Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Frequent transmission of hepatitis E virus among piglets in farms in Southern France

The present study aimed to assess whether hepatitis E virus (HEV) is present in domestic pigs in Southern France, and to determine the relationship between HEV sequences detected from pigs and from humans. Two hundred fifteen sera, 207 stools, and 107 bile samples were collected from 3‐ or 6‐month‐old pigs from different regions of Southern France. Pig IgG anti‐HEV antibodies testing was performed using a commercial ELISA kit with minor modifications. Pig HEV RNA was tested by real‐time PCR and sequencing assays using “in‐house” protocols. Forty percent of pigs were HEV‐seropositive. Sixty‐five percent of 3‐month‐old pigs and none of 6‐month‐old pigs were HEV RNA‐positive. HEV RNA was significantly more frequently detected from stools than from sera (65% vs. 22%; P < 0.001). Phylogenetic analysis showed that pig HEV sequences belonged to genotype 3 and formed two clusters of genotype 3f and 3e. Nucleotide homology between pig HEV sequences of each cluster was high (>97%), and clusters were correlated with the geographical origin of pigs and with their repartition into pens and buildings in the pig farm. Based on analysis of 331 nucleotides, pig HEV sequences were close genetically to HEV sequences found from humans or pigs in Europe, and one showed complete nucleotide identity with an HEV sequence obtained in France from a human. The present data indicate that 3‐month‐old pigs from Southern France might represent a potential source of HEV transmission to humans, and stress the potential of HEV to cause epizootic infections in population of farm pigs. J. Med. Virol. 81:1750–1759, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Plasma Levels of Metalloproteinases-3 and -9 as Markers of Successful Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Exclusion After Endovascular Graft Treatment

Background—Structural alterations of aortic wall resulting from degradation of matrix proteins by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) characterize abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). No studies have compared circulating levels of MMPs after endovascular graft (EVG) exclusion in comparison with open surgical repair (OSR) in patients affected by AAA. Methods and Results—An abdominal angiography and CT scan were performed in all patients at the time of enrollment. A spiral CT scan was performed at 6 months to detect presence of endoleaks. MMP-3 and MMP-9 levels were measured before EVG (n=30) and OSR (n=15) treatments and at 1, 3, and 6 months of follow-up by a sandwich ELISA technique. Healthy volunteers (n=10) were used as control subjects. Immunohistochemical staining for MMP-9 and MMP-3 was performed on tissue samples from surgical cases. Both MMP-9 and MMP-3 mean basal levels were significantly higher in patients affected by AAA than in control subjects (32.3±20.7 ng/mL for EVG and 28±9.9 ng/mL for OSR versus 8.9±2.5 ng/mL, 2 P <0.05; 18.3±9.7 ng/mL and 26.7±10.8 ng/mL versus 8.2±5.3 ng/mL, 2 P <0.001). In the OSR group, both MMP-9 and MMP-3 mean levels decreased after surgery (28±9.9 ng/mL at basal versus 14.7±6.6 ng/mL at 6 months, 2 P <0.001; 26.7±10.8 versus 12±5.3 ng/mL; 2 P <0.001). In the EVG group, a statistically significant difference at 6-month follow-up in MMP-9 and MMP-3 mean plasma values was detected in patients who had endoleakage in comparison with patients without endoleakage (44.3±20.7 versus 14.6±7.0 ng/mL, 2 P <0.005; 25±11.5 versus 10.3±5.4 ng/mL, 2 P <0.005). Conclusions—After EVG exclusion, MMP-9 and MMP-3 levels decreased to a level similar to that of patients undergoing OSR. In addition, a lack of decrease in MMP levels after EVG exclusion may help in identifying patients who will have endoleakage and consequent aneurysm expansion caused by continuous sac pressurization during follow-up.
FAUNA ECTOPARASITÁRIA DE HELOSTOMA TEMMINKII (CURVIER, 1829), E CARASSIUS AURATUS (LINNAEUS, 1758) EM PISCICULTURA NO MUNÍCIPIO DE MURIAÉ-MG.

Objetivou-se verificar a fauna ectoparasitaria de Helostoma temminkii (beijador) e Carassius Auratus (kinguio) cultivados em uma piscicultura no municipio de Muriae- MG. Para tanto, foram utilizados os indices de prevalencia e intensidade (minima, maxima e media) para cada parasita encontrados nos hospedeiros analisados. Ao todo foram coletados 36 peixes de ambas as especies. Dos quais 41,66% exemplares dos H. temminkii apresentaram sinais clinicos e 22,21% eram sadios, e da especie C. Auratus, 19,44% individuos apresentaram sinais clinicos e 16,66% sadios. Todos os peixes analisados estavam parasitados por uma ou mais especies de parasitas. A maior prevalencia foi para Epistylis sp presente no tegumento, considerando os exemplares de ambas as especies. Quanto aos parasitas obrigatorios as monogeneas obtiveram maior prevalencia enquanto o crustaceo Argulus sp. apresentou menor prevalencia
Further Evidence that Most Luteinizing Hormone‐Releasing Hormone Neurons are not Directly Estrogen‐Responsive: Simultaneous Localization of Luteinizing Hormone‐Releasing Hormone and Estrogen Receptor Immunoreactivity in the Guinea‐Pig Brain

Gonadotropin secretion from the pituitary is regulated in large part by steroid action on the brain. An important question concerns whether luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone (LHRH) neurons themselves transduce steroid signals, or whether, alternatively, steroid‐sensitive interneuronal populations regulate their activity. A previous study in the rat employing steroid autoradiography combined with LHRH immunocytochemistry revealed that only an exceedingly small percentage of LHRH‐immunoreactive (ir) neurons was estrogen concentrating. This study has examined the relationship of estrogen receptive and LHRH‐ir cells in the male and female guinea‐pig brain with double label immunocytochemistry. Since estrogen receptor‐ir, as demonstrated with antibody H222, is known to be confined predominantly to the cell nucleus, whereas LHRH‐ir is localized mainly in the cytoplasm, single cells can be double‐labeled. Diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride was used for localization of LHRH‐ir while nickel‐enhanced diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride was used for localization of estrogen receptor‐ir. The results revealed that there were many brain nuclei that contained both LHRH and estrogen receptor‐positive cells, including the preventricular periventricular nucleus, the anterior subcompact nucleus of the medial preoptic nucleus (MPNa), the remainder of the medial preoptic nucleus, the retrochiasmatic area, and the anterior, dorsomedial, ventrolateral and arcuate nuclei. However, of a total of 2,604 LHRH‐ir cells that were examined, we observed only 5 double‐labeled cells (<0.2%). The double‐labeled cells were not restricted to a single nucleus; they were present in the MPNa, the retrochiasmatic area and the arcuate nucleus. Moreover, at the light microscopic level, LHRH cells quite frequently appeared to be apposed to estrogen receptor‐positive cells (8.8% in the female), especially in the MPNa. These results lend further support to the notion that estrogen‐mediated regulation of the LHRH system is achieved primarily through estrogen receptive interneurons. However, due to the existence of LHRH‐LHRH synaptic interactions, the possibility also exists that a small population of estrogen‐sensitive LHRH neurons could contribute to generalized activation of the LHRH system.
In vivo measurements of glutamine+ glutamate (Glx) and N‐acetyl aspartate (NAA) levels in human partial epilepsy

Objective– To investigate whether cerebral levels of N‐acetyl aspartate (NAA), and glutamine+glutamate (Glx), are interictally altered in the epileptogenic regions of patients with partial seizures. Material and methods– NAA, Glx, creatine (Cr), choline (Cho) and myo‐inositol (mI) was measured in 28 patients with partial epilepsy and 10 healthy controls using localized 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy. According to the multimethodological consensus, the epileptogenic region was mesial temporal in 18 and neocortical in 10 patients. Results– The Glx/NAA and Glx/Cr ratios in epileptogenic regions were higher, and the NAA/Cr ratios lower than in the homologous regions (P=0.013, P=0.002 and P<0.0001). Applying the 95% confidence interval of controls, 17 of the 20 mesial temporal epileptogenic regions were correctly identified by an increased Glx/NAA and 15 of 20 by a decreased NAA/Cr ratio. Among patients with neocortical epilepsy the Glx/NAA ratio was increased in 8 of the 10 epileptogenic regions, whereas the NAA/Cr ratio was decreased in three. Conclusion– Both Glx and NAA are useful to identify the epileptogenic zone. The Glx/NAA ratios may be particularly useful to indentify neocortical epileptogenic regions.
Modeling Consumer Perception of Public Space in Shopping Centers

This article presents a study of the effects of various shopping center design and management attributes on consumer evaluations of the public space appearance (or atmosphere) in shopping centers. Examples of such attributes are level of maintenance, area for pedestrians, window displays, street layout, and street activities. A model is estimated from responses to experimentally controlled descriptions of hypothetical shopping centers. This conjoint analysis or stated preference-based model is compared with a similar regression model estimated from a cross section of perceptions of existing shopping centers. The conjoint and cross-sectional models are tested for their external validity on a holdout sample of respondents. It is concluded that both models perform equally well, but that the approach using hypothetical alternatives allows more detailed insight in the effects of the various shopping center attributes.
Psychosocial Risk Factors of Cancer Diseases: How Specific Are They?

The paper presents the psychological correlates of colorectal cancer patients in the framework of the cognitive orientation (CO) theory. According to this cognitive-motivational approach the major factors responsible for disease are a pathogene, background factors and a physiological program implementing the disease processes. Psychological factors form a part of the background factors. They consist of specific cognitive contents forming a motivational disposition, representing four types of beliefs referring to specific contents. The cognitive contents are assessed by a CO questionnaire. Previous studies showed that the CO questionnaire differentiated significantly between colorectal cancer patients and healthy controls in two samples, as well as between both groups and Crohn patients who have potential malignancy. The present study was designed to examine the specificity of the psychological variables characterizing colorectal cancer. The CO questionnaire was administered to male colorectal cancer patients and patients with prostate cancer and male healthy controls, and to female colorectal cancer patients, patients with breast cancer and healthy female controls. In both cases the scores of the CO questionnaire differentiated between the colorectal cancer patients and the two other groups, but there were no differences between the prostate cancer patients or the breast cancer patients and the healthy controls. These findings confirm the hypothesis that the CO variables of colorectal cancer are disease specific and may be considered as psychological risk factors for colorectal cancer.
Chondrogenic Potential of Mouse Calvarial Mesenchyme

Facial and calvarial bones form intramembranously without a cartilagenous model; however, cultured chick calvarial mesenchyme cells may differentiate into both osteoblasts and chondroblasts and, in rodents, small cartilages occasionally form at the sutures in vivo. Therefore, we wanted to investigate what factors regulate normal differentiation of calvarial mesenchymal cells directly into osteoblasts. In embryonic mouse heads and in cultured tissue explants, we analyzed the expression of selected transcription factors and extracellular matrix molecules associated with bone and cartilage development. Cartilage markers Sox9 and type II collagen were expressed in all craniofacial cartilages. In addition, Msx2 and type I collagen were expressed in sense capsule cartilages. We also observed that the undifferentiated calvarial mesenchyme and the osteogenic fronts in the jaw expressed Co∗∗∗l2A1. Moreover, we found that cultured mouse calvarial mesenchyme could develop into cartilage. Of the 49 explants that contained mesenchyme, intramembranous ossification occurred in 35%. Only cartilage formed in 4%, and both cartilage and bone formed in 4%. Our study confirms that calvarial mesenchyme, which normally gives rise to intramembranous bone, also has chondrogenic potential.
Spider venom: enhancement of venom efficacy mediated by different synergistic strategies in Cupiennius salei

SUMMARY Besides the power of the chelicerae, synergistic interactions between different components in the venom of Cupiennius salei ensure the hunting success of this spider. The main components of the venom were tested alone or in combination according to their physiological venom concentrations in Drosophila bioassays. The high K+ ion content of the venom synergistically increases the insecticidal activity of the neurotoxins CSTX-1, CSTX-9 and CSTX-13 by 20% but does not influence the insecticidal effectiveness of the antimicrobially and cytolytically acting cupiennin 1a. Histamine only enhances the activity of the main neurotoxin CSTX-1. An important role in the envenomation process is exhibited by cupiennin 1a, which increases the insecticidal activity of the above-mentioned neurotoxins by up to 65%. Additionally, the highly synergistic effect of the enhancer CSTX-13 on CSTX-1, provoked in non-toxic physiological concentrations, could be verified for CSTX-9, but not for cupiennin 1a. CSTX-1 and CSTX-9 show positive interactions only when both are injected in toxic non-physiological concentrations.
Nonviral gene delivery to human ovarian cancer cells using arginine-grafted PAMAM dendrimer

Background: A specific and effective strategy is in demand to treat ovarian cancer successfully. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is highly expressed in ovarian cancer, and thus EGFR antisense gene therapy can be a potential therapeutic strategy. Method: l-Arginine-grafted-polyamidoamine dendrimer (PAMAM-Arg) has been reported to be a novel nonviral gene delivery carrier. Therefore, the ability of PAMAM-Arg in transferring a luciferase gene to ovarian carcinoma SK-OV3 cells has been examined, and the cytotoxicity of the cationic polymer has been investigated. In addition, the suppression of cell proliferation has been evaluated by transferring an EGFR antisense gene to SK-OV3 cells using PAMAM-Arg. Polyethyleneimine (PEI) 25K was used as a positive control. Results: As a result, in vitro gene transfection efficiency of PAMAM-Arg was enhanced with increasing transfection time and N/P ratios. PAMAM-Arg transferred the luciferase gene into cells more efficiently than PEI. In addition, PAMAM-Arg was minimally toxic to the cells whereas PEI 25K was highly toxic. The polyplexes formed by the EGFR antisense gene and PAMAM-Arg significantly reduced thymidine incorporation into the cells suggesting the suppression of cancer cell proliferation. Conclusion: These results suggest that a PAMAM-Arg/EGFR antisense gene complex can be used as a safe and efficient therapeutic agent for cancer gene therapy.
Identification of a hypaxial somite enhancer element regulating Pax3 expression in migrating myoblasts and characterization of hypaxial muscle Cre transgenic mice

Pax3 encodes a transcription factor that functions in the embryonic central nervous system, neural crest, and somitic mesoderm. Prior studies suggest that distinct regulatory elements regulate temporal and spatial expression of Pax3 in neural crest and mesoderm. Here, we describe a discrete enhancer element, conserved between mouse and human genomes, that directs Pax3 expression in the ventral‐lateral lip of interlimb somites. These regions give rise to hypaxial musculature including limb, ventral body wall, diaphragm, and tongue muscles. Transgenic mice harboring the hypaxial muscle enhancer driving lacZ expression initiate β‐galactosidase expression at E10.0, significantly later than endogenous Pax3 expression in presomitic and segmented mesoderm. Initiation of transgene expression is not dependent on Pax3 itself, since expression is detectable in homozygous Splotch embryos. Transgenic mice expressing Cre recombinase in hypaxial myoblasts were generated and characterized. These results suggest that Pax3 is differentially regulated within the somite in both spatial and temporal domains. Hypaxial muscle Cre mice will allow for specific manipulation of gene expression in this subset of developing skeletal muscle. genesis 41:202–209, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Biomechanical Performance of a New Device for Medial Malleolar Fractures

Background: Displaced medial malleolus fractures require surgical repair because of the critical role the structure plays in normal joint function. Various approaches exist, but options are limited for small fragment fractures. This study compared repair with the Medial Malleolar Sled fixation system (Trimed, Inc, Valencia, CA) to lag screws in 2 modes of biomechanical loading in a cadaveric model. Methods: A Müller type B medial malleolus fracture was simulated on matched pairs of cadaveric lower extremities and repaired with the sled or 2 cancellous lag screws. Tibial distraction (tension, n = 10) or internal rotation (torsion, n = 11) was applied. Fragment movement was measured in the sagittal (tension and torsion) and transverse (torsion-only) planes. Fragment movement at 1 mm and 2 mm (clinical malunion) of gapping during tension and at 2, 4, 6, and 8 N-m during torsion was analyzed via paired t tests. Results: In tension, the load at the 2-mm gap was statistically lower for screws (P = .026). Opening angle was statistically larger for the sled at the 1-mm (P = .0004) and 2-mm (P = .008) gap. In torsion, gapping was statistically lower for the sled (ranging from P = .0013 at 4 N-m to P = .0187 at 8 N-m). No differences were detected for opening angle or transverse plane movement. Conclusion: The sled appeared stronger in tension and as effective as lag screws in torsion. The sled may be a viable option for fractures too small for 4.0- or 3.5-mm lag screws. Clinical Relevance: The sled may be suitable in applications where a tension band would normally be considered and may provide stronger fixation in osteoporotic bone compared with lag screw fixation.
Dispersal response to climate change: scaling down to intraspecific variation

Range shift, a widespread response to climate change, will depend on species abilities to withstand warmer climates. However, these abilities may vary within species and such intraspecific variation can strongly impact species responses to climate change. Facing warmer climates, individuals should disperse according to their thermal optimum with consequences for species range shifts. Here we studied individual dispersal of a reptile in response to climate warming and preferred temperature using a semi-natural warming experiment. Individuals with low preferred temperatures dispersed more from warmer semi-natural habitats while individuals with higher preferred temperatures dispersed more from cooler habitats. These dispersal decisions partly matched phenotype-dependent survival rates in the different thermal habitats, suggesting adaptive dispersal. This process should result into a spatial segregation of thermal phenotypes along species moving ranges which should facilitate local adaptation to warming climates. We therefore call for range-shift models including intraspecific variation in thermal phenotype and dispersal decision.
Structure of North American mantle constrained by simultaneous inversion of multiple‐frequency SH, SS, and Love waves

[1] We simultaneously invert for the velocity and attenuation structure of the North American mantle from a mixed data set: SH wave traveltime and amplitude anomalies, SS wave differential traveltime anomalies, and Love wave fundamental mode phase delays. All data are measured for multiple frequency bands, and finite frequency sensitivity kernels are used to explain the observations. In the resulting SH velocity model, a lower mantle plume is observed to originate at about 1500 km depth beneath the Yellowstone area, tilting about 40° from vertical. The plume rises up through a gap in the subducting Farallon slab. The SH velocity model confirms high‐level segmentation of the Farallon slab, which was observed in the recent P velocity model. Attenuation structure is resolvable in the upper mantle and transition zone; in estimating it, we correct for focusing. High‐correlation coefficients between dlnVS and dlnQS under the central and eastern United States suggest one main physical source, most likely temperature. The smaller correlation coefficients and larger slopes of the dlnQS − dlnVS relationship under the western United States suggest an influence of nonthermal factors such as the existence of water and partial melt. Finally, we analyze the influence of the different components of our data set. The addition of Love wave phase delays helps to improve the resolution of both velocity and attenuation, and the effect is noticeable even in the lower mantle.
What are the cut‐off levels for IL‐6 and CRP in neonatal sepsis?

Neonatal sepsis, characterized by systemic signs of infection in the first month of life, remains an important clinical syndrome. Despite advances in neonatology, it has high rates of mortality and morbidity. The combine or alone usage of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) has recently been proven to be useful in the early diagnosis of sepsis in newborns. The study included 282 patients; there were 232 in Group I (170 proven and 62 clinical sepsis) and 50 in Group II (control group). The optimum cut‐off value in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis was found to be 24.65 pg/ml for IL‐6 and 4.82 mg/l for CRP. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of this IL‐6 cut‐off for neonatal sepsis were 72, 84, 95, and 42%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of the CRP cut‐off for neonatal sepsis were 67, 97, 99, and 39%, respectively. The combination of IL‐6 (>24.65 pg/ml) and CRP (>4.82 mg/l) in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis gave sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 53, 100, 100, and 33%, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the largest reported study seeking to determine cut‐off levels for IL‐6 and CRP in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. In conclusion, we think that it is useful to evaluate IL‐6 and CRP, in combination, for the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 24:407–412, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ANFIS-Based Compensation Algorithm for Current-Transformer Saturation Effects

This paper proposes an efficient compensation algorithm based on an adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system capable of converting a sampled current waveform that is distorted by current-transformer (CT) saturation to a compensated current waveform. Quick response time, no cumulative estimation error, desired sample-by-sample output, no dependency of CT parameters/characteristics and secondary burdens, and simplicity are some attractive features of the proposed method. The accuracy and robustness of the introduced compensation algorithm are demonstrated through extensive test cases reflecting a wide range of variations in fault conditions and CT parameters. The proposed algorithm has also been implemented and tested on a digital signal processor board.
Paget's disease of bone among British migrants to Australia.

possible whether or not: (a) the drug affects the production of milk; (b) the drug is excreted in the milk and, if so, whether the amount is of clinical significance; and (c) the amount excreted would adversely affect the neonate or infant. The information would then be readily at hand when the increasing number of lactating mothers consult their practitioners. I am trying to assemble such data to produce a useful reference to drugs which are safe rather than the negative lists which currently predominate. C D E MORRIS