Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Induction of specific cell‐mediated immune responses and protection in BALB/c mice by vaccination with outer membrane vesicles from a Brucella melitensis human isolate

Brucellosis is a worldwide bacterial zoonosis caused by Brucella spp. No approved vaccine is available for human use against the disease. In this study, outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) from a Brucella melitensis biovar 1 human isolate obtained in Iran were used to immunize BALB/c mice (n = 12) by 2 intramuscular injections with a 2‐week interval. Another group of 12 mice was used as non‐vaccinated controls. Two weeks after the last vaccination, six mice of each group were sacrificed, and proliferation and interferon gamma (IFNγ) production responses of their splenocytes were evaluated following in vitro stimulation with killed Brucella cells. The other mice were challenged with the virulent B. melitensis isolate. Two weeks later, mice were killed and spleens were cultured to determine the number of the challenge strain. The results showed proliferative response and IFNγ production of splenocytes from vaccinated mice (stimulation index: 2.18 ± 0.57, and 1519.35 ± 10.70 pg/mL, respectively) were significantly higher than those of control mice (stimulation index: 1.02 ± 0.02, and 210.01 ± 17.58 pg/mL, respectively). Numbers of the challenge strain in spleens of vaccinated mice were also significantly less than those in the controls with 1.6 units of protection. Our study revealed vaccination with OMVs of the B. melitensis isolate could induce specific immune responses and protection against infection in the mouse model suggesting their potential application for active immunization against brucellosis.
Effect of commercial herbal toothpastes and mouth rinses on the prevention of enamel demineralization using a microcosm biofilm model

Abstract This work evaluated the effects of commercial toothpastes and mouth rinses containing natural/herbal agents on biofilm viability, extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) production and on enamel demineralization in vitro. Microcosm biofilm was produced on bovine enamel for 5 days and treated daily with: Orgânico natural® (toothpaste/mouth rinse), Boni Natural Menta & Malaleuca® (toothpaste/mouth rinse), Propolis & Myrrh® (toothpaste), Colgate Total 12 Clean Mint® (toothpaste, positive control), Malvatricin® Plus (mouth rinse), PerioGard® (mouth rinse, positive control) or PBS (negative control). Tom’s Propolis & Myrrh® and Colgate Total 12® toothpastes and Malvatricin® Plus and PerioGard® mouth rinses significantly reduced biofilm viability (p < 0.05). Only PerioGard® had significant effects on biofilm thickness and EPS. Despite the indication that Tom’s Propolis & Myrrh® significantly reduced lesion depth, only Colgate Total 12® significantly reduced mineral loss. Malvatricin® Plus significantly reduced mineral loss and lesion depth, as did PerioGard®. Some herbal products, Malvatricin® Plus and Tom’s Propolis & Myrrh®, showed anticaries effects.
Maternal versus artificial rearing shapes the rumen microbiome having minor long‐term physiological implications

Summary Increasing productivity is a key target in ruminant science which requires better understanding of the rumen microbiota. This study investigated how maternal versus artificial rearing shapes the rumen microbiota using 24 sets of triplet lambs. Lambs within each sibling set were randomly assigned to natural rearing on the ewe (NN); ewe colostrum for 24 h followed by artificial milk feeding (NA); and colostrum alternative and artificial milk feeding (AA). Maternal colostrum feeding enhanced VFA production at weaning but not thereafter. At weaning, lambs reared on milk replacer had no rumen protozoa and lower microbial diversity, whereas natural rearing accelerated the rumen microbial development and facilitated the transition to solid diet. Differences in the rumen prokaryotic communities disappear later in life when all lambs were grouped on the same pasture up to 23 weeks of age. However, NN animals retained higher fungal diversity and abundances of Piromyces, Feramyces and Diplodiniinae protozoa as well as higher feed digestibility (+4%) and animal growth (+6.5%) during the grazing period. Nevertheless, no correlations were found between rumen microbiota and productive outcomes. These findings suggest that the early life nutritional intervention determine the initial rumen microbial community, but the persistence of these effects later in life is weak.
Influence of PM2.5 Exposure Level on the Association between Alzheimer’s Disease and Allergic Rhinitis: A National Population-Based Cohort Study

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an irreversible neurodegenerative disease that leads to dementia, health impairment, and high economic cost. Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic inflammatory and allergic disease of the respiratory system that leads to health problems and has major effects on the daily lives of patients and their caregivers. Particulate matter (PM) refers to air pollutants 2.5 μm or less in diameter that are a source of concern because of their role in numerous diseases, including AR and other neurodegenerative diseases. To date, no study has demonstrated how PM2.5 exacerbates AR and results in AD. We conducted a national population-based cohort study by obtaining patient data from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan for the 2008–2013 period. PM2.5 concentration data were obtained from the ambient air quality monitoring network established by the Environmental Protection Administration of Taiwan. Monthly PM2.5 exposure levels were categorized into quartiles from Q1–Q4. The Cox proportional hazards analysis, after adjusting for age, sex, low income, and urbanization level, revealed that patients with AR had an elevated risk of developing AD (hazard ratio (HR): 2.008). In addition, the cumulative incidence of AD in the AR group was significantly higher than in the comparison group. The PM2.5 levels at Q2–Q4 (crude HR: 1.663–8.315; adjusted HR: 1.812–8.981) were stratified on the basis of the PM2.5 exposure group and revealed that AR patients exposed to PM2.5 are significantly prone to develop AD. In addition, the logistic regression analyses, after adjustment, demonstrated that an increase in the PM2.5 exposure level at Q2–Q4 (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 2.656–5.604) increased the risk of AR in AD patients. In conclusion, an increased PM2.5 exposure level could be correlated with AR, which could in turn cause AD. AR increased the risk of AD, in which exposure to PM2.5 increases the higher probability of AD.
Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria and Disease Progression in Patients with End-Stage Liver Disease and after Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND Multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens represent an emerging challenge in end-stage liver disease and in liver transplant recipients. METHODS We evaluated the impact of MDR bacteria upon clinical outcomes in patients with end-stage liver disease (n = 777) at the time of enrollment on the liver transplant (LTx) waiting list, after first LTx (n = 645), and after second LTx (n = 128). RESULTS Colonization/infection with MDR bacteria was present in 72/777 patients on the waiting list, in 98/645 patients at first LTx, and in 46/128 patients at second LTx. While on the LTx waiting list, the time until first hydropic decompensation (p = 0.021), hepatic encephalopathy (p < 0.001) and hepatorenal syndrome (p < 0.001) was reduced in the presence of MDR bacteria, which remained an independent risk factor of poor survival in multivariate analysis (p < 0.001). Following first and second liver transplant, MDR bacteria were associated with an increased risk of infection-related deaths (first LTx: p < 0.001; second LTx: p = 0.037) and reduced actuarial survival (first LTx: p < 0.001; second LTx: p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS We showed that MDR pathogens are associated with poor outcomes before, after first and after recurrent LTx.
A pilot study on salivary cortisol secretion and auditory P300 event-related potential in patients with physical disability-related stress

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the stress level and attention in workers with physical disabilities-related stress. Methods: Morning salivary cortisol was used as a stress marker while the event-related potential during the performance of the auditory oddball paradigm was conducted to investigate the attentive ability to sound stimuli. Eighteen injured workers (IP) and eighteen unaffected healthy adults (CP) were recruited for this study with half being men and the other half women (aged 21–55). Behavioral performance measures including reaction time (RT), accuracy rate, and commission error as well as the latency and amplitude of P300 wave over the central (Cz), centroparietal (CPz), and parietal (Pz) electroencephalogram electrode sites were used to compare the two groups. Results: This study demonstrated significantly higher salivary cortisol levels, longer RT, less accuracy to respond to the target during the auditory oddball paradigm in the IP group as compared to CP group. In addition, a significant prolongation of the peak latency of auditory P300 wave over CPz electrodes was also detected in IP group. Conclusion: The increased cortisol levels found in the IP group reflect the alteration of the basal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis as a result of the stresses of living with a physical disability. Delayed RT and the decreased in accuracy together with changing in peak latencies of auditory P300 wave indicate the impairment of attention networks in IP. Our study revealed that the patients with permanent physical disability.
The Consideration of Future Consequences: Evidence for Domain Specificity Across Five Life Domains

The consideration of future consequences (CFC) is a cognitive-motivational construct describing the extent to which individuals consider the future outcomes of behavior during decision-making. The current research examined the extent to which CFC may be a domain-specific, as opposed to global, temporal construct. Across three surveys, adults (n = 498; 66.9% female; 41.2% students) completed the 14-item general CFC scale, five newly adapted domain-specific CFC scales, and self-report measures of behavior in five substantive domains (work, health, the environment, money, and college). Confirmatory factor analyses replicated the two-factor model in the CFC-14, supporting the distinction between CFC-Future and CFC-Immediate in domain-specific CFC-14 scales. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that domain-specific, and not the general, CFC subscales were most strongly associated with the relevant domain-specific behavior and revealed differential patterns of association between domain-specific CFC subscales and behaviors in particular domains. The applied implications for behavioral interventions are discussed.
Efficacy and Safety of Long-term Aripiprazole Therapy in Patients with Schizophrenia, Schizophreniform Disorder, and Schizoaffective Disorder: A 52-week, Prospective, Open-label Study

Efficacy and Safety of Long-term Aripiprazole Therapy in Patients with Schizophrenia, Schizophreniform Disorder, and Schizoaffective Disorder: A 52-week, Prospective, Open-label Study Myung Hun Jung, MD, Yong Ku Kim, MD, Chang Yoon Kim, MD, PhD, Chi-Un Pae, MD, Tak Youn, MD, PhD, Min-Soo Lee, MD, PhD, Byung Ook Lee, MD, Sun Woo Lee, MD, PhD, Jong-Il Lee, MD, Bum Seok Jeong, MD, PhD, Seong-Jin Cho, MD, PhD and Jun Soo Kwon, MD, PhD Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Department of Psychiatry, Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan, Department of Psychiatry, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Department of Psychiatry, Kangnam St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Department of Psychiatry, Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Department of Psychiatry, National Health Insurance Corporation Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Department of Psychiatry, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National Hospital, Seoul, Department of Psychiatry, Eulji University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Department of Psychiatry, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Incheon, Korea Objective:We investigated the long-term efficacy, safety, and tolerability of aripiprazole in a large number of patients with schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, and schizoaffective disorder in Korea. Methods:This 접수일:2008년 4월 15일 /수정일:2008년 5월 14일/게재확정일:2008년 6월 25일 This study was supported by Korea Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Seoul, Korea) 교신저자:권준수, 110-744 서울 종로구 연건동 28 서울대학교 의과대학 정신과학교실 전화:(02) 2072-2972·전송:(02) 747-9063 E-mail:kwonjs@plaza.snu. ac.kr
Sugar-derived AGEs accelerate pharyngeal pumping rate and increase the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract All living organisms are normally undergoing aging. Dietary habits constitute the main environmental factor that may accelerate or decelerate this process. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are constituents of dietary products that are consumed daily, such as bread and milk. Although AGEs have been widely regarded as toxic agents, recent studies seem to contradict this view: they either find no adverse effects of AGEs or even attribute beneficial properties to them. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of sugar-derived AGEs on organismal lifespan using as a model the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Exposure to sugar-derived AGEs prolonged the lifespan of wild type animals; this lifespan extension was accompanied by an enhanced pharyngeal pumping rate. We demonstrate that elevation of the pharyngeal pumping rate depends on W06A7.4 and eat-4 expression, as well as on daf-16, which encodes a FOXO family transcription factor. Our results suggest that sugar-derived AGEs modulate the lifespan of C. elegans at least in part through transcriptional regulation of pharyngeal pumping throughout the animals’ lifespan.
Identifying trajectories of alcohol use in a sample of secondary school students in Ontario and Alberta: longitudinal evidence from the COMPASS study.

INTRODUCTION Despite evidence indicating a rapid progression in use of alcohol during adolescence, little is known about the ways patterns of drinking develop over time. This study investigated patterns of alcohol use within a cohort of youth in Ontario and Alberta and the probability of changes between patterns. METHODS The sample consists of two-year linked longitudinal data (school year 2013/14 to 2014/15) from 19 492 students in Grades 9 to 12 in 89 secondary schools across Ontario and Alberta, Canada, who participated in the COMPASS study. The latent class analysis used two self-reported items about the frequency of drinking (measured as none, monthly, weekly, or daily use) and the frequency of binge drinking (measured as none, less than or once a month, 2-4 times a month, or more than once week) to characterize patterns of alcohol use. The effects of gender, ethnicity and cannabis and cigarette use on alcohol use patterns were examined. RESULTS The study identified four drinking patterns: non-drinker, periodic drinker (reported monthly drinking and no binge drinking), low-risk drinker (reported monthly drinking and limited binge drinking) and high-risk regular drinker (reported drinking 1-3 times a week and binge drinking 2-4 times a month). Non-drinker was the most prevalent pattern at baseline (55.1%) and follow-up (39.1%). Periodic drinkers had the highest likelihood of an increase in alcohol consumption, with 40% moving to the low-risk pattern. A notable proportion of participants returned to a lower severity pattern or transitioning out of drinking. CONCLUSION There are four distinct youth alcohol-use patterns. The high probability of transitioning to drinking during the secondary school years suggests the need for preventive interventions in earlier stages of use, before drinking becomes habitual.
Iterative Curve Fitting of the Bioheat Transfer Equation for Thermocouple-Based Temperature Estimation $In~ Vitro$ and $In~ Vivo$

Temperature measurements with thin thermocouples embedded in ultrasound fields are strongly subjected to a viscous heating artifact (VHA). The artifact contribution decays over time; therefore, it can be minimized at late temperature readings. However, previous studies have failed to demonstrate a rigorous method for determining the optimal time point at which the artifact contribution is negligible. In this study, we present an iterative processing method based on successive curve fittings using an artifact-independent model. The fitting starting point moves at each iteration until the maximum <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$R^{2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> indicates where the viscous heating is minimum. A solution of the bioheat transfer equation is used to account for blood perfusion, thus enabling <italic>in vivo</italic> measurements. Three T-type thermocouples with different diameters and sensitivities were assessed in an excised canine liver and in the mouse brain <italic>in vivo</italic>. We found that the artifact constitutes up to 81% ± 5% of wire thermocouple readings. The best-fit time varied in the liver samples (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n = 3$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) from 0 to 3.335 ± 0.979 s and in the mouse brain (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n = 5$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) from 0 to 0.498 ± 0.457 s at variable experimental conditions, which clearly demonstrates the need of the method for finding the appropriate starting time point of the fit. This study introduces a statistical method to determine the best time to fit a curve that can back-estimate temperature in tissues under ultrasound exposure using thermocouples. This method allows temperature evaluation <italic>in vivo</italic> and <italic>in vitro</italic> during a validation and safety assessment of a wide range of therapeutic and diagnostic ultrasound modalities.
Structural and mechanistic insights into the interaction of the circadian transcription factor BMAL1 with the KIX domain of the CREB-binding protein

The mammalian CLOCK:BMAL1 transcription factor complex and its coactivators CREB-binding protein (CBP)/p300 and mixed-lineage leukemia 1 (MLL1) critically regulate circadian transcription and chromatin modification. Circadian oscillations are regulated by interactions of BMAL1's C-terminal transactivation domain (TAD) with the KIX domain of CBP/p300 (activating) and with the clock protein CRY1 (repressing) as well as by the BMAL1 G-region preceding the TAD. Circadian acetylation of Lys537 within the G-region enhances repressive BMAL1-TAD-CRY1 interactions. Here, we characterized the interaction of the CBP-KIX domain with BMAL1 proteins, including the BMAL1-TAD, parts of the G-region, and Lys537. Tethering the small compound 1–10 in the MLL-binding pocket of the CBP-KIX domain weakened BMAL1 binding, and MLL1-bound KIX did not form a ternary complex with BMAL1, indicating that the MLL-binding pocket is important for KIX-BMAL1 interactions. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) models of BMAL1 and BMAL1:KIX complexes revealed that the N-terminal BMAL1 G-region including Lys537 forms elongated extensions emerging from the bulkier BMAL1-TAD:KIX core complex. Fitting high-resolution KIX domain structures into the SAXS-derived envelopes suggested that the G-region emerges near the MLL-binding pocket, further supporting a role of this pocket in BMAL1 binding. Additionally, mutations in the second CREB-pKID/c-Myb–binding pocket of the KIX domain moderately impacted BMAL1 binding. The BMAL1(K537Q) mutation mimicking Lys537 acetylation, however, did not affect the KIX-binding affinity, in contrast to its enhancing effect on CRY1 binding. Our results significantly advance the mechanistic understanding of the protein interaction networks controlling CLOCK:BMAL1- and CBP-dependent gene regulation in the mammalian circadian clock.
Characterization of the Key Aroma Compounds in Three Truffle Varieties from China by Flavoromics Approach

The volatile compounds of three different fresh-picked truffle varieties (Tuber sinensis, T1, Tuber sinoalbidum, T2 and Tuber sinoexcavatum, T3) were extracted by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME). Separation and identification of volatile components and sulfur compounds were investigated by gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and gas chromatography with flame photometric detection (GC-FPD). The results showed that 44, 43 and 44 volatile compounds were detected in T1, T2 and T3 samples, respectively. In addition, 9, 10 and 9 sulfur compounds were identified in three samples by GC-FPD, respectively. Combining physicochemical and sensory properties, T1 presented fatty, green and rotten cabbage odor; T2 exhibited mushroom, sulfuric and musty odor notes; T3 had nutty, floral and roasted potato odor. Dimethyl sulfide, 3-methylbutanal, dimethyl disulfide, 3-octanone, bis(methylthio) methane, octanal, 1-octen-3-one, 1-octen-3-ol and benzeneacetaldehyde played indispensable roles in the overall aroma of three truffles. Finally, based on quantitative concentration in T1, odorous compounds (OAV) > 1 were mixed to recombine aroma, demonstrating that these key aroma compounds based on OAV can successfully recombine pretty similar aroma of each variety.
Children with HIV: A scoping review of auditory processing skills

Introduction Auditory processing disorders can negatively affect academic performance in children. They can result from a number of aetiologies, including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Although studies in paediatrics are limited, research suggests that HIV-infected children display poorer auditory processing skills than uninfected children. Methods The aims of this study were to scan the peer-reviewed literature on auditory processing skills in HIV-infected children, to describe how auditory processing was tested, how auditory processing skills were reported, and to identify gaps in current evidence. This systematic scoping review was conducted using a modified version of Arksey and O’Malley’s framework. Key words comprised ‘HIV’, ‘auditory processing’, ‘hearing’ and ‘child’. Electronic databases were searched for relevant articles published from 1 January 2000 to 30 April 2018, and reference lists of included studies were pearled. Two researchers reviewed the articles and extracted data on sample descriptors, auditory processing testing procedures, and auditory processing skills. A third author collated the results and resolved discrepancies. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association description of auditory processing skills framed the analysis. Results Five articles were included in this review (three from Brazil, one each from Mexico and Tanzania). Samples, and methods of testing were heterogeneous. Three studies reported on localization abilities, while gap detection thresholds, performance on dichotic tasks and speech discrimination scores were reported in one article each. No one study tested all areas of auditory processing skills and there was limited information about the auditory processing skills required for learning. Conclusion This review highlighted the current sparse evidence-base for auditory processing in HIV-infected children. It identified the need to standardise testing procedures, measures of auditory processing skills, and sample selection.