Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phytoplankton size‐structure on the western shelf of the Antarctic Peninsula: a remote‐sensing approach

Remote‐sensing models based on total (b b) and particle (b bp) backscattering are proposed for estimating phytoplankton size‐structure characteristics over the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) waters. It is hypothesized that phytoplankton assemblages with larger cells will have lower spectral b b and b bp slopes (γ). Likewise, a higher concentrations of total chlorophyll a (chlT) will coincide with larger phytoplankton cells. Values of , derived from satellite and in situ remote‐sensing reflectance (R rs) measurements were matched up with field determinations of chlorophyll a concentration fractions (chl(>20 µm) and chl(0.45–20 µm)) collected between 1997 and 2006 as part of the Palmer‐LTER project. Functionalities between in situ measurements of and chlorophyll a fractions were also investigated. A consistent inverse relationship between chl(>20 µm)/chlT and γ (b b and b bp) values was found and verified with two approaches: spatial matchup of satellite monthly composites and time–space matchup of photosynthetic pigment markers. Based on satellite data, a value of 1.668 was a fair predictor to differentiate WAP waters dominated by ‘large’ (chl(>20 µm)/chlT⩾0.5, ) vs ‘small’ (chl(>20 µm)/chlT<0.5, ) phytoplankton cells. A significant negative linear relationship between 19′‐butanoyloxyfucoxanthin, fucoxanthin, and values suggest that Phaeocystis aggregates and large diatoms (>20 µm) would explain most of the chl(>20 µm)/chlT‐γ variability. No relationships were evident between chlT values and γ values. Although our results cannot be generalized to other oceanic regions, this work is the first to provide evidence about the significant influence of phytoplankton size distributions on spectral backscattering of WAP waters. Furthermore, and based on chlorophyll a fraction analysis, it was the >20 µm phytoplankton cells that were responsible for such γ variations seen on satellite and in situ values.
The effect of known cardiovascular risk factors on carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity in school-aged children: a population based twin study

Childhood cardiovascular risk factors affect vascular function long before overt cardiovascular disease. Twin studies provide a unique opportunity to examine the influence of shared genetic and environmental influences on childhood cardiovascular function. We examined the relationship between birth parameters, markers of adiposity, insulin resistance, lipid profile and blood pressure and carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), a validated non-invasive measure of arterial stiffness in a healthy cohort of school-aged twin children. PWV was performed on a population-based birth cohort of 147 twin pairs aged 7–11 years. Fasting blood samples, blood pressure and adiposity measures were collected concurrently. Mixed linear regression models were used to account for twin clustering, within- and between-twin pair associations. There were positive associations between both markers of higher adiposity, insulin resistance, elevated triglycerides and PWV, which remained significant after accounting for twin birth-set clustering. There was a positive association between both diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure and PWV in within-pair analysis in dizygotic, but not monozygotic twins, indicating genetic differences evident in dizygotic not monozygotic twins may affect these associations. Increased blood pressure, triglycerides and other metabolic markers are associated with increased PWV in school-aged twins. These results support both the genetic and environmental contribution to higher PWV, as a marker of arterial stiffness, and reiterate the importance of preventing metabolic syndrome from childhood.
Screening for antimicrobial activity among bacteria isolated from the Amazon Basin

Bacteria producing antimicrobial activity were identified among 86 isolates from aquatic environments of Brazilian Amazon Basin. Antimicrobial activity against at least one indicator strain was detected for 59 isolates (68.6%). Inhibitory activity was mostly against Gram-positive bacteria, such as Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus. The antimicrobial substances produced by 19 strains that showed higher inhibitory activity were partially characterized. These antimicrobial substances showed thermal resistance for up to 100°C and partial resistance to proteolytic treatment. Some antimicrobials were partially resistant to pronase E at 2 mg ml -1 or to treatment with trichloroacetic acid. Detection of antimicrobial activity on polyacrylamide gels revealed that the molecular weight of the compounds was lower than 14 kDa. Several strains showed antibacterial activity, which in some cases appear to be related to antimicrobial peptides. The potential of these microorganisms to produce useful antimicrobial compounds is great and must be better explored.
Persistent, Toxin-Antitoxin System-Independent, Tetracycline Resistance-Encoding Plasmid from a Dairy Enterococcus faecium Isolate

ABSTRACT A tetracycline-resistant (Tetr) dairy Enterococcus faecium isolate designated M7M2 was found to carry both tet(M) and tet(L) genes on a 19.6-kb plasmid. After consecutive transfer in the absence of tetracycline, the resistance-encoding plasmid persisted in 99% of the progenies. DNA sequence analysis revealed that the 19.6-kb plasmid contained 28 open reading frames (ORFs), including a tet(M)-tet(L)-mob gene cluster, as well as a 10.6-kb backbone highly homologous (99.9%) to the reported plasmid pRE25, but without an identified toxin-antitoxin (TA) plasmid stabilization system. The derived backbone plasmid without the Tetr determinants exhibited a 100% retention rate in the presence of acridine orange, suggesting the presence of a TA-independent plasmid stabilization mechanism, with its impact on the persistence of a broad spectrum of resistance-encoding traits still to be elucidated. The tet(M)-tet(L) gene cluster from M7M2 was functional and transmissible and led to acquired resistance in Enterococcus faecalis OG1RF by electroporation and in Streptococcus mutans UA159 by natural transformation. Southern hybridization showed that both the tet(M) and tet(L) genes were integrated into the chromosome of S. mutans UA159, while the whole plasmid was transferred to and retained in E. faecalis OG1RF. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) indicated tetracycline-induced transcription of both the tet(M) and tet(L) genes of pM7M2. The results indicated that multiple mechanisms might have contributed to the persistence of antibiotic resistance-encoding genes and that the plasmids pM7M2, pIP816, and pRE25 are likely correlated evolutionarily.
Deletion of the Second Immunoglobulin-Like Domain of Nectin-1 Alters Its Intracellular Processing and Localization and Ability To Mediate Entry of Herpes Simplex Virus

ABSTRACT Nectin-1 is an immunoglobulin (Ig)-like entry receptor for herpes simplex virus (HSV). Like other nectins, nectin-1 forms dimers and mediates cell adhesion through interactions with other nectins. We constructed a second-domain deletion mutant of nectin-1 (nectin-1-Δ2) to examine the role of the second Ig-like domain in HSV entry. Nectin-1-Δ2 exhibited a severely reduced ability to mediate HSV entry and accumulated in the endoplasmic reticulum but retained the ability to interact with its HSV ligand, gD. The failure of nectin-1-Δ2 to mediate HSV entry probably resulted from its failure to be transported to a membrane targeted by HSV for viral entry.
Electrocardiogram changes suggestive od coronary artery disease in pneumothorax. Their reversibility with upright posture.

Spontaneous pneumothorax is an important consideration in the differential diagnosis of acute chest pain. Unless evidence of pneumothorax is sought carefully, this diagnosis may be missed on physical examination. In recent months, we have seen several patients with pneumothorax in whom complaints of chest pain and dyspnea, coupled with an abnormal electrocardiogram, raised the diagnostic possibility of myocardial infarction. We wish to draw attention to the ECG abnormalities associated with pneumothorax and to the useful sign of normalization of the ECG when the patient is in the sitting position. Patient Summaries Patient 1 (141-75-02). —A 20-year-old man experienced, during exertion, the sudden onset of nonradiating pain in the left anterior portion of the chest, associated with moderate dyspnea and sweating. On physical examination, he was a thin, muscular man in moderate respiratory distress with a blood pressure of 140/80 mm Hg; pulse rate, 90 beats per minute; respirations, 30/min; and
Immunization Coverage Among Juvenile Justice Detainees

This study sought to (1) quantify the baseline immunization coverage of adolescents entering the juvenile justice system and (2) assess the effect of detention-based care on immunization coverage in youth. A cross-sectional retrospective chart review was performed of 279 adolescents detained at a large juvenile detention facility. Only 3% of adolescents had received all study immunizations prior to detention. Before detention, immunization coverage was significantly lower than that for the general adolescent population for all vaccines except the first doses of hepatitis A and varicella-zoster virus vaccines. Subsequent to detention, most individual immunization coverage levels increased and were significantly higher than in the general adolescent population. The routine administration of immunizations in the juvenile justice setting can help detained youth achieve levels of immunization coverage similar to their nondetained peers.
Parenting Styles, Parental Involvement in School, and Educational Functioning of Children with Special Needs Integrated into Mainstream Education

The study examined the relationship between parenting style and parental involvement in school and educational functioning among children with various disabilities integrated into mainstream education. It includes 116 parents of children with special needs who reported their children according to formal educational evaluations they possessed. The sample of children reported by parents disproportionately represents six age layers |=9.23, SD =1.85|and 3 main disability groups. Multivariate regression analyses indicated that parenting style and parental involvement in school explain a significant proportion of the variance in educational functioning among children with attention deficit disorders and complex disabilities. Within the first group, parental involvement significantly mediated the relationship between parenting style and educational functioning. Parenting style and parental involvement modestly predicted academic achievements in language skills and mathematics field (respectively) in the general sample. Significant relationships between parenting style and educational functioning and achievements in these tests pointed to better performance of children of authoritative parents compared with children of authoritarian parents. The main findings stress the need to encourage and nurture authoritative parenting traits, along with consistent parental involvement in school, as significant means of improving and strengthening the educational functioning among children with special needs integrated into mainstream education. The theoretical and educational implications of these findings are discussed in the light of relevant literature. X
[Frasier syndrome: a rare syndrome with WT1 gene mutation in pediatric urology].

INTRODUCTION Frasier syndrom is an autosomal dominant, hereditary disease characterized by nephropathy, gonadal dysgenesis and risk of gonadal blastoma in early childhood. To date, in many patients with Frasier syndrome WT1 mutations have been found, occurring exclusively as germ-line mutations of the alternative splicing donor site in intron 9. A Wilms tumor is seen only rarely in this clinical entity. In the present paper we describe the clinical course of a patient with Frasier syndrome confirmed by molecular genetic analysis. CASE REPORT Our patient with Frasier syndrome as confirmed by molecular genetic analysis is now 19 years old. The patient became dependent on dialysis due to nethropathy in the form of focal sclerosing glomerulonephritis and terminal renal insufficiency. A kidney transplantation in the left iliac fossa together with new implantation of the ureter according to Dodson. For prophylactic reasons on account of the high risk of gonadal blastoma associated with the disease and sonographically detected microlithiasis in both testicles we performed one year later an inguinal castration. Histology revealed the picture of a severe tubular testicular atrophy with arrested spermatogenesis and focal intratubular germ-line neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS This case report shows that, besides our already published series with Denys-Drash syndrome, WT1 mutations may also be associated with the so-called Frasier syndrome. For children with Frasier syndrome confirmed by molecular genetic analysis and loss of function of the testicles, we recommend performance of a prophylactic castration. We also suggest that phenotypical female patients with focal sclerosing glomerulonephritis be examined for WT1 mutations.
Solitary Active Videogame Play Improves Executive Functioning More Than Collaborative Play for Children with Special Needs.

OBJECTIVE This pilot study examined the impact of playing an active videogame on executive functioning (EF) skills for children with special needs, who typically have lower EF skills. MATERIALS AND METHODS Acute EF change was measured in 36 children with a range of special needs, including mental health disorders and developmental disabilities. Participants were assigned to one of two active videogame conditions: playing alone and playing with a peer. Two different EF tasks were conducted pre- and postplay. RESULTS Children who played alone increased their accuracy performance more than children in the paired-play condition on two measures of EF. The study explored potential covariates of prior videogame experience, age, and enjoyment, but none of these variables related to EF change. CONCLUSION This study's findings support active videogame play as an activity that can boost EF skills for children with special needs when they play alone. Future research should continue to examine the relationships between EF and active videogame play with a peer to elucidate the contributions of social interactions.
UWB Monopole Antenna with a Top-hat Sleeve

This paper presents a top-hat sleeve monopole antenna for ultra-wideband (UWB) applications. The proposed antenna comprises a stem, a dielectric coat, and a top hat sleeve. A modal expansion technique used in cylindrical coordinate system is applied to study the impedance and radiation characteristics of the antenna. Influences of varying parameters of the antenna on impedance matching and radiation patterns are examined. The design demonstrates an extraordinarily broad bandwidth of up to 105% (2.65-7.95GHz), which covers the lower UWB band of 3.1-4.8 GHz very well and quite stable radiation performances across the bandwidth.
Oesophageal cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

Oesophageal cancer is the 19th most common cancer in the European Union (EU), with cca 45 900 new cases diagnosed in 2012 (1% of the total). In the EU, the highest age-standardised incidence rates for oesophageal cancer are in the Netherlands for men and the UK for women [1]. Variation between countries is high and may reflect different prevalence of risk factors, use of screening and diagnostic methods.
EEG Theta and Alpha Reactivity on Opening the Eyes in the Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease

The objective of this study was to evaluate the contribution of EEG theta and alpha reactivity on opening the eyes, in the diagnosis of slight and moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thirty four patients with AD and a control group of 30 individuals were studied, all being assessed using a neurological evaluation, CERAD neuropsychological battery (consortium to establish a registry for Alzheimer's disease), incorporating the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) and a qEEG analysis of the absolute band power at rest, with the eyes both open and closed. The theta and alpha reactivity indices were calculated on opening the eyes, defined from the relationship between the absolute powers in the respective bands in the periods with the eyes open and with them closed, the quotient of the relationship between the alpha and theta indices, the alpha/theta ratio, was also calculated. Multiple regression models were used to determine the accuracy in discriminating between the AD and control groups. A regression model using only cognitive data provided an accuracy of 92.2%, whereas a regression model combining cognitive data and qEEG measurements provided an accuracy of 95.3% in the classification between AD and the controls. The variable for the qEEG was the left hemisphere alpha/theta index, since the other parameters were shown to be inferior with respect to the clinical data in the regression analysis. The integrated study of the theta and alpha reactivity indices on opening the eyes and the alpha/theta index, was shown to be a useful approach in qEEG in the evaluation of AD and should be evaluated with larger samples and with other data analysis methods, with the aim of increasing the accuracy.
Can the Protective Actions of JAK-STAT in the Heart be Exploited Therapeutically? Parsing the Regulation of Interleukin-6-Type Cytokine Signaling

Activation of the transcription factor signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) 3 is a defining feature of the interleukin (IL)-6 family of cytokines, which include IL-6, leukemia inhibitory factor, and cardiotrophin-1. These cytokines, as well as STAT3 activation, have been shown to be protective for cardiac myocytes and necessary for ischemia preconditioning. However, the mechanisms that regulate IL-6-type cytokine signaling in cardiac myocytes are largely unexplored. We propose that the protective character of IL-6-type cytokine signaling in cardiac myocytes is determined principally by three mechanisms: redox status of the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase Janus kinase 1 (JAK) 1 that activates STAT3, phosphorylation of STAT3 within the transcriptional activation domain on serine 727, and STAT3-mediated induction of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) 3 that terminates IL-6-type cytokine signaling. Moreover, we hypothesize that hyperactivation of the JAK kinases, particularly JAK2, mismatched STAT3 serine-tyrosine phosphorylation or heightened STAT3 transcriptional activity, and SOCS3 induction may ultimately prove detrimental. Here we summarize recent evidence that supports this hypothesis, as well as additional possible mechanisms of JAK-STAT regulation. Understanding how IL-6-type cytokine signaling is regulated in cardiac myocytes has great significance for exploiting the therapeutic potential of these cytokines and the phenomenon of preconditioning.
Prevalence of Low Positive Anti‐HCV Antibodies in Blood Donors: Schistosoma mansoni Co‐Infection and Possible Role of Autoantibodies

Patients infected with schistosoma frequently show a high seroprevalence of anti‐hepatitis C virus (anti‐HCV) antibodies. The aim of this study was to find the underlying reason for this phenomenon, and to examine a possible involvement of autoantibodies. Out of 2,400 Egyptian blood donors, 192 (8%) were anti‐HCV positive by ELISA. They were 133 males and 59 females with age ranging from 27 to 48 years. According to optical density ratio (ODR) of anti‐HCV antibodies, 96 cases were low positive (LP) with ODR (1–2) designated as group I, and 96 were high positive (HP) with ODR (≥2) (group II). Both groups were examined for quantitative HCV core antigen (HCVcAg), liver function (Albumin, ALT, AST) and anti‐Schistosoma mansoni (anti‐Sm) IgG. Group I cases were HCVcAg negative with normal liver function tests, and 44 of them were anti‐Sm positive. Ninety cases (93.75%) of group II were HCVcAg positive with markedly affected liver function tests and 72 cases were anti‐Sm positive. All group I cases were examined for autoimmune markers (ANA, AMA, SMA and LKM). In group I, 33 (75%) of anti‐Sm positive cases were positive for one or more of the autoimmune markers examined, while none of anti‐Sm negative was positive for any marker with significant difference between the two groups (P<0.0001). Our results primarily on blood donors indicate that LP anti‐HCV frequently represents false‐positive reactivity with a possible role of Sm‐induced autoantibodies in this phenomenon.
Muramyldipeptide augments the actions of lipopolysaccharide in mice by stimulating macrophages to produce pro-IL-1β and by down-regulation of the suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1)

Muramyldipeptide (MDP), the minimum essential structure responsible for the immuno-adjuvant activity of peptidoglycan, is recognized by intracellular nuclear-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2). Muramyldipeptide enhances the activities of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), but the mechanism underlying this effect is unclear. Here, we obtained evidence that intravenously injected MDP augments LPS-induced hypothermia in wild-type mice, but not in mice deficient in interleukin (IL)-1α/β and/or tumor-necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Muramyldipeptide also: (i) increased pro-IL-1β in tissues, but did not increase IL-1β in serum (since caspase-1 was not activated by MDP); (ii) downregulated the expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1; a negative-feedback regulator of LPS-induced signaling); and (iii) augmented the LPS-induced production of TNF-α, IL-12 p40, and interferon (IFN)-γ. Moreover, by performing in vivo and in vitro experiments, we obtained evidence that macrophages were involved in these effects of MDP. These results suggest that two different mechanisms may underlie the augmenting effect of MDP: namely, stimulation of pro-IL-1β production by, and down-regulation of SOCS1 in, macrophages. We consider that this work may help to elucidate the pathogenesis of mixed bacterial infections, including septic shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).
Expression of the Transcription Factor STAT-1α in Insulinoma Cells Protects against Cytotoxic Effects of Multiple Cytokines*

Destruction of pancreatic islet β-cells in type 1 diabetes appears to result from direct contact with infiltrating T-cells and macrophages and exposure to inflammatory cytokines such as interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-1β, and tumor necrosis factor TNF-α that such cells produce. We recently reported on a method for selection of insulinoma cells that are resistant to the cytotoxic effects of inflammatory cytokines (INS-1res), involving their growth in progressively increasing concentrations of IL-1β plus IFN-γ, and selection of surviving cells. In the current study, we have investigated the molecular mechanism of cytokine resistance in INS-1rescells. By focusing on the known components of the IFN-γ receptor signaling pathway, we have discovered that expression levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-1α are closely correlated with the cytokine-resistant and -sensitive phenotypes. That STAT-1α is directly involved in development of cytokine resistance is demonstrated by an increase of viability from 10 ± 2% in control cells to 50 ± 6% in cells with adenovirus-mediated overexpression of STAT-1α (p < 0.001) after culture of both cell groups in the presence of 100 units/ml IFN-γ plus 10 ng/ml IL-1β for 48 h. The resistance to IL-1β plus IFN-γ in STAT-1α-expressing cells is due in part to interference with IL-1β-mediated stimulation of inducible nitric-oxide synthase expression and nitric oxide production. Furthermore, overexpression of STAT-1α does not impair robust glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in the INS-1-derived cell line 832/13. We conclude that expression of STAT-1α may be a means of protecting insulin-producing cell lines from cytokine damage, which, in conjunction with appropriate cell-impermeant macroencapsulation devices, may allow such cells to be used for insulin replacement in type 1 diabetes.