Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Helminth and Arthropod Parasites of Grizzly and Black Bears in Montana and Adjacent Areas

Parasites of free-ranging grizzly and black bears in North America have been investigated periodically since the early part of the present century. The emphasis in many of these studies was on the role of bears as potential sources of parasites transmissible to man such as the trichina worm, Trichinella spiralis (Maynard & Pauls 1962, Harbottle et al. 1971,Wand & Lyman 1972) and the broad fish tapeworm (Vergeer 1930. Rush 1932, Skinker 1931,1932). Other work has been confined primarily to taxonomic surveys or descriptive studies of parasitism in wild bears (Horstman 1949, Olsen 1968, Choquette et al. 1969). Little of the literature has been concerned with the potential influences of parasitism on the health of bear populations in the environment. The present study was designed with this objective in mind.
Pulmonary granulocyte accumulation is reduced by nebulized corticosteroid in septic pigs

Nebulized beclomethasone dipropionate was administered to 14 anesthetized and artificially ventilated pigs at 6‐hourly intervals after infusion of live S. aureus (BDP group). Changes in pulmonary activity from autologous granulocytes labeled with In‐111 was detected externally for 12 (n = 8) to 44 h (n = 6). The changes were compared with those in ten pigs (12 h n = 7, 44 h n = 3) subjected to the same insults but given no corticosteroid (placebo group). Serial measurements of blood radioactivity, and cardiac output were performed in animals observed for 12 h. Corticosteroid‐treated pigs showed a gradual decline in decaycorrected pulmonary In‐111 activity. The placebo group displayed a more varied reaction, but most animals had an increased activity compared to the corticosteroid group. The difference between the groups was significant at 8 h (BDP‐group 92% (88–98), placebo‐group 107% (97–121), median (lower‐upper quartiles), baseline = 100%. P < 0.01, U‐test). Blood radioactivity and cardiac output did not differ significantly between the two groups. Nebulized corticosteroid thus diminished pulmonary granulocyte accumulation, which may be of value in the treatment of septic respiratory distress.
Contribution of whole-body 18FDG PET imaging in the management of cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to assess the contribution of [(18)F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography ((18)FDG PET) imaging in the management of cervical cancer. METHODS Fully corrected whole-body PET was performed in 60 patients (pts) with proven cervical cancer. In pretreatment staging, 22 pts underwent PET in addition to routine protocol including International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FIGO) staging and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Eighteen of them had pelvic lymphadenectomy. After treatment, PET was performed in 38 pts routinely followed up by clinical and radiological examinations. Results of PET and routine protocols were compared to final diagnoses, including histological findings in 31 pts and clinical outcomes in the other cases. Median follow-up time was 12 +/- 7.3 months. RESULTS In all but 2 patients (FIGO stage IA), both PET and MRI detected the primary tumor. In 6 pts, MRI alone noted loco-regional tumor spread but PET localized 9 unsuspected extrapelvic nodal sites (6 para-aortic, 2 mediastinal, and 1 supra-clavicular). However, PET missed 8 microscopic pelvic nodal metastases. In 18% of the patients, PET staging significantly influenced the treatment choices. In follow-up, PET accurately diagnosed a recurrent disease in 13 pts with falsely negative or equivocal conventional imaging (CI). Ten patients with a negative PET were still in complete remission after a minimal follow-up time of 12 months. Overall, the agreement of PET with final diagnosis was significantly better than that of routine protocol (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Whole-body (18)FDG PET appears useful in the management of cervical cancer, in particular for staging extrapelvic metastases or optimally detecting a recurrence. MRI is better indicated for evaluating the loco-regional status of the disease.
Alkaloids from an Endophytic Streptomyces sp. YIM66017

Three alkaloids, flavensomycinoic acid (1), a linear polyketide, alpiniamide (2), and cyclo (L-Trp-L-Ala) (3), were isolated from the culture filtrate of endophytic Streptomyces sp. YIM66017 from Alpinia oxyphylla. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and the structure of 1 was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Compound 1 was isolated from a natural source for the first time, and compound 2 is a new compound. Compound 1 showed cytotoxicity to MCF-7 with an IC 50 value of 17.0 μM.
Recent progress in the setup of the electron counting capacitance standard at PTB

We report on our new results in the setup of an experiment where a capacitor is charged by a well-known number of electrons. Considerable progress was made by using a single-electron R-pump for the controlled manipulation of single electrons for the first time, and by the successful implementation of a suitable cryogenic capacitor in the millikelvin dilution refrigerator setup.
Characterization of TccP‐mediated N‐WASP activation during enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli infection

Subversion of the host cell cytoskeleton is the hallmark of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) infection. EHEC translocates the trans‐membrane receptor protein Tir (translocated intimin receptor), which links the extracellular bacterium to the eukaryotic cell actin cytoskeleton, triggering formation of actin‐rich pedestals beneath adherent bacteria. Tir‐mediated actin accretion by EHEC requires TccP (Tir cytoskeleton coupling protein), a recently discovered type III secretion system effector protein which, following translocation, binds and activates Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein (N‐WASP), which in turn activates the actin‐related protein 2/3 complex leading to localized polymerization of actin. In this study, truncated N‐WASP and TccP derivatives were generated and tested in in vitro actin polymerization and epithelial cell infection assays. The C‐terminal amino acids 253–276 of the GTPase binding domain (GBD) of N‐WASP were identified as essential, although not sufficient, for TccP:N‐WASP protein:protein interaction, TccP‐mediated N‐WASP activation and induction of actin polymerization. TccP from EHEC O157:H7 strain EDL933 consists of a unique N‐terminal domain and six proline‐rich repeats. Progressive deletions within the N‐terminus of TccP revealed that residues 1–21 are necessary and sufficient for its translocation, while amino acids 1–181, encompassing the N‐terminal translocation signal and two proline‐rich repeats, are sufficient for triggering actin polymerization in EHEC‐infected epithelial cells and in in vitro actin polymerization assays. This study defines the modular domain structure of TccP and the molecular basis of TccP‐mediated N‐WASP activation and EHEC‐induced remodelling of the host actin cytoskeleton.
Regulation of serotonin release in the Syrian hamster intergeniculate leaflet region

In mammals, the thalamic intergeniculate leaflet (IGL) conveys behavioral (non-photic) phase-resetting information to the circadian clock of the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Here we report a 24 h fluctuation in in vivo serotonin release in the hamster IGL region, peaking at night. Novel wheel exposure at midday, a stimulus that can reset circadian phase, activates the release of serotonin in the IGL region. In addition, electrical stimulation of the dorsal raphe nucleus acutely increases serotonin release the IGL region, confirming a functional serotonergic projection from this nucleus to the IGL. Collectively, these findings suggest that behavioral and/or circadian changes in dorsal raphe nuclear activity could modulate serotonin-mediated activities of the IGL.
NutriBee Intervention Improves Diet and Psychosocial Outcomes by Engaging Early Adolescents from Diverse and Disadvantaged Communities

Objective: NutriBee was the first clinical nutrition intervention designed to bring the Institute of Medicine recommendations for 20 hours of experiential nutrition-themed learning to grades 4–7 into club and camp settings. We piloted NutriBee to assess acceptability and impact among early adolescents in diverse and disadvantaged communities in order to evaluate its future potential as a group medical nutrition intervention. Methods: Nine communities across Guam, Maryland, Michigan, and New Mexico representing South Pacific Island, American Indian, urban African American, recently immigrated Hispanic, and rural Caucasian ethnic groups piloted NutriBee in nonclinical settings (clubs, schools, camps). The 6 club and camp pilots administered consenting NutriBee participants a 41-question pre–post survey assessing impact on food selection and the psychosocial parameters of intentions, outcome expectations, self-efficacy, and knowledge. Process measures included dose, fidelity, and acceptability questions. Results: Pre- and postsurveys were completed by 170 of 179 (95%) consenting, eligible participants. Impact scores increased significantly (p < 0.001): Food selection behavior (+9.3%), intentions (+19.1%), outcome expectations (+15.1%), self-efficacy (+7.4%), and knowledge (+17.6%). Each pilot (n = 6) demonstrated significant (p < 0.001) impact, a mean dose delivered of 80% (16 hours) or higher, and an acceptability score of at least 74%. Girls participating in girl-only programs (n = 72) shared greater impact than girls in coed programs (n = 41; 13.6% vs. 10.4% mean score increase, p = 0.05). Conclusions: NutriBee successfully extended the impact of an IOM-aligned intervention to club and camp settings to which clinicians can refer at-risk early adolescents.
Suppression of RhoA Activity by Focal Adhesion Kinase-induced Activation of p190RhoGAP

The interaction of endothelial cells with extracellular matrix proteins at focal adhesions sites contributes to the integrity of vascular endothelial barrier. Although focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activation is required for the recovery of the barrier function after increased endothelial junctional permeability, the basis for the recovery remains unclear. We tested the hypothesis that FAK activates p190RhoGAP and, thus, negatively regulates RhoA activity and promotes endothelial barrier restoration in response to the permeability-increasing mediator thrombin. We observed that thrombin caused a transient activation of RhoA but a more prolonged FAK activation temporally coupled to the recovery of barrier function. Thrombin also induced tyrosine phosphorylation of p190RhoGAP, which coincided with decrease in RhoA activity. We further showed that FAK was associated with p190RhoGAP, and importantly, recombinant FAK phosphorylated p190RhoGAP in vitro. Inhibition of FAK by adenoviral expression of FRNK (a dominant negative FAK construct) in monolayers prevented p190RhoGAP phosphorylation, increased RhoA activity, induced actin stress fiber formation, and produced an irreversible increase in endothelial permeability in response to thrombin. We also observed that p190RhoGAP was unable to attenuate RhoA activation in the absence of FAK activation induced by FRNK. The inhibition of RhoA by the C3 toxin (Clostridium botulinum toxin) restored endothelial barrier function in the FRNK-expressing cells. These findings in endothelial cells were recapitulated in the lung microcirculation in which FRNK expression in microvessel endothelia increased vascular permeability. Our studies demonstrate that FAK-induced down-modulation of RhoA activity via p190RhoGAP is a crucial step in signaling endothelial barrier restoration after increased endothelial permeability.
Pax6 Expression Is Sufficient to Induce a Neurogenic Fate in Glial Progenitors of the Neonatal Subventricular Zone

Background The forebrain subventricular zone (SVZ) of neonatal mammals contains a large, heterogeneous population of migratory and proliferating precursors of interneurons and glia. These cell types are produced in large numbers in the immediate postnatal period, the glioblasts populating the hemispheres with astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, the neuroblasts migrating to the olfactory bulb to become interneurons. How cell fate decisions are determined or stabilized in this mixed population is not clear, although previous studies indicate the importance of two transcription factors, Pax6 in neurons and Olig2 in glia, and suggest there may be reciprocal repression between these genes. Methodology/Principal Findings In examining the SVZ of neonatal mouse and rat brain, we find that the very large majority of SVZ cells express either Pax6 or Olig2, but few express both. We have used in vivo retro- and lenti-virus injections into the neonatal SVZ and in vitro gene transfer to demonstrate that pax6 over-expression is sufficient to down-regulate olig2 and to promote a neuronal lineage development and migration pattern in olig2-expressing cells. Furthermore, we provide evidence that Pax6 binds to the olig2 promoter and that an HEB sequence in the promoter is required for the Pax6 repression of olig2 transcription. Lastly, we constructed a lentivirus to target olig2-expressing cells in the SVZ to trace their fates, and found that the very large majority developed into glia. Conclusions/Significance We provide evidence for a direct repression of olig2 by Pax6. Since SVZ cells can display developmental plasticity in vitro, the cross-repression promotes a stabilization of cell fates. This repression may be critical in a germinal zone in which immature cells are highly migratory and are not organized into an epithelium.
Relevance of the Tumor Antigen in the Validation of Three Vaccination Strategies for Melanoma1

Many preclinical studies of cancer immunotherapy are based on the testing of a single vaccination strategy in several tumor models. Moreover, most of those studies used xenogeneic Ags, which, owing to their high immunogenicity, may not represent realistic models for the validation of cancer immunotherapies. To address these issues, we compared the vaccination efficacy of three well established strategies (i.e., naked DNA; peptide-pulsed dendritic cells (DC), or a mixture of peptide and the Escherichia coli toxin LTR72) using the xenogeneic OVA or the naturally expressed tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP-2) tumor Ag in the B16 melanoma model. C57BL/6 mice received one to three s.c. injections of peptide-pulsed DC or DNA, or one to four mucosal administrations of peptide-toxin mixture. One to 2 wk later, the animals were challenged s.c. with B16 or B16 cells expressing OVA (B16-OVA). Vaccination of mice with OVA induced in all cases melanoma-specific CTL and protection against B16-OVA. When TRP-2 was used, all three vaccines elicited B16-specific CTL, but only DC pulsed with the immunodominant T cell epitope TRP-2181–188 allowed protection against B16. Even more importantly, a vaccination regimen with TRP-2-pulsed DC, started 24 h after the injection of a lethal number of B16 cells, caused a therapeutic effect in 60% of the challenged animals. Our results strongly emphasize the relevance of the tumor Ag in the definition of immunotherapeutic strategies for cancer, and support the use of peptide-pulsed DC as cancer vaccine in humans.
Circulatory Effects of Hypoxia, Acute Normovolemic Hemodilution, and Their Combination in Anesthetized Pigs

Background Because hemodilution decreases the oxygen‐carrying capacity of blood, it was hypothesized that severe hemodilution would decrease the tolerance to alveolar hypoxia. Methods Hemodynamics, oxygen transport, and blood lactate concentrations were compared in ten pigs with normal hematocrit (33 +/‐4%), and ten hemodiluted pigs (hematocrit 11+/‐1%; mean+/‐SD) anesthetized with ketamine‐fentanyl‐pancuronium during stepwise decreases in inspired oxygen fraction (FIO2; 1.0, 0.35, 0.21, 0.15, 0.10, 0.05). Results Median systemic oxygen delivery (DO2 SY) became critical (the DO2 SY value when arterial lactate exceeded 2.0 mmol *symbol* l sup ‐1) at 10.4 ml *symbol* kg sup ‐1 min sup ‐1 (range 6.9–16.1) in hemodiluted animals and at 11.8 ml *symbol* kg sup ‐1 *symbol* min sup ‐1 (5.9–32.2) in animals with normal hematocrits (NS). The relationship between mixed venous oxygen saturation and arterial lactate values was less consistent and median critical mixed venous oxygen saturation was higher (P < 0.05) in the hemodiluted group (35%, range 21–64), than in animals with normal hematocrits (21%, 7–68%). In animals with normal hematocrit, decreasing FIO2 from 1.0 to 0.10 resulted in a decrease in DO2 SY from 26.3+/‐9.1 to 9.3 +/‐3.9 ml *symbol* kg sup ‐1 *symbol* min sup ‐1 (P < 0.01). Cardiac output did not change, systemic oxygen extraction ratio increased from 0.23+/‐0.08 to 0.68+/‐0.13 (P < 0.01), and arterial lactate from 0.9+/‐0.2 to 3.4+/‐3.0 mmol *symbol* l sup ‐1 (P < 0.05). Cardiac venous blood flow, as measured by retrograde thermodilution, increased from 5.7+/‐2.9 to 12.6+/‐5.7 ml *symbol* kg sup ‐1 *symbol* min sup ‐1 (P < 0.01). When FIO2 was reduced to 0.05, three animals became hypotensive and died. In the second group, hemodilution increased cardiac output and systemic oxygen extraction ratio (P < 0.01). Cardiac venous blood flow increased from 4.1 +/‐1.7 to 9.8+/‐5.1 ml *symbol* kg sup ‐1 *symbol* min sup ‐1 (P < 0.01), and cardiac venous oxygen saturation from 22+/‐ 5 to 41+/‐10% (P < 0.01). During the subsequent hypoxia, cardiac output and DO2 SY were maintained until FIO2 = 0.15 (DO2 SY = 10.1+/‐3.3 ml *symbol* kg sup ‐1 *symbol* min sup ‐1). Cardiac venous blood flow was then 18.5+/‐10.7 ml *symbol* kg sup ‐1 *symbol* min sup ‐1 (P < 0.01), but in spite of this, myocardial lactate production occurred. At FIO2 = 0.10 (DO2 SY = 7.7 +/‐3.0 ml *symbol* kg sup ‐1 *symbol* min sup ‐1), arterial lactate concentration increased to 8.5+/‐2.3 mmol *symbol* l sup ‐1 (P < 0.01), and most animals became hypotensive. All hemodiluted animals died when FIO2 was decreased to 0.05 (P < 0.01 when compared to animals with normal hematocrit). Conclusions Systemic and myocardial lactate production occurred at similar systemic oxygen delivery rates in hemodiluted and nonhemodiluted animals. Mixed venous oxygen saturation may be a less reliable indicator of inadequate oxygen delivery during hemodilution.
Intramuscular artemether vs intravenous quinine: an open, randomized trial in Malawian children with cerebral malaria

objectives To compare artemether (by intramuscular injection) and quinine (by intravenous infusion) as treatments for cerebral malaria in African children.methods An open, randomized trial conducted at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. This trial was part of a multicentre study designed to determine if treatment with artemether would significantly lower mortality rates compared with quinine. Data from 83 artemether recipients and 81 quinine recipients are reported here.results Overall mortality rates and coma resolution times were not significantly different in the two treatment groups. Parasite and fever clearance times were significantly more rapid in the artemether recipients. Analyses which took into account the possible confounding variables did not significantly alter the findings of these unadjusted analyses.conclusion These results do not suggest that treatment with artemether would confer a survival advantage in children with life‐threatening malaria. The power and precision of the estimated treatment effects of artemether would be enhanced by a meta‐analysis of all relevant clinical trials.
Mechanism of selective area growth of GaN nanorods by pulsed mode metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

The growth mechanism for the formation of GaN nanorods using metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) selective area growth by pulsed source injection is proposed. The pulsed mode procedure and the kinetic model are discussed and experiments performed to support the model are described. The achievement of rod shape nanostructures grown by the pulsed mode can be attributed to two mechanisms: (1) the differences in the adsorption/desorption behavior of Ga adatoms on the c-plane (0001) and the boundary m-planes { 1 1 ̄ 0 0 } ? > , and (2) the growth behavior of the semi-polar planes (especially the semi-polar { 1 1 ̄ 0 1 } ? > plane).
Novel Protease from Aspergillus tamarii URM4634: Production and Characterization Using Inexpensive Agroindustrial Substrates by Solid-State Fermentation

This study reports the protease production from Aspergillus tamarii using agroindustrial residues as substrate for solid-state fermentation (SSF) and biochemical characterization. The highest protease production was obtained using wheat bran as substrate at 72 h fermentation with maximum proteolytic activity of 401.42 U/mL, collagenase of 243.0 U/mL and keratinase of 19.1 U/mL. The protease exhibited KM = 18.7 mg/mL and Vmax = 28.5 mg/mL/min. The optimal pH was 8.0 and stable in a wide pH range (5.0 - 11.0) during 24 h. The optimum temperature was 40°C. The proteolytic activity was inhibited by Cu2+ (33.98%) and Hg2+ (22.69%). The enzyme was also inhibited by PMSF (65.11%), indicating that is a Serine Protease. These properties suggest that alkaline protease from A. tamarii URM4634 is suitable for application in food industries and leather processing. Additionally, the present findings opened new vistas in the utilization of wheat bran and other effective agroindustrial wastes as substrates for SSF.
RV stroke work in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension: estimation based on invasive haemodynamic assessment and correlation with outcomes

Background RV performance is an important determinant of outcomes in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). RV stroke work (RVSW), the product of mean pulmonary artery pressure and stroke volume, integrates contractility, afterload and ventricular-vascular coupling. RVSW has not been evaluated in children with PAH. We tested the hypothesis that RVSW would be a predictor of outcomes in children with PAH. Methods Patients in the Children's Hospital Colorado PAH database were evaluated retrospectively, and those with idiopathic PAH and those with minor or repaired congenital heart disease were included. Haemodynamic data were obtained by catheterisation and echocardiography, performed within 3 months. RVSW was calculated: mean pulmonary arterial pressure × stroke volume, and indexed to body surface area. Statistics included Kruskal–Wallis, Wilcoxon rank sum, and Spearman correlation. Results Fifty patients were included. Median age of the cohort was 9.5 (6.0, 15.7) years, with a median indexed pulmonary vascular resistance (PVRi) of 6.5 (3.7, 11.6) WU m2. RVSW had a significant association with PVRi (r=0.6, p<0.0001), tricuspid annular systolic plane excursion (r=0.55, p=0.0001), and RV fractional area change (r=−0.4, p=0.005). Grouped by WHO class, there was a significant difference in RVSW (p=0.04). Need for atrial septostomy and death were associated with higher RVSW (p=0.04 and p=0.03, respectively). Conclusions RVSW can be estimated in children with PAH, and is significantly associated with abnormal WHO class, the need for septostomy, as well as mortality. Indices accounting for RV performance as well as ventricular-vascular coupling may be useful in the prognosis and, hence, management of children with PAH.