Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Toxinotypes of Clostridium Perfringens Isolated from Sick and Healthy Avian Species

Currently, the factors/toxins responsible for Clostridium perfringens-associated avian enteritis are not well understood. To assess whether specific C. perfringens' toxinotypes are associated with avian enteritis, the isolates of C. perfringens from 31 cases of avian necrotic or ulcerative enteritis submitted between 1997 and 2005 were selected for retrospective analysis using multiplex PCR. C. perfringens was isolated from chickens, turkeys, quail, and psittacines. The toxinotypes of isolates from diseased birds were compared against the toxinotype of 19 C. perfringens isolates from avian cases with no evidence of clostridial enteritis. All C. perfringens isolates were classified as type A regardless of species or disease history. Although many isolates (from all avian groups) had the gene encoding the C. perfirngens beta2 toxin, only 54% produced the toxin in vitro when measured using Western blot analysis. Surprisingly, a large number of healthy birds (90%) carried CPB2-producing isolates, whereas over half of the cpb2-positive isolates from diseased birds failed to produce CPB2. These data from this investigation do not suggest a causal relationship between beta2 toxin and necrotic enteritis in birds.
NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE STUDY OF Al:Si AND F:OH ORDER IN ZUNYITE

Zunyite [Al13Si5O20(OH,F)18Cl] possesses an unusual combination of an Al 13O16(OH)24 Keggin structure and a Si 5O16 pentamer unit. We used 19 F, 27 Al, 29 Si MAS and 27 Al MQMAS NMR spectroscopy of a series of samples with varying Al:Si and F:OH ratios to investigate the degree of atomic order in zunyite. The quadrupole coupling constant (C Q) and asymmetry parameter () obtained from simulations of 27 Al MAS and MQMAS spectra were compared with those derived from the electric field gradients (EFG), which were calculated from an ab initio cluster quantum model using the program Gaussian 98W. This comparison led to unequivocal assignments for 29 Si, 27 Al and 19 F MAS NMR peaks and showed that the number of Al substituting for Si(1) in the pentamer increases with Al content. The number of Al octahedra with one F atom increases with F content, whereas the number with two F atoms remains negligible, indicating that F preferentially occupies AlO 4OHF octahedra.
Anabolic SIRT4 Exerts Retrograde Control over TORC1 Signaling by Glutamine Sparing in the Mitochondria

Anabolic and catabolic signaling mediated via mTOR and AMPK (AMP-activated kinase) have to be intrinsically coupled to mitochondrial functions for maintaining homeostasis and mitigate cellular/organismal stress. Although glutamine is known to activate mTOR, whether and how differential mitochondrial utilization of glutamine impinges on mTOR signaling has been less explored. ABSTRACT Anabolic and catabolic signaling mediated via mTOR and AMPK (AMP-activated kinase) have to be intrinsically coupled to mitochondrial functions for maintaining homeostasis and mitigate cellular/organismal stress. Although glutamine is known to activate mTOR, whether and how differential mitochondrial utilization of glutamine impinges on mTOR signaling has been less explored. Mitochondrial SIRT4, which unlike other sirtuins is induced in a fed state, is known to inhibit catabolic signaling/pathways through the AMPK-PGC1α/SIRT1–peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) axis and negatively regulate glutamine metabolism via the tricarboxylic acid cycle. However, physiological significance of SIRT4 functions during a fed state is still unknown. Here, we establish SIRT4 as key anabolic factor that activates TORC1 signaling and regulates lipogenesis, autophagy, and cell proliferation. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that the ability of SIRT4 to inhibit anaplerotic conversion of glutamine to α-ketoglutarate potentiates TORC1. Interestingly, we also show that mitochondrial glutamine sparing or utilization is critical for differentially regulating TORC1 under fed and fasted conditions. Moreover, we conclusively show that differential expression of SIRT4 during fed and fasted states is vital for coupling mitochondrial energetics and glutamine utilization with anabolic pathways. These significant findings also illustrate that SIRT4 integrates nutrient inputs with mitochondrial retrograde signals to maintain a balance between anabolic and catabolic pathways.
Effects of free air carbon dioxide enrichment and drought stress on the feed value of maize silage fed to sheep at different thermal regimes

Information about the effects of rising atmospheric CO2 concentration and drought on the feed value of maize silage and interactions with the thermal environment during feeding is limited. A free air carbon dioxide enrichment facility was operated in a maize field to generate an elevated CO2 concentration of 550 ppm. Drought was induced by the exclusion of precipitation in one half of all experimental plots. Plants were harvested, chopped and ensiled. In a balance experiment on sheep, the nutrient digestibility was determined for three climatic treatments (temperate, temperature humidity index (THI) 57–63; mild heat, THI 68–71; severe heat, THI 75–80). The CO2 concentration and drought did not alter the crude nutrient content of silage dry matter (DM) or nutrient and organic matter (OM) digestibility. Drought increased the concentration of deoxynivalenol (DON, p < 0.001). The drought-associated increase of DON was reduced by CO2 enrichment (p = 0.003). The lowest digestibility of acid detergent fibre (p = 0.024) and neutral detergent fibre (p = 0.005) was observed during the coldest climate. OM digestibility increased during mild heat (p = 0.023). This study did not indicate considerable alterations of the feed value of maize silage due to increased atmospheric CO2 and drought. Enriched CO2 may decrease DON contaminations during drought. The thermal environment during the balance experiment did not interact with feeding maize silage grown under elevated CO2, but may affect cell wall and OM digestibility.
Disputed rpoB mutations can frequently cause important rifampicin resistance among new tuberculosis patients.

SETTING Greater Mymensingh area, Bangladesh. OBJECTIVES To document among new tuberculosis (TB) patients the proportions and treatment outcomes of silent, non-disputed and disputed (generally missed by rapid drug susceptibility testing [DST]) rpoB mutations, and their detection by commercial molecular assays. DESIGN Retrospective analysis of rpoB sequences from randomly selected ethanol-preserved diagnostic sputum samples; comparison of sequencing with conventional DST results and standard first-line treatment outcome; retesting of samples with mutations using the Xpert MTB/RIF and GenoType MTBDRplus assays. RESULTS Of 1091 samples, 5.8% failed amplification, and six contained other mycobacteria. In 2005 and 2010, respectively 2/500 (0.4%) and 11/522 (2.1%) amplicons showed non-silent mutations. At least 7/13 of these belonged to the disputed group, with 5/7 patients suffering adverse treatment outcome. One silent mutation went undetected by commercial assays. Following routine DST indications, only three cases with a non-silent mutation were eventually detected. CONCLUSIONS Disputed rpoB mutations may be responsible for the majority of rifampicin (RMP) resistance among new cases, and lead to adverse outcomes of first-line treatment. Silent mutations do not necessarily cause Xpert or line-probe assay false RMP-resistant results. Molecular RMP DST could greatly simplify resistance surveillance, in addition to offering the best prospects for early and accurate individual diagnosis.
Emotional stress evaluation in patients with temporomandibular joint disorder.

1Andrea Chisnoiu, 1Liana Lascu, 1Laurentiu Pascu, 2Carmen Georgiu, 3Radu Chisnoiu 1 Department of Prosthodontics “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; 2 Department of Anatomic Pathology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; 3 Department of Odontology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Experimental Studies on the A6 Relativistic Magnetron With Permanent Magnet

This paper presents the results of the experimental investigation of an A6 relativistic magnetron (RM) with permanent magnet. A series of permanent magnets was fabricated. The maximum axial magnetic field Bz is 5.9 kGs. The 540-MW peak output power with a pulsewidth up to 40 ns of the RM with permanent magnet is obtained at the operation frequency of 2.65 GHz.
Plasma membrane association of cathepsin B in human prostate cancer: Biochemical and immunogold electron microscopic analysis

Cathepsin B (CB), a cysteine protease, is usually found in perinuclear lysosomes of epithelial cells of normal organs and non‐malignant tumors, but is associated with the plasma membranes of many solid organ malignant tumors. Plasma membrane localized CB facilitates degradation of extracellular matrix proteins and progression of tumor cells from one biological compartment to another. The activities of CB and its subcellular distribution have not been investigated in malignant prostate. Our objective was to examine the subcellular distribution of CB by determining the activities of CB in lysosome and plasma membrane/endosome subcellular fractions and its subcellular localization by immunogold electron microscopy.
Uit elkaars buurt

In het integratiedebat van de laatste jaren wordt de concentratie van minderheden in buurten en scholen van de grote steden steeds vaker gezien als oorzaak van de falende integratie. Maar klopt dat ook met de feiten? Deze publicatie onderzoekt het verband tussen etnische concentratie en (elementen van) sociaal-culturele integratie en draagt bij aan de kennisvorming en discussie over de betekenis van etnische concentratie. Hebben etnische concentraties in buurten een weerslag op de contacten tussen allochtonen en autochtonen en wordt de kennis van het Nederlands erdoor beinvloed? En de vraag wordt gesteld of zwarte scholen nadelig zijn voor de taalprestaties van leerlingen. Voor een succesvolle sociaal-culturele integratie is het van belang te weten hoe autochtonen en allochtonen over elkaar en over de aanwezigheid van minderheden in het algemeen denken. Worden deze opvattingen beinvloed door (toenemende) concentraties minderheden in de buurten van de grote steden?
GPS ambiguity filter sensitivity to the precision of the prior knowledge of the baseline length

With the Global Positioning System (GPS), it is possible to estimate the baseline vectors between several GPS antennas (with fixed positions on a vehicle) and so, the attitude can be determined. To achieve this, the precise carrier phase measurements are used, however, these measurements have the so called phase ambiguities (integer number of cycles) that need to be solved. When only single-frequency measurements (L1 band) are used, the method known as Ambiguity Filter is employed, after the search method LAMBDA, to stabilize the obtained solution. The leverage of the Ambiguity Filter, relatively to the alternative of using only the LAMBDA method, comes from using a prior knowledge of the baseline length in the ambiguity resolution problem, which the LAMBDA does not. Preliminary tests with the implementation of the Ambiguity Filter have shown that its performance is very sensitive to the precision with which the baseline length is known. This was the main motivation for the work here presented. The results presented in this paper are based on field tests, conducted at the university campus, with two GPS receivers in a static, fixed length, baseline configuration.
New mathematical procedures in the investigation of biological nanostructure dynamics

Considering that the structural units of the biological structures (assimilated to complex systems) move on continuous but non-differentiable curves, new mathematical procedures in the form of the Extended Scale Relativity Model are presented. Then, the equivalence between the formalism of the fractal hydrodynamics and the one of the Schrödinger type equation was established. The advantage of such model is that it can be applied to all scale resolution, for example from nano to the mesoscopic scales.
T H E CARRIAGE OF IMMUNOLOGICAL MEMORY BY SMALL LYMPHOCYTES I N T H E RAT

Although it has been shown that antibody-forming cells arise during secondary responses from dividing precursors (1-3), the origin of these precursors is still a matter of debate. In general terms they may either originate from a line of dividing cells which is formed during primary immunization, or from long-lived cells, also formed during primary immunization, but which only begin to divide after secondary challenge. Attempts have been made to distinguish between these alternative explanations of "immunological memory" by giving a pulse of tritlated thymidine immediately before secondary challenge and determining whether or not the antibody-forming cells become labeled. Experiments of this kind led Nossal and M~ikel~ (4) to conclude that the cells which formed antibody after challenge with Salmonella adelaide in rats arose from large lymphocytes which were already dividing in the animal before the antigen had been given. On the other hand, Cohen and Talmage (5) concluded that the cells which synthesized antibody in response to a secondary challenge with bovine gamma globulin in mice were not dividing in the animal before the challenge; they questioned the conclusions of Nossal and M~ikela on the grounds that reutilization of label might have accounted for their findings. A similar criticism has been made by Mitchell et al. (6).
The thyroid gland 1998: new ideas about an ancient structure.

Graves' disease is the most common and most important cause of thyrotoxicosis. It occurs at any age and is approximately nine times more frequent in females than in males. The syndrome consists of one or more features: 1) thyrotoxicosis, 2) diffuse thyromegaly, 3) orbitopathy (exophthalmos), and rarely 4) dermopathy (pretibial myxedema and acropachy). There is a strong familial predisposition, and 15% of patients with Graves' disease have a close relative with the same disorder. The pathophysiology involves autoimmune mechanisms. T lymphocytes become sensitized to epitopes involving the TSH receptor of the thyroid gland. B lymphocytes are then activated to become IgG-producing plasma cells that generate thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) directed at the TSH receptor on thyroid cell plasma membranes. An analogous autoimmune process in the orbit leads to cell-mediated extraocular myositis and cellular infiltration of the retroorbital compartment, leading to exophthalmos, venous and/or lymphatic blockade, and secondary chemosis, injection, diplopia, and sometimes exposure keratitis which threatens vision. All of the ocular antigen(s) involved have not been elucidated, but a 64 kd protein, shared by the thyroid itself as well as by eye muscle, appears to be involved (1). Other epitopes may include the TSH receptor (TSH-R) itself, and TSH-R mRNA has been identified in orbital tissues.
Ju n 20 15 CERN-PH-TH-2015-097 Bootstrapping the O ( N ) Archipelago

We study 3d CFTs with an O(N) global symmetry using the conformal bootstrap for a system of mixed correlators. Specifically, we consider all nonvanishing scalar four-point functions containing the lowest dimension O(N) vector φi and the lowest dimension O(N) singlet s, assumed to be the only relevant operators in their symmetry representations. The constraints of crossing symmetry and unitarity for these fourpoint functions force the scaling dimensions (∆φ,∆s) to lie inside small islands. We also make rigorous determinations of current two-point functions in the O(2) and O(3) models, with applications to transport in condensed matter systems.
HTLV-I and -II infections in a nationwide survey of pregnant women in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa.

The human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) is endemic in parts of Africa with overall prevalence rates from 0% to more than 10%. Although most HTLV-infected people carry HTLV-I some reports indicate the presence of HTLV-II in some areas. The origin and spread of HTLVs in Africa are not completely understood and some parts of the continent remain to be explored in that regard. The authors have previously reported high prevalence rates of HTLV in Guinea-Bissau; 3.3% among pregnant women and 6.7% among hospitalized patients (10.6% and higher for hospitalized women). An occupational cohort had a prevalence of 4.0% as well as 5 cases of HTLV-II infection. Guinea-Bissau has the highest prevalence of HIV-2 in the world with rates ranging from 6% among pregnant women to more than 20% among hospitalized patients in the capital. 1231 sera of pregnant women were collected in 1993 as part of the national sentinel surveillance program for HIV. The sera came from 7 of the 8 provinces and were collected consecutively at antenatal clinics in the provincial capitals. ELISA and Western blot screening of the sera found 27 to be positive for HTLV-I and 1 for HTLV-II. 27 other samples were indeterminate by Western blot. HTLV-infected specimens were identified in all provinces studied with no significant differences in prevalence rates between the provinces. The HTLV-II-positive specimen came from an individual in Bafata in the central part of the country. The overall prevalence of HIV infection was 5.3% 0-8.2% in the various provinces 0.6% for HIV-1 and 4.7% for HIV-2. One person was infected with both HIV-1 and HIV-2. No association was observed between HIV and HTLV infections.
Response to Copper Stress in Streptomyces lividans Extends beyond Genes under Direct Control of a Copper-sensitive Operon Repressor Protein (CsoR)*

Background: Balancing copper homeostasis and bioavailability is critical for morphological development in Streptomyces lividans. Results: In Streptomyces lividans, a copper-sensitive operon repressor (CsoR) protein regulates a three-locus copper homeostasis regulon. Conclusion: Genes regulating copper homeostasis are more extensive than the regulon under direct control of CsoR. Significance: CsoR is part of a regulatory network controlling copper homeostasis that extends beyond the CsoR regulon. A copper-sensitive operon repressor protein (CsoR) has been identified in Streptomyces lividans (CsoRSl) and found to regulate copper homeostasis with attomolar affinity for Cu(I). Solution studies reveal apo- and CuI-CsoRSl to be a tetramer assembly, and a 1.7-Å resolution crystal structure of apo-CsoRSl reveals that a significant conformational change is necessary to enable Cu(I) binding. In silico prediction of the CsoR regulon was confirmed in vitro (EMSA) and in vivo (RNA-seq), which highlighted that next to the csoR gene itself, the regulon consists of two Cu(I) efflux systems involving a CopZ-like copper metallochaperone protein and a CopA P1-type ATPase. Although deletion of csoR has only minor effects on S. lividans development when grown under high copper concentrations, mutations of the Cu(I) ligands decrease tolerance to copper as a result of the Cu(I)-CsoR mutants failing to disengage from the DNA targets, thus inhibiting the derepression of the regulon. RNA-seq experiments carried out on samples incubated with exogenous copper and a ΔcsoR strain showed that the set of genes responding to copper stress is much wider than anticipated and largely extends beyond genes targeted by CsoR. This suggests more control levels are operating and directing other regulons in copper homeostasis beside the CsoR regulon.
Do Private Equity Funds Game Returns?I

By their nature, private equity funds hold assets that are hard to value. This uncertainty in asset valuation gives rise to the potential for fund managers to manipulate reported net asset values (NAVs). Managers may have an incentive to game valuations in the short-run if these are used by investors to make decisions about commitments to subsequent funds managed by the same firm. Using a large dataset of buyout and venture funds, we test for the presence of reported NAV manipulation. We find evidence that some managers boost reported NAVs during times that fundraising activity is likely to occur. However, those managers are unlikely to raise a next fund, suggesting that investors see through the manipulation. In contrast, we find that top-performing funds under-report returns. This conservatism is consistent with these firms insuring against future bad luck that could make them appear as though they are NAV manipulators. Our results are robust to a variety of specifications and alternative explanations.
Bispecific antibody does not induce T-cell death mediated by chimeric antigen receptor against disialoganglioside GD2

ABSTRACT Chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) and bispecific antibodies (BsAb) are two powerful immunotherapy approaches for retargeting lymphocytes toward cancer cells. Despite their success in lymphoblastic leukemia, solid tumors have been more recalcitrant. Identifying therapeutic barriers facing CAR-modified (CART) or BsAb-redirected T (BsAb-T) cells should facilitate their clinical translation to solid tumors. Novel lentiviral vectors containing low-affinity or high-affinity 4-1BB second-generation anti-GD2 (disialoganglioside) CARs were built to achieve efficient T cell transduction. The humanized anti-GD2 × CD3 BsAb using the IgG-scFv platform was described previously. CART and BsAb-engaged T cells were tested for viability, proliferation, and activation/exhaustion marker expression, and in vitro cytotoxicity against GD2(+) tumor cells. The antitumor effect of CAR-grafted and BsAb-T cells was compared in a human melanoma xenograft model. The majority of high CAR density T cells were depleted upon exposure to GD2(+) target cells while the BsAb-T cells survived. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the surviving CART cells was inferior to that of the BsAb-T cells. Using low-affinity CARs, inclusion of the 4-1BB co-stimulatory domain or exclusion of a co-stimulatory domain, or blocking PD1 did not prevent CART cell depletion. Both CART cells and BsAb-T cells penetrated established subcutaneous human melanoma xenografts; while both induced tumor regression, BsAb was more efficient. The fate of T cells activated by BsAb differs substantially from that by CAR, translating into a more robust antitumor effect both in vitro and in vivo.
Psychologists’ Role in Master’s-Level Training in Counseling: A Wolf in the Chicken Coop or Unlikely Friends?

Many psychologists play a central role in the training of master’s-level counselors. However, with the strict Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accreditation rules for core faculty in counseling programs, the American Psychological Association is now entertaining a proposal to accredit training for master’s-level counselors. In this article, we present our position on the need to continue to have interprofessional training for counselors and psychologists.
Evaluation of urine ELISA test for detecting Helicobacter pylori infection in Taiwan: a prospective study.

AIM To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of a new ELISA (URINELISA) test for detecting Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) antibody in the urine of Taiwanese population. METHODS In this prospective study, 317 consecutive dyspeptic patients (171 men, 146 women; mean age, 51.0 years) were included. They underwent gastroendoscopy for evaluation. Invasive tests, including culture, histology, and rapid urease test (RUT), and non-invasive (13)C-urea breath test were preformed. At the same time, urine specimens were collected for URINELISA. The status of H pylori infection was considered as positive when either culture was positive, or when two of the other, RUT, histology or 13C-UBT, were positive. RESULTS The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of URINELISA are 91.7% (211/230), 90.8% (79/87), 96.3% (211/219), and 80.6% (79/98) respectively. CONCLUSION This URINELISA test is reliable, inexpensive and easy-to-use. The high diagnostic accuracy warrants the use of URINELISA as a first-line screening tool for diagnosis of H pylori infection in untreated patients.