Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative evaluation of ropivacaine, ropivacaine- dexmedetomidine and ropivacaine – clonidine combinations for epidural analgesia in cattle

Eighteen animals with various surgical conditions were divided into three groups of six animals each. Group I received ropivacaine (0.75%) @ 0.25 mg/kg b.wt at sacrococcygeal space. Group II animals received ropivacaine (0.75%) @ 0.25 mg/kg b.wt and dexmedetomidine at 5 µg/kg b.wt in the sacrococcygeal space. Group III animals received ropivacaine (0.75%) @ 0.25 mg/kg b.wt and clonidine @ 2 µg/kg b.wt at sacrococcygeal space. The fastest onset of analgesia was produced by ropivacaine-dexmedetomidine combination followed by ropivacaine-clonidine. RT showed non significant decrease in all groups during post epidural analgesia. A non significant increase in RR was observed in cattle following ropivacaine and ropivacaine-clonidine epidural analgesia. Where as a non significant fall in RR was noticed during ropivacaine-dexmedetomidine combination. A non significant increase in HR was recorded after epidural administration of ropivacaine in group I animals. Whereas group II and III animals showed a non significant decrease in HR throughout the period of study. ECG studies did not reveal any abnormalities except sinus arrhymia in all animals. In group I and III non significant increase in Hb and PCV was observed in the present study. Non significant decrease in Hb and PCV values were recorded in animals subjected to ropivacaine-dexmedetomidine analgesia. A non significant increase in AST, ALT was noticed in all groups of animals. The study suggests that dexmedetomidine is a better adjuvant than clonidine in epidural analgesia as far as cardio-respiratory and Haemato-biochemical parameters are concerned.
Association of Enterococci with stored products and stored-product insects: medical importance and implications.

Enterococci are ubiquitous, catalase negative, gram-positive cocci. Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium have emerged worldwide in the last decade as one of the leading causes of nosocomial infectious diseases. Their intrinsic or acquired resistance to many antibiotics has become a major cause of concern. In the United States, the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant enterococci (ARE) is rising, in part, due to the use of antibiotics in feed as growth promoters for farm animals. There is a concern regarding the use of antibiotics in feed for livestock production and the development of resistance in strains of clinical importance. Several Enterococcus species obtained from feed and stored-product insects in livestock facilities and feed mills were examined for their antibiotic resistance profiles. Stored-products and stored-products insects were collected in sterilized polythene bags. Enterococci were isolated from stored products and storedproduct insects by culturing approach using selective media. Isolates were identified as E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. gallinarum, and E. casseliflavus using species-specific primers. Phenotypic and genotypic analysis of these isolates for antibiotic resistance and virulence factors demonstrate that stored products and stored-product insects harbor antibiotic resistant and potentially virulent enterococci.
Diferentes fontes de protena na dieta pr-inicial de frangos de corte

ABSTRACT - The purpose of this study was to determine the N-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (EMAn) of alternativeprotein ingredients, for newly hatched chicks, and to evaluate the effects of the utilization of these ingredients in the first week broilerfeed, on the performance and gastrointestinal tract (TGI) development. In the metabolism trial, 288 male chicks from 4 to 7 day s wereallotted to a completely randomized design with six treatments (a reference diet and five diets with inclusion of the test ingr edients) andfour replicates of 12 birds. The ingredients evaluated were: isolated soy protein (IS), dried whole eggs (OP), blood plasma (PS ), corngluten meal (GM) and dried sugar cane yeast (LS). To evaluate the performance and TGI, 624 birds were allocated in brooder batt erieswith six treatments and four replicates of 26 birds. The treatments were: 1 - corn and soybean meal diet, 2 - corn and soybean meal diet+ IS, 3 - corn and soybean meal diet + OP, 4 - corn and soybean meal diet + PS, 5 - corn and soybean meal diet + GM and 6 - cor n andsoybean meal diet + LS. The birds received the treatments only from 1 to 7 days. Birds were sampled at 1, 4 and 7 days of age i n orderto evaluate the TGI organs. The EMAn of the ingredients determined for chicks in the first week were 2,110; 5,095; 3,831; 3,374 and2,037 kcal/kg (as-fed basis) for IS, OP, PS, GM and LS, respectively. In general, the performance of the birds from 1 to 7 days was affectedby the different treatments, but this effect was not maintained up to 21 days. The different protein sources affected the TGI d evelopment,but these effects did not explain broiler performance.Key Words: broilers, gastrointestinal tract, metabolizable energy, newly hatched chick diets, performance, protein
The Role of Estrogen Sulfotransferase in Human Adipogenesis

Estrogen Sulfotransferase (EST/SULT1E1) is a phase II conjugating enzyme which catalyzes the sulfonation of estrogen and estrogen like compounds. EST belongs to a large class of cytosolic sulfotransferases that are widespread in human and animal tissues, and facilitate sulfoconjugation through a donor co-substrate, 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate (PAPS). EST is an estrogen preferring sulfotransferase; among all human sulfotransferases it has the highest affinity for Estradiol (E2). The goal of this dissertation is to determine whether and how EST plays a role in human adipogenesis. Adipogenesis is the process whereby preadipocytes are stimulated to differentiate into functional mature adipocytes. The role of EST in adipogenesis has been studied in rodents, however in humans no studies have been published that address the role of EST in adipogenesis. In this dissertation we have uncovered a novel role for estrogen sulfotransferase in human adipogenesis. By using human primary adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and whole-fat tissues from the abdominal subcutaneous fat of obese and non-obese subjects, we showed that the expression of EST was low in preadipocytes but increased upon differentiation. Overexpression and knockdown of EST in ASCs promoted and inhibited differentiation, respectively. The pro-adipogenic activity of EST in humans was opposite to the anti-adipogenic effect of the same enzyme in rodents. Mechanistically, EST promoted adipogenesis by deactivating estrogens. The pro-adipogenic effect of EST can be recapitulated by using an estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist or ER alpha knockdown. In contrast, activation of ER in ASCs inhibited adipogenesis by decreasing the recruitment of the adipogenic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR) onto its target gene promoters, whereas ER antagonism increased the recruitment of PPAR to its target gene promoters. Linear regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between the expression of EST and body mass index (BMI), as well as a negative correlation between ER alpha expression and BMI. We conclude that EST is a pro-adipogenic factor which may serve as a druggable target to inhibit the turnover and accumulation of adipocytes in obese patients.
Beliefs and attitudes towards organ donation in young Mexicans

Aim The objective of this work was to demonstrate the relationship between beliefs and attitudes towards organ donation in Sonoran university students, which required the adaptation and validation of the scales of beliefs and attitudes towards organ donation proposed by León (2015) for the Mexican Sonoran state population. Method From a non-probabilistic sample of 225 college students of both sexes, between 17 and 25 years of age, each scale was analyzed using the Rasch model, where relevant values of unidimensionality were found for almost all items. Subsequently, an exploratory factor analysis with varimax rotation showed theoretically interpretable factors, as well as a total explained variance greater than 50% in both scales. Results Using structural equations, a model of beliefs and attitudes towards organ donation was confirmed, identifying considerable correlations between negative beliefs on donation and positive attitude (r = -.73) and prosocial attitudes towards donation (r = -.44), showing relevant adjustment criteria (SRMR = .053; RMSEA = .056; CFI = .926). Conclusion The findings corroborate the importance of beliefs as a cognitive component of attitudes, as well future studies with sample extension are suggested to confirm the results obtained.
Role of emerin and protein kinase C in herpes simplex nuclear egress

The nuclear lamina consists of a mesh-like network of lamin proteins anchored to the inner nuclear membrane by interactions with integral membrane proteins such as emerin. Emerin is a member of the LEM domain family, members of which interact with BAF. LEM domain protein-BAF interactions create a bridge between the INM and chromatin, which aids in reassembly of the nuclear envelope after mitosis. Emerin binding to lamin A/C is one of the interactions that connect the INM to the lamina. Infection by herpesviruses results in changes in the organization of the nuclear lamina, perhaps in order to facilitate envelopment of capsids at the inner nuclear membrane. In HSV-1 infected cells, alterations to the lamin proteins have been shown to involve pUL34, pUL31, and pUS3 proteins, which are also required for normal nuclear envelopment. This chapter presents the following data. (i) Infection of multiple cell types induces emerin hyper-phosphorylation that is dependent on the presence of pUL34 and kinase active pUS3 protein. (ii) The pUL34 dependent component is also sensitive to Rottlerin treatment suggesting that PKC delta or RttSK might be involved in emerin modification. (iii) LAP2 is de-modified in a pUS3 and pUL34 independent manner during infection. (iv) Emerin is not required for growth of WT or US3-null virus.
Characterization of the chemokine receptor CCR7 and its role in cell migration

With the deepest love to my parents Für meine lieben Eltern A mis padres con el más profundo amor I Acknowledgements First of all I sincerely want to thank Marcus Groettrup for convincing me that Germany is a nice place to live! I also appreciate a lot that he always found time to discuss about experiments, my project and life in science with me. It was really a great opportunity for me to work in his lab! Thank you to the Swiss Team! I specially want to thank Daniel Legler, who helped me with my experiments, anytime I felt frustrated and anytime I was jumping because an experiment worked. Also he supported me a lot personally. And I also have to thank Michi, for being always open to help me and discuss about whatever I wanted. Ah! Also for taking me home with his car from time to time. "Merci vielmals! " Thanks to Petra Eisele, for having an extensive patience with me all the time that I tried to explain an experiment in German and for letting me feel that we could work in a great team together! I am very thankful and I feel very lucky to have found all the people of this laboratory! Especially the " Tussi-Box " integrated by Tina, who took me a lot of times to the mountains and made me feel not so " homesick " and Jackie who always was very open to hear my stories and my foreigners and Chilean problems. I also want to thank Eva for her friendship and being always there. To Petra Krause for helping me all the time with the " Amaxa Transfection ". I am fully grateful to Nela Kolb who helped me a lot personally during my stay here in Konstanz. And to the rest of the lab: " The Fat10 people " : Christiane, Sebastian (my computer assistant) and Birte. Thanks also to Marcel and Brigitte. To Elisabeth who was always disposed to help with a smile and Ulli who helped me every time that I moved or every time that I needed something at home. And Gunter, he always was opened to help me when I have problems with my experiments. I also want to thank the people at the BITg. I also extend my thanks to our laboratory neighbors: Matthias Langhorst for assistance in image processing and to the " Latino …
The Mtb-HIV syndemic interaction: why treating M. tuberculosis infection may be crucial for HIV-1 eradication

Accelerated tuberculosis and AIDS progression seen in HIV-1 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)-coinfected individuals indicates the important interaction between these syndemic pathogens. The immunological interaction between HIV-1 and Mtb has been largely defined by how the virus exacerbates tuberculosis disease pathogenesis. Understanding of the mechanisms by which pre-existing or subsequent Mtb infection may favor the replication, persistence and progression of HIV, is less characterized. We present a rationale for the critical consideration of ‘latent’ Mtb infection in HIV-1 prevention and cure strategies. In support of this position, we review evidence of the effect of Mtb infection on HIV-1 acquisition, replication and persistence. We propose that ‘latent’ Mtb infection may have considerable impact on HIV-1 pathogenesis and the continuing HIV-1 epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa.
Evolutionary Interactions in Invasive Species: the Importance of Plant-Soil Feedbacks to Local Adaptation and Rapid Evolution

Interactions between intraspecific plant variation and the environment can create evolutionary and ecosystem feedbacks, but the contribution of these feedbacks to the success of invasive plant species has rarely been explored or quantified. To test whether evolution occurs during the process of plant invasion I conducted three major experiments and a meta-analysis to test various aspects of this central question. First, I conducted a meta-analysis of studies that tested the Evolution of Increased Competitive Ability (EICA) hypothesis. The meta-analysis did not support EICA’s prediction that release from herbivores leads to reduced defenses and higher performance, but it showed that evolutionary change occurs in these traits across plant invasions. To test whether soils act as selective agents for invasive plants, I grew 13 populations of the invasive tree Ailanthus altissima in a common garden. Phenotypic variation showed that genetic differentiation correlated with climate and soil factors has occurred among populations, indicative of rapid evolution in response to local conditions. To test how soils act as selective agents, I conducted a study in which seeds from three populations were reciprocally transplanted in soils from those populations. Genetic variation and positive feedbacks to plant performance were expressed in soils with biotic communities, but not in sterilized soils. This indicates that soil biotic communities may select for plant performance and genetic variation in future generations. To test whether intraspecific variation associated with plant nutrient availability could create ecosystem feedbacks, I conducted a decomposition experiment of leaf litter from elevated carbon dioxide and nitrogen fertilization experiments. There were feedbacks that led to faster mass loss at control sites and in the nitrogen fertilized sites, but a negative feedback led to slower
Treatment of Postpartum Metritis In Dairy Cows Caused by Actinomyces Pyogenes

Three treatments (oxytetracycline infusions, prostaglandin injections, and no treatment) were applied to Holstein cows with postpartum metritis from which A pyogenes had been isolated from the uterus. Gross involution was not different between groups, but oxytetracycline infusions significantly reduced (P <0. 005) the incidence of A pyogenes infected uteri. Numbers were too small to pass judgement on fertility between groups, but when all groups were combined fertility was definitely reduced.
The Effect of Localized Heat and Cold Therapy on Pain Intensity, Duration of Phases of Labor, and Birth Outcomes Among Primiparous Females: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Background: Pain is a common and unavoidable phenomenon in childbirth, and in terms of severity, childbirth pain is among the most severe pains in human. Objectives: The current study aimed at investigating the effect of localized heat and cold therapy on pain intensity, duration of phases of labor, and birth outcomes among primiparous females. Satisfaction was also compared in the two intervention groups. Methods: The current randomized, controlled trial was conducted on 120 primiparous females in three groups (heat/ cold therapy, and control) from September 2015 to January 2016. Intensity of pain, duration of phases of labor, and birth outcomes were measured before and after intervention in the three groups. Satisfaction with localized heat and cold therapy was compared in the two intervention groups. No intervention was conducted in the control group. Data were analyzed using the Fisher exact, Chi-square, the Kruskal-Wallis, and ANOVA tests with SPSS version 19. Results: After intervention, statistically significant difference was found in the average pain severity respectively among the heat therapy, cold therapy, and control groups in dilations of 5 - 6 cm (3.25 ± 0.91, 3.57 ± 1.14, 4.00 ± 1.37) 7 - 8 cm (4.08 ± 0.91, 4.88 ± 1.05, 4.97 ± 1.17), and 9 - 10 cm (6.00 ± 1.35, 6.40 ± 1.09, 7.80 ± 1.18) in the first and second phase of the labor (6.22 ± 1.13, 7.37 ± 1.08, 7.94 ± 1.08). There was a statistically significant differences in the average duration of first phase of labor, respectively among heat therapy, cold therapy, and control groups (293.70 ± 68.97, 368.57 ± 79.82, 400.86 ± 77.43) and second phases of labor respectively among heat therapy, cold therapy, and control groups (42.85 ± 13.60, 51.71 ± 12.24, 46.85 ± 13.67), but there was no statistically significant difference among the three groups in terms of the average duration of labor in the third phase. No significant difference was observed between heat and cold therapy groups in terms of satisfaction. No significant difference was observed among the three groups in birth outcomes, including the mean first and fifth Apgar scores, time of cuddling newborn, and the first breastfeeding of newborn. Conclusions: Localized heat and cold therapy are non-pharmacological, non-invasive, satisfactory for the primiparous females, and effective methods to control and relieve pain during labor without adverse effects on maternal and fetal outcomes.
Combined accelerated corneal collagen crosslinking and intrastromal Kerarings implantation for treatment of advanced superior keratoconus

Purpose: To report early results of combined accelerated corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) and intrastromal Kerarings implantation by femtosecond laser in a case of advanced superior keratoconus. Methods: The patient was a 27-year-old male with left eye grade 3 keratoconus with superior cone. He was diagnosed by Sirius Scheimpflug corneal topography (CSO, Florence, Italy). The right eye had previously been subjected to penetrating keratoplasty. The uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) in the right eye (RE) was 1.2 LogMAR, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.8 by a refraction of –7.50Ds –3.00Dc @12. The UCVA in the left eye (LE) was 1.2 LogMAR, BCVA was 0.9 by a refraction of –8.50 Ds –5.50Dc @169. Intrastromal Kerarings implantation by femtosecond laser was carried out by IntraLase (iFS, Abbott) along with accelerated transepithelial corneal collagen crosslinking by KXL system (Avedro, USA) in the same session. Follow-up was done for a period of 12 months after surgery. Results: The patient was followed up for 12 months with improvement of visual acuity as regards UCVA and BCVA and improvement of corneal topographic parameters including keratometry and front and back elevations. Conclusion: Combined accelerated corneal collagen crosslinking and intrastromal Kerarings implantation by femtosecond laser is an effective method in the treatment of this uncommon type of keratoconus.
Estudo das características fenotípicas e genotípicas das Salmonella enteridis envolvidas em surtos alimentares no estado do Rio Grande do Sul no período de 2007 a 2013.

Salmonella is a major cause of Foodborne Diseases worldwide, and in the State of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) this microorganism has been identified as the main agent of foodborne diseases in last years. In this work, Salmonella isolates responsible for salmonellosis occurred in the State of RS, in the period 2007 to 2013 were characterized. Among the 163 isolates investigated, 138 (84.7 %) were serotyped as S. Enteritidis, whereas the other isolates were S. Schwarzengrund (n = 9 – 5.5 %), S. Typhimurium (n = 6 – 3.7 %), S. Infantis (n = 1 – 0.6 %), S. Agona (n = 1 – 0.6 %), S. Derby (n = 1 – 0.6%), S. London (n = 1 – 0.6 %), S. Give (n = 1 – 0.6 %), S. Panama (n = 1 – 0.6 %) and S. enterica (n = 4 – 2.5 %). The main food vehicles identified were homemade mayonnaise (17.39 %), followed by pastry products (15.94 %) and beef (12.32 %). The S. Enteritidis resistance to 12 antimicrobial agents was investigated. The highest percentages of resistance were found to nitrofurantoin (94.2 %) and nalidixic acid (89.1 %). The resistance to two different drugs was observed in 80.43 % of the isolates. Multidrug-resistance for three to five antimicrobials was observed in four and two isolates, respectively. When the isolates were analysed by PCR-Ribotyping, only one banding profile was identified. The results of PCR-Ribotyping suggest that the same strain of S. Enteritidis was isolated from foods involved in salmonelloses occurred in different municipalities of the State of RS in the period 2007-2013. Since the same banding pattern was found in strains involved in salmonellosis outbreaks of 1999 to 2006, results indicated that the same strain of S. Enteritidis has caused salmonellosis outbreaks in RS, during the period of 1999 to 2013.
Genetics of Racing Performance in the American Quarter Horse: I. Description of the Data

Over one million racing records of American Quarter Horses were used to provide a description of Quarter Horse racing data. The data represented five racing distances (201, 320, 366, 402 and 796 m). Finish time was used to measure racing performance. Means and variances for finish time increased with length of the race, but the distributions were similar for the five distances. Each distribution was skewed to the right and more peaked than a normal distribution. Repeated records were an important source of information for improving accuracy of genetic evaluations and for comparing horses and sires across races and tracks. There was a tendency for more older horses and geldings to be found in the longer races. Two-year-old horses raced almost exclusively against other two-year-olds and most three-year-olds raced only with horses their own age. An interaction was found between sex and age that was inteirpreted to be the result of differential selection rates among the sexes. Further study of age and sex effects is needed to develop adjustment factors for preadjusting Quarter Horse racing data for use in genetic evaluations.
Role of Vitreous in Pathogenesis of Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most important medico-social and economic problems of modern healthcare. This review of the literature presents the generally accepted and new views on the development of diabetic retinopathy. At the same time, opinions that contradict the generally accepted views are also presented. Separately collected information about the possible involvement of the vitreous in the development of this complication of diabetes.