Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Autotrophic Growth of Bacterial and Archaeal Ammonia Oxidizers in Freshwater Sediment Microcosms Incubated at Different Temperatures

ABSTRACT Both bacteria and archaea potentially contribute to ammonia oxidation, but their roles in freshwater sediments are still poorly understood. Seasonal differences in the relative activities of these groups might exist, since cultivated archaeal ammonia oxidizers have higher temperature optima than their bacterial counterparts. In this study, sediment collected from eutrophic freshwater Lake Taihu (China) was incubated at different temperatures (4°C, 15°C, 25°C, and 37°C) for up to 8 weeks. We examined the active bacterial and archaeal ammonia oxidizers in these sediment microcosms by using combined stable isotope probing (SIP) and molecular community analysis. The results showed that accumulation of nitrate in microcosms correlated negatively with temperature, although ammonium depletion was the same, which might have been related to enhanced activity of other nitrogen transformation processes. Incubation at different temperatures significantly changed the microbial community composition, as revealed by 454 pyrosequencing targeting bacterial 16S rRNA genes. After 8 weeks of incubation, [13C]bicarbonate labeling of bacterial amoA genes, which encode the ammonia monooxygenase subunit A, and an observed increase in copy numbers indicated the activity of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in all microcosms. Nitrosomonas sp. strain Is79A3 and Nitrosomonas communis lineages dominated the heavy fraction of CsCl gradients at low and high temperatures, respectively, indicating a niche differentiation of active bacterial ammonia oxidizers along the temperature gradient. The 13C labeling of ammonia-oxidizing archaea in microcosms incubated at 4 to 25°C was minor. In contrast, significant 13C labeling of Nitrososphaera-like archaea and changes in the abundance and composition of archaeal amoA genes were observed at 37°C, implicating autotrophic growth of ammonia-oxidizing archaea under warmer conditions.
The effects of peanut oil on lipid profile of normolipidemic adults: A three-country collaborative study

Peanut oil has been associated with reduced levels of plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerol, possibly due to its high monounsaturated (MUFA) lipid profile. This study evaluated the effects of peanut oil intake on blood lipid levels of healthy, normolipidemic, young adults (18-50 y/o). One hundred twenty nine subjects were recruited in Brazil (32), Ghana (64), and in the United States (33). Men (64) and women (65) were assigned to 1 of 4 experimental groups: control (32), peanut (32), safflower (33), and olive oil (32). Participants received a daily milk shake containing 30% of their basal energy requirement as 1 of the test oils for 8 weeks, except the control group, which did not receive the shake. The levels of total cholesterol, HDLcholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triacylglycerol were assayed at baseline and on weeks 4 and 8. Waist/hip ratio, blood pressure, and heart rate were also evaluated. The concentration of LDL-cholesterol was significantly reduced in the safflower group (p<0.05). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were consistently lower in the olive oil group and for the Ghanaian participants in the
Intersensory selective attention and temporal orienting operate in parallel and are instantiated in spatially distinct sensory and motor cortices

Knowledge about the sensory modality in which a forthcoming event might occur permits anticipatory intersensory attention. Information as to when exactly an event occurs enables temporal orienting. Intersensory and temporal attention mechanisms are often deployed simultaneously, but as yet it is unknown whether these processes operate interactively or in parallel. In this human electroencephalography study, we manipulated intersensory attention and temporal orienting in the same paradigm. A continuous stream of bisensory visuo‐tactile inputs was presented, and a preceding auditory cue indicated to which modality participants should attend (visual or tactile). Temporal orienting was manipulated blockwise by presenting stimuli either at regular or irregular intervals. Using linear beamforming, we examined neural oscillations at virtual channels in sensory and motor cortices. Both attentional processes simultaneously modulated the power of anticipatory delta‐ and beta‐band oscillations, as well as delta‐band phase coherence. Modulations in sensory cortices reflected intersensory attention, indicative of modality‐specific gating mechanisms. Modulations in motor and partly in somatosensory cortex reflected temporal orienting, indicative of a supramodal preparatory mechanism. We found no evidence for interactions between intersensory attention and temporal orienting, suggesting that these two mechanisms act in parallel and largely independent of each other in sensory and motor cortices. Hum Brain Mapp 36:3246–3259, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lactogens Promote Beta Cell Survival through JAK2/STAT5 Activation and Bcl-XL Upregulation*

One of the goals in the treatment for diabetes is to enhance pancreatic beta cell function, proliferation, and survival. This study explores the role of lactogenic hormones, prolactin (PRL) and placental lactogen (PL), in beta cell survival. We have previously shown that transgenic mice expressing mouse placental lactogen-1 (mPL1) in beta cells under the rat insulin II promoter (RIP) are resistant to the diabetogenic and cytotoxic effects of streptozotocin (STZ) in vivo. The current study demonstrates that lactogens protect rat insulinoma (INS-1) cells and primary mouse beta cells against two distinct beta cell death inducers, STZ and dexamethasone (DEX), in vitro. Further, we identify the mechanism through which lactogens protect beta cells against DEX-induced death. The signaling pathway mediating this protective effect is the janus-activated-kinase-2/signal transducer and activator of transcription-5 (JAK2/STAT5) pathway. This is demonstrated in INS-1 cells and primary mouse beta cells using three separate approaches, pharmacological inhibitors, JAK2-specific siRNAs and a dominant-negative STAT5 mutant. Furthermore, lactogens specifically and significantly increase the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-XL in insulinoma cells and mouse islets. Bcl-XL-specific siRNA significantly inhibits lactogen-mediated protection against DEX-induced beta cell death. We believe this is the first direct demonstration of lactogens mediating their protective effect through the JAK2/STAT5 pathway in the beta cell and through Bcl-XL in any cell type.
Pure endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for treatment of acromegaly: results of 67 cases treated in a pituitary center.

OBJECT Acromegaly is a chronic disease related to the excess of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor–I secretion, usually by pituitary adenomas. Traditional treatment of acromegaly consists of surgery, drug therapy, and eventually radiotherapy. The introduction of endoscopy as an additional tool for surgical treatment of pituitary adenomas and, therefore, acromegaly represents an important advance of pituitary surgery in the recent years. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the results of pure transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery in a series of patients with acromegaly who were operated on by a pituitary specialist surgeon. The authors discuss the advantages, outcome, complications, and factors related to the success of the endoscopic approach in cases of GHsecreting adenomas. METHODS The authors retrospectively analyzed data from cases involving patients with GH-secreting adenomas who underwent pure transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery at the Department of Neurosurgery of the General Hospital in Fortaleza, Brazil, between 2000 and 2009. Tumors were classified according to size as micro- or macroadenomas, and tumor extension was analyzed based on suprasellar/parasellar extension and sella floor destruction. All patients were followed up for at least 1 year. The criteria of disease control were GH levels < 1 ng/L after oral glucose tolerance test and normal insulin-like growth factor–I levels for age and sex. RESULTS During the study period, 67 patients underwent pure endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for treatment of acromegaly. Disease control was obtained in 50 cases (74.6%). The rate of treatment success was higher in patients with microadenomas (disease control achieved in 12 [85.7%] of 14 cases) than in those with larger lesions. Suprasellar/parasellar extension and high levels of sella floor erosion were associated with lower rates of disease control (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively). Complications related to the endoscopic surgery included epistaxis (6.0%), transitory diabetes insipidus (4.5%), and 1 case of seizure (1.5%). CONCLUSIONS Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery represents an effective option for treatment of patients with acromegaly. High disease control rates and a small number of complications are some of the most important points related to the technique. Factors related to the success of the endoscopic surgery are lesion size, suprasellar/parasellar extension, and the degree of sella floor erosion. Although presenting important advantages, there is no conclusive evidence that endoscopy is superior to microsurgery in treatment of GH-secreting adenomas.
The long-term outcome of early onset anorexia nervosa. A critical review.

Abstract Anorexia nervosa is a serious psychosomatic disorder which most typically begins between 16 and 18 years of age. Clinicians have often held that early age of onset (e.g. age 11 to 15) is associated with a better outcome. This paper reviews the long-term outcome studies on anorexia nervosa and concludes that this contention is not supported by available data. The methodologies of 7 outcome studies which focus on an early onset population are critiqued, and it is concluded that 2 are strong. Because of the increasing prevalence of anorexia nervosa, this once rare disorder can now be more easily investigated, and consequently better follow-up studies which examine potential prognostic factors, including age of onset, should be forthcoming.
NOTE HST/FGS Observations of the Asteroid (216) Kleopatra

Interferometric observations of asteroid (216) Kleopatra were performed in January 2000 using the Fine Guidance Sensors (FGS) aboard HST. The FGS data obtained clearly suggest that (216) Kleopatra is composed of two lobes in contact, in agreement with the radar data (Ostro et al. 2000, Science288, 836–839), and provide more precise constraints on the absolute size of this peculiar object.
The Risk of Venous Thrombosis, Including Cerebral Vein Thrombosis, Among Women With Thrombophilia and Oral Contraceptive Use

Several small studies have reported an elevated risk of venous thrombosis (VT) with thrombophilia and oral contraceptive (OCP) use. We aimed to summarize the risk of VT among women with thrombophilia and OCP use and to assess the interaction between the 2 factors. We selected 15 studies that assessed the prevalence of OCP use and thrombophilia among reproductive-aged women. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for each study and pooled using the random effects model. We found an increased risk of VT among women with OCP use (pooled OR 3.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9-4.5) and with thrombophilia (pooled OR 4.5, CI 3.4-5.9), respectively. Heterogeneity was significant (I 2 >80%). Women with both thrombophilia and OCP use had a 14-fold risk of VT compared to healthy OCP nonusers (pooled OR 14.25, CI 6.2-32.8). Oral contraceptive use and thrombophilia similarly increase VT risk. Our study confirms an interaction between OCP use and thrombophilia.
Regulation of Fumonisin B1 Biosynthesis and Conidiation in Fusarium verticillioides by a Cyclin-Like (C-Type) Gene, FCC1

ABSTRACT Fumonisins are a group of mycotoxins produced in corn kernels by the plant-pathogenic fungus Fusarium verticillioides. A mutant of the fungus, FT536, carrying a disrupted gene namedFCC1 (for Fusarium cyclin C1) resulting in altered fumonisin B1 biosynthesis was generated. FCC1 contains an open reading frame of 1,018 bp, with one intron, and encodes a putative 319-amino-acid polypeptide. This protein is similar to UME3 (also called SRB11 or SSN8), a cyclin C of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and contains three conserved motifs: a cyclin box, a PEST-rich region, and a destruction box. Also similar to the case for C-type cyclins, FCC1was constitutively expressed during growth. When strain FT536 was grown on corn kernels or on defined minimal medium at pH 6, conidiation was reduced and FUM5, the polyketide synthase gene involved in fumonisin B1 biosynthesis, was not expressed. However, when the mutant was grown on a defined minimal medium at pH 3, conidiation was restored, and the blocks in expression ofFUM5 and fumonisin B1 production were suppressed. Our data suggest that FCC1 plays an important role in signal transduction regulating secondary metabolism (fumonisin biosynthesis) and fungal development (conidiation) inF. verticillioides.
Mucosal Vaccination with a Multivalent, Live-Attenuated Vaccine Induces Multifactorial Immunity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Acute Lung Infection

ABSTRACT Many animal studies investigating adaptive immune effectors important for protection against Pseudomonas aeruginosa have implicated opsonic antibody to the antigenically variable lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O antigens as a primary effector. However, active and passive vaccination of humans against these antigens has not shown clinical efficacy. We hypothesized that optimal immunity would require inducing multiple immune effectors targeting multiple bacterial antigens. Therefore, we evaluated a multivalent live-attenuated mucosal vaccination strategy in a murine model of acute P. aeruginosa pneumonia to assess the contributions to protective efficacy of various bacterial antigens and host immune effectors. Vaccines combining 3 or 4 attenuated strains having different LPS serogroups were associated with the highest protective efficacy compared to vaccines with fewer components. Levels of opsonophagocytic antibodies, which were directed not only to the LPS O antigens but also to the LPS core and surface proteins, correlated with protective immunity. The multivalent live-attenuated vaccines overcame prior problems involving immunologic interference in the development of O-antigen-specific antibody responses when closely related O antigens were combined in multivalent vaccines. Antibodies to the LPS core were associated with in vitro killing and in vivo protection against strains with O antigens not expressed by the vaccine strains, whereas antibodies to the LPS core and surface proteins augmented the contribution of O-antigen-specific antibodies elicited by vaccine strains containing a homologous O antigen. Local CD4 T cells in the lung also contributed to vaccine-based protection when opsonophagocytic antibodies to the challenge strain were absent. Thus, multivalent live-attenuated vaccines elicit multifactorial protective immunity to P. aeruginosa lung infections.
When therapists run out of steam: professional boredom or burnout?

Burnout» is a syndrome consisting of physical and emotional exhaustion resulting from negative self-concept, negative job attitudes, and loss of concern for clients. This theoretical condi- tion tangentially explains the loss of professional efficacy and became a quasi-clinical concept. Nevertheless, burnout questionnaires do not measure loss of professional efficacy. The attribution of this loss remains understudied. Some allege that over 50% of therapists and health workers suf- fer from burnout, but these results warrant scepticism on account of the overlap with loss of moti- vation. A main prodromal factor in the loss of professional efficacy is a loss of motivation or «disenchantment», possibly caused by occupational boredom. A sequence boredom > loss of mo- tivation > burnout means that therapist efficacy loss depends on continuing professional education (CPE) and peer monitoring. Self-monitoring for motivation is important. National professional practice rules should be tuned to these requirements.
The near-infrared detection of PSR B0540–69 and its nebula

Context. The ∼1700 year old PSR B0540−69 in the Large Magellanic Clouds (LMC) is considered the twin of the Crab pulsar because of its similar spin parameters, magnetic field, and energetics. PSR B0540−69 (V ∼ 22.5) is also one of the very few pulsars for which both optical pulsations and polarised emission have been measured. Its optical spectrum is fit by a power-law, ascribed to synchrotron radiation, like for the young Crab and Vela pulsars. At variance with them, however, a double break is required to join the X-ray and optical power-law spectra, with the first one possibly occurring in the near ultraviolet (nUV). Aims. Near-infrared (nIR) observations, never performed for PSR B0540−69, are crucial to determine whether the optical power-law spectrum extends to longer wavelengths or a new break occurs, like it happens for both the Crab and Vela pulsars in the mid-infrared (mIR), hinting at an even more complex particle energy and density distribution in the pulsar magnetosphere. Methods. We observed PSR B0540−69 in the J, H ,a ndKS bands with the Very Large Telescope (VLT) to detect it, for the first time, in the nIR and characterise its optical-to-nIR spectrum. To disentangle the pulsar emission from that of its pulsar wind nebula (PWN), we obtained high-spatial resolution adaptive optics images with the NAOS-CONICA instrument (NACO). Results. We could clearly identify PSR B0540−69 in our J, H ,a ndKS-band images and measure its flux (J = 20.14, H = 19.33, KS = 18.55, with an overall error of ±0.1 mag in each band). The joint fit to the available optical and nIR photometry with a powerlaw spectrum Fν ∝ ν −α gives a spectral index α = 0.70 ± 0.04, slightly more precise than measured in the optical only. This clearly implies that there is no spectral break between the optical and the nIR. We also detected, for the first time, the PSR B0540−69 PWN in the nIR. The comparison between our NACO images and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) optical ones does not reveal any apparent difference in the PWN morphology as a function of wavelength. The PWN optical-to-nIR spectrum is also fit by a single power-law, with spectral index α = 0.56 ± 0.03, slightly flatter than the pulsar’s. Conclusions. Using NACO at the VLT, we obtained the first detection of PSR B0540−69 and its PWN in the nIR. Due to the small angular scale of the PWN (∼4 �� ) only the spatial resolution of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will make it possible to extend the study of the pulsar and PWN spectrum towards the mid-IR.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of d‐Tubocurarine in Infants, Children, and Adults

&NA; The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of d‐tubocurarine (dTc) were determined in neonates (0–2 months, n = 7), infants (212 months, a = 7), children (1–12 years, n = 9), and adults (12–30 years, n = 8) during 70% nitrous oxide, 0.58 MAC halothane anesthesia. dTc was administered by infusion, while blood for determination of plasma dTc concentrations was obtained, and the EMG of the adductor pollicis recorded. The plasma dTc concentration at which 50% depression of EMG twitch height occurs (Cpss(50)) was 0.18 ± 0.09 &mgr;g/ml in neonates, and 0.27 ± 0.06 &mgr;g/ml in infants, both significantly lower than the values of 0.42 ± 0.14 and 0.53 ± 0.14 &mgr;g/ml for children and adults, respectively. The steady‐state distribution volume (Vdss) was 0.74 ± 0.33 l/kg in neonates, significantly greater than the values of 0.52 ± 0.22, 0.41 ± 0.12, and 0.30 ± 0.10 1/kg in infants, children, and adults, respectively. The elimination half‐life (t&bgr;1/2) was 174 ± 60 min in neonates, significantly longer than the values of 90 ± 23 and 89 ± 18 min in children and adults, respectively. Plasma clearance did not differ with age. We also determined D50, the product of Vdss and Cpss(50). D50, the quantity of drug present at steady‐state to produce 50% paralysis, did not differ between groups. The authors conclude that during comparable nitrous oxide‐halothane anesthesia, neonates and infants have an increased sensitivity to dTc, as determined by Cpss(50). However, because of he larger Vdss in younger patients, dose size should not differ with age. In addition, because of the longer t&bgr;1/2 in neonates, second and subsequent doses should be required at less frequent intervals.
Effects of deep inhalation in asthma: relative airway and parenchymal hysteresis.

Asthmatic subjects were screened for the effects or volume history on the degree of induced airway obstruction with methacholine by comparing isovolumic maximal expiratory flows (Vmax) from partial expiratory flow-volume curves (P) begun near functional residual capacity (FRC) followed by maximal expiratory flow-volume (M) maneuvers begun from total lung capacity (TLC). The isovolumic Vmax values from M and P maneuvers defined two groups: one had a high M/P ratio (high group), indicating a large degree of reversal with deep inhalation, another had a low M/P ratio (low group), indicating minimal reversal. No differences were found between groups. A more complete study was later performed in which we measured specific airway conductance (sGaw) and anatomical dead space (VD) as indices of airway size and hysteresis before and after deep inhalation. The area of quasi-static transpulmonary pressure (Ptp) volume (V) curves from FRC to TLC and back to FRC was measured as an index of parenchymal hysteresis. At base line both groups showed a decrease in both sGaw and VD after a deep inhalation (DI). After constriction neither group changed VD after DI, whereas sGaw increased significantly in the high group after DI. This suggests that dilation of airways with DI occurred peripheral to those contributing to VD in the high group. The areas of the Ptp-V curves were equal at base line; yet the increase in areas with constriction in the low group was much greater. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Hormonal Influence on Auditory Function

This study examined whether female subjects who had balanced hormonal profiles and who were experiencing the characteristic fluctuation in estrogen and progesterone levels exhibited changes in auditory function unlike subjects who were using a low-dose combined estrogen and progesterone steroid. Threshold data at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz and middle ear pressure measurements were obtained at three specific times during two consecutive menstrual cycles. Results indicated no significant auditory sensitivity or middle ear pressure difference between the two groups. However, middle ear pressure was found to be significantly higher for both groups, and auditory sensitivity was decreased on day 3 or 4 of the cycle. It was concluded that the natural increase in interstitial fluids which generally begins 4 or 5 days before menses and culminates shortly after the onset of menses may be of sufficient magnitude to alter eustachian tube function and thereby affect middle ear status.