy policies in the United Kingdom and analyse the energy consumption and energy efficiency measures adoption patterns using data for households in England and Wales. This sets the stage for Chapter 3, where I present an empirical study to test whether selection into adoption is adverse or not. I find that early technology adopters consume more energy before adoption and experience higher energy consumption drops upon adoption. Thus, supporting the idea that consumers’ heterogeneity plays a major role to explain the observed adoption patterns. The results suggest that adoption decisions are driven by heterogeneity in preferences rather than heterogeneity in beliefs. Hence, overall selection is not adverse and this suggests the role of misperceptions is dominated by the effect of preferences heterogeneity. This does not preclude, however, that biased beliefs may have a role at determining the adoption patterns and responses to policy interventions.
Pertactin-negative Bordetella pertussis strains: evidence for a possible selective advantage.

BACKGROUND A recent increase in Bordetella pertussis without the pertactin protein, an acellular vaccine immunogen, has been reported in the United States. Determining whether pertactin-deficient (PRN(-)) B. pertussis is evading vaccine-induced immunity or altering the severity of illness is needed. METHODS We retrospectively assessed for associations between pertactin production and both clinical presentation and vaccine history. Cases with isolates collected between May 2011 and February 2013 from 8 states were included. We calculated unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) using multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Among 753 isolates, 640 (85%) were PRN(-). The age distribution differed between cases caused by PRN(-) B. pertussis and cases caused by B. pertussis producing pertactin (PRN(+)) (P = .01). The proportion reporting individual pertussis symptoms was similar between the 2 groups, except a higher proportion of PRN(+) case-patients reported apnea (P = .005). Twenty-two case-patients were hospitalized; 6% in the PRN(+) group compared to 3% in the PRN(-) group (P = .11). Case-patients having received at least 1 pertussis vaccine dose had a higher odds of having PRN(-) B. pertussis compared with unvaccinated case-patients (adjusted OR = 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-4.0). When restricted to case-patients at least 1 year of age and those age-appropriately vaccinated, the adjusted OR increased to 2.7 (95% CI, 1.2-6.1). CONCLUSIONS The significant association between vaccination and isolate pertactin production suggests that the likelihood of having reported disease caused by PRN(-) compared with PRN(+) strains is greater in vaccinated persons. Additional studies are needed to assess whether vaccine effectiveness is diminished against PRN(-) strains.
Rosiglitazone Add-On in Treatment of Depressed Patients with Insulin Resistance: a Pilot Study

A number of cross-sectional studies have suggested an association between insulin resistance (IR) and affective disorders. However, limited data exist on potential changes in IR in a prospective treatment of depression. The present pilot study tested the hypothesis that improvement of IR with the addition of an insulin-sensitizing agent would improve mood in nondiabetic patients with unipolar or bipolar depression, who had surrogate blood markers suggestive of IR. Surrogate IR-criteria blood markers were fasting plasma glucose >100 mg/dl or triglyceride (TG) to high density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio >3.0. Open-label rosiglitazone, titrated to a dose of 8 mg/day, was administered for 12 weeks to 12 patients with depressive disorder receiving treatment as usual (TAU). Eight patients who completed the 12-week study exhibited significant declines in both depression severity by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Clinical Global Impression scale, with moderate effect sizes noted. Modest improvement in Matsuda Index scores was also noted at 12 weeks, yet declines in depression severity scores were not associated with improvements in the endocrine markers (Matsuda Index, TG/HDL ratio, and body mass index). These results suggest the potential novel use for an insulin-sensitizing agent in the treatment of depressive disorders. Larger placebo-controlled studies are warranted.
Altered DLPFC–Hippocampus Connectivity During Working Memory: Independent Replication and Disorder Specificity of a Putative Genetic Risk Phenotype for Schizophrenia

Altered connectivity of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and hippocampus during working memory is considered an intermediate phenotype for schizophrenia (SCZ), but the relevance for other mental disorders with shared genetic background remains unknown. Here we investigated its presence in unaffected first-degree relatives of patients with bipolar disorder (BD) or major depressive disorder (MDD). Furthermore, we aimed to provide an independent replication of this phenotype in first-degree relatives of SCZ patients. We acquired functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from 309 healthy controls and 218 healthy first-degree relatives of index patients with SCZ (n = 62), BD (n = 66) and MDD (n = 90), who completed the n-back working memory paradigm. We observed a significant group effect on DLPFC-hippocampus coupling (PFWE = .031, all P-values region of interest [ROI] corrected). Post hoc comparisons revealed that this effect was driven by the SCZ relatives, who showed a significant increase in the negative functional connectivity of the DLPFC and right hippocampus compared to controls (PFWE = .001), BD relatives (PFWE = .015) and trend-wise also MDD relatives (PFWE = .082). Comparison of BD and MDD relatives to the controls revealed no difference (PFWE-values > .451). Supplementary analyses suggested that the SCZ relatives finding is robust to a range of potential confounds, including structural differences. Our data further support altered DLPFC-hippocampus connectivity during working memory as an intermediate phenotype for SCZ. This suggests that this phenotype is relatively specific to SCZ and does not translate to other genetically related disorders in the mood-psychosis spectrum.
p16 inactivation by methylation of the CDKN2A promoter occurs early during neoplastic progression in Barrett's esophagus.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The potential role of p16 inactivation by CDKN2A/p16 promoter hypermethylation and/or loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the CDKN2A gene was investigated in neoplastic progression of Barrett's esophagus. METHODS CDKN2A promoter hypermethylation was studied by methylation sensitive single-strand conformation analysis and sequencing using bisulfite modified DNA in Barrett's esophageal adenocarcinomas, premalignant lesions, and normal squamous esophageal epithelium. All of the lesions of interest were sampled by microdissection from paraffin-embedded fixed tissue sections. RESULTS No methylation of the CDKN2A promoter was found in normal esophageal squamous cell epithelia, whereas methylation was detected in 18 of 22 (82%) adenocarcinomas and 10 of 33 (30%) premalignant lesions, including 4 of 12 (33%) samples with intestinal metaplasia only. LOH at the CDKN2A gene locus was found in 68% of adenocarcinomas and in 55% of premalignant lesions. Of 28 samples without p16 immunoreactivity, 25 (89%) showed CDKN2A promoter hypermethylation with or without LOH of CDKN2A. Only 2 (8%) samples expressing p16 protein were found to be methylated; these showed a mixture of completely methylated and unmethylated CDKN2A promoters. In 7 of 19 (37%) informative samples without LOH of CDKN2A, the CDKN2A promoter was found to be methylated at both alleles. Loss of p16 protein expression was strongly associated with CDKN2A promoter hypermethylation (P < 0.00001), but not with LOH (P = 0.33). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that methylation of the CDKN2A promoter is the predominant mechanism for p16 inactivation. This hypermethylation is a very common event in esophageal adenocarcinoma and occurs as early as metaplasia.
Trends in cesarean birth and vaginal birth after previous cesarean, 1991-99.

OBJECTIVES This report presents trends in rates of cesarean delivery and rates of vaginal birth after previous cesarean (VBAC) delivery for 1991-99. Data for the United States showing trends by maternal age, race/ethnicity, and State are presented. Also trends in cesarean rates by selected maternal characteristics, medical risk factors, and complications of labor and/or delivery are shown. A brief explanation of the Healthy People 2010 objective regarding cesarean and VBAC rates for low-risk women is also included. Summary statistics for 2000 based on preliminary data are also included, but most tabular and text information is based on detailed final statistics for 1999. METHODS Cesarean and VBAC rates were computed based on the information reported on birth certificates. RESULTS The U.S. cesarean rate dropped 8 percent between 1991 and 1996 (from 22.6 to 20.7 per 100 births) but then increased 6 percent between 1996 and 1999 (to 22.0); preliminary data show that the rate increased again by 4 percent between 1999 and 2000 (to 22.9). The decline between 1991 and 1996 was present for women of all ages but was most pronounced for those under 30 years of age. The decline was greatest for non-Hispanic white women, 10 percent, compared with a 7-percent decline for Hispanic women and only a 1-percent decline for non-Hispanic black women. All groups experienced increases in cesarean rates of about 6 to 7 percent between 1996 and 1999. The increase in cesarean rates between 1996 and 1999 was greatest for women 30 years of age and over. The VBAC rate increased 33 percent between 1991 and 1996 (from 21.3 to 28.3 per 100 births to women with a previous cesarean) but then fell 17 percent between 1996 and 1999 (to 23.4). The dramatic increase in VBAC rates between 1991 and 1996, followed by the subsequent decline, was experienced by women of all ages and for each major race/ethnicity group. Similar trends in cesarean rates were present for nearly all States and for most medical risk factors and complications of labor and/or delivery.
Different sodium salts cause different solute accumulation in the halophyte Prosopis strombulifera.

The success of Prosopis strombulifera in growing under high NaCl concentrations involves a carefully controlled balance among different processes, including compartmentation of Cl(-) and Na(+) in leaf vacuoles, exclusion of Na(+) in roots, osmotic adjustment and low transpiration. In contrast, Na(2) SO(4) causes growth inhibition and toxicity. We propose that protection of the cytoplasm can be achieved through production of high endogenous levels of specific compatible solutes. To test our hypothesis, we examined endogenous levels of compatible solutes in roots and leaves of 29-, 40- and 48-day-old P. strombulifera plants grown in media containing various concentrations of NaCl, Na(2) SO(4) or in mixtures of both, with osmotic potentials of -1.0,-1.9 and -2.6 MPa, as correlated with changes in hydric parameters. At 24 h after the last pulse plants grown in high NaCl concentrations had higher relative water content and relatively higher osmotic potential than plants grown in Na(2) SO(4) (at 49 days). These plants also had increased synthesis of proline, pinitol and mannitol in the cytoplasm, accompanied by normal carbon metabolism. When the sulphate anion is present in the medium, the capacities for ion compartmentalisation and osmotic adjustment are reduced, resulting in water imbalance and symptoms of toxicity due to altered carbon metabolism, e.g. synthesis of sorbitol instead of mannitol, reduced sucrose production and protein content. This inhibition was partially mitigated when both anions were present together in the solution, demonstrating a detrimental effect of the sulphate ion on plant growth.
The migratory behavior of murine CD4+ cells of memory phenotype

Lymphocyte differentiation is connected with profound alterations in the migratory pattern of lymphocytes. Whereas naive cells predominantly recirculate through lymphoid tissues, activated lymphocytes acquire an increased preference for immigration into non‐lymphoid tissues and a reduced capacity for recirculation via high endothelial venules (HEV). A variety of data had indicated that memory‐related subpopulations of cells in man and sheep, classified by the low expression of the CD45RA isotype, also lack the capacity to recirculate via HEV. However, recent data in the rat called these results into question. We therefore analyzed the migration properties of murine CD4+ T cell subpopulations defined by several markers used to distinguish memory from naive CD4+ cells in mice, namely CD45RB, L‐selectin and CD44. Our data clearly show that the majority of putative memory cells expressing either low levels of CD45RB, low levels of L‐selectin or high levels of CD44 display a strongly reduced capacity for direct entry into lymphoid tissues, including the spleen, from the blood stream. The accumulation in peripheral lymph nodes is further reduced by treatment with anti‐L‐selectin antibody, which blocks their entry via HEV. This indicates that memory CD4+ T cells are not excluded from crossing lymph node HEV, and that the numbers of cells entering the node via this route exceed the numbers entering via the afferent lymph, at least in the absence of local inflammation. Concomitantly, a strongly enhanced localization of cells of the memory phenotype is observed in lung and liver as compared with naive cells. Trafficking to specific sites such as skin or gut mucosa is not a prominent feature of the total population of memory cells. The trafficking to lung and liver and an increased ability to bind to dendritic cells, demonstrable in in vitro adhesion assays, suggest a more sessile phenotype of most memory cells. With respect to these properties, memory cells have a surprizing similarity to fully activated lymphocytes.
Myostatin and insulin-like growth factor-1 in hypertensive heart disease: a prospective study in human heart donors

Objective: The physiopathological mechanisms implicated in hypertensive heart disease are multi-factorial, including myocyte hypertrophy, apoptosis and myocardial remodelling. In this process, some hormonal and local growth factors have a regulatory influence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential role of myostatin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) myocardial expression in the development of hypertensive-induced cardiac damage. Methods: Samples of human myocardium tissue from organ donors were prospectively collected and classified according to the presence of hypertension, alcohol consumption, other causes of myocardial damage and the presence of structural cardiomyopathy (CMP). Myocardial samples were studied by immunohistochemistry and myostatin, and IGF-1 myocardial expression was evaluated in all the different groups of donors. Hypertensive donors were compared to other groups. Results: A total of 66 heart samples from human donors were collected: 33 donors had no previous or present history of hypertension and 33 donors presented defined hypertension. Donors with hypertension presented higher myocyte cell and nuclear hypertrophy and showed similar myostatin myocardial expression as controls, but lower IGF-1 myocardial expression. Myostatin expression was significantly higher in hypertensive donors with CMP compared to non-hypertensive healthy donors. The presence of CMP of diverse origin (alcoholic, valve and coronary) also significantly increased myostatin myocardial expression. Conclusion: The presence of hypertension significantly decreases IGF-1 myocardial expression. Myostatin myocardial expression increases in the presence of structural CMP either of hypertensive or other origin. These effects open the possibility of modulating hypertensive-induced cardiac damage.