Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DETOMIDINE AND BUTORPHANOL FOR STANDING SEDATION IN A RANGE OF ZOO-KEPT UNGULATE SPECIES

Abstract General anesthesia poses risks for larger zoo species, like cardiorespiratory depression, myopathy, and hyperthermia. In ruminants, ruminal bloat and regurgitation of rumen contents with potential aspiration pneumonia are added risks. Thus, the use of sedation to perform minor procedures is justified in zoo animals. A combination of detomidine and butorphanol has been routinely used in domestic animals. This drug combination, administered by remote intramuscular injection, can also be applied for standing sedation in a range of zoo animals, allowing a number of minor procedures. The combination was successfully administered in five species of nondomesticated equids (Przewalski horse [Equus ferus przewalskii; n = 1], onager [Equus hemionus onager; n = 4], kiang [Equus kiang; n = 3], Grevy's zebra [Equus grevyi; n = 4], and Somali wild ass [Equus africanus somaliensis; n = 7]), with a mean dose range of 0.10–0.17 mg/kg detomidine and 0.07–0.13 mg/kg butorphanol; the white (Ceratotherium simum simum; n = 12) and greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis; n = 4), with a mean dose of 0.015 mg/kg of both detomidine and butorphanol; and Asiatic elephant bulls (Elephas maximus; n = 2), with a mean dose of 0.018 mg/kg of both detomidine and butorphanol. In addition, the combination was successfully used for standing sedation in six species of artiodactylids: giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata; n = 3), western bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus eurycerus; n = 2), wisent (Bison bonasus; n = 5), yak (Bos grunniens; n = 1), water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis; n = 4) and Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus; n = 5). The mean dose range for artiodactylid species except bongo was 0.04–0.06 mg/kg detomidine and 0.03–0.06 mg/kg butorphanol. The dose in bongo, 0.15–0.20 mg/kg detomidine and 0.13–0.15 mg/kg butorphanol, was considerably higher. Times to first effect, approach, and recovery after antidote were short. The use of detomidine and butorphanol has been demonstrated to be a reliable, safe alternative to general anesthesia for a number of large ungulate species.
Effects of Parents’ Education and Occupation on Adolescent Smoking and the Mediating Role of Smoking-Specific Parenting and Parent Smoking

The current study examined the independent effects of parents’ educational attainment and occupational status on adolescent smoking and mediation of smoking-specific communication and parents’ smoking behaviours on this link. Data were collected in a multi-informant, full-family design in two sampling waves separated by 3 years (n = 358). Education, occupational status, communication, and smoking were assessed via parent and child report. Different effects were found for the indicators of father and mother’s socioeconomic status (education and occupation) for three study outcomes (adolescent lifetime smoking, smoking onset, and smoking continuation). Bootstrapping procedures revealed no mediation in any of the socioeconomic status adolescent smoking associations. Study limitations and implications are discussed.
Development of a vaccine marker technology: Display of B cell epitopes on the surface of recombinant polyomavirus‐like pentamers and capsoids induces peptide‐specific antibodies in piglets after vaccination

Highly immunogenic capsomers (pentamers) and virus‐like particles (VLPs) were generated through insertion of foreign B cell epitopes into the surface‐exposed loops of the VP1 protein of murine polyomavirus and via heterologous expression of the recombinant fusion proteins in E. coli. Usually, complex proteins like the keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) act as standard carrier devices for the display of such immunogenic peptides after chemical linkage. Here, a comparative analysis revealed that antibody responses raised against the carrier entities, KLH or VP1 pentamers, did not significantly differ up to 18 weeks, demonstrating the highly immunogenic nature of VP1‐based particulate structures. The carrier‐specific antibody response was reproducibly detected in the meat juice after processing. More importantly, chimeric VP1 pentamers and VLPs carrying peptides of 12 and 14 amino acids in length, inserted into the BC2 loop, induced a strong and long‐lasting humoral immune response against VP1 and the inserted foreign epitope. Remarkably, the epitope‐specific antibody response was only moderately decreased when VP1 pentamers were used instead of VLPs. In conclusion, we identified polyomavirus VP1‐based structures displaying surface‐exposed immunodominant B cell epitopes as being an efficient carrier system for the induction of potent peptide‐specific antibodies. The application of this approach in vaccine marker technology in livestock holding and the meat production chain is discussed.
The use of 17-hydroxy progesterone in women with arrested preterm labor: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract Background: The use of 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17 P) has been shown to reduce preterm delivery in women who have had a prior preterm birth. The role of 17 P in women with arrested preterm labor is less certain. Aims: To compare the preterm birth rate and neonatal outcome in women with arrested preterm labor randomized to receive 17 P or placebo. Materials and methods: Women with arrested preterm labor were randomized to weekly injections of either 17 P (250 mg) or placebo. Maternal and neonatal outcome were evaluated. Results: Forty-five singleton pregnancies were randomized after successful tocolysis; 22 received 17 P while 23 got placebo. Gestational age at delivery (p = 0.067) and the interval from treatment to delivery (p = 0.233) were not affected by 17 P. Significantly less women in the 17 P group delivered at <34 weeks (14 versus 21, p = 0.035). There was also a significant reduction in the risk of neonatal sepsis (p = 0.047) and gr III/IV intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (p = 0.022) in the 17 P group. Conclusion: In this study, 17 P did not delay the interval to delivery after successful preterm labor, but births <34 weeks as well as neonatal sepsis and IVH were reduced by 17 P treatment.
Analysis of the CTNS gene in nephropathic cystinosis Mexican patients: report of four novel mutations and identification of a false positive 57-kb deletion genotype with LDM-2/exon 4 multiplex PCR assay.

OBJECTIVE Identify CTNS gene mutations in nephropathic cystinosis Mexican patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Eleven patients were included, nine presenting infantile nephropathic cystinosis and two siblings with the juvenile phenotype. The common 57-kb deletion was detected by multiplex PCR using large deletion marker-2 (LDM-2)/exon 4 set primers. Those alleles negative for 57-kb deletion were screened by single strand confirmation polymorphism (SSCP) and subsequent direct sequencing. RESULTS In our sample, five mutations previously reported are identified: 57-kb deletion, EX4_EX5del, c. 985_986insA, c. 357_360delGACT, and c. 537_557del. We detect a false assignation of 57-kb deletion homozygous genotype by using the LDM-2/exon 4 primers. In addition, four novel and severe mutations are identified: c.379delC, c. 1090_1093delACCAinsCG, c.986C>G (p.T216R), and c.400+5G>A. CONCLUSIONS Our sample of Mexican patients display allelic heterogeneity as compared to European or North American cystinosis cases. The identification of novel mutations might suggest the presence of exclusive American CTNS alleles in Mexican population. In order to prevent the false positive assignation of 57-kb deletion genotype, as caused by the presence of another type of intragenic CTNS gross deletion, we propose to analyze a different control CTNS exon to those originally reported in both LDM multiplex PCR assays, especially when parental DNA samples are not available.
Inverse correlation between endogenous melatonin levels and oxidative damage in some tissues of SAM P8 mice

Abstract: To assess whether oxidative damage in some tissues was related to their melatonin concentration, endogenous melatonin levels and the age‐linked protein and lipid damage in spleen, thymus and liver in 5‐month‐old SAM P8 mice were examined. The results show that high levels of melatonin in spleen and thymus correlate with lower protein and lipid damage. The liver, which had much lower melatonin concentrations than the other two tissues, had much higher levels of oxidatively damaged protein, as measured by carbonyl values. These results add new evidence concerning the protective role of endogenous melatonin as an antioxidant agent, and suggest that a treatment with this molecule might help to reduce age‐associated functional deficits in many organs, including those of the immune system.
Epidemiology of sepsis syndrome in 8 academic medical centers.

CONTEXT Sepsis syndrome is a leading cause of mortality in hospitalized patients. However, few studies have described the epidemiology of sepsis syndrome in a hospitalwide population. OBJECTIVE To describe the epidemiology of sepsis syndrome in the tertiary care hospital setting. DESIGN Prospective, multi-institutional, observational study including 5-month follow-up. SETTING Eight academic tertiary care centers. METHODS Each center monitored a weighted random sample of intensive care unit (ICU) patients, non-ICU patients who had blood cultures drawn, and all patients who received a novel therapeutic agent or who died in an emergency department or ICU. Sepsis syndrome was defined as the presence of either a positive blood culture or the combination of fever, tachypnea, tachycardia, clinically suspected infection, and any 1 of 7 confirmatory criteria. Estimates of total cases expected annually were extrapolated from the number of cases, the period of observation, and the sampling fraction. RESULTS From January 4, 1993, to April 2, 1994, 12759 patients were monitored and 1342 episodes of sepsis syndrome were documented. The extrapolated, weighted estimate of hospitalwide incidence (mean+/-95% confidence limit) of sepsis syndrome was 2.0+/-0.16 cases per 100 admissions, or 2.8+/-0.17 per 1000 patient-days. The unadjusted attack rate for sepsis syndrome between individual centers differed by as much as 3-fold, but after adjustment for institutional differences in organ transplant populations, variation from the expected number of cases was reduced to 2-fold and was not statistically significant overall. Patients in ICUs accounted for 59% of total extrapolated cases, non-ICU patients with positive blood cultures for 11%, and non-ICU patients with negative blood cultures for 30%. Septic shock was present at onset of sepsis syndrome in 25% of patients. Bloodstream infection was documented in 28%, with gram-positive organisms being the most frequent isolates. Mortality was 34% at 28 days and 45% at 5 months. CONCLUSIONS Sepsis syndrome is common in academic hospitals, although the overall rates vary considerably with the patient population. A substantial fraction of cases occur outside ICUs. An understanding of the hospitalwide epidemiology of sepsis syndrome is vital for rational planning and treatment of hospitalized patients with sepsis syndrome, especially as new and expensive therapeutic agents become available.
An investigation of the in-game behaviours of professional, top-level youth soccer coaches

Abstract Although research into coaching has increased considerably during the last two decades, an area of neglect has been that of the professional youth coach. The aim of this study was to investigate the working behaviours of six top-level professional soccer coaches. Data were collected using a modified version of the Arizona State University Observation Instrument and semi-structured interviews. The triangulation of the data ensured that both the “what” and the “why” of the coaches' behaviour were considered. Results revealed a conscious and well thought out pattern of behaviour: silently monitoring, interspersed with clips of instruction coupled with praise and encouragement. The interviews revealed three themes underpinning this behaviour: developing game understanding, support and encouragement, and coaches' role and influences. The use of silence was the largest single behaviour, the efficacy of which was considered in light of theories of experiential and discovery learning.
Varicella-Zoster Virus Glycoprotein E Is a Critical Determinant of Virulence in the SCID Mouse-Human Model of Neuropathogenesis

ABSTRACT Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a neurotropic alphaherpesvirus. VZV infection of human dorsal root ganglion (DRG) xenografts in immunodeficient mice models the infection of sensory ganglia. We examined DRG infection with recombinant VZV (recombinant Oka [rOka]) and the following gE mutants: gEΔ27-90, gEΔCys, gE-AYRV, and gE-SSTT. gEΔ27-90, which lacks the gE domain that interacts with a putative receptor insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), replicated as extensively as rOka, producing infectious virions and significant cytopathic effects within 14 days of inoculation. Since neural cells express IDE, the gE/IDE interaction was dispensable for VZV neurotropism. In contrast, gEΔCys, which lacks gE/gI heterodimer formation, was significantly impaired at early times postinfection; viral genome copy numbers increased slowly, and infectious virus production was not detected until day 28. Delayed replication was associated with impaired cell-cell spread in ganglia, similar to the phenotype of a gI deletion mutant (rOkaΔgI). However, at later time points, infection of satellite cells and other supportive nonneuronal cells resulted in extensive DRG tissue damage and cell loss such that cytopathic changes observed at day 70 were more severe than those for rOka-infected DRG. The replication of gE-AYRV, which is impaired for trans-Golgi network (TGN) localization, and the replication of gE-SSTT, which contains mutations in an acidic cluster, were equivalent to that of rOka, causing significant cytopathic effects and infectious virus production by day 14; genome copy numbers were equivalent to those of rOka. These experiments suggest that the gE interaction with cellular IDE, gE targeting to TGN sites of virion envelopment, and phosphorylation at SSTT are dispensable for VZV DRG infection, whereas the gE/gI interaction is critical for VZV neurovirulence.
Aerobic Fitness Affects the Exercise Performance Responses to Nitrate Supplementation.

PURPOSE Dietary nitrate supplementation has been shown to reduce O2 cost of submaximal exercise, improve exercise tolerance, and enhance performance in moderately trained individuals. In contrast, data have been provided that elite athletes do not benefit from nitrate supplementation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of short-term nitrate supplementation on endurance performance in subjects with different levels of aerobic fitness. METHODS Twenty-one subjects (mean age, 22.7 ± 1.8 yr) with different aerobic fitness level (V˙O2peak value ranging from 28.2 to 81.7 mL·kg·min) participated in a crossover double-blind placebo-controlled study. Subjects were tested after 6 d of supplementation with either 0.5 l per day of nitrate (5.5 mmol)-containing water (NITR) or nitrate-free water (PLA). Participants performed an incremental running test until exhaustion and four repetitions of 6-min submaximal (approximately 80% of gas exchange threshold) constant load exercise on a motorized treadmill. Moreover, subjects performed a 3-km running time trial on the field. RESULTS After NITR, a negative correlation between reduction of O2 cost of submaximal exercise and individual aerobic fitness level was observed (r = 0.80; P < 0.0001). A significant inverse correlation was also found between aerobic fitness level and improvement in performance for 3-km time trial after NITR (r = 0.76; P < 0.0001). Additionally, subjects responded differently to dietary nitrate supplementation according to aerobic fitness level with higher-fit subjects showing a lower increase in plasma [NO3] (r = 0.86; P < 0.0001) and [NO2] (r = 0.75; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study suggest that the individual aerobic fitness level affects the ergogenic benefits induced by dietary nitrate supplementation. The optimal nitrate loading regimen required to elevate plasma [NO2] and to enhance performance in elite athletes is different from that of low-fit subjects and requires further studies.
Conjugative transposition of Tn916 requires the excisive and integrative activities of the transposon-encoded integrase

Transposon Tn916 is a 16.4-kb broad-host-range conjugative transposon originally detected in the chromosome of Enterococcus faecalis DS16. Transposition of Tn916 and related transposons involves excision of a free, nonreplicative, covalently closed circular intermediate that is substrate for integration. Excisive recombination requires two transposon-encoded proteins, Xis-Tn and Int-Tn, whereas the latter protein alone is sufficient for integration. Here we report that conjugative transposition of Tn916 requires the presence of a functional integrase in both donor and recipient strains. We have constructed a mutant, designated Tn916-int1, by replacing the gene directing synthesis of Int-Tn by an allele inactivated in vitro. In mating experiments, transfer of Tn916-int1 from Bacillus subtilis to E. faecalis was detected only when the transposon-encoded integrase was supplied by trans-complementation in both the donor and the recipient. These results suggest that conjugative transposition of Tn916 requires circularization of the element in the donor followed by transfer and integration of the nonreplicative intermediate in the recipient.
Proteomic characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 inner membrane

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram‐negative bacterium that can inhabit a wide variety of environments and infect different hosts. Human infections by this microbe are nowadays perceived as a major health problem due notably to its multiresistance. The present data set provides the first description of P. aeruginosa inner membrane proteome. To achieve this, we combined efficient separation of membranes from PAO1 reference strain using discontinuous sucrose gradient centrifugation and MS‐based proteomic analysis. A core list of 991 nonredundant proteins was established and analyzed in terms of trans‐membrane domains, signal peptide, and lipobox sequence prediction. Furthermore, functional insights into membrane‐spanning and membrane‐associated protein complexes have been explored. All mass spectrometry data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD000107.
Rigorous analysis of light diffraction by a striated muscle fibre

A rigorous theory describing the diffraction of light by a muscle fibre has been formulated. The basis of this analysis is the rigorous coupled-wave approach of T. K. Gaylord & M. G. Moharam (Proc. IEEE73, 894 (1985)); however, we obtain here a closed-form analytical result that is both mathematically simple and physically easy to understand. We have compared our results on striated muscle fibres with the analytical results obtained by A. F. Huxley (Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B 241, 65 (1990)) using the normal mode approach, and with those obtained by R. A. Thornhill, N. Thomas & N. Berovic (Eur. Biophys. J. 20, 87 (1991)) using a multiwave first-order coupled-wave approximation. For an equivalent set of assigned fibre parameters, our results are consistent with these mentioned. Extension of this analysis to a fibre with different structures showed that the differences in diffraction efficiencies of different orders for a frog skeletal fibre and for an insect flight fibre are clear; the sensitivity to distinct structural organization of the fibre is very good.
Characterization of Glioma Stem Cells Through Multiple Stem Cell Markers and Their Specific Sensitization to Double‐Strand Break‐Inducing Agents by Pharmacological Inhibition of Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Protein

Previous studies have shown that tumor‐driving glioma stem cells (GSC) may promote radio‐resistance by constitutive activation of the DNA damage response started by the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) protein. We have investigated whether GSC may be specifically sensitized to ionizing radiation by inhibiting the DNA damage response. Two grade IV glioma cell lines (BORRU and DR177) were characterized for a number of immunocytochemical, karyotypic, proliferative and differentiative parameters. In particular, the expression of a panel of nine stem cell markers was quantified by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and flow cytometry. Overall, BORRU and DR177 displayed pronounced and poor stem phenotypes, respectively. In order to improve the therapeutic efficacy of radiation on GSC, the cells were preincubated with a nontoxic concentration of the ATM inhibitors KU‐55933 and KU‐60019 and then irradiated. BORRU cells were sensitized to radiation and radio‐mimetic chemicals by ATM inhibitors whereas DR177 were protected under the same conditions. No sensitization was observed after cell differentiation or to drugs unable to induce double‐strand breaks (DSB), indicating that ATM inhibitors specifically sensitize glioma cells possessing stem phenotype to DSB‐inducing agents. In conclusion, pharmacological inhibition of ATM may specifically sensitize GSC to DSB‐inducing agents while sparing nonstem cells.
Combined Genotypic and Phenotypic Killer Cell Ig-Like Receptor Analyses Reveal KIR2DL3 Alleles Displaying Unexpected Monoclonal Antibody Reactivity: Identification of the Amino Acid Residues Critical for Staining

In humans, recent clinical and experimental data from hematopoietic stem cell transplantation revealed that donor-derived alloreactive NK cells exert a beneficial graft versus leukemia effect. The existence of donor-derived alloreactive NK cells can be predicted on the basis of donor killer cell Ig-like receptor (KIR) gene profile and HLA class I typing of both donor and recipient. Moreover, the size of the alloreactive NK cell population can be directly assessed by the combined use of anti–KIR-specific mAb. In this study, in an attempt to improve the definition of alloreactive NK cell subsets, we assessed the KIR genotype and phenotype in a cohort of 44 donors. This approach allowed the identification of two different KIR2DL3 alleles (KIR2DL3*005 and the novel allele KIR2DL3*015) that did not react with the anti–KIR2DL3-specific ECM41 mAb. In contrast, both alleles were recognized at the cell surface by several mAb reacting with KIR2DL2/L3/S2. Notably, KIR2DL3*005 was also stained by the anti–KIR2DL1/S1-specific EB6B and 11PB6 mAb. Functional analysis revealed that, despite its particular mAb reactivity, the specificity of KIR2DL3*005 for HLA-C molecules did not differ from that of other KIR2DL2/L3 alleles. Finally, site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that glutamine at position 35 is required for ECM41 staining, whereas glutamic acid 35 and arginine 50 are relevant for staining with EB6B or 11PB6 mAb. Our present data represent a substantial progress in the characterization of the NK cell repertoire and an improved phenotypic/functional definition of given KIR+ subsets.