Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bio-control potential of Cladosporium sp. (MCPL-461), against a noxious weed Parthenium hysterophorus L.

The phenological survey of Parthenium hysterophorus L. , in and around the campus of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) was done for about two years (2004-06). During Nov 2004, a few Parthenium plants were found diseased, and symptoms were restricted to the flowers, buds, and inflorescences. The disease causes sterility and reduces seed viability, which was observed with seed germination test from infected and healthy plants. The fungal pathogen was isolated and identified as Cladosporium sp. (MCPL-461). The severity of pathogen to the reproductive organs led to serious damages of the Parthenium plants. Thus in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to determine the bio-control potential of Cladosporium sp. (MCPL 461) against Parthenium weed. A combinatorial effort of Cladosporium sp. (MCPL 461) bio-control potential was evaluated with different culture media, incubation periods and spores strength. Spore suspension of 10(5) to 10(12) spores ml(-1) were used to spray on healthy Parthenium plants, and it was found that severe infection symptoms were appeared at 10(10) to 10(12) spores ml(-1) suspension. LD50 was found at 10(7) spores ml(-1). To enhance the myco-herbicide activity 3% sucrose was added to the spore suspension, which further resolute the bio-control efficacy of the isolates. Only 20-30% seeds of infected plants could germinate. However the safety of non-targeted and wild plants was also tested with Lantana camera, Chromolaena odorata and found that suspension up to 10(12) spores ml(-1) were not sufficient for disease outbreak in them.
Clusters of GABAA receptors on cultured hippocampal cells correlate only partially with functional synapses

We describe a method to label γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptors on the surface of living hippocampal neurons in primary culture, and we compare the distribution of receptors with that of active synapses. To visualize GABAA receptors, the affinity‐purified antibody β3(1–13), recognizing the extracellular N‐termini of the GABAA receptor β2‐ and β3‐subunits, was used in combination with fluorescent secondary antibodies. The β2‐ and β3‐subunits belong to the predominant GABAA receptor subunits in the hippocampus. As expected for aggregates of GABAA receptors in the somato‐dendritic plasma membrane, a patchy staining pattern similar to that seen by labelling neurons after fixation was obtained. An antiserum recognizing an intracellular epitope of GABAA receptor β3‐subunits did not label the receptors in living neurons. Whole‐cell recordings of GABA‐evoked Cl – currents were not affected after decorating GABAA receptors with antibody β3(1–13). Combining the staining of GABAA receptors with the labelling of active presynaptic terminals with the fluorescent dyes FM1‐43 or FM4‐64, consistently resulted in the detection of GABAA receptor clusters that were not located at active synapses. These amounted to ≈ 50% of all labelled GABAA receptor clusters. GABAA receptor clusters that were not associated with active presynaptic terminals partially colocalized with the synaptic vesicle marker protein sv2, while another fraction had no presynaptic counterpart at all. These findings suggest the presence of presynaptically silent GABAergic synapses in cultured hippocampal neurons. They also indicate that for the maintenance of GABAA receptor aggregates, the release of GABA from an opposing active terminal is not essential.
Preprototype of an Automated Microbial Detection and Identification System: a Developmental Investigation

The AutoMicrobic System is an automated, computerized instrument that uses highly selective media and an optical system for detection, enumeration, and identification of bacteria and some yeasts in 13 h. A preprototype instrument (AutoMicrobic System-1) and its urine culture kit (Identi-Pak), developed for the detection, enumeration, and identification of eight species or groups of bacteria and of Candida species and Torulopsis glabrata in urine specimens, was evaluated during its development. An overall agreement of approximately 90% between the preprototype instrument and conventional (manual) culture methods has been obtained both with 1,473 seeded (simulated) and 1,688 clinical (mono- or polymicrobial) specimens containing 70,000 (or more) colony-forming units per ml of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella-Enterobacter species, Proteus species, Citrobacter freundii, Serratia species, group D enterococci, or yeasts (Candida species and T. glabrata). Lower agreements in identification were obtained with Pseudomonas aeruginosa-containing (average of 75% in clinical specimens) and Staphylococcus aureus-containing (76%) specimens. Comparison of specimens tested simultaneously in two preprototype systems resulted in ⋜4% disagreement; true negativity agreements in all specimen groups tested were at least 94%. Among problems remaining are adaptation of system for specimens other than urine, improvement of sensitivity for P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, and standardization of manual methods used for comparison and validation.
A comparison of the hospital costs of open vs. minimally invasive surgical management of necrotizing pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND Infected necrotizing pancreatitis is a major burden for both the patient and the health care system. Little is known about how hospital costs break down and how they may have shifted with the increasing use of minimally invasive techniques. The aim of this study was to analyse inpatient hospital costs associated with pancreatic necrosectomy. METHODS A prospective database was used to identify all patients who underwent an intervention for necrotizing pancreatitis. Costs of treatment were calculated using detailed information from the Decision Support Department. Costs for open and minimally invasive surgical modalities were compared. RESULTS Twelve open and 13 minimally invasive necrosectomies were performed in a cohort of 577 patients presenting over a 50-month period. One patient in each group died in hospital. Overall median stay was 3.8 days in the intensive care unit (ICU) and 44 days on the ward. The median overall treatment cost was US$ 56,674. The median largest contributors to this total were ward (26.3%), surgical personnel (22.3%) and ICU (17.0%) costs. These did not differ statistically between the two treatment modalities. CONCLUSIONS Pancreatic necrosectomy uses considerable health care resources. Minimally invasive techniques have not been shown to reduce costs. Any intervention that can reduce the length of hospital and, in particular, ICU stay by reducing the incidence of organ failure or by preventing secondary infection is likely to be cost-effective.
Resistance to Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Euxesta stigmatias (Diptera: Ulidiidae) in Sweet Corn Derived from Exogenous and Endogenous Genetic Systems

Abstract Field trials using Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Euxesta stigmatias Loew (Diptera: Ulidiidae) were conducted to evaluate resistance and potential damage interactions between these two primary corn, Zea mays L. , pests against Lepidoptera-resistant corn varieties derived from both endogenous and exogenous sources. The endogenous source of resistance was maysin, a C-glycosyl flavone produced in high concentrations in varieties ‘Zapalote Chico 2451′ and ‘Zapalote Chico sh2’. The exogenous resistance source was the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)11 gene that expresses CryIA(b) insecticidal protein found in ‘Attribute GSS-0966′. Damage by the two pests was compared among these resistant varieties and the susceptible ‘Primetime’. Single-species tests determined that the Zapalote Chico varieties and GSS-0966 effectively reduced S. frugiperda larval damage compared with Primetime. E. stigmatias larval damage was less in the Zapalote Chico varieties than the other varieties in single-species tests. E. stigmatias damage was greater on S. frugiperda-infested versus S. frugiperda-excluded ears. Ears with S. frugiperda damage to husk, silk and kernels had greater E. stigmatias damage than ears with less S. frugiperda damage. Reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of nonpollinated corn silk collected from field plots determined that isoorientin, maysin, and apimaysin plus 3′-methoxymaysin concentrations followed the order Zapalote Chico sh2 > Zapalote Chico 2451 > Attribute GSS-0966 = Primetime. Chlorogenic acid concentrations were greatest in Zapalote Chico 2451. The two high maysin Zapalote Chico varieties did as well against fall armyworm as the Bt-enhanced GSS-0966, and they outperformed GSS-0966 against E. stigmatias.
Adverse effects of social pressure to be thin on young women: an experimental investigation of the effects of "fat talk".

OBJECTIVE Experiments have found that pressure to be thin from the media promotes body dissatisfaction and negative affect, but the effects of social pressure to be thin have not been examined experimentally. Thus, this study tested whether social pressure to be thin fosters body dissatisfaction and negative affect. METHOD Young women (N = 120) were randomly assigned to a condition wherein an ultra-thin confederate complained about how fat she felt and voiced intentions to lose weight or a control condition wherein she discussed a neutral topic. RESULTS Exposure to social pressure to be thin resulted in increased body dissatisfaction but not negative affect. The effects were not moderated by initial thin-ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction, or social support. DISCUSSION Results support the assertion that peer pressure to be thin promotes body dissatisfaction but suggest that this factor may not contribute to negative affect.
Randomized trial of drainage of colorectal anastomosis

during eating. These findings are not Seen in long-standing benign stricture, carcinoma, diliw spasm or nutcracker oesophagus and are pathognomonic of achalasia’. They are abolished by successful dilatation or rnyotomyl. ’. Oesophageal body manometry in ordinary achalasia could be considered to be artefactually damped by the gas-filled chamber of the dilated oesophagus. Conversely the vigorous variant could be artefactual either because the oesophagus is not dilated or because there is food residue in the oesophagus at the time of examination. Therefore, either vigorous or ordinary achalasia represents a manometric artefact depending on one’s viewpoint. The time has come to discard the distinction between vigorous and ordinary achalasia, and to use manometry during eating of a solid meal to assess the oesophageal body in achalasia.
A Comparison Of Upper Limb Prostheses Users In Europe

Peter Kyberd, Oxford Orthopaedic Engineering Centre, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford 00EC, NOC, Headington, Oxford, 0X3 7LD David Gow Director of Rehabilitation Engineering Services, Edinburgh, UK Helen Scott, Senior OT, Princess Margaret Rose Hospital, Edinburgh, UK Malcombe Griffiths Branch Manager RSL Princess Margaret Rose Hospital, Edinburgh, UK Lena Sperling, Leif Sandsjo, Christian Almstrom, Constanze Wartenberg LindholmenUtveckling, Goteborg, Sweden Stewe ,Jansson,Sahlgr enska Univer sity Hospital, Goteborg, Sweden,,
Development of a receptor‐targeted gene delivery system using CXCR4 ligand‐conjugated cross‐linking peptides

Success in gene therapy greatly depends on the efficiency of nucleic acid delivery. Important features of the carriers for gene delivery should include an enhanced transfection ability, targeting of specific receptors and low toxicity. In the present study, we characterized CXCR4‐targeted cross‐linking peptides modified with an N‐terminal fragment of chemokine stromal cell‐derived factor‐1α as carriers for gene delivery.
Increased oxidative stress in rats with chronic nitric oxide depletion:measurement of urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine excretion

Abstract Urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) has been reported to serve as a sensitive biomarker of oxidative stress. We examined the effect of chronic blockade of nitric oxide (NO) on urinary excretion of 8-OHdG in rats. Two types of NO synthase inhibitor were used: NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) as a non-selective inhibitor and aminoguanidine (AG) as a selective inhibitor of the inducible isoform. Oral administration of L-NAME (20, 50 and 80 mg/dl of drinking water), but not AG (400 mg/dl), for 4 weeks induced systemic hypertension and a significant reduction in urinary excretion of NO2-/NO3-. Rats treated with L-NAME also showed a significant increase in urinary 8-OHdG excretion compared with the control animals. The effects of L-NAME (50 mg/dl) on blood pressure and urinary excretion of NO2-/NO3- and 8-OHdG were restored by a large dose of L-arginine (2.0 g/dl). Chronic AG administration did not significantly alter urinary 8-OHdG excretion. On combining all the data, there was a significant negative correlation between urinary NO2-/NO3- and 8-OHdG. These observations suggest the importance of constitutive NO synthase activity in the maintenance of oxidant buffering capacity in rats. Oral administration of L-NAME may serve as a model of hypertension due to chronic NO deficiency with increased oxidative stress.
Prevalence and correlates of neck injection among people who inject drugs in Tijuana, Mexico.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Injecting drugs in the neck has been related to adverse health conditions such as jugular vein thrombosis, deep neck infections, aneurysm, haematomas, airway obstruction, vocal cord paralysis and wound botulism, among others. We identified prevalence and correlates of neck injection among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Tijuana, Mexico. DESIGN AND METHODS Beginning in 2011, PWID aged ≥18 years who injected drugs within the last month were recruited into a prospective cohort. At baseline and semi-annually, PWID completed interviewer-administered surveys soliciting data on drug-injecting practices. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of injecting in the neck as the most frequent injection site at a single visit. RESULTS Of 380 PWID, 35.3% injected in the neck at least once in the past 6 months, among whom 71.6% reported it as their most common injection site, the most common injecting site after the arms (47%). Controlling for age, years injecting and injecting frequency, injecting heroin and methamphetamine two or more times per day and having sought injection assistance were associated with injecting in the neck [adjusted odds ratios (AOR): 2.12; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.27-3.53 and AOR: 2.65; 95% CI: 1.52-4.53 respectively]. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Injecting in the neck was very common among PWID in Tijuana and was associated with polydrug use and seeking injection assistance. Tailoring harm reduction education interventions for individuals who provide injection assistance ('hit doctors') may allow for the dissemination of safe injecting knowledge to reduce injection-related morbidity and mortality.
Cryptosporidium Genotypes and Subtypes in Lambs and Goat Kids in Spain

ABSTRACT To provide information on the transmission dynamics of cryptosporidial infections in domestic small ruminants and the potential role of sheep and goats as a source for human cryptosporidiosis, Cryptosporidium-positive isolates from 137 diarrheic lambs and 17 goat kids younger than 21 days of age were examined by using genotyping and subtyping techniques. Fecal specimens were collected between 2004 and 2006 from 71 sheep and 7 goat farms distributed throughout Aragón (northeastern Spain). Cryptosporidium parvum was the only species identified by restriction analyses of PCR products from small-subunit rRNA genes from all 154 microscopy-positive isolates and the sequencing of a subset of 50 isolates. Sequence analyses of the glycoprotein (GP60) gene revealed extensive genetic diversity within the C. parvum strains in a limited geographical area, in which the isolates from lambs exhibited 11 subtypes in two subtype families (IId and IIa) and those from goat kids displayed four subtypes within the family IId. Most isolates (98%) belonged to the subtype family IId, whereas only three isolates belonged to the most widely distributed family, IIa. Three of the four most prevalent subtypes (IIdA17G1a, IIdA19G1, and IIdA18G1) were previously identified in humans, and five subtypes (IIdA14G1, IIdA15G1, IIdA24G1, IIdA25G1, and IIdA26G1) were novel subtypes. All IId subtypes were identical to each other in the nonrepeat region, except for subtypes IIdA17G1b and IIdA22G1, which differed by a single nucleotide polymorphism downstream of the trinucleotide repeats. These findings suggest that lambs and goat kids are an important reservoir of the zoonotic C. parvum subtype family IId for humans.
Individual-Level and Socio-Structural Characteristics of Violence

In this article, the authors present a data collection system to provide information about assault-related injuries within Newark, New Jersey. In 2001, Emergency Department (ED) staff at the six hospitals providing emergency medical care within the city collected data on all assault-related ED visits. Individual-level (n = 1,204) and neighborhood-level (n = 262) analyses were conducted; the latter used data from the 2000 U.S. Census. A hotspots map was also generated. At the individual level, one in three ED patients was assaulted by an intimate partner or other family member. In addition, African American males were disproportionately likely to be treated for assault-related injuries. At the socio-structural level, as hypothesized based on Social Disorganization Theory, hierarchical regression analyses reveal that poorer neighborhoods with more vacant housing units have significantly higher rates of assault-related injuries.
Prediction of Efficient Virological Response to Pegylated Interferon/Ribavirin Combination Therapy by NS5A Sequences of Hepatitis C Virus and Anti‐NS5A Antibodies in Pre‐Treatment Sera

A considerable number of patients infected with Hepatitis C virus subtype 1b (HCV‐1b) do not respond to pegylated interferon/ribavirin combination therapy. In this study we explored a useful factor(s) to predict treatment outcome. A total of 47 HCV‐1b‐infected patients were treated with pegylated interferon/ribavirin for 48 weeks. Sera of the patients were examined for the entire NS5A sequence of the HCV genome, HCV RNA titers and anti‐NS5A antibodies. According to their responses, the patients were divided into two groups, early viral responders who cleared the virus by week 16 (EVR[16w]) and those who did not (Non‐EVR[16w]). The mean number of mutations in the V3 region (aa 2356 to 2379) or that in the V3 region plus its N‐terminally flanking region, which we refer to as interferon/ribavirin resistance‐determining region (IRRDR; aa 2334 to 2379), of NS5A obtained from the pretreatment sera was significantly larger for EVR(16w) compared with Non‐EVR(16w). Moreover, HCV‐1b isolates with ≥5 mutations in V3 or those with ≥6 mutations in IRRDR were almost exclusively found in EVR(16w). Also, the presence of detectable levels of anti‐NS5A antibodies in the pretreatment sera was closely associated with EVR(16w). In conclusion, a high degree of sequence variation in V3 (≥5) or IRRDR (≥6) and the presence of detectable levels of anti‐NS5A antibodies in the pretreatment sera would be useful factors to predict EVR(16w). On the other hand, a less diverse sequence in V3 (≤4) or IRRDR (≤5) together with the absence of detectable anti‐NS5A antibodies could be a predictive factor for Non‐EVR(16w).
Static Stretching Can Impair Explosive Performance for At Least 24 Hours

Abstract Haddad, M, Dridi, A, Chtara, M, Chaouachi, A, Wong, DP, Behm, D, and Chamari, K. Static stretching can impair explosive performance for at least 24 hours. J Strength Cond Res 28(1): 140–146, 2014—The aim of this study was to compare the effects of static vs. dynamic stretching (DS) on explosive performances and repeated sprint ability (RSA) after a 24-hour delay. Sixteen young male soccer players performed 15 minutes of static stretching (SS), DS, or a no-stretch control condition (CC) 24 hours before performing explosive performances and RSA tests. This was a within-subject repeated measures study with SS, DS, and CC being counterbalanced. Stretching protocols included 2 sets of 7 minutes 30 seconds (2 repetitions of 30 seconds with a 15-second passive recovery) for 5 muscle groups (quadriceps, hamstring, calves, adductors, and hip flexors). Twenty-four hours later (without any kind of stretching in warm-up), the players were tested for the 30-m sprint test (with 10- and 20-m lap times), 5 jump test (5JT), and RSA test. Significant differences were observed between CC, SS, and DS with 5JT (F = 9.99, p < 0.00, effect size [ES] = 0.40), 10-m sprint time (F = 46.52, p < 0.00, ES = 0.76), 20-m sprint time (F = 18.44, p < 0.000, ES = 0.55), and 30-m sprint time (F = 34.25, p < 0.000, ES = 0.70). The significantly better performance (p < 0.05) was observed after DS as compared with that after CC and SS in 5JT, and sprint times for 10, 20, and 30 m. In contrast, significantly worse performance (p < 0.05) was observed after SS as compared with that after CC in 5JT, and sprint times for 10, 20, and 30 m. With RSA, no significant difference was observed between different stretching protocols in the total time (F = 1.55, p > 0.05), average time (F = 1.53, p > 0.05), and fastest time (F = 2.30, p > 0.05), except for the decline index (F = 3.54, p < 0.04, ES = 0.19). Therefore, the SS of the lower limbs and hip muscles had a negative effect on explosive performances up to 24 hours poststretching with no major effects on the RSA. Conversely, the DS of the same muscle groups are highly recommended 24 hours before performing sprint and long-jump performances. In conclusion, the positive effects of DS on explosive performances seem to persist for 24 hours.
An updated prostate cancer staging nomogram (Partin tables) based on cases from 2006 to 2011

Pathological stage after radical prostatectomy can be accurately predicted by serum prostate‐specific antigen level, clinical stage and biopsy Gleason sum, the ‘Partin tables’. Since the previous publication of the Partin tables, an updated Gleason scoring system has been established and incremental changes have occurred in the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. The current analysis updates the Partin nomogram in a contemporary cohort of patients.
A mutant sigma 32 with a small deletion in conserved region 3 of sigma has reduced affinity for core RNA polymerase

sigma 70, encoded by rpoD, is the major sigma factor in Escherichia coli. rpoD285 (rpoD800) is a small deletion mutation in rpoD that confers a temperature-sensitive growth phenotype because the mutant sigma 70 is rapidly degraded at high temperature. Extragenic mutations which reduce the rate of degradation of RpoD285 sigma 70 permit growth at high temperature. One class of such suppressors is located in rpoH, the gene encoding sigma 32, an alternative sigma factor required for transcription of the heat shock genes. One of these, rpoH113, is incompatible with rpoD+. We determined the mechanism of incompatibility. Although RpoH113 sigma 32 continues to be made when wild-type sigma 70 is present, cells show reduced ability to express heat shock genes and to transcribe from heat shock promoters. Glycerol gradient fractionation of sigma 32 into the holoenzyme and free sigma suggests that RpoH113 sigma 32 has a lower binding affinity for core RNA polymerase than does wild-type sigma 32. The presence of wild-type sigma 70 exacerbates this defect. We suggest that the reduced ability of RpoH113 sigma 32 to compete with wild-type sigma 70 for core RNA polymerase explains the incompatibility between rpoH113 and rpoD+. The rpoH113 cells would have reduced amounts of sigma 32 holoenzyme and thus be unable to express sufficient amounts of the essential heat shock proteins to maintain viability.