Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Correlating Levels of Type III Secretion and Secreted Proteins with Fecal Shedding of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Cattle

ABSTRACT The locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (O157) encodes a type III secretion system (T3SS) for secreting LEE-encoded and non-LEE-encoded virulence proteins that promote the adherence of O157 to intestinal epithelial cells and the persistence of this food-borne human pathogen in bovine intestines. In this study, we compared hha sepB and hha mutants of O157 for LEE transcription, T3SS activity, adherence to HEp-2 cells, persistence in bovine intestines, and the ability to induce changes in the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. LEE transcription was upregulated in the hha sepB and hha mutant strains compared to that in the wild-type strain, but the secretion of virulence proteins in the hha sepB mutant was severely compromised. This reduced secretion resulted in reduced adherence of the hha sepB mutant to Hep-2 cells, correlating with a significantly shorter duration and lower magnitude of fecal shedding in feces of weaned (n = 4 per group) calves inoculated with this mutant strain. The levels of LEE transcription, T3SS activity, and adherence to HEp-2 cells were much lower in the wild-type strain than in the hha mutant, but no significant differences were observed in the duration or the magnitude of fecal shedding in calves inoculated with these strains. Examination of the rectoanal junction (RAJ) tissues from three groups of calves showed no adherent O157 bacteria and similar proinflammatory cytokine gene expression, irrespective of the inoculated strain, with the exception that interleukin-1β was upregulated in calves inoculated with the hha sepB mutant. These results indicate that the T3SS is essential for intestinal colonization and prolonged shedding, but increased secretion of virulence proteins did not enhance the duration and magnitude of fecal shedding of O157 in cattle or have any significant impact on the cytokine gene expression in RAJ tissue compared with that in small intestinal tissue from the same calves.
Effect of extrusion on the nutritional value of peas for broiler chickens

ABSTRACT The study was conducted to investigate the nutritional value of five samples of raw and extruded pea seeds (Pisum sativum L., Tarachalska cv.) from different experimental fields. The study included 150 male 1-day-old Ross 308 chickens, which were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments (50 replications each) and kept in individual cages. From days 1 to 16, all birds received only the basal diets. From days 17 to 21, the control group received still the basal diet, but for the two other groups, 20% of basal diet was replaced by raw or extruded peas. Furthermore, the groups receiving raw or extruded peas were divided into five subgroups of 10 animals each, where the diets contained one of the five pea samples of the same cultivar grown at different locations, respectively. On days 19 and 20, excreta were individually collected, and then all chickens were sacrificed and ileal digesta were sampled for determination of ileal digestibility, which was calculated by the difference method. Extrusion of pea seeds decreased the contents of crude fibre, acid and neutral detergent fibre, trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA), phytic P and resistant starch (RS) (p ≤ 0.05), but increased the contents of apparent metabolisable energy (AMEN) by approximately 2.25 MJ/kg dry matter (DM). Furthermore, extrusion improved the DM and crude protein digestibility significantly by about 21.3% and 11.6%, respectively. Similar results were observed for the digestibility of all analysed amino acids. In conclusion, extrusion markedly influenced the chemical composition of peas, reduced their contents of phytic P, TIA and RS and consequently had a positive impact on nutrient digestibility and AMEN values.
Syntax and discourse in the acquisition of adjunct control

ing away from this, we can still make a confident prediction regarding the correlation between the two structure types. The account I have presented argues that non-adult control is wholly due to adjunct misanalysis. Given this hypothesis, we do not expect to find any children who simultaneously exhibit non-adult control and adult-like Principle C. This would be something of a contradiction: the non-adult control patterns would indicate that the adjunct has not been embedded properly inside the VP, but the adult-like rejection of backward binding would indicate that the adjunct is c-commanded by the main clause subject. Conversely, a result of the sort mentioned previously (adult control but non-adult Principle C) is still possible under this analysis, albeit due to other
Efficacy of acyclovir against mouse cytomegalovirus in vivo

Acyclovir reduced mortality and organ virus titers in mice inoculated intraperitoneally with 10 50% lethal doses of mouse cytomegalovirus. This susceptibility to acyclovir of a herpesvirus which lacks thymidine kinase is surprising. Alternative phosphorylating enzymes may account for this susceptibility.
Criterion validity study of the cervical range of motion (CROM) device for rotational range of motion on healthy adults.

STUDY DESIGN This study compared range of motion (ROM) measurements using a cervical range of motion device (CROM) and an optoelectronic system (OPTOTRAK). OBJECTIVES To examine the criterion validity of the CROM for the measurement of cervical ROM on healthy adults. BACKGROUND Whereas measurements of cervical ROM are recognized as part of the assessment of patients with neck pain, few devices are available in clinical settings. Two papers published previously showed excellent criterion validity for measurements of cervical flexion/extension and lateral flexion using the CROM. METHODS AND MEASURES Subjects performed neck rotation, flexion/extension, and lateral flexion while sitting on a wooden chair. The ROM values were measured by the CROM as well as the OPTOTRAK. RESULTS The cervical rotational ROM values using the CROM demonstrated a good to excellent linear relationship with those using the OPTOTRAK: right rotation, r = 0.89 (95% confidence interval, 0.81-0.94), and left rotation, r = 0.94 (95% confidence interval, 0.90-0.97). Similar results were also obtained for flexion/extension and lateral flexion ROM values. CONCLUSION The CROM showed excellent criterion validity for measurements of cervical rotation. We propose using ROM values measured by the CROM as outcome measures for patients with neck pain.
Effects of the Extracts of Euphorbia pulcherima and Atriplex nummularia on the Infectivity of Schistosoma haematobium to Bulinus truncatus Snails

Effects of extracts of Euphorbia pulcherima and Atriplex nummularia on infection rate and cercarial production of The Bulinus truncatus infected with Schistosoma haematobium, as well as on the free living stages of the parasite (miracidia and cercariae) besides biochemical parameters of the snail were studied. The results showed that the LC25 of the extracts of E. pulcherima and A. nummularia caused a considerable reduction in the infectivity
Cytokine interactions in experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis. Interleukin 4 synergizes with interferon‐γ to activate murine macrophages for killing of Leishmania major amastigotes

We investigated the effect of recombinant murine interleukin 4 (IL 4) in the absence or presence of recombinant murine interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) on adherent bone‐marrow macrophages (MΦ), peritoneal exudate and resident peritoneal MΦ from susceptible BALB/c MΦ, which were pulse‐infected with Leishmania major amastigotes (AM). IL 4 (5–100 U/ml) failed to activate any of these MΦ populations for killing of intracellular AM. However, in the presence of low concentrations of IFN‐γ (10–20 U/ml), which alone caused only a slight or intermediate reduction of the number of intracellular parasites, IL 4 led to a dramatic increase of the parasite elimination by all MΦ populations. In the case of resident peritoneal MΦ, the synergism of IFN‐γ and IL 4 required the incubation of the MΦ with both cytokines or with IFN‐γ alone for at least 10 h prior to infection; adding both cytokines after infection of the MΦ did not cause a significant reduction of the intracellular parasite burden. The synergistic effect of IL 4 and IFN‐γ was completely abrogated in the presence of anti‐IL 4 antibodies. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between MΦ derived from either susceptible BALB/c or from resistant C57BL/6 mice. Evidence is presented that the synergistic action of IL 4 and IFN‐γ occurs via an L‐arginine‐dependent killing pathway. From these data we conclude that IL 4 provides a strong stimulus for the killing of intracellular L. major AM provided low concentrations of IFN‐γ are present. Also, IFN‐γ is apparently an important priming signal for the activation of resident MΦ to eliminate intracellular AM.
Multimodel Assessment of Regional Surface Temperature Trends: CMIP3 and CMIP5 Twentieth-Century Simulations

AbstractRegional surface temperature trends from phase 3 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP3) and CMIP5 twentieth-century runs are compared with observations—at spatial scales ranging from global averages to individual grid points—using simulated intrinsic climate variability from preindustrial control runs to assess whether observed trends are detectable and/or consistent with the models' historical run trends. The CMIP5 models are also used to detect anthropogenic components of the observed trends, by assessing alternative hypotheses based on scenarios driven with either anthropogenic plus natural forcings combined, or with natural forcings only. Modeled variability is assessed via inspection of control run time series, standard deviation maps, spectral analyses, and low-frequency variance consistency tests. The models are found to provide plausible representations of internal climate variability, although there is room for improvement. The influence of observational uncertainty on the t.
Vitamin D, cognition, and dementia

Objective: To examine the association between cognitive function and dementia with vitamin D concentration in adults. Methods: Five databases were searched for English-language studies up to August 2010, and included all study designs with a comparative group. Cognitive function or impairment was defined by tests of global or domain-specific cognitive performance and dementia was diagnosed according to recognized criteria. A vitamin D measurement was required. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed study quality using predefined criteria. The Q statistic and I2 methods were used to test for heterogeneity. We conducted meta-analyses using random effects models for the weighted mean difference (WMD) and Hedge's g. Results: Thirty-seven studies were included; 8 contained data allowing mean Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores to be compared between participants with vitamin D <50 nmol/L to those with values ≥50 nmol/L. There was significant heterogeneity among the studies that compared the WMD for MMSE but an overall positive effect for the higher vitamin D group (1.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.5 to 1.9; I2 = 0.65; p = 0.002). The small positive effect persisted despite several sensitivity analyses. Six studies presented data comparing Alzheimer disease (AD) to controls but 2 utilized a method withdrawn from commercial use. For the remaining 4 studies the AD group had a lower vitamin D concentration compared to the control group (WMD = −6.2 nmol/L, 95% CI −10.6 to −1.8) with no heterogeneity (I2 < 0.01; p = 0.53). Conclusion: These results suggest that lower vitamin D concentrations are associated with poorer cognitive function and a higher risk of AD. Further studies are required to determine the significance and potential public health benefit of this association.
Assessing sedation in the pediatric intensive care unit by using BIS and the COMFORT scale

Objective To evaluate bispectral index technology in critically ill children and compare its performance to standard clinical assessment of sedation level. Design Prospective convenience sample. Setting Multidisciplinary 16-bed pediatric intensive care unit at a large, urban, university-affiliated children’s hospital. Patients Thirty-one pediatric intensive care unit patients requiring mechanical ventilation and sedation. Measurements and Main Results Intubated, sedated, pediatric intensive care unit patients were evaluated for their level of sedation by using bispectral index (BIS) and the COMFORT scale twice daily for up to 5 days. The lowest and highest BIS measurements and their corresponding COMFORT scale measurements were selected from each subject. The mean BIS and COMFORT scale measurements were 62.4 ± 2.6 and 18 ± 0.6, respectively; however the individual measurements were only moderately correlated. The BIS values were categorized into very deep (<40), deep (41–60), moderate (61–80), and light (>80) levels of sedation. The corresponding COMFORT scale mean measurements in each category were 15.8 ± 0.6, 16.2 ± 0.6, 18.1 ± 1.3, and 22.3 ± 1.4 (R2 = .89). Conclusions BIS measurements evaluated in clinically relevant ranges compare favorably with a standard assessment of the level of sedation. However, comparisons of BIS and COMFORT scale measurements at isolated moments during a prolonged pediatric intensive care unit course of sedation were less correlated. BIS may be best used to identify and prevent oversedation of patients in the pediatric intensive care unit.
A survey of female students with migraine: what is the influence of family history and lifestyle?

Objectives: To compare characteristics of migraine and some lifestyle habits in migraineurs with and without a positive family history for migraine. Method: The prevalence study was combined with a case-control study and comprised 245 female students with migraine. Results: Out of 245 female students with migraine, 132 (53.9%) had a positive family history for migraine. In comparison with migraineurs who had not, those with a positive family history were younger at the onset of migraine and significantly more frequently reported menstrual migraine (p < 0.001), unilateral pain ( p < 0.05) and pulsate pain ( p < 0.05) as well as severe headache ( p < 0.01). In comparison to migraineurs with a positive family history for migraine, those who did not report a significantly higher frequency of average number of meals per day of <3 ( p < 0.001), missed meals ( p < 0.05) and an average sleep duration of ≤6 h ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of the present study are in line with literature showing a high frequency of positive family history for migraine among migraineurs. They also suggest that subjects with a positive family history have a lower “migrainous threshold” for the development of migraine and that environmental factors are more important for the occurrence of migraine in subjects without a positive family history. Accordingly, the conclusions of this study are limited to reproductive aged women.
Investigation of laboratory testing issues in the context of the Salmonella National Control Programme in Great Britain

Abstract The objective of this study was to identify any issues arising during the laboratory testing of samples collected under the National Control Programme for Salmonella. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted among Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)-approved testing laboratories in order to identify any complicating factors that the laboratories may encounter during the processing of samples. Samples were reported to arrive in good condition and within the specified time frame after collection. The only concern was that new clients may be unaware of the procedure or correct sampling consumables to use. There was evidence of variability between laboratories regarding the sample testing procedure used, with deviation from the guidelines in some cases. This finding suggests that further guidance for laboratories on methodology is likely to be beneficial as this could help improve the detection of low levels of Salmonella.
CELL CYCLE PROPERTIES OF DIFFERENTIATING SPERMATOGONIA IN ADULT SPRAGUE‐DAWLEY RATS

The duration of the mitotic cycle and of its components was analysed for each of the six successive generations of differentiating spermatogonia (A1, A2, A3, A4, intermediate and B), using radioautographed whole mounts of seminiferous tubules from testes of adult Sprague‐Dawley rats. Cell cycles were determined from two successive waves of per cent labeled metaphases obtained during the period of 81 hr after a single dose of 3H‐thymidine. Except for the A1 spermatogonia, all spermatogonial types (A2 to B) had similar cell cycle durations of 41‐42.5 hr and comparable pre‐DNA synthesis phases (G1) of 11‐13 hr. Although the combined duration of DNA synthesis (S) and the post‐synthesis phase (G2) remained identical for all the cell types including A1, there was a progressive lengthening of the S period at the expense of G2 during the process of spermatogonial maturation. This change was most marked during the transition from A1 to A3 spermatogonia when the S period increased from 14 hr to 21 hr, and the G2 phase shortened from 13 hr to 7.5 hr. This feature seems to be unique to germ cells and may be associated with an increasing amount of heterochromatin in the nucleus. Excluding the development of type A1 cells, the entire process of spermatogonial maturation lasted for 208 hr. Combined data on cell cycle times indicated that every 313 hr or 13 days, a new sequence of spermatogonial differentiation was initiated by the A1 cells. This was equivalent to the duration of one ‘cycle’ of the seminiferous epithelium as measured by other techniques.
Targeted therapy in acute myeloid leukaemia: current status and future directions

Background: The limit of acceptable toxicity for standard chemotherapeutic drugs used in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) therapy has been reached. New therapeutic strategies are therefore needed. Objective: This review summarizes development in new strategies, and gives an overview of the clinical status on new drugs for non-promyelocytic AML in adults. Methods: Information was principally gathered from the databases ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed.gov. Results/conclusion: The major improvements in AML treatment during the last two decades has not been the introduction of new therapeutic agents, but rather the more optimal use of well-known drugs (e.g., high-dose cytarabine therapy, the use of ATRA in maintenance therapy of acute promyelocytic leukaemia) and improvement in the diagnosis and treatment of potentially life-threatening complications in patients treated with allogeneic stem cell transplantation. However, further investigations based on specific targeted therapy and stratification of patients according to knowledge of the individual disease and health status will probably be necessary in future studies of new targeted therapy.
Transition from Anaerobic to Aerobic Growth Conditions for the Sulfate-Reducing Bacterium Desulfovibrio oxyclinae Results in Flocculation

ABSTRACT A chemostat culture of the sulfate-reducing bacteriumDesulfovibrio oxyclinae isolated from the oxic layer of a hypersaline cyanobacterial mat was grown anaerobically and then subjected to gassing with 1% oxygen, both at a dilution rate of 0.05 h−1. The sulfate reduction rate under anaerobic conditions was 370 nmol of SO42− mg of protein−1 min−1. At the onset of aerobic gassing, sulfate reduction decreased by 40%, although viable cell numbers did not decrease. After 42 h, the sulfate reduction rate returned to the level observed in the anaerobic culture. At this stage the growth yield increased by 180% compared to the anaerobic culture to 4.4 g of protein per mol of sulfate reduced. Protein content per cell increased at the same time by 40%. The oxygen consumption rate per milligram of protein measured in washed cell suspensions increased by 80%, and the thiosulfate reduction rate of the same samples increased by 29% with lactate as the electron donor. These findings indicated possible oxygen-dependent enhancement of growth. After 140 h of growth under oxygen flux, formation of cell aggregates 0.1 to 3 mm in diameter was observed. Micrometer-sized aggregates were found to form earlier, during the first hours of exposure to oxygen. The respiration rate of D. oxyclinaewas sufficient to create anoxia inside clumps larger than 3 μm, while the levels of dissolved oxygen in the growth vessel were 0.7 ± 0.5 μM. Aggregation of sulfate-reducing bacteria was observed within a Microcoleus chthonoplastes-dominated layer of a cyanobacterial mat under daily exposure to oxygen concentrations of up to 900 μM. Desulfonema-like sulfate-reducing bacteria were also common in this environment along with other nonaggregated sulfate-reducing bacteria. Two-dimensional mapping of sulfate reduction showed heterogeneity of sulfate reduction activity in this oxic zone.
A mixture of pure cellulase, hemicellulase and pectinase improves broiler performance

1. The effects of a mixture of pure enzymes (cellulase, hemicellulase and pectinase) and a commercial enzyme, Energex, were examined on performance and metabolisabilities in broiler chicks given a maize–soybean meal diet. Composition of the mixed enzyme was similar to Energex except that protease was not present. 2. Chicks were divided into three groups: control, mixed enzyme and Energex with 7 replicates per group. Male broiler chicks were raised at 25°C in wire-floored cages for 12 d from 15 d of age. Feed and water were offered ad libitum. 3. The Energex group gained significantly more weight and the mixed enzyme group tended to gain more than the control. Feed intakes were similar and thus the feed conversion ratio of Energex was significantly improved while it tended to be improved by the mixed enzyme. 4. The mixed enzyme group showed significant improvement in carcase and muscle weight when compared with the control group. The mixed enzyme group also showed significant improvement in organic matter and crude protein metabolisabilities. In the groups given enzyme, abdominal fat weight tended to decrease. 5. It is concluded that a combination of cellulase, hemicellulase and pectinase is effective in improving organic matter and crude protein metabolisabilities and carcase yield of broilers on a maize–soybean meal diet.
Cancer Therapy : Preclinical Dasatinib Plus Nutlin-3 Shows Synergistic Antileukemic Activity in Both p 53 wild-type and p 53 mutated B Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemias by Inhibiting the Akt Pathway

Purpose: To analyze the effect of the combination of Dasatinib, a multikinase inhibitor, plus Nutlin-3, a nongenotoxic activator of the p53 pathway, in primary B chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) patient samples and B leukemic cell line models. Experimental Design: The induction of cytotoxicity was evaluated in both primary B-CLL cell samples (n 1⁄4 20) and in p53 (EHEB, JVM-2) and p53 (MEC-2, BJAB) B leukemic cell lines. The role of Akt in modulating leukemic cell survival/apoptosis in response to Dasatinib or Dasatinib þ Nutlin-3 was documented by functional experiments carried out using specific pharmacological inhibitors and by overexpression of membrane-targeted constitutively active form of Akt. Results: The combination of Dasatinib þ Nutlin-3 exhibited a synergistic cytotoxicity in the majority (19 out of 20) of B-CLL samples, including patients carrying 17p(n 1⁄4 4), and in both p53 and p53 B leukemic cell lines. At the molecular level, Dasatinib significantly counteracted the Nutlin-3-mediated induction of the p53 transcriptional targets MDM2 and p21 observed in p53 leukemic cells. Conversely, Nutlin-3 did not interfere with the ability of Dasatinib to decrease the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2, p38/MAPK, and Akt in both p53 and p53 B leukemic cell lines. A critical role of Akt downregulation in mediating the antileukemic activity of Dasatinib and Dasatinib þ Nutlin-3 was demonstrated in experiments carried out by specifically modulating the Akt pathway. Conclusions: These findings suggest that Dasatinib þ Nutlin-3 might represent an innovative therapeutic combination for both p53 and p53 B-CLL. Clin Cancer Res; 17(4); 762–70. 2010