Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vitro microbial protein synthesis, ruminal degradation and post‐ruminal digestibility of crude protein of dairy rations containing Quebracho tannin extract

This study evaluated the effects of Quebracho tannin extract (QTE) on in vitro ruminal fermentation, chemical composition of rumen microbes, ruminal degradation and intestinal digestibility of crude protein (iCPd). Three treatments were tested, the control (basal diet without QTE), the basal diet with 15 g QTE/kg dry matter (DM) and the basal diet with 30 g QTE/kg DM. The basal diet contained (g/kg DM): 339 grass silage, 317 maize silage and 344 concentrate. In vitro gas production kinetic was determined using the Hohenheim gas test (Experiment 1). The Ankom RF technique, a batch system with automatic gas pressure recordings, was used to determine in vitro production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and ammonia-nitrogen concentration (NH3 -N), as well as nitrogen and purine bases content in liquid-associated microbes (LAM) and in a residue of undegraded feed and solid-associated microbes (Feed+SAM) (Experiment 2). Ruminal degradation and iCPd were determined using the nylon bag technique and the mobile nylon bag technique, respectively (Experiment 3). Gas production (Experiment 1), total SCFA and NH3 -N (Experiment 2) decreased with increasing QTE levels. Microbial mass and composition of LAM were not affected by QTE, but total mass of Feed+SAM linearly increased, likely due to decreased substrate degradation with increasing QTE levels. The total amount of N in microbial mass and undegraded feed after the in vitro incubation increased with increasing QTE levels, suggesting a potential greater N flow from the rumen to the duodenum. In contrast to in vivo studies with the same QTE, no effects were detected on ruminal effective degradability and iCPd, when using the nylon bag techniques. Based on the in vitro procedures, QTE increased the supply of N post-rumen; however, some evidence of a decreased fibre degradation were also observed. Therefore, the benefit of adding QTE to diets of cattle is still questionable.
Evaluation of a prison‐based hepatitis B immunisation pilot project

This paper describes the evaluation findings of a hepatitis B immunisation pilot project, which aimed to increase the uptake and compliance of hepatitis B vaccinations among female prisoners in Victoria. The evaluation used a mixed methods approach including in‐depth interviews, focus group discussions and an analysis of quantitative data. Fifty‐five per cent of potential participants (391/712) were offered hepatitis B immunisation. Of those offered immunisation, 204 were eligible for immunisation and 169 (83%) received the first dose. Ninety‐three per cent of eligible women received two doses and 84% completed the three‐dose series. Lessons learnt from the pilot led to the revision of key prison hepatitis B immunisation policies and practices to ensure uniformity across Victorian prisons.
Mia40 Protein Serves as an Electron Sink in the Mia40-Erv1 Import Pathway*

Background: Oxidized substrates such as Tim13 acquire two disulfide bonds simultaneously, but Mia40 has one active redox center that accepts two electrons. Results: Mia40 can acquire up to six electrons when oxidizing substrates. Conclusion: Mia40 has the flexibility to accept several electrons. Significance: Mechanistic properties of the MIA pathway are unique compared with redox pathways in the endoplasmic reticulum and bacterial periplasm. A redox-regulated import pathway consisting of Mia40 and Erv1 mediates the import of cysteine-rich proteins into the mitochondrial intermembrane space. Mia40 is the oxidoreductase that inserts two disulfide bonds into the substrate simultaneously. However, Mia40 has one redox-active cysteine pair, resulting in ambiguity about how Mia40 accepts numerous electrons during substrate oxidation. In this study, we have addressed the oxidation of Tim13 in vitro and in organello. Reductants such as glutathione and ascorbate inhibited both the oxidation of the substrate Tim13 in vitro and the import of Tim13 and Cmc1 into isolated mitochondria. In addition, a ternary complex consisting of Erv1, Mia40, and substrate, linked by disulfide bonds, was not detected in vitro. Instead, Mia40 accepted six electrons from substrates, and this fully reduced Mia40 was sensitive to protease, indicative of conformational changes in the structure. Mia40 in mitochondria from the erv1–101 mutant was also trapped in a completely reduced state, demonstrating that Mia40 can accept up to six electrons as substrates are imported. Therefore, these studies support that Mia40 functions as an electron sink to facilitate the insertion of two disulfide bonds into substrates.
Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy – a generalized epilepsy syndrome?

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) has been classified as a syndrome of idiopathic generalized epilepsy and is characterized by specific types of seizures, showing a lack of pathology using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography scanning. However, JME is associated with a particular personality profile, and behavioral and neuropsychologic studies have suggested the possible involvement of frontal lobe dysfunction. The development of highly sensitive neuroimaging techniques has provided a means of elucidating the underlying mechanisms of JME. For example, positron emission tomography has demonstrated neurotransmitter changes in the cerebral cortex, quantitative MRI has revealed significant abnormalities of cortical gray matter in medial frontal areas, and 1H‐magnetic resonance spectroscopy has shown evidence of thalamic dysfunction, which appears to be progressive. Such techniques provide evidence of multi‐focal disease mechanisms, suggesting that JME is a frontal lobe variant of a multi‐regional, thalamocortical ‘network’ epilepsy, rather than a generalized epilepsy syndrome.
Down Syndrome and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Clinicians might minimize the prevalence of behavioral disorders among mentally retarded people. Decreased attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are frequently reported in children with Down syndrome, yet the exact prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has not been clearly estimated in this population. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of ADHD in children with Down syndrome and to emphasize the possible relationship between ADHD symptoms and the level of mental retardation and common medical comorbidity. In this study, the prevalence of ADHD among Down syndrome children was very high, reaching 43.9%. No significant correlation was found between ADHD symptoms and the level of mental retardation, but significant correlation was found with ophthalmologic problems. We conclude that children with Down syndrome are at increased risk for ADHD. When evaluating children with Down syndrome for attention deficits, psychiatric comorbidity as well as medical problems should be carefully taken into consideration.
Association of HLA profiles with early plasma viral load, CD4+ cell count and rate of progression to AIDS following acute HIV‐1 infection

Background:Host genetic factors, such as HLA alleles, play an important role in mediating the course of HIV-1 disease progression through largely undefined mechanisms. Objectives:To examine the association of HLA markers with HIV-1 RNA plasma viral load and other factors associated with course of disease progression in HIV-1 infection. Design and methods:A group of 139 HIV-1 seroconverters from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study had been typed for a variety of HLA markers. HIV-1 RNA plasma viral load was measured from frozen plasma specimens obtained approximately 9 months following seroconversion. CD4+ cell counts were available from the same study visit. Statistical analysis was performed using survival techniques and linear regression models to quantify the relative associations of an HLA score profile, HIV-1 RNA plasma viral load, CD4+ cell count and age with each other and with rate of progression to AIDS and death. Results:Cox proportional hazards models showed statistically significant differences in time to AIDS by HLA score profile category per unit increase [relative hazard (RH), 0.64; P < 0.0001], HIV-1 RNA plasma viral load per 10-fold increase (RH, 2.04; P = 0.0003), and CD4+ cell count per 100 cell (× 106/l) increase (RH, 0.90; P = 0.02). Multivariate linear regression showed that viral load was 39% lower (P = 0.0001) for each unit increase in HLA score profile and 13% lower (P = 0.002) for each 100 cell (× 106/l) increase in CD4+ cell count. Conclusions:The means by which the HLA score profile influences the time to AIDS is probably through immunologic responses that affect the rate of HIV-1 replication, as manifested by the HIV-1 RNA plasma viral load during the first 6–12 months following acute infection.
Radiopacity of resin-based materials measured in film radiographs and storage phosphor plate (Digora).

This study compared the radiopacity of 41 resin-based materials using conventional dental x-ray film (Ultraspeed-D) and a digital system (Digora) based on storage phosphor plate technology. For the film-based technique, optical density measurements were carried out using an X-Rite densitometer. Al equivalents (mm) were calculated as described in the literature using a calibration curve of Optical Density versus the thickness of aluminum. Regarding the digital system after exposures of 0.16 and 0.32 seconds, the images were exported to an image processing software (NIH Image Engineering). An approach similar to that used for optical density was used to generate a calibration curve for gray pixel values. Linear correlations were found between the percentage of fillers by weight and x-ray film radiopacity and the Digora system, and the same coefficient of estimation was recorded (r=0.60; p< or = 0.05). A linear correlation was also observed between the conventional x-ray film technique and the Digora system (r=0.93;p< or = 0.05). Using two different exposure times did not affect the radiopacity. Considerable differences were found among materials of the same category. Flowable resin composites were more radiopaque than dentin, while microfine composites were "radiolucent. " Most of the available resin-based materials were more radiopaque than enamel. The radiopacity of resin composites depended on their fillers (percentage and type). Using elements with low atomic numbers (Si) resulted in radiolucent materials, while adding elements with high molecular numbers (Ba, Y, Yb), resulted in radiopaque resin composites. Despite the numerous benefits offered by the digital imaging system (low irradiation dose, instant image, image manipulation), the conventional x-ray film technique seems to be more accurate for radiopacity measurements.
What strain of pig should be used?

The recent demonstration of prolonged diabetes reversal after intraportal xenotransplantation of wild-type adult and neonatal pig islet xenografts in immunosuppressed non-human primates marks a major step in the development of pig islets as a cellular therapeutic for the treatment of diabetes [1,2]. Initiation of clinical testing of pig islets will require additional progress in two areas. First, a clinically applicable immunotherapeutic strategy for the prevention of islet xenograft rejection will need to be developed and its safety and effectiveness will need to be documented in pivotal preclinical studies in non-human primates. Second, designated pathogen-free pigs will need to be raised in biosecure barrier facilities as prospective donor animals to minimize the risk of xenozoonosis in transplant recipients. Therefore, suitable candidate pigs must be selected that will form the basis for a breeding program in such biosecure barrier facilities. Several factors such as health status, pathogen load, retroviral replication, and immunogenetics will determine the suitability of a certain donor pig. This review will not address these important questions; it will rather ask what breed and strain of pig are expected to yield the highest number of intact islets and should hence be considered a suitable xenoislet donor. Pig islets have been considered elusive because of their marked fragility and because of their rapid dissociation into single cells during the isolation process [3,4]. Furthermore several studies have reported large variability of islet yield from different donor pigs [4–6], suggesting that the breed and strain of donor animals have a major impact on the outcome of islet isolation from juvenile and adult pigs. The strain used is much less likely to determine the quality and yield of neonatal islet products. Therefore, this review will focus on juvenile and adult pigs as islet donors and examine straindependent differences in islet morphology and islet yield. Reviewed studies were predominantly performed on adult pigs (mostly sows older than 12 to 18 months) and used the automated method for islet isolation [4]; only very few investigators studied juvenile (4 to 8 months) or young-adult (9 to 12 months) pigs. For pig islet xenotransplantation to become economically feasible in diabetic patients, it will be highly desirable to allow restoration of insulin independence with islets prepared from no more than 3 to 5 juvenile donor pigs. To accomplish this, we will need to identify a strain of pigs that yields on a consistent basis more than 350 000 viable, purified, and cultured islet equivalents (IE) from a juvenile donor.
Nondestructive Testing of Back-Side Local Wall-Thinning by Means of Low Strength Magnetization and Highly Sensitive Magneto-Impedance Sensors

A nondestructive testing method is presented for inspection and evaluation of back-side local thinning in ferromagnetic structures. It is shown that the change of initial magnetic leakage reluctivity is correlated with a local thinning's reduced thickness and thinning area; a thinning's transversal length is more significant than the longitudinal length in terms of thinning area. The faint magnetic flux leakage excited from back-side local thinning can be detected by highly sensitive magneto-impedance sensors. Validation tests were carried out by moving a probe over a local thinning in the transversal and longitudinal directions, respectively. Results show the feasibility of inspecting and evaluating back-side local thinning by using small magnetization force and highly sensitive magneto-impedance sensors.
Altered starch structure is associated with endosperm modification in Quality Protein Maize

The biochemical basis of modified kernel texture in Quality Protein Maize (QPM) is poorly understood. Proteomic analysis of several QPM lines indicated increased levels of granule-bound starch synthase I in the soluble nonzein protein fraction of these genotypes. Increased extraction of this enzyme reflected a change in starch structure, which was manifested as shorter amylopectin branches and increased starch-granule swelling. In mature kernels, these alterations in starch structure were associated with interconnections between starch granules that resulted in a vitreous kernel phenotype. Understanding the molecular basis for this previously uncharacterized starch structure will accelerate the development of QPM.
Pituitary TRH Receptors a

TRH plays a central role in regulating the pituitary-thyroid axis.lS2 TRH stimulates thyrotropin release and de nouo thyrotropin synthesis in all mammalian species. The peptide acts as an equally potent stimulator of prolactin secretion and synthesis; however, its function in normal prolactin physiology remains unclear. The TRH response is exaggerated in hypothyroidism and blunted in hyperthyroidism. Passive immunization with antiserum to TRH results in a decrease in circulating thyrotropin and a much smaller decrease in prolactin. = Administration of a bolus of TRH to euthyroid animals causes a prompt increase in circulating thyrotropin and prolactin. The importance of TRH in regulating thyroid activity is also supported by recent evidence that the concentration of mRNA for the TRH precursor is regulated by thyroid status in the medial parvocellar neurons of the paraventricular nucleus, known to be the thyrotropic area, but not in the lateral hyp~tha lamus . ~ The actions of TRH in thyrotropes and mammotropes are initiated by interaction with a specific membrane receptor. ”’0 The TRH receptor appears to be restricted to responsive cells, as high-affinity TRH receptors are not found on cells from organs unresponsive to the tripeptide. Furthermore, only a fraction of anterior pituitary cells apparently bind radioactive TRH by autoradiographic localization, consistent with restriction of receptors to thyrotropes and mammotropes. I ’ r3H]TRH binding has been studied extensively using tumor models of thyrotropes and mammotropes.8-10 The most frequently studied lines were derived from the mouse thyrotropic Tt/T tumor and the mammotropic Mt/TwS tumors, which have given rise to GH,, GH3, GH4 C,, and related cell lines. r3H]TRH binding has also been studied in normal pituitary cells and human prolactinomas; however, these models are more difficult to work with because of limited tissue availability and heterogeneity.
The efficacy of preoperative positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) for detection of lymph node metastasis in cervical and endometrial cancer: clinical and pathological factors influencing it.

OBJECTIVE We studied the diagnostic performance of (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography in cervical and endometrial cancers with particular focus on lymph node metastases. METHODS Seventy patients with cervical cancer and 53 with endometrial cancer were imaged with (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography before lymphadenectomy. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography using the final pathological diagnoses as the golden standard. RESULTS We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography. In cervical cancer, the results evaluated by cases were 33.3, 92.7, 55.6 and 83.6%, respectively. When evaluated by the area of lymph nodes, the results were 30.6, 98.9, 55.0 and 97.0%, respectively. As for endometrial cancer, the results evaluated by cases were 50.0, 93.9, 40.0 and 95.8%, and by area of lymph nodes, 45.0, 99.4, 64.3 and 98.5%, respectively. The limitation of the efficacy was found out by analyzing it by the region of the lymph node, the size of metastatic node, the historical type of tumor in cervical cancer and the prevalence of lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSION The efficacy of positron emission tomography/computed tomography regarding the detection of lymph node metastasis in cervical and endometrial cancer is not established and has limitations associated with the region of the lymph node, the size of metastasis lesion in lymph node and the pathological type of primary tumor. The indication for the imaging and the interpretation of the results requires consideration for each case by the pretest probability based on the information obtained preoperatively.
Higher Incidence of Elevated Body Temperature or Increased C‐Reactive Protein Level in Asthmatic Children Showing Transient Reduction of Theophylline Metabolism

The authors investigated whether theophylline metabolism is decreased in asthmatic patients and what condition may be related to its reduction. Fifty‐two children with asthma were given 15 mg/kg/day aminophylline intravenously at a constant rate. Blood and spot urine samples were collected at 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours after beginning infusion. The ratio of plasma theophylline concentration at 72 hours to that at 24 hours (C72h/C24h) varied from 0.42 to 1.51 (average 0.894). Plasma theophylline concentration of patients with lower C72h/C24h than average reduced significantly, while the concentration of those with higher C72h/C24h remained unchanged. The urinary ratio of the sum of the metabolites to theophylline was significantly increased in the patients with the lower ratio. Among the demographic characteristics examined, significant difference was found only in the incidence of patients with C‐reactive protein (CRP) of 0.5 mg/dl or greater or patients with a fever of 37.5°C or greater when admitted. Acute febrile illness accompanied by increased CRP level may affect theophylline metabolism.
Complete replication of human cytomegalovirus in explants of first trimester human placenta

Tissue integrity and viability of first trimester placenta explants were obtained in culture for 3 weeks. Explants were infected with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), several cycles of HCMV replication were obtained and the progression of the infection was observed within a tissue that maintains its normal cellular organization. In agreement with recent clinical data, 3 weeks were necessary for the virus to colonize the placenta fully. Complete HCMV replication was observed in trophoblasts, followed by subsequent transmission of the infection to the stromal fibroblasts and fetal endothelial capillary cells. Viral DNA replication was monitored and the production of infectious viral progeny documented. J. Med. Virol. 64:499–504, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tacrolimus in transplant rejection

Introduction: Renal transplantation is the best therapy for patients with end-stage renal disease. To avoid graft rejection, adequate immunosuppressive therapy is crucial. Tacrolimus is approved for prophylaxis of transplant rejection in liver, kidney or heart allograft recipients and for the treatment of allograft rejection resistant to treatment with other immunosuppressive medicinal products. Areas covered: The objective of this review is to summarize the clinical efficacy of tacrolimus in renal transplantation with special emphasis on acute rejection, refractory rejection and nephrotoxicity and post-transplant diabetes mellitus as typical adverse effects of the drug. Expert opinion: Since its approval in 1994, tacrolimus has proven its efficacy as a cornerstone of modern immunosuppressive therapy not only in numerous randomized clinical trials but also in standard clinical care. Compared with cyclosporine, the use of tacrolimus in renal transplant recipients is associated with a reduced risk for acute rejection, a reduction in the occurrence of steroid-resistant rejection and a better graft function. The avoidance of nephrotoxicity and especially post-transplant diabetes mellitus are of major interest in long-term care of renal transplant recipients.