Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vitro activity on Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst of different drugs with recognized anticryptosporidial efficacy

L'activite in vitro de plusieurs molecules ayant une efficacite anti-cryptosporidienne averee a ete evaluee sur les oocystes de Cryptosporidium parvum aux doses standards utilisees dans le traitement de la cryptosporiodiose humaine ou animale. La viabilite d'oocystes purifies de C. parvum exposes pendant 30, 60, 90 et 120 mn dans 10 mL d'eau distillee sterile a la paromomycine (100 mg/kg PV), l'azithromycine (200 mg/kg PV), le lactate d'halofuginone (120 μg/kg PV), le toltrazuril (30 mg/kg PV), la nitazoxanide (200 mg/kg PV) ou 2 excipients du groupe des cyclodextrines largement utilises dans la technologie pharmaceutique, 1' α-cyclodextrine (lg/kg PV), la β-cyclodextrine (1g/kg PV) ou un melange a partie egale de l'a-cyclodextrine et de la β-cyclodextrine (lg/kg PV), a ete evaluee in vitro par l'inclusion ou l'exclusion d'une coloration vitale fluorogenique et par une technique d'excystation. Les resultats ont montre une diminution significative dans la viabilite des oocystes liee a l'augmentation du temps d'exposition a 1' α-, la β- et l'a β-cyclodextrine tandis qu'aucune evolution significative n'a ete enregistree avec les autres molecules a activite anti-cryptosporidienne. Cette activite a ete principalement obtenue durant les 30 premieres minutes d'exposition pour les 2 cyclodextrines.
Human Pemphigus Autoantibodies Are Pathogenic to Squamous Epithelium a

In 1957, Witbesky et al. put forward several criteria that ideally should be fulfilled in order to prove the pathogenic role of an autoantibody in a putative autoimmune disease. There can now be very little doubt of the autoimmune nature of this disease and of the primary role of autoantibodies in its pathogenesis. The evidence that supports the concept that pemphigus autoantibodies are of primary pathogenic importance in the disease is as follows: IgG class autoantibodies can be found both circulating in the serum and bound to the epithelial cell surfaces in and around lesions in patients with pemphigus. These autoantibodies, purified from the serum of pemphigus patients, can induce acantholytic lesions typical of pemphigus both in experimental animals (neonatal mice) and in human and murine epidermal cell cultures. These autoantibodies react with a specific antigen of the epidermal cell. This purified antigen has been used to immunize rabbits and the resulting antibodies are capable of inducing pemphigus-like lesions in neonatal mice.
Assessment of seasonal and spatial variation of surface water quality, identification of factors associated with water quality variability, and the modeling of critical nonpoint source pollution areas in an agricultural watershed

Surface water quality impairment in agricultural watersheds is a major environmental concern in the United States. To assess seasonal and spatial variability of surface water quality and identify factors associated with surface water quality variability, we monitored surface water quality at seven locations in Bayou Plaquemine Brule Watershed in Louisiana twice monthly from March of 2002 to February of 2008 and performed multivariate analyses of the dataset. Using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model, we identified critical areas of nonpoint source pollution in the watershed. While temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), conductivity and pH were determined in the field using YSI Sonde (YSI Incorporated, Yellow Springs, Ohio), surface water samples were analyzed for total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), nitrate/nitrite-N (NO3/NO2-N), soluble reactive phosphate (SRP), total suspended solids (TSS), and five-day biological oxygen demand (BOD5) in laboratory. The monthly water quality sampling included a regular sampling and an after-rain-event sampling. Average DO for the summer months, March through November, was 4.91 ± 0.08 mg L−1 (4.91 ± 0.08 ppm), while average DO for the winter months, December through February, was 8.32 ± 0.12 mg L−1 (8.32 ± 0.12 ppm). Dissolved oxygen was negatively correlated with TN (r = −0.22, p ≤ 0.001), SRP (r = −0.17, p ≤ 0.001), TP (r = −0.17, p ≤ 0.001), BOD5 (r = −0.25, p ≤ 0.001), and surface water temperature (r = −0.70, p ≤ 0.001). Turbidity was strongly correlated with TSS (r = 0.59, p ≤ 0.001), suggesting that most turbidity in the water body comes from suspended solids. Similarly BOD5 was significantly positively correlated with TN (r = 0.43, p ≤ 0.001), NO3/NO2-N (r = 0.26, p ≤ 0.001), TP (r = 0.25, p ≤ 0.001), and SRP (r = 0.18, p ≤ 0.001). Results of factor analyses showed sediment, phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), surface water temperature, dissolved solids, and acidity/alkalinity as the most important factors associated with surface water quality variability in this watershed. Although relatively higher concentrations of sediments, TP, and TN were observed in the upper reaches of the watershed based on water quality monitoring, the SWAT simulation results showed the critical nonpoint source pollution areas of sediment, P, and N in the lower reaches of the watershed. Lower reaches of the watershed have mainly rice and crawfish production, while the upper reaches include primarily sugarcane, pasturelands, and soybean production. Information on seasonal variability of surface water quality, factors associated with surface water quality variability, and the critical areas for nonpoint source pollution will be valuable inputs for developing a watershed management plan for effective nonpoint source pollution control in an agricultural watershed.
The PsbP Domain Protein 1 Functions in the Assembly of Lumenal Domains in Photosystem I*

Background: The assembly of Photosystem I requires additional protein factors. Results: Arabidopsis RNAi mutants of PPD1 were characterized for Photosystem I function and assembly. Conclusion: The PPD1 protein serves as a factor to facilitate functional assembly of Photosystem I. Significance: RNAi suppression of PPD1 provides new details on its function in Photosystem I assembly. Photosystem I (PS I) is a multisubunit membrane protein complex that functions as a light-driven plastocyanin-ferredoxin oxidoreductase. The PsbP domain protein 1 (PPD1; At4g15510) is located in the thylakoid lumen of plant chloroplasts and is essential for photoautotrophy, functioning as a PS I assembly factor. In this work, RNAi was used to suppress PPD1 expression, yielding mutants displaying a range of phenotypes with respect to PS I accumulation and function. These PPD1 RNAi mutants showed a loss of assembled PS I that was correlated with loss of the PPD1 protein. In the most severely affected PPD1 RNAi lines, the accumulated PS I complexes exhibited defects in electron transfer from plastocyanin to the oxidized reaction center P700+. The defects in PS I assembly in the PPD1 RNAi mutants also had secondary effects with respect to the association of light-harvesting antenna complexes to PS I. Because of the imbalance in photosystem function in the PPD1 RNAi mutants, light-harvesting complex II associated with and acted as an antenna for the PS I complexes. These results provide new evidence for the role of PPD1 in PS I biogenesis, particularly as a factor essential for proper assembly of the lumenal portion of the complex.
Effect of orthodontic appliances on oral microbiota--6 month follow-up.

OBJECTIVE This study investigates the effect of fixed and removable orthodontic appliances among children on salivary Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus sp. and Candida albicans. STUDY DESIGN The study was conducted on 69 patients aged between 6-17 years who used fixed or removable orthodontic appliances. Five ml samples of unstimulated saliva from each patient were collected at baseline and at the 1, 3 and 6 month periodic controls. Samples were diluted and plated on Mitis Salivarus Agar (MSA), Man Rogosa Sharp Agar (MRS) and Saboroud Dextrose Agar (SDA). The growths on the plates were examined under a stereomicroscope. Numbers of colony forming units (CFU) per plate were counted. For statistical analysis, the paired t test and Chi-Square were used. RESULTS S mutans and Lactobacillus sp counts increased significantly 6 months after the insertion of fixed/removable orthodontic appliances in the oral cavity. A significant increase for C albicans presence was noted after 3 months compared with baseline for fixed appliances. CONCLUSION Long-term utilization of orthodontic appliances may have a negative effect on microbial flora and increase the risk of new carious lesions and periodontal problems. Patients should be recalled within short time intervals to be motivated for oral hygiene during their orthodontic therapy.
Intermediate rehabilitation outcome in below-knee amputations: descriptive study comparing war-related with other causes of amputation.

AIM To asses the intermediate rehabilitation outcome of patients with war-related below-knee amputations and compare it with the patients with other causes of amputation. METHOD The study comprised 74 patients with below-knee stumps admitted for rehabilitation at the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Split University Hospital, Croatia, in 1994. They were fitted with a preliminary prosthesis, a donation from the Finish Red Cross. The rehabilitation was performed by a professional team and included regular bandaging of the stump, exercises to prevent knee and hip joint contracture, general fitness exercises, standing-up, falling and walking exercises, and electrostimulation of the thigh muscles. The time to reach each rehabilitation phase (walking with 2 crutches, walking with 1 crutch, walking with no crutches) was measured. The satisfaction of the patients with the prosthesis was also assessed at the end of rehabilitation. RESULTS Among 74 patients with below knee amputation, war trauma was the cause for amputation in 31 patients, and in 6 of them the amputations were bilateral. Patients with war-related below-knee amputations were younger than the patients with amputations related to vascular disease, including diabetes. The rehabilitation time was significantly shorter in patients with war-related amputations (61.1+/-11.4 days to walking with no crutches) compared with patients with vascular disease-related amputations (80.9+/-8.1 days; p<0.001). The satisfaction with the prosthesis was more variable in patients with war-related amputations than in other patients. CONCLUSION Early physical rehabilitation and replacement of the lost extremity with a preliminary prosthesis is an optimal intervention in below-knee amputations due to war-injury. Special attention should be paid to the psychological support to these patients during rehabilitation therapy.
Motion sickness on tilting trains

Trains that tilt on curves can go faster, but passengers complain of motion sickness. We studied the control signals and tilts to determine why this occurs and how to maintain speed while eliminating motion sickness. Accelerometers and gyros monitored train and passenger yaw and roll, and a survey evaluated motion sickness. The experimental train had 3 control configurations: an untilted mode, a reactive mode that detected curves from sensors on the front wheel set, and a predictive mode that determined curves from the train's position on the tracks. No motion sickness was induced in the untilted mode, but the train ran 21% slower than when it tilted 8° in either the reactive or predictive modes (113 vs. 137 km/h). Roll velocities rose and fell faster in the predictive than the reactive mode when entering and leaving turns (0.4 vs. 0.8 s for a 4°/s roll tilt, P<0.001). Concurrently, motion sickness was greater (P< 0.001) in the reactive mode. We conclude that the slower rise in roll velocity during yaw rotations on entering and leaving curves had induced the motion sickness. Adequate synchronization of roll tilt with yaw velocity on curves will reduce motion sickness and improve passenger comfort on tilting trains. —Cohen, B. , Dai, M. , Ogorodnikov, D. , Laurens, J., Raphan, T. , Müller, P., Athanasios, A. , Edmaier, J., Grossenbacher, T. , Stadtmüller, K. , Brugger, U. , Hauser, G. , Straumann, D. Motion sickness on tilting trains. FASEB J. 25, 3765–3774 (2011). www.fasebj. org
Agonist-Selective Mechanisms of μ-Opioid Receptor Desensitization in Human Embryonic Kidney 293 Cells

The ability of two opioid agonists, [d-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly5-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO) and morphine, to induce μ-opioid receptor (MOR) phosphorylation, desensitization, and internalization was examined in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells expressing rat MOR1 as well G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channel (GIRK) channel subunits. Both DAMGO and morphine activated GIRK currents, but the maximum response to DAMGO was greater than that of morphine, indicating that morphine is a partial agonist. The responses to DAMGO and morphine desensitized rapidly in the presence of either drug. Expression of a dominant negative mutant G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2), GRK2-K220R, markedly attenuated the DAMGO-induced desensitization of MOR1, but it had no effect on morphine-induced MOR1 desensitization. In contrast, inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) either by the PKC inhibitory peptide PKC (19-31) or staurosporine reduced MOR1 desensitization by morphine but not that induced by DAMGO. Morphine and DAMGO enhanced MOR1 phosphorylation over basal. The PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide 1 (GF109203X) inhibited MOR1 phosphorylation under basal conditions and in the presence of morphine, but it did not inhibit DAMGO-induced phosphorylation. DAMGO induced arrestin-2 translocation to the plasma membrane and considerable MOR1 internalization, whereas morphine did not induce arrestin-2 translocation and induced very little MOR1 internalization. Thus, DAMGO and morphine each induce desensitization of MOR1 signaling in HEK293 cells but by different molecular mechanisms; DAMGO-induced desensitization is GRK2-dependent, whereas morphine-induced desensitization is in part PKC-dependent. MORs desensitized by DAMGO activation are then readily internalized by an arrestin-dependent mechanism, whereas those desensitized by morphine are not. These data suggest that opioid agonists induce different conformations of the MOR that are susceptible to different desensitizing and internalization processes.
Evidence against the presence of an anandamide transporter

On the basis of temperature dependency, saturability, selective inhibition, and substrate specificity, it has been proposed that an anandamide transporter exists. However, all of these studies have examined anandamide accumulation at long time points when downstream effects such as metabolism and intracellular sequestration are operative. In the current study, we have investigated the initial rates (<1 min) of anandamide accumulation in neuroblastoma and astrocytoma cells in culture and have determined that uptake is not saturable with increasing concentrations of anandamide. However, anandamide hydrolysis, after uptake in neuroblastoma cells, was saturable at steady-state time points (5 min), suggesting that fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) may be responsible for observed saturation of uptake at long time points. In general, arvanil, olvanil, and N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)arachidonylamide (AM404) have been characterized as transport inhibitors in studies using long incubations. However, we found these “transport inhibitors” did not inhibit anandamide uptake in neuroblastoma and astrocytoma cells at short time points (40 sec or less). Furthermore, we confirmed that these inhibitors in vitro were actually inhibitors of FAAH. Therefore, the likely mechanism by which the transport inhibitors raise anandamide levels to exert pharmacological effects is by inhibiting FAAH, and they should be reevaluated in this context. Immunofluorescence has indicated that FAAH staining resides mainly on intracellular membranes of neuroblastoma cells, and this finding is consistent with our observed kinetics of anandamide hydrolysis. In summary, these data suggest that anandamide uptake is a process of simple diffusion. This process is driven by metabolism and other downstream events, rather than by a specific membrane-associated anandamide carrier.
SOIL CHANGES AND YIELD OF MAIZE FERTILIZED WITH SWINE WASTEWATER

ABSTRACT Swine wastewater can be used as a biofertilizer and promote significant improvements in soil physical-chemical attributes and yield. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of swine wastewater application on soil and maize yield. The experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Sciences Center of the Federal University of Piauí, in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil, from August to November 2015. The experimental design used completely randomized blocks in split-plot scheme, with five doses of swine wastewater (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 m3 ha-1) in the plots and two soil depths (0.20 and 0.40 m) in the subplots, with four replications. Exchangeable contents of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium, electrical conductivity, pH, sum of bases, base saturation, potential acidity and cation exchange capacity, and crop yield were evaluated. Results showed calcium, magnesium, sum of bases and cation exchange capacity increased with elevated levels of swine wastewater. Potassium and sodium contents however decreased with doses of 51.58 and 52.28 m3 ha-1, respectively. Except for potassium and potential acidity, variables showed higher values at the 0-0.20 m depth.
In Vivo functioning of creatine phosphokinase in human forearm muscle, studied by 31P NMR saturation transfer

31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) saturation transfer has been used to measure enzymatic flux through the creatine phosphokinase reaction in the direction of ATP synthesis in the human forearm muscle flexor digitorum superficialis. Modification of the ratio method for measurement of spin‐lattice relaxation (R. Freeman, H. D. W. Hill, and R. Kaptein, J. Mags. Reson. 7, 82 (1972) was tested and used to appreciably shorten the duration of the measurement. Under conditions of steady state work intracellular pH decreased slightly by 0.06 units and the spin‐lattice relaxation time of phosphocreatine in muscle was unchanged, while flux from phosphocreatine to ATP was 64 ± 10% of the resting value. This is contrary to the increase in flux of 155% predicted from previous saturation transfer studies carried out in vitro on rabbit skeletal muscle creatine phosphokinase using metabolite concentrations to mimic those in vivo (E. A. Shoubridge, J. L. Bland, and G. K. Radda, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 805, 72 (1984). This discrepancy could be accounted for by an underestimation of the ADP concentrations to which the enzyme is exposed due to inaccurate assumptions about the total metabolite concentrations, or possibly by compartmentation of creatine phosphokinase and its reactants. © 1989 Academic Press, Inc.
Polymorphisms of the tissue factor pathway inhibitor gene and the risk of restenosis after coronary angioplasty

Intracoronary stent implantation is associated with a significantly lower risk of restenosis compared with balloon angioplasty. However, restenosis still occurs in some cases. Experimental studies suggest that the tissue factor pathway is involved in this phenomenon. We investigated a possible relationship between three previously identified polymorphisms of the tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) gene and restenosis in 443 patients who underwent angioplasty, with or without stent implantation. The effect of the intron 7-33T←C polymorphism and that of the combined intron 7 and promoter genotype on plasma TFPI levels was also investigated in 58 healthy subjects. DNA analysis was performed by polymerase chain reaction amplification of genomic DNA extracted from white blood cells, followed by digestion with the restriction enzymes Hind III, Nde I and Mae III for the detection of promoter, intron 7 and exon IX polymorphisms, respectively. The minimal luminal diameter, percent stenosis, acute gain, late loss and loss index did not differ according to the genotype before, immediately after or 6 months after angioplasty, regardless of stent implantation. Interestingly, subjects with the intron 7 CC genotype had significantly higher total TFPI levels than those with the TT genotype before and after an enoxaparin injection. Moreover, subjects with the −287TT/Int7TT combined genotype had the lowest plasma TFPI levels. Despite significant variations in plasma TFPI levels, we found no evidence that three polymorphisms of the TFPI gene influence the risk of restenosis. These results do not exclude the possibility that other polymorphisms in the TFPI gene may influence this risk.
Evaluation of the Development Capability of the New Energy Vehicle Industry: An Empirical Study from China

In order to alleviate the pressures of environmental pollution and the energy crisis, and to lay out and capture huge emerging markets as soon as possible, all countries in the world are vigorously developing new energy vehicles (NEVs). This paper analyzes the factors influencing the development capability of the NEV industry from the aspects of autonomy, controllability, and stability, and constructs an evaluation index system. Based on the improved entropy method and the catastrophe progression method, we establish an evaluation model for the development capability of China’s NEV industry and comprehensively evaluate the development capability of 15 new energy auto companies. An empirical analysis finds that the outlook for the overall development capability of China’s NEV industry is not optimistic, and there is a big gap in the industry, lacking core technology and independent innovation capability. We propose countermeasures such as increasing research and development (R&D) investment and innovation, and improving policy support.
Penetrating Keratoplasty in Congenital Hereditary Endothelial Dystrophy

Purpose To compare the results of penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in a series of congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED) patients operated at amblyogenic years and at later ages. Methods Records of 65 eyes of 35 CHED patients who underwent PK were reviewed retrospectively. Visual results and graft clarity rates were compared between patients operated after (group 1) and before (group 2) 12 years of age. Results were also compared between eyes with and without nystagmus. Results Group 1 consisted of 47 eyes (24 patients), whereas group 2 consisted of 18 eyes (11 patients). Thirteen patients (54%) in group 1 and 10 patients (91%) in group 2 had nystagmus. Mean ages at surgery were 26.4 and 7.6 years in group 1 and group 2, respectively. Mean follow-up period was 101.0 months in group 1 and 59.7 months in group 2. Group 1 cases had better graft clarity rates than group 2 cases (P = 0.023). Postoperative best-corrected visual acuities (BCVAs) were 20/80 or better in 39 eyes of group 1 (83%) and in 5 eyes of group 2 (28%). Visual outcomes were found significantly better in group 1 cases (P < 0.001). In group 1, 76% of eyes with nystagmus and 91% of eyes without nystagmus had BCVAs of 20/80 or better. In group 1, both preoperative and postoperative BCVAs were found significantly better in eyes without nystagmus (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). Conclusions Delayed keratoplasty seems to offer better graft outcomes and visual prognosis to CHED patients, even in the presence of nystagmus.
Serum phosphate and outcome at one year after deceased donor renal transplantation

Stevens KK, Morgan IR, Patel RK, Geddes CC, Mark PB, Jardine AG, Delles C. Serum phosphate and outcome at one year after deceased donor renal transplantation. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: E199–E204. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.