Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular Detection of Candidatus Bartonella mayotimonensis in North American Bats.

Candidatus Bartonella mayotimonensis was detected in 2010 from an aortic valve sample of a patient with endocarditis from Iowa, the United States of America. The environmental source of the potentially new endocarditis-causing Bartonella remained elusive. We set out to study the prevalence and diversity of bat-associated Bartonella in North America. During 2015, mist nets and harp traps were used to capture 92 bats belonging to two species: little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus Le Conte 1831, n = 73) and the gray myotis (M. grisescens A.H. Howell 1909, n = 19) in Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. DNA preparations of peripheral blood samples from bats were subjected to a three-marker (gltA, rpoB, and intergenic spacer region [ISR]) multilocus sequence analysis. Sequence-verified gltA-positive PCR amplicons were obtained from nine samples. Three sequences were 99.7-100% identical with the gltA sequence of the Iowa endocarditis patient strain. Analysis of rpoB and ISR sequences demonstrated that one little brown myotis sample from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan contained Bartonella DNA, with 100% sequence identity with the Iowa endocarditis patient strain DNA. It appears possible that bats are a reservoir of Candidatus Bartonella mayotimonensis in North America.
Effective freezing rate for semen cryopreservation in endangered Mediterranean brown trout (Salmo trutta macrostigma) inhabiting the Biferno river (South Italy)

Summary This study was designed to determine: (i) the in vitro effects of different freezing rates on post-thaw semen quality of Mediterranean brown trout (Salmo trutta macrostigma) from the Biferno river; and (ii) the in vivo fertilization and hatching percentage of freezing rate giving rise to the best post-thaw semen quality. Pooled semen samples were diluted 1:3 (v:v) in a freezing extender composed of 300 mM glucose, 10% egg yolk and 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The extended semen was packaged in 0.25 ml plastic straws and frozen at different heights above the liquid nitrogen surface (1, 5 or 10 cm) for 10 min to give three different freezing rates. Semen samples were thawed at 30°C for 10 s. The variables assessed after thawing were sperm motility, duration of motility and viability. Our results clearly indicate a significant effect of freezing rate on post-thaw semen quality. Semen frozen 5 cm above the liquid nitrogen surface showed the best quality after freezing/thawing. Based on these in vitro data, 2 groups of 200 eggs were fertilized with fresh semen or semen frozen 5 cm above the liquid nitrogen surface. Fertilization and hatching rates recorded for eggs fertilized with frozen semen were significantly lower (25.4% and 22.5%, respectively) than the ones obtained using fresh semen (87.8% and 75.5%, respectively). An effective freezing protocol will allow for the creation of a sperm cryobank to recover the original population of Mediterranean brown trout in the Biferno river.
Increased Angiogenesis at the Site of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Rupture

Abstract: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture is associated with elevated levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP). Medial neovascularization is a known characteristic of established AAAs and involves proteolytic degradation of extracellular matrix by MMPs to facilitate endothelial cell proliferation and migration. This study evaluated the extent of neovascularization in abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture. Results indicated upregulation of proangiogenic cytokines and increased medial neovascularization at the aneurysm rupture edge compared with paired aneurysm anterior sac. Further investigations into the role of angiogenesis in aneurysm rupture may open novel therapeutic avenues to prevent aneurysm rupture.
Adenovirus DNA replication in soluble extracts of infected cell nuclei.

Synthesis of viral DNA after infection of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells has been studied to understand the replication of the viral genome itself, as well as to serve as a substrate for the analysis of components necessary for host-chromosomal replication (Kaufmann et al. 1977; Kornberg; Sumida-Yasumoto et al.; Hillenbrand et al.; Liu et al.; all this volume). Viral systems have been essential because the physical and enzymatic studies used to characterize the replication reaction are considerably more difficult on the large host DNA molecules. These models have been particularly useful in the study of the molecular mechanisms of prokaryotic DNA replication because many of the smaller phages require host-coded gene products for replication (Wickner and Hurwitz, 1975; Bouche et al. 1975; Sumida-Yasumoto et al.; Meyer et al.; both this volume).
Comparison of changes in physical functioning of elderly patients with new diagnoses of cancer.

BACKGROUND Controversy surrounds the impact of site of cancer and treatments on functioning of elderly cancer patients. OBJECTIVES This research determines (1) whether age, gender, comorbid conditions, site and stage of cancer, and treatments are related to losses in physical functioning at 4 observations during the year after diagnosis; (2) whether symptoms are a mediating variable between treatment and function; and (3) which indicators account for true change in functioning in the year after diagnosis. METHODS An inception cohort of 907 patients aged > or =65 years and newly diagnosed with breast, colon, lung, or prostate cancer were accrued from 24 community oncology programs. Stage and treatment data were obtained from medical records. Physical functioning was measured with the SF-36 subscale. Interviews were conducted at 6 to 8, 12 to 16, 26 to 30, and 52 weeks after diagnosis. RESULTS Men scored 10 points higher on physical function than women at all observation points. Patients with > or =3 comorbid conditions scored lower in functioning. Interactions between site of cancer and treatment modalities were observed. Pain, fatigue, and numbers of symptoms were independent predictors of loss of function. Surgery, female gender, and number of symptoms predicted reliable change in function. CONCLUSIONS Elderly patients with cancer report levels of function similar to other chronic conditions. Scores on physical function varied by site of cancer; the pattern of change was similar among sites. Age, comorbidity, treatment modalities, and symptom reports each had an independent effect on loss of functioning. Untreated breast cancer patients had lower functioning, suggesting a possible treatment bias.
Protective effect of methyl-3-O-methyl gallate against sodium fluoride-induced oxidative stress in rat’s cardiac tissues

Methyl 3-O-methyl gallate (M3OMG), a naturally-occurring compound of limited distribution, can be readily synthesized from methyl gallate. In the present study, the protective effect of M3OMG of synthetic origin on fluoride-induced cardiotoxicity and oxidative stress in cardiac tissues of rats was evaluated. After intraperitonial administration of M3OMG (10 and 20 mg/kg bw), or the positive control (ascorbic acid at 10 mg/kg bw), for seven consecutive days, rats were intoxicated by fluoride (F) with sodium fluoride (NaF) at 600 ppm in their drinking water for a further week. The level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were examined in the cardiac homogenates. The results showed that F intoxication caused a significant abnormality in the levels of TBARS and GSH as well as in the activities of antioxidant enzymes in cardiac tissues. M3OMG at the dose of at 20 mg/kg bw significantly suppressed the NaF-induced enhanced level of TBARS. M3OMG also restored the NaF-induced abnormality in the activities of SOD and CAT and the level of GSH in cardiac tissues. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) at 10 mg/kg bw also showed a comparable amelioration of the NaFinduced toxicity in the rat heart. Taking all the results together, M3OMG demonstrated a notable cardioprotective role against NaF-induced toxicity and oxidative stress in rat cardiac tissues.
Identifying children with chronic arthritis based on chief complaints: absence of predictive value for musculoskeletal pain as an indicator of rheumatic disease in children.

OBJECTIVE To examine complaints for which children were referred to a pediatric rheumatology service and to determine whether there are specific complaints that are more likely to indicate the presence of chronic arthritis or chronic, systemic inflammatory disease. METHODS A retrospective chart review of 414 children referred to the pediatric rheumatology service at the Children's Hospital of Oklahoma from April 1998 to July 2001. RESULTS Musculoskeletal pain was the most common complaint for which children were referred (n = 226). Of these, 111 had musculoskeletal pain as an isolated complaint. One of these children had a chronic inflammatory disease. Another 115 children had pain as 1 of several reasons for seeking a rheumatology consultation, including positive results on laboratory tests (antinuclear antibody, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and rheumatoid factor). Nineteen of these children had a chronic inflammatory disease, including 12 with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Thus, musculoskeletal pain as a presenting complaint had a strong negative predictive value for the presence of either JRA (0.95) or any other chronic inflammatory disease that might be characterized by arthritis. Children who were referred, in part, because of positive antinuclear antibody and/or rheumatoid factor tests were no more likely to have a chronic inflammatory disease than children who did not include such results as a reason for referral. Joint swelling, in contrast, was the most likely complaint to be associated with a diagnosis of JRA. CONCLUSIONS Musculoskeletal pain was the most common reason for referral to our pediatric rheumatology clinic. However, isolated musculoskeletal pain, in the absence of other signs or symptoms, is almost never a presenting complaint of children with chronic forms of arthritis. Children with arthritis more commonly present with complaints of joint swelling and/or gait disturbance. Neither ANA nor rheumatoid factor evaluations were useful in evaluating children with musculoskeletal complaints.
Decentralized Robust Control for Dynamic Routing of Large Scale Networks

A variable structure decentralized controller for dynamic routing in multi-destination large-scale data communication networks is presented. A dynamic model, which can incorporate different processing delays at different nodes, is developed to describe the network dynamics. It is shown that the proposed controller guarantees stability and clears the queues of the system in the absence of external input flows. The controller also keeps the queue lengths bounded in the presence of external flow rates, which do not exceed a certain maximum flow rate (obtained by solving a LP optimization problem - there is no solution to the routing problem if these rates are exceeded). Furthermore, the controller is also robust with respect to variations in the processing delay constants. Some simulation results are presented to illustrate the controller's performance in a number of practical cases.
Association of Plasmid-Mediated Quinolone Resistance with Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase VEB-1

ABSTRACT Association of the plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinant QnrA and the blaVEB-1 gene was identified in a single Enterobacter cloacae isolate from K. -Bicêtre, France, and in 11 out of 23 blaVEB-1-positive enterobacterial isolates from Bangkok, Thailand. This result may explain in part the association between quinolone and extended-spectrum β-lactam resistance.
What factors determine membership to farmer groups in Uganda? Evidence from the Uganda Census of Agriculture 2008/9.

Farmer groups have returned to the policy agenda of many developing countries because of their attractiveness as facilitators and accelerators of technical and economic change in rural areas and as potential avenues for mobilizing farmers around a common objective especially in the delivery of services and formulation of policies that support agriculture development. In Uganda, the government and development agencies are targeting farmer groups as the vehicle for agricultural development in the country. Despite this significance of farmer groups in the policy agenda little is known on the level of membership and the factors influencing the decision of farmers to join these groups. Using the Uganda Census of Agriculture 2008/9 data, the study reveals that nationally, membership to groups is low at 9 and 16 percent amongst individual farmers and agriculture households respectively. Northern Uganda had the highest level of membership followed by Western Uganda. The Central region had the least membership. Farmer characteristics that influenced membership to groups were found to be: age, gender, marital status, major activity and education achievement. Distance to extension services was a major factor influencing membership to groups in addition to distances to the to all year gravel road for some regions. To increase membership to farmer groups, government and development agencies need to provide more time and resources to group formation with targeting directed towards illiterate farmers and those far away from extension workers. The use of the local language in publicity materials is also important in ensuring participation among the illiterate. Overall, there is a need for concerted efforts by all institutions supporting groups to ensure that groups’ approach succeeds in improving access to agricultural technologies and ensuring that noticeable outcomes are achieved for them to attract more farmers like the out grower schemes in Ghana. Other groups based factors including governance, capacity in knowledge, resources and sustainability should be enhanced as it will motivate the more riskaverse farmers to join the groups.
Online branding strategies of UK fashion retailers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on exploratory research that aims to contribute to knowledge on online branding, and the way in which the online channel is being used to support brands. The focus of this research is the top multi‐channel UK fashion retailers.Design/methodology/approach – Content analyses were performed on the web sites of a number of top fashion and clothing retailers, plus three supermarket chains with a strong presence in clothes retailing. An analysis of the extent to which the retailers were using their web site to provide online services and information provided a context for a more detailed analysis of online branding strategies, including communicating brand identity and presence, and building brand relationships.Findings – Most top “non‐value” fashion retailers offer transactions through their web site, offering extended opportunities for brand engagement and experience. While all fashion retailers achieve consistency of visual identity between the online and othe.
Segmental aneuploidy and the genetic gross structure of the Drosophila genome.

By combining elements of two Y-autosome translocations with displaced autosomal breakpoints, it is possible to produce zygotes heterozygous for a deficiency for the region between the breakpoints, and also, as a complementary product, zygotes carrying a duplication for precisely the same region. A set of Y-autosome translocations with appropriately positioned breakpoints, therefore, can in principle be used to generate a non-overlapping set of deficiencies and duplications for the entire autosomal complement. -Using this method, we have succeeded in examining segmental aneuploids for 85% of chromosomes 2 and 3 in order to assess the effects of aneuploidy and to determine the number and location of dosage-sensitive loci in the Drosophila genome (Figure 5). Combining our data with previously reported results on the synthesis of Drosophila aneuploids (see Lindsley and Grell 1968), the following generalities emerge. -1. The X chromosome contains no triplo-lethal loci, few or no haplo-lethal loci, at least seven Minute loci, one hyperploid-sensitive locus, and one locus that is both triplo-abnormal and haplo-abnormal. 2. Chromosome 2 contains no triplo-lethal loci, few or no haplo-lethal loci, at least 17 Minute loci, and at least four other haplo-abnormal loci. 3. Chromosome 3 contains one triplo-lethal locus that is also haplo-lethal, few or no other haplo-lethal loci, at least 16 Minute loci, and at least six other haplo-abnormal loci. 4. Chromosome 4 contains no triplo-lethal loci, no haplo-lethal loci, one Minute locus, and no other haplo-abnormal loci. -Thus, the Drosophila genome contains 57 loci, aneuploidy for which leads to a recognizable effect on the organism: one of these is triplo-lethal and haplo-lethal, one is triplo-abnormal and haplo-abnormal, one is hyperploid-sensitive, ten are haplo-abnormal, 41 are Minutes, and three are either haplo-lethals or Minutes. Because of the paucity of aneuploid-lethal loci, it may be concluded that the deleterious effects of aneuploidy are mostly the consequence of the additive effects of genes that are slightly sensitive to abnormal dosage. Moreover, except for the single triplo-lethal locus, the effects of hyperploidy are much less pronounced than those of the corresponding hypoploidy.
Spermatogonial stem cells: characteristics and experimental possibilities

The continuation of the spermatogenic process throughout life relies on a proper regulation of self‐renewal and differentiation of the spermatogonial stem cells. These are single cells situated on the basal membrane of the seminiferous epithelium. Only 0.03% of all germ cells are spermatogonial stem cells. They are the only cell type that can repopulate and restore fertility to congenitally infertile recipient mice following transplantation. Although numerous expression markers have been helpful in isolating and enriching spermatogonial stem cells, such as expression of THY‐1 and GFRα‐1 and absence of c‐kit, no specific marker for this cell type has yet been identified. Much effort has been put into developing a protocol for the maintenance of spermatogonial cells in vitro. Recently, coculture systems of testicular cells on various feeder cells have made it possible to culture spermatogonial stem cells for a long period of time, as was demonstrated by the transplantation assay. Even expansion of testicular cells, including the spermatogonial stem cells, has been achieved. In these culture systems, hormones and growth factors are investigated for their role in the process of proliferation of spermatogonial stem cells. At the moment the best culture system known still consists of a mixture of testicular cells with about 1.33% spermatogonial stem cells. Recently pure SV40 large T immortalized spermatogonial stem cell lines have been established. These c‐kit‐negative cell lines did not show any differentiation in vitro or in vivo. A telomerase immortalized c‐kit‐positive spermatogonial cell line has been established that was able to differentiate in vitro. Spermatocytes and even spermatids were formed. However, spermatogonial stem cell activity by means of the transplantation assay was not tested for this cell line. Both the primary long‐term cultures and immortalized cell lines have represented a major step forward in investigating the regulation of spermatogonial self‐renewal and differentiation, and will be useful for identifying specific molecular markers.
The Brain Gain of Corporate Boards: A Natural Experiment from China

We study the impact of directors with foreign experience on firms in emerging markets. To establish causality, we use a unique dataset from China and exploit that at different times, Chinese provinces introduced policies to attract highly talented emigrants. These policies led to an exogenous increase in the supply of Chinese individuals with foreign experience in the local labor market and ultimately increased the likelihood that firms in these provinces had directors with foreign experience in comparison to firms with a similarly high demand for these skills elsewhere. We document that hiring directors with foreign experience results in higher firm valuation, productivity, and profitability. Furthermore, corporate governance improves and firms are more likely to make international acquisitions, to export, and to raise funds internationally. These results indicate that the transfer of knowledge to emerging markets occurs not only through foreign investment, but also through labor flows and, in particular, return migration.
Dissemination of performance information and continuous improvement: A narrative systematic review.

PURPOSE Developing a performance measure and reporting the results to support decision making at an individual level has yielded poor results in many health systems. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the factors associated with the dissemination of performance information that generate and support continuous improvement in health organizations. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH A systematic data collection strategy that includes empirical and theoretical research published from 1980 to 2010, both qualitative and quantitative, was performed on Web of Science, Current Contents, EMBASE and MEDLINE. A narrative synthesis method was used to iteratively detail explicative processes that underlie the intervention. A classification and synthesis framework was developed, drawing on knowledge transfer and exchange (KTE) literature. The sample consisted of 114 articles, including seven systematic or exhaustive reviews. FINDINGS Results showed that dissemination in itself is not enough to produce improvement initiatives. Successful dissemination depends on various factors, which influence the way collective actors react to performance information such as the clarity of objectives, the relationships between stakeholders, the system's governance and the available incentives. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS This review was limited to the process of knowledge dissemination in health systems and its utilization by users at the health organization level. Issues related to improvement initiatives deserve more attention. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Knowledge dissemination goes beyond better communication and should be considered as carefully as the measurement of performance. Choices pertaining to intervention should be continuously prompted by the concern to support organizational action. ORIGINALITY/VALUE While considerable attention was paid to the public reporting of performance information, this review sheds some light on a more promising avenue for changes and improvements, notably in public health systems.
Effect of the Source of Dietary Fat on Postweaning Lipogenesis in Lean and Fat Pigs

Twenty-four male piglets weaned after 21 days, 12 of the Large White lean breed (LW) and 12 of the Alentejano fat breed (AL), have been used to compare the effects of genotype and source of dietary fat on the activities of enzymes involved in lipogenesis and on the composition of selected fatty tissues. During 4 weeks the piglets were fed isoenergetic and isonitrogenous experimental diets, containing 5% of either olive oil or tallow. In AL piglets the acetylcoenzyme A carboxylase activity was three- and ninefold higher, the malic enzyme activity six- and fivefold, and the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was four- and fivefold higher in the dorsal subcutaneous and in the perirenal fat, respectively, than in LW piglets. In general, fatty tissues of the AL piglets contained a higher proportion of saturated fatty acids. Olive oil induced a significant increase in the activities of malic enzyme and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in both tissues, but only slightly increased the acetylcoenzyme A carboxylase activity in perirenal fatty tissues (p < 0.05). The fatty acid profile of the subcutaneous and of the perirenal fat was strongly affected by the composition of dietary fat. These observations showed that the source of dietary fat influenced markedly lipid metabolism and body composition since a very early age.