Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Imidazolium salts as antifungal agents: strong antibiofilm activity against multidrug‐resistant Candida tropicalis isolates

The in vitro activity of the imidazolium salt C16MImCl against planktonic and biofilm cells of multidrug‐resistant isolates of Candida tropicalis was evaluated, both in solution and applied on a commercial catheter surface. This was determined by inhibition and susceptibility assays of biofilm and planktonic cells. In both cases, C16MImCl prevented in vitro biofilm formation of C. tropicalis strains, including multidrug‐resistant ones. Outstanding performances were observed, even at extremely low concentrations. Furthermore, this is the first report of the antifungal lock property of C16MImCl, using a tracheal catheter as the test specimen to mimic a clinical in vivo condition. As such, C16MImCl has been identified as a promising antimicotic pharmaceutical candidate for the treatment of candidiasis infections.
Effect of polyethylene glycol on in vitro degradability ofnitrogen and microbial protein synthesis fromtannin-rich browse and herbaceous legumes

Determination of microbial degradability of N is important in formulating a sound supplementation strategy for efficient utilisation of basal as well as supplementary diet components. In vitro degradability of N (IVDN) from tannin-containing browses (Acacia cyanophylla, Acacia albida, Acioa barteri and Quercus ilex) and two herbaceous legumes (Desmodium intortum andDesmodium uncinatum) was determined using the in vitro gas-production method coupled with NH3-N measurement in the presence and absence of a tannin-binding agent (polyethylene glycol (PEG), molecular mass 6000). Addition of PEG to tannin-containing feeds significantly (P < 0·05) increased in vitro gas and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and IVDN. The use of PEG as a tannin-binding agent increased IVDN from 28 to 59, 32 to 72, 19 to 40, 32 to 73, 40 to 80, and 26 to 77 % in A. cyanophylla, A. albida, A. barteri, D. intortum,D. uncinatum and Q. ilexrespectively. There was significant correlation between total phenolic compounds (total phenol, TP; total tannin, TT) in leguminous forages and percentage increase in IVDN on addition of PEG (P < 0·05; R2 0·70 and 0·82 for TP and TT respectively). The difference in IVDN observed in the absence and presence of PEG indicates the amount of protein protected from degradation in the rumen by tannins. When measured after 24 h incubation, tannin-containing feeds incubated in absence of PEG resulted in higher microbial protein synthesis than in the presence of PEG. Addition of PEG significantly (P < 0·05) reduced the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis expressed as μmol purine/mmol SCFA.
Multicenter Comparison of Roche COBAS AMPLICOR MONITOR Version 1.5, Organon Teknika NucliSens QT with Extractor, and Bayer Quantiplex Version 3.0 for Quantification of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 RNA in Plasma

ABSTRACT The performance and characteristics of Roche COBAS AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR version 1.5 (CA MONITOR 1.5) UltraSensitive (usCA MONITOR 1.5) and Standard (stCA MONITOR 1.5) procedures, Organon Teknika NucliSens HIV-1 RNA QT with Extractor (NucliSens), and Bayer Quantiplex HIV RNA version 3.0 (bDNA 3.0) were compared in a multicenter trial. Samples used in this study included 460 plasma specimens from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 (HIV-1)-infected persons, 100 plasma specimens from HIV antibody (anti-HIV)-negative persons, and culture supernatants of HIV-1 subtype A to E isolates diluted in anti-HIV-negative plasma. Overall, bDNA 3.0 showed the least variation in RNA measures upon repeat testing. For the Roche assays, usCA MONITOR 1.5 displayed less variation in RNA measures than stCA MONITOR 1.5. NucliSens, at an input volume of 2 ml, showed the best sensitivity. Deming regression analysis indicated that the results of all three assays were significantly correlated (P < 0.0001). However, the mean difference in values between CA MONITOR 1.5 and bDNA 3.0 (0.274 log10 RNA copies/ml; 95% confidence interval, 0.192 to 0.356) was significantly different from 0, indicating that CA MONITOR 1.5 values were regularly higher than bDNA 3.0 values. Upon testing of 100 anti-HIV-negative plasma specimens, usCA MONITOR 1.5 and NucliSens displayed 100% specificity, while bDNA 3.0 showed 98% specificity. NucliSens quantified 2 of 10 non-subtype B viral isolates at 1 log10 lower than both CA MONITOR 1.5 and bDNA 3.0. For NucliSens, testing of specimens with greater than 1,000 RNA copies/ml at input volumes of 0.1, 0.2, and 2.0 ml did not affect the quality of results. Additional factors differing between assays included specimen throughput and volume requirements, limit of detection, ease of execution, instrument work space, and costs of disposal. These characteristics, along with assay performance, should be considered when one is selecting a viral load assay.
Managing Phenol Contents in Crop Plants by Phytochemical Farming and Breeding—Visions and Constraints

Two main fields of interest form the background of actual demand for optimized levels of phenolic compounds in crop plants. These are human health and plant resistance to pathogens and to biotic and abiotic stress factors. A survey of agricultural technologies influencing the biosynthesis and accumulation of phenolic compounds in crop plants is presented, including observations on the effects of light, temperature, mineral nutrition, water management, grafting, elevated atmospheric CO2, growth and differentiation of the plant and application of elicitors, stimulating agents and plant activators. The underlying mechanisms are discussed with respect to carbohydrate availability, trade-offs to competing demands as well as to regulatory elements. Outlines are given for genetic engineering and plant breeding. Constraints and possible physiological feedbacks are considered for successful and sustainable application of agricultural techniques with respect to management of plant phenol profiles and concentrations.
A DNA-Reacting Factor in Serum of a Patient with Lupus Erythematosus Diffusus.∗

Conclusions While further investigations are in progress, the following conclusions may be provisionally drawn: 1) in serum of a patient with acute Lupus Erythematosus diffusus a factor has been found specifically reacting with purified DNA; 2) this factor does not discriminate between DNAs from different sources and species; 3) under usual criteria it seems to behave like an antibody; 4) the positive reaction of this peculiar serum against a treponemic extract appears to be due to the presence of desoxypentose nucleic acids in the extract. 5) It has not been possible to test whether the serum of this patient, which gave a strongly positive L. E. phenomenon, would retain this ability after absorption with DNA; hence it is impossible now to decide how closely this factor is related to the Hargrave Haserick's globulin. Because no reactivity against DNA was demonstrated in 8 other patients with a positive L.E. phenomenon, the DNA reacting factor of this peculiar serum might be regarded as an occasional expression of the disease, related to the wellknown auto-immune hyperreactivity of the L.E. patients. If the factor is demonstrated not to be an antibody the alternative explanation could be of a material of nuclear origin still able to form a complex with DNA.
From two-dimensional nano-sheets to roll-up structures: expanding the family of nanoscroll

The carbon nanoscroll (CNS), a spiral structure rolled up from a flat graphene sheet, has attracted significant attention due to its large surface area and broad electrochemical window. Despite the rapid emergence of many new two-dimensional (2D) materials, studies on nanoscrolls beyond CNS, however, remain limited. In this work, we combine first-principles calculations and theoretical analyses to determine the stable configuration of nanoscrolls constructed from several 2D materials, including graphene, h-BN, MoS2, graphyne, phosphorene, and graphene oxide. Our study shows that the inner radius of these nanoscrolls ranges from 0.36–2.3 nm, significantly expanding that of CNS (about 1.2 nm). In addition, it is shown that the difference between the inner and outer pressures of nanoscrolls can be used to tune their core sizes. Furthermore, the effect of interlayer friction is found to be significant and may play a dominant role in determining the core sizes. The present study not only expands the nanoscroll family, but also enriches the understanding of nanoscrolls in terms of the effects of pressure and friction, thus widening the application range of nanoscrolls as nano-actuators, ion/water channels, nano-sensors, and hydrogen/energy storage devices, etc.
Requirement of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases and IκB Phosphorylation for Induction of Proinflammatory Cytokines Synthesis by Macrophages Indicates Functional Similarity of Receptors Triggered by Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Anchors from Parasitic Protozoa and Bacterial Lipopolysaccharide1

In the present study, we evaluated the ability of GPI-anchored mucin-like glycoproteins purified from Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes (tGPI-mucin) to trigger phosphorylation of different mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and related transcription factors in inflammatory macrophages. Kinetic experiments show that the peak of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK)-1/ERK-2, stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) kinase-1/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase-4, and p38/SAPK-2, phosphorylation occurs between 15 and 30 min after macrophage stimulation with tGPI-mucin or GPI anchors highly purified from tGPI-mucins (tGPI). The use of the specific inhibitors of ERK-1/ERK-2 (PD 98059) and p38/SAPK-2 (SB 203580) phosphorylation also indicates the role of MAPKs, with possible involvement of cAMP response element binding protein, in triggering TNF-α and IL-12 synthesis by IFN-γ-primed-macrophages exposed to tGPI or tGPI-mucin. In addition, tGPI-mucin and tGPI were able to induce phosphorylation of IκB, and the use of SN50 peptide, an inhibitor of NF-κB translocation, resulted in 70% of TNF-α synthesis by macrophages exposed to tGPI-mucin. Finally, the similarity of patterns of MAPK and IκB phosphorylation, the concentration of drugs required to inhibit cytokine synthesis, as well as cross-tolerization exhibited by macrophages exposed to tGPI, tGPI-mucin, or bacterial LPS, suggest that receptors with the same functional properties are triggered by these different microbial glycoconjugates.
A Gain-of-Function Mutation in the Transcription Factor Upc2p Causes Upregulation of Ergosterol Biosynthesis Genes and Increased Fluconazole Resistance in a Clinical Candida albicans Isolate

ABSTRACT In the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans, the zinc cluster transcription factor Upc2p has been shown to regulate the expression of ERG11 and other genes involved in ergosterol biosynthesis upon exposure to azole antifungals. ERG11 encodes lanosterol demethylase, the target enzyme of this antifungal class. Overexpression of UPC2 reduces azole susceptibility, whereas its disruption results in hypersusceptibility to azoles and reduced accumulation of exogenous sterols. Overexpression of ERG11 leads to the increased production of lanosterol demethylase, which contributes to azole resistance in clinical isolates of C. albicans, but the mechanism for this has yet to be determined. Using genome-wide gene expression profiling, we found UPC2 and other genes involved in ergosterol biosynthesis to be coordinately upregulated with ERG11 in a fluconazole-resistant clinical isolate compared with a matched susceptible isolate from the same patient. Sequence analysis of the UPC2 alleles of these isolates revealed that the resistant isolate contained a single-nucleotide substitution in one UPC2 allele that resulted in a G648D exchange in the encoded protein. Introduction of the mutated allele into a drug-susceptible strain resulted in constitutive upregulation of ERG11 and increased resistance to fluconazole. By comparing the gene expression profiles of the fluconazole-resistant isolate and of strains carrying wild-type and mutated UPC2 alleles, we identified target genes that are controlled by Upc2p. Here we show for the first time that a gain-of-function mutation in UPC2 leads to the increased expression of ERG11 and imparts resistance to fluconazole in clinical isolates of C. albicans.
Observation of singular diameters in the coexistence curves of metals.

We report the first reliable determination of the liquid-vapor coexistence curves of the metals cesium and rubidium. Both curves are noticeably different from those of nonmetallic fluids in their extreme vapor-liquid asymmetry which causes the law of rectilinear diameter to break down. The functional form of the diameter is consistent with the suggestion by Goldstein and Ashcroft that the strong state dependence of the effective interparticle forces leads to large amplitudes of the 1 -$\ensuremath{\alpha}$ anomaly.
Network Bending: Manipulating The Inner Representations of Deep Generative Models

We introduce a new framework for interacting with and manipulating deep generative models that we call network bending. We present a comprehensive set of deterministic transformations that can be inserted as distinct layers into the computational graph of a trained generative neural network and applied during inference. In addition, we present a novel algorithm for clustering features based on their spatial activation maps. This allows features to be grouped together based on spatial similarity in an unsupervised fashion. This results in the meaningful manipulation of sets of features that correspond to the generation of a broad array of semantically significant aspects of the generated images. We demonstrate these transformations on the official pre-trained StyleGAN2 model trained on the FFHQ dataset. In doing so, we lay the groundwork for future interactive multimedia systems where the inner representation of deep generative models are manipulated for greater creative expression, whilst also increasing our understanding of how such "black-box systems" can be more meaningfully interpreted.
Organ crosstalk: the role of the kidney

Purpose of reviewAcute kidney injury (AKI) continues to contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality in the ICU setting, especially when associated with distant organ dysfunction. There is increasing evidence that AKI directly contributes to organ dysfunction in lung, brain, liver, heart and other organs. This review will examine our current understanding of the deleterious organ crosstalk in the critically ill, which can provide a framework for developing novel therapeutics. Recent findingsThe majority of studies correlating AKI with distant organ dysfunction have demonstrated the pathophysiological importance of proinflammatory and proapoptotic pathways as well as oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Leukocyte activation and infiltration, changes in levels of soluble factors such as cytokines and chemokines, and regulation of cell death in extra-renal organs are potentially important mechanisms by which AKI modulates multiorgan dysfunction. SummaryThere is increasing knowledge of AKI and deleterious interorgan crosstalk that arises, at least in part, due to the imbalance of immune, inflammatory, and soluble mediator metabolism that attends severe insults to the kidney. Further studies can build on these new mechanistic observations to develop strategies to improve outcomes in the critically ill patient.
Comparison of sernyl with other drugs: simulation of schizophrenic performance with sernyl, LSD-25, and amobarbital (amytal) sodium; I. Attention, motor function, and proprioception.

Study of the pathological mechanisms implicated in schizophrenia has recently been accelerated by the production of model psychoses through the use of Psychotomimetic drugs. Our laboratories have previously reported 6 Psychotomimetic effects with Sernyl, l-(l-phenylcyclohexyl) piperidine monohydrochloride. This drug is one of a class of new chemical compounds which function as sensory blocking agents, with anesthetic and sedative properties. It was found to produce severe disturbances in body image, affect, attention, and thinking which closely approximated the primary symptoms of schizophrenia. Depersonalization, feelings of isolation and estrangement, concreteness, hypnagogic states, and repetitive motor behavior occurred in patients following intravenous infusion of this drug. The present studies were conducted in an attempt to isolate the mechanism responsible for the effects of Sernyl and its relevance to the psychopathology of schizophrenia. A number of psychological functions characteristically associated with the primary pathology of schizophrenia were system
Global Proteomics Revealed Klebsiella pneumoniae Induced Autophagy and Oxidative Stress in Caenorhabditis elegans by Inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway during Infection

The enterobacterium, Klebsiella pneumoniae invades the intestinal epithelium of humans by interfering with multiple host cell response. To uncover a system-level overview of host response during infection, we analyzed the global dynamics of protein profiling in Caenorhabditis elegans using quantitative proteomics approach. Comparison of protein samples of nematodes exposed to K. pneumoniae for 12, 24, and 36 h by 2DE revealed several changes in host proteome. A total of 266 host-encoded proteins were identified by 2DE MALDI-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS and the interacting partners of the identified proteins were predicted by STRING 10.0 analysis. In order to understand the interacting partners of regulatory proteins with similar or close pI ranges, a liquid IEF was performed and the isolated fractions containing proteins were identified by LC-MS/MS. Functional bioinformatics analysis on identified proteins deciphered that they were mostly related to the metabolism, dauer formation, apoptosis, endocytosis, signal transduction, translation, developmental, and reproduction process. Gene enrichment analysis suggested that the metabolic process as the most overrepresented pathway regulated against K. pneumoniae infection. The dauer-like formation in infected C. elegans along with intestinal atrophy and ROS during the physiological analysis indicated that the regulation of metabolic pathway is probably through the involvement of mTOR. Immunoblot analysis supported the above notion that the K. pneumoniae infection induced protein mis-folding in host by involving PI3Kinase/AKT-1/mTOR mediated pathway. Furthermore, the susceptibility of pdi-2, akt-1, and mTOR C. elegans mutants confirmed the role and involvement of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in mediating protein mis-folding which appear to be translating the vulnerability of host defense toward K. pneumoniae infection.
The Herschel SPIRE Fourier Transform Spectrometer Spectral Feature Finder – III. Line identification and off-axis spectra

The ESA Herschel Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver (SPIRE) Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) Spectral Feature Finder (FF) project is an automated spectral feature fitting routine developed within the SPIRE instrument team to extract all prominent spectral features from all publicly available SPIRE FTS observations. We present the extension of the FF to include the off-axis detectors of the FTS in sparsely sampled single-pointing observations, the results of which have been ingested into the catalogue. We also present the results from an automated routine for identifications of the atomic/molecular transitions that correspond to the spectral features extracted by the FF. We use a template of 307 atomic fine structure and molecular lines that are commonly found in SPIRE FTS spectra for the cross-match. The routine makes use of information provided by the line identification to search for low signal-to-noise ratio features that have been excluded or missed by the iterative FF. In total, the atomic/molecular transitions of 178,942 lines are identified (corresponding to 83% of the entire FF catalogue), and an additional 33,840 spectral lines associated with missing features from SPIRE FTS observations are added to the FF catalogue.
Challenges of a Large Health Insurance Organization inIran: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: The importance of health insurance coverage can be considered from two viewpoints: protecting people against the costs of providing health; and providing universal coverage of health services so that people have access to affordable and adequate health services. Overview of insurance organizations' performance in Iran indicates that they are faced with various problems such as increasing costs, the lack of comprehensiveness and adequacy of services, the lack of clear boundaries between basic and supplementary health insurance packages, as well as, the problems on determining the scientific and fact-based tariffs. This research aimed to study the problems of health insurance coverage in a large insurance organization from the perspective of its managers. Methods: This study is an applied and qualitative research conducted in Iran in 2011. The participants in this study were 11 senior managers of one of the largest health insurance organizations selected using purposive method. Data was collected using structured interviews. Framework analysis using Atlas-Ti software was used to analyze the collected data. Results: Available challenges were categorized into 4 themes including structure and organization, policy making, the management of providing services, and culture and public education which were identified as the effective factors in health insurance coverage, and 69 subthemes. Conclusion: Stated challenges can be largely met through making comprehensive and integrated policies by insurance organization, developing an updated and health-oriented structure purposeful outsourcing of services, the application of modern and mechanized systems in providing services, as well as, providing the insured with information by electronic systems.
Management of acute myocardial infarction in Portugal. Results of a nationwide survey.

UNLABELLED The management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has improved markedly over the last decade. Large-scale trials have produced a large amount of evidence, and recommendations and guidelines have been established. Whether and to what extent these data have influenced everyday practice on a nationwide scale remains to be ascertained. The present observational prospective, registry was designed to assess current practice in in-hospital management of AMI in Portugal. For a period of 3 months (February to May, 1999), 44 centers, distributed all over the country, Atlantic islands included, enrolled 1372 cases of AMI corresponding to 1366 patients (996 male, mean age 65 +/- 13 years; 370 female, mean age 72 + 11 years; p < 0.0001). Non-ST segment elevation infarcts were present in 26% of cases. In-hospital mortality was 11.2% (154 pts, mean age 74 +/- 10 years). RESULTS 519 pts (37.8%) were managed with reperfusion therapy, 413 of them with fibrinolysis (30.1%) and 106 with primary PTCA (7.7%). Besides the invasive procedures performed within the first few hours after admission, coronary angiography was performed in 327 more pts (26.1%); 143 pts were revascularized (PTCA in 117 pts and CABG in 26) and 96 more pts were discharged and referred for further revascularization. The total number of pts given or referred for a revascularization procedure (including the primary treatment) was 316 (20.6%). Besides reperfusion therapy the most commonly used drugs for secondary prevention were aspirin in 91%; ACE inhibitors in 63%; beta-blockers in 45%; and statins in 28%. Based on the results of this nationwide survey it can be concluded that the main international guidelines and recommendations for the medical management of acute myocardial infarction are generally being applied in Portugal.