Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In Vitro and In Vivo Activities of Nitazoxanide against Clostridium difﬁcile

We have used the hamster model of antibiotic-induced Clostridium difﬁcile intestinal disease to evaluate nitazoxanide (NTZ), a nitrothiazole benzamide antimicrobial agent. The following in vitro and in vivo activities of NTZ in the adult hamster were examined and compared to those of metronidazole and vancomycin: (i) MICs and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) against C. difﬁcile , (ii) toxicity, (iii) ability to prevent C. difﬁcile -associated ileocecitis, and (iv) propensity to induce C. difﬁcile -associated ileocecitis. The MICs and MBCs of NTZ against 15 toxigenic strains of C. difﬁcile were comparable to those of vancomycin or metronidazole. C. difﬁcile -associated ileocecitis was induced with oral clindamycin and toxigenic C. difﬁcile in a group of 60 hamsters. Subgroups of 10 hamsters were given six daily intragastric treatments of NTZ (15, 7.5, and 3.0 mg/100 g of body weight [gbw]), metronidazole (15 mg/100 gbw), vancomycin (5 mg/100 gbw), or saline (1 ml/100 gbw). Animals receiving saline died 3 days post- C. difﬁcile challenge. During the treatment period, NTZ ( > 7.5 mg/100 gbw), like metronidazole and vancomycin, prevented outward manifestations of clindamycin-induced C. difﬁcile intestinal disease. Six of ten hamsters on a scheduled dose of 3.0 mg of NTZ/100 gbw survived for the complete treatment period. Of these surviving animals, all but three died of C. difﬁcile disease by between 3 and 12 days following discontinuation of antibiotic therapy. Another group of hamsters received six similar daily doses of the three antibiotics, followed by an inoculation with toxigenic C. difﬁcile . All of the NTZ-treated animals survived the 15-day postinfection period. Upon necropsy, all hamsters appeared normal: there were no gross signs of toxicity or C. difﬁcile intestinal disease, nor was C. difﬁcile detected in the cultures of the ceca of these animals. By contrast, vancomycin and metronidazole treatment induced fatal C. difﬁcile intestinal disease in 20 and 70% of recipients, respectively. Twenty-four-hour to an A 600 of 0.65 (ca. 10 8 CFU/ml) broth m l suspensions, CFU/ml, 96-well microtiter antimicrobials. ﬁnal of antimicrobials m g/ml. Inoculated microtiter plates incubated in anaerobic conditions for The was deﬁned as the lowest concentration of antimicrobial agent inhibiting the total growth of the strain. 48 h of incubation, aliquots from microtiter wells were plated on Wilkins- Chalgren agar. Visible colonies were counted at the end of 48 h of incubation at 37°C. The MBC was deﬁned as the lowest concentration of antimicrobial agent at which 99.9% of the organisms in the original inoculum were killed. MICs and MBCs were also determined for antibiotics dissolved in a 5% suspension ﬁltered (0.45- m m pore size) cecal contents in Wilkins-Chalgren broth.
Boosted Wireless Capsule Endoscopy Frames Classiﬁcation

—Intestinal lumen detection in endoscopic images is clinically relevant to assist the medical expert to study intestinal motility. Wireless Capsule Endoscopy (WCE) produces a high number of frames and automatic classiﬁcation, indexation and annotation of WCE videos is crucial to a more widespread use of this diagnostic tool. In this paper we propose a novel intestinal lumen detection method based on boosting. In particular, we use a customized set of Haar-like features combined with a variant of Adaboost to select discriminative features and to combine them into a cascade of strong classiﬁers. Experimental results show the efﬁcacy of boosted classiﬁers to quickly recognize the presence of intestinal lumen frames in a video.
Amplification of Interstellar Magnetic Fields by Supernova-driven Turbulence

Several lines of evidence suggest that magnetic fields grow rapidly in protogalactic and galactic environments. However, mean field dynamo theory has always suggested that the magnetic fields grow rather slowly, taking of order a Hubble time to reach the observed values. The theoretical difficulties only become worse when the system has a high magnetic Reynolds number, as is the case for galactic and protogalactic environments. The discrepancy can be reconciled if fast processes for amplifying the magnetic field could operate. Following the 2001 work of Balsara and coworkers, we show that an interstellar medium that is dominated by realistic energy input from supernova explosions will naturally become a strongly turbulent medium with large positive and negative values of the kinetic helicity. Even though the medium is driven by compressible motions, the kinetic energy in this high Mach number flow is mainly concentrated in solenoidal rather than compressible motions. These results stem from the interaction of strong shocks with each other and with the interstellar turbulence they self-consistently generate in our model. Moreover, this interaction also generates large kinetic helicities of either sign. The turbulent flow that we model has two other characteristics of a fast dynamo: magnetic energy growth independent of scale and a growth time that is comparable to the eddy turnover time. This linear phase of growth permits the field to grow rapidly until the magnetic energy reaches about 1% of the kinetic energy. At that stage, other astrophysical processes for producing magnetic fields can take over. Energetics, power spectra, statistics, and structures of the turbulent flow are studied here. Shock-turbulence interaction is shown to be a very general mechanism for helicity generation and magnetic field amplification, with applicability to damped Lyα systems, protogalaxies, the Galaxy, starburst galaxies, the intracluster medium, and molecular clouds.
Perceived Benefits Derived from Extension Agents Training Programme by Farmers Participation in Community Based Organizations in Delta State, Nigeria

This study investigated the perceived benefits derived from extension agents training programme by farmers participation in community based organizations in Delta State, Nigeria. It described the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers trained through participating in CBO Delta State, examined level of satisfaction derived by the Community Based Organizations farmers from the extension agents training programmes in the area and ascertain the perceived benefits derived by the CBO farmers from participating in extension agents training programmes. Through multi-stage sampling technique, a sample size of 111 was got and used for the study. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were respectively used to analyze the objectives and hypotheses of the study. Results revealed that respondents mean age, household size, farm size, farm experience and farm income was 45.27 years, 6 persons, 2.75 ha. 10.26 years and N328,378.38 respectively. Majority (82.88%) of the respondents were satisfied with the extension agents training programme and this was attributed to the numerous benefits obtained from the training programme and this was in spite of the different challenges plaguing CBO farmers participation in the training programmes. Results also revealed that respondents’ socio -economic characteristics like sex, age, educational level, farm size, farm experience and farm income were significantly related to CBO farmers level of satisfaction derived from participation in extension agents training programmes. Based on results the study suggest that, government should try to employ more extension agents into the Agricultural Institutions and Ministries so that the number of extension agents to farmers’ ratio can b e reduced and that there is also the need for the extension agents to be provided with training equipment and materials to be used for demonstration during training programmes.
Smooth embeddings for the Suzuki and Ree curves

The Hermitian, Suzuki and Ree curves form three special families of curves with unique properties. They arise as the Deligne-Lusztig varieties of dimension one and their automorphism groups are the algebraic groups of type 2A2, 2B2 and 2G2, respectively. For the Hermitian and Suzuki curves very ample divisors are known that yield smooth projective embeddings of the curves. In this paper we establish a very ample divisor for the Ree curves. Moreover, for all three families of curves we find a symmetric set of equations for a smooth projective model, in dimensions 2, 4 and 13, respectively. Using the smooth model we determine the unknown nongaps in the Weierstrass semigroup for a rational point on the Ree curve.
Genetic and Phenotypic Variation of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus during Serial Passages in a Natural Host (cid:1)

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), like other RNA viruses, exhibits high mutation rates during repli- cation that have been suggested to be of adaptive value. However, even though genetic variation in RNA viruses and, more speciﬁcally, FMDV has been extensively examined during virus replication in a wide variety of in vitro cell cultures, very little is known regarding the generation and effects of genetic variability of virus replication in the natural host under experimental conditions and no genetic data are available regarding the effects of serial passage in natural hosts. Here, we present the results of 20 serial contact transmissions of the highly pathogenic, pig-adapted O Taiwan 97 (O Tw97) isolate of FMDV in swine. We examined the virus genomic consensus sequences for a total of 37 full-length viral genomes recovered from 20 in vivo passages. The characteristics and distributions of changes in the sequences during the series of pig infections were analyzed in comparison to the O Tw97 genomes recovered from serially infected BHK-21 cell cultures. Unexpectedly, a signiﬁcant reduction of virulence upon pig passages was observed, and ﬁnally, interruption of the viral transmission chain occurred after the14th pig passage (T14). Virus was, however, isolated from the tonsils and nasal swabs of the asymptomatic T15 pigs at 26 days postcontact, consistent with a natural establishment of the carrier state previously described only for ruminants. Surprisingly, the region encoding the capsid protein VP1 (1D) did not show amino acid changes during in vivo passages. These data demonstrate that contact transmission of FMDV O Tw97 in pigs mimics the ﬁtness loss induced by the bottleneck effect, which was previously observed by others during plaque-to-plaque FMDV passage in vitro, suggesting that unknown mechanisms of virulence recovery might be necessary during the evolution and perpetuation of FMDV in nature. of hetero-geneous
Voice Onset Time in English Voiceless Initial Stops in Long Read and Spontaneous Monologue Speech of Thai Students with English as a Second Language

Proximity of L1 and L2 VOT (Voice Onset Time) values illustrates that L1 stop categories are used to acquire L2 ones. While a number of studies have found that VOT is very sensitive to many factors, how speech time and VOT correlate is still understudied. This study tests whether L1 transfer in terms of VOT would enhance as speech time elapses. Six university students with Thai as L1 and English as L2 were selected to produce long spontaneous monologue speech and long read monologue speech produced. VOT values in English initial voiceless stops were then segmented and analysed using the mix-effects model. The result reveals that raw VOT in spontaneous speech is significantly shorter than in read speech and no correlation between adjusted VOT and elapsed speech time is found. does not correlate with elapsed speech time. Implications of the result are discussed in terms of stylistic variation and second language acquisition.
Protein Kinase C d Mediates Insulin-Induced Glucose Transport in Primary Cultures of Rat Skeletal Muscle

Insulin activates certain protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms that are involved in insulin-induced glucose transport. In this study, we investigated the possibility that activation of PKC d by insulin participates in the mediation of insulin effects on glucose transport in skeletal muscle. Studies were performed on primary cultures of rat skeletal myotubes. The role of PKC d in insulin-in-duced glucose uptake was evaluated both by selective pharmacological blockade and by overexpression of wild-type and point-mutated inac-tive PKC d isoforms in skeletal myotubes. We found that insulin induces tyrosine phosphorylation and translocation of PKC d to the plasma membrane and increases the activity of this isoform. Insulin-induced effects on translocation and phosphorylation of PKC d were blocked by a low concentration of rottlerin, whereas the effects of insulin on other PKC isoforms were not. This selective blockade of PKC d by rottlerin also inhibited insulin-induced translocation of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), but not glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3), and significantly reduced the stimulation of glucose uptake by insulin. When overexpressed in skeletal muscle, PKC d and PKC a were both active. Overexpression of PKC d induced the translocation of GLUT4 to the plasma membrane and increased basal glucose uptake to levels attained by insulin. Moreover, insulin did not increase glucose uptake further in cells overexpressing PKC d . Overexpression of PKC a did not affect basal glucose uptake or GLUT4 location. Stimulation of glucose uptake by insulin in cells overexpressing PKC a was similar to that in untransfected cells. Transfection of skeletal myotubes with dominant negative mutant PKC d did not alter basal glucose uptake but blocked insulin-induced GLUT4 translocation and glucose transport. These results demonstrate that insulin activates PKC d and that activated PKC d is a major signaling molecule in insulin-induced glucose transport. (Molecular Endocrinology 13: 2002–2012, 1999) deter- mined in the presence of excess (100 m M ) D -glucose. Net specific uptake was then calculated as the difference be- tween the total and nonspecific values. Baseline glucose uptake values under control conditions ranged from 14–20 nmol/min/mg protein.
The Reality Of Applying The Five Mathematical Operations Recommended By The National Council Of Teachers Of Mathematics (Nctm) In Saudi Kindergartens

The purpose of the research was to recognize the reality of the application of the five mathematical operations recommended by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) in Saudi kindergartens. It aimed at revealing the statistically significant differences for their application according to (geographical area/type of kindergarten/profession / academic qualification/years of experience), following the descriptive approach, as it was applied to a sample of (140) teachers (assistant - basic), supervisors, and principals, by constructing a questionnaire consisting of 13 phrases and suitable for the research subject. The research found that the percentage of approval by educational practitioners to apply these standards fell within a large limit, so the correlations came in the first place with a relative weight (96,3), followed by representation (74,3), then communication (62,3), and finally Problem solving (58,3), but the logical thinking criterion came within the average limit (3.11) and this ratio is considered insufficient as it is important for building mathematical concepts for the child. The research also revealed that there are no significant differences between the sample members about its application due to the research variables. The Research recommended reconsidering the mathematical curricula currently used in self-learning curricula according to Saudi and international development standards While preparing curricula.
CD20-positive subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma presenting as polycranial neuropathy: A CARE-compliant case report and literature review

Background: Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma(SPTCL) is a very rare cytotoxic T-cell skin lymphoma involving subcutaneous tissue, and mainly affects young females. T-cell phenotype is characterized by CD3+, CD8+, and CD4−. SPTCT with polycranial neuropathy has rarely been described. SPTCL is believed to show an indolent clinical course unless patients develop haemophagocytic syndrome or sudden respiratory failure. Its treatment has not been established yet. Case presentation: We report a case of intractable SPTCT in a 66-year-old woman with multiple cranial nerve palsies and diabetes. She showed involvement of the bilateral facial nerve, left trigeminal nerve, left auditory nerve, and right oculomotor nerve. The single inconspicuous skin lesion in the trunk presented with an erythematous nodule with a diameter of <5 cm and a slightly pink infiltrated plaque. Electromyography revealed bilateral damage to the facial nerve. Differential immunohistochemical characteristics were observed. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated diffuse CD20 positivity. Cerebral spinal fluid analysis revealed elevated protein levels of 0.92 (0.15–0.45) g/L. Her condition regressed severely over time. She was treated with chemotherapy but died 10 months later, the probable cause of death was lung involvement. Conclusion: The patient’s involvement with the central nervous system may be associated with positivity for CD20. Molecular biomarkers may act as therapeutic targets for SPTCL.
ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY OF THE SILKWORM, BOMBYX MORI L. REARED ON DIFFERENT MULBERRY VARIETIES

The effect of feeding the silkworm Bombyx mori L. on six different mulberry variety Morus alba var. Kokuso-27, Sh2 x Lunlog, Kaeryang- ppong, Kanava-2, Leavigata, and Morus nigra var. Arandaly on some enzymatic activities which affect silk production was studied 3-Phosphoglycerate Dehydrogenase (3-PGD, Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (GOT) and Glutamate Pyruvic Transaminase (GPT) which play a vital role in the synthesis of silk protein were determined. Results indicated that feeding silkworm larvae on Morus alba var. Kokuso-27 represented the highest rate of 3-PGD activity (6.14 u/mg) followed by Sh 2 xLunlog variety (5.76 u/mg) and Arandaly (4.2 u/mg) while, slight differences in 3-PGD activity was found between the other three varieties. The same with GPT enzyme, the mulberry varieties Morus alba var Kokuso-27 followed by Sh 2 xLunlong fed to larvae resulted in a high rate (5.21, 4.38 U/L), respectively. However, Kanava-2 recorded higher value of GOT followed by Leavigata (11.16 and 9.82U/L), respectively
HOXA9 is Underexpressed in Cervical Cancer Cells and its Restoration Decreases Proliferation, Migration and Expression of Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Genes

HOX transcription factors are evolutionarily conserved in many different species and are involved in important cellular processes such as morphogenesis, differentiation, and proliferation. They have also recently been implicated in carcinogenesis, but their precise role in cancer, especially in cervical cancer (CC), remains unclear. In this work, using microarray assays followed by the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), we found that the expression of 25 HOX genes was downregulated in CC derived cell lines compared with non-tumorigenic keratinocytes. In particular, the expression of HOXA9 was observed as down-modulated in CC-derived cell lines. The expression of HOXA9 has not been previously reported in CC, or in normal keratinocytes of the cervix. We found that normal CC from women without cervical lesions express HOXA9 ; in contrast, CC cell lines and samples of biopsies from women with CC showed significantly diminished HOXA9 expression. Furthermore, we found that methylation at the first exon of HOXA9 could play an important role in modulating the expression of this gene. Exogenous restoration of HOXA9 expression in CC cell lines decreased cell proliferation and migration, and induced an epithelial-like phenotype. Interestingly, the silencing of human papilloma virus (HPV) E6 and E7 oncogenes induced expression of HOXA9 . In conclusion, controlling HOXA9 expression appears to be a necessary step during CC development. Further studies are needed to delineate the role of HOXA9 during malignant progression and to afford more insights into the relationship between downmodulation of HOXA9 and viral HPV oncoprotein expression during cercical cancer development.
A fully automatic method yielding initial models from high-resolution electron cryo-microscopy maps

A fully automated procedure for optimization and interpretation of reconstructions from cryo-EM is developed and applied to 476 datasets with resolution of 4.5 Å or better, including reconstructions of 47 ribosomes and 32 other protein-RNA complexes. The median fraction of residues in the deposited structures reproduced automatically was 71% for reconstructions determined at resolutions of 3 Å or better and 47% for those at lower resolution.
Diets of Lesser Scaup during Spring Migration throughout the Upper-Midwest are Consistent with the Spring Condition Hypothesis

— The spring condition hypothesis (SCH) states that the current decline of the North American scaup population (Lesser [ Aythya affinis ] and Greater Scaup [ A. marila ] combined) is due to a decline in quality or availability of scaup foods on wintering, spring migration, or breeding areas that has caused a reduction in female body condition and subsequent reproductive success. Our previous research indicated that forage quality in diets of Lesser Scaup (hereafter scaup) at two sites in Northwestern Minnesota was lower in springs 2000-2001 than that reported for springs 1986-1988, consistent with the SCH. Accordingly, we further tested the SCH at a landscape scale, by comparing amounts of amphipods in diets (index of forage quality) of scaup (N = 263) collected in springs 20032005 from seven eco-physiographic regions in Iowa, Minnesota, and North Dakota in relation to data from Northwestern Minnesota during springs 2000-2001. We found that aggregate percentages of Gammarus lacustris and Hyalella azteca (amphipods) in scaup diets during springs 2000-2001 in Northwest Minnesota were similar to those in the Iowa Prairie Pothole, Minnesota Morainal, Minnesota Glaciated Plains, Red River Valley, and Northwestern Minnesota in springs 2003-2005; however, scaup consumed relatively higher aggregate percentages of Gammarus lacustris and Hyalella azteca in North Dakota Missouri Coteau and North Dakota Glaciated Plains. Females in Iowa were over three times less likely to have consumed food than those in North Dakota, despite previous research indicating similar foraging rates among these regions. Mean mass of scaup diet samples throughout the upper-Midwest were 77 mg (49%) and 87 mg (52%) lower than those of historical studies in Minnesota and Manitoba, respectively. We conclude that there has been a decrease in forage quality for scaup in Iowa and Minnesota and a decrease in the amount of forage consumed throughout the upper-Midwest, consistent with the SCH. Received 20 September 2007, accepted 18 January 2008 .