Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mutual influence of soil basidiomycetes and white mustard plants on their enzymatic and catabolic activities

Liquid and volatile emanations in interactions of soil basidiomycetes with herbs affect fungal oxidoreductases and stress‐related plant peroxidases (PO). In this study, gnotobiotic co‐cultures between 6 non‐pathogenic saprobes and 2 ectomycorrhizal basidiomycetes with the non‐host plant white mustard were established on glucose‐salt medium with the respective controls. Determined were oxidoreductase activities for culture fluids and plant tissues at initial fungal idiophase and degradation rates of Remazol‐BBR and 5 PAHs. In culture fluids of Agaricus arvensis, A. porphyrizon, Lepista nebularis, Stropharia rugoso‐annulata, and Hypholoma fasciculare (group‐5), the laccase‐deficient plant enabled activity increases in fungal laccase (by 2300‐fold), in extracellular (fungal and? ) plant‐derived peroxidases (by 21‐fold), and in the dissipation of phenanthrene and anthracene. Oxidative activities in roots rose by 46000‐fold during adsorption of fungal laccases. Increases in the stress‐related shoot‐PO (by 4.1‐fold) were exclusively elicited by group‐5 saprobes and correlated with plant‐phenolic‐mediated formations of Mn(III) and increases in Remazol BBR bleaching. Agaricus bisporus and the ectomycorrhizal Hebeloma crustuliniforme and Suillus granulatus did not respond to plant emanations with elevated laccase activities but solubilized apparently root‐surface PO. They failed to elicit stress‐related activity increases of PO in white mustard shoot and prevented Mn(III) formation in several tissues. It is concluded that white mustard emanations promoted the catabolic performance of the plant‐stress eliciting group‐5 saprobes but not of A. bisporus and the ectomycorrhizal fungi with their low stress‐inducing potential. The nature of the plant‐released stimuli and the classes of fungus‐released stress agents discussed must be determined in further studies. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Detection and prevention of black hole attacks in cluster based wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks are application based special networks consists of tiny sensor nodes deployed in a specific area. They are prone to adversaries due to distributed behavior and deployment in distant areas. Blackhole attack is a type of denial of service attack in which attacker attracts all the packets from nodes and swallows the packets i.e. the packets are not forwarded to the sink. The paper deals clustering based sensor networks with two cluster heads in each cluster that are being used for blackhole detection and prevention.
Complete Genome Sequence of Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus from Georgia, 2016

ABSTRACT We report here the complete genome sequence of a peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) from the first outbreak of the disease in Georgia in January 2016. Genome sequencing was performed using Illumina next-generation sequencing technology in conjunction with Sanger sequencing. This PPRV/Georgia/Tbilisi/2016 genome sequence clustered within lineage IV PPRV viruses.
Paraxial-fated mesoderm is required for neural crest induction in Xenopus embryos.

Neural crest induction is thought to occur by a two-step process. Axially fated mesoderm induces neural plate, which is then recruited to neural crest by nonneural epidermal ectoderm at the neural plate border. This model suggests a rather indirect role for mesoderm in inducing neural crest. We extensively examined the role of mesoderm in neural crest induction by determining which types of mesoderm induce neural crest cells in Xenopus embryos. We found that noggin-dorsalized ventral marginal zone (VMZ) explants differentiate as melanocytes in the absence of axial mesoderm. Dorsalized VMZ is also a potent inducer of melanocytes when juxtaposed to animal cap ectoderm in recombinant explants. Dorsalized VMZ is analogous to the dorsal-lateral marginal zone (DLMZ) region of the embryo. Neural crest-inducing activities of gastrula stage DLMZ and dorsal marginal zone (DMZ) were also compared in recombinant explants. DLMZ was a stronger inducer of neural crest than was DMZ; DLMZ induced high levels of XSlug expression and melanocyte formation in recombinants, whereas DMZ weakly induced neural crest. In whole embryos lacking DLMZ, XSlug expression and melanocyte formation were significantly reduced; in contrast, no significant reduction of XSlug expression or melanocyte formation was seen in embryos lacking a DMZ. These results suggest that paraxial-fated mesoderm plays a central role in neural crest formation by inducing a novel type of lateral neural plate. This lateral neural plate is then recruited to neural crest by adjacent nonneural epidermal ectoderm.
Mothering from the Inside Out: results of a pilot study testing a mentalization-based therapy for mothers enrolled in mental health services

ABSTRACT Mothers who are involved with mental health services (for themselves or their children) rarely receive adequate support for their role as parents. Mental illness in a parent or child often exacerbates the challenges of managing psychological distress that is germane to the parenting roll. Mentalization-based approaches to psychotherapy for parents have the potential to address challenges of emotional regulation in parents by supporting their capacity to recognize and modulate negative affect during stressful parenting situations. In this study, we piloted Mothering from the Inside Out (MIO) with 17 mothers receiving services at a community-based mental health clinic. MIO is a 12-week, mentalization-based parenting intervention that demonstrated efficacy in two previous randomized controlled trials with substance using mothers. In this study, we were interested in determining whether community-based clinicians could deliver MIO with sustained fidelity. We were also interested in examining the preliminary feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of MIO when delivered by clinicians in a community mental health center. Finally, we were interested in replicating prior tests of the proposed treatment mechanisms. Treatment outcomes included maternal reflective functioning, psychiatric and parenting stress, and mother–child interaction quality. Our findings indicated that MIO was feasible and acceptable when delivered in the community-based setting and that all maternal indices improved. However, no improvement in mother–child interaction quality was found, possibly because of insufficient time for these changes to consolidate.
Relation between attempted suicide and suicide rates among young people in Europe.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine if there are associations between rates of suicide and attempted suicide in 15-24 year olds in different countries in Europe. DESIGN: Attempted suicide rates were based on data collected in centres in Europe between 1989 and 1992 as part of the WHO/EURO Multicentre Study of Parasuicide. Comparison was made with both national suicide rates and local suicide rates for the areas in which the attempted suicide monitoring centres are based. SETTING: 15 centres in 13 European countries. PATIENTS: Young people aged 15-24 years who had taken overdoses or deliberately injured themselves and been identified in health care facilities. MAIN RESULTS: There were positive correlations (Spearman rank order) between rates of attempted suicide and suicide rates in both sexes. The correlations only reached statistical significance for male subjects: regional suicide rates, r = 0.65, p < 0.02; national suicide rates, r = 0.55, p < 0.02. CONCLUSIONS: Rates of attempted suicide and suicide in the young covary. The recent increase in attempted suicide rates in young male subjects in several European countries could herald a further increase in suicide rates.
Causes of Infection after Earthquake, China, 2008

To determine which organisms most commonly cause infection after natural disasters, we cultured specimens from injured earthquake survivors in Wenchuan, China, 2008. Of 123 cultures, 46 (59%) grew only 1 type of pathogenic bacteria. Smear was more effective than culture for early diagnosis of gas gangrene. Early diagnosis and treatment of wounds are crucial.
Bovine colostrum is superior to enriched formulas in stimulating intestinal function and necrotising enterocolitis resistance in preterm pigs

Milk contains immunomodulatory compounds that may be important to protect the immature intestine in preterm neonates from harmful inflammatory reactions involved in disorders like necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). We hypothesised that bovine colostrum and milk formulas enriched with sialic acids (SL), gangliosides (Gang) or osteopontin (OPN) would improve gastrointestinal function and NEC resistance in preterm neonates. Forty-seven caesarean-delivered preterm pigs were given total parenteral nutrition for 2 d followed by 1·5 d of enteral feeding. In Expt 1, a control formula was compared with an OPN-enriched formula (n 13), while Expt 2 compared a control formula with bovine colostrum or formulas enriched with Gang or SL (n 4–6). OPN enrichment decreased NEC severity relative to control formula (P < 0·01), without any significant effects on NEC incidence, digestive enzyme activities and hexose absorption. Neither SL- nor Gang-enriched formulas improved NEC resistance or digestive functions, while all the intestinal functional parameters were significantly improved in pigs fed bovine colostrum, relative to formula. The effects in vivo were supported in vitro by bacteria- and dose-dependent modulation by colostrum whey of the cytokine response from bacteria-stimulated murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DC). In conclusion, OPN had only moderate NEC-protective effects, while formulas enriched with Gang or SL were ineffective. The observed modulation of DC cytokine response by bovine colostrum whey in vitro may be due to a synergistic action of various milk bioactives, and it may explain its beneficial effects on NEC development and intestinal function in a piglet model of preterm infants.
Every Picture Tells a Story

Using maps and other visual aids, chapter three tells a story that describes the region, the communities that were impacted, and the locations and characteristics of the disaster survivors that the authors talked with in this study. A number of important questions are addressed in this chapter: What were the sociodemographic and socioeconomic aggregate profiles of these communities, and how were they related to determining the pathway of displacement and recovery for the survivors? What were the socio-spatial characteristics of specific outcomes among survivors (e.g., displacement options, attitudes about disruption and destruction, resilience perceptions, climate change attitudes, etc.)? Finally, the chapter examines how we can do a better job in the modern Facebook and Twitter world to tell the story of survivors and their disaster experiences.
Exploratory pilot study assessing the risk of cognitive impairment or sedation in the elderly following single doses of solifenacin 10 mg

Objectives: To assess the cognitive effects of single doses of solifenacin 10 mg compared with placebo (primary objective) and oxybutynin immediate release (IR) 10 mg (secondary objective) in elderly subjects. Methods: Single-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 12 healthy elderly volunteers, with three crossover periods separated by two 14-day washout periods. Each sequence consisted of a single dose of solifenacin 10 mg in one period, oxybutynin IR 10 mg in another and placebo in another. Aspects of attention, information processing, working memory, episodic memory and self-rated mood and alertness were tested using the validated Cognitive Drug Research computerised assessment system. Results: There was no evidence from absolute mean values or changes from baseline to suggest that solifenacin 10 mg impaired cognition or self-ratings of mood and alertness versus placebo. Post-hoc ANCOVA showed no statistically significant cognitive deterioration with solifenacin versus placebo, when measured at a time point closest to the probable Cmax of solifenacin. Oxybutynin was associated with statistically significant impairments in several measures of cognitive function at a time point corresponding with its probable Cmax. Conclusion: In this pilot study, single 10 mg doses of solifenacin did not show any clear propensity to impair cognitive function in a healthy elderly population.
Tagging Morphogenetic Genes by Insertional Mutagenesis in the Yeast Yarrowia lipolytica

ABSTRACT The yeast Yarrowia lipolytica is distantly related to Saccharomyces cerevisiae, can be genetically modified, and can grow in both haploid and diploid states in either yeast, pseudomycelial, or mycelial forms, depending on environmental conditions. Previous results have indicated that the STEand RIM pathways, which mediate cellular switching in other dimorphic yeasts, are not required for Y. lipolytica morphogenesis. To identify the pathways involved in morphogenesis, we mutagenized a wild-type strain of Y. lipolytica with a Tn3 derivative. We isolated eight tagged mutants, entirely defective in hyphal formation, from a total of 40,000 mutants and identified seven genes homologous toS. cerevisiae CDC25, RAS2, BUD6, KEX2, GPI7, SNF5, andPPH21. We analyzed their abilities to invade agar and to form pseudomycelium or hyphae under inducing conditions and their sensitivity to temperature and to Calcofluor white. Chitin staining was used to detect defects in their cell walls. Our results indicate that a functional Ras-cyclic AMP pathway is required for the formation of hyphae in Y. lipolytica and that perturbations in the processing of extracellular, possibly parietal, proteins result in morphogenetic defects.
The Influence of Gain and Loss on Arithmetic Performance

Gain and loss modulation of different aspects of executive functions (EF) has been studied under changing conditions. However, the nature of this effect varies in different EF tasks, as both gain and loss were found to improve performance in specific EF tasks while hindering performance in others. The current study examines the influence of gain and loss stimuli on arithmetic performance. Since arithmetic processes have been found to rely heavily on EF, the current study addresses the question of “whether” and “in what direction” those stimuli might affect arithmetic performance. In three experiments, participants preformed an arithmetic equation judgment task, while gain and loss conditions were added in each trial in the form of a line drawn face representing either monetary gain, loss, or neither. In Experiment 1, the arithmetic task included carry and non-carry equations representing different arithmetic complexity levels. In Experiment 2, two and three addend equations were used, and in Experiment 3, the proportions of correct and incorrect equations differed. Results of all experiments demonstrated faster RT in the arithmetic task after gain stimuli when compared to the loss stimuli. Our results further extend our understanding regarding the nature of the relationship between gain and loss situations and arithmetic performance and further emphasize the conditions under which arithmetic performance can be improved or hindered.
Composición florística del Bosque Chaqueño Serrano de la provincia de Córdoba, Argentina

Si bien el Chaco Serrano constituye una de las principales unidades fitogeograficas de la provincia de Cordoba, son escasos y restringidos los relevamientos floristicos disponibles. Por ello, en este trabajo se analiza la composicion floristica del Chaco Serrano entre los 400 y 1700 m.s.m. A lo largo de los cuatro cordones montanosos que lo componen, realizamos 437 relevamientos completos de plantas vasculares, en cuadrados homogeneos de 20 × 20 m. Se registraron un total de 106 familias, 476 generos y 896 especies de plantas vasculares. Las dos familias mejor representadas fueron Poaceae (157) y Asteraceae (143). Los generos con mayor numero de especies correspondieron a Baccharis, Eupatorium, Euphorbia, Gymnocalycium y Tillandsia. Las formas de vida con mayor numero de especies fueron hierbas perennes siempre-verdes (221), graminoides (143) y arbustos (124); los arboles nativos registrados fueron 27. Del total de especies registradas, 102 (11%) fueron exoticas, 29 de ellas lenosas. Se registraron aproximadamente la mitad de especies previamente citadas para la provincia de Cordoba. Ademas, se mencionan 6 citas nuevas para la provincia. Estos resultados ponen de manifiesto la importancia de la unidad fitogeografica del Chaco Serrano para la conservacion de la flora de la provincia de Cordoba
Interobserver variability in the interpretation of renal digital subtraction angiography.

OBJECTIVE Our purpose was to analyze interobserver variability in the interpretation of renal digital subtraction angiography and to describe the main factors associated with observer discrepancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-nine cases of unilateral atheromatous renal artery stenosis of more than 60% were quantified first by local investigators in a multicenter study and then by five other radiologists. Differences between radiologists for the minimum diameter (Dmin), the reference diameter (Dref), and the percentage of stenosis of the renal arteries were analyzed. Interpretations by the local investigators were then compared with the gold standard, defined as the mean for the five radiologists. RESULTS The average SD for estimation of all renal artery stenoses by all radiologists was 7% for stenosis percentage, 0.5 mm for Dmin, and 0.7 mm for Dref. Main discrepancies occurred more frequently in cases of weakly opacified renal artery stenosis and poststenotic dilatation. The observations of local investigators disagreed by more than two SDs (14%) with the gold standard for 11 of 49 cases (22%). CONCLUSION The accuracy of digital subtraction angiography in renal artery interpretations is poor because of variations in evaluating both Dmin and Dref. Precise and reproducible methods for quantification of renal artery stenosis are required.
Healthcare providers’ gestational weight gain counselling practises and the influence of knowledge and attitudes: a cross-sectional mixed methods study

Objective To understand current gestational weight gain (GWG) counselling practices of healthcare providers, and the relationships between practices, knowledge and attitudes. Design Concurrent mixed methods with data integration: cross-sectional survey and semistructured interviews. Participants Prenatal healthcare providers in Canada: general practitioners, obstetricians, midwives, nurse practitioners and registered nurses in primary care settings. Results Typically, GWG information was provided early in pregnancy, but not discussed again unless there was a concern. Few routinely provided women with individualised GWG advice (21%), rate of GWG (16%) or discussed the risks of inappropriate GWG to mother and baby (20% and 19%). More routinely discussed physical activity (46%) and food requirements (28%); midwives did these two activities more frequently than all other disciplines (P<0.001). Midwives interviewed noted a focus on overall wellness instead of weight, and had longer appointment times which allowed them to provide more in-depth counselling. Regression results identified that the higher priority level that healthcare providers place on GWG, the more likely they were to report providing GWG advice and discussing risks of GWG outside recommendations (β=0.71, P<0.001) and discussing physical activity and food requirements (β=0.341, P<0.001). Interview data linked the priority level of GWG to length of appointments, financial compensation methods for healthcare providers and the midwifery versus medical model of care. Conclusions Interventions for healthcare providers to enhance GWG counselling practices should consider the range of factors that influence the priority level healthcare providers place on GWG counselling.
Cefmenoxime (SCE-1365), a new Cephalosporin: In Vitro Activity, Comparison with Other Antimicrobial Agents, Beta-Lactamase Stability, and Disk Diffusion Testing with Tentative Interpretive Criteria

The in vitro activity of cefmenoxime (SCE-1365) was evaluated in a multiphased collaborative investigation. Over 7,500 consecutive clinical isolates were tested in five laboratories, and greater than 90% of the following organisms were inhibited by cefmenoxime at the following concentrations: Enterobacteriaceae and non-enterococcal streptococci, ≤0.125 μg/ml; Staphylococcus aureus, ≤2.0 μg/ml; and nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli and Bacteroides fragilis group, ≤32 μg/ml. Both beta-lactamase-producing and -nonproducing Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae were inhibited by cefmenoxime at ≤0.03 μg/ml. The spectrum of cefmenoxime was similar to that of other, newer cephalosporins, particularly cefotaxime. A pronounced inoculum effect was found with some species upon increasing inocula from 105 to 107 colony-forming units per ml, resulting in an approximate eightfold increase in minimum inhibitory concentrations. Cefmenoxime was bactericidal when tested with inocula of 105 colonyforming units per ml, and mean differences between the minimum inhibitory concentration and the minimum lethal concentration were less than one log2 dilution. No significant hydrolysis of cefmenoxime by five different beta-lactamases was detectable, and cefmenoxime exhibited marked inhibition of type I beta-lactamases. Regression and error rate-bounded analyses of results of disk diffusion and reference broth microdilution susceptibility tests were performed on 421 bacterial isolates, and the following tentative zone size breakpoints are proposed: ≥22 mm, susceptible; ≤14 mm, resistant; and 15 to 21 mm, moderately susceptible (indeterminate). These data and cross-resistance studies with other newer cephalosporins indicate marked similarity of in vitro activity within this group of drugs, particularly between cefmenoxime, moxalactam, and cefotaxime. Any one of these could serve as the representative for the disk diffusion testing of this group of drugs if comparable minimum inhibitory concentration breakpoints were used for each drug.
Peak-to-average power ratio reduction of an OFDM signal using partial transmit sequences

Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) is an attractive technique for achieving high-bit-rate wireless data transmission. However, the potentially large peak-to-average power ratio (PAP) has limited its application. Recently, two promising techniques for improving the PAP statistics of an OFDM signal have been proposed: the selective mapping and partial transmit sequence approaches. Here, we present suboptimal strategies for combining partial transmit sequences that achieve similar performance but with reduced complexity.
Antioxidant efficacy of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) and piperine in rats with high fat diet induced oxidative stress

Abstract The present study was aimed to explore the effect of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) on tissue lipid peroxidation, enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants in rats fed a high-fat diet. Thirty male Wistar rats (95–115 g) were divided into 5 groups. They were fed standard pellet diet, high-fat diet (20% coconut oil, 2% cholesterol and 0.125% bile salts), high-fat diet plus black pepper (0.25 g or 0.5 g/kg body weight), high-fat diet plus piperine (0.02 g/kg body weight) for a period of 10 weeks. Significantly elevated levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), conjugated dienes (CD) and significantly lowered activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the liver, heart, kidney, intestine and aorta were observed in rats fed the high fat diet as compared to the control rats. Simultaneous supplementation with black pepper or piperine lowered TBARS and CD levels and maintained SOD, CAT, GPx, GST, and GSH levels to near those of control rats. The data indicate that supplementation with black pepper or the active principle of black pepper, piperine, can reduce high-fat diet induced oxidative stress to the cells.