Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Application of 16S rDNA‐DGGE to examine the microbial ecology associated with a social wasp Vespula germanica

Invertebrates host numerous bacteria, with interactions ranging from pathogenesis to symbiosis. While certain symbiotic relationships have been well studied, little is known about the dynamics of these bacterial communities. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was used to examine the bacterial microflora associated with the eusocial wasp Vespula germanica. DGGE profiles of larval guts revealed a variable microflora, suggesting that V. germanica is not dependent on a particular suite of mutualists. The variation in profiles was not related to season, nest size or macrohabitat. Sequences corresponding to Lactococcus, Lactobacillus, a novel Leuconostoc and two Rickettsiella grylli strains were obtained. DGGE proved to be a useful technique for characterizing the wasp microflora. Given the importance of microbial communities to invertebrates, there is much to be gained from the application of such techniques.
Glomerular Injury in Domestic Cats and the Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus): A Comparative Review

Glomerular lesions, in particular glomerulonephritis, were once considered rare in the domestic cat (Nash et al, 1979; Slawson & Lewis, 1979), but in the past decades, the diagnosis of these lesions has increased substantially possibly due to a better understanding and awareness of these diseases (DiBartola & Rutgers, 1994; Grant Maxie & Newman, 2007). Most of the feline glomerulonephritis reported to date are of immune-complex origin (Slawson & Lewis, 1979; Newman et al, 2007; Grant Maxie & Newman, 2007) although some fibrillary glomerulopathies such as glomerular amyloidosis (Boyce et al, 1984; DiBartola et al, 1985, 1986, Gruys 2004; Newman et al, 2007; Grant Maxie & Newman, 2007) and to lesser extent noncongophilic glomerulopathies (Nakamura et al, 1996; Cavana et al, 2008) are also described. The etiology is frequently elusive, though many associations with infectious and other diseases have been identified (Newman et al, 2007; Grant Maxie & Newman, 2007). In particular, association between certain viral diseases such as feline leukemia, feline immunodeficiency virus and feline infectious peritonitis are known to course with some degree of glomerular injury (Glick et al, 1978; Hayasi et al, 1982; Newman et al, 2007). Several reports also relate certain neoplasms with the presence of glomerular injury (Hayasi et al, 1982; Newman et al, 2007). Primary glomerular diseases severe enough to cause the nephrotic syndrome are relatively uncommon in the domestic cat (Schwartz, 2007, as cited in Cavana et al, 2008) and in general lack relevance in most non-domestic felids (Newkirk et al, 2010). However, once renal failure ensues, the outcome is fatal and treatment is only palliative (Nash et al, 1979; DiBartola & Rutgers, 1994). Knowledge on the pathogenesis, type of injury, origin and similarities to human counterparts enables a better understanding of the disease which may permit earlier detection or its prevention. This becomes of even greater importance when considering endangered species such as the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), with less than 200 individuals remaining in the wild and captivity (Guzman et al, 2002). The survival of a single animal becomes crucial. The Iberian lynx is a large felid that has inhabited the Iberian Peninsula for over centuries (Garcia et al, 1997; Garcia & Arsuaga, 1998). Nowadays this species is rated as “critically endangered” (Nowel & Jackson, 1996) and remaining samples are confined to two isolated
SIRT1 controls liver regeneration by regulating bile acid metabolism through farnesoid X receptor and mammalian target of rapamycin signaling

Sirtuin1 (SIRT1) regulates central metabolic functions such as lipogenesis, protein synthesis, gluconeogenesis, and bile acid (BA) homeostasis through deacetylation. Here we describe that SIRT1 tightly controls the regenerative response of the liver. We performed partial hepatectomy (PH) to transgenic mice that overexpress SIRT1 (SIRT). SIRT mice showed increased mortality, impaired hepatocyte proliferation, BA accumulation, and profuse liver injury after surgery. The damaging phenotype in SIRT mice correlated with impaired farnesoid X receptor (FXR) activity due to persistent deacetylation and lower protein expression that led to decreased FXR‐target gene expression; small heterodimer partner (SHP), bile salt export pump (BSEP), and increased Cyp7A1. Next, we show that 24‐norUrsodeoxycholic acid (NorUDCA) attenuates SIRT protein expression, increases the acetylation of FXR and neighboring histones, restores trimethylation of H3K4 and H3K9, and increases miR34a expression, thus reestablishing BA homeostasis. Consequently, NorUDCA restored liver regeneration in SIRT mice, which showed increased survival and hepatocyte proliferation. Furthermore, a leucine‐enriched diet restored mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation, acetylation of FXR and histones, leading to an overall lower BA production through SHP‐inhibition of Cyp7A1 and higher transport (BSEP) and detoxification (Sult2a1) leading to an improved liver regeneration. Finally, we found that human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) samples have increased presence of SIRT1, which correlated with the absence of FXR, suggesting its oncogenic potential. Conclusion: We define SIRT1 as a key regulator of the regenerative response in the liver through posttranscriptional modifications that regulate the activity of FXR, histones, and mTOR. Moreover, our data suggest that SIRT1 contributes to liver tumorigenesis through dysregulation of BA homeostasis by persistent FXR deacetylation. (Hepatology 2014;59:1972–1983)
Osmosensitive Cl− currents and their relevance to regulatory volume decrease in human intestinal T84 cells: outwardly vs. inwardly rectifying currents

1 The swelling‐activated outwardly rectifying Cl− current (ICl(swell)) recorded in T84 human intestinal cells was completely blocked by 10 μM tamoxifen, while 300 μM Cd2+ had no effect. 2 A ClC‐2‐like, inwardly rectifying Cl− current was activated after strong hyperpolarization in T84 cells. This current was completely inhibited by 300 μM Cd2+, unaffected by 10 μM tamoxifen, and its magnitude increased slightly in response to cell swelling under hyposmotic conditions. However, the swelling‐dependent modulation occurred only after prior activation by hyperpolarizing voltages. 3 T84 cells behaved initially close to perfect osmometers in response to changes in external osmolalities between +20 and ‐30 %. The cells underwent full regulatory volume decrease (RVD) within 16 min when exposed to 30 or 10 % hyposmotic shocks. 4 Pharmacological tools were used to determine the anionic pathway(s) involved in RVD in T84 cells. Tamoxifen (10 μM), 1,9‐dideoxyforskolin (DDFSK; 100 μM) and 4,4′‐diisothiocyanatostilbene‐2,2′‐disulphonic acid (DIDS; 100 μM) blocked RVD while 300 μM Cd2+ had no effect upon RVD following a 30 % hyposmotic shock. The RVD response was similarly unaffected by Cd2+ when cells were exposed to a smaller (10 %) hyposmotic shock. 5 In conclusion, these data show that the anionic pathway primarily activated by cell swelling and relevant to RVD in T84 cells is the tamoxifen‐, DDFSK‐ and DIDS‐sensitive ICl(swell) and not the hyperpolarization‐activated, Cd2+‐sensitive Cl− current associated with the ClC‐2 Cl− channel.
Minimally invasive in tumor multidrug comparative analysis with contrast‐enhanced MRI in mice

To facilitate decision making in the oncology clinic, technologies have recently been developed to independently inject and assess multiple anticancer agents directly in a patient's tumor. To increase the flexibility of this approach beyond histological readouts of response, contrast‐enhanced MRI was evaluated for the detection of cell death in living tumors after injection.
Ondansetron is effective to treat spinal or epidural morphine-induced pruritus.

BACKGROUND Spinally and epidurally administered morphine is frequently associated with pruritus. Isolated case reports indicate that ondansetron may be effective in this context. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of ondansetron to treat this side effect. METHODS In a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 100 patients with pruritus (> 4 on a visual analog scale, on which 0 represents no pruritus and 10 represents worst pruritus imaginable) after spinal or epidural administration of morphine, received either 8 mg ondansetron intravenously (ondansetron group) in 100 ml NaCl 0.9% or vehicle (placebo group). A decrease of more than 4 points on the visual analog scale 60 min after treatment was considered a success. Changes in levels of pain and sedation, hemodynamic values, and other side effects were checked regularly. The presence or absence of pruritus was assessed for the last time 24 h later. RESULTS The two groups were similar for demographic characteristics, the route of administration of morphine, and severity of pruritus at the beginning of the study. The ondansetron group showed a success rate of 70% versus 30% for the placebo group (P > 0.05). Among the successfully treated patients, three (9%) in the ondansetron group and six (40%) in the placebo group reported the recurrence of pruritus (P < 0.05). Among the successfully treated patients, none complained of residual pruritus 24 h later. No changes in pain or sedation levels were noted. Hemodynamic values remained stable, hemoglobin oxygen saturation did not decrease, and no other side effects were observed. CONCLUSION The administration of 8 mg ondansetron intravenously is an effective treatment for spinally or epidurally administered morphine-induced pruritus. In this clinical condition the treatment is safe and well tolerated.
Comparison of the quality of oral anticoagulant therapy through patient self-management and management by specialized anticoagulation clinics in the Netherlands: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND Several studies have demonstrated that patient self-management of oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT) can improve treatment quality. However, most of these studies were not conducted within a specialized anticoagulation care system. The objective of the present study was to determine whether patient self-management of OAT improves the quality of care delivered by anticoagulation clinics. METHODS In this randomized study by 2 Dutch anticoagulation clinics 341 patients aged between 18 and 75 years and receiving long-term OAT were divided into 4 groups: an existing routine care group of patients untrained in self-management; a routine care group of trained patients; a group managed weekly at an anticoagulation clinic where international normalized ratios were measured by trained patients; and weekly patient self-management. A 2-step randomization procedure was followed: first, a Zelen-design randomization was performed to distribute patients (without informing them) to the existing care group or to receive training in self-management; second, trained patients were randomized to the 3 other study groups. RESULTS Only 25.6% of invited patients agreed to participate in the training program. Patients who remained in the existing care group were within the international normalized ratio target range 63.5% of the time. The type of coumarin taken was a major predicting factor of OAT quality. In all study groups phenprocoumon outperformed acenocoumarol by 11.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.6%-16.5%). Weekly management with phenprocoumon led to a 6.5% improvement (95% CI, 0.0%-13.1%) in time in the international normalized ratio target range when patients were managed at an anticoagulation clinic and to an 8.7% improvement (95% CI, 1.6%-15.9%) when patients were self-managed. Weekly management with acenocoumarol did not improve the quality of OAT. CONCLUSION With selected patients, the quality of OAT obtained through patient self-management is at least as high as that delivered by specialized physicians at anticoagulation clinics. Weekly management of OAT with long-acting phenprocoumon has to be preferred at anticoagulation clinics or, where possible, through patient self-management.
Farmer Choice, Cost of Transaction, Bargaining Power and Market Information Services in Togo

This paper assesses the effect of the dissemination of prices’ information on the choice of the mode of transaction, the cost of transaction and the bargaining power of maize producers in southern Togo, the maize being the main stuff food among cereals marketed in Togo. To this end, a survey was carried out among maize producers in southern Togo and a selection bias corrections based on the Multinomial Logit Model according to McFadden (1984) approach was performed. The results highlight the fact that despite the dissemination of prices by MIS, the choice of a mode of transaction still depends on the farmers’ informal network. Moreover, the study finds out that dissemination on prices’ information did not neither increase distance trade nor reduce the cost of transaction of the maize producers. However, it improved the producers bargaining power. We found that farmers who are the regular users of MIS received significantly higher prices of maize about 14% more than what received the producers who were not regular users of MIS. Even though the overall effect is mitigated, the results suggested that the market information services are not useless. They need to be improved so as to give satisfaction to the users.
Treatment of genitourinary tract infections with fluoroquinolones: clinical efficacy in genital infections and adverse effects

Role of fluoroquinolones in the treatment of genital infections: Gonorrhea, Chlamydia trachomatis infections, norgonococcal urethritis caused by other agents, pelvic inflammatory disease, chancroid, syphilis, bacterial vaginosis, miscellaneous genital infections. Adverse effects of these agents when used for the treatment of genitourinary tract infections
Modeling the cluster decay in mm-wave channels

The cluster power is an important parameter for cluster-based wireless channel models. This paper addresses modeling and estimation of the cluster power for wireless channels. A novel way of estimating the cluster decay and cluster fading, where the effects of the noise floor is taken into account, is presented. Due to the noise floor present in the measurement, only a limited number of clusters are available when estimating the cluster decay. It is shown that the estimated cluster decay and cluster fading can be improved if the effects of the noise floor and cluster fading are modeled and taken into account in the estimation step. If the noise floor is not taken into account in the estimation of the cluster decay, the resulting model can overestimate the RMS delay spread. Further, the paper includes estimates of the cluster decay and fading based on measured clusters for an indoor wireless mm-Wave channel in a conference room environment.
Agricultural innovation systems and farm technology adoption: findings from a study of the Ghanaian plantain sector

ABSTRACT Purpose: We assess farm technology adoption in an integrated analysis of social networks and innovation in plantain production in Ghana. The paper explores the strength of social networks in the agricultural innovation systems (AISs) and the effect of AISs on adoption of improved farm technology. Methodology/Approach: The paper uses social network analysis (SNA) tools to identify, map and analyze the AISs and the two-stage Heckman selection model. Combining qualitative and quantitative methods allows testing the differential effects of social networks on technology adoption. Findings: We find weak innovation systems in the study area. Farmers are central in the social networks but have little to no influence in the innovation system perspective. Social network capital plays a critical role in improving adoption of improved farm technology. Practical implication: Focal farmers are important actors disseminating farm technology. They should be supported by policies to interact more effectively with research and extension agents. Strengthening the role of social networking in the innovation system will enhance adoption of improved farm technology. Theoretical implications: The inclusion of SNA indicators in the adoption model is a novel approach for quantifying the effect of the innovation system and contributes to understanding the roles of different actors. Further validation of the SNA indicators is needed for a comprehensive analysis of the innovation system. Originality/value: The innovation system approach is useful for researchers and policy-makers by encouraging them to consider new innovation actors and relationships in technology development and dissemination. Combining quantitative and qualitative methods can help to identify starting points for policies to promote innovations among farmers.
Population pharmacokinetics of cilengitide in adult and pediatric cancer patients from a nonlinear mixed‐effects analysis

Cilengitide is an αvβ3/αvβ5‐integrin inhibitor investigated as an anticancer agent. This study aimed to develop a cilengitide population pharmacokinetic model using nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling of 136 adult patients with advanced solid tumors and to scale the pharmacokinetic parameters to the pediatric population. A stepwise approach was used, beginning with exploratory analyses checking database/target covariate relationships. A two‐compartment structural model was developed to describe cilengitide's concentration–time profile and assess covariates’ impact on pharmacokinetic parameters. A bootstrap procedure validated the base/final model stability. A two‐compartment model best described concentration–time data. Estimated structural model parameters were: 2.79 L h−1 m−2 central compartment mean systemic clearance, 6.75 L m−2 central compartment volume of distribution, 1.3 L h−1 m−2 intercompartmental clearance, and 3.85 L m−2 peripheral compartment volume of distribution. Mean half‐life was 0.9 and 3.8 h (α/β‐phase). Co‐medications and study populations had no impact, as the different studies were not significant model covariates. Weight and body surface area correlated with the pharmacokinetic parameters (r = 0.95, P < 0.01). Pharmacokinetic parameters were consistent with individual study‐derived parameters; their allometric scaling enabled pediatric pharmacokinetic profile predictions as corroborated by independent data. This model provides the basis for pharmacokinetic profile simulations of different dosages/regimens in different populations.
Longitudinal association between depressive symptoms and disability burden among older persons.

BACKGROUND Although depressive symptoms in older persons are common, their association with disability burden is not well understood. The authors evaluated the association between level of depressive symptoms and severity of subsequent disability over time and determined whether this relationship differed by sex. METHODS Participants included 754 community-living persons aged 70 years or older who underwent monthly assessments of disability in four essential activities of daily living for up to 117 months. Disability was categorized each month as none, mild, and severe. Depressive symptoms, assessed every 18 months, were categorized as low (referent group), moderate, and high. Multinomial logit models invoking Generalized Estimating Equation were used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS Moderate (odds ratio = 1.30; 95% confidence interval: 1.18-1.43) and high (odds ratio = 1.68; 95% confidence interval: 1.50-1.88) depressive symptoms were associated with mild disability, whereas only high depressive symptoms were associated with severe disability (odds ratio = 2.05; 95% confidence interval: 1.76-2.39). Depressive symptoms were associated with disability burden in both men and women, with modest differences by sex; men had an increased likelihood of experiencing severe disability at both moderate and high levels of depressive symptoms, whereas only high depressive symptoms were associated with severe disability in women. CONCLUSIONS Levels of depressive symptoms below the threshold for subsyndromal depression are associated with increased disability burden in older persons. Identifying and treating varying levels of depressive symptoms in older persons may ultimately help to reduce the burden of disability in this population.
A comparative analysis of the use of mycophenolate mofetil in pediatric vs. adult renal allograft recipients

Abstract: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a new immunosuppressive drug used in combination with cyclosporin A (CsA) or tacrolimus and prednisone to prevent rejection of renal allografts in both adult and pediatric recipients. It has been shown in several large studies that MMF significantly decreases the incidence of acute rejection in adults and has acceptable adverse effects. In this retrospective study, we compare the incidence of adverse events between pediatric and adult renal allograft recipients. Twenty‐two children and 37 adult renal allograft recipients were included in the study. The initial dose of MMF was 1.5 g b.i. d. for the adult patients and ranged from 15 to 30 mg/kg/d for the pediatric patients. All patients received p.o. acyclovir as prophylaxis for cytomegalovirus (CMV). The two groups were similar regarding gender distribution and graft source. Acute rejections occurred in 10 of the 22 pediatric patients (45%) and in nine of the 37 adults (24%), p = NS. The incidence of infections was similar in both groups except for the occurrence of CMV (n = 5), which was seen only in adults. The incidence of GI symptoms was significantly higher in the pediatric population (54.5% vs. 21.6%; p = 0.02). Significant weight loss was seen more often in the smaller pediatric patients (weight ≤ 15 kg) compared to the larger pediatric patients, 60% vs. 11.7%, p = 0.05. Among the patients who had significant GI symptoms 50% of the adults and 75% of the pediatric recipients required either dose reduction or, most commonly, discontinuation of the MMF. The need to discontinue MMF was significantly higher in the pediatric patients, especially in those that weighed less than 15 kg. We suggest the possibility that the optimum dose, dosing interval or preparation of MMF has not yet been established for pediatric patients. One should therefore monitor pediatric patients closely, especially the small ones, to avoid significant nutritional problems and other adverse GI events.
A manufacturer's role in reducing the dose of cone beam computed tomography examinations: effect of beam filtration.

OBJECTIVES The dosimetry of the Kodak 9500 cone beam CT (CBCT) unit (Carestream Health, Rochester, NY) was measured before and after installation of copper filtration. METHODS Dosimetry of a pre-production Kodak 9500 CBCT unit was compared with a current production unit with 0.4 mm of added filtration and increased kVp. Thermoluminescent dosimeter 100 chips were placed at 24 locations in a RANDO (radiation analogue dosimetry) head phantom (Nuclear Associates, Hicksville, NY). Small, medium and large adult default exposure settings were used in separate dosimeter runs for large and medium field of view (FOV) examinations with both units. Equivalent dose and effective dose were calculated using International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) 1990 and 2007 tissue weights. RESULTS Estimations of risk using 2007 ICRP calculations increased by an average of 77% for large FOV scans and 125% for the medium FOV scans in comparison with 1990 calculations. With added filtration, effective dose for medium FOV examinations for default settings were: small adult 76 µSv, medium adult 98 µSv, and large adult 166 µSv. Effective doses for large FOV examinations were: small adult 93 µSv, medium adult 163 µSv, and large adult 260 µSv. Effective dose was reduced by an average of 43% in examinations made with increased filtration and adjusted kVp. CONCLUSION The manufacturer's installation of additional filtration with the adjustment of kVp in the Kodak 9500 CBCT unit resulted in significant patient dose reductions for examinations at all adult default settings.