Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Glucose Hydrogen Breath Test for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth in Children With Abdominal Pain–Related Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Objectives: A potential link between small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and abdominal pain–related functional gastrointestinal disorders (AP-FGID) has been suggested by symptom similarities and by the reported prevalence of SIBO in children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional AP. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of SIBO using the glucose hydrogen breath test (GHBT), in a cohort of Dutch children with AP-FGID fulfilling the Rome III criteria, and to identify potential predictors. Methods: Children ages 6 to 18 years with AP-FGID fulfilling the Rome III criteria were included. All of the children underwent a GHBT. SIBO was diagnosed if the fasting breath hydrogen concentration was ≥20 ppm or an increase in H2 levels of ≥12 ppm above the baseline value was measured after ingestion of glucose. Gastrointestinal symptoms were collected using a standardised AP questionnaire. Results: A total of 161 Dutch children with AP-FGID were enrolled. Twenty-three patients (14.3%) were diagnosed as having SIBO, as assessed by GHBT; 78% of the children diagnosed as having SIBO had fasting hydrogen levels ≥20 ppm. IBS was significantly more found in children with SIBO compared with children without SIBO (P = 0.001). An altered defecation pattern (ie, change in frequency or form of stool) (P = 0.013), loss of appetite (P = 0.007), and belching (P = 0.023) were significantly more found in children with SIBO compared with those without SIBO. Conclusions: SIBO is present in 14.3% of children presenting with AP-FGID. IBS, altered defecation pattern, loss of appetite, and belching were predictors for SIBO in children with AP-FGID.
Comparative Molecular and Phytochemical Study of the Tree Species Santalum austrocaledonicum (Santalaceae) Distributed in the New‐Caledonian Archipelago

We have tried to elucidate the origin of phytochemical variation in trees by studying concomitantly the chemical and microsatellite variations in Santalum austrocaledonicum. Eight natural populations were sampled in the New‐Caledonian archipelago, a total of 157 individuals being analyzed. The main components, as revealed by gas chromatography (GC), were α‐ and β‐santalol (as in other sandalwood species), although the level of (Z)‐lanceol was particularly high. Most of the chemical variation was observed within populations (83.7%). With microsatellites, the variation between populations was more pronounced (32% of the total variation). Although the chemical variation between populations was small, we investigated the effects of genetic drift and migration by comparing the chemical‐ and molecular‐differentiation patterns. The poor congruence between neighbor‐joining trees, confirmed by the non‐significant Mantel test between the molecular and chemical distance matrices (R=0.26, P=0.12), showed that genetic drift and migration are not the main evolutionary forces acting on chemical differentiation between populations. We could not find any effect of soil and rainfall conditions neither.
Vector competence of selected South African Culicoides species for the Bryanston serotype of equine encephalosis virus

Equine encephalosis virus (EEV) was recognized and described in the Republic of South Africa in 1967 and subsequent serological studies have shown this orbivirus to be both widespread and prevalent in southern Africa. In the present study it was shown that wild‐caught Culicoides (Avaritia) imicola Kieffer (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) can become infected with and permit the replication of the Bryanston serotype of EEV following membrane‐feeding on infective blood containing 5.0 log10 plaque‐forming‐units (PFU)/ml. The mean prevalence of Bryanston virus infection in C. imicola after 10 days extrinsic incubation at 23.5°C was 22.3% (23/103). The mean infectivity of Bryanston virus in the infected C. imicola increased from 1.3 log10 PFU/midge, in insects assayed immediately after feeding on the blood‐virus mixture, to 2.6 log10 PFU/midge in insects assayed after incubation. The virus concentration in individual C. imicola infected with the Bryanston serotype of EEV ranged from 0.7 to 3.6 log10 PFU/midge. Bryanston virus titres higher than 2.5 log10 TCID50, found in individual C. imicola, suggest that this species may be able to transmit this virus to susceptible hosts. Prevalence of virus infection in C. imicola was determined by PFU and microtitration assays on both BHK and Vero cells and confirmation of the Bryanston serotype of EEV was determined by plaque inhibition. No virus replication could be demonstrated in 102 C. nivosus tested after the incubation period, suggesting that not all Culicoides species are equally susceptible to Bryanston virus infection. Other Culicoides species that survived the incubation period and that were negative for the presence of Bryanston virus were C. pycnostictus (42), C. leucostictus (7), C. magnus (2), C. bolitinos (1) and C. bedfordi (1).
Short-Dwell Cycling Intraperitoneal Cefazolin Plus Ceftazidime in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

♦ Background: Current guidelines suggest that intraperitoneal (IP) antibiotics should be administered only in a long peritoneal dialysis (PD) dwell (≥ 6 hours). The long dwell might result in low ultrafiltration and volume overload. We aim to examine plasma and dialysate concentration of cefazolin and ceftazidime after IP administration in a short-dwell (≤ 2 hours) automated cycling exchange. ♦ Methods: Stable PD patients without peritonitis were invited to participate in the present study. Patients underwent 5 2-liter exchanges of PD fluid over 10 hours by the PD cycling machine without last fill or additional dwell. Cefazolin and ceftazidime (20 mg/kg each) were added to the first 5-liter bag of 2.5% dextrose PD fluid that was placed on the warmer of the PD cycling machine. Plasma samples were collected at 12 time-points over 24 hours. Dialysate samples from each exchange were also collected. Antibiotic concentrations in plasma and dialysate were then determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). ♦ Results: Six stable PD patients without peritonitis participated in the study. Dialysate cefazolin and ceftazidime were consistently high throughout the PD session in all patients (26 – 360 mg/L). Plasma cefazolin and ceftazidime exceeded the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for susceptible organisms (≤ 8 mg/L) within 2 hours (cefazolin 28.5 ± 8.0 and ceftazidime 12.5 ± 3.4 mg/L), peak at 10 hours (51.1 ± 14.1 and 23.0 ± 5.2 mg/L) and sustained well above the MIC at 24 hours (42.0 ± 9.6 and 17.1 ± 3.1 mg/L). ♦ Conclusions: The short-dwell cycling IP cefazolin and ceftazidime could provide adequate plasma concentration for up to 24 hours. Daily short-dwell cycling IP cefazolin and ceftazidime might be used to treat peritonitis in PD patients already using a PD cycling machine as well as selected continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD) patients who need shorter dwells during peritonitis due to increasing peritoneal solute transport.
Conjugaison d'arbres et cartes combinatoires aléatoires

Cette these presente des algorithmes de generation aleatoire et des resultats d'enumeration pour les plongements de graphes ou cartes. Une premiere partie est consacree aux cartes planaires. La conjugaison d'arbres y est introduite et permet d'expliquer et de generaliser des resultats d'enumeration de w. T. Tutte et d'a. Hurwitz. Dans le meme temps, des algorithmes de generation aleatoire uniforme sont obtenus pour des familles elementaires de cartes. Une methode d'extraction/rejet permet alors d'etendre de maniere significative leur domaine d'application et leur efficacite. En particulier sont traites les cas jusqu'ici inaccessibles des polyedres convexes et des graphes planaires maximaux. L'etude de la complexite de ces algorithmes fait appel a des methodes analytiques. Comme premier exemple significatif d'application experimentale des generateurs, une conjecture sur le diametre des cartes planaires aleatoires est presentee. Dans une seconde partie les plongements dans les surfaces de genres superieurs sont abordes. Une bijection permet de donner un codage de ces cartes a l'aide de cartes a une face. Le reste de la these est consacre a obtenir des resultats d'enumeration, qui unifient les resultats connus pour cette famille.
Control selection for RNA quantitation.

The study of mammalian gene expression is often carried out at the level of mRNA. In such analyses, one usually measures the amount of an mRNA of interest under different conditions such as stress, growth, development, cell and tissue localization or as part of an evaluation of the effects of gene transfection. A variety of techniques exist to measure gene expression and most commonly involve Northern hybridization analysis, ribonuclease protection or RT-PCR. Common to all of these assays is the inclusion of a so-called loading or internal control (i.e., analysis of an mRNA that does not change in relative abundance during the course of treatments). Here, we discuss the uses and pitfalls of the most popular of these controls, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and beta-actin, with special emphasis on precautions associated with the use of GAPDH.
Study of control techniques for torque ripple reduction in BLDC motor

The smooth operation of varying speed drives is primary consideration regarding parameters such as Motor speed, Torque, variation of flux or electromagnetic back emf to obtained maximum efficiency. Under ideal condition, torque produced in BLDC motor with trapezoidal back emf is constant, But in practical cases, some pulsating torque is produced in motor due to motor manufacturing structure, designing factures such as slot, teeth etc. and one of main reason because of control strategies. Here, ideas related to reduction of torque ripples is done through motor structure and from control of driving parts of motor. This Paper reviews on torque pulsation relates with control side of BLDC motor. Therefore varieties of control techniques for different drive configuration are discussed.
Performance Comparison of Routing Protocols in Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks under Realistic Mobility Patterns

Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks (VANETs) have recently gained considerable attention from both research and industry communities. One of the challenges posed by the study of VANETs is the definition of routing protocols design. In this paper, a realistic simulation environment is developed based on Mobility model generator for Vehicular networks (MOVE) and Network Simulator (NS2). The performance of three classical routing protocols such as Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector (AODV), Ad hoc On-Demand Multipath Distance Vector (AOMDV) and Dynamic Source Routing (DSR) in various network conditions is evaluated and compared in the developed environment. Network delay, network packet delivery and network routing overhead are simulated with different nodes’ density (vehicles’ number) and under various simultaneous connections’ number. The simulation results show that DSR is not suitable for dense VANETs, while AODV have better network adaptability in dense VANETs. The performance of AOMDV is poor compared to AODV and DSR. Keywords— VANETs; MOVE; NS2; AODV; AOMDV; DSR
Chemical Characteristics and Oxidative Stability of Sesame Seed, Sesame Paste, and Olive Oils

Raw (intact) sesame seed showed a high content of oil, protein and ash: respectively, 52%, 24% and 5%. Studies were conducted on some quality characteristics of sesame and olive oils. The following values were obtained from raw sesame, sesame paste and olive oils, respectively: unsaponifiable matter 1.35, 1.46, and 1.50%; total phenols 14.21, 16.82, and 53.33 mg kg -1 oil; chlorophylls 0.04, 0.09 and 1.88 µg g -1 ; carotene 2.62, 3.66 and 19.10 µg g -1 ; refractive index 1.47, 1.47 and 1.47; saponification value 186.6, 185.75, and 97.94; iodine value 113.35, 91.34, and 81.23, acidity along with of 1.64, 1.10, and 1.12 mg KOH g -1 oil. Fatty acid profiles of raw sesame, sesame paste and olive oils showed a predominance of oleic acid (41.68%, 41.94%, and 52.14%, respectively) followed by linoleic-acid (38.29%, 37.48%, and 17.82%). Storage effect at 65°C of raw sesame, sesame paste and olive oils were later on studied. Results showed that the oxidative stability of raw sesame oil was higher than that of sesame paste oil. Due to its all favorable properties, sesame oil could be used in either food or cosmetic products.
The T helper 17–regulatory T cell axis in transplant rejection and tolerance

Purpose of reviewRegulatory T cells (Tregs) are potential therapeutic tools in averting transplant rejection and promoting lifelong tolerance. However, Tregs can be subverted by inflammatory conditions, resulting in a T helper 17 (Th17) cell response. This review looks at the relationship between Tregs and Th17 cells. Recent findingsBoth naturally occurring and transforming growth factor-β-induced Tregs can be converted into Th17 cells in the presence of inflammatory cytokines. Transforming growth factor-β upregulates the Treg transcription factor, forkhead box P3, as well as the Th17 transcription factor, retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γ. However, forkhead box P3 binds to retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γ, inhibiting its promotion of IL-17 gene transcription. Inflammatory cytokines can disrupt this interaction through the inhibition of forkhead box P3 expression by signal transducer and activator of transcription 3. SummaryThe plasticity of the Treg population during inflammation presents a challenge to the use of Tregs as a therapeutic tool in solid organ transplantation. Investigations into the Th17–Treg axis have identified a number of potential pharmacological targets to avoid the risk of conversion to Th17 cells, but further work must be done before we can separate the benefits of Treg therapy from the hazards of the Th17 response.
[Methods of increasing ischemic tolerance in liver surgery].

UNLABELLED The author evaluates an experimental model of hepatic resection. The goal of the study was to investigate ischaemic tolerance during liver resection. In this model, we also investigated the protective effects of ischemic preconditioning (IP), a PARP enzyme inhibitor (PJ-34), and an antioxidant glutamine (Gln). Inbred male Wistar rats were used for the experiments. Complete segmental ischaemia of the liver was achieved with or without using IP, PJ-34 or Gln pretreatment before the ischaemia. Microcirculation was monitored using laser Doppler flowmeter (LDF) throughout the ischaemia-reperfusion period. Required standardizations and mathematical analyses were performed in order to validate statistical analysis. Histological changes, immunohistochemistry (TUNEL, caspase), liver enzymes, bilirubin, and TNF-alpha levels were all measured simultaneously. RESULTS, CONCLUSION 30 minutes ischaemia was well tolerated by the liver and IP does not cause further improvement. 45 to 60 minutes ischaemia resulted in serious microcirculatory changes during reperfusion. 90 minutes ischaemia was unequivocally intolerable. The liver injury and microcirculatory changes caused by 45 or 60 minutes of ischemia could be reduced with IP. Improvement was observed both on histology and in survival rates. After 45 and 60 minutes, IP + I-R caused a significant decline in the TNF-alpha levels. IP, PJ-34 PARP-inhibitor and glutamine pretreatment prior to 60 minutes of ischaemia resulted in an improvement of microcirculation. Immunohistochemistry for activated caspase-3 demonstrated significantly higher apoptosis rates in the PJ-34 PARP-inhibitor and glutamine-pretreated groups, in contrast to the sham and I-R groups. Antioxidant levels in the serum and in the liver homogenates showed significant improvement in the IP and glutamine-pretreated groups.
Bisphosphonates as Adjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer

Great strides have been made over the last 20 years in the treatment of breast cancer and despite an increasing incidence, the number of deaths has fallen sharply since the late 1980s. The advent of new therapies, including taxanes and aromatase inhibitors, and exciting results announced recently using trastuzumab in the adjuvant treatment of HER2-positive patients should decrease this even further. However, although most patients present with disease that appears to be localized to the breast, a significant proportion of women will eventually develop metastatic breast cancer. Therefore, the detection and treatment of micrometastatic disease represents perhaps the most important remaining challenge in breast cancer management, and is the focus of extensive ongoing research. Bone is the most frequent site of distant relapse, accounting for approximately 40% of all first recurrences. In addition to the well recognized release of bone cell-activating factors from the tumor, it is now appreciated that the release of bone-derived growth factors and cytokines from resorbing bone can attract cancer cells to the bone surface and facilitate their growth and proliferation. Bisphosphonates are potent inhibitors of bone osteolysis and the inhibition of bone resorption could therefore have an effect on the development and progression of metastatic bone disease. They could represent an adjuvant therapeutic strategy of potential importance. Clinical trial results with the early bisphosphonate, clodronate, have proved inconclusive. A large, randomized, controlled trial has recently completed accrual and should provide the definitive answer to the question of the role of clodronate in this setting. More potent second- and third-generation bisphosphonates have also shown enhanced antitumor effects in preclinical evaluation and further studies are required to determine whether this antitumor potential of bisphosphonates translates to the clinical setting. Adjuvant bisphosphonates are, therefore, currently only recommended in the research setting and clinical trials evaluating the adjuvant use of these newer compounds are currently recruiting or being established. This article will review in more detail the rationale for the adjuvant use of bisphosphonates, the results of early trials, the progress of the later trials and the potential future role of bisphosphonates in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer. In addition, it is increasingly acknowledged that many cancer treatments have detrimental effects on bone and can increase the risk of fracture. The increasing use of aromatase inhibitors, in particular, will become a major cause of treatment-induced bone loss. This bone loss can be prevented with bisphosphonate treatment and this will also be discussed.
Prevalence of hearing impairment in patients with mild cognitive impairment

The correlation between hearing and cognition is well established in dementia, but not in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Objective The aim of the present study was to define the prevalence of hearing impairment in elderly patients with MCI and in controls. Methods Twenty-nine patients with MCI and 24 control subjects were analyzed. We evaluated memory and hearing impairments through clinical tests, including the Mini Mental Status Examination, Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) and Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly Screening (HHIE-S). Audiometries were performed in 22 patients with MCI and 19 subjects in a control group. Results MCI patients showed more hearing complaints (68.9%) compared to the control group (25%) (p=0.001). No differences in the intensity of hearing complaints, measured by the HHIE-S, were detected. Nonetheless, differences between mean hearing threshold (MCI group=23.4±11.3dB and control group=16.0±10.1dB) (p=0.03) were identified. Conclusions There is a significant association between MCI and hearing impairment. Hearing impairment in MCI patients may be a contributory factor to cognitive decline. This may however be related to the same neuropathological process, due to lesions of cortical areas related to hearing. The early diagnosis of hearing impairment in MCI patients may offer a more appropriate approach to this disease.
Placental TonEBP/NFAT5 Osmolyte Regulation in an Ovine Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction1

ABSTRACT TonEBP/NFAT5 (the tonicity-responsive enhancer binding protein/nuclear factor of activated T cells) modulates cellular response to osmotic changes by accumulating inositol and sorbitol inside the cells. Our objective was to assess placental osmolytes, TonEBP/NFAT5 RNA and protein expression, and signaling molecules across gestation between control and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) ovine pregnancies. Pregnant sheep were placed in hyperthermic conditions to induce IUGR. Placental tissues were collected at 55, 95, and 130 days gestational age (dGA) to measure inositol, sorbitol, TonEBP/NFAT5 (NFAT5), sodium-dependent myo-inositol transporter (SMIT; official symbol SLC5A3), aldose reductase (AR), and NADPH (official symbol DE-CR1). Placental weight was reduced in IUGR compared to controls at 95 and 130 dGA. Osmolyte concentrations were similar between control and IUGR placentas, but both groups demonstrated a significant decrease in inositol concentration and an increase in sorbitol concentration with advancing gestation. Cytosolic NFAT5 protein decreased significantly from 55 to 95 dGA in both groups, and nuclear NFAT5 protein increased only at 130 dGA in the IUGR group, but no differences were seen between groups for either cytosolic or nuclear NFAT5 protein concentrations. DE-CR1 concentrations were similar between groups and increased significantly with advancing gestational age. AR was lowest at 55dGA, and SLC5A3 increased with advancing gestational age. We conclude that both placental osmolytes inositol and sorbitol (and their corresponding proteins SLC5A3 and AR) change with gestational age and are regulated, at least in part, by NFAT5 and DE-CR1 (NADPH). The inverse relationship between each osmolyte across gestation (e.g., inositol higher in early gestation and sorbitol higher in late gestation) may reflect nutritional needs that change across gestation.
Haptoglobin: function and polymorphism.

Haptoglobin is an acute phase protein capable of binding haemoglobin, thus preventing iron loss and renal damage. Haptoglobin also acts as an antioxidant, has antibacterial activity and plays a role in modulating many aspects of the acute phase response. There are 3 major haptoglobin phenotypes--Hp(1-1), Hp(2-1) and Hp(2-2). Possession of a particular phenotype has been associated with a variety of common disorders (e.g. cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, malignancy), a fact which can only be explained by the idea that possession of a particular phenotype offers some protection against the development of these disorders. Knowledge of phenotype could therefore aid in the prognosis of disease and allow treatment to be better tailored to suit an individuals' needs.