Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Incorporating parasite data in population structure studies of South African sardine Sardinops sagax

SUMMARY A multidisciplinary approach has been applied to examine the population structure of sardine Sardinops sagax off South Africa, where this species supports significant fisheries and is also of ecological and eco-tourism importance. Observations of discontinuous sardine distribution patterns, discrete spawning grounds and significant spatial differences in a variety of phenotypic characteristics have suggested the existence of discrete western, southern and eastern sardine sub-populations or stocks. The use of parasites as biological tags to elucidate sardine population structure has recently been investigated, and strong spatial gradients around South Africa in the prevalence, mean infection intensity and mean abundance of a digenean ‘tetracotyle’ type metacercarial endoparasite considered to be of the genus Cardiocephaloides and found in the humours of fish eyes support and have proved particularly convincing evidence for the sardine multiple stock hypothesis. A discontinuous distribution in the occurrence of another parasite, the coccidean Eimeria sardinae found in fish testes, has provided additional but weaker evidence of discrete stocks. These results have contributed to a changed understanding of the population structure of South African sardine and have significant implications for management of the fisheries for this species.
Regime-switching measure of systemic financial stress

In this paper, I propose an approach to measuring systemic financial stress. In particular, abrupt and large changes in the volatility of financial variables that represent the dynamics of the US financial sector are modeled with a joint regime-switching process, distinguishing “low” and “high” volatility regimes. I find that the joint “high” volatility regime for the TED spread, return on the NYSE index, and capital-weighted CDS spread for large banks is closely related to periods of financial stress. This result suggests that the probability of the joint high volatility regime of these financial variables can be considered as a measure of systemic financial stress.
Characteristics of African traditional beers brewed with sorghum malt: a review

Caracteristiques des bieres traditionnelles africaines brassees avec le malt de sorgho (synthese bibliographique). Les bieres traditionnelles a base de sorgho sont produites dans plusieurs pays d’Afrique, mais les processus de fabrication varient en fonction de leur localisation geographique. Elles sont tres riches en calories, en vitamines du groupe B comprenant la thiamine, l’acide folique, la riboflavine et l’acide nicotinique, et en acides amines essentiels tels que la lysine. Cependant, les bieres africaines a base de sorgho sont moins attrayantes que les bieres occidentales en raison de leur qualite hygienique, de la variation de leurs caracteristiques organoleptiques et de leur courte duree de conservation. Les recherches sur les caracteristiques microbiologiques, biochimiques et technologiques des bieres traditionnelles africaines ont ete effectuees et documentees dans plusieurs pays d’Afrique. L’objectif de cette revue bibliographique sur les bieres traditionnelles a base de sorgho est de recapituler le processus de fabrication et les caracteristiques des bieres traditionnelles africaines (ikigage, merissa, doro, dolo, pito, amgba et tchoukoutou) a base de sorgho, tout en precisant les differences majeures avec la biere a base de malt d’orge. Cette revue s’adapte egalement au progres accompli dans l’amelioration des bieres traditionnelles africaines a base de sorgho.
Deep Dyslexic Phenomena in a Letter-by-Letter Reader

Numerous accounts of pure alexia have suggested that prelexical impairment precludes rapid access to orthographic information in patients with the disorder. We report a patient with features of both pure and partially recovered deep dyslexia in whom we demonstrate prelexical deficits in maintaining a reliable abstract representation of the right side of letter arrays, as well as in modulating a "spotlight" of visual attention. These deficits, we suggest, encourage the patients's use of a letter-by-letter reading strategy; despite them, however, he demonstrates rapid, accurate reading of some, but not all classes of words. Furthermore, the patient's reading is influenced by both prelexical and lexical-semantic factors such that speed and accuracy are optimal for high imagiability nouns of few letters. Finally, the patient accurately names orally spelled words of all classes. Taken together, these data are consistent with the hypothesis that rapid reading may be enabled by lexical-semantic support from a right hemisphere-mediated processing system which recognizes words as whole, thereby mitigating the effect of the prelexical deficits.
Strong Commitment to Traditional Protestant Religious Beliefs is Negatively Related to Beliefs in Paranormal Phenomena

Numerous studies have yielded small, negative correlations between measures of paranormal and “traditional religious beliefs”. This may partly reflect opinions of Christians in the samples who take biblical sanctions against many “paranormal” activities seriously. To test this, 391 college students (270 women and 121 men) rated their beliefs in various paranormal phenomena and were classified as Believers, Nominal Believers, and Nonbelievers on the strength of their self-rated commitment to key biblical (particularly Protestant) doctrines. As predicted, Believers were significantly less likely than Nominal Believers or Nonbelievers to endorse reincarnation, contact with the dead, UFOs, telepathy, prophecy, psychokinesis, or healing, while the beliefs of Nominal Believers were similar to those of Nonbelievers. Substantial percentages of Nominal and Nonbelievers (30–50%) indicated at least moderate acceptance of the paranormal phenomena surveyed.
COMPARISON OF LEVELS OF ADENOSINE 3′,5′‐MONOPHOSPHATE IN HIGHLY PURIFIED AND MIXED PRIMARY CULTURES OF NEURONS AND NON‐NEURONAL CELLS FROM EMBRYONIC CHICK SYMPATHETIC GANGLIA

Primary cultures containing ≥99% neurons, ≥99% non‐neuronal cells (glia), or both cell types were prepared from the sympathetic ganglia of 12‐day chick embryos. Levels of cyclic AMP in the non‐neuronal cells (∼14 pmol/mg protein) were approximately 3‐fold higher than levels in the neurons (∼4 pmol/mg protein). Mixed cultures had concentrations of cyclic AMP which fell between the values measured for pure neuronal and pure non‐neuronal cultures. The measured cyclic AMP values of mixed cultures were indistinguishable from values predicted by summing the expected contributions of the neurons and non‐neuronal cells. Thus, contact between the neurons and non‐neuronal cells in these mixed cultures did not appear to alter the level of cyclic AMP in either cell type. Neuronal‐glial interactions, such as the specific neuronal stimulation of non‐neuronal cell proliferation, occurred independently of any changes in the level of cyclic AMP in the mixed cultures. Cell density was varied in both pure and mixed cultures, and both cyclic AMP concentrations and amounts of [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA were measured. The cyclic AMP content of the non‐neuronal cells varied inversely with cell density. [3H]Thymidine incorporation was independent of cell density in both neuronal and non‐neuronal cultures. Parallel density‐dependent decreases in cyclic AMP concentration and [3H]thymidine incorporation were observed in mixed cultures as cell density was increased. The data suggest that there is no relationship between changes in rate of non‐neuronal cell proliferation and cyclic AMP levels in these cultures.
PRK1 Is Targeted to Endosomes by the Small GTPase, RhoB*

RhoB has been shown to be an endosomal GTPase both by immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy, however, its role in endocytosis is unknown. Elucidation of the cellular roles of other members of this superfamily of signaling proteins has come with the identification of their downstream partners. We show here that the recently isolated serine/threonine kinase PRK1 is targeted to the endosomal compartment by RhoB. This is established both through immunofluorescence and cell fractionation. PRK1 is shown to interact with activated RhoB in cells and is localized to endosomes through its Rho-binding HR1 domain. Translocation of PRK1 to the endosomal compartment by RhoB is accompanied by a shift in the electrophoretic mobility of the kinase indicative of an accompanying activation.
Enterogastric Intussusception: a Rare Postoperative Complication

Abstract The authors present a case of postoperative enterogastric intussusception after previous Billroth II-gastrectomy, associated with a Braun’s W-anastomosis of the efferent small bowel loop. Loss of viability of the incarcerated jejunal loop required segmental small bowel resection. Total recovery was obtained. Literature is reviewed concerning diagnosis and treatment of adult intestinal intussusception.
Fluconazole vs. flucytosine in the treatment of esophageal candidiasis in AIDS patients: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS Contrasting opinions exist as to the pharmacological treatment of esophageal candidiasis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients. The aim of this study has been to evaluate the role, therapeutic efficacy, and the cost-benefit ratio of two antifungal drugs, fluconazole and flucytosine, compared with a placebo, in the treatment of endoscopically-diagnosed esophageal candidiasis in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 60 HIV-positive patients (38 males and 22 females, mean age 27 +/- 2) with a first episode of esophageal candidiasis diagnosed by endoscopy (grades I-II of Kodsi's endoscopic classification, and grades I-IIa of Barbaro's clinical classification). No other opportunistic infection of the esophagus was detected. In a double-blind procedure, patients were randomized into three groups of 20 patients each, receiving either fluconazole (3 mg/kg/daily per os), flucytosine (100 mg/kg/daily per os) or placebo. After two weeks of treatment, the patients previously assigned to receive the placebo were double-blindly randomized to receive fluconazole (eight patients) or flucytosine (nine patients). In order to evaluate the efficacy of pharmacological therapy, clinical examination was performed at weeks 2 and 5, and then every week up to the end of follow-up (three months); endoscopic examination was performed at weeks 2 and 5, and at the end of follow-up. RESULTS At week 2, endoscopic cure (grade 0) was observed in 13 patients (65%) of the fluconazole group and in three patients (15%) in the flucytosine group (relative risk ratio: 0.23; 95% C.I.: 0.10-0.48; p < 0.05), and a partial endoscopic response (grade I) was observed in two patients (10%) in the placebo group. Complete clinical remission (grade 0) was observed in 16 patients (80%) in the fluconazole group and 12 patients (60%) in the flucytosine group (relative risk ratio: 0.75; 95% C.I.: 0.42-0.89; p = n.s.), while six patients (30%) in the placebo group presented partial clinical remission (grade I). At the end of follow-up, endoscopic cure was observed in 19 patients (70%) in the fluconazole group and in nine patients (33%) in the flucytosine group (relative risk ratio: 0.47; 95% C.I.: 0.19-0.65; p < 0.05). Complete clinical remission was observed in 21 patients (77.7%) in the fluconazole group and in 17 patients (63%) in the flucytosine group (relative risk ratio: 0.81; 95% C.I.: 0.53-0.92; p = n.s.). No noticeable side-effects were observed in the patients in either treatment group, without a statistically significant difference in comparison with the placebo. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study have demonstrated that both fluconazole and flucytosine are safe and well tolerated in the treatment of esophageal candidiasis in AIDS patients. Fluconazole showed greater therapeutic efficacy than flucytosine, with a difference that was statistically significant in terms of the rate of endoscopic cure.
Evidence of a Novel IL-2/15Rβ-Targeted Cytokine Involved in Homeostatic Proliferation of Memory CD8+ T Cells1

The homeostasis of memory CD8+ T cells is regulated by cytokines. IL-15 is shown to promote the proliferation of memory CD8+ T cells, while IL-2 suppresses their division in vivo. This inhibitory effect of IL-2 appears to occur indirectly, through other cell populations including CD25+CD4+ T cells; however, the details of this mechanism remain unclear. In this study, we show that 1) both Ag-experienced and memory phenotype CD8+ T cells divided after the depletion of IL-2 in vivo; 2) this division occurred normally and CD44highIL-2/15Rβhigh CD8+ T cells generated after IL-2 depletion in IL-15 knockout (KO) and in IL-7-depleted IL-15 KO mice; 3) surprisingly, the blockade of IL-2/15Rβ signaling in IL-2-depleted IL-15 KO mice completely abolished the division of memory CD8+ T cells, although the only cytokines known to act through IL-2/15Rβ are IL-2 and IL-15; and 4) the expression of IL-2/15Rβ molecules on memory CD8+ T cells was required for their division induced by IL-2 depletion. These results demonstrate that the depletion of IL-2 in vivo induced memory CD8+ T cell division by an IL-15-independent but by an IL-2/15Rβ-dependent mechanism, suggesting the existence of a novel IL-2/15Rβ-utilizing cytokine that acts directly on memory CD8+ T cells to promote cell division.
What makes people experience flow? Social characteristics of online games

Online games are games in which users play simultaneously with each other in a virtual environment. The success of online games relies on the repetitive visits of players, and thus on the very personal experiences of players. Drawing on the theory of flow, this paper empirically explores how the characteristics of online games affect the individual flow experience. Three antecedents to flow (skills, challenges and focused attention) have positive influence on the flow experience. Interactivity, whether it is human or machine, is found to influence the antecedents of the flow experience, and system performance is shown to have no or marginally significant effects. The results show that social characteristics of online games are more crucial to online game success than technological ones.
Innervation of VIP‐immunoreactive neurons by the ventroposteromedial thalamic nucleus in the barrel cortex of the rat

We investigated the synaptic terminals of fibers originating in the ventroposteromedial thalamic nucleus (VPM) and projecting to the main input layers (IV/III) of the rat posteromedial barrel subfield. It was our aim to determine whether or not the subpopulation of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)‐immunoreactive neurons in these layers are directly innervated by the sensory thalamus. Anterograde tracing with Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA‐L) and immunohistochemistry for VIP were combined for correlated light and electron microscopic examination. Columns of cortical tissue were well defined by barrel‐like patches of PHA‐L‐labeled fibers and boutons in layers IV and III. Within these columns VIP‐immunoreactive perikarya were located mainly in supragranular layers. Marked perikarya were also seen in infragranular layers, but their immunoreactivity was often weaker. Granular layer IV, which is the main terminal field for thalamic fibers, contained fewer VIP neurons than supragranular layers. In the light microscope, however, PHA‐L‐labeled fibers appeared to contact the somata or proximal dendrites of 60–86% of the layer IV VIP neurons. By contrast, only 18–35% of the VIP neurons in the supragranular layers, which receive a moderately dense projection from the VPM, appeared to be contacted. PHA‐L‐labeled boutons were seen close to 13–25% of infragranular VIP‐positive cells. Electron microscopy showed that thalamic fibers formed at most four asymmetric synapses on a single layer IV, VIP‐positive neuron. Although the proportion of VIP‐positive neurons with labeled synapses was lower in supragranular layers, most of them shared multiple asymmetric synapses with labeled thalamic fibers. Up to six labeled synapses were seen on individual VIP neurons in layer III. We conclude that subpopulations of VIP‐immunoreactive neurons, located in layers IV, III, and II are directly innervated by the VPM. These neurons may be involved in the initial stages of cortical processing of sensory information from the large, mystacial vibrissae. Since VIP is known to be colocalized with the inhibitory transmitter GABA, it is likely that VIP neurons participate in the shaping of the receptive fields in the barrel cortex. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Oxidized phospholipids inhibit canonical Wnt signaling and osteoblast differentiation via ERK activation

Accumulating lines of evidence have indicated that hyperlipidemia not only is a well-established etiological factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), but also plays an active role in regulating bone metabolism. As a mixture of oxidized phospholipids derived from the oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL), oxidized 1-palmitoyl2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (ox-PAPC) is reported to be one of the major bioactive mediators in hyperlipidemia-associated pathological events. In this study, the effects of ox-PAPC on osteoblast differentiation and the underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated. Briefly, MC3T3-E1 murine pre-osteoblast cells were treated with Wnt-3a and/or ox-PAPC, and changes in canonical Wnt signaling pathway, ERK pathway, p38 MAPK pathway and the expression levels of bone-related genes were evaluated using real-time RT-PCR, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, Western blot and immunofluorescent staining. We found that ox-PAPC inhibited canonical Wnt signaling, which resulted in decreased expressions of bone-related genes. Although ox-PAPC treatment activated both ERK and p38 MAPK pathways, the inhibitory effects of ox-PAPC on canonical Wnt signaling and the expressions of bone-related genes were successfully reversed only by ERK inhibitor PD98059. In conclusion, oxidized phospholipids inhibit canonical Wnt signaling pathway and osteoblast differentiation, which is mediated by the activation of the ERK pathway.
Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Is Helicobacter pylori Infection a Protective Factor?

Background: The mechanisms for the observed low prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are unknown, but might be important for the pathogenesis of IBD. We have studied the seroprevalence of H. pylori in different categories of IBD and evaluated the role of medical therapy, smoking and social status. We also analysed the effect of seropositivity on the age of onset of IBD in order to find possible evidence for the protective effect of the infection. Methods: We studied 296 (mean age 43 years, range 18-79; women 144) unselected patients with IBD, including 185 with ulcerative colitis (UC), 94 with Crohn disease (CD), and 17 with indeterminate colitis (IC). Seventy healthy age- and sex-matched subjects served as controls. Serum samples were studied for H. pylori antibodies. Detailed clinical history was obtained from patient records and by face-to-face interview. Results: The prevalence of H. pylori infection was lower in IBD patients (24%) than in controls (37%; P = 0.029), and in CD lower (13%) than in UC (30%; P = 0.002). Seropositivity was not related to sulphasalazine treatment or smoking. Age of onset of IBD was higher in seropositive (mean 40 years) than in seronegative patients (30 years; P < 0.001). The age of onset of IBD showed unimodal distribution in H. pylori seronegative patients, with a peak between 30 and 40 years, although there was some evidence of bimodality in CD. In contrast, H. pylori seropositive patients had clear bimodal pattern with peaks at 20-40 and 50-60 years of age. Conclusions: Our results confirm the low prevalence of H. pylori infection in IBD, and in particular in CD. The significantly higher age of onset and bimodal pattern of age-specific incidence in seropositive IBD patients suggest that H. pylori infection significantly modifies the development of IBD and may have a protective effect.
A case of pelvic malignant paraganglioma

Abstract We report a rare case of pelvic malignant paraganglioma that was treated with surgery, combination chemotherapy and radiation. A 47‐year‐old man was diagnosed with pelvic malignant paraganglioma that had metastasised to the thoracic vertebrae. The pelvic mass, which was 6 cm in size, was on the posterior side of the bladder and had invaded the prostate, seminal vesicle and bladder neck. We resected the intrapelvic tumor and lymph nodes using cystoprostatectomy. Metastases to bilateral obturator lymph nodes and the right internal iliac lymph node were shown by pathology. Adjuvant therapies included six courses of the combination chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, vincristine and dacarbazine), and 12 courses of VP‐16 therapy. Radiation therapy was done for metastasis of the thoracic vertebrae. Local recurrence, progression of bone metastasis and new metastasis have not been detected since these treatments. The patient has been clinically stable during 20 months of follow‐up. Chemotherapy of cyclophosphamide, vincristine and dacarbazine and VP‐16 with radiation appears to be effective in treating advanced malignant paraganglioma.
Strontium Uptake in Shell Aragonite from the Freshwater Gastropod Limnaea stagnalis

Shell aragonite from 96 specimens of the freshwater gastropod Limnaea stagnalis grown in laboratory tanks at different temperatures in water with variable strontium/calcium ratios have been analyzed for its strontium content in order to evaluate the mechanisms of strontium uptake in molluskan aragonite. Within the limits defined by natural freshwater environments, the strontium/calcium ratio in the aragonite was found to be linearly related to the strontium/calcium ratio in the water. A distribution coefficient kASr = 0.237 � 0.029, unaffected by variations in temperature and growth rate, has been found. This finding substantiates the existence of a strontium-discriminating effect in aragonite precipitated by mollusks as compared to the case for nonbiogenic aragonite which contains about five times as much strontium when precipitated under the same conditions.