Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the head: the true impact of routine head strikes in sport

General Abstract Published research suggests a potential link between repetitive subconcussive head impacts and alterations in brain function. The results, however, are ambiguous due to the lack of direct evidence for this relationship. A non-invasive brain stimulation technique (transcranial magnetic stimulation, TMS) can detect changes to brain function following mild, moderate and severe brain trauma; yet, no data exist on its effectiveness in detecting subconcussion-related alterations. As such, the overall aim of this thesis is to determine whether TMS is able to detect acute changes in brain function as a result of repetitive subconcussive head impacts (RSHIs). Chapter 1 highlights techniques with potential to detect brain alterations following subconcussive, and concussive head impacts. TMS was identified as a possible tool for detecting such changes. Chapter 2 demonstrated primary and secondary outcome measures corticomotor inhibition and corticospinal excitability, respectively, to have good overall dayto-day reliability. Subsequently, corticomotor inhibition was transiently increased following two separate RSHI models (soccer heading in chapter 3, and sparring in chapter 4). Further, motor unit recruitment was also altered following sparring. Corticospinal excitability and postural control were unchanged in both studies, whilst parameters of cognitive function appeared altered in the immediate follow-ups. These data indicate that RSHIs are associated with measurable, albeit transient alterations to brain function. Chapter 5 further corroborates the notion that brain alterations in chapters 3 and 4 were due to RSHIs, by showing that corticomotor inhibition and corticospinal excitability are largely unaffected by the sole act of performing exercise. No alterations were also observed in the last experimental chapter; the pilot study explored the feasibility of using TMS in detecting alterations following cumulative exposure to RSHIs. This thesis is the first to provide direct evidence for a relationship between RSHIs and brain alterations. The data suggest that subconcussive head impacts, routine in a number of sports, may impair the brain’s ability to control the body (in turn increasing the risk of injury) as well as affecting overall brain health. T a b l e o f c o n t e n t s | 6
Diagnosis and treatment of calcineurin inhibitor-induced pain syndrome in chronic Kidney disease Stage 5 transplantation

Context: Musculoskeletal pain is a frequent manifestation in postrenal transplant recipients that caused by several diseases. Clinically used calcineurin inhibitors including cyclosporine A and tacrolimus can induce calcineurin inhibitor-induced bone pain syndrome which is characterized by severe pain, especially in both lower extremities. Aims: The aim of this study to investigate clinical studies about diagnostic and therapeutic modalities in renal transplant recipients. Settings and Design: In this retrospective study, patients with calcineurin inhibitor-induced pain syndrome after kidney transplantation were selected. Materials and Methods: This paper was searched via electronic PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Few full-text original articles in kidney transplant recipients were extracted. In this study, 18 articles were assessed for eligibility and 12 renal transplant recipients in 9 case reports were included. Statistical Analysis Used: Categorical variables as percentage, normally distributed measurements as mean ± standard deviation, and nonnormally distributed measurements as median and interquartile range were recorded. Results: Of 12 patients, 7 (58.3%) patients were male and 5 (41.6%) were female. At this study, bone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was diagnostic modality of choice. Radionuclide scintigraphy is also helpful. The most effective treatment of calcineurin inhibitor-induced pain syndrome consisted reduction dose of calcineurin inhibitors, calcineurin inhibitors change to another drug from the same drug class or mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that bone MRI is diagnostic modality of choice in patients with calcineurin inhibitor-induced pain syndrome. Moreover, reduction of calcineurin inhibitors and switching of immunosuppressants show the most effective treatment in these patients.
Genetic architecture of hematologic traits and healthy aging-related endophenotypes in the long life family study

One of the goals of medicine and public health is to increase functional longevity. Anemia and other age-related blood cell trait abnormalities have been shown to be associated with adverse outcomes such as disability, hospitalization, morbidity and mortality in older adults. Results from the third National Health and Nutrition Survey (1988-1994) indicated that 11.0% of men and 10.2% of women ≥ 65 years of age were anemic. As the US and global populations age, the prevalence of hematologic disorders and all age-related disorders will increase. The identification of genes or novel biological pathways that regulate hematologic traits and healthy-aging phenotypes could lead to insights and possible future interventions to delay the onset of hematologic diseases, increase functional longevity, and concomitantly, decrease the burden of age-related diseases on public health. In the current study, data on from a unique population comprising long-lived siblings and their families (the Long Life Family Study) were used to identify genes that may influence age-related traits, such hematologic traits and healthy aging endophenotypes. Using family-based whole genome linkage and association analyses, I identified multiple loci that may affect hematologic traits and endophenotypes. The most promising results are as follows. I identified (and subsequently replicated) a locus on chromosome 11p15.2 near SOX6 (a transcription factor gene) that influenced RBC count. I also used factor analyses to extend results of previously developed endophenotypes derived from five health domains (cognition, physical function, cardiovascular, metabolic and pulmonary). The primary endophenotype (predominantly reflecting pulmonary and physical function traits) was significantly related to reduced mortality. In addition, this endophenotype and the relationship to mortality was replicated in an independent, population-based cohort. I also identified (and replicated) association of this endophenotype to a locus on chromosome 18q11.2 near ZNF521, a transcription factor gene. Intriguingly, both SOX6 and ZNF521 have been reported to play a role in erythropoiesis, consistent with the hypothesis that aging may result, in part, from fundamental biological processes that influence multiple disorders. These results also indicate that genetic studies in a unique set of families may reveal novel findings that will increase our understanding of the genetic regulation of aging.
A genomic-based search for novel soybean (Glycine max L.) allergens

RIASCOS, JOHN JAIME. A Genomic-Based Search for Novel Soybean (Glycine max L.) Allergens. (Under the direction of Arthur K. Weissinger and Sandra M. Weissinger). Allergic reactions to legumes range from mild skin rashes to life-threatening systemic anaphylaxis. These reactions are caused by naturally occurring proteins in the plant that upon interaction with the immune system of allergic patients, trigger the production allergenspecific IgE antibodies. Soybean is considered one of the eight most allergenic foods and, along with peanut, are the most important legumes associated with food allergies. Currently, the only method to manage soybean allergy is to remove it from the diet. However, this has proven virtually impossible for the majority of soy-allergic patients because soy products are “hidden” in many processed foods. Despite the fact that several soybean allergens have already been characterized, the goal of this investigation was to identify and characterize novel soy allergens, since these data might be used in the development of therapeutic agents to treat soy-allergic patients. Further, because recent investigations have demonstrated the potential use of soybean protein to desensitize people with more severe allergy to foods such as peanut, the identification of novel soy allergens could also advance the development of this desensitization strategy. Because plant food allergens belong to a small number of protein families present in a wide array of species, we hypothesized that soy proteins that are orthologs of proteins known to be allergenic in other crop species could also be allergens in soy. In this investigation we constructed a cDNA library from developing soy seeds and isolated four full length cDNAs encoding novel candidate allergens. The proteins these cDNA encoded were expressed in a bacterial system and were analyzed by a combination of genomic, proteomic and immunological techniques. The results presented here demonstrate that we have characterized a novel soybean allergen, the seed specific biotinylated protein (SBP). Our results also indicate that SBP is potentially a major allergen because it exhibits reactivity with the majority of soy-allergic patient sera tested in the study. Further characterization of this protein has led us to hypothesize that the peanut ortholog of soy SBP is also allergenic. The soybean SBP is thus an important allergen and should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment of soybean allergy. A Genomic-Based Search for Novel Soybean (Glycine max L.) Allergens by John Jaime Riascos A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty of North Carolina State University in partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Concepts and issues of population genetics in seaweeds

L'objectif de cet article est de preciser les questions abordees en genetique des populations, et de les discuter dans le contexte des etudes de populations sur les macro-algues marines. Premierement, les concepts de base de la genetique des populations sont brievement rappeles ainsi que leurs applications possibles en biologie de la conservation. Deuxiemement, un apercu rapide des differentes methodes d'analyse de la structure des populations est presente ainsi que les questions concernant l'estimation du systeme de reproduction, des flux geniques et de l'importance de la derive genetique. Pour illustrer ces differents points, des exemples d'etudes de populations de macro-algues choisis dans la litterature sont discutes.
Association of Smooth Muscle Myosin and its Carboxyl Isoforms with Actin Isoforms in Aorta Smooth Muscle

ii DEDICATION.iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.iv TABLE OF CONTENTS.v LIST OF FIGURES.vii LIST OF TABLES.ix LIST OF SYMBOLS/ABREVIATIONS.xi CHAPTER I.1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION.1 DISSERTATION ORGANIZATION.1 SMOOTH MUSCLE CONTRACTION.1 CYTOSKELETAL REMODELING.10 MYOSIN REMODELING.12 THE FAMILIES OF MYOSIN.14 SMOOTH MUSCLE MYOSIN.17 FUNCTION OF MYOSIN ISOFORMS.28 FLUORESCENCE RESONANCE ENERGY TRANSFER (FRET). 32 REFERENCES.36 CHAPTER II.51 FRET ANALYSIS OF ACTIN/MYOSIN INTERACTION IN CONTRACTING RAT AORTIC SMOOTH MUSCLE.51 ABSTRACT.52
Bacterial direct-fed microbials in ruminant diets: Performance response and mode of action

Direct-fed microbials (DFM) have been shown to increase daily gain and feed efficiency in feed- lot cattle, enhance milk production in dairy cows, and improve health and performance of young calves. How- ever, their effects on performance have been mixed, and the mode of action remains unclear. Bacteria used as DFM have been defined as single or mixed cultures of live organisms, which, when fed to animals, beneficially affect the host. The original concept of feeding DFM to man and livestock was based primarily on the potential for beneficial intestinal effects, including the establish- ment of a desirable gut microflora and/or prevention of the establishment of pathogenic organisms. More re- cently, however, there has been some indication that certain bacterial DFM might have beneficial effects in the rumen, such as decreasing the potential for ruminal acidosis. In several experiments, supplementing feedlot cattle with lactate-utilizing and/or lactate-producing bacteria has been shown to improve feed efficiency and daily gain (approximately 2.5%), with little change in DMI. In addition, increased milk yield (0.75 to 2.0 kg/
Wildlife friendly agriculture: which factors do really matter? A genetic study on the field vole (Microtus agrestis)

The impact of landscape structure and land management on the dispersal of populations of wild species inhabiting the agricultural landscape was investigated by determining the genetic diversity and gene flow of field vole (Microtus agrestis) in three different areas. The main hypotheses were: I) organic farms act as genetic sources and diversity reservoirs for species living in agricultural areas and II) gene flow and genetic structure in the agricultural landscape are influenced by the degree of landscape complexity and connectivity. A total of 443 individuals were sampled within two consecutive years from two agricultural areas and one relatively undisturbed grassland area. Fifteen polymorphic microsatellite loci and the central part of the cytochrome-b were analysed for all the samples. The results indicate that management (i.e. organic or conventional management) has an important effect in shaping the genetic structure across the landscape, but that landscape structure is the main factor shaping gene flow and genetic diversity. More importantly, the presence of organically managed areas does not act as a genetic reservoir for conventional areas and the most important predictor of effective population size is the amount of un-managed available habitat. Together with the findings that the relatively undisturbed natural area showed a completely different genetic structure and diversity levels as compared to the two agricultural areas, these results suggest that political decisions for supporting “wildlife friendly” land management should take into account both management and landscape structure factors.
Thioautotrophic symbiosis: towards a new step in eukaryote evolution?

Endosymbiosis is a key feature of the origin and history of eukaryotes which possibly involved a trophic symbiosis between bacteria and archaea at the very beginning, and whose mitochondria and plasts certainly stemmed out of endosymbiosis events. However the detailed history of these pioneers may well be buried too deep in the past to be ever completely elucidated. Endosymbiosis examples abound in the contemporary marine environment either between bacteria and eukarya or even between several eukarya. Some of the most prominent examples of such trophic symbiosis are the chemoautotrophic symbiosis between bivalves or tubeworms and sulfo-oxydant bacteria which dominate deep-sea hydrothermal vents and cold seeps. These different endosymbiosis experiences may provide biological models for the various steps these associations must go through to evolve from a simple trophic assemblage between two or more organisms into a true organelle status resulting in a single organism. In the case of sulfo-oxidant symbionts one of these examples could be the stem for a new eukaryotic lineage, the thiotrophic eukaryotes. In this short review, some thiotrophic assemblages from chemosynthetic ecosystems serve as examples to highlight the major features exhibited by these endosymbiosis and illustrate how genomic approaches provide us with tools that can help resolve the intricate relationships between host and symbionts.
Symbiotic and phenotypic characterization of Rhizobium isolates of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) Fabaceae, from central and southern Ethiopia

A total of 25 rhizobial isolates from field pea ( Pisum sativum L .) were collected from Shewa, Gojam, Gondar, Wollo and Tigray, and authenticated as root nodule using the trap host. They showed significant variations in their symbiotic effectiveness in nitrogen fixation and enhancing growth of the pea cultivar Markose plants compared to the uninoculated and non-fertilized control plants on sand culture under greenhouse conditions. Although there was inter-site difference in harbouring effective and very effective isolates ranging from 86% (Tigray) and 67% (Gondar) in terms of shoot dry matter accumulation of 50-100%, on the average 76% of the pea rhizobial isolates in the soils of major growing areas in the country were effective and very effective. The inoculated plants also showed differences in total nitrogen contents in the range of 1.72% and 2.93%. These isolates were then characterized based on their cultural, physiological and ecological features in relation to their symbiotic characteristics. The isolates showed diversity in their eco-physiological tolerance (NaCl, pH and temperature) inherent resistance to antibiotics and heavy metals, and heterotrophic competence of utilization of 17 carbon sources. Consequently, isolates NSRlFP1, NSRlFP3, NSRlFP13, NSRlFP17 and NSRlFP18 were the elite rhizobia that can be selected and further tested for their genetic and symbiotic performance in field trials for future bio-inoculant formulation. Key words/phrases: Antibiotic resistance, Eco-physiological tolerance, Heavy metal resistance, Symbiotic effectiveness.
Étude fonctionnelle de la sous-unité régulatrice de la protéine kinase CK2 dans les cellules souches embryonnaires murines : survie cellulaire, oligodendrogenèse et cancérogenèse.

The protein kinase CK2 is a dynamic molecular complex of 2 catalytic subunits α and of a dimer of regulatory subunit β. Cristallographic structure of the CK2β dimer suggests the existence of functional domains involved in the regulating function of the dimer towards the catalytic subunits, as well as in interactions with various protein partners. The CK2β dimer would represent a molecular platform, linking the protein to the center of signalling pathway networks. The knockout of the murin CK2β gene results in a defect of embryonic stem cell viability. We studied the in vitro function of different functional domains with the use of a “death-rescue” cellular model of by additional transgenesis of mutants CK2β. This cellular system is based on a conditional CK2β gene knockout strategy using murin embryonic stem cells (ES cells). The abolition of the endogenous gene expression is lethal for ES cells and the exogenous expression of the wild-type protein CK2β rescues their viability. This “death-rescue” model allows us to study the involvement of various domains of CK2β in the survival, the proliferation and the differentiation of embryonic stem cells. In parallel, the conditional targeted knockout in murin neural precursors demonstrated that CK2β is a key element in signalling pathways that control oligodendrogenesis. The differentiation of nullizygotes ES cells expressing the wild-type exogenous protein reveals that wild-type CK2β rescues the oligodendrocyte lineage. We also showed that some CK2β domains, linked to dimer regulatory functions, are crucial structural determinants for the proliferation of neural stem cells and their progression into the oligodendrocyte lineage.
Leaf herbivory on three tree species in a monodominant and two other Terra firme forests on Maracá Island, Brazil

O objetivo deste trabalho foi testar a hipotese de que Peltogyne gracilipes, especie climax e monodominante, tipicamente nao sofre herbivoria dependente da densidade (Modelo de Janzen-Connell). Dois componentes da variacao intraespecifica na herbivoria foliar foram avaliados: 1) a variacao entre individuos na populacao no mesmo tempo e 2) a variacao temporal na taxa de danos em cada individuo. O estudo foi realizado na Ilha de Maraca, Roraima, Brasil em tres parcelas de 50 m χ 50 m em cada um dos tres tipos florestais (Floresta rica em Peltogyne, PRF; Floresta pobre em Peltogyne, PPF e Floresta sem Peltogyne, FWP). Duas outras especies nao pioneiras (Ecclinusa guianensis e Pradosia surinamensis) foram escolhidas para comparacoes por serem abundantes nas diferentes classes de tamanho e suas plântulas de facil identificacao no campo. A percentagem de area foliar removida pelos herbivoros esta entre os valores reportados para outras especies arboreas tropicais (2-16%). Nao houve diferencas dentro das especies entre florestas. Entretanto, existiu uma diferenca significativa entre especies. As plântulas de Peltogyne nao apresentaram nenhuma evidencia de herbivoria dependente da densidade como previsto pelo modelo de Janzen-Connell, embora para arvores adultas tenha sido observado a ocorrencia de desfolhamento em massa em abril de 1992. Este resultado sugere que Peltogyne pode ser dominante parcialmente devido ao escape da herbivoria nos estagios iniciais de sua vida embora possa sofrer ocasionais desfolhamentos quando adulta.
Opportunities for organoids as new models of aging

directly on the process of aging in people. Human cell culture provides an alternative, but many functional signs of aging occur at the level of tissues rather than cells and are therefore not readily apparent in traditional cell culture models. Organoids have the potential to effectively balance between the strengths and weaknesses of traditional models of aging. They have sufficient complexity to capture relevant signs of aging at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels, while presenting an experimentally tractable alternative to animal studies. Organoid systems have been developed to model many human tissues and diseases. Here we provide a perspective on the potential for organoids to serve as models for aging and describe how current organoid techniques could be ap-plied to aging research.
Decompressive Craniectomy in Pediatric Severe Head Trauma

Objectives: To evaluate in a general way the usefulness of early decompressive craniectomy in pediatric patients with severe traumatic brain injury, the time elapsed from the moment of trauma to the arrival at the neurotrauma center, Glasgow coma scale on admission and its possible association with discharge results and evaluate the results of the computerized tomography images on admission and sequential, as well as the behavior of intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure. Patients and methods: A descriptive study with 36 patients admitted in our pediatric intensive care unit from January 2003 to December 2016 was carried, in which an early decompressive craniectomy was performed to reduce the refractory intracranial hypertension from a severe head trauma. Results: 22 patients were treated with primary decompressive craniotomy and 14 with delayed decompressive craniotomy. Initial computerized tomography showed grade IV diffuse axonal lesion in 50% of cases and intracranial pressure after decompressive craniotomy was below the normal values for each age group in 68.18%. Glasgow outcome Scale at 1 year of evolution showed 59.09% with grade V and a mortality of 22.73% (grade I). Conclusion: In children who suffered severe head trauma with refractory intracranial hypertension, early decompressive craniectomy may be an effective method to treat the secondary deterioration that commonly leads to death or severe neurological deficit.
CATION EXCHANGE BETWEEN CELLS AND PLASMA OF MAMMALIAN BLOOD

Sodium and potassium exchange has been studied in the blood of the sheep, dog, cow, and man. The potassium exchange rate in human cells is practically unaltered by increasing the plasma potassium concentration approximately threefold. Comparing the results in different species the exchange rate for potassium shows a rough correlation with the intracellular amount of the element. Expressed in per cent of the cellular content sodium tends to exchange more rapidly than potassium. In three instances the specific activity curves deviate from the simple exponential behavior of a two compartment system. In the exchange of potassium in canine blood the deviation is caused by the presence of a rapidly exchanging fraction in the buffy coat cells. Such an effect does not account for the inhomogeneity of sodium exchange in human blood.