Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of seafood toxicity in the Australes archipelago (French Polynesia) using the neuroblastoma cell-based assay

Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP), a disease caused by consuming fish that have accumulated ciguatoxins (CTXs) in their tissue, is regarded as the most prevalent form of intoxication in French Polynesia. Recently, the Australes, one of the least affected archipelago until the early 1980s, has shown a dramatic increase in its incidence rates in 2009 with unusual CFP cases. In the present work, potential health hazards associated with the proliferation of various marine phytoplankton species and the consumption of fish and marine invertebrates highly popular among local population were assessed in three Australes islands: Raivavae, Rurutu and Rapa. Extracts from the marine dinoflagellates Gambierdiscus, Ostreospis and mat-forming cyanobacteria as well as fish, giant clams and sea urchin samples were examined for the presence of CTXs and palytoxin (PLTX) by using the neuroblastoma cell-based assay (CBA-N2a). Cytotoxic responses observed with both standards (Pacific CTX-3C and PLTX) and targeted marine products indicate that CBA-N2a is a robust screening tool, with high sensitivity and good repeatability and reproducibility. In Rurutu and Raivavae islands, our main findings concern the presence of CTX-like compounds in giant clams and sea urchins, suggesting a second bio-accumulation route for CFP toxins in the ciguatera food chain. In Rapa, the potential CFP risk from Gambierdiscus bloom and fish was confirmed for the first time, with levels of CTXs found above the consumer advisory level of 0.01 ng Pacific CTX-1B g−1 of flesh in three fish samples. However, despite the presence of trace level of PLTX in Ostreopsis natural assemblages of Rapa, no sign of PLTX accumulation is yet observed in tested fish samples. Because this multi-toxinic context is likely to emerge in most French Polynesian islands, CBA-N2a shows great potential for future applications in the algal- and toxin-based field monitoring programmes currently on hand locally.
Global identification of miR‐373‐regulated genes in breast cancer by quantitative proteomics

Although microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to play an important role in carcinogenesis, their molecular mechanism remains largely unknown because of our limited understanding of miRNA target genes. miR‐373 was found to be capable of promoting breast cancer invasion and metastasis, but only a target gene was experimentally identified on the basis of mRNA expression analysis. In this study, we used SILAC‐based quantitative proteomics to globally identify the genes regulated by miR‐373. Totally, 3666 proteins were identified, and 335 proteins were found to be regulated by miR‐373. Among the 192 proteins that were downregulated by miR‐373, 27 (14.1%) were predicted to have at least one potential match site at their 3′‐UTR for miR‐373 seed sequence. However, miR‐373 did not affect the mRNA level of the five selected candidate targets, TXNIP, TRPS1, RABEP1, GRHL2 and HIP1, suggesting that the protein expressions were regulated by miR‐373 via translational inhibition instead of mRNA degradation. Luciferase and mutation assays validated that TXNIP and RABEP1 were the direct target genes of miR‐373. More than 30 proteins reported to be involved in cancer invasion and metastasis were found to be regulated by miR‐373 in breast cancer for the first time.
Glucose-starved Cells Do Not Engage in Prosurvival Autophagy*

Background: Autophagy is a response to nutrient deprivation. Results: Inhibition of autophagy does not sensitize cells to apoptotic or necrotic cell death induced by glucose starvation. Moreover, glucose deprivation inhibits autophagy. Conclusion: 2-Deoxyglucose, but not glucose deprivation, induces autophagy. Significance: Not all forms of starvation induce cytoprotective autophagy in mammalian cells. In response to nutrient shortage or organelle damage, cells undergo macroautophagy. Starvation of glucose, an essential nutrient, is thought to promote autophagy in mammalian cells. We thus aimed to determine the role of autophagy in cell death induced by glucose deprivation. Glucose withdrawal induces cell death that can occur by apoptosis (in Bax, Bak-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts or HeLa cells) or by necrosis (in Rh4 rhabdomyosarcoma cells). Inhibition of autophagy by chemical or genetic means by using 3-methyladenine, chloroquine, a dominant negative form of ATG4B or silencing Beclin-1, Atg7, or p62 indicated that macroautophagy does not protect cells undergoing necrosis or apoptosis upon glucose deprivation. Moreover, glucose deprivation did not induce autophagic flux in any of the four cell lines analyzed, even though mTOR was inhibited. Indeed, glucose deprivation inhibited basal autophagic flux. In contrast, the glycolytic inhibitor 2-deoxyglucose induced prosurvival autophagy. Further analyses indicated that in the absence of glucose, autophagic flux induced by other stimuli is inhibited. These data suggest that the role of autophagy in response to nutrient starvation should be reconsidered.
Intracellular endosymbiotic bacteria of Camponotus species (carpenter ants): systematics, evolution and ultrastructural characterization

Intracellular endosymbiotic bacteria inherent to ants of the genus Camponotus were characterized. The bacteria were localized in bacteriocytes, which are specialized cells of both workers and queen ants; these cells are intercalated between epithelial cells of the midgut. The bacteriocytes show a different morphology from the normal epithelial cells and carry a large number of the rod‐shaped Gram‐negative bacteria free in the cytoplasm. The bacteria were never observed in the neighbouring epithelial cells, but they were found intracellularly in oocytes, strongly indicating a maternal transmission of the bacteria. The 16S DNA encoding rrs loci of the endosymbionts of four species of the genus Camponotus derived either from Germany (C. herculeanus and C. ligniperdus), North America (C. floridanus) or South America (C. rufipes) were cloned after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using oligonucleotides complementary to all so far known eubacterial rrs sequences. The DNA sequences of the rrs loci of the four endosymbionts were determined, and, using various genus‐ and species‐specific oligonucleotides derived from variable regions in the rrs sequences, the identity of the bacteria present in the bacteriocytes and the ovarian cells was confirmed by PCR and in situ hybridization techniques. Comparison of the 16S DNA sequences with the available database showed the endosymbiotic bacteria to be members of the γ‐subclass of Proteobacteria. They formed a distinct taxonomic group, a sister taxon of the taxons defined by the tsetse fly and aphid endosymbionts. Within the γ‐subclass, the cluster of the ant, tsetse fly and aphid endosymbionts are placed adjacent to the family of Enterobacteriaceae. The evolutionary tree of the ant endosymbionts reflects the systematic classification and geographical distribution of their host insects, indicating an early co‐evolution of the symbiotic partners and a vertical transmission of the bacteria.
Absorptive Capacity in New Zealand Firms: Measurement and Importance

To the best of our knowledge, this paper reports the first set of nationally representative results on the importance of absorptive capacity. Absorptive capacity is generally defined as a firm's ability to internalise external knowledge. Using data principally from the New Zealand Business Operations Survey, we measure absorptive capacity across a 10-year period and investigate if it remains stable in the long term. This is followed by considering how firms characteristics vary across levels of absorptive capacity and most importantly whether such capacity determines firms productivity performance across the primary, manufacturing and service sectors. Our results show that relative to other influences, absorptive capacity as measured here has a substantial influence on exporting, innovation, and undertaking R&D. Set against relatively poor performance, the paper concludes with a discussion of how government should consider helping firms to boost their levels of absorptive capacity.
Incorporating Scoring Risk Models for Care Planning of the Elderly with Chronic Kidney Disease

Mortality in chronic kidney disease remains high, particularly among the elderly, who represent the most rapidly growing segment of the end-stage renal disease population in wealthier countries. The management of older adults with chronic kidney disease has become a clinical challenge, and care for those patients expected to progress to end-stage renal disease should focus on evaluating the overall benefit of offering renal replacement therapy to them. Predictive mortality models may help to inform shared decision-making in the trajectory of the elderly with chronic kidney disease. This review discusses current literature on the available predictive models for predicting survival in elderly chronic kidney disease patients and reflects the author's own interpretation and experience.
The Demand for Inputs and Technical Change in the U.S. Dairy Manufacturing Industry

The dairy industry is of much interest worldwide because it has been subject to heavy government intervention. Central to the analysis of any dairy policy is a quantitative empirical understanding of the economic relationships in the industry. This paper models and measures the input demand relationships—especially, derived demand for farm milk as a processing input—and the rate and biases of technical change in the U.S. dairy manufacturing industry. Our estimates indicate that the Marshallian own-price elasticity of demand for farm milk is between −0.43 and −1.20. Estimates also indicate that technical change has been capital using and labor saving.
Evolutionary maximum entropy spectral analysis

We extend maximum entropy (ME) spectral analysis to non-stationary signals using the theory of the Wold-Cramer evolutionary spectrum. The evolutionary maximum entropy (EME) problem reduces to the fitting of a time-varying autoregressive model to the Fourier coefficients of the evolutionary spectrum. The model parameters are efficiently found by means of the Levinson algorithm. In the non-stationary case it is not the autocorrelation function that provides the appropriate data for the EME analysis, but rather the Fourier coefficients of the evolutionary spectrum. An estimator of these coefficients is proposed. By means of examples we show the EME estimator provides higher frequency resolution and better sidelobe behavior than existing estimators of the evolutionary spectrum. <<ETX>>
Control of a remotely operated quadrotor aerial vehicle and camera unit using a fly-the-camera perspective

This paper presents a mission-centric approach to controlling the optical axis of a video camera mounted on a camera manipulator and fixed to a quadrotor remotely operated vehicle. A four-DOF quadrotor, UAV model will be combined with a two-DOF camera kinematic model to create a single system to provide a full six DOF actuation of the camera view. This work proposed exploits that all signals are described in camera frame. The closed-loop controller is designed based on a Lyapunov-type analysis so that the tracking result is shown to produce globally uniformly ultimately bounded (GUUB). Computer simulation results are provided to demonstrate the suggested controller.
Divergent Emerging Market Economy Responses to Global and Domestic Monetary Policy Shocks

We assess the effect of the United States (US) and domestic monetary policies on emerging market economies (EMEs) using a panel factor-augmented vector autoregressive model. We find a US policy rate hike outstrips a tantamount hike in EME policy rates in its impacts on EMEs and discover that bond flows are more sensitive to interest rate differentials than are equity flows. Tighter global or EME-specific policy entails divergent responses of growth and inflation in EMEs: in particular, the output loss is greater in those EMEs with higher inflation. When US monetary policy tightens, bond and equity markets in EMEs are prone to outflows. Domestic policy alone is not enough to counteract the effects of global policy shocks on capital flows in EMEs.
Fulfilment of expectations on students’ perceived quality in the Catalan higher education system

This study provides an innovative approach to the analysis of the antecedents of satisfaction. A discussion about different types of expectations and their configurations is presented, providing a new classification of services according to two temporal dimensions that affect expectations: (i) how the length of the service lead time has an impact on the assessment of fulfilment of expectations and (ii) how the repetitive purchasing over time updates expectations. We focus the analysis on the study of those cases where expectations cannot be directly assessed. The empirical application considers the case of higher education services. Using a survey of 2557 undergraduate students who finished their degrees in 2013 at universities located in Catalonia (Spain), we test a model where fulfilment of expectations is proposed as an antecedent of students’ satisfaction, alongside with perceived quality. The methodological approach uses structural equation modelling technique. Results reveal that fulfilment of expectations has a high explanatory power and that this antecedent of satisfaction is well explained by the dimensions of perceived quality, evidencing its mediation role between quality and satisfaction.
Angiopoietin-like Protein 3 Mediates Hypertriglyceridemia Induced by the Liver X Receptor*

The KK/San obese and diabetic mouse, a mutant strain from KK obese mice, exhibits significantly low plasma triglyceride levels. In KK/San mice, genetic analysis identified a mutation in the gene encoding angiopoietinlike protein 3 (Angptl3), a liver-specific secretory protein, which had suppressive effect on lipoprotein lipase activity. In the current study, LXR ligands augmented Angptl3 mRNA expression and protein production in hepatoma cells. LXR ligands and LXR·retinoid X receptor (RXR) complex increased the promoter activity of Angptl3 gene. Serial deletion and point mutation of Angptl3 promoter identified an LXR response element (LXRE). Gel mobility shift assay showed the direct binding of LXR·RXR complex to the LXRE of the Angptl3 promoter. Furthermore, treatment of mice with synthetic LXR ligand caused triglyceride accumulation in the liver and plasma, which was accompanied by induction of hepatic mRNAs of several LXR target genes, including sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and Angptl3. In Angptl3-deficient C57BL/6J mice, LXR ligand did not cause hypertriglyceridemia but accumulation of triglyceride in the liver. Our results demonstrate that Angptl3 is a direct target of LXR and that induction of hepatic Angptl3 accounts for hypertriglyceridemia associated with the treatment of LXR ligand.
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Associated with Environmental Mycobacteria

A previously healthy man working as a machine operator in an automotive factory developed respiratory symptoms. Medical evaluation showed abnormal pulmonary function tests, a lung biopsy showed hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and his illness was traced to his work environment. His physician asked the employer to remove him from exposure to metalworking fluids. Symptoms reoccurred when he was later reexposed to metalworking fluids, and further permanent decrement in his lung function occurred. Investigation of his workplace showed that five of six large reservoirs of metalworking fluids (cutting oils) grew Mycobacterium chelonae (or Mycobacterium immunogenum), an organism previously associated with outbreaks of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in automaking factories. His lung function remained stable after complete removal from exposure. The employer, metalworking fluid supplier, union, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health were notified of this sentinel health event. No further cases have been documented in this workplace.
Esophageal candidiasis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected pediatric patients after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy

Objective. To investigate epidemiologic trends, clinical features and outcome of esophageal candidiasis in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy in a prospectively monitored population of HIV-infected children and adolescents followed at the National Cancer Institute. Patients and methods. The records of all HIV-infected pediatric patients (n = 266) followed between 1995 and 2000 were reviewed for a history of esophageal candidiasis. Proven esophageal candidiasis was defined as clinical plus radiographic and/or endoscopic findings of esophageal candidiasis. Probable esophageal candidiasis was defined as esophageal symptoms that responded promptly to appropriate antifungal therapy. The medical records of all patients fulfilling these criteria were reviewed for demographic, clinical and laboratory features at presentation, as well as therapeutic interventions and outcome. Results. Of the 266 patients 9 (3.4%) had 18 documented episodes of proven (n = 16) or probable (n = 2) esophageal candidiasis. A history of prior mucosal candidiasis was present in 94% of all episodes. The median CD4+ count at the time of diagnosis was 7/&mgr;l (range, 0 to 550), and the median viral load was 98 000 copies/ml (range, 22 916 to 1 278 933). Concurrent oropharyngeal candidiasis was the most common clinical presentation (72%) followed by fever (55%), odynophagia (50%) and nausea or vomiting (39%). Treatment consisted of antifungal triazoles (61%) or amphotericin B (39%). Clinical cure was achieved in 15 cases, including all patients receiving triazoles. Conclusion. Esophageal candidiasis persists in the subgroup of patients not responding to highly active antiretroviral therapy and in that setting may present without concomitant oropharyngeal candidiasis or typical clinical symptoms, thus underscoring the need for a high index of suspicion in children with very low CD4+ counts.
The mediating effect of place attachment on the relationship between golf tourism destination image and revisit intention

ABSTRACT Focusing on golf tourism in Hainan Province, this study examined the relationship between place attachment, golf tourism destination image, and revisit intention of golf tourists. Data were obtained using questionnaires distributed to golf tourists in Hainan Province, China in 2016. Survey data from 218 tourists indicated that destination image was positively related to place attachment. Moreover, place attachment mediated the relationship between destination image and revisit intention. Implications of these findings for golf tourism marketing strategies as well as future research directions are discussed.
Inactivation, Complementation, and Heterologous Expression ofencP, a Novel Bacterial Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase Gene*

The enzyme phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, which catalyzes the nonoxidative deamination ofl-phenylalanine to trans-cinnamic acid, is ubiquitously distributed in plants. We now report its characterization for the first time in a bacterium. The phenylalanine ammonia-lyase homologous gene encP from the “Streptomyces maritimus” enterocin biosynthetic gene cluster was functionally characterized and shown to encode the first enzyme in the pathway to the enterocin polyketide synthase starter unit benzoyl-coenzyme A. The disruption of the encP gene completely inhibited the production of cinnamate and enterocin, whereas complementation of the mutant with benzoyl-coenzyme A pathway intermediates or with the wild-type gene encP restored the formation of the benzoate-primed polyketide antibiotic enterocin. Heterologous expression of the encP gene under the control of the ermE* promoter in Streptomyces coelicolor furthermore led to the production of cinnamic acid in the fermented cultures, confirming that the encP gene indeed encodes a novel bacterial phenylalanine ammonia-lyase.
Research on the treatment of sexually abused children: a review and recommendations.

OBJECTIVE To review findings and conclusions from 29 studies that evaluated with quantitative outcome measures the effectiveness of treatments for sexually abused children. RESULTS The studies overall document improvements in sexually abused children consistent with the belief that therapy facilitates recovery, but only five of them marshal evidence that the recovery is not simply due to the passage of time or some factor outside therapy. There has yet to be a true large-scale, randomized trial of treatment versus control. The studies suggest that certain problems, such as aggressiveness and sexualized behavior, are particularly resistant to change and that some children do not improve. A number of considerations that merit special attention in future sexual abuse therapy outcome research are identified, including (1) the diversity of sexually abused children, (2) the problem of children with no symptoms, (3) the possible existence of serious "sleeper" effects, (4) the importance of family context on recovery, (5) the utility of abuse-focused therapy and targeted interventions, (6) the optimal length of treatment, (7) the problem of treatment dropouts, and (8) the development and use of abuse-specific outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS The need for more treatment outcome research is highlighted by the rising demand for accountability in the health care system that will increasingly require professionals in the field of sexual abuse treatment to justify their efforts and their methods.
Functional reorganization and prediction of motor recovery after a stroke: A graph theoretical analysis of functional networks.

PURPOSE This study investigated the changes in the network topological configuration of the ipsilesional and contralesional hemispheres after a stroke and the indicators for the prediction of motor recovery using a graph theoretical approach in networks obtained from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). METHODS A longitudinal observational experiments (2 weeks and 1, 3, and 6 months after onset) were conducted on 12 patients after a stroke. We investigated the network reorganization during recovery in the ipsilesional and contralesional hemispheres by examining changes of graph indices related to network randomization. We predicted the recovery of motor function by examining the relationship between specific network measures and improved motor function scores. RESULTS The ipsilesional hemispheric network showed active reorganization during recovery after a stroke. The randomness of the network significantly increased for 3 months post-stroke. We described an indicator for the prediction of the recovery of motor function from graph indices: the characteristic path length. As the path length of the ipsilesional network was lower immediately after onset, the better recovery could be expected after 3 months. CONCLUSIONS This approach were helpful for understanding dynamic reorganizations of both hemispheric networks after a stroke and finding the implication for recovery.