Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 at the Central Nervous System

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) is a ubiquitous and neurotropic pathogen and is the most common cause of acute sporadic encephalitis in humans. This virus is characterized by establishing a persistent latent infection in neurons of its hosts for life. The pathogenic mechanisms of HSV‐1 at the central nervous system (CNS) are not completely elucidated. Besides, evidences suggest that HSV‐1 establish latency in the CNS in humans and that this condition would not be harmless, especially in people whose immune system is declined. This trait has been strongly suggested as a risk factor for the development of neurodegenerative pathologies such as Alzheimer's disease. Currently, it is unclear whether a neuron, which undergoes viral reactivation and produces infectious particles, survives and resumes latency, loses functionality, or is killed. These data highlight the need for more studies at cellular and molecular levels to understand the strategies used by the virus and the host cells during both produc‐ tive and latent infection. The present chapter discusses the current investigations about HSV‐1 infection at the CNS and the potential risk of neuronal dysfunction and chronic neurological diseases.
Intrinsic and Acquired Methicillin-Resistance Detection in Staphylococcus aureus and Its Relevance in Therapeutics

Background: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a bacterium responsible for a variety of clinical conditions, ranging from skin diseases and pneumonia to bloodstream infections. Methicillin-resistantS.aureus (MRSA) is a perpetual concern in medical settings due to its resistance to many antibiotics; accordingly, the periodic surveillance of antibiotic susceptibility patterns is an everlasting concern in the clinical arena. Objectives: This quantitative study aimed to detect intrinsic and acquired methicillin resistance precisely, testing for the eect of beta-lactamase inhibitors and assessing the antibiotic sensitivity patterns of clinical isolates forS. aureus. Methods: One hundred and five isolates of S. aureus were ascertained for their resistance toward methicillin by agar screening and agar dilution (minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC)) methods. Acquired resistance was detected in methicillin-resistant isolates by the addition of beta-lactamase inhibitors. The tolerance phenomenon in these isolates was determined by a ratio of their minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) over their MIC. Results: Methicillin resistance was detected in 38% of S. aureus isolates, confirmed by the agar dilution method and MIC > 8 g/mL (intrinsic resistance). These isolates were mostly collected from ICU burn patients (32.5%). No isolate was found to have acquired resistance or modified (MOD) type resistance. Tolerance was not observed in any isolate. Antibiotic susceptibility toward other therapeutic agents showed that all intrinsic methicillin-resistant isolates were susceptible to vancomycin; however, methicillin- susceptible isolates were the least sensitive (30%) to penicillin. Conclusions: Methicillin resistance is a specialized concern in clinical studies, and it is mandatory to detect this mechanism by an accurate method that is updated periodically. Increasing the resistance of S. aureus to multiple antibiotics underlines the need for intermittent resistance surveillance.
Induction of larval ecdysis by ecdysone in the non-molting glossy (nm-g) mutant larvae of Bombyx mori

The effect of ecdysone supplemented to the artificial diet on the larval development of non-ynolting glossy mutant silkworm, Bombyx mori, was investigated. When the first-instar larvae of nm-g mutant were isolated on day 6 after hatching and they were reared on artificial diets supplemented with various concentrations of either ecdysone or 20hydroxyecdysone(20-OH-E), about 90% of the larvae fed on ecdysone ≧200 ppm molted to the second-instar, but only 60% of the larvae fed on 20-OH-E could molt to the second instar even though they fed on 400 ppm 20-OH-E. The second-and third-instar larvae of nm-g mutant induced by 200 ppm ecdysone molted to the next instar when they were transferred to the diet supplemented with ecdysone at the early stage of each instar. But the third-and fourth-instar larvae of nyng mutant molted to larval-pupal intermediate or began to spinning when they were transferred to the diet supplemented with ecdysone at the late stage of each instar. These results suggest that the dietary administration of ecdysone at an appropriate stage of each instar induces larval ecdysis effectively in the nmg mutant larvae. Na tio n a l Institu te of Sericultural and Entomological Science, 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki,305-8634,,Japan.
An Ocean of Possible Truth: Biased Processing of News on Social Media

The digital information environment offers a wide variety of factual claims from a diverse spectrum of sources. Citizens face the constant challenge whether to believe and disseminate the claims they encounter. What factors drive belief and sharing of factual information? While previous scholarship on political knowledge and information processing has explored oft-discussed factual questions, this paper focuses on questions as they daily arise in the news. Predictions are derived from the theory of motivated reasoning, which suggests that people process factual information in terms of congruence with their attitudes, and the source credibility literature, which implies that the prominence of sources should influence information processing. Expectations were tested in two original survey experiments in Germany. Study 1 (n = 418) explored the effects of attitudinal congruence and source prominence on belief, by exposing subjects to constructed news reports (on the welfare state, domestic security, migration and European integration) presented as Facebook posts. Three out of four topics show a strong impact of attitudinal congruence, with no source effect. For the fourth topic, the reverse is the case, which suggests that people either resort to their attitudes or take a source cue, depending on the topic. Study 2 (n = 1964) analyzed tendencies to share a news report (on migration) via email, Facebook, Whatsapp and Twitter. Again, attitudinal congruence plays a greater role than the type of source, although dynamics are more complex for sharing on Twitter.
Influence of Frequency of Drinking on Particulate Passage Rate and Dry Matter Disappearance in Grazing Zebu Cattle

Three ruminally cannulnted zebu steers were used in a water restriction study. Three drinking frequencies were imposed on the steers: watered daily, once in 2 days, and once in 3 days. Particulate rate of passage was estimated by dosing steers with Yb-labeled forage and collecting fecal grab samples for a 5-dry period. Steers were grazed from 0700 h to 1800 h, then brought back to drink, and penned overnight. Particulate passage rate decreased (FCO.05) from 3.8 to 2.5 and 2.1 %/h, while total mean retention time increased (X0.01) from 54.0 to 65.2 and 80.2 h for steers watered once daily, once in 2 days, and once in 3 days, respectively. In situ dry matter disappearance in the rumen was increased (PCO.01) and dry matter intake decreased by one-third to two-thirds (PCO.01) by water restriction.
Characterizing Resistance Genes in Wheat-Stem Rust Interaction

Stem rust, caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp . tritici ( Pgt ) , is one of the most important diseases of wheat with devastating epidemics in Iran and the world. In this study, we evaluated some Iranian wheat landraces in a greenhouse at the seedling stage against a new pathotype related to Ug99 of Pgt , which was collected from Iran and designated as TTSSK. Marker analysis was done on resistant landraces. Molecular markers for detecting some Sr genes were used. The results showed that Sr22, Sr35 and SrWeb provided resistance against TTSSK in the resistant landraces. In addition, some of the susceptible landraces that were resistant at adult stage were used for Sr2 analysis. The results showed that some of these landraces were carrying other adult plant resistance gene/genes except Sr2. To evaluate the defence gene expression in compatible and incompatible interactions, cv. Morocco (susceptible) and KC-440 landrace (resistant) were used. Sampling was done at 0, 12, 18, 24, and 72 hours post inoculation (hpi) with stem rust isolate and water as mock treatment. β-1,3 glucanase gene expressions were studied using qGLU-S and qGLU-AS primers. Also, 18srRNA, β-tubulin and EF1-α genes were used as internal control. The results showed that in incompatible interactions, the defence gene expression was increased at 24 hpi, but in compatible interactions, expression level reached the peak at 12 hpi and it significantly decreased at 18 hpi. The results revealed that the expression of defence genes such as β -1,3 glucanase was earlier in compatible interactions than in incompatible interactions, but the quantity of expressed gene was less than in incompatible interactions.
The Biochemical and Molecular Effects of Amnionic Nutrient Administration, "in Ovo Feeding" on Intestinal Development and Function and Carbohydrate Metabolism in Turkey Embryos and Poults.

In-ovo feeding (IOF), injecting nutrients into the amnion prior to internal pipping, may enhance early growth performance by enhancing the activity of the brush border enzymes and subsequent nutrient uptake, thus providing the energy needed for metabolic activity. The first experiment studied the effect of in-ovo feeding solutions containing egg white protein (EWP), HMB and carbohydrates (S) on jejunal leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) and sucrase-isomaltase activities of Hybrid® poults. The second experiment studied the effect of in-ovo feeding solutions containing arginine (ARG), HMB and EWP on jejunal leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) and sucrase-isomaltase activites of Hybrid® poults. At 23 d of incubation, 100 eggs per treatment group were in ovo fed 1.5 ml of a . 4% saline solution containing 4 nutritional treatments consisting of a two by two factorial arrangement. All poults were fed ad libitum within 24 hours after hatch. In the first experiment, jejunal LAP activity was depressed at hatch in poults in ovo fed EWP, in comparison to the other treatments (P<0.05). In ovo feeding of S enhanced jejunal maltase and LAP activities at the 7-d post-hatch over the controls (P<0.05). In experiment two in ovo feeding of ARG + HMB enhanced sucrase and maltase activity at the 25-day of incubation and at 14-d post-hatch, over the controls (P<0.05). Jejunal sucrase and maltase activities were 3-fold greater in pouts in ovo fed ARG + HMB than
Comparing the Microbial Load on Hide and Beef Carcasses at Minna Abattoir

The hide, viscera and faeces of cattle entering the slaughter facility all serve as sources of contamination to the carcass. In this study, animal carcasses at the Minna abattoir, Nigeria, were sampled at the hock, brisket, bung, cranial back and inside round sites. Samples were analyzed for microbiological qualities and numbers between the three cattle cleanliness categories (2) clean, (3) dirty, and (5) very dirty, hence total viable counts (TVC) were taken. The hock harbored aerobic heterotrophic bacteria (2.1  105 - 7.0  106 cfu/ml), bung (2.5  105 - 1.1  107 cfu/ml) and the inside round (3.1  105 - 1.9  107 cfu/ml). The TVC at the brisket were significantly higher on category 5 (2.0  105 cfu/ml) than on category 2 (1.6  105 cfu/ml) carcasses. There were no significant differences between TVC of categories 3 and 5 at the cranial back. Analysis of TVC for each category averaged over the five sites showed that TVC on category 5 carcasses were significantly higher than category 2 carcasses with less significant difference between TVC of categories 3 and 5. Based on the result of this study, it is recommended that there be establishment of standard slaughtering facilities.
Influence of first premolar extraction on mandibular third molar angulation

Objectives: To compare the changes in position of the developing mandibular third molars in both lower first premolar extraction and non extraction cases. Materials and Methods: Pretreatment and post treatment panoramic radiographs were taken of 15 subjects who had been treated by the extraction of the first mandibular premolars and 15 subjects who had been treated with nonextraction. The horizontal reference plane was used to measure and compare the changes in the inclination of the mandibular second molar and the developing third molars. The occlusal plane was used to measure the distance distal to the mandibular second molar. The distances from mesial cusp of mandibular third molar to occlusal plane and from distal cusp to occlusal plane were also measured. Results: The long axes of the mandibular third molar and second molars to horizontal reference plane pre treatment and post treatment had no statistically significant difference between both groups in the values of the angular changes pre and post treatment . The mean differences in the angle values between pre and post treatment for the right side and the left side showed no statistical significance difference between pre and post treatment in the two groups. A significant correlation was found between the two groups regarding the
Breeding phenological response to spring weather conditions in common Finnish birds: resident species respond stronger than migratory species

National bird-nest record schemes provide a valuable data source to study large-scale changes in basic breeding biology and effects of climate change on birds. Using nest-record scheme data from 26 common Finnish breeding bird species from whole Finland, we estimated the laydate of the first egg for 129 063 nesting attempts. We then investigated the relationship of mean spring temperature and spring precipitation sum to changes in the onset of laying over the period 1961–2012. In addition, we examine differences in response to these climatic variables for species grouped for different life history strategies; migration, diet and habitat. Finally, we test whether body size is related to the strength of phenological response. We show that 26 common Finnish breeding bird species have advanced their laying dates over time and to an increase in the mean spring temperature over the study period. When species are grouped according life history strategies, we find that breeding phenological change is negatively associated with changes in the mean spring temperature where residents respond strongest to changes in mean spring temperature, but also short- and long-distance migrants advance laydates with increasing spring temperatures. Breeding phenological change is also associated with spring precipitation, where resident species delay and short-distance migrants advance the onset of breeding. In addition we find that omnivorous species respond stronger than insectivorous species to changes in spring temperature. In contrast to results from an earlier study, we do not find evidence that small-sized species respond stronger to spring temperature than large-sized species. As climate warming is predicted to continue in the future, long-term citizen science schemes, such as the Finnish nest-card scheme, prove to be a valuable cost-effective way to monitor the environment and allow investigation into how species are responding to changes in their environment.
Allelic variations in the soluble starch synthase II gene family result in changes of grain quality and starch properties in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

SUMMARY Soluble starch synthase II (SSII) plays an important role in the biosynthesis of starch and in rice it consists of three isoforms encoded by SSII-1, SSII-2 and SSII-3. However, the genetic effects of various SSII alleles on grain quality have not been systematically characterized. In the present study, the japonica alleles on SSII-1, SSII-2 and SSII-3 (SSIIa) loci from a japonica cultivar, Suyunuo, were respectively introgressed by molecular marker-assisted selection into a typical indica cultivar, Guichao2, through successive backcrossing, generating three sets of near-isogenic lines (NILs). Grain quality and starch property analysis showed that NIL-SSII-3j exhibited significant decreases in the following parameters: amylose content, average granule size, and setback viscosity and consistency; but increases in peak viscosity, hot paste viscosity, gelatinization temperature and relative crystallinity. Moreover, the proportion of short amylopectin chains and branching degree also increased when compared with those of NIL-SSII-3i (Guochao2). Similar effects were observed in NIL-SSII-1j , and certain alterations in the fine structure of starch (granule size) were revealed. However, NIL-SSII-2j did not exert significant effect on grain quality and starch properties. In brief, among the SSII gene family, the functional diversity occurred on SSII-1 and SSII-3, and not on SSII-2. Therefore, it appears that more attention should be directed to SSII-1 and SSII-3 loci for improving the eating and cooking quality of rice.
The taxonomy of middle Miocene red algae from the Gârbova de Sus Formation (Transylvanian Basin, Romania)

This study describes seventeen non-geniculate coralline algal species (orders Corallinales, Hapalidiales and Sporolithales) from the middle Miocene (lower-middle Badenian) red-algal limestones of the Transylvanian Basin, Gârbova de Sus Formation. For the description and identification at species level, we follow the common diagnostic features used for fossil species and some characters that are used as diagnostic for modern species (roof morphology for asexual conceptacles, the presence/absence of a layer of elongated cells below sporangial compartments and number of cells in paraphyses for Sporolithon, and measurements of gametangial and carposporangial conceptacles). Female conceptacles of Spongites fruticulosus Kutzing are for the first time described in fossil material. We propose the attribution of Lithophyllum platticarpum Maslov to Spongites fruticulosus Kutzing as a gametangial thallus with male conceptacles.
Effect of zinc on the metabolism of thiol-treated human gingival fibroblasts

The etiology of periodontal diseases is multifactorial. Cumulative in vivo and in vitro observations implicate volatile sulphur compounds (VSC), namely, hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and methyl mercaptan (CH3SH), produced through putrefaction of sulphur-containing proteinaceous substrates by gram negative bacteria, in the pathogenesis of the diseases. Their concentrations in the mouth air correlate with the severity of periodontal involvement. They significantly inhibit total protein, DNA and collagen synthesis, and proline transport in cultured human gingival fibroblast (HGF) systems. The inhibition on total protein synthesis is irreversible, with CH3SH exerting a more profound inhibitory effect than H2S. In addition, they have been found to increase the permeability of porcine sublingual mucosa to [3H]-PGE2, [35S]-S04 and E. coli endotoxin thus suggesting that VSC may be capable of altering the permeability of the epithelial barrier and thereby assist the pathogens to gain access to the underlying connective tissues. However, treatment of the mucosa with 0.22% ZnCI2 totally nullifies the effect of VSC and restores the tissue permeability to control state. The objective of this thesis is to investigate whether zinc is also capable of reversing the inhibitory effect of CH3SH on total protein, DNA and collagen synthesis, and proline transport by cultured HGF. While ZnCI2 at concentration of 0.22% (1.6x10" M) is protective against VSC and without any apparent harmful effects when applied to the intact tissue, HGF cells, when in direct contact with this agent, are more sensitive to it. In order to determine the maximal zinc concentration that is not deleterious to HGF, studies of total protein synthesis, cell attachment and proliferation were conducted on cultured HGF
Evaluation of antimicrobial strategies against biomaterial-associated infections: impact of the surrounding environmental conditions

Bacterial colonisation of biomedical devices frequently leads to biofilm formation on its surface, originating biomaterial-associated infections (BAI). Antibiotherapy is the most common BAI treatment, however with development of antibiotic resistance, antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are emerging as potential alternatives. However, salinity, an intrinsic condition of the human body, may impair AMP action. Moreover, the hypoxic conditions characteristic of BAI can modulate the establishment and control of the infection. Thus, the main goals of this work were to understand how different oxygen and salt concentrations can affect single and polymicrobial biofilm establishment and the efficiency of the AMP colistin in a prophylactic approach. The microbial composition of the mixed biofilms and the potential development of resistance phenomena were also assessed. The experimental work was conducted using Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as models of infection, testing different NaCl and oxygen conditions. Colistin minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentrations against single and polymicrobial planktonic cultures were determined. Biofilm formation and susceptibility to colistin was also evaluated through the determination of biomass production and biofilm-cells viability. Relative distributions of microorganisms within polymicrobial biofilms were assessed and colony morphology was observed. A population analysis profile was conducted in planktonic and biofilm cultures of K. pneumoniae in order to access the occurrence of heteroresistance. Sodium chloride seemed to impair colistin action in P. aeruginosa planktonic cultures. In biofilms, it seemed to promote biomass production namely in P. aeruginosa, however the effect of NaCl on colistin action was highly dependent on the microorganism. Prevalence of P. aeruginosa in polymicrobial biofilms was significantly reduced in the presence of NaCl. In general, oxygen deficiency impaired P. aeruginosa biofilm formation and the antibacterial action of colistin both in planktonic and biofilm lifestyles, which was more notorious in presence of NaCl. K. pneumoniae revealed to possess a sub-population resistant to colistin exclusively associated with biofilms and characterized by small colony morphologies. In conclusion, colistin appeared to be an antimicrobial with a questionable efficacy in the treatment of BAI. It was not possible to establish a relationship between the presence of NaCl and the action of colistin, however NaCl seemed to modulate P. aeruginosa biofilm formation exerting a bactericidal effect or by interfering with its motility. In hypoxic conditions, colistin action is impaired and biofilm formation is significantly lower. K. pneumoniae was found to be a strain heteroresistant to colistin and this phenomenon seemed to be closely linked to biofilm formation. To our knowledge this is the first report linking heteroresistance to biofilm formation and to a morphological distinct sub-population.