Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the NucliSens Basic Kit for Detection ofChlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeaein Genital Tract Specimens Using Nucleic Acid Sequence-Based Amplification of 16S rRNA

ABSTRACT We evaluated a new RNA amplification and detection kit, the NucliSens Basic Kit (Organon Teknika), for the detection ofChlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeaein genitourinary specimens. The Basic Kit provides an open platform for RNA amplification and detection and contains isolation reagents for nucleic acid extraction, nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) reagents (enzymes and buffers), and a generic ruthenium-labeled probe for electrochemiluminescent (ECL) detection of amplified product. Using freshly purified and titrated stocks of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae and in vitro-generated RNA transcripts for sensitivity determinations, the Basic Kit detected 1 inclusion-forming unit of C. trachomatis, 1 CFU ofN. gonorrhoeae, and 100 RNA molecules of 16S rRNA for both bacteria. The clinical performance of the Basic Kit was evaluated by testing a total of 250 specimens for N. gonorrhoeae by culture and NASBA and a total of 96 specimens for C. trachomatis by PCR and NASBA. The Basic Kit detected 139 of 142N. gonorrhoeae culture-positive specimens and gave a negative result for 73 of 74 culture-negative specimens, for a sensitivity and specificity of 97.9 and 98.7%, respectively. ForC. trachomatis, the Basic Kit detected 24 of 24 PCR-positive specimens and gave a negative result for 71 of 72 PCR-negative specimens, for a sensitivity and specificity of 100 and 98.6%, respectively. The Basic Kit also detected specimens containing both N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis, using a multiplex NASBA assay using primers for both bacteria. The NucliSens Basic Kit offers a versatile platform for the development of sensitive RNA detection assays for sexually transmitted diseases.
Rare species in communities of tropical insect herbivores: pondering the mystery of singletons

The host specificity, taxonomic composition and feeding guild of rare species were studied in communities of herbivorous insects in New Guinea. Leaf-chewing and sap-sucking insects (Orthoptera, Phasmatodea, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Hemiptera-Auchenorrhyncha) were sampled from 30 species of trees and shrubs (15 spp. of Ficus, Moraceae, six spp. of Macaranga and nine species of other Euphorbiaceae) in a lowland rain forest. Feeding trials were performed with all leaf-chewers in order to exclude transient species. Overall, the sampling produced 80 062 individuals of 1050 species. The species accumulation curve did not attain an asymptote, despite 950 person-days of sampling. Rare species, defined as those found as single individuals, remained numerous even in large samples and after the exclusion of transient, non-feeding species. There was no difference among plant species in the proportion of rare species in their herbivore communities, which was, on average, 45%. Likewise, various herbivore guilds and taxa had all very similar proportions of rare and common species. There was also no difference between rare and common species in their host specificity. Both highly specialised species and generalists, feeding on numerous plants, contributed to the singleton records on particular plant species. Predominantly, a species was rare on a particular host whilst more common on other, often related, host species, or relatively rare on numerous other host plants, so that its aggregate population was high. Both cases are an example of the “mass effect”, since it is probable that such rare species were dependent on a constant influx of immigrants from the other host plants. These other plants were found particularly often among congeneric plants, less so among confamilial plants from different genera and least frequently among plants from different families. There were also 278 very rare species, found as one individual on a single plant species only. Their host specificity could not be assessed; they might have been either very rare specialists, or species feeding also on other plants, those that were not studied. The former possibility is unlikely since monophagous species, collected as singletons at the present sampling effort, would have existed at an extremely low population density, less than 1 individual per 10 ha of the forest.
Specific mutator effects of ung (uracil-DNA glycosylase) mutations in Escherichia coli

Studies of trpA reversions revealed that G:C leads to A:T transitions were stimulated about 30-fold in E. coli ung mutants, whereas other base substitutions were not affected. A dUTPase (dut) mutation, which increases the incorporation of uracil into DNA in place of thymine, had no significant effect on the rate of G:C leads to A:T transitions. The results support the proposal that the glycosylase functions to reduce the mutation rate in wild-type cells by acting in the repair of DNA cytosine residues that have undergone spontaneous deamination to uracil. Further support was provided by the finding that when lambda bacteriophages were treated with bisulfite, an agent known to produce cytosine deamination, the frequency of clear-plaque mutants was increased an additional 20-fold by growth on an ung host. Bisulfite-induced mutations of the cellular chromosome, however, were about equal in ung+ and ung strains; it was found that during the treatment of ung+ cells with bisulfite, the glycosylase was inactivated.
DISTRIBUTION-FREE TESTS OF FRACTIONAL COINTEGRATION

We propose tests of the null of spurious relationship against the alternative of fractional cointegration among the components of a vector of fractionally integrated time series. Our test statistics have an asymptotic chi-square distribution under the null and rely on generalized least squares–type of corrections that control for the short-run correlation of the weak dependent components of the fractionally integrated processes. We emphasize corrections based on nonparametric modelization of the innovations' autocorrelation, relaxing important conditions that are standard in the literature and, in particular, being able to consider simultaneously (asymptotically) stationary or nonstationary processes. Relatively weak conditions on the corresponding short-run and memory parameter estimates are assumed. The new tests are consistent with a divergence rate that, in most of the cases, as we show in a simple situation, depends on the cointegration degree. Finite-sample properties of the tests are analyzed by means of a Monte Carlo experiment.We thank Helmut Lütkepohl and two referees for helpful comments and suggestions. We also thank participants at the NSF/NBER Time Series Conference at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, at the Unit Root and Cointegration Testing Conference at the University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal, and seminar participants at the Universidad de Navarra and Ente Luigi Einaudi for helpful comments. Javier Hualde's research is supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia through Juan de la Cierva and Ramón y Cajal contracts and ref. SEJ2005-07657/ECON. Carlos Velasco's research is supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia, ref. SEJ2004-04583/ECON.
Persistent hepatitis C viremia after acute self‐limiting posttransfusion hepatitis C

Persistent viremia after clinical or subclinical hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is believed to occur in patients with chronic hepatitis C, but little is known about the duration of HCV replication in patients with acute hepatitis who have recovered or the relation of HCV viremia with the kinetics of antibodies to HCV (anti‐HCV). We tested HCV‐RNA and anti‐HCV in serial serum samples from 41 patients with posttransfusion non‐A, non‐B hepatitis, followed for an average of 6 years after transfusion. Serum HCV‐RNA was measured by nested polymerase chain reaction, which used primers from the 5′ untranslated region of the HCV genome. Anti‐HCV were tested with first‐ and second‐generation enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA 1 and ELISA 2), and with a second‐generation recombinant immunoblot assay. Of the 41 patients, 10 recovered and 31 progressed to chronic liver disease. HCV‐RNA was detected in serum before or simultaneously with the onset of hepatitis in all cases, and lasted between 2 and 6 weeks in 5 of the 10 patients who recovered, whereas it persisted for the entire follow‐up period in every case with chronic hepatitis and in the remaining 5 patients with self‐limiting hepatitis. Anti‐HCV were detected with ELISA 2 in the first serum sample, with raised serum transaminases in 57% of patients, but in only 6% with ELISA 1. In the sample obtained 1 month after the onset of hepatitis, anti‐HCV were detected with ELISA 2 in 94% of patients, but in 34% with the ELISA 1. Anti‐HCV (anti C‐33 and anti‐c22) were cleared in the five patients with transient hepatitis C viremia, but remained detectable in those with chronic viremia. In conclusion, serum HCV‐RNA is detected at the onset of acute posttransfusion hepatitis C and persists in patients progressing to chronic hepatitis. Some patients with self‐limiting hepatitis become HCV‐RNA negative soon after the onset of hepatitis, whereas in others it persists throughout follow‐up, suggesting the development of a silent carrier state.
Severity of Fecal Urgency and Incontinence in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Clinical, Manometric and Sonographic Predictors

Background:Fecal incontinence (FI) and urgency are prevalent symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). It is unclear which factors determine their severity. We evaluated associations of clinical activity, anorectal motility, and endoanal sonography with FI severity in IBD. Methods:Fifty-eight consecutive IBD patients and 14 healthy volunteers participated in a cross-sectional, tertiary-center study. Active disease was defined as Crohn’s disease activity index ≥ 150 and as simple clinical colitis index > 2. We assessed anal pressures and fatigue rate index (FRI) of the external anal sphincter (EAS) by manometry, rectal compliance and sensitivity by balloon distension, and sphincter defects by endoanal ultrasound. Significant bivariate associations between these parameters and the fecal incontinence severity scale (FISS) were evaluated in multivariate analysis. Results:Twenty-seven patients (47%) reported urgency, 13 of which (22%) reported FI. Defects of the internal anal sphincter (IAS) and the EAS were diagnosed in 14 (24%) and 13 patients (22%), respectively. Patients had significantly lower rectal compliance and FRI compared with controls. FISS demonstrated significant bivariate associations with clinical disease activity (P = 0.0115), FRI (P = 0.0018), sonographic IAS and EAS defects (P < 0.0001 and 0.0059), rectal compliance (P = 0.0001), and volume at the threshold of a constant urge (Vurge, P = 0.0002). In multivariate analysis, FISS was associated with clinical disease activity (P = 0.0325), FRI (P = 0.0367), Vurge (P = 0.0091), and sonographic IAS defect(s) (P = 0.0008). The derived model explained 62% of the variance in FISS (P < 0.0001). Conclusions:Clinical disease activity and manometric and sonographic anorectal parameters are associated with FI severity in IBD. Prospective studies are warranted to evaluate their predictive value in continence outcomes.
Effects of Clitoria ternatea Leaf Extract on Growth and Morphogenesis of Aspergillus niger

Abstract Clitoria ternatea is known for its antimicrobial activity but the antifungal effects of leaf extract on growth and morphogenesis of Aspergillus niger have not been observed. The extract showed a favorable antifungal activity against A. niger with a minimum inhibition concentration 0.8 mg/mL and minimum fungicidal concentration 1.6 mg/mL, respectively. The leaf extract exhibited considerable antifungal activity against filamentous fungi in a dose-dependent manner with 0.4 mg/mL IC50 value on hyphal growth of A. niger. The main changes observed under scanning electron microscopy after C. ternatea extract treatment were loss of cytoplasm in fungal hyphae and the hyphal wall and its diameter became markedly thinner, distorted, and resulted in cell wall disruption. In addition, conidiophore alterations were also observed when A. niger was treated with C. ternatea leaf extract.
Antiamnesic potential of Murraya koenigii leaves

Murraya koenigii leaves commonly known as curry patta are added routinely to Indian gravy and vegetarian dishes as a favorite condiment. The effects of Murraya koenigii leaves (MKL) on cognitive functions, total serum cholesterol level and brain cholinesterase activity in young and aged mice fed orally with a diet containing 2%, 4% and 8% w/w of MKL for 30 days consecutively, were investigated. The memory scores were measured using various exteroceptive and interoceptive behavioral models. The MKL diets produced a significant dose‐dependent improvement in the memory scores of young and aged mice and significantly reduced the amnesia induced by scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg, i.p.) and diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.). Also, brain cholinesterase activity and total cholesterol levels were reduced by the MKL diets. The underlying mechanism of action for the observed nootropic effect may be attributed to pro‐cholinergic activity and a cholesterol lowering property. Therefore, it would be worthwhile to investigate specifically the therapeutic potential of MKL in the management of Alzheimer patients. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is model selection using Akaike’s information criterion appropriate for catch per unit effort standardization in large samples?

Akaike’s information criterion (A/C), which is widely used as a criterion of model selection in fish population dynamics, is known to have a bias in not only small samples but also large samples. Consistency was proposed as a property of the information criteria available in large samples. We carried out model selection in ANOVA-type model corresponding to catch per unit effort (CPUE) standardization using consistent information criteria (Bayesian information criterion, Hannan-Quinn, or consistent A/C), which satisfy the asymptotic desirable property called consistency. The results of the model selections between these consistent criteria and A/C are different. Computer simulations using a linear regression model show that the selection performances of consistent information criteria in large samples are good compared with that of A/C.
Multiple Brown Tumors in Unsuspected Primary Hyperparathyroidism Mimicking Metastatic Disease on Radiograph and Bone Scan

A 33-year-old woman with left knee pain and a very destructive lesion in the proximal tibia by radiograph was referred for radionuclide bone scanning. Multiple “hot spots” were seen throughout the skeleton on the Tc-99m HDP scan and the possibility of widespread malignancy was considered. Biopsy of the tibial lesion revealed a lesion with multiple giant cells compatible with a brown tumor. Serum calcium and parathormone levels revealed a hyperparathyroid state. Thyroid and thallium scans demonstrated normal technetium uptake in the thyrold gland and a focus of thallium uptake in the inferior aspect of the right lobe compatible with a parathyroid adenoma. Multiple other foci of thallium uptake were identified throughout the body corresponding to the lesions on the bone scan. Radiographs of some of these areas revealed that these lesions also were “brown tumors. ” The patient underwent subsequent excision of a right parathyroid adenoma.
Spatial and temporal characteristics of visual motion perception involving V5 visual cortex

Abstract The anatomical substrates of the perception of motion have not yet been established in a detailed way on an individual level. The aim of this study was to develop a systematic procedure for mapping the visual cortex using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). The results showed that such an individual and detailed map of the spatial and temporal characteristics of motion perception can be constructed using TMS. [Neurol Res 2002; 24: 266-270]
Relation of rabbit gut reaction to enteropathogenic Escherichia coli.

PREV-IOUSLY we published an account of factors influencing the reaction of the ligated rabbit gut to injections of strains of Encherichia coli (Taylor, Maltby and Payne 1958), and showed that positive reactions were obtained only with living cultures. Bokai (1888) described a somewhat similar technique. Using dogs, he tested various organisms including Esch. coli, and from the results obtained suggested that skatol and other protein break-down products caused the reaction. He was able to show that skatol and lactic acid products, caused increased gut movements, and believed that these substances were also produced by the organisms tested. De and Chatterje (1953) were the first to describe the use of ligated rabbit gut and investigated strains of Vibrio cholerae by this method; in later communications De (1959) and De, Ghose and Sen (1960) reported that from strains of V. cholerae producing positive reactions a sterile filtrate could be obtained which would produce a similar reaction. Jenkin and Rowley (1959, 1960) also reported results with V. cholerae; in addition, they showed that dilatation of the rabbit gut was caused by lactic acid and further suggested that this may be the toxic product produced by the strains of V. cholerae and Esch. coli. We have extended our original studies and have examined a large number of strains of Esch. coli of various serotypes isolated from human, animal and miscellaineous sources. The object of this part of our work was to discover (a) if positive anid negative results in the rabbit gut test were in accord with the history of the patients or animals from which the strains had been isolated, (b) whether humain enteropathogenic serotypes isolated from animal or water sources produced a reaction, and (c) whether a positive reaction was caused by E8ch. coli isolated from infections in which diarrhoea was not a symptom. The second part of our work was devoted to determining the number of organisms, colonial form, the effect of the method of keeping cultures, media, and immunity on the results obtained.
ON CERTAIN CLASSES OF UNIFORMLY ω-STARLIKE AND ω-CONVEX FUNCTIONS DEFINED BY CONVOLUTION

Abstract. The author here wish to further study the new concept of analytic and univalent functions normalized with f(ω) and f ′(ω) − 1 = 0 introduced by Kanas and Ronning in 1999 which was later also investigated in 2005 by Acu and Owa. The author in this paper obtain coefficient estimates, distortion theorems, convex linear combinations, and radii of ω-closeto-convex, ω − starlikeness and ω − convex for functions belonging to the subclass Φγ,ωT (f, g, α, β, λ, l) of uniformly ω − starlikeness and ω − convex functions.We also consider integral operators associated with functions in this class.
Vitamin E Protection from Testicular Damage Caused by Intraperitoneal Aluminium

Different forms of Aluminium (Al) are environmental xenobiotics that induce free radical–mediated cytotoxicity and reproductive toxicity. Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) is an antioxidative agent that has been reported to be important for detoxification pathways. This study was thus aimed at elucidating the protective effects of vitamin E towards aluminium toxicity on the histology of the rat testis. Al (5 mg/kg body weight) was administered intraperitoneally in 2 ml saline, either alone or immediately before vitamin E (500 mg/kg body weight), at a different point of abdomen, and the alterations in the testis tissue were analyaed histologically. Seven treated animals were sacrificed for each group, with the testes removed and examined histologically. In the Al-treated group, the germinal epithelium of the seminiferous tubules was thinner in places and spermatids were almost absent; sperm numbers were low and there were no sperm in the lumen. In the Al plus vitamin E rats, there were large numbers of spermatids and sperm in the seminiferous tubule lumen. In the vitamin E alone group, a normal histology was seen. Electron microscopically, in the Al-treated group there were irregularities in the nuclear membrane, some damaged mitochondria, a decrease in the number of ribosomes, and an increase in the number of lysosomes in the sertoli cell cytoplasm. In the primary spermatocyte cytoplasm, there was an increase in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. In the Al plus vitamin E group, the spermatogeneic cells and the sertoli cell cytoplasm showed an almost normal appearance. The ultrastructure of the testis in the vitamin E alone group showed a normal appearance. In conclusion, vitamin E antagonizes the toxic effects of Al at the histological level, thus potentially contributing to an amelioration of the testis histology in the Al-treated rats. The associated biochemical parameters merit further investigation.
Incubation of Dried and Sieved Soils Can Induce Calcium Phosphate Precipitation/Adsorption

Abstract Soil incubations are a common practice typically employed in assessing the effect of some treatment on the availability and solubility of phosphorus (P). However, standard sample preparation (drying and sieving) can alter soil chemical and physical properties, resulting in possible changes in P behavior upon soil incubation. Sixty surface soil samples were collected, air dried, and sieved before being incubated at field capacity for 7days. After incubation, soils were allowed to air dry and were analyzed along with nonincubated samples for pH and water‐ and Mehlich‐3‐extractable elements. Incubation increased pH and decreased water‐soluble P, calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) relative to nonincubated soils. Increases in pH may have been due to increased solubility of residual calcium carbonates by drying and sieving. This increase in pH among soils with sufficient levels of P, Ca, and Mg resulted in the formation of Ca and Mg phosphates as confirmed by chemical speciation modeling.
Old Age in the Roman World: A Cultural and Social History

Contents: Acknowledgments Introduction I. UNCOVERING AGING ROMANS One Roman Definitions and Statements of Age Two The Demography of Old Age Three Old Age and the Romans: Images and Attitudes II. OLD AGE IN PUBLIC LIFE Four Rules of Age in the Roman Empire Five Rules of Age in Roman Egypt Six The Realities of Rules of Age: Proofs of Age III. OLD AGE IN PRIVATE LIFE Seven Old Age, Marriage, and Sexuality Eight Aging and the Roman Family IV. PUTTING OLDER PEOPLE IN THEIR PLACE Nine The Marginality of Old Age Final Remarks Appendix A Tables Appendix B Figures Appendix C Some Stages of Old Age Abbreviations Notes Bibliography Index
Olfactory Identification Deficits in Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy

Background/Aims: Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is an inherited angiopathy caused by mutations of the Notch 3 gene. Olfactory identification deficits are present in a number of neurodegenerative disorders. However, olfaction has not been investigated in CADASIL. The aim of the present study was to assess olfactory identification in CADASIL and to determine whether there is an association between olfactory identification and the frontotemporal lobe. Methods: Twenty-seven patients and 27 control subjects had an olfactory identification test and neuropsychological testing. Brain MRIs were obtained from 25 patients. Involvement of frontal white matter, anterior temporal white matter and the external capsule were measured. Results: Olfactory identification scores were lower in CADASIL patients than in healthy comparison subjects. The Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and semantic Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT) were also affected. In CADASIL patients, olfactory identification scores correlated with MMSE, COWAT scores and Scheltens’ scores from frontal white matter. The tendency for an association between olfactory identification scores and Scheltens’ scores from anterior temporal white matter was also observed. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that olfactory identification deficits may be a sensitive indicator of frontotemporal dysfunction in CADASIL.